CommUniversity Curriculum, 2008
You can register by downloading the PDF of the registration form. Please provide your name, address and course selection (first and second choice). Enclose a check for the $20.00 registration fee and any additional course charges. After January 3, brochures will be available through the St. Ambrose University Continuing Studies and Conference Center.
TEXTBOOKS are required for some courses. The book titles are listed with the course description. You can use a copy you already own, purchase a book from any source, or borrow a book from a library. In order for CommUniversity to purchase the book for you, the registration for the course and payment for the book need to be submitted before January 15. Books pre-ordered in this way may be picked up at the opening day ceremony.
Mail your registration form to: Quad Cities CommUniversity, Continuing Studies and Conference Center, St. Ambrose University, 1950 E. 54th Street, Davenport, Iowa 52807. Refunds are not generally considered except in the case of classes cancelled due to insufficient registrations.
MORE QUESTIONS? Call 441-9950.
Contents:
Theology and Church Life
Arts and Humanities
Personal Enrichment
Public Affairs
Regional Studies
2-Week Courses
if you would like to receive a brochure and registration form for this year's program, contact webauthor@communiversity.org.
If you would like to download the course information in pdf form click here1 Introduction to Islam F. Rachel Magdalene, Augustana College
This discussion of the history and theological differences between
Islam, Judaism and Christianity will help students understand the
historical, theological, philosophical and political issues that underlie
the Middle East situation and terrorist behaviors. It will also
assist the students in coming to see that terrorists constitute a very
small minority of Islam, which is fundamentally a religion of peace.
2 Religion and Coexistence in a Flat World Benita Moore, Marycrest International University (ret.)
Thomas Friedman’s best-seller, “The World is Flat,” has given a
name to the new era in global economics. The internet has made
previously remote places as close as our own desks. While this new
world scares some of us, it is also full of opportunity for global
culture and peace, and diffused prosperity. We will take a bird'seye-
view of this “flat world” and examine the role of religion in it.
3 Old Testament Prophets: Still Speaking Truth
to Power Kathy Bowman, Unitarian Church and
Rev. Ron Quay, Churches United
We will examine how to read the Old Testament prophets by looking
at what we know about them, the origin of the text, the historical/
political context, and the context of Israel’s religious traditions.
Emphasis will be on examining the prophetic rhetorical styles for
evidence of how they have echoed through the ages and how they
are still relevant to current political discourse.
4 Biblical Stories According to Kabbalistic
Philosophy & Jungian Thought Rabbi Michael Samuel, Tri-City Jewish Center
We will focus on many of the common themes found in the
mystical Jewish Kabbala and in archetypal Jungian psychology.
5 Soren Kierkegaard: Ethics of the Christian Self Anette Ejsing, Augustana College
We’ll discuss Kierkegaard's “Knight of Faith,” reading “Fear and
Trembling” together with biographical material on Kierkegaard and
explore questions together. Is there such a thing as Christian ethics?
What does it mean to develop Christian ethical selfhood?
Additional cost: $18 if book is purchased. “Fear and
Trembling/Repetition,” Princeton Press, ISBN 0691020264.
6 Meet G.K. Chesterton Jerry Schroeder, American Chesterton Society
He‘s hard to miss and nearly impossible to defeat in an argument.
We will acquaint ourselves with this giant, prolific English author
by studying “Orthodoxy,” Chesterton's brilliant defense of
Orthodox Christianity written 14 years before his conversion to the
Roman Catholic church. He is quoted everywhere. Learn why.
Additional cost: $12 if book is purchased.
“Orthodoxy,” Boomer Books, ISBN 9781600969805
7 The Real Jane Austen Book Club Ann Boaden and Laura Greene, Augustana College
Jane Austen: her name is synonymous with love and manners in
19th century English villages. Why do her novels fascinate the 21st
century reader? We’ll discuss four of her best loved works—“Sense
and Sensibility, ” “Pride and Prejudice,” “Emma,” and
“Persuasion”—with some attention to recent film adaptations.
Additional cost: $32 if books are purchased.
“Sense and Sensibility,” Penguin, ISBN 0141439661, “Pride and
Prejudice,” Penguin, ISBN 0141439513, “Emma,” Penguin, ISBN
0141439580, “Persuasion,” Penguin, ISBN 0141439688
8 Introduction to Fiction Writing Kelly Daniels, Augustana College
In this course, we’ll study and practice writing literary fiction. It is
intended to develop students’ understanding of formal techniques
and skill in the use of these techniques. Additional cost: $20 for
materials and supplies.
