Humanities

SPRING 2012

New
The New Testament: Who Really Wrote the Gospels?      Fee: $64   
The Apostle Mark wrote to protest Christian persecution by the Romans, but who was “Mark?”  The Apostle Matthew addressed the anger of the Jews, but was he really a “tax collector?”  The Apostle Luke wanted to convey the healing presence of Jesus, but who was this “doctor” named Luke? And the Apostle John was an outsider trying to become one of the “regulars,” but who was this writer? Why did the early church choose these four gospels, omitting many others?  Jim Dunlap, M. Div., explores these questions and more.
HUM E02-71, OC/SK, 6 Thu., 1/19-2/23, 1-2:30 pm    CRN 41417

New
The Adventures of Saul Bellow    Fee: $56
Chicago’s Saul Bellow, Nobel Prize winning novelist, elicited strong emotions - positive and negative - from his readers. Richard Reeder, self-styled literary junkie, explores Bellow’s short stories, examining parallels between the author’s life and his fictional works. 
HUM E39-71, OC/SK, 4 Thu., 1/12-2/2, 10-11:30 am    CRN 41418

New
Defiance: A Rare Story from World War II    Fee: $96
While the Nazis created ghettos in Poland and began exterminating Eastern European Jews, the four Bielski brothers built a community of refugees in the nearby forests.  They ultimately saved the lives of more than 1,230 people. Using Nechama Tec’s book Defiance as a guide, Les Paul, Great Books discussion leader, charts the history of this safe haven, its class conflicts and tensions, and the ultimate fate of the Bielskis, who have been all but forgotten.
HUM E80-71, OC/SK, 6 Tue., 1/24-2/28, 10:30 am-12 pm    CRN 40638
 

New
The Old Testament: A Treasury of Stories    Fee: $128
The Hebrew Scriptures are packed with stories—some well-known, others less so. Whether they are inspiring, troubling, or puzzling, these stories are a sacred part of our cultural heritage.  Explore this neglected treasure with Marianka Fousek, Th.D., Harvard.
HUM B20-71, OC/SK, 8 Thu., 1/26-3/15, 10 am-12 pm    CRN 40459

Six Plays    Fee: $84
Read six of the hottest plays to hit the stages of Chicago and New York. Join theater aficionado Karol Verson for a lively debate on the aesthetic and sociopolitical values of each production.
EGL E98-71, OC/SK, 6 Thu., 2/23-3/29, 1-3 pm    CRN 40237

New
Comparative Mythology for Adults    Fee: $114
Many societies have used myth to interpret the world and their place in it. Les Paul, Great Books discussion leader, explores myths from the ancient Near East, Greece, Rome, Northern Europe, Asia, and Africa—as well as the modern world. Topics include the nature and sources of myth, similar myths in different cultures, and how people have used myth to understand their lives.
HUM E70-71, OC/SK, 8 Tue., 3/6-4/24, 10:30 am-12 pm    CRN 40639

New
Shadows of Understanding:
The Holocaust in Performance    Fee: $100
The Holocaust has seared itself into world culture through films, plays, and other performances. David Chack, theater producer, curator, and educator, explores this phenomenon, which asks audiences confront new meanings and question old truths about the Holocaust.  Screenings may include The Garden of the Finzi-Continis, Amen, Incident at Vichy, Who Will Carry the Word, Aimee and Jaguar, Jacob the Liar, A Film Unfinished, and God On Trial. No class on 4/4.
HUM E22-71, OC/SK, 6 Wed., 3/7-4/18, 10 am-12:30 pm    CRN 41419

Jewish Wry Meets American Melting Pot II    Fee: $100
David Chack, president of the Association for Jewish Theater, examines the impact of the American-Jewish experience on American musical theatre, film, drama, music, and humor. Discussion will include a wide range of performances and performers – including Bob Dylan, Leonard Bernstein, the Marx Brothers, and Woody Allen. No class on 4/4.
HUM E52-71, OC/SK, 6 Wed., 3/7-4/18, 2-3:30 pm      CRN 40365

New
A Realistic Look at American Indians through Film     Fee: $80
“There is no ‘Indian-free’ American history.  It’s just taught that way.” So said Scott Stevens, director of the D’Arcy McNickle Center for American Indian History at Chicago’s Newberry Library. But the 2009 series We Shall Remain does tell stories of American history from an American Indian point of view. Barbara Johnson, American Indians historian, explores this five-part film. Topics include the pilgrims and the Mayflower, Tecumseh’s vision, the Great Lakes Indians, the Cherokee Trail of Tears, Geronimo and the American Southwest, and events at Wounded Knee, South Dakota.
HUM S75-71, OC/SK, 5 Wed., 4/18-5/16, 12:30-3:30 pm      CRN 41426

 
The New Yorker    Fee: $84
Since its debut in February 1925, The New Yorker has engaged readers with its sophisticated blend of short fiction, reviews, poetry, essays, cartoons, in-depth features, and profiles. Join a peer-led group coordinated by Chris Baum, Emeritus instructor, for stimulating weekly discussions. A spring 2012 New Yorker subscription is required. No class on 2/20.
HUM E93-71, OC/SK, 7 Mon., 1/30-3/19, 9:30-11:30 am     CRN40234
HUM E93-72, OC/SK, 7 Mon., 3/26-5/7, 9:30-11:30 am     CRN 40235

Mysterious Travel X    Fee: $150
When asked what kind of people read mysteries, prominent British mystery writer P.D. James replied that she thought they were intelligent people who wanted to believe there was some order in the world. Join Emeritus favorite Lynn Baumhardt to explore the popularity of the mystery novel and the use of fiction to better understand other cultures. Some reading is required.
HUM B29-71, OC/SK, 8 Fri., 3/23-5/11, 11 am-12:30 pm    CRN 40236

New
The Key to Shylock    Fee: $70
Shylock the Jew features prominently in The Merchant of Venice, and is one of Shakespeare’s most enigmatic characters. Tricia Kessie, educator, explores different adaptations of this classic play, incorporating clips from several productions, including the recent Broadway staging starring Al Pacino. The class also reviews James Shapiro’s book, Shakespeare and the Jews. The class will meet from 3-5 pm on the last day.
HUM E15-71, OC/SK, 5 Tue., 4/10-5/8, 3-4:30 pm     CRN 40641

Four Plays    Fee: $60
Read four of the hottest plays to hit the stages of Chicago and New York in 2011 and 2012. Join Emeritus favorite and theater aficionado Karol Verson for a lively debate on the aesthetic and sociopolitical values of each play.
EGL E96-71, OC/SK, 4 Thu., 4/5-4/26, 1-3 pm    CRN 40366

New
Kinship and Creativity: The Ephron Sisters    Fee: $48
Enjoy the wit and humor of the brilliant Ephron sisters: Nora, Delia, Amy, and Hallie. From novels and mysteries to plays, essays, and films, these four women—daughters of noted screenwriters Henry and Phoebe Ephron—have conquered most literary forms. Nora is best known for When Harry Met Sally and Sleepless in Seattle, Delia is the voice behind Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants—and the two collaborated on You’ve Got Mail. Beverly Friend, Ph.D., examines each of these talented women, discussing their writing and viewing clips from some of their best film moments.
HUM C62-71, OC/SK, 3 Wed., 4/18-5/2, 10-11:30 am    CRN 40642

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