 |
||||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
 |
|
Fall 2010 Course Catalog [PDF] SEPTEMBER 16 - OCTOBER 21 or as noted All classes are held at the University of Maine Hutchinson Center in Belfast All classes are held on Thursdays unless otherwise noted MORNING CLASSES 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. MAINE WEATHER - Phil Brown, Instructor and Coordinator Maine weather is as easy to explain as it is hard to predict. This course will be packed with easy-to-understand explanations and will equip you with all you need to know to scoff at professional forecasters' predictions. Our alternately cranky and glorious Maine weather is one of the most frequently discussed and portrayed subjects in our state-and always has been. Maine authors love to write about it; Maine artists love to paint it; Maine storytellers love to weave tales about it (some of which are even true. To help us explore those aspects, we're bringing in a noted Maine writer, a well-known Maine painter, and an eminently knowledgeable Maine folklorist to show us how Maine weather permeates our senses. And to supplement the insights into the science of meteorology presented by class instructor Phil Brown, WABI-TV's longtime weatherman Chris Ewing will also join us for what promises to be an eye-opening session. NATIONAL SECURITY UNDER THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION - Dick Topping, Instructor In addressing participants' assumptions and concerns about the U.S. intelligence effort today, we will review the basics-the players and the process (intelligence collection, analysis, and support to policymakers). Then we will look at a few problems the Obama Administration has encountered over the past eighteen months, and offer some tentative judgments on its "successes" and "failures" to date. Finally, we will examine a number of the recently enacted or proposed reforms for their likely benefits or negative consequences. Along the way we will consider specific questions such as these: Is the U.S. Intelligence Community, as presently configured, up to the task? If not, what changes are needed? Which targets should be top priority? How much of our intelligence resources should be supporting the war-fighters? What kind of clandestine operations are now out of bounds? What are the ground rules for covert action today? Who should carry out those risky operations? How much "secrecy" is too much? Against whom are we guarding those secrets? How should we punish people who "leak" secrets or otherwise violate the rules? Who gets the job of keeping the government honest on intelligence matters? Who are the major "troublemakers" today at home or abroad? Was Pogo right? What about our so-called "friends"? Does our counter-terrorism strategy meet today's needs? How are our domestic intelligence or internal security programs faring? THE MUSIC OF BOB DYLAN - Neal Harkness, Instructor No other individual has had as much impact on popular music in the last half century as Bob Dylan. In this course, we will examine the career of the man often referred to as "the voice of his generation," and learn how he served as a popularizer of traditional American music while simultaneously creating a new musical synthesis that changed pop culture forever. We will use music and video to learn about the artists who influenced Dylan as well as those who followed in his footsteps. Although we will cover his entire career, the emphasis in this course will focus on his essential work of the 1960s and 70s. PROPHETS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT - Juliet Baker, Instructor In this course, a continuation of last fall's Old Testament course, we will encounter some of the richest and most moving Biblical writing as we discuss the classical prophets of the Old Testament. We will consider such questions as: What is a Biblical prophet? What is that person's vocation? How do the prophets differ from prognosticators, necromancers, and miracle workers? What are the major teachings of the prophets? While we will refer to the writings of and about Elijah, Elisha, Amos, Isaiah, Micha, Zephania, Nathan, Habakkuk, Jeremiah, Obadiah, Ezekiel, Second Isaiah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi, Joel, Jonah, and Daniel, we will consider only a few of these in depth. Together we will explore how their poetry and prose have inspired the writings, artworks, and music of many generations of western culture. Note: Even though this course picks up where the earlier Old Testament course left off, that course is not a prerequisite for this one and this class is open and accessible to all. HISTORY OF ART, PART VII: THE COUNTER-RENAISSANCE - Baird Whitlock, Instructor The course will pick up with the High Renaissance (Leonardo, Raphael, Titian) and follow the new art trends as Renaissance style moved out of Italy and across all of Europe as well as eastward as far as Japan and westward to South America. The sixteenth century marked the beginning of the world as we now know it, with all of the tensions in art, politics, science, and society that are still with us today. With luck we will reach the early stirrings of the Baroque with El Greco and Caravaggio in a Europe that was producing Shakespeare, Donne, and Cervantes, Galileo and Bacon, and the exploration of the new "Fourth Part of the World." THE ROLE OF FOOD IN FILM AND LITERATURE - Harry Kaiserian, Instructor And the serpent said to Eve, "Take this apple…." This is perhaps the earliest "recipe" in the Western tradition and is one of over 350 references to food in the Bible. Why are there so many? Food is frequently mentioned (often at length) in literature and film. Why? What does it add to the plot? How vividly do you remember the eating scenes in Tom Jones? What does the title