TOPICS
OFFERED FOR SPRING
2005
1.
(AFR) THE
AFRICAN CONTINENT
There are over fifty countries that make up the African Continent and they are largely overlooked despite their emerging importance on the world scene. This S/DG would choose which African countries to study during this trimester. (Other countries might be chosen in subsequent semesters). Study might include the history, geography, politics, the part these countries play and the challenges they face in the world today. Presentation possibilities abound as to the people, cultures, economies, art, leaders, etc. of the countries chosen. This continues the present class and will cover those countries not already covered.
Common Reading: TBD
2nd & 4th Wednesday, a.m.
2.
(ART) WOMEN ARTISTS THROUGH THE AGES
Cassatt, Kahlo, O'Keefe and Grandma Moses are familiar names to most people. But what about Renaissance painter Lavinia Fontano? Or silversmith Louisa Courtauld? Sculptor Marcello? Rosa Bonheur, Bettye Saar, Lee Krasner, Berenice Abbott, Josepfa de Ayala, Elisabeth Virgee-Lebrun and many, many more have been major contributers to the artistic archives of various culture and eras. Explore the lives and creative output of some of these neglected artists. (We say "some" because there are far more women artists than can be covered in one Omnilore term!) But let's dig in and see what treasures we find!
Common Reading: TBD
1st
& 3rd Wednesday, p.m.
3.
(BRO) THE FOUNDING BROTHERS:
THE STORIES OF THE FOUNDING FATHERS, THEIR INTERACTIONS DURING THE 1790’S, AND THEIR LASTING EFFECT
The United States was more a fragile hope than a reality in 1790 when a group of greatly gifted but deeply flawed individuals… John Adams, Aaron Burr, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and George Washington… combined the ideals of the Declaration of Independence with the content of the Constitution to create the practical workings of our government. This S/DG will examine the intertwining of the lives, beliefs and personalities of the “Founding Brothers” (or Founding Fathers) as they hammered out the decisions and compromises that formed our new republic. We’ll discuss some of the decisive events that shaped the political ideas and institutions of the emerging state in which sheer chance, pure luck --- both good and bad --- and decisions made in the crucible of specific political crises often determined the outcome which has made the United States the oldest enduring republic in world history.
Suggested topics: The Duel between Burr and Hamilton; The Dinner with Jefferson, Hamilton, and Madison; The Silence about Slavery; The Farewell of George Washington; The Collaboration of Adams, Jefferson, and Madison; The Friendship of Thomas Jefferson and John Adams; John & Abigail Adams; Benjamin Franklin; Aaron Burr; Alexander Hamilton; Thomas Jefferson; James Madison; George Washington
Common Reading: The Founding Brothers, by Joseph Ellis
1st & 3rd Thursday, a.m.
4.
(DEC) GREAT
DECISIONS - 2005
The
Foreign Policy Association, an independent, nonpartisan organization, annual
publishes a listing of eight topics deemed of special urgency and importance to
the nation. These subjects, with
pertinent background and reference material, will comprise Great Decisions
2005. The final topics for 2005 have
not yet been announced but we can expect subjects similar to those in Great
Decisions 2004 which were: The Media and Foreign Policy, The Philippines,
Weapons of Mass Destruction, U.S. and Europe, Diversity in Islam, Latin
American Overview, Reform in the Middle East, Public Diplomacy.
Each
class member will give a researched presentation that augments the eight
topics, and members will also share leading discussions of the common reading.
Common Reading: Great Decisions 2005
DE1: 2nd & 4th
Wednesday, p.m.
DE2: 2nd & 4th
Wednesday, p.m.
5.
(GSS) GREAT
SHORT STORIES OF
THE MASTERS
GS1: 1st
& 3rd Friday, p.m.
GS2: 2nd & 4th Tuesday,
p.m.
GS3: 1st
& 3rd Friday, a.m.
6.
