25.11.2019,
OPENING SEMINAR
The Opening Seminar offers an introduction to the summer course as a whole. Students will meet their professors, classmates, and coordinators; review the calendar of curricular and extra-curricular activities; learn all they need to know about life at Trumau-Vienna; etc. The Seminar will take place on Saturday, July 11. Participation in the Opening Seminar is compulsory for all students.
COURSES
Participants will pick two out of the following three courses.
FYODOR DOSTOEVSKY'S THE IDIOT AND BROTHERS KARAMAZOVDr. Bernhard DolnaDean of Studies and Professor of Philosophy at theInternational Theological Institute, Austria
“Beauty will save the world”. This famous quote from Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky`s masterpiece "The Idiot" gives the keynote and the theme for this course. What does this statement mean? In order to receive a comprehensive answer to this question we will study both "The Idiot", as well as the other masterpiece of Dostoevsky "The Brothers Karamazov." In this intellectual and at the same time highly inspiring enterprise we have to be aware that the author in his writings never separates truth from good and beauty. The good, taken separately from truth and beauty, would be only an instinct feeling, a powerless upwelling; truth taken abstractly would be an empty word; and beauty without truth and the good could easily become an idol. In our studies, we will pay attention to this interrelation. Dostoevsky seems to understand these three inseparable forms as an entity of one absolute idea of the human soul, which in its perfected fullness is Christ incarnate. Therefore, also the human soul in its infinity is capable to fit into itself all the boundlessness of divinity: the greatest good, the highest truth, and the perfect beauty. However, in the world of contradictions we live in, this does not happen without resistance, not without tragedy, as the novels show. The special character of this course is that deep truths are interspersed in novels of the highest poetic and artistic quality, written by one of the most powerful thinkers and artists of Russian culture and religion. Reading these books is itself an extraordinary event, an encounter with the true greatness and depth of the human soul. It is a constant intellectual and emotional transcending out of limited, subjective human situations into objective universal questions, to which only Christianity has the answers, as Dostoevsky confesses.
Dr. Bernhard Dolna. Studied philosophy, theology, and German literature at the University of Vienna and the University of Freiburg. Doctorate in Theology. Magister in Jewish Studies. Assistant Professor of Ecumenical Studies and Jewish Studies, Vice President and Dean of the International Theological Institute, Austria. Lecturer of Jewish Studies at the University of Vienna, Austria; at the Philosophical and Theological University Benedict XVI, Heiligenkreuz, Austria; and at the Hebrew University, Jerusalem. His areas of specialization include Judaic Studies, Jewish/Christian Relations, and theological and philosophical reflections on world literature. Dr. Dolna publishes extensively internationally.
ON THE GENEALOGY OF FEARDr. Alberto VargasProfessor, PhilosophyUniversidad Anáhuac, Mexico
One of the deepest feelings of the human soul, fear is a key element in the understanding of the birth and development of Modernity. In many ways, the repeated use of fear as a means to explain and direct human action lies in the origin of some of the most important social problems our societies face today. In this course, we will study how, despite its successful use in the construction of a new world during the past centuries, fear and deceit have ultimately conducted our world towards the sadness and existential despair we face today. By exploring the possibilities of personal freedom in the face of fear, our ultimate goal will be to uncover the many opportunities that the current situation holds within. Reading materials will include selected texts from Plato, Augustine, J. Duns Scotus, M. Luther, N. Machiavelli, T. Hobbes, R. Descartes, S. Kierkegaard, F. Nietzche, M. Heidegger, and J. Habermas, among others.
Dr. Alberto Vargas. Ph.D. in Philosophy and M.A. in Governance and Organizational Culture, University of Navarra, Spain. M.P.P. and a B.A. in Political Science from the Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, Mexico. Dr. Vargas is the head of the Department of Philosophical Anthropology at Anahuac University in Mexico City. Works include “On the Genealogy of Fear: An Anthropological Study of Modernity” and “Gift and Being: An anthropological Game Theory”.
