Browse By Week
By Topic or Format
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Lectures & Seminars
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Month
Programs listed below are in chronological order.
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King David: A Biblical and Historical Look at Goliath’s Slayer
Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at 6:45 p.m.
An intelligent, charismatic, and
skilled military leader,
David succeeded Saul as the head of the Israelites, highlighting his importance for both politics and theology in the biblical world. His impact on Judaism and Christianity is integral to
understanding their development. Anthony Tambasco, professor
of theology at Georgetown University, analyzes the David
narratives from a biblical and historical viewpoint and
explores the myths surrounding the shepherd who became
king and Goliath’s final adversary.
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Mind-Body Basics
Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 6:45 p.m.
This program proposes strategies that provide a
greater sense of control over physical symptoms and describes
an approach to achieving a better quality of life.
positive thinking patterns in achieving greater well-being.
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Hill Towns of Tuscany: The Heart of Italy
Saturday, May 17, 2008 at 10 a.m.
The hill towns of Tuscany are a living cultural treasure. In each
picturesque village, magnificent treasures are tucked away on
steep cobbled paths that offer breathtaking panoramic vistas of
the surrounding landscape. C. Griffith Mann, curator of
medieval art at the Walters Art Museum, highlights some of
these villages, presenting their
buildings, art, and history as a
reflection of the medieval communities
that created them.
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The Religions of China: Visions of the Way
Saturday, May 17, 2008 at 10 a.m.
This lecture explores basic assumptions
underlying the Chinese religious worldview, and then
presents the three major religions of China: Taoism,
Confucianism, and Buddhism.
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Sunday Cinema
Sunday, May 18, 2008 at 1 p.m.
This program has been cancelled.
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Architectural Olympics in Beijing
Sunday, May 18, 2008 at 2 p.m.
World-class athletes aren’t the only star attractions at the upcoming Beijing Olympics. The National Stadium (the “Bird’s Nest”) and the National Aquatics Center (the “Water Cube”) are sure to draw a lot of attention during the games.
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Greece and the Greeks: The Power of Hellenic Heritage
Monday, May 19, 2008 at 6:45 p.m.
Why does Greece instantly evoke notions of classical antiquity?
In an illustrated presentation, art historian Fani-Maria Tsigakou
explores the reasons through an overview of
Greek images produced in Europe.
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Cal Thomas and Bob Beckel: Finding Common Ground
Tuesday, May 20, 2008 at 6:45 p.m.
Drawing on their USA Today column, Cal Thomas and
Bob Beckel address how partisan rancor has run
amok in Washington and how civility can be restored in order to move
the country forward.
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Elizabeth I’s Perilous Path to the Throne
Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at 6:45 p.m.
Queen Elizabeth I’s greatness was shaped in no small measure
by her turbulent childhood and youth. Declared a bastard by her father, Henry VIII, when she was not quite 3 years old, she lost her status and her place in the royal succession, Yet 22 years laterr, Elizabeth triumphantly
ascended the throne of England.
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Easter Island: Myth and Reality
Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at 6:45 p.m.
Once home to a lost and enigmatic Polynesian culture, Easter
Island, located off the coast of Chile, is today an important
archaeological site. Tonight, Claudio Cristino, the island’s
longtime resident archaeologist, discusses the most popular
theories that have tried to solve the island’s mysteries. .
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Mississippi Freedom Riders:
Thursday, May 22, 2008 at 6:45 p.m.
Join Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist
and distinguished history professor
Roger Wilkins, author and photographer
Eric Etheridge, and three of the
1961 Freedom Riders as they discuss
the remarkable civil rights action of
47 years ago.
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Maori Culture: Seeing Beyond the Warrior Image
Thursday, May 22, 2008 at 7 p.m.
More than 1,000 years ago, the Maori
arrived on New Zealand in canoes
from their ancestral homeland of
Hawaiki. There they established a
rich indigenous culture while maintaining
their ancient beliefs through
centuries-old oral traditions. In an illustrated presentation with
video clips, art historian and native
Maorian Jo Diamond focuses on her
culture’s artistic raranga, or weaving.
She explains this highly developed
art shaped by Maori women in
terms of its spiritual, political, and
technical meanings.
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Fiction Writing Instructor Conference
Saturday, May 31, 2008 at 9 a.m.
Participants in the Fiction Writing for Aspiring Writers course have an opportunity to meet with the instructor for a 15- minute one-on-one conference to receive feedback on a selection of their writing done in class.
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Working Toward Work-Life Balance
Saturday, May 31, 2008 at 9:30 a.m.
