SCHEDULE OF COURSES Winter 2015 - Aquinas College · a semester in every academic discipline. Our students study math, political science, history, philosophy, music, art, science

DIRECTOR’S NOTEWelcome to the 40th year of Lifelong Learning at Aquinas College! What began with a few money management classes for retirees in 1974, has become a program of over 70 courses a semester in every academic discipline. Our students study math, political science, history, philosophy, music, art, science and more - as well as learn how to make cheese, great soups and chocolate! We travel to places around the city and beyond to widen our perspective and have fun doing it. We have become a community of learners who enjoy being together. Thank you all for sharing in our joy and becoming a part of our lives here at OLLI. If you’re not a member, join now and be part of the fun. Sheila Pantlind

MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby9:30-11:30 a.m.

Birds and Rocks with “The Doc”1:30-3:30 p.m.

The Gilded Age and Long Depression1:30-3:30 p.m.

Uncommon Beauty in Common Places: Wildflower Images9:30-11:30 a.m.

Through Surf and Storm: Shipwrecks of the Sunset Coast1:30-3:30 p.m.

Winds of Change? The President and Congress9:30-11:30 a.m.

Trauma and Detroit1:30-3:30 p.m.

Art Representing Saints9:30-11:30 a.m.

Stalin’s House: A Michigan Fulbright and his family at Moscow State University1:30-3:30 p.m.

Getting (Up) High in Peru: Archaeological Adventures1:30-3:30 p.m.

What is a Foundation?9:30-11:30 a.m.

Cause of Death: Forensic Files of a Medical Examiner 1:30-3:30 p.m.

The Role of the United States Supreme Court9:30-11:30 a.m.

My Favorite Movie Scenes with John Douglas9:30-11:30 a.m.

Thomas Aquinas: Life, Times, and Thought9:30-11:30 a.m.

Mark Twain: American Icon9:30-11:30 a.m.

Death, Burial, and Ritual: A Cross-Cultural View1:30-3:30 p.m.

100 Years of American Music9:30-11:30 a.m.

Calling all Wine and Beer Enthusiasts!1:30-3:30 p.m.

Clockwork is Not Enough9:30-11:30 a.m.

The 1920s and Modern American Culture9:30-11:30 a.m.

Roots of American Civilization1:30- 3:30 p.m.

Developing Your Drawing Skills1:30-3:30 p.m.

Baseball at its Best3:30-5:30 p.m.

The Transformational Power of Gratitude1:30-3:30 p.m.

Morocco: A Forgotten Kingdom3:30-5:30 p.m.

FREE MEMBER CLASS

An Inside Look at Michigan Prisons9:30-11 a.m.

The World of Google 9:30-11:30 a.m.

The Old Syrian Community of GR9:30-11:30 a.m.

FREE MEMBER CLASSES

And the Oscar Goes To…9:30-11 a.m.

Equest Center for Therapeutic Riding9:30-11 a.m.

C O U R S E H I G H L I G H T S

The Gilded Age and Long Depression page 3

Stalin’s House: A Michigan Fulbright and his family at Moscow State University page 5

Getting (Up) High in Peru: Archaeological Adventures page 5

Thomas Aquinas: Life, Times, and Thought page 6

Mark Twain: American Icon page 7

100 Years of American Music page 7

The 1920s and Modern American Culture page 8

SCHEDULE OF COURSESWinter 2015

February 2 – March 31

Bronze Membership:$25 Membership fee$12.50 Membership Fee

See the above member versus non-members pricing for savings.

Silver Membership:$60 Membership fee$30 Membership Fee

Pricing for this membership allows members to receive greater discounts compared to a Bronze.

Gold Membership:$385 Membership fee

Pay $385 and take all the classes and most special events at no additional cost. Fees may be charged for selected events, trips, or class materials.

Become a Bronze, Silver, or Gold member today! Call 616.632.2430.

Great reasons to be a member:free member classes, discounts on classes and performing arts/events, and audit AQ classes for $150!

For the 2015-2016, OLLI academic year, we are again offering a tiered membership designed to provide you with options and monetary savings. As you see below there are 3 different memberships from which to choose. The more classes you take, the more you can save.

