Half-block 2005 - Colorado College

- 2006 PHOTOS -

In 2004, Colorado College introduced an exciting new "Half-Block" Program that allowed parents, alumni, and friends to experience the intellectual intensity of CC. The college offered two compelling courses, taught on campus by some of the college’s most outstanding faculty. These were serious half-block courses with papers and assignments.

This successful program was again offered January 10-20, 2005 with two different course options, and the Colorado College learning adventure continued in 2006 with the exciting courses listed below.

Read a testimonial from one parent who participated in 2005's Half Block Program, or view photos from the same year.

2006 Courses

"Mozart and the Age of Enlightenment"

Taught by Professors Timothy Fuller (Political Science) and Michael Grace (Music).

Mozart was a both a child of the Enlightenment and one of its most ardent voices. Although he did not often put his thoughts into words, his music engendered the spirit of the times. This course will examine Mozart, the man and his music in the context of seminal Enlightenment writers. For example, Montesquieu's Lettres Persanes (The Persian Letters) will provide a context for Mozart's Abduction from the Seraglio, the writings of Rousseau and the play by Beaumarchais will be considered as foundations for The Marriage of Figaro, and investigations into the Masonic movement in the 18th-century will be investigated as a context for The Magic Flute. We will begin the course with a critical viewing of Milos Forman's Academy Award winning film, Amadeus, and end with an examination of Mozart's last and unfinished work, the setting of the Requiem Mass. Along the way, we will also study his masterpieces of orchestral and chamber music, and interpret them in the context of 18th-century aesthetics and philosophy; these compositions will include the two symphonies in G minor (Nos. 25 and 40), the Clarinet Concerto, and the Piano Quartet in G minor. We will do a lot of guided listening (and viewing) in class.

This course is presented partially in celebration of 250th anniversary of Mozart's birth on January 27, 1756. The class will be finished by that day, but we will celebrate the birthday early, on January 19, the last day of our half-block, with appropriate ceremony and joy!

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Ruth Barton, English: "Ethics in Journalism"

We will study together the relationships between ethical practices in journalism and how information gets to the general public. We will examine general beliefs about ethical practices, and how these beliefs may affect practices, whether for good or bad in terms of informing the public. Although we will discuss some cases of individual journalists who have been tagged as unethical in a particular incident, we will focus our attention on aspects of the whole system of news delivery in today’s high-tech world.

Here are some of the topics we will examine, largely by studying videotapes and publications:

1. Television vs. newspapers. Very few people now actually read news; more people just glance at local headlines. How does this affect how the population understands the nuances of particular situations?

2. Some news on television goes for 24 hours each day. With 24 hours to fill, television reporters have little time for thought or for checking facts. One story gets picked up and then tossed around by most of the other stations. Not just once: over and over and over. Even stories proved to be false have been imprinted on the minds of viewers.

3. “Balanced” news reporting. Consider a long-time favorite: The Lehrer Report. For the most part, Lehrer interviews two people on a complex issue. He chooses representatives of opposing sides. Only rarely does he (or other interviewers on his program) seek to show which points have validity. Does balanced reporting fill the same role as in-depth reporting?

4. What role does the Internet play in distribution of news?

5. Given the nation’s commitment to freedom of speech, is there any way we can promote more effective ways to inform the public?

We will have several news representatives as guest speakers.