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CommUniversity Curriculum, 2011

Keynote Speaker

Contents:
Regional Studies
Public Affairs
Theology and Church Life
Personal Enrichment
Arts and Humanities


Theology and Church Life

1 The Psychology and Theology of Forgiveness Mara Adams, PhD, St. Ambrose University
What does it mean to forgive another? Is it a sign of strength, or is it giving up? Are there situations in which we should not forgive? This course examines forgiveness as a transformational practice and investigates major models of forgiveness.

2 Islam: An Introduction Cyrus Zargar, PhD, Augustana College
This class will introduce students to the basic beliefs and practices of Islam. Muslims comprise nearly one-fourth of the world's population, professing a faith that values scripture and the revealed word very highly. Thus, close readings of the Qur'an will form an important part of our learning, so bring a translation of the Qur'an. Any translation will do, but A.J. Arberry's The Koran Interpreted is preferred.

3 In the Beginning: Exploring the Book of Genesis Rev. Matthew J. Marohl, PhD
The book of Genesis contains some of the best known stories of the Bible. From Adam and Eve to Joseph (and his many colored coat), Genesis offers stories that have been told and re-told. This course asks the important question, "How does Genesis continue to speak today?"

4 Celtic Spirituality: An Ancient Spirituality in a Modern Setting Pat Shea, PhD, Augustana College
Participants will explore the spirituality of ancient Celts and how the Celtic understanding of the sacred can be lived in our every day modern lives. This course will be participatory and include guided meditations based on Celtic themes.

5 A History of Angels Rev. Richard Sorrentino, Non-denominational
From the earliest recorded histories of our planet, legends and lores of angels exist, giving us hope and comfort against the chaos and destruction of world events. We will explore why they come, examining both religious and Renaissance literature sources, and what to expect from them in the future.


Public Affairs

6 Images 1955-68: The Modern Civil Rights Movement, Its People, Places, and Issues Gene Conrad
This enlarges last year's 2-week course: From the Murder of Emmett Till to the assassination of MLK and the hunt for his assassin. We will discuss readings, listen to music, view documentary and Hollywood film, and reference music that shaped these events, highlighting key people and issues.

7 Conflict Analysis Jessica Gosnell, PhD, St. Ambrose University
Through discussion of theory and practical exercises, this course will examine the historical foundations of the field of conflict analysis, the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches to conflict resolution, and the application of various theories of justice in a conflict resolution context.

8 Contemporary Africa: Understandings and Misunderstandings Todd Cleveland, PhD, Augustana College
This course explores the contemporary challenges that Africa faces by examining the continent's recent past and common social, political and economic misperceptions about Africa and its people.

9 Race, Wealth and Inequality in America and American Politics Christopher Whitt, PhD, Augustana College
Race, wealth and inequality are the root of many problems and questions in American politics. This course will investigate some of the central causes and impacts of inequalities as they relate to American politics and public policy while getting to the roots of the racial wealth gap.

10 Advertising, Consumerism, and Cultural Identity Stephen Klien, PhD, Augustana College
Does advertising really affect your everyday life? We will discuss how the over 3000 ad messages you see every day factor into a larger economic and cultural system of persuasion that has an immense impact on human identity, cultural norms, public policy, and potentially the future of the planet.


Personal Enrichment

11 Appliqué, Penny Rug, or Christmas Stocking Margaret Estes-Sylvester, Kaplan University
Learn the early American appliqué craft to create an appliquéd Christmas stocking or penny rug (table mat). Create a unique design and execute it using felt, scraps of fabric and embroidery floss. Minimal sewing skills needed; simple embroidery stitches taught in class.

12 Beyond the Three Chords Jack Moody, Tri-City Musical Society
This class will help you learn how to play any tune on the guitar. We will also learn how to transpose music, use piano music as a guide, use chord substitution and mnemonics, and train your ear for music. Bring a guitar and whatever experience you have and let's go beyond knowing just three chords.

13 Strings and Paper Belinda Holbrook
The presenter will share her passions for string figures and origami. You will learn how to make string figures like Jacob's Ladder and play Cat's Cradle. Transform paper into boxes, cranes, and toys. Then share your new skills and impress the children in your life!

