Learning in Almonte

2 Lecture Series, Six lectures each: in the Library Classroom. Parking is free

Canadian Literary Classics Michael Gnarowski
Wednesdays, 1 October - 5 November 2008 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm

Local and World Geoheritage Alan Donaldson
Thursdays, 2 October - 6 November 2008 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm

Fee: $70 per person per course

For registration form click here:
Download file

Canadian Literary Classics Professor, poet, editor and critic, Michael Gnarowski was born in Shanghai, China in 1934. He studied at McGill University (B.A., 1956), Indiana University (1959), the Université de Montréal (M.A., 1960), and received his Ph.D. in English literature from the University of Ottawa in 1967. While an undergraduate at McGill, Gnarowski began to publish his poetry in the magazine, Yes (1956-1970) which he co-edited. He continued to reinforce his creative writing with editing and publishing activities. Literary periodicals with which he was involved or edited include Le Chien d’or/The Golden Dog (1970-1972), Delta, Golden Dog Press (1971-1985), and Tecumseh Press. He was also series editor for McGraw-Hill Ryerson’s Critical Views on Canadian Writers Series (1969-1977) and co-edited Canadian Poetry (1977- ) with David Bentley.

He was for many years a Professor of English at Carleton University, and was Director of the Carleton Press. He has given several Learning in Retirement lecture series at the University, all of which have been very popular.

Beginning with an introductory session dealing with "what makes a Canadian classic..and why", then five books will be discussed in detail: beginning with a sample of explorer writing with THE LETTERS AND JOURNALS OF SIMON FRASER, and then going on to Susanna Moodie's ROUGHING IT IN THE BUSH, Louis Hemon's MARIA CHAPDELAINE, Hugh MacLennan's TWO SOLITUDES, and ending with Margaret Laurence's STONE ANGEL.

Local and World Geoheritage Allan Donaldson, a graduate of Queen's and John Hopkins' Universities, spent 10 years carrying out systematic stratigraphic mapping and research for the Geological Survey of Canada before joining Carleton University in 1968 where, until his retirement in 1998, he taught in the Department of Earth Sciences. He is currently co-supervising precambrian sedimentology research in Yukon, Alaska, Nunavut & Ontario to focus on devising better ways to interpret the geohistory of our planet. To do this, he has visited many parts of the Canadian Arctic, travelling by foot, canoe, Super Cub & helicopter. Part of Donaldson's lecture will be devoted to this aspect of his interests.

The majority of his talk will describe the accomplishments of The Ottawa-Gatineau Geoheritage Project (O-GGP) which he helped launch in 2003 to promote better public understanding & appreciation of the significant geology and geo-heritage in the National Capital Region.
Donaldson explains: "Impressive overlaps with the living components of nature are provided by fossils, trace fossils and biogenic structures in sedimentary rocks. In the latter category, important records of biological history are provided by stromatolites and biofilm structures, especially well-preserved in strata found throughout Eastern Ontario. Excellent examples occur in and around Almonte--some can be seen in the building stone of landmark buildings."