Arts & Humanities

We invite you to apply for the upcoming Learning Liberty Colloquium on Plutarch, hosted by the Center for Ethics in Society and facilitated by Philosophy Professor Tom Larson. Learn about Plutarch, whose writings, especially his biographies of Greeks and Romans, have been read and beloved by so many, including Thomas More, Shakespeare, Machiavelli, Montagne, Rousseau, Benjamin Franklin, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Friedrich Nietzsche. (Even Frankenstein’s creature!)

Come and discuss Plutarch’s lives of:

• Lycurgus, lawgiver of Sparta
• Solon, lawgiver of Athens 
• Numa, the second king of Rome, and
• Caius Marcius, subject of Shakespeare’s "Coriolanus"

This event promises a weekend of thoughtful study, reflection, and conversations about the writings of Plutarch, which cover many topics including: history, ethics, psychology, political theory, biography, drama, and lessons in civic leadership.

Students will read 75-100 pages in preparation for this colloquium and will receive a $150 stipend for their participation. Food will be provided.

Dates:

• Friday, March 27, 6:00 - 9:00 PM
• Saturday, March 28, 9:00 AM - 1:30 PM
   

APPLY TODAY →
 

“The excellence of Plutarch consists in these very details which we are no longer permitted to describe. With inimitable grace he paints the great man in little things; and he is so happy in the choice of his instances that a word, a smile, a gesture, will often suffice to indicate the nature of his hero. With a jest Hannibal cheers his frightened soldiers, and leads them laughing to the battle which will lay Italy at his feet; Agesilaus riding on a stick makes me love the conqueror of the great king; Caesar passing through a poor village and chatting with his friends unconsciously betrays the traitor who professed that he only wished to be Pompey’s equal. Alexander swallows a draught without a word—it is the finest moment in his life; Aristides writes his own name on the shell and so justifies his title; Philopoemen, his mantle laid aside, chops firewood in the kitchen of his host. This is the true art of portraiture. Our disposition does not show itself in our features, nor our character in our great deeds; it is trifles that show what we really are. What is done in public is either too commonplace or too artificial, and our modern authors are almost too grand to tell us anything else.” (Rousseau, "Emile")

Event led by Dr. Jay Parini, D.E. Axinn Professor of English and Creative Writing at Middlebury College, as part of the 2025-2026 Big Thought Series on the topic of "The Pursuit of Happiness."

Each Friday, during the college common hour, the Humanities Institute hosts an open, informal discussion led by a member of the Saint Anselm faculty, staff or monastic community. This forum invites people from all parts of campus to come together with others who are willing to open their lunch bag and their mind to a question about our humanity. A Zoom Link will be provided weekly for those wishing to take part remotely. This week’s event will be hosted by Professor Marc Rugani, Theology Department. 
 

The Center for Ethics invites students to participate in its Learning Liberty Essay “Write-Off,” where students will have up to two and a half hours to write an essay of 1,000 words or less on the following prompt:

Does a liberal arts education in the 21st century prepare students for responsible citizenship in their community, nation, and the world?

Participants will be allowed to bring a single piece of paper with an outline/notes to the write-off, but they must compose their essay without the assistance of artificial intelligence. The write-off will be proctored by a faculty member. Coffee and cookies will be available.

Location: Alumni Hall, Room 5

The first-place winner will receive $500 and two runners-up will receive $200 each. 

A panel of faculty, staff, and outside guests will blind review essays.

Possible avenues of inquiry that relate to the prompt:

• The value of liberty and its connection to the good life
• Your experience/things you have learned during Learning Liberty colloquia and/or your time at Saint Anselm College
• A relevant public issue or public figure
• Creativity is encouraged
   

Apply here by noon on Tuesday, April 7 →