The BB&T Chair for the Study of Objectivism, held by Dr. Tara Smith in the Philosophy Department, is sponsoring the Third Annual Undergraduate Essay Contest on Ayn Rand’s novel, Atlas Shrugged this year.
First prize is $2500, second prize is $1750, and third prize is $1200. All full-time undergraduates registered at UT for the 2010-2011 academic year – including those students who participated in last year’s contest – are eligible to submit an entry. The submission deadline is November 15th.
AWARDS:
¨ First prize – $2,500
¨ Second prize – $1,750
¨ Third prize – $1,200
ELIGIBILITY:
¨ Applicants must be registered as full-time undergraduate students at The University of Texas at Austin for the 2010-2011 academic year.
¨ Applicants need to have read the novel, Atlas Shrugged, in its entirety.
DEADLINE:
Deadline for submissions is November 15th, 2010
ESSAY QUESTIONS:
Applicants will submit an essay that addresses one of the following questions:
1. Explore the thesis that evil depends on the sanction of the victim. Explain exactly what Rand means by this and how the idea is illustrated in the novel. Make reference to specific characters and events.
2. The heroes of Atlas Shrugged are selfish – in a very particular but undeniable way. Explain both the kind of selfishness that these characters embrace (through what more specific traits of character, for instance, do they pursue their interests?) and the reasons that they think it is a proper moral code for everyone.
3. Economic freedom is steadily deteriorating in the society portrayed in Atlas Shrugged. In the view of John Galt, what are the primary causes of this decline and what is the solution? Point to specific events in the story to explain Galt’s analysis.
JUDGING CRITERIA:
¨ Essays will be evaluated on how well they answer the essay question, clarity of writing, depth of understanding, and originality.
¨ Essays do not need to agree with the perspective of the author of the novel.
¨ Winners will be announced in February 2011 (please note that the judges reserve the right to not award any prizes in the unlikely event that they deem no essay warrants an award).
ESSAY FORMAT:
¨ Essays must be between 800-1500 words in length.
¨ Essays must be original, unpublished work of one student; only one essay per student may be submitted.
¨ Essays must be titled, reference the question you are answering, typed in 12-point font in English, and double-spaced with 1-inch margins and numbered pages.
¨ Submissions will be judged anonymously. Identifying information is requested on the entry form (see below), but no identifying references, such as your name or professors’ names, should appear in your essay.
SUBMISSION OF MATERIALS:
Please mail 4 stapled copies of your essay, along with a completed and signed ENTRY FORM to:
UT Atlas Essay Contest
1 University Station, Mail Code: 3500
The University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX 78712-1180
Entries must be postmarked on or before November 15th, 2010 to be considered.
No faxed, e-mailed, or hand delivered entries will be accepted.
Please note that no materials will be returned.
More information here.
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