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Humanities
Inaugural Poets: Taking the National Stage and Making History
with Maureen Perry
IN-PERSON at USM-LAC
Only 6 poets have officially performed at a presidential inauguration. We shall look at these poems in the context of the inauguration ceremony. We shall also look at them in light of their respective historic moments.
Maureen Perry is Reference Librarian for USM's Lewiston-Auburn campus, a spoken word performer, and a lector for Prince of Peace Parish.
An Exploration Of The Meaning Of Life As Expressed In The World's Intellectual Traditions
with Charlie Plummer
IN PERSON at SCHOONER ESTATES
Living a life without meaning can lead to many personal problems and inappropriate behaviors and that is very evident in today's society. It is one of the big questions that a number of philosophers have been exploring. In this course we will explore answers to that question from a wide range of intellectual traditions across a wide historical sweep. We will begin by exploring the Bhagavard-Gita which is a classic of Hindu thought and end with the views expressed by the 14th Dalai Lama that takes seriously such modern-day values as human rights, liberty, and a secular order that demands the cultivation of compassion.
Dr. Charles Plummer is a retired elementary school teacher and principal and is a firm believer in the importance of remaining mentally and physically active to keep his aging brain functioning at a good level. He is a strong believer in the claim of the Greek philosopher, Aristotle, that happiness is the foundation for living a meaningful life and teaching Senior College courses for over 20 years has brought him much happiness, has kept his aging brain functioning at a good level, and has added much positive meaning to his life.
Will run
So What IS a Good Poem Anyway?
with Bill Frayer
IN-PERSON at USM-LAC
Poetry. We have a love/hate relationship with it. As former US Poet Laureate, Billy Collins, writes, when some teachers introduce a poem they "begin beating it with a hose/ to find out what it really means. No rubber hoses here. We will just be discovering, and sharing, good poems, poems we like, poems which speak to us.
Bill Frayer is a long time Senior College instructor. He has degrees from Brown and USM, and taught for over 30 years at Central Maine Community College. He writes poetry and loves reading the poetry of others.