The Soul of Europe Today
Richard Drake
Thursdays, 1:00-2:30 pm, Todd Building, UM
The ideological history of modern Europe consists of an engagement among four traditions: liberalism, conservatism, socialism, and reactionism. The course will focus on the philosophical claims of the foundation thinkers in these traditions, and show how all four are still in competition for Europe’s “soul” today. Fears over nonEuropean immigration, environmental collapse, and a protracted economic crisis have resuscitated the hopes and appeal of radicals who only a short time ago appeared to be of no political consequence. Contemporary Europe furnishes an ideal case study for understanding the crisis of liberalism and the prospects of its principal ideological rivals. About the instructor: Richard Drake has taught at The University of Montana since 1982. He is best known on campus for his course “Terrorism in the Modern World.” He has published extensively on modern Italian history and is at work on a book about contemporary Europe. For the past twenty-four years, he has been the coordinator of the President’s Lecture Series.
Humanities
Making Believe, Believing What You Make: Poetry of Frost & Stevens
Robert Pack
Thursdays, 3:00-4:30 pm, Todd Building, UM
Textbooks: Robert Frost: Collected Poems (Holt) and Wallace Stevens: Collected Poems (Knopf)
Selected poems by Robert Frost and Wallace Stevens will be closely examined for their metaphorical structure and their exposition of the concept of the creative imagination. Other major themes, such as celebration and lamentation, also will be considered in assessing the accomplishments of these major American poets. About the instructor: Robert Pack is a Distinguished Senior Visiting Professor at The University of Montana, Abernethy Professor Emeritus at Middlebury College, and Emeritus Director of the Bread Loaf Writers Conference. He is also the author of over twenty books of poetry and literary criticism, including books on Frost and Stevens.
“It was fun to be a student again…especially in a class without tests or grades.” ~MOLLI member Justice: Classical Theories & Contemporary Problems
Dane Scott
Thursdays, 3:00-4:30 pm, Todd Building, UM
Textbook: Justice, What is the Right Thing to Do?, by Michael J. Sandel
Everyone talks about justice, but do most people have a clear conception of justice? What makes certain decisions just and others unjust? What ethical principles should we use to settle contentious moral issues? This course will discuss some of the most vexing moral issues of our time as we read Michael Sandel’s engaging book, Justice, What is the Right Thing to Do? This discussion-based course will examine a number of controversial moral issues, such as healthcare, climate change, and global poverty, based on a substantive engagement with theories of justice. About the instructor: Dane Scott, Ph.D. is the Director of the Mansfield Center’s Ethics and Public Affairs Program, and Associate Professor of Ethics in the College of Forestry and Conservation at The University of Montana. He holds a doctorate in philosophy from Vanderbilt University. Dr. Scott specializes in environmental ethics, climate change ethics and policy, and ethical issues involving emerging technologies.
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