Courses

POLIS Spring 2012 Courses and/or Lecturers

1. Title: Broadcasting in a Digital Age
The class will include the following topics:- How much broadcasting has changed over the past 20 years and how much it continues to change looking forward. - from analog to digital - from fixed to mobile- The various ways of getting signals into your home - free TV still exists- The importance of local broadcasters - what the public wants - who is doing a good job/who is not- Community leadership - being a strong community supporter is just part of the goal
Lecturer: Carlos Fernandez, VP/General Manager WGEM
Date: January 24

2. Title: Poetry of John Keats
In this course we will study selected works by the British poet, John Keats, whose writing is very powerful and very accessible. We will focus on the great odes he is remembered for but also some other pieces. A reading list will be provided in advance.
Lecturer: Mary Ann Klein, PhD, Emerita Professor of English, Quincy University
Dates: January 27 and February 3

3. Title: How to revive dying churches (without losing the soul of your tradition)
1. The problem: dying churches
It is now becoming clear that most denominations in this country are losing membership. This meeting will explore the extent of the problem, using data from Adams County and wider areas.
2. Points of light: "mega-churches"
Not all churches are declining in membership. This meeting will examine some places where growth is happening.
3. "Spiritual but not religious" - the new American denomination
Many people today describe themselves as spiritual but not religious. We will explore some meanings of the word "spiritual" in this context, along with data to evaluate the proposed meanings.
4. Spiritual growth in individual denominations
No group wants to lose its soul. Change always involves the risk of losing one's soul. Is it possible for a church to change in response to the new desires of today's society without losing the core of its own tradition? I will use the Catholic Church as an example, and invite participants to offer data from their own experience.
Lecturer: Fr Joe Zimmerman, retired professor of sociology, Quincy University
Date: February 7,9,14,16

4. Title: Literature of the Civil War
Harriet Beecher Stowe was not the only author to contribute to the creation of a Civil-War literature in the United States in the years leading to the War and then during and just after it. In this class we'll look at both major and minor writers who fashioned American consciousness of crucial matters like slavery and nationhood. We'll also look at the way writers depicted the Civil War for popular culture and then in its grim reality.
Lecturer: Joe Messina, PhD, emeritus professor of English, Quincy University
Dates: Feb 10 and Feb 17

5. Title: The Physical You
Exploring the treatment options and management for muscle, bone, and nerve dysfunction of specific age related diagnosis.
Lecturer: Dr Natalie Stratton, DPT, Advanced Physical Therapy
Date: February 23

6. Title: The Mississippi River: Physical & Biological Characteristics
The Mississippi River is a 2300 mile long stream which with its tributaries moves
precipitation from a drainage basin of 1,245,000 square miles to the ocean.
Humans have developed a number of uses of the river which they hope to continue
into the future. This presentation will discuss the physical and biological
characteristics of the river and its flood plain which are adapted to the flow of the
river and are used by humans. It precedes a second presentation discussing the
present and future human use of the river. (This is part of a two-part presentation
with Fr. John Ostdiek, OFM.)
Lecturer: Alfred F. Pogge, PhD, Professor Emeritus of Biology, Quincy University
Date: Thursday, 1 March 2012

7. Title: The Mississippi River: Human Uses Present and Future
The Mississippi River Basin is truly a world-level complex system involving
agriculture, transportation, industry/business and a place of residence for 100
million people. This presentation presents some views and problems about the river
basin: what it does and what might be its future. (This is part of a two-part
presentation with Dr. Al Pogge.)
Lecturer: Fr. John Ostdiek, OFM, Former Professor of Biology, Quincy University
Date: Friday, 2 March 2012

8. Title: Title: The History of the Legal Eagles, How Did We Get Here?
To understand our system of jurisprudence, we must
first look at how we arrived at this process? We will take a brief
look at some key moments in the historical development of the police
and then the courts as we learn more of the legal eagles.TBD
Lecturer: Harry L. Cramer, M.A., N.A. 165th Session
Dates: March 13 and 15

9. Title: Marketing on the Internet
The class covers a wide-ranging area of marketing on the Internet. Topics covered include social media, search engine optimization, website best practices, site analysis, and other marketing strategies.
Lecture 1: Strategies (foundation), site/internet marketing business plan (10 steps), email mktg, website standards/ideas, blogging, SEO, show ETCCL Google Analytics
Lecture 2: Continued SEO as needed, social media covering marketing with Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Places. Integration as strategy among properties
Lecturer: Eric Thomas, President , ETC Computerland
Date: March 16 and 23

