The Function of Criticism

Wed Feb 04 2026 at 04:30 pm to 06:30 pm UTC-06:00

Swift Hall | Chicago

Parrhesia Events
Publisher/HostParrhesia Events
The Function of Criticism
Advertisement
A Public Thinking Lecture Series event with Merve Emre on the role of criticism in an age when everyone is, or can be, a critic.
About this Event

Join us for a talk by Merve Emre, New Yorker contributing writer and the director of the Shapiro Center for Creative Writing and Criticism at Wesleyan University.

In recent years, the means of criticism have been democratized by technology while universities and media institutions have come under attack for being “elitist” and out of touch. How do these facts change our understanding of the public function of criticism, and of the role of the professional critic? Does Matthew Arnold’s belief that the critic’s job is to “elevate culture” still hold up in the age of BookTok, Goodreads and Substack?

Wednesday, February 4th
4:30 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Swift Hall, 3rd Floor
1025 E. 58th St.
Chicago, IL 60637
Free and open to the public


Founded in 2023, the Public Thinking Lecture Series at the University of Chicago brings distinguished writers, critics, and journalists to campus to discuss the challenges of engaging in the public conversation today. Co-organized by and the Parrhesia Program for Public Thought and Discourse, the series seeks to inspire a more thoughtful, self-reflective, and pluralistic public discourse.

Advertisement

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Swift Hall, 1025 East 58th Street, Chicago, United States

Tickets

USD 0.00

Icon
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

Ask AI if this event suits you:

More Events in Chicago

Eureka Day (Chicago)
Wed, 04 Feb at 01:00 pm Eureka Day (Chicago)

Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place

Stereophonic (Chicago)
Wed, 04 Feb at 01:00 pm Stereophonic (Chicago)

CIBC Theatre

CMAP\u2019s open house for consultants
Wed, 04 Feb at 01:00 pm CMAP’s open house for consultants

The Old Post Office

Cosi Fan Tutte
Wed, 04 Feb at 02:00 pm Cosi Fan Tutte

Civic Opera House

Neopets X Gong cha Exclusive VIP Event - Chicago
Wed, 04 Feb at 04:00 pm Neopets X Gong cha Exclusive VIP Event - Chicago

555 S State St

Broker Open House
Wed, 04 Feb at 04:00 pm Broker Open House

1201 E Madison Park apt 3

Arpilleras: Textiles of Resistance
Wed, 04 Feb at 05:00 pm Arpilleras: Textiles of Resistance

Art on Sedgwick Gallery

Great Lakes Business Network Networking Night at Bungalow by Middle Brow
Wed, 04 Feb at 05:00 pm Great Lakes Business Network Networking Night at Bungalow by Middle Brow

Bungalow by Middle Brow

Real Estate Networking Event
Wed, 04 Feb at 05:00 pm Real Estate Networking Event

Reserv

ArteSana Workshop: Figuras Hist\u00f3ricas
Wed, 04 Feb at 05:00 pm ArteSana Workshop: Figuras Históricas

18th Street Casa de Cultura

Neighbors Night Out
Wed, 04 Feb at 05:00 pm Neighbors Night Out

Paddy Mac's

The Next Evolution of Exercise & Workout Routine
Wed, 04 Feb at 05:30 pm The Next Evolution of Exercise & Workout Routine

2112 Chicago

Chicago is Happening!

Never miss your favorite happenings again!

Explore Chicago Events