Fall 2023 Course dESCRIPTIONS

Classic Film Discussion

Coordinator

Course Description

Lights, camera, action! Join and discuss films selected primarily from Turner Classic Movies (TCM) shown the previous week and watched at your convenience in your own home. Think of us like a book club for movies, we discuss social relevance, learn about film techniques and cinematography, along with director and actor resume and history. You will be invited to join the Google Meet via email the morning of the discussion. Some movies may be shown off-hours so participants should have the ability to record/tape/or stream movies or obtain a DVD from their local library to fully participate.

Reading US History: Affairs of Honor: National Politics in the New Republic by Joanne Freeman

Coordinator

Course Description

We will read and discuss Joanne Freeman’s Affairs of Honor: National Politics in the New Republic. This prize-winning book looks at the era between adoption of the Constitution and the Hamilton-Burr duel. Without political parties, American leaders created a politics around the idea of honor. Combining political and cultural history, Freeman shows how gossip, newspapers, and dueling were important tools for politicians like Hamilton, Burr, Adams, Jefferson, and less known figures. Participants should come prepared at the first session to discuss the Introduction and the Prologue. Download here: Course Syllabus and Course Coordinator Bio.

Pathways to a Sustainable Planet

Coordinator

Course Description

This discussion group focuses on the challenges we face as we adapt to a sustainable society. We examine the consequences of our current path; acidification of the oceans, rising sea levels, migration, increasing temperature, etc. And we explore how these consequences of climate change could be mitigated by using carbon-free energy sources. We’ll learn about opportunities afforded by nuclear and other carbon-free forms of energy and their effects on electrical distribution, as well as our own food choices, and how we promote biodiversity. We will also take a field trip to a recycling facility.

Money Skills for Retirees

Coordinator

Course Description

Retirees have different financial challenges than younger people. In general, we are no longer saving for retirement, but we are continuing to grow and use the money that we saved. We’ll cover topics such as the importance of diversification, taxes and retirement, investment decision-making, handling retirement fund distributions, creating qualified charitable distributions, leaving our kids money, understanding what should be in taxable vs tax deferred accounts and using tools (like the Morningstar rankings) in making investment decisions. The class is designed so that we’ll learn just as much from the experiences of our classmates as we will from guest speakers. We plan to have a mix of presentations, guest speakers and reviews of our investing successes and failures.

Novels New and Old

Coordinator

Course Description

During the Fall session we will discuss the following novels: 9/18 Safe From the Sea, by Peter Geye; 9/25 Winesburg, Ohio by Sherwood Anderson; 10/2 & 10/9 Rules of Civility, by Amor Towles; 10/16 Nickel Boys, by Colin Whitehead; 10/23 Red at the Bone, by Jacqueline Woodson; 10/30 & 11/6 In Dubious Battle, by John Steinbeck; 11/13 & 11/20 Intimacies, by Katie Kitamura.

Exploring Creativity

Coordinator

Course Description

This class is an ongoing workshop where individuals work on their personal art goals in a sharing environment. Participants can exchange knowledge and offer “gentle” feedback to each other if they want to. Bring the supplies you will need for your own project. We are fortunate to use this space. Come and make a commitment to yourself to do art at least two hours per week. Join a group of people who enjoy working on their art together in a peaceful and supportive environment.

Biography

Coordinator

Course Description

We are biography readers who enjoy sharing our experiences. Presentations are participants’ responsibility. It is optional for participants to do a presentation. We look at biographies of widely different people: historical; political; show business; environmentalists, etc.

CANCELLED: Five Great Thinkers - in Person on the Good Life

Coordinator

Course Description

I would like to explore the thought of five great Western thinkers as they consider the Good Life – what it is, what stands in the way of its achievement, and how to reach it. We will discuss one thinker each week: Plato, Henry David Thoreau, Walt Whitman, Friedrich Nietzshe, and Sigmund Freud. The presentation proceeds through the voice of each thinker (that is, I roleplay them as I did in the courses I taught at the UW-Madison). This course is about their ideas, expressed in their voices. It is not devoted to critiquing their ideas or suggesting that the presenter himself is a great thinker! Time for questions and challenges to each thinker will be provided in the later part of each course.

