The Daily Globe - Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties

HURLEY — Fe University’s next course offering will look at the topic of immigration with Northland College instructor Jennifer Kuklenski.

“Debate and misunderstanding surrounding immigration issues dominate the world news today,” said organizer Wendy Thiede. “Why do people leave their homes to immigrate to another country, and how does their move affect the economy and politics of their new country?”

The course aims to help students understand this “complex topic,” she added.

“Realities of Immigration Today” will be held for four Wednesday afternoons, April 24 through May 15, from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Board Room in the Iron County Courthouse in Hurley.

The course will provide information on contemporary immigration developments and policies in order to enable students to assess the issues of today and trends for the future. Class sessions will explore public perceptions toward migrants in host countries and compare those perceptions to reality, said Theide.

Readings will be provided and discussed in class.

“Participants are asked to attend with an open mind, as discussions of political issues often touch on topics viewed as controversial or difficult,” said Theide.

Kuklenski is an instructor in the Department of Social Responsibility at Northland College in Ashland. She has also taught at the University of Southern Mississippi, the University of Maryland University College in Europe, and Gogebic Community College in political science, international development, and international affairs. She holds a bachelor’s degree in international relations and master’s degree in international security, and is working on a Ph.D. in international development. This will be the second Fe University class she has taught.

Registration forms may be downloaded at feuniversity.org or picked up at the Iron County University of Wisconsin Extension Office in Hurley or the Mercer Library.

Fe University is a non-accredited, non-profit educational effort targeted for senior citizens or anyone over 18 with an interest in the topics, according to Thiede. Other topics for classes this spring include climate change, poetry and the Flambeau Trail and Turtle Portage.

For more information call 715-561-3098 or 715-476-2881, or visit feuniversity.org.