Leonard Cohen: Poet, Mystic, Jewish Troubadour

Critics widely regard Leonard Cohen to be one of the very best, if not best, of the many singer/songwriters who emerged in the 1960s following in the path of the pioneering Bob Dylan. Over a fifty-year career, Leonard Cohen created a remarkable body of work that included poetry, novels, and songs and made an indelible imprint on the contemporary music scene. Similar to Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen’s Jewish background deeply shaped his life and work. Cohen’s poetry and lyrics reflect a deep connection with Jewish tradition and biblical sources. These lectures will examine the mixture of Jewish influences in the work of Leonard Cohen and will seek to demonstrate the value of his work through a Jewish lens. This course will be taught using audio, video, text analysis and group discussion.

Week 1: From Poetry to Song: Leonard Cohen, the Early Years

Week 2: Leonard Cohen: Between the Mountain and the World

Cliff Wilcox, PhD, is a historian of American intellectual and cultural history. His courses concentrate on culture, ideas, education, and religion in American society. He holds a doctorate in American intellectual history from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

Registration required.

The Fifty and Better (FAB) program was designed for people 50+ years of age, seeking intellectual stimulation through university level courses (without the pressure of grades) for the sake of learning and social engagement.

Register

Register by Nov. 9 at 3pm