Preliminary Winter 2010 Schedule
Winter Term 2010 runs Feb. 1 – March 25. All classes are held at times scheduled at the Jefferson Society, 3207 State Street. The Erie Book Store offers Jefferson Society students a special Society discount up to 20% on selected books. For more information or to register, call 459-8000 or visit www.JESerie.org. Visa, MasterCard, Discover accepted. SCHEDULE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
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Day / Date /Time
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Title
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Instructor
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Courses (8 hours; cost is $50, with a guest $75)
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Mon. / Feb. 1,8,15,22 / 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
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Sacred Spaces of Erie’s Architecture
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Michael DeSanctis, Ph.D.
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Wed./ Feb. 3, 10, 17, 24 / 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
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China Rising, Threat or Opportunities?
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Edward Chen, Ph.D.
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Thur. / Feb. 4, 11,18,25 / 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
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Africa: A Continent or State of Mind?
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Edward Grode, M. Ed.
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Thur. / Feb. 4, 11,18,25 / 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
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Short Stories: Rebellious Wives and
Dutiful Daughters
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Marjorie Podolsky, M. Ed.
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Mon./ March 8, 15, 22 / 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
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Over There: An exploration of Canadian History, Economy, Politics, and Health Care with a three-day field trip to Port Dover
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David Frew, Ph.D.
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Seminars (4 hours; cost is $25, with a guest $40)
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Thur. / Feb. 4, 11 / 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
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Successful Erie Women: Making it in Today’s World
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Corrine Halperin Egan, B.A.,CNM
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Mon. / Feb. 15, 22 / 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
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History of Baseball
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Gene Dreyfus, MBA
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Tues. / Feb. 9, 16 / 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.
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Music Appreciation: The Romantic Era
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Caroline Soder, M. Music,
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Tues. / Feb. 16, 23 / 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
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Humanist Perspective: Being Good Without God
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Gary Sykes, Ph.D.
Reid MacFarlane, M. Div.
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Tues. / Feb. 23, March 2 / 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.
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Visual Art Appreciation and Personal Application
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Merrill (Peggy) Brace, M.F.A.
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Tues. /March 9, 16 / 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
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The Modern American Presidency: From FDR to Obama ---- Leadership Lessons Learned
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David Kozak, Ph.D.
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Wed./ March 10, 17 / 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
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Erie’s Golden Age of Industrialization: Hammermill
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William P. Garvey, Ph.D.
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Thur./ March 18, 25 / 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
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Own the Internet
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David VanAmburg, B.S.
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Lectures (1.5 hours; cost is $10, with a guest $15)
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Mon./ Feb. 8 / 7: 00-8:30 p.m.
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Personal Transformation through Movement
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Richard Stadler, BFA
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Mon. / March 1 / 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
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JFK: Theories on his Assassination
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Gene Dreyfus, MBA
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Mon./ March 8 / 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
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From Horsecar to Iron Horse
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Kenneth C. Springirth, M.S.
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Mon. / March 15 / 3:30 – 5:00 p.m.
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America’s Water: Protection and Distribution
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Anna McCartney, B.A. Ed.
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Wed./ Feb. 24 / 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
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The Decline of the Roman Empire and its Significance for America Today
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William P. Garvey, Ph.D.
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Wed./ March 3 / 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
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General Douglas MacArthur: Hero or Over-Rated?
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William P. Garvey, Ph.D.
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Global Issues Forum (Lunch and Lecture; 2 hours;
cost $15 for early payment, at the door $20)
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Thur./ Jan. 21 / 11:30-1:30
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Crisis in Sri Lanka: The Plight of Tamils
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Gerard Francis, M.D.
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Fri. / Feb. 12 / 11:30-1:30
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Keeping Our Borders Safe
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Lev Kubiak, M.S.
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Thur./ March 11 / 11:30-1:30
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Iraq and Afghanistan: Behind the Scenes on the Surges
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Lt. Gen. James Dubik (retired)
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Wed. / April 7 / 11:30-1:30
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Erie’s Economy Relative to the Nation's
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James Kurre, Ph.D.
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The Truth about Rwanda: Causes and Aftermath
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Jean-Marie Kamatali, Ph.D.
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Great Books Discussion Group (16 hours; cost is $50 + materials)
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Wed./Feb.3,10,17,24/Mar. 3,10,31/ Apr. 7
3:30-5:30 p.m.
