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Trinity College - The Academy of Lifelong Learning
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The Academy of Lifelong Learning offers an exciting opportunity for adults to pursue new interests, expand intellectual horizons, and enrich their lives. Courses cover a wide range of stimulating topics and are taught by distinguished former and current Trinity faculty. The hallmark of a Trinity education has long been the close interaction between professors and students, and the Academy of Lifelong Learning continues that tradition. Courses are taught in an engaging, collaborative manner, and there are opportunities to meet with fellow students and professors.
Lincoln at 200
To mark the bicentennial of Lincoln's birth, we will examine his reentry into politics in 1854 and ensuing rise to the presidency; his reaction to the secession crisis; his wartime leadership, including his handling of the emancipation issue; and the modern controversy over his racial views. A major theme of the course will be the interplay between Lincoln's principles and the political realities he confronted. excerpts from several of his most significant speeches and state papers will be distributed for classroom discussion. Professor Ronald Spencer.
Four Mondays: November 17, 24; December 1, 8
Lecture 4 - December 8, 2008
Lecture 3 - December 1, 2008
Lecture 2 - November 24, 2008
Lecture 1 - November 17, 2008
The Emergence of Monotheism
Though we may take for granted the fundamental premise of monotheism - the existence of but one god - it was not always so and, indeed, is not accepted in many parts of the world today. Monotheism, which is the foundation first of Judaism and then Christianity and Islam, is the gift of ancient Israel. This course will trace the emergence of monotheistic belief through the examination of ancient events and biblical texts. It is a journey of marvel, combining the intricacies of intellectual history, human imagination, and poetic expression within the matrix of historical occurrence. The text for our study will be the Hebrew Bible. Professor John A. Gettier
Five Tuesdays: November 11, 18, 25; December 2, 9
Lecture 5 - December 9, 2008
Lecture 4 - December 2, 2008
Lecture 3 - November 25, 2008
Lecture 2 - November 18, 2008
Lecture 1 - November 11, 2008
Tudor Mania
The interest in the Tudor dynasty (1485-1603) seems never to diminish as recent movies, PBS specials, History Channel and HBO series attest. Elizabeth I (1558-1603) leads the pack, but her father Henry VIII (1509-47) runs a close second with Henry VII (1485-1509), Edward VI (1547-53) and Mary I (1553-58) bringing up the rear. The course will cover this crucial century in English history with special attention to Henry VIII and Elizabeth plus appropriate nods to recent productions on the small and large screens. Professor Borden Painter.
Four Tuesdays: October 14, 21, 28 & November 4
Lecture 4 - November 4, 2008
Lecture 3 - October 28, 2008
Lecture 2 - October 21, 2008
Lecture 1 - October 14, 2008
Vergil's Aeneid: A Challenging Manifesto of Citizen and State
Apart from the Bible, perhaps no work in Western literature raises more issues about life, government, civilization, culture, law, destiny, responsibility, or duty than Vergil’s epic, The Aeneid. It is a study in contrasts: light versus dark, hope versus despair, reason versus wrath, order versus chaos, fate versus free-will, prophecy versus blindness, acceptance versus rejection, human versus divine, determination versus resignation, power (imperium) versus people (populus), past versus present and future, civilization versus barbarism, law (lex) versus “natural” rights (iura), war versus peace. The chief character, Aeneas, is presented initially as a reluctant hero, whose mission and duty are revealed to him only in stages. Vergil’s ultimate goal was to glorify pietas (faithfulness to family, state and gods) and Romanitas (qualities essential to being a Roman citizen.)
Professor John C. Williams is Hobart Professor, Emeritus, of Classics at Trinity College where he taught Latin, Greek, and Classical Civilization for 24 years.
No knowledge of Latin in required.
TEXT: the new translation of the Aeneid by Robert Fagles
September 15, 22, 29; October 6, 13, 20.
Lecture 6 - October 20, 2008
Lecture 5 - October 13, 2008
Lecture 4 - October 6, 2008
Lecture 3 - September 29, 2008
Lecture 2 - September 22, 2008
Lecture 1 - Septermber 15, 2008
Understanding the Role of Religion in American Politics
The impact of religion on the 2004 presidential campaign and election provoked widespread consternation and surprise. Given the intensity and closeness of the results, however, the role of religion should not have come as a shock. In fact, religion and faith have for some time played a vital and heightened role in American elections and in our public life. Throughout American history, political identity has been closely correlated with religious identity. Our course will explore such correlations and how over time they have contributed to the major political realignments of American history. The course will also focus on a new "religious gap" that has opened over the past 20 years based on religious observances, particularly attendance at worship and belief. We will examine these patterns and discuss how religion is playing out as the 2008 campaign gathers momentum. Professor Andrew Walsh
Lecture 5 - May 8, 2008
Lecture 4 - May 1, 2008
Lecture 3 - April 24, 2008
Lecture 2 - April 17, 2008
Lecture 1 - April 10, 2008
An Italian Journey - April 5, 2008
The History of Italy with Professor Borden Painter
Italian Renaissance Art with Professor Kristin Triff
Italian Literature with Professor Michael Campo
Globalization and the Third World
This course explores the position of the Third World in the contemporary global economy. In particular, it looks at the role of multinational corporations, the effectiveness of the global assembly line in lifting third world workers out of poverty, the role of international labor migration on poor countries, and the impact of globalization on women. Attention will also be paid to the role of international organizations such as the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the World Trade Organization in helping to lift Third World countries out of poverty. Associate Professor of Political Science, Brigitte Schulz.
Lecture 4 - April 8, 2008
Lecture 3 - April 1, 2008
Lecture 2 - March 25, 2008
Lecture 1 - March 18, 2008
The Early Novel: A Literary Tool of Social Change
The eighteenth century saw the emergence of the novel as a major vehicle for social commentary. In our three class meetings, we will review how the novel evolved as a literary tool for social change, with emphasis on two masterpieces of Western civilization: Montesquieu’s The Persian Letters and Voltaire’s Candide. Lead by Trinity College President and Professor in the Humanities, James F. Jones.
Lecture 3 - March 10, 2008
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Lecture 2 - March 3, 2008
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Lecture 1 - February 25, 2008
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