Short Stories and Essays

Coordinator

Course Description

For those who love reading and discussion, this is the perfect entertainment. One hour each is devoted to a short story and an essay. There is always a lively, opinionated, and friendly atmosphere with a welcome for all participants. Come join us as we delve into the ever-fascinating world of short stories and essays created by some of the best writers who have put pen to paper. Texts include: Best American Short Stories 2022 and Best American Essays 2022.

Truth Decay - Annual Checkup

Coordinator

Course Description

“Truth” continues to decay as a concept and as a reality. We will check in on recent developments and review the basic theories of free speech, a free press, objective science and objective journalism, public relations, and propaganda. The course begins with a review of these concepts before the Internet and social media. We will focus more heavily, however, on how these technologies have upset assumptions about the path to truth. Download the Course Syllabus.

Whither the State

Coordinator

Course Description

Review of state and national political developments. Examination of key public policy issues affecting U.S. economy and society.

An Amazing Walk through Prehistoric Time

Coordinator

Course Description

Earth’s geologic timeline offers an immense and bewildering array of mysterious predators, and catastrophic mass extinctions that defied conventional wisdom! Join me on a new journey that includes a front-row seat to the death of the dinosaurs to the latest research on resurrecting the woolly mammoth. You will not want to miss this one!

BOOK Discussion: "THE FLAG, THE CROSS AND THE STATION WAGON"

Coordinator

Course Description

In his latest rendition, Bill McKibben – an award winning author, activist, and educator – digs deep into our history (and his own well-intentioned, if misguided, past) to explore how the U.S. got to this point in 2023 on a planet whose future is in peril by climate change, and racial and economic inequality. Book Title: The Flag, the Cross, and the Station Wagon: A Graying American Looks Back at His Suburban Boyhood and Wonders What the Hell Happened.

JAZZ

Coordinator

Course Description

We are a congenial group of jazz enthusiasts ranging from eager newcomers to seasoned aficionados. All jazz genres are thoughtfully presented through class participation, documentaries, and visiting jazz musicians and scholars. We welcome all levels of jazz knowledge and no musical skills are required. (NOTE FOR PARTICIPATION: We encourage class participation. There are no assignments, however, your enthusiasm is deeply appreciated and presentations are welcome.)

WHY FREE SPEECH IS NOT A FREE PASS

Coordinator

Course Description

Contrary to the belief of some that “It is a free country; I can say whatever I want,” the First Amendment has limits, but when? If someone provokes a mob to storm the United States Capitol, is the speech protected? Do you have a right to be heard? Should you be forced to listen? Can you be compelled to speak? Does social media have to follow the same rules? Do your opinions fall in line with Supreme Court rulings? Course members will discuss these boundaries and various theories of free speech. Download Course Syllabus.

HISTORY OF THE HOLLYWOOD MUSICAL

Coordinator

Course Description

This is a chronological history of the film musical beginning with The Jazz Singer (1927) and continuing on through each decade. The films have been chosen due to their historical significance as well as their popularity at the box office. Download the Course Syllabus.

U.S. HISTORY: 1961-1975 –15 YEARS THAT CHANGED AMERICA

Coordinator

Course Description

The course covers the period from 1961-1975, focusing on the fundamental changes that happened politically, culturally, etc. that significantly changed our nation and set the stage for many of the issues and challenges that we are confronting today. Emphasis will be on the civil rights movement, Vietnam War, The Great Society, reconfigured of politics, divisions in cultural values, rising youth culture, women’s movement, sexual revolution, LGBTQ movement, music, technology, etc. Weekly links to readings will be emailed to participants. Classes will include video presentations and discussions.

