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Courses and Potpourri Sessions
Fall 2009 Courses and Potpourri Sessions
We wish to thank all instructors in the Learning in Later Life program for generously volunteering their time and expertise to present these courses and potpourris to our members.Courses:
Recent American History, Part III: Domestic America from 1945 to 1963Instructor: Dr. Dietrich Schlobohm, professor emeritus of history, Springfield College
Part III of our series examines important trends in American society after World War II, including McCarthyism, the Kennedy presidency, and the Cuban Missile Crisis. We will focus on the events, problems, personalities, and ideas that significantly shaped our nation’s history. Personal experiences are always welcome!
Dates: Tuesdays Sept. 29, Oct. 6, Oct. 13, Oct. 20
Time: 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Location: Fuller Arts Center, Appleton Auditorium
Talking Books
Peer Instructor: Jane Landon
Take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to add to your personal reading list. Offer your input, opinion, and interpretations of selected readings during our lively book discussions. We recommend you read the books by the scheduled discussion dates; however, it is not a requirement.
The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri
Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin
Tepper Isn’t Going Out by Calvin Trillin
Dates: Mondays, Sept. 21, Oct. 19, and Nov. 16
Time: 10 a.m. – noon
Location: Brennan Center, Room 1
Trouble Along the Way: John Wayne Whitewashes College Sports Scandals
Instructor: Dennis Gildea, associate professor of communications/sports journalism, Springfield College
We will screen and study the 1953 Warner Brothers film starring John Wayne, Donna Reed, and Charles Coburn. The film is directed by Michael Curtiz in the historical context of two major scandals affecting the public's perception of intercollegiate sports: The 1951 New York universities and colleges basketball gambling scandal and the West Point academic cheating scandal that resulted in most of the Army football team's being dismissed from the Academy. We will discuss the message that the film and Wayne, a former Southern Cal football player, communicated to the audience.
Dates: Monday, Nov. 2; Wednesday Nov. 4; andFriday Nov. 6
Time: 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Location: Weiser Hall Room 008
The Films of Alice Faye
Peer Instructor: Jack Weldon
Faye was the queen of the 20th Century Fox film lot during the late 1930s and early 1940s. Enjoy five of her films and one surprise World War II musical to finish this film series. Alexander’s Ragtime Band with Al Jolson, The Great American Broadcast with John Payne, Hello Frisco Hello with Jack Oakie and John Payne, Four Jills in a Jeep with Kay Francis and a movie surprise for the sixth class!
Dates: Mondays
Sept. 21, Oct. 19, Nov. 9, Nov. 16, Dec. 7, Dec.14
Time: 1-3:30 p.m.
Location: Brennan Center, Room 125
The Politics of Fall 2009
Instructor: Dr. Dan Russell, professor of social sciences, Springfield College
The fall is a critical time for a first-term president. At that point, one generally gets a good sense of how well he or she is working with Congress, the public, and the political elite. We will examine the political scene and discuss if President Obama is setting the agenda and succeeding as president. Is he fulfilling his campaign promises? What is his job approval rating with the public? Is he making the changes in American politics that he set out to do?
Dates: Thursdays, Sept. 24, and Oct. 22
Time: 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Location: Brennan Center, Room 125
The Bill of Rights, Part III
Instructor: Carl Fetteroll
Our Supreme Court series continues with a discussion of the Court's newest justice, Sonya Sotamayor, who has replaced Justice David Souter. What are the implications of this personnel change in the Court’s composition? We will also look at the most important and interesting case facing the Court in this 2009-10 term. Which one of the Constitutional amendments will be the focus?
Dates: Wednesdays, Oct. 28, and Nov. 4
Time: 9:30-10:50 a.m.
Location: Fuller Arts Center, Appleton Auditorium
The Amazing World of Opera
Peer Instructor: Michael Cascia
Learn opera basics from a true opera enthusiast! Listen, view, and discuss selected operas, and learn about attending an opera, etiquette, history, fun facts, and general insights. This class will appeal to the novice and the experienced opera lover. Cascia’s enthusiasm is contagious and fun. This new instructor is sure to be a favorite.
Dates: Mondays, Oct. 5, Oct. 26, Nov. 2, Nov. 23, and Nov. 30
Time: 1-3 p.m.
Location: Brennan Center, Room 125
Hands-On Art for Non-Artists
Instructor: Dr. Leslie Abrams, professor of art therapy, Springfield College
Enjoy a couple of fun mornings working on art projects with Dr. Abrams and the graduate students in her advanced art courses. Class size is limited to the first 20 registrants.
