Lifelong Learning Lecture Series

This free lecture series is a partnership between Framingham State University (FSU) and Framingham Public Library (FPL). The series is sponsored by a grant from The Joseph L. and Ray L. Freund Foundation, courtesy of Elizabeth F. Fideler.

All lectures take place on Zoom. To receive the Zoom link, please join our mailing list at bit.ly/Lifelong-Learning-Lectures.

Recordings of these events are not always available, based on copyright constraints and other factors. To avoid missing these great topics, please join us live on Zoom! Whether or not a program is recorded may not be announced before the event. If a recording is available, it will be posted to youtube.com/FraminghamPublicLibrary no later than one week after the event takes place.

Lifelong Learning Fall 2024

Lecture Descriptions

The Brontës of Haworth: A 19th Century Literary Family

Dr. Helen Heineman, President Emerita, FSU
September 12, 7PM 

The genius of the Brontës lies in the closeness of their sisterhood and shared imaginative life, as well as in their unusual isolation and narrow experience.  The most autobiographical of novelists, all the sisters tell stories of women’s struggles for independence and for emotional and intellectual satisfaction.  Their works also have decided bases in their time, the Victorian period, and place, the Yorkshire Moors. 

This talk presents an illustrated view of the biographical, historical, cultural, and geographic backgrounds of the Brontës and to the universality of their works, addressed first and last to “the unchanging human heart.”

Extreme Weather Shifts in New England: Understanding and How to Weather the Storms

Ken Mahan, Lead Meteorologist, The Boston Globe 
September 19, 7PM

New England weather is changing at a faster rate than most of the country — seeing more frequent severe weather events in recent years including extreme heat, flooding rainfall, tornadoes, and tropical systems. Attendees will understand how weather is changing throughout New England, recognize the impacts, and become aware of practical steps they can take to mitigate these effects.

Open Pages, Open Minds: Countering Book Bans Through Dialogues

Jerome Burke, Director, Centre for Inclusive Excellence, FSU
November 7, 7PM

This lecture explores the history and impact of book bans and censorship in education. We will discuss how these actions disproportionately target books from marginalized communities and the negative effects this has on intellectual growth. It will help us understand the importance of diverse literature and engage in dialogues to promote intellectual freedom.

The 2024 Election: What the Results Tell Us About the Future of American Politics

Dr. David Smailes, Former Associate Professor of Political Science, FSU
November 14, 7PM

Presidential elections give us the opportunity to reflect on the state of politics in America and where we seem to be heading in both the short- and long-term future of the country.  This tumultuous election cycle has been unique in many ways, and provides us with a series of questions about the direction of our civic life. Join us as we discuss the outcome of the election and what it may reveal about our political future.

The Crisis of Authority in Revolutionary Massachusetts

Dr. Joseph M. Adelman, Professor of History, FSU
November 21, 7PM

250 years ago this fall, the royal governor of Massachusetts lost control of his colony. Join Dr. Adelman as he explains how town meetings, local committees, and an unauthorized provincial congress claimed the right for colonists to govern themselves in the fall of 1774.

Dostoevsky and Education through Punishment

Dr. Konstantin Starikov, Head of Access Services, Yale Law School
December 5, 7PM

Explore the profound themes of moral growth, guilt, and redemption in Dostoevsky’s works, particularly how punishment serves as a tool for education and personal transformation. 
The lecture delves into the psychological and spiritual dimensions of characters, such as Raskolnikov in Crime and Punishment, emphasizing Dostoevsky’s unique view on human nature and justice. By examining the intersection of suffering and learning, this talk offers insights into how punishment can act as a catalyst for inner change.