Community Programs - 55 Plus
Fall 2008
The Beast And The Beauty
D55 21020 0801
Instructor: Karen Toole
Mondays 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
ECKHARDT-GRAMATTE HALL
Sept. 8 – Dec. 8, 2008 (no class Oct. 13 & Nov. 3)
Perhaps the most primal struggle of all humanity is the struggle of good and evil, and the awareness of the dualism of dark and light, right and wrong, hope and despair. The list could go on. In this course we will wrestle with the deep philosophical and existential questions of human triumph and human failure. In theological terms this is often referred to as the realms of sins and virtues. Who are we as an aspect of creation: forever flawed or miracle of manifesting? Mythology, wisdom stories, all lift up this duality. Together we will explore the question, what does it mean to us today?
Western Esoteric Traditions: A Brief History of Secret Societies and Forbidden Knowledge.
D55 21027 0801
Instructor: Frank Albo
Mondays & Wednesdays 12:30 – 2:20 p.m.
Room 2M70
Sept. 3 – Sept. 29, 2008 (8 classes)
Since the runaway success of novels such as The Da Vinci Code, the public has become increasingly caught up in a romantic quest to unmask the mysteries of heretical movements and secret societies. This course surveys the history of Western esoteric traditions from the resurgence of Hermetic philosophy in the Renaissance, and the rise of secret societies in the Enlightenment, to the occult revival of late 19th and early 20th century movements such as Theosophical Society and Society of Psychical Research. Students will also examine the aesthetic and literary influence of esotericism, including the Freemasonic designs of the Manitoba Legislative Building.
World Review I
D55 21309 0801
Instructor: Yoram East
Tuesdays 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon
ECKHARDT-GRAMATTE HALL
Sept. 9 – Dec. 9, 2008 (no class Nov. 4 & 11)
This series of lectures will examine current trouble spots around the world, from the Middle East to Africa, with weekly summaries of events. The lectures will focus on the origins of current conflicts, the key players, their ideologies and methods. Each meeting will examine at least one world event.
Remarkable Remakes – Series I
D55 21015 0801
Instructor: Sam Minuk
Tuesdays 12:30 p.m. – 3:20 p.m.
ECKHARDT-GRAMATTE HALL
Sept. 9 – Dec. 9, 2008 (no class Nov. 4 & 11)
Most remakes in Hollywood are done for one of two reasons –lack of creativity or to capitalize on the success of the initial film version. Occasionally however, a Hollywood re-make comes close to, equals, and in very rare cases, even exceeds the quality of the original. This series will feature six of those great re-makes alongside their inspirational originals: “Ben Hur”, “King Kong”, “Showboat”, “A Tale of Two Cities”, “Goodbye Mr. Chips”, and “Jane Eyre”. Each class opens with an introductory lecture.
Greek Comedy
D55 21018 0801
Instructor: Bob Gold
Thursdays 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon
Room 2M70
Sept. 11 – Dec. 4, 2008 (no class Oct. 30)
From the topsy-turvy world of Aristophanes, where the tragic chorus becomes a flight of chirping birds, a marsh of croaking frogs, or (Oh horror!) women in politics, from the dancing satyrs in Euripides’ Cyclops to the social irony of Alcestis and the situation comedy of Menander Greek comedy revels in the foibles and follies of contemporary Greek society. Thus it lays the foundations for modern comedy from Gilbert and Sullivan to Desperate Housewives. The suggested text is Six Greek Comedies, edited by J. Michael Walton (Methuen Drama Series).
Emerging and Re-Emerging Diseases
D55 21016 0801
Instructor: Various
Thursdays 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
ECKHARDT-GRAMATTE HALL
Sept. 11 – November 27, 2008
This series is presented by a group of renowned researchers and educators who will encompass global questions and answers regarding HIV, Ebola, MRSA, SARS, Mad Cow and other diseases. A full description of the Series Topics can be found on this website.
