Adult Lecture Series

For nearly three millennia, Homer’s The Odyssey has captivated audiences with its tales of adventure, deception, and survival. Discover what Odysseus’ story reveals about timeless human nature and the enduring power of storytelling.

Dr. Emily Katz Anhalt teaches Classical Languages and Literature at Sarah Lawrence College. She earned her A.B. from Dartmouth College and her Ph.D. in Classical Philology from Yale University. An award-winning scholar and author, she explores how ancient Greek literature and myth illuminate contemporary challenges. Her books include Enraged: Why Violent Times Need Ancient Greek Myths, Embattled: How Ancient Greek Myths Empower Us to Resist Tyranny, and Ancient Wisdom for Polarized Times: Why Humanity Needs Herodotus, the Man Who Invented History.

Please note: this live WebEx presentation will not be recorded.

Dr. Teresa Reber Bell will explore the Art Nouveau masterpiece known as the Secession Building, examining how its architecture, symbolism, and decorative elements embody the concept of Gesamtkunstwerk, or "total art." Artists of the Vienna Secession sought to unite painting, sculpture, architecture, and design into a single, immersive artistic experience.

Bell earned a bachelor's degree in German and a master's degree in German literature from Brigham Young University and a doctorate in second language acquisition and teaching from the University of Arizona. She currently serves as associate chair of the Department of German and Russian at BYU after previously teaching and holding leadership positions at the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Oklahoma. Her work focuses on language teacher education and world language pedagogy. She directs the ACTFL program review process, serves on the AP German Language and Culture Development Committee, and has held leadership roles with the Utah Foreign Language Association and the BYU Faculty Women's Association.

Please note: this live WebEx presentation will not be recorded.