Out of an abundance of caution in response to the spread of COVID-19, we have canceled all remaining seminars in the Winter/Spring 2020 term. Please visit www.newberry.org/covid19 for further updates.

Please email seminars@newberry.org with any questions.

Seminar Description

In our current age of pre–Apocalyptic handwringing, it’s hard not to fantasize about a utopian alternative. Drawing on examples from literature, film, political philosophy, and architecture, this interdisciplinary single–day seminar will explore utopias, both real and imagined. Texts discussed will include the Bible, Plato’s Republic, Thomas Moore’s Utopia, and Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s Herland. We will also survey failed utopias from history, including the seventeenth–century colony of Merrymount, and Fordlandia, Henry Ford’s factory outpost in the Amazon.

One session. E – $110, R – $121

Harrison Sherrod manages a film production company by day and teaches seminars at the Newberry by night. He has led courses on everything from metaphysical detectives and con games to Star Wars and Marxism.

Materials List

Required:

• Thomas More, Utopia. Verso, 2016. ISBN: 9781784787608

First Reading:

• Please read all of Thomas More's Utopia, as well as the additional texts sent by the instructor via email.

Registration Information

• Online registration opens at 9 am (CST) on Tuesday, January 7.
• Phone registration opens at 12 pm (CST) on Wednesday, January 8.

Early registration (E) prices are in effect from January 7 at 9 am through January 24 at 4 pm. Regular registration (R) prices are in effect January 24 at 4 pm through the end of the term.

We offer a 10% discount to members, seniors, and students.

Need Help? Please email seminars@newberry.org.

This seminar is part of the Newberry’s Seminars Program. Learn more about registering for a seminar, program policies and procedures, or teaching a seminar.