Newberry SeminarsFALL 2015

Chicago Culture

Public Art and Public Life in ChicagoSaturdays, 10:30 am - 12:15 pm September 12 - November 14

Through a series of walking tours, we will explore Chicago’s public art riches, including murals, commemorative statues, architectural sculpture, commercial decorations, and park designs. We will pay special attention to the role of public art in shaping the civic, national, and ethnic identities of its audiences, and consider the role of public art in promoting tourism, commerce, and political agendas. This course requires extensive walking. Ten sessions, $280 (includes a $10 entrance fee).

Diane Dillon is an art historian and has taught in the Newberry Seminars Program since 2003. She holds a PhD from Yale University.

It Didn’t All Go Up in Flames: Exploring Pre-Fire Chicago at the NewberryThursdays, 5:45 - 7:45 pm October 8 - 29

Think the Great Chicago Fire burned everything you might use to discover what the city was like in its early days? Think again! Join us as we explore a gold mine of pre-Fire treasures−many drawn from the Newberry’s collections−including maps, diaries, church records, newspapers, and sheet music. Selected primary source readings will further inform our discussions about what life was like for early Chicagoans. Four sessions, $170.

Ginger Frere, MLS, is a Newberry reference librarian and researcher. Matt Rutherford, MLS, is Curator of Genealogy and Local History at the Newberry.

Nature and the City in Chicago Poetry and ProseWednesdays, 6 - 7:30 pm October 14 - November 18

Cities and nature seem to be opposites. The geography of Chicago certainly suggests as much, as the grid of streets screeches to a halt at the edge of Lake Michigan. But poetry and fiction by Chicago writers suggest a more complex relationship between city dwellers and the natural environment. We will read fiction and poetry written from the early twentieth century to the early twenty-first to explore the dynamic tension between built and natural environments. Six sessions, $180.

Bill Savage is Associate Professor of Instruction in the English Department at Northwestern University; he has taught Newberry seminars about Chicago topics since 1992.

Arts, Music, and Language

Keys to Great Orchestral WorksThursdays, 2 - 4 pm September 17 - November 19

Orchestra music is by far the most complex form for any composer. A profound understanding of some of the greatest orchestral works can illuminate the composer’s inspiration, revealing how he or she put a piece of music together, and how the piece expresses the ideas that inspired it. Form, harmonic language, rhythmic significance, and historical contexts are just some of the factors to consider when exploring what goes into writing a great piece of music. This in-depth understanding provides a foundation for appreciating many pieces of music we encounter during our lives. Ten sessions, $270.

Stephen Kleiman holds a BA from the Mannes College of Music in New York and an MA from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. He has conducted throughout Europe and the U.S. and now devotes his time to composing, writing articles, and teaching music.

Cultural Diversity of American MusicSaturdays, 10 am - noon September 19 - November 7

While the “melting pot” metaphor is often used to describe the process of acculturation in the United States, American art and culture have always borne inf luences from a range of diverse traditions. Through a close examination of American music history—from early Native American music to European inf luences of the nineteenth century, and finally to popular music of the twentieth century—we will aim to better understand how the diversity of America is ref lected in its music. Eight sessions, $240.

David Pituch, a musicologist and performer, has taught college-level courses on American music for nearly two decades.

Registration opens August 11, at 10 am. The early registration deadline is September 10 at 4 pm. Register online at www.newberry.org/adult-education-seminars or call (312) 255-3700.

“Sonare et balare.” Theatrum sanitatis di Ububchasym de Baldach. 1971. Newberry folio ND3399.I15 T336 1970 vol. 3.

The Intimate and Wonderful World of Chamber MusicTuesdays, 2 - 4 pm September 29 - November 17

Chamber music is often erroneously perceived as stuffy, high-brow, and completely separate from the symphonic experience. In fact, compositions for small ensemble (trios, quartets, etc.) are some of the most accessible and intimate of classical music, representing a microcosm of everything we associate with the symphony. We will explore the richness of the repertoire by listening to masterworks by a range of composers from Beethoven, Haydn, Mozart, and Schubert to Bartok, Brahms, Dvorak, Mendelssohn, and Shostakovich. Eight sessions, $240.

Stephanie Ettelson brings a unique perspective to the symphonic and chamber repertoire as an orchestral and chamber music violinist, music educator, and arts writer.

