SCHEDULE OF COURSES Fall II 2013
October 28 – December 13
DIRECTOR’S NOTE
When in college, I loved gathering to discuss ideas at the Drake, a bagel and coffee shop in the heart of the U of M campus. We talked of books and philosophy, of science, history, art theology – a whole range of new revelations. Today, at OLLI, I hear similar conversations in our classes and during our coffee breaks, and realize that although time has changed, the thirst for good conversation and connection has not. Our students are learning and forming lasting friendships in this community of lifelong learners. Thanks to all of you, OLLI is thriving, and it’s because of your continual participation, ideas, and financial support - so we thank you.
COURSE HIGHLIGHTS The History of the Papacy page 4
Child Custody and Its Impact on Families page 5
The Supreme Court in the Crosshairs: Lessons in Judicial Power and Politics
Sheila Pantlind
page 6
MONDAY The History of Immunizations 9:30-11:30 a.m. The DEFA Films of (East) Berlin 1-3 p.m. The Development of the American Civil War 9:30-11:30 a.m. History of the Papacy 9:30-11:30 a.m. Going West: Fact, Fiction, and the American Frontier 1:30-3:30 p.m. Antique Talk with Chuck & Ward 9:30-11:30 a.m. The Origins of Detroit’s Urban Crisis 1:30-3:30 p.m. Zen for Christians 9:30-11:30 a.m. Child Custody & Its Impact on Families 1:30-3:30 p.m.
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
A Verdi Bicentennial God-talk: 9:30-11:30 a.m. Language and Religion This is Where I Stand – Discussions 9:30-11:30 a.m. on the Issues of Today 11:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m. Cooking Up Good Memories 1:30-3:30 p.m. The Supreme Court in the Crosshairs: Lessons in Judicial Power & Politics 9:30-11:30 a.m. Phantoms from the Deep – Great Comets in Lore and Reality 1:30-3:30 p.m. The Ten Commandments: A Fresh Look 1:30-3:30 p.m. Immigrants and Industrialists: Grand Rapids from Boomtown to Furniture City 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Hemingway in Paris 1:30-3:30 p.m. French Colonial Algeria 9:30-11:30 a.m. ADHD: Strategy Workshop 9:30-11:30 a.m. What Happens When You Tickle an Elephant’s Toes? 1:30-3:30 p.m. Celebrating the “Nobodies” Among Us 9:30-11:30 a.m.
THURSDAY The American Song Book: 1918 – 1970 9:30-11:30 a.m. Underrated and Overlooked: U.S. Presidents We Should Know Better 1:30-3:30 p.m. A View of American Exceptionalism 1:30-3:30 p.m.
FRIDAY Tour of the West Michigan Aviation Academy 10-11:30 a.m. Spiritual Pilgrimage to India: Bodh-Gaya, Delhi and More 9:30-11:30 a.m. Popular Music of the 1960s 9:30-11:30 a.m.
The Global Importance of Turkey: Past & Present 3:30-5:30 p.m.
The Ten Commandments: A Fresh Look page 7
God-talk: Language and Religion page 7
What Happens When You Tickle an Elephant’s Toes? page 8
Popular Music of the 1960s page 10
FREE MEMBER CLASSES page 10
Call for special opportunities for The Power of Music Series at Fountain Street Church & OLLI. 616.632.2430
Fast Food Constitution Part I MONDAYS, Nov. 18 & 25
OLLI Welcomes… Santa Claus! THURSDAY, Dec. 12
OLLI Membership Structure (September 2013 – August 2014) For the 2013 - 2014, OLLI academic year, we are again offering a tiered membership designed to provide you with options and monetary savings. As you see below there are 3 different memberships from which to choose. The more classes you take, the more you can save. Membership Structure (M = member; NM = non-member) 4 week class 3 week class 2 week class 1 week class M NM M NM M NM M NM $63 $76 $52 $62 $35 $42 $16 $21 Bronze Membership: $25 Membership fee
Silver Membership: $60 Membership fee
Gold Membership: $385 Membership fee
See the above member versus non-member pricing for savings.
Pricing for this membership allows members to receive greater discounts compared to a Bronze.
Pay $385 and take all the classes and most special events at no additional cost. Fees may be charged for selected events, trips, or class materials.
4 week class - $63 to $50 3 week class - $52 to $42 2 week class - $35 to $30 1 week class - $16 to $12
For further explanation of why one should become a Bronze, Silver or Gold member please call 616.632.2430. Essentially, taking a total of 16 class hours (any combination of 1, 2, 3 or 4 week classes at 2 hr/week) makes it worth becoming a Bronze member. Taking a total of 24 class hours makes it worth becoming a Silver member, and taking 48 class hours makes it worth becoming a Gold member. By becoming an OLLI member, you are eligible to take Free Member Classes designated in each catalog.
