Alumni College 2008 Courses
Return to campus AND the classroom this year to explore history, literature, politics, religion, and more! This year's courses feature a variety of classes taught by distinguished Gettysburg College faculty and fellow alumni. Don't miss this opportunity to go "Back to School" (without having to fill out a Blue Book...) and be inspired by continuing to learn with fellow Gettysburgians. Come be nourished by the beauty of Gettysburg in the spring, and feed your head and soul at the same time through learning.
For more information on Alumni College, contact Alumni Director Joe Lynch '85 at 717-337-6518 or jlynch@gettysburg.edu.
Thursday, May 29
GC 101
Archiving the History of Gettysburg College Women
Temma Berg, Department of English
Karen Drickamer, Director of Special Collections and College Archivist
In 1965, Gettysburg College had 1250 men students and 623 women students. This year, we have 2591 students and 1416 are women. Forty years ago 23 women and 113 men taught here; today 82 out of 199 faculty are women. That's a big change. But how much of this revolutionary history is preserved? What can the College Archives tell us about what it was like to be a woman student at Gettysburg in the 1950s? 60s? 70s? As we begin studying the impact of women's presence at Gettysburg, we hope your participation in this class will enlighten you and potentially help us document that history.
Temma has been at Gettysburg College since 1985 and teaches in the English Department as well as in the Women's Studies Program. Her most recent book - The Lives and Letters of an Eighteenth Century Circle of Acquaintance - presents new perspectives on epistolary discourse, empire building, and female friendship as well as on intellectual women, sentimental coquettes, and companionate wives. She is currently working on a biography of Charlotte Lennox.
Karen came to Gettysburg College in 1999 from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale where she was the Assistant University Archivist and Curator of Manuscripts in Special Collections. She is the co-author of Fort Lyon to Harpers Ferry, edited letters of a soldier of 34th Massachusetts Regiment. She is currently working on book about the 81st Illinois Regiment.
GC 102
The Art of Renaissance Florence
Felicia Else, Assistant Professor of Art History
From the Medici family to Michelangelo to Machiavelli, Florence lays claim to some of the most influential developments in mercantile trade, political thought and artistic production. It is this last aspect - the artistic heritage of this Renaissance city - that will be the focus of this course. Expect a stimulating survey of the painting, sculpture, and architecture of Renaissance Florence and discussion of the characteristics of this important historical period. Highlights will include the Cathedral dome, the sculpture of Donatello, the patronage of the Medici family, de Vinci's Mona Lisa and Michelangelo's David.
Felicia received her doctorate from Washington University in St. Louis and teaches courses on the art of Ancient Greece, Rome, Medieval Europe, Renaissance Italy and Baroque Europe. Her research focuses on public statuary and fountains in Florence, and she's working on a book on art, water and naval power in Medicean Florence. Felicia and her husband live in Gettysburg with their new baby boy, and she enjoys cooking authentic Italian dinners.
GC 103
Living with Today's Technology
Rodney Tosten '85, Vice President of Information Technology
Today, technology influences and impacts every moment of our lives. Video iPods, high definition flat screens, Wii game consoles, smart phones, and many others devices swarm around us through our daily routine. Making sense of these devices is a challenge. This course will cover the basics relating to mainstream technology and how to navigate through the techno-terminology and our "new world."
Rod, a 1985 Gettysburg math major, is the Vice President for Information Technology at his alma mater. He returned to Gettysburg in 1990 to teach computer science, and also has extensive experience in the software field. He received his M.S. in Computer Science from West Virginia University and his Ph.D. in Information Technology and Engineering from George Mason University. Rod is also a certified Pennsylvania State Inspection Mechanic. For relaxation, Rod is involved with woodworking, archery, and model railroading.
GC 104
California Family-Owned Wineries: A Study & Tasting Tour
Joseph W. Lynch, Sr. P'85 (father of Alumni Director Joe Lynch '85)
This course will "visit" small and large family-owned wineries in several different regions of the great California wine industry and students will taste a variety of their wines. Come ready to take notes, learn and sip. Participants must be 21 or older.