Understanding the Genius of Johannes BrahmsTuesdays, 2 - 4 pm September 29 - December 1

Although much of his work was unpopular during his lifetime, Johannes Brahms has proven a pivotal f igure in Romantic music. Composed amid a clash between conservative, traditional German music and the more innovative style of the emerging Romantics, Brahms’s symphonies, chamber music, and choral works are among the most frequently recorded and performed today. We will explore how Brahms’s life inspired the impressive and respected body of work he produced. Ten sessions, $270.

Stephen Kleiman holds a BA from the Mannes College of Music in New York and an MA from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. He has conducted throughout Europe and the U.S. and now devotes his time to composing, writing articles, and teaching music.

Italian Music to 1850Thursdays, 2 -4 pm October 1 - November 19

Italian composers and performers have been enriching musical life since the Middle Ages. In this seminar we will sample contributions by such composers as Palestrina, Frescobaldi, Monteverdi, Corelli, Vivaldi, Albinoni, Boccherini, Pergolesi, Rossini, Cherubini, Bellini, and Donizetti. In addition to appreciating the brilliance of individual Italian composers, we will acclimate ourselves to the conventions and characteristics of musical genres invented in Italy, such as the Mass, motet, madrigal, concerto, sonata, and opera. Many of our recordings will feature distinguished Italian performers of the past and present. Eight sessions, $240.

Guy Marco has tauaght in 11 universities, written or edited 50 books, and published a hundred articles and reviews. He holds a PhD from the University of Chicago and has led Newberry seminars since 1996.

Golden Age: Dutch Art in the Age of RembrandtTuesdays, 2 - 4 pm October 6 - November 10

The Dutch Golden Age of the seventeenth century witnessed a f lourishing of the visual arts in a prosperous and proudly independent nation. No longer thought of as simple “realism,” Dutch art has become appreciated for its complexity and sophistication. We will explore Dutch artists’ creativity and virtuosity in what were once thought of elsewhere as lesser genres—landscape, still life, and scenes of everyday human activity—and examine the towering genius of Rembrandt in context. Six sessions, $200.

Jeffrey Nigro is a research associate in the Department of Ancient and Byzantine Art at the Art Institute of Chicago, where he is also an adjunct lecturer.

The Courtier Sings: Words and Music in Renaissance ItalyTuesdays, 6 - 7:30 pm October 6 - 27

In Castiglione’s Book of the Courtier, musical skill, especially singing, is exalted as a worthy accomplishment. Italian Renaissance song—with the madrigal at its core—was an intimate marriage of music and poetry, and its performance was a convivial and high-minded recreation. The centerpiece of this seminar is the close study of a core musical repertoire and the cultural settings that produced it. Prior Italian language or musical experience is helpful but not required. Readings for the first session will be destributed electronically prior to the class; please refer to your registration confirmation for details. Four sessions, $120.

Shawn Marie Keener holds a PhD in music history and theory from the University of Chicago. She spent a year in Venice on a Fulbright research fellowship and has taught in colleges and universities in Colorado and the Chicago area.

Picturing the Great War: Conflict, Representation, and Memory in American CultureTuesdays, 11 am - 1 pm October 6 - November 24

World War I ushered in profound changes in American society and culture. Studying diverse materials ranging from recruitment posters and propaganda films to paintings, novels, periodicals, and sheet music, we will analyze how the Great War affected conceptions about battle, the human body, identity, nationalism, and collective memory in the United States. Readings for the first session will be distributed electronically prior to the class; please refer to your registration confirmation for details. Eight sessions, $240.

Patricia Scanlan holds a PhD in American art and visual culture from Indiana University. She is an independent art historian in Chicago and serves as an adjunct lecturer at the Art Institute of Chicago.

Re-envisioning ImpressionismThursdays, 2 - 4 pm October 8 - November 19 (class will not meet October 15)

Originally launched as a protest against the entrenched and outdated policies of the French Academy, the leading art institution of the day, Impressionism is now seen as a movement chief ly preoccupied with leisure subjects and f leeting light effects. In this course we will investigate just how complex the movement was by examining how artists such as Cassatt, Degas, Monet, and Renoir participated in divisive contemporary dialogues about aesthetic, political, social, and philosophical issues. Readings for the first session will be distributed electronically prior to the class; please refer to your registration confirmation for details. Six sessions, $200.

Margaret Farr is an art historian who worked at the Art Institute of Chicago for over 17 years and has taught at St. Xavier University and Columbia College.

