FOUNDERS COLLEGE

[Philip Coates]

I just started a thread by that name on SoloP about Gary Hull's new Founders College. It's odd that I would be praising it before Marsha Enright's new college, since I don't get along well with Gary Hull at all....and I like Marsha and have known Marsha a long time.

But to evaluate something, you have to see its exact curriculum...and now that GH has spelled it out, I like his for the reasons I explain on SP. I may like Marsha's once I see the precise details...but I can't yet visualize how the Socratic method and Great Books curriculum is going to translate into a spelled-out detailed curriculum, itemized in the formal and precise way Gary does it on his website. And I've taught in the classical, more traditional approach of Founder's College, so I know that works.

(I tend to use the Socratic Method a lot and to use Great Books a lot in my own teaching...but I don't yet know...or at least can't yet visualize how either would work in every subject or as the *total* curriculum or *exclusive* teaching method...and I don't know for sure if Marsha intends either of these to be the case.)

One advantage Marsha has is she's actually started and run a school (Montessori). One advantage Hull has is he has taught at the college level. But it's not necessary for either person to be -fully- experienced in every aspect of a new venture. Were that the case, no one would every try any bold new entrepreneurialo venture.

Of course, this is all very preliminary. One can't really evaluate *either college* since they don't yet exist.

But, on top of the previous primary and secondary schools started by Objectivists over the years, it -is- GREAT to see TWO colleges getting ready to be started by Objectivist entrepreneurs!

[Michael Stuart Kelly]

Here's the link to the homepage:

Founders College

Here is the Wikipedia article: Founders College.

There is a discussion about this on another forum where there are a lot of pertinent links for anyone interested.

I have nothing but praise for this venture so far. Hull and his partners are actually doing something in the real world. I am kind of amused by the reservations coming from certain orthodox quarters. It seems that the issue is control and power after all - at least for them.

I have heard many conflicting things about Dr. Hull up to now, so I don't have a real opinion of him. I know that he belongs to the ARI camp. All I can say so far is that, in addition to Phil, his venture has at least one Objectivist from the non-ARI camp (me) rooting for his success.

Michael

[Reidy]

Marsha Enright and her allies are heading up a similar effort. See http://www.collegeunitedstates.org/. Does this mean another instance of the orthodox / apostate split?

Peter

[Philip Coates]

You can't judge an undertaking this huge by your past interactions with any one person...not even always if that person is the HNIC. A lot of people will have input and impact, including the employees of the venture. Moreover, unless your past interactions were in an area that has a bearing on starting a college...they may not be predictive of how Gary H. or Marsha E. or other principals, investors, advisors will do on this undertaking.