Friday Afternoon Seminars

Art/Entertainment

American Popular Music (By Decade) (C)
Alpine 122

Mike Harkins

This PowerPoint-based seminar offers a decade-by-decade survey of America's most popular music. Each week we will examine the top songs and artists of a specific decade. Through both music and videos we will sample the mainstream musical trends from the 1890s to present day. We will also hear selections from the Grammy Hall of Fame, which will focus on the major Grammy categories of pop (both traditional and modern), blues, jazz, R&B, country, and rock. With the wide range of musical eras and styles, there should be something for everyone. No presentations are required.

Beautiful Singing in Opera and Art Song (C)
Capistrano 223

Ken Carter, Len Miller

We will hear (and usually see) great singers of the present and near-past in performances on CD, DVD, and the rapidly-growing library of YouTube. As time and interest permit, we may view entire operas and other musical works. Some examples of our exploration—differing interpretations of the same musical material; comparing vocal styles, e.g., ornamented "bel canto," legato, dramatic, stentorian; informed opinions about a highly subjective art. Seminar members are invited to share their favorite vocal performances.

Experiencing Architecture (P)
Mendocino 1005

Dan Keller, Larry Emery

Besides keeping us dry and warm, how do the design, positioning, style, and landscaping of buildings affect us; how important are streetscapes, plazas, and city planning? This semester we will explore the impact of architecture on our lives through discussion, film, videos, and a campus walking tour. Much of the focus will be on new architects. Presentations by class members on architects and architecture are encouraged.

Class Cancelled! Impressionism and Post-Impressionism: An Exploration of Late 19th and Early 20th Century French & American Art (P)
Alpine 236

Debbie Russell

In this seminar, members will explore one of the greatest periods in the evolution of art. The Impressionist movement and its offshoot post-impressionism eventually spread to the U.S., where American Impressionism found a home on the east coast and in California. Independent research by members will be the foundation of the seminar. Introductory material will be presented during the first three sessions. Then each member will give a 20- 30-minute presentation on an artist of their choosing or a specific aspect of the art of that period. Enrollment is limited to the first 25 to sign up. (E-mail messages preferred.)

Real Rock 'n' Roll (C)
Brighton 202 Note Room Change!

Bob Lang

"Gotta be rock 'n' roll music if you wanna dance with me!" Former radio disc jockey and local musician Bob Lang leads an exploration on the influences, roots, and development of rock 'n' roll music from the 1950s through the early '60s. Subjects include early rhythm and blues, rockabilly, and doo wop; also sessions on the popular teen idols, '60s dance crazes, one-hit wonders, influences on the music of the Beatles, and more. Lots of surprises! Elvis, Little Richard, Ray Charles, The Shirelles, Chuck Berry, Dion and the Belmonts, Chubby Checker—they're all here!

Some of the Best Films You Have Never Seen (C)
12:30
Library 1533

Jon Courtway

We will continue our journey through the weird and wonderful world of cult and film noir and expand to watch some films recommended by Leonard Maltin that never became popular hits. There will be romance, romantic comedy, fantasy and science fiction. The class fills up fast and registration by email is especially encouraged.

Watercolor Painting (A)
Eureka 101 Note Room Change!

Barbara Peck, Ken Kinyon

Discover your own creative ability through the beauty and excitement of transparent watercolor painting. This seminar is for beginning to advanced students. Ability to draw is helpful. Members of the seminar will do some instruction in the principles and elements of design. Members may choose their own projects. Members must provide their own watercolor supplies and a material list will be provided. Critiques of completed paintings will be made by seminar members if desired. Experienced guest artists will be invited to provide instruction and insight to watercolor painting. The class will be limited to 25 members.

Culture/Societies (Historical, Contemporary)

Cultural Statements in Film and Documentaries II (C)
12:30
Library 3021

Birte Harley, Steve Harley

A new selection of films from the USA and around the world will be presented in our second semester film seminar. These films will deal with mature subjects and language. We would like you to be fascinated by what you see and partake in lively discussions on the subjects. A list of the films we have selected will be provided at the first seminar meeting. It will include a synopsis of the films and the dates they will be shown. We look forward to sharing this seminar experience with you. We plan to start the films promptly at 12: 30 p.m.

South America: What North Americans Don't Know (P)
Douglass 107 Note Room Change!

Allen Jamieson, Kathleen Olson

Why are the South American countries so different from their cousins to the North, the USA and Canada? Here's your chance to learn about heroes and villains throughout South American history, from Magellan at the southern end to Hugo Chavez in Venezuela at the northern end. Revolutions, dictatorships, colorful personalities, distinctly great music and attention-getting literature—we'll cover the gamut of what makes countries of the vast southern continent surprisingly different in so many ways from the North. We'll take advantage of CDs and DVDs and class members' reports from easily found resources.

