The Institute for Learning in Retirement, Inc. is an organization of retired, semi-retired and newly retired individuals interested in learning and cultural enrichment. Their mission is to enhance participants’ lives through active participation in study groups that encourage peer learning and social interaction. Groups are led by volunteer facilitators on a variety of topics, from "Issues and Ideas" to "Arts, Literature, and More". Students from the Comparative Studies Ph.D. program frequently volunteer to present for the ILIR. Their presentations have included:
Fall 2021 Session
Anna Maldonado – Culture, Society, and Politics Track
SPOTLIGHT: Mind Odysseys and Other Journeys
"Migration and Race Relations in Guatemala"
"Migration and Race Relations in Guatemala"
Fall 2021 Session
Cristina Pimenta – Culture, Society, and Politics Track
SPOTLIGHT: Issues and Ideas
"Religion & Human Rights in the Age of Trump"
"Religion & Human Rights in the Age of Trump"
Spring 2021 Session
Cristina Pimenta – Culture, Society, and Politics Track
SPOTLIGHT: Issues and Ideas
"Religion & Politics in the United States: Lessons from History"
"Religion & Politics in the United States: Lessons from History"
Winter 2021 Session
Cristina Pimenta – Culture, Society, and Politics Track
SPOTLIGHT: Arts, Literature, and More
"Sincere, Scheming, or Sarcastic? Machiavelli & The Prince"
"Sincere, Scheming, or Sarcastic? Machiavelli & The Prince"
Winter 2021 Session
Thomas Prater – Cultures, Languages, and Literatures Track
SPOTLIGHT: Arts, Literature, and More
"Weighing In: Reading Seamus Heaney in America"
"Weighing In: Reading Seamus Heaney in America"
Winter 2021 Session
Michelle Rovere – Cultures, Languages, and Literatures Track
SPOTLIGHT: Arts, Literature, and More
"Me, Myself and Mostly I: The Transcendentalists"
"Me, Myself and Mostly I: The Transcendentalists"
Winter 2021 Session
Jeanette Coleman – Cultures, Languages, and Literatures Track
SPOTLIGHT: Arts, Literature, and More
"Two Great Harlem Renaissance Women Writers: Marita Bonner and Zora Neale Hurston"
"Two Great Harlem Renaissance Women Writers: Marita Bonner and Zora Neale Hurston"
Winter 2021 Session
Roxanne Ten Eyck – Cultures, Languages, and Literatures Track
SPOTLIGHT: Issues and Ideas
"Is Aging an Art?"
"Is Aging an Art?"