Baldwin Seminar with Dr. Nigel Hatton
A hybrid seminar (12 sessions) meticulously crafted to delve into the profound depths of James Baldwin's works.

[NOTE: This is a HYBRID seminar. Those who register for this Baldwin Seminar can choose to join each session either online via Zoom or in-person in the 4th Floor Board Room at Mechanics' Institute. Registrants can also choose to sign up for just Module I (3 sessions on Baldwin's Life and Early Essays), meeting on Tuesday Evenings on August 27, September 3, and September 10, or for the FULL SEMINAR (Modules I-IV, see full details below)]

Join us for an immersive exploration of James Baldwin’s timeless literary legacy. In this seminar, we will be meditating on the human condition through close readings of Baldwin's influential texts such as Go Tell It on the Mountain, Giovanni’s Room, and If Beale Street Could Talk. Embark on a transformative literary journey spanning 12 informative sessions, meticulously crafted to delve into the profound depths of Baldwin's trans-Atlantic life and work. From focus on his compelling essays to his germinal novels, this seminar offers an enriching experience at the seat of Baldwin’s “welcome table.”

Facilitated by Dr. Nigel Hatton, a contributing editor to the James Baldwin Review, this hybrid seminar is limited to 21 people to ensure an intimate setting for discussion, close reading, and occasional short in-seminar writing exercises.

For those who are planning to take the full seminar, Dr. Hatton recommends purchasing James Baldwin: Collected Essays and this newly-released James Baldwin box set, published by Vintage International.

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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-member/public) or save $50 by enrolling for the FULL SEMINAR (Modules I-IV [12 Sessions], $350 for members, $450 for non-members). Registration for Modules II-IV will open up after the second session of Module I (subject to availability).
• Hybrid Model: this is a seminar that meets both online (via Zoom) and in-person in the 4th Floor Board Room at Mechanics' Institute. For all each module (I-IV), Dr. Nigel Hatton will be meeting us in-person at Mechanics' Institute during the first session and online for the second and third sessions. Benefit from curated reading materials, aides, and references designed to enhance your understanding and foster meaningful discussions.

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Baldwin Seminar Schedule (FULL SEMINAR spans 12 Tuesday evening sessions, 5:30 to 7:00 pm PT, August to November 2024)

Module I. Exploring Baldwin's Life and Early Essays (3 sessions)

• Dive into the foundational aspects of Baldwin's life and early writings, setting the stage for the profound insights to come.

1. August 27 (Instructor will be in-person at Mechanics' Institute)
2. September 3 (Instructor will be online via Zoom)
3. September 10 (Instructor will be online via Zoom)

Module II. Journey through Go Tell it on the Mountain (3 sessions - registration for single session opens on September 4, subject to availability)

• Immerse yourself in Baldwin's groundbreaking debut novel, unpacking its themes and significance in today's context.

1. September 17 (Instructor will be in-person at Mechanics' Institute)
2. September 24 (Instructor will be online via Zoom)
3. October 1 (Instructor will be online via Zoom)

Module III. Unraveling Giovanni’s Room (3 sessions - registration for single session opens on September 25, subject to availability)

• Explore the complexities of love, identity, and society in Baldwin's poignant masterpiece, Giovanni’s Room.

1. October 8 (Instructor will be in-person at Mechanics' Institute)
2. October 15 (Instructor will be online via Zoom)
3. October 22 (Instructor will be online via Zoom)

Module IV. Discovering If Beale Street Could Talk (3 sessions - registration for single session opens on October 16, subject to availability)

• Engage with Baldwin's powerful narrative, now immortalized on screen, and delve into its relevance and impact.

1. November 5 (Instructor will be in-person at Mechanics' Institute)
2. November 12 (Instructor will be online via Zoom)
3. November 19 (Instructor will be online via Zoom)

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About Membership Pricing

Mechanics' Institute offers both member and non-member registration options for this multi-session 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, August 21, 2024, 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, August 21, 2024 no refunds will be issued.

Register by using the Eventbrite window below