Berlin family lectures

'Road Map' to Recovery Report: 20 Million Coronavirus Tests Per Day Needed to Fully Open Economy

Danielle Allen

Political philosopher and historian of political thought Danielle Allen is the lead author of the 'Road Map' to Recovery Report and will be this year's speaker for the Virtual Berlin Family Lecture series about "Democracy in the Time of Coronavirus" to be held on May 12, 13, 19, and 20 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. CT. During the course of four lectures, she explores the distinctive challenges posed to democracy by the emergency conditions brought by a global pandemic, as well as the specific resources the U.S. Constitutional system has for achieving resilience in the face of this existential threat. Allen will focus on how we can integrate health, economic, ethical, and democratic objectives in our response to COVID-19.

April 20, 2020

Author and Photographer Teju Cole to Deliver a Series of Talks at UChicago

Teju Cole by Stephanie Mitchell

Teju Cole feels a sense of responsibility in coming to the University of Chicago this spring for the 2019 Berlin Family Lectures. Not only does the acclaimed author, photographer, and critic appreciate the opportunity to speak, he relishes the sustained, serious engagement he’ll receive from the audience and UChicago community. Beginning on April 8 and continuing on April 15 and 22, Cole will explore what it means to be a sensing being through experience, epiphany and ethics. Registration for the series, which will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the Logan Center Performance Hall, is free and open to the public. His first lecture centered on experience can be viewed now. 

March 12, 2019

Register Today for the 2019 Berlin Family Lectures: Award-Winning Author Teju Cole

Teju Cole by Stephanie Mitchell

During the course of three lectures focused on "Coming to Our Senses" in UChicago's Logan Performance Hall, acclaimed author, critic, and photographer Teju Cole explores what it means to be a sensing being. Through personal accounts and literary examples, Cole will examine how the physical senses—and not only the traditional five of sight, smell, sound, taste, and touch—inform our experiences, open us up to epiphany, and shape our ethics. Register for the three lectures April 8, 15, and 22 today.

February 26, 2019

Prominent Harvard Law Professor Publishes New Book Condemning the Compromises at the Core of American Civic Life

Lawrence Lessig

The first Division of the Humanities Berlin Family Lecturer Lawrence Lessig just published America, Compromised, capturing his sweeping, well-documented indictment of U.S. institutions, politicians, and citizens. Published by UChicago Press, the Harvard Law School professor’s new book expands on his lectures, providing a detailed look of why America is on the wrong path. According to Lessig, change is still possible if the American people can acknowledge and reverse its direction.

November 7, 2018

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