IN PERSON

What are conspiracy theories? Why are they so easy to get started and difficult to dispel? We will take a look at the psychology behind conspiracy theories their history, and how they have affected our society over the years.

Elcha holds a BS, MS, and PhD from Boston University and is Board Certified in child, adolescent, and family psychiatry. For over 70 years Elcha has observed, listened, studied, researched, lectured, published, and practiced in all aspects of human behavior.

ZOOM

This course will be primarily a conversation between the participants and the instructor, a former U. S. Ambassador and Asia specialist.  Participants will be asked to acquire and read the book "Back Channel: A Memoir of American Diplomacy" (Random House, 2019) by William Burns, the highest- ranking Career Foreign Service officer of his generation as Deputy Secretary of State and now CIA Director.  The instructor will make introductory comments based on the book and lead a discussion.

Mark is a career Foreign Service Officer with many tours in Korea, Japan, and at the United Nations. He served as Director of Korean Affairs in the State Department and Deputy U.S. Ambassador in Seoul. Formerly, he served as Ambassador to Mongolia.