Winter 2004 Workshops at Writers & Books

Reading Seminars

A Short Reading Course for Those Who Don’t Read Poetry

• Four Wednesdays, April 7 – May 5, 6–8 pm
• No class April 21
• $72 W&B members / $80 general public
• Instructor: Donna Marbach [ bio ]

This reading course is meant to be an enjoyable introduction to the many faces of poetry. It is designed to show that poetry was meant for the average person—not the esoteric upper echelons. After all, the very first literature was written in poetry—the Iliad, the Odyssey, The Canterbury Tales, and even parts of the Bible. Today people are constantly exposed to poetry in song lyrics, advertising and greeting cards.

This course is not meant to be a heavy analysis that looks for symbolic meaning or requires knowledge of poetry. Instead, students will read for pleasure and emotional affect.

Almighty God Bierce

• Eight Saturdays, January 17 – March 6, 10 am–Noon
• $140 W&B members / $160 general public
• Instructor: Ed Scutt [ bio ]

Ambrose Bierce was a social critic and satirist from about 1868 until the early 1900s. He is best known for his short story An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge and his collection The Devil’s Dictionary. He fought in the Civil War for almost four years and wrote voluminously in several genres.

Sample Bierce at his versatile best—stories, poems, satires, columns and non-fiction. Bierce’s comments on war, religion, politics, and many other subjects are as pertinent today as when they were written more than a century ago.

The instructor will provide reading material at minimal expense to participants.

French to English Poetry

• Six Tuesdays, March 16 – April 27, 6–8 pm
• No class April 6
• $108 W&B members / $120 general public
• Instructor: Kitty Jospe [ bio ]

In this workshop participants will be guided by a French teacher, linguist, and amateur poet to develop awareness of idea and style as readers work through French poems (in translation). The resulting dialogue promises to enrich one’s appreciation of French contributions to poetry and literature and the English language

This is not a French course, and there is no need to be fluent in French in order to enjoy this reading seminar. Authors considered will include Villon, Ronsard, Moliere, Hugo, Verlaine, Rimbaud, and Baudelaire.

New Voices in American Poetry

• Four alternating Thursdays, March 18, April 1, 15 & 29 6–8 pm
• $72 W&B members / $80 general public
• Instructor: Meg Barboza [ bio ]

In this seminar, students will read at least three full volumes of poetry and discuss the ways in which “first time” poets (from 1995 to present) address the timeless poetic issues of the self and place in the late 20th century.

While this is not a course on form or technique, students will look at what these poets say as well as how they choose to say it—what metaphors are used, how form is employed as well as the nature and texture of the language. Other texts may include news articles, literary criticism, government documents and other useful ephemera (provided by instructor).

A very modern time shall be had by all! The instructor will provide a reading list in advance of the workshop.

I Can’t Go On, I’ll Go On

• Six Mondays, February 16 – March 22, 6–8 pm
• $108 W&B members / $120 general public
• Instructor: Tim Madigan [ bio ]

Samuel Beckett (1906-1989) won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1969. His bleak yet hilarious worldview continues to startle a new generation of readers, and he can rightly be considered one of the giants of 20th century literature. Beckett wrote poetry, novels, critical essays, plays, and even a screenplay (Film, starring Buster Keaton)

This reading seminar will explore many facets of this amazing writer, including his immortal play Waiting for Godot.

Only one book purchase is required for this class: I Can’t Go On, I’ll Go On, edited by Richard W. Seaver.

United Nations Reads: Nations in the News Through a Literary Lens

• Four Wednesdays, January 14, February 11, March 10 & April 14, 7–9 pm
• $72 W&B members / $80 general public

The power of the written word is international. Join with members of our local United Nations organization and others to exercise your world vision and examine how words around the world influence what we know. Participants will read fiction, poetry, and literary non-fiction in this unique search for insight through literature.

• Jan. 14, Madam Secretary: A Memoir, presented by Margaret Corbin.
• Feb. 11, explore the story of 21st century slavery with Dr. Mary Palamar, Professor Emerita from Nazareth College.
• March 10, Dr. Ali Ogut, Ph.D. from Rochester Institute of Technology, will lead a session in the story of the Kurds. What do we really know about these people who live in the mountains of what are presently northern Iraq, north-western Iran, and south-eastern Turkey, and who have been so disenfranchised during the recent troubles in the Middle East?
• April 14, Wendy Low, Writers & Books Director of Youth Education and Community Outreach, and Shahin Monshipour, Sociology Professor at M.C.C., will lead a discussion of contemporary literature of Farsi-speaking people (Iran and much of Afghanistan.)

A complete reading list will be made available before the workshop begins.

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