Students: The information below was submitted to ISI from our contacts at the Independent Institute. They are open to high school and college students. Please contact them at the information below if you are interested.


2006 Liberty, Economy & Society Summer Seminars (June 26–30 & August 7–11)

One of the most important skills a student can develop is the ability to think independently and critically. The Independent Institute's popular week-long "Liberty, Economy & Society" Summer Seminars (Session A: June 26–30; Session B: August 7–11) are designed to do precisely that: they teach high school and college students the economic and ethical principles of free economies and free societies, and how to think about the economic and social issues they will face throughout their lives. http://www.independent.org/students/seminars

And the Seminars do so in a lively, fun, and participatory format, helping students explore and learn how the world really works, and how to make it better. Exploring the root causes of major social problems, and how best to solve them, students spend a fascinating week, and in the process, they build lasting career skills for college and beyond in thinking critically and analytically, to better understand complex ideas and a complex world.

Each Seminar includes informative and stimulating lectures, discussions, and special features in history and current affairs. Students hone their beliefs in an atmosphere encouraging independent thinking and rational discussion, not robotic adherence to political correctness or the status quo.

Led by economist and historian Brian Gothberg, the faculty also includes James C. W. Ahiakpor
(California State University, East Bay), Benjamin Powell (San Jose State University), Fred E. Foldvary
(Santa Clara University), Edward Stringham (San Jose State University), and Carl Close (The Independent Institute).

Among other important areas, these informal and highly enriching seminars cover:

* What conditions foster economic prosperity, health, and social harmony?
* How do markets operate?
* What about cyber space, health care, unemployment, outsourcing and globalization, environmental decline, discrimination, housing and homelessness, crime, education, monopolies, and other issues?

The Seminars' success in developing important critical thinking skills is confirmed by those whose opinions matter the most: our students. In our post-Seminar questionnaires, students rate the Seminars' contribution to their interest in, and understanding of, economics and political thought as "Great." And unanimously, the students indicated that they would recommend the Summer Seminars to other students.

I hope that you will recommend this year's "Liberty, Economy & Society" Summer Seminars to colleagues, family and friends for any high school or college undergraduate who might be interested in this very popular, lively, and fascinating, five-day seminar program.

With each Seminar's small-class format, space is limited-so early registration is recommended. For more information, please visit http://www.independent.org/students/seminars or see additional details about the Summer Seminar below.

Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Carl

Carl P. Close
Academic Affairs Director
The Independent Institute
100 Swan Way
Oakland, CA 94621
Phone: 510-632-1366
Fax: 510-568-6040
E-mail: cclose@independent.org

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2006 "Liberty, Economy & Society" Summer Seminars
http://www.independent.org/students/seminars/

TIME:
Session A: June 26-30
Session B: August 7-11
9:00 a.m. - 4 p.m.

COST:
$195, includes all course materials

LOCATION:
The Independent Institute
100 Swan Way
Oakland, CA 94621-1428

WHAT PREVIOUS SUMMER SEMINAR PARTICIPANTS SAY:

"This is a really great program!... I really enjoyed learning about
all the famous economists, their basic philosophies, and their
influence on economic reasoning. Overall, an exceptional week!"

"I enjoyed reading and hearing about different economists and seeing
a variety of views and beliefs.... I enjoyed having a small group,
making it easier to concentrate on everyone's questions and
statements, in a more comfortable atmosphere."

"I learned so much during the week about how our world works. The
things I learned were interesting, and I will be able to use them for
the rest of my life in all kinds of situations."

For further information, please see http://www.independent.org/students/seminars/ or contact Carl Close, Academic Affairs Director at the Independent Institute at cclose@independent.org or (510) 632-1366.