Courses for Fall 2014

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Location: Geer Village
Times: Monday, 10am-Noon
Dates: Sep 29 - Nov 17
Sessions: 8

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The Bawdy Road to Paradise: Chaucer/’s Canterbury Tales


There is no story collection quite like it, a sociological and historical mosaic of medieval society in twenty-four performances, ranging from the sublime to the vulgar, saints/’ legends to dirty jokes, sermons to romances. As we take a look at a cross-section of the tales, you will discover (maybe again, maybe for the first time) why this celebrated work is considered one of the most complex and enjoyable reads in English literature. Do not worry about reading Middle English. We will use an interlinear translation that will be available in class, the modern English right up against the original. You can read either – but be prepared to have a grand time with some master storytellers on their way to the holy shrine at Canterbury. nThe two course texts will be available on the first day of class for $15 per student.

Instructor: Mark Scarbrough
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Location: Geer Village
Times: Monday, 2-4pm
Dates: Sep 15 - Oct 20
Sessions: 6

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George Bernard Shaw: Our Contemporary


GBS (1856-1950) used his fierce wit to expose the absurdity of his world’s attitudes regarding class, politics, gender discrimination, militarism and just about everything around him that got his dander up. His comedies are still relevant in our world.nnThe class will explore three plays through independent reading of the texts, viewing video and cinema productions, and discussing themes, characters and plot.nn- Mrs. Warren’s Profession (September 15 and 22) was written in 1893-94, but not performed until 1905 in New Haven. Vivie Warren discovers that her comfortable life and Cambridge education are paid for by her mother’s international chain of brothels.n n- Caesar and Cleopatra (September 29 and October 6) was written in 1898 and first performed in 1901 in Chicago. Julius Caesar leads the Roman occupying army into Egypt where he teaches the young Cleopatra to be a leader. She also has a son by him.nn- Major Barbara (October 13 and 20) was written in 1905 and first performed that year in London. Barbara, who is committed to her work with the Salvation Army, is appalled to learn that her organization accepts funding from her father, a major munitions manufacturer.nnMembers of the class are expected to have read the play before the scheduled class and to bring the text (in whatever format) to the class. nnThese plays are all available in libraries and book stored in hardcover volumes, in paperback, new and used, and at Project Gutenberg, to be read on line or downloaded on to various devices.

Instructor: Thomas Gruenewald
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Location: Noble Horizons
Times: Tuesday, 10am-Noon
Dates: Sep 16 - Nov 11
Sessions: 9

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The Roberts Court, 2013-2014


During the past year/’s term the United States Supreme Court has continued its pattern of 5-4 rulings in controversial cases in a variety of fields: prayer at town meetings, execution of mentally retarded persons, campaign finance, and affirmative action, just to name a few. We will examine these rulings and the public reaction to them.

Instructor: Laurance Rand
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Location: Noble Horizons
Times: Tuesday, 2-4pm
Dates: Sep 16 - Nov 11
Sessions: 9

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Mozart: Prodigy and Genius


The purpose of this course is to draw attention to some of Mozart/’s most significant compositions, The works chosen need to mark a special moment in the composer/’s life - perhaps a turning point, perhaps a sudden flash of inspiration, sometimes an intensifying of genius. For instance, it is generally recognized that Mozart/’s Third Violin Concerto, K216, composed when he was only 19 years old, was an important point of departure - a significant leap into maturity. Thus it will be our point of departure as well. From there, important works in all categories of Mozart/’s compositions will be presented: chamber works, piano concertos, symphonies, and operas, concluding with the Unfinished Requiem, K626. Most of the program will be on video.

Instructor:
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Location: Noble Horizons
Times: Wednesday, 10am-Noon
Dates: Sep 17 - Nov 5
Sessions: 8

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Play Reading


This term we will focus on the works of a famous American playwright, Horton Foote. Foote is well known for writing the screenplay for To Kill a Mockingbird. His play, A Trip to Bountiful, was made into a well-received film. nnParticipants should obtain the book Getting Frankie Married … and Afterwards by Horton Foote. The book may also be known as Volume III of Horton Foote Collected Works. Good used copies are available from Amazon.com, Alibiris.com, Abebooks.com, or Bookfinder.com. If you choose to purchase a book from a used book dealer, please allow 3-4 weeks for delivery.n

Instructor: Rosemary Farnsworth
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Location: Geer Village
Times: Wednesday, 10am-Noon
Dates: Sep 17 - Oct 15
Sessions: 5

