Graduate Seminar 2009

Topic: Objectivist Method 
 
To be held on the campus of George Washington University, Washington, D.C., August 2–7, 2009. 

Get the initial syllabus.

Seminar Description:

The Graduate Seminar in Objectivist Philosophy and Method is a week of lectures, discussions, and workshops designed for graduate students, junior faculty, and post-doctoral scholars of philosophy and related fields such as history, political science, and psychology. It is organized by The Atlas Society (TAS), the center for Objectivism. 

TAS founder David Kelley, Ph.D. and TAS Director of Programs William Thomas, M.A will be the lead instructors for this intimate and intensive week of intellectual development. 

Instruction in 2009 will focus on the distinctive Objectivist methodology of approaching philosophical issues. The syllabus will include aspects of philosophical analysis such as defining concepts, analyzing the logical structure of arguments, keeping context, organizing ideas in terms of essentials, and employing induction and deduction appropriately. Students will also learn presentation skills by taking part in the presentation of a 10-part course on Objectivism.

The Graduate Seminar will be held August 2 – 7 at George Washington University in downtown Washington, D.C, near the TAS offices. Participants can expect to arrive on Sunday, the 2nd and depart on Saturday morning, the 8th. Attendance will be strictly limited to around 10 participants to maintain a productive small-group setting and maximize the benefit participants can gain from taking part. Students taking part will be required prepare a 30-minute lecture on an aspect of Objectivism selected from a syllabus for a course on the philosophy. There is no essay required this year.

The seminar is free of charge to qualified student and professional scholar participants. Participants are provided with a single room on the G.W.U. campus and a stipend to cover food expenses at the seminar. A limited number of travel stipends to a maximum of $300 will also be available, with preference in making travel awards given to those who apply by May 16. 

(Applications from non-professional scholars with exceptional qualifications will be considered, though few or none may be accepted, and any such participants would need to pay a seminar fee of $900 or $180/day.) 
 
Get the application form. 

The early application deadline is May 15, 2009.

Early applicants will be notified about their acceptance by May 23.  Preference will be given to early applicants in acceptance and travel stipend award decisions. Applicants who need a decision before May 23 are welcome to request an early decision  at the time that they apply.
 
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis through July 10, 2008.

Applicants after May 15 will be notified regarding their acceptance on a rolling basis, but no later than July 17. Acceptance of late applicants will depend on available space and funds.

Questions? Contact w thomas at Atlas Society dot org for more information, or call The Atlas Society.