Culture & the Sciences

We’ve Come A long Way BABY - Hearing Aids for Babies

Instructor: Teresa Crumpton Dates and Time: Mon. Tues. 9/6, 10 a.m. to noon. Location: College of Health and Human Services, Room #1087

Early diagnosis and treatment options for deaf or hard of hearing individuals have changed dramatically over the past two decades, however challenges remain. Please join me as I share the historical beginnings and current status of early hearing loss detection and intervention programs in our state and community. Case studies will be presented.

Understanding U.S.-Iran Relations

Instructor: Moe Bidgoli Dates and Time: Thurdays 9/8 to 9/29, noon to 2 p.m. EST Location: Online via Webex

This class will foster a better understanding of US-Iran relations. The topics include: US early missionaries in Iran; US and Iran political and cultural relations during Qajar dynasty; US and Iran relation during Pahlavi dynasty that includes these eras: WWI, Reza Shah, WWII, Mohammad Reza Shah, the 1953 coup, post-coup cooperation, cold war, US military assistance etc.; Iran 1979 revolution and Islamic Republic of Iran eras: Iran hostage crisis, IranIraq war, Iran-contra affair, Iran’s nuclear program, Iran negotiation for nuclear deal, nuclear deal termination; and current issues.

Seven Dimensions of Religion

Instructor: Brian Wilson Dates and Time: Mon. 9/12, 3 to 5 p.m. Location: College of Health and Human Services, Room #1035

The Seven Dimensions of Religion is an introduction to Comparative Religion using the cross-cultural categories developed by Ninian Smart, one of the 20th-century pioneers of the field. In this course, we will briefly survey the history of the field; discuss the differences between Comparative Religion, theology, and philosophy; and take an engaging tour through the world’s religions through the lens of Smart’s seven dimensions.

“We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.” - Albert Einstein

Instructor: Robin Skitt Dates and Time: Wed. 9/14, 9/21 and 9/28, 2 to 4 p.m. Location: The Heritage Community, The Memory Care Learning Center Over the past few decades, many developments in the sciences suggest that our traditional ways of approaching problems will not be successful in our current situation. In this course, we will explore several proposed changes to our thinking that can significantly improve our prospects for success.

Rules of Football

Instructor: Randall Schau Dates and Time: Tues. 9/20 10 a.m. to noon. Location: Friendship Village, Village Clubhouse Keystone The fundamentals of football are pretty basic but the rules can get very complicated! When is ‘motion’ illegal? What exactly is ‘the neutral zone?’ What is and isn’t pass interference? When do penalties ‘off set?’ These and many other rules will be explained, often with game video to illustrate. The focus will be on high school rules but college and pro will also be discussed.

Air Zoo: Stories in the Stars

Instructor: Amy Walker Dates and Time: Fri. 9/23, 7 to 9 p.m. Location: Air Zoo

The night sky is a source of awe and inspiration for all ages. Bring the young person in your life to learn about th constellations and the stories written in the stars. Handson astronomy activities will be followed by an evening of star gazing using a night sky map and a celebration of the celestial. In the event of cloudy or rainy weather the Star Lab will be used to provide a glimpse of the night sky inside! e

Conversational Spanish for Travelers

Instructor: Jonnie R. Wilhite Dates and Time: Mon. 10/3, 10/10, 10/17 and Wed. 10/5, 10/12, 10/19, 10 a.m. to noon Location: Zhang Portage Community Senior Center, Meeting Rooms 1A/1B Conversational Spanish for Travelers will give you the basic vocabulary needed to travel to and visit your Spanish-speaking destination. You will practice basic greetings, phrases for securing transportation info and getting around, checking into a hotel, ordering food in a restaurant, changing money, enjoying various tourist activities, including shopping and phrases for emergencies. The course will focus on oral practice.

Beginning Mah Jongg

Instructor: Jane Duran Dates and Time: Tues. 10/4 and 10/11; Thurs. 10/6 and 10/13, 10 a.m. to noon Location: Oakland Hills Clubhouse

Mah Jongg is a Chinese game played with tiles, usually by four people. The object is to collect winning sets or “hands” similar to gin rummy. We will begin with tile naming, and familiarization with the rules card along with strategies for playing the game. Each player needs a new card each year, so participants will need to buy one before the course begins. Mah Jongg sets will be provided for this class. It is a fun game that is very addicting! It is also good exercise for your brain too. Once you learn how to play you will want to start your own group of players to keep up with the enthusiasm and fine tune your skills.

Why Parties? What’s Wrong - and Right -with Political Parties in the United States

Instructor: John Clark Dates and Time: Thursdays 10/6-10/20, 10 a.m. to noon. Location: College of Health and Human Services, Room #2060.

Political parties are thought to be at the core of all that is wrong with our democracy, yet some political scientists argue that democracy can’t exist without parties. Which is it? Can it be both? This class will explore the development of political parties in the U.S. from the founding to the present day. How did we get the ones we have? Why do they work the way they do? Why might some proposed reforms make things worse instead of better?