“The Colonization Societies: Middletown’s Forgotten Movement” by Erica Belkin An endeavor to recreate the Middletown Colonization Society with the scant resources available. There is some evidence for a vigorous colonization group—or rather several groups—in Middletown. This should not be surprising, considering the general character of Middletown, CT – a typical New England town, with a … Read more
“From Labor Leader to Police Chief: A Biography of Charles Anderson, 1912-1936” by Brendan O’Connell Charles Anderson – labor leader, mediator between labor and business, reformer of the police department, prominent public figure, and enforcer of the law (even against strikers for whom he had once been an advocate). A biography of Charles Anderson and … Read more
“The 1969 Middletown Election; a Case Study for the Importance of Majority Party Unity” by Max Rose A detailed case study of the 1969 municipal election that underscores the importance of local party unity for the Democratic Party in Middletown, Connecticut, especially when a non-incumbent is leading their slate. click here to download report … Read more
“Middletown and Mental Illness in the Aftermath of Deinstitutionalization” by William Tucker A consideration of the reactions to Jessica Short’s murder provides a springboard for an understanding of the impact that the deinstitutionalization of Connecticut Valley Hospital had on Middletown between 1963 and 1990. click here to download report [geo_mashup_map]
In most courses students read books by eminent authors and then offer their own opinions. This course is different. In this seminar students will learn about the history of Middletown, and then select one facet of that history to explore in depth. Participants will devote most of the semester to research, write an essay based … Read more
In this course, students learn about community development through readings, discussion, and direct experience. Subtopics include ecological theory, prevention, intervention, and program implementation, evaluation, and assessment. Direct experience involves working in an elementary school.
Cultural psychology is an interdisciplinary field, where the focus is jointly on the person and culture, and how both are mutually constructed. This course will draw from cultural psychology, cultural studies, and anthropology to examine the theoretical underpinnings and empirical work of the field and will incorporate a developmental perspective. Topics will include the theoretical … Read more
In this course we will address the biological processes and mechanisms associated with normal aging. We will also focus on diseases that affect the elderly in particular, such as arthritis, atherosclerosis, cancer, dementia, diabetes, and osteoporosis. Further, we will deal with issues concerning the quality of life of the elderly. Students will interact with the … Read more
In this city, there’s a restauranteur who was a paratrooper, a florist who is a playwright, a minister who is a barber, a farmer who is an optician, an unmarked house that was part of the Underground Railroad, and a landfill with stories to tell. Working with different community partners and integrating a wide range … Read more
Attitudes towards politics, economics, society, and history will be examined from works of fiction that directly criticize an existing society or that present an alternative, sometimes fantastic, reality. Required Readings: Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, Don Quixote Johann Grimmelshausen, Simplicissimus Jonathan Swift, Gulliver’s Travels Voltaire, Candide Alessandro Manzoni, I promessi sposi (The Betrothed) 1) … Read more