Long Stitch BookbindingSaturdays, 10 am - 1 pm October 31 - November 21

Appearing as early as the thirteenth century, the long stitch binding has had a long and decorative history. This binding features exposed sewing, a limp cover (traditionally made of parchment or paper), and a variety of materials—from horn to leather—which serve as a spine support. While originally designed as a stationery binding, the long stitch has experienced a revival with contemporary binders and book artists. We will create two different long stitch bindings in this class: the first, an historical model, the second, an artistic twist on the tradition. Four sessions, $200. There will be an additional $15 materials fee payable at the first class session.

Barbara Korbel is the Collections and Exhibitions Conservator at the Newberry, where she encounters extraordinary books on a daily basis.

Philosophy and Religion

Western Mysticism: Fourteenth-Century EnglandThursdays, 5:45 - 7:45 pm September 17 - November 12

The age of Geoffrey Chaucer saw the appearance of many supremely gifted thinkers and writers on the mystical life. We will read two of the best of them: the anonymous author of The Cloud of Unknowing, a Carthusian monk who brought to his native English the mysticism that began in antiquity; and Julian of Norwich, the anchoress who employed the word-image of “Mother Jesus” to explore the depths of the mystery of God’s will and human sin. Ten sessions, $270.

Robert Sprott holds an MA in anthropology and theology, and a PhD in linguistics. A Catholic priest and a Franciscan, he is administrator of St. James Church in Chicago.

Approaches to Auschwitz: Origins, Reality, and Lessons of the HolocaustThursdays, 6 - 7:30 pm October 1 - November 17

The Holocaust, referred to by theologian Emil Fackenheim as an “epoch-making event,” was the culmination of the centuries-long history of antisemitism that lies near the heart of Western civilization. This seminar will draw upon Richard Rubenstein and John Roth’s recent text, Approaches to Auschwitz, a collaboration between a Jewish and a Christian scholar, to deepen our understanding of the origins, reality, and lessons of the Holocaust. For the first class meeting, participants should read the prologue of Approaches to Auschwitz. Eight sessions, $200.

Eugene Newman is a long-time Newberry seminar leader in philosophical topics.

History and Social Science

The Roman RepublicSaturdays, 10 am - noon September 12 – November 14

Inexorable territorial expansion and recurrent social conf licts characterized the Roman Republic during its rise to dominance in Italy and beyond. By surveying the history of ancient Rome from 509 to 27 BCE, this seminar will investigate such topics as the basic institutions of the republic; the Punic Wars; the struggle for power between optimates and populares; the ascent of Julius Caesar and his assassination; the triumph of Octavian over Marc Antony and Cleopatra; and the establishment of the principate. Participants should read chapters 1-4 of Everitt’s The Rise of Rome: The Making of the World’s Greatest Empire for the first class. Ten sessions, $270.

Frank A. Biletz holds a PhD in history from the University of Chicago, with a primary specialization in modern British and Irish history. He is a lecturer in history at Loyola University Chicago and has been teaching seminars at the Newberry since 1994.

Extraterrestrials in Western Thought from Antiquity to 1915Saturdays, 1 - 3 pm September 19 - October 31

Since the fifth century BCE, philosophers, theologians, scientists, and literary figures have contributed to what historians call the extraterrestrial life debate. We will examine the rich written legacy in which philosophy, science, and religion intersect in response to the still unresolved question “are we alone?” We will read excerpts from such notable contributors as Aristotle, Aquinas, Kepler, Descartes, Newton, Kant, William Herschel, Voltaire, Darwin, and Dostoevsky. For the first class meeting, participants should read chapters 1-2 of The Extraterrestrial Life Debate: Antiquity to 1915, A Source Book. Seven sessions, $220.

Lee Minnerly holds an MA in anthropology and is associated with the Webster Institute for the History of Astronomy at Adler Planetarium. He also teaches at Harper College.

The Weimar Republic: Germany, 1919-1933Section A: Tuesdays, 1 - 3 pm Section B: Tuesdays, 5:45 - 7:45 pm September 29 - December 1

Founded in the aftermath of imperial Germany’s defeat in the Great War and ending with the Nazi seizure of power, the Weimar Republic was marked by economic, political, and social turbulence, as well as cultural ferment and innovation. We will explore such topics as the humiliating terms of the Versailles Treaty, the hyperinf lation of 1923, the emergence of the Nazi Party, the consequences of the Great Depression, and the creative achievements in art, architecture, cinema, and music at the time. Participants should read chapter 1 of Weitz’s Weimar Germany: Promise and Tragedy before the first class meeting. Ten sessions, $270.

