New Harmony founder is the subject of discussion in faculty presentation "Utopia Explored"

The University of Southern Indiana's Center for Communal Studies will sponsor a presentation and book signing by Dr. Silvia Rode, professor of German and chair of the World Languages and Cultures department, on Wednesday, March 13. Her presentation, entitled "Utopia Explored," will take place from 2 to 3 p.m. in Kleymeyer Hall in the lower level of the Liberal Arts Center on USI's campus. This event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

Dr. Rode will discuss her recently published book, George Rapp: Thoughts on the Destiny of Man, Particularly with Reference to the Present Times by the Harmony Society in Indiana A.D. 1824: A Critical Study. George Rapp and his Harmony Society are known for originally establishing the town of New Harmony, Indiana. Dr. Rode's book provides an annotated translation of Rapp's most important written work.

Following her lecture, Dr. Rode will hold a book signing, copies of which are available for sale from the USI Bookstore and Amazon.com.

For more information, contact Dr. Casey Harison, director of the Center for Communal Studies, at 812-465-7150 or charison@usi.edu.