In-Person   

In this OLLI workshop we will discuss Agatha Christie’s famous character Hercule Poirot. He of the “little grey cells,” the outsized ego and amazing deductive abilities of even the most convoluted mysteries. Christie remains a best seller whose suspenseful narrative style still leaves many of us unable to figure out any of her endings ahead of time! Come discuss with the two Annes why this author remains fresh and engaging. New in-person workshop. Format includes discussion.

“Woke up, fell out of bed, dragged a comb across my head…” Most days are routine, as the Beatles sing, until the unexpected happens, causing us to reevaluate our lives and self concepts. We’ll explore novels and films (seen outside of class) that capture a single extraordinary day for people whose epiphanies in the midst of sudden change might recall our own awakenings. Please read James Joyce’s short story “The Dead” (free online in Dubliners at Project Gutenberg) and see John Huston’s 1987 film adaptation (free on Kanopy) before our first class. More information and links to come for enrolled students. New in-person course. Format includes lecture and discussion.

REQUIRED BOOKS: The Dead, James Joyce, ISBN 9781835940303, A Single Man, Christopher Isherwood 9780374533878, On the Calculation of Volume, Book 1, Solvej Balle, ISBN 9780811237253, The Pull of the Stars, Emma Donoghue, ISBN 9780316499033

America has been defined by maps, investing knowledge with meaning by translating information into visual forms. Maps capture what people know, what they thought they knew, what they hoped for, and what they feared. Maps offer unrivaled windows into five centuries of our past. We will have lectures, discussion, and three trips to the Osher Map Library to see original maps illustrated in the course textbook by Susan Schulten, A History of America in 100 Maps (2018). Repeat in-person course. Format includes lecture and discussion.

SUGGESTED MATERIALS: Magnifying glass

REQUIRED BOOK: A History of America in 100 Maps, Susan Schulten, 13:9780226458618 (cloth)

How can we experience peace in such turbulent times? “Happiness is your own treasure because it lies within you.” — Prem Rawat. This nine-week course features empowering videos of author Prem Rawat’s talks on ten themes: peace, appreciation, inner-strength, self-awareness, clarity, understanding, dignity, hope, and contentment. You will have the opportunity to discover, focus, and reflect on your own humanity and inner resources. The facilitators will involve participants with videos, activities, and meaningful interactions that explore the themes of personal peace and the art of living well.  Format includes lecture, discussion, and film.
SUGGESTED BOOK: Hear Yourself: How To Find Peace In A Noisy World, Prem Rawat, ISBN 9780063070745

When we think of Beethoven, we commonly think of his 5th and 9th Symphony (which includes the famous Ode to Joy), the Moonlight Piano Sonata and the piano piece, Für Elise. However, he composed many other great symphonies, piano sonatas, choral and vocal works, concertos, chamber music, and an 0pera. In this workshop we will discuss and listen to some of these other works by Beethoven via audio and video presentations. Journey along with us as we discuss how this piano virtuoso evolved into a revered composer, how his life and music were influenced by historical events and how he persevered through the onset of deafness, physical maladies, and family and relation ship issues to ultimately become one of the giants of Western Music! New in-person workshop. Format includes lecture and discussion.

Whether it’s anticipated or unanticipated, change is apt to come in spurts and sputters, not neat linear steps. It challenges us to steer through several stages: the push- pull stage of endings, the productive stage of floundering, and the rejuvenating stage of new beginnings. Explore the stages of change and gain down-to-earth tools including: handling stressors like FUD (fear, uncertainty, and doubt), incubating and visioning anew, using planning tacks, and building a support squad as you navigate. Our class setting is upbeat, with time for self-reflection, guided discussion, and sharing on a voluntary basis. New in-person course. Format includes lecture and discussion.

Every major change in humanity’s time frame has a
specific character. This course will explore contemporary
artists worldwide and their work created at the turn of
the new millennium. It will survey the social and cultural character in the artwork of this new international generation confronting global ecological change. This course follows The Metropolitan Museum curated tour format encouraging classroom dialogue by posing questions and answers while viewing works by outstanding artists in this new generation. This is in a seminar “shared inquiry” dialogue where knowledge of Art History is not required. It is about viewing art and having a discussion for all levels and backgrounds.
New in-person course. The format includes lecture and discussion.