Advantages of Membership • • • •
Great discounts on classes. The more you take, the better the value. Free Member Classes. Discounted prices on local performing arts and events. The option (with instructor approval) of auditing a regular Aquinas College class for $150.
Become an OLLI Member today!
Please call 616.632.2430 or send in a completed registration form to: OLLI at Aquinas College 1607 Robinson Rd SE Grand Rapids, MI 49506
Scholarships Available We want our classes to be available to all who wish to participate in them. Please contact Corey McAleenan Boehm at 616.632.2430 to discuss scholarship opportunities. If you have an idea for a class or know someone who would teach a great class for us, contact Carol Gunsch at 616.632.2444. We appreciate all your suggestions. Call to register: 616.632.2430
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OLLI’S ANNUAL FUND DRIVE HELP US GROW!
It is the time of year when we ask you to support our Annual Campaign for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Aquinas College. We hope that you will help us in continuing to provide outstanding educational opportunities for those over 50 in the greater Grand Rapids community. While earnings from our Osher Endowment finance about 20% of our program, more than 80% comes from our Annual Fund drive, tuition, memberships and fund-raising events. Therefore, your help continues to be very important. Your contributions will help keep our programs strong and vibrant, enable us to continue to offer a wide variety of classes and experiences, provide you great value for the money you spend, and continue to attract the best instructors. When you give to OLLI, we will place your name (with permission) on our “tree” inside the Browne Center. As always, we appreciate all you do to support us. Because of your generosity, we will be able to provide another year of outstanding programs and professors! A gift of ANY SIZE is a gift of knowledge and makes a big difference in the program and the educational opportunities for members.
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OLLI TUITION COURSES
MONDAY The History of Immunizations Monday, 9:30-11:30 a.m. October 28 Dr. Ed Cox, associate professor of pediatrics at MSU College of Human Medicine, is a retired pediatrician and former director of the Division of Academic General Pediatrics at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital. He has served on many committees for the American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Cox will give a review of immunizations and their impact on disease prevention. In the last 100 years, most of the feared infections that took thousands of lives have been reduced or eliminated through the use of vaccines. We will look at the history of vaccine development and the dramatic changes in child mortality because of this cornerstone of healthcare. M: Bronze $16 Silver $12 NM: $21 Location: Browne Center
The DEFA Films of (East) Berlin Monday, 1-3 p.m. October 28, November 4 & 11 Dr. Katharina Hausler-Gross is associate professor of German/ Foreign language methodology and head of the German studies program at Aquinas. She teaches courses on German language, culture, history, civilization, business and film. Katharina will explore selected feature films that were produced by the state-owned East German DEFA studios. Katharina, a native of the former East Germany, will discuss the strong CommunistStalinist influence that was
Call to register: 616.632.2430
responsible for the selection of “acceptable and desirable” film themes and motifs. Students will learn a variety of cinematic jewels that reflect everyday life in socialism including: propaganda films; the “new” German cinema of the 60’s (the forbidden films); and the Wendeflicks, films that were made during the fall of the Berlin Wall. M: Bronze $52 Silver $42 NM: $62 Location: Browne Center
The Development of the American Civil War Monday, 9:30-11:30 a.m. November 4 & 11 Dr. Michael J. Deeb earned his M.A. from MSU and his doctorate from Wayne State University. When he retired he wrote a series of Civil War era historical novels, The Drieborg Chronicles. He is currently working on a sixth in that series. Michael is also a guest lecturer with the American Cruise Lines on their Mississippi River cruises. The beginnings of the American Civil War will be discussed in this two part course. Michael will first examine the end of the Era of Compromise in 1850 that led into the descent toward secession in 1860-1861. In the final class, he will address the decision for war, the development of war strategy, and the results in both the Eastern and Western theatres. M: Bronze $35 Silver $30 NM: $42 Location: Browne Center
History of the Papacy Monday, 9:30-11:30 a.m. November 4, 11, 18 & 25 Dr. Alice Chapman is an assistant professor of medieval history at GVSU. She teaches Medieval Europe, the Making of Europe 4
and the European Civilization. Alice has a Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge and a M.A. in religion from the School of Divinity at Yale University. In Matthew 16:18, Jesus said, “… you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it.” As early as the gospels, Peter has been portrayed not only as the rock upon which Christ established the church, but also as the first pope. From the Petrine office to the rise of papal monarchy in the thirteenth century, to the current Pope Francis I, the papacy is the oldest continuous living institution in the west stretching back over two thousand years in unbroken succession. Alice will discuss the following questions: How were early popes selected? When did the Cardinals become the electors of the pope? How has the institution changed over time? M: Bronze $63 Silver $50 NM: $76 Location: Browne Center
