Prudence Moylan, Interview with Tim Lacy, 2002

Dr. Moylan discusses with Tim Lacy her involvement with the Weekend College program at Mundelein College starting in the 1970s. She describes how the program was oriented towards adult students who had time on the weekend to attend school. Mundelein College faculty had to volunteer to be involved with Weekend College. Moylan utilized Mortimer Adler’s How to Read a Book to have students analyze Sigmund Freud’s Civilization and Its Discontents. Adult learning is now a staple at other institutions of higher learning in the Chicago region.

2002

Prudence Moylan was born in Gary, Indiana in 1939. Dr. Moylan joined the BVM community in 1959, after time at Northwestern University and St Louis University. Dr. Moylan earned her bachelor’s degree in History from Mundelein College, a master’s of arts from Stanford University, and a doctorate from the University from Illinois. Dr. Moylan held a professor position from 1974 until affiliation with Loyola University Chicago in 1991. Currently, Dr. Moylan is a professor emerita of Modern British History at Loyola University Chicago.

Prudence Moylan
Interview with Tim Lacy, September 16, 2002
Chicago, IL
Time Log

Side A

0-5 minutes
Weekend College. Wonderful experience to teach adults. Eighteen-year-olds are adults in a formal legal sense, become passive. Older students more committed. On weekend, able to attend courses, more convenient.
5-10 minutes
Community of adult students. Weekend College environment now lost. Strategies for Learning, Fridays and Sundays. Not all faculty involved with Weekend College; took practice working with adults.
10-15 minutes
Model to rethink your own courses. Volunteered to be involved with Weekend College. Sciences harder to do in weekend format. Content and method. Panel spoke to faculty of their findings; shifted classroom environment.
15-20 minutes
Mortimer Adler’s How to Read a Book used for Sigmund Freud’s Civilization and Its Discontents.
20-25 minutes
Students became involved in research method to prepare for a paper. Course to learn five learning tasks that addressed diversity of skills and competencies to succeed in college. 90% women in the class. Gender a topic of discussion.
25-30 minutes
Adler’s method to critique the book. Adler’s text is a good way to get you to listen well to the author. Students understood Freud more. Women better listeners, understood his argument better.
30-35 minutes
No other book like Adler’s book; it’s unique.

Side B

0-5 minutes
Looked for a book other than Freud, but it was difficult. Used Rollo May’s The Courage to Create. Wonderful teaching experience. Loyola does not create a college community. Adult learning now a stable at Northwestern University and the University of Chicago. Strategies for Learning was a great way for students to meet each other.

Prudence Moylan 2002 Index

KEY
PM 2002=Prudence Moylan 2002 Interview

INDEX
Adler, Mortimer, PM 2002 Side A 15-20
Civilization and Its Discontents, PM 2002 Side A 15-20
The Courage to Create, PM 2002 Side B 0-5
Freud, Sigmund, PM 2002 Side A 15-20
How to Read a Book, PM 2002 Side A 15-20
Loyola University Chicago, PM 2002 Side B 0-5
May, Rollo, PM 2002 Side B 0-5
Northwestern University, PM 2002 Side B 0-5
Sciences, PM 2002 Side A 10-15
Strategies for Learning, PM 2002 Side A 5-10, PM 2002 Side B 0-5
University of Chicago, PM 2002 Side B 0-5
Weekend College, PM 2002 Side A 0-5, PM 2002 Side A 5-10, PM 2002 Side A 10-15
Women, PM 2002 Side A 20-25, PM 2002 Side A 25-30

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