The Moral Life
and the Classical TraditionJune 20 - 26, 2010
Seminar Overview
The Moral Life and the Classical Tradition Seminar is a weeklong program for rising high school juniors and seniors interested in the classical philosophical tradition and its influence in the Christian moral life. The seminar, which takes place from June 20th to 26th on the beautiful and historic campus of Princeton University, is offered to both young men and women, though instruction and extracurricular activities remain separate.
The seminar consists of two complementary components: a classical course on the Dialogues of Plato and a course on topics in Christian moral thought. The classical course will be led by Dr. Michael Sugrue, Professor of History and Chairman of the Department of History at Ave Maria University. Students will be expected to have carefully studied Plato's Apology, Crito, Phaedo, Euthyphro, and Meno before arriving to campus. The course in Christian moral thought will consist of lectures on the rational foundations of Christianity, addressing such topics as: Faith and Reason; Christianity and Science; Christianity and Sexual Ethics, Marriage and Family; and, Christianity and Bioethical Principles. These sessions are designed to enhance students' understanding of the arguments in favor of the Christian moral view, in response to some of the most pressing challenges of our day. Dr. Seana Sugrue, Associate Professor of Politics at Ave Maria University, will lead the sessions for the women, and Dr. Paul Macdonald, Associate Professor of Religion at Bucknell University, will lead the sessions for the men. These two course components are supplemented with quiet time for study and extracurricular activities such as sports, cultural outings, and study breaks, as well as opportunities for spiritual reflection.
The Moral Life and the Classical Tradition Seminar is a challenging intellectual experience that brings high school students into direct contact with acclaimed professors of the humanities. As one student wrote:
"I write this email to express my gratitude to you for teaching the seminar. Your teaching of the Socratic Method and the various philosophies of Socrates has truly opened my eyes. I am thinking about things I never even considered before, and for the first time in far too long I feel wholly intellectually stimulated. What is more, I am now so interested in Plato and Socrates that I am actually pursuing the subject outside of class, which is something that - I will admit! - I have not done in a long time."
Seminar Facilities
This seminar will take place on the campus of Princeton University. Seminar participants will be provided with room and board for the duration of the seminar.
Seminar Fee
A $200 seminar fee will be required of all accepted applicants by May 1, 2010.
Application Instructions
Please send via email to Sophia Pacanowsky (spacanowsky@winst.org) the following forms and documents by April 1, 2010:
1. Completed Application Form
2. One letter of recommendation from a high school teacher or private tutor
3. A 500 word essay answering the following question posed by Plato's teacher Socrates in the dialogue Meno: "Is virtue something that can be taught? Or does it come by practice? Or is it neither teaching nor practice that gives it to a man, but natural aptitude or something else?" (Meno, 70a)
4. Official high school transcripts mailed in hard copy to: The Witherspoon Institute, 16 Stockton Street, Princeton, NJ 08540
Applicants to the seminar can expect to receive a decision by April 15, 2010.
The Moral Life and the Classical Tradition Seminar is a weeklong program for rising high school juniors and seniors interested in the classical philosophical tradition and its influence in the Christian moral life. The seminar, which takes place from June 20th to 26th on the beautiful and historic campus of Princeton University, is offered to both young men and women, though instruction and extracurricular activities remain separate.
The seminar consists of two complementary components: a classical course on the Dialogues of Plato and a course on topics in Christian moral thought. The classical course will be led by Dr. Michael Sugrue, Professor of History and Chairman of the Department of History at Ave Maria University. Students will be expected to have carefully studied Plato's Apology, Crito, Phaedo, Euthyphro, and Meno before arriving to campus. The course in Christian moral thought will consist of lectures on the rational foundations of Christianity, addressing such topics as: Faith and Reason; Christianity and Science; Christianity and Sexual Ethics, Marriage and Family; and, Christianity and Bioethical Principles. These sessions are designed to enhance students' understanding of the arguments in favor of the Christian moral view, in response to some of the most pressing challenges of our day. Dr. Seana Sugrue, Associate Professor of Politics at Ave Maria University, will lead the sessions for the women, and Dr. Paul Macdonald, Associate Professor of Religion at Bucknell University, will lead the sessions for the men. These two course components are supplemented with quiet time for study and extracurricular activities such as sports, cultural outings, and study breaks, as well as opportunities for spiritual reflection.
The Moral Life and the Classical Tradition Seminar is a challenging intellectual experience that brings high school students into direct contact with acclaimed professors of the humanities. As one student wrote:
"I write this email to express my gratitude to you for teaching the seminar. Your teaching of the Socratic Method and the various philosophies of Socrates has truly opened my eyes. I am thinking about things I never even considered before, and for the first time in far too long I feel wholly intellectually stimulated. What is more, I am now so interested in Plato and Socrates that I am actually pursuing the subject outside of class, which is something that - I will admit! - I have not done in a long time."
Seminar Facilities
This seminar will take place on the campus of Princeton University. Seminar participants will be provided with room and board for the duration of the seminar.
Seminar Fee
A $200 seminar fee will be required of all accepted applicants by May 1, 2010.
Application Instructions
Please send via email to Sophia Pacanowsky (spacanowsky@winst.org) the following forms and documents by April 1, 2010:
1. Completed Application Form
2. One letter of recommendation from a high school teacher or private tutor
3. A 500 word essay answering the following question posed by Plato's teacher Socrates in the dialogue Meno: "Is virtue something that can be taught? Or does it come by practice? Or is it neither teaching nor practice that gives it to a man, but natural aptitude or something else?" (Meno, 70a)
4. Official high school transcripts mailed in hard copy to: The Witherspoon Institute, 16 Stockton Street, Princeton, NJ 08540
Applicants to the seminar can expect to receive a decision by April 15, 2010.
Moral Life
and the
Classical Tradition
and the
Classical Tradition
