Alexis de Tocqueville’s Democracy in America with author and historian Giacomo Calabria

THE UNIVERSITY CLUB OF ALBANY Foundation is pleased to present a five-part series of talks on ALEXIS de TOCQUEVILLE’s _Democracy in America_ with author and historian Giacomo Calabria beginning Wednesday, November 7.  The talks will take place at the National Register-listed University Club of Albany, 141 Washington Avenue at Dove Street, from 6:00-7:30 p.m. on consecutive Wednesdays, with a cash bar and light fare available at 5:30 p.m.  The series is co-sponsored by Humanities New York.The series will invite participants to examine, discuss, and enjoy the history of the UNITED STATES through the writings of one of its greatest European visitors: ALEXIS DE TOCQUEVILLE. Participants will read and discuss both volumes of TOCQUEVILLE’s _Democracy in America_, learn background history, compare his theories to the modern era, and ultimately use his writing to better appreciate and understand the world we live in today. The program is designed to be interactive and engage individuals of all backgrounds. The program will run as follows: * November 7:  Introduction: ALEXIS DE TOCQUEVILLE & _Democracy in America _(Volume I) * November 14: Influence of Democracy on the Action of Intellect in the U.S. (Volume II, Section 1) * _Thanksgiving Week: No Session_ * November 28: Influence of Democracy on the Feelings of Americans (Volume II, Section 2)  * December 5:  Influence of Democracy on Manners Properly so Called (Volume II, Section 3) * December 12:  Influence of Democratic Ideas & Feelings on Political Society (Volume II, Section 4) SELECT TEXT:  (for in-class readings) _Democracy in America_, by ALEXIS DE TOCQUEVILLE_, _available online here [http://xroads.virginia.edu/~hyper/DETOC/toc_indx.html]. _ _ RECOMMENDED:  (for supplemental/further research) _Tocqueville in America_, by George Wilson Pierson (Johns Hopkins, 1996) “Democratic Statecraft: Tocqueville’s Democracy in America,” from _Introduction to Political Philosophy with Steven B. Smith_ (Yale), available online here [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8D95DEA9B7DFE825].  _ABOUT THE PRESENTER:_ For a dozen years, Calabria has taughtaspects history, literature, and the arts.  He has lectured on Machiavellian political psychology at New York University, on William Shakespeare at the Mark Twain House & Museum, on Abraham Lincoln at the New York State Museum, and on narrative medicine at Albany Medical College.  He is leading several reading and discussion programs in and around the Capital Region as a scholar for Humanities New York. Among Calabria’s published works (under the pen-name Jacopo della Quercia) are two novels: * _License to Quill _(St. Martin’s Griffin, 2015). * _The Great Abraham Lincoln Pocket Watch Conspiracy _(St. Martin’s Griffin, 2014) Other published writings include: * "A Machiavellian Discourse on _Game of Thrones_,” in _Game of Thrones vs. History_ (Wiley, 2017). * “6 Myths About The US Constitution Too Many People Believe” (Cracked, 2016). *  “Abraham Lincoln’s Steampunk Presidency” (Slate Magazine, 2014). Calabria’s writings, which he says are aimed at making scholarly research accessible and enjoyable for all audiences, have appeared in publications ranging from _Readers Digest_ to _The New York Observer_ to the _Sociedad Tolkien Española Noticias_ (_Spanish Tolkien Society News_).   Cost for participation in this series is $12 per session, or $50 for all five.  The series is presented by the University Club of Albany Foundation, Inc. and one need not be a member of the University Club to attend. Call the University Club at 518-463-1151 or click below to reserve your seat.