In this seminar, psychologist Neil Fiore teaches exercises
and concepts to equip you with the tools to maintain
healthy habits necessary for work-life balance. Drawing on
NIH’s research on the stages of effective habit change, he
teaches participants how to distinguish between activities
that directly contribute to your personal mission and the
distractions that take twice as much time in make-work
and workaholism.
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Meet Chef Janis McLean at Morrison-Clark Restaurant
Monday, June 2, 2008 at 6:30 p.m.
Cooking is lovelier the second time around now that Chef Janis
McLean is back at the Morrison-Clark Restaurant. In its tranquil atmosphere,
Chef McLean puts contemporary
touches on traditional dishes, made
with fresh, locally grown
ingredients.
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Dinner with Socrates: Feasting in Ancient Greece
Thursday, June 5, 2008 at 7 p.m.
In this entertaining and tasty
evening at the Embassy of Greece,
culinary historian Francine Segan
shares the tales of the foods,
etiquette, and dining customs of
ancient Greece, including the
philosophers’ writings on wine,
health, and even dinner party
seating.
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From the Brightest to the Darkest: Unlocking the Mysteries of the Universe
Saturday, June 7, 2008 at 9:30 a.m.
Our Universe is indeed a mysterious place: 74 percent dark energy, 22 percent dark matter, and 4 percent normal matter. Astrophysicists David
Lambert and Karl Gebhardt are at the forefront of unraveling the secrets of the origins of our Universe, how it functions, and how it will end.
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Chinese Export Porcelain
Saturday, June 7, 2008 at 9:30 a.m.
Shirley Ganse examines Chinese export porcelain’s
exquisite and often amusing designs for different countries; its evolution from mass-market to custom-made objects; its impact on world markets; and collectors’ considerations of quality, condition, and the current market.
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Cinematic Collaboration: The Italians: Federico Fellini & Marcello Mastroianni; Michelangelo Antonioni & Monica Vitti
Sunday, June 8, 2008 at 1 p.m.
Since the early days of cinema when D.W. Griffith directed
silent-screen star Lillian Gish, actors and directors have been
joining forces to create memorable films. Film historian Max
Alvarez examines the complex artistic relationships of several
famous actor-director duos.
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Montenegro: Tiny Jewel on the Adriatic
Tuesday, June 10, 2008 at 6:45 p.m.
Hugging the Adriatic coastline and nestled in the heart of the Balkan mountains, Montenegro is a country blessed with natural beauty and a rich culture. From Budva, one of the oldest settlements in the Balkans, to the UNESCO Heritage site
of medieval Korda, to Ostrog, a monastery carved almost entirely in a mountain cliff,
to the 15th-century peninsula town of Sveti Stefan, Montenegro dazzles the visitor. This evening, Annalisa Rellie, author of the Bradt Travel Guide to Montenegro, discusses the culture and arts of this country.
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The Corps Behind the Drapes: Law Clerks at the U.S. Supreme Court
Thursday, June 12, 2008 at 7 p.m.
This evening, in a conversation with veteran journalist Bernard Kalb, four former law clerks discuss their experiences and comment on the clerks’ roles in the process by which pivotal cases are selected and decided.
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Beijing: Ancient City, Modern Outlook
Saturday, June 14, 2008 at 9:30 a.m.
Participants look behind the excitement
surrounding the upcoming Olympics to
the richness and complexity of one of
the world’s great cities.
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Hong Kong: City Between Worlds
Monday, June 16, 2008 at 6:45 p.m.
In illustrated presentations, Leo Ou-fan
Lee
offers an insider’s view of his
hometown, from its first days as a trading port to its current status as a special administrative
region of the People’s Republic of China.
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Life and Death in Extreme Environments
Tuesday, June 17, 2008 at 6:45 p.m.
Stories of human achievements and survival against the odds have always been fascinating. We wonder how the body copes, whether living in the world’s harshest environments or mounting expeditions to its hottest, coldest, and highest places. Answers lie in the study of environment physiology, the responses and adaptations of the human body to extreme conditions. This seminar uses case studies to illustrate principles of survival and the range of environments that can support human life. Lecturer Claude Piantadosi is a professor of medicine at Duke University Medical Center and author of The Biology of Human Survival.
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Disdain, Danger, and Desire: Romance in Jane Austen
Wednesday, June 18, 2008 at 6:45 p.m.
This evening seminar provides a new look into some of
Austen’s heroines’ hidden sensations, which are subtly and
enticingly disrupted by the insistent pulse of desire, and
explores how Austen’s most satisfying and universally sympathetic
love stories are those that arise from human frailty, ineptitude,
and foolishness.
