The Politics and Character of Prudence: Reading Group

Over the course of ten Friday lunches, we will read and discuss provocative essays on prudence by two leading thinkers. The first six Fridays will be spent on excerpts from Russell Kirk's Politics of Prudence. For the final four meetings, we will look at Josef Pieper's commentaries on prudence in his book, The Cardinal Virtues. No outside reading is required. The essays are short enough that we should be able to read them as a group and then launch into a good discussion about their implications. Bring your lunch and join us every Friday starting September 11th.

We will meet in the courtyard between Batts Hall and Mezes Hall

About our scholar:

DeAnn Stuart, Ph.D.

Associate Director of Curriculum of the Austin Institute

DeAnn Barta Stuart earned her B.A. and M.Hum. from the University of Dallas and her Ph.D. in English Literature from Baylor University. While at Baylor, she taught courses in composition and literature and served as the Graduate Tutor of Arts and Letters at Brooks Residential College and Graduate Assistant for the Baylor in Maastricht Program. Over the years, she has received various teaching awards at the middle school, high school, and college levels, including Campus Teacher of the Year on two campuses within the Carroll Independent School District, District Teacher of the Year, and Outstanding Graduate Student Instructor. She has spearheaded curriculum-writing teams and mentored new teachers at all levels. When she’s not working, DeAnn loves to host dinners with her husband, to plan trips to faraway places, and to go on long hikes.

About this year's theme for our programs:

Prudence: a Word, a Virtue, a Theme

This year, following the requests of our students, the Austin Institute has developed its academic programming around a common theme that will unify the activities of the semester.

The focus of our fall programming is on the most underestimated and yet most needed virtue of prudence.

Prudence will also guide our practical choices for our programs. All in-person and/or online programming conform to current health guidelines. We want to keep everyone safe while providing program opportunities during this pandemic.