The pricing below reflects the savings between a Bronze Member (M) and a Non-Member (NM) 4 week class 3 week class 2 week class 1 week classM NM M NM M NM M NM$63 $76 $52 $62 $35 $42 $16 $21

OLLI Membership Structure (September 2015 – August 2015)

Call to register: 616.632.2430

Effective February 1, 2015

NEW PRO-RATED MEMBERSHIPS Because OLLI’s year is half way over, we have reduced our annual Bronze and Silver membership fee by 50%. Starting February 1, Bronze Memberships will be $12.50, and Silver Memberships will be $30 through June 2015.

All membership advantages still apply with reduced pricing on tuition classes.

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M = members NM = non-members

OLLI TUITION COURSES

MONDAY

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great GatsbyMonday, 9:30-11:30 a.m.February 2, 9 & 16

Sheila Bartle, Ph.D., is a lifelong learner and educator. She is and has been a teacher of literature, writing, and yoga. Her engagement of

students in reading began with high school students and then moved to the college level, culminating in graduate education for adult learners. Now retired, Sheila is busy tutoring Somali women who are pursuing American citizenship.

Perhaps you read it in high school, but have you read it again since you became older and wiser? F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby is a uniquely American story -- a story of love and hope, money and worthlessness -- and it calls for a leisurely read over discussion with friends. Fitzgerald recognized the power of our shared literary experience: “That is part of the beauty of all literature. You discover that your longings are universal longings, that you’re not lonely and isolated from anyone. You belong.” This three-week class will open with an overview of Fitzgerald’s career from his autobiographical essay, The Crack Up, and conclude with a two-week discussion of the novel.

M: Bronze $52 Silver $42 NM: $62Location: Browne Center

Birds and Rocks with “The Doc”Monday, 1:30-3:30 p.m.February 2 & 9

Mary Jane Dockeray, Ph.D., received her BS in geology and her doctorate in Conservation Education from MSU. She was Curator

Naturalist of the Blandford Nature Center from 1968-1990 and recently completed her memoir Rock On, Lady...

Are you a bird feeder and if yes, do you know who’s who at the bird feeder? Feeding birds in your yard is a spectator sport – are you playing by the rules? Do you play favorites? What do you do if a hawk snacks on your chickadees and cardinals? The Doc will answer these questions and more in the first of two classes. Then she will leave the birds behind in the second class to discuss the hidden treasures (gem stones) beneath the surface of the earth! Do you know what makes a piece of stone or metal a quality gem? Did you know that diamonds have been found in Michigan? And, how does that happen? In these two classes, Mary Jane will take us above and below for greater insights into our world, and even take a peek at what’s in your jewelry box!


The Gilded Age and Long DepressionMonday, 1:30-3:30 p.m.February 23 & March 23

Matthew Daley, Ph.D., is associate professor of history at GVSU. Dr. Daley’s research focuses on urban public and

social policy; Great Lakes maritime culture and technology; and public history. He is editor of the Grand Rapids Historical Society’s magazine Grand River Valley History.

February 23 – The 1890s: Panic and Consolidation

The start of the 1890s was a period of unprecedented industrial growth across the nation. This seemingly boundless opportunity was reflected in Chicago’s “White City” in 1893, a vision of the perfect city that was everything Chicago was not. At the same time, a massive financial panic swept across the country setting the foundation for what was then known as the Great Depression. Along with bicycle crazes, questions over immigration, and the consolidation of small firms into massive new corporations, the 1890s is fully where the nation came into its own as a nation prepared for the century to come.

March 23 – 1900-1920: From the Gilded Age to the Progressive Era

The fires of the 1890s Depression tempered the United States into a mature industrial society, both rich in industrial and technological innovations, but also a desire to create a nation for more of its citizens. Massive rates of immigration, expanding urban centers, and changing roles for men and women prompted a wave of social and economic reforms dubbed the Progressive Era. These changes would rework the political and cultural fabric of the United States setting the stage for more changes to come throughout the century.

M: Bronze $16 Silver $12 NM: $21 per lectureLocation: Browne Center

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Uncommon Beauty in Common Places: Wildflower ImagesMonday, 9:30-11:30 a.m.March 2

Daniel Bauer, MD, is a retired physician who received his BS in botany and zoology and his medical degree from U of M. He has owned a cabin in western

Mackinac County in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and since retiring 6 years ago, has spent time photographing wildflowers and anything else that attracts his naturalist’s curiosity and photographer’s eye. Dan enjoys sharing his love for the UP’s wildness and, through his photographs, the extraordinary beauty he has discovered.

