ZOOM ONLY

Our species has a rare and perplexing combination of moral tendencies: We can be the nicest of species, and also the nastiest. We can present with heartwarming generosity and unspeakable viciousness. How to understand this? Evolution science provides insights into this contrariness, as do many religions, especially Roman Catholicism and Theravada Buddhism. We will consider the big question: How might the balance be shifted away from nasty, in favor of nice?

Suggested Book: Richard Wrangham. THE GOODNESS PARADOX: THE STRANGE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN VIRTUE AND VIOLENCE IN HUMAN EVOLUTION. Brief materials on Roman Catholicism and Thervada Buddhism will be distributed to the class via email.

Steve is an anthropologist who taught at Swarthmore College for 44 years and did field work in Thailand and the U.S. Religion has been a career-long interest for both his teaching and research. Since retirement, he has offered more than 30 courses at 4 of Maine's senior colleges.

ZOOM ONLY

The US experienced a roaring twenties era that was unique in the world. Through research and her mother's personal memories of the era, she has put together a fun and interesting look at the fashion, hip talk, people, and events in this crazy, amazing decade. 

Diane usually teaches about all things Spanish. But after reading about the 1920's in Spain and Argentina, she decided to explore closer to home.

IN PERSON at APL and ZOOM

Everyone who registers will receive a link to ZOOM in their email on the morning of the class, and may attend either in-person or by ZOOM if desired.

This one-hour program provides an overview of the history of immigration in Maine. Yearning to Breathe Free begins with the arrival of the Europeans to what would become Maine and moves through the subsequent waves of French-Canadian, Irish, Swedish, Lebanese, Armenian, Chinese, and East Asian immigrants. Not all immigration to Maine was voluntary, however, and the presentation discusses the importation of African slaves into the state. Yearning To Breathe Free takes a deep look at the tension between the state’s need for labor and its recruitment of immigrants to fill that need and the suspicion, discrimination, prejudice and hatred that accompanied immigration. The program ends with a discussion of contemporary immigration to Maine, noting that, in contrast to earlier times, most immigrants coming into the state today are coming as refugees.

Alex Magnaud is an educator for the Holocaust and Human Rights Center of Maine (HHRC). She has a Bachelor’s in Educational Studies from Colgate University and a Master’s in Childhood and Special Education from the College of Saint Rose and has worked as an educator in a variety of roles and settings. In her role with the HHRC, Alex does educational programming for students, educators and community members throughout the state. 

(Thanks to the Holocaust and Human Rights Center for generously making this presentation available to us.)