Phone: 240-895-2200
Fax: 240-895-2201
Kathy Grimes
Director, Office of Lifelong Learning & Professional Programs
Anthony Guzman
Coordinator, Office of Lifelong Learning & Professional Programs
Catalog of Courses
The Grace and John Horton Explorations in Learning program offers opportunities for intellectual enrichment to the members of the Southern Maryland community. The following is a catalog of all the courses offered under the auspices of the program, either at the Asbury community in Solomons or the Wildewood Community Center.
Dr. Ernest Willoughby, retired Professor of Biology, has introduced thousands of students and community persons to the birds of Southern Maryland. This class will begin with a preparation session, where equipment and expectations will be discussed. There will then be 4 two-hour field sessions at different nearby locations. Field session locations will include: St Mary's River Park; Calvert Cliffs; Myrtle Point Park; Elms Beach.
Dr. Ernest Willoughby
Asbury, Summer 2008
The story of God's covenant with Abraham, Sara and Hagar gave rise to three monotheistic religions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. This course will explore common theological beliefs, as well as differences, hostilities and rivalries between the three religious communities over time. Participants will learn about different approaches to sacred scripture(s), the nature of community, paths of salvation and understandings of God.
Dr. Katharina von Kellenbach, Dr. Björn Krondorfer, & Dr. Celia Rabinowitz
Wildewood, Spring 2009
In this course we will trace the effects of warfare and religious sensibility through the poetry of three modernist poets—Ezra Pound, T.S. Eliot, and David Jones. Each poet’s work was decisively impacted by the Great War (World War I). Taken together, their poetry reshaped how English-language readers could justify and sustain vigorous religious belief and an authentic comprehension of human suffering and evil in the wake of that war. Writing in the midst of a devastated Europe descending into further horrors in their own lifetimes, these poets reworked poetics, religions, and mythologies in order to make them adequate to this task.
Dr. Christopher Wilkins
Asbury, Fall 2008
An introduction to the principles of foreign relations and diplomacy established by the United States at it founding and during its early years, and their development in the 19th century. The changes brought about in the 20th century as the United States increasingly becomes a major player in international affairs.
Professors L. Tom Stevens and Herb Winnik
Asbury, Fall 2005
This course is intended both as an orientation for persons planning to go on the venture to the Silk Road in October and as a virtual experience for those unable to join the trip. The vast expanses of Central Asia were crossed by merchants with their caravans of camels for two thousand years, linking the major civilizations, creating lands of great wealth and adventure and facilitating the exchange of ideas that have influenced the course of history. Most of the emphasis will be on the China portion of the road which crosses vast expanses of desert and lands now inhabited by Central Asian peoples, mostly Muslim, who resist Chinese rule. Many of the old trading centers are rich in archaeological finds, long buried in the sands, which illustrate the spread of Buddhism.
Professor Frank van Aalst
Asbury, Fall 2007
The executive branch of the Federal Government as it exists today is a combination of the definition contained in the Construction and the experience acquired in the nation’s history since 1789. This course will begin with a consideration of the constitutional provisions establishing the Presidency and will proceed on a historical journey to examine how the exercise of presidential responsibilities through time has further shaped the nature of the office as we perceive it in our own time. In considering this issue we will focus on the major forces influencing Presidential leadership – politics, economics, personality, foreign affairs, etc.
Professors Michael Cain, Todd Eberly, Tom Stevens
Asbury, Fall 2007
Wildewood, Spring 2008
It is increasingly important, as China’s economic and political power increase in the world, that Americans understand the people with whom we interact in the workplace, in the marketplace and at the bargaining table. This course will address the diversity which the Chinese inherit from their cultural history. Topics will include Land and People. Grand Public Works, System of Government, the Arts, Science and Technology, and Social Stability.
Professor Frank van Aalst
Asbury, Spring 2006
Wildewood, Spring 2008
China’s history during the time that Europe became modern is a dramatic account of success and failure before the contemporary success that places it in the ranks of the superpowers. This course will consider that history, including topics such as China’s Response to the West, Attempts at Reform, the Communist Experiment, After Mao, America’s Workshop and Current Conditions.
Professor Frank van Aalst
Asbury, Spring 2006
Wildewood, Spring 2008
The ancient culture that developed in the Indian subcontinent was contemporary with the civilizations of Egypt and Mesopotamia, and produced distinctive expressions in all aspects of society: social, political, philosophical, economic, technical, etc. These characteristics continue to impact India today. This course will consider the most outstanding of these features. Topics will include the Indus Valley Civilization, The coming of the Aryans, the Beginnings of Hinduism, the Buddha and his followers, Classical Art, and Successive Invaders. It will conclude with the Muslim Empire in India.
Professor Frank van Aalst
Asbury, Fall 2006
Wildewood, Fall 2008
India today is the world’s largest democracy, founded in 1950 after obtaining independence from the British Empire. This course will briefly describe the years under the British and then summarize the developments in government, society, culture and economy that have resulted in the thriving India of the 21st century.
Indian National Congress and Gandhi
Professor Frank van Aalst
Asbury, Fall 2006
Wildewood, Fall 2008
Our concern in this course is to understand better what an artwork is, how it affects us, how it is to be interpreted, and how it is to be evaluated. We will take examples primarily from painting as bases for our reflections and discussion. But this is not a course in art history or criticism. We will deal instead with issues that are foundational to these disciplines. We will discuss and try to formulate tentative answers to these questions: What do we contact besides the material object when we are perceiving a work of art? Is it best understood as in some way rendering what is true and important about the world? Or is it something of only personal or subjective significance? In any case, what is the best account that can we give of our perception and understanding that artworks have on us? What role do historical conventions play in our experience of artworks?
Professor Alan Paskow
Wildewood, Spring 2008
This series of courses will examine American political history through the lens of liberalism and conservatism. Neither “liberal” nor “conservative” was a significant part of the American political vocabulary prior to 1932. If America was created out of the vision of the Founders and forged in the fires of the Civil War, what came before Liberals and Conservatives? If so, who were they? If not, why did Liberals and Conservatives suddenly appear in the middle of the 20th century? The first course in this series will start in colonial times and work through the Civil War.
George Sparling, J.D.
Asbury, Spring 2009
Wildewood, Spring 2009
Each class session will introduce the basic beliefs and practices of one of the the world’s major religions. Brief selections from each religion’s sacred or foundational writings will be provided in order to examine the different conceptions of the world and paths towards human fulfillment, transformation and redemption. Each class session will focus on one of the following belief systems: Buddhism, Christianity, Confucianism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism.
Professors from the, St Mary’s College Philosophy and Religious Studies Faculty
Asbury, Spring 2007
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