OLLI@DU / 2023 FALL / COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Steven Spielberg Films

VIPA 1001

Monday

Dates: 9/18 to 10/23 (6 weeks)

Time: 12:30–3:30 PM

Facilitator: Arnie Wright

Location: Online

Class Limit: 50 Participants

Sponsoring Site: West

Steven Spielberg (1946-) has directed (produced) over 35 films (20 films), many of which have been box office blockbusters including Jaws, Raiders of the Lost Ark, E.T., Jurassic Park, Schindler’s List, Saving Private Ryan, and Lincoln. He made his first home movie at age 12, his first movie film at 20, and received a multi-year directing contract at 23. Spielberg began his professional career directing television. His first major film success was Jaws in 1975. Spielberg co-founded two film studios, Amblin Entertainment and DreamWorks. He has won numerous awards including two Academy Awards for Best Director [Schindler’s List and Saving Private Ryan] (nominated nine times) and for Best Picture [Schindler’s List] (nominated twelve times). He continues to be an active director and producer. Participants in this sixweek course will view a different Spielberg film each session, followed by a 45-60 minute discussion and critique. Be prepared to be entertained!

Ten Centuries of the Intersection of Music and Culture

VIPA 1017

Wednesday

Dates: 9/20 to 11/8 (8 weeks)

Time: 9:30–11:30 AM

Facilitators: Gregory Adams, Master Facilitator/ Alec Tsoucatos, Diamond Facilitator

Location: 1st Universalist

Class Limit: 80 Participants

Sponsoring Site: Central

Listening to ten centuries of extraordinary, mostly “Western” music, from 1100 CE, to the Dark Ages, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, the Enlightenment, the Romantic Era, and finally into the 21st Century, we will discuss how it has nourished and informed our culture, history and social structures.. Music from bygone centuries can feel foreign and removed, however, the facilitators propose it does not have to feel that way. We will listen to compositions and discuss the connections you feel to the music, as it anchors your historical understanding with gorgeous musical underpinnings. Bach, Beethoven, Hildegard von Bingen, Ravel, Debussy, Billie Holliday, Pink Floyd, Verdi, and Puccini, as well as numerous surprises, will all make their appearances as we examine this interweaving of music, history, and culture. Through deep class engagement, we will better understand the breadth of history from a unique, deeply meaningful, musical perspective. Music is inherently non-translatable. History and culture are both translatable and describable. In exploring both, this warp and weg of culture and music, we will see our reflection into ourselves and our deep past in a more unique and profound way.

Watercolor: Botanical Art

VIPA 1018

Thursday

Dates: 9/21 to 11/9 (8 weeks)

Time: 1–3 PM

Facilitator: Mitra Verma

Location: Online

Class Limit: 25 Participants

Sponsoring Site: On Campus

This watercolor course will provide you some time to relax, be creative, and enjoy the meditative act of applying paint to paper. Botanical art is ideally suited to those who love to recreate the beauty of plants and flowers. Using wet and dry watercolor painting techniques, we will experience the mindful process of botanical art while learning to capture the beauty of our natural world. Before the color application we will first observe the picture in grey scale to understand the tonal values and color schemes for our subject. You may also find this course useful if you have some prior watercolor knowledge but feel you would benefit from some guidance transferring your skills to botanical art. To make the experience as stress free as possible, I will provide a line drawing of a simple plant subject for anyone who wishes to use it.

Women Composers: Their History and Their Music

VIPA 1007

Tuesday

Dates: 9/19 to 10/10 (4 weeks)

Time: 1–3 PM

Facilitator: Catherine Beeson

Location: Online

Class Limit: Unlimited

Sponsoring Site: Central

This course will take participants on a meaningful survey of the 5000+ women composers documented throughout history, beginning with Medieval ‘rock star’ Hildegard von Bingen and finishing with Pulitzer Prize winners and innovative newcomers of our time. No prior knowledge of music is necessary to ignite your curiosity and engage in this material. We will do a lot of listening for discovery and comparison, and we will engage in discussion from time to time. Prepare to be amazed at the richness of genius in these women!

