October 1, 2009
Number 72
Coming Up... THIS IS THE TIME OF YEAR when programming for the fall
gets fully underway and we are heavily engaged in planning the
Fridays at the Mortensen program for spring. It’s also a time when there are lots of other
Saleh Keshawarz on Afghani- activities going on around campus that might be of interest to
stan, Fri., October 16 President’s College members. Our first fall event, SHOWCASE,
the all-day presentation of lectures and other activities, held on
Opera at the Met September 13, was a great success. One hundred people registered
Tosca, Thurs., October 8 and attended, so that, with speakers and staff members, over 140
The French Revolution people were on hand. Many signed up on the Pre-Raphaelites (Oct. 13), and Jane
Monday, October 12 the spot for our fall courses. Evaluations Barstow on novelist Toni Morrison (Oct.
were highly positive, with 82% rating the 21). There’s a lunch with David Hopkin,
program ―excellent.‖ Among the historian of Oxford University, on
The Pre-Raphaelites
comments: ―Informative, enjoyable, October 12. A dinner in the Fridays at the
Begins Tues., October 13 challenging,‖ ―Thought-provoking,‖ ―A Mortensen series follows on October 16,
wonderful intellectual experience.‖ Our guest will be engineering professor
Toni Morrison Among the particular successes: informal Saleh Keshawarz on Afghanistan.
Begins Wed., October 21 lunchtime conversations in foreign
Our London theatre trip, which
languages for those wishing to brush up
Poetry of Faith & Doubt Malcolm Morrison and I are organizing,
their knowledge. We have tentatively
Begins Mon., November 2 starts November 13. We are at capacity
selected Sunday, September 12, for next
with 16 participants. Among the theatre
year’s Showcase. Mark it down!
highlights will be The Habit of Art, a new
Philosophical Problems My course on Shakespeare’s Twelfth play by Alan Bennett (author of The
in the Law Night began two weeks ago, and has been History Boys), at the National Theatre,
Begins Tues., December 1 enlivened by the presence of colleagues and the sensational adaptation of Michael
Bob Davis (who is directing the play at Morpurgo’s book War Horse.
the University on October 15-18) and
I met recently with Jilda Aliotta,
Henry Fonte. We disagree just enough to
political scientist, about possibly
prove that there is no single interpretation
organizing a trip to Prague, combining an
of this fascinating play. Next week, some
exploration of history with a series of
of the students who will be performing
lectures and discussions with leading local
will visit us to discuss the production.
experts on human rights. The program
Richard Freund’s course on biblical might take place in July 2010 or January
archeology is off to a good start, and 2011. I’d love to hear from people who
October starts include Bob Gruskay on might be interested in participating.
Tosca (Oct. 8), Catherine Stevenson on
HUMPHREY TONKIN
Precedents for Life, October 1, 2009. Number 72 | The President’s College is a program of the University Libraries. 1
Where do we meet? Fridays at the Folklore and the French Revolution
Because our resources are Mortensen, Oct. 16
limited, and space on
campus is tight, we can’t
always secure classroom It’s one thing to wring Historian and folklorist
space until shortly before our hands about the David Hopkin of
a program or course war in Afghanistan; it’s Oxford University will
begins. We apologize for quite another to get out be our guest at a special
this uncertainty, but do our there and do something lunch and discussion on ―The Soldier’s
best to get the word out to
participants about location
about it. That’s exactly Tale: Folklore and the Experience of the
before each event starts. what our October 16 guest, Saleh French Revolutionary and Napoleonic
If in doubt, call Keshawarz, civil and environmental Wars,‖ topic of his Hertford College
860.768.4269 or engineering professor here at the Lecture. The lecture follows later in the
Humphrey Tonkin at University, has been doing. At Herat afternoon. David Hopkin’s teaching
860.768.4448. University he has set about reforming the focuses on European and in particular
civil engineering program, once taught French history from the Enlightenment to
Am I Enrolled?
mostly by professors with bachelors World War I. By training an historical
We try to acknowledge
registrations as soon as we degrees, but now led by a group of anthropologist and by inclination a
receive them, but we are engineers with brand-new masters folklorist, he studies the social and
not perfect! If you are degrees from the University of Hartford cultural life of rural communities,
concerned about whether (the first group graduated in May). Civil military and maritime institutions,
we have received your engineering is the second most popular popular and oral culture. His first book,
registration, call
860.768.4269.
