Focus Studies and Practical Wisdom Seminars

Our Focus Studies take a deep-dive into individual books or authors, or take a syntopical approach by following an idea or issue across multiple authors over the centuries.

Practical Wisdom Seminars put the emphasis on the insights and guidance that Great Books can contribute to our lives.

See below for our current offerings.

Practical Wisdom

Wisdom, Folly, and Coping with the World

What is wisdom? How are we to act in the world whenthe world does not behave as we expect?

In this study we will proceed chronologically through a dozen classic texts, ancient through modern, that invite a deep exploration of these questions. Heraclitus, Ecclesiastes, Job, the Bacchae, Apology, Hamlet, Dostoevsky, Nietzsche, and more. . .

12-week seminar
Weekly Mondays at 7:00pm Central
June 2 to August 18, 2025
Seminar leader: Jesse Peterson

Practical Wisdom

What the Great Books Can Teach You About Writing

You know the Great Books make you smarter, more thoughtful, and more confident. Do you also know that they can help you become a much more effective writer and speaker in your everyday activities and special projects? Learn how in this masterclass from leading advertising-world veteran Malachy Walsh.

6-meeting online seminar
Every other week on Tuesday, 7:00pm Central
Starting June 10, 2025 and ending August 19, 2025
Seminar leader: Malachy Walsh

Learn More and Register

Deep Read

The Complete Greek Tragedies

A year-long study of the 33 extant plays of Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides.

Four, 11-week quarters
Weekly on Mondays at 2:00pm Central
Starting Autumn 2025
Seminar leader: Mark Cwik

Deep Read

Iliad and Odyssey Long Read

A year-long study of Homer’s two great epics, using a multiple-translation approach.

Two, 24-meeting semesters
Weekly on Tuesdays at 2:00pm Central
Starting Autumn 2025
Seminar leader: Mark Cwik

Practical Wisdom

How to Get More from Your Reading

6-meeting workshop seminar
Weekly on Thursdays at 2:00pm Central
Starting Autumn 2025
Seminar leader: Mark Cwik

Deep Read

Deep Myth: The Original Tales

A year-long study of original-source myths from Mesopotamia, Greece, and Rome.

Four, 12-week quarters
Weekly on Fridays at 10:00am Central
Starting Autumn 2025
Seminar leader: Mark Cwik

Deep Read

Herodotus and the Invention of History

12-meeting study
date and time TBA
Seminar leader: Mark Cwik

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