Frank A. Biletz holds a PhD in history from the University of Chicago, with a primary specialization in modern British and Irish history, and a secondary field in modern German history. He is a lecturer in history at Loyola University Chicago and has been teaching seminars at the Newberry since 1994.

The Crusades through Historical FictionWednesdays, 5:45 - 7:45 pm September 30 - December 9 (class will not meet November 25)

Explore the highlights of the Crusades from the eleventh through the fourteenth centuries—including their origins, causes, and outcomes—through historical f iction. Novels by Nora Lofts, Cecelia Holland, and others will introduce the period. Using these novels as background, class meetings will discuss topics such as religion and politics, cultural contrasts, the Latin East, food and commerce, the military orders, and women in the Crusades. Ten sessions, $270.

Matthew Bird, a law librarian and independent scholar, has a BA in history from Princeton University and a PhD in international politics from the University of Wales.

Louis XIV and Seventeenth-Century France: Scandals, Glory, and DespairWednesdays, 2 - 4 pm October 7 - December 2 (class will not meet November 25)

This course will offer an intimate look at Louis XIV during a crucible of scandal and intrigue: the Fronde (rebellions of the artistocrats against a strong monarchy), the four wars led by the king, and two events which became the talk of Europe: l’Affaire Fouquet (the imprisonment for life of the minister of f inances), and l’Affaire des Poisons (a string of aristocratic poisonings that involved Madame de Montespan, the king’s mistress). We will explore this fascinating constellation of grandeur, politics, and death. Eight sessions, $240.

Jeanine Teodorescu teaches French language, literature, and culture at DePaul University.

War without EndThursdays, 5:45 - 7:45 pm October 8 - November 5

Historians have wrestled with the question of who bears the guilt for starting World War I. This seminar invites participants instead to consider who was to blame for failing to end the conf lict once it was underway. Discussion will focus on the historical origins of and reactions to peace proposals−sincere or contrived−by President Woodrow Wilson, the Women’s Peace Conference, German Chancellor Bethmann-Hollweg, Pope Benedict XV, British Lord Lansdowne, and Habsburg Emperor Karl I. Five sessions, $170.

Joseph Harrington holds a master’s degree in history from the University of Connecticut. He has led numerous Newberry seminars.

Dumb in AmericaThursdays, 6 - 7:30 pm October 8 - November 12

Even in the so-called Information Age, anti-intellectualism, pseudo-intellectualism, and ignorance permeate American life. When the health of a society’s civic life and politics require rational debate, these issues are not mere annoyances. Because America’s natural and human resources enable its participation in all sorts of world affairs, the lives of many are at stake. We will consider the historic roots and present state of America’s peculiar thinking problems through works by Richard Hofstadter, Susan Jacoby, and others. For the first class meeting, participants should get as far as possible in Hofstadter’s Anti-Intellectualism in American Life. Additional readings for the first session will be distributed electronically; please refer to your registration confirmation for details. Six sessions, $180.

Tim Lacy is an historian who has published on the history of American thought, culture, and education.

Did It Really Happen That Way: Getting to the Truth in HistoryTuesdays, 5:45 - 7:45 pm October 20 - December 1

What is history and why is it so disputed? This course will pull back the curtain on the historian’s craft and explain how avid readers of history, genealogists, and family historians can grapple with questions of how the past is written and understood. Through readings from leading historians we will explore the idea of truth in historical study, the process of unearthing secrets from the past, and the consequences of resurrecting memory. Material from a wide variety of historical moments and settings will guide us through the process of examining our assumptions about the past and developing our skills in historical thinking. Readings for the first session will be distributed electronically prior to the class; please refer to your registration confirmation for details. Seven sessions, $220.

Brooke Heagerty holds a PhD in history from Michigan State University, and is writing a book on the legacies of slavery and the power of history and memory.

Genealogy

Genetic GenealogySaturdays, 10 am - noon September 19 – October 10

All genealogists know the frustration of being stymied when a paper trail ends or there is not enough evidence to prove a relationship. DNA analysis, combined with traditional documentary research methods, can extend the reconstruction of your family tree. We will explore the biological concepts of genetics and inheritance patterns to be able to analyze DNA results within a genealogical context. Although not required, participants will derive maximum benefit from the course if they have DNA autosomal results from a testing company (Familytreedna, 23andMe, or AncestryDNA) prior to the course. Please read the first two chapters of Jones’s Mastering Genealogical Proof for the first session. Four sessions, $160.

Karen Stanbary is a professional genealogist trained in the use of DNA testing for genealogical purposes.

