TOPICS OFFERED FOR SUMMER 2006

 

 

Please note that the books listed for each course are only possible candidates. 
Do not buy any until the coordinators advise you what they will use as a core text, if any.

 

 

 

 

1.   (AMR)   1491:  THE  AMERICAS  BEFORE  COLUMBUS

What was life like in the Americas before the arrival of Europeans? Traditionally schools have taught that the ancestors of the people who inhabited the Western Hemisphere prior to 1492 had crossed the Bering Strait 12,000 years ago; existed mainly in small, nomadic bands; and the Americas were a vast wilderness. Recent research shows some startling differences; viz., in 1491 there were probably more people living in the Americas than in Europe, and certain cities in the Americas were far greater in population than any contemporary European city. 

This SDG will examine these and other aspects of pre-Columbian life (agriculture, ecology, religious practices, trade, etc.) and give us new understandings of our history and our environment. Possible presentation topics include: the Inca and Aztecs as well as Mound Builders, Alliances and wars between groups of people, Influences (such as disease) which arrived from Europe, Influences (such as crops and medicines) which went the other way across the Atlantic, Migration theories, Writing in the Americas, etc.

A typical meeting would include a discussion of selected chapters of the common reading for half the time, and for the remainder presentations by members of the S/DG based on their own researches.

Common Reading:     1491, New Revelations of the Americas before Columbus,

by Charles C. Mann ($30.00)

AM1:  1st & 3rd Friday, p.m. – Room 7

AM2:  1st & 3rd Monday, a.m. - Room 7

 

 

2.   (BEN)   BENJAMIN  FRANKLIN,  AN  AMERICAN  LIFE

In this tricentennial year of Franklin’s birth, we will look at the life of one of our premiere founding fathers. We’ll study his time as a printer, a scientist, a politician, and a statesman. As a scientist he invented the stove, the lightening rod, and bifocal eyeglasses.  As a politician and statesman, we’ll see his contribution to our independence from Britain and his pivotal role in securing France’s support both during the War of Independence and in our early years as a Confederation of States.  His extraordinary life was so much more than just a part of American history.

Common Reading:      Benjamin Franklin: An American Life, by Walter Isaacson

Simon & Schuster 2003

BEN:   1st & 3rd Wednesday, p.m. – Room 8

 

 

 

  1. (CJS)   CRIMINAL  JUSTICE  SYSTEM

High on the list of society’s concerns is crime and what to do about it.  This study discussion group will examine the fundamentals of our criminal justice system, recommendations for reforming, international comparisons, causes of crimes, the police, plea bargaining, the jury system, sentencing, juveniles, organized crime, white collar crime, parole and prison life.

Some other topics for research and presentation are: The three strikes law; White collar crime vs. street crime; race and the criminal justice system; Substance abuse policy and the criminal justice system; Criminalizing the mentally ill; The death penalty: deterrence or not?; Fairness of the system: men vs. women; The parole system – is it working?; Juvenile Justice System

Possible Common Reading:       Courtroom 302, by Steve Bogira ( $18.00) or

                                                     Criminal Justice System, by Ronald G. Burns ($16.00

CJS:   2nd & 4th Wednesday, p.m. – Room 8

 

 

 

4.   (DEC)   GREAT  DECISIONS  -  2006

Each year the Foreign Policy Association publishes a book of eight issues in foreign policy.  This S/DG has always inspired lively discussions.  The topics for 2006 are UN Reform, the U.S. and Iran, Energy resources, Brazil, Human rights in an age of terrorism, China and India - competitors or collaborators ?, Turkey, and Pandemics and Security.

Common Reading: Foreign Policy 2006.   About $14 if ordered in bulk.

DEC:   2nd & 4th Tuesday, p.m. - Room 7

 

 

 

5.      (DRK)   WERE  THE  DARK  AGES  REALLY  DARK?

What inventions, learning and culture set the stage for the sudden intellectual growth that was the Renaissance, and the success of the western model. Rather than patterns of weather and agriculture, Stark argues, Europe's primacy in economic, political, and social progress was due to its embrace of Christianity, which opened a space for reason and hence science-driven technology.

Stark contends that Christianity is a forward-looking religion, evincing faith in progress and in its followers' abilities to understand God over time. Such a future-based rational theology has encouraged the development of technical and organizational advances, such as the monastic estates and universities of the Middle Ages. Stark contends that these developments transformed medieval political philosophy so that democracy developed and thrived in those states, such as northern Italy, that lacked despots and encouraged moral equality. Stark concludes by maintaining that Christianity continues to spread in places like Africa, China and Latin America because of its faith in progress, its rational theology and its emphasis on moral equality. The dark ages thus set the foundation for rise of capitalism and the success of the west.

Topics: Based on the book look at what when on in each country in Europe to set the foundation for the modern world. Establish the truth or falsity of Stark’s many arguments.

Common Reading:   The Victory of Reason: How Christianity Led to Freedom,

                                    Capitalism, and Western Success, by Rodney Stark (Hardcover)

DRK:   2nd & 4th Thursday, p.m. – Room 8

 

 

 

 

6.   (HEM)   ERNEST  HEMINGWAY    THE  SHORT  STORIES

Before he gained fame as a novelist, Ernest Hemingway established his literary reputation with short stories.  The common reading contains 49 definitive short stories as well as stories published in books or magazines, including:  The Snows of Kilimanjaro, A Clean Well-Lighted Place, Light of the World, Hills Like White Elephants, The Old Man at the Bridge, Soldier’s Home, White Elephants, etc.  Presentations and discussions include literary style and individual interpretations of the stories.  Our goal is to discover, read, discuss and enjoy well-written short stories by a popular American writer who is well known for his classics.

