Thursday PM   

Aren’t dysfunctional families fun! From a distance perhaps. But some cultures accept, let’s say, the eccentric uncle, while others put him on a bus to the shrink’s office for further review. Let’s look at films from Asia, Europe, and America — as well as some “behind the scenes” movie making and cultural peculiarities — while we’re entertained by movies with a high IMDb rating. I’ll send you questions that serve to highlight significant plot points each week for the films.   We'll choose from: "Ordinary People," "Kramer  vs. Kramer," "Squid & the Whale," "Moonstruck," "Fancy Dance," "So Long My Son," "Everything Everywhere All at Once," "Shoplifters," "Marriage Story," "The Judge" & "What's Eating Gilbert Grape"  -- or any you suggest & we vote on. We can never learn too much about our international neighbors. Maybe, it will make us humbler. New remote course. Format includes lecture, discussion, and film.

“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

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

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.

What really changes when we read beyond the abstract? In this interactive course, we will open real research papers (many in health and nutrition) and explore what scientists actually look for. We will explore how small design choices can dramatically shape a study’s meaning, and why headlines rarely tell the full story. No technical background is required – just curiosity. By the end of the course, we will never read “studies show…” the same way again.

Journey into the vibrant world of early 20th century art and witness the birth of abstraction. This transformative period reshaped the cultural landscape, from the bold colors of Fauvism, the fractured forms of Cubism, to the dreamlike realms of Surrealism. Each session focuses on the movements’ leading artists including Matisse, Kandinsky, Picasso, Mondrian, Duchamp, and Dali. We will explore their aesthetic goals and the social and cultural currents that influenced them.

The American Experiment began with the Declaration of Independence and led to the creation of the federal judiciary, one of the country’s greatest experiments. In this course, we will trace the evolution of the courts from their English roots to their formal establishment in the Constitution. We will explore how the Supreme Court, lacking the power of the purse or military, derives its authority from its ability to connect with the people of the US and protect democracy. We will examine creation of the federal judiciary and the power of the Marshall Court, the Court’s evolution through the New Deal, the Vinson Court, the Warren Court’s “Rights Revolution,” and the role of today’s US Supreme Court.

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 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.

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.

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 introductory course teaches the basics of the Zentangle Method of pen & ink drawing. It is an easy-to-learn, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns. This course will explore the basics of the Zentangle method, and provide instruction in fundamental pen strokes, multiple tangle patterns, and simple shading techniques. We will explore basic components of design and ideas for embellishment.
 

Repeat remote workshop. Format includes discussion and hands-on learning.

REQUIRED MATERIALS: Course Materials Kit is $15 + postage and will be mailed directly to the registrants. Payment can be made directly to the facilitator via Venmo or a check.

Shading could be said to be the most exciting component of the Zentangle method! After your tangles have been placed on your tile, it is your shading techniques that make your overall design “pop.” In this class, you will explore shading basics, and how to apply these skills to the original white, black, Renaissance, and grey Zentangle tiles.

New remote workshop. Format includes hands-on learning.

REQUIRED MATERIALS: Beginner materials ($15) can be mailed directly to the registrants and payment is made directly to the facilitator via Venmo or a check.