Advisory: Experts offer comments on Halloween topics ANN ARBOR—The following University of Michigan faculty and staff are available to talk about various aspects of Halloween:

Witchcraft Derek B. Collins, assistant professor of Greek and Latin, is teaching a course in witchcraft that considers the history of witches and the craft and their importance to various societies. Collins can also speak to the issue of the use of witches in popular culture from “The Wizard of Oz” to “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and the appeal of such films and programs to young women. Collins can be reached at dbcollin@umich.edu or (734) 764-8581. Dance of Death Courtesy Taubman Medical LibraryMary Townsend, rare book librarian for U-M’s Taubman Medical Library, oversees a collection of more than 200 books representing the “Dance of Death” where a skeleton represents death attempting to persuade all manner of folks, from the Pope to secular figures, to follow him to the grave. Included in this rare collection, donated by a former professor of pathology, are woodblock prints that include an alphabet from “Dance of Death.” It also includes English and German interpretations of the 14th century original and later depictions of Death as a character present at wars, drinking and gambling dens, duels, carriage rollovers and theater fires. Townsend can be reached at mtownsen@umich.edu or (734) 764-4191.

Costume safety Christianne Myers, assistant professor and costume designer in the School of Music’s Department of Theater, can offer tips about how to put together a safe costume and makeup from items found around the house. Myers can be reached at msmyers@umich.edu or (734) 764 5350.

Contact: Joanne Nesbit