Classes
Wednesday Morning
| 10 course(s). |
Display in condensed form |
Upcoming and Current Courses | Courses that recently started are at the bottom of the page |
Jan 20-Mar 10 / 10:00-11:00 am
Imperial Spain: Fact or Fiction?
During the 16th and 17th centuries, the empire of Spain circled the globe. It was a time of adventurous exploration and discovery of untold treasures of gold and silver in the Americas, as well as exotic spices in the Far East. Yet it also was a time of bloodshed as the Castilians fought the English, the French, and rebels in the Low Countries, the forces of the Reformation and the imperial navy of the Ottomans. Over this presided the figures of Charles V and Philip II; but was their empire real or imagined by later historians? This course begins with a review of Classical Spain, the arrival of the Vandals, the Visigoths and Moors and concludes with a discussion of post- Napoleonic Spain. In addition to the perspective of history, the course will provide an opportunity to discuss the nature of empire and lessons that may be applied to the modern condition.
Instructor: Don Snyder, Docent Emeritus, Carlos Museum
J. D. Salinger
After all these years, what is it about J.D. Salinger’s characters that make them grip our imagination so vividly? Holden and the Glass family, although often exasperating, and painfully self-absorbed, are still as fresh and full of surprises as they were when we first met them years ago. Why is this? Let’s visit these wonderfully screwed up characters again. Like Holden, we can use a dose of defiance and rebellion. We also need to break away from our stuffy world and “light out for the territory” where we can thrive and live off the fat of the land. To enter the world of the Glass family is to take a strange magical leap. Why do we care about them and want to understand them so badly? This class will focus on J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye and Nine Stories.
Instructor: Bert Parks
Poetry: A Shared Experience
In the sessions offered you will look at the work of several twentieth century poets; allow their imagery to inspire your own writings, while examining their strong personal attachments to place, nature, or friendships that inspire the poem to arrive on the page. ‘Sally’s literary output demonstrates a keen awareness and unique perspective on the human condition. Her ability to communicate and inspire is one of the most powerful aspects of her many talents.’ — James Oliverio, Professor and Director, Digital Worlds Institute, University of Florida. This class will require a $20 registration fee and is strictly limited to 20 students.
Instructor: Sally Giray
Psychotherapy: Do I Need It, Who Does It, What Works, and How is It Done?
For most people, the psychotherapy scene is a bewildering jumble of titles, theories, approaches and jargon. Traditionally, many people relied on a trusted physician or minister for an appropriate referral. Nowadays, therapists number in the thousands, and "schools" of psychotherapy seem almost as numerous. To further complicate matters, choices are often dictated by insurance plans. In this class, we'll take a sometimes-humorous look at how psychotherapy - and the psychotherapist - are portrayed in the media. We'll also discuss the essential ingredients of therapy, how to separate fact from myth about what we do, and how to choose a therapist. The presenter is a second-career licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) in private practice in Decatur.
Instructor: Charles Matthews
Watercolor
Explore the pleasure you can derive from all kinds of watercolor techniques including crayons and pencils. Learn to sketch from life or from photographs. Class size limited to 10.
Instructor: Dorothy McMillin, graduate of California College of Arts and Crafts
Jan 20-Mar 10 / 11:20 am-12:20 pm
Czech Opera
Instructor: Jane Goodwin, former Production Manager of the Palm Beach Opera
Heaven or Hoax?
A comparative religion course examining contrasting concepts of the Afterlife, morality and codes of conduct, gender ethics and more. In this course, we’ll pose a number of questions: Is religion dangerous or helpful and supportive? Is it conducive of moral hazard or morality? Should politics and religion mix? Is today's secular mood overstated in books and the media? Is the concept of the Afterlife a comfort or a cruel hoax for believers? Has religion fostered such notorious anomalies as suicide bombers, suppression of and cruelty to women, caused unhappy and depressing child-rearing, been a divisive or cohering force in society? The course will not dwell on Creationism or Intelligent Design, as these topics have been covered in previous courses. The course welcomes believers and non- of all stripes!
Instructor: George de Man
How to Have Fun with Your Wireless Laptop Computer
Is your laptop a handy tool or is it something that causes you grief? We all have gaps in our computer knowledge. But those gaps don’t need to cause you frustration. The objective of this course is to enhance your laptop enjoyment. The content of this class will be driven by what you want to learn. On day one, you will complete a computer needs survey and the course will be designed to teach you what you want to learn. Some ideas include the following: how to take photos off of your digital camera, edit them, and email them to your friends, how to zip files, or set up a secure eBay, Facebook, or PayPal account, how to burn a CD copy of your music, data, or photos, how to access Pandora music. The environment of this class will be a participative lab; all you need to bring is your wireless laptop computer. The OLLI campus is secure and wireless and thus provides an ideal setting for collaborative wireless learning.
Instructor: Deb Curlette, Ph.D.
T'ai Chi
T’ai Chi is a series of movements designed to open the body while creating strength, balance, and flexibility and improving cardiovascular health. The continued practice of Tai Chi has been shown to help reduce blood pressure, stress, tension and the pain and stiffness of arthritis, fibromyalgia and other similar disorders. T’ai Chi also helps increase general health and well being. These are gentle, easy yet effective movements that anyone can do, and all special needs are taken into consideration by the instructor. Gentle music and beautiful moves based on nature will help you ease through your days. All body types are welcome. Come share the joy! Registration for this class is limited to 15 students, and there is an additional $64 enrollment fee — that’s just $8/class — so that our certified instructors may be compensated.
Instructor: Harvey Meisner
Two Views of the Hamlet Family
Was Hamlet sane or mad? Why was Hamlet a lingering student at Wittenberg instead of a student of Kingship at Elsinore? Was Gertrude a caring mother? Was Hamlet Senior the paragon of virtue his son describes? Was Claudius merely an usurping younger brother or fated by love for Gertrude? Read William Shakespeare's Hamlet and John Updike's Gertrude and Claudius and decide for yourself. Reading Hamlet just before class begins is required.
Instructor: Saralee Fine, MA, Emory University