Dates: Thursdays, Nov. 5, and Nov. 12
Time: 10 a.m. - noon
Location: Blake Hall, Visual Arts Center - 2nd Floor
Writing Your Memoirs
Instructor: Dr. Missy-Marie Montgomery, assistant professor of English, Springfield College
Have you ever wanted to try your hand at writing a memoir, or to at least record a few important memories for your family? This workshop will provide a space for creativity, and a place to capture stories or thoughts that might otherwise never get recorded. Writing is a powerful tool for healing, for keeping the memory sharp, for communication, for education, and of course, simply for enjoyment. This two-part writing workshop will provide you with guided writing prompts, space to write, and some space to share. At the end of our time we’ll have a starting point, and an idea of how to move forward!.
Date: Thursdays Nov. 19, and Dec. 3
Time: 10 a.m. - noon
Location: Brennan Center, Room 125
Potpourri Sessions:
Physics Phor Phun: Energy Conservation SeriesInstructors: Jeff Gagnon, laboratory instructor for math, physics and computer science, Springfield College, and Dr. Zenobia Lojewska, associate professor of physics, Springfield College
Join our instructors as they continue to take a hard look at energy conservation by calculating efficiency of fluorescent and incandescent light bulbs.
Date: Thursday, Nov. 19
Time: 1 - 2:30 p.m.
Location: Schoo Hall, Room 113
How Economists Look at Life and Everyday Things
Instructor: Thomas Shea, professor emeritus of economics, Springfield College
Shea will discuss some everyday questions that economists attempt to answer using economic theories. These examples are taken from current books such as The Economic Naturalist, Freakonomics, and several others.
Dates: Monday, Nov. 9
Time: 10 - 11:30 a.m.
Location: Brennan Center, Room 125
Humanics in Action Day
Team Coordinators: Suzette Wood and Kathy Smith
Marking its 11th year, Humanics in Action Day is an event that unites the people of Springfield College and its surrounding neighborhoods on a variety of community service projects. Join us for our second year as Learning in Later Life members work on a team project. Our assignment will be announced in the next few weeks. Last year, we read to school children at the Rebecca Johnson School. After we complete our project, we gather for a campus wide cookout! Springfield College ID’s are required.
Date: Thursday, Oct. 1
Time: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Location: Meet at the Blake Track bleachers at 8:45 a.m.
Resistance Training for Seniors
Instructor: Dr. Brian Thompson, assistant professor of exercise science, Springfield College
Join an undergraduate class and listen to a brief lecture on exercise science for seniors. You will then move on to the workout room, where you will work one-on-one with an undergraduate student as you move through all the stations of resistance training. Other seniors will continue to lose 10% of their muscle mass every 10 years, but you won’t! This offering is limited to 20 registrants per class.
Dates: Tuesday, Oct. 27 OR Thursday, Oct. 29
Time: 1 - 2:15 p.m.
Location: Athletic Training Complex, Room 225
The Twelve Days of Christmas: The Mystery and Meaning
Instructor: Dr. Thomas Bernard, professor emeritus, Springfield College
Dr. Bernard shares his hypothesis that the lyrics of this popular Christmas carol reveal a cartographic code of an esoteric route map pilgrims used in the Middle Ages used to make the long journey from England to Jerusalem.
Date: Thursday, Dec. 10
Time: 1 - 2 p.m.
Location: Brennan Center, Room 125
Naomi’s Inn: Dream to Reality—One Woman's Journey and How It Relates to Your Life.
Instructor: Marci Webber, owner of Naomi’s Inn, Springfield, Mass.
Naomi’s Inn, Bed and Breakfast and Wellness Center, is in a stately home built in 1846 which was completely renovated and restored in 2006. Join Webber as she describes her dream and how she turned it into a reality.
Date: Thursday, Oct. 8
Time: 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Location: Brennan Center, Room 125
Monique and the Mango Rains: Two Years with a Midwife in Mali
Instructor: Kris Holloway, author
Monique and the Mango Rains is the nonfiction account of Kris Holloway’s time spent as a young Peace Corps volunteer in Mali. Join Holloway as she speaks of her personal experience, shares her insight, and discusses her book. Books will be available for purchase.
Date: Monday, Nov. 30
Time: 10 - 11:30 a.m.
Location: Brennan Center, Room 125
Web 2.0: Hands-On Social Networking
Instructor: Andrea Taupier, director of Babson Library, Springfield College
Ever wonder what happened to Web 1.0? Are you hearing about Facebook and Twitter when you just have learned to text a message on your cell phone? Library Director Andrea Taupier and members of the Babson Library staff will demonstrate software, answer your questions, and demystify the latest in online social networking tools. Take a look at the way the younger generations are communicating with family and friends. Class size limited to the first twenty participants.
Date: Wednesdays, Sept. 23 OR Oct. 7
Time: 1:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Location: Babson Library-2nd Floor Computer Training Lab
Your Handwriting, Please
Instructor: Lisa Maria Lanno, handwriting analyst, spirit medium, paranormal researcher, children's author
Join Lanno for an interactive, entertaining, and enlightening event. Your personality traits, as well as your public self-image, will be revealed by the science of graphology. We will explore all aspects of our personalities, so prepare to learn, and laugh. Learn about yourself and those around you by the way you write or the writing of someone else, if you're curious about them. Bring a pen.