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Mind Alert: The New Science of Brain Fitness
D55 21017 0801
Instructor: Headway Consulting/ Irene Bilan
Fridays 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon
Room 2M70
Sept. 5 – Nov. 21, 2008
Caring for your brain is as important as taking care of your body. Whether you’re in your 50s, 60s or beyond, you can improve memory, sharpen mental focus and boost overall brain function. In this course we will review some of the key findings of recent brain research such as neuroplasticity and neurogenesis and translate these into simple, easy-to-apply strategies for incorporating brain-strengthening practices into day-to-day life.
The “Outsider” in Prose Fiction
D55 21019 0801
Instructor: Lloyd Siemens
Fridays 12:30 – 2:20 p.m.
Room 2M70
Sept. 5 – Nov. 21, 2008
Many classic novels explore the alienation of a central character from the cultural or moral values of society. Some “outsiders” are ostracized and driven to suicidal despair; others deliberately withdraw from the prevailing ethos of their fellow human beings and choose isolation and even a kind of martyrdom. The tension between strong-willed individualism and comfortable conformity is seldom satisfactorily resolved. This course will consider works by such authors as Flaubert, Hardy, Conrad, Camus, M. Laurence and Fowles. Students are advised to read “Madame Bovary ” before the first class meeting.
Well Being for “Senior” Seniors 1
D55 21421 0801
Instructor: John Clake
Mondays 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Duckworth Centre
Sept. 8 – Dec. 1, 2008 (no class Oct. 13)
This course is a physical activity intervention program intended to reduce the deterioration that causes seniors to have difficulty with day-to-day activities. The goal is to increase participants’ strengths, flexibility, balance, and mobility, which will in turn, reduce the vulnerability to falling. This course will be especially useful to those who are relatively inactive and who wish to improve their fitness levels. Many students have taken this course more than once and continued to improve.
Winter 2009
The Development of the Novel from Defoe to Hardy
D55 21025 0801
Instructor: Celine Kear
Mondays 12:30 p.m. – 2:20 p.m.
Room 2M70
Jan. 5 – Mar. 30, 2008 (no class Feb. 16)
“Only a novel, only some work in which the greatest powers of the mind are displayed . . . and conveyed to the world in the best-chosen language.” This course will look at some of the great novels of the English language, works by Defoe, Richardson, Austen, Dickens, Trollope and Hardy. In the great novels we recognize the essentials that run through all human experiences independent of time and we are made aware of the underlying likeness of human nature regardless of the century. The study of the novel brings insight as well as pleasure.
World Review II
D55 21316 0801
Instructor: Yoram East
Tuesdays 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon
ECKHARDT-GRAMATTE HALL
Jan. 6 – Mar. 31, 2008 (no class Feb. 17)
***Class on March 24th will be from 9:30 – 11:30 we will be having AGM this day from 11:30am-12:30***
This course is a continuation of World Review I, offered in the first term. Lectures will focus on the origin on conflicts and the instructor will comment on events as they unfold in the media. New comers are welcome.
Remarkable Remakes – Series II
D55 21024 0801
Instructor: Sam Minuk
Tuesdays 12:30 – 3:20 p.m.
ECKHARDT-GRAMATTE HALL
Jan. 6 – Mar. 31, 2008 (no class Feb. 17)
Following the same premise as the first series, this course will feature six original classic movies alongside six quality re-makes. The motion pictures scheduled for this series include the following… “All Quiet on the Western Front”, “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”, “Smilin Through”, “Mutiny on the Bounty”, “A Star is Born” and “Rebecca”.
Chamber Music Classics
D55 21022 0801
Instructor: Don Anderson
Wednesdays 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon
Room 2M70
Jan. 7 – April 1, 2008 (no class Feb. 18)
Small is beautiful! Some of the greatest music ever written needs only a handful of players, but it communicates as much depth, imagination and delight as any full-scale symphony or concerto. This survey of outstanding compositions for two to eight instruments presents works from the Renaissance to the twentieth century, for various combinations of strings, woodwinds, brass and piano. Featured composers include Bach, Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Brahms, Raveland Shostakovich. Special highlights include a video presentation of Schubert's glorious 'Trout' Quintet and an award-winning CBC radio documentary about the origins of Dvořák's 'American' Quartet.
