2024 Fall Term
Previews of all Courses
Thursday, September 12 at 2:00 p.m. l Assembly Room at Givens Highland Farms
Meet the Instructors and Select your Courses!
MONDAY Course: September 16 to October 28
Mornings: 9:30 – 11:30
The Historic Swannanoa Valley – Joe and Dr. Mary Standaert
This course will journey from Old Fort to near Biltmore, stopping at Black Mountain, Christmont, Blue Ridge Assembly,
Montreat, Mt. Mitchell, Oteen and Azalea using photographs, videos, and postcards. The Valley has religious assemblies,
historic Black Mountain College, and spectacular mountain ridges.
Mary Standaert has a BS in Biology from Winthrop University, a Masters in Forest Science from the Yale school of Forestry,
and a PhD in Biochemistry from the University of South Florida. Joe Standaert has a BS in Biology from Rutgers and a
Masters in Ecology from the Yale School of Forestry. They have taught local history in many area venues, including McCall,
and have published four books on the history of the Swannanoa Valley and Buncombe County.
Facilitator: Robert Garrison
TUESDAY Courses: September 17 to October 29
Mornings: 9:30 – 11:30
The Semiotics of Mystery and Thriller Novels – Dr. Doug Sutton-Ramspeck
Why are mystery and thriller novels so popular? Why are we enthralled by the repetition of these patterns? We will
read three short mystery/thrillers—Darker than Amber (John D. MacDonald), The Collector (John Fowles), and The Pilot’s
Wife (Anita Shreve)—and look at them through the lens of literary critical theory. These theories will include New
Criticism, Psychology, Historicism, Feminism, Marxism, Deconstruction, and others. Our goal will be to explore how
these genres illuminate something central about our lives.
Doug Sutton-Ramspeck (publishes as Doug Ramspeck) is the author of nine poetry collections, two collections of short
stories and a novella. He is a retired professor from Ohio State University where he taught creative writing, composition,
and literature at the Lima Campus.
Facilitator: Samantha Maynard
Afternoons: 2:00 – 4:00
Ancient Human Societies—Rise and Demise – Dr. Suzanne Sutherland
Homo sapiens are only one of approximately 20 other human species that appeared as early as 2 million years ago. We
will look closely at the culture of several other humans who migrated from Africa to Eurasia, the environments that
sustained them and the changes that challenged them.
We will also review recent research revealing a complex and varied history of our own species during the early prehistorical Holocene. We will examine how geological events and climate change may have caused their demise, and we
will discuss some of the parallel challenges facing humanity today.
Suzanne Sutherland has an M.D. in Psychiatry, taught at the Duke University School of Medicine, and did research in the
pharmaceutical industry on compounds used to treat psychiatric and neurological illnesses.
Facilitator: John DePew
WEDNESDAY Courses: September 18 to October 30
Mornings: 9:30 – 11:30
The Early Years of the American Short Story: 1835-1920 – Dr. Margaret Whitt
Short stories often first appeared in magazines and reflected their contemporary time. Early Americans were often not
literate or too busy to read much, but times evolved and the genre grew. This “disposable” format has been preserved in
edited anthologies documenting the history of the nation and the evolution of its culture. This course will examine the
stories in a chronological view that will trace these developments.
Margaret Whitt is Professor Emerita who taught 27 years at the University of Denver. She has taught many classes for
McCall, specializing in Southern authors. She has published books, book-length reviews, and many articles and is the
recipient of many awards. This is her 9th course for McCall.
Facilitator: Paul Grass
Afternoons: 2:00 – 4:00
Introduction to William Faulkner – Dr. Robert Brinkmeyer
This course will be an introduction to the writings of one of the South’s—and America’s—greatest authors, William
Faulkner. We will begin by reading a group of Faulkner’s short stories (from Collected Stories of William Faulkner,
though most if not all stories are available online) and will finish with his novel As I Lay Dying. The classes will be a mix
of lecture and discussion, with about 75 pages of reading per week.
Robert Brinkmeyer, PhD, is Professor Emeritus at the University of South Carolina where he was director of Southern
Studies and professor of English.
Facilitator: Susan Denne
THURSDAY Courses: September 19 to October 31
Mornings: 9:30 – 11:30
Introduction to Watercolor for Beginners – Ron Maffett (Class will be limited to 8 participants)
For beginners only, this class offers an introduction to painting in watercolor. The selection and use of materials, color
mixing, drawing principles, and more will be covered as students each produce several works of art. Instructor will
provide all equipment, brushes, paint and materials needed in the class but students will reimburse instructor $37 for
consumable items.
Ron Maffett has been drawing and working in watercolor all his life. He attended the Atlanta School of Art, has studied
watercolor under many teachers, and has taught classes in both watercolor and acrylics. He maintained a studio in the
River Arts District for many years, and currently has a studio in the Red House Gallery and Studios at 101B Cherry Street
in Black Mountain.
Facilitator: Betsy Atkinson
Afternoons: 2:00-4:00
Finishing Strong—How to be prepared for Life’s Final Stages – Rev. Dr. Steve Runholt
Life is complicated and messy. Death perhaps even more so. This course is focused on the essential considerations that
attend the end of life: legal, medical, emotional, spiritual, and practical. Each topic is informed by real world examples
that underscore their importance in preparing for life’s final passage.
Rev. Dr. Steve Runholt is an ordained Presbyterian minister who until recently was pastor of Warren Wilson
Presbyterian Church. He has presided over 90 funerals over 20 years as a pastor. He holds a D.Min from Duke University,
an M.Div from Princeton Theological Seminary and an M.A. From Oxford University, where he was a Rhodes Scholar.
Facilitator: Helen Balgooyen
Registration
Register and pay for your courses ONLINE!
Registration is limited to 30 people per class on a first come/first served basis. If you have trouble with the online registration process, contact Elizabeth Hayford at 828.419.2221 or mccall@montreat.edu.