The 2010-2011 Cornell College Chautauqua Program is now open for registration. The program is open to anyone seeking enrichment through lectures, films, music, and other means of enlightenment.
A new subject is introduced every term with the sessions meeting on Mondays from 9 a.m. to noon in Hedges Conference Room in The Commons. The cost for each four-week program is $30 with a request for pre-registration on the Wednesday prior to the beginning of each course. Lunch is available in Student Dining for $6.00 per person.
The schedule is as follows:
Block 2: September 27, October 4, 11, and 18
The Cattle Kingdom 1866-1900
Richard Peters, M.A., Professor Emeritus, Education
Nothing symbolizes the “Old West” more accurately than the cattle business and the men and women who worked the day-to-day chores of keeping and moving the herds. We will study the geography of the high plains, the magnificent drives northward, the economics of the cattle business, the towns and railroads created by the cattle, the life of the cowboy, and, of course, the weather and its impact on this exciting enterprise. Special emphasis will be placed on Charles Goodnight, Oliver Loving, and the Niedringhaus brothers. The late professor Ed Rogers was a relative of Charles Goodnight, so we will dedicate this Chautauqua to him. Millions of cattle and thousands of people will be our concern.
Please register by: September 22
Block 3: October 25, November 1, 8 and 15
The Problem of Human Suffering in the Book of Job
Joseph Molleur, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Religion
This Chautauqua will provide attendees the opportunity to participate in an in-depth study of one of the Bible’s most fascinating and perplexing texts, the Book of Job. Of all the biblical books, none probes the problem of human suffering – especially undeserved suffering – more deeply than Job. And yet, most Jews and Christians have (at best) only a superficial knowledge of the contents of this book. A good deal of our class time will be spent reading aloud and discussing key passages of Job; therefore, participants should bring a Bible with them to all class sessions. The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) will be used, but other versions of the Bible are welcome.
Please register by: October 20
Block 4:
No program
Block 5:
No program
Block 6:
No program
Block 7: February 28, March 7, 14, and 21
Photography is Both a Mirror and Maker of Our Culture
Sandra Dyas, M.F.A., Visiting Faculty, Art
This course will focus on the medium of photography and how it has played a primary role in our culture since its birth in 1839. It is the most democratic of all mediums. Unlike painting and sculpture, the photograph lives quite easily outside the realm of art. How did photography eventually succeed in becoming an accepted medium in the History of Art (note the capital “A”)?
In each class we will view videos about important photographers. We will also view selected slides of work as they are pertinent to our understanding of photography as art. Composition and how meaning is formed will also be discussed.
Please register by: February 23
Block 8: April 4, 11, 18 and 25
Philosophers You Should Know But Don’t
Thomas Javoroski, Ph.D., Visiting Faculty, Philosophy
For many outside of the field, the list will be short when asked to name influential philosophers . . . or famous philosophers. Socrates, Plato . . . maybe Aristotle. Some will perhaps be able to name Mill or Kant. Maybe St. Thomas Aquinas. But to many people, philosophy is a terribly obscure subject focused on thinkers who are long dead. The truth, of course, is that philosophy is very much alive and thriving, and that there is significant work being done in many fields of philosophy that have the potential to impact our everyday lives dramatically. There is work being done by contemporary philosophers — much of it far more accessible to the average person than works written hundreds or thousands of years ago — that is fascinating, and dare we say even practical. In this course, we will highlight and investigate just a few contemporary philosophers who are taking us to new and interesting places and yet flying under the radar of the average non-philosopher.
Please register by: March 30
To register for any of the sessions, visit this page or call Alice Povey at (319) 895-4119.