René Girard's Mimetic Theory:
Unconventional Wisdom About Human Nature

Today René Girard is recognized worldwide for his theory of human behavior and human culture. In 2005 he was inducted into the Académie française, and in 2008 he received the Modern Language Association's award for Lifetime Scholarly Achievement. He is Professor Emeritus at Stanford University.  But back more than 50 years ago, René Girard started teaching French literature because he needed a job... More

Photo credit: Elizabeth Bailie

Imitatio Projects

Imitatio is a non-profit devoted to the ongoing development, critique, and application of René Girard's mimetic theory.

 

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Imitatio supports the publication and translation of key works of mimetic theory around the world.

 

Mark Anspach


 

He was a legend in his own mind: a modern-day Knight Templar leading a host of valiant warriors in a glorious crusade to save the Western World. But in real life Anders Behring Brevik was a born loser who couldn’t get anyone to take him seriously – not even when he tried to surrender to the cops ... More

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New Imitatio Calendar

Send us your events! This calendar is for everyone, not just our own Imitatio-sponsored happenings, but...

Colloquium: Girard and Lévi-Strauss

On Friday January 27, 2012 at the École normale supérieure in Paris, scholars will gather for a colloquium on "Le...

Girard on Dostoevsky now in Paperback

René Girard’s classic study of Feodor Dostoevsky is finally in paperback. An essential companion to Notes from...

The Civil War & Sacred Ground

March 15-17 at Wheaton College, Illinois, scholars of René Girard's mimetic theory will gather before and after a...

European Summer School 2012: Apply Now!

The location is Leusden, the Netherlands; the dates are July 15-29, 2012; the language of instruction is English.