Welcome to Da Bronx, it is a wonderful place. “Wonderful” in the literal sense: full of wonders. Wonders everyone’s heard of, like the Bronx Zoo and Yankee Stadium; wonders that make presidents cry, as Jimmy Carter famously did in 1977, standing in the rubble of the South Bronx; and wonders only Bronxites seem to know about, like Wave Hill, City Island, and Arthur Avenue. From the South Bronx to Fordham Road, from the Bronx Zoo to Lehman College, from Sedgwick Avenue to yuppie Riverdale, it’s all here. Crime stories that hint at the cultural, social, and economic range of the only New York City borough on the mainland of North America. New in-person course. Format includes lecture and discussion.

REQUIRED BOOK: Bronx Noir, Ed. S J Rozan; ISBN 9781933354255

Designers use the term “wicked problem” to talk about situations that are so complex that there can be no real solutions. Attempts to resolve these problems in standard ways often make the situation worse. How can our policymakers, as well as ourselves in our daily lives, deal with such situations, situations that inevitably involve people with different perspectives, values, and desires, as well as different cultures and world views? This is a conversation-based course for those interested in exploring ways of thinking about deciding, adapting, and designing in the context of such complexities. New in-person course. Format includes discussion.

SUGGESTED BOOK: Appreciative Living: The Principles of Appreciative Inquiry in Personal Life, Jacqueline Bascobert Kelm, ISBN 0977216101

This course on Japanese women’s lives investigates the historical diversity in the operations of gender in social and cultural life through an interdisciplinary approach drawing on anthropological and historical studies as well as popular cultures. Everyone in this course is required to read the assigned article (usually 20 pages) before coming to the class. This is not a lecture course, but a discussion-based course. New in-person course. Format includes lecture, discussion, and film.

The 19th century was the foundation of the modern world. From industrialization to women’s liberation, to political ideas that shaped our thinking today, the arts, and the political revolutions, it all began more than two hundred years ago. Come along on a journey to the roots of the 21st century. Repeat in-person course. Format includes lecture.

Explore the history and culture of Maine. Several non-political topics will be examined in a fashion that emphasizes hands-on experiences and off-campus activities. At least one class session will be devoted to exploring several fascinating online databases pertaining to Maine history and culture. Several classes will feature guest experts and/or artists. Several classes will be scheduled for local museums and historical societies. Students will independently explore a topic of their choice and report to the class. Repeat in-person course. Format includes hands-on learning, field trips, lecture, and discussion.

Enjoy six narrated walks through Portland’s historic neighborhoods exploring the city’s history, architecture, and people since Europeans arrived. Discuss historic structures, immigrant populations, and locally and regionally famous architects, and view their works. The longest walk will be two miles in two hours. The greatest elevation change will be between Congress Street and the waterfront. All walks will be on pavement, with side trips into two grassy cemeteries. Wheelchair accessible. Rain or shine. Instructor will contact students about the meeting place prior to each class. Repeat in-person course. Format includes movement.

SUGGESTED BOOK: Portland, A Short History, Allan Levinsky, ISBN 9781933212432

Please join enthusiastic readers and thinkers to explore a different prize-winning collection: The Story Prize (yes, that’s how the title appears), edited by Larry Dark. It’s a selection of one winner from each year of the prize since its inception in 2004. If you’ve not approached short stories for various reasons, you might find yourself enjoying these shorter pieces by some well-known novelists, including Tobias Wolff, Anthony Doerr, Mary Gordon, Edwidge Danticat, Elizabeth Strout, and others. New in-person course. Format includes discussion.

REQUIRED BOOK: The Story Prize, ed. Larry Dark, ISBN 9781936787630

In 1899 the City of Deering became part of Portland. Originally a suburb of Portland, it was created as a town in 1871 from what was originally a part of Westbrook. It contained several prominent villages including Deering Center, Deering Highlands and Stroudwater. In this series of six walking tours off the Portland peninsula, we will explore the history of these neighborhoods and learn about some of their interesting residents. Repeat in-person course. Format includes lecture, discussion, and movement.

Based on the book by the same name, this one-time workshop will inspire attendees to take steps to:

• Rediscover who they are, what they most enjoy, and how to overcome obstacles that get in the way of living the life they desire.

• Reclaim their power that they may have unknowingly been turning over to others.

• Be themselves — completely. How to do it and why that’s OK.

• Set boundaries that will free them to live more enjoyably.

• Strengthen relationships and make new ones.

New in-person workshop. Format includes lecture.