(HUM) HUMANS,
MULTI-TALENTED BEINGS
This S/DG will explore the theory of multiple intelligences developed by Howard Gardner and other researchers at Harvard and applications of that theory. Gardner identified seven types of human talents, which he termed intelligences. The concept of intelligence is complex and controversial, but includes the ability to respond successfully to new situations and to learn and generalize from one’s past experiences. Gardner’s initial list of intelligences is:
Linguistic – involved in communication with words
Logical-mathematical – use of abstract relations and formation of hypotheses
Spatial – perceive and process visual or spatial information and recreate images from memory
Musical – create, communicate, and understand meanings from sound
Bodily-kinesthetic – use of all or part of the body to create products or solve problems
Interpersonal – recognize and make distinctions about other’s feelings and intentions, and
Intrapersonal – distinguish their own feelings, build accurate mental models of themselves and draw on to make decisions about their own lives.
Later, Gardner added “naturalist and existentialist intelligences,” though these are less well established. Every human possesses each of these intelligences or types of talents in significant degree, but most people feel stronger in some areas than in others. Some people have discernable handicaps in one or more talent areas, sometimes compensated by enhanced capability in other areas
Common Reading: Seven Kinds of Smart, by Thomas Armstrong (Plume, 1993)
1st & 3rd Tuesday, p.m.
7.
(INT) INTELLECTUAL HISTORY (1850-1900)
In this course we will experience growth in expansion & depth as the Century moves into its final decades. Although Terry is no longer with us, he chose most of those whose thought we will explore. Philosophy: Peirce & Nietzsche; Literature: Dostoevski & Dickinson; Science: Freud & Darwin; Political Thought: Karl Marx & Thomas Hill Green. This course concentrates solely on the thought of the subject persons within the discipline of their topic; nothing else. This is Intellectual History; not a survey course. There is no core reading. Presentation with discussion covers the entire two hours. The presenter will submit outline materials at least two weeks before-hand giving background on the individual, websites for study and whatever else he wishes to state about the person that will not be a part of class coverage. Everyone must also read the articles on the subject in the Britannica & Americana and all index references as part of preparation.
Common Reading: No Common Reading
1st & 3rd Wednesday, p.m.
8.
(MAP) THE MAPMAKERS: GREAT EXPLORATIONS OF SEA,
LAND & SPACE
This S/DG is about maps and the people who made them, and what it is about their efforts and discoveries that captures the imagination. The subject spans the history of cartography from early civilizations to the present and involves the great contributions of Eratosthenes, Ptolemy and Mercator and the voyages and expeditions of Magellan, Cook, Lewis and Clark and many others who mapped and expanded our world. Many of the accomplishments would not have been possible without major discoveries in mathematics, astronomy, physics and medicine, but above all the history of map-making is a reflection of “the wonder that moves the human spirit to explore, encompass, and strive to understand.” (John Noble Wilford)
Common Reading: The Mapmakers, (Revised Edition) by John Noble Wilford
2nd & 4th Monday, a.m.
9.
(MTH) CLASSICAL
MYTHOLOGY
Classical mythology has had an enormous
influence on many aspects of Western culture, particularly literature, the arts
and man’s behavior toward his fellow man and the Gods. The rich body of stories that constitute
myth both stimulate our imaginations and influence our values and behavior to
this day, even though their origins stem from pre-literate times well over
3,000 years ago. Their longevity is a
tribute to their relevance. We will
study a number of the most significant myths both for the sheer enjoyment of
the stories, as well as for their imbedded meaning and/or “lessons
learned.” Researched presentations, of
course.
Common Reading: TBD
2nd & 4th Tuesday, p.m.
10. (MUS)
MUSIC OF THE ROMANTIC
This S/DG will focus on European music of the nineteenth century. This period marked a departure from the existing rigidities. Heroes and heroines, lovers, beauty, pathos and tragedies burst out of the old structures in music, art, poetry and writing. Our goal is to enhance your ability to understand and respond to the marvelous works of that era, composed by: Berlioz, Chopin, Dvorak, Liszt, Puccini, R. Schumann, R. Strauss, Tchaikovsky, Verdi and Wagner, among others. Members will research one or more composers, and analyze their work in the context of the culture of that period. Presentations will include samples of recorded works.
Common Reading: TBD
2nd & 4th Thursday, p.m.
