Bjorklunden Offers Three New Seminars

From July 13 until July 18, Lawrence University’s Björklunden is offering these seminars: “The Kennedys: An American Experience” with Tim Crain, “The Tragic Comedy of Nikolai Gogol: Prose, Plays, Opera and Film” with Peter Thomas and “Midwest Medieval: Understanding the Boynton Chapel” with Ben Tilghman.

Although the Kennedys experienced great success in modern America, they also endured extraordinary tragedies. This seminar will focus on the rise of the Kennedy family, as well as its triumphs and tribulations throughout the modern era.

Crain is an adjunct assistant professor in the Center for Jewish Studies at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

“The Tragic Comedy of Nikolai Gogol” dives into the very heart of the Russian comic tradition. The week begins with selections from his early stories, continues with Mirgorod, Arabesques and the Petersburg tales, and will close with a tour of the Russian Inferno.

Thomas has been teaching in the Russian department at Lawrence University since 2006. His book Beside the Point: In the Shallows of Nabokov’s ‘The Gift’ will be published by Northwestern University Press in fall 2014.

“Midwest Medieval” will focus on Björklunden’s crown jewel: The Boynton Chapel. While both recognizing the achievement of the chapel and delighting in its eccentricities, this course will examine the ways in which the Boynton Chapel revives medieval artistic styles and theories, some of which are not obvious at first glance.

Tilghman specializes in Medieval and Renaissance art, and has published essays on the Book of Kells, Anglo-Saxon riddles and art, miniature drawings in a Renaissance prayer book, and the 21st-century manuscript known as the “Saint John’s Bible.”

Seminar classes meet weekday mornings and some evenings at Björklunden’s lodge, just south of Baileys Harbor. For complete course descriptions, fees, and registration dates call 920.839.2216 or visit lawrence.edu/s/bjorklunden/bjorkseminars.