Course

 Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain) was a complex man, the son of slave-holding southerners who married into an abolitionist family. “A pen warmed up in hell” was his phrase for a mode of social justice writing, and it is these lesser-known essays, articles, and speeches that we will explore in class. In them he critiques racism, the Jim Crow South, imperialism, nationalism, anti-Semitism, monopolism, and religion. Samuel Clemens’ authorship is relevant to our own Gilded Age: is blazing satire an effective response to injustice?

Faculty Bio

Linda Haverty Rugg retired from her faculty and administrative positions at the University of California, Berkeley in 2024. She has published and lectured on Mark Twain's autobiography and his writings on race and anti-Semitism.

This is an In-Person, Livestreamed + Recorded Course

• Classes meet in person at the Golden Bear Center, Suite 202/204 (2nd floor), at 1995 University Ave., Berkeley
• Classes will also stream live, and be video recorded
• You must be a current OLLI @Berkeley member to register. Learn about membership, including our fee assistance program.

Schedule Highlights

• Course starts on Wednesday, April 1, and ends on Wednesday, May 6
• Classes meet for 6 weeks, 2 hours per session (1–3 PM)
• All course materials will remain in Member Dashboards through May 31

Member Praise for Linda Rugg

Linda Rugg is such an engaging instructor, and she has a deep passion ... that invigorated all of us.

Dr. Rugg is an exceptionally gifted teacher. She is brilliant, funny and down to earth. The class exceeded all expectations

Faculty Q&A

• Read an interview with Linda Rugg from our archive.