Summer School 2012 (Looking back)

THINKING THROUGH TIMES OF CRISIS

SUMMER SCHOOL MIMETIC THEORY 2012

Leusden, The Netherlands

15–29 July 2012

Aankondiging & nabeschouwing 

Announcement of the course

The second Summer School Mimetic Theory will be held from 15 - 29 July 2012 in Leusden in the Netherlands.

The Summer School offers an in depth and interdisciplinary understanding of René Girard’s basic texts and their contexts, and targets students who have some preliminary knowledge of Mimetic Theory as well as those students who want to explore its specific interdisciplinary character. It is a unique opportunity for students to share their interests with each other and to connect with established Girardian scholars in different fields.

Student profile
The Summer School targets Master students and PhD students who intend or consider using Mimetic Theory in their studies, or are otherwise interested in Mimetic Theory. Some preliminary acquaintance with the work of René Girard is required. The number of participants is 25 max.

Teachers
The teaching team includes James Alison (independent scholar Sao Paolo, Brazil), Paul Dumouchel (Ritsumeikan University Kyoto, Japan), Sandor Goodhart (Purdue University West-Lafayette, US), and Mark Anspach who have published articles and books on mimetic theory and have taken on the challenge to develop the central insights of the theory in their own fields. Their intimate acquaintance with mimetic theory and with Girard’s teaching style guarantees an inspiring learning experience.

Course content
The course addresses the three core books by René Girard: Deceit, Desire and the Novel, Violence and the Sacred, and Things Hidden Since the Foundation of the World.

Having followed the course students:
- will have a substantial knowledge of basic texts and concepts;
- will have acquired new methodological skills to analyze texts and cases;
- will have an understanding of the scope and innovative character of the theory.

The course will be taught in English. Teaching takes the form of lectures, seminar groups and individual supervision. Reading assignments will be given before the Summer School proper, as well as during the course. Students are expected to write a proposal for a paper.

Preliminary requirements
Students are expected to have read Deceit, Desire and the Novel, Violence and the Sacred and parts of Things Hidden Since the Foundation of the World.

Venue
The International School of Philosophy (ISVW) will host the Summer School. This school, known for its inspiring learning climate, is located 50 kilometres from Amsterdam.

Tuition fee
The tuition fee is € 500 or US $ 650, and includes food and lodging. Participants should arrange their own travel and insurance. The tuition fee has to be paid via bank transfer and should be received by 1st May 2012.

Travel grants

Students residing outside Europe can apply for some financial support to help cover for travel costs.

Application and information
If you wish to apply, please, download the application form here. 
For updated information about the programme keep track of the Summer School 2012 Announcements.

More information on the course and mode of application can be obtained by sending an email to: Thérèse Onderdenwijngaard

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Nabeschouwing (in het Nederlands) 

Van 15 to 29 juli 2012 organiseerde de Girard Studiekring in samenwerking met Imitatio voor de tweede keer een Summer School Mimetic Theory aan de Internationale School voor Wijsbegeerte te Leusden. Onder de bezielende leiding van docenten Prof. Dr. Sandor Goodhart, Prof. Dr. Paul Dumouchel, Dr. James Alison en Dr. Mark Anspach volgden zeventien studenten uit Finland, Nederland, Frankrijk, Italië, Slovenië, Oostenrijk, Zuid-Afrika, India, Australië en de Verenigde Staten een intensieve cursus van twee weken.

Centraal stonden de belangrijkste boeken van René Girard: Deceit, Desire and the Novel, Violence and the Sacred en Things Hidden since the Foundation of the World. Het programma bevatte seminars, schrijfopdrachten en individuele supervisie. Daarnaast belegden de studenten spontane film- en discussiesessies en namen ze de gelegenheid te baat om op vrije middagen een bezoek te brengen aan Amersfoort en Amsterdam. De inspirerende ambiance en mooie omgeving van de School voor Wijsbegeerte zorgden voor ontspanning tussen de lessen door. Een bezoek aan het Nationale Park de Hoge Veluwe was een welkome onderbreking op zondag 22 juli.

Voor een impressie van een van de deelnemers, zie het COV&R Bulletin van oktober 2012. In hetzelfde nummer van dit bulletin staat een aankondiging van het nieuwe door de studentengroep van de Summer School opgezette online tijdschrift Skandalon, waarvan de eerste aflevering zomer 2013 zal verschijnen.