Kindred Voices Seminar with Dr. Nigel Hatton
An online seminar (9 sessions) meticulously crafted to delve into the profound works of Toni Morrison, Nikki Giovanni, and Maya Angelou.

This Spring 2025 seminar at Mechanics’ Institute explores the literary and cultural contributions of Toni Morrison, Nikki Giovanni, and Maya Angelou — three towering Black women writers whose works have shaped and redefined American literature. Across three modules, we will engage in close readings of their novels, essays, and poetry.

The first module focuses on Toni Morrison, whose novel Sula and essays from The Source of Self-Regard offer profound meditations on history, identity, and moral responsibility. We will explore how Morrison’s storytelling examines the interior lives of characters and the complexities of community and justice.

In the second module, we turn to Nikki Giovanni, the prolific poet whose voice has spanned over five decades. Through Poems: 1968–2020, we will reflect on her literary and cultural legacy following her passing in December 2024. We will also consider how her poetry’s themes of love, resistance, and self-definition resonate across generations.

The final module centers on Maya Angelou, whose memoir The Heart of a Woman explores the intersections of art, activism, and personal transformation. We will examine her evolution as a writer and performer, as well as the ways in which her work bears witness to the struggle for Black liberation and artistic agency.

Facilitated by Dr. Nigel Hatton, this (mostly*) online seminar is limited to 21 participants to ensure an intimate setting for discussion and close reading.

*While this seminar is mostly online, seminar participants are welcome to join us in person on the 4th Floor of Mechanics' Institute for our hybrid sessions on April 1 (Module II, Session 1) and April 29 (Module III, Session 1).

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About the Instructor

Dr. Nigel Hatton, Associate Professor at UC Merced, specializes in literature, philosophy, and human rights. His research and teaching span the areas of literature and philosophy, human rights and literature, critical refugee studies, and narrative medicine. Dr. Hatton received the dual Ph.D. in Modern Thought & Literature and The Humanities with a PhD minor in Political Theory from Stanford University, and master’s degrees from Stanford University, the University of California, Berkeley, and the Jesuit University of San Francisco. He has volunteered as an instructor, tutor, and consultant in California prisons since 2003 and occasionally lectures in the Narrative Medicine program at Columbia University. Dr. Hatton teaches undergraduate courses such as "Human Rights & Literature," "Toni Morrison & James Baldwin," and "Literature & Philosophy."

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Class Information

Flexible Options: Choose your preferred approach - choose to enroll in just Module I (3 Sessions: $100 for members, $125 for non-members/public) or save $30 by enrolling for the FULL SEMINAR (Modules I-III [9 Sessions], $270 for members, $345 for non-members/public). Registration for Modules II-III will open up after the first session of Module I (subject to availability).

Hybrid Sessions for Modules II and III: While this is a seminar that meets mostly online (via Zoom), Dr. Nigel Hatton will be joining us in-person at Mechanics' Institute during the first session of Module II (Nikki Giovanni) and Module III (Maya Angelou).

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Seminar Schedule (FULL SEMINAR spans 9 Tuesday evening sessions, 5:30 to 7:00 pm PT, March to May 2025)

Module I. Toni Morrison (3 sessions)

• We'll be reading Sula and The Source of Self Regard

1. March 11 (Instructor will be online via Zoom)
2. March 18 (Instructor will be online via Zoom)
3. March 25 (Instructor will be online via Zoom)

Module II. Nikki Giovanni (3 sessions - registration for single session opens on March 12, subject to availability)

• We'll be reading Poems: 1968-2020

1. April 1 (Instructor will be in-person at Mechanics' Institute)
2. April 8 (Instructor will be online via Zoom)
3. April 15 (Instructor will be online via Zoom)

Module III. Maya Angelou (3 sessions - registration for single session opens on April 2, subject to availability)

• We'll be reading The Heart of a Woman

1. April 29 (Instructor will be in-person at Mechanics' Institute)
2. May 6 (Instructor will be online via Zoom)
3. May 13 (Instructor will be online via Zoom)

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About Membership Pricing

Mechanics' Institute offers both member and non-member/public registration options for this three-module seminar. To join as a Mechanics' Institute member to access the member pricing for this seminar, please join here.

For questions about registration, contact [email protected] or 415-393-0103.

Cancellation policy:

For seminars, we reserve the right to cancel at any time and issue a full refund. If you are unable to attend the seminar, please email [email protected] or call 415-393-0103 by Wednesday, March 5, 2025, to receive a full refund less any non-refundable ticketing fees which may be applicable. All fees must be paid at the time of registration. After Wednesday, March 5, 2025 no refunds will be issued.

Register by using the Eventbrite window below