Date: Thursday, Sept. 24
Time: 1 - 3 p.m.
Location: Brennan Center Room 125
Traveling through Italy
Instructor: Kathy Smith, director of conferences and special events, Springfield College
Enjoy a discussion and photo presentation of Smith's trips to Italy.
Date: Tuesday, Nov. 17
Time: 10 - 11:30 a.m.
Location: Fuller Arts Center, Appleton Auditorium
100th Annual Homeshow
Instructor: Steve Posner
Join the head men’s gymnastics coach as he talks about the 100th annual Springfield College Gymnastics Homeshow. This class will provide a look at the history of the homeshow, video performances from previous years, background on some of this year's participants and a look at the preparation for this annual college tradition. Participants will have an opportunity to purchase tickets for this year's spectacular event.
Date: Wednesday Oct. 21
Time: 10 a.m. - noon
Location: Fuller Arts Center, Appleton Auditorium
Pharmaceuticals 101
Instructor: Jason Cross, assistant professor of pharmacy practice, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Join Cross for a discussion of common prescription medicines, how they interact with other prescription and over-the-counter medication, and general tips and information from a pharmacist's point of view.
Date: Monday, Nov. 23
Time: 10 a.m. - noon
Location: Brennan Center, Room 125
Special Events:
Kick-off Kaffee-KlatschThe literal meaning of the term is an informal social gathering for coffee and conversation. Join old friends and meet new members over coffee, tea, assorted juices, fresh fruit, danish, and muffins. You will be able to pick up your calendars, William Simson Fine Arts Series brochure, and other fun and useful information.
Date: Friday, Sept. 18
Time: 10 - 11:30 a.m.
Location: Townhouse Conference Room
Parking: Shuttle from Lot 4 from 9:30 - 10 a.m.
Price: No Charge
MUST RSVP TO: Special Programs (413)748-5287 or e-mail: specialprograms@spfldcol.edu
Fall Trips:
The Peace Pagoda and Buddhist Temple in Leverett , Mass.Coordinator: Elliott Stratton
Join Stratton in a carpool adventure to the Leverett Peace Pagoda. Sister Clare will lead us on a tour of the grounds, and share information about the local Buddhist community and the history and activities promoting peace. Part of our adventure will also be to enjoy the fall foliage and those interested will meet again for lunch at a local restaurant.– Goten of Japan anyone? Current plans are to leave lot 4 at 9:30 a.m., leaf peep, meet with Sister Clare at 11 a.m., start lunch at about 1 p.m. and head for home afterwards at our own pace.
Date: Wednesday Oct. 7
Time: 9:00a.m.
Location: Meet at Lot 4 at 9 a.m. and coordinate carpool
Nature Walk in Forest Park
Instructor: Dr. Dietrich Schlobohm, professor emeritus, Springfield College
Fall marks the period when animals and plants begin preparations to deal with the demands of winter. The most noticeable sign of this is the changing color of leaves on plants, and especially deciduous trees. This magic captures what fall is really about for most New Englanders. Our field trip to Forest Park, led by environmental historian Dietrich Schlobohm, will focus on the how and why of these changes. Participants will enjoy the feast which nature presents to their senses – the sights, smells, and sounds of this beautiful time of year. Supportive footwear and comfortable clothing are recommended.
Date: Thursday, Oct. 16 (rain date: Monday, Oct. 19)
Time: 10 a.m. – noon
Location: Forest Park, Sumner Avenue, Springfield, Mass.
Directions: We will meet in the parking lot behind Friendly’s at the intersection of Sumner Ave. and Fort Pleasant at the west end of Sumner Ave.
Hancock Shaker Village, Pittsfield, Mass.
Welcome to the City of Peace. Experience the simplicity of the Shaker world with a day of exploration, reflection, and participation. Hancock Shaker Village, Inc., is a private, not-for-profit educational organization. Their mission is to bring the Shaker story to life and preserve it for future generations. The Shaker Central Ministry closed the Hancock community in 1960 and sold the buildings and surrounding acreage to a group of Shaker enthusiasts, collectors, and scholars who formed the not-for-profit corporation that eventually became Hancock Shaker Village
Date: Monday, Oct. 14
Depart from Lot 10m (behind the P.E. Complex) at 8:30 a.m.
Return to campus by 4:30 p.m.
Price: $60 (transportation, Shaker Colony Museum admission, and lunch included)
Download the registration form here: Registration Form
Return the completed form with payment to:
LLL Registration, Attn.: Business Office
Springfield College
263 Alden Street
Springfield, MA 01109-3797
Questions?
Call the Office of Special Programs at (413) 748-5287 or e-mail specialprograms@spfldcol.edu
Other Important Information
campus map
driving directions
learning in later life brochure