Miscellaneous

American Mahjongg for Beginners

MISC 1001

Tuesday

Dates: 9/19 to 11/7 (8 weeks)

Time: 1–3 PM

Facilitators: Wayne Cassell, Senior Facilitator/ Marilyn Rifkin

Location: Columbine United Church

Class Limit: 16 Participants

Sponsoring Site: South

Mahjongg is a great game but learning all its many rules and traditions can overwhelm beginners. This class provides a pleasant classroom situation where details are explained and practiced with other beginners. This makes the learning curve much less stressful than playing with experienced players. After 4-6 weeks, you should feel confident enough to play with an understanding group and might even use the contacts you have made in class to start a group. The class focus is on American Mahjongg and will discuss how to buy Mahjongg sets and American Mahjongg annual cards, but they are not required for the course.

Required: The Beginner’s Guide to American Mah Jongg by Elaine Sandberg. We will be using the 2004 Mahjongg card that comes with the book for practicing and playing American mahjongg.

American Mahjongg for Those Who Have Never Played

MISC 1002

Wednesday

Dates: 9/20 to 11/8 (8 weeks)

Time: 9:30–11:30 AM

Facilitator: Elaine Levy

Location: 1st Universalist

Class Limit: 20 Participants

Sponsoring Site: Central

Required Fee: Fee of $20 (in cash please) payable to facilitator at 1st class session

Mahjongg, an ancient Chinese game that has been played in the American version since the 1900s, is played with four people and is similar to Gin Rummy. It is fun, complex, very challenging, and a game of strategy, defense, and knowledge. It’s 50% skill and 50% luck and played with tiles that are in three different suits and include dragons, winds, flowers, and jokers. Each year, the National Mahjongg League creates a card with hands that can be played that year which class members will receive.

This is an 8- week, no-pressure course, taught in a progressive manner with handouts and tips provided by the facilitator. Class members are STRONGLY encouraged to attend every class as it is difficult to “catch up.” By the 4th week most people will have a good understanding of the game. By the 6th week you will know how to play. The last two weeks are for practice and skills improvement. Mahjongg is easy to learn if you’re having a good time and this is a great game once you know how to play. WARNING: this game is ADDICTIVE; you will LOVE playing and you will get hooked!

Bridge Basics I: An Introduction

MISC 1004

Wednesday

Dates: 9/20 to 11/8 (8 weeks)

Time: 9:30–11:30 AM

Facilitator: Michael Holmes

Location: Online

Class Limit: 15 Participants

Sponsoring Site: West

Required Fee: Fee of $20 (see information below)

This is the first beginning bridge class “Bridge Basics I.” This course is for individuals new to bridge or those who have been absent from bridge for a while. There is a $20.00 non-negotiable or non-refundable fee paid to the instructor and due by the second, class session. Failure to pay the fee will result in being dropped from the class. Students can either pay the instruction via check or Zelle. The address is: 313 Clisby Austin Rd, Tunnel Hill, GA 30755. Zelle Michael Holmes 3039289187.

The recommended book for the class is Bidding in the 21st Century. The book is provided by the American Contract Bridge league and serves as the text for the first three courses. Note: If the address you want the book sent to is different from the one on your $20 check — please send special instructions. If you use Zelle, you must email the instructor a correct address. Upon receipt of the fee, the text will be mailed to the student. If you don’t want the book, the $20 fee is the same.

Bridge Basics III: Popular Bridge Conventions

MISC 1005

Wednesday

Dates: 9/20 to 11/8 (8 weeks)

Time: 1–3 PM

Facilitator: Michael Holmes

Location: Online

Class Limit: 15 Participants

Sponsoring Site: West

Required Fee: Fee of $20 (see information below)

This is the third course in a series designed to give students a basic understanding of the game of bridge. In this course students will learn the Stayman convention, the Jacoby Transfer convention, the strong two-club bid and responses, the 2NT bid and responses, Slam bidding including the Blackwood and Gerber conventions. The first part of this class is theory-based and the second part is supervised play of bridge hands related to the topics covered.

Recommended Book: Basic Bidding in the 21st Century by Audrey Grant. If you have not taken a class from the facilitator already, you will get a free textbook for the course from the American Contract Bridge League (ACBL). Please notify Mike if you do not have the book already.

Additional Fees: There is a $20.00 fee for this course which covers costs associated with the app used for bridge play. Students who enroll should send a check directly to Mike Holmes, 313 Clisby Austin Rd, Tunnel Hill, GA 30755. (PLEASE DO NOT send a check until you have received confirmation from OLLI that you are registered in the course and DO NOT send the check to the OLLI office).