NOTE: You can enroll in a course using the Paypal method even if you do not have a Paypal account. The Paypal method accepts regular credit cards.
Atlas Shrugged is one of the best selling novels of the twentieth century, and reading it is an enjoyable way to learn about the philosophy of the book’s author, Ayn Rand. Her philosophy, called Objectivism, includes distinctive views of epistemology, metaphysics, and ethics. The principal theme of this course will be an account of some of the most important of these views, illustrated through episodes in the novel.
The novel has aroused both intense admiration and equally intense hatred. I’m not an Objectivist, but I think we can learn a great deal from study of the book. Students who take the course will gain an understanding of one of the most important philosophical influences on contemporary libertarianism.
In the course, we’ll also discuss Rand’s theory of aesthetics and consider some of the critical reactions to the novel. What are the book’s strengths and weaknesses?
The course, which starts in June, consists of six lectures. Each lecture is followed by questions and discussion. An optional weekly quiz is offered to those who wish to take the course for credit.
Lectures
The video lectures are online. Lectures will be Tuesday evenings, 8:15-9:45 pm Eastern Time. They will be recorded and made available for enrolled students to download.
Reading:
Students are encouraged to purchase a copy of Atlas Shrugged, by Ayn Rand. All supplemental readings will be free and online. A full hyper-linked syllabus with readings for each weekly topic will be available for all students.
Grades and Certificates
The final grade will depend on quizzes. Taking the course for a grade is optional. This course is worth 3 credits in our own internal system. Feel free to ask your school to accept Mises Academy credits. You will receive a digital Certificate of Completion for this course if you take it for a grade, and a Certificate of Participation if you take it on a paid-audit basis.
Refund Policy
If you drop the course during its first week (7 calendar days), you will receive a full refund, minus a $25 processing fee. If you drop the course during its second week, you will receive a half refund. No refunds will be granted following the second week.
