August Seminars at Bjorklunden

A variety of seminars will be offered at Lawrence University’s Bjorklunden from Sunday, August 16 through Friday, August 21. These seminars include “The United States, the Soviet Union, and the Cold War,” “Way of Seeing Through French and Francophone Films,” and “Beethoven Symphonies:  Finding the Humor.”

“The United States, the Soviet Union, and the Cold War” will deal with the origins of the Cold War between two military superpowers. Particular attention will be paid to the foreign and domestic policy of the presidential administrations of Truman, Eisenhower and Kennedy.

The seminar will be led by Tim Crain, who received his B.A. and M.A. degrees from Marquette University and a Ph.D. in Modern European and Modern Jewish History from Arizona State University. His area of specialization is conflict studies, particularly Northern Ireland and the Middle East.

“Way of Seeing Through French and Francophone Film” will explore five selected French films that question how we perceive our world, our own culture, and cultures perhaps at odds with our own. Through the use of cinematic techniques, juxtaposed perspectives, and dramatic tensions, seminar participants will discuss how French and Francophone filmmakers help viewers see the world differently. Films will be shown afternoons and evenings while at Björklunden, and include:  Secret by Claude Miller; The Diving Bell & the Butterfly by Julian Schnabel; Dry Season by Mahamat-Saleh Haroun; Little Jerusalem by Karin Albou; and Indochine by Régis Wargnier.

Seminar facilitators will be Eilene Hoft-March and Judy Sarnecki. Hoft-March holds a B.A. in English and French from Carroll College and a Ph.D. in French Literature from the University of California, Berkeley. Sarnecki received her Ph.D. in French with a minor in History and Women’s Studies from University of Wisconsin-Madison and her B.A. in French and Psychology from Knox College. Her current research passion is the cinema of the Occupation years in France.

“Beethoven Symphonies:  Finding the Humor” will take participants on a lively and amusing musical journey – from the opening chords of “Symphony No. 1” through the incredible gestures of rollicking humor in Beethoven’s later symphonies. Enhanced with live piano demonstrations, these lectures will unmask the lighter side of Ludwig van Beethoven.

Pianist/composer Allen Bonde will facilitate the Beethoven seminar. Dr. Bonde is professor of music at Mount Holyoke College where he taught a popular seminar entitled “The Nine Symphonies of Beethoven:  a Listening Survey.”

Seminar classes meet weekday mornings and some evenings, with each session including meals prepared by Björklunden’s own resident chef. For more information call 920.839.2216.