A 'Student Initiative' for 2004

Objectivism's influence depends on the support available for its advocates and the number of skilled advocates it has. In the long run, Objectivism can grow as a cultural force only if it has the minds of "new intellectuals" relating it to academic and popular culture and developing it as a body of knowledge. In recognition of this, The Objectivist Center has worked from its inception to train and mentor promising students and scholars who show potential to be future advocates of the Objectivist philosophy. This commitment has been clear in programs like summer seminar scholarships, student internship program, the Effective Communication Workshop, the Foundations Study Guides, the online Scholars Directory, the Advanced Seminar for philosophical papers, and the Objectivist Studies monographs that publish such papers—not to mention the "free materials" program launched just over a year ago, which makes TOC publications free to qualified students.

But the center's student programs are receiving a big boost in 2004, thanks to the generosity of TOC patron Ashwin Vasan. Indeed, thanks to his support, 2004 might well be styled "the year of the student initiative." This initiative comprises three major additions to our student programs, explained below:

Scholarships for Graduate Students for 2004-2005

The Center will offer up to $12,000 annually for a limited number of qualified students pursuing doctorates in philosophy and closely related fields, such as psychology and cognitive science. The goal of this program is to help Objectivist scholars finish their degrees and begin taking part in teaching, researching, and writing on a professional basis. Application forms will be available from January 26 on-line and from William Thomas at the center. The application deadline for scholarships starting in fall of 2004 is March 1.

New Graduate Seminar in Objectivist Philosophy and Method

The Graduate Seminar is a special week of lectures, discussions, and workshops designed for graduate students, junior faculty, and post-doctoral scholars of philosophy and related fields. TOC's executive director, David Kelley, will be the lead instructor for this intimate and intensive week of intellectual development. Instruction will focus on the content of Objectivism, the relation of Objectivism to non-Objectivist scholarly literature, the distinctive Objectivist method of philosophical analysis, and writing and speaking skills.

The Graduate Seminar will be held July 31 - August 7 at Marist College, which is in Poughkeepsie, New York, near TOC's offices. The seminar will be offered free of charge to qualified participants, and limited travel stipends will be available. There is an application deadline in the spring for students who want early confirmation of acceptance in order to plan their summers. But if space remains available, applications will be accepted as late as the summer seminar in early July.

Distance-Learning Seminar in Objectivism

Starting in the fall, the center plans to offer a weekly seminar that will meet in a teleconference. The distance-learning seminar will teach a systematic understanding of Objectivism and will be open to students, scholars, activists, and club leaders who want to deepen their grasp of the key elements of the philosophy. Starting in about mid-September, the seminar will meet once a week for two or three hours and will run for ten weeks, with a break for Thanksgiving. Currently, TOC's director of programs, William Thomas, is expected to be the instructor. Application information will become available in the spring.

With these courses, the center will be fleshing out its concept of a virtual "major in Objectivism." The center staff will be working to develop an increasingly comprehensive cycle of training and educational programs that will allow students excited about Ayn Rand and her philosophy to learn its basics, delve as deep as they need to, and make the intellectual connections to reach an advanced grasp of its arguments and method. This education content is augmented by our training in thinking and exposition skills that effective scholars and advocates of Objectivism require.

Summer Internships at The Objectivist Center

The Objectivist Center is offering a paid ten-week internship position for 2004. Unpaid internships are also available. Interns work at the center on writing and research projects, or on other projects that suit their qualifications and interests. Past interns have worked on Web site FAQs, Navigator articles, op-eds, and scholarly papers. Further information regarding the internships can be found at www.objectiviststudies.org. The center is looking for promising students with a thorough understanding of Objectivism and a serious commitment to promoting the philosophy. The Summer Internship application deadline is April 23. Applicants will be informed of their acceptance or rejection by May 4.

[Webmaster: More information on these programs and more at the Objectivst Studies subsite of TOC's website]