The USM LAC Senior College at 51 Westminster St., Lewiston, has announced its spring courses to be offered on Zoom, with some in person.
The university requires that masks be worn at all times, and students must show proof of vaccination on the first day of each class. Registration on coursestorm.com is due to begin Tuesday, March 1. and information also can be found at the college’s website usm.maine.edu/seniorcollege, according to a news release from the college.
Working on Wikitree, with instructor Lin Wright, Zoom
People can use the free collaborative family tree website wikitree.com to learn about how they are connected to others. They can learn about how to share their family line, and document the lives of individuals. Find new ways to connect and collaborate.
Genealogical Foundations, with instructor Wright, in-person
This class focuses on how genealogy works, and best practices in research and documentation.
Is “The Afterlife” Unscientific Poppycock?, with instructor Stephen Kercel, Zoom
There is a presumption that the survival of consciousness after death is inextricably bound to religion. In Dennet, Dawkins, Harris and Hitchins’ works, these self-styled “Four Horsemen of Atheism” purport to debunk both religion and the afterlife. Although they raise substantial objections to the Abrahamic religions, they suppose that they have consequently debunked all paranormal or supernatural explanations of bizarre phenomena. They further claim that reports such as those of “afterlife” experiences must violate the laws of science. This course will examine both the logical rigor of their works and the rational integrity of “life after life” reports. Suggested book: “Mortality” by Christopher Hitchens.
Living Well With Diabetes, with instructor Katherine Mills, Healthy Living for ME coordinator at Seniors Plus, Zoom
This six-week workshop helps people with type two diabetes learn a variety of day-to-day self-management skills like monitoring blood sugar, healthy eating, exercise, and foot care. This class will be facilitated via Zoom, so all participants must have access to a device with both a WebCam and microphone. Zoom support will be provided prior to the class starting.
Games Galore-Pictionary Challenge, with instructors Mary Jane Beardsley and Judy Hierstein, Zoom
This is the first of three game nights featured on Zoom. People may know Pictionary from way back, but this is a modern twist using Zoom’s whiteboard feature. People do not have to be able to draw, or know how to use the whiteboard to participate.
Chicago Exposition 1893, with instructor Alan Elze, in-person
What do Milton Hershey, L Frank Baum, Frank Loyd Wright, Frederick Law Olmsted, Thomas Edison, Nikola Tesla and a host of others have in common? They were all part of the 1893 Chicago Exposition.
The Daughter of a Daughter of a Queen, with instructor Laura Sturgis, Zoom
This novel is based upon a slave who disguised herself as a man and became a member of the U.S. cavalry during the Civil War, serving under General Sheridan. It is based upon a true woman. The book “Daughter of a Daughter of a Queen” by Sarah Bird can be purchased at Amazon, or people can check with their local library.
Male Singers- Songwriters, with instructor Bernier, in-person
David Bernier takes a look at some old favorites and some new artists. John Denver and Paul Simon are back along with new additions Jimmy Buffett, Roy Orbison, John Fogerty and Don Henley.
Mark Twain: Non-Fiction Works 1852-1890, with instructor Alan Elze, in-person
Twain wrote a prodigious amount of non-fiction stories and material. The class will examine quite a few. This is a continuation of the Twain class of the spring of 2019. Suggested book: “Mark Twain Collected Tales, Sketches, Speeches, and Essays.”
Perennial Gardening, with instructor Jean Potuchek, in-person
This course on ornamental gardening with perennial plants is for would-be perennial gardeners, those who have dabbled in perennial gardening and would like to improve their knowledge, and experienced gardeners who would like more scientific underpinning for their practice. Class sessions will include both lecture and time for sharing gardening tips and strategies. Topics include the botany of perennials, understanding soil, choosing plants, native plants, garden design, and garden maintenance.
Writing Your Life Story, with instructor Connie Jones, Zoom
This informal class will get students on the road to writing about their life, from the mundane to the marvelous. Inviting all “non-writers” to join, this will not be a critique of writing style or grammar. People can take a chance on finding out that all have lived a pretty interesting life after all.
Games Galore-Trivial Pursuit, with instructors Mary Jane Beardsley and Judy Hierstein, Zoom
Mary Jane Beardsley challenges students to have some virtual fun, and the second of three game nights featured on Zoom. With Zoom, games will be played safely with friends across the state and around the world.
20th Century Modern Abstract Artists, with instructor Alene Staley, Zoom
This course will explore the works and lives of four modern American artists, John Marin, Arthur Dove, Marsden Hartley and Georgia O’Keeffe. The idea of the course is to explore abstract art to gain a new perspective and understanding of art and its place in the world and to get to know these fascinating personalities.
History and Practice of Painting Outdoors (en plein air), with instructor Mike Everett, in-person
A topic for aspiring painters and others interested in art history. For only two centuries have painters been able to work outside, a technological change that has revolutionized the visual arts. This brief course will provide a history of plein air painting and an introduction to its theory and practice.
Conspiracy Theories, with instructor: Elcha Buckman, in-person
The class will take a look at the psychology behind conspiracy theories and how they have affected society over the years.
Games Galore-Mad Gab, with instructors Mary Jane Beardsley and Judy Hierstein, Zoom
MadGab will be played using Zoom’s chat feature, and students’ quirky sense of the English language.
Family Tree Fridays, with instructor Lin Wright, in-person and Zoom
A genealogical potpourri focused on the ways to explore and share the stories of families.
Draw Near, with instructor Judy Hierstein, Zoom
In this online studio art course, people can get up close and personal and examine small objects, then interpret them visually using a variety of techniques. They can explore how other artists have done the same, and spend time sharing work, tips, successes and struggles with the class.
Green Dot Bystander Intervention Training, with instructor: Peter Elias and a team from Green Dot, in-person
Participants can learn how and why a bystander may intervene safely and reduce the potential for harm caused by bullying or harassment.
Conversational Spanish for Beginners, with instructor Diane Parker, Zoom
Learn and practice some beginning Spanish. Spend some time between classes reviewing. Text: “Easy Spanish Step by Step.”
Western Philosophy of Morality, with instructor Anita Denis, in-person
This course will examine the history of thought in morality from the ancient Greeks to modern thinkers. It will ask the students to examine their own thinking about the thinkers and their own moral principles.
For more information, email laseniorcollege@gmail.com.
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