Current Events – A.M.

Coordinator

Course Description

This class will discuss local, national and international, hot and current, events. Some topics will be very current and others will be ongoing issues. Topics will be determined each week, at the start of the session. All viewpoints are encouraged. The format will be very casual and interactive. Participants are encouraged to forward relevant links, during the week, about current topics, for discussion.

Continuing Philosophy

Coordinator

Course Description

We will read and discuss the book Who Am I and If So How Many? A Journey Through Your Mind, by Richard David Precht.

Four Painter Profiles and Two Virtual Museum Tours

Coordinator

Course Description

Discover the rich artistic heritage of four 17th century Baroque artists: Caravaggio, Gianlorenzo Bernini, Rembrandt, and Jan Vermeer during these fully illustrated PowerPoint presentations. Then delight in works of art found in two Washington, D.C. museums: the National Gallery of Art and the National Museum of Women in the Arts.

Global Affairs and the Media

Coordinator

Course Description

We focus on international events and concerns, addressing American issues only as they relate to the rest of the world. An invited speaker or a member of the group will make a presentation of about 40 minutes followed by your questions and comments for perhaps 20 minutes. If the speaker is joining us remotely, we will take a break before the Q&A. We'll then discuss items of interest that members have brought to the meeting (members are invited to bring a news clipping or summary of an item of interest). We hope to increase our exposure to high-quality sources of news and information. Note that we have a fourth coordinator: designer and tech support for our hybrid system, James Danowski, jdanowski@gmail.com, 630-726-6442.

Introduction to Mindfulness Meditation

Coordinator

Course Description

The class is a systematic overview of the fundamentals of Mindfulness Meditation. While the source of this style of Mindfulness Meditation is in Buddhism, the goal is not to focus on the religious aspects of Buddhism, but rather on meditation as an important life skill. Classes will cover aspects of the meditation experience in sequence: breath, body, emotion, thought, and other topics such as mindfulness in daily life. Each class will include a presentation, guided meditation, and discussion. Class content is primarily sourced from well-known meditation teacher Gil Fransdal.

Drawing as a Sacred Activity

Coordinator

Course Description

Heather's drawing class is for people interested in developing their creativity. Every class begins with a brief meditation – offering insights about perception. Each class has one or two drawing exercises. In our first class we will briefly share our stories and what we hope to gain in this course. During classes #2-7 we will focus on the 5 keys to observational drawing -–focusing on the world around us. In classes #8-13 we will focus on imaginative drawing – focusing on the world within us (memories, hopes, dreams, intuition). In class #14 we will review and discuss moving forward.

Current Events – P.M.

Coordinator

Course Description

This is an in-depth discussion course on current events in Wisconsin, the United States and the World. Course members choose the topics and lead and moderate a discussion or two. We email readings and website links prior to each discussion. Each presenter may invite a guest with some first-hand knowledge or experience on the topic for the discussion.

Film History

Coordinator

Course Description

Film History, a ten-session film course covering the late '50's, features top American and International films (not all of them!). This history course will draw on actual history – real places, real people – transformed, not by screenwriters, but by actual people, actual encounters, and actual events. But NO documentaries! Not one minute of screentime. Excepting the fact that every film is a documentary of itself, but that's a whole other discussion...

Writing Workshop – WED.

Coordinator

Course Description

“The scariest moment is always just before you start.” Said Stephen King, in On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft . Maybe you haven’t written the first word. Possibly you’re polishing that manuscript. Our writers’ group will provide you with the feedback, structure and support you need to push forward or get started. All writers are welcome, regardless of your experience or the type of writing you wish to pursue.

Andy Millman’s writing has appeared in several outlets, including “Whistling Shade,” “Points in Case,” “Midwest Review,” “The Big Jewel,” “Zest Literary Journal,” “Black Heart Magazine,” “Flash Fiction Magazine,” “The Helix,” and “Pif Magazine.”

