Institute for Mature Learning
900 N Benton Ave
Springfield, MO 65802
Office: (417) 873-6952
iml@drury.edu
Course Schedule for Spring 2008
A list of classes, dates and locations follows. All classes meet at 2 p.m. at Drury’s Springfield campus unless otherwise noted.
February 5 & 12
Getting to Know Willa Cather
Hearth Room at Bay Hall
Two of Cather’s novels will be discussed by Michael Gorman, visiting professor at Missouri State University’s Department of English. My Antonia is one of her most popular and possibly misunderstood novels about the pioneer West and pastoral ideology. The Professor’s House shows the hold the American Southwest had on Cather. Please read these novels if you can.
February 19
World Population Trends
Olin Room at Olin Library
How serious is the population growth on Earth? What are the primary problems we face? Deborah Corcoran, instructor in the Missouri State University department of geography, geology & planning will discuss these questions and more.
February 26
The Electoral Politics of the Electoral College
Hearth Room at Bay Hall
Daniel Ponder, Drury associate professor of political science, will explore the connection between what the U.S. Constitution says about presidential elections, how elections have been transformed in light of the document, and where we are now in reference to the upcoming 2008 election.
March 4 & 11
A Healthy Life is an Active Life
Olin Room at Olin Library
Scott Zimmerman, professor in the department of biomedical sciences at Missouri State University, has done studies on healthy aging at the University of Wisconsin and will look at the differences between a sedentary life and actual aging. This will cover heart and muscle health as well as weight control.
March 18
Exploring South Africa
Olin Room at Olin Library
Overcoming the violence of apartheid years, South Africa is now a multicultural democracy. Bill and Lee Longman visited this beautiful land in October 2007 and will share pictures and impressions.
March 25
Exploring Thailand
Olin Room at Olin Library
Among the pictorial topics shared by Mary Blanche and Charlene Cantrell will be Buddhist temples, Thai culture and food, and the Hill Tribe people inhabiting the Golden Triangle.
April 1
Exploring Quebec
Olin Room at Olin Library
There is something charming about the province of Quebec. It is like visiting Europe without leaving North America. Dennis and Pam Edwards will share their impressions of this charming destination.
April 8 & 15
Smallness: A Microscopic View of the World Around Us
Trustee Science Center Auditorium
Drury associate professor of biology Wesley Rowley returns to lecture in the field of science as we explore the cellular and tissue levels of life as we understand anew that we are more complicated than what “meets” the eye.
April 22
Field Trip to OOVVDA Winery
OOVVDA Winery
OOVVDA is a local winery just north of Springfield. Class members will meet in Lot # 7 on Drury University campus at 1:30 p.m. and carpool to the winery, arriving for a 2 p.m. appointment. Driving directions: Go north 3 miles on Glenstone Avenue. At the blinking red light at the intersection of H and AA turn left (west); look for winery sign.
April 29, May 6, & May 13
American Literature and the Civil War
Hearth Room at Bay Hall
Randall Fuller, Drury associate professor of English and director of the University Honors Program, examines his study of several famous authors and how this agonizing struggle affected their writings. Authors include Emerson, Whitman, Dickinson, Douglass, Hawthorne, and Melville.
