Semester 1

Semester 1: The History of Philosophy

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.

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 Locke 

I.7: Selected Post-Medieval Thinkers, Part II: David Hume & Immanuel Kant

Semester 1: Leadership Development

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.

Desired outcomes:

1. Participants will understand the concept of self-leadership and its importance for personal and professional development.
2. Participants will be able to identify their leadership strengths and areas for growth.
3. Participants will be motivated to continue developing their self-leadership skills.

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.

Desired outcomes: 

1. Participants will understand the concept of a growth mindset and its benefits.
2. Participants will be able to identify and begin to change any fixed mindset beliefs they may have.
3. Participants can apply a growth mindset to challenges and goals in their personal and professional lives.

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.

Desired outcomes: 

1. Participants will understand the importance of setting goals and creating a plan.
2. Participants will be able to use the SMART goal-setting framework to create their own goals and action plan.
3. Participants will be able to apply their goal-setting and planning skills to their personal and professional lives.

4. Time management and productivity: 

Description: 

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.

Desired outcomes: 

1. Participants will understand effective time management techniques and strategies to increase productivity.
2. Participants will be able to assess their own time management habits and develop a plan to improve them.
3. Participants will be able to apply effective time management skills to their personal and professional lives.

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.

Desired outcomes: 

1. Participants will understand the importance of effective communication and interpersonal skills for self-leadership.
2. Participants will be able to apply active listening, assertiveness, and other key communication skills in their personal and professional lives.
3. Participants will be able to improve their communication and interpersonal skills through practice and feedback.

6. Building and leading a team: 

Description: 

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.

Desired outcomes: 

1. Participants will understand the key elements of team leadership.
2. Participants will be able to apply their leadership skills in a team-based activity.
3. Participants will be able to identify and overcome common challenges faced by leaders.

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.

Desired outcomes: 

1. Participants will understand the importance of self-care and well-being for self-leadership.
2. Participants will be able to identify and apply stress management techniques to their personal and professional lives.
3. Participants will be able to develop a plan to prioritize their own well-being.

8. Putting it all together: 

Description: 

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.

Desired outcomes: 

1. Participants will be able to reflect on what they have learned throughout the self-leadership curriculum.
2. Participants will be able to develop an action plan to continue their personal and professional development.
3. Participants will be able to share their experiences and insights with the group and support each other in their self-leadership journey.