Going West: Fact, Fiction, and the American Frontier Monday, 1:30-3:30 p.m. November 4, 11 & 18 Dr. John Pinheiro, associate professor of history at Aquinas College and director of the Catholic Studies program, holds a Ph.D. in history from the University of Tennessee. Prior to joining the Aquinas faculty, he served as assistant editor of the Presidential Series of the Papers of George Washington at the University of Virginia. Along with his co-editor, Dr. Pinheiro presented volume 12 of the Presidential Series to President Bush in an Oval Office ceremony in April 2005. This course will explore the history of westward expansion from colonial times through the early 1900s. Dr. Pinheiro will focus on the motives and consequences behind the westward movement by English
colonists and then Americans. He will also discuss myths about life on the frontier. M: Bronze $52 Silver $42 NM: $62 Location: Browne Center
Antique Talk with Chuck & Ward Monday, 9:30-11:30 a.m. November 18 Ward Paul & Charles Schoenknect are two of Grand Rapids’ best when it comes to antiques. Their knowledge and expertise of antiques is unsurpassed in West Michigan. They have hosted and appraised many local road shows as fund raisers for non-profit organizations and they are always an OLLI favorite. If you think antique prices are high today, go back to 1886 when Mrs. Mary Morgan’s Chinese Ming Dynasty “Peach” colored porcelain vase sold for $18,000. This was the beginning of the staggering prices for antiques and artistic imitations which are highly valued by collectors today. Chuck and Ward will talk about antiques: the history, the values, the ups and downs, the importance of quality, and much more. They will also give value estimates of one antique piece per student. M: Bronze $16 Silver $12 NM: $21 Location: Browne Center
The Origins of Detroit’s Urban Crisis Monday, 1:30-3:30 p.m. November 25 & December 2 Matthew Daley, Ph.D., is associate professor of history at GVSU. Dr. Daley’s research focuses on urban public and social policy, Great Lakes maritime culture and
technology, and public history. He is editor of the Grand Rapids Historical Society’s magazine Grand River Valley History. Detroit has always been a city deeply mired in social and economic crisis. The split between city and suburb, metropolitan area and state has led most state residents to view Detroit as a kind of a failed state. The appointment of an emergency financial manager, periodic state management of schools, and endless media coverage of crime and violence has only reinforced that perception. Yet, these issues did not emerge overnight; Detroit has experienced the worst of what is termed the “urban crisis” of the 20th century. Though usually viewed as a result of the upheavals of the 1960s forces that began to transform the American urban landscape emerged as early as the 1940s. These forces included the impact of race, class, and the impact of segregation on the workplace, residence, and education. This course examines the key issues that have pushed the city towards crisis including cultural changes, social mobility, economic globalization, the decline of the American automobile industry, and public policy decisions at the local, state, and national level. M: Bronze $35 Silver $30 NM: $42 Location: Browne Center
Zen for Christians Monday, 9:30-11:30 a.m. December 2 & 9 Deokkwum Russell Pitts is a Buddhist monk with the Korean Buddhist Taego Order. Sunim, as he is called, is the abbot of the Grand Rapids Zen Center and Buddhist Temple.
understanding of one’s Christian faith and how to transfer that belief into everyday life. Zen is a way of looking at life as well as a practice of meditative insight. He will discuss how Zen teachings can be applied to fundamental Christian beliefs. M: Bronze $35 Silver $30 NM: $42 Location: Browne Center
Child Custody and Its Impact on Families Monday, 1:30-3:30 p.m. December 2 & 9 Michael J. Dunn is a criminal defense attorney in West Michigan practicing in both state and federal courts. He is a professor of law at Thomas M. Cooley Law School where he teaches several courses dealing with criminal law and children’s law. He is also co-host of the syndicated radio show, The Lawyer’s Show with Professor Curt Benson. This class will focus on the many forms of child custody and visitation rights. It will address the following: How the courts decide primary parent and joint legal and physical custody; how the courts examine the “best interests” of the child; the custodial environment and safety of the children; the legal rights of grandparents in raising or visiting their grandchildren; and the role of Child Protective Services. This topic is complicated, yet so important in today’s world. M: Bronze $35 Silver $30 NM: $42 Location: Browne Center
Zen is an Eastern contemplative practice that can enrich and enhance one’s Christian faith and practice. This class will explore how Zen practice can bring a deeper 5
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COURSES CONT.
