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AMERICAN
INTERVENTIONS
Mendocino 1024
John Andrew, Nell Farr
From the 1813 invasion of Canada to the
2003 invasion of Iraq, the United States has often intervened
in the affairs of other nations. Frequently these
interventions have had unintended consequences for both
America and the other countries. We will explore the history
of some of these events, details unknown to most Americans.
Examples that we will study include Hawaii, Chile, the
Philippines, Afghanistan, Iran and Central American countries.
This shall be a participatory seminar limited to 25
Renaissance members.
EXPERIENCING
ARCHITECTURE
Library 1533
Stan Mofjeld, Tom Dole
Does its architecture, its style, affect
your attitude about a building or even a community? This shall
be a continuation of Architecture Past and Present, a popular
seminar given a few years ago. This subject endeavors to
excite your visual and spatial experience of differing
architecture. For the most part, presentations will be visual,
employing graphic media such as slides, video or internet. The
seminar coordinators can advise or assist participants in the
presentations.
GRAND
OPERA!
Alpine 204
Eliane Watson
Now that opera lovers can experience
Metropolitan Opera performances in high definition at a local
theater, let's take a look at what will be offered next
season. We'll learn the opera stories and listen to beautiful
arias on CDs that we anticipate to hear live from New York
City later. Active participation and presentations are
expected in class, with assistance if needed from the avid
opera coordinator. Novice opera and other classical music fans
could learn to enjoy this distinct, professional style of
music and theater.
GREAT
EXPLORERS
Alpine 148
Wayne Luney
Learn about the persons who expanded our
knowledge of the world through their explorations of lands
previously unknown to Europeans. We will prepare talks about
explorers who were active between the late middle ages and the
early 20th Century. Suggested topics for class participation
include Marco Polo, Vasco da Gama, Alexander von Humboldt,
James Cook, Richard Burton, and Ronald Amundsen. By the way,
who discovered America or the U.S. West or Hawaii?
GREAT TRIALS IN
HISTORY
Alpine 144
Mike Sands, Bob Taylor,
Joy Skalbeck
This is a participatory seminar, much
like the similar one presented in the past. From the Salem
witch trials to the Scopes "Monkey" trial to the O.J.
Simpson trial, we will examine some of the great or memorable
trials in history and examine the impact, if any, they had on
our lives. Members of class may select a trial from a prepared
list or choose their own.
MAGICAL
EGYPT
Mendocino 4004
Erica Vagt
We will view and discuss eight DVDs
presented by Emmy award-winning John West, who leads a new
generation of scientists through magical Egypt, thus
pioneering a radical new understanding of Egypt's past. Topics
will include mystery schools, sacred geometry, possible
earlier civilizations, ancient codes, and Luxor and Karnat
temples. Also, haunting looks at Abu Simbel, the afterlife,
and links between ancient and modern magical practices. This
series was not shown on TV and is not available in stores.
Contributions to purchase these DVDs are requested with the
amount based on the number of class participants.
MIXED BAG OF
FILMS
Library 1522
Gloria Luney, Marion
Isaac, John Liberty, Jon Courtway
Join us for an engrossing potpourri of
lesser-known classic, near-classic, and cult films from
directors both foreign and American. These films range from
quirky and wildly humorous comedies to profoundly serious
dramas. Enrollment is limited to room capacity of 53
participants. While this is a NO PRESENTATION style
seminar, we anticipate lively, informal discussions following
the screenings. Sign up early and enjoy an afternoon at the
movies..
MYSTERY
WRITERS
Alpine 156
John Walker
Mysteries are intriguing and suspenseful
with fascinating storylines. Mysteries are certainly the most
popular of all genre novels. Class members will learn which
100 mystery novels have been selected as the best ever
written! You will further discover which of the authors are
most acclaimed and the class will primarily focus on those
authors. There is no doubt that by semester's end, every class
member will have lists containing many mysteries and authors
that they intend to read.
READING PROUST'S BOOK IN SEARCH OF
LOST TIME
Douglass 213
Karen Ewing, Kay
Mogavero
One of Western literature's most
celebrated novels is Remembrance of Things Past by
Marcel Proust. This series of seven books was written in the
early 20th Century by a man whose passion was to project in
literary art the very "form of time." Critics
consider that Proust stands alone in his achievement as a
novelist. This is a continuing seminar. We will be reading
Volumes 4, 5, and 6 in the Fall 2008 on to the Spring 2009.
