University Lecture Series

Designed to create a campus-wide conversation, the University Lecture Series gives first-year students an opportunity to interact with leading members of our faculty—scholars, scientists, and civic leaders who are nationally and internationally renowned. All students, faculty, alumni, staff and community guests are invited, but the events will be aimed at entering first-year students. The University Lecture Series is generously brought to UT by the Audre and Bernard Rapoport Excellence Fund for Undergraduate Studies.

Signature Course students are required to attend at least one of the two large lectures (or watch online) and discuss in class. We suggest that faculty require attendance at one of the smaller linked events as well.

2009 Lectures

Videos of the 2009 lectures are now available.
View Dean Gilligan’s Lecture
View Dean Woodruff’s Lecture

This year, the Lecture Series presents two large lectures (at Bass Concert Hall) and a series of linked events. On September 21, Dean Thomas Gilligan talks about the factors that contribute to economic growth, and reveals our role in the miraculous process in Emerging Global Economic Growth.
View the events linked to Dean Gilligan’s lecture

On September 22, Dean Paul Woodruff discusses tyranny, freedom, and democracy in How to Spot a Tyrant When You See One: Models of Tyranny and Leadership from Classical Drama. Masters students from the Department of Theater and Dance will perform short scenes from Sophocles’ Antigone, Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure, and Ibsen’s A Doll’s House.
View the events linked to Dr. Woodruff’s lecture