Upcoming Online Events
The Agora Foundation is a nonsectarian 501(c)3 non-profit endeavor, providing great books seminars and other educational opportunities to those who are busy with careers, families, and daily responsibilities yet are seeking to further their education. The goal of these offerings is to provide an understanding of the ideas that shape civilizations and to promote civil discourse on complicated subjects. The Agora Foundation has facilitated over 1,650 great books seminars and teacher trainings, covering a wide variety of topics including literature, philosophy, political science, theology, history, art, psychology, and more, featuring ancient and modern texts from around the world. In addition to seminars, since 2014 Agora has produced 39 panels, gatherings, and video interviews, promoting civil discourse on controversial and complicated subjects. Hundreds of these events can be freely viewed and listened to on this website.
Generously funded by The Ahmanson Foundation, Southern California Edison, The Shanbrom Family Foundation, the Ventura County Community Foundation, the WRG Foundation, the Constance Eaton and William Hart Fund, the Ojai Valley Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club of Ojai, CIty of Ojai, and private donations, the Teachers for Lifelong Learning Program provides training to high school teachers in this engaging approach to learning, and The Ojai Chautauqua provides panels promoting civil discourse on controversial and complicated subjects.
Upcoming Regular Events



Online Seminar Series
Finnegans Wake by James Joyce
Wednesday, October 28
12:30-2:00PM PDT
A story with no real beginning or end, the work has come to assume a preeminent place in English literature. Published in 1939, the book would take Joyce two decades to complete. Join us as we read this text a few pages at a time, every other Wednesday afternoon.
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October 26 Reading:
Book Three - Chapter Three of Finnegans Wake by Joyce (page 532, Line 6)
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Schedule:
12:30 - 2:00PM PDT
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Tutor:
Barry Rabe
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Location:
Online. Register to receive the link.
Online Seminar Series
The Chemical History of a Candle by Michael Faraday
Saturday, October 31
12:00-1:30PM PDT
"There is not a law under which any part of this universe is governed which does not come into play and is not touched upon during the time a candle burns." We invite you to participate in discussing these six lectures, taking place about one month apart.​
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October 231 Reading:
Lecture Four - Hydrogen in the Candle - Burns into Water - The Other Part of Water - Oxygen
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Schedule:
12:00 - 1:30PM PDT
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Tutor:
Andy Gilman
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Location:
Online. Register to receive the link.
Onsite Free Community Seminar Series
Foundations of Our Republic
Monday, November 2
12:00-1:00PM PDT
What are the fundamental principles of our Republic? Are these principles based on a view of objective reality/nature, or simply the "consent of the governed"? How should one read the founding documents? Please join us as we carefully explore these political works through weekly Monday lunchtime meetings. No experience necessary, all are welcome.
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November 2 Reading:
The Articles of Confederation 1778
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Schedule:
12:00 - 1:00PM PDT
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Tutor:
Andy Gilman
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Location:
Kent Hall Conference Room - City Hall
111 West Santa Ana - Ojai, California
View the Onsite Ojai Chautauqua Panel Series
The Future of Ojai - Our Rising Generation -
Are we planning thoughtfully for the youth of the valley?
Sunday, August 30, 2026
An Introduction to The Agora Foundation. What is liberal education?
An Introduction to The Agora Foundation's Ojai Chautauqua Panels.





















