A group of alumni is proving academic discussion forms some of the strongest bonds in college.
Larry Goldberg, a lecturer in the English department, has taught “Elements of Politics” through the honors program to scores of UNC students since 1992.
During Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, Goldberg’s former “Elements of Politics” students attended three academic seminars and social events, where they discussed philosophical questions through historical works.
Rachel Gurvich, a visiting professor in the UNC School of Law and a former student of Goldberg’s, spearheaded organizing the event.
“We have 70 or more people traveling from all over the country. We’ve actually got some folks coming in internationally from London and Jerusalem that are alums of this class to get together for three academic seminars where we’ll be discussing philosophy and literature,” she said.
Gurvich said the symposium is held during the middle of January because it started as a 75th birthday celebration for Goldberg.
“A group of us that were still in touch with him were actually doing reading groups via Skype,” she said. “He led reading groups … on Friday nights and Thursday nights, so we would get together with people from all over the country and talk about The Tempest or some work of literature.”
Gurvich said the class itself is formatted as a seminar, with desks in a circle. She said everyone is addressed by their last name, and students learn through conversation instead of lecture.
Geoffrey Wessel, a 2003 graduate, said he took four semesters with Goldberg.