Directory

Jan Goldstein

Faculty Director

(773) 702-8388

jegoldst@uchicago.edu

Professor, Department of History

Paolo Privitera

Faculty Director

773-702-2983

priviter@kicp.uchicago.edu

Professor, Departments of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Physics; Enrico Fermi Institute; and the College

Understanding Inequality and What To Do About It

with Thomas Piketty | November 6, 2015 | 1 hour 27 minutes

In this discussion, French economist and expert on welath and income inequality Thomas Piketty presents his book Capital in the Twenty-First Century. He focuses on the long-run dynamics of income inequality, highlighting that institutions and policies greatly impact income and wealth concentrations from country to country. He then explains the current shift towards a return to a patrimonial or wealth-based society, citing what he calls "the metamorphosis of capital." In conclusion, Piketty draws from his research and data and comments about the future of wealth concentration.

My Three Lives: an artist talk

with Agnès Varda | October 9, 2015 | 1 hour 46 minutes

In this discussion, acclaimed artist Agnès Varda speaks and reflects on various stages of her career as a photographer, filmmaker and visual artist. She discusses her modest beginnings in photography, saying she was a photographer long before she was a filmmaker. The discussion continues with various excepts and clips from many of her films including Uncle Yanco, Vagabond, Cléo from 5 to 7 and her autobiographical documentary, The Beaches of Agnès. She also meditates on what it means to be a filmmaker and the importance to follow one's joy, excitement, and surprise. 

Leora Auslander

Professor, Department of History

(773) 702-7940

lausland@uchicago.edu

Paul Cheney

Associate Professor, Department of History

(773) 702-2631

cheney@uchicago.edu

Ryan Coyne

Associate Professor, Divinity School

(773) 702-3030

rcoyne@uchicago.edu

Daisy Delogu

Professor, Department of Romance Languages & Literatures

(773) 702-4115

ddelogu@uchicago.edu

Daniel Desormeaux

Professor, Department of Romance Languages & Literatures

773-702-4129

ddd@uchicago.edu

Susan Gal

Professor, Department of Anthropology

(773) 702-2551

s-gal@uchicago.edu

Sarah Hammerschlag

Associate Professor, Divinity School

(773) 702-3308

sehammer@uchicago.edu

Ariel Kalil

Professor, Harris School of Public Policy

(773) 834-2090

a-kalil@uchicago.edu

Françoise Meltzer

Professor and Chair, Department of Comparative Literature, Professor of the Philosophy of Religions

(773) 702-8177

mltz@uchicago.edu

Salikoko Mufwene

Professor, Department of Linguistics

(773) 702-8531

s-mufwene@uchicago.edu

Angela Olinto

Professor, Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics

(773) 702-8206

aolinto@uchicago.edu

Anne Robertson

Professor, Department of Music

(773) 834-0882

awrx@uchicago.edu

Bill Sewell

Professor Emeritus, Departments of History and Political Science

(773) 702-0900

wsewell@uchicago.edu

Martha Ward

Associate Professor, Department of Art History

(773) 702-9497

mmward@uchicago.edu

Who is Charlie?: A Conversation on Freedom of Expression

with Zineb El Rhazoui (Charlie Hebdo Journalist) | February 26, 2015 | 1 hour 30 minutes

Zineb El Rhazoui, a human rights activist and a journalist for Charlie Hebdo explores in depth the themes of blasphemy, censorship, and freedom of expression following the reactions to the events of Charlie Hebdo's publications of cartoons depicting the Muslim Prophet Muhammad. The French concept of "laïcité," secularism, and the history of the Charlie Hebdo publication are also discussed.

The Future of the Humanities

with Julia Kristeva and Arnold Davidson | October 11, 2013 | 1 hour 52 minutes

In this discussion, Julia Kristeva and Arnold Davidson discuss the future of the Humanities in North America and Europe. Referencing several thinkers such as Michel Foucault, Primo Levi, and Immanuel Kant, this discussion touches on a range of issues concerning the humanities. The program starts with Kristeva’s presentation of the crisis of civilization. Then, Arnold Davidson presents his idea of humanism and the concept of “humanities.” Moving on, he describes reading as a spiritual exercise and the importance of communication. 

The Franco-Arab Thing: Exploring Centuries of Franco-Arab Relations

with Henry Laurens | April 29, 2014 | 1 hour 8 minutes

Henry Laurens, one of France's foremost experts on the Middle East, explores in depth the complex and fascinating relationship between France and the Arab world, from colonialism to present-day tensions, on a quest to uncover the “Franco-Arab thing.” The program begins with an explanation of the origin of the phrase “the Franco-Arab thing” before moving on to an overview of the history of the relations between France and the Arab world. He concludes with dual, shifting dimensions of the history of France and their modern day manifestations.

Minh-Hà Pham

Counselor for Science and Technology at the French Embassy in the United States