Literary Lecture Series
This dynamic series invites participants to explore masterpieces of world literature that illuminate timeless questions of politics, power, psychology, and human imagination. Together we will read Sophocles’ Oedipus Tyrannos and Plato’s Republic; journey through Mexico with Campobello’s Cartucho and Rulfo’s Pedro Páramo; examine Ngugi wa Thiong’o’s fearless critiques of colonialism; and revisit George Orwell’s 1984 and Animal Farm with fresh eyes for our current moment. Through lively discussion, these courses connect ancient and modern voices across cultures, offering insight into enduring struggles of justice, freedom, and truth. No prior knowledge of Greek—or any language but English—is required.
Additional details for each class are available at www.sfcc.augusoft.net.
Kenya's world-renowned writer Ngugi wa Thiong'o died in May of 2025. A critic of neo-colonialism and defender of the poor, Ngugi was jailed by the Kenyan government and in the 1980s forced into exile, eventually taking up a post at UC Irvine as professor of English literature. This 5-week discussion seminar introduces a range of Ngugi's work. First, we'll grapple with his essay Decolonising the Mind, which examines the state of African literature and theatre, charting a way through the dark legacy of European colonialism. Then we'll read Minutes of Glory, a collection of short stories spanning Ngugi's career. For the first session, please read Chapters 1 - 2 of Decolonising the Mind and come ready to discuss!
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