Last call to sign up for fall Minicourses

Courses to focus on U.S. election campaigns and the Italian-American experience

Registration is now open for two new in-person minicourse offerings.  The courses, which are open to all, will cover topics relating to campaigns and elections in the U.S. and the Italian-American experience.  Both courses will run for five consecutive weeks. All classes will be held in person at the Florham Park Public Library due to the upcoming renovations at the Madison Public Library.

The first offering is “Campaigns and Elections in the U.S.” and will begin on Tuesday, Sept. 19 from 10 a.m. to noon, and run for five weeks.  Dr. Philip Mundo, professor emeritus of the Drew University Department of Political Science and International Relations, Environmental Studies and Sustainability Program, will lead the lecture series. 

This course will examine the nature of political campaigns and elections in the U.S. with a focus on their origins, purpose, utility, and consequences for the selection of public officials. The course will mainly cover voting behavior, the nature of campaigns, congressional elections, and presidential elections.

An Italian family lands at Ellis Island in 1905. Photo by Lewis W. Hine

The second course offered is “The Italian-American Experience,” a film and literature minicourse. This course will begin on Wednesday, Sept. 20, and run for five weeks. The class will be held from 10 a.m. to noon.  Dr. Gloria Pastorino, professor of Italian and French in the Fairleigh Dickinson University Department of Literature, Languages, Writing, and Humanities will teach this class.

These lectures explore the hardships and successes of Italian immigrants to North America from the last few years of the 19th century to the end of the 20th century.

The class will explore the issue of migration and settling in a new culture from several points of view: cultural, historical, sociological, and literary, through books, articles, novels, and films. Topics include race, lynching, tenement living, World War II, the mafia, and reverse stereotypes. Click here to see the list of books and movies that will be referenced:

These non-credit courses are open to the public with no prerequisites or examinations. The tuition for each course is $95.