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Fateful Rivals: Gandhi and Churchill
Thursday, June 19, 2008 at 6:45 p.m.
In this illustrated lecture, historian Arthur Herman highlights crucial episodes in which the lives and careers of these two formidable statesmen
became intertwined. Although they met face-to-face only once, these events would set them on a permanent collision course.
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Ancient China Revealed: Recent Discoveries in Archaeology
Friday, June 20, 2008 at 6:45 p.m.
This seminar brings together eminent
scholars and archaeologists who work
in different regions of this vast
country and whose discoveries give
us a broad picture of Chinese beginnings
from the Paleolithic period
through the Bronze Age.
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A Traveler’s Guide to Worldwide Cruises
Wednesday, June 25, 2008 at 6:45 p.m.
Experience some of the world’s most alluring destinations as an imaginary passenger on different cruise ships. First, we delve into the romantic past of great ocean liners such as the Queen Mary and Ile de France and follow the changes in cruise travel through the 20th century. Lecturer Theodore Scull is a contributing editor at Cruise Travel and the author of 100 Best Cruise Vacations.
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The Medici Dynasty: Patronage and Power in Renaissance Florence
Saturday, June 28, 2008 at 9:30 a.m.
The flowering of arts and letters in Renaissance Florence is
unimaginable without the Medici. By the early 15th century,
this family had risen from being relative parvenus to become
bankers to the popes and the most influential political players
in Florence. Over the next few generations, their artistic and
architectural commissions would reshape the social, religious,
and cultural life of the city. In this seminar, art historians Philip Jacks and Aneta Georgievska-Shine explore Medici patronage and how this
unique family left its imprint on the Renaissance city.
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The Art of Chinese Dim Sum
Sunday, June 29, 2008 at 12 p.m.
Dim sum brunch at the Mandarin Oriental hotels in Asia is something very special, and now Smithsonian participants can experience it at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Washington, D.C. This afternoon, delicacies on dim sum menus served at traditional Cantonese teahouses are presented with the finest teas, including orchid oolong, jasmine downy pearls, and white lotus. In China, drinking tea is as important to the experience as enjoying the food.
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Making Connections: The Endocrine and Immune Systems and the Brain
Monday, June 30, 2008 at 6:45 p.m.
For obscure reasons, the neurosciences and immunology
evolved separately. Today, a major shift has occurred and psychoneuroimmunology
(PNI)—the study of the interrelationships
among the brain, the endocrine and immune systems,
and the emotions—has confirmed that these systems influence
each other greatly. Leading PNI researcher Jan Moynihan shares compelling
evidence that the immune system is integrated with other psychological
and biological processes,
and is therefore influenced by and
capable of influencing the brain.
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Straight Up: All About Rum
Tuesday, July 8, 2008 at 6:45 p.m.
Washington Post spirits columnist Jason Wilson explores the origin of the drink and the types of rum and how they were developed. Through guided tastings, learn the differences among light rums, aged rums, and rhum agricole, and explore regional variations.
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Five Hundred Feet Over Cuba: Secrets of the Cuban Missile Crisis
Thursday, July 10, 2008 at 7 p.m.
Never has the world come so close to nuclear annihilation as during the Cuban Missile Crisis of October 1962. A key role in resolving the crisis was played by low-level U.S. reconnaissance pilots who gathered crucial intelligence by flying over the island at 500 to 1,000 feet. Washington Post reporter Michael Dobbs recently discovered hundreds of cans of previously
top-secret raw intelligence film from
these missions while conducting research at
the National Archives. He shares his findings and reconstructs
the low-level U.S. reconnaissance missions
over Cuba.
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St. Augustine and the Moral Life
Saturday, July 12, 2008 at 9:30 a.m.
Promiscuous juvenile, towering intellectual, prolific writer, doctor of the church—these and many other descriptions have been applied to St. Augustine of
Hippo (354–430). Next to St. Paul and Jesus Christ himself, Augustine wielded influence on the development of Western Christian thought that is unrivaled, and even today his writings are studied by people around the world. This seminar explores some of his foundational ideas and their application to perennial questions concerning what constitutes a good and moral life.
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Oriental Rugs: Taking a Magic Carpet Ride
Saturday, July 12, 2008 at 9:30 a.m.
Oriental carpets have long
been appreciated and prized
for their intricate designs
and rich colors. For more
than 4,000 years, these
works of art have been coveted for their beauty and value. In
this seminar, two textile experts provide an introduction to
this exotic art form, covering from how and where the rugs
were made to differences in style and design.
