Leading California authorities on Jack London will present a series of free public lectures at Sonoma State University from June 20-August 1.
The lecture series includes six meeting on Wednesdays from 6 to 8:15 p.m., mostly on the SSU campus in Rohnert Park. On August 1, a special performance of London?s play "The Acorn Planter" will be presented by the SSU theatre department under the direction of Dr. Judy Navas. Readings and discussion topics address a variety of issues, questions and speculations raised by the lecturers about London?s legacy and his relevance today.
Some of the issues will include:
* London was a popular writer, traveler and lecturer, but was he also a visionary?
* What is the secret of his success as a writer?
* What are his contributions as a literary figure?
* How did Britain respond to his expos? of life in the East End slums of London?
* Who were the significant women in his life and how did he treat them?
* What did he hope to accomplish as a rancher?
* What kind of playwright was London?
The location for the June 20-July 18 lectures will be Stevenson Hall 1002 on campus, 1801 E. Cotati, Rohnert Park. The July 25 lecture will be at the Sonoma County Museum and the August 1 event will be at the Jack London State Park.
The full schedule includes:
* June 20 - Gaye Le Baron, Sonoma County historian and columnist, "Jack London's Sonoma County" with commentary by Susan Nuernberg (replaces original speaker, Kevin Starr)
* June 27 - Gerry Haslam, author, "Jack London as Storyteller"
* July 11 - Sue Hodson, Curator of Literary Manuscripts at The Huntington Library, "Searching for London...In Oxford With Slides"
* July 18 - Clarice Stasz, author, "Jack London's Women"
* July 25 - Susan Nuernberg, SSU Jack London Scholar in Residence, "What Did the Ranch Mean to Him?"
* August 1 - A performance of "The Acorn Planter," directed by Dr. Judy Navas, SSU Theatre Arts department, followed by a round table discussion and refreshments at the Jack London State Park.
These events are co-sponsored by the SSU Library, SSU School of Extended Education, English Department, Center for Performing Arts, Festival on the Green, and California Cultural Studies program.
The series may be taken for academic credit.
For further information on the series, call Barbara Brooks, (707) 664-2691 or email barbara.brooks@sonoma.edu.