9 The Psychology of Film William Hampes, Black Hawk College
A psychological examination of the personalities, relationships and
development of the characters in three films involving sports: The
British film, “The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner,” “The
Hustler” starring Paul Newman, and “Million Dollar Baby” with
Clint Eastwood and Hillary Swank.
10 The Bridge to Katherine Paterson's Work Connie Heckert, Institute of Children’s Literature
Come explore the values of faith, family and friendship in
Katherine Paterson’s work. We’ll look at “The Bridge to Terabithia,”
her award-winning novel and movie, “The Great Gilly Hopkins”
and her latest novel “Bread and Roses, Too” which was set during
the 1912 Bread and Roses strike of mill workers in Lawrence, MA.
Additional cost: $25 if books are purchased.
“Katherine Paterson Treasury,” Harper, ISBN 0060009330
“Bread and Roses, Too,” Harper, ISBN 0618654798
11 The "Write" Stuff
Kate King, Midwest Writing Center
Week 1: How to get started, tips and tricks, research and resources.
Week 2: Complaints, viewpoints, congrats, thanks, invitations,
social correspondence.
Week 3: Eulogies, memoirs, roasts,
condolences, proposals.
Week 4: Blogs, eblasts, forwards… the pits
and plus of electronic technology.
12 Blues–More Than Music Karen McFarland, Mississippi Valley Blues Society Through lecture, listening, readings, films and discussions, we’ll examine the historical, sociological and musical influences that gave rise to America’s first true art form, the blues. We will explore the influence the blues—as culture as well as music—has had on 20th century American music and literature. Additional cost: $15 for materials and supplies.
13 …And All That Jazz Margaret Skinner, Professional Musician An approach to jazz, showing how it relates to classical music— how the two genres blend in their beauty, technique and emotions. Each session will focus on an outstanding musician who exemplifies both the classically trained and the autodidactic jazz musician.
14 Trifles on the Prairie: The Works of Susan
Glaspell and Laura Ingalls Wilder Ellen Tsagaris, Kaplan University
Each author has become an icon of American literature and women’s
studies. Glaspell approaches women living the agricultural life
from a psychological perspective that questions traditional values of
family life and justice, while Wilder takes a more pragmatic and
optimistic approach to the lives of women on farms. Both raise
issues critical to today’s women, not only those who live on farms,
but also those who work, raise families and lead independent lives.
15 Gentle Yoga Meg Bolich, yoga instructor
Designed for those of you wishing to remove yourselves from
stresses of the day. Relax your mind and body as you flow with
your breath toward a greater state of well being. Wear comfortable
clothes. Bring a mat, blanket or two and a water bottle.
16 The Shamanic Journey Kathleen Collins, shamanic teacher
Learn to meet up with your power animals and spiritual teachers to
gain wisdom for you, others and the planet. At least 30,000 years
old, this method of exploring “non ordinary reality” is one of the
most remarkable tools used by humankind to explore the hidden
universe. Drumming assists us in reaching this shamanic state of
consciousness to awaken spiritual abilities, including connections
with nature. Experiential and FUN!
17 T’ai Chi Members of Great River Tai Chi Ch’uan
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.
18 T-Shirt Memory Quilt Margaret Estes-Sylvester, Kaplan University
Many people have t-shirts that they can't bear to part with, yet don't
wear—using t-shirts to construct a memory quilt is a perfect way to
recycle! We’ll prepare t-shirts for construction, determine the best
layout, and add fillers as needed to construct the quilt top. Tips and
techniques for working with t-shirts, quilting/tying techniques to
complete the quilt, and binding the quilt will be demonstrated.
19 Calligraphy (A Practical Overview)
William Hannan, Black Hawk College (ret.)
Two basic calligraphic hands will be taught. All materials, copybooks
will be supplied. Please dress accordingly—ink will be used.
20 Fun With Photography Dino Milani, professional photographer
Capture your visions on camera. Through field trips and in-class
exercises, this class will explore landscape, sports and action, people,
night-time and night-sky, and macro (close-up) photography,
and deal primarily with camera techniques and less computer work.
