Dr. Luke Foster, Assistant Professor in Government at Hillsdale’s Van Andel Graduate School of Government and cofounder of Academia Tocqueville, led a group of young intellectuals, including two of Van Andel Graduate School of Government students and one Van Andel Graduate School of Statesmanship student, on a twelve-day seminar in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Paris, France, this July.
Academia Tocqueville is a summer seminar that provides an intensive introduction to French political thought and culture.
“What a joy to teach, over two weeks, the contribution of the tradition of French political thought to Western Civilization,” Dr. Foster remarked. "Fifteen excellent students and young professionals from America, Canada, Slovakia and Singapore joined us.”
The seminar covered a variety of important topics, including the French Revolution, the relationship between church and state in France, nationalism, corporatism, music, French politicians and philosophers, and so much more. Speakers included Francois-Xavier Bellamy, Daniel J. Mahoney, Chantal Delsol, Edouard Martin, Pierre Manent, and many more. Dr. Foster himself gave four lectures: On how to study the French Right, on Montesquieu, on Tocqueville, and on Simone Weil.
Dr. Foster concluded, “This program is renewing understanding between the two shores of the Atlantic, grounded in the Permanent Things.”
For photos from this year’s Academia Tocqueville, click here.
To learn more about Academia Tocqueville, click here.
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