June 2019
Singapore and Chicago: Modern Global Cities in Social Transition
Singapore and Chicago became vibrant centers of global commerce in the late 19th century, and they remain major cities in contemporary economic and cultural life. They are also places in which the most notable patterns of modern social life continue to evolve, though in the different contexts of Southeast Asia and the American Midwest. Two experts in social and economic history (both long- time Chicago residents) will examine how these cities have evolved through changing economic contexts, urban redevelopment, modern…
Find out more »Authoritarian Populism and Endangered Democracies
The end of the Cold War led some analysts to believe that the demise of communism in Eastern Europe would ensure a steady expansion of democracy throughout the world. Democratic values and institutions are currently facing new challenges around the globe, however, and this seminar will examine some of the places in which anti-democratic trends are evoking concerns. Our interdisciplinary faculty will discuss recent events in Turkey, Brazil, Hungary, Poland, Britain, and Germany, providing perspectives to interpret the meaning of…
Find out more »July 2019
Pillars of Antiquity: Space and Time in Egypt, Greece, and Rome
People in the ancient world developed complex ideas about time and place to help them understand their place in the geographic and cosmological order.This seminar will provide new perspectives on how ancient cultures in Egypt, Greece, and Rome described the meaning of the cosmos, the importance of prophecies, and the significance of time in human lives. Join us for a discussion of how the ancient world created social practices and cultural legacies that endured for centuries in the Mediterranean world…
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