Grand Dames of American Literature – Tucson

1890-1960

Although women authors have been part of the American literary scene since Puritan poet Anne Bradstreet in the 17th century, Abigail Adams in the 18th century, and Louisa May Alcott, Harriet Beecher Stowe and Emily Dickinson (and others) in the 19th century, it was not until the Progressive Era, beginning around 1890 and lasting well into the 20th century, that the true Grand Dames arrived on the scene. These authors were intelligent, sophisticated, talented, courageous, prolific and memorable. By the turn of the 20th century, the “new women” authors were using their literary talents to change the definition of womanhood in profound ways. They were getting jobs, attending college, fighting for the right to vote, rejecting the traditional domestic life, and proudly becoming part of the American literary landscape, many times against all odds. Join Dr. Bill Fry for this 8-week survey in which we will become better acquainted with the early Grand Dames of American literature.

Week 1: An introductory survey of five authors with brief readings from each:

1. Frances Ellen Watkins Harper (1825-1911)

2. Charlotte Perkins Gilman (1860-1935)

3. Ellen Glasgow (1874-1945)

4. Gertrude Stein (1874-1946)

5. Hilda Doolittle (H.D.) (1886-1946)

Week 2: Kate Chopin (1851-1904) – “The Story of An Hour” (Short story)

Sarah Orne Jewett (1849-1909) – “The Dulham Ladies” (Short story)

Week 3: Edith Wharton (1862-1937) – “Roman Fever” (Short story)

Week 4: Amy Lowell (1874-1925) and Edna St. Vincent Millay (1892-1950) (Selected poetry)

Week 5: Willa Cather (1873-1947) – “Paul’s Case”

Week 6: Zora Neale Hurston (1891-1960) – Their Eyes Were Watching God (Novel)

Week 7: Katherine Anne Porter (1890-1980) – “He” (Short story)

Week 8: Eudora Welty (1909-2001) – “The Petrified Man” (Short story)


Instructor: William A. Fry

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Chopin and the Romantic Era

Being a true Romantic artist, Chopin created a new piano style of extreme emotional intensity expressed in absolutely perfect form. After leaving Poland Chopin settled in Paris where he met and befriended great French writers, composers and painters such as Balzac, Berlioz and Delacroix. He stunned French aristocracy and general public with his blend of Polish folk elements and the universal European style.

Chopin was a truly innovative piano virtuoso sublimating his brilliant pianistic arsenal into transcendent artistic creativity. Chopin’s music symbolizes Polish culture in many different ways. He was a Polish patriot and a true national composer. Chopin created piano pieces where the Polish national character is reflected through the beautiful, often sad, melodies, particular Slavic modes and rhythmic patterns. The call to Polish Independence is clearly heard in his polonaises, and his mazurkas reflect endless varieties of moods truly which became Chopin’s emotional diary throughout his life.

In a series of lectures illustrated with piano performances of selected works, explore Chopin’s music starting with his early piano concertos and etudes, continuing with his beautiful nocturnes, waltzes, mazurkas, barcarolle and polonaises. Special attention will be devoted to four Ballades, true romantic masterpieces, where Chopin’s genius reached the utmost height. We will discuss Chopin’s life, his relationship with George Sand, famous French novelist and his partner, who greatly influenced his life, as well as Chopin’s personality and connections with famous contemporaries such as Robert Schumann, Franz Liszt and Felix Mendelssohn.


Instructor: Alexander Tentser

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Grand Dames of American Literature – Oro Valley

1890-1960

Although women authors have been part of the American literary scene since Puritan poet Anne Bradstreet in the 17th century, Abigail Adams in the 18th century, and Louisa May Alcott, Harriet Beecher Stowe and Emily Dickinson (and others) in the 19th century, it was not until the Progressive Era, beginning around 1890 and lasting well into the 20th century, that the true Grand Dames arrived on the scene. These authors were intelligent, sophisticated, talented, courageous, prolific and memorable. By the turn of the 20th century, the “new women” authors were using their literary talents to change the definition of womanhood in profound ways. They were getting jobs, attending college, fighting for the right to vote, rejecting the traditional domestic life, and proudly becoming part of the American literary landscape, many times against all odds. Join Dr. Bill Fry for this 8-week survey in which we will become better acquainted with the early Grand Dames of American literature.

