​Program Overview​​

 

The Scholar's Program is a year-long course of study for students committed to sustained inquiry in the humanities and social sciences. Unlike conventional master’s programs, which are often shaped by fixed curricula, standardized assessments, and bureaucratic requirements, this program is built around mentorship, conversation, and individualized study.

Each scholar works closely with a mentor to shape their own intellectual trajectory, guided by their specific interests and questions. The aim is not to meet institutional benchmarks, but to pursue thought with depth, care, and integrity.​ Scholars are encouraged to draw connections across disciplines, to work bilingually if appropriate, and to develop research that is both personally meaningful and intellectually rigorous.

 

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, with new scholars admitted before the start of each term. The deadline for Spring 2025 is April 21, 2025.

 

Structure and Format​

 

The program unfolds over four seasonal terms.​ Each of the first three terms centers on one-on-one tutorials, allowing the scholar to develop their thinking in direct and ongoing conversation with a mentor. The final term is dedicated to the writing of a thesis.

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The final thesis is the intellectual culmination of the year’s inquiry. It may take the form of a traditional academic thesis, a theoretical investigation, a portfolio with critical commentary, or a hybrid project depending on the scholar's background, method, and goals.​

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Because there are no required courses or exams, the work is both more flexible and more demanding: scholars must take initiative, remain intellectually accountable, and cultivate a serious engagement with the material they choose to explore.

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Throughout the year, scholars also have access to the Institute's seminars, public lectures, reading groups, writing workshops, and other events. These are open invitations rather than mandatory requirements, allowing scholars to participate as fits their schedule and needs.

 

Scholars receive tailored support for the publication of their thesis, including in peer-reviewed academic journals and public-facing outlets. The Institute also supports scholars with attending academic conferences, both locally and internationally, as well as with their future professional and academic pursuits. 

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The program welcomes work in Arabic, English, or both. Scholars are encouraged to engage with the challenges of language, translation, and disciplinary boundaries, and to develop a scholarly voice that reflects their intellectual and linguistic commitments. Language support and bilingual mentorship may be available depending on the student’s needs.

 

Why This Program​

 

The Scholar's Program is designed for those who are seeking something different from the conventional structures of higher education. It does not offer a credential in exchange for coursework, but a year of study rooted in guided writing, reading, and sustained reflection.

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Scholars are invited to pose their own questions rather than follow a syllabus determined in advance. There is no expectation of fitting into a discipline. Instead, the scholar, together with their mentor, takes responsibility for shaping a course of inquiry that matters—to them, and as a contribution of knowledge to the world.

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In this sense, the program is more rigorous than many standard degrees: it demands clarity of thought, patience with complexity, and a willingness to sit with ambiguity. For those drawn to that kind of work, it offers something rare: a space to think freely, seriously, and with others who care about the same.

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The program's format is especially suited to independent researchers, working professionals, and others who may not have the luxury of taking extended time off but who nonetheless wish to devote themselves to a serious program of study.​

 

Mentorship​

 

Rather than slotting students into prearranged coursework, the program centers mentorship as its foundation. This model—rare in contemporary higher education—recalls older traditions of apprenticeship and intellectual companionship. The mentor’s role is not only to guide, but to challenge and to accompany: to pose questions as well as offer answers.

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Each scholar will work with a primary mentor throughout the program. The Institute will also identify a second specialized mentor from its international affiliates, depending on the scholar's area of focus. Secondary mentors may also offer one-on-one tutorials, online or in person depending on logistical needs.​

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While scholars are encouraged to shape their own area of inquiry, the Institute’s strengths lie in the humanities and social sciences, particularly in:

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• Continental Philosophy

• Psychoanalysis

• Anthropology and Sociology

• Comparative Literature

• Intellectual History​

• Islamic Philosophy

• Arabic Poetics

 

Access to the Institute

 

Scholars are welcomed into the wider life of the Institute for Critical Thought. They will have access to the Institute’s physical library (with holdings in Arabic and English), online library databases, weekly seminars, writing workshops, and a range of public and informal events throughout the year.