SUGGESTED BOOK: Finding Your Spunk in Your 60s, 70s, 80s, Christine Klein, ISBN 9798254710516

 

Tired of regimented tour groups, feeling cramped by tight itineraries, and frustrated with crowded tourist sites? Are you ready to go “free range” without a travel agent and explore the world on your own terms without the constraints of the travel industry? Learn to live in other cultures, meet interesting locals, and enjoy a more immersive experience without the restrictions of short term packaged tours. In this workshop, an experienced traveler will share some techniques and strategies for a more fulfilling and affordable approach to travel. New in-person workshop. Format includes discussion.

In stressful times, it’s of utmost importance to create opportunities for happiness and pleasure. PLAY is an excellent way to do this. We are wired to play, and with good reason: play substantially reduces stress, enhances brain function, and builds social bonds. In this class, we will engage in “play for intelligent adults” with group games drawn from the world of improv. No, we won’t try to be actors or comedians, and no one is “put on the spot.” Most of the games are played with the whole group, and it’s perfectly fin — actually a lot of fun — to simply watch and applaud your classmates. Laughter and loads of surprise are absolutely guaranteed. If you’re a former child, you’re a born expert at play.

Repeat in-person course. Format includes lecture, discussion, film, hands-on, movement.

Aging creates gradual physical and mental challenges. We all make both informed and uninformed choices daily that can have a significant impact on our future health. If you are willing to change old habits, accept new challenges, and travel outside your comfort zone, this course is for you. Join me in exploring scientifically backed principles of movement, nutrition and habits that can directly impact the effect on many diseases. Learn and sample movement and nutritional “hacks” you can use daily to improve your ability to move, increase energy levels, decrease pain, and create better mental health. If you are up for the challenge, you can optimize your health and thrive!  

New in-person course. Format includes lecture, hand on learning, and movement.

MATERIALS: Dress comfortably in exercise clothes. 

We’re in our 70’s (or more). The kids are in their 50’s (or more.) What should we do now to pass things along in an orderly way so the kids won’t say... “What a mess!” This is a two-session interactive workshop on getting your “stuff” organized. Each attendee will leave with their own to-do list. There is a lot to discuss! Wills and trusts. Listing account numbers. Adding names to accounts. Writing down passwords. Determining beneficiaries. Clarifying who has power of attorney. Giving things away. Emptying the basement/attic. Creating a safe document location. And so on. New in-person workshop. Format includes lecture and hands-on learning.

This repeat course explores songs from the Christian tradition called “gospel.” Designed from the Protestant perspective, the course examines old hymns and gospel songs including “white” gospel and music from the African-American tradition. Some attention is paid to hymn writers and composers, and to the milieu in which they thrived, but exposure to the music itself comprises much of each session. Recordings are played, videos are shown, songs are sung, and the piano is utilized. Discussion is encouraged and students may request the presentation of songs they would like to share with the class. The final class will feature a singer and a party. Repeat in-person course. Format includes lecture, discussion, and film.

SUGGESTED BOOK: The Sound of Light, Don Cusic, ISBN 9780800736385.

In this course we will discuss the importance of composer George Frideric Handel and his work for the royal court in London in the 1700s. The class includes a video documentary on Handel’s famous Water Music, which will provide insights into the town of London, the river Thames as well as what a major event was the first performance of the Water Music ON the river. The video includes an historically accurate performance of the work. New in-person workshop. Format includes lecture, discussion, and film.

Strong, smart, stylish, and sassy, their work ethic made them memorable, their glamour made them stunning, and their talent made them stars. For this course, we look at the films of seven of the most hard-working women of the studio era and marvel on what made them so great. Included will be the films of Bette Davis, Joan Crawford, Rita Hayworth, and four others. Class will run long for discussion. New in-person course. Format includes film.

How can 7-minute cartoon episodes about a dog family in Brisbane, Australia be loved by 3-year-olds, their 30-year- old parents, and 60+ year-old grandparents? How has this show become an international phenomenon since its debut in October 2018? What can kids, parents, and seniors learn about life from this non-glitzy, colorfully animated cartoon series? Come and spend a couple hours learning a little about its beginnings and discussing/ analyzing some of its “special” episodes. If you don’t know anything about Bluey, here’s a short video on why adults love it: THE CARTOON THAT BROKE ADULTS: Why Bluey Works This workshop will be mostly discussion — not lecture — and is a “pilot” for a possible 8-week course in the Spring of 2027. New in-person workshop. Format includes lecture, discussion, and film.

