Mary Shelley crafted a masterpiece that would set the foundation for modern horror. In the novel Frankenstein, Shelly wrote, “”You seek for knowledge and wisdom, as I once did; and I ardently hope that the gratification of your wishes may not be a serpent to sting you, as mine has been.” My fear is that both the seeking and the serpent have been tossed by the wayside. In Moby Dick, Herman Melville wrote that “All men live enveloped in whale-lines. All are born with halters round their necks; but it is only when caught in the swift, sudden turn of death, that mortals realize the silent, subtle, ever present perils of life.” Will our collective apathy be the halters that bind us?

Studying literature is a bit like resurrecting the dead or breathing new life into creatures that have yet to exist. You are enrolled in a class because you need a grade so that you can graduate. To some, this journey is one of simplicity; they want the assignments, and they are only looking for the resounding stamp of academic approval before moving forward to the next task, the next class, and, finally, to the ultimate parchment that will lead to stability.

The thirst for knowledge, some believe, has been stifled by technology. I do not agree. Knowledge is, in itself, a kind of thirst, and one that isn’t quenched with grades. Technology is only one way to explore a cave, but it is an increasingly popular method. The ease of its applications allow for us to explore literature more fully. We now have more tools to help us; we can experience levels that we never knew imaginable.

As you approach this class, take a moment to pause. Yes, we both recognize you are simply on a path to parchment. But, since you have to be here anyway, why not take a moment to explore? Why not pause? Why not seek knowledge or passion?

Time can only tell if the “serpent will sting you” and only experience can tell you if that is good or bad. But, we all know of the “halters” that bind us, and, as we might discover, apathy may be the worst one yet.

Welcome! This summer will prove to be an exciting adventure for many of us!

My name is Beth Ritter-Guth, and I teach FT at Lehigh Carbon Community College in Schnecksville, PA. I use an open access course format to deliver content material, and want to take a few minutes to explain what it is I mean by the term “open access.”

In order to receive college credit for the courses I teach at LCCC, one must register through the college website at www.lccc.edu. Since these courses are offered completely online, anyone living anywhere can take them. The advantage to taking the course for credit is that you receive feedback and assessment from me, you received transferable grades, and you receive credit through a Middle State Accredited college.

However, I firmly believe in the opening of education to all populations, Perhaps you don’t need college credit or don’t have the time to invest in a course, but really want to learn about and discuss a certain piece of literature. Open Access allows you to do that because you participate as an “at-large” member. This means that you are welcome to do all of the readings and assignments and participate in the discussions of the course, but are not required to do any or all of the work. MIT is the leader in Open Courseware, and this model is much like theirs. Harvard used a similar model in Second Life, and we will be adopting their approach for courses using SL as an enhancement tool.

While participation in SL is not required to have access to the course materials, we will be having live chats in SL about the texts of each course. Please create a free account at www.secondlife.com.

What steps should you take to get involved?

1. Take a look at the courses being offered this summer at http://collegeenglish.wikispaces.com/ritterguthclasses
2. If you want college credit for the courses, please register at www.lccc.edu
3. If you do not want college credit, please email BethRitterGuth@gmail.com to be registered in the at large group.