Existentialism. You probably have a vague idea that it has something to do with big philosophical questions like, do I lead an authentic life? Is there human nature? Am I free? That’s a good start. But it’s also a literary act, evident via film, short story, and myth. And that’s how I will guide our exploration. Mostly using Friedrich Nietzsche, but including others like Fyodor Dostoevsky, Ernest Hemingway, and Kate Chopin, we will read existentialism, one of the most revolutionary philosophical movements of the past 150 years, as a philosophic poetic story.

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR

Dr. Lou Caton is Professor Emeritus at Westfield State University. He has taught a variety of literature courses at the University of Oregon, Auburn University, and Westfield State University. Along with articles that have been published in newspapers and journals, he has two books: an edited collection (with Emory Elliott), Aesthetics in a Multicultural Age, 2002, (available from Oxford University Press), and Reading American Novels and Multicultural Aesthetics: Romancing the Postmodern Novel, 2008, (available through Palgrave-McMillan).

ABOUT CONTINUING EDUCATION SEMINARS

These courses, hosted by OLLI-UO, are for people eager to engage in a studious seminar format. Each in-person only seminar meets weekly, over four sessions. The seminars are led by current and retired professors who provide formal study guides and lead college-level discussions, with participants actively contributing to each session. Seminars are noncredit and ungraded but include challenging homework.

Participation is open to all adults; no previous affiliation with UO is required. Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) membership is not required, however, active OLLI members may register at a reduced fee.

This event is meant to open a space and conversation for students and other people in the community to learn about the importance of old growth forests and learn how to write to the Bureau of Land Management to submit a comment and make their voice heard about the proposed Revision Resource Management Plans for the Pacific Northwest. During this time people will have an opportunity to participate in the following:

• Open educational discussion about the importance of old growth forests.
• Collaborative writing and peer review.
• Support for any questions on how to use the email or website to submit their comment. 

This is open to all and is a place of encouragement for anyone who is passionate about environmental politics, wants to help protect our resources and doesn't know where to start.

Contact jgaffney@uoregon.edu for more information and specific location.

Volunteer at UO's only student-led community garden. Nearly every Sunday from 2-4 pm at the Grove Community Garden (1605 Moss Street - just behind Global Scholars Hall). 

Work parties are when we come together to collectively care for the space. We have raised beds and other planting areas that are managed by the overall community to produce food (mainly vegetables) for the student food pantry, the SSC Produce Drop, and of course (and often primarily) those who come each week to volunteer. So, a typical work party may include harvesting food, weeding beds, sowing seeds/transplanting starts, chipping a wood path, etc. There is no signup ahead of time, the only prep beforehand is dressing for the weather in clothes you don't mind some dirt/sweat on.  Sign up for our newsletter for weekly reminders and updates, and follow us on Instagram too! Note that at times, we have to cancel/reschedule work parties due to upredictable circumstances, and we may be unable to update this recurring weekly posting. See the above channels for the most up to date information. Feel free to email grovegarden@uoregon.edu with any questions or inquires.