Though this class is not intended to be just an instructional course in identifying wildflowers, there will be many photographs of the wildflowers of Michigan, native and introduced, shown and discussed. Examples will be shown from the early spring bloodroots and spring beauties, to the summer columbines and ladyslippers to the turtleheads, gentians and asters of late summer and fall. Dan will also discuss the many medicinal and other uses of wildflowers by Native Americans. So, if you are tired of winter and looking forward to a glorious spring of color - or perhaps just want to “see” more this year - or even begin a new passion - then this class is the place to start.


Through Surf and Storm: Shipwrecks of the Sunset CoastMonday, 1:30-3:30 p.m.March 2

Craig Rich is a veteran Great Lakes certified Master SCUBA diver. He began researching shipwrecks in the late 1980s and actively diving to the sites in

1988 – completing more than 500 dives. Craig co-founded the Michigan Shipwreck Research Association, serving as one of the co-directors. He also does professional voice work for documentary films, radio and television.

The busy Lake Michigan harbors between Pentwater and Holland were home to hundreds of passenger and cargo ships in the early 1800s. Inevitably, many of these vessels ended up on the bottom of the lake after storms, collisions, fires and explosions. The brave men of the US Life-Saving Service (later the US Coast Guard) ventured out to assist when no others would. Dive in with Craig as he tells the tales of these “ships gone missing” like no one else.


Winds of Change? The President and CongressMonday, 9:30-11:30 a.m.March 9

David Ryden, Ph.D., professor at Hope College, has a J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School and a Ph.D. from The Catholic

University of America. His areas of specialization are religion and

politics, American constitutionalism, and parties and elections. He has authored or edited numerous articles and books. His two most recent books are Of Little Faith: The Politics of George W. Bush’s Faith-Based Initiatives, and Sanctioning Religion? Politics, Law and Faith-Based Public Services.

The midterm results of 2014 brought big changes in Washington. The Republicans are now in control of both Houses, and the Democrats are left wondering what went wrong. Because the relationship between the president and congress is vital to American policies, the president and the congress need to work more constructively together. But, will they? Has any president in history had a great relationship with a divided congress? Why did that work? Dr. Ryden will explain the complications of the presidential/congressional relationship and why it is the “central link” in politics in America. He will also discuss the results of the midterms, approval chances for presidential nominees, and what bills, if any, will get passed.


Trauma and DetroitMonday, 1:30-3:30 p.m.March 9

Richard Raubolt, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist, author and more recently a film maker. He is co-producer and clinical consultant to a full length documentary

film called Heidelbergology, which he has taken to Lisbon, San Francisco and most recently New York. In his presentations, he brings together an interest in the unknown

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COURSES CONT.

Detroit, urban trauma and his work with retro-visionaries.

Fasten your seat belts, Richard is taking you to Detroit! You’ll see the ruins, hear about colonizers and obstructionists, but most of all you will visit with retro-visionaries, an unheralded lot, who are remaking Motown one neighborhood at a time. Two films will be shown and discussed: Detroit: Living in Between and An Interview with Jenenne Whitfied of the Heidelberg Project.


Art Representing SaintsMonday, 9:30-11:30 a.m.March 16, 23 & 30

Henry Luttikhuizen received his Ph.D. from the University of Virginia and is professor of art history at Calvin College. He has

authored numerous books and articles on medieval and northern renaissance art, and he also has been a curator of many exhibitions in museums and galleries.

When looking at works of art representing saints, viewers sometimes have difficulty figuring out the particular identity of the person shown. This is designed to help participants learn more about saints by studying related images and stories of their lives. In the first week, we will examine the holy kinship and concentrate on depictions of members from Christ’s extended family as well as the apostles. Then, we will focus our attention on female saints such as St. Catherine, St. Lucy, and St. Barbara. Finally, in the third week, we will address the iconography of

male saints, such as St. Jerome, St. Sebastian, and St. Christopher.


