Fall 2011 Course Schedule

Below is the list of our Fall 2011 courses available for you to choose. After making your selections remember to complete and print out your registration form. Feel free to browse our 10:00am, 11:30am and 12:45pm classes below.

11:30 Courses

Exploring Opera

Sessions 1-5

To help defer the cost of the extensive handouts, we ask for a voluntary donation of $5, payable in class.

TEACHER: Helen Sagan is a recently retired music teacher from Wellesley. She has a BA and MA in music, with honors, from B.U. She is a member of Bostonís Chorus pro Musica and has sung in Boston and NYC (Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center) and with the Opera Co. of Boston. She has given opera talks for over 15 years.

BACK TO THE TOP

Background on Current Turmoil in Moslem Central Asia & Mid-East

This course explores the historic, economic and cultural background of this highly volatile region that is in the news daily. Billions of dollars are being spent, and many American lives lost, in Iraq and Afghanistan. U.S. involvement will likely continue for years unless policies change. The issues are complex.

TEACHER: Maurice (Mo) Freedman, P.E., CRE, spent five decades as a civil engineer and developer working on projects in over 12 countries on all inhabited continents, frequently in the Moslem Mid-East and Central Asia, often residing there. Insights gained led to extensive reading and formation of thoughts. Has lectured at Harvard and MIT. Related reading will be encouraged.

BACK TO THE TOP

Recent Jazz History: Listen, View & Discuss

An introduction to modern jazz, concentrating on advancements since 1945. We will listen and view videos of greats Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, and John Coltrane, and other "underground" yet influential players and groups. Listening will be enhanced with lectures and discussions on topics such as: the components of jazz composition, improvisation, how jazz evolved to where it is today, crosscurrents with other styles, and "are they just trying to sound weird or am I not getting it?" Included will be discussion of the movements of this era: roots, swing, bop, hard bop, free jazz, jazz rock, Latin jazz, and smooth jazz.

TEACHER: Tom Doran is a jazz and rock musician. He has undertaken jazz studies at New England Conservatory and studied privately with the best area bass players. Tom plays regularly at Boston area clubs and functions. He also is trained in course delivery to adults.

BACK TO THE TOP

Celebrating Science

This lecture series will explore a wide variety of topics in current science and present them in a clear and concise manner. Lectures are spiced with human stories and ironic historical events that led to modern science.

TEACHER: Frank Villa is Director of InterFASE, the International Faith and Science Exchange, based at the Boston Theological Institute.

BACK TO THE TOP

Theater: Ibsen & Shaw Masters of the Problem Play

When one thinks of the sub-genre of realism referred to as the problem play: Ibsen and Shaw come to mind. Ibsen was the pioneer and Shaw his most devoted admirer. Both seriously challenged audiences to face important social issues with different approaches. Ibsen's plays invariably ended in tragedy while Shaw, often referred to as "The Laughing Ibsen" was a master of wit. Volunteers will be encouraged to perform various scenes from the plays.

Plays to be read in (the order shown) are:

*The Shaw plays are available in Plays by George Bernard Shaw, Signet Classic, 1960 edition (reprinted circa 2004), ISBN978-0451529442.

TEACHER: Lois Ziegelman, PH.D., Professor Emerita from Framingham State College, where she taught World Language and Drama for 31 years. A recipient of five fellowships from the National Foundation for the Humanities, she has studied, taught, and performed works ranging from Classical Antiquity through the 20th century.

BACK TO THE TOP

Writing Your Story

Our memories are an essential part of who we are. Each of us has stories to tell and many reasons to write them down – to recapture treasured moments, to leave a record for children and grandchildren, and to understand the past. This class provides a community for those who want to share the fun and the challenge of writing autobiographical sketches. For those who can stay, the class will extend to 1:00 pm.

LEADER: Pat Herlinger, B.A., University of California, Berkeley. Elementary Teaching Certificate. Teaching experience at the elementary level (regular classroom, substitute, remedial).

BACK TO THE TOP

Introduction to Hypnosis

One session only. 1.5 hours
Note: Tentatively this class will be scheduled sometime in weeks 6-10 in the Opera class time slot after the Opera class ends. There will be no fee for this class.
In recent years, hypnosis gained increasing respect from the medical community and from the health plans for its effectiveness. Hypnosis is simply a relaxed state, allowing the mind to accept positive suggestions which help you let go of behaviors that are not working for you. This program will explain what hypnosis is and how it works. There will be plenty of time for questions. We will conclude with a 20 minute hypnosis session for relaxation and stress release.

TEACHER: Virginia Slep has spent several decades as a high school teacher. She now has a private practice in Clinical Hypnotherapy. She works closely with many doctors and has offered many programs in Boston and the MetroWest area.

BACK TO THE TOP

10am Courses | 11:30am Courses | 12:45pm Course