CommUniversity Curriculum, 2007
Contents:
Theology and Church Life
Arts and Humanities
Personal Enrichment
Public Affairs
Regional Studies
1 Understanding Islam
This course will cover the origins of Islam, its history, theology, and political dynamics. We will also cover the relationships between Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Bring your questions!
Dr. F. Rachel Magdalene, Augustana College
2 Women and Christianity
This is an opportunity to reflect on Christianity from the perspective of women’s experience. We will look for feminine images of God in Scripture, “step into the shoes” of women who knew Jesus, and explore the roles of women in the church over time.
Rev. Lynne Carver, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church
3 God, Angels and Demons
We’ll explore the research showing the "giants" of Genesis as the “gods” of mythology and how they were worshiped at pyramids worldwide.
Rev. Richard Sorrentino
4 Birth and Rebirth Through Genesis: A Living Conversation of the Generations
Rabbinic and Christian thinkers have interacted with the text of Genesis since the early roots of the synagogue and church. A Book of Beginnings: The Story You Haven't Heard Before; The “Fall” vs. The “Awakening”; Cain and Abel Story: A Metaphor for Western Civilization; The Story of Noah and Babel. Additional cost: $12.
Rabbi Michael Samuel, Tri-City Jewish Center
5 Genocide Today
It seems that the 20th century has witnessed more genocides than any other time in history. In this class we will ask ourselves the hardest questions about genocide and dark political government. We will learn about genocide through the eyes of the victims, the murderers and the arts.
Nir Zernyak, Jewish Federation of the Quad Cities
Arts and Humanities
6 Blues More Than Music
Beginning with African roots and moving through the 20th century, where the form and content of blues music is reflected in modern American literature, we'll trace the history, musicology, and sociology of blues culture. Handouts, films, possible performances in addition to discussion of texts. Required text: Blues People $13, ISBN: 068818474X
Dr. Karen McFarland, Scott Community College (ret.)
7 Can Great Books Be Bad For You?
What are the Great Books, who decides, and what are the ethical issues surrounding them? We’ll consider works such as The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Lolita, Sophie’s Choice, and The Things They Carried, and how to approach great works where authors can be considered racist, perverse, exploitive and less than forthright.
Dr. Jan Keessen, Augustana College
8 The Psychology of Film
A psychological examination of the personalities, relationships, development, etc., of the characters in three classic films: The Treasure of the Sierra Madre, starring Humphrey Bogart, All About Eve, starring Bette Davis, and The Hustler, starring Paul Newman.
Dr. William Hampes, Black Hawk College
9 The Docu-Drama: Melding Fact and Fake
Touching the Void and American Splendor are wildly different in subject—a disastrous mountain climb and a sour comic-book artist. Yet by blending documentary and fiction, these films achieve stunning immediacy and intimacy. The class explores how this hybrid is more effective than conventional approaches to telling true stories.
Jeff Ignatius, River Cities’ Reader
10 Literature Into Film
Spending about half of class time watching films and half discussing them, we explore films as literary adaptations rather than cinematic artworks. Reading the novels is encouraged, but optional. This year’s literature: Nick Hornby’s About a Boy (novel 1998; film 2002) and Richard Russo’s Nobody’s Fool (Novel 1993; film 1994).
Dr. David Crowe, Augustana College
11 Exploring Music
Through recordings and live performances we will consider what is music, how it affects your life, your mental health and how it relates to the visual arts. Finally, we’ll consider its use for pure pleasure.
Margaret Skinner, professional musician
12 Cemetery Art
In this course you’ll learn about the art and history of cemeteries and the symbolism of gravestone carvings. Topics will include cemetery history, genealogy, art and culture. Ms. Powers-Douglas is the author of the book “Cemetery Walk.”
Minda Powers-Douglas, Epitaphs Magazine
Personal Enrichment
13 Preserving Your Family History
Overwhelmed by piles and boxes of photographs? Is it time to preserve your family history? This class will walk you through the album-making process referred to as scrapbooking. You will learn easy and quick techniques to tell your family stories and complete albums. Bring fifty photographs. Additional cost: $15.
Heather McCarty, independent consultant
14 Reflections: Using Writing to Transform Experience Into Insight
Writing about our experiences can improve and enrich our understanding of them. In this class, we will use various writing strategies to dig up and untangle our memories. As we work to put words on the page, we will discover new connections and meanings in our life stories.
Katie Hanson, Augustana College
15 Artists’ Books for Beginners
Explore the basics of constructing artists’ books including flutter books, pop-up books, simple stitched bindings, and glued structures. Content is developed by employing simple printmaking techniques and spontaneous exploration of folding and cutting paper. (Designed for beginners, but all levels of experience welcome.)
Kathryn Anderson, St. Ambrose University
16 Core Shamanism
Core shamanism is the universal method of the shaman to enter ‘nonordinary reality’ for the purpose of problem solving and healing. The shamanic journey is one of the most remarkable visionary methods used to explore the universe of myth, dream. Meet your power animal. Learn how to find joy again!
Kathleen Collins
17 Five Books in Four Weeks
Using simple materials, the class will make five books using easy methods from scratch. All materials will be supplied.
William Hannan, Black Hawk College (retired)
18 Beginning Knitting
Learn to knit, pearl, cast on and bind off with very basic and easy-to-finish projects. Bring to first class one 5 oz. ball of kitchen cotton (dish cloth) in color of your choice and a pair of size 7 needles.
Sandra Frericks
19 Tai Chi
Tai Chi Ch’uan is a system of Chinese Kung-fu. These slow motion, rounded, balanced movements are being practiced by people of all ages around the world to achieve physical, mental, and spiritual well being as well as for self defense. Wear loose-fitting clothes for this moving meditation.
