In the first semester of the program, fellows will be provided with an overview of the history of philosophy. By studying myriad philosophers, ancient and modern alike, students are introduced to central problems, errors, and dichotomies that have plagued our world to this very day. The understanding of these fallacies is supposed to give the fellows the philosophical weapons needed to convincingly counter the arguments of the irrational statists of our day. At the same time, the course will put special emphasis on the Aristotelian philosophy as a key to understanding the fundamental cornerstones necessary to build an ethical and free society. Central philosophers discussed in this course will be the subject of the second semester when contrasted with Rand.
Lecturers in the first semester include Prof. Dr. Carrie-Ann Biondi, Prof. Dr. Andrew Bernstein, and Martin Hooss. To pass the course, students are expected to regularly attend class, listen to selected lectures from Dr. Leonard Peikoff’s History of Philosophy lecture series, read selected passages from Aristotle’s oeuvre and W. T. Jones’ A History of Western Philosophy, and pass a final exam.
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Sample Study Plan
I.1: The Pre-Socratics and the Birth of (Greek) Philosophy: Thales of Miletus, Heraclitus of Ephesus, Parmenides of Elea, Pythagoras
I.2: Pre-Socratic Schools of Thoughts: Pluralists, Atomists, Sophists / Socrates and Plato
I.3: The Birth of Logic: Aristotelian Metaphysics & Epistemology
I.4: The Birth of Freedom: Aristotelian Ethics & Political Philosophy
I.5: Platonic Faith vs. Aristotelian Reason in the Middle Ages: Augustine of Hippo vs. Thomas Aquinas
I.6: Selected Post-Medieval Thinkers, Part I: Thomas Hobbes, René Descartes, John LockeÂ
I.7: Selected Post-Medieval Thinkers, Part II: David Hume & Immanuel Kant
SELF-LEADERSHIP
1. Introduction to self-leadership:
Description
This session will provide an overview of self-leadership and why it is essential for personal and professional development. Participants will also have the opportunity to reflect on their leadership strengths and areas for growth.
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Desired outcomes:
2. Developing a growth mindset:
Description
In this session, participants will learn about the concept of a growth mindset and how it can help them to overcome challenges and achieve their goals. They will also have the opportunity to identify and begin to change any fixed mindset beliefs they may have.
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Desired outcomes:Â
3. Setting goals and creating a plan:
Description
This session will focus on setting goals and creating a plan to achieve them. Participants will learn about the SMART goal-setting framework and have the opportunity to create their own goals and action plans.
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Desired outcomes:Â
4. Time management and productivity:
Description:Â
Participants will learn about effective time management techniques and strategies to increase productivity in this session. They will also be able to assess their time management habits and develop a plan to improve them.
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Desired outcomes:Â
5. Communication and interpersonal skills:
Description:
This session will focus on the importance of effective communication and interpersonal skills for self-leadership. Participants will learn about active listening, assertiveness, and other key communication skills and will have the opportunity to practice them in a safe and supportive environment.
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Desired outcomes:Â
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6. Building and leading a team:
Description:Â
In this session, participants will learn about the key elements of team leadership and will have the opportunity to practice their leadership skills in a team-based activity. They will also learn about common challenges faced by leaders and strategies for overcoming them.
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Desired outcomes:Â
7. Managing stress and maintaining well-being:
Description:
This session will focus on the importance of self-care and well-being for self-leadership. Participants will learn about stress management techniques and will have the opportunity to develop a plan to prioritize their own well-being.
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Desired outcomes:Â
8. Putting it all together:
Description:Â
In the final session, participants will have the opportunity to reflect on what they have learned throughout the self-leadership curriculum and will develop an action plan to continue their personal and professional development. They will also have the opportunity to share their experiences and insights with the group.
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Desired outcomes:Â