The next ‘Bucket Course’ will be entitled, “The Civil War in Context,” beginning Wednesday, February 24, 2010, and led by Professor James A. Ahrens, known as Jim. This six-week course will continue on Wednesdays through March 31, and will meet in the Community Room of the Drake Community Library from 10:00-11:30.
The classes, open to all, require registration. There will be two sign-up sheets: one at the Main Desk, Drake Community Library, and one at Mayflower, main desk in Pearson. There is a $15 tuition fee, due at the first class session. For further information contact Joanne Bunge, jbunge@iowatelecom.net.
Jim says about the course: “We will devote half of the time to discussing the movements and events in 19th Century American History that set the stage for the conflict and the effects of that conflict on the country. We will also examine the military and political events of the 1860-1865 period in some detail.” For reading, Jim suggests two books, both by James M. McPherson: “The Battle Cry of Freedom” which the Drake Library has, and “Ordeal by Fire, Vol. 2—The Civil War.”
Members of the Community Education Council (CEC) which sponsors this class are: Grinnell Regional Medical Center, Grinnell College, Mayflower Community, Iowa Valley Community College, Drake Community Library, Grinnell-Newburg Public Schools, and the Grinnell Area Arts Council.