Traditionally, menopause is described as causing some rather minor discomfort and inconvenience: hot flashes, a little sleep disturbance, some weight gain, etc. In fact, some 70 bodily organs and systems depend on estrogen to function, and menopause — which causes a near-total shutdown of estrogen production — leads to things like cognitive impairment; diabetes; osteoporosis and osteo- arthritis; clinical depression (or behavior misdiagnosed as bipolar disorder or even schizophrenia); sharp increases in cholesterol without any changes to diet; muscle loss; vertigo; lung and kidney disease; bowel cancer and IBS; sleep apnea; frozen shoulder; and a number of autoimmune conditions. In 2022, a new Women’s Health Initiative refuted many of the findings of a 2002 study and concluded that the benefits of MHT far outweigh the risks for a large percentage of women. Yet many gynecologists continue to resist prescribing estrogen to patients who are good candidates for it. This is your chance to ask questions, learn about the reality of meno- pause, and decide whether MHT makes sense for you. New in-person workshop. Format includes lecture and discussion.

After a short, guided meditation, participants will be given a prompt and then will put pen to paper and write what they hear in their hearts. After writing for about 25 minutes, those that are so moved will share what they have written. Based on Proprioceptive Writing, this method helps us to clarify what and how we feel or think and the sharing helps to create a safe community of support. New in-person workshop. Format includes hands-on learning.

In this class, you will learn mindfulness practices to help you cultivate a sense of well-being and even happiness in the midst of all the troubling personal, local, national, and world events. Every session will include a talk, discussion, a guided meditation, and additional mindful ness exercises to practice during the week. There is no required reading. A bibliography will be provided for diving more deeply into any of the practices we learn in class. New in-person course. Format includes hands-on learning, lecture, discussion, and movement.

What defines a revolution and how do radical ideas take root? Framed by Fareed Zakaria’s recent book, Age of Revolutions, this course explores the historical and cultural DNA of the movements that built our modern Western world. Through a combination of lecture, film, and lively discussion, we will trace how revolutionary ideas emerged in the Netherlands and migrated to England and the United States and beyond. We will consider how these legacies are reflected globally today. No prerequisites or required readings — just curiosity about the forces that redefine nations. New in-person course. Format includes lecture, discussion, and film.

Why do we enjoy music? It moves us physically and emotionally; it satisfies both body and mind. Join us as we explore connections between music and math, answering questions such as: Why do musical instruments sound different from each other? What are the varieties of rhythm and musical forms? Why is some music dissonant but other music pleasing? How does harmony work? Why is tuning a piano so challenging? What connections did philosophers make between music and the cosmos? Our emphasis will be on understanding music rather than learning mathematics. We will enjoy listening to musical examples. No prior knowledge of math or music required. New in-person course. Format includes lecture and discussion.

In our short lifetime, the world has seen astonishing changes in all facets of our lives. Powered by technological and scientific advances, no part of the way we live and do things is unaffected. The class will be divided into sections tracing the latest innovations in transportation, communications, manufacturing, medicine, entertain ment and leisure, agriculture, education, housing, labor, and more. Like all of David’s classes, the visual format will include charts, graphs, photos, and videos to stimulate your class participation. The class promises to be a provocative, fun, and understandable way to learn about how things have changed in our lifetimes. New in-person course. Format includes lecture, discussion, and film.

We will be discussing how we can manage conflict in creative rather than destructive ways in our families, societies, and on our Earth. Building a culture of peace with justice requires the use of different toolsets. These involve different approaches to negotiation, methods of non-violent action, “strength-tools” (such as law, policing, and military action), and tools of a political, economic, and religious nature. Successful use of these tools can be aided by techniques of personal/spiritual transformation. New in-person course. Format includes lecture and discussion.

REQUIRED BOOK: Selected xeroxed material will be provided at a cost of $12 paid to the instructor.

Let’s build community by working together to prep, cook, and eat great food and enjoy conversation with one another. Featured chefs will guide us through the creation of cuisines from around the world introducing us to tastes and histories of food cultures and their impact on strengthening communities. For the first class each participant will bring and share a dish meaningful to their culture or life and learn how a potato salad contest brought people from feuding to harmony. There will be an additional cost to cover the food costs paid directly to the instructors — this may vary from class to class.

Repeat in-person course. Format includes discussion and hands-on learning.

