2025 • ONLINE COURSES
Great Books, Great People, Great Fun

For Those Who Want to be Challenged

I’m pleased to announce that I’ll be offering nine private online courses during 2025. Topics range from the comedies of Aristophanes to Dostoevsky’s masterpiece, Brothers Karamazov. I’m particularly excited about reading Percival Everett’s new novel James alongside Mark Twain’s classic The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. The courses can be taken individually or as short sequences. Continue reading

JUNE 2024 • COURSES
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

2024 is the 50th anniversary (#ZMM50) of the publication of Robert Pirsig's ZEN AND THE ART OF MOTORCYCLE MAINTENANCE.

2024 is #ZMM50 #ZMM50th!

2024 is the 50th anniversary (#ZMM50 #ZMM50th) of the publication of Robert Pirsig’s modern classic Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry into Values. As part of the nationwide commemoration of this milestone, this summer I will be teaching two related online courses that can be taken independently or together. Continue reading

2 JUL 2021 • LECTURE
Home Front, War Front: “Mrs. Miniver” and “Scarlett O’Hara” as the Interpretive Keys to Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun

On Friday, 2 July 2021 12:15–1:15 pm, I will be giving the Basic Program First Friday Lecture online. My topic will be:

Home Front, War Front:
“Mrs. Miniver” and “Scarlett O’Hara” as the Interpretive Keys to Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun

The lecture is free and open to the public.

 

  Continue reading

2 AUG 2019 • LECTURE
The White Man’s Peril: Heart of Darkness as Conrad’s Reply to Kipling

On Friday, 2 August 2018 12:15–1:15 pm, I will be giving the Basic Program First Friday Lecture at the Chicago Cultural Center (Michigan Avenue between Randolph and Washington Streets). My topic will be:

The White Man’s Peril:
Heart of Darkness as
Conrad’s Reply to Kipling

The lecture is free and open to the public. Continue reading

7 SEP 2018 • LECTURE
The Use and Abuse of Gustavus Vassa; Or, The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano on Its Own Terms

On Friday, 7 September 2018 12:15–1:15 pm, I will be giving the Basic Program First Friday Lecture at the Chicago Cultural Center (Michigan Avenue between Randolph and Washington Streets). My topic will be:

The Use and Abuse of Gustavus Vassa; Or, The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano on Its Own Terms

The lecture is free and open to the public.

 


Continue reading