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Great Books New Short Story Omnibus
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Corrine Halperin Egan, B.A., Certified Great Books Facilitator
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Sacred Spaces of Erie’s Architecture (Course, 8 hours) The course will expose participants to the wide variety of religious architecture in NW Pennsylvania and will include ‘field trips’ to some of the diverse sacred spaces in our area. Michael E. DeSanctis, Ph.D., instructor
China Rising, Threat or Opportunities? (Course, 8 hours) All four classes will be in the lecture/discussion format, covering four separate topics: History, Trade, Taiwan, and North Korea. Edward Chen, Ph.D., instructor
Africa: Continent or State of Mind? (Course, 8 hours) A survey of the African continent and why it should be of great importance to all
Americans. Participants will also be given the opportunity to visit East Africa with the instructor. Edward Grode, M.Ed., instructor
Rebellious Wives and Dutiful Daughters (Course, 8 hours) Classic short story masterpieces by American women writers, with women as the principal characters. Writers include, among others, Zora Neale Hurston, Mary Wilkins Freeman, Charlotte Perkins Gilman, Amy Tan, Cynthia Ozick. Group discussion is strongly encouraged. Text: The Oxford Book of American Short Stories, (paperback) ed. Joyce Carol Oates. Act, 48 credit Marjorie Podolsky, M.Ed., instructor
Over There: An exploration of Canadian History, Economy, Politics, and Health Care with a three-day field trip to Port Dover (Course, 8 hours) The class will begin with a series of two-hour classroom sessions designed to explore Canadian and Ontario culture, with an emphasis on aspects that most Americans don't understand. Then we will focus on the long history of friendship enjoyed by Erie and Port Dover, Ontario. Three classroom sessions will lead to a weekend (two overnight) field trip which will be designed to examine aspects of Canadian culture and history and local friendship that were discussed in class. The field trip portion of the class will include visits to Long Point, the Backus Grist Mill, the new Ontario Wind Farm, Port Dover Harbor Museum, and the Welland Canal. Participants will drive individually or car pool to Port Dover, a trip which takes about three and one half hours (175 miles from Erie) and be responsible for their own travel, lodging and entertainment expenses. There will NOT be a separate JES tour fee. David Frew, Ph.D., instructor
Music Appreciation: The Romantic Era (Seminar, 4 hours) A somewhat elusive term dominated by German music of the 19th and early 20th centuries is the most “popular” period of European music heard and enjoyed today. Having its origins in emotional, creative urges, the Romantic Era – discarding older musical structures – encounters the uncontrolled and inexplicable forces of human experience. By listening to and discussing the masterworks of great Romantic composers such as, Beethoven, Berlioz, Weber, Mendelssohn, Wagner, Mahler, Strauss, etc., participants will gain insights into this music and be able to connect to the ageless, universal appeal of the Romantic period of the musical history. Caroline Soder, M. Music, Scholar, Paris, France
History of Baseball (Seminar, 4 hours) The origins of Baseball (1840-1900); the corruption in baseball pertaining to the 1919 Black Soc Scandal; Negro Baseball v. White Baseball; Reserve Clause v. Free Agency; and modern baseball and the new stadiums. Gene Dreyfus, MBA., instructor
Humanist Being Good Without God (Seminar, 4 hours) Humanists maintain that morality, values and ethics are not necessarily the result of the influence of religion and that humankind is inherently good. True or False? Gary Sykes, Ph.D. and Reid MacFarlane M.DIV., instructors
Visual Art Appreciation and Personal Application (Seminar, 4 hours) The first session of this seminar will discuss the use of foundational and historical elements in drawing and design to convey meaning in art, and the importance of visual expression in our lives. The second session will provide guidance in hands-on drawing experiences, and enrichment to continue on your own. People who have any level of experience in art are invited…even those who think they have none! Drawing materials will be provided. Merrill (Peggy) Brace, M.F.A., Instructor
The Modern American Presidency: From FDR to Obama ---- Leadership Lessons Learned (Seminar, 4 hours) This course will survey the modern Presidency exploring the personalities and character, management style, decision structures, major developments, and challenges of each of the thirteen modern presidents. A special focus will be on both the positive and negative lessons learned. *Those enrolling are encouraged to purchase Professor Fred I. Greenstein’s book, The Presidential Difference available at the Erie Bookstore. David C. Kozak, Ph.D., instructor
Successful Erie Women: Making it in the World of Business and Politics (Seminar, 4 hours) Is it still a man’s world in business and politics? What does it take for a woman to succeed in today’s world? How did Erie’s dynamic women hold their own and compete and succeed? Guest speakers include Judy Lynch, Joyce Savocchio, Denise Robison, Susan Breon and others. Corrine Halperin Egan, B.A., instructor
Erie’s Golden Age of Industrialization: Part I – Hammermill (Seminar, 4 hours) The story of the birth, rise, and death of one of Erie’s most important 20th Century industries with emphasis on the role of the Behrend family. William P. Garvey, Ph.D., instructor
Own the Internet (Seminar, 4 hours) A personal class to quadruple the value of the Internet to you and your organization. Understand relevant computer & Web history. Know what's coming, the important trends that are affecting your career, family, and life. Discover online resources you never imagined. Learn how to use social networking, protect your privacy, manage your reputation, market your products or services, and make money. Bring your laptop (optional). David VanAmburg, B.S., instructor
Personal Transformation through Movement (Lecture, 1.5 hours) A personal journey and powerful initiation of transformation through subconscious directed movement(movement suitable for absolutely anyone no matter what their physical shape.) Lecture will explore the impact Transformational Movement has on each participants life. - Richard Stadler, Classical Guitarist, Transformational Movement Instructor.
