Fairfield’s Quick Center Invites Public to Engage With Master Instructors in a "Classroom Without Walls"
Fairfield University’s Open MINDS Institute offers topical seminars and participatory workshops for the general public. New this season, the Quick has partnered with the Pequot Library in Southport, Conn. and the Fairfield University College of Arts and Sciences to present an expanded range of subjects.
FAIRFIELD, Conn. (September 3, 2019) — Expand your perspective on timely topics — including politics, music, media, and art — through the Quick Center for the Arts at Fairfield University’s Open MINDS Institute. An exploratory “classroom without walls,” the program offers a series of seminars and workshops led by master instructors from around the globe.
“Imagine the pleasure of participating in a fascinating college seminar with no required reading, no exams and no assignments," said Philip Eliasoph, PhD, director of the Open MINDS Institute. "This is truly lifelong learning's gift that keeps on giving."
Each workshop can be signed up for individually, with no long-term commitment required. The classes are designed to be highly participatory, with teachers and students engaging in a learning partnership. The Quick has collaborated with the Fairfield University College of Arts and Sciences and the Pequot Library to offer the following topics for the 2019-2020 season:
- “Opera and Us for Beginners: Exploring Live from the Met,” with instructor Erik Novoa; September 26 – October 31, 2019 (Thursdays, 1– 2:30 p.m., Quick Center). This class will examine some of the most well-known melodies from The Met: Live in HD’s upcoming season, as well as other essential works.
- “The Supreme Court: Its Greatest Cases,”with instructor Alan Neigher, J.D.; October 8 – November 5, 2019 (Tuesdays, 1– 2:30 p.m., Pequot Library).Designed for non-lawyers, the course will address the most significant Supreme Court cases involving race and civil rights, freedom of expression and privacy, money and commerce, and criminal justice.
- “Fact in the Age of Fake News: American Democracy’s Stress Test,” with instructor Matthew Tullis, PhD; October 9 – November 6, 2019 (Wednesdays, 1 – 2:30 p.m., Pequot Library). Don’t miss the discussion of what constitutes fake news, the different forms it can take, who is producing it, and which sources are trustworthy in the current media landscape.
- “Love, Lust, and Luxury; The Art of 15thCentury Florence,”with instructor Fiona Garland; October 16 – November 13, 2019 (Wednesdays, 10 – 11:30 a.m., Quick Center). Garland, known for making her content accessible and relevant, will lead a discussion on the prolific inventory of artists from Florence. The final class will include a tour of The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s incredible Florentine collection.
- “Celluloid Savagery: American Indians, Hollywood, and the Malformation of National Identity,”with instructor Peter Bayers, PhD; February 3 – March 9, 2020 (Mondays, 1 – 2:30 p.m., Pequot Library). This course will examine Hollywood’s representations of the “savage” American Indian, and Native American filmmakers’ appropriation of film to flip the malformed Hollywood story.
- “Modern Art: A Guide for the Perplexed,”with instructor Danielle Ogden; February 12 – March 11, 2020 (Wednesdays, 11 – 12:30 p.m., Quick Center). Curious about what qualifies as modern art? Strengthen your visual perception skills, deepen your understanding of the philosophy behind the art, and engage in thoughtful discussions about the genre. The final class will take place at the Museum of Modern Art, New York.
- “Beethoven at 250,”with instructor Orin Grossman, PhD; February 18 – March 17, 2020 (Tuesdays, 11 – 12:30 p.m., Quick Center). Celebrate Ludwig van Beethoven’s 250thbirthday in 2020 with an exploration of one of classical music’s singular artists and why he continues to inspire us.
- “Four Writing Challenges: An Author’s Journey,”with instructor Lary Bloom; March 3 – March 24, 2020(Tuesdays, 1 – 2:30 p.m. Pequot Library).Go behind-the-scenes with prolific author and editor Lary Bloom, as he relates how his own experiences reflect the larger issues faced by writers today. The discussion will also include his latest biography, Sol LeWitt: A Life of Ideas.
- “Affectionate Communication: An Exploration of Risks & Benefits of a Pivotal Message,”with instructor Sean Horan, PhD; March 4 – April 8, 2020(Wednesdays, 1 – 2:30 p.m., Pequot Library). Dive into a discussion on ways we view affection, its role in established relationships, and the physiological benefits of affection. The risks of affectionate communication will also be addressed, including rejection, threats, and deception.
Courses are $290 each. QCA Member price per course is $275. Enroll in two or more courses and enjoy a discounted price of just $250 per course. All course registrations are through the Quick Center Box Office; for more information or to register, visit www.quickcenter.comor call the box office at 203-254-4010 or toll free at 1-877-ARTS-396.
Posted On: September 3, 2019
Volume: 52 Number: 19
Fairfield University is a modern Jesuit Catholic university rooted in one of the world’s oldest intellectual and spiritual traditions. More than 5,000 undergraduate and graduate students from the U.S. and across the globe are pursuing degrees in the University’s five schools. Fairfield embraces a liberal humanistic approach to education, encouraging critical thinking, cultivating free and open inquiry, and fostering ethical and religious values. The University is located on a stunning 200-acre campus on the scenic Connecticut coast just an hour from New York City.