14 Intuition: Increasing YOURS! Kathleen Collins, Licensed Mental Health Counselor
We all believe we have been intuitive and we are attracted to psychics and those who can "see." We will nurture and strengthen your own intuitive muscles to allow you to help others. Bring three small objects that are not yours to the first class. Experiential!

15 Singing with Style Sangeetha Rayapati, DMA, Augustana College
This course is a "how-to" primer about different styles of singing. If you've ever wanted to know how to sing in jazz, musical theater, classical, pop, or global styles, this course is for you.

16 Beginning Genealogy Amy Groskopf, Davenport Public Library
Have you ever wondered who belongs on your family tree? This course will provide basic information on how to research your genealogy. Topics to be covered include: using census records, vital records, online resources and record keeping.

17 Irish Social Dancing Gerry and Pat Bade
Irish social dancing, known as Ceili and set dancing, is a relaxed form of pattern and 2-hand dances similar to American barn dances. Some footwork is involved. The dances are easy and fun and students can attend dances hosted by the Quad Cities Ceili Club and St. Ambrose University.

18 Ballroom Dance Instruction, Swing and Salsa Dennis and Sandy Scheckel, Scheckel and Co. Dance Instruction
Dennis and Sandy will help dance your winter blues away. Gain the confidence you need to dance the night away at your next charity event or high school reunion. These dance steps allow you to enjoy today's popular music as well as big band. This class is for couples at a joint cost of $25. It will run 2 weeks only (February 20-27). Students will need to wear hard-soled shoes.

19 Beginning Photography Dino Milani
We're back at the beginning! Learn how to use your camera. We'll cover camera basics, portrait, landscape, and sports photos in class and on three Saturday field trips. A digital or film camera is required. A personal computer is desirable but not required. Include $10 with registration for supplies.

20 Screen Printing Alison Filley, St. Ambrose University
Create a work of art in a fun and fast process. Screen printing or Serigraphy is a form of printmaking in which ink is forced through a mesh stencil onto paper or fabric. Students will learn how to design and print their own image using various screen printing processes.

21 Digital Solutions Heather McCarty, Creative Memories Director
Are you ready to share your digital images? This course will teach you how to use easy software to create digital albums you can print or share online. Include a $10 class fee for software and bring your own laptop.

22 Bookbinding William Hannan, Black Hawk College, retired In 4 weeks you will learn the basic techniques of bookbinding. The processes are: chap book and variation, accordion book, Japanese book, portfolio box in which to keep the other books. All materials supplied.

23 Basic Spanish James (Jay) Thornton, Muscatine Community College
This course assumes no previous knowledge of Spanish. The course will teach some greetings, basic questions and counting, days of the week, some conversational expressions, etc. There will be games and activities and handouts for class use.

24 Basic Conversational Italian Marilene McCandless
For those who plan to travel abroad or simply to converse with Italian people. The course will teach basic Italian expressions commonly used including greetings, shopping, foods, driving abroad, money exchange, meeting people and at the hotel.

25 Italian Language and Culture Myriam Stangherlin
Taught by a native speaker, this class will take you on an Italian adventure. You'll explore sounds, vocabulary and grammar all the while immersed in Italy's beauty and culture. You'll bring home a recipe, a song, a movie clip, a poem, and always a good laugh.

26 Beginning French Conversation Susan Weir, Central High School
Parlez-vous français, or would you like to? Contextualized conversations with lots of vocabulary and pronunciation help in a French-only classroom will get you planning that trip to Paris!

27 T'ai Chi Ch'uan Scott Caulpetzer, Great River T'ai Chi Ch'uan
T'ai Chi Ch'uan is a system of Chinese Kung-fu. These slow motion, rounded, balanced movements are practiced by people of all ages around the world for self-defense and to achieve physical, mental and spiritual well being. Wear loose-fitting clothes for this moving meditation.

28 Yoga Jennifer Smith, registered yoga teacher
An introduction to yoga for all fitness levels. We will learn the basics of yoga postures, breathing and meditation. Join us to relieve stress, increase your energy and improve your flexibility, strength and balance.

29 Yoga and Life Balance: When East meets West Erin Phillips, St. Ambrose University
Finding the right balance in life roles can be difficult. Yoga practice offers us ways to create both physical and mental awareness. With a commitment to this discipline, you can integrate these methods into daily life. No experience necessary! Bring a yoga mat, comfy clothes, and an open mind.

