Harrison Middleton University

Free online event: “The Dignity of an Intellectual Life for All,” Oct. 21, 1-3 pm.

/ David Yamada / 1 Comment

The Dignity of an Intellectual Life for All

Friday, October 21, 2022, 1:00-3:00 p.m., Eastern Time, Online Format

Hosted by Suffolk University Law School (https://www.suffolk.edu/law/) and co-sponsored by:

Basic Program of Liberal Education for Adults, University of Chicago, Graham School https://graham.uchicago.edu/programs-courses/basic-program)

Harrison Middleton University (https://www.hmu.edu)

World Dignity University Initiative of Human Dignity and Humiliation Studies (https://www.worlddignityuniversity.org)

With a focus on Dr. Zena Hitz’s thought-provoking book, Lost in Thought: The Hidden Pleasures of an Intellectual Life (2020), this program will examine the value of embracing the liberal arts and humanities for their own sake and consider how a rich intellectual life for everyone enhances human dignity. The program opens with a conversation featuring Dr. Hitz, followed by a responsive panel comprised of four distinguished educators, with opportunities for Q&A.

Featured Speaker

Zena Hitz, Tutor, St. John’s College, Annapolis, MD, and author, Lost in Thought: The Hidden Pleasures of an Intellectual Life (Princeton, NJ: Princeton U. Press, 2020)  https://zenahitz.net

Guest Panelists

Joseph Coulson, President, Harrison Middleton University   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Coulson

Hilda Demuth-Lutze, English teacher (ret.), Chesterton High School, IN, and author of historical fiction                                               https://kingdomofthebirds.wordpress.com/about-the-author/

Amy Thomas Elder, Instructor, Basic Program of Liberal Education for Adults, University of Chicago, Graham School                https://graham.uchicago.edu/person/amy-thomas-elder

Linda Hartling, Director, Human Dignity and Humiliation Studies  https://www.humiliationstudies.org/whoweare/linda.php

Moderator

David Yamada, Professor of Law, Suffolk University Law School, Boston, MA https://www.suffolk.edu/academics/faculty/d/y/dyamada

UPDATE: A freely accessible recording of this very engaging program has now been posted to YouTube. Go here to watch it!

2022 side gig: Serving as a “Fellow in Ideas” at Harrison Middleton University

/ David Yamada / Leave a comment

This year, I’m delighted to be doing an important “side gig” endeavor as a 2022 “Fellow in Ideas” at Harrison Middleton University (HMU), an online university devoted exclusively to the exploration of Great Books and Great Ideas.  Those selected as Fellows contribute reviews and essays to HMU’s publications and join in various discussion groups.

So far, my participation has included:

I look forward to taking part in more HMU activities to round out my fellowship experience during the fall.

Harrison Middleton University is a unique educational entity. Its strongest intellectual roots trace back to Great Books of the Western World, a series of books first published by the Encyclopedia Britannica in 1952, comprised mostly of full works by selected authors of the Western canon. HMU has obtained national accreditation through the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC). Whereas many DEAC-accredited members are for-profit institutions emphasizing vocational preparation, HMU is a non-profit, online university devoted solely to the liberal arts.

HMU’s work is especially needed during a time when independent inquiry, liberal learning, and the Great Books are on the decline in much of standard-brand higher education and under attack from the social and political extremes. It is a gift to be a year-long visitor to this stimulating, intelligent, and welcoming community.