major at Herat, and the program includes Soldier and Peasant in French Popular
growing numbers of women. Dr. Culture was joint winner of the Royal
Should I start reading Keshawarz will tell us about his program Historical Society’s Gladstone prize in
in advance? and its challenges and share with us his 2002. Currently he is writing a book
It’s always a good idea. prognosis for his native country. about oral culture in nineteenth-century
The U. of Hartford France
Bookstore (part of the Fridays at the Mortensen is a series of Monday, Oct. 12. 12:00-2:00 pm. Cost $40
Gray Center) stocks most lectures held after hours in the Mortensen (Fellows $30)
of the basic texts Library on Friday evenings, beginning
recommended by our
lecturers. with a light dinner. Other programs for
the fall: David Pines on the University of
Opera at the Met: Three Previews
Hartford’s Engineers Without Borders
projects in India and Kenya (November Three operas...three women with fiery
13), and Richard Zeiser and Chuck personalities: jealous Tosca, ambivalent
Colarulli on the mysteries of college Aida, and haughty Turandot…. Once
admissions (December 4). again, Bob Gruskay will discuss three of
Fridays 5:45-8:00 pm. Cost per session, the Met’s high-definition performance
including dinner, $45 (Fellows $40). Or transmissions at Buckland Hills, with
sign up for the whole series of three for video previews and other guidance to
$95 (Fellows $85). help bring the performances alive. Each
talk will take place on the Thursday
Precedents for Life, October 1, 2009. Number 72 | The President’s College is a program of the University Libraries. 2
preceding the Saturday afternoon The course will focus on the writings of
What do I do if the broadcast. Puccini's Tosca is the most Dante Gabriel Rossetti and William
University closes? richly drawn of his soprano roles. Based Morris but will include two guest lectures
Closings are announced on on a play by Sardou made famous on the – by Patrick McCaughey, art historian
WTIC - 1080 AM/96.5
Paris stage by Sarah Bernhardt, Tosca has formerly of the Yale Center for British
FM, WRCH - 100.5 FM,
and WWUH - 91.3 FM. the appeal of an intensely gripping Art, on Pre-Raphaelite painting, and
Local television stations murder trial. Verdi's Aida has been Michael Lankester, formerly music
use automated systems termed forerunner of the Hollywood director of the Hartford Symphony
with limited choices for biblical blockbuster with its ritual Orchestra, on the music of the period,
colleges and universities. obsession with Egyptology, the triumph including the work of Granville Bantock
Currently, Channel 3
(WFSB) is the only area of technology as manifest in the recently and Frederick Delius. This one is likely
station that airs specific opened Suez Canal, all culminating in a to be a sell-out, so sign up soon! (Note:
opening and closing times. triumphal scene involving God, death, no meeting on October 20.)
So please follow up on revenge and mercy in ancient Egyptian Tuesdays, Oct. 13, 27, Nov 3, 10. 4:30-6:00
any announcements that costume. In Turandot, Puccini's last pm. Cost $105 (Fellows $90).
you see on Channels 8 opera, the opera’s two sopranos, Turandot
(WTNH) or 30 (WVIT) by
checking the University's and Liu, wage an ongoing spiritual battle
Web site for the love of the Calaf. Critics chose
(www.hartford.edu) or by sides in the contest, and the public's Willie Anthony Waters to offer “The
calling 860.768.4100. attitude toward the work has remained Operas of Giuseppe Verdi” as a full-day
divided in the same way, usually program on Sunday, February 7
Parking on Campus depending on the cast. Ideally, both
If, as a Fellow of the Postponed because of Maestro Waters’
interpreters are lyric and dramatic at conducting commitments, this
President’s College, you
have been issued a once: the icy Turandot should have her exploration of the works of Italy's
parking permit, please melting point; the humble slave Liu greatest and most beloved composer will
hang it on the inside should have a vein of noble dignity. You, focus on the three periods of Verdi's
rearview mirror of your the audience, be the judge!
vehicle whenever you park compositional output, early, middle, and
Thursdays, Oct. 8 (Tosca), Oct. 22 (Aida), late. With audio and video examples,
on campus. You may park
Nov. 5 (Turandot). 2:00-3:30 pm. Cost $20
in any legal and Maestro Waters will explore the elements
unreserved space in any per session (Fellows $15), $40 for all three that distinguish these periods, showing
of the faculty, student or (Fellows $30).