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Impromptu Speaking: How to Think on Your Feet
Saturday, July 12, 2008 at 10 a.m.
Does your brain freeze up when you
have to speak off the cuff? Do unexpected
questions leave you tongue-tied?
In this seminar, participants learn how
to develop clarity, poise, and a sense of
ease in unexpected situations.
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Bhutan—Exploring the Last Himalayan Kingdom
Saturday, July 12, 2008 at 10 a.m.
Largely isolated from the outside world until three decades
ago, the spectacularly beautiful kingdom of Bhutan is tucked in the massive mountains and subtropical forests between China and India. This tiny Buddhist nation is striving to retain the best of its traditional values amidst rapidly changing
internal and external environments. In this illustrated seminar, officials and experts from Bhutan introduce travelers to their fascinating country.
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Election Fever: The Role of Emotion in Voting
Monday, July 14, 2008 at 6:45 p.m.
We vote with our hearts, not our minds. At least that is the argument of psychologist Drew Westen. He has studied presidential election data from the 1950s through the 2008 primaries and provides a clinical view of what candidates have said—or could have said—in debates, speeches, and ads to win our votes.
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Our Temperamental Earth: The Geological Drama of Plate Tectonics
Monday, July 14, 2008 at 6:45 p.m.
More than 600 million years ago, the continent of North America—collided with the supercontinent Gondwana, creating the Appalachian Mountains.
This was just part of Earth’s continuous shape-shifting, a cycle
where supercontinents break up and drift away from each
other and the oceans open. Geologist John Renton takes us on a time-travel tour of the constantly moving surface of the Earth.
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The Insider’s Washington, D.C.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008 at 6:45 p.m.
How well do you think you know the nation’s capital?
Whether or not you live here, Washington, D.C., demands
deeper exploration. Travel writer and District resident
Andrew Evans transcends the tourist cliches and veers off
the beaten path to reveal the city’s unexpected sides.
Discover its hidden gems and learn how it is the closest
foreign destination you’ve never visited.
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The Wilds of Alaska
Tuesday, July 15, 2008 at 6:45 p.m.
Alaska today has
some of this
country’s last wild
places. Naturalist
Mark Garland takes
us to the rugged
heart of Alaska
by analyzing the unique aspects of this natural world and how
it works as a tapestry of wildlife, plant communities, and landscapes.
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Cold-Case Homicides: A Forensic and Behavioral Analysis
Wednesday, July 16, 2008 at 6:45 p.m.
Unlike their television portrayals, coldcase homicides are not easily solved or
prosecuted. After all, if the case could have been solved quickly when fresh, why
would it still be open one or even 20 years later? Tonight, Mark Safarik explores problems and new solutions for cold-case investigations.
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Buenos Aires: The Paris of South America
Thursday, July 17, 2008 at 6:45 p.m.
Known for its fusion of Italian, Spanish, and other cultural influences, Buenos Aires is one of the most vibrant cities in Latin America—and one of today’s hottest travel destinations. Explore its rich history, culture, and sites with travel writer
Michael Luongo as he takes you on a vicarious journey through the barrios of this Argentine capital.
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Managing Your Memory
Saturday, July 19, 2008 at 9:30 a.m.
In this seminar, a nationally recognized expert on memory and
memory disorders helps you to understand your memory and
how it works, and suggests techniques that may help you to
improve your memory.
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Get in the Act: How to Become a Movie Extra
Saturday, July 19, 2008 at 10 a.m.
You may be out of luck if you want to be Tom Hanks or Julia Roberts—Hollywood already is filled with mega-stars. But
what it lacks—and always needs more of—is everyone else;
that is, the man on the street, the woman in the restaurant, the
kid in the elevator. This seminar
describes some of the
basic skills used by actors,
tools to help you get
called for roles, and what
to expect on the film set.
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The Cello—An Instrument Whose Time Has Come
Saturday, July 19, 2008 at 10 a.m.
Overshadowed by the violin in the 18th century and the piano in
the 19th century, and mostly ignored during the ascendency of
rock music in the 20th century, the cello has arrived. The seminar is led by National Symphony Orchestra cellist and Smithsonian music lecturer Yvonne Caruthers
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The World of Louis Comfort Tiffany
Wednesday, July 23, 2008 at 7 p.m.
Three stunning windows designed by the studio of Louis Comfort Tiffany dominate the Board of Governors Hall in the headquarters of the American Red Cross. In glowing colors and tranquil pastels, the windows—united in their theme of
ministering to the sick and wounded—depict scenes inspired by history and literature. This evening lecture delves into the life and accomplishments of Tiffany (1848-1933), a multitalented master of the decorative arts.
