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Lectures & Seminars

Month

Programs listed below are in chronological order.


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.

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.

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.

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.

Sunday Cinema

Sunday, May 18, 2008 at 1 p.m.


This program has been cancelled.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. .

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.