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 (The courts have since been replaced by dorms.)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
Does “Hamilton” Get Hamilton Right? (Recording)
Lecture recorded in winter 2020 term
“Hamilton fever” has swept America. The show’s detailed presentation of the founding period’s complicated politics with Lin-Manuel Miranda’s dazzling rap lyrics appeals to audiences of all ages. Remarkably, it has led many grandparents to appreciate rap, while their grandchildren have developed an interest in history. It depicts the concerns of the 18th century in terms that mirror similar contemporary issues in a way that helps theatergoers to better understand the past as well as the present. The show focuses on incredibly volatile partisan politics and such issues as race, gender, multiculturalism, immigration and the foundations of our government. It succeeds because it emphasizes the human side of history by portraying characters as multifaceted as well as flawed. Although Miranda makes absolutely no claim for this show to be a work of scholarly history, he still wrote, “I want historians to take this seriously. I felt an enormous responsibility to be as historically accurate as possible, while still telling the most dramatic story possible.” This presentation will analyze the accuracy of the musical as well as how it deals with past and contemporary issues, in an effort to determine if “Hamilton” gets Hamilton right.
Click here for a video preview.
Video link will be in class' lecture notes. Click here to learn how to access lecture notes for registered classes.
Register Early! There is a $5 charge for registering on the day of a one-time lecture or event.
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| Course # W1R3V — One Time Event
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| Place: | Auditorium, Lifelong Learning Complex, Jupiter Campus |
| Dates: | Monday, August 31 2020 |
| Time: | 9 - 10:30 PM |
| Fee: | $30 / member; $35 / non-member |
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Register Now
The Roosevelt Administration and the Holocaust (Video Recording)
Lecture recorded in Fall 2019 term
One of the most politically-charged questions in
American history deals with how the administration of
President Franklin Delano Roosevelt reacted to the
Nazis. In this newly revised and updated presentation,
Professor Nurnberger will review many of the specific
examples of actions taken — and not taken — by the
Roosevelt Administration, as well as the rationale
behind these decisions.
In Roosevelt’s first two terms, the key issues revolved
around immigration. The American response to those
who sought to flee from Nazi oppression was shaped
by domestic political factors, including the Depression,
nativism and anti-Semitism. In addition to quotas and
other impediments that made it difficult for Jewish
refugees to come to the United States, this presentation
will analyze a number of specific incidents, including
why Cuba and then the United States turned away
over 900 German Jewish refugees on the ocean liner
S.S. St. Louis.
After the start of World War II, the German army
moved throughout Europe. The lives of ever-increasing
numbers of Jews were threatened and extinguished.
This presentation will review how the United States
responded, especially after the administration learned
about the Holocaust.
Click here for a video preview.
Video link will be in class' lecture notes. Click here to learn how to access lecture notes for registered classes.
Register Early! There is a $5 charge for registering on the day of a one-time lecture or event.
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| Course # SF1TCV — One Time Event
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| Place: | Auditorium, Lifelong Learning Complex, Jupiter Campus |
| Dates: | Friday, August 28 2020 |
| Time: | 6 - 6:30 PM |
| Fee: | $30 / member; $35 / non-member |
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Register Now
Nine Elections that Changed America - And One that Might (Video-on-Demand)
Four Lectures
- 1800, 1824, 1860 - 1800 - President John Adams ran against his Vice President, Thomas Jefferson, who then ended in a tie with his Vice Presidential running mate, Aaron Burr
1824 - Although Andrew Jackson won the popular vote, John Quincy Adams was elected President
1860 - Abraham Lincoln ran against three nationally recognized candidates
- 1876, 1896, 1912 - 1876 - Samuel Tilden won the popular vote, but Rutherford Hayes received one more electoral vote
1896 - William McKinley campaigned from his front porch, while William Jennings Bryan raced around the country seeking votes
1912 - Three men who ultimately served as President ran against each other
- 1932, 1948, 2000 - 1932 - Franklin Roosevelt's victory set the stage for the New Deal
1948 - Harry Truman faced three serious challengers in a race most thought he would lose
2000 - Bush vs. Gore — an "insider's" view
- 2020 - A discussion with Justin Gray on the issues and candidates in this year’s election
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| Course # S4T1V — First 4 Weeks
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| Place: | Auditorium, Lifelong Learning Complex, Jupiter Campus |
| Dates: | Mondays, August 3, 10, 17, 24 2020 |
| Time: | 9:30 - 11 AM |
| Fee: | $50 / member; $65 / non-member |
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Register Now
Nine Elections that Changed America - And One that Might
Presidential elections are inherently bitterly contested political struggles between candidates with differing views on what is best for the country. This lecture series will focus on nine of the most significant previous elections and will conclude with an overview of the ongoing controversies concerning how the nation will select its leaders in 2020.
