Schemel Forum Fall Schedule
The University of Scranton's Schemel Forum fall schedule includes classes, a luncheon lecture series and the second annual University for a Day program.
University for a Day
On Saturday, Sept. 12, the Schemel Forum will hold its second annual University for a Day program that includes breakfast, lunch and four lectures/discussions led by distinguished university professors in their areas of expertise. University of Scranton Professor of English and Theatre Stephen Whittaker, Ph.D., will discuss Toni Morrison's A Mercy: A Paradigm and a Cautionary Tale of Interdependence in a New World. University of Scranton Biology Professor Janice Voltzow, Ph.D., will present Rosalind Franklin: Another Twist in the DNA Double Helix and University of Scranton Sociology/Criminal Justice Professor David Friedrichs will present The Best Way to Rob a Bank is to Run It: White Collar Crime and the Global Financial Crisis. Also that day, Syracuse University Professor of International Relations Goodwin Cooke will discuss Globalization: for Better or Worse? University for a Day runs from 8:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Patrick and Margaret DeNaples Center. University for a Day is made possible through the support of the Neighborhood Development Trust Fund and the Scranton Area Foundation.
Fall Courses
Metamorphosis and Literature, presented by Denise Fulbrook, adjunct professor of English at The University of Scranton, will examine various themes presented through examples of physical change in several literary works. The seven-week course meets on Tuesdays from Sept. 15 to Oct. 27 from 6 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.
Church and State or Church v. State?, a lecture/discussion series presented by Morey M. Myers, Esq., will examine how well America has honored or departed from the country's founding fathers' intent regarding the separation of Church and State. The five-week course examines the writings of early and contemporary Presidents on this issue and relates the U.S. Supreme Court's interpretation of the First Amendment concerning prayer in schools, religious symbols in public places, and numerous other present-day church-state issues. Sessions meet on Wednesdays from Sept. 16 to Oct. 14 from 6 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.
Spanish Language and Cultures for Beginners: A Forum for Cross-Cultural Understanding will be led by El-Habib Zanzana, Ph.D., associate professor of world languages and cultures at The University of Scranton. Participants will learn basic communication skills and learn about cultures through presentations from guest speakers from Spain, Mexico, Columbia and Puerto Rico. Classes meet on six Thursdays from Oct. 1 to Nov. 5 from 6 to 7:15 p.m.
Luncheon Lecture Series
The Schemel Forum five-part luncheon series, entitled Insights into World Affairs: Past Present and Future, will feature distinguished speakers discussing topics that range from the art and history of the Holocaust and literature that shaped America to Obama's Foreign Policy. All luncheons begin at noon at various locations on campus.
The deputy director and senior art curator at Yad Vashem, Israel's living memorial to the Holocaust, will begin the luncheon series on Wednesday, Sept. 30. Judith Shendar will present Give Art a Chance: the Holocaust Narrative Amplified.
On Monday, Oct. 5, David Myers, professor of Jewish history at UCLA, will present Israel/Palestine: A Tale of Two Truths.
On Tuesday, Oct. 13, Jay Parini, Ph.D., award winning poet, biographer, fiction writer and professor of English at Middlebury College, will present Promised Land: The Books that Shaped America. Dr. Parini received an honorary degree from The University of Scranton in 2005.
Philadelphia Inquirer World Affairs Correspondent Trudy Rubin will discuss Afghanistan/Pakistan: as Seen from the Ground on Oct. 19.
The series will end on Oct. 26 with U.S. Foreign Policy: Ten Months into the Obama Era, presented by Harvey Sicherman, president of the Foreign Policy Research Institute in Philadelphia.
Session fees vary for Schemel Forum programs and reservation are required to attend. Space is limited and registrations are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Additionally, Schemel Forum annual and "angel" memberships are available.
To register, contact Kym Fetsko, events coordinator, at (570) 941-7816 or fetskok2@scranton.edu. For more information on programs and memberships, contact Sondra Myers, director of the Schemel Forum at The University of Scranton, at (570) 941-4089 or myerss2@scranton.edu.
08-03-09
The Schemel Forum is a program of participatory learning experiences aimed at cultivating the intellect and the imagination through study and discussion of classical texts and current policies, from the arts, history and philosophy to technology and theology. Founded in 2006 through generous gifts to the Rev. George Schemel, S.J., Fund, the forum has grown quickly from a handful of informal lectures to a comprehensive enrichment program of study, dialogue, performances and special events. Session fees vary by program.
