CommUniversity Curriculum, 2012
You can register by filling out the registration form. Please provide your name, address and course selection (first and second choice). Enclose a check for the $35 registration fee for four-week courses plus any additional fees for supplies indicated in the course description. Hard copies of the CommUniversity brochure are available upon request by contacting us at: 309-794-8900.
TEXTBOOKS may be required for some courses. Students are responsible for acquiring their own books from their local libraries, bookstores, or the internet.
Mail your registration form to: Quad Cities CommUniversity, c/o Entrepreneurial Center, Augustana College, 639-38th Street, Rock Island, IL 61201. Refunds are not generally considered except in the case of classes cancelled due to insufficient registrations. If you include an email address on your registration form, you will be notified confirming your registration.
If you would like to receive a hard copy of our brochure and registration form for this year's program, contact katiehanson@augustana.edu.
If you would like to download the course information in pdf form click here or you may see all of the information below.
Courses being offered February 2012
Theology and Church Life
1 Reading the Gospel of Matthew
Rev. Matthew J. Marohl, PhD, St. Paul Lutheran, Davenport
From the opening verses through the last, the author of the Gospel of Matthew presents a unifying theme: From Expected Death Comes Unexpected New Life. You will never read this important biblical book in the same way again! note: Unexpected New Life: Reading the Gospel of Matthew by Matthew J. Marohl will be the text for the class.
2 Islam and Muhammad: An Introduction
Cyrus Zargar, PhD, Augustana College
This class introduces 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. Close readings of the Qur’an will form an important part of our learning.
3 Soul Mates: Jewish Understandings of the Soul and Its Afterlife
Rabbi Tamar Grimm, Tri-City Jewish Center
One of the Jewish prayers describes G-d as our soul-mate. We also talk about humans being created in the image of G-d. In this course we will explore the relationship between the body and the soul and the soul and G-d. We will also explore Jewish beliefs on what happens to the soul after we die.
4 Celtic Spirituality: Applying an Ancient Spirituality in a Modern Setting
Pat Shea, PhD, Augustana College
Participants will explore the spirituality of the ancient Celts and how the Celtic understanding of the sacred can be lived in our everyday, modern lives. This course will be participative, including guided meditations based on Celtic themes.
5 The Shamanic Journey
Rev. Kathleen Collins
Learn a 40,000-year-old method for connecting with your own direct revelation through your power animal and your spiritual teachers! Become empowered, gain confidence and get reconnected to your joy and life purpose. Bring an eye cover, blanket and paper, pencil and open heart.
Public Affairs
6 Social & Political Resistance: An Exploration
Michael Hustedde, PhD, St. Ambrose University and the German- American Heritage Center
This team-taught course will explore resistance movements in the past and present through readings, films and music. A visit to the German American Heritage Center’s traveling exhibit on the White Rose will take place on one Sunday.
7 Beyond the Caucuses: Campaign 2012, the Media, and Critical Citizenship
Stephen Klien, PhD, Augustana College
We will explore the emerging 2012 presidential campaign from the perspective of political communication--the use of mass media and persuasive rhetoric to influence the public opinion of citizens. We will examine how to be a critical citizen when consuming candidate speeches, ads, debates and news.
8 Race, Wealth and Inequality in American Politics
Christopher Whitt, PhD, Augustana College
Arguably, race, wealth and inequality are the root of many problems or questions in American politics. This course seeks to investigate some of the central causes and impacts of these factors as they relate to American politics and public policy. We will look into the roots of the racial wealth gap.
Arts & Humanities
9 “Who’s There?”: the Questions of Hamlet
Karin Youngberg, PhD, Augustana College
The course will examine the complex and problematic questions raised by Shakespeare’s most famous play against a background of Early Modern ideas about the ghosts, revenge, melancholy, selfhood and death. We will also watch film clips of famous Hamlets like Laurence Olivier, Derek Jacobi, Kenneth Branaugh and David Tennant.
10 Britten’s War Requiem: Music with History, Poetry and more
Jon Hurty, DMA; David Crowe, PhD; David Ellis, PhD; and Rev. Richard Priggie, Augustana College
Four Augustana faculty will help you enjoy the Quad City Symphony Orchestra’s March performance of Britten’s War Requiem. Dr. Jon Hurty will teach about musical dimensions, Pastor Richard Priggie on the requiem mass, Dr. David Crowe on the war poetry Britten selected, and Dr. David Ellis on the history of the bombing of the Coventry Cathedral.