10. Title: Street Crime, the U.S. Constitution and the 4th Amendment "technicality".
The class will explore how the U.S. Constitution and especially the 4th Amendment shape the enforcement, prosecution and defense of street crime cases. What evidence is suppressed, what evidence comes in and what sentences are and should be imposed in the event of a conviction? Drug and domestic violence cases will be discussed from start to finish.
Lecturer: Judge Scott Walden, Circuit Judge, Adams County, Illinois
Date: March 20

11. Title: Reading the Bible Again for the First Time II : Matthew's Gospel
Why is Matthew's Gospel placed first in the New Testament? How many times does he quote from, paraphrase, or allude to the Hebrew Bible? What is his particular understanding of Jesus? What is the purpose of his miracle stories? How does he understand discipleship? What is the content of his five sermons on the Kingdom? What elements of the resurrection narratives are peculiar to Matthew?
Lecturer: Leonard Biallas, PhD, Distinguished Professor of Theology and Religious Studies, Quincy University
Dates: March 22, 29, and April 5

12. Title: Today's Law Enforcement and Street Crime
A discussion of modern day law enforcement, trends in street crime and the methods used to combat street crime.
Lecturer: Jeff Baird, Detective, Quincy Police Department
Date: March 27, 30

13. Title: "American Outlaws: Infamous Crime and Famous Criminals in American History"
This course examines significant crimes and criminals in American history in order to better understand how crime and lawbreaking reflects social conflict during important periods of change in American life. If you want to view the key points of tension in a given point in Americans society, there is perhaps no better lens to use than crime.
Lecturer: Scott Giltner, PhD, Assistant Professor of History, Culver Stockton College
Dates: April 3 and April 10

14. Title: The continuing evolution of Print Media
The Internet and 24-hour cable television news has changed the news habits of consumers. Newspapers continue to offer the most comprehensive news coverage in local markets, and they are trying to combat falling circulation and advertising revenue by offering the kind of immediacy previously the territory of only radio and television.
Lecturer: Don Crim, Managing Editor, Quincy Herald Whig
Date: April 12

15. Title: The History of Aviation in Quincy, IL
This course will provide an overview of the history of aviation in Quincy, IL.
Lecturer: Andy Dow, Aviation Lecturer, Quincy University
Date: April 13

16. Title: "The US and the 'Sneak' attack by Japan on Pearl Harbor".
In this course we will explore the almost 100 year relationship America had with Japan before Pearl Harbor and the unique role the US played in both Japan's modernization and its entrance into the world once they broke from their nearly 250 year isolation. We will also explore the rapidly deteriorating relations between these two nations 1939-41 in the midst of the escalating crisis and war in Europe that dominated FDR's thoughts and deeds. We will investigate the issue of America's military readiness and look at the personalities involved--military and political. We will also discuss the attack from the American side and try to apportion responsibility. Finally, we will attempt to get a sense of the legacy of the 'sneak' attack at Pearl Harbor in WWII and in American history since 1941.
Lecturer: Wendell Mauter, PhD, professor of history, Quincy University
Date: April 17 and April 24

17. Title: Local Quincy Church: Bethel A.M.E.
The history of Bethel , AME church and its congregation in Quincy. The group will meet and tour Bethel AME at 905 York.
Lecturer: Pastor James H. Hailey III,
Date: April 19

18. Title: The Blues : An American Musical Art Form
An introduction into the roots, styles and influences of traditional and early blues music, as expressed and performed on an acoustic guitar.
Lecturer: Jon Barnard, States Attorney, Adams County
Date: April 20

19. Title: Periodical Cicadas
Last summer our area was inundated with cicadas. What are periodical cicadas and where will they appear next? How many species are there and how do you tell them apart? The life cycle, biology and geography of periodical cicadas will be described in this slide/lecture presentation featuring color photos of the animals carrying out most of their behaviors. Coelho's research on biogeography of Magicicada will be emphasized.
Lecturer: Joseph Coelho, PhD, Assistant Professor of Biology, Quincy University
Date; April 27

20. Bus Tour: Underground Railroad
The Underground Railroad bus tour will begin in Quincy at local historical sites and progress to Jacksonville. This tour is in coordination with the QU Retiree Association.
Tour Guide: Phil Germann, retired Executive Director of the Historical Society
Date: May 8