REQUIRED MATERIALS: There will be an additional cost of $60 to cover the food costs.

This course is for everyone who wants to read, discuss, and write poetry, whether you’ve written before or not. We will select topics and exercises from The Discovery of Poetry by Frances Mayes to discuss at the beginning of each class, respond to prompts in class, and share our spontaneous work on a voluntary basis. In the second hour of class, we will read and respond to each other’s work. We believe that writers learn best with both praise and friendly questions in a nurturing setting of fellow learners. Bring an open mind, a sense of fun and discovery, and a readiness to read and write. Repeat in-person course. Format includes discussion and hands-on learning.

REQUIRED BOOKS: The Discovery of Poetry, Frances Mayes, ISBN 0156007622; Real Sofistikashun: Essays on Poetry and Craft, Tony Hoagland, ISBN 13: 9781555974558

This is a general review of French language grammar with short readings. It is intended for folks with some knowledge of French who want to revisit and brush up! We will use an exercise workbook and a selection of short stories in French. New in-person course. Format includes lecture, discussion, and film.

REQUIRED BOOKS: French Grammar for Intermediate Level, Frederic Bibard, ISBN 978168489276; Short stories in French, Olly Richards and Richard Simcott, ISBN 9781473683440

The road movie uses physical travel to explore psycho logical, social, and moral movement. These films ask what happens when characters leave familiar structures behind—and whether motion itself is liberation, escape, illusion, or transformation. This course explores seven road movies as modern myth. Across these films, travel becomes a way to question national ideals, challenge inherited roles, and confront cultural boundaries of gender, class, race, and belonging. Some journeys seek liberation; others drift, flee, perform, or play. Some end in reckoning, others in transformation, and some refuse resolution altogether. New in-person course. Format includes film.

This series explores seven film narratives that portray strikingly impressive human resilience, achieved only after the protagonists allow themselves to experience relatedness deeply and directly, rather than through detached observation. Two films feature explorers who seek deep immersion into the lives of animals, resulting in temporary isolation from fellow humans, but leading to recognition of an equally meaningful life-fabric (Octopus Teacher, Never Cry Wolf). The remaining five films examine the aftermath of challenging circumstances: divorce and resultant deep cynicism and apathy that is later overcome (Penguin Lessons); grief following loss of a loved one (C.S. Lewis, Shadowlands, Fly Away Home); childhood abandonment (Saving Mr. Banks); and the perils of warfare (Der Fuchs). Background information will be provided about each film and the discussions will be uplifting and hope-filled. New in-person course. Format includes discussion and film.

Semiconductors are in the news every day–from the new features of a cell phone, to the announcement of a new data center. But, rarely does the news explain how semi- conductors actually work. This course will explain the fundamentals of the electronics, the chemistry, and the metallurgy of semiconductors, and the manufacturing processes employed in modern factories. Then it will explain the semiconductor nuts-and-bolts behind the headlines like AI, satellite internet service, and self driving cars. New in-person course. Format includes lecture and discussion.

If you find pleasure and beauty and wisdom in poetry and would like to share your experience with like-minded classmates, this class is for you. Each week we will bring a favorite poem, recite it, and discuss it. There’s no one correct interpretation and no one superior type of poem. We will be guided by what our fellow students are most moved by. From Rumi to Pound, from the psalms to Dr. Seuss, your favorites are welcome. No one’s an expert. We’re just sharing what we love. Repeat in-person course. Format includes discussion.

We will explore the important role of music in championing workers’ rights, supporting unions, and fighting workplace injustices. This workshop will include watching archival footage of songs sung at labor protests, reviewing song lyrics, reading short pieces — and singing! New in-person workshop. Format includes discussion, film, and hands-on learning.

Solo line dancing keeps us moving, is loads of fun, and doesn’t require any previous experience. Join new and returning enthusiasts. We’ll learn several dances to various kinds of music (contemporary, rock, Latin, waltz, country, etc.). You need to be steady on your feet, know your body and whether you need a rest, and be able to move for two hours (with plenty of water breaks). If you can walk a mile or two comfortably, this class will likely work for you. Repeat in-person course. Format includes movement.

This course is the same format as the Spring 2026 course, “Star Trek the Original Series & What It Says About Us” but will feature different episodes. You do not have to have attended the previous course to participate. The best science fiction always holds a mirror up to its audience and allows issues to be considered from a safe distance. Star Trek was no exception, so we’ll take a look at seven episodes from the original series that had something to say and discuss whatever aspects we see in the mirror. We will watch a complete episode and then spend the rest of the class in discussion each week. New in-person course. Format includes discussion.

