ONLINE LEARNING
seminars
Classical Pursuits offers a rare experience in continuing education. We deliberately differ from courses where a lecturer is teaching you about a topic. While our practiced leaders give context and help participants “think out loud,” the real teacher is the book, poem, painting, or piece of music you’re studying.
We offer small-group online seminars throughout the year for different schedules and budgets. You don’t need any previous study or specialized knowledge to participate in any of our seminars. The only prerequisites are to do the reading carefully and come with a sense of curiosity.
At Classical Pursuits, we are always learning in community. We work together toward deeper understanding. If this kind of learning is new for you, know that you are not alone! We are always welcoming first-time participants, and can offer extra support to help you get started. Click here for more tips on preparing for seminar discussion.
All online seminars are priced in Canadian dollars.
online talks
Our online talks by Classical Pursuits tour and seminar leaders, authors, and artists are free and open to all. Unless otherwise indicated on a talk’s registration page, talks take place on Thursdays at 2 p.m. Eastern. We record all talks.
Friday Flash fiction
Fridays at 5 p.m. Eastern | Free!
Join longtime San Francisco Great Books Council leaders Louise DiMattio or Louise Morgan for a one-hour discussion of a classic or contemporary short story, with a selection that changes weekly. Explore a range of authors and genres. Bring your favourite drink and enjoy chatting with other readers.
How to join Friday Flash Fiction: To receive the recurring Zoom link, email Susan at info@classicalpursuits.com. Please keep the Zoom link handy.
A SINCERE APLOLGY to all who tried to join the discussion today, September 11. We will have this resolved before next Friday, and your reading for discussion will be the one expected September 11, Wish. Link is below.
- September 18: Wish by Bobbie Ann Mason
- June 26: Mr. Cornelius Johnson, Office-Seeker by Paul Laurence Dunbar
- June 19: Time by Riichi Yokomitsu
- June 12: Separating by John Updike
- June 5: Willing by Lorrie Moore
- May 29: The First Day by Edward P. Jones
- May 22: No meeting. Have a good long weekend.
- May 15: Intimacy by Hanif Kureishi
- May 8: Old Flaming Youth by Jean Stafford
- May 1: The Eleventh Hour by Salman Rushdie
- April 24: The News From Dublin by Colm Toibin
- April 17: You’re Ugly, Too by Lorrie Moore
- April 10: Annunciation by Lauren Groff
- April 3: No discussion this week. Have a good weekend.
- March 27: “Easter Eve” by Anton Chekhov
- March 20: “Moving House” by Pawell Huelle
- March 13: Three Poems by Wisława Szymborska
- March 6: “Hellion” by Julia Elliott
- February 27: “Our Day of Grace” by Jim Shepard
- February 20: “Where I’m Calling From” by Raymond Carver
- February 13: “The Ballroom of Romance” by William Trevor
- February 6: “Greasy Lake” by T. C. Boyle
- January 30: “Summer Night” by Elizabeth Bowen
- January 23: “Origin Stories” by Ben Shattuck
- January 16 story will be “The History of Sound” by Ben Shattuck https://www.thecommononline.org/the-history-of-sound/
- January 9: NO DISCUSSION TODAY.
- December 19: “Christmas Gift” by Robert Penn Warren
By participating in any Classical Pursuits program, you are agreeing to abide by our code of conduct.
