Summer School - What Makes Us Human? Philosophical and Religious Perspectives in China and the West, 4

Explicitly or implicitly, the question of what makes us human has been a central and ongoing preoccupation among thinkers from antiquity to the present, and in intellectual traditions vastly removed from one another in time and space. That the question seems to be a fixture in the human imagination speaks not only to our need for self-understanding in the context of a broader world, but also to its relevance to issues of practical concern: how one conceptualizes the human has deep normative implications, grounding different moral systems, hierarchies of values, configurations of power and patterns of social interaction. That it has been answered in such diverse ways highlights the great stakes involved in this ongoing conversation.

This course examines the complex and varied trajectory of how thinkers, in China and Europe, have sought to make sense of their humanness. Bringing together specialists in the philosophical and religious traditions of both civilizations, it focuses particularly on the early history of thinking about the human as approached through a diverse range of sources, from ethical and cosmological writings to medical treatises and case studies, to religious and literary texts (such as ancient tragedy). The goal of the course is to explore linkages among the various realms of thought and experience represented by these diverse genres: thus, how emergent conceptions of the cosmos, the spiritual world, and the workings of nature might have shaped the understanding of the human, and conversely, how thinking about what makes humans distinct (for instance, certain cognitive, ethical, creative, spiritual capacities) confronts the place of humans in the world at large. The latter part of the course will focus on later developments in medieval Christian theology and in Renaissance humanism. We will conclude with reflections on the contemporary relevance of the human as a category, and on what examination of past ways of thinking about the human bears upon issues of pressing concern in the present.

Target group

We invite applications from doctoral students, junior faculty and post-doctoral researchers working in relevant fields of either (or both) the Chinese or European intellectual traditions, such as: Philosophy, Intellectual history, Religion, History and Philosophy of Science, and Literature. Advanced M.A. students with a strong background in working with primary sources, and with research experience in topics relevant to the course, will also be considered

Pre-requisites

Advanced graduate training in the reading and analysis of some of the source materials studied in the course, as well as an active interest in the subject matter of the course. Students should come into the course with a substantial paper on a topic related to the course, which they will present during the student workshop sessions.

Language requirement

The language of instruction is English, thus all applicants have to demonstrate a strong command of spoken and written English to be able to participate actively in discussions at seminars and workshops. Some of the shortlisted applicants may be contacted for a telephone interview.

Important dates and deadlines

Important Dates and Deadlines

Application deadlines:

February 14, 2016

ADR-International Business Negotiation
ADR-Mediation
International Business Negotiation
Cities and Science
Geospatial Technologies and Remote Sensing for Monitoring SDGS
Innovations in Disaster Risk Reduction
Innovative Financing for Education
In the Labyrinth of National Identity
Matter, Mind and Consciousness
International Business Negotiation
Political Psychology
Screened Memories
Strategic Human Rights Litigation
Summer Institute on Program Evaluation - Policy Evaluation
Understanding Communication
What Makes Us Human

February 20, 2016

Green Industry

February 29, 2016

Constitution-building in Africa

March 1, 2016

Precautionary Principle

March 15, 2016

Summer Institute on Program Evaluation - Using Logic Models to Evaluate Social Programs - Early Bird enrolment
Topics in Violent Online Political Extremism

March 31, 2016

Low Dimensional Topology

April 15, 2016

Summer Institute on Program Evaluation - Using Logic Models to Evaluate Social Programs

General dates

Email notification about the decision: mid-April - mid-May
Participants confirm acceptance and housing needs: in two weeks after receipt of the acceptance notification
Activation of the course-specific e-learning sites with readings and course outlines: end of April - end of May
Early-bird deadline of tuition payment for fee-paying participants: April 30th
Tuition payment deadline for fee-paying participants: May 28th
Participants needing a visa reserve tickets, confirm exact travel dates to SUN; SUN Office sends out original invitation letter and room reservation for visa application: 6 weeks prior to arrival
Participants submit visa applications: 30 days prior to arrival
Participant arrivals, hotel check-in, and registration: one day before the course starts
Orientation session at CEU: on the first day of the course

Course-specific dates

The "Course-specific dates" of the following courses are different from the general SUN dates. Click on the course names to see their specific deadlines.

Green Industry

File Attachments:

Timeline

How To Apply

Please read the following directions carefully.

Below is the list of the documents you need to prepare or arrange for submission:

Completed online SUN Application Form
Full curriculum vitae or resume, includingteaching and research projects, list of publications, if any, and two references with contact emails
Motivation Letter (max 1 page) - your reasons for taking part in this summer school
One Writing Sample in English (max. 20 pages)

Optional attachments:

Presentation of the project you are currently working on and would like to present at the summer school
Letters of recommendation

A cover letter (max. 1 page) to support application for financial aid (mandatory for those who wish to receive financial aid)

Online Application Form

SUN's Online Application Form, delivered by Embark, enables the online submission of the application form itself as well as all other relevant documentation, including CV's and resumes, letter of recommendation, statements of purpose and application essays (such as research proposal, case study, paper proposal, writing samples, academic records, etc.), eliminating all paper mailing to the SUN Office.

In addition, applicants will be able to use this system to track their progress and learn the outcome of their admissions evaluation online. Admissions decisions will be available to applicants as soon as they are entered into the system.

