Guest Scholar Workshops: An Introduction to the Writings and Ideas of Henry David Thoreau

Richard J. Schneider--Professor of English at Wartburg College, editor of The Concord Saunterer, and author or editor of four books and numerous essays on Thoreau--offers guest workshops on Thoreau to libraries and other organizations in Iowa and surrounding states. The first workshop focuses on "Thoreau, Nature, and the Quest for Spiritual Identity" and emphasizes his book Walden and other of his nature and travel writings and what they have to offer America in the twenty-first century. The second workship focuses on "Thoreau, Individualism, and Civil Disobedience" and focuses on Thoreau's essay "Resistance to Civil Government" (also known as "Civil Disobedience") and the relevance of Thoreau's ideas of individualism and social reform to our lives today.

Each workshop is approximately two hours. A reading of the main texts is optional but not required for participants. The workshop will be supplemented with videotapes and slides and will include open discussion of Thoreau's ideas.

For locations more than 100 miles from Waverly, IA, there is a $50 travel charge for each workshop in addition to the winning auction bid. Will not travel further than 200 miles from Waverly.