Verdi's development as a composer.
visitor lots at any time of
Nabucco, Macbeth, Rigoletto, Il Trovatore,
the day, but if you park in
a student or faculty lot La Forza del Destino, Don Carlos, Aida,
without displaying the The Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood: Otello – the succession of operatic
permit you will be Stevenson, McCaughey, Lankester masterpieces that he created tells us much
ticketed. If you run into not only about musical and theatrical
problems or have Catherine Stevenson’s four-session course taste of the second half of the 19th century
questions, please call the
President’s College at
on the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood but also about Italy’s struggle for unity
860.768.4269 or the promises to be something of a sensation. and the deep identification of that
Office of Public Safety at We have all admired those depictions of country with the operatic style.
860.768.7985. gorgeous strong-jawed women with wild Sunday, Feb 7. 10:00 am -4:00 pm.
hair--rendered in jewel-like colors. Think Including lunch. Cost $80 (Fellows $60)
of Holman Hunt’s luscious Lady of Shalott
in the Athenaeum. But what were these
young, rebellious artists really about? Do
their works go beyond being ―eye candy‖?
Precedents for Life, October 1, 2009. Number 72 | The President’s College is a program of the University Libraries. 3
Toni Morrison: The Big Three periods, when modern scientific studies in
biology and geology began to change ways
Jane Barstow, one of the University’s best of looking at ―the problem of God,‖ and
loved and most talented English will leave us in the 20th and 21st centuries.
professors, introduces us to Toni Copies of major poems for discussion will
Morrison’s novels. The first African be distributed in class. Participants are
American woman to win the Nobel Prize urged to dust off their own poetry books
Other News: for literature, Morrison has enjoyed an and to bring to class a favorite poem of
extraordinary degree of popular success faith or doubt for discussion. A few
Hertford College and critical acclaim. The course will contemporary examples illustrating both
Lecture examine her three best-known novels, sides of the question will be provided,
The Bluest Eye, Song of Solomon, and with an invitation to participants to
Every year, a faculty Beloved, in terms of their thematic provide more.
member from Hertford
concerns and artistic style, and will Mondays, Nov. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30. 4:30-6:00
College, University of
consider how these novels have been pm. Cost $90 (Fellows $75)
Oxford, gives a lecture
at the University as part received at home and abroad. And the
of the Hartford-to- course will engage in its own debates
Hertford program. This about Morrison’s long-term impact on
year’s lecturer is Dr. American history and literature. Philosophical Problems in the Law
David Hopkin, Lecturer in Whether you have always wanted to read
Modern European History Morrison but never have, or look forward In this course, philosopher Lynn
at Oxford, whose topic to delving more deeply into the multiple Pasquerella, Provost and Chief Academic
will be “The Soldier's layers of her wonderful fictions, join Officer at the University, will explore
Tale: Folklore and the Professor Barstow for new insights and contemporary conundrums in the law.
Experience of the French lively discussion. For instance, if society has a general
Revolutionary and Napo- Wednesdays, Oct. 21, 28, Nov. 4. 1:30-3:00 obligation to protect individuals from
leonic Wars.” Date: pm. Cost $65 (Fellows $50) harm by others, what happens when
Monday, October 12, society fails to observe this obligation?
2009. Time: 4:30 p.m. To what extent do the victims have the
Place: Wilde Auditorium, right to intervene either to protect
Harry Jack Gray Center. Poets of Faith and Doubt themselves or to punish the offenders?
Sponsor: The President's And what role does culture play in
Office. The lecture is free Literature professor Kathleen McGrory excusing illegal behavior? Given our
and open to the public. tackles the great question of the
For tickets, call 860. track record, should society abandon the
relationship between scientific knowledge ideal of rehabilitating criminals in favor
768.4228 or 800.274. and belief in God. Did Science kill Faith?
