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2005 Summer Seminar at Union College in Schenectady, New York
Objectivism in Theory and Practice
July 9 - July 16, 2005
New! The TOC Summer Seminar Video! |
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What is the Summer Seminar?
The Summer Seminar is a week-long exploration of Ayn Rand's philosophy of Objectivism, from its broadest applications to its most subtle implications. The Summer Seminar is a place where you can take courses from top objectivist scholars ...drink in provocative lectures on political, ethical, and cultural topics…attend practical lectures on applied objectivism... and enjoy enriching lectures on the arts, all in a program rich in Objectivist perspectives and based in Objectivism and its core values of reason, individualism, achievement, and freedom.
The Summer Seminar is a week of fellowship, families, and friends…where you'll live in a close community of happy, accomplished people, eager to share your ideas and values, and forge relationships that can last a lifetime.
"It was more than I could have imagined, it was Galt's Gulch."
—Arena Mueller
Last year the seminar drew people from 31 American states, and 4 foreign countries; the participants ranged in age from high-school students to retirees and represented virtually every profession.
It's almost impossible to convey the overall experience of the Summer Seminar to anyone who hasn't attended. "Seminar" suggests days filled with classroom lectures—and certainly the Summer Seminar offers challenging and inspiring presentations from some of the finest speakers you'll find anywhere. In addition, over the years, the Summer Seminar has evolved into more than an educational opportunity: it's become an intense experience of what it means to be an Objectivist - and of what it means to live in a thriving Objectivist community. There's plenty of time for socializing, and abundant opportunities for recreation and entertainment, both on campus and in the surrounding area.
The Summer Seminar site: College Park Hall, Union College, 450 Nott Street, Schenectady, NY 12308
Union College and Surrounding Area
Come explore Schenectady, where opportunities abound within an easy walk of Union's hillside campus. Enjoy a latte and browse the bookstores or boutique shops on the Jay Street pedestrian mall, or Upper Union Street. Sample Schenectady's favorite food - Italian! - in the city's dozens of restaurants, bakeries and cafes. Watch the sunset over the Mohawk River and take an evening stroll through the narrow streets of the historic Stockade neighborhood. Enjoy a spectacular Broadway production at Proctor's Theatre, one of the finest restored vaudeville theaters in the country. Relax and enjoy the sounds of jazz, a symphony, or blues band at a free concert. Check out a performance of the Schenectady Symphony Orchestra, Northeast Ballet or the Schenectady Civic Players. Or see what's happening at the Yulman Center or art gallery at Union College. Go hiking in one of 9 nature preserves, golf at one of 6 golf courses, swim or bike along the Erie Canal, boat on the beautiful Mohawk River -- it's all nearby.
Schenectady is located a short ride from the Adirondacks, Albany, Cooperstown, the Berkshires, Howe Caverns, Lake George, and Saratoga Springs. It offers first class accommodations, wonderful attractions and has a wealth of history and culture. During your stay you can enjoy a performance of the New York City Ballet at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, visit the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, enjoy the rides and attractions at Six Flags Amusement Park in Lake George, shop the malls in Albany or the quaint shops in Saratoga, visit the National Museum of Dance and Hall of Fame or the Albany Institute of History and Art. There's plenty to do!
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Conference Life
In founding The Objectivist Center, David Kelley envisioned an open, tolerant, and vibrant Objectivist movement. That vision lies at the heart of the intellectual and social atmosphere at the seminar. Its relaxed, benevolent social atmosphere has allowed friendships, business partnerships, even romances and marriages to blossom. Jennifer Iannolo, a first time attendee from Cornwall, NY, had this to say about the seminar, "Arriving at the seminar, I was struck by the sense of benevolence in the air. Ideas were encouraged and openly shared for examination, whether in epistemology, art, bioethics, or music…. As a result of my week in the real-life Galt's Gulch, I have made friends for a lifetime. They are heroic individuals whose companionship enriches my soul, and whose existence is an affirmation that the world we want does exist—that it is real, it is possible, it is ours."
"Of all the Objectivist conferences I've been to, The Objectivist Center's are far and away the best."
—Damian Moskovitz
This unique social experience begins on the first afternoon you arrive, with special welcoming receptions for students and newcomers. You'll meet and chat with seminar faculty and the Center's staff, and learn what the week has in store for you. Immediately afterwards, you'll join hundreds of attendees from all over the world at our opening day picnic, held outdoors on the beautiful grounds of the campus. It's a wonderful opportunity to mingle, meet people, and - if you're a veteran of past conferences - to greet old friends over a hearty meal of traditional picnic fare.
That evening—and each night of the week—you can drop into the Common Room, the informal center of conference social life. Over refreshments, you'll get to know your fellow participants, question staff members and faculty, and debate issues raised in the day's presentations.
On Thursday evening, the Center's top contributors gather for an elegant Sponsors Dinner—our annual celebration of the Center's achievements and impact. And the week comes to a rousing finish on Friday night at our gala Closing Banquet and Dance. It's a time to unwind, dress up, feast on great food, and dance the night away.
"Excellent. I can't wait for next year's seminar. I'm home!"
—David MacRae
For virtually all who attend, the Summer Seminar experience is an emotional tonic, a high point in their year. Discover for yourself what has made The Objectivist Center's annual Summer Seminar a "must" for hundreds of admirers of Ayn Rand and her provocative ideas. Do yourself (and your appreciation of rational selfishness) a favor: register for the Summer Seminar today!
Early Registration Deadline is May 2nd!
Regular registration deadline is June 20
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