OAQ (Occasionally Asked Questions) for Art's classes

Q. How do you pronounce your name?

A. Incorrectly. It is properly "mar-more-stine," but we say "Mar-more-steen." Students are supposed to pronounce my name "Art." 

Q. Is it o.k. to bring a tape recorder to class?

A. Yes--in fact it's a good idea. If you ever have difficulty falling asleep in a noisy dorm, all you have to do is put your recorder next to your bed. Put in the cassette with my lecture on it, push play and....zzzzzz. 

Q. Could you explain who Gustavus Adolphus was and why his death is important?

A. Gustavus Adolphus was the King of Sweden during the Thirty Years' War. With French financial backing, he was able to help the Lutherans of the Holy Roman Empire hold off the assault of the "Catholic" side. In 1630, his troops won a great victory over Wallenstein's mercenaries. However, Gustavus Adolphus himself was killed. This probably should have been the end of the war, but fighting continued for another 18 years.