8587. Note that the of focusing on making hard time even
A focused study of poetry from ages of harder? The course will give particular
President’s College is also
organizing a lunch for Dr. faith, neo-pagan and postmodern-pagan attention to legal dilemmas related to the
Hopkin (see this issue). times can provide some unexpected role of race, class and gender.
answers and raise further questions. Tuesdays, Dec. 1, 8 & 15. 4:30-6:00 pm.
While rumors of the death of Faith, as Cost $65 (Fellows $50)
(Continued on page 5) distinct from Religion, are greatly
exaggerated, faith and doubt in poetry as
in life are close allies. The course will
examine poems of faith and doubt from
early British and American traditions
through the Romantic and Victorian
Precedents for Life, October 1, 2009. Number 72 | The President’s College is a program of the University Libraries. 4
Michael Lankester will offer a five-
session course on ―The English Musical
Tradition‖ beginning on Monday, April
12. Details will be announced soon.
Some Spring Highlights
It’s too early yet to announce our spring
Other News: program, but here are a few dates that you
might like to keep in mind. Join the President’s College!
(Continued from page 4)
Renew now for 2009-2010!
Patrick McCaughey’s course ―Romantic
Visions — Romantic Realities,‖ on the art Sign up as a Fellow of the President’s
A. S. Byatt to Lecture College for 2009-2010 Benefits include
of Goya, Friedrich, Turner, Constable,
and Delacroix, will begin on Friday, lower registration fees for courses, free
The English Department
February 12 and run for five weeks. parking on campus, access to the Sports
and the University will
host British novelist A. S. Registration will open on November 1. Center, and borrowing privileges at the
Byatt, famed author of library. Your registration also
Possession and Angels and February 16 is the date for the next demonstrates your support for the College
Insects and numerous Mortensen Library Symposium. Entitled and its future – and helps give us the
other works, on the eve- ―Facing Hard Times: The Thirties in capital we need to bring you our many
ning of Wednesday, Oc- America,‖ the Symposium will also be outstanding programs. The cost is $100
tober 7. Her novel The sponsored by the President’s College and for the academic year 2009-2010.
Children’s Book will be the journal Connecticut Explored, formerly
released this fall. the Hog River Journal, whose Spring issue
Wednesday, October 7, will feature this topic. Keynote speaker
2009, in Lincoln Thea- will be Peter Conn, of the University of
ter: 7:30pm Reading (50 Pennsylvania, author of The American Elsewhere in the University
minutes) followed by 1930s: A Literary History (Cambridge
Q&A (20-30 minutes) Hartt Announces a Block Party.
University Press, 2009). 2:30 pm to 6:00
and book signing. Lecture Saturday, October 10, from 1:00 to 5:30
free and open to the pm. Details to follow.
pm, the University’s, Mort and Irma
public. Handel Performing Arts Center will be
Women’s Health will be the subject of a
breakfast and morning program on open to friends and neighbors for a Block
Friday, March 5, sponsored by the Party. Come and enjoy drumming,
Our Very Own Blog dance, jazz, storytelling, theater
President’s College, the Women’s
Education and Leadership Fund, Hartford improvisation, refreshments and more,
Several months ago, indoors and outdoors. Artists Collective
someone asked if we Hospital, and the Hartford College for
Women alumnae. Save the date! members and an array of other exciting
could have space for
local artists will perform and offer
commentary on our web-
workshops for all ages. All events free.
site – a place where peo- Willie Anthony Waters will offer an all-
ple could tell their stories day seminar on the operas of Verdi on Location: corner of Albany Avenue and
February 7. See elsewhere in this issue Westbourne Parkway. Information: 860-
(Continued on page 6) 768-2462.
for details. Registration is already open.
Daytrip to the Clark Museum. Join
alumna and art historian Dorothy Bosch
as she leads a visit to the collection of the
Precedents for Life, October 1, 2009. Number 72 | The President’s College is a program of the University Libraries. 5
Clark Museum in Williamstown, MA —
accompanied by a little fall leaf-peeping.
Saturday, October 17. $60 including
lunch. Open to all — alumni and non-
alumni. Call 860-768-2409 for more
information.