TUESDAY A Verdi Bicentennial Tuesday, 9:30-11:30 a.m. October 29, November 5, 12 & 19 Gil Davis, professor emeritus at GVSU, has been writing and presenting opera previews in West Michigan for the past 30 years as well as teaching courses in opera and poetry. To celebrate Verdi’s 200th birthday, we will examine his long career, sampling his 26 operas, from Oberto (1839) to Falstaff (1893). Along the way we will also have a look at his celebrated Messa da Requiem (1874). Our sampling will be from the many DVD recordings now available. And, since Verdi’s life was bound to his art, we will also look at the salient details of his life. M: Bronze $63 Silver $50 NM: $76 Location: Browne Center
This is Where I Stand – Discussions on the Issues of Today Tuesday, 11:45 a.m. - 1:15 p.m. October 29, November 5, 12 & 19 Dave Kampfschulte is president of Amazing Circles Workshops. Using his energy, humor, empathy and experience as a certified grief specialist, Dave’s workshops are interactive and enlightening. If you have been searching for stimulating conversation and the chance to reflect on your opinions and beliefs, stop your search right now – this is the class for you! Participants will have the opportunity to discuss where they stand on the issues of today along with trying to define terms
Call to register: 616.632.2430
like spirituality and success. Lively discussion will follow as participants explain their reasoning behind their choices. You will leave with a reinforced clarification of your belief system and a better understanding of others who may hold opinions different from your own. M: Bronze $40 Silver $32 NM: $60 Location: Browne Center
Cooking Up Good Memories Tuesday, 1:30-3:30 p.m. October 29, November 5*, 19 & 26 Deb Moore assists people with recording their life stories through her business, The Stories of Your Life. She makes presentations on memoir-writing and the importance of preserving life stories for future generations. This four-week course is a continuation of the Fall I session where we’ll continue to share family food traditions, recipes, and write the stories behind them. Our goal is to produce an OLLI Cookbook with the recipes and stories produced from both sessions. Along the way you will acquire the skills to produce a family cookbook of your own. Join the fun as we discuss favorite dishes, write the stories behind our recipes, and test your fellow participants’ recipes. M: Bronze $63 Silver $50 NM: $76 Location: Browne Center *Note: Skip date November 12
The Supreme Court in the Crosshairs: Lessons in Judicial Power & Politics Tuesday, 9:30-11:30 a.m. November 5 & 12 Dr. David Ryden, professor at Hope College, has a J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School and a Ph.D. from The Catholic 6
University of America. His areas of specialization are religion and politics, American constitutionalism, and parties and elections. He has authored or edited numerous articles and books. His two most recent books are Of Little Faith: The Politics of George W. Bush’s FaithBased Initiatives, and Sanctioning Religion? Politics, Law and FaithBased Public Services. Recent Supreme Court terms have found the High Court at the center of deep cultural and political conflicts, ranging from the constitutionality of affirmative action and the Affordable Care Act to the impact of race on electoral participation and constitutional approaches to marriage and gay rights. What does the Court’s treatment of these issues suggest about judicial power in America? Is the Court “the least dangerous branch,” guilty of judicial imperialism, or something in between? This course will use the above cases as a framework for examining the Court’s authority relative to the more popular branches of government and as it pertains to hotly contested, polarizing constitutional debates. These cases provide important insights into the political dimensions of the judicial process. Ultimately, they should help us to better understand the Court’s place in our democratic system and in the broader society. M: Bronze $35 Silver $30 NM: $42 Location: Browne Center
Phantoms from the Deep – Great Comets in Lore and Reality Tuesday, 1:30-3:30 p.m. November 5 & 12 David L. DeBruyn served as chief curator of the Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium for four decades before retiring in 2003. As Curator Emeritus,
he works on special projects for the Planetarium, and continues to write the column “West Michigan Skies” for The Grand Rapids Press. Dave continues to present astronomy lectures around the country. Late in 2013, one of the brightest comets in decades could become visible in our predawn West Michigan skies. The anticipation surrounding Comet ISON reminds us of great comets of the past and how they were perceived. Once feared as portents of worldly disaster or political unrest because they appeared unexpectedly and were unexplained, comets today are better understood and viewed as lovely celestial curiosities that do not always live up to expectations. M: Bronze $35 Silver $30 NM: $42 Location: Browne Center
The Ten Commandments: A Fresh Look Tuesday, 1:30-3:30 p.m. November 19 & 26 Dr. Albert Lewis, former director of the Emeritus College at Aquinas College, is a recognized author, speaker, rabbi, and specialist on aging. His weekly articles in The Grand Rapids Press are circulated throughout the U.S., Canada, and Great Britain. Msgr. Gaspar F. Ancona has been with the Grand Rapids’ Diocese since 1963 and authored Where the Star Came to Rest, a history of the Diocese. Monsignor Gaspar (Gus) Ancona and Rabbi Albert Lewis together will explore the origins, interpretations and evolving understandings of the Ten Commandments as found in Exodus 20: 1-17. Are these “laws and precepts” unique to the Hebrew people and those who followed them? Are there other cultures, even before the Hebrews with similar laws? Could you identify your “favorite commandment?” Which would be the most difficult for you to follow? Were they really given
to Moses? Join Msgr. Ancona and Rabbi Lewis as they dialogue with one another and engage the class in joyful and insightful conversation. M: Bronze $35 Silver $30 NM: $42 Location: Browne Center
Immigrants and Industrialists: How Grand Rapids Grew from Frontier Boom Town to Furniture City, 1865-1915 Tuesday, 1:30-3:30 p.m. December 3 & 10 Gordon Olson is Grand Rapids City Historian Emeritus. He is the author of numerous books about Grand Rapids including A Grand Rapids Sampler; A City Renewed; Thin Ice: Growing up in Grand Rapids; and A Michigan Polar Bear Confronts the Bolsheviks. When the Civil War drew to a close, Grand Rapids was a city of about 10,000 residents. By 1870, its population stood at more than 16,000 and would continue to grow until it reached more than 130,000, when the nation entered WWI. Who were all these new residents? Where did they come from? Why did they come to Grand Rapids? How did they support themselves and their families? And how did these newcomers shape the city? Using contemporary photographs and documents, Gordon will seek to answer these questions by describing the different European immigrants and the experiences they shared as they adjusted to their new homeland. He will also address questions about the furniture industry: How and why did it grow so dramatically? What were conditions like inside the city’s factories? Did Grand Rapids deserve its claimed title as the “Furniture Capital of the World?” And finally, what was the impact of the great furniture strike of 1911 on the city and its people?
