Spring Book Talk Schedule

Julie Billiart, Woman of Courage, by Roseanne Murphy
Maureen Beck, Director of Library Services
Thursday, Jan. 17, 3pm, Library
Julie Billiart had to face much adversity in her life: the turmoil in France prior to the French Revolution as well as severe physical challenges with which she lived much of her life. Yet she persevered and founded the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, a religious order of women which has encircled the globe, bringing the Catholic faith as well as social justice and education to the poor. This story of her life and works serves as inspiration in our own turbulent times.

Story: Substance, Structure, Style and The Principles of Screenwriting, by Robert McKee
Christopher Llewellyn Reed, Assistant Professor of Film, Video and Theatre
Thursday, Jan 31, 2008, 3pm, Library
Since its publication, Robert McKee's Story has become the leading source of narrative writing ideas in Hollywood and beyond. More than just a formulaic screenwriting guide, Story helps us understand what kinds of stories move us most deeply. If we know this, we can truly know ourselves.

The Zahir: A Novel of Obsession, by Paulo Coelho
Heather Harris, Special Assistant to the President, Director of Multicultural Affairs and Assistant Professor of Communication Arts
Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2008, 2pm, Library
The Zahir encourages us to think about the concepts of love and commitment in different ways.

The Devil's Details: A History of Footnotes, by Chuck Zerby
The Little Book of Plagiarism, by Judge Richard A. Posner
The Footnote: A Curious History, by Anthony Grafton
Joseph McGraw, Esq., Department Chair, Humanities and Public History; Assistant Professor of History
Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2008, 3pm, Library
A book talk on, not one, but three (but very brief) related books -- Chuck Zerby's The Devil's Details: A History of Footnotes, Judge Richard A Posner's The Little Book of Plagiarism, and Anthony Grafton's The Footnote: A Curious History. These books explore the important connections (usually never considered) between the "problem" of plagiarism stalking the halls of high schools, colleges and academic and professional publishing and the "solution" of properly using footnotes. These three books raise a number of thought-provoking ideas about both the "problem" and the "solution"--the most radical of which is that plagiarism may not be the problem and footnotes may not be the solution.

History of Madness, by Michel Foucault
Alex Hooke, Professor of Philosophy
Monday, Apr. 14, 2008, 3pm, Library
Solitary confinement, iron cages, ice water treatments, burning the flesh, the straitjacket...images from a modern prison? No, they are devices marking the birth of modern psychology. At least according to History of Madness, by Michel Foucault, one of the most innovative and influential thinkers of the 20th century. The complete edition has finally been translated into English.

Contact - Carol Maxwell (x2535)