Scott Caulpetzer, Great River Tai Chi Ch’uan
20 The Art of Digital Photography
Taken a previous digital photography course? Ready for more than the basics? Then this is the course for you. Learn about digital editing raw files, filters, large formats, zoom and macro. Saturday field trips and classroom handouts included. Art and astrophotography techniques, time permitting. Additional cost: $20
Dino Milani
21 Gentle Yoga
Designed for those wishing to relax from the many stresses of our daily lives and bring their bodies to a state of greater well being. Be immersed in a series of stretches and yogic poses in a gentle fashion. Much breathwork will be included throughout the series.
Meg Bolich
22 Native American Beading
We will explore the patterns and colors of Native American bead work and make several projects on looms including bracelets, belts, headbands and other jewelry. Additional cost: $30
Carolyn Krueger, Augustana College, senior art major
Public Affairs
23 An At-Odds Couple: Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson
A warrior and a priest? Our 26th and 27th presidents—both Nobel Peace Prize winners and highly regarded by scholars of the presidency—collided massively in the 1912 election. The issues: how to assure justice and progress in a mature industrial society and the role of the US in the international community.
Bob Miller, Marycrest College (ret.)
24 American Intelligence from Roosevelt to Bush
Knowing President Roosevelt’s quest for reliable intelligence, we’ll examine the work of the Office of Strategic Services, the post-war debate leading to the establishment of the CIA, its role in the Cold War, its disarray after the collapse of the Soviet Union, and its problems leading to the Iraq War.
Donald Welzenbach, retired CIA historian
25 Brazilian Popular and Political Culture
This course is intended to fill in the huge void of knowledge about Brazil by examining the country’s popular culture, with a special emphasis on Carnaval, religion (Catholic, Protestant, and Afro-Brazilian) and soccer. The course will also discuss the current period of democracy under President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
Dr. Mariano Magalhaes, Augustana College
26 Surviving Cross-Cultural Encounters
An introduction to the basic components of culture and the possible factors that often lead to cultural misunderstandings, this course will help develop skills to analyze and understand your own culture and cultures different from your own in this era of increased cultural contact and interaction.
Dr. Mwenda Ntarangwi, Augustana College
27 Dead Men Talking: The Politics of the Death Penalty & Popular Culture
The course will explore the history of capital punishment in the United States, emphasizing how the death penalty exploits and is exploited by politics and popular culture. Subtopics include politics of state killing, religious and ethical values, perpetrator profiling, victimology, Illinois death penalty moratorium, gender/race of victim and perpetrator, as well as artistic and literary themes.
Dr. Ellen Tsagaris, Kaplan University
28 Challenges to Citizenship in the 21st Century
Engaged citizenship contributes to the strength and stability of American society. Political commentators have raised concerns over declining “social capital” (community, civic, and political involvement). Is citizenship in decline? What are the implications? Is technology a “virus” that threatens social capital? What will citizenship look like in the 21st century?
Dr. William Parsons, St. Ambrose University
Regional Studies
29 Iowa: From Wilderness to Statehood
Between 1833 and 1846, the land of the Ioways attracted vast numbers of immigrants with great visions for this country. We will examine what this land offered to investors and speculators, farmers and merchants, and how they shaped Iowa in the territorial period.
Regena Schantz
30 Settling Rock Island, 1750–1857
The early settlement of Rock Island (county and city) transformed wilderness to urban center. From the migration of the Sauk Indians to the establishment of a US military reserve, the peopling of Rock Island is a fascinating tale of events and personalities, common and notorious.
Dr. Maryan Wherry, Black Hawk College
31 The Orphan Train
A historical look into the phenomena of the “Orphan Train” and how children from New York City in the 1850s were transported to various places in the Midwest to start a new life. The Quad Cities were “home” to some of the Orphan Train riders.
Karen Holleran, Kaplan University
2-Week Class meets Feb. 4, 11
32 Examples of Leadership: Abraham Lincoln
Learn about the principles of leadership as practiced by Abraham Lincoln and look at how Lincoln developed and employed those skills. Specific examples will be given, including his role in the defense of the first railroad bridge across the Mississippi River here in the Quad Cities.
Dr. Arthur Pitz, Augustana College, Black Hawk College,
St. Ambrose University adjunct professor
33 Healthcare Decisions: Who Will Make Yours?
Effective healthcare decision-making should include reflection on personal goals and values, choice of a decision maker and discussion of personal wishes with loved ones prior to a crisis occurring. This class will provide assistance with these things and discuss types of written advance directives.
Lynn Batcher, Trinity Medical Center
Linda Stewart, Genesis Medical Center
34 A Taste of Ballroom Dancing
You’ve seen the dances on tv and in the movies. Now is your chance to give it a whirl! Join us for two afternoons of instruction learning the basics of two always-popular dances: swing, a lively, fun dance, American style; and rumba, a soft Latin romantic dance.
Jackie Hall, Black Hawk College
2-Week Class meets Feb. 18, 25
35 The Road to Being There: Pilgrimage and Religious Tourism
Pilgrimage has a long history across religious traditions. Advances in transportation which enhance speed, ease and affordability of travel have resulted in a redefinition of the pilgrimage experience plus the creation of the “religious tourist.” Examine how this happens and what it means for the religious community and society.
Dr. William Swatos, Jr., Augustana College, Baylor Univ. (ret.)
36 Tender Minds: Children’s Literature as Social Criticism
Despite its ostensible simplicity, children’s literature has profoundly influenced cultural attitudes, social structures, and literary traditions throughout the ages, This class invites you to a (re)-encounter with the sometimes familiar, sometimes disconcerting, but always provocative world of children’s literature. Additional cost: $5.
Meg Gillette, Augustana College