Expanding its tradition of valuing education at all stages of life, Radcliffe is launching a weeklong seminar designed for midcareer women. The aims of the seminar are to revitalize intellectual interests, provide physical challenges, and offer unprecedented access to one of the world's leading academic institutes. The new program -- called the Radcliffe College Seminar for Professional Leadership -- is a joint project of Radcliffe's Bunting Institute and Graduate Studies Center, and will take place from June 27 through July 2.

"Unlike traditional midcareer programs, this new seminar is not limited to improving workplace skills; it takes a holistic and philosophical approach to meeting the diverse challenges of today's world," said Radcliffe President Linda S. Wilson. "This program will help professionals often confined to a narrow track of work unleash their creative thinking abilities and benefit from a new community of peers and academic scholars."

The program will feature expert facilitators leading group discussions and thought-provoking seminars. Morning seminars will be led by Martha Nussbaum, the award-winning author and philosopher who teaches law and ethics at the University of Chicago. The theme of Nussbaum's sessions will be "Women and Human Development: Assessing the Quality of Life."

Afternoon group discussions will cover topics including "Integrating Personal Values and Voice," "Moving from Success to Significance," "Integrating Work and Family Issues," and "How Emotional Intelligence Enhances Professional Success."

Several current Bunting Institute fellows will act as leaders and mentors for program participants. This year's Bunting fellows include leading scientists, artists, writers, psychologists, and literary scholars.

Each morning, participants can join in tai chi instruction and "Strong Women Training," led by Miriam Nelson, Tufts University fitness expert, former Bunting fellow, and author of Strong Women Stay Young.

"This new program will feed the body and soul -- as well as the mind," said Rita Nakashima Brock, director of the Bunting Institute.

Up to 30 participants will be selected from a general pool of applicants to participate in the program, which lasts for one week, and includes housing and meals on campus. The cost for is $5,000.

Up to eight of the original participants will be selected to continue in a second phase of the program for an additional one to three weeks to work on a specific project of their own choosing. The cost for Phase II is approximately $900 per week, depending on a participant's housing needs.

For information about the summer program, call (617) 496-0105, or visit the Website http://www.bisummer@rad cliffe.edu.