TUESDAY

Stalin’s House: A Michigan Fulbright and his family at Moscow State UniversityTuesday, 1:30-3:30 p.m.February 3

Rich Jelier and Jaye Beeler lived in Moscow, Russia during the winter/spring semesters of 2014. The GVSU professor and food

writer whisked their family to Moscow, Russia for Rich’s Fulbright Scholar placement at Moscow State University. The Grand Rapids family’s new campus home was a Stalinist skyscraper, one of seven gothic high-rises called the Seven Sisters or Fangs, built by Stalin as a symbol of Soviet power in 1950. As Rich delved into the academic and political life at Moscow State, the family of five learned how to maneuver in the capital city of 12 million - from grocery shopping and cooking, to navigating the subway, to learning the Cyrillic alphabet. They even caught the fireworks blazing over the Kremlin, Red Square, and the Moscow skyline, celebrating the annexation of Crimea. Join this family on their unique adventure.


Getting (Up) High in Peru: Archaeological AdventuresTuesday, 1:30-3:30 p.m.February 3, 10, 17 & 24

Neal Bierling, a Calvin College graduate, began his archeological dig adventures in 1972 in Israel. He has created curriculum for Old and New Testament Bible translations and Christian Schools International based on the rich history he has unearthed. Neal and his son Joel now create virtual tours and curriculum about the Middle East.

Travel with Neal to the fascinating Inca and pre-Inca sites starting from Arequipa which is home to “Peru’s Ice Maidens” (the human sacrifices that were conducted 10,000 feet above the city). You will learn about the Inca heritage beginning 1500 years before the Incas. Visit amazing sites missed by the conquistadors with all the wonderful artifacts and monumental treasures – some that weren’t found until the 1980s. This journey through Peru will include a visit to their Jurassic Park and Lake Titicaca.


What is a Foundation?Tuesday, 9:30-11:30 a.m.February 17

Julie Ridenour, a graduate of MSU, has spent most of her life working in development on both for-profit and the non-profit sides. Before

being named president of the Steelcase Foundation in 2012, she was a trust and investment

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business developer at Founders and Trust; was vice-president of development at Aquinas College; and was director of development at John Ball Zoological Society. Her knowledge of the community is vast as she has been active for years on many community boards including as a trustee of St. Mary’s Health Care Board.

What kind of responsibility does it take to give away millions of dollars every year? Presidents and directors of Foundations do just that, but it is far more complicated than it seems. Julie, as president of the Steelcase Foundation, directs and oversees grants to non-profit organizations’ projects and programs in the community each year. She must make decisions about which non-profits meet the focus of the Foundation best, and, also work as a catalyst for problem solving in the community. This presentation will be educational, and with Julie, fun!


Cause of Death: Forensic Files of a Medical ExaminerTuesday, 1:30-3:30 p.m. February 24

Stephen Cohle, Ph.D., attended medical school at the University of Missouri and trained for four years in general pathology at Baylor College of Medicine.

He is a trained forensic pathologist and has worked as a medical examiner in Grand Rapids since 1982.

Dr. Cohle will give his audience a chance to go behind the scenes of a job that Hollywood and CSI have made glamorous – that of the

medical examiner. He will discuss the Michigan medical examiner law, the system, and how medical examiners go about investigating sudden and unexpected deaths. Several case examples from our community will be presented, giving students the chance to experience a side of the situation that is rarely revealed in the media.

M: Bronze $16 Silver $12 NM: $21Location: Donnelly Center

The Role of the United States Supreme CourtTuesday, 9:30-11:30 a.m.March 10, 17 & 24

Donald Zinman, Ph.D., is an assistant professor of political science at GVSU. His research centers upon the presidency, political parties and American political development.

This is a course on the role of the United States Supreme Court. What are the factors that affect Supreme Court actions? How does the Court handle being an arbitrator of so many highly divisive issues? Some landmark cases will be covered, as well as various constitutional philosophies. The Court will also be viewed in its evolving and historical contexts.


WEDNESDAY

My Favorite Movie Scenes with John DouglasWednesday, 9:30-11:30 a.m.February 4, 11 & 18

Before becoming a movie critic for The Grand Rapids Press, John Douglas was a filmmaker. In the late ‘70’s, he had his

own film production company. If it’s related to films and film making, John has done it all – from writing, directing, producing, behind the camera, editing, scoring, to even a little acting. His claim to fame is that he had dinner with Zsa Zsa Gabor!

Over a period of time watching movies, John Douglas has collected scenes from films that he believes are exquisite, like the well- known interrogation scene in The Manchurian Candidate and the James Cagney dance in Yankee Doodle Dandy or the not so well known train scene with Burt Lancaster in The Train. John plans to reveal why he thinks these scenes are wonderful and will present as many of these gems as time will allow. It will be a program that is both highly entertaining and informative.