Week 1: An introductory survey of five authors with brief readings from each:

1. Frances Ellen Watkins Harper (1825-1911)

2. Charlotte Perkins Gilman (1860-1935)

3. Ellen Glasgow (1874-1945)

4. Gertrude Stein (1874-1946)

5. Hilda Doolittle (H.D.) (1886-1946)

Week 2: Kate Chopin (1851-1904) – “The Story of An Hour” (Short story)

Sarah Orne Jewett (1849-1909) – “The Dulham Ladies” (Short story)

Week 3: Edith Wharton (1862-1937) – “Roman Fever” (Short story)

Week 4: Amy Lowell (1874-1925) and Edna St. Vincent Millay (1892-1950) (Selected poetry)

Week 5: Willa Cather (1873-1947) – “Paul’s Case”

Week 6: Zora Neale Hurston (1891-1960) – Their Eyes Were Watching God (Novel)

Week 7: Katherine Anne Porter (1890-1980) – “He” (Short story)

Week 8: Eudora Welty (1909-2001) – “The Petrified Man” (Short story)


Instructor: William A. Fry

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Palaces Fit for a King

The Palaces of the French Monarchy and the Power of Place

When examining why Francois I brought the Italians to decorate Fontainebleau, or Catherine de Medici constructed the Tuileries Palace at the Louvre, or the whole history of Versailles under the Bourbons, it becomes clear that the French monarchy always carefully orchestrated the symbolism of its palaces and chateaux. Just mentioning their names evokes images of beauty, luxury and great artistic achievement, but also, power, ceremony and intrigue. Even without a monarchy these palaces still exert a powerful influence on our imagination, understanding, and cultural memory. This series of lectures examines three of the most famous royal residences from their construction to their use in present times. Artistic and architectural achievement, politics, economics and social developments will be interwoven with the interesting lives of those who lived in these luxurious royal abodes ranging from the Valois Kings to Napoleon III in the 19th Century.


Instructor: Kevin Justus

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Carefully Taught: Oscar Hammerstein & Stephen Sondheim – Session 1

The Theatre of Conscience

You’ve got to be taught to hate and fear, you’ve got to be taught from year to year,

It’s got to be drummed in your dear little ear, you’ve got to be carefully taught . . .”

– Oscar Hammerstein, South Pacific

Oscar Hammerstein II was a surrogate father and mentor to Stephen Sondheim. Hammerstein passed on to Sondheim the craft and art of creating Musical Theatre. “In one afternoon I learned more about songwriting and the musical theatre than most people learn in a lifetime.” Carefully Taught explores the theatre of conscience that is at the core of the musicals of Oscar Hammerstein and Stephen Sondheim. Both men explored social issues and subjects that had been off-limits in American Musical Comedy: Race prejudice, miscegenation, ethnic gang warfare, anti-immigration, the rise of Nazism in pre-war Austria, spousal abuse, and the moral responsibility of parenthood.

From Show Boat to Into the Woods, Carousel to Sweeney Todd, Oklahoma to Sunday In The Park with George, The Sound of Music to West Side Story, Carefully Taught celebrates the genius of Oscar Hammerstein and Stephen Sondheim as the two most influential artists of the American Musical Theatre. Both men managed to entertain and at the same time, speak to a higher moral truth in their work.

Careful the things you say, children will listen.

Careful the things you do, children will see & learn…”

– Stephen Sondheim, Into the Woods


Instructor: Richard T. Hanson

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Carefully Taught: Oscar Hammerstein & Stephen Sondheim – Session 2

The Theatre of Conscience

You’ve got to be taught to hate and fear, you’ve got to be taught from year to year,

It’s got to be drummed in your dear little ear, you’ve got to be carefully taught . . .”

– Oscar Hammerstein, South Pacific

Oscar Hammerstein II was a surrogate father and mentor to Stephen Sondheim. Hammerstein passed on to Sondheim the craft and art of creating Musical Theatre. “In one afternoon I learned more about songwriting and the musical theatre than most people learn in a lifetime.” Carefully Taught explores the theatre of conscience that is at the core of the musicals of Oscar Hammerstein and Stephen Sondheim. Both men explored social issues and subjects that had been off-limits in American Musical Comedy: Race prejudice, miscegenation, ethnic gang warfare, anti-immigration, the rise of Nazism in pre-war Austria, spousal abuse, and the moral responsibility of parenthood.