Genetic Genealogy: Advanced Practical Application Saturdays, 10 am - noon October 31 - November 21

This seminar is the second in a sequence with Genetic Genealogy (see above). We will expand on concepts covered in the first seminar with the use of real-time demonstration and a hands-on practical skills laboratory. This course will focus exclusively on the analytical methodology and tools used to solve genealogical problems with autosomal DNA test results. In addition to having autosomal test results in hand, participants should also have a laptop or tablet for use in class. Four sessions, $160.

Karen Stanbary is a professional genealogist trained in the use of DNA testing for genealogical purposes.

Southern Italian Genealogy: Discovering Ancestral Documents in Italy and in the United StatesSaturdays, 10 am - noon September 19 - October 3

Millions of Americans claim Italian ancestry despite being generations removed from their immigrant ancestors, making it diff icult to find family records. Through a hands-on approach, participants will learn how to access and utilize Italian religious and civil documents without ever leaving the U.S. This three-day seminar is oriented toward intermediate to advanced genealogists who are adding to an Italian family tree. Proficiency in Italian is not required. Three sessions, $120.

William Cellini, Jr., has over 25 years of experience researching, translating, and transcribing Italian civil and ecclesiastical records for genealogical use. He is also a member of the Italian American Studies Association.

Western European SurnamesWednesdays, 5:45 - 7:45 pm October 7 - 21

What mysteries of the past can be unlocked by your family’s last names? This seminar provides an introduction to the surnames of Western Europe, which are based on family lineage, occupations, nicknames, and placenames. In addition to a primary focus on English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish, we will touch on Jewish surnames, as well as Dutch, Gaelic, Scandinavian, and Slavic. Please read the first chapter in Smith’s American Surnames for the f irst session. Three sessions, $120.

Jack Shreve is an historical linguist who holds a PhD in Spanish linguistics from the University of Pittsburgh and has taught for more than 30 years at Allegany College of Maryland. He has been published in Names, a journal produced by the American Name Society.

Beginning Genealogy: A Crash CourseSaturday, 9:30 am - 12:30 pm October 17

The Newberry holds one of the strongest genealogy research collections in the nation. This one-session course will show you where to begin tracing your family’s history in America. Learn about genealogical relationships, traditional family trees and charts, DNA testing for kinship, and accredited research methods for f inding information at home and in public sources. One session, $65.

Marsha Peterson-Maass is a forensic genealogist and member of the Association of Professional Genealogists. She has led genealogy seminars at the Newberry since 2002.

Genealogical Research Beyond Ancestry.comSaturday, 1:30 - 4:30 pm October 17

Did you get your start in genealogy with Ancestry.com? Not really sure what to do now that you’ve exhausted their resources? This one-session seminar will help you take your genealogical project to the next level with accredited research methods, tools you’ve never used, and a multitude of other public sources. One session, $65.

Marsha Peterson-Maass is a forensic genealogist and member of the Association of Professional Genealogists. She has led genealogy seminars at the Newberry since 2002.

Introduction to DNA for KinshipSaturday, 9:30 am - 12:30 pm October 24

Whether you have taken any DNA tests or not, this seminar will help you understand atDNA, Y-DNA, and mtDNA test results, including haplogroups, ethnicity, and cousin matches. We’ll also discuss options for kinship results, DNA project groups, networking, and an overview of analyzing through triangulation, chromosome mapping, and phasing. One session, $65.

Marsha Peterson-Maass is a forensic genealogist and member of the Association of Professional Genealogists. She has led genealogy seminars at the Newberry since 2002.

Building Your Ancestor’s Business BiographySaturday, 1:30 - 4:30 pm October 24

How much of your ancestor’s biography ref lects his or her work life? This one-session seminar will show you how to build a business biography, f ind genealogical employee and business records for everyone from factory workers to coal miners to business owners, and even take part in a working life version of “Who Do You Think You Are?” One session, $65.

Marsha Peterson-Maass is a forensic genealogist and member of the Association of Professional Genealogists. She has led genealogy seminars at the Newberry since 2002.

Literature and Theater

Reading Ivan TurgenevSaturdays, 1 - 3 pm September 19 - November 21

What makes Ivan Turgenev a superb stylist and psychologist? What is Turgenev’s Russia? How do Turgenev’s works fit into the ideological polemics of his time? We will discuss Turgenev’s novels Rudin, A Nest of Gentry, and Fathers and Sons; his novellas First Love and Spring Torrents; his realistic and supernatural short stories; and his essays and letters. We will also watch episodes from film adaptations of Turgenev’s work. Readings will be supplemented by biographical, historical, and critical information provided by the instructor. Please read “A Sportsman’s Sketches” in The Essential Turgenev for the first meeting. Ten sessions, $270.