Joe Sr. earned a B.S. in chemistry from Philadelphia University in 1952. He was employed by E.I. Dupont for 40 years in Development and Marketing Management of Textile Fibers. Currently, he is a fine wine consultant and journalist for Total Wine & More, a retail chain of 35 stores in six eastern states. He has traveled extensively to major wine regions of the world and has also "taken" Alumni College classes to Australia, Chile, Italy, Spain, South America and the Pacific Northwest over the last several years.
GC 105
We Are Stardust
Jackie Milingo, Assistant Professor of Physics
As Joni Mitchell, Carl Sagan, and Moby have all pointed out, we are made of star stuff. This course will examine the origin and evolution of some of the more common (and uncommon) elements on the periodic table from an astronomer's point of view. We'll survey the chemical composition of galaxies, stars, and planets and ponder how this composition informs the chemistry of our lives.
Jackie received her Ph.D. from the University of Oklahoma in 2000 and is currently an assistant professor in the physics department. An observational astronomer and proud Kansan, Jackie joined the College in 2006. She lives in Gardners, PA with her partner Mark Drew (assistant editor of the Gettysburg Review), their cat Sammy, and numerous apples and busy woodchucks.
GC 106
An Evening at the Gettysburg College Observatory
Dick Cooper '65, Outreach Coordinator for Project CLEA;
Mike Hayden, Director of Infrastructure;
Jackie Milingo, Assistant Professor of Physics
A natural follow-up to GC 106, activities will include a tour of the Gettysburg College Observatory, a demonstration of the faculty/student research, a presentation of student observing techniques, and a look at the College's new radio telescope. Weather permitting, there will be sky orientation and observation using the telescopes and CCD cameras on the observing platform. Participate alongside and interact with the Astronomy faculty for a unique Gettysburg experience. Part of the course takes place outdoors, so please dress and plan accordingly.
Gettysburg alumni Dick Cooper '65 received his Master of Education from Western Maryland College. He taught mathematics and computer science at the New Oxford High School for 22 years and a computer coordinator for the Conewago Valley School District for five years. He has been an astronomy lab instructor at Gettysburg for 13 years and as a co-investigator on Project CLEA (Contemporary Laboratory Experiences in Astronomy) since 1992.
Michael received his B.S. in electrical engineering from the University of Maryland at College Park. He was a co-investigator with Project CLEA (1993 - 2000) and is also an active amateur astronomer with interests in both optical and radio observations. He came to Gettysburg College in 1989 as an instructor of physics and has taught a variety of astronomy and physics labs. He is currently the program manager for the department's 21-cm radio telescope, and director of infrastructure and operations at the College.
Jackie's bio can be seen under GC 106.
Friday, June 1
GC 207
The Impact of the Intelligent Design Issue in One Community
Warren Eshbach '61, Adjunct Professor, Gettysburg Lutheran Theological Seminary
A few years ago the school board in Dover, PA, mandated that intelligent design be taught in the high school biology curriculum. This course will study how the community responded to the issue. In addition, we will examine what intelligent design is, and is not, as well as why it is not a substitute or an optional way of understanding the biological sciences. Also discussed will be how science and religion can be compatible with each other, rather than being enemies
Warren, a '61 alumnus of Gettysburg, is an ordained minister in the Church of the Brethren and has served congregations in MD and PA. He is also a 1967 Lutheran Theological Seminary (Gettysburg) graduate, and earned his D. Min. degree from McCormick Theological Seminary. He has served as Director of Pastoral Care at The
Brethren Home Community in New Oxford, PA, and is in his tenth year as an adjunct faculty member at LutheranTheological Seminary in Gettysburg. Warren lives in Dover, PA with his wife Theresa Cocklin Eshbach '62, and they enjoy their nine grandchildren, reading, and traveling.
GC 208
The Gettysburg Gospel: The Lincoln Speech That Nobody Knows
Gabor Boritt, Director, Civil War Institute/Professor of Civil War Studies
An overview of the book, The Gettysburg Gospel: The Lincoln Speech That Nobody Knows by the author. A suggested reading for the course, The Gettysburg Gospel is a narrative history that peels away myths of nearly 150 years. Beginning with Gettysburg after the battle - the greatest man-made emergency of American history - it discusses the recovery of the devastated town, Lincoln's visit, the writing of what he said here, what American's heard then, their reactions at the time and over time (all the way to September 11, 2001) and how the remarks that few saw as great gained significance as "the Gettysburg Address."