JFK: Theories on his Assassination (Lecture, 1.5 hours) Lone gunman v. conspiracy; Mafia involvement v. Cuban involvement; the Warren Report v. James Garrison. Gene Dreyfus, MBA., instructor
From Horsecar to Iron Horse (Lecture, 1.5 hours) Erie has an amazing rail history which will be covered from the days of horsecars to today's railroads which link our region to the rest of the country. At its peak in 1916, railroad passenger service was the major way to get to and from Erie, Pennsylvania. Kenneth C. Springirth, M.S. Mechanical Engineering and rail transit author, instructor
America’s Water: Protection and Distribution (Lecture, 1.5 hours) Understanding how and why watershed protection is important for solving diverse and interconnected issues facing local municipalities and many others across the country including: water quality, water resource allocation, flood and drought management, habitat restoration and other environmental and natural resource issues. Anna McCartney, B.A. Ed., instructor
The Decline of the Roman Empire and its Significance for America Today (Lecture, 1.5 hours) A review of the many theories why the greatest empire in history, Rome, ultimately declined and ceased to exist. Special attention will be focused on how much relevance the reasons for Rome’s decline are present today. William P. Garvey, Ph.D., instructor.
GIF – Sri Lanka: The Plight of the Tamils (Lunch and Lecture, 2 hours) The Tamil community of Sri Lanka has experienced discrimination and racial riots at the hands of a larger Sinhalese community. Such pogroms and the Civil War in Sri Lanka forced many people, including our speaker, to flee their homeland. The plight of the Tamils comes to the forefront with this lecture. Gerard Francis, M.D., instructor
GIF – Keeping Our Borders Safe (Lunch and Lecture, 2 hours) How do our Border Patrol Agencies seek to identify, disrupt and dismantle international criminal organizations threatening customs, immigration and homeland security? Lev Kubiak, M.A. instructor
GIF – The Truth about the Surges (Lunch and Lecture, 2 hours) An Erie native, Lt. Gen. James Dubik assumed command of the Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraq in June 2007 and upon his retirement, joined the Institute for the Study of War as its first Senior Fellow. Lt. Gen. James Dubik (Retired), instructor
GIF – Erie’s Economy v. Nation (Lunch and Lecture, 2 hours) What is the shape of Erie’s economy and how does it compare to state-wide, regional and national trends in these up and down economic times? James Kurre, Ph.D., instructor
GIF – Rwanda: Causes & Aftermath (Lunch and Lecture, 2 hours) Professor Kamatali was dean of the Law School at the National University of Rwanda and contributed to the post-genocide legal and institutional rebuilding in Rwanda. Jean-Marie Kamitali, Ph.D., instructor
Great Books (Discussion group, 16 hours) This new offering by the Jefferson will present a Shared Inquiry discussion and the reading of classic and contemporary texts across the disciplines. The text used is The Great Books Foundation Short Story Omnibus which includes stories from familiar classic and contemporary authors such as Edgar Allan Poe, Ernest Hemingway, John Updike and Margaret Atwood, but also features nine pieces of sudden fiction (also known as short short fiction or flash fiction) and three graphic selections, each accompanied by discussion questions and a short author biography. Rounding out the collection are twenty-five more-traditional short stories and two novellas, and are brief enough to read in one sitting. The Great Books Foundation Short Story Omnibus allows for nearly forty such sittings, appealing to book groups, literature and creative writing classes and casual readers alike. Corrine Halperin Egan, Certified Great Books Discussion Facilitator