The Roger Scruton Legacy Foundation, in partnership with the Mathias Corvinus Collegium, is pleased to present The Oxford Seminar, a 5-day, 4-night intensive programme designed to introduce undergraduate students to the philosophical thought of Sir Roger Scruton and the larger Western tradition from which he wrote. The programme will provide a small group of students from the United Kingdom, the United States, and Europe with a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in Scruton's ideas and engage in discussions with like-minded peers.
The Seminar will take place in historic locations around the University of Oxford including Worcester College and the University Church of St Mary the Virgin. Participants will attend lectures and seminars led by expert scholars, participate in dinners and talks with special guests, and enjoy outings in Oxford and the surrounding countryside. A visit to Sundey Hill Farm, the Scruton family farm, will also be included in the programme.
The seminars themselves will focus on topics such as art and beauty, the roots of culture, national loyalty and the nation state, the sacred and transcendent, and the philosophy of the human person, among others. Students will be expected to actively participate in discussions and contribute to the seminar's collaborative learning environment.
To apply, students will need to submit a personal statement (maximum of 2000 characters or 300 - 400 words) explaining the applicant's interest in Sir Roger Scruton's work and how they hope to benefit from the programme. In addition, applicants must submit a response (maximum of 2500 characters or 350 - 500 words) on the following topic: What is the relevance of Sir Roger Scruton's thought for contemporary debates on aesthetics, culture, or politics. Students must also provide the contact information for two references—one who can speak to your academic work and one to your character—and provide a curriculum vitae that lists their current institution of higher education, expected date of graduation, and GPA.
Thanks to the generous support of our donors, the programme is completely free for all participants, including travel, accommodation and meals. To apply, students must be above 18 years of age and currently enrolled in an undergraduate programme at an institution of higher education. Applications are now closed. Applicants will be notified of the final decision by 15 June, 2023.