Contact the coordinator for the book collection title and
source.
SCIENCE FICTION
LITERATURE
Alpine 205
Ele Meux
Many people haven't read SF because they
associate the term with Star Trek, Star Wars, X-Files, etc.
But Science Fiction includes classics such as Orwell's Nineteen
Eighty-Four, Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 and
Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse Five. This seminar's goal is
to acquaint those who haven't read SF with some of its
classics, and to provide the veteran SF readers with an
opportunity to read and discuss old favorites and new
examples. We will include short stories and excerpts from SF
books and ask members to read 20-40 pages weekly. Lists of
Science or Speculative Fiction material to be read will be
provided.
SOUTH
ASIA
Alpine 232
Onkar Bindra, Al
Wolfgang
About 1.5 billion of the 6.4 billion
people worldwide live in South Asia, an area which, by the
way, includes two countries with nuclear power capabilities or
power. Here's another fact that may seem surprising: While the
South Asians constitute 1.5 percent of our U.S. population,
they nonetheless comprise 38 percent of our doctors! This
seminar's goal is to help us learn about the countries
included in this remarkable region. We'll cover Pakistan,
India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, Bangladesh, plus
Diego Garcia and the great Indus-Sarasvati civilization. We
have a lot to learn, don't we?
THE
ETRUSCANS Mariposa 1001
Paul Micheli
The Greeks used "a, ß, γ" to
start their alphabet, but we use "a, b, c" because
the Etruscans had no "g" sound. The Church adopted
miter and staff, but these were the regency instruments of the
Etruscan haruspex. Today we speak of human rights because
Etruscan women enjoyed equal rights with their men.
Ladies--this is the culture that started equality! These are a
few of the many legacies that we inherited from these people,
who then disappeared! Explore with me the painted tombs in
necropolises unearthed all over Italy. We'll learn about the
people called Etruscans who, having disappeared, then
resurrected and became the delight of the Renaissance.
20TH CENTURY
POETRY
Mendocino 4005
Chuck Scarcliff
From Robert Frost to W.B. Yeats to Sylvia
Plath, we will read and discuss poems by major and not so
major American and British poets of the 20th Century.
Participants will need to purchase the seminar syllabus ($10
or less) and read a few poems before we meet each week. This
seminar will emphasize primarily the discussions of the poems
in the syllabus, their styles and their messages and their
merit.
200 YEARS OF AMERICAN POPULAR
MUSIC
Capistrano 227
Mike Harkins
We will survey the evolution of the most
popular genres of American music by listening to many diverse
musical recordings. The expedition starts with the "penny
broadsides" of the northern colonies and the "slave
hollers" of the rural South. Slide shows of photos and
music will take us from the earliest jazz, blues, folk, and
country styles to modern times. We will trace jazz ensembles
to big band swing, crooners to pop divas, rhythm and blues to
rock 'n roll, and soul to disco. Continue on with urban funk
to rap, and rock to its spinoffs such as metal, punk, and
grunge. You'll hear the differences, understand the
connections, and enjoy!
UNTOLD STORIES OF OLD
SACRAMENTO
Mendocino 4008
Marge and Claire
LeDonne
Rip the tourist facade off of Old
Sacramento. Expose the untold stories of ruthless (Gold Rush)
developers, politicians, scoundrels, and heroes who shaped
this notorious neighborhood and California's influential
position in today's world. Join us in examining this
neighborhood from its start as a tent city and the West
Coast's largest skid row to its evolution as a test case for
urban development. Don't miss this chance to learn the real
history of our capital city.
WATERCOLOR
PAINTING
Kadema 266
Catherine McCormick,
Ken Kinyon
Discover your own creative ability
through the beauty and excitement of transparent watercolor
painting. Ability to draw is helpful, but 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, Dennis
Kohlmann, Irina Kravtchenko
The world has changed so much since we
were children. This is an opportunity to record your
experiences for your grandchildren. Participants will be asked
to bring typed pages of about 500 words each week to share in
class. Support will be given to those who want it, but no
critiques. Writing your life history can be quite interesting,
even therapeutic. Being in this class will stimulate many
memories, and you will have the opportunity to meet and get to
know other Renaissance members in this interactive group
setting. Class size may be limited.
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