The Yang 24 Form is the most widely practiced tai chi routine in the world. It consists of a sequence of slow, flowing movements, each leading gracefully into the next. It is often described as “meditation in motion.” In this course, we will study the basic movements of the 24 Form. Regular practice helps you refine the movements and experience great health benefits including reduced stress, an enhanced sense of well-being, and improved posture and balance. We spend most of the classroom time on our feet and in motion, so please take this into account in deciding whether this class is right for you. Repeat in-person course. Format includes movement.

Tap basics — combinations, short routines, watching movie inspirations. Possible short performance opportunity. New in-person course. Format includes movement.

Many important outcomes in our lives are the subject of, and are dependent upon, negotiation with persons who have influence over these outcomes. For example, we must often negotiate for the purchase of a new home, and/or for the sale of a currently owned home. We negotiate for the purchase of an automobile, new or used. We often find ourselves negotiating our salary and other employ ment terms, such as benefits, with existing or new employers. Many more events in our lives depend upon negotiation for successful or at least acceptable outcomes. There is an art to negotiation and negotiation skills that can help improve outcomes. In this class, we will explore the art and skills that must be developed in order to maximize the likelihood of achieving successful negotiated outcomes. New in-person workshop. Format includes discussion.

We will explore ancient anti-Judaism, the Gospels, St. Paul and Christian fathers. We touch upon the middle ages (blood libels, the Black Death, and the pictorial record in Spain) and jump to the modern era beginning with the Dreyfus trial in France, the emergence of antisemitism the birth of Zionism, the depiction of Jews in literature (Oliver Twist, Gentlemen’s Agreement, and others), film, the stage (The Merchant of Venice), and music. Finally we will consider the normalization of antisemitism both in America and worldwide, the importance of the Hamas attack on Israel, and the new wave of antisemitic violence and failure of leadership to protect Jewish students on college campuses. Repeat in-person course. Format includes lecture, discussion, and film.

The Rule of St. Benedict has been in use since it was first introduced in the 6th century as a way to help serious Christian seekers live in community. In today’s modern, diverse, and troubled world, the Rule’s appeal is still very practical because of its flexibility to incorporate a strongly contemplative perspective through the prayer of silence of Christian Meditation, as well as its ability to adapt to a secular “monastery without walls” environment, regardless of anyone’s religious affiliation or background. Experience and learn about the vision of the Rule through topic discussions and the Benedictine practice of Christian Meditation. Repeat in-person course. Format includes hands-on learning.

SUGGESTED BOOK: Wisdom Distilled from the Daily: Living the Rule of St. Benedict Today, Joan Chittister, ISBN 0060613998

The Woman in White (1860), by Wilkie Collins, is an early mystery novel, a sensational Gothic tale, and a discussion of the legal rights of women in Victorian Britain. Collins was a friend, colleague, employee, and competitor of Charles Dickens, with a more liberal political and social outlook. A popular and prolific novelist, Collins sought to entertain but also to illuminate social issues he found important. The novel uses many of the sensational tropes of the period — Kidnapping! Insanity! Mistaken identity! Sinister foreigners! Inheritance theft! — and, of course, also, many kinds of love stories. New in-person course. Format includes lecture and discussion.

REQUIRED BOOK: The Woman in White, Wilkie Collins, ISBN 9780141439617

In this workshop we will learn the basics of Zen Buddhism and then explore how both Zen practice and the journey through our later years can provide perspectives on our past regrets, fears for the future, sense of self, and relationships. New in-person workshop. Format includes lecture and discussion.

SUGGESTED BOOK: Practical Zen: An Invitation, Tim Baehr

The history of life is punctuated by major transitions and inventions. Fins became limbs; fish moved onto land. Scales became feathers; reptiles took to the air. How did these and other transitions of structure and function happen? The answers, which will surprise and astound, are found in key insights that are emerging as scientists use modern methods to probe classical ideas. This class, suitable for those with some experience and those new to the study of evolution and developmental biology, will help you see how innovations in life evolve. New in-person course. Format includes discussion.