of Truman Capote's Breakfast at Tiffany's tell us about Holly Golightly? Food often has a supporting role, but increasingly today it takes on the starring role. Consider such recent films as Ratatouille, Chocolat, Fried Green Tomatoes, Babette's Feast, and Like Water for Chocolate. Let's find out what Holly had for breakfast, watch a few films, and enhance our enjoyment of films and literature by gaining an understanding of the contribution of food to the plot. INTERMEDIATE CONVERSATIONAL FRENCH - Lila Nation, Instructor This course is especially designed for all you folks who have begun conversational French so many times you can't remember, but have never felt as though you had any real command of the spoken language. There will be lots of opportunities to practice what you already know, and many more to expand upon that base and create meaningful French conversation. Note: This class will cover different material from the French course offered last spring, and is open to anyone who has completed two years of high school French or the equivalent and would like the opportunity to really practice conversational French-and have a good time doing it! PHOTOGRAPHY 101 - FOR DIGITAL CAMERA USERS - Paul Sheridan, Instructor Did you study photography back in school, in a year beginning with 19? Perhaps you are self-taught, and now have some bad habits? Or maybe you jumped into the digital pool and realized you never really did learn how to swim. This short beginning or refresher course on the fundamentals of photographic art using a digital camera might be just what you need. The basics are really the same as when we used film. We will review the range of tools a photographer can now use to express his or her vision. This is not a photoshop or a computer course; our prime focus here is photography and cameras, not computers. We will have lectures, demonstrations, and, believe it or not, assignments. But no grades! The course is designed expressly for students who are serious about mastering their cameras and improving their photography. Please bring your camera and instruction manual to the first class. Note: Class size is limited to 12. MAINESCAPES: THE INSIDE SCOOP ON THE OUTSIDE STUFF - Mike Shannon, Instructor This natural history class will whet your curiosity for all things wild and indigenous. We'll connect with local places, learn to identify common species, sharpen our observational skills, and arouse our kinship with all life. This is your chance to discover and explore the wild side of Midcoast Maine, and the possibilities will surprise and delight you. In this class you will learn how to interact with local landscapes of all kinds-our woods, waters, and backyards. No walks or hikes are planned, but you'll learn where to go on foot or by kayak or even by car to view the natural world up close. AFTERNOON CLASSES 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. THE HIDDEN CHILDREN OF FRANCE: SURVIVAL STORIES - Betty Becker-Theye & Judy Stein, Instructors The story of France's "hidden children" and of the thousands of French citizens who saved six out of seven Jewish children and three-fourths of the Jewish adult population from deportation during the Nazi occupation is little known to American readers. A new book, The Hidden Children of France, documents the stolen childhoods of eighteen of these children who today are among the last witnesses of this aspect of Nazi era that is both frightening and heartening. In a seminar-style setting, the class will discuss these stories in the broader context of World War II, French history, and Jewish religion and culture. CLIMBING YOUR FAMILY TREE: AN INTRODUCTION TO GENEALOGY - Rick Davis, Instructor Have you ever wondered who your ancestors were? Were they kings or criminals, or possibly a little of both? It's never too early or too late to start finding out, and here's your chance to learn how. This course will give you the tools, techniques, and practical tips to get you started on your own genealogical quest. Fair warning: Tracing your family roots can become an all-consuming passion. APES, ANGELS, AND VICTORIANS: DARWIN AND THE IMPACT OF EVOLUTION - Howard Torrey, Instructor In retrospect it seems that a scientific theory of evolution should have appeared long before it actually did. In this course we will examine the scientific and religious factors causing this delay and how Darwin arrived at his theory of natural selection and finally, almost reluctantly, published the theory. The role of eminent English biologist T. H. Huxley in championing Darwin's theory is crucial, and his influence and thought will also be considered, as well as his and Darwin's impact on the social, religious, and literary life of the Victorians. WHAT DO THEY BELIEVE? A DIALOGUE OF THE WORLD'S RELIGIONS - Arlin T. Larson, Instructor A majority of the world's people consider themselves to be either Christian, Buddhist, or Muslim. Each faith includes a core that is very devout, larger numbers of followers, and others who describe themselves as "non-practicing". In all cases, however, their faith is part of their identity. Modern transportation and communication bring the three religions into far more contact, and often more conflict, than ever. Mutual understanding has become critical. Taking the religions one at a time, this course will outline their history and central beliefs. Videos will let us see them as practiced in their "native settings". Readings from scriptures will be discussed. And, finally, a leader or practitioner (e.g., a Christian minister, Buddhist priest, Muslim imam) will be invited to address these two questions: "What should everyone know about your religion?" and "What have you learned from other faiths?" CIRCLING THE FIRE: A FRESH LOOK AT OUR SOLAR SYSTEM - Roger