Julia Kriventsova Denne studied literature at St. Petersburg University, Russia, and teaches Russian literature in the Chicago area.

The Literary Culture of Nineteenth-Century AmericaSaturdays, 10 am - noon September 19 - November 7

What do wasps and canals have to do with literature? What elements affected the development of literature in nineteenth-century America? We will explore the literary culture of this period in American letters by focusing on the physical production of f iction and the concerns, themes, and techniques of important writers such as Hawthorne, Melville, and James, as well as of popular women writers. Eight sessions, $240.

Elzbieta Foeller-Pituch teaches literary history at Northwestern University, and is assistant director of the Chabraja Center for Historical Studies there.

American Drama I: The Beginning of a Long JourneyTuesdays, 6 - 7:30 pm September 29 - November 17 (class will not meet November 10)

The plays of William Hellman, Arthur Miller, Clifford Odets, Eugene O’Neill, Thornton Wilder, and Tennessee Williams have defined American theater’s power and enduring inf luence. In this lecture- and discussion-based seminar, we will examine the major works of these playwrights, concentrating on theme, structure, and social impact. Such plays as The Iceman Cometh, All My Sons, The Glass Menagerie, and Our Town demonstrate these elements brilliantly while giving insight into the question of what it meant to be an American during the first half of the twentieth century. For the first class meeting, please read the play Waiting for Lefty by Odets. Seven sessions, $190.

Todd Bauer holds an MA in liberal studies from Northwestern University. He is a playwright and director whose work has been performed in Chicago and New York.

Historical Fiction or Fictional History? Wolf Hall, Doctor Copernicus, and LibraTuesdays, 5:45 - 7:45 pm September 29 - November 24 (class will not meet November 3)

Is historical f iction really just history by another name? How does one define the relationship between the two? What are the similarities and differences between the ways in which historical f igures are portrayed in imagined situations and fictional characters are placed within historical events? We will seek answers to these questions through an examination of Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall, John Banville’s Doctor Copernicus, and Don DeLillo’s Libra. Please read parts 1 and 2 of Wolf Hall for the first class meeting. Eight Sessions, $240

Jim Hecimovich has taught magical realism, dystopian novels, Gabriel Garcia-Marquez, Don DeLillo, and Cervantes at the Newberry.

Marcel Proust’s The Captive and The FugitiveTuesdays, 6 - 7:30 pm September 29 - December 1

The narrator’s obsessive love affair with Albertine consumes him and much of the fifth and sixth volumes of Proust’s great novel, In Search of Lost Time. Even with Albertine almost never out of his sight, suspicions about her fidelity and her past torment him endlessly. Meanwhile, the class structure that had governed Parisian society continues to disintegrate, as the cataclysm of World War I approaches. Please read to page 63 of In Search of Lost Time, Volume 5 for the first session. Ten sessions, $230.

Mike Levine’s most recent Newberry seminar was on Marcel Proust’s Sodom and Gomorrah. He holds a PhD in English from Rice University.

Shakespeare’s Hollow CrownWednesdays, 2 - 4 pm September 30 - November 18

In Richard II, Henry IV parts 1 and 2, and Henry V, Shakespeare presents an insightful view of the deposition of Richard II, the rise and fall of Henry IV, and the heroic battles of his son, Henry V. We will study, view, and discuss specific qualities and truths about the human relationships found in the plays. Short weekly talks by the instructor on historical performance practice will enrich our understanding of the texts. Eight sessions, $240.

John Nygro is a lecturer, actor, and musician in the Chicago area.

A Serial Reading of MiddlemarchWednesdays, 2 - 4 pm September 30 - December 2 (class will not meet November 25)

George Eliot’s celebrated Victorian masterpiece, Middlemarch, can be daunting to approach. In this seminar we will explore the novel in manageable weekly installments (with no spoilers!) supplemented with shorter works of literature, art, and film. The result is an engaging in-depth look at Eliot’s literary technique as well as her insights into culture, science, art, and psychology. For the first class meeting, participants should read the novel’s prelude and chapter 1. Nine sessions, $260.

Steven Venturino holds a PhD from Loyola University Chicago, where he also taught 18 years. He is the author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Literary Theory and Criticism.

