2020 Winter Lecture Series
Presented by various resident and visiting lecturers
Saturday evenings
All lectures begin at 7:00 PM
(doors open at 6:15 PM for wine and goodies)
$35 per lecture
NOTE: IF A LECTURE IS MARKED “SOLD OUT”
YOU MAY CALL THE INSTITUTE OFFICE
TO GET ON THE WAIT LIST
(408-864-4060)
SAT, JAN 4: JAMES TISSOT
Presented by William H. Fredlund, Ph.D.
James Tissot was one of the most celebrated artists of his time, yet we now know less about him than his contemporaries, the Impressionists. Dr. Fredlund presents an overview of Tissot’s life and work to prepare you for the Legion of Honor’s show James Tissot: Fashion and Faith (to Feb 9). SOLD OUT
SAT, JAN 11: FOUNDING MOTHERS OF THE TUDOR DYNASTY
Presented by Arlene Okerlund, Ph.D.
Elizabeth Wydeville, Margaret Beaufort, and Elizabeth of York, women whose characters were forged by The Wars of the Roses, embodied courage, persistence, stamina, and fortitude to a degree rare in human nature, and they created a generation of English kings: the Tudor dynasty. SOLD OUT
SAT, JAN 25: CHINESE NEW YEAR
Presented by Ruby Ming
Today, January 25, is the first day of Chinese New Year. Learn why it’s not really a lunar new year and why the Chinese zodiac isn’t a zodiac, discover the meaning of some of the many symbols for prosperity and good fortune, and look at artworks inspired by the symbols and traditions. TICKETS
SAT, FEB 1: JOHANNES BRAHMS
Presented by Robert Hartwell, Ph.D.
Brahms ranks among the most loved of composers, yet his personality was anything but lovable—even his closest friends lived in fear of his acid tongue. Brahms was Wagner’s rival, Beethoven’s successor, Clara Schumann’s lover (?)—and not least, one of Western music’s greatest geniuses. SOLD OUT
SAT, FEB 8: STONEHENGE AND ARCHAEOASTRONOMY: TELLING TIME BY THE HEAVENS
Presented by Patrick Hunt, Ph.D.
How long have humans used the sun, moon, and stars as sky calendars? Stonehenge is only one example of ancient time reckoning. Whether for tracking animals or for agriculture, human measurements of time have been profoundly tied the skies above for at least 20,000 years. SOLD OUT
SAT, FEB 22: DEMYSTIFYING SAUDI ARABIA
Presented by Naeem Zafar
Why is Saudi Arabia so important in world politics today? What is the crisis with Yemen? What is the Saudi future with MbS (Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman)? We will take a historical perspective and also provide a tourist’s view into this country that is so shrouded in mystery. SOLD OUT
SAT, FEB 29: FIVE DAYS IN MAY, 1940
Presented by Bruce Thompson, Ph.D.
From May 24 to May 28, 1940, as nearly 400,000 British and French troops were pinned down at Dunkirk—and with the fate of Western civilization hanging in the balance—the British War Cabinet conducted a doomful debate: whether to negotiate with Hitler or continue to fight. SOLD OUT
SAT, MAR 7: SOPHOCLES ~ OEDIPUS REX
Presented by Marsh McCall, Ph.D.
The most famous play (perhaps) in all of Western drama is riddled with perplexity. Are the gods and the universe just or unjust toward Oedipus? Does Oedipus lead his life with a series of free choices or is he simply controlled by fate? Is his life innocent or guilty? TICKETS
TO REGISTER:
Call 408-864-4060, Monday – Friday, 10AM – 6PM
OR register online at shop.westernciv.com
or click TICKETS links above.