Gertrude Stein and Friends

Gertrude Stein (1874 - 1946) was instrumental in the development of modern art and literature in the 20th Century. She attracted young poets, artists and writers to her salons, mainly because her collections of Matisse, Picasso, Cezanne, and Gauguin commanded a worldwide reputation. Her closest literary friends included Ernest Hemingway and Thornton Wilder. Stein surrounded herself with the finest talents of the 20th Century.

"First" First Ladies of the United States from Martha Washington to Priscilla Tyler

Who were these "First" First Ladies? What was their background before they married the men who would become president? We will explore the role they played in the White House, and look at the critical events they experienced as "First Ladies." We will compare "First Ladies" against the roles women were expected to live during their eras and speculate how they would have behaved in today's world.

Hot Topics and Living History

This class is open-ended. Presentations can be drawn from any qualified source (newspapers, magazines, radio, television and/or books) covering the current political or social scene and even historical events with relevancy in today's world. Issues can be local, national, or international. Controversial topics are most welcome since they engender discussion. If you enjoy a lively, stimulating exchange of ideas, come and join us.

American Minority Writers of the 20th Century

With how many ethnic writers from the U.S. are you familiar -- Jewish, Native American, African-American, Asian-American, Hispanic? This class will look at a variety of ethnic writers--what they wrote and their significance to literature and American society. Examples might include such writers as Philip Roth, Betty Friedan, Sherman Alexie, W.E.B. DuBois, Gwendolyn Brooks, Amy Tan, or Sandra Cisneros.

Faulkner: The Sound and the Fury and As I Lay Dying

The Sound and the Fury is generally considered to be Faulkner's masterpiece, but unfortunately it is difficult (but not impossible) to read. (see Reader's Guide information below). The title is from Macbeth: "Out, out brief candle; Life's but a walking shadow...It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing." As I Lay Dying is another of his novels which is also nihilistic and pessimistic. Both novels present modern man living in a society whose commercial values have replaced humanistic values.

Fortunately, there is an excellent guidebook available: A Reader's Guide to William Faulkner: The Novels by Volpe. The novels are available online at Amazon as part of a boxed set for about $20 total. The readers guide is another $20.

The Big Band Years - 1930's and 1940's

We will hear and discuss music and biographies of Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington and other famous musicians of that era.

The Reconstruction Era

As we have recently concluded a study of The Lincoln Bicentennial, the era of Reconstruction would be a logical follow-up. This era includes the rancorous period following Lincoln's assassination, Andrew Johnson's contentious presidency, the occupation of Confederate States of America by Union troops, and the legacy of Reconstruction to the present day.

The subject will be treated in two successive semesters. This first semester would include the following subject areas:

• Southern and Northern attitudes following Appomattox
• The congressional attitudes over the policies of Andrew Johnson
• The election of 1866 and congressional actions affecting the Confederate States of America
• Responses of the Confederate States of America to federal occupation
• The Ku Klux Klan.

Masterpieces of Literature

We will read and discuss Dicken's David Copperfield using the Modern Library paperback edition, available at Amazon.com, $8.95, or in bookstores. The ISBN # is 978-0-679-78341-1

About India

The subcontinent of India has a large population of peoples with various cultures and religions. We will study India's history including the British rule, Independence and the partition of Pakistan. What is the present political climate in India and Pakistan?

There are many regions, cultures, religions and languages in the country. What holds them together? We will study the food, dress customs and languages of these peoples.

How does the educational system and industry work? How does the health care system work? What agriculture and industries support the country? What are their imports and exports? What is the future of India?

Mindboggling Advances in Brain Research

Until recently it was thought that brain cells could not regenerate. Now we know better about that and about many other aspects of this amazing organ which involves our thinking, learning, memory, emotions, physical functions, five senses, aesthetic discernment and our fondest and scariest dreams. Recent breakthroughs have enabled new medical techniques that alleviate conditions previously deemed untreatable. Specific areas of the brain have been pinpointed as to their respective functions. What happens when such areas are manipulated? Might there be ethical ramifications?

Only highly accredited publications and websites will be used as sources (e.g., World Health Organization, NIH, Mayo Clinic, respected universities.)

The Intrigue of What is Beneath a City

Have you ever thought what was under the city you live in, or for that matter in some other city in recent or past history? Would you find roots and trees, pipes and conduits, old ruins of older cities, or even dead bodies? Join us and explore the intrigue of what exists or existed in such cities as New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Mexico City, Paris, Rome, London, Moscow, Cairo, Tokyo, Beijing, Sydney, or any other city of your choice. A book that can be used as a beginning reference is Beneath the Metropolis by Alex Marshall. Available through Amazon at about $2.50 used or $20 new.

Really Great Essays

We will continue to deal with historical and sociological changes in the United States using the same book as last semester: Booknotes: On American Character: People Politics and Conflict in American History. Editor: Brian Lamb. ISBN 13 9781586483425. Available online for about $15.00.

German Expressionism

Arguably the last movement to involve all art forms, German Expressionism flourished in the early decades of the 20th century. After discussing the major characteristics of the movement, we will consider different art forms: architecture, painting, sculpture, lithography, music, literature, drama and film as well as individual artists some of whom worked in several media.

Click here for a listing of SAGE Study Groups offered in previous years.