Four Lectures
- 1800, 1824, 1860 - 1800 - President John Adams ran against his Vice President, Thomas Jefferson, who then ended in a tie with his Vice Presidential running mate, Aaron Burr
1824 - Although Andrew Jackson won the popular vote, John Quincy Adams was elected President
1860 - Abraham Lincoln ran against three nationally recognized candidates
- 1876, 1896, 1912 - 1876 - Samuel Tilden won the popular vote, but Rutherford Hayes received one more electoral vote
1896 - William McKinley campaigned from his front porch, while William Jennings Bryan raced around the country seeking votes
1912 - Three men who ultimately served as President ran against each other
- 1932, 1948, 2000 - 1932 - Franklin Roosevelt's victory set the stage for the New Deal
1948 - Harry Truman faced three serious challengers in a race most thought he would lose
2000 - Bush vs. Gore — an "insider's" view
- 2020 - A discussion with Justin Gray on the issues and candidates in this year’s election
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| Course # S4T1 — First 4 Weeks
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| Place: | Auditorium, Lifelong Learning Complex, Jupiter Campus |
| Dates: | Tuesdays, March 17, 24, 31; April 7 2020 |
| Time: | 9:30 - 11 AM |
| Fee: | $50 / member; $65 / non-member |
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Register Now
Congressional 2020 Elections: Examining Possible Results (Video-on-Demand)
Control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate will
be determined by the outcome of the upcoming elections. All 435
seats in the House and 35 Senate seats will be contested in
November. What is the likely composition of the next Congress?
There are currently 232 Democrats and 198 Republicans in the
House. Which Party is more likely to control the House after the
November elections? Republicans now hold 53 of the 100 Senate
seats. Which races are the most competitive? Will Republicans
or Democrats have a majority in the next Senate? Dr. Ralph
Nurnberger will provide a national update on House and Senate
races to provide a preview of the next Congress.
This is a Live Zoom Class and will be available for OLLI On
Demand. Register early! This class is limited to 100 participants.
Live Zoom link will be in class' lecture notes when made available. Click here to learn how to access lecture notes for registered classes.
Register Early! There is a $5 charge for registering on the day of a one-time lecture or event.
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| Course # SUF5V — One Time Event
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| Place: | Auditorium, Lifelong Learning Complex, Jupiter Campus |
| Dates: | Monday, August 31 2020 |
| Time: | 2 - 3:30 AM |
| Fee: | $30 / member; $35 / non-member |
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Register Now
Congressional 2020 Elections: Examining Possible Results
Control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate will
be determined by the outcome of the upcoming elections. All 435
seats in the House and 35 Senate seats will be contested in
November. What is the likely composition of the next Congress?
There are currently 232 Democrats and 198 Republicans in the
House. Which Party is more likely to control the House after the
November elections? Republicans now hold 53 of the 100 Senate
seats. Which races are the most competitive? Will Republicans
or Democrats have a majority in the next Senate? Dr. Ralph
Nurnberger will provide a national update on House and Senate
races to provide a preview of the next Congress.
This is a Live Zoom Class and will be available for OLLI On
Demand. Register early! This class is limited to 100 participants.
Live Zoom link will be in class' lecture notes when made available. Click here to learn how to access lecture notes for registered classes.
Register Early! There is a $5 charge for registering on the day of a one-time lecture or event.
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| Course # SUF5 — One Time Event
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| Place: | Auditorium, Lifelong Learning Complex, Jupiter Campus |
| Dates: | Friday, July 31 2020 |
| Time: | 2 - 3:30 PM |
| Fee: | $30 / member; $35 / non-member |
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Register Now
