Wesleyan Alumni & Family Academy
Introducing Wesleyan Alumni & Family Academy, a free, non-credit bearing three-part lecture series that provides Wesleyan alumni and families with the opportunity to learn from Wesleyan faculty in a classroom-type setting.
The Liberal Arts Toolbox:
Critical Listening, Looking and Comparing to Navigate a Complex World
Rooted in the philosophy of pragmatic liberal arts education, this year’s Wesleyan Alumni & Family Academy will explore how critical listening, looking, and comparing are skills in the liberal arts tool kit that can be applied beyond the classroom to strengthen thoughtful engagement in everyday life, at a time when it is more important than ever.
Roger Grant, deputy provost and dean of the arts and humanities, will led the first session, Critical Listening, as an in-person WESeminar at Homecoming + Family Weekend (a recording will be made available to all Wesleyan Alumni & Family Academy registrants.) The following two sessions, Critical Looking with Martha Gilmore, dean of the natural sciences and mathematics, and Critical Comparing with Mary-Jane Rubenstein, dean of the social sciences, will take place virtually this January.
REGISTER FOR THE VIRTUAL EVENTS
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Critical Listening with Roger Grant (In person)
How the arts can tune us into deeper interpersonal experiences
Saturday, October 25 (Homecoming + Family Weekend)
9–9:50 a.m.
Wesleyan University, Frank Center for Public Affairs, Room 100(Can't attend? This session will be recorded and sent to all online registrants)
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Critical Looking with Martha Gilmore (virtual)
How to read and interpret data in a post-truth world
Wednesday, January 14
7-8 p.m. ET
Zoom -
Critical Comparing with Mary-Jane Rubenstein (virtual)
How to make sense of unfamiliar worldviews
Wednesday, January 21
7-8 p.m. ET
Zoom
Frequently Asked Questions
- Will I receive college credit for this course?
No, this is a non-credit bearing course. We aim to provide a low-pressure environment for our Wesleyan community to explore pragmatic liberal arts ideologies.
- Will there be homework or coursework assigned?
There will be an optional reading or listening assignment given by each professor leading up to their sessions. The assignment is meant to expand thinking and ignite discussion, but it is not mandatory for participates to finish the assignment in order to participate.
- Does registration guarantee my spot at Critical Listening, the in-person WESeminar during Homecoming + Family weekend?
Seating at the Homecoming + Family Weekend WESeminar, Critical Listening, is first-come-first-serve. Registrants of the virtual sessions will also be sent a recording of Critical Listening.
- Is registration required?
Registration is required for the virtual sessions, Critical Looking and Critical Comparing.
- Where can I access the Zoom links for Critical Looking and Critical Comparing?
Registrants will be sent the Zoom link via email. The same link will be used for both Critical Looking and Critical Comparing. The link will also be posted on the Alumni Events Page the day of the event.