Thursday Forum
Coe College invites you to participate in the Thursday Forum, a program for older adults who want to expand their knowledge in an academic setting. Throughout the academic year, forums explore a variety of topics through a blend of lecture, media and discussion.
Thursday Forum is held in Kesler Auditorium on the first floor of Hickok Hall. Each weekly session begins with registration and refreshments from 8:45-9:15 AM, followed by the lecture until 11:30 AM. The presentations blend lecture, media such as film and music, and discussion.
Admission to each four-week forum series is $40. Admission to individual lectures and each session of two- and three-week forums is $12 per week. Admission includes the lecture and morning refreshments of coffee, tea and pastries. Payment can be made in person on Thursday mornings by cash or personal check. Credit card payments can be processed by registering online in advance at www.coe.edu/thursday-forum.
In the event of inclement weather, consult local media outlets to find out if the day’s forum will take place.
Thursday Forum welcomes gifts to support the long-term vibrancy of the program. Gifts may be made at any time and in any amount online (for credit card payments) or by mail to Coe College Advancement Services, 1220 1st Ave. NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402 (please make checks to “Coe College” and indicate “Thursday Forum” in the memo line).
For more information about Thursday Forum, click the relevant links on this page, call 319.399.8523, or email thursdayforum@coe.edu.
2023-2024 Thursday Forum Season
Perspectives on Russia
Julie Fairbanks, Associate Professor of Anthropology
September 7 & 14
Women in American Art
Ranelle Knight-Lueth, Assistant Professor of Art History
September 21 & 28
Philosophy Through Film: How Movies and TV Shows Are Asking Life's Challenging Questions
Tom Javoroski, Adjunct Assistant Professor of Philosophy
October 5, 12, 19, 26
Hopes for our Health: How New Medical Devices and Techniques Work
Steve Feller, B.D. Silliman Professor of Physics
November 2, 9, 16
The Health of Our Relationships
Ellen Lee, Assistant Professor of Psychology
November 30
The Evolving Universe from the Big Bang to Homo Sapiens
Firdevs Duru, Associate Professor of Physics
January 25 & February 1
Hell for Christians: Justice after Death from the
Bible to Dante
Meira Kensky, Joseph E. McCabe Professor of Religion
Geoff Chaplin, Adjunct Assistant Professor of Religion
February 8, 15, 22, 29
The Economics of US Health Care
Chelsea Lensing, Assistant Professor of Economics
March 7, 21, 28
Four Hard Ideas of Physics, Explained Simply
Mario Affatigato, Fran Allison and Francis Halpin Professor of Physics
April 4, 11, 18, 25