Introduction to Ayn Rand's Philosophy

A Six-Part Course
 
Those who have read The Fountainhead or Atlas Shrugged know that the sunlit universe Ayn Rand depicts in her novels is unlike the world they see around them. How can one achieve the clarity of vision and joyous existence that her fictional heroes achieve?

Ayn Rand held that there was only one way: by learning and practicing the abstract principles that actually guide the lives of her heroes—which she had to formulate for herself before creating her novels.

We invite you to come explore the unique system of ideas that is Ayn Rand’s philosophy of life.

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Course Topics

Instructors

Class Dates

Attendance Options

Tuition

Registration and Payment

FAQ

Terms and Conditions

Course Topics

Introduction

• The distinctiveness and power of Ayn Rand’s ideas


• Ayn Rand on the importance of thought, personal values and one’s life

Instructors

Dr. Onkar Ghate, senior resident fellow at the Ayn Rand Institute; currently teaches philosophy for the Institute’s Objectivist Academic Center	Dr. Keith Lockitch, resident fellow at the Ayn Rand Institute, currently teaches writing and history of science for the Institute’s Objectivist Academic Center
Elan Journo, junior fellow and writer at the Ayn Rand Institute	Alex Epstein, junior fellow and writer at the Ayn Rand Institute

Live Class Dates

Wednesdays: April 26; May 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31, beginning at 7:30 p.m. PST

Six classes, 90 minutes each (includes Q & A)

Attendance Options

The course is taught in interactive sessions in which participants are invited to raise questions. There are three attendance options:

• Listen to online recordings of classes. Broadband Internet connection recommended, RealPlayer or Windows Media required. Recordings will be made available through June 30, 2006 to all registrants. Online registrants will be able to submit questions for consideration to the instructor by e-mail. The instructor may answer the questions during live classes or by e-mail. This registration option will remain available after live courses have ended.



• Live, in-person. Location: The Ayn Rand Institute, 2121 Alton Pkwy, Suite 250, Irvine, CA 92606. Subject to available space. Late registrants may catch up by listening to online recordings.



• Live, via teleconferencing. Attendees who register for this option rather than in-person attendance will be assigned a telephone access code and receive dialing information by e-mail before the first session. Note: the telephone number is a toll line, area code 503. Attendees are responsible for telephone charges. Late registrants may catch up by listening to online recordings.

Tuition

General: $99 for general attendees.

Students and teachers: $25 for high school or college students and teachers. Student/teacher ID is required. Online registration is okay, but a copy of your ID must be mailed or faxed (see below for address and fax number).

Registration and Payment

Registration is closed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are attendees required to have read any of Ayn Rand's fiction or nonfiction?
No (although we are certainly not discouraging it!).
 
Will there be required reading during the course?
No, but for most of the classes, there will be recommended readings from the Ayn Rand Reader, available at a special price of only $11.95 (40% off list price) to students of this course from the Ayn Rand Bookstore.
 
Will attendees be given homework assignments or be graded?
No.
 
Will attendees be allowed to ask questions during class?
Yes, pressing questions can be asked during class; as well, there will be a more formal Q & A period at the end of each class.
 
Will those attending via live teleconference be allowed to ask questions?
Yes.
 
Will those who register to listen only to the online recordings have an opportunity to submit questions by e-mail?
Yes. But because of the potential volume of e-mail questions, we cannot guarantee a reply. The instructors may, however, choose to discuss an e-mailed question in one of the classes.
 
If I register to attend in person at ARI, will I also have the option to dial in from home?
For administrative reasons, we require that you register to attend either in person or by teleconferencing, but not both. We will make advance accommodations for those who register to attend in person, and we will reserve dial-in access lines for those who register for teleconferencing. All registrants will have access to online recordings of the classes through June 30, 2006.
 
How soon after each live class will the recording be available online?
Usually within 24 hours, barring technical difficulty.
 

Terms and Conditions

Teleconferencing: Participation in this course is possible for anyone with access to a telephone. The telephone must be of good quality so as not to cause disturbances on the line, and it must have a mute button. The mute function must be enabled during the classes, except when asking or answering questions. If your telephone is causing a disturbance in the class, you will be required to correct the problem before attending another class.

Online recordings: Second Renaissance, Inc., is not responsible for user replay problems which might possibly occur as a result of, for example, Internet congestion, player buffering, connection speed or computer compatibility issues. RealPlayer® or Windows Media Player® must be installed on your computer. Free versions and technical support can be found at www.real.com (RealPlayer®) or www.microsoft.com (Windows Media Player®).

Written cancellation requests postmarked or e-mailed by April 25, 2006, will receive a full refund. No refunds will be granted after this date.

Second Renaissance, Inc., may reject any registration for any reason whatsoever. Participants who disrupt class may be expelled without any refund of fees. Submission of course registration is deemed to be acceptance of terms and conditions of enrollment.

Registration fees are not tax-deductible contributions to the Ayn Rand Institute. Class is subject to rescheduling or cancellation.

For more information, e-mail info@objectivistconferences.com.

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