Winter Seminars
The Library is pleased to announce five seminars for Winter/Spring 2012. Click on the Mermaids for more information.
Ripped From the Back Pages: Conversations About the Law
Instructor: Stephen L. Wasby
Tuesdays, 10:30-12N
Six sessions: January 10, 17, 24, 31, February 7, 14
Seminar/discussion. Participants are to bring clippings (New York Times strongly preferred) on legal issues about which they have questions, particularly about legal process (that is, how the courts operate).
Stephen Wasby is professor of political science emeritus, University at Albany.
Two Classic African Films
Instructor: Cate Myers
Sundays, 2:30 to 4:30
January 22, 29
These films represent two moods in films created in Africa. Guimba is a humorous tale of tribal conflict in a mythical time. Hyenas takes place in a realistic setting – a poor village that welcomes back a rich woman who has returned to her native place. There will be a brief introduction to the films and a short discussion after the films. Additional dates & films may be added based on interest.
Cate Myers has led several popular seminars on African novels in previous years.
Great Decisions 2012
Instructor: Lida B. Miller
Sundays 2-4pm
February 25, March 4, 11, 18, 25
Using materials prepared annually by the Foreign Policy Association, the group will explore 4-6 topics. Registration fee for this series is $10 which covers the cost of the book each participant will receive.
Linda B. Miller is Professor of Political Science, Emerita, at Wellesley College and Adjunct Professor of International Studies (Research) at the Watson Institute, Brown University, where she teaches and writes about American Foreign Policy.
The Art & Craft of Poetry
Instructor: Rosalind Pace
Thursdays, 6-8pm
March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Rosalind Pace, a poet and teacher, will lead this seminar in which participants will discuss where poems come from (the art) as well as how they get made (the craft). There will be a careful look at a variety of poems. Works-in-progress by seminar participants will receive supportive and constructive comments. Poems from any century and any country will be shared. Class limited to 10 people.
Writing and Performing Poems
Instructor: Barry Hellman
Saturdays 2:30 – 4pm
March 24, 31, April 7 and Open Mike on April 14
Workshop focus will be on reading and writing poems with emotional content
and themes. Examples will be provided, along with discussion of what makes
some poems work better than others in terms of connecting emotionally with
an audience. Barry will talk about his observations at various poetry open
mics in terms of audience response to a poem’s contents as well as to the
poet’s way of reading. There’ll be an optional opportunity for participants
to perform an original or published poem to see what it is that connects
best and least with the audience of workshop members.
April 14 will be: An Open Mic Reading in Celebration of National Poetry Month, featuring workshop participants, invited poets and members of the public who’d like to read. One original poem per reader on any theme. To reserve a turn at the open mike, members of the public may sign up in advance by email to bhellman@comcast.net and will receive an email confirmation. Signup at the door may also be available. Refreshments served.
Stop in at the Circulation Desk,
or phone us at 508-349-0310 during open hours to register.