Spring Break
World music welcomes world of classes
Fatimeh El-Sherif
Issue date: 9/16/02 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
To kick off the fall 2002 semester, Communiversity held its first Sign-up Party in recent years. Musical performances by Gerald Trimble, international musician of multiple cultures, instruments, centuries and languages, and a free chair massage from chiropractor Sarabnam Khalsa brought many students to the University Center's cafeteria.
Rick Mareske, program director of Communiversity, described the event as an opportunity to inform students about the new course catalog.
"It's kind of a turnoff to call them courses, though," said Mareske. "Maybe there should be a different name for what we do, since it's extracurricular."
Communiversity was formed in 1970, and a lot has changed since then. Besides having over 300 courses, the organization now offers a vast spectrum of knowledge not easily attainable from a classroom setting.
Mareske referred to the course offerings as a whole new experience and said, "They are not your mother's or grandmother's classes."
In reference to his Communiversity class, Trimble played a piece from the 17th century.
"We teach in this class the connection between music from the past to music now," said Trimble, "even modern rock music."
Mareske cited Sept. 11 as the reason for having such a diverse collection of courses, especially the one offered by Trimble.
"Because of Sept. 11, it is important to make sure that all people understand the Arabic culture, which has offered great contributions to society," said Mareske. "This is not taught in the history books. Many of the cultures that we claim as ours actually have come from the Moors."
Gary Smith also attended and displayed some of his drawings to encourage people to enroll in his nude figure-drawing class. His class is the longest-running course offered.
Students interested in learning from Trimble, Khalsa, or one of the other wonderful community members should log onto www.umkc.edu/commu.
Rick Mareske, program director of Communiversity, described the event as an opportunity to inform students about the new course catalog.
"It's kind of a turnoff to call them courses, though," said Mareske. "Maybe there should be a different name for what we do, since it's extracurricular."
Communiversity was formed in 1970, and a lot has changed since then. Besides having over 300 courses, the organization now offers a vast spectrum of knowledge not easily attainable from a classroom setting.
Mareske referred to the course offerings as a whole new experience and said, "They are not your mother's or grandmother's classes."
In reference to his Communiversity class, Trimble played a piece from the 17th century.
"We teach in this class the connection between music from the past to music now," said Trimble, "even modern rock music."
Mareske cited Sept. 11 as the reason for having such a diverse collection of courses, especially the one offered by Trimble.
"Because of Sept. 11, it is important to make sure that all people understand the Arabic culture, which has offered great contributions to society," said Mareske. "This is not taught in the history books. Many of the cultures that we claim as ours actually have come from the Moors."
Gary Smith also attended and displayed some of his drawings to encourage people to enroll in his nude figure-drawing class. His class is the longest-running course offered.
Students interested in learning from Trimble, Khalsa, or one of the other wonderful community members should log onto www.umkc.edu/commu.
