Branch: LOUGHTON & EPPING

Course Description: From George Bellows' Men of the Docks (1912) to the 1930s we explore the varieties of American art as the country became a world power, suffered economic hardship, developed distinctively American artistic subjects and styles. The Ashcan painters (including Bellows) depicted busy parks, boxing rings, leisure on Coney Island, using rapid paint strokes culled from their experiences as artist-reporters. From the 1920s Edward Hopper's images of the urban scene are more reflective - time stands still. Way beyond New York Charles Sheeler's precision, his geometry, represented the factories that powered urban wealth, Grant Wood a proud rural couple. We cannot cover everything, but we do also explore Georgia O'Keefe's tightly focused, beautiful art, Dorothea Lange's iconic photographs of rural America and some of the huge murals painted in the 1930s by Thomas Hart Benton and by emigre artists.

Course Description: This course will consider a selection of the varied types of woodland that occur in different regions of the world, each with their own mix of specific species adapted to climate, altitude, and geographical location. With references to the human impact on such rich habitats, it will also examine what steps are being taken to restore woodlands in many localities in an attempt to mitigate the impact of climate change. Woodlands soak up carbon dioxide and produce oxygen, reduce the impact of high temperatures and help to control flooding. Research is revealing the complexity of the interconnectivity of species within various woodland types and how they should be managed to enhance bio-abundance. Woodlands are recognised as providing recreational and well-being benefits to humans, but this needs management too. There will be opportunities to study a selection of some common woodland species and hone identification skills as well as trying out some monitoring of local sites.

Course Description: Back in the mid twentieth century, the United States was the ultimate progressive society. Misfits and rebels appeared: but was it they or mainstream America who became lost? To explore further, we study in part 1 Tennessee Williams's play "A Streetcar Named Desire", Donna Tartt's novel "The Little Friend", and some shorter texts. In part 2 we shall study Tom Wolfe's "The Bonfire of the Vanities", Robin Robertson's verse novel "The Long Take", and some shorter texts.

Course Description: Without necessarily being an eye witness to major events even the routine experiences of our immediate ancestors can provide valuable indicators of more general social, economic and political developments from their era. Using examples from Essex and Suffolk with contemporary newspapers and family history research we will attempt to measure how valuable such an approach can be. The sessions will examine aspects of Victorian attitudes to the treatment of children and the beginnings of an evolving societal concern, the problems raised by illegitimacy and housing and working conditions.

Course Description: Home is where the heart is. Now associated with the nuclear family, this was not always the case. In this history and cultural studies course, we explore how the home has changed over time and discuss international similarities and differences. We also uncover why home and belonging is so important to us and to our understanding of what it means to be human.