Minutes of the Great Books Committee

Members: Debbie Anderson, Rand Evans, Charles Fantazzi, John Given, Robert Hammond, Elizabeth Layman, Kevin Moll, Frank Romer, David Smith, Assoc. Dean Scott Snyder, John Stevens, Anoush Terjanian, Edmund Wall, David Wilson-Okamura, Tricia Wilson-Okamura

Members Present: Charles Fantazzi, John Given, Elizabeth Layman, Kevin Moll, David Smith, John Stevens, Anoush Terjanian, Edmund Wall, David Wilson-Okamura, Tricia Wilson-Okamura

Meeting #2, November 30, 2005, 4-5 p.m. in Bate 2003.

Agenda Item 1. Report on GRBK 2000

Professor Terjanian reported on the progress of GRBK 2000 (The Great Books of Love), a pilot team-taught seminar with participation from 7 other committee members. The class was very successful, generating a high level of enthusiasm on the part of students and faculty. The final seminar will be a viewing of the film Pride and Prejudice, followed by a symposium attended by faculty and students. After Prof. Terjanian's report, there was an evaluative discussion of various aspects of the class. Prof. Terjanian was commended for providing the class with great continuity and cohesion and it was observed that different faculty members brought out strengths in different students.

Agenda Item 2. Discussion of philosophy and the Great Books

There was a brief discussion of how philosophical reasoning fits into the Great Books curriculum.

Agenda Item 3. Fall Class

Discussion was held on options for the fall class. David Smith was tentatively selected as the instructor, subject to scheduling and departmental approval.

Agenda Item 4. Spring Lecture

Discussion was held on possible speakers for the spring semester, with no decision taken.

The meeting was adjourned at 5 p.m.