Distance-Learning Course Fall 2004
Objectivism from the Source:
Application Information

Participant Section

Ayn Rand was a brilliant, penetrating thinker who developed a rich and subtle system of philosophical analysis, a system that poses a fundamental alternative to the contradictions of traditional philosophic and religious thought. Anyone who aspires to understand, study, or advocate Rand's ideas needs to seriously study her work and master the philosophic system and distinctive cultural perspective she created there.

"Objectivism from the Source" is a weekly seminar that will teach a systematic understanding of Rand's philosophy, Objectivism, through a careful reading of core texts in which Rand explicates and applies it.

The course will meet by teleconference: to take part, you just call in to a pre-determined toll-free 800-number at the appointed time. The weekly teleconference sessions will be supplemented by email and web-based materials.

"Objectivism from the Source" will be open to students, activists, scholars, and club members who want to deepen their grasp of the key elements of the philosophy. Attendance will be strictly limited to maintain a productive small-group setting and maximize the benefit participants can gain from taking part. Participants will be required to do readings in advance of class meetings and be prepared to discuss the readings in a thoughtful and rational manner. Participants will also be required to do a fair amount of writing: you will compose outlines of Rand's essays and/or short essays applying or summarizing Rand's arguments. Participants' performance will be graded to help you assess your progress.

The course will meet once a week for two and a half hours. It will meet on eleven Wednesdays over twelve weeks, taking a break on Thanksgiving week. The first class is planned for Wednesday, September 15, and the last for Wednesday, December 1. The class hours are planned for 6:30-9:00 PM Eastern Time. However, the particular day and time of the weekly class meeting could be altered if convenient for all in the class.

The instructor will be William Thomas, TOC Director of Programs. Thomas is the author of "Ayn Rand: Radical for Capitalism" (in Frost and Sikkenga, eds., History of American Political Thought); he is the editor of The Literary Art of Ayn Rand (forthcoming); and his lectures on Objectivism are available on CD from the Objectivism Store.

The course tuition is $180 ($85 for full-time students). A limited number of scholarships are available. In addition to the tuition, participants will need to acquire such books as required by the syllabus. Please note, however, that participants will not be responsible for per-minute telephone charges associated with teleconferencing: these will be paid by the Center.

The application deadline is August 23. Late applications from students will be considered through September 7. Admission decisions will be announced by August 31.

TOC Distance-Learning Seminar Application Form

"Objectivism from the Source" Application deadline August 23, 2004. Late applications from students will be considered through September 7. To take part in this course, you will need regular, reliable access to a telephone during course hours and access to email and the internet.

Please send a letter, email, or fax to The Objectivist Center answering the following questions.

Name:
Age:
Mailing Address (9/1-12/10):
Email address:
Telephone number(s):

1. What is your current occupation?

2. Please outline your formal educational background. If you are currently in school, please also state your field, degree in progress, and expected date of graduation.

3. Please describe the extent of your familiarity with Objectivism, including the major works you have read and courses you have taken.

4. Please describe any involvement you have had in the Objectivist movement, including attendance at conferences and participation in local discussion groups, Internet newsgroups, e-mail lists, etc.

D1. What are your future career plans?

D2. What Objectivist idea has most influenced your view on society and life?

D3. What do you expect to gain from taking part in this course?

D4. The course is planned for Wednesdays, 6:30-9:00 PM. Is that day and time convenient for you? Are there other days and/or time that you would prefer? If so, what are they?

Scholarship Request

The Center has a limited number of scholarships available for this course for participants with exceptional promise and with exceptional financial needs. Scholarship recipients will receive a tuition waiver. To request a scholarship, please answer the following questions.

DS1. Are you a full-time student?

DS2. Why do you need the scholarship?

DS3. A scholarship is an investment in your education. How do you expect the Center and its supporters to benefit from making such an investment? How do you see yourself contributing the development or advancement of Objectivism?

The application deadline is August 23.
Late applications from students will be considered through September 7.

Application materials should be sent to:

The Objectivist Center
11 Raymond Ave., Suite 31
Poughkeepsie, NY 12603
Tel: 845-461-6100
Fax: 845-471-6195
wthomas@objectivistcenter.org