Literature
Margery Marcus, Ed.D., an award-winning English teacher, retired from Broward County Public Schools after a long and successful career, both as a district-level administrator and as a teacher. She has taught English at every grade level from middle school through graduate school, currently focusing on lecturing to adult audiences. Her career has been guided by a deep love of learning and a passion for literature ignited when she read the very first page of “Charlotte’s Web” as a child. Her enthusiasm for sharing great stories told by great writers motivates her to bring literature to life for her audiences. Professor Marcus holds a B.A. in English and a master’s and doctorate in Education.
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Royals Who Rocked the World (Video Recording)
From the Tudors to the Windsors
Lecture recorded in winter 2020 term.
The British royal family is a study in contrast: history, pageantry and, of course, scandal. From the very first Tudor, Henry VII (whose claim to the throne may be questionable), to the family of Queen Elizabeth II, royal behavior has simultaneously fascinated and repelled onlookers. Henry VIII’s great love for Anne Boleyn changed the religion of a nation, while 400 years later, Edward VIII’s great love for Wallis Simpson changed the monarchy forever. Professor Margery Marcus examines 500 years of political intrigues, wars, secret love affairs and other royal hijinks from Henry VII to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex (Harry and Meghan). This presentation is accompanied by a colorful PowerPoint, as well as a chart depicting an updated Order of Succession.
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 # W1M1V — One Time Event
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| Place: | Auditorium, Lifelong Learning Complex, Jupiter Campus |
| Dates: | Tuesday, August 25 2020 |
| Time: | 12 - 12:30 PM |
| Fee: | $30 / member; $35 / non-member |
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Florida's Literary Legacy (Really!)
What is it about our state that has bewitched writers over the past centuries? Best known for sunshine, citrus and scammers, Florida also boasts a rich literary tradition. Whether born here like Hiaasen or lured here like Hemingway, authors have been drawn to Florida’s climate, topography and culture. The first novel with a Florida setting, written by a Frenchman in 1801, earned rave reviews in France and introduced Europeans to our “exotic” locales.
Join Professor Margery Marcus as she examines Florida’s literary legacy, which includes native Floridians and those who adopted our state. She looks at the work of icons Zora Neale Hurston, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, and contemporary writers like Randy Wayne White, Carl Hiaasen and John D. MacDonald, who have made “a killing” in Florida crime fiction. Professor Marcus also discusses several newer faces to the Florida writing scene like Miami native Karen Russell, whose “Swamplandia” was short listed for the Pulitzer.
Professor Marcus’ lecture is accompanied by a colorful PowerPoint presentation and a handout of reading recommendations.
Register Early! There is a $5 charge for registering on the day of a one-time lecture or event.
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| Course # S1W1 — One Time Event
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| Place: | Auditorium, Lifelong Learning Complex, Jupiter Campus |
| Dates: | Wednesday, March 18 2020 |
| Time: | 2:30 - 4 PM |
| Fee: | $30 / member; $35 / non-member |
| Class Cancelled |
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Psyched for the Psychological Thriller (Video-on-Demand)
Unstable narrators, unexpected plot twists and heightened suspense are the hallmarks of great psychological thrillers. The recent successes of "Gone Girl," “Girl on the Train” and “The Woman in the Window” attest to our appetite for novels that both engage and challenge readers. These novels are not merely a pop culture phenomenon. The psychological thriller tradition goes back 150 years and more. Professor Margery Marcus’ lecture examines the history of thrillers from the Victorian writer Wilkie Collins, who popularized the genre, through the 21st century’s best thrilling reads. It looks at the work of Henry James, Daphne du Maurier, and Patricia Highsmith, along with novels by Dennis Lehane, Gillian Flynn, and A.J. Finn. Professor Marcus’ lecture is accompanied by a PowerPoint presentation and a handout of reading recommendations.
Click here for a video preview.
Video 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 # SUM1V — One Time Event
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| Place: | Auditorium, Lifelong Learning Complex, Jupiter Campus |
| Dates: | Monday, July 27 2020 |
| Time: | 4 - 5:30 PM |
| Fee: | $30 / member; $35 / non-member |
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Register Now
Psyched for the Psychological Thriller
Unstable narrators, unexpected plot twists and heightened suspense are the hallmarks of great psychological thrillers. The recent successes of "Gone Girl," “Girl on the Train” and “The Woman in the Window” attest to our appetite for novels that both engage and challenge readers. These novels are not merely a pop culture phenomenon. The psychological thriller tradition goes back 150 years and more. Professor Margery Marcus’ lecture examines the history of thrillers from the Victorian writer Wilkie Collins, who popularized the genre, through the 21st century’s best thrilling reads. It looks at the work of Henry James, Daphne du Maurier, and Patricia Highsmith, along with novels by Dennis Lehane, Gillian Flynn, and A.J. Finn. Professor Marcus’ lecture is accompanied by a PowerPoint presentation and a handout of reading recommendations.
Click here for a video preview.
Video 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 # SUM1 — One Time Event
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| Place: | Auditorium, Lifelong Learning Complex, Jupiter Campus |
| Dates: | Monday, May 11 2020 |
| Time: | 11 - 12:30 PM |
| Fee: | $30 / member; $35 / non-member |
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Register Now
