Deadline Application:
Professor:
In this seminar, you read some of the greatest ancient historians, such as Herodotus, Thucydides, Plutarch, and Tacitus. You will explore the rise and fall of Athens and Rome, you will confront enduring questions such as: what is the connection between democracy and empire? Why do different forms of government give way to one another? How can civil concord be achieved and civil war avoided? You will pay special attention to the role of leadership, while reflecting on the virtues and vices of the great men of classical antiquity by reading about the lives of Pericles, Caesar, Augustus, and others.
Alexis de Tocqueville lived during the aftermath of the French Revolution, when France transitioned from aristocracy to democracy. He is widely regarded as one of the most important thinkers on modern democracy. What are the advantages and disadvantages brought by the new equality? What, if anything, can be saved from aristocracy? In studying Tocqueville’s classic work you will explore themes such as the dangers of majoritarian tyranny, the opportunities for social advancement, and the phenomenon of individualism. You will gain valuable insights into the nature of democracy and the unique social and political problems posed by it.
Below you will find a step-by-step guide to complete your registration:
Read our frequently asked questions here.
Not sure if this course is the right fit for you? Schedule a call with our dean Gerard Versluis to discuss your options.
Phone: +31 (0)71 303 19 90
Email: contact@pascalinstituut.com
- Pascal Institute (since 2022)
You can download the syllabus by clicking the button below.
This course is designed for advanced students across all disciplines. Recent graduates and professionals are also welcome to apply.
From the 29th of January until the 21st of May 2025.
Upon successful completion of this course, you will receive a certificate.
All class sessions will be conducted as “seminars”, featuring Socratic conversations and close reading. Students are expected to actively participate in discussions throughout each class session.
The Studium serves as a dedicated study space for students enrolled in at least one course at the Pascal Institute. It offers a queit environment designed to foster focus and inspiration. You are welcome to use it every weekday from 9:00 to 13:00. For more information, please contact aanmeldingen@pascalinstitute.com.
This course fee is €2.195 per semester, which includes 16 weeks of class, 2 hours per week.
Various foundations provide scholarships for students. One such foundation is Landmerk, which specifically supports liberal education based on the study of Great Books. Scholarships are available for full (100%), or partial (90%, 75% and 50%) of the tuition fee. For more information, please visit: landmerk.nl/beurzen. Scholarships are awarded by an independent selection committee.
Many of our students have already been awarded scholarships for our courses.
The application deadline is January 4, 2025.
At the Pascal Institute, we are dedicated to delivering the finest liberal arts education aimed at cultivating profound thinking and wise judgment. You are challenged by great thinkers such as Homer, Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, Aquinas, Machiavelli, Galileo, Shakespeare, Pascal, Newton, and many more.
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‘Restless is Our Heart’
In our upcoming lecture we will explore how the longing of the human heart for happiness informs the great political questions of war and peace. Is the desire for world peace simply a utopian fantasy, or does it reveal something profound about the human condition? Through the work of Augustine we will unravel what his ideas can teach us today.
