“It is a sin to write this. It is a sin to think words no others think and to put them down upon a paper no others are to see.” So begins Ayn Rand’s novella Anthem as it carries the reader into a bleak society whose rulers suppress all expressions of individuality, and into the innermost thoughts of a young man who is distinguished from all others by his intense desire to understand the world.
This course explores the world of Anthem. We’ll examine its story, characters and setting, as well as the deeper meaning behind them. The goal is to help readers gain a greater appreciation for the beauty and artistry of Anthem as well as a deeper understanding of its meaning and its relation to Rand’s ideas and her novel Atlas Shrugged.
This course does not assume that students have already read Anthem, or any of Rand’s other works besides Atlas Shrugged. It is designed both to facilitate a first encounter with the novella and to enhance the understanding of someone who is re-reading it. We will avoid discussing spoilers until the final class.
The only reading for this mini-course is Anthem, which we will read in three parts. You can request a free copy of Anthem here.
For each class, you will be required to answer a question posed by the instructor. Maximum word count for these answers is 400 words. Assignments (along with final readings) will be posted one week before the relevant live discussion session and will be due on the Thursday (noon Pacific Time) before the live discussion session.
The purpose of these assignments is to evaluate your thinking about the reading and your ability to convey your thoughts clearly. Because of this, you are expected to write each assignment on your own. You should not have someone else help you write the assignment, and the use of generative AI tools such as ChatGPT is prohibited.
Note: staying within the maximum word count is an important part of the assignments and will be reflected in the assignment’s grade.
Assignments will be graded on a scale from 0 to 5. Assignments submitted late, but on the assigned day, will be penalized 1 point. Assignments submitted after the day they are due without prior approval will receive a zero.
The weighting of your assignments for your final grade will be:
- Answers to instructor questions: 80%
- Class participation: 20% (determined by class attendance and in-class discussion)
Live class will meet on Saturdays at 9 am Pacific Time. Although live attendance is recommended, classes will be recorded so that they can be accessed by students who need to miss the live class.
Class 1: July 20th, 2024
Class 2: July 27th, 2024
Class 3: August 3rd, 2024
If you have questions about the syllabus or course content, please email the instructor (sweaver@aynrand.org). For administrative or technical issues, e.g., inability to log on, email Reagen Leimbach (rleimbach@aynrand.org.) If you are late with an assignment or want to request an extension (48 hours advance notice required), email both Reagen and the instructor.
Sam WeaverSam Weaver is an associate fellow at the Ayn Rand Institute. He teaches in ARI’s educational programs, including the Ayn Rand University, and writes and speaks on issues related to the field of education. He holds a BA in English and is currently pursuing graduate studies in the liberal arts.