Art & Architecture
Economics & Public Policy
English Stately Homes
Stay Put or Move On (SPOMO)
ONLINE: The English countryside is dotted with country houses, from medieval manor homes to Victorian faux castles, where royals were birthed, treaties were negotiated, the world’s greatest novels were written, and museum collections were started. Today, many of these homes are open to the public, and our favorite film and television programs seem to capture them in all their glory. But how much do we really know about the lives lived on English country estates? In this online survey course, we will discover a new set of homes each week, chronologically ordered, and the people who built and designed them as well as those who continue to own them and share (or hide) their secrets. This is the perfect course for Anglophiles daydreaming of a romantic vacation or for those wanting to learn how to correctly identify stylistic elements and date historic buildings. • Lecture + Q&A.
IN PERSON: Through expert speakers and class lectures, this course will explore options for continued independence as aging progresses and life-care needs change. In four in-person sessions, we will look at the challenges and opportunities that come with aging, and survey the options available for extending independence and promoting quality of life through home, community, and/or continuing care services. Our focus will be on aging in place and retirement communities. We’ll consider the suitability of your home and your community for aging in place and various options for home care services. We’ll discuss what differentiates retirement communities from other senior communities. In the last six weeks, we’ll visit a number of continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) to learn about the services they provide, their contract models, their entrance and monthly fees, and the nature of their waiting lists. Questions are encouraged. • Lecture + Q&A.
Please note: There will possibly be a guest speaker from the British National Trust for Places of Historic Interest. In an effort to have the most up-to-date information on the status of these historic homes, students may find it useful to have an Instagram account (but not required).
Please note: Due to the ongoing pandemic, some site visits may be omitted. A weekly email will be distributed to assist with preparation for the next week’s class. Additional resources are posted to a course website.
Educated in studio art and interior design, with an MA in architectural history, Alva Horton owns and operates a marketing studio that promotes art, fashion, design, and architecture sectors in both the US and the UK. She lived in England for several years, doing an internship at the York Castle Museum and working with designers in adapting country estates. She maintains close ties with colleagues at the National Trust, and has regularly visited new homes throughout the country.
Rae Dawson relocated from the San Francisco Bay Area to the Triangle in 2005. She retired from Cisco Systems Inc. in 2017. During her career, she held a variety of information technology management positions at several Fortune 500 companies, including IBM, Apple, Xerox, and Cisco. She holds a BA in business administration from the University of North Texas. She has been teaching the Stay Put or Move On course since 2018.
• 10 Tue, Jan 25-Mar 29, 3:30-5:00pm • Online via Zoom; Sessions are recorded • Maximum: 290; Fee: $100; Course ID: 3340
• 10 Tue, Jan 25-Mar 29, 10:00am-1:00pm • In person at Judea Reform Congregation, Durham • Maximum: 25; Fee: $150; Course ID: 0997
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