News

02/08/2010

Lifelong Learning Inst. Spring Courses

The spring 2010 course schedule offered by The Lifelong Learning Institute of Elkhart County begins and ends with music and features storytelling, theatre, bird watching, spiritual reflection and economics in between. The courses are designed to provide stimulating and affordable short courses in many fields for active seniors. Any interested adult may participate. The two-week courses are held at area locations. This fall’s upcoming courses include: CLASSICAL MUSIC STUDIES Mary Oyer Feb. 8, 11, 15, 18; 2:00-3:30 p.m. Location: Goshen College Music Center 153 This course studies the music to be performed by the Julliard String Quartet in the Goshen College Performing Arts Series on Fri., Feb. 19. The program will consist of Schubert’s Quartet No. 14 (Rosemunde), Bartok’s Quartet No. 2 and Beethoven’s final quartet, Opus 135. (Performance tickets are sold separately through the Welcome Center.) One of the four sessions will introduce the organ music of J. S. Bach to be played on Mar. 21 by Professor Christine Thögersen in celebration of the composer’s 325th birthday. MOLIERE'S SERIOUS COMEDY TARTUFFE Judith M. Davis with Kathleen Massanari Mar. 9, 11, 16, 18; 3:00-4:30 p.m. Location: Goshen College Music Center 100 Religious quarrels, class boundaries and censorship influenced this most-performed of Molière’s plays in which the bourgeois Orgon has suffered a midlife crisis and becomes fixated on religion, not suspecting that his new spiritual guide Tartuffe has designs on his house, fortune, wife and daughter. Venture behind the scenes of the Goshen College mainstage production as we discover how low farce and lofty morals combine to dramatize this tale of a fool and a hypocrite. We may even act out a few scenes ourselves. The final class will include the dress rehearsal of Tartuffe. Davis and Massanari are former and current professors of French at Goshen College. STORYTELLING June Alliman Yoder Mar. 22, 24, 29, 31; 2:00-3:30 p.m. Location: Goshen College Music Center 110 It is said that stories are the building blocks of our lives. Stories often define who we are and create our relationships — telling stories is an important part of being human. In this class you will learn how to tell the stories of your life and how to listen to others’ stories. June AllimanYoder, a well-known storyteller as well as a seminary professor of preaching, will help participants hone their storytelling skills, learning what makes a story entertaining and useful. Expect to laugh, and perhaps to weep, with each other. SPIRITUAL RETREATS: LEARN AND VISIT Sally Fuller, Coordinator Apr. 6, 8, 14, 15; 2:00-3:30 p.m. Location: Goshen College Music Center 110 The Hermitage, The Apple Farm, St. Gregory’s Abbey, GilChrist and Pathways are all quiet places for prayer and reflection. Sally Fuller is coordinating this class and has arranged for a representative of each retreat to speak about its history, mission and practice, as well as to respond to our interests. Please note: the third session (Wed. not Tue. this week) features visits to some of these retreats; so plan for most of the afternoon and flexible carpools. Four retreats are near Three Rivers and the number of guests is limited. BIRDING FOR BEGINNINGS Lisa Zinn Apr. 20, 22, 27, 29; 2:00-3:30 p.m. Location: Rieth Interpretive Center (Across from Shanklin Park, Goshen) This introductory course will focus on learning to identify birds, their calls, behavior and ecology. Some study will be inside but a good portion will be outside where we can identify the many birds around the Rieth Center. Lisa is a professor and guide at the Goshen College Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center. She holds a Master Bird Bander license and runs bird banding research at Merry Lea. Bring binoculars. ECON 101: ECONOMICS LITE Del Good, Coordinator, with Chad Horning May 3, 5, 10, 12; 1:30-3:00 p.m. Location: Goshen College Newcomer Center 17 Love them or hate them, why do markets matter? What really is a price? Early sessions will explore the most basic “micro” questions economists wrestle with — what, how, and for whom — and the endless debate about how to answer them. The final two sessions will explore two “macro” questions: Is an economy with stable prices and full employment a pipedream? How do global markets complicate economic stability? Good taught economics at Goshen College for nearly 40 years and Horning is Chief Investment Officer at MMA. JAZZ: AMERICA'S MUSIC Van Young May 17, 19, 24, 26; 2:00-3:30 p.m. Location: Goshen College Music Center 110 The first week will feature jazz history and basics, including the development of jazz in Indiana, especially with Hoagy Carmichael and friends. Session three will feature the “heyday” of jazz from the ‘20s through the ‘60s as well as today’s jazz. Session four will provide preparation for the Elkhart Jazz Festival in June. All classes will include both listening and discussion. Van founded the Elkhart Jazz Fest, has played in both small and big jazz bands, and dj’d for the last three decades at WTRC, WVPE, and WGCS (currently on Sundays at FM 91.1 at 12:06 p.m. ALL ARE WELCOME Registration for any course may be made at the Goshen College Welcome Center, 1700 S. Main St., Goshen, Indiana. Registration may also be made by phone and paid by credit card by calling 574-535-7566. Limited scholarship assistance is available for seniors on Medicaid or living in HUD housing. "There are no tests," notes co-director Wilbur Birky, "just the joy of learning, combined with connections to other seniors interested in stimulating thought, conversation and exploration." Everyone is welcomed and no previous college or other studies are required. The Lifelong Learning Institute sponsors a series of two-week courses in the fall and the spring, as well as a lecture series in mid-winter. Past courses have ranged from literature and the fine arts to politics and philosophy, and from African music and international cooking to Amish life and local wildflowers. Wilbur and Fanni Birky are co-directors of the Institute. Wilbur is a former professor of English and International Education at Goshen College; Fanni is retired from housing and volunteer programs management at Greencroft Goshen. They may be reached at 574-533-63352 or by e-mail at lifelonglearning@live.com . Course information is also available online at www.goshen.edu/lifelong The Lifelong Learning Institute of Elkhart County is sponsored by Goshen College and Greencroft Communities. It is part of a grassroots movement for seniors seeking stimulation, continued growth, and connections to others with similar interests. The local institute is a member of a national network of similar programs, The Elderhostel Institute Network (EIN).