OLLI West Schedule
Spring 2008 - March 25 - May 15 (eight week term)
TUESDAY
Energy in the 21st Century
Tuesday: 9:30-11:30 am
Henriks (Hank) Zeile
Energy may be the crisis of the 21st century. The cost and availability of energy will impact not only our economy but also our health and quality of life, the relationships between nations, and our environment. Every one of us has a stake in the decisions being made to provide energy. The choices we make today will affect generations to come. The course will start with the most basics concepts of energy, cover energy in the biosphere, human history, energy in the modern world and everyday life, and end with energy needs and choices for the future. We will examine the options for society to make the transition from a reliance on fossil fuels to energy independence. Course participants will be exposed to a broad range of energy types and will develop an appreciation of the role that each type may play in the future. The course will providethe participants enough information about energy to make informed decisions and contribute to the debate
Books/Materials: Energy a Beginner’s Guide, Vaclav Smil, One World Publications, 2006 (available in paperback on Amazon.com) Handouts: The reading material for the last two sessions will consist of handouts. A materials fee of $5 is to be paid to OLLI by separate check with registration fee.
Class Type: Lecture/Discussion/Presentations/Reports by class participants (optional)
Sherlock Holmes – The Four Novels
Tuesday: 9:30 - 11:30
Bill Dorn
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wrote 4 novels and 56 short stories in which Sherlock Holmes was the primary character. This course will focus on the four novels: A Study in Scarlet, The Sign of Four, The Hound of the Baskervilles, and The Valley of Fear. Each weekly class meeting will include both a video and 35mm slides of one of the novels. There will be ample time for discussion about both the novel and the video as well as the differences between the two.
Books/Materials: Any volumes or volumes containing all four of the novels listed above.
Class Type: Discussion/Videos/Slides
New Adventures with Colorado Authors
This class will feature eight different published authors from the Colorado Authors League, each speaking on a different subject weekly.
March 25 - Carol McAdoo-Rehme. Carol is an author, editor, ghost writer and prolific contributor for the Chicken Soup enterprise. She publishes widely in the inspirational market and has authored, among others, Chicken Soup Women Golfers; Chicken Soup American Idol; and her latest book for 2008, Chicken Soup for the Empty Nester's Soul.
April 1 - Dottie Lamm. Well known, former First Lady of Colorado, will discuss the focus of her new book, Daddyhood. Dottie will discuss the idea of parental role sharing and how "daddyhood" affects men, their children and businesses. The subject has been widely validated and was the subject of a TIME magazine feature.
April 8 - Sharon Janus. Author of When Horses Could Fly and Other Fantastic Tales. Sharon's books are known for their humorous stories, rich text and illustrations reminiscent of books from earlier childhoods.
April l5 - Jacquelyn Wonder. Author of The Forever Mind – Eight Way to Unleash the Powers of your Mature Mind. Jacquelyn is also a successful lecturer particularly on enhancing memory and the importance of flexibility in change
April 22 - Peter Decker. Author of the Urbanization of Rural Countryside. Peter is a former director of the Colorado Dept. of Agriculture and an owner/operator of a cattle and hay ranch.
April 29 - Sandra E. Lamb. Author of How to write from the Heart for an Occasion. Sandra is an author of many nonfiction articles, a speaker, lecturer, as well as a writer of humorous fiction.
May 6 - Wick Downing. Author of Bringing up Peanut. Has authored nine novels with a new book for young readers coming out spring of this year. Wick will discuss how to turn your idea into a novel, transforming a bright idea into a story suitable for publication.
May l3 - Sandra Walston. Author ofCourage. Known as the Courage Expert TM she is a leadership consultant, speaker, corporate trainer and Courage Coach, specializing in women leadership issues and results-oriented organizational behavior.