WEDNESDAY God-talk: Language and Religion Wednesday, 9:30-11:30 a.m. October 30, November 6, 13 & 20 Gary Eberle is a professor of English at Aquinas College and the author of several books including Sacred Time and the Search for Meaning, and Dangerous Words: Talking About God in an Age of Fundamentalism. Eberle has twice been awarded Outstanding Member of the Faculty at the College. What do you mean when you say “God”? Why does this threeletter word pack such a powerful emotional punch? Using insights from the philosophy of language and the science of linguistics, this course will engage us in searching out and deepening our understanding of what we mean when we pronounce this deceptively simple word. To whom or what does the word refer? How do the world’s scriptures approach the naming of God? Are all the names of God pointing to the same reality? These and more questions will be explored as we develop an emerging theory of “theolinguistics,” the science of studying God-language. M: Bronze $63 Silver $50 NM: $76 Location: Browne Center
Hemingway in Paris Wednesday, 1:30-3:30 p.m. October 30, November 6, 13 & 20 Kathleen Longcore was an English instructor before joining The Grand Rapids Press as a writer and columnist for two decades. Since retiring from the newspaper in
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COURSES CONT. 2006, she has returned to teaching American literature and leading book discussions. Hemingway in Paris – it was the best of times and the worst of times for young Ernest Hemingway. Paris in the 1920s influenced his development into a great American writer. But, it was also the backdrop for a boozy and often back-stabbing lifestyle that led to the failure of his first marriage. M: Bronze $63 Silver $50 NM: $76 Location: Browne Center
French Colonial Algeria Wednesday, 9:30-11:30 a.m. November 13 & 20 Dr. Michel Pichot is an associate professor of French at Aquinas College. His area of specialization is history of French civilization. He has presented and published research on French social history of colonial Algeria. This course will be a brief survey of French Colonial Algeria from 1830 to 1962. Dr. Pichot will explore the conquest of Algeria by France, its settlement and development up to 1945. He will also discuss the period immediately after WWII until 1962 which includes the Algerian uprising that ended with independence granted by France. Dr. Pichot will share numerous anecdotes from his ancestors who lived in Algeria from 1848 to 1966. M: Bronze $35 Silver $30 NM: $42 Location: Browne Center
ADHD: Strategies You Can Use Wednesday, 9:30-11:30 a.m. December 4 Nanette Clatterbuck, M.Ed. is Dean of the School of Education at Aquinas College. Prior to this position, she served as the associate provost and was the program leader for the
Call to register: 616.632.2430
learning disabilities endorsement program. She started and served as the executive director of Lake Michigan Academy, a private school for students with learning disabilities and ADD. This hands-on interactive course will provide participants with materials, strategies, and knowledge that can be used to address the unique needs of individuals with ADHD. Students will construct and use materials during the class that can later be used in other learning and work environments. A brief overview highlighting recent research and interventions will also be provided. The structure of this course will maximize opportunities for participants to ask specific questions regarding their experiences. M: Bronze $16 Silver $12 NM: $21 Location: Browne Center
What Happens When You Tickle an Elephant’s Toes? Wednesday, 1:30-3:30 p.m. December 4 Kate Dernocoeur has a special love for animals, the natural world and remote settings. She has had the chance to explore about 38 countries. Kate is a volunteer firefighter and is active locally in Search and Rescue communities, especially the K9 units. She worked for 10 years as a paramedic, is a graduate of wilderness courses, earned her MFA in creative writing from WMU and last fall told OLLI students her adventure story of descending the Blue Nile River. Although some Asian elephants still live in the wild, the species is fast dwindling in numbers. Domesticated elephants are often misunderstood, and some endure tragically difficult lives. At the Elephant Nature Park in the hills of northern Thailand, 34 elephants 8