Materialism, Relativism, Cosmopolitanism and about 55 other “-isms.”
D55 21026 0801
Instructor: Patrick Walsh
Wednesdays 12:30 p.m. – 2:20 p.m.
Room 2M70
Jan. 7 – Apr. 1, 2008 (no class Feb. 18)
This course offers a philosophical investigation of various intellectual viewpoints (i.e. “–isms”) that influence our understanding of ourselves, our society, and the relationship between ourselves, as individuals, and our society. We will engage our philosophical reasoning through an examination of the ways in which we understand human life and the values which animate ways of living. We will draw our inspiration from the liberal enlightenment typified by the modern period (1600-1800) in the history of philosophy. We will then consider contemporary developments of these philosophical antecedents.
Growing a Healthy Lifestyle
D55 21028 0801
Instructor: Ken Beattie
Thursdays 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon
Room 2M70
Jan. 8 – Apr. 2, 2008 (no class Feb. 19)
For centuries human kind has had an intimate relationship with plants. Our food, clothing, shelter, fuel and medicines all share the common denominator of plants. “To understand plants is to understand life” is the mantra associated with Ken Beattie’s popular international documentary “The Earth’s Garden” which celebrates the many connections in the web of life as associated with plants. Join Ken for a 12 week journey through the earth’s garden exploring the many interconnections of plants, peoples and wellness. Growing a Healthy Lifestyle will help guide participants to a better understanding of how plants can affect our daily lives, our psyche as well as our physical well being and mood. In a practical sense, participants will learn how to cultivate, propagate, combine, and maintain a great many species of plants both for our long indoor gardening period as well as for balconies, patios and in situ gardens.
Humanism and Darwin's Science
D55 21029 0801
Instructors: Barrie Webster/Barry Hammond
Fridays 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon
Room 2M70
Jan. 9 – Apr. 3, 2008 (no class Feb. 20)
Darwin's original full view of evolution reveals that caring, love, moral evolution, and education are the prime drivers of human evolution. Regardless of your belief system, this course will stimulate you to think about human nature in a whole new light. This examination of humanistic thought will shake your view of the basic driving forces behind a healthy socio-economic system, not to mention the shortcomings of the creationist view. The course will celebrate the bicentenary of Charles Darwin. It will appeal to those with an introductory knowledge of Humanism, but will also be accessible to newcomers. In-class discussion will be encouraged.
The History of Comedy on Radio and Television
D55 21023 0801
Instructor: Ron Robinson
Friday 12:30 p.m.– 2:20 p.m.
Room 2M70
Jan. 9 – Apr. 3, 2008 (no class Feb. 20)
From Allen's Alley to Little Mosque on the Prairie. What's funny? If it brought a smile then...can it bring the same smile now? We'll follow the comedic yellow brick road and stop to chuckle and ponder along the way. Would any station play Amos and Andy today? Do you have to take drugs to understand the Firesign Theatre? We'll listen to famous examples such as Wayne and Shuster's Rinse the Blood off My Toga, and The Bricklayer's Story; Respected Sir by Gerard Hofnung; we'll view classic Lucy and contemporary examples. Finally, we'll intersperse our timeline with visits from stand-up comics, writers, producers and others in the serious business of making us laugh.
Well Being for “Senior” Seniors 2
D55 21422 0801
Instructor: John Clake
Mondays, 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Duckworth Centre
Jan. 5 – March 30, 2008 (no class Feb. 16)
This course is a continuation of Well-Being for Older Seniors I, offered in Fall of 2008. New students are welcome. This course is a physical activity intervention program intended to reduce the deterioration that causes seniors to have difficulty with day-to-day activities. The goal is to increase participants’ strength, flexibility, balance, and mobility, which will in turn reduce vulnerability to falling. This course will be especially useful to those who are relatively inactive and who wish to improve their fitness levels. Many students have taken this course more than once and continued to improve.