Our residential weekends take place in the UK. One module is made up of three weekends (this module: 16-18 January 2026, 27 February – 1 March 2026, 10-12 April 2026). For more information on how we run these please read our dedicated page, on our website, here. We ask everyone reads this page before registering.
Course theme:
The Symposium is undoubtedly one of the West’s philosophical and literary masterpieces – it inspires, teaches, initiates those who listen to its poetry, and, as Donald Levy says, “For anyone who wants to think philosophically about love, the only way to begin is to reflect on the problems first raised in Plato’s Symposium.”
More than any other dialogue, the Symposium is a drama: it delivers important messages through words and actions – and this is emphasized by Plato when he has Apollodorus say (at 173a) “since I first became a follower of Socrates, and began, as I have continued ever since, daily to observe and study all his sayings and actions.” Within this drama we have rhetoric, dialectic and divine inspiration – all carefully orchestrated by Plato in order to draw the reader into the mysteries of love.
Across the three weekends we will be able to examine the whole dialogue, a symbolic and mysterious one, full of mythology. We will be mainly using Thomas Taylor’s translation- we can provide a discount for our student’s edition of the dialogue.
The weekends take place this module: 16-18 January 2026, 27 February – 1 March 2026, 10-12 April 2026)- costs per weekend range from £182 to £208 (which includes all food and drink and either a non-suite or ensuite bedroom). Bursaries and payment plans are available- payments are due three weeks before each weekend. Refunds only available with enough notice. We kindly ask that everyone who would like to come along please read more about our approach first by visiting our website and reading the dedicated page here.
The weekends take place this module: 16-18 January 2026, 27 February – 1 March 2026, 10-12 April 2026: costs per weekend range from £182 to £208 (which includes all food and drink and either a non-suite or ensuite bedroom). Payment is due 3 weeks before the weekend – due to the tight timeframe refunds are generally not given. Payment plans and bursaries are available (please see below for more information). Once registered the treasurer will be in touch with a Charges form- please complete as quickly as you can. Please note, the prices have gone up slightly for this coming year – this is due to the costs of our venue increasing.
The Prometheus Trust only charge students to cover the cost of the place that we are charged by the venue (for accommodation and food). We do not charge students for other expenses involved in the putting on of these weekends.
The Trust has a seminar support fund for bursaries and if you are not able to afford the full cost, please contribute what you think is appropriate and the remainder will be supported by this fund. Please consider carefully what you’re able to contribute towards the cost of your place – The Prometheus Trust is a small volunteer-run charity with limited resources.
Bursaries are only available on non ensuite accommodation (unless ensuite accommodation is needed because of a medical condition or disability – if that’s your situation, please let the Treasurer know via email when you complete the Charges form)
Bookings close 15 December 2025- first payment due 26 December 2025. If after you’ve read about how we run these and our approach on the dedicated page on our website, please do get in touch with any questions or complete a booking form by following this link.