March 2019
Re-Reading The Catcher in the Rye: A Mental Health Perspective
J.D. Salinger’s novel The Catcher in the Rye (1951) introduced America to Holden Caulfield, the cynical teen, a character type common in literature and film ever since. Half lecture, half book discussion, this seminar will examine the American literary classic with the insights of professionals in the fields of psychology and psychiatry. Drawing on recent research in psychology, neuroscience, and adolescent mental health, the discussion will focus on issues such as self-perception, the desire for popularity, and Salinger’s own mental…
Find out more »Anxious Eras: Conflicts and Creativity in Uncertain Times
Feeling uneasy lately? It may comfort you to know that people in the past have also suffered through periods of deep personal and collective anxiety—and managed to survive them. In fact, they often responded creatively to challenging circumstances, developing new ideas to under- stand and confront the problems of their time.This seminar begins with a review of Classical Greek playwrights and their depictions of a society under stress, noting how social tensions worked as a dramatic device. We’ll then turn…
Find out more »April 2019
The Versailles Treaty and Its Legacies
The enormous human and financial costs of the First World War created the emotionally charged context for the 1919 Versailles peace conference. The victorious Allies wanted to hold their enemies responsible for the conflict, but they also sought to create a “world safe for democracy.” These divergent aims led to recriminations, unfulfilled promises, and anger. Recognizing the complex legacy of the Versailles Treaty on its 100th anniversary, this seminar will explore how the peace treaty reshaped national politics in postwar…
Find out more »Cities of Cinema: Hollywood and Bollywood
Located on opposite sides of the globe, the cities of Los Angeles and Mumbai are homes to thriving international film industries known as Hollywood and Bollywood. This Dialogues seminar will compare and contrast these two industries and the cinematic traditions that have grown out of each. What has been the economic and cultural impact of these industries on their home countries, and how have their exported films influenced cultures all around the world? We’ll explore the types of films produced…
Find out more »May 2019
*Sold Out* The Battle of Normandy and the End of World War II: Reflections on the 75th Anniversary of D-Day
*Sold Out: Email human@unc.edu with your name, number of seats requested, and a phone number to be added to the wait list.* A Distinguished Scholar Seminar featuring Gerhard Weinberg The D-Day landings on the Normandy Beaches on June 6, 1944, marked a turning point in World War II, yet the meaning of this event was shaped by other strategic actions before and after the D-Day assault.This seminar, which comes on the eve of the D-Day anniversary of the Normandy campaign,…
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