GBGD Autumn 2024 Speaker Series:
Why Read Great Books Today?

In the first two programs of our Autumn 2024 Speaker Series, October 10 and 24, intellectual historian Tim Lacy will present talks looking at the history of the Great Books idea, especially as advocated by Mortimer Adler.

In the third program, on November 14, a panel of current practitioners of Great Books education will discuss their differing views of the Great Books idea; a Canon or canons; and the purpose, importance and focus of Great Books in modern education.

Each program runs 90 minutes and will include a Q&A session with audience members.

PART 1: Great books before The Great Books—Thursday, October 10 at 7:00pm Central

In our first program, on Thursday October 10, intellectual historian Tim Lacy will look at the pre-20th century history of the idea of Great Books, discussing the different conceptions of the liberal arts, adult education, and a Western Canon—and the overlap and differences among them. He'll also trace the specific late-19th century movements to promote wider access to adult education that led to the Great Books idea and ideal.

PART 2: A Liberal Education for All: Mortimer Adler and the Spirit of Great Books—Thursday, October 24 at 7:00pm Central

Our second program of the series, on Thursday October 24, will look at the 20th century emergence of the Great Books movement in the US, through an examination of the life and career of its most prominent advocate, Mortimer Adler. Tim Lacy will tell the remarkable story of the visionary founders of the Great Books movement and their belief that an education in greatbooks was for everyone, not just a select few.

PART 3: Why Read Great Books Today?—Thursday, November 14 at 7:00pm Central

In the third program of our series, a panel of three lifelong Great Books educators in primary/secondary, university, and adult programs will discuss their differing views on the idea of Great Books, their place in education, and their importance in our culture.

Our guests for this program are Robert Jackson of Classical Commons, Mary Finn of Premise, and Stuart Patterson of the Shimer Great Books School at North Central College. The panel will be moderated by Great Books Great Discussions executive director Mark Cwik.