Minds Wide Open

About the Series

Sponsored by the Lisska Center for Intellectual Engagement, Minds Wide Open (formerly Monday Musings) is a series of conversations and presentations by local, national, and international scholars and authors who are pushing academic boundaries, exploring diverse topics, and engaging in dialogue across difference on a variety of topics. Minds Wide Open events are open to all members of the Denison community; external community members and friends are also welcome.

Series Archives

2023 - 2024

A Minds Wide Open series lecture with Prof. Jesse Jenkins (Princeton University) moderated by Prof. Adam Davis (Lisska Center).

2022 - 2023

The Lisska Center for Intellectual Engagement presents a roundtable discussion.

The Lisska Center for Intellectual Engagement presents a virtual conversation with Jordan Ellenberg.

The Lisska Center for Intellectual Engagement presents a virtual conversation "Of Boys and Men: A Conversation with Richard Reeves."

Supreme court building

The Lisska Center for Intellectual Engagement presents "Making Sense of the U.S. Supreme Court."

The Lisska Center for Intellectual Engagement "Great Books and Liberal Education: Why Should We Still Read the Works of Dead White Men?"

The Lisska Center for Intellectual Engagement presents a virtual conversation "Abortion in America: Before, During, and After Roe."

2021 - 2022

Sangeet Kumar

Join Sangeet Kumar in a virtual conversation about his new book, "The Digital Frontier: Infrastructures of Control on the Global Web."

A roundtable discussion about Russia's invasion of Ukraine

The Lisska Center, in partnership with Gramercy Books, presents Kathryn Paige Harden: The Genetic Lottery: Why DNA Matters for Social Equality.

Join Jonathan Rauch in a virtual conversation about "The Constitution of Knowledge: A Defense of Truth."

Join Steven Smith in a virtual conversation about "Reclaiming Patriotism."

Join us for a pre-recorded interview with Gary Morson and Morton Schapiro co-authors of Minds Wide Shut: How the New Fundamentalisms Divide Us.

2020 - 2021

Join Tamara Mann Tweel in a virtual conversation about "Democracy and Education."

A conversation with Sandy Runzo

A Conversation with Dr. Benjamin Strauss, President and Chief Scientist of Climate Central

A virtual conversation with Fareeda Griffith, Christine Weingart and Lina Yoo.

Join Fred Porcheddu ’87 as he interviews Adam Davis about his new book.

Sue Halpern, an author and columnist for The New Yorker and The New York Review of Books, joins our Monday Musings discussion.

Join us as Jack Shuler, Associate Professor and Chair of Journalism, discusses his recent book.

2017 - 2018

Garrett Jacobsen, associate professor of classical studies, presents a Monday Musings talk titled "Tales from Ovid."

Professor Chris Westover presents a Monday Musings talk titled "Embracing the Variant: The Curious Case of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony."

Professors Harry Heft and Mitchell Snay presents a Monday Musings talk titled "A Stroll with William James, American Philosopher and Psychologist."

Photo of Anthony Lisska

Professor Anthony Lisska presents a Monday Musings talk titled "From Gregorian Chant to Sore Knees: The Story of a Pre-Vatican Monk!"

Professors May Mei and Sam Cowling present a Monday Musings talk titled "Ways to Worry About Mathematical Explanation."

Poster for “1917 and the Autumn of the Great War.”

Catherine Dollard, associate provost and associate professor of history, presents a Monday Musings talk titled "1917 and the Autumn of the Great War."

Photo of Margot Singer

Professor Margot Singer, author of "Underground Fugue," presents a Monday Musings talk titled "Can A Novel Be A Fugue?"

2016 - 2017

Photo of Dick Shiels

Dick Shiels, visiting assistant professor of religion, presents "Golfers, Indians and UNESCO: World Class Earthworks in Central Ohio."

Photo of Andy McCall

Denison faculty member Andy McCall gives a Monday Musings talk about his experiences with poetry and biology.

Photo of Sohrab Behdad

Professor Sohrab Behdad gives a Monday Musings Talk titled "Doing Political Economy in a Turbulent Society: A Personal Narrative."

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