Fans of Willa Cather’s celebrated and sensitive novel, “My Antonia,” have the opportunity to enroll in a DePaul course, “Chicago’s One Book: Issues and Perspectives,” which will offer 10 weeks of discourse and exploration centered on the book and related topics. The course is being offered Sept. 11 to Nov. 13 in conjunction with the city of Chicago’s “One Book, One Chicago” book selection this fall.

The graduate course, offered through the university’s Master of Arts in Liberal Studies (MALS) program, will meet Wednesday evenings, from 5:45 p.m. until 9 p.m. on the Lincoln Park Campus. The course will be taught by Jonathan Gross, associate professor of English.

According to Mary Miritello, assistant director of the MALS program, “My Antonia” will serve as the centerpiece for a course that will address major issues and topics in the novel, including the immigrant experience, pioneers’ courage on the American plains in the late 19th century and the pursuit of happiness. Other texts that provide meaningful connections with the city’s book selection will be read as well.

Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree and must complete the standard application process to DePaul’s liberal arts and sciences graduate division. The four-credit course is offered for credit only and carries a tuition fee of $380 per credit hour.

More information about the course is available by visiting the MALS Web site at http://condor.depaul.edu/~mals/ or by calling the program office at 773-325-7840.

The official citywide reading of “One Book, One Chicago” begins August 31 when the Chicago Public Library makes available through its 78 branches free reading guides and 3,000 copies of the novel. Culminating book selection activities are scheduled to take place around Chicago Oct. 14 through Oct. 20.

DePaul will offer a screening of the film adaptation of “My Antonia” Oct. 16 and will co-sponsor a panel discussion of the work with the Chicago Public Library Oct. 17. For more information about these events, call the MALS program office at 773-325-7840.

DePaul is the largest Catholic university in the United States and the largest private university in Chicago. The university enrolls a richly diverse population of 21,363 students in nine colleges and schools. DePaul offers a wide range of academic and professional programs on eight campuses in the Chicago area.