The Silmarillion: J. R. R. Tolkien’s MythologyWednesdays, 5:45 - 7:45 pm September 30 - December 2 (class will not meet November 25)

Discover the epic tales that make up the mythological background for The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings trilogy. In this seminar, we will journey through the history of Middle-earth, from the creation of the world to the War of the Ring, as we explore the complex web of legends that Tolkien drew upon, including those of Norse, Celtic, Finnish, Jewish, and Christian traditions. Nine sessions, $260.

Karl Seigfried writes The Norse Mythology Blog and is currently working on his fourth degree, an MA in religion at the University of Chicago Divinity School.

The Art of Memory and Silence: The Meditative Fiction of Patrick Modiano and W.G. SebaldWednesdays, 6 - 7:45 pm September 30 - December 2 (class will not meet November 25)

When individual and collective memories of an entire period have been erased, and a people’s heritage destroyed, how can we deal with the loss and gain understanding of the forces that caused it? Acclaimed writer W. G. Sebald and Nobel Prize recipient Patrick Modiano, both born at the end of World War II, explored the themes of memory, identity, absence, and loss in this context. We will examine these authors’ writings in light of the historical events that shaped their consciousness and discuss the role that absence of memory plays in denial of past and present genocides. Nine sessions, $260.

Dagmar Herrmann is an award-winning translator, lecturer, and independent scholar. Her academic background spans from Prague to Grenoble, and from Jerusalem to Chicago.

Contemporary Short StoriesThursdays, 2 - 4 pm October 1 - November 12

We will read short stories of great literary merit written of the past 25 years by highly-acclaimed American, Canadian, British, and Nigerian authors. We will discuss the elements of f iction as they apply to each work, along with the moral and philosophical questions raised within the stories. We will also discuss the historical and cultural climates in which the author lived and how these climates have affected their works. Author interviews, literary criticism, and related items from the Newberry’s collections will supplement the discussions. Readings for the first session will be distributed electronically prior to the class; please refer to your registration confirmation for details. Seven sessions, $190.

Linda Levine has an MA in English education from Northwestern University, and has taught English and other humanities subjects for several decades, including previous seminars at the Newberry.

Sex in the Studio: Zola’s Painters and the Parisian Art WorldTuesdays, 5:45 - 7:45 pm October 6 - November 24

Is the image of the tempestuous artist—driven by desire as much as by talent—fact, f iction, or a fusion of both? Explore—and perhaps explode—this myth by reading Émile Zola’s provocative novels Thèrése Raquin and The Masterpiece within the context of the volatile Parisian art world of 1850-1870. Eight sessions, $240.

Debra Mancoff, author of Fashion in Impressionist Paris, Mary Cassatt: Ref lections of Women’s Lives, and Monet’s Gardens in Art, writes on art, fashion, and culture.

Photograph of Marcel Proust, n.d. From the Newberry’s Fanny Butcher Papers: Series 6: Box 41,

The Metaphysical Detective NovelSaturdays, 1 -2:30 pm October 10 - November 14

Long before HBO’s smash hit True Detective, there existed a subgenre of detective fiction that eschewed traditional police procedural or whodunit scenarios in favor of existential enigmas and postmodern paradoxes. We will survey novels that subvert the physics—that is to say, the laws and conventions—of the detective story in order to stage radical literary experiments. Authors include Paul Auster, Friedrich Dürrenmatt, Leonardo Sciascia, Witold Gombrowicz, and Alain Robbe-Grillet. Please read the entirety of City of Glass by Paul Auster for the first session. Six sessions, $200.

Harrison M J Sherrod is the coordinator of the Karla Scherer Center for the Study of American Culture at the University of Chicago and communications manager at Rebuild Foundation.

Writing Workshops

The Elements of Creative WritingSaturdays, 1 - 3 pm September 19 - November 14 (class will not meet October 10)

Painters have color. Musicians have sound. Writers have words, which create colors, sounds, f igures of speech, images, characters, conf licts, suspense, ideas, and plots. This writing workshop will explore the elements, methods, and skills of creative writing in three ways: the workshop leader will provide detailed weekly writing prompts; participants will be encouraged to present work for formal (and lively) discussion at least once during the term; and everyone will exercise their creative faculties in class discussion. This supportive, challenging, and collaborative workshop is open to all writers at all levels. Eight sessions, $240.

Brooke Bergan has taught creative writing for more than 25 years; has published critically acclaimed books, poetry, fiction, essays, translations, and a play; and is currently working on a novel.