have found sanctuary, rescued from lives of abuse and neglect. This small Eden is where they roam freely, living out their days as, well, elephants. Kate lived at the park and volunteered for two weeks in 2006 - feeding, bathing, and walking these grand creatures. Her experience begs to be shared. Learn how precious and sensitive these splendid animals are. M: Bronze $16 Silver $12 NM: $21 Location: Browne Center
Celebrating the “Nobodies” Among Us Wednesday, 9:30-11:30 a.m. December 11 Tom Rademacher served nearly 31 years as a newspaperman at The Grand Rapids Press. He continues to write for the newspaper, has published several books and works in other freelance capacities. He loves to share his writing with a public that has come to know and trust him for his storytelling skill. How can a woman hanging laundry on a clothesline or a janitor who fixes broken-down bikes emerge just as compelling as the people we glorify through politics, cinema and pop culture? Join nationally acclaimed columnist, Tom Rademacher, as he introduces us to some of his favorite “nobodies.” Hear some of his most endearing stories culled from 35 years as one of West Michigan’s most celebrated writers. Signed copies of his books will be available at a discounted price of $10 – just in time for holiday gift-giving! M: Bronze $16 Silver $12 NM: $21 Location: Browne Center
THURSDAY The American Song Book: 1918 – 1970 Thursday, 9:30-11:30 a.m. October 31, November 7, 14 & 21 Dr. Paul Brewer is currently the director of instrumental music (wind ensemble and jazz bands) at Aquinas College. Paul has taught music and directed student bands at every age level and is a featured improvisation clinician. Dr. Brewer will present a series of lectures on the most enduring songs of American composers such as Irving Berlin, George Gershwin, Duke Ellington, Hoagy Carmichael, Burt Bacharach and others. He will also lecture on the great lyricists who deepened the evocative qualities of these songs by giving each of them a meaningful and memorable narrative. M: Bronze $63 Silver $50 NM: $76 Location: Browne Center
Underrated and Overlooked: U.S. Presidents We Should Know Better Thursdays, 1:30-3:30 p.m. November 7 & 21 Gleaves Whitney is director of GVSU’s Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies. An OLLI favorite, Gleaves writes and lectures nationally on presidential history and leadership. November 7 – Grover Cleveland, a Democrat in his day, is a hero to libertarians and fiscal conservatives to this day. No president has ever wielded a more active veto pen. Also while in the White House, he married a woman half his age – who he once babysat.
November 21 – Herbert Hoover holds a remarkable humanitarian record. During and after two world wars, the “Great Engineer” was put in charge of humanitarian assistance for starving people around the world. Succeeding brilliantly, he would have gone down as one of the greatest human beings who ever lived – had he not won election to the White House. M: Bronze $16 Silver $12 NM: $21 (Priced per lecture) Location: Donnelly Center
A View of American Exceptionalism Thursday, 1:30-3:30 p.m. November 14 Dr. William Katerberg, professor of history at Calvin College received a M.A. in U.S. History from Notre Dame and his Ph.D. from Queen’s University, Ontario. He is a cultural historian of the U.S. and Canada and was the director of the 2012 National Endowment for the Humanities Summer Institute for Teachers. In this class, Dr. Katerburg will explore national mythologies about “American exceptionalism,” and will also put our history in a global context by comparing the United States to other nations such as Canada, Australia, South Africa, Mexico and Brazil. He will examine the following questions: What is the idea of “American exceptionalism?” Do we have a special “manifest destiny?” If, we are, indeed exceptional, why is that – because we are an immigrant nation, a nation with a western frontier, or a nation chosen by providence or history? And, finally, why are these ideas so compelling and powerful? In essence, do they matter?