Great Decisions-2008
Tuesdays 1:00 - 3:00
John Lightburn, Ken Lloyd
Why is our country having so much difficulty in dealing with the tragic and chaotic mess in many parts of the world? Is lack of information and understanding about the world one of the reasons our country with all its strength and wealth has not been very successful? Here is a chance to correct that ignorance. We will have lectures, readings and discussion about eight important issues: 1) Iraq End game; 2) European Union at 50; 3) Talking to our Enemies;
4) Russia; 5) U.S. Defense and Security Policy; 6) Latin America's Shift to the Left;
7) U.S./China Trade Policy and; 8) Private Philanthropy.
Books/Materials: Great Decisions, 2008. A materials fee of $18 is to be paid to OLLI by separate check with registration fee – book will be distributed prior to first class.
Class type: Each session will start with a 30 minute recorded lecture on CD followed by reports from class members and ending with a spirited (we hope) discussion.
WEDNESDAY
Alternative Religious Paradigms – Buddhism as Example
Wednesdays 9:30-11:30
Joan Sample
In the 1950s we were taught not to discuss sex, religion, or politics in public. Today all three are dominant, and interrelated, in our culture and public policy. Yet, many Americans remain ignorant of religious tenets and traditions outside of their own upbringing. The objective of this course is to understand alternative religious paradigms by exploring the beliefs and philosophies of Buddhism. Emphasis will be on comparing Eastern and Western religious thought. By discussing the paradigms, rather than the history, of Buddhism, we will explore alternative paths to happiness, compassion, nonviolence, interconnectedness, mindfulness, and spirituality. These concepts have special relevance to the moral and political issues of the day. The Dalai Lama, Pema Chodron, Thich Nhat Hanh, and Huston Smith will be our teachers. During the first hour of each class, we will hear their teachings on DVDs. The second hour will be facilitated discussion on the DVD content. These open discussions will encourage personal input, real world comparison of East versus West paradigms, and relevance to current issues and events.
Books/Materials: Required reading: Chapter 3, Buddhism, in The Religions of Man by Huston Smith. Optional: Each participant is encouraged to read any book by the Dalai Lama, Thich Nhat Hanh, or Pema Chodron before class begins. Class size is limited to 20.
Class Type: Reading/Discussion/DVD
The Nine
Wednesdays 9:30 - 11:30
John Kellogg, Tom Woodford
Using THE NINE, Inside the Secret World of the Supreme Court, by Jeffrey Toobin, the main objective of the course will be to attain a "feel" for the personalities of the present Justices, based on their past decisions and the personal information reported in the book. We will consider some of the issues to be decided during the next few months and see whether we can make any predictions. As will be shown, predicting what Supreme Court Justices will do most always offers the chance for surprises
Books/Materials: THE NINE, Inside the Secret World of the Supreme Court, Jeffrey Toobin.
Class Type: Lecture/Discussion/Possible Guest Speakers
Current Events
Wednesdays 1:00 - 3:00
Marianne Towey, Mary Meinig
What is happening in this country and in the world around us? What do these events mean to you and others in the class? What trends are developing and where are they going? News items brought by facilitators and participants that stimulate discussion will be selected from daily media and analyzed. Analysis will include trends, perceptions, and long-term impacts. Participants will receive articles by mail for discussion on the first day of class. All will be encouraged to express their views. Emphasis throughout will be placed on keeping discussion moving and on-subject, involving all in discussion and summarizing, where appropriate.
Book/Materials: News items
Class type: Discussion/Guest Speakers
Palestine and the Arab-Israeli Conflict
Wednesdays 1:00 - 3:00
Jim Elliott
During and since his presidency (1977-81), Jimmy Carter has been actively involved in seeking peace in the Arab-Israeli conflict. His main contribution to this cause was in negotiating the Camp David Accords of 1979 that resulted in a peace treaty between Egypt and Israel. In 2002, President Carter was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize “for his untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts” and, in particular, for his contributions to the Camp David Accords. Discussion in this class will be focused on Jimmy Carter’s recent (2006) book, Palestine: Peace not Apartheid. This book is a political memoir on the author’s involvement in the peace process, events since his presidency, and a summary of United Nations resolutions and peace agreements and proposals pertaining to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. President Carter also states his opinions regarding how a lasting peace agreement, based on a two-state solution, might be achieved. The book has proved to be provocative and controversial. In this class we will critically read Carter’s book and discuss its strengths and shortcomings. Other materials will include videotaped lectures and handouts.