Scandinavian History and Culture (P)
Alpine 204

Elaine Bjorgan Duxbury, Mary Euretig, Joan Meagher, Lynn Poole

The Scandinavian countries of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden will be the focus of this seminar. With presentations from seminar members and other resources, we will learn together about the history and culture of this area. Members will develop presentations on significant eras in Scandinavian history and on cultural topics such as architecture, literature, music, folk arts and travel. Each week we will have a short discussion of current events. Later in the semester we will look at immigration to America and resources for Scandinavian genealogy.

The TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) Talks: Ideas Worth Spreading (P)
Alpine 144

Allan Keown, Gwen Stephens, Virginia Sturdevant

TED talks, originating from the annual TED conferences currently held in Long Beach each February, have become an international phenomenon. Join us as we watch approximately 40 of the best talks, to be selected from more than 1,050 now available online. We initially explore the TED website; view and discuss the 2007 TED documentary; and read and discuss the recent New Yorker article "Listen and Learn." We shall then view and discuss 40 or so of the TED talks themselves, selected, shown and presented by the seminar's three co-leaders, as well as by those seminar participants who so choose. Big fun awaits!

Class Cancelled! 1960s: Sex, Drugs and Trying to Remember (P)
Mendocino 3011

Richard Dale Fuller

The 1960s—we've all been there and lived that! Now, have your 15 Minutes of Fame, sharing with the class on ANY topic you remember from the 60s: birth control pills, Timothy Leary, Mario Savio, assassinations, British music, Woodstock, Bob Dylan, Cuban Missile Crisis, protests and demonstrations (Chicago 7), Civil Rights legislation, JFK/LBJ/Nixon, Carnaby Street, Hippies in Berkeley, Kaufax-Drysdale, Joe Namath, the Packers, etc. EVERYONE who signs up for class MUST present a 15-minute program and you must select it at the time of enrolling. Have fun!!!

Economics/Government

Great Decisions (P)
12:20
Mendocino 1032

David Peters, Nell Farr

The Great Decisions program is designed to encourage debate of current U.S. foreign policy issues. The Great Decisions Briefing Book (cost $20) published annually by the Foreign Policy Association (FPA) helps participants develop informed opinions about our foreign policy objectives and how it affects our relationships with other nations. Relevant FPA videos will be shown on most Fridays at 12:20. Topics for discussion include: Future of the Euro, Egypt, NATO, Myanmar and Southeast Asia, Humanitarian intervention, Iran, China in Africa, and Threat Assessment. This is a participatory seminar. The class size is limited to 22.

Healthcare in California: What Makes It Tick (AKA "Follow the Money") (C)
Alpine 148

Marty Keale, Tom Swift

An exploration of how complicated funding streams create financial incentives that can be non-transparent and conflict with public interests. We will examine all levels of the system, from government regulation and funding, to healthcare plans, Big Pharma, hospital systems, community clinics, physician practices and health prevention programs. We will also take quick looks at how California Healthcare compares with other states and countries, the implications of the Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare"), and alternatives to Western medicine. Throughout, we will help you better understand the sometimes confusing jargon of healthcare.

History

California and the Civil War (P)
Douglass 209

Nancy Samuelson, Gloria Luney, Charles Donaldson

California became a free state due to the Compromise of 1850. Ten years of increased sectional bickering followed. Lincoln was elected and the Civil War began in earnest. California played a number of important roles in that epic conflict that are forgotten today. California gold helped finance the war. California men fought with many eastern units. California Volunteers protected the Overland Trails, fought Indians, and protected seaports. Plots and counterplots by secret societies added to the excitement. Seminar members will be encouraged to make presentations.

Canada and its Relationship with the United States (P)
Douglass 213

Wayne Luney

The large friendly nation on our northern border is often taken for granted by many Americans. This seminar will explore Canada's history, its institutions, and its relationship with the United States. We will also try to evaluate the differences between the two nations. This is a participatory class.

Combatants and Courtesans: Women in History (P)
Alpine 232

Ed Sherman, Jeannette Hanna

A survey of historically prominent women made famous by their own accomplishments, rather than their associations with notorious men. We will study women who can boast of achievements that affected the course of western civilization. So, we would favor Catherine the Great over Monica Lewinsky. Participants will be encouraged to make a brief biographical report on a historically significant woman of their choice from antiquity to the end of WWII. Reports should shed light on both their victories and failures, while noting what judgment history has made on their lives.

The Enlightenment 1640-1815 (P)
Mariposa 1001

Ed Sanborn, Joyce Mundel

The Enlightenment is reported to be what makes the West different from the rest of the world. Is this true? if so, why? These are questions we can explore in this class. What ideas, writers, artists, and composers make this period so pivotal in Western history?

Greek Mythology in Art, Literature and Music (C)
Mendocino 1003

David Warren

Taught by David Warren, this class will begin with the creation of the world according to Greek mythology. All of the major Greek gods will be discussed and many works of art seen, as well as references to major musical compositions and literature in which they appear. Perhaps some of the gods will visit us in our class. We see the names of the Greek gods every day, but do you know the stories behind them? A syllabus will be available to the student for $10. Professor Warren will be teaching the class, and there will be no student presentations.