The Global Importance of Turkey: Past and Present Thursday, 3:30-5:30 p.m. December 5 &12 Keith St. Clair is a political science professor at GRCC. He holds his M.A. in political science and B.A. in sociology from Illinois State University. Keith now serves on the board of the Michigan Political Science Association and is an active member of the World Affairs Council. Turkey has always been a geographical and cultural bridge between the east and west, which has served to cement its importance in history. In eastern Turkey, there is Mesopotamia, the birthplace of human civilization. In western Turkey, there is the legacy of Ancient Greece and the foundation of Western Civilization. Today, Turkey is no less important. As a member of NATO, Turkey is the strongest ally that the U.S. has in the Middle East. But how stable is it politically, and how much is the conflict in Syria a threat to its stability? The history and complexity of this noble country will be examined in order to fully appreciate its importance in the world today. M: Bronze $35 Silver $30 NM: $42 Location: Browne Center
FRIDAY Tour of the West Michigan Aviation Academy Friday, 10 -11:30 a.m. November 1 Patrick J. Cwayna, CEO of WMAA, has over 40 years of experience as an educator in Michigan. He spent over 20 years as principal of East
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COURSES CONT. Grand Rapids High School, and under his leadership, East was recognized as an exemplary state and national school. Before joining the Aviation charter school, he served as Chief Liaison for Presidential Affairs and Vice President for College Relations at Grand Rapids Community College.
interfaith spiritual guidance program in Ann Arbor. She continues to give talks on her book, Paths of the Soul, as well as practice “Healing Touch” on those in need in West Michigan.
world music. Her research explores the connection between music and politics, and she has written on music of the Jewish left, Holocaust music, and Canadian musical nationalism.
Join Pat Cwayna as he gives a tour of and talks about the West Michigan Aviation Academy, an innovative, successful charter school founded by Dick and Besty DeVos in 2010. The school began with 80 freshmen students and has since grown to 240. The tour will give a better understanding of charter schools in Michigan as well as a glimpse of a state of the art facility where “attitude meets altitude.”
Join Betsy on a journey of the spiritual heart and soul of India. This will be a wonderful complimentary class to other Eastern religion classes we have had this fall as Betsy will take us to the banks of the Holy River, Ma Ganga; Bodh-Gaya, the source and center of the Buddhist world; and Delhi where the Sufi Masters luminous teachings of self-consciousness will be discussed. Students will leave the class knowing a little more about how to honor all that is in us and each other.
This series offers a historical overview of American popular music of the 1960s; especially surf music, the British Invasion, Motown, Soul, Funk, Psychedelic rock, and the urban folk revival. We will examine the stylistic qualities and artistic innovations of musicians such as the Beach Boys, the Beatles, The Supremes, Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Bob Dylan, and many others. Along the way, we’ll also examine the many contexts for such music, whether social, political, generational, ethnic, or religious, asking the question “what did this music mean to those who listened to and consumed it?”
M: Bronze $16 Silver $12 NM: $21 Location: Meet at the Academy located at 5363 44th ST SE 49512 Maximum: 30
Spiritual Pilgrimage to India: Bodh-Gaya, Delhi and More Friday, 9:30-11:30 a.m. November 8 Betsy Willey, a University of Michigan graduate, is a spiritual director who recently completed a three year
M: Bronze $16 Silver $12 NM: $21 Location: Browne Center
Popular Music of the 1960s Friday, 9:30-11:30 a.m. November 15, 22* & December 6
M: Bronze $52 Silver $42 NM: $62 Location: Browne Center *Note: Skip date of November 29
Dr. Benita Wolters-Fredlund is associate professor of music at Calvin College, where she teaches American music, popular music and
FREE MEMBER CLASSES Fast Food Constitution Part I
OLLI Welcomes… Santa Claus!
Monday, 11:30-1:00 p.m. November 18 & 25
Thursday, 9:30-11:00 a.m. December 12
Understanding a document written in 1787 is not always easy. The Fast Food Constitution will provide historical context and current examples for Articles I and II of the U.S. Constitution. Topics of discussion will include reapportionment, impeachment, the Electoral College, and the presidential line of succession. Are you hungry? Join Ian MacNeil, a senior at Aquinas College graduating this spring with degrees in mathematics and political science, as he offers OLLI students a bite of the Fast Food Constitution.
The life of Santa is not what people perceive it to be. But it is always interesting! Listen to Santa’s alter ego, Jeffrey Schatzer, share stories of happiness, joy, curiosity, and hope. Some will tug at your heartstrings; others might make you snort with laughter! Jeffrey never outgrew his childhood - he holds ABS, BSBA and MBA degrees, but his BSC (Bachelor of Santa Claus) is on top with distinction! His book, The Elves in Santa’s Workshop carries an important message about being kind, especially those of us who are a little bit little and a little bit different!
