If you love theater—watching plays, acting, or simply exploring dramatic literature—this class is for you. We’ll read and discuss several modern and contemporary plays, view performance clips, and learn about each play’s history and playwright. You’ll have copies to read in advance and take on character roles in class. We’ll share insights, offer brief critiques, and select scenes for a final readers’ theater performance for guests. A field trip to a local production may also be possible. Copy fee $2.00

This class is for students who feel comfortable with Spanish pronunciation, basic vocabulary, and using the present tense in the Spanish language. We will build up our vocabulary and learn additional grammar including how to talk about events in the past. Please purchase a copy of Spanish Easy and Fun, copyright 2023. We will cover units 11-20 in this course. To get the most out of the class, students will need a computer, tablet, or smartphone to access the audio components. $3 copy fee to be collected at first class.

This course will continue to explore and expand upon the unique cultural heritage of Italy's regions relative to their culinary preferences and innovations. We will continue to review major grammar points and to develop conversational skills pertinent to travel to Italy. Supplementary cultural materials will be provided by the instructor, as before. Our text continues to be Italian Through Food by Andrea Parisi (available on Amazon)

What do you love? Seminar-style, the project will incorporate class conversations about student experiences with love and hope in a shared society as well as stories about civility heroes now and in the past. Examples include James Baldwin, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Robin Wall Kimmerer, Wendell Berry, and others. Answering a call for action .... something as simple as planting and appreciating a tree to counter the ecological crisis? "The text is "Love's Braided Dance" by Norman Wirzba, published by Yale University Press, 2024, {157 pp.) available at Amazon.

Discover pickleball and learn why everyone is talking about pickleball! This beginner friendly class introduces you to the essentials: basic rules, how to keep score, where to play, and how to find playing partners. You’ll develop core skills—including serving, sustaining a rally, and placing the ball with purpose—through a mix of brief instruction, fun drills, and open play. No athletic background is required-just a willingness to move, learn, and laugh. Please note: Good balance and the ability to bend your knees are important for safe participation. If you have concerns about your mobility or health, consult your healthcare provider before enrolling. Assisted by Sam Haag and Sue Fassett

This class will pick up the story of the travails of the US, primarily from the political angle, beginning in the 1970s and bring it up to the present. The twilight of New Deal liberalism, the breakup of the Roosevelt coalition, the fracturing of American culture, the rise of the "New Right," the search for identities of all kinds, the Age of Terror and a Global War against it that at first promised conservative dominance and eventually wrecked the party that promoted it, a worldwide Great Recession and then a pandemic that provoked an explosion of populist grievances we're still reckoning with, and more, will be discussed. Readings will be about 20+ pages a week, and will be distributed. $5 copy fee due at first class.

Have fun tending your Creative Soul with this art journal practice. We use magazine collage and journaling techniques to explore creativity, memories, feelings and inner wisdom through the found expressing our soul’s native language. This art journal practice is fun and soul-tending as we come together in a safe group setting. Additional journaling, and/or YouTube videos may be assigned outside of class. Highly recommended: at least one semester or collage retreat with the instructor. Bring: Sketchbook, gluestick, scissors, magazines. Other materials, text books may be recommended.

The Psalms have an interesting history: regarded as sacred scripture by Jews, Christians, and Muslims -- sung in ancient times and still sung today. In this class we will study the psalms themselves and their history, including their importance in the development of music and musical notation. We will learn how the singing of psalms changed from ancient times through the middle ages and into modern times. We will also learn how to sing psalms in English -- both the simplified chant of plainsong and the psalms transformed into hymns in modern hymnals. (You won't have to sing if you don't want to.)