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An Enchanted Evening with Rodgers and Hammerstein
Thursday, July 24, 2008 at 6:45 p.m.
In this lively evening, pianist, raconteur, and American music specialist Robert Wyatt celebrates the lives and works of Rodgers and Hammerstein. Through primary materials furnished by the Library of Congress and the Rodgers and Hammerstein Organization—including original cast recordings, film clips, interviews, and correspondence—learn about the lives of these two icons of
the American musical.
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Treasures of Hungary - WEEKEND SEMINAR
Friday, July 25, 2008 at 7 p.m.
In today’s Hungary, one finds
constant reminders of a largely
vanished Europe residing within a
modern society. Experts discuss the
country’s rich cultural traditions,
including its music, architecture,
food, and wine.
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Creating Short Fiction
Saturday, July 26, 2008 at 9:30 a.m.
There is no better way to learn the craft of fiction writing than
through mastery of the short form. By offering the imagination
a tightly focused set of circumstances, a writer is often
able to concentrate more thoroughly on process rather than
product yet still emerge with something complete. Instructor Suzanne Chazin is a novelist, former senior editor at Reader’s Digest.
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Art Deco: Vibrant, Eclectic, and Dynamic
Saturday, July 26, 2008 at 9:30 a.m.
With the advent of the Jazz Age, denizens of the art world searched for modern forms and decorative motifs that reflected this exciting new era. They found it in geometric shapes such as chevrons, lozenges, zigzags, and sunbursts and adopted machine-made technology and materials. Art historian Bonita Billman discusses this vibrant movement through illustrated lectures, she highlights examples of Art Deco.
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Was Alger Hiss Guilty? You Decide
Saturday, July 26, 2008 at 10 a.m.
Was Alger Hiss wrongly convicted of treason? Sixty years
later, questions about the trial’s verdict still exist. This interactive
seminar allows you, as the jury, to decide. Attorney John Berresford presents the details of the case, which continues to fascinate lawyers and laypeople today.
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Investigating the Destruction of Santorini and Pompeii
Saturday, August 2, 2008 at 9:30 a.m.
The deadly volcanic eruptions that destroyed civilizations on the Greek island of Santorini (17th century B.C.) and the Roman resort town of Pompeii (79 A.D.) clearly illustrate Will Durant’s statement. The events, 1,500 years apart, significantly altered the course of civilization. Art historian Mariana Carpinisan and geophysicist Michael Wysession investigate how these dramatic volcanic eruptions both destroyed and preserved parts of the unlucky Minoan and Roman civilizations that had coexisted with the volcanoes.
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A Practical Guide to Buddhist Meditation
Saturday, August 2, 2008 at 10 a.m.
The Buddha’s 2,500-year-old teachings continue to
provide individuals with the tools that help
them to gain some relief from unnecessary
suffering and to better understand the conditions
that cause conflict in the world. This
seminar explores the role of meditation on
the path to wisdom, joy, and peace—within
ourselves and in our daily lives.
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Play Ball with the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park
Sunday, August 3, 2008 at 11 a.m.
It’s a fun-filled baseball day at spectacular Nationals Park with
its spacious concourses, state-of-the-art high-definition video
board and sound system, and panoramic views of the playing
field and the city. Before the game starts, join some of the Nats’ key personnel—
both players and management—in a behind-the-scenes discussion
about the team.
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The Inner World of Abraham Lincoln
Monday, August 4, 2008 at 6:45 p.m.
Tonight, one of the finest Lincoln scholars considers the psychology and character of one of our most complex and enigmatic leaders. He examines the facets of Lincoln’s emotions and personality traits, interpreting the influence of each facet.
Lecturer Michael Burlingame is a professor emeritus of history at Connecticut College and has published six books on Lincoln.
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Journey to Valhalla: The Lasting Influence of the Old Norse World
Thursday, August 7, 2008 at 6:45 p.m.
Odin, Thor, and Loki are just some of the gods from Norse
and Scandinavian mythology who still echo in our lexicon
and stories today. In this evening seminar, scholar Marjorie Burns looks at
Norse mythology, its pantheon, ideas about creation, and its
pessimistic expectations.
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Cinematic Collaboration: Dynamic Duos in Film
Sunday, September 14, 2008 at 1 p.m.
Since the early days of cinema when D.W. Griffith directed
silent-screen star Lillian Gish, actors and directors have been
joining forces to create memorable films. Film historian Max
Alvarez examines the complex artistic relationships of several
famous actor-director duos.
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