The Institute for the Advancement

of Philosophy for Children

announces its

2008 SUMMER SEMINARS IN 
 PHILOSOPHY FOR CHILDREN

May 20 - 27 (Advanced Seminar)
&
August 17-27 (Introductory Seminar)

at St. Marguerite's Retreat House
Mendham, New Jersey

 

 Who Attends IAPC Summer Seminars?

The IAPC Summer Seminars in Philosophy for Children (P4C) bring together P4C specialists, faculty and graduate students from Montclair State University and school teachers, professors and other visiting scholars from around the world for ten days of intensive study, dialogue and production.  Two sessions are run annually:  one in May and one in August.  The workshops are designed to provide MSU graduate students with credits towards their degree; to provide school teachers with professional development; to provide P4C specialists a venue for reporting on their work; to assist international scholars to bring P4C to their countries; and to provide all involved with experience in an academic community of inquiry.

Where are IAPC Summer Seminars Held?

The seminars are held at St. Marguerite’s Retreat House, on the grounds of the Episcopal Community of St. John Baptist in Mendham, New Jersey.  Residency is required.  The Retreat House contains 26 single bedrooms, six shared bathrooms, three sitting rooms for smaller gatherings, a large library where we hold most conference sessions, a large dining room, a chapel, and two solariums for activities and recreation. The House is situated on 93 acres of wooded land. The setting is extremely beautiful and peaceful.

Meals are served buffet style in the dining room. Three meals a day are provided, and fruit, cookies, coffee and tea are available around the clock.  Please alert the IAPC of any special dietary needs prior to your arrival. The Retreat House will accommodate your needs as best they can.

Introductory Seminar

The Introductory seminar takes place each August. During this workshop participants will experience and practice facilitating a “Community of Philosophical Inquiry” with adults, cultivate a “philosophical ear” by learning to recognize philosophical dimensions of experience and philosophical issues in texts, and practice using Philosophy for Children curriculum materials.  Participants need not know the P4C curriculum or have had any experience doing philosophy with children or with adults.

Advanced Seminar

The advanced seminar takes place each May. This seminar is for graduate students, teachers, professors and others from around the world who have previous experience using the P4C curriculum and methodology.  In this session we focus on some of the theoretical dimensions of Philosophy for Children, community of inquiry studies, and P4C curriculum construction.  In addition to facilitating workshop sessions, participants are invited to create philosophical stories with accompanying exercises and discussion plans that aim to foster philosophical inquiry.

Seminar Costs

The cost of the IAPC Summer Seminars covers room, board, instruction, and use of materials.  The cost does not cover transportation, health insurance, or tuition for university course credit associated with the Seminars.

Seminar Registration

To receive a letter of invitation for either seminar please send a letter (on university or school letterhead) to the IAPC describing your educational background, your interest in Philosophy for Children and any plans for implementation of the program.  If you do not work for a university or school, please also send a letter of endorsement from a university or school.  Letters can be mailed or faxed to:

Joanne Matkowski
IAPC - Montclair State University
Montclair, NJ  07043
USA

E-mail:  matkowskij@mail.montclair.edu
Phone:  973-655-4278
Fax:  973-655-7834

University Credit

Participants wishing to take an IAPC Summer Seminar for university credit must do the following before the beginning of the seminar:

Registration and payment for university credit is separate from registraion and payment for the IAPC Summer Seminars.  Participants who register for university credit will be billed by Montclair State University for the cost of tuition, which is not included in the Seminar fee. 

Daily Schedules

The seminars begin with a 5:00 PM session on the first evening. Please plan to arrive in Mendham by 3:00 to give yourself some time to unpack and relax before this session.

On most days there are three morning sessions before lunch, a long afternoon study break, a late afternoon session before dinner, and one evening session after dinner, with time for reflection throughout the day.  There will be one evening off during the ten days.

When you arrive you will receive some descriptive literature of P4C programs, workshop guidelines and readings for each theoretical session. We ask that you read these articles critically and prepare discussion questions for each reading. Each participant will also be assigned at least one curriculum session to lead.  An IAPC staff member will be assigned as your coach for that session.

You should plan your departure for between 2:00 and 4:00 p.m. on the last day of the seminar.

Practical Considerations

International visitors from certain countries may enter the United States without a visa.  Others may travel on the B1 or B2 visitors visa, as long as:
     1.  Your stay is for 90 days or less
     2.  You do not plan to enroll in classes
     3.  You will not be receiving any payment from a source in the US, including Montclair
           State University.

Click on the icon below for information on procedures for entry and exit from the U.S.

            

The cost of IAPC Summer Seminars does not include health insurance.  Health insurance may be purchased online at sites including the following:

Attire for the workshop is very casual.  The weather in May is usually warm and sometimes hot, though it can be cold at night. The weather in August is usually quite hot.

During the Seminars you will be provided:

·      One private room, single bed, bureau and closet.  Doors do not lock.

·      Three meals a day

·      Coffee, tea and snacks around the clock

·      A common ping pong table

·      4 common shared bathrooms and 2 half baths

·      Bed linens and towels, one change per week

·      One common sitting room with TV and VCR

·      One common telephone with only one line (so e-mail access is limited)

·      Use of P4C texts and manuals, theoretical materials and issues of Thinking

The following will not be provided: 

·      Transportation to and from the Retreat House

·      Private bath or phone

·      Maid service

·      Athletic or exercise equipment

·      Laundry facilities (available in town)

·      Computers

·      Air conditioning

 

Participant Review:

This Advanced Seminar in Philosophy for Children, held at St. Marguerite’s Retreat House in Mendham, New Jersey was inspirational, with participants coming from all over the world. There was a constant buzz of excitement. Many issues were considered, including using philosophy as the catalyst for successful school curriculum and structural change. We reported on our work and gained further experience in an academic community of inquiry.  This was the best educational experience I've ever had. To have so many of us living together and sharing meals and facilities in one place for several days provided us with an opportunity to exchange experiences and ideas, and to learn from one another.  The timing all went smoothly and the venue was great for nurturing dialogue as we had no distractions. I came away with new ideas, resources and contacts. The whole experience was very positive and enlivening.

May 2003, Catherine Geraghty–Slavica, Australia 

Click Here to Visit our Mendham Scrapbook

with pictures from past IAPC Summer Seminars