Sept. 3, 10, 17, 24
Four Decades of Woody Allen Films: A Comic Genius Re-viewed
Dr. Scott Cawelti
A former University of Northern Iowa English professor, Cawelti will provide insights into the work of prolific director Woody Allen, examining the stylistic and thematic motifs that made his films resonate with critics and a legion of loyal followers — and to what extent they seem dated and destined for the dustbin of cinematic history. Cawelti will focus on signature Allen films during each of the past four decades: Annie Hall (1977), Hannah and Her Sisters (1986), Bullets Over Broadway (1994) and Vickie Christina Barcelona (2008).Cawelti taught writing, literature and film courses at UNI from 1968-2008. He broadcasts and publishes commentary regionally and is interested in film theory and criticism, as well as theories of writing and how they illuminate writing processes.

Oct. 1, 8, 15, 22
No More Fat Lady Jokes: Perspectives on Opera Through the Ages
Dr. Melinda Boyd
Boyd, an assistant professor of music history at the University of Northern Iowa, will explore different aspects of opera over four centuries, from its inception in 1600 to the late 19th century. Her topics — supported by video and audio examples — will include the birth of opera, Mozart and da Ponte, the Bel Canto School, and Richard Wagner and the Ring of the Nibelung Boyd earned a master's degree and doctorate in Musicology from the University of British Columbia, and a bachelor’s degree in Music History from the University of Manitoba. As visiting faculty at the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music, Boyd taught a wide range of courses including historical survey classes, research and writing, topics classes (program music, the music of Robert and Clara Schumann, Wagner), genre classes (opera history, German Romantic Opera), and music in culture topics (popular music, music and politics). Her research focuses on women composers and performers of the 19th and 20th centuries, issues of gender and feminist theory, cultural studies, and aesthetics.  She has presented her research at a number of national and international conferences, including the Society for American Music, the Society for Music Theory, and the Canadian University Music Society.

Oct. 29, Nov. 5, 12, 19
God and Suffering in the Book of Job
The Rev. Dennis Dickman
Led by the Rev. Dickman, this course will offer a fresh reading of the Book of Job, which deals powerfully and dramatically with the problem of suffering and its meaning in our relationship with God and the world. The course begins with Job as a hurting and angry man and ends with him transformed with a new understanding of God and suffering. Dickman is an ELCA pastor who has served five congregations, including St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Waverly, and has been on the staff of the Wartburg Theological Seminary as director of continuing education and director of its Denver (Colo.) House of Studies.

Jan. 7, 14, 21, 28
Disasters: Natural and Unnatural
Dr. Stephen Main
Dr. Main, a biology professor emeritus at Wartburg, will address the questions that inevitably arise amid many “natural” and “unnatural” disasters — including what happens to an “Act of God” when human error contributes to the event and what can anyone do? He will explore the natural history of disasters, the mythology surrounding them and their use/abuse in theology, politics, and the media. Main, a Waverly flood victim, also will look at the options the Cedar River valley community has in dealing with inherent risks. Dr. Stephen Main taught at Wartburg for 34 years. His courses covered botany, ecology, aquatic biology, marine field biology, modern agriculture and the history and philosophy of science. He is a graduate of Valparaiso University and earned his doctorate from Oregon State University.

Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25
South Africa: Women Building Global Community
Karris Golden
Is the United States the new mission field? Golden, an award-winning writer,will focus on U.S.-South Africa connections and the role of the church in sub-Saharan Africa. Her topics will include the AIDS/HIV pandemic, gender justice and equity, advocacy for children, and cross-cultural exchange. She will share her experiences as well as those of women of South Africa, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Botswana, and Mozambique. Golden is a regular contributor to the Lutheran, Cafe, and Lutheran Woman Today. Her work has appeared in newspapers, magazines, literary journals and books She is a graduate of Wartburg College with a master’s degree from the University of Northern Iowa. She is executive editor of W&A Publishing, a Cedar Falls-based publishing house that focuses on the financial sector.

March 4, 11, 18, 25
Sketchbooks and Children's Books—The Artist as Storyteller
Gary Kelley
A nationally renowned artist, Kelley will recount some of his travels and resulting visual essays from Europe and the Montreux Jazz Festival, Paris and the French Riviera, Tuscany, Connemarra and the west of Ireland. Participants will read from a selection of books he has illustrated and discuss creating art that embellishes the stories. Kelley will display original art as well. With the ability to capture the essence of his subject, Kelley’s works have become an emblem of fine art within the industry. Kelley received his degree in art from the University of Northern Iowa in 1968 and received an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from the University of Northern Iowa in 1995. Kelley is a member of the prestigious Society of Illustrators and has received 27 gold and silver medals from the Society's Annual Exhibitions in New York, setting a society record. In 2007, Gary was inducted into the Society of Illustrators Hall of Fame.

April 1, 8, 15, 22
Afghanistan in Turmoil
Dr. Kent Hawley
Hawley will provide a personal, political and historical perspective on Afghanistan, a country that has moved to center stage with the rise of al Qaeda, the Taliban, and renewed Islamic militancy in Central Asia. Participants will discuss Afghanistan as a battleground throughout history and its present role in dealing with militant Islam. Hawley and his family lived in Afghanistan from 1962-1966 when he was a member of the Teachers College and Columbia University Educational Team. Hawley also served as adviser to the president of Kabul University. Hawley has an undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and graduate degrees from Teachers College and Columbia University. Hawley was vice president of Student Life at Wartburg College and later Director of International Programs for 16 years.