Location: Browne Center
Location: Browne Center
M = members
NM = non-members
Call to register: 616.632.2430
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Registration Form (Fall II 2013)
Call to register: 616.632.2430
Name _______________________________________________________________________ Student #______________________ Address _____________________________________________ City________________________ State ______ Zip_____________ Home #_____________________________________________Cell #___________________________________________________ Email _______________________________________________ Emergency Contact ______________________________________ Sign me up for an OLLI at Aquinas Membership (2013 - 2014 academic year)
q Bronze $25
q Silver $60
q Gold $385
Please remember all OLLI members may select any Free Member Course MONDAY
TUESDAY
The History of Immun. q $16 (M Bronze) q $12 (M Silver) q $21 (NM)
A Verdi Bicentennial q $63 (M Bronze) q $50 (M Silver) q $76 (NM)
The DEFA Films of Berlin q $52 (M Bronze) q $42 (M Silver) q $62 NM
This Is Where I Stand – Discussions on the Issues of Today q $40 (M Bronze) q $32 (M Silver) q $60 (NM)
The Development of the American Civil War q $35 (M Bronze)
Cooking Up Good Memories q $63 (M Bronze) q $50 (M Silver) q $76 (NM)
q $30 (M Silver) q $42 (NM)
History of the Papacy q $63 (M Bronze) q $50 (M Silver) q $76 (NM)
The Supreme Court in the Crosshairs: Lessons in Judicial Power & Politics q $35 (M Bronze) q $30 (M Silver) q $42 (NM)
Going West q $52 (M Bronze) q $42 (M Silver) q $62 (NM)
Phantoms from the Deep – Great Comets in Lore & Reality q $35 (M Bronze) q $30 (M Silver) q $42 (NM)
Antique Talk with Chuck & Ward q $16 (M Bronze) q $12 (M Silver) q $21 (NM) Detroit’s Urban Crisis q $35 (M Bronze) q $30 (M Silver) q $42 (NM)
The Ten Commandments: A Fresh Look q $35 (M Bronze) q $30 (M Silver) q $42 (NM)
Zen for Christians q $35 (M Bronze) q $30 (M Silver) q $42 (NM)
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
God-talk: Language & Religion q $63 (M Bronze) q $50 (M Silver) q $76 (NM)
The American Song Book: 1918-1970 q $63 (M Bronze) q $50 (M Silver) q $76 (NM)
Hemingway in Paris q $63 (M Bronze) q $50 (M Silver) q $76 (NM) French Colonial Algeria q $35 (M Bronze) q $30 (M Silver) q $42 (NM)
Underrated and Overlooked: U.S. Presidents We Should Know Better q $16 (M Bronze) each q $12 (M Silver) each q $21 (NM) each q Nov. 7 – Cleveland q Nov. 21 - Hoover
ADHD: Strategy Workshop q $16 (M Bronze) q $12 (M Silver) q $21 (NM)
A View of American Exceptionalism q $16 (M Bronze) q $12 (M Silver) q $21 (NM)
What Happens When You Tickle an Elephant’s Toes? q $16 (M Bronze) q $12 (M Silver) q $21 (NM)
The Global Importance of Turkey: Past & Present q $35 (M Bronze) q $30 (M Silver) q $42 (NM)
Celebrating the “Nobodies” Among Us q $16 (M Bronze) q $12 (M Silver) q $21 (NM)
Tour of the West Michigan Aviation Academy q $16 (M Bronze) q $12 (M Silver) q $21 (NM) Spiritual Pilgrimage to India q $16 (M Bronze) q $12 (M Silver) q $21 (NM) Popular Music of the 1960s q $52 (M Bronze) q $42 (M Silver) q $62 (NM)
FREE MEMBER CLASSES Fast Food Constitution Part I q MONDAYS Nov. 18 & 25
Immigrants & Industrialists: Grand Rapids from Boomtown to Furniture City q $35 (M Bronze) q $30 (M Silver) q $42 (NM)
Child Custody q $35 (M Bronze) q $30 (M Silver) q $42 (NM)
FRIDAY
OLLI Welcomes… Santa Claus! q THURSDAY Dec. 12
q A check for $___________________ payable to OLLI at Aquinas College is enclosed. q Charge my credit card : Number __ __ __ __
q Mastercard/Visa
__ __ __ __
__ __ __ __
q Discover __ __ __ __
q AMEX
Amount $____________________
Exp. Date ___/___
Name (as it appears on the card) ________________________________________________________________________________ Please mail form with check or credit card information to: OLLI at Aquinas 1607 Robinson Road SE Grand Rapids, MI 49506-1799 11
Aquinas College OLLI at Aquinas 1607 Robinson Road SE Grand Rapids, MI 49506-1799
Look for these exciting classes offered in our January 2014 Sampler:
Mt. Kilimanjaro: To the Roof of Africa Grand Rapids Midcentury Modern Home Architecture 1940-1970 The Overthrow of Salvador Allende in Chile Growing Up with Nancy Drew Obama Healthcare Update
Course Schedule Classes begin: October 28 Phone: 616.632.2430 Fax: 616.732.4480 aquinas.edu/olli
Israeli - Palestinian Dispute At the Movies with John Douglas
MISSION STATEMENT
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Aquinas College is a community of adults joining together to achieve personal transformation of mind, body, and spirit through lifelong learning and community service.
Call to register: 616.632.2430
Fall II 2013
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