Common Reading:  The Complete Short Stories of Ernest Hemingway

                                    (Scribner Paperback, ISBN 0684-84332-3)

HEM:   1st & 3rd Thursday, p.m. – Room 8

 

 

 

 

7.     (ISS)   CONTEMPORARY  INTERNATIONAL  SHORT  STORIES

A short story is a microscopic peek into the culture of its author. As our world shrinks, we want to know more about people and their tales beyond stories within our borders. The editor of the text wants to introduce the reader to writings from 35 countries that do not easily find their way into the hands of the general reader--especially the reader confined to English. The stories are narratives well told. They are documents of our condition, seemingly limitless in their array of setting, tone, dialogue, and method of storytelling. Many tales are quite short; however, the unfamiliar culture may require more time to digest.

Common Reading:     The Art of the Story--International Anthology of Contemporary Short Stories, by Daniel Halpern (Penguin Books, 2000; $17)

IS1:     1st & 3rd Tuesday, a.m. - Room 7

IS2:     2nd & 4th Wednesday, p.m. - Room 7

 

 

 

 

8.     (OLD)   GET  OVER  GETTING  OLDER 

Omniloreans research and learn from each other on various topics but discussion of the process of aging is often limited to email humor.  The topic is often relegated to the status of the elephant in the living room.  No one mentions it, they just put a doily on it with a lamp and pretend it isn’t there. This study discussion group will do what we do best . . . harness our intellects to research and discuss a rational approach to increasing enjoyment of life as we age, learning ways to add productivity to their years.  Rules for optimal living will be discussed and debated.  Refuting society’s prejudices regarding aging will also be presented and reviewed.  Overall, a psychological study of the aging process will be undertaken that will include but not be limited to the following topics: biological aspects of aging; theories of aging; romance and sex in the third age; financial impacts; other societies and aging; famous centenarians; strength training and exercise; depress-sion; sleep patterns and aging; volunteerism; future communities; politics and aging.

Possible Common Reading:     Optimal Aging: Get Over Getting Older, by Albert Ellis

Or any other book selected by the coordinators.

OLD:   1st & 3rd Tuesday, p.m. - Room 7

 

 

 

  1.  (SCU)   SCULPTURE  -  WIELDING  THE  CHISEL 

Have you ever stood before an amazing piece of sculpture and held your breathe?  The need and desire for expression by bringing materials to life has been with us since earliest times.  This study discussion group will study this art form in depth.  It will look at the methods, materials and processes used by ancient to modern sculptors while studying the characteristics of the different art periods and the styles of famous sculptors.

Some topic suggestions for research and presentations are forms of sculpture (bust, fountain, statue); various ancient sculptures (Etruscan, Chinese, Greek); sculpture periods (Classical, Renaissance, Baroque, Modern); architecture and sculpture; lives and works of famous sculptors.

There will be no common reading.  Members will use various sources including the internet to research the information.  A field trip to a museum or sculpture garden could enhance this learning experience.

No Common Reading:  Members will use various sources including the internet to research the information.  A field trip to a museum or sculpture garden could enhance this learning experience

SCU:   1st & 3rd Wednesday, p.m. - Room 7

 

 

 

10.   (SWL)   SIMON  WIESENTHAL 

The story of Simon Wiesenthal, who spent sixty years exposing and hunting down the Nazi criminals who perpetrated the Holocaust.  He was instrumental in bringing over 1500 to justice.  He exposed that the Nazis murdered Gypsies, union leaders, Christians and the retarded.  His work pressured governments to form organizations dedicated to identifying Nazi thugs.

Topics for research could include other mass murders, differing views of guilt, differing views of history by other nations, how to recompense victims and their families, the weakness of the World Court, and the complicity of other nations in the Holocaust.

Common Reading:  Nazi Hunter: The Wiesenthal File, by Alan Levy

SWL:   1st & 3rd Thursday, p.m. - Room 7

 

 

 

11.        (WRI)   THE  WRITING  MIND

Ever consider writing your autobiography or significant memoirs of' your life for children and future family generations?  The Writing Mind is a S/DG devoted to sharing your written thoughts with supportive colleagues.  Prose and poetry, fiction and non-fiction, personal or fairy tale!  Simply satisfy your writing pleasure.  Class members will be responsible for at least one presentation on any facet of writing or a written submission of at least two pieces of original work and constructive criticism of works submitted by other members.

No Common Reading.

WRI:   2nd & 4th Thursday, p.m. - Room 7

 

 

 

        A Lecture-Based Study Group for the Summer  (not conducted by CSUDH)

12.        (ORG)   ORIGINS  OF  LIFE 

This S/DG will provide exposure to recent scientific efforts to determine the origins of life in the universe.  This will be achieved with a series of 24 half-hour long recorded lectures by a prominent researcher in the field.  This is not a typical science course in which a consensus view on known facts is presented.  Rather, we get a view of research in action.  Lecture topics include “What is life?” “Molecular Biosignatures,” “Life from the Bottom of the Sea,” “Is there Life on Mars,” “The RNA and Pre-RNA Worlds,” “Natural Selection and Competition,” etc.  Each of the eight class sessions would be comprised of three of the lectures with the remainder of the class devoted to discussion of the material presented.  There would be no presentations by class members.  A book of lecture transcripts may be purchased if desired. 

No Common Reading

OR1:   2nd & 4th Wednesday, a.m.

OR2:   1st & 3rd Monday, p.m. - Room 7