Gabor is the Fluhrer Professor of Civil War Studies at Gettysburg College and has taught here since 1981. He was born and raised in Hungary, and educated in South Dakota and Massachusetts. He is author, co-author, and editor of sixteen books on Lincoln and the Civil War and has lectured around the world. His book The Gettysburg Gospel was excerpted as a cover story in U.S. News & World Report in 2006. He serves on several boards, including the Lincoln Bicentennial Commission. He had cameo roles in the films Gettysburg and Gods and Generals, and served as a historical advisor to both. He lives with his wife, Elizabeth, on a farm outside of Gettysburg, where they have raised three sons.
GC 209
From Budapest to Gettysburg
Gabor Boritt, Director, Civil War Institute/Professor of Civil War Studies
As a corollary to GC209 or independent of that, come see a film depicting the remarkable life of Gabor Boritt, who left Hungary at the behest of his parents at the age of 16 and came to the United States in 1956. Though he spoke no English when he arrived, he ultimately became one of the world's foremost Lincoln scholars, has visited with luminaries from Steven Spielberg to sitting U.S. Presidents, and is the founder of Gettysburg's renowned Civil War Institute. The film was made by Gabor's son, Jake, and debuted to a full house at the Majestic Theater last fall. Jake poignantly asks why someone who has devoted his life to the study of history was so reticent to study his own history.
Please see Gabor's bio under GC 208
GC 210
Two Trials of the Century
Jennifer Fisher Bryant '82, Author
This class will focus on two widely celebrated and still-controversial 20th century trials: the 1925 Scopes evolution trial and the 1935 Lindbergh baby kidnapping trial. Using lecture, discussion, and archival images from her own book research, Jen will present the socio-economic, geographic and political contexts for the trials. Participants will analyze and discuss the evidence presented by the prosecution and the defense and consider whether justice was served.
Jen writes historical and contemporary fiction, poetry and biographies. She serves on the current Alumni Board of Directors, and also volunteers as a member of the College's Magazine Advisory Board. She lives in Glenmore, PA with husband Neil '82 and daughter, Leigh. Her website is http://www.jenbryant.com/.
GC 211
So What's Happening in the Elections this Year?
Shirley Anne Warshaw, Professor of Political Science
As the first election since 1952 in which no President or Vice President is running for the office of President, what's happening this year? Will the Democrats win the White House? Will they gain even more seats in the House and Senate? Or will they implode?
Shirley Anne, who received her Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins, is a nationally recognized expert on presidential politics. She has written seven books on the subject, and is frequently quoted in major magazines and on television and radio. Her eighth book, which will be released this fall, is about the Bush-Cheney White House. Her 22-years of teaching in the political science department at Gettysburg have earned her numerous teaching awards. Shirley Anne has strong connections in Washington, DC that she uses to the benefit of her students. She and her husband live in Mechanicsburg, where they've raised three boys.
GC 212
Beginning Drawing
Margery Schuler '58, Artist
This "hands on" course will teach basic drawing skills for you, which you can also teach others. An added dimension will be to bring joy to "seeing."
Margery began her artwork by taking adult education classes while working in a career in Pharmacology. For 42 years she taught adult education classes in watercolor and drawing in Maine and a variety of workshops on the Maine Coast. Margery celebrates her 50th Reunion this week.
GC 213
A Performance of Address Unknown
Directed by George Muschamp '66
Kathrine Kressmann Taylor was an influential and popular professor of creative writing at Gettysburg College from 1947 until 1966, and came to Gettysburg having written a novella in 1938 - Address Unknown - that was turned into a movie in 1944 and much later, a play that became a world-wide phenomenon. That play will be performed in Kline Theatre as the capstone to this year's Alumni College. Directed by George Muschamp '66, a former pupil and later friend of Taylor's, the story is based on a series of letters between a Jewish art dealer, living in San Francisco, and his fellow German business partner, who was living in 1930s Nazi Germany. The story is compelling and has timeless messages for current and future generations. A reception will follow the performance.
300 North Washington Street · Gettysburg, PA 17325