REQUIRED BOOK: Some Assembly Required, Neil Shubin, ISBN 9781101972687

We will open up the term with an overview of progress to date, complete the Cyclops Episode, and move on to Nausicaa, the episode that prompted the initial banning of the book. If you have ever picked up Ulysses and then put it down, here is an opportunity to finish the book! Repeat in-person course. Format includes lecture and discussion.

REQUIRED BOOKS: The New Bloomsday Book, Harry Blamires, ISBN 0415138582; Ulysses, James Joyce, Annotated, D. Gifford with R.J. Seidman, ISBN 0520067452

This workshop will discuss the history of the Second Amendment. In addition, we will discuss recent Supreme Court interpretations of the Second Amendment and the ongoing litigation to apply these interpretations to modern day gun regulations. The ability/inability of states to address gun violence based on recent judicial rulings will be a part of the workshop discussion.  Formats include lecture.

On va lire ce roman de l’auteure Annie Ernaux qui s’agit de sa mère. Pour ce qui ont déjà lu la Place, au sujet de son père, cel livre complète la représentation de sa famille. Vous allez lire le livre en français et les discussions seront toutes en français. New in-person course. Format includes discussion.

REQUIRED BOOK: une femme, Annie Ernaux Folio, ISBN 9782 070382118

“. . . a very simple argument: women are not equal to me; they are superior in many ways...including most ways that matter now . . . (in fact), maleness in humans is hardly necessary for the survival of the species.” Eh, what? Ideology? No. Science fiction? No. Rather, a tightly reasoned scientific argument, superbly combining evolutionary, cross species, and cross cultural materials, fully accessible to the non-specialist and leading to sensible answers to key questions regarding gender, female/male, where might things be heading? Where should things be heading? New in-person course. Format includes lecture and discussion.

REQUIRED BOOK: Women After All: Sex, Evolution, and the End of Male Supremacy, Melvin Konner, M.D. ISBN 9780393239966

World War I transformed the modern world while devastating an entire generation. This eight-week course will explore the origins, battles, political decisions, and human experiences that shaped what many hoped would be “The War to End All Wars,” from the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo in 1914 to the signing of the Treaty of Versailles in 1919. Using discussion, selected film clips, and the novel To the Last Man by Jeff Shaara as our central text, we will examine shifting alliances, trench warfare, collapsing empires, and the uneasy peace that helped shape the modern age. New in-person course. Format includes lecture, discussion, and film.

SUGGESTED BOOK: To The Last Man, Jeff Shaara, ISBN 13: 9780345461346

This in-person monthly workshop is a supportive group of 12 writers focusing on the elements of fiction writing. Members’ projects range from short stories and vignettes to segments of full-length novels. Pieces to be critiqued are shared via email prior to the meeting. During the meeting, the author reads a short excerpt of the work, and members give constructive feedback, during the discussion and in written comments. With our wide range of styles and experience, we learn from each other!  Format includes discussion and hands-on.

Inspired by Natalie Goldberg’s seminal book, this course invites you into a practice of fearless, present-moment writing. Through writing prompts, and gentle guidance, you’ll learn to bypass self judgment and access your authentic voice. Each session includes in-class writing and supportive sharing, with optional assignments to deepen your practice between meetings. Open to all levels, this course emphasizes process over product, encouraging curiosity, spontaneity, and the joy of putting words on the page. New in-person course. Format includes lecture and hands-on learning.

SUGGESTED BOOK: Writing Down the Bones, Natalie Goldberg, ISBN 9781590307946

Groundbreaking research over the past three decades has quietly revolutionized gerontology: the years after sixty are not a winding down but a rich final chapter of development that can bring some of the most significant growth of a person’s lifetime. Over eight sessions, participants will explore their life through the lens of six areas of growth using experiential exercises, brief spontaneous writing, and small group conversations. What you share is entirely your choice. No credits. No pressure. Just learning — and perhaps a few surprises. New in-person course. Format includes lecture, discussion, and hands-on learning.

Why does a box of Kellogg’s corn flakes cost $5.00 when the farmer earns $0.05 per ear? Which is more eco-friendly: cow’s milk or almond milk? How do people view their role as “human capital?” This class explores the Triple Bottom Line: Profit, Planet, and People. Working via critical thinking, you’ll learn what commerce entails without politics, just insights that make you think, “Ah, I never thought of that.” You’ll gain tools to evaluate the environmental impact, worker conditions, and reasonable profits of products. Have questions? Send your suggestions at least a week before class to mld@engel.net. Repeat in-person course. Format includes lecture, discussion, film, and hands-on learning.