Thomas Aquinas: Life, Times, and ThoughtWednesday, 9:30-11:30 a.m.February 4, 11, 18 & 25

Arvin Vos, Ph.D., is a professor of philosophy, emeritus, at Western Kentucky University. His specialization is medieval philosophy. In his book, Aquinas, Calvin and Contemporary Protestant Thought, he argues for the relevance of Aquinas’ thought for Protestants as well as Catholics.

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COURSES CONT.

In the 13th century, Thomas Aquinas set forth a landmark account of Christian teaching which remains influential today. When Aquinas was writing, the Dominican and Franciscan orders had just been formed, the first universities just founded, Europe was confronted with the Muslim threat, and Aristotle’s writings were recently recovered. In this vibrant context, Aquinas struck out on a new path, developing his theology using Aristotle’s thought as a tool to express Christian doctrine. Come and learn about Come learn about Thomas Aquinas’ life and times and thoughts.


Mark Twain: American IconWednesday, 9:30-11:30 a.m.

March 4, 11, 18 & 25

Michael Dodge is an adjunct professor at Aquinas College where he teaches humanities. Michael earned his MA in

divinity from the University of Chicago and his interests include religious and American history, as well as speculative fiction and contemporary theater.

Michael, a popular OLLI professor, will explore the life, work and legacy of Samuel Clemens, a.k.a., Mark Twain. Features will include: biography, excerpts from Twain’s writings, opinions about him from his contemporaries, and discussion of his evolving status in American culture since his death.


Death, Burial, and Ritual: A Cross-Cultural ViewWednesday, 1:30-3:30 p.m.March 4, 11 & 18

Judith Corr, Ph.D., is associate professor of biological anthropology at GVSU. Her specialty is biological anthropology with an

emphasis on non-human primates. She has broad field experience working with many primate species. Her research specializes in social aging and evolution among chimpanzees, and other primate species in North and South America and in Africa.

Do you ever wonder how different cultures approach issues and customs surrounding death? Drawing on both biological and cultural anthropology, we will learn from the dead by exploring the understanding and experience of death and how it illuminates life in different cultures, including our own.


100 Years of American MusicWednesday, 9:30-11:30 a.m.March 11 & 18

Jon VanderPloeg is an attorney at Smith, Haughey, Rice & Roegge in Grand Rapids since 1986. He is an avid record collector, listener and music historian.

This class will explore the origins, flow, and mix of jazz, blues, hillbilly, country and western, rock and roll, folk and other genres. Listening to records (78’s, 45’s, and 33’s) and with

vintage videos, we will enjoy the music and learn its meaning as a reflection of society and, in turn, as a forceful shaper of it.


Calling all Wine and Beer Enthusiasts!Wednesday, 1:30-3:30 p.m.March 25

Join Peter Eizel, manager of the wine department at Martha’s Vineyard and his “beer counterpart,” Josh Swift as they expose

you to the ever growing world of wine and craft beers. Both will outline the industry’s history and expand your learning experience and entertainment with samplings.

M: Bronze $26 Silver $22 Gold $10 NM: $31Location: Browne CenterNote: Wine and Beer cost included

THURSDAY

Clockwork is Not EnoughThursday, 9:30-11:30 a.m.February 5, 12 & 19

Socially awkward and loud, Michael McDaniel, Ph.D., stumbles through life looking for patterns. As a math professor at Aquinas College, he has the privilege of doing mathematics

with students for money. Well, at least the arrangement seems beautiful to him as he would teach for free.

Dr. McDaniel keeps running into examples where elegant structures

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do not serve. For instance, the dance of our solar system turns out to be more like a rugby scrum than a Regency costume drama quadrille. And thank goodness it is so because we wouldn’t want to live on a lone planet orbiting a sun. (Pop into the first session to find out why.) If you have had it with imprecise documentaries written for sixth graders, this is your course. If you have savored the rich activities of a pond which no aquarium can duplicate, come and consider chaotic systems from the celestial to the subatomic. Add some flies to your ointment with us. Our considerations of the complexities of providence imply we have not been given clockwork: we have the far-superior rich mess.


The 1920s and Modern American CultureThursday, 9:30-11:30 a.m.February 5, 12, 19 & 26

Paul Murphy, Ph.D., is professor of history at GVSU specializing in American intellectual and cultural history. He earned both his MA and doctorate from Indiana University.

