The Newman Forum aims to run a week-long Summer Institute for high school students at Mundelein Seminary every year. Due to COVID-19 concerns, this year’s Institute will run ONLINE, Mondays and Thursdays, from July 13th-30th.
This year’s Summer Institute will be centered on the three transcendentals: Truth, Goodness, and Beauty!
Feelings of wonder point us to transcendental truths and drive some of the most important philosophical and theological pursuits: How do we describe the feeling of seeing a radiant sunset to someone who didn’t see it? How do we explain that feeling of resonance when we learn a lesson in school that really speaks to our lives? Why are we moved when we see someone perform an act of kindness for someone else in need? This is beauty, truth, and goodness. Sometimes they seem quite simple! But they are also deep mysteries, and they relate to some of the biggest mysteries of our Catholic faith. Click here for more about the curriculum!
Monday classes will consist of lectures and brief fundamentals Q&A. Thursdays will consist of discussions of the lectures and short weekly assigned texts. All class meetings will run from 11am-12:30pm.
Mondays (July 13th, 20th, and 27th)
11:00-11:25 Philosophy lecture
11:25-11:35 Philosophy Q&A
11:35-11:45 Break
11:45-12:10 Theology lecture
12:10-12:30 Theology Q&A
Thursdays (July 16th, 23rd, and 30th)
11:00-11:15 Introduction and overview
11:15-11:45 Discussion Groups
11:45-12:30 Large Group Discussion
The program cost is $50 for local, Chicagoland participants (including our broader Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Michigan neighbors!) $125 for non-local participants.
Applications for the 2020 Summer Institute are rolling, and have been extended until July 6th.
All high school students–including incoming freshmen and outgoing seniors–are welcome to apply!
Applicants will be notified within two weeks of submitting their applications whether or not they have been accepted.