Education

Imitatio’s programs support the education and development of the next generation of scholars advancing, critiquing and applying the insights of Mimetic Theory.

CURRENT EFFORTS UNDERWAY INCLUDE:

European Summer School: Launching in 2010, in partnership with the Dutch Girard Society (www.girard.nl), a two week summer program (July, 11-25) for top undergraduate, Master’s and PhD students from across the globe will convene at the International School of Philosophy (ISVW Leusden, 50 kms from Amsterdam, The Netherlands) for immersion in Mimetic Theory across multiple disciplines and applications.

Core texts will include chapters of Girard’s Things Hidden Since the Foundation of the World and other key texts. An international group of lecturers who have published books on mimetic theory will teach the course, and guest scholars will visit to share their expertise. Students will start to build a worldwide network to help advance their studies in Mimetic Theory. There is room for only 25 students. More information: Thérèse Onderdenwijngaard (VU University, Amsterdam).

"The Forgiving Victim: an induction into Christian vulnerability": In partnership with the Raven Foundation, Imitatio is supporting the filming and production of this course to allow for wider distribution and interaction.  It is an adult introduction to Christianity developed from René Girard’s insights by James Alison. Over twelve sessions those new to Christianity or those wanting a refresher course, are enabled to find themselves on the inside of the central teachings of the Christian faith. They discover for themselves how the anthropological paradigm shift which Girard has made available allows ancient orthodoxy to be made fresh and contemporary. This course has been given in a number of different locales to a wide range of participants.