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BLUES MUSIC - A
SURVEY
Capistrano 223
Ele Meux
 This
seminar will focus on blues music from origins to descendants.
We will play excerpts from CDs, DVDs and even tapes of blues
music and musicians as we progress through different eras of
this style and different groups of musicians. Opportunities
for participation will be offered (i.e., brief biographies);
however this seminar will not require member presentations.
The goal will be to gain an appreciation of the music, its
origins, and its descendants such as blues/rock and blues
bands that developed rock and roll styles.
CALIFORNIA SMALL
TOWNS
Douglass 212
Marge and Claire Le
Donne
Explore California history through the
legacy of small towns. In 2002, 90 percent of Californians
were living in metropolitan areas. There were 2,830 special
districts and 475 small towns then, tracing their roots to
Indian villages, ranchos, gold diggings and enduring pioneers.
Many of these towns have disappeared into growing major cities
these days, but some still thrive as picturesque examples of
the past, or as roadside attractions, vacation destinations or
notorious hangouts. Join us to share tales of founding
families, town heroes and villains, historic events, or
festivals to come in your favorite California small town.
CLASSICAL MUSIC THROUGH THE AGES
Capistrano 227
Bob Seyfried
NOTE: THIS IS A
NEWLY ADDED SEMINAR
This seminar is being done with spontaneity and, unlike
previous seminars, will not concentrate on a specific period,
conductor, performer or piece of music. Rather, we are
going to "wing it," without a formal program. Each
session will be, to the greatest degree possible, a surprise
and, hopefully, a very pleasant one. Class participation is
not obligatory, but encouraged. We will endeavor to
concentrate on the "greatest" composers, performers
and performances known to us and presentations will be through
the use of CDs, DVDs and live performances whenever possible.
Surprises will also pop up from time to time. A one-time
fee of $5 will be collected from each participant.
CRITICAL
THINKING
Mendocino 3011
Richard Kowaleski
Improve your ability to evaluate
controversial claims in politics, the paranormal, alternative
medicine, investments, consumer affairs, and more. Spot the
logical fallacies so common in emotional appeals. Richard has
taught at the U.S. Air Force Academy and at California State
University, Sacramento. He shows you in a very entertaining
manner how to think clearly and logically about life's most
important issues. Richard offered this seminar two years ago
and it was very popular, so register early by phone before the
class becomes full this semester.
ENGLISH LITERATURE
CLASSICS
Douglass 107
Richard Peter, Jim
Kimberlin
Remember Canterbury Tales, Othello,
Great Expectations and Moby Dick? Most of us had to
study these and other English Literature classics in high
school and college, sometimes with a lack of enthusiasm.
However, our life experiences and the passage of time have
given us the ability to appreciate these works more fully and
to understand better what their authors were trying to tell
us. Please join us as we take a fresh look at English
literature and its relevance to us today. Each participant
will have the opportunity to select a work for analysis and
discussion.
FAMOUS AND INFAMOUS CALIFORNIANS (of 18th
and 19th
centuries)
Douglass 207
Louise Driggs, Al
Gallardo
Learn about, perhaps laugh about, two
centuries of change, innovation, growth, persistence, and -
let's face it - just plain lunacy in our Sunshine State
brought about by the remarkable men and women who ventured
west to find, at the end, our coast. Each participant could
report on a Californian of historic note. Choices could
include politicians, labor leaders, educators, architects,
religious figures and scientists. Of course, include movie
moguls, actors, writers, painters and others. What they did,
or how they did it may both inform and entertain you.
GENEALOGY
Douglass 206
Carol Byers
This class assists those new to genealogy
and those who have experience but want to expand their
knowledge. The classical approach, primarily American, will be
our main focus. And online sources plus nifty gadgets will be
used to demonstrate and evaluate their value and their
problems. Topics to be covered include getting started;
research processes and tools; evaluating results; census;
military and legal records (wills, probates, and terminology);
land records; church records; county histories; vital and
immigration records; and newspapers. We'll have relevant field
trips and outside experts to share knowledge with you.
GREAT WESTERNS OF THE 30s, 40s, AND 50s
12:30 -
2:45
Mendocino 4008
Jon Courtway
Welcome to a survey of "Great"
Western movies (1930s to 50s) that any fan should know. These
are the most influential Westerns made. They are not
necessarily the "best," but they helped change
attitudes toward them or influenced the way Westerns were
made. You will see Stagecoach (1939), Incident (1942),
My Darling Clementine (1946), The Gunfighter
(1950), High Noon (1952), Hondo (1953), Shane
(1953), Vera Cruz (1954), The Man from Laramie
(1955), The Tall T (1957), and others. There will be
handouts that discuss Westerns in general and each specific
film. No presentations required. Note the early
starting time - this should allow opportunity for
discussion.
HEALTHY
AGING
Douglass 209
Stan Greenberg
The object of healthy aging is to
maintain good or maximum health and live as long as possible.
Many illnesses attributed to aging are the result of
lifestyle. We all age chronologically and biologically. You
can have a chronological age of 80 and a biological age of 55.
It will depend on what you know and do and your lifestyle. The
object of the class is to review the available research and
literature and to optimize our biomarkers so that we are
younger than our chronological age. Come learn, discuss and
become motivated. We will discuss nutrition and lifestyle.