And don’t forget to watch
Other News: Civil Liberties in the 21st Century is this Conversations with the
year’s topic for the University’s new
(Continued from page 5)
Community Conversations Colloquium. President’s College on West
about the President’s
College, offer sugges- Upcoming lectures: Joyce Lee Malcolm, Hartford Community TV.
tions or comment on pro- professor of legal history at George
Mason University School of Law (―Is
The program, hosted by
grams – or generally
raise ideas. Thanks to There a Right to Self-Defense?‖ on President’s College
the ingenuity and dili- Wednesday, October 7, 7:30 pm, Wilde
volunteer Bob Gruskay, is
gence of the Mortensen Auditorium); Michael Parenti, historian
Library’s Barbara Des- and political scientist (―Civil Liberties broadcast three times each
sureau we have found a and Economic Democracy‖ on
way. Go to http://
month and is available also
Wednesday, November 4, at 7:30 pm,
uhpresidentscollege. Wilde Auditorium). The series is free on several other local
blogspot.com/, where
you’ll find the President's
and open to the public. For tickets call community channels. Go to
860-768-4228.
College blog that Bar- www.whctv.org for West
bara has created. It has
categories, followers and
Cardin Reading Series. The next speaker Hartford dates and times.
a marker for comments. in the Cardin Reading Series, sponsored
by the University’s English Department, Guest for October: Dr. Lynn
Feel free to join (or fol-
low) the discussion. Feel will be novelist Paul Griffin, Wednesday, Pasquerella, Provost of the
free also to use the blog November 18, Wilde Auditorium, 12:15-
to make contact with 1:30 pm. After graduating from
University, whose course
other President’s College Dartmouth, Griffin worked as a teacher ―Philosophical Problems in
folks. For example, it with at-risk and learning-challenged kids
happens not infrequently in high schools and juvenile detention
the Law‖ begins December 1.
that people are looking centers throughout New York City, W
for others to form a where he lives. His first novel, Ten Mile
party to go to Shake- River, has been called "a striking debut"
speare & Co. in Lenox, or by Publisher's Weekly.
to Tanglewood. We of-
ten don’t have the time
The Alumni Association is planning a
or the horsepower to
arrange such special visit to Australia and New Zealand, April
trips, but we encourage 12-26. Call 860-768-2409 for a brochure
you to use the blog to and itinerary.
ask around.
Precedents for Life, October 1, 2009. Number 72 | The President’s College is a program of the University Libraries. 6
Please check relevant items and indicate amount paid at right.
President’s College Fellow, 2009-2010 (parking on campus, library
privileges, discounts on courses, information about events). $100 _____
Fridays at the Mortensen (includes dinner). 3 sessions. $95 ($85 Fellow) _____
Saleh Keshawarz only (includes dinner). $45 ($40 Fellow) _____
David Pines only (includes dinner). $45 ($40 Fellow) _____
Zeiser & Colarulli only (includes dinner). $45 ($40 Fellow) _____
Toni Morrison. 3 sessions. $65 ($50 Fellow) _____
Opera at the Met with Bob Gruskay. 3 sessions. $40 ($30 Fellow) _____
Tosca only. $20 ($15 Fellow) _____
Aida only. $20 ($15 Fellow) _____
Turandot only. $20 ($15 Fellow) _____
Folklore and the French Revolution. Lunch. $40 ($30 Fellow) _____
Poets of Faith and Doubt. 5 sessions. $90 ($75 Fellow) _____
Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. 4 sessions. $105 ($90 Fellow) _____
Philosophical Problems in the Law. 3 sessions. $65 ($50 Fellow) _____
Operas of Giuseppe Verdi. All-day program, with lunch. $80 ($60 Fellow) _____
TOTAL _____
NAME:_______________________ADDRESS:__________________________________________________________________________________
ZIP:_________ TEL# (day) (____)______________ (evening) (____)______________ E-MAIL:__________________________
Fee may be paid by: (circle one) Check Visa MasterCard Discover
Credit Card# _________________________________________________ Exp. Date ____________
Signature__________________________________________________ Date___________________
Checks payable to: University of Hartford.
Send form and (where appropriate) check to:
President’s College: Education for a Lifetime
Mortensen Library
University of Hartford
200 Bloomfield Avenue Questions? 860.768.4269 or
West Hartford, CT 06117-1599. pcollege@hartford.edu.
Precedents for Life, October 1, 2009. Number 72 | The President’s College is a program of the University Libraries. 7 PCN