Dear Colleague:

Have you got a passion for thinking? Then I hope you’ll apply to the NEH Summer Seminar on “The Political Theory of Hannah Arendt: A Public Intellectual in the Public Square,” which I will be directing at the University of California, Davis for four summer weeks in 2017. I have marvelous memories from each of the previous seminars I directed over the last two decades, which have been among the most rewarding learning experiences of my professional life.

For eight summers since 2006, I have been fortunate to have colleagues from around the country join me to study key works of Hannah Arendt. I’m eager to welcome summer scholars again this year from a variety of disciplines, including history, social studies, philosophy, literature and government. We’ll share four weeks of stimulating dialogue about some of the most thought-provoking, challenging and controversial texts in contemporary political thought. It’s important that you have an interest in history and politics. But even if these fields aren’t your teaching subjects, as long as you bring patience, respect for serious inquiry and diverse opinions, a willingness to tolerate ambiguity, a passion for thinking, and a sense of humor, I guarantee lively discussions as we explore the extraordinary thinking of one of the twentieth century’s most influential writers.

This year the NEH has allowed prospective participants to apply for up to two seminars, institutes or landmark sessions, but you can only attend one. As we make selections of summer scholars for this seminar, my committee will be especially interested in whether your essays explain why you are interested in this particular seminar and how you would contribute to and benefit from it, both personally and professionally. So if you decide to apply, please make sure your essay provides specific information about why you are drawn to dialogue with colleagues about the works of Hannah Arendt during four summer weeks.

The application cover sheet must be filled out online at this address:

https://securegrants.neh.gov/education/participants/