2009 Winter Humanities Strand

2009 Winter Term

Humanities Strand

During 2009, beginning with Winter quarter, ALL will join the Sesquicentennial celebration in Oregon of the 150th anniversary of Oregon's birthday as a state by presenting a series of lectures on Oregon's history. During the Winter 2009 quarter, Cliff Trow will describe the achievement of statehood in 1859. In Spring 2009 quarter, local historian Judy Juntunen will discuss "Benton County in 1859," and during Fall 2009 quarter, our distinguished historian, Bill Robbins, will relate significant "Sesquicentennial Stories."

Science and Spirituality

Tuesday, Jan. 6, 9:30
Ron Hershel, Ph.D., author of Evolution of Human Spirituality and a consultant to the semiconductor industry, will offer some insights into the harmony between science and spirituality. Though an early harmony existed with the ancient Greek philosophers, science and spirituality became bifurcated during the Renaissance. He will argue that a new harmonious relationship has emerged in the past 150 years that continues to evolve and may eventually lead to entirely new sciences with unimaginable benefits to mankind. He will illustrate this emergence with some famous and highly innovative biologists of the 19th and early 20th centuries, such as Goethe, Bose, Burbank, and Carver.
Host: Dick Weinman

Beekeeping in the Willamette Valley

Tuesday, Jan. 13, 9:30
A year of beekeeping will be explained from the perspective of a commercial beekeeping operation. Phillip Lorenz, student researcher on bees for Hampshire College, Amherst, MA, will discuss how biological changes in bees throughout the four seasons reflect management decisions. He will also share recent research on current pests and diseases.
Host: Ruth Arent

Transportation Issues and Challenges: Oregon and Nationally

Wednesday, Jan. 21, 1:30
Starr McMullen, OSU Professor of Agriculture and Resource Economics, will discuss Transportation Issues and Challenges confronting Oregon and the nation during the 21st century. Professor McMullen will assess the needed developments in aviation, railroads, mass transportation, roads, and highways.
Host: Cliff Trow

Bookselling - Past, Present and Future

Tuesday, Jan. 27, 9:30
Brent Steel, General Book Manager of the OSU Book Store, will share his perspectives and expertise on the modern bookselling industry. He will describe his specific role at the book store and discuss changes in this business in the past ten years. He will also give insights into the future of this industry.
Host: Barb Callner

Classical Five Element Acupuncture

Tuesday, Feb. 3, 9:30
Licensed Acupuncturist, Bonnie Lorenz, will present an in-depth discussion of the history of Oriental Medicine, specifically Five Element Acupuncture. The intertwining of the body, emotions, and the psychological state of the individual, as well as current medical research will be addressed.
Host: Ruth Arent

The Story of the Rural Organizing Project —“Advancing Democracy in Oregon”

Tuesday, Feb. 10, 9:30
Kari Koch, ROP field representative and organizer, will tell us the story of the Rural Organizing Project (ROP) in Oregon. ROP is a state-wide organization of more than 60 local groups. Since 1992, when rural “human dignity groups” were organized to fight Measure #9 (the anti-gay rights initiative), ROP has grown into a movement with a national reputation for taking on the “hard issues,” including immigrant rights, tax-fairness, and environmental justice. The presentation will focus on ROP’s imaginative strategies for advancing inclusive democracy in rural and smalltown Oregon.
Host: Doug Clark

Achieving Oregon's Statehood in 1859

Tuesday, Feb. 17, 9:30
Cliff Trow, OSU Professor Emeritus of History, will examine Oregon's achievement of statehood in 1859 in the context of the growing national controversy over slavery and the internal struggle in Oregon over land acquisition and Indian resettlement.
Host: Cliff Trow

A Tortured History: Understanding the Story of Capital Punishment in Oregon

Tuesday, Feb. 24, 9:30
William R. Long, (M.Div., PhD, JD), most recently visiting Professor at Willamette College of Law and former Professor of Religion/Humanities at Reed College, will review Oregon’s experience with the death penalty exploring historical, procedural and philosophical issues. Dr. Long, author of an award-winning history of capital punishment in Oregon, will consider various arguments that have been used to support and oppose the death penalty focusing especially on the ideas of deterrence and “moral symmetry.” Discussion about the Oregon death penalty statute, life without the possibility of parole, and alternatives to the death penalty will be encouraged.
Host: Doug Clark

The Staging of The Exonerated

Tuesday, March 3, 9:30
The Exonerated is a play which lays bare the corruption, immorality, and errors of the criminal justice system. The play was brought to the stage in the Fall of last year by the Corvallis Community Theater. The production was advocated by Corvallis attorney Robert Mix. and directed by Mary Jeanne Raynales. They will speak about their motivation in producing the play and the style of the production. Cast members will read selections from the play.
Host: Dick Weinman

Carousel 101

Tuesday, March 10, 9:30
Jerry Anderson, master carver and board member of The Brass Ring Carousel, will share the history and progress of this community-building project and lead a tour of the museum and studio. Class members will meet at The Brass Ring, 503 First Ave. W in Albany at 9:30 to begin the tour. Parking is available around the building or at the nearby Albany Senior Center. Limit: 35 students.
Host: Barb Callner