This course draws on his recent book, The New Era: American Thought and Culture in the 1020s.

Throughout much of the twentieth century, Americans remembered the 1920s with great nostalgia, as the time of youthful exuberance and frivolity that preceded the cataclysms of the century – depression and world war. We can now see the importance of the decade as a period of transition, in which key social conflicts surfaced and Americans tried to work out what a modern society could be.

This course examines the ways in which Americans in the 1920s imagined a “new era” that they had the privilege and burden of creating.


Roots of American CivilizationThursday, 1:30- 3:30 p.m.February 5 & March 19

Gleaves Whitney is director of GVSU’s Hauenstein Center for Presidential

Studies. Gleaves writes and lectures nationally on presidential history and leadership. He has designed this series of OLLI lectures on “the idea that to rightly understand American

culture, we cannot start in 1776 or even 1492, but must go much further back.”

February 5 – Medieval Germans

Thomas Jefferson famously traced the roots of American freedom back to Hengist and Horsa, two Anglo-Saxon chieftains who led the Germanic migrations to Britain in the fifth century. We continue our exploration of the roots of American civilization by looking at significant contributions the Germanic peoples made to the formation of Western civilization. In Britain they developed freedom charters (Magna Charta), Parliament, the common law, equity, and new ideas of freedom which, added up, would eventually make the British the freest people on earth.

March 19 – Early Modern British and Dutch

It was fortuitous that North America was colonized when British and Dutch entrepreneurs were creating a golden age that would lay the foundation of the modern world. The explosion of worldwide

commerce and capitalism that would grow a large, stable middle class were not the only ingredients to the modern mix. In a prequel to the American Revolution, both the British and Dutch suffered through religious wars, world wars, and civil wars before they could establish representative forms of government that would give that middle class the right to govern.

M: Bronze $16 Silver $12 NM: $21 - per lectureLocation: Donnelly Center

Developing Your Drawing SkillsThursday, 1:30-3:30 p.m.February 5, 12, 19 & 26

Scott Kenyon has been drawing and painting for over twenty years and has studied at The Cape School of Art in Provincetown MA and L’Atelier Aux Couleurs

Art Academy in Northern California. Scott has exhibited his work in local galleries, permanent collections and competitions. He teaches drawing workshops and classes throughout West Michigan.

This drawing workshop is offered to beginner and advanced students who wish to learn and improve their drawing skills. Students will be drawing from still life objects, focusing on getting the correct proportions and learning the value scale of drawing three dimensional objects. For those who participated in the Fall 2014 workshop, Scott will give advanced instruction.

M: Bronze $68 Silver $55 Gold $5 NM: $81Lab fee includedMaximum: 12Location: Browne Center

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Baseball at its Best: Babe Signed My Shoe, Cal Took Me to Lunch, Ernie Signed My Bat, Dave Stole My Pitching MoundThursday, 3:30-5:30 p.m.March 5

A native of Traverse City, Tom Mikowski has been a baseball enthusiast his whole life. He has been to over 30 ballparks and has spent time at spring training in

Arizona and Florida and was among the two largest crowds to see a Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Cooperstown.

Take a trip down memory lane with Tom as he recalls memorable moments in baseball including his own! Take in historic audio and video clips (and some great memorabilia) as we revisit the past and then be prepared to share your own baseball experience or favorite spot to visit today. The session will conclude with a look at the upcoming season. Is this the season the Tigers win it all?


The Transformational Power of GratitudeThursday, 1:30-3:30 p.m.March 12 & 19

Janice Lynne Lundy is a former educator of world religions. Today, she is a spiritual director with a spiritual focus in private practice,

a renowned retreat leader, and the author of four spiritual growth books including, Your Truest Self: Embracing the Woman You Are Meant to Be. She also serves as

adjunct staff at the Dominican Center, leading contemplative programming and mentoring Spiritual Directors in training.

Do you have a tendency to see the cup of your life as half-empty rather than half-full? Do you find yourself focusing on what’s wrong rather than what’s right? A “Gratitude Attitude” can change all that. Together we’ll explore the spiritual practice of gratitude and how it can transform our lives from the inside out. We will try out a variety of exercises that can become the foundation of a personal daily practice of gratitude that can open your heart and bring a greater sense of appreciation into your daily life – even during difficult times!