Books, DVDs and guests will be part of the seminar.
MEXICO AND LATIN AMERICA IN THE 21ST
CENTURY
Mendocino 1024
Carlos and Gloria Borja,
Bruce Joplin
 What
will be the results of new political, social, economic and
environmental policies in these countries and how will they
impact the U.S.? How do these changes affect our wallets,
energy consumption, drug interdiction and immigration
policies? What benefits can the U.S. derive from a new policy
of respect and cooperation with Latin America and how will
this change our image in this hemisphere and the rest of the
world? We will discuss these topics and with information
gained, project some answers or consequences. This class will
be limited to 25 members.
MYSTERY
WRITERS
Douglass 213
John Walker
Mysteries are intriguing and suspenseful,
filled with fascinating storylines. Of all the novel genres,
mysteries have always been overwhelmingly the most popular. As
a class member, you will learn which mysteries and authors
have been selected as the very best over the past 25 years. We
will further discover which of those authors are the most
acclaimed. The class will primarily focus on authors. There is
no doubt that by semester's end every class member will have
several lists of mysteries and authors that they cannot wait
to read!
OUTSTANDING
BREAKTHROUGHS
Mendocino 3009
John Andrew, Bob
Schmidt
CHANGE…THE "IN" WORD. Who or
what sparked CHANGE in our societies? Beginning in the 1700s,
white, male-dominated countries gradually evolved into
multicultural societies that we witness today in America and
elsewhere in the world. One dramatic example would be the
election of our first African-American president. Each first
step of the evolution may have been taken by a woman or man of
courage who dared to do something not done before. We will
explore their lives and reflect on the consequences of their
achievements. We could also review those dramatic
circumstances caused by nature of politics or economic need
that prompted more accepting multicultural societies in the
world. Participants will be encouraged to suggest people and
circumstances for class consideration.
READINGS ON HUMAN
RIGHTS
Mendocino 2032
Charles Scarcliff
 The
readings for this seminar span the millennia, the globe, and
the full range of human rights topics. For example, we will
read and discuss the words of a woman speaking of the rights
of women in ancient Rome, the Declaration of Independence, and
Martin Luther King's "Letter from the Birmingham
Jail." There will be no seminar presentations, but
participants will need to read, always fewer than 20 pages
each week, and engage in lively discussions interpreting the
writing and gaining deeper understanding of the topics.
Participants will need to purchase Citizens of the World (cost
$25.95), the book of readings we will use.
RECESSION
HISTORY
Douglass 108
Dan Keller, Phyllis
Mills
Recession? What Recession? Economic
recessions have occurred throughout the history of the United
States. The U.S. suffered its first recession in the panic of
1797. There have been at least twenty-one recessions since
then. By studying U.S. economic recession history, we may
better understand how current recessions can affect our life
today. This is a participatory seminar and will offer
opportunities to look at the causes, impacts and efforts to
mitigate the effects of past recessions and understand some
current economic and financial thinking and theories.
THE AMERICAN
MIND
Mendocino 3013
Larry Whitlock
We are searching for the American Mind
and will begin with the aftermath of the Civil War and will
end with the Modern Neo-Conservative Movement. We will be
covering recurring themes of American intellectual history,
including the struggle between will and intellect, the
importance of religious ideas, the role of pragmatism, the
power of liberal capitalism, and the ascent of the U.S. as a
world power. All are welcome, as taking the prior semester of
this class is not required.
GEOGRAPHY
Douglass 208
Wayne Luney
The geography of the earth's lands and
oceans has had a major impact on world history since the dawn
of mankind. The presence of vast oceans, deserts, complex
river systems, mountain ranges, plains and rain forests has
helped determine the direction and extent of human
development. Changing conditions such as global warming are
emerging as major problems and threats to human and animal
life throughout the world. Seminar participants will be asked
to present a report on a significant aspect of world geography
that has impacted world history or promises to significantly
affect it in the future.
THE INHERITANCE: THE WORLD OBAMA
CONFRONTS AND THE CHALLENGES TO AMERICAN POWER
Mendocino 4005
Herb and Jane Cohen
 This
is a class devoted to the reading and discussion of selected
chapters of David Sanger's book (see title). Sanger is the
chief Washington correspondent for the New York Times. The
book sells for $15-20 in paperback. Each week one of the
participants will lead the discussion. Sanger's book is one of
the finest works of journalism regarding American foreign
policy, history and present concerns.
WATERCOLOR
PAINTING
Kadema 266
Ken Kinyon, Catherine
McCormick
 Discover
your own creative ability through the beauty and excitement of
transparent watercolor painting. Ability to draw is helpful.
This seminar is for beginning to advanced students. Members of
the class will do some instruction in principles and elements
of design. Students may choose their own projects. Critiques
of completed paintings will be made by class members, if
desired, and guest experienced artists will be invited. Call
Catherine McCormick to register.
WRITING PERSONAL
HISTORIES
Mendocino 3007
Jan Schroeder, Allen
Strong
For those of you who intend to record
your life history for your family, begin with this class.
Participants will be encouraged to bring typed pages of about
500 words to share each week. Lots of support and ideas will
be given to those who want it, but no critiques. Not only will
the class stimulate your recollections of major events in your
lifetime, but you will have the opportunity to meet and know
other Renaissance members in a small group setting. Class
limit is 25.
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