Schemel Forum Fall Courses Offer Food for the Mind

University of Scranton's Schemel Forum fall courses feature three nighttime series exploring topics ranging from positive psychology to Christian mythology and the visual literacy in the Weimer Republic.

Taught by three University faculty members, the courses begin on a rolling basis beginning Tuesday, Aug. 27, and will be presented in six weekly sessions in the Weinberg Memorial Library.

Opening the fall course offerings will be a seminar on "Positive Psychology: A Scientific Primer on Happiness and Flourishing." The six-week series will be taught by John C. Norcross, Ph.D., ABPP, distinguished professor and chair of the Psychology Department at The University of Scranton, clinical professor of Psychiatry at SUNY Upstate Medical University, and a board-certified clinical psychologist; and Colleen M. Phillips, Lackawanna County Mental Health Court Coordinator and adjunct psychology faculty at The University of Scranton. Classes will be held Tuesdays, Sept. 3, 10, 17, 24 and Oct. 1 and 8 from 6 to 7:15 p.m.

Dr. Norcross is an award-winning, internationally recognized expert on behavior change and psychotherapy. Author of more than 400 scholarly publications, Dr. Norcross has co-written or edited 22 books, most of them in multiple editions. As a mental health coordinator for Lackawanna County, Phillips' work focuses on assisting those with severe and persistent mental illness within the criminal justice system.

According to Dr. Norcross, psychology has been long preoccupied with human limitations and mental disorders. Positive psychology, by contrast, is the scientific study of how individuals thrive, and communities flourish. "This seminar focuses on understanding, predicting, and improving subjective well-being," he said.

Students will participate in brief, confidential assessments and research-supported experiential activities designed to enhance their strengths, virtues, and happiness. "In other words, you will learn a lot of positive psychology and apply it to yourself and your community," said Prof. Phillips.

This class is capped at 18 students and is expected to fill quickly. Preference will be given to Schemel Forum Archangel and Angel members first, then open for a la carte registrations on a first-come, first-served basis.

The next two courses, while not tied to a specific theme, have a common thread between them, said George J. Aulisio, Ph.D., dean of the Weinberg Memorial Library and director of the Schemel Forum. "The courses offered by both faculty members will explore popular media within the context of their respective areas of study and scholarship," said Dean Aulisio.

Sean Brennan, Ph.D., professor in the Department of History at Scranton, will present "CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien: Christian Mythology in Literature and Film" Thursdays, Sept. 5, 12, 19, 26, and Oct. 3 and 10 from 6 to 7:15 p.m.

A historian of 20^th Century Europe and a frequent presenter of the Schemel Forum, Dr. Brennan notes that the title of the course should not be misunderstood as Christianity being a myth. Rather, he said, Christian mythology "is the use of mythological stories to convey Christian messages outside of the Bible."

During the course, Dr. Brennan will discuss "how both Tolkien and Lewis saw fantasy literature as a way to present Christian theological teachings." The course will examine the different faith journeys of both men, the most important examples of Christian theology in their novels, and finally, how the recent cinematic adaptations of their works have maintained and, at other times, discarded the Christian teachings of Lewis and Tolkien.

Andrew LaZella, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Philosophy, will present "From Caligari to Hitler: Cinema and Politics during the Weimar Republic 1918-1933."

This course will use Siegfried Kracauer's classic study, From Caligari to Hitler: A Psychological History of the German Film (1947), to explore the culture and politics of the Weimar Republic.

"It's an academic attempt to understand the culture of this time - a very volatile time between World War I and II," said Dr. LaZella. "Both then and now, the way in which we consume and process visual literacy has similarities, but we don't always look at all of the factors that go into the cultural commodity of what is produced," said Dr. Lazella, adding that smart phones, technology and Artificial Intelligence have changed how we process visual literacy.

According to Dr. LaZella, there are interesting parallels between apolitical films of the Weimar Republic and today.

"Hollywood cinema has a steady output of superhero films," said Dr. LaZella, noting that there is something to be learned from that.

Dr. LaZella's course was inspired through a research project with a Scranton student. "It was a wonderful experience, and I've always wanted to do more with it (the topic). I thought the Schemel audience would be familiar with the films of this period. As is the case with most of my Schemel Forum courses, I hope to curate a conversation as a fellow collaborator," said Dr. LaZella.

To register for the courses, or for more information on the Schemel Forum, call 570-941-4740 or email [email protected]. Registration is free for University of Scranton and Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine students, faculty, staff and Schemel Forum members; and $100 per person and $175 per couple for non-members. To pay for courses online, visit: www.scranton.edu/schemelforum.

Additional Schemel Forum events can be found on the Schemel Forum's webpage.

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