30 "Oh, Georgia": O'Keeffe and Her Art Gloria Burlingame
Gain insight into the life and work of this famous artist. Each class will focus on a specific subject matter or type of painting. Draw from her inspirations-bones, flowers, New Mexico landscapes-to develop basic skills in graphite and oil pastel.

31 Laughter Yoga Taylor Pocopanni, Senior Star at Elmore Place
Would you like to bring more joy into your life? Would you like to exercise and have fun doing it? Then Laughter Yoga is for you! Laughter Yoga is a series of exercises consisting of breathing, clapping and laughing. It is a joyous way to exercise your body and invigorate your mind.

32 Songwriting for Everyone Chris Dunn
The raw materials of personal experience and other stories will be used to compose melodies and lyrics. We will use folk, blues, and the Beatles to investigate song structures and then create our own songs. No prior background in music required.


Arts and Humanities

33 The Art of the American Gravestone Minda Powers-Douglas, The Cemetery Club
Learn about the history and art of American gravestones dating back to the 17th Century, including symbolism, materials and cultural beliefs. From the early stones of New England to the Golden Era cemeteries and today's traditions, discover the stories our graveyards tell.

34 Irish Poetry Patrick Connelly, PhD, St. Ambrose University
Irish Poetry will be a survey of prominent Irish poets from the 1800s to the present including W.B. Yeats and Evan Boland.

35 Poetry Workshop Farah Marklevits, Augustana College
Welcome, poets of all levels! In this class, we'll learn together by looking carefully at poems-your own and those written by established and emerging poets. Join us as we celebrate words! Text: Best American Poetry 2010/Amy Gerstler & David Lehman/ISBN-10: 1439181454

36 Barbara Pym and Charlotte Bronte: Two Excellent Women
Ellen M. Tsagaris, PhD, Kaplan University Bronte was a profound influence on novelist Barbara Pym. We will explore this influence through discussing Jane Eyre, Excellent Women, Less Than Angels, Shirley, and other works by both authors.

37 Egyptology Brian Alm, Scott Community College
Hear the ancient Egyptians speak to us from the depths of time. We'll go back 5,000 years to explore the rich treasures of their mythology, thought, religion, art, and more. If you're new to Egyptology, this course will give you a good understanding of what may well be the most fascinating culture in history. For those who were in the course last year, we'll focus on some key topics in even greater depth.

38 Southern Gothic: An Introduction to Tennessee Williams and His Plays Jennifer Popple, PhD, Augustana College
This course will provide an introduction to Tennessee Williams, his dramatic style, and indelible characters. It will include an exploration of his three most famous plays-Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, A Streetcar Named Desire, and The Glass Menagerie-on the page and the silver screen.

39 Literature into Film David Crowe, PhD, Augustana College
This year we view Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey and Mansfield Park. In these novels, Austen combines her typical Cinderella stories with sharp insights into economic pressures, masculine power, feminine wiles, even moral issues such as abduction and slavery. Buy the Penguin classic edition if you want to read the books.

40 The Psychology of Film William Hampes, PhD, Black Hawk College
A psychological examination of the characters in three films who are coping with loss: "The Dead," involving a woman reminiscing about a lost love, "Shadowlands," concerning a man shaken by his wife's terminal illness; and "Rachel Getting Married," about a child's death affecting a family's relationships.

41 Alice's Adventures Underground Karin Youngberg, PhD, Augustana College
Using biography, cultural history, the psychology and philosophy of nonsense, recent films, and Salvador Dali illustrations, Alice in Wonderland will be read not as a nursery classic but as an adult fantasy exploring the chaos below the constructed surface of our rational world.


Regional Studies

42 It Happened in the Quad Cities Maryan Wherry, PhD, Black Hawk College
This course will focus on several past events-some longforgotten, some resurrected, some exaggerated-for the Quad Cities Area and explore their influence in shaping the area.

43 A College Turns 150 Kai Swanson, Augustana College
In preparing for Augustana's 150th anniversary, a wealth of history about the school and its people was unearthed. Join campus historians Sarah Horowitz and Kai Swanson for the story of one of our few local institutions founded before the Civil War and still going strong today.