Mark Twain won fame for his early travel writing and later satirical novels. "Roughing It," a seminal work of Western literature, describes his adventures in Nevada during the Gold Rush, while "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court" depicts a mechanical engineer who, knocked unconscious during a brawl, awakens in Medieval England, where he seizes the opportunity to introduce American technology and politics, with disastrous results. We'll read both works: lecture/discussion format.

Moderator: John Tallmadge, retired professor of literature and environment (PhD, Yale, 1977), is experienced working with undergrads, grad students, and adult learners. More info at www.johntallmadge.com.