Please note that you can only apply to one course.

The application form is password-protected.

a) In case you have started an application for our program in previous years, you can use your old login and password and can log in as a "Returning Embark User" (right-hand side of the page). In case you cannot remember your old password, click on the "Forget your password?" link.
b) In case you have not started an application before, please register first in the "New User?" section (left-hand side of the page). For registration please click on "Create an Account" and provide the requested information. Embark will send you your password by email and then you can log in and start your application, this time already as a returning user.

Further user's instructions for the online application are included in the form itself.

Should you have questions regarding the application form, check the relevant Frequently Asked Questions.

Full curriculum vitae or resume, including teaching and research projects, list of publications, if any, and two references with contact emails

Please upload your Curriculum Vitae or resume, including teaching and research projects, list of publications, if any, and two references with contact emails.

Motivation Letter (max 1 page)

In the Motivation Letter please describe your reasons for taking part in this summer school.

One Writing Sample in English (max. 20 pages)

Please upload an English-language document related to thecourse theme. This could be a published piece (e.g. an article) or an unpublished work in progress.

Optional attachments:

Presentation of the project you are currently working on and would like to present at the summer school
Letters of recommendation
A cover letter (max. 1 page) to support application for financial aid (mandatory for those who wish to receive financial aid)

Applicants who wish to apply for financial aid are expected to upload a cover letter in which they specify their reasons.

All application materials must be submitted electronically with the online application form. CEU does not accept application documents by e-mail or fax. Candidates who may experience difficulties with the online submission of their documents should contact the SUN Office.

CEU does not return application documents, or copies thereof under any circumstances. Applications submitted after the deadline will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Inquiries

If you need help or more information during the application process, please feel free to contact the SUN staff:

E-mail for inquiry and correspondence: summeru@ceu.edu
Tel: (36-1) 327-3811
Fax: (36-1) 327-3124
Skype (free Internet telephone): ceu-sun

Notification

The SUN Office will notify applicants about the selection results around the end of April. Please check the 'Important course dates' section on the relevant course web sites for earlier or later planned notification deadlines. The final decision is not open to appeal.

Financial Aid

As the number of scholarships available is limited,funding offered by institutions or individuals is welcome so that we can invite more well qualified applicants. When choosing the financial aid package, please consider if you or your institution can contribute to the program expenses. Faculty and Ph.D. students are advised to approach their home departments for travel grants; researchers may have research grants available which can cover their participation; professionals may turn to their employers to fund their training at SUN. You can also consult some non-CEU funding opportunities listed in our FAQ section. While selection of applicants will be based on the academic merit of the applications, those willing to bear the participation costs fully or partially will be preferred in case of equally strong applications.

Financial aid is available in the following categories:

tuition waiver
accommodation grant
travel grant (full or partial)
Participants from Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union and Mongolia, as well as those coming from emerging countries worldwide can apply for financial aid in all categories listed above.

Participants from developed countries are expected to pay tuition fee. However, there are a limited number of tuition waivers available on a competitive basis. Those who wish to apply for a tuition waiver should send a separate cover letter specifying their reasons.
Participants are NOT eligible to receive financial aid if they attended two CEU funded Summer University courses within a four-year period.
In case an applicant is accepted to two courses, which is only possible if the two courses are run consecutively, financial aid is only available for attending one course.

SUN Packages

All packages will include the following:

a minimum of 24 tuition hours per week
a certificate of attendance
access to course E-learning page (with readings, assignments, etc.)
access to CEU facilities (Library, IT services, sports centre including the use of the indoor swimming pool, tennis courts)
some social and cultural events depending on the course schedules (e.g. welcome and farewell reception / outings /fieldtrips / film screenings, etc.)

Fee-Paying Package

Financial aid: N/A
Participant's own contribution: tuition, travel, accommodation, health insurance and living expenses

Payment deadlines

April 30(Early Bird fee)
May 28 (Full tuition fee)

Cancellation Policy

In the event of cancellation, CEU will refund the tuition fee as follows:

Before May 28 - CEU will fully refund the tuition fee.
Between May 28th and 14 days prior to the course starting - 80% of the tuition fee will be refunded.
Within 14 days of the course starting - no refund for tuition fees will be given.

Financial Aid packages

Tuition Waiver
Financial aid: tuition fee waived
Participant's own contribution: health insurance, travel, accommodation and living expense.
Partial SUN Scholarship
Financial aid: tuition fee waived and free accommodation in a double room
Participant's own contribution:health insurance, travel and living expenses
Full SUN Scholarship
Financial aid:tuition fee waived; free accommodation in a double room and a full or partial travel grant
Participant’s own contribution: health insurance and living expenses.

The Full SUN Scholarship includes a full or partial travel grant which can be applied for on a competitive basis and will be available in a limited number. Visa costs and short domestic trips are not reimbursed. The citizens of the following countries are not eligible to apply for a travel grant: Bosnia, Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia and the western part of Ukraine and qualify therefore for a Partial SUN Scholarship.

This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:

http://www.summer.ceu.hu/human-2016/important-dates

Summer School - What Makes Us Human? Philosophical and Religious Perspectives in China and the West, 4 - 15 July 2016, Hungary