11 Reading Green: American Nature Writing
Sarah Gardner, Radish magazine editor
In this course we will read excerpts from a wide range of American nature writing, from Henry David Thoreau to Annie Dillard, and discuss the selections in the context of our own nature experiences.
12 The American Film Noir: Femme Fatales and the Loser Heroes Who Loved Them
Sandra Quinn, PhD, St. Ambrose University
This course examines the film noirs, looking at how they problematize traditional gender relations, sometimes crossing boundaries and taboos, painting a rather bleak picture of American life during and after World War II.
13 Ancient Egyptian Religion
Brian Alm, Scott Community College
Every aspect of ancient Egyptian culture was rooted in religion. It was so central to the lives of the people that they didn’t even have a word for “religion” in their language. As we explore the 3,000 years of Egyptian history, we will focus on the art, architecture and literature that empowered their religious thought and practice.
14 The Psychology of Film
William Hampes, PhD, Black Hawk College
The course is an analysis of the personalities, motivations and relationships in three films that involve food and drink: Babette’s Feast, about a superb French chef in Denmark; Big Night, concerning two brothers operating an Italian restaurant; and Sideways, about two friends on a wine tour.
15 Arthur Miller on Page and Stage: Peeling Back the Layers of Americana
Jennifer Popple, PhD, Augustana College
This class will focus on Arthur Miller, one of the three playwriting giants of the mid-20th century in America. The class will talk about his life and struggles as a part of his best dramatic works--including Death of a Salesman, My Three Sons, and The Crucible--on the page, stage and silver screen.
16 Brown v. Board—Midwestern Narratives and Experiences of Court-Mandated School Desegregation
Vincent Briley, Scott Community College
The jubilee anniversary of Brown vs. Topeka Board of Education 1954 was observed by a variety of academic disciplines such as law, education, public policy and history seeking to interrogate the impact of this landmark decision. This course will focus on Midwestern narratives and perspectives of this landmark court case.
17 Frida Ole: Kahlo’s Life and Art
Gloria Burlingame
Explore the life of this fascinating woman artist and examine some of her famous paintings. Inspired by her subject matter, experiment with your own creativity using pastels, graphite and watercolor. (A $5 materials fee is to be paid to the instructor at the first class.)
18 Shakespeare as Splatterpunk: Understanding Titus Andronicus
John Turner, Scott Community College
A raped and mutilated daughter, carrying her father’s severed hand between her teeth? This is not Masterpiece Theater! Shakespeare’s goriest, most politically incorrect, and first really successful play, soon to be produced in the Quad Cities, deserves explanation and respect. Some guest lecturers and we’ll watch Titus.
19 A Skeptical Inquiry into Militant Atheism
Stephen Robinson
This course will subject the claims and arguments of militant atheism to the same critical revue as it has directed at the traditional religions. It will examine the works of Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett and Christopher Hitchens solely on their internal merits, or lack of them.
20 Bringing in the Outside: Finding Poetic Sources
Ryan Collins
In this course, we will practice techniques which can help us get out of our own heads and more into the world around us to find the language, ideas and inspiration to generate new poems which we will discuss and develop in the constructive atmosphere of a creative writing workshop.
21 Art of the American Gravestone
Minda Powers-Douglas, Epitaphs Magazine editor
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.
22 Iranian Culture, Traditions and Language--
CANCELLED
23 Myth, Music and Symbol
Randall Hall, DMA, Augustana College
Drawing on the work of Joseph Campbell and other thinkers, we will use myth as a framework to understand the profound reaction we have to music. Myth symbolically addresses questions of the human condition. In the modern world these symbols have become embodied in music and other arts.
Personal Enrichment
24 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.
25 Book Binding
Bill Hannan, Black Hawk College, retired
A hands-on class where you will make a number of books using techniques which are simple and repeatable at home with simple materials. All materials are supplied at no cost to the participants.