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While structured around individualized mentorship, the program takes place within the living intellectual community of the Institute. Scholars are encouraged to exchange ideas through informal conversation, shared meals, and peer reading sessions. The Institute thrives on a culture of mutual inquiry, in which every participant—whether enrolled, mentoring, or visiting—contributes to a wider conversation on knowledge, power, and imagination.

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More information about the Institute’s work, past events, and philosophy can be found throughout our website (www.ictamman.org).​

 

The Space

 

The Institute is based in a quiet part of Jabal Lweibdeh, in Amman, Jordan, a short walk from the National Gallery of Fine Arts and a sculpture garden, with nearby cafes and shops. The Institute regularly hosts regional and international scholars, artists, and activists across its events and fellowships.

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It occupies a warm and inviting space designed for both solitude and conversation. The central living and café area provide a relaxed setting for informal meetings, reading, and work. A fully equipped kitchen offers refreshments and light meals throughout the day.

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The seminar room, library, and offices at back of the Institute offer spaces for mentorship and quiet work. A music room designed for focused listening or unwinding is replete with a vinyl collection and high-fidelity audio setup.​

 

Testimonials

 

The Institute has hosted a wide array of programs over the years. Former students, now researchers, writers, educators, and professionals across disciplines, have offered reflections that speak to the singularity of their experience. 

 

“I’m grateful for the depth of the discussions and the pursuit of questions that proved genuinely illuminating.”

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“Thank you for creating this heterotopia.”

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“I cannot stress enough the importance of this course to my development as a critical researcher in Jordan and beyond. The learning environment fostered open dialogue and genuine curiosity about everything from the controversial to the mundane. It seamlessly incorporated everything from pop culture and historical texts to poetry. Now, as an assistant professor at a liberal arts college, I find myself using many of the pedagogical tools I encountered at the Institute, and striving to recreate the same open, engaging, and collaborative spirit in my own teaching.”

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“In trying to express my admiration for what happens in the spaces of the Institute, I find myself faced with the limits of words. I remember in the first session we asked a question about transcendence—and I genuinely believe that this was accomplished week after week through unstructured and structured conversations. What is special is not simply knowledge or wisdom but that 'little bit more'”

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“When we started, we began with the question of what freedom is. My understanding has since grown. Hearing others share their thoughts was almost therapeutic. Reading Jackson, Malcolm X, Davis, and others reminded me how intricate our realities are—and how complex the process is for individuals to reflect on the present and pursue a different future. I leave inspired, hopeful, and motivated.”

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“The Institute provided a safe space to engage in discussions, wonder, wander, reflect, and be appreciated. It has been more than a pleasure—for me, it has been home.”​​

 

Tuition and Financial Aid

 

Tuition for the full-year program is 7,300 JOD. This fee covers all tutorials, workshops, materials, events, and access to the Institute's space and resources. Payment is due at the beginning of the program; flexible payment options may be arranged on request.

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Financial aid is available for those who cannot meet the full tuition, regardless of age, nationality, or employment status. To apply for financial aid, applicants are asked to fill out a series of questions in the financial aid section of the application form. The Institute provides full and partial financial aid.​​

 

FAQ

 

Can I pursue this program while working full-time?

 

Yes. The program is designed with flexibility in mind, allowing for individualized pacing and scheduling to accommodate full-time employment or other responsibilities.

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Is this program equivalent to a traditional master’s degree?

 

While it does not issue a government-accredited diploma, the program offers an education of comparable or greater depth to many traditional MA programs. It differs in its structure: rather than a rigid curriculum, it offers individualized mentorship and intellectual freedom within a rigorous academic framework.

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Is housing provided?

 

No, housing is not provided, but the Institute can offer recommendations and assist accepted students in finding accommodation in Amman.

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Can international students apply?

 

Yes. Applications are open to all, regardless of nationality or location. Tutorials with mentors may be held online when necessary, and the Institute’s resources are accessible both in-person and virtually.

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Will I receive a certificate?

 

Yes, scholars who complete the program—including their thesis—will receive an official certificate from the Institute for Critical Thought.

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Is there a minimum academic requirement?

 

There is no formal academic requirement. The admissions committee evaluates each application on the basis of intellectual seriousness, clarity of purpose, and the ability to benefit from and contribute to the Institute’s environment.

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If you have any questions or would like to schedule a conversation before applying, please reach out to info@ictamman.org.