Bard College Offers Two Intergenerational Seminars in April

ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON, N.Y.—Bard College presents two Intergenerational Seminars, offering Hudson Valley residents and Bard undergraduates a chance to study together, for a powerful exchange of ideas and experiences. Preregistration and payment of a $50 registration fee per seminar are required. On three Mondays—April 7, April 14, and April 21—at 7:00 p.m., Karla Marz, visiting assistant professor of biology at Bard, presents "Circadian Rhythms." This seminar explores why some flowers open at the same time each day and how the bees consistently arrive just minutes before this occurs; why jet lag often feel worse the second or third day; and the possible consequences of the shift in living patterns, from a natural cycle to a "24/7" society. The course also examines the timekeeping mechanisms of organisms including fungi, plants, insects, and vertebrates. Discussion topics include human circadian biology, such as mutations that alter sleeping patterns; health effects of jet lag and shift work; and the promise of chronotherapy in the treatment of cancer. On Wednesday, April 9; Saturday, April 12, or Sunday, April 13 (field trip); and Wednesday, April 16, at 7:00 p.m., Christopher Lindner, archaeologist in residence, director of the Bard Archaeological Field School, and visiting assistant professor of anthropology, leads, "Historical Archaeology of Palatines in the Mid-Hudson Valley." The seminar, exploring the history of German Americans in this area and how their heritage comes to light through archaeology, meets first to discuss preliminary research. The second meeting visits sites in Germantown and Rhinebeck, and the final meeting plans future projects. The influx of the Palatines, from the upper Rhine Valley in southwest Germany, constituted the largest immigrant group in the region during New York's colonial era. The greatest contingent settled briefly in southwest Columbia County, from which groups moved to Rhinebeck and the Mohawk and Schoharie valleys, across the Catskills. Many of the latter then relocated near Harrisburg and became the Pennsylvania Dutch. For further information and to register, call Karen Becker at 845-752-2345. # # # (4/2/08)

This event was last updated on 04-18-2008

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