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thinking and Learning together

We are a Community of Adult Learners

thinking and Learning together

We are a Community of Adult Learners

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Who We Are

David White and Aram Terzian currently serve as founders and co-moderators for Topical Essays. They had previously founded and led, for five years, the Topical Seminars adult discussion group at the Lewes library. David retired from a career in live theatre, having served as a composer, director, producer, manager, and company leader in the Denver area. He facilitated the Lewes Library's lecture series' on Simone Weil and on Oliver Wendel Holmes, and was on the team that created and ran the "Take a Stand" series. David currently serves as the volunteer artistic director for the Lewes Public Library’s Spoken Word Society and Shakespeare Festival.

Aram Terzian D.S.W., retired from the Community College of Philadelphia where he served both as the Dean of Liberal studies and faculty member in the Behavioral Health Department. Since his retirement, he has co-led Topical Seminars and Topical Essays with David. He is also an active member of the Coastal Camera Club.

How the sessions proceed

The main purpose of the essays and related discussions is to support a culture of open and principled reflection on matters of intellectual interest to the public. Our interactions require that each of us be open to the different views of others. It is hoped that each perspective, including your own, is examined through the filter of rational inquiry. We are not here to teach each other, but to learn and to be open to incorporating what we experienced into our own thinking.

Each month one member develops or finds a suitable essay and possible related materials the individual believes are of intellectual interest to others. The material collected is posted by the seminar hosts on this website to be available for the members.
Members who want to participate will prepare in advance by reading materials, viewing videos, and doing other activities prepared and presented by the leader for the session.
Each member participating in the session will write a critique of the topical essay.
New members who have not prepared for the seminar are welcome to attend and observe.
Prior to the meeting date, each participant will read the critiques of others to prepare for the discussion.
Participants are encouraged to question, challenge, offer feedback, and generally engage in constructive and respectful discussion related to the topic. The focus is on the merit of ideas.
Expect that others have perspectives very different from you. Rather than seeing this as an opportunity for debate, use this as a way of broadening your understanding by trying to take their perspective, and rationally examining it.
Anecdotes or personal stories are appropriate when making a specific point related to the prepared materials. Conversations that take the discussion away from the topic are strongly discouraged.
Back and forth conversation is encouraged but moderated to assure every participant desiring to do so, has ample opportunity to speak.
Keeping the flow of the conversation is the responsibility of the assigned moderator.

Schedule for 2021/2022

Schedule

thinking and Learning together

thinking and Learning together

Site Content

Who We Are

How the sessions proceed

Schedule for 2021/2022

About Us

Our Mission

Topical Essays

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