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Twilight talks

Wow, I'm impressed by the response I got to the Laura Ingalls Wilder entry! Apparently I tapped into a shared cultural experience.

Let's see if I get the same response with a more recent phenomenon, the "Twilight" series.

I admit, I completely missed the boat on "Twilight." I didn't know what it was until bookstores started making a huge deal of the release of the last book, "Breaking Dawn."

Whether you're like me and want to see what you've been missing or you're a total "Twilight" fanatic, you're in luck. UW-Rock County is offering a two-session course on the teen-vampire love series.

Here's the info from UW-Rock County spokeswoman Carrie Hermanson:

It seems everyone from middle schoolers to soccer moms is talking about the book Twilight by author Stephenie Meyer -- and the movie of the same name plus the three best-selling sequels New Moon, Eclipse and Breaking Dawn. Now, UW-Rock County is offering a two-session course open to middle school, high school and college students as well as adults who want a more in-depth understanding of some of the powerful messages about romantic relationships found in this book series that chronicles a vampire love story.

“Relationships from Twilight ‘til Dawn” will meet on Saturdays, February 21 and 28, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in Williams Hall Room 27 on the campus at 2909 Kellogg Ave.

More than a book discussion, this course led by UW-Rock County assistant professor of communication Tricia Clasen, Ph.D., will allow participants to not only talk about the book , but also see both positive and negative implications of interpersonal dynamics. She’ll talk about forming realistic expectations of romantic partners and improving connections with family members.

“Given the primary characters are teenagers and the target audience is young adults, understanding what messages the book series provides regarding romantic relationships and family communication is essential,” says Clasen.

Participants will examine both love and family through the lens of interpersonal communication theory including such concepts as trust, self-disclosure, conflict, relationship development and cohesion.

The total cost for both sessions is $24. To register for the course, call the Office of Continuing Education at (608) 758-6565 ext. 360 or visit www.rock.uwc.edu/courses/continuing.