What in the World Happened

Coordinator

Course Description

This course is made up of presentations on eclectic historical topics of interest. Examples of topics come from natural disasters, historical battles, assassinations, political events etc. Presentations last 45 minutes to an hour (or more, depending upon presenter and topic), with time remaining for questions and answers. Enthusiastic Q & A’s are the norm. Topics this semester are determined by the group.

Book Study Group: Poverty, by America

Coordinator

Course Description

This ten-session discussion class, using Matthew Desmond’s 2023 book, Poverty, by America will examine Desmond’s analysis of, and prescriptions for, abolishing poverty in the U.S. The goals of the class, therefore, are to deepen our understanding of poverty and, to the extent possible, evaluate Desmond’s proposals – both structurally and personally – for coming to grips with what appears to be a permanent feature of American life. Those familiar with Desmond’s earlier work, Evicted, are well acquainted with his solid use of data along with personal engagement with those effected by the structures we tolerate and foster. As part of this study the class will also look at the national movement called Mayors for a Guaranteed Income and the Madison equivalent, the Madison Forward Fund. Both are innovative, and controversial, approaches to poverty. Download the Course Syllabus.

Writing Workshop – THURS.

Coordinator

Course Description

“The scariest moment is always just before you start.” Said Stephen King, in On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft . Maybe you haven’t written the first word. Possibly you’re polishing that manuscript. Our writers’ group will provide you with the feedback, structure and support you need to push forward or get started. All writers are welcome, regardless of your experience or the type of writing you wish to pursue.

Andy Millman’s writing has appeared in several outlets, including “Whistling Shade,” “Points in Case,” “Midwest Review,” “The Big Jewel,” “Zest Literary Journal,” “Black Heart Magazine,” “Flash Fiction Magazine,” “The Helix,” and “Pif Magazine.”

The Play's the Thing

Coordinator

Course Description

Each semester we read (aloud) and discuss three or four plays using an integrated approach which allows everyone to participate. Participant volunteers will each present a brief background of each play and playwright before reading begins. This semester we will read: Barefoot in the Park and The Odd Couple by Neil Simon; Charlie’s Aunt by Brandon Thomas, and Table Manners and Living Together  and parts of The Norman Conquests by Alan Ayckbourn.

We Love a Mystery

Coordinator

Course Description

The class meets every two weeks (or every other week) to discuss and critique contemporary mystery novels. Members take turns leading the discussion focusing on the author, settings, characters, plot development, and conclusion. Readings are chosen at the end of each semester for the next semester. Novels can be found in the South Central Library System. Download the Course Calendar.

Reading the Classics

Coordinator

Course Description

This semester we will be reading Absalom, Absalom! by William Faulkner and Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston. We will use the Vintage International edition for Faukner with ISBN 9780679732181. For Hurston we will use the HarperCollins edition with ISBN 9780060838676. For the first meeting please read Chapters 1 and 2, through page 45, of Absalom, Absalom!.

PLATO Travel

Coordinator

Course Description

PLATO Travel Group participants are adventurous, curious, and anxious to share their experiences and information from trips all over the planet. Members present travelogues of their adventures and information on their destinations in a friendly atmosphere where exchange and discussion are welcome. The group compiles information on various travel companies and tips for specific trips, and members socialize and explore trip materials during a mid-presentation break. We encourage members to bring friends interested in a trip topic and/or joining PLATO, and armchair travelers are always welcome! Download PLATO Travel Syllabus – Revised 10-02-23.

Ontology Work Chamber

Coordinator

Course Description

We will read and discuss one chapter each week of the book, Self Remembering: The Path to Non-judgmental Love, by Red Hawk. The Ontology Work Chamber is an open place for individuals who are interested in practicing the "WORK" of letting go of ego-separate-self and awakening to True Self as Soul, Spirit, and Consciousness. The "WORK" of awakening is not done in isolation – it is done with others – and with the guidance of a Mentor.