Morocco: A Forgotten KingdomThursday, 3:30-5:30 p.m.March 12

Keith St. Clair is a political science professor at GRCC. He holds his MA in political science and BA in sociology from Illinois State

University. Keith serves on the board of the Michigan Political Science Association and is an active member of the World Affairs Council.

Morocco’s kingdom has weathered popular unrest in the wake of the Arab Spring. As a kingdom, it is a survivor, a holdout on the margins of the Arab world. But it is a society that is surprisingly diverse. Persistently ruled by an Arab regime, but wrestling with its Berber population, it is caught between the pressure to adopt liberal reforms and the growth of

Muslim fundamentalism. We will examine the political divisions in its society that are a legacy of its proud and unique past.


FRIDAY

The World of Google!Friday, 9:30-11:30 a.m.March 13

John Kelley, native of Grand Rapids, has over 20 years of marketing and product management know-how. Currently he is Online Sales and

Operation manager for Google‘s Ann Arbor office. He holds the distinction of being the first person hired there. Past experience with industry leaders Microsoft and Apple made him an excellent choice. John’s B.A is from Middlebury College and his MBA is from the University of Michigan.

Google has become a part of our everyday lives. Learn what it is like to work in the “GooglePlex,” discover tricks about Google Search you may not have known, understand how Google earns money and get an introduction to a number of free Google products beyond search.


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FREE MEMBER CLASSES AT THE BROWNE CENTER

And the Oscar Goes To…Friday, 9:30-11 a.m.February 20

The Academy Awards have celebrated the best in film for nearly a century. Names like Capra, Spielberg, Hepburn, Streep, Brando, and Nicholson have become synonymous with Oscar. Which of 2014’s films will be added to the ranks of Gone with the Wind, The Godfather, and Titanic? Join Ian MacNeil, former film reviewer for Aquinas’ The Saint newspaper and creator of The Film Locker review blog, for an OLLI Oscar Party with an entertaining cinematic history lesson and full run-down of this year’s nominees.

An Inside Look at Michigan PrisonsThursday, 9:30-11 a.m.March 5

Doug Tjapkes, president of Humanity for Prisoners, discusses cases of inhumanity and injustice, based on his work as a prisoner advocate in the State of Michigan. Doug was a freedom fighter, credited by Rubin “Hurricane” Carter with obtaining the freedom of the late Maurice Carter who served 29 years while he claimed wrongful conviction. As a broadcast journalist, Doug received the prestigious Advancement of Justice Award from the State Bar of Michigan. As an author, Doug’s book, Sweet Freedom, is being read in prison cells around the world.

Equest Center for Therapeutic RidingFriday, 9:30-11 a.m.March 27

Join Marissa Freyling, volunteer coordinator for the Equest Center in Rockford as she talks about her very own unique association with this important organization. The center’s mission statement says, “We improve quality of life through equine-based therapy to physically, mentally and socially/emotionally challenged individuals. Our unique program integrates academic, social and physical skills, using the horse as a catalyst.” Learn about the key partnerships they have with Mary Free Bed Traumatic Brain Injury patients, Gilda’s Club and the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans. This just may be the volunteer opportunity you have been looking for.

COURSES CONT.

The Old Syrian Community of Grand RapidsFriday, 9:30-11:30 a.m.March 20

Jim Goode, professor of history at GVSU since 1986, teaches the history of U.S. foreign relations and of the Middle East. He has published

books on the U.S. and Iran and on archaeology and nationalism in the

region. Jim has directed a number of study-abroad programs to Egypt, Morocco and Turkey. This study of the Syrian community began as an oral history project, working with a number of GVSU history majors.

Join Jim as he presents a brief history of the old Syrian community of Grand Rapids – one of the largest in the United States. He will discuss patterns of immigration, the economic and religious character of the community, and its slow process of acculturation during

which members developed a hybrid culture drawing on elements of the old and the new.


