History and Political Science
Ralph Nurnberger, Ph.D., is a widely acclaimed speaker who brings humor, current political insights, and historical background to his presentations. In addition to giving talks nationally and at The Smithsonian Institute, Professor Nurnberger has appeared as an analyst on television and radio programs. He has also spoken internationally and on a number of cruises. He has given presentations on a wide range of historical and political topics at Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at FAU. Professor Nurnberger taught at Georgetown University for 38 years and was named Professor of the Year by the Graduate School of Liberal Studies in 2003.
Media Story
Some movie extras added something extra to films shot in Washington - by John Kelly, columnist (September 2, 2020)
Being an extra in a movie seems like the easiest job in the world: Just stand around and try not to look at the camera. But some extras need to have a little .?.?. extra.
In 1972, Ralph Nurnberger was a graduate student at Georgetown University competing in the finals of an intramural tennis championship. The casting director for “The Exorcist” happened to be walking by one day, scouting for people who looked as if they belonged on the campus.
Ralph was hired on the spot as a “skilled extra.” His task was to play tennis on the courts next to Lauinger Library while Lee Jay Cobb and Jason Miller walked by discussing the strange goings on in the Georgetown community, including the death of a priest. (The courts have since been replaced by dorms.)
“One of the players on the next court was Linda Tuero, who was an internationally ranked player,” wrote Ralph, of Arlington, Va. “Later, she married William Peter Blatty, who had written the novel that was the basis for the film.”
Ralph later taught at the university. “For many years, I invited my Georgetown students to have dinner at our home — so that we could have an off-campus discussion,” he wrote. “I usually also showed them my ‘30 seconds of fame.’?”
News Articles
Israeli-Indian Relations
Generously Sponsored by Jack and Barbara Lewis
Good relations between Israel and India are being
taken for granted today. Bilateral ties are stable and
growing stronger. This was not so in the years leading
up to Israel’s independence and in the first decades of
Israel’s existence. Significantly, the territories that
became India and Israel were both controlled by the
British prior to their independence. Since they shared
this common heritage, there were some who hoped
that the Jews and Indians might sympathize and
support each other’s desire for independence from
Britain. But this was not the case. Mahatma Gandhi
and Jawaharlal Nehru both opposed the
establishment of a Jewish state in Palestine; India
voted against partition in 1947 and against admitting
Israel to the United Nations. Yet, the nations’
current Prime Ministers recently exchanged mostfriendly
visits. Bilateral trade now exceeds $5 billion
annually. The main theme of this presentation will
be to trace how the relations between the two
countries have gone from virtual hostility to an ever
expanding friendship.
Register Early! There is a $5 charge for registering on the day of a one-time lecture or event.
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| Course # W1TB — One Time Event
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| Place: | Auditorium, Lifelong Learning Complex, Jupiter Campus |
| Dates: | Tuesday, March 5 2019 |
| Time: | 9 - 10:30 AM |
| Fee: | $25 / member; $35 / non-member |
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Register Now
Impeachment!
Generously Sponsored by Jack and Barbara Lewis
The drafters of the Constitution were extremely
conflicted when they created the office of “president.”
They wanted a strong executive not serving at the
whim of Congress. On the other hand, they were also
concerned that a president might seek to expand the
powers of the office to be similar to those of a king.
Thus, the president was limited to four year terms to
always remain answerable to the people. They also
added the ultimate sanction of “impeachment,”
which provided the House and Senate the ability to
remove a president for subverting the Constitution.
This presentation will discuss the attempted
impeachment of President John Tyler in 1842; the
impeachment in 1868 by the House of Andrew
Johnson, who was then not removed by the Senate;
the resignation of Richard Nixon before a vote in
the full House could be taken; and the impeachment
of Bill Clinton by the House, which then failed
in the Senate. There will also be a discussion of the
25th Amendment, which details methods to remove
a president found to be suffering from a disability
(mental or physical) or otherwise unfit to remain
in office.
Register Early! There is a $5 charge for registering on the day of a one-time lecture or event.
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| Course # W1T9 — One Time Event
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| Place: | Auditorium, Lifelong Learning Complex, Jupiter Campus |
| Dates: | Tuesday, February 26 2019 |
| Time: | 9 - 10:30 AM |
| Fee: | $25 / member; $35 / non-member |
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Register Now