Books/Materials: Palestine: Peace not Apartheid; Jimmy Carter. Handouts will be provided. A materials fee of $5 is to be paid to OLLI by separate check with registration fee.
Class Type: Reading/Discussion/Video
THURSDAY
World War II – Why the Allies
Thursday 9:30 - 11:30
Ted Gooding, Tom Thorne
British historian Richard Overy’s book addresses why it was Germany and Japan, having won an unprecedented series of victories in 1941 and seemingly poised to dominate the world, were reeling backward in the face of Allied assault a year later. The war on the seas in the Atlantic, the bombing war over the skies of Europe, the ability of the Soviets to sustain their battle lines, the Normandy Invasion, key battles, e.g., Stalingrad, Kursk, Midway, and other elements of war—production, technology, morale and politics will all be treated.
Books and materials: The text will be Why The Allies Won, Richard Overy, W.W. Norton and company, 1996.
Class type: Lecture/Discussion/Videos/Student Presentations/ Guest Speakers—Airmen, Sailors and Soldiers from both the Allied and Axis sides.
Greek Mythology I
Thursdays 9:30 - 11:30
Carol Anthony
This class will survey the most important and well-known deities and tales of classical Greek mythology. Emphasis in Part I is to familiarize participants with those gods and goddesses that are most prominent in contemporary literature and culture. Have you ever wondered why that stuff we eat for breakfast is called 'cereal'? What is the science called 'vulcanology' and why is it called that? Do you have any hope of winning the Mythology board game? Attention will be paid to the intrinsic meanings of the gods, and to many areas where their references are prominent, particularly common words that derive their meaning from myth - like literature, particularly poetry. Much of the literature you read will have more meaning after you recognize the mythological references (and don't get me started on the art museum!). There is not enough time to do even an initial survey of classical myth in an 8-week session, so a second course (Greek Myth II) will complete the initial survey (focusing on heroes and heroic cycles). We will also take a look, in part II at the unique characteristics of Roman mythology.
Books/Materials: Mythologyby Edith Hamilton (buy the paperback edition).
Class type: Lecture/Discussion
The Play's the Thing!
Thursdays 1:00 - 3:00
Treva Hancock
Class members will read parts in selected plays. No acting experience needed! You, the participant, will enjoy the sheer delight of playing a variety of roles via reading. Scripts will be available the week before the reading of the play. Arthur Miller, Wendy Wasserstein, Edward Albee, George Bernard Shaw are playwrights to be included. The class schedule will also include sessions with directors of local theaters: Rick Bernstein of the Miner's Alley, Rod Lansbury of the Arvada Center, Ed Baierlein of the Germinal Stage. These guests will give a glimpse of their theaters, the local theater scene as well as a time for Q & A..The class size is limited to 15.
Books/Materials: Handouts (plays). $10 materials fee to be paid by separate check to OLLI West.
Class Type: Discussion/Play reading/Guest speakers
New Science and a New Theology
Thursdays 1:00- 3:00
Pat Emery
Through lecture, reading, video, reflection and discussion, participants will look at what modern science is telling us about the universe and how these findings may form the basis of a theology which, though quite different than the traditional view of the divine, can help us find connection and meaning in our place in the grand scheme of things. Key concepts in quantum, relativity, chaos and string theories, as well as recent findings in cosmology and life sciences will be explored without using mathematics. Readings from authors as diverse as Brian Greene, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Paul Davies and others, will supplement the explorations. A concept of the divine not only compatible with, but even suggested by these key concepts science will be presented, as will ways to use this knowledge to enrich our experience of connection with the universe in our daily lives.
Books/Materials: Handout will be provided. A materials fee of $10 is to be paid to OLLI by separate check with registration fee.
Class Type: Lecture/Discussion/Video