Writing for the TheaterSaturdays, 1 - 3 pm September 19 - November 7

Designed for beginning playwrights as well as for writers of other media, this seminar emphasizes what makes a scene work, how to develop character through dialogue and action, and how to think in theatrical terms. Weekly writing assignments will focus on points of attack, conf licts, resolution, text, and subtext. At the conclusion of the class, participants will have a

better understanding of how to write scenes that are dramatic, engaging, and entertaining. Eight sessions, $240.

Douglas Post is an award-wining playwright whose work has been produced around the world. He has taught at Northwestern University, DePaul University, and Victory Gardens Theater. He currently teaches at Chicago Dramatists.

Start Your ScreenplayThursdays, 5:45 - 7:45 pm October 1 - December 3 (class will not meet November 26)

Have you ever said, “I have the perfect idea for a movie”? Now’s the time to stop talking and start writing. We will develop a working outline, log line, and perfect pitch for a screenplay based on the industry-accepted blueprint for the 110-120 page manuscript. We will explore act breaks, character arcs, and story and plot points to turn your brilliant idea into a sizzling story. Nine sessions, $260.

Colleen Delegan, a member of the Writer’s Guild of America, West, is an award-winning author, screenwriter, television writer, and ghostwriter. She has written pilots for ABC, NBC, and CBS.

Picture This: Writing Picture Books for ChildrenWednesdays, 5:45 - 7:45 pm October 7 - November 11

This workshop focuses on how to create and write a successful children’s picture book that connects with both young readers and today’s ever-changing marketplace. Participants’ manuscripts will be shared and discussed to highlight the variety of picture books and structures, craft, the writing process, and publishing opportunities. Writers of all levels will be offered a supportive, challenging, and encouraging environment. Six sessions, $200.

Esther Hershenhorn authors award-winning picture books and middle-grade fiction, coaches children’s book writers, and recently served on the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators Board of Advisors.

Registration opens August 11, at 10 am. The early registration deadline is September 10 at 4 pm. Register online at www.newberry.org/adult-education-seminars or call (312) 255-3700.

Advertising booklet produced by G.C. Hanford. 1911. Newberry Wing ZP 8831 .02 no.9.

Welcome to the Fall 2015 term of the Newberry Seminars Program. We are proud to offer a wide variety of informal, non-credit courses designed for adults with busy schedules and inquiring minds, all under the roof of one of the nation’s most renowned humanities research libraries.

Registration opens August 11, at 10 am. The early registration deadline is Thursday, September 10, at 4 pm. After this date, registration costs will increase by 10 percent, and classes with fewer than the minimum seven registrants will be canceled. All listed prices in the brochure reflect the early registration cost. The term begins Thursday, September 17.

Register online at www.newberry.org or call (312) 255-3700.

Seminar registrations are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Many seminars fill quickly; therefore, we encourage you to enroll early. Full payment is required at the time of registration, and we cannot pro-rate tuition to compen-sate for missed classes. Seven registrants are needed to run a class.

We offer a 10% discount to:

– Associates of the Newberry at the Author level ($100 and above), or

– Seniors 65 and over, or

– Students (valid student ID required)

Refunds:

Requests for refunds must be received in writing; to request a refund, email us at programs@newberry.org. The Seminars Office retains a 10% processing fee.

– For single- or two-session seminars, tuition (less the 10% processing fee) is refundable until 24 hours before the seminar begins.

– For all seminars longer than two sessions, tuition (less the 10% processing fee) is refundable until 24 hours prior to the second class meeting.

Books and Materials:

The Newberry Bookstore stocks most required and recommended titles for the seminars. Associates of the Newberry at the Author level ($100 and above) receive a 10% discount on all seminar texts. Book and material costs are not included in the tuition price unless otherwise noted.

To register for a seminar please submit this form, along with your payment, to:

Newberry Library, Attn: Seminars, 60 W. Walton Street, Chicago, IL 60610

FIRST CHOICE

SECOND CHOICE (if your first choice is at maximum enrollment)

FIRST CHOICE

SECOND CHOICE (if your first choice is at maximum enrollment)

Tuition $

¨ I am a senior (65 or older). (10% discount) or

¨ I am a student (with a copy of valid ID enclosed). (10% discount) or

¨ I am an Associate of the Newberry Library at the Author level ($100) or above.

¨ I want to become an Associate at the $ level.

Join at the Author level of $100 or above, and receive a 10% discount on seminar tuition.

Tuition $

Tuition $

Tuition $

Total $

Total tuition $

(over)