St. John’s College, the third-oldest college in the U.S. and considered the most contrarian college for its distinct and steadfast approach to the liberal arts—reading and discussing 3,000 years of Great Books over the course of four years—is launching a 20-episode podcast and web series examining the mysteries of who we are as humans and why we see each other and the world as we do.
On Friday evenings, members of the St. John’s College community head to the Great Hall or auditorium to hear a lecture or concert from visiting scholars, artists, poets or faculty. Lecturers include members of the St. John’s College faculty, and professors from notable universities across the country. Each lecture is followed by an engaging discussion between the lecturer and attendees.
Moira O’Shea (A06) has long been fascinated by the intersection of art, history, memory and belonging across different cultures; her dual Fulbright awards to study in Central Asia are a natural extension of that passion.
The richness of the conversations that happen across the college is a reflection of a Polity designed to preserve and further the greatest ideas of human achievement. However, as studies of the Great Books show us, humanity often falls short of their lofty aims.
In January, the college will launch an original web and podcast series called Continuing the Conversation, which will feature faculty members engaged in one-on-one conversations about the ideas that animate them, often emanating from the Great Books.