26 Beginning Conversational French
Susan Weir, Central High School, Davenport
“Parlez-vous francais?”--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 Basic Spanish
Jay Thornton, Muscatine Community College
This course assumes no previous knowledge of Spanish. The course will teach some greetings, basic questions, basic counting, days of the week, some Spanish conversational expressions, etc. There will be games and activities to put fun into learning this fascinating and useful foreign language.
28 Beginning Quilting
Stephanie DePasquale-Soebbing, Community Education Chair of Mississippi Valley Quilters Guild
Learn how to quilt by making a spring flower table runner. Participants will learn basic piecing, machine applique and free motion quilting. Students need a sewing machine, neutral cotton thread, a rotary cutter and cutting mat, fabric and batting. Fabric kits are also available for purchase.
29 Songwriting For Everyone
Chris Dunn, songwriter, guitar teacher
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.
30 Yoga
Jennifer Smith, St. Ambrose University
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.
31 Digital Photo Albums
Heather McCarty, Creative Memories Director
Are you ready to do something with the thousands of photos on your computer? This class will teach you how to make a professional digital album with your photos as the subject matter. Basic editing and layout design will be discussed. Personal laptop required, material fee $10.
32 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.
33 Laughter Yoga
Taylor Pocopanni, Certified Laughter Yoga instructor, Senior Star at Elmore Place
Would you like to bring more joy into your life? Discover the joys of laughing for no reason with this fun, interactive course. Each class will feature insight into a unique component of Laughter Yoga, followed by a complete Laughter Yoga session. Please wear comfortable clothing.
34 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.
35 Beginning Knitting
Belinda Holbrook and Heidi Herman
A beginning/advanced-beginning knitting course for new knitters or those who have put down their needles for awhile. Instructors will teach casting on and a few stitches to get students started on basic projects such as scarves and afghans with patterns supplied by the instructors. Students should bring a set of straight knitting needles, size 9, 10, 10 1/2 or 11. Yarn will be supplied for the first class. Additional supplies will be necessary as projects are selected by students.
36 Digital Photography
Matt Wince, Silver Oaks Communications, Wince Photographic
An introductory course in the study of photography with emphasis on the DSLR camera. Exposure, metering, focus, depth of field, lenses, basic lighting, design elements and composition are explored. Basic principles of digital photographic capture
Italian Language & Culture
Myriam Stangherlin
Are you traveling to Italy? Do you want to cook Italian food? Do you have relatives in Italy you want to talk to? Or do you simply like the sounds of “la bella lingua?” Join us! We’ll explore pronunciation, vocabulary and basic grammar--all the while immersed in Italy’s beauty and culture. Class taught by a native speaker.
38 Ballroom Dance
Dennis and Sandy Scheckel, Scheckel and Co. Dance
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 swing and cha-cha steps allow you to enjoy today’s popular music as well as big band. note: This class is for couples for the $35 fee/couple. It will run two weeks only--February 19, 26.
39 Brass Revival
Samantha Keehn, DMA, Augustana College
Did you play a brass instrument in middle school? Ever wonder if you still could? This class will take you from the basics to playing tunes! Beginners are welcome. All you need is a functioning instrument which you can borrow from someone, rent or buy. (Check out the p-bone--a lightweight, plastic trombone that sounds great for a low price.)
40 Feel-Good Parenting
Jane Kettering, St. Ambrose University
Pick up some new tools for your parenting toolbox, no matter the age of your child. Topics include creating rules and consequences, increasing “good” behavior, having great conversations with your children--and getting the most pleasure out of parenting.
Regional Studies
41 More Quad Cities Herstories
MaryAn Wherry, PhD, Black Hawk College
Just as there were fascinating men in the development of the Rock Island, Davenport and Moline, so too were there an equal number of fascinating women. This class is an opportunity to look at Quad Cities history through the accomplishments of local women--some ordinary, some extraordinary.
42 Forgotten Founders of the Quad Cities
Ann Boaden, PhD, Augustana College; Kris Cawley, Rock Island Public Library; Gayle Rein, teacher and author; Alexandra Benedict, Rock Island historian You’ve heard the names John Deere and George Davenport. But what about Joshua Vandruff, David B. Sears, “L” or Netta Anderson? These “Forgotten Founders” shaped our community with their vision and energy, but are little known today. Take a walk through the history of Rock Island County with these pioneers.
MORE QUESTIONS? Call 309-794-8900.