From Show Boat to Into the Woods, Carousel to Sweeney Todd, Oklahoma to Sunday In The Park with George, The Sound of Music to West Side Story, Carefully Taught celebrates the genius of Oscar Hammerstein and Stephen Sondheim as the two most influential artists of the American Musical Theatre. Both men managed to entertain and at the same time, speak to a higher moral truth in their work.

Careful the things you say, children will listen.

Careful the things you do, children will see & learn…”

– Stephen Sondheim, Into the Woods


Instructor: Richard T. Hanson

More Info / Registration

Speaking Up and Writing Down

Giving Voice to Our Stories!

So many of us enjoy writing, but instead of sharing our work we accumulate boxes of journals, stories, essays, etc. over the years. We replay in our minds insightful moments and experiences, thinking someday we’ll get them written down and even published. If you would like to give voice to your life stories, to liberate them from memory—let them have a life of their own—this is the class for you. We’ll write vignettes and essays utilizing a variety of narrative writing techniques to find the larger narrator within each of our stories: the voice which is able to discern the themes, patterns, and metaphors running through our lives: the voice which is more reliable and fresh than memory: the voice which keeps us evolving.

Whether you’re putting family stories together for yourself or the clan, seeking to publish your memoir or essays, or simply wanting a more vibrant, freer writing style, this class will allow you to explore, be heard, and get feedback in a supportive environment. Come practice getting out of your head, onto the page, and into a larger life!”


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World Archaeology

From Hunters and Gatherers to the Atomic Age

This course surveys the development of human culture after their emergence from Africa and entrance to the Americas. Students of Tracking the Footsteps of Humanity will get the “rest of the story” as modern humans spread throughout the globe, commit to agriculture, and establish global civilizations. Students that have not taken Tracking the Footsteps of Humanity, will have no problem jumping into the story as people begin to settle down on a global scale. The course will introduce archaeological and anthropological methods, theory, and findings through the lens of 6 broad topics. Class meetings include lecture, discussion, and readings.

Week 1: The Archaeology of Hunters and Gatherers

Week 2: Domestication

Week 3: Origins of Complexity

Week 4: Archaeology of Food and Fermentation

Week 5: Archaeology of Warfare and Violence

Week 6: Archaeology of the Modern World


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Cruising the Greek Islands

Yesterday and Today

Treat yourself to a fun-filled exploration of select Greek islands, both their ancient highlights and modern allures. Each class session begins by surveying the distinctive geographical and landscape features of individual islands, which are remarkably distinct from each other. We then view the ancient artistic and literary highlights, followed by the fantastic drives and views, beaches and water sports, delightful dining, waterfront areas, and other cultural amenities each island offers. From the Cyclades to Crete to the northern Dodecanese islands, you’ll discover fascinating details of Greek life past and present. If you are planning a trip or dream about doing so, you’ll enjoy this armchair adventure.

Week 1: Naxos and Paros

Week 2: Santorini

Week 3: Crete

Week 4: Karpathos and Rhodes

Week 5: Kos and Khios

Week 6: Samos and Lesvos


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The Sacred and the Profane

The Convergence of Art and Religion

There is a timeless union of art and religious expression, from the earliest spiritual depictions through the theological evolution of Western civilization to the significant though less familiar traditions of holy art in the non-Western world. No catalog of the world’s greatest art could be complete without abundant religious entries nor is it surprising that religious art constitutes a substantial portion of nearly every major museum’s holdings. Whether great artists were religious or not, many have made images of the gods and spirits according to their society’s belief system, a cultural legacy for every art lover. Explore this vast genre in a survey in 5 sessions that covers the most significant paintings, sculpture and architecture inspired by the divine. Topics include mythology, paganism, Hebrew and Early Christian, Middle Ages, the Renaissance and the modern era. Plus artwork of the Eastern religions, Native America, Asia and Africa. Guest speakers will include artists, collectors and experts from the art world.

Week 1: Introduction – Myth and Monotheism
Early spirits, primitives, ancient civilizations. Classical Greek, Roman sculpture, early Judaic, Christian and Islamic works. Middle Ages and the Gothic masterpieces.

Week 2: Renaissance Part I – Hellas Rediscovered Triumph of the narrative painting form.

Week 3: Renaissance Part II – The Golden Age of Christian Art
The Bible made visible, the important dead made divine.

Week 4: Modern Era
Modern man looks inward. Humanism and revival.

Week 5: Global/Contemporary
Religious art of the world. Societal, environmental and alternate themes


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