UA Humanities Seminars Presents a Summer of Seminars (May to July)

The University of Arizona’s Humanities Seminars Program will explore subjects that include the achievements and challenges of four modern European democracies; the anatomy of the science-fiction short story; exploring the mind and brain; and art history and the cinema this summer for members of the Tucson community. All seminars will be led by UA faculty members.

“Four Modern European Democracies: Achievements & Challenges”
In May Associate Professor of Political Science J. Pat Willerton will focus on the politics of four advanced European democracies: Germany, France, the Netherlands, and Finland. He will concentrate on contemporary political systems and high-profile policy issues in four seminars to be held on Tuesdays from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. The dates are May 3, 10, 17, and 24 2011.

“Anatomy of the Science Fiction Short Story”
On Thursday mornings from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in June, Associate Professor of Astronomy Department, Richard Poss, will consider short stories by various science fiction authors. He will probe the unique combination of plot development and resolution, characterization, sensual imagery and creepy imagination that makes for an exciting read. The dates are June 2, 9, 16, and 23 2011.

“Exploring the Universe Within: Mind & Brain”
Lee Ryan, Associate Professor of Psychology and a clinical neuropsychologist, will explore how the brain allows us to interact with our world through movement, vision, language, emotion and decision making. These will be considered through the world of the patient with brain injury, discussing how such trauma affects cognitive abilities and the daily lives of patients and their families. Professor Ryan’s course will be taught on Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on June 8, 15, 22, and 29 2011.

“Art History & The Cinema”
In July Regents Professor of Anthropology and Classics David Soren will demonstrate how artistic movements such as Romanticism, the Baroque, Symbolism, Neoclassicism, Expressionism, Cubism, the Bauhaus, and Pop Art shaped and informed classical films such as The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari and Metropolis. He will also show how the German theater of Max Reinhardt became a major influence on the Gothic horror films of the early 1930s, such as Frankenstein and Dracula. Professor Soren’s class will meet on Wednesdays from 9:00 am to 12:00 p.m. on July 6, 13, 20, and 27 2011.

All courses take place in the Dorothy Rubel Room in the Helen S. Schaefer Building at 1508 East Helen Street, one block north of Speedway and three blocks west of Campbell. There is convenient parking in the Highland Garage across the street from the classroom.

For more information about these courses or the Humanities Seminars Program go to http://hsp.arizona.edu or call Program Coordinator Kerstin Miller at 520 626-7845, or humansem@email.arizona.edu.

The University of Arizona’s Humanities Seminars Program offers a variety of thought-provoking classes for adults in literature, fine arts, science, geopolitics, classics, film and more. The program is currently in its 27th year.

The University of Arizona College of Humanities inaugurates a new lecture series “Unsettling Certainties”, inviting the community “to explore timely and often disconcerting issues with College of Humanities scholars.”

Inaugural Lecture on Monday, November 9 at 6 p.m.:

“Why Does Racism Persist in the United States of America?”

These lectures will take place in the Dorothy Rubel Room of the lovely, new UA Poetry Center’s Helen S. Schaefer Building, 1508 E. Helen Street (SE corner of Vine and Helen, north of Speedway,west of Cherry.)

As moderator, Assistant Professor of English Carlos Gallego will lead a discussion with a panel of College of Humanities scholars from various departments and will engage the community in dialogue.

According to Dr. Gallego, “The United States is a model for democratic governance, civil liberties and social justice. The 1964 Civil Rights Act exemplifies social progress. The election by popular vote of an African American president is an affirmation that we have, in fact, progressed. And yet, racism persists in the United States. Why?

Some of the questions to be explored on November 9 include:
• Do we create race or do we discover it?
• Do racially charged and racially rooted language-trends affect our perception of “racialized relations”?
• Do representations of racial progress propel social justice, or do they disguise persistent prejudice?
• Is a non-racist community even possible?”

I asked a male African American friend of mine if racism persisted in the U.S. and he said unequivocably “yes.” Go to this lecture and maybe find out why. For further infomation call the College of Humanities at (520) 621-9294, or log onto www.coh.arizona.edu.

Free parking available after 5:00pm in all Zone 1 surface lots surrounding the building, on the street, and at cost in the Highland Avenue Garage.