Thoreau College 2023 Fall Semester Program  - Phase 1

The Thoreau College Semester Program is a full time, in-person program incorporating intellectual work, fine arts and folk skills, manual labor, self-governance, wilderness expeditions and, and engaged community life.  Each semester explores a unique theme, while sharing many similar activities and elements shaped by the natural and agricultural year and by the Five Pillars of the Thoreau College Curriculum. Together with a cohort of up to 14 fellow students, Semester Program participants embark on an immersive four-month long journey of discovery and growth through the seasons in the context of an intimate and supportive self-governing community of peers and mentors, located in a beautiful and culturally vibrant rural area.

The theme of the 2023 Thoreau College Fall Semester Program is “Habitat for the Human Spirit.”  It is a common experience for a person living in the modern world to feel not at home.  Whether it is in their own bodies, in the natural world, in the political or cultural sphere, or in the cosmos at large, we have all experienced a sense of homelessness, or an alienation from our context.  During this semester, we will be exploring what it means to make and have a home fit for a human being, on levels from the practical to the sublime.

Our exploration of this theme will involve discussions of readings drawn from a cross-cultural selection of literature, philosophy, and sacred texts both ancient and modern, as well as texts related to architecture, place, and habitat.  It will also involve practical experiences with homemaking -  fall harvest and food preservation skills, working with wood and natural building materials, and participation in service work and seasonal celebrations in the context of our vibrant rural community.  Throughout the semester students will learn a variety of practical manual skills and folk arts, including spoon carving, basket making, basic timber frame construction, foraging for wild foods, canning, pickling, and fermenting harvesting fruits and vegetables, and, for those who are interested, butchering chickens, pigs, and deer.  The semester will also include two week-long group expeditions and a sequence of three forest solo experiences of 24 and 48 hours. 

We are seeking participants who are mature, tenacious, curious, collaborative, open, idealistic, and ready to get their hands dirty literally and figuratively. The program will take place in and around Viroqua, Wisconsin, USA and will run from August 24 until December 15, 2023. We are seeking up to 14 participants who are excited to embark on this adventure of discovery and co-creation this fall!

The application process has three steps.

Phase 1: Preliminary Application - Rolling Admissions

Completing this short form is the first step in the application process. Please tell us about your background and interest in our program. If you have any questions or would like a Word/PDF version of this application, contact us at admin@thoreaucollege.org.

Phase 2: Full Written Application - Deadline: within 2 weeks of being invited to complete the Phase 2 application

After reviewing your Phase 1 application, we will invite you to complete Phase 2 if it seems that you would be a good fit for the program. The Phase 2 application is more extensive than Phase 1 and will include longer essay questions. Your Phase 2 application will be due within 2 weeks of your invitation to complete it.

Phase 3: Interview & References

Once you have submitted Phase 2 of the application, you will be invited to participate in an interview with members of our Admissions Circle, which includes faculty and alumni of earlier programs. Interviews typically last about 45 minutes and can take place in person or via Zoom as circumstances allow. Applicants who are able to visit us in Viroqua are encouraged to do so! During this phase we will also contact personal references submitted as part of Phase 2.

Note: At this time, Thoreau College has not received formal academic accreditation and does not confer any formal qualification, certification, or transferable credits, although we are currently exploring the possibility of doing this. If this is a concern for you, please contact us to discuss this further.

Thoreau College is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination. Thoreau College is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, height, weight, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

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Will you need a visa to be in the United States from August - December of 2023? At this time, Thoreau College is not able support applications for student visas for international students, but students may be able to apply for a tourist visa that would allow them to participate in this program. *
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Are you interested in participating in the 2024 Spring Semester Program as well? *
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