September 7, 88
Vol. 04 , No. 01
Culture vs. Economics: The Depiction of the Businessman in American Literature
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 1988
Peter Freese is not a newcomer to the Athenaeum-he was a Humanistic Studies fellow in 1987 and 1988. This semester Dr. Freese returns to Claremont to lecture at the Athenaeum on Monday, September 12; the title of his address is "Culture vs. Economics: The Depiction of the Businessman in American Literature." This occasion marks the first publication of the Center for Humanistic Studies' monograph series, "Surviving the End: Beyond Apocalypse and Entropy in American Literature" -Freese's lectures as 1988 resident fellow. Freese has been a full professor of American studies at Paderborn University in Germany since 1979. Join us at the Athenaeum's first event of the 1988-89 college year. The reception begins at 5:30 p.m., dinner at 6:00, and address at 7:00. Please use the reservation coupon in this Fortnightly.
Foreign Service Careers
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1988
Under the auspices of the John Brown Cook Association, the Athenaeum is honored to host the ambassador of Malaysia to the United States on September 13. Albert Talalla has been his country"s ambassador to Canada, the Commonwealth Caribbean, China, Greece, Germany, Mexico, and to the United States. During his distinguished career Mr. Talalla has represented Malaysia at the United Nations and was chosen to lead the Southeast Asian nations on a goodwill mission to Africa in 1985. Ambassador Talalla is one of the most senior members of his country's career foreign service.
The 7:00 p.m. address will be preceded by a 5:30 p.m. reception and 6:00 p.m. dinner. Please sign up using the enclosed reservation form.
How Television Affects Your Life
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 1988
We are eager to introduce all freshmen to the unique qualities of the Athenaeum. Although we encourage freshmen to attend the first two events we are hosting, a delicious dinner is planned especially in their honor.
Pulitzer Prize-winner Howard Rosenberg is one of the nation's premier television critics. His column in the Los Angeles Times, is distributed to 600 newspapers nationwide. In 1985 he became only the third TV critic to win the Pulitzer Prize. He will address the freshmen on "how much television affects your life." Prior to his discussion, cheese and cold drinks will be served on the Flamson Patio at 5:30 p.m.; then we will serve a "home-cooked" meal. The talk will begin at 7:00 p.m. The evening concludes at 8:00 p.m.
All freshmen will be automatically signed up, but if you do not wish to attend, please fill out the special form in The Fortnightly, so that you will be able to eat in Collins.
Election Media Manipulation
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1988
0nce upon a time Howard Rosenberg simply previewed TV series and specials. Now he is a bona fide authority on TV and politics. For the past year he has been preparing us for the political outcome in November. His excellent articles in the Los Angeles Times have had such headlines as "'Voting in Favor of Change," a tongue-in-cheek analysis of what should happen at future national conventions. Pick up an issue of the L.A. Times' Calendar section-Mr. Rosenberg's insightful and often humorous articles appear three times a week.
On September 15, Mr. Rosenberg addresses an Athenaeum audience on "Election Media Manipulation." His speech will be the first in a series of talks focusing on the upcoming election. Members of the student newspaper staff are welcome to attend a special reception with Howard Rosenberg at 4:00 p.m. (This will be a discussion of life in the newsroom, and no sign-up is required.) At 5:30, the Athenaeum hosts its usual guest reception, followed by dinner at 6:00 p.m. and the address at 7:00. Please sign up for dinner using the enclosed Fortnightly slip.
Images of Culture in Modern Times
JOSE GUILHERME MERQUIOR
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 1988
Under the a auspices of the Center for Humanistic Studies, with the support of the Keck Center and CMC's Literature Department, we welcome Jose Guilherme Merquior, whose address is entitled "Images of Culture in Modern Times."
Mr. Merquior, the present Brazilian ambassador to Mexico, was a professor of political science at the University of Brasilia until 1982. He is the author of several books devoted to aesthetics and literary criticism and the history of ideas, including Western Marxism (1986). He holds a literary doctorate from the University of Paris and a PhD from the London School of Economics. Ambassador Merquior is an outstanding example of someone who has combined the humanities and politics into a life of service. A 5:30 reception will honor Mr. Merquoir, followed by dinner at 6:00 and his address at 7:00 p.m.
Ambassador Merquior is the fall semester visiting lecturer for the Center for Humanistic Studies. In addition to his Athenaeum address, the ambassador will meet with literature students and faculty on Thursday, September 22, for a 5:30 reception, 6:00 dinner, and 7:00 discussion in Parents Dining Room. On Wednesday, September 21, the Keck Center will host a reception and dinner in Parents Dining Room for international relations students and faculty.
TEA AND COOKIES
DAILY IN THE LIBRARY
Beginning on Monday, September 21, tea and homemade cookies will be served in the library. We especially urge faculty and students to take a "'tea break" and meet one another on an informal basis.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 1988 Noon
Most of our meals require sign-ups for attendance, but on Wednesdays at lunch our chef, Robert Weber, whips up a delicious repast for 48 persons who just drop by for a great meal. This is a chance to meet someone new and broaden your CMC horizons. Due to the popularity of our Wednesday lunches this event is open only to CMC students, faculty, and staff. Our first Wednesday lunch will be served on Wednesday, September 14.
ONE SUNDAY EACH MONTH
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1988 11:00 a.m.
One of the Athenaeum's most popular events is our Sunday brunch. The first of these events begins on October 9. They are open only to CMC persons and one guest. Make your reservations early by using the form in the next Fortnightly, as this famous meal fills up very quickly.
THE DIRECTOR'S CORNER
Welcome to another exciting and delicious year at the Marian Miner Cook Athenaeum. Because the Athenaeum is one of the most distinctive features of CMC, we hope that you will take advantage of the programs we offer. All our events begin at 5:30 p.m.; dinner is at 6:00 p.m.; the speeches begin at 7:00 p.m. and end at 8:00 p.m. If you are pressed for time, you may, of course, arrive at 6:00 p.m. (or even at 7:00 p.m., if you do not have time for dinner and just are able to hear the address). We always have chairs set up in Childs Lounge for people who are unable to eat at the Athenaeum.
Everyone at CMC is invited to participate, whether you are on a meal plan or not; however, if you are not on a plan, we ask that you not list a meal card number. Time is spent by the Athenaeum staff recording your name and meal card number and sending the information to Validine; please help us by listing your correct meal card number, if you are on a meal plan. The food service reimburses the Athenaeum for approximately a third of our actual meal cost.
As you can see from the reservation forms, we require sign-ups three days in advance. This informs us of the number of meals to prepare and allows Validine to contact Collins Dining Hall. (If you have signed up to come to dinner at the Athenaeum, you will not be able to eat at Collins.) If your plans change, please let the Athenaeum know no later than noon for dinner and no later than 5:00 p.m. the previous day for lunch, and we will notify Validine.
I have included a separate page with our planned speakers for the first semester. There will, of course, be additions as students and faculty suggest guests for the Athenaeum program. You may keep up with our continued offerings by reading The Fortnightly.
Speakers are always seated with CMC students at dinner; if you would like to sit with a particular guest, or if you would like to suggest a speaker or topic, please contact me or the Athenaeum fellows, Laura Gilmore and John McIntyre. We can be reached at x8244. We all encourage your input and your attendance. We can only offer a rich and varied program with your support of the events at the Marian Miner Cook Athenaeum.