A Course For The 'Intellectually Curious'

"Kill your television," advises an oft-seen bumper sticker.

Signing up for Academia Hernando doesn't require such a drastic measure. The non-profit organization, however, aims to get people away from the television and into a lecture hall to expand intellectual horizons with more than a few soundbites, says Arnold Silver, program coordinator.

It's "the life of the mind resuscitated," Silver says. "Something to counter the superficiality of television, which is very much needed. Intelligent people appreciate a little bit of depth."

Academia Hernando , now in its third year, is back again this fall with a series of 10 lectures. The series, titled "Affirming America," is meant to celebrate what's right about the country, Silver said.

The group's board of directors decided it's an appropriate moment to take a look at the sweeter fruits of the U.S. history and culture - from film to literature to philosophy - at a time when all things sour are grabbing the most headlines, Silver said.

"We thought it would be nice to remind people there are positive and wonderful aspects of our country and our history that could act like counterweights to the bombardment of bad news," Silver said.

The series begins Sept. 22 and meets from 10 a.m. to noon on Mondays through Nov. 24. The $50 charge for the entire series includes a free trip to a Bay area museum on Oct. 27 and a concert on the last day. Single lectures cost $7.

The topics include American philosophers, painters, and movie directors. There is also a lecture on the Bill of Rights and one on how the country's geography aided the development of democracy here. Silver, who earned professor emeritus status from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, where he taught English literature, will offer a lecture on America's great writers.

The series started out as a part of the University of South Florida's Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. Organizers broke away three years ago to form Academia Hernando . The group still has a "loose connection" with USF, Silver said, pulling current or lecturers for from the university.

One of them who will return this fall is Harriet Deer, a retired English professor who specializes in film and pop culture.

Deer hasn't finalized her talk yet but said she will probably focus on what she called America's "screwball comedies" from filmmakers such as Frank Capra and Woody Allen.

"We do it better than anyone else," Deer said.

Affirming America

Here is Academia Hernando's fall lecture series, "Affirming America." Participants can pay $50 for the entire series, which includes a visit to a Bay area museum and a concert, or pay $7 per lecture. For information, call Randi Rosmarin, 796-7016 or Doug DiGerlando, 592-1026.

* America's Gems: Our Great National Parks, Sept. 22

* Our Great Bill of Rights, Sept. 29

* Our Great Opera Singers, Oct. 6

* Our Strange Geography (An Aid to Geography), Oct. 13

* Our Innovative Movie Directors, Oct. 20

* Museum visit, Oct. 27

* Our Great Philosophers, Nov. 3

* Our Great Painters, Nov. 10

* Our Great Writers, Arnold Silver

* Concert, Nov. 24