Literature/Drama/Languages

Beginning Spanish (P)
Douglass 110

Kathie Micallef

Enjoy learning the basics of the Spanish language. Become familiar with the customs and traditions of Spanish-speaking cultures. You'll learn to introduce yourself and others, tell time, ask and give directions, order food, and much more. You'll learn idioms which will help familiarize you with the language. Emphasis will be on vocabulary with pronunciation tips and sentence structure. Fun and practice, hopefully, will make your experience unbelievable. No previous Spanish needed. Class size limited.

Reading Like a Writer (D)
Douglass 207

Ron Tochterman

Read great modern stories (by, among others, Joyce Carol Oates, Mona Simpson and Edward P. Jones) closely to understand what makes them great, focusing on the tools of the writers' craft: style, diction, detail, dialogue, etc. Objective: To become better (more discerning) readers. "Part of a reader's job is to find out why certain writers endure."—Francine Prose. Text: The Vintage Book of Contemporary American Short Stories, Tobias Wolfe editor, Amazon.com, $10.66 new. Recommended: Reading Like a Writer, Francine Prose, Harper Perennial, 2008.

Personal Development/Sports

Creating a Healthy Kitchen (C)
Alpine 212

Anne Evans

Scientists tell us that most chronic illnesses are diet- and lifestyle-related. This seminar will help you discover how to avoid and even reverse these conditions with food. Learn to be a F.R.E.S.H. cook by choosing foods that are Frugal, Regional, Easy, Seasonal and Healthy. For meals away from home, there will be references to local eateries and details on how to find plant-based restaurants while on the road. You will receive recipes and lots of shopping suggestions. Find out how deliciously simple healthy eating can be. No presentations are required.

Self-Publishing Our Memoirs, Biography or Other Personal Book (C)
Douglass 208

Marian Kile

Self-publishing our own book is a very inexpensive way to get our book published. Marian will walk us through the steps to get our book from computer to a published work via the Internet. The class will include: organizing the book, setting up headers and footers, creating a table of contents and index, creating a PDF and more. She will be demonstrating using MS Word 2010, but most of it can be accomplished using other tools. Marian will not be covering how to write your stories or how to promote your book.

Writing Personal Histories (P)
Mendocino 3007

Tom Carroll

For those of you who intend to record your life story for your family, begin with this class. Participants bring typed pages of about 500-600 words to share each week. While the class doesn't teach how to write (if you've ever written a letter describing an event, you're an accomplished tale teller), lots of support and ideas will be given to those who want it. And it's an opportunity to meet and know other Renaissance members in a small group setting. The class will be limited to 20 members.

Science/Philosophy

Jesus and Christian Origins (D)
Douglass 108

J.L. Tobey

One of the most important and intractable problems of western history is called the "quest of the historic Jesus." This seminar uses standard historical method to analyze four issues: the documentary problem (attempts to establish the original text and authorship of New Testament writings); the question of Jesus' attitude toward gentiles and traditional Judaism; the question of Jesus' self-understanding (did he consider himself to be the messiah?); did he predict the imminent end of the world? As time permits, we will also analyze the theology of Paul, representing the world of Diaspora Judaism and Greco-Roman culture, and the eschatological tradition still politically important today.

Religion and Society in Tension (P)
Douglass 212

Dick Pitcher

We are in a very pluralistic and rapidly changing society, one in which religion always has and still plays an active role. This will be a participatory seminar on the relationship between religion and society from historical, cultural, sociological, and religious perspectives. Also, there will be at least one session concerning religious groups and issues involved in the Civil War in Syria. We will look at the role religion played in the 2012 elections as well as examine various religious influences in the current cultural war, including issues of abortion, gay marriage, rights of women, environmentalism, unionization, poverty and economic justice.

The Search for Spirituality (P)
Mendocino 3013

Jan Polin, Marilyn Reynolds

For centuries religious traditions have influenced all aspects of world civilizations, including stabilization, expansion, and war. However, many of us experience our personal spiritual journeys based on some combination of traditional elements plus insights and wisdom gained from our own unique, accumulated life experience. As a backdrop and foundation for both personal and formal spiritual journeys, we will explore and discuss world religious traditions and movements, including Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Shamanism, and Zoroastrianism, along with newer movements such as New Age and Gaia Beliefs. This seminar will be presented both by guest speakers and class participants.

Technology

Blogging for Fun and Advocacy (C)
Mariposa 1010

Duane Campbell

Learn to set up and write a blog (a web log) with hands-on practice and support. We will consider blogs, citizen journalism, analytics, fonts, photos, templates, feeds and more. Intermediate level computer skills and internet usage required. This project is iPad and iPhone friendly. Some tasks and projects will be on-line. Seminar limited to 20 participants. See example blog. Early registration recommended.