Keep on Learning at Wartburg Series - Alumni Association | Wartburg College, Waverly, Iowa USA

Sept. 4, 11, 18, 25
Changing Media Environment, Saul Shapiro
From the proliferation of bloggers and ezines to newspapers’ declining circulation, it may seem difficult to navigate the modern media landscape. This course will explore the ascendancy of digital communications and the effect on public dialogue and democracy. Led by Shapiro, he will focus on media economics, technology, the fall of traditional media gatekeepers, and implications for the democratic process. After more than 34 years as a journalist, Shapiro is now assistant vice president for institutional advancement and director of communication and marketing at Wartburg. He was previously executive editor at the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, Iowa’s fourth largest newspaper, from 1983-2007. He started his career as a beat reporter at the Oceanside (Calif.) Blade-Tribune in 1973 and was eventually promoted to city editor. He went on to become editor of the Freeport (Ill.) Journal-Standard, where he served from 1977-1983. Throughout his career, Shapiro and his staffs won numerous local, regional, and national writing and editorial awards.

Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23
World Cultures and Music, Joyce Spande
Diversity and multiculturalism are integral to a well-rounded education. In this course, Spande will provide a brief immersion in the people and cultures of India, Japan, Africa, and Norway through information, ideas, photos, artifacts, hands-on activities, and plenty of music. A veteran music teacher, Spande earned her bachelor’s degree from Luther College and a Master of Music in vocal performance from the University of Northern Iowa. She taught opera and applied voice at Southwestern Oregon Community College before coming to Cedar Falls, where she taught kindergarten through sixth-grade music for 26 years. She is of Norwegian heritage and lived in Nigeria for two years. She also served as a Fulbright Memorial Fund teacher in Japan in 2000 and a Fulbright-Hays scholar teacher in India in 2004.

Oct. 30, Nov. 6, 13, 20
The Art of Visual Storytelling, Gary Kelley
World-renowned Cedar Falls-based artist Gary Kelley will offer participants a guided tour of the art of a picture book, from conception to publication. After providing an overview of his work as an artist, including many picture books he has illustrated, Kelley will provide an in-depth examination of a select number of his book projects. Possible book authors to be explored include Edgar Allan Poe, Edward Lear, and Guy de Maupassant. After earning a bachelor’s degree in art from the University of Northern Iowa, Kelley began his career as a graphic designer and art director. He became an illustrator in the mid-1970s. He recently completed two 70-foot murals for the renovated Barnes & Noble Bookstore on Fifth Avenue at 48th Street in New York City. In addition to his professional work, he has taught at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C., Society of Illustrators, San Francisco Academy of Art, Syracuse University, and elsewhere. He is in the Hall of Fame of the Society of Illustrators, and among his awards are 27 gold and silver medals from the society’s annual exhibitions.

Jan. 8, 15, 22, 29
Religions of the World, Dr. Kenneth Atkinson
Why do people kill in the name of God? Can different religions peacefully coexist? Why do we suffer? What can we expect from the afterlife? This course will explore these and other common questions. Led by Atkinson, sessions will offer an introduction to the world’s major religions and examine significant teachings and traditions. Included will be a look at Judaism, Christianity and Islam, as well as Hinduism and Buddhism. Atkinson is an associate professor of religion at the University of Northern Iowa. He previously taught religion at Temple University, where he earned his Ph.D. Among his four books is a textbook on world religions and several articles on ancient Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. He spent several years living overseas and traveling to many of the Bible’s major sites. He has also worked as an archaeological supervisor on numerous excavations in Israel and London, covering every historical period from the prehistoric era, the Crusades, and after.

Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26
Native American History and Culture, Dr. Richard Schneider
Native American culture has long been misunderstood—the source of many stereotypes and misconceptions. Led by Schneider, this course offers a more accurate view of the history of America’s indigenous peoples. It will include sessions on first encounters between European explorers and Indians, native myths, ceremonies and customs and the portrayal of Native Americans in film. Schneider will show clips and play musical selections, as well as recommend films and readings. Dr. Richard Schneider, Slife professor in humanities and professor of English, has specific research interests focused on the writing of Henry David Thoreau and on American environmental writing. Schneider has written one book on Thoreau and edited three others. In addition, he has published more than a dozen essays on Thoreau and contemporary fiction writer William H. Gass.

March 5, 12, 19, 26
Positive Psychology: Promoting Quality of Life and Human Potential, Dr. Cynthia Bane
For years, psychologists have focused their efforts on understanding and eliminating maladaptive behaviors and mental processes. Positive psychology, which was established in 1998 as an explicit psychological perspective and representing a drastically different view of the human experience, emphasizes positive subjective experiences and individual strengths. Led by Bane, this course will examine happiness, pleasure and positive experiences, character strengths and positive relationships, and explore how positive psychology can be used to improve how individuals and institutions function. Bane is associate professor of psychology and joined the Wartburg faculty at the outset of the 2003-04 academic year. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Luther College and master’s and Ph.D. degrees from Miami University of Ohio. In addition to teaching, Bane advises Wartburg students who undertake undergraduate research in the field of psychology. She advises the college’s chapter of Psi Chi and earned the 2007 Midwestern Region Faculty Adviser Award.

April 2, 9, 16, 23
Exploring Alaska, Discovering Ourselves, Dr. Tim Ewest
Led by Ewest, the course is designed to offer a holistic understanding of the nation’s 50th state. He will survey Alaska from various perspectives to give participants a better understanding of its geography, economy, history, people, and art. Photos, stories, experiences, and perspectives from participants also are welcome. Prior to joining Wartburg’s business faculty, Ewest served as assistant professor at the University of Alaska SE in Ketchikan. Before that, he was the associate pastor, adult education leader and adjunct professor at South Tongass Church with the University of Alaska. After earning a bachelor’s degree from Crown College in St. Bonifacius, Minn., Ewest received a master’s degree from Wheaton (Ill.) College. He went on to earn a Master of Business Administration from George Fox University in Newberg, Ore., a diploma from Regent College in Vancouver, British Columbia, and a Doctor of Business Administration degree from George Fox University.