Look for the NEW OLLI monthly newsletter

written by Michael Bosscher on our website: aquinas.edu/olli

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Registration Form (Winter 2015)Name _______________________________________________________________________ Student #______________________

Address _____________________________________________ City________________________ State ______ Zip_____________

Home #_____________________________________________Cell #___________________________________________________

Email _______________________________________________ Emergency Contact ______________________________________

Sign me up for an OLLI at Aquinas Membership (2014 - 2015 academic year) qBronze $25 $12.50 q Silver $60 $30

Please remember all OLLI members may select any Free Member Course

q A check for $___________________ payable to OLLI at Aquinas College is enclosed.q Charge my credit card : q Mastercard/Visa q Discover q AMEX Amount $____________________

Number __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ Exp. Date ___/___

Name (as it appears on the card)_________________________________________________________________

Billing address and zip code (required)____________________________________________________________

Please mail form with check or credit card information to:OLLI at Aquinas 1607 Robinson Road SE Grand Rapids, MI 49506-1799


MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsbyq$52 (B) q$42 (S)q$62 (NM)

Birds and Rocks with the “Doc”q$35 (B) q$30 (S) q$42 (NM)

The Gilded Age and Long Depression

___ Feb. 23 The 1890s___ Mar. 23 1900-1920q$16 each (B) eachq$12 each (S) eachq$21 each (NM) each

Uncommon Beauty in Common Places: Wildflower Imagesq$16 (B) q$12 (S)q$21 (NM)

Through Surf and Storm: Shipwrecks of the Sunset Coastq$16 (B) q$12 (S)q$21 (NM)

Winds of Change? The President and Congressq$16 (B) q$12 (S)q$21 (NM)

Trauma and Detroitq$16 (B) q$12 (S)q$21 (NM)

Art Representing Saintsq$52 (B) q$42 (S)q$62 (NM)

Stalin’s Houseq$16 (B) q$12 (S)q$21 (NM)

Getting (Up) High in Peruq$63 (B) q$50 (S)q$76 (NM)

What is a Foundation?q$16 (B) q$12 (S)q$21 (NM)

Cause of Death: Forensic Files of a Medical Examinerq$16 (B) q$12 (S)q$21 (NM)

The Role of the United States Supreme Courtq$52 (B) q$42 (S)q$62 (NM)

My Favorite Movie Scenes with John Douglasq$52 (B) q$42 (S)q$62 (NM)

Thomas Aquinas: Life, Times, and Thoughtq$63 (B) q$50 (S)q$76 (NM)

Mark Twain: American Iconq$63 (B) q$50 (S)q$76 (NM)

Death, Burial, and Ritual: A Cross- Cultural Viewq$52 (B) q$42 (S)q$62 (NM)

100 Years of American Musicq$35 (B) q$30 (S) q$42 (NM)

Calling all Wine and Beer Enthusiasts!q$26 (B) q$22 (S)q$10 (G) q$31 (NM)

Clockwork is Not Enoughq$52 (B) q$42 (S)q$62 (NM)

The 1920s and Modern American Cultureq$63 (B) q$50 (S)q$76 (NM)

Roots of American Civilization___Feb. 5 – Medieval Germans___ Mar. 19 – Early Modern British and Dutchq$16 each (B) eachq$12 each (S) eachq$21 each (NM) each

Developing Your Drawing Skillsq$68 (B) q$55 (S)q$5 (G) q$81 (NM)

Baseball at its Bestq$16 (B) q$12 (S)q$21 (NM)

The Transformational Power of Gratitudeq$35 (B) q$30 (S) q$42 (NM)

Morocco: A Forgotten Kingdomq$16 (B) q$12 (S)q$21 (NM)

FREE MEMBER CLASS:

An Inside Look at Michigan Prisons q March 5

The World of Googleq$16 (B) q$12 (S)q$21 (NM)

The Old Syrian Community of GRq$16 (B) q$12 (S)q$21 (NM)

FREE MEMBER CLASSES

And the Oscar Goes To…q Feb. 20

Equest Center for Therapeutic Ridingq Mar. 27

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Aquinas CollegeOLLI at Aquinas1607 Robinson Road SEGrand Rapids, MI 49506-1799

Look for these exciting Spring 2015 classes:

Shakespeare Stratford ReviewNorth American MusicUrbanismMythology and Super HeroesMother Earth – Earth MotherCaribbean and Irish Literature“Our Trip” – Return of 12 Vietnam Vets

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Aquinas College is a community of adults joining together to achieve personal transformation of mind, body, and spirit through lifelong learning and community service.

MISSIO

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STATEMEN

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Winter 2015Course Schedule

Classes begin: February 2Phone: 616.632.2430

Fax: 616.732.4480aquinas.edu/olli

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Documents

SCHEDULE OF COURSES Winter 2015 - Aquinas College · a semester in every academic discipline. Our students study math, political science, history, philosophy, music, art, science