HUMAN DIGNITY, RELIGIOUS LIBERTY AND FREEDOM OF EDUCATION. THE LIMITS OF THE STATEDr. Christiaan Alting von Geusau, J.D., LL.MRector and Professor for Philosophy of Law and Christian Educationat the International Theological Institute, AustriaHonorary Professor, Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola, Peru
Article 18 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) states that “Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance”. In no time of human history however has religious persecution, especially against Christians, been so vehement and widespread. The freedom of parents and families to educate their children according to their (religious) convictions is also increasingly under threat globally, especially in the West, where new ideologies seek to impose their own orthodoxy, despite Article 26 (3) of the UDHR stating that “Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children”. During the first week this course will explore what are the historical, philosophical and legal origins of the concept of human dignity. The protection of human dignity is the rallying cry for modern society when defining and defending human rights and fundamental freedoms. Yet, what does human dignity mean, and what rights derive from it? What role do or should the state, international organizations and international treaties play here? In the second week, we will look at how our understanding of human dignity determines the actual protection of religious liberty and where and how it is under threat or being outright trampled today. During the third week, we will focus on freedom of education as dependent on freedom of conscience and religion and in what ways this human right is currently being undermined in both totalitarian and democratic societies. Reading materials will include texts from, among others, Paul VI, Jacques Maritain, James V. Schall, and Christopher Dawson.
Dr. Christiaan Alting Von Geusau. Dr. Iur., University of Vienna. LL.M., University of Heidelberg. J.D., University of Leiden. Rector and Professor for Philosophy of Law and Christian Education at the International Theological Institute, Austria. Founder and President of the International Catholic Legislators Network. Lectures regularly in Europe, Africa, and North and South America. Founder of the Catholic Highschool Schola Thomas Morus.
2020 GERHART NIEMEYER GRADUATION SEMINAR (FOR THIRD YEAR STUDENTS)
The Gerhart Niemeyer Graduation Seminar is the academic activity through which Phoenix senior students (Third Year) complete the Institute’s Program in Advanced Social, Economic and Political Studies. During the 2020 Trumau-Vienna program, the Seminar discussion sessions will be held on Thursday, July 9 and Friday, July 10.
Third Year students are expected to arrive on Campus on Wednesday, July 8, 2020 (two days before the rest of the group).
The Graduation Seminar will cost 65 Euros.
LOCATION
The Seminar will be held in Trumau, Austria, at the campus of the International Theological Institute (ITI). Located 20 minutes south of Vienna and 30 minutes southwest of Vienna Airport by car, Trumau offers ample opportunities to take full advantage of Vienna's rich cultural atmosphere.
COST
The cost of the program is 2,000 Euros, and it includes the full tuition fee, double/triple-occupancy accommodations, use of the ITI facilities, a number of cultural activities in and around Vienna (transportation included), and a three-week Meal Plan (daily breakfast and lunch Monday-Friday).
The full cost of the program's tuition fee must be covered by June 15, 2020, preferably earlier. Admission to the campus will only be possible after full prior payment of the tuition fee.
A 300 Euro non-refundable initial payment will be required 72 hours after a student is notified of their acceptance to the summer program.
Enrollment to both Summer Programs is limited.
General registration will open on November 20, 2019, and will remain open through May 1, 2020.
All applications will be processed on a first-come, first serve-basis. Due to high demand, students are encouraged to apply as early as possible.
The first step to apply is by filling out the Pre-Registration form that can be found here.
Click here for the full description of the 2020 Admission Procedure.
VISA
Applicants from outside the EU need to inform at the Austrian Embassy or consulate in their home country whether a (student or tourist) visa is required for entry into Austria.
MEDICAL INSURANCE
Prior to arrival in Austria, all participants must purchase a full medical insurance policy that covers any medical emergencies or needs whilst attending the course.
The Phoenix Institute cannot provide for any medical care or medical costs and insurance coverage.
Participants, who have not sent the Phoenix Institute written proof of their medical insurance coverage by July 3, 2020, will not be admitted to the summer program.