11. (REL)
RELIGION AND POLITICS IN AMERICA
This
study/discussion group will examine the dynamic interactions between religion
and politics as well as the historic roots of religion and its impact on
political affairs and public policies in America. We will examine the history of religion in America and the
relevant constitutional principles and their interpretation by the courts over
the past two centuries. We will read
and discuss the role and current status of religion in America – religious
practices, theological and political outlooks and voting records of major
religious traditions – Catholic, evangelical Protestant, liberal Protestant,
Jewish and African American. The common
reading will be supplemented by readings provided by coordinators or may be
developed by the discussion leaders during the semester.
Common Reading: Religion and Politics in America: Faith, Culture and Strategic Choices, by Robert Fowler, et al (3rd edition, paperback, July 2004)
1st & 3rd Tuesday, p.m.
12. (SOU)
THE SOUTH
2: MYTH AND REALITY
Common Reading: TBD
2nd & 4th Tuesday, a.m.
13. (TRK)
THE GLORY THAT WAS TURKEY: THE RISE
AND FALL OF THE OTTOMAN
EMPIRE
Traces the history of the Ottoman Empire, an innovative and multicultural state that survived for over 600 years. In its heyday, its economic and military power caused fear and admiration in Europe. This course will examine the encompassing influence of religion on their institutions, society and art. The focus will be on the golden age of the Empire and its decline in the 19th century, and its final dissolution in 1923 when the sultanate was abolished and the Republic of Turkey was born.
Common Reading: TBD
1st & 3rd Thursday, p.m.
14. (WCC)
WORLD CLASS CURMUDGEONS
The world is divided into three classes of people: those who know (approximately 5%); those who don't know (approximately 45%); and, those who don't know but pretend to know (approximately 50%).
These are tough times for the curmudgeon. In an age of fast food intellect, when crudity is mistaken for cleverness, the articulate witty curmudgeon seems out of place. Try imagining such saber-tongued cynics as Mark Twain, James Thurber and H.L. Menken grousing about America in 2004. Can you imagine Menken, a man who once said that "He never lost any money betting on the intelligence of the American people" adapting to an era of freedom fries?
The curmudgeons sensibility is an oyster pearl produced by the grit of existence. Curmudgeons maintain their balance in a universe gone mad. The beauty of it is that they expect the worst but they keep on playing. That is why the curmudgeons are the ultimate adults.
This S/DG will spend eight delightful fun filled weeks discussing some of the world’s most brilliant curmudgeons. Such giant wits as H.L. Menken, Mark Twain, Gore Vidal, George B. Shaw and many more.
Curmudgeons to be discussed: H.L. Menken, Prince Philip, George B. Shaw, James Thurber, Samuel Johnson, Ambrose Bierce, Gore Vidal, Christopher Hichins, Evelyn Waugh, Woody Allen, Mark Twain, William Buckley, Jr., Dorothy Parker, Truman Capote, Oscar Wilde, Robert Frost, W.C. Fields, Oscar Levant, Groucho Marx, Tallulah Bankhead, George Kaufrnan, George Orwell, Fran Leibowitz, Gloria Steinem, Andy Rooney, and Robert Benchley.
Common Reading: TBD
WC1: 1st
& 3rd Monday, p.m.
WC2: 2nd & 4th Monday,
p.m.
WC3: 2nd & 4th Thursday,
a.m.
15. (WRI) THE
WRITING MIND
This S/DG concentrates on fostering creativity and improving techniques of the writer through the production of original pieces, literary critique and presentations by each group member. Presentations are on literary topics or on the philosophy and subtleties of writing. Each member will be responsible for – a presentation; at least two submissions of original fiction, non-fiction, poetry, or other form of writing; and for reading and critiquing submissions.
Common Reading: TBD
1st & 3rd Thursday, p.m.
16. (CSU)
FILM AS ART FORM
Lecture Course
at CSUDH - Beginning January 5th through April 27th.
The CSUDH lecture series for Spring 2005 will focus on topics in film studies, including possibly film noir and/or other genres. Discussion of film as an interdisciplinary art form will be emphasized in these presentations and clips from classics in the genre will be featured by the professors in their individual lectures.
Common Reading: TBD
1st & 3rd Wednesday, a.m.