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



Onsite Free Community Seminar Series
Foundations of Our Republic
Monday, October 19
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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October 19 Reading:
The Declaration of Independence
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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
Online Seminar Series
Monday Night Poetry
Monday, October 19
5:00-6:00PM PDT
Join us as we explore, through close reading, what makes a poem. Each online session will focus on a single poem or two shorter ones. No preparation is required— we’ll read aloud and discover the poems together. Each of the seminars is self-contained, so join for any or all that interest you.​
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October 19 Reading:
Nutting by William Wordsworth
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Schedule:
5:00 - 6:00PM PDT
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Tutor:
Carol Seferi
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Location:
Online. Register to receive the link.
Online Seminar Series
The Periodic Table by Primo Levi
Saturday, October 24
12:00-2:00PM PDT
Published in 1975, the book is a collection of 21 autobiographical stories, each named after and inspired by a chemical element. The book interweaves Levi's passion for science and his professional life with his personal history. We invite you to join us as we read and discuss portions of the text in online seminars about one month apart, eventually completing the entire book.
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October 24 Reading:
Sulphur, Titanium, Arsenic, Nitrogen, Tin (pages 160-190)
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Schedule:
12:00 - 2:00PM PDT
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Tutor:
Andy Gilman
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Location:
Online. Register to receive the link.
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.





