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More on Medicine


The original plan for my lectures has changed as a result of discovering the magnitude of the topic of Nutrition. Accordingly, the course will devote itself entirely to Nutrition. Most will agree with me on our lack of knowledge of the topic. Hopefully this course will lessen some of that ignorance. Taking this trip should be fun.n n• Nutrition: What is it?n• Sourcesn• Getting nutrition into our bodyn• Multiple componentsn• Good fat—bad fat controversyn• Vitamins and mineralsn• Diseases and how to manage themn• What kind of dietsn• Role of exercisen• Food labelsn• Food safety or lack thereofnnnNote: We may go to 6 sessions, ending on Oct 22nd.n

Instructor: Lynn Whelchel
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Location: Noble Horizons
Times: Wednesday, 2-4pm
Dates: Sep 24 - Nov 12
Sessions: 8

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The Cold War: A Documentary History


No sooner had the World War II allies defeated the Third Reich and Japan than division among them led to yet another kind of war: a war of ideology, of words, threats and localized conflagration. This was the Cold War, a war that seemingly ended in 1991 with the disintegration of the Soviet Union. Yet celebration in France of the 70th anniversary of D-Day brought the following comment from an article in the New York Times: “ … wisps of the Cold War that so quickly followed [World War II] were in the air along the sacred French battlefronts, stirred by President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia/’s continued flirtation with the old rhetoric, veiled threats and regional chess moves of the defunct Soviet empire. For his part, President Obama worked to brace the European alliance as if it were the 1950s.”

Jeremy Issacs, who produced the documentary The World at War, also produced The Cold War, using the same techniques and format employed in his previous work. Narrated by Kenneth Branagh, this documentary will help us review and discuss what was a formative event in our lives.


Instructor: Laurance Rand
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Location: Geer Village
Times: Thursday, 10am-Noon
Dates: Sep 18 - Nov 6
Sessions: 8

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The Trouble with Money


Money… it/’s like the scoreboard of a ball game. It tells you who is winning as of a particular moment. But it tells you nothing about how the game is played or the skill or motivation of the players or who is working harder or smarter or if they are catching up or falling behind.
Money… It/’s a just measure of wealth but don/’t try eating it.
Money… Why it/’s important and why it/’s sometimes meaningless. Common sense economics…no hidden agendas…no political points of view…no mumbo jumbo.

Money… We will develop pragmatic economic and financial insights you can actually use in real life. With a sense of humor and enthusiastic class participation we will prevail over the so-called experts… as usual.


Instructor: Jerry Jamin
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Location: Geer Village
Times: Thursday, 2-4pm
Dates: Sep 25 - Oct 23
Sessions: 6

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History of The Federal Reserve : 1913 –Present


A historical view of one of the most important and influential entities in America since its inception in 1913. This course will look at the underpinnings for its formation and the subsequent policy decisions that have shaped both the history of and the current economy of America and the world. The course will present a chronology and description of Fed policies in an effort towards de-mystifying what in some circles is known as “The Fourth Branch “ of the US government

Instructor: John Brett
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Location: Geer Village
Times: Thursday, 2-4pm
Dates: Sep 18 - Nov 6
Sessions: 8

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The World and Words of Apostle Paul


Paul – the man, the mission and martyr –was arguably the single driving intellectual force in the early church. His writing influenced not only the early church fathers but Augustine and Martin Luther, leading ultimately to the Protestant Reformation.nnPaul, a Jew, also held Roman citizenship, allowing him to travel freely in his Roman-occupied world. Drawing on a background in Greek philosophy and rabbinic law, his mission was to “be all things to all people”, to bring them a message of love and faith.n

Instructor: Richard Taber
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Location: Geer Village
Times: Friday, 10am-Noon
Dates: Sep 19 - Oct 17
Sessions: 5

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The Industrial Heritage of the Northwest Corner


This course is a five-week examination of the industrial activity conducted in the northwest corner towns of Connecticut. It begins with the discovery of iron ore in Salisbury nearly a century after settlement began in other regions of the state. Topics include the story of the arms makers, beginning with the production of artillery for Washington/’s army as well as other arms makers like Horatio Ames and the Hotchkiss brothers of Sharon. One session covers the biggest area iron maker of all - the Barnum Richardson Company, which made the wheels that carried America west The course also covers other industries such as those in the industrial corridors of the Blackberry River and Wochocastinook Creek that made everything from textiles to mousetraps.

Instructor: Richard Paddock
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Location: Noble Horizons
Times: Friday, 2-4pm
Dates: Sep 19 - Oct 17
Sessions: 5

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An Introduction to Latin


This course is an introduction to the structure of Latin and the Romans who spoke it. Students will learn how to identify nouns, verbs, and adjectives and how to translate Latin phrases and quotes. Ancient texts such as Virgil, Catullus, and the vulgate Bible will be studied, and there will be discussions about the literature relevant to Latin such as Homer and the lyrics of Verdi/’s La Traviata. The cost of our text will be announced.

Instructor: William Trowbridge
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