Ptak, Instructor During our lifetimes we've learned more about the sun and its retinue of planets than all that had ever been known before. This has happened because we have been able to visit most of these places. In most cases, this has not been done in person, but through the "eyes" of robot spaceships. Just what have we learned that we didn't even suspect just a few years ago? In this class, which is an updated and expanded version of a very popular course offered two years ago, we will try to interpret the information from these new observations and develop a clearer understanding of the planets, moons, and smaller blobs. Even Pluto! ELEMENTARY BRIDGE, PART II - Sheila Nickerson, Instructor Bridge is back at Senior College, and this semester we're going to learn about the "fun" parts of the game: overcalling, penalty doubles, take-out doubles, and slam bidding. Last fall during the first part of this course, we studied lessons 1 - 7 of the Shirley Silverman Elementary Bridge Five Card Major series, otherwise known as the blue book. The first three classes this fall will be a review of those lessons, and then we will continue into chapters 8 - 10 for the last three weeks. It really is the fun part! Sheila is returning with a basketful of enthusiasm and possibly some new jokes. No promises. Note: This class is open to all, not just those who took the earlier course, but the size of the class is limited to 26. Please indicate on your registration form if you need a copy of the blue book or if you have one already. CAPTURING THE COLORS OF AUTUMN - Nancy Blatz, Instructor The emphasis of this intermediate course in painting with watercolor will be on exploring the colors of this wonderful season. We will develop different palettes that convey both the vibrancy and the progression of the season. Mid-September looks nothing like late October! Participants must have their own supplies but don't have to have a lot of experience. Once again paper will be supplied as well as any unusual colors that we will explore. Feel free to contact Nancy for additional information: bjncyblatz@myfairpoint.net or 525-4410. Note: The size of this class is limited to 16. SPECIAL CLASSES FACEBOOK - NEAT IDEA OR THREAT TO CIVILIZATION? - Jose Cordero, Instructor Note: This one-day seminar will take place on Tuesday, October 5, 2010. The class starts at 9:30, will include one morning break, another break for lunch, and then an afternoon session that will run until 2:30. Registration fee covers the cost of a lunch that will be provided.Terrified by the social-networking phenomenon of Facebook? Appalled at the thought of having personal information about yourself out in cyberspace where everyone can check it out? Or are you just curious to find out what all the fuss is about? During this one-day seminar, we will explore the reasons why Facebook is catching on so rapidly. (It already has more than 500 million active users!) On the big screen in the Auditorium we will examine some typical Facebook pages, see what sorts of functions can be performed through Facebook, connect with others in the Facebook world, and hear what sorts of experiences people have had through "social networking". Why are so many Maine businesses now using Facebook? We'll also consider the ethics of electronic information sharing and what Facebook is doing to the concept of privacy. This is not a computer class, but for those who'd like help creating their own Facebook account, we will have simple handouts to take home and, logistics permitting, will also offer a brief tutorial in one of the computer labs at the Hutchinson Center. THREE CENTURIES OF COMIC OPERA - Richard Brown, Instructor and Coordinator This is a Saturday afternoon class at 1:30 on September 25, October 30, and November 20 and is presented in collaboration with the University of Maine Hutchinson Center. In this course we will enjoy three rollicking comic operas, one from each of the last three centuries. Using the state-of-the-art facilities of the Hutchinson Center Auditorium, notably the recently updated sound system, we will watch top performances that were all recorded live on stage. Two of the presentations will be introduced by Richard Brown, University of Maine music instructor, and the other by former opera singer Mary Ann Whaley, and there will be time for questions during each intermission. All performances have English subtitles or supertitles, except the last which is sung in English. From the eighteenth century comes Mozart's delightful takeoff on the decadence of aristocratic life, Le Nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro). Recorded at the internationally acclaimed Glyndebourne Festival Opera outside London and starring Rene Fleming and Gerald Finley, this presentation "is as close to the real thing as you're likely to get without a Glyndebourne season ticket," according to one critic. From the nineteenth century we will marvel at Verdi's immortal Falstaff, the classic based on Shakespeare's The Merry Wives of Windsor. This is Verdi's only comic opera and it is one of his late masterpieces, and very funny. The performance we will see is the Metropolitan Opera's extraordinary Franco Zeffirelli production. - Please remember, to take a course you must be a member of Senior College. The annual membership fee is $25; the current membership year is July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011.
HOW TO REGISTER: PLEASE NOTE: Some of these courses will fill very fast, so get your registration in as soon as possible. Calling and indicating an interest will not save your seat. To be fair to all, we must have your check in hand before we can enroll you in a course. Senior College admits members regardless of race, color, gender, national or ethnic origin.
|
|
 (207) 338-8033 |
|