Academy of Seniors
1. THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF L. FRANK BAUM’S OZ AND ITS ADAPTATIONS
September 9, 16, 23, 30
(Tuesdays), 9:30-11:30 am
L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is considered to be the great American fairy tale. The children’s novel remains popular and is regularly revised and reinterpreted for contemporary audiences.
September 9: L. Frank Baum and his Wonderful Wizard of Oz
This session will provide an overview of the life and multi-faceted career of Baum as an actor, author and early filmmaker as well as the Baum/Bloomington connection. The class will examine The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, the first book in his popular Oz series for children.
September 16: Over the Rainbow: MGM film version of The Wizard of Oz
We will consider the various ways Victor Fleming’s The Wizard of Oz modified Baum’s novel into a family film that made Judy Garland, as Dorothy and Margaret Hamilton, as the Wicked Witch of the West, iconic movie characters.
September 23: The Dark Versions of Oz
This session will examine adaptations of Oz that are geared for adolescent and adult readers focusing on Philip José Farmer’s science fiction, A Barnstormer in Oz (1982) and Gregory Maguire’s Wicked (1995), a dystopian representation of Oz.
September 30: Defying Gravity: Two adaptions of Gregory Maguire's Wicked
Learn about Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman’s Broadway musical, Wicked (2003) and the Jon Chu’s recent film adaptation (2024) of the long-running Broadway musical. Both versions of Oz are loosely based on Gregory Maguire’s Wicked and trace how Elphaba becomes the Wicked Witch of West, from her point of view.
Jan Susina, Emeritus Professor of English, Illinois State University
2. ENGAGED PERSUASION IN A POST TRUTH WORLD
September 29, October 1, 6, 8
(Mondays/Wednesdays), 1:30-3:30 pm
Learn the dynamics of persuasion, including important source, receiver and message components while also exploring the effects of persuasive communication on receivers’ attitudes, values, beliefs and behaviors.
Based on Dr. Hunts’s new book, co- authored with colleague Keven R. Meyer, Hunt will address new media, engaged citizenship and deconstructing messages in a post-truth world to deepen attendees’ understanding of persuasion.
Themes will include the application of contemporary persuasion theory and research to the post-truth era, the influence of new media on persuasive communication and how to use persuasion to become civically engaged and advance the common good.
Stephen Hunt, Professor, School of Communication, ISU
3. ANCIENT BRITAIN: FROM THE ICE AGE TO THE COMING OF ROME
October 23, 30, November 6, 13
(Thursdays), 1:30-3:30 pm
Stonehenge, Avebury, Maiden Castle—these are the sites that come to mind when considering what Winston Churchill called “the Birth of Britain.” This class will examine British prehistory, emphasizing the latest findings, debates, theories and controversies. Learn about various archaeological sites, including Boxgrove, the Cheddar Caves, Grimes Graves, Silbury Hill and others.
The class will demonstrate changing ways of life revealed by archaeology, from Ice Age hunters through Neolithic farmers and Bronze Age warriors to the Iron Age chieftains encountered by Julius Caesar in 55 BC. The class will distinguish between rational theories and romantic dreams—and with topics like the Celtic heritage and the significance of Stonehenge, there are plenty of both.
Fred Christensen, Former History Instructor, University of Kentucky and Assistant Professor, Military Science, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
4. REIMAGING MODERNISMS: SOUTH AND SOUTHEAST ASIAN ART
January 14, 21, 28, February 4
(Wednesdays), 1:30-3:30 pm
In Western art history, modern art is often traced to the mid-19th century, shaped by modernization, industrialization and a rejection of academic traditions. Movements from realism to impressionism and expressionism marked a steady shift away from traditional art forms.
In contrast, modern art in South and Southeast Asia emerged under colonial rule and during nation-building in the early to mid-20th century. Here, modernism was driven by a search for identity, shaped by both external influences and local traditions.
This course will explore global modernisms through case studies from India, Indonesia and the Philippines, examining how art responded to colonialism and nationhood.
Katherine Bruhn, Assistant Professor, Global Art and Visual Culture, Wonsook Kim School of Art, ISU