Bring your own digital or traditional film camera. Additional cost:
$10 for materials and supplies.
21 This I Believe —Exploring Personal Philosophies Michael Hustedde, St. Ambrose University
Edward R. Murrow began the “This I Believe” Project in 1951, and
NPR continued it in 2005. “This I Believe” essays are written by
people from all walks of life. In this course, we’ll read a collection of
the essays and then write our own, which will be published locally.
A copy of the book will be given to each of the readers/writers in
the class.
22 Beyond the Caucuses: Campaign 2008, the
Media and Critical Citizenship Steve Klien, Augustana College
In this course we will explore the 2008 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, advertisements, debates and news coverage.
23 Immigration: Facts, Fictions, Feelings Tamara Felden, University of Chicago
The recent failed attempt by the U.S. Congress to arrive at the
hoped-for comprehensive immigration reform sheds light on the
many controversial elements of immigration. This course will
provide information on how legal immigration works, both for
those who come here temporarily and for those who take the legal
steps to stay permanently, and will shed some light on illegal
immigration and consider why the issue is emotional for so many.
24 Human Rights in the 21st Century Charles McKinley, St. Ambrose University
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created
equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable
Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of
Happiness.” These are some of the most well-known and most
important words in American political discourse. We’ll survey
17–19th century thinkers, with attention paid to the intellectual
traditions of Britain and France. The goal is to give the students a
deeper understanding of human rights.
25 The Founding Fathers: Not As In Your College
History Class Bob Miller, Marycrest College (ret.)
Washington as military strategist: 3 wins, 6 losses. Franklin as
diplomat: independence confirmed. Adams and Jefferson as constitutional
interpreters: federal union vs. American nation. Hamilton's
finest hour: Poughkeepsie.
26 Wizard War: Eisenhower vs. Iron Curtain Donald Welzenbach, CIA (ret.)
Beginning with the UK exploitation of the Nazi ENIGMA device
and the joint UK/US development of microwave radar, we’ll also
review the closing of East Europe in 1946, the 1950–53 Korean War,
and early attempts to see behind the Iron Curtain. The development
of the subsonic U-2 aircraft and supersonic A-12/SR-71 planes and
development, testing, and deployment of the first photo-satellite
known as Project CORONA will also be discussed.
27 Davenport & LeClaire: Partners in Town Building
Regena Schantz, independent scholar
In this course we will examine the two primary founders of
Davenport, to see how their strong personalities and personal
ambitions worked together promoting both individual and joint
business interests.
28 Expanding Rock Island, 1860–1900 Maryan Wherry, Black Hawk College
The second half of the 19th century witnessed the expansion of
Rock Island from raucous river town to military, commercial and
industrial center in the Tri Cities area. This class continues the
exploration of Rock Island city, county and island.
2-WEEK CLASS MEETS FEB. 3, 10
29 Civil Rights History in Davenport: 1949–1974 Arthur Pitz, Augustana College and St. Ambrose University
Fascinating characters in a compelling plot taking Davenport from
de facto segregation to a place where the American dream could
surface. But, this wasn’t fiction; there was a civil rights movement
here before Brown vs. The Board of Education of Topeka was settled
by the Supreme Court. Come and learn about this story.
30 Photo Organization and Preservation Heather McCarty, Creative Memories Consultant
Do you have hundreds or thousands of photos in boxes? Let’s get
them sorted, organized and in safe storage. (Bring 200–300 5x7 or
smaller photos). Additional cost: $15 for materials and supplies.
2-WEEK CLASS MEETS FEB. 17, 24
31 Creating A Meaningful Life Bruce LeBlanc, Black Hawk College
Through the reading of “Finding Flow” and a set of exploratory
exercises, students will explore, reflect on, and embrace the process
of creating a more meaningful personal or professional life.
Additional cost $15 if book is purchased.
“Finding Flow,” Basic Books, ISBN 0465024114
32 Album-Making 101 Heather McCarty, Creative Memories Consultant
Have you always wanted to scrapbook? Learn basic decorative
techniques and leave with a completed 7x7 brag book using the best
quality products meeting ISO standards. (Bring 25 4x6 or smaller
photos). Additional cost: $15 for materials and supplies.
Join your fellow classmates, presenters and the CommUniversity
board for light refreshment and great conversation immediately