Austin College faculty will host “Enlightenment Week” on campus February 9 through 11. A number of lectures and events, free and open to the public, will celebrate the roots of Western civilization in the 18th century—and their contemporary significance. All listed events are free and open to the public.
“The Age of Reason—the long 18th century—was an era of revolution in thought and action,” said Karánn Durland, Austin College professor of philosophy and director of the College’s Western Intellectual Tradition Program. “The literature, art, philosophy, science, politics, laws, and religions of the Enlightenment are fascinating in their own right. They also are integral to the development of Western civilization, and they continue to shape modern societies. We—and especially our students—are often so focused on the contemporary world that we lose sight of this, and our lives—and understanding of contemporary issues—are the poorer for it.”
Enlightenment Week is designed to promote a vibrant intellectual community outside the classroom by celebrating works produced in the past that remain relevant and interesting today. A number of presentations are scheduled:
Tuesday, February 9
- 11:30 a.m., Wright Campus Center Room 231
“The World According to Malthus: ‘A Mighty Process for Awakening Matter into Mind’” by Max Grober, dean of Humanities and professor of history.
- 4 p.m., Johnson Gallery
“Enlightening Music by Mozart, Haydn, and Others” by Ricky Duhaime, Mosher Professor of Music; Alex Garganigo, associate professor of English; and Cathy Richardson, adjunct instructor in music.
- 4:30 p.m., Wright Campus Center 231
“Believing Where We Cannot Prove: The Unobserved in the Enlightenment” by Karánn Durland, professor of philosophy and director of the Western Intellectual Tradition program.
Thursday, February 11
- 11:30 a.m., Wright Campus Center Room 231
Panel Discussion: “The Enlightenment and Freedom”
Panelists are Max Grober, dean of Humanities and professor of history; Daniel Nuckols, associate professor of economics and business administration and John T. Jones Chair of Economics; Frank Rohmer, professor of political science and John D. Moseley Chair in Government and Public Policy; and Rod Stewart, professor of philosophy and George and Julia Blucher Jordan Chair in Humanities.
- 4 p.m., Johnson Gallery
“More Enlightening Music by Mozart, Haydn, and Others” by Ricky Duhaime, Mosher Professor of Music; Alex Garganigo, associate professor of English; and Cathy Richardson, adjunct instructor in music.
- 4:30 p.m., Wright Campus Center Room 231
“What is Enlightenment? A Visual Guide to Late-18th Century Thought” by David Ehrenpreis, director of the Institute of Visual Studies and professor of art history at James Madison University.
Enlightenment Week is sponsored by the departments of Art and Art History, Classical and Modern Languages, English, and Philosophy, along with the Western Intellectual Tradition Program and the Environmental Studies Program.
Enlightenment Week is the third celebration of great works and contributions of the past that has been organized by the Western Intellectual Tradition Program. Previous programs included Medieval and Renaissance Week and Ancients Week.
Austin College, a private national liberal arts college located north of Dallas in Sherman, Texas, has earned a reputation for excellence in academic preparation, international study, pre-professional foundations, leadership development, committed faculty, and hands-on, adventurous learning opportunities. One of 40 schools profiled in Loren Pope’s influential book Colleges That Change Lives, Austin College boasts a welcoming community that embraces diversity and individuality, with more than 36 percent of students representing ethnic minorities. A residential student body of 1,250 students and a faculty of more than 100 allow a 12:1 student-faculty ratio and personalized attention. The College is related by covenant to the Presbyterian Church (USA) and cultivates an inclusive atmosphere that supports students’ faith journeys regardless of religious tradition. Founded in 1849, the College is the oldest institution of higher education in Texas operating under original name and charter.