Seniors College

Spring 2013 Schedule

For a printable schedule, please click here.

MONDAY

Pyramids Along the Nile: Egyptian Mythology – 4 Weeks
John Kissinger
We will explore the religion and folklore of ancient Egypt, and how it evolved over thousands of years into a distinctive mythology that influenced the ancient world and that influences our culture today. Can we really “walk like an Egyptian”? Can we at least think like one? Know the Nile, that’s the clue.
Dates: 4/8,15,22,29
Time: 10:00 – 11:30 AM
Place: AU Student Center, Seminar Rooms
Cost: $40.00

TUESDAY

Church Membership Grows and Declines: Believing in Change – 3 Weeks
Rev. Dr. Gil Rendle; Rev. Dr. David Lawton; Rev. Sara Hertzog; Guest Speaker
Christian communities and congregations are living organisms that have lives of their own. Their cycles of growth and decline are always in flux. Factors that condition membership commitment include the quality of leadership, the vibrancy of the message and meaningful opportunities to testify to the Christian message.
Dates: 3/26; 4/2,9(16)
Time: 10:00 – 11:30 AM
Place: AU, Upland Center, Community Rm. 103
Cost: $35.00

Economic Update and Outlook for the Current Investment Climate - 1 session
Virgil Kahl, The Money Doctor
Discuss the impact of debt and demographics on the world economy and markets. How will it impact the fixed income and stock markets globally.
Dates: 5/7
Time: 10:00 – 11:30 AM
Place: AU, Upland Center, Rm. 228
Cost: $20.00

The Short Story: Four More Curious Cases – 4 Weeks
Dr. Thomas Bierowski
We read the short stories. We discuss the short stories. We dazzle each other with insight, perspicacity, and wisdom. (And, if the past is any indicator, you will put me in my place with alarming regularity.) (HA!) In a word: Good time to be had by all because there’s nothing quite like reading stories and talking about them.
Dates: 4/9,16,23,30
Time: 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Place: AU, Upland Center, Community Rm. 103
Cost: $40.00

Encounters with Jesus – 4 Weeks
Sister Jean Jacobchik, OSF
Explore Jesus’ encounters with various individuals in the New Testament. Looking at those encounters how do they affect us and how can they inspire us to a deeper relationship with Jesus.
Dates: 4/9,16,23,30
Time: 1:30 – 3:00 PM
Place: AU, Upland Center, Community Rm. 103
Cost: $40.00

WEDNESDAY

The Joy of Exploring Art - 4 Weeks
Barbara Post, Award Winning Artist
Whether you have created art in the past or are curious about the various mediums and methods and what they – and you—can do, join us for some relaxing fun in discovering more about it. Bring yourself, your curiosity and whatever art materials you already have and enjoy. If not, you will have opportunities here to try some new media.
Dates: 4/3,10,17,24
Time: 8:30– 10:30 AM
Place: AU, “Greenhouse” Art Studio
Cost: $40.00

War, Peace, and Love in Hemingway – 3 Weeks
Dr. Thomas Flynn, President, Alvernia University
Following our recent reading of Huck Finn and The Great Gatsby, we will read a few of the Nick Adams Stories before discussing another of the great American novels, A Farewell to Arms.
Dates: 3/27; 4/3,10
Time: 10:00 – 11:30 AM
Place: AU, Upland Center, Board Room, Rm. 227
Cost: $35.00

How to Improve Your Digital Phtotgraphy – 3 Weeks
Stan Okuniewski
“You don’t take a photograph, you make it.” These are the words of the great American photographer, Ansel Adams. When you begin to understand these words, they allow you to approach photography very differently. Learn the basics of the creative processes and composition techniques to improve your photography. Learn how to take control of that digital camera which you should bring with you. Come join us to experience the joy, magic and beauty of photography.
Dates: 4/17,24; 5/1
Time: 10:00 – 11:30 AM
Place: AU, Upland Center, Board Room, Rm. 227
Cost: $35.00

The 1940’s: A Decade of Dramatic Changes - 3 Weeks
Jim Morrissey, M.D.
The decade of the 1940’s changed America and the world fundamentally. This course will cover changes from the development of atomic energy and penicillin, to tube lipstick, housing developments and Levittown. Our country and the world continued to prosper from the challenges we met in this epoch-making decade.
Dates: 3/27; 4/3,10
Time: 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Place: AU, Upland Center, Board Room, Rm. 227
Cost: $35.00

The Navies of the American Civil War - 4 Weeks
Dale Kratzer, Craig Breneiser, Joe Schaeffer
How did the Army save a Navy flotilla? What was the Russian Navy doing here? This course focuses on the operations of the Union Navy and the Confederate Navy during the American Civil War. We will cover changes in naval technology, the design of navy ships, important historical events and significant naval personalities.
Dates: 4/3,10,17,24
Time: 1:30 – 3:00 PM
Place: AU, Upland Center, Board Room, Rm. 227
Cost: $40.00

THURSDAY

The Color of Tea - 2 Weeks
Bongrae Seok, Ph.D.
Exploration of the world of tea, particularly its color codes (white, green, yellow and black). The course provides information on tea, tea-drinking culture and the health benefits of drinking tea through presentation, tea-tasting and BYOT (bring your own tea) events. All tea-lovers are welcome!!!
Dates: 4/4, 11
Time: 9:30 – 11:00 AM
Place: AU, Upland Center, Community Rm. 103
Cost: $25.00

Identity Theft; Technology Crimes; Polygraph Testing; Body Language: State Police Strategies to Protect Citizens – 3 Weeks
James Biever, Retired Corporal, Pennsylvania State Police; Cpl. James Marasco, Investigator Internal Affairs Division, Pennsylvania State Police; Trooper Paul Iannace, Southeast Computer Crime Task Force, Pennsylvania State Police
Criminal minds are always concocting new threats against society. Fortunately, the Pennsylvania State Police are always devising new ways to protect citizens. Learn some of the latest methods that are being used to outwit and lock up criminals. Learn how sex offenders are dealt with before and after arrest.
Dates: 4/18, 25; 5/2
Time: 10:00 – 11:30 AM
Place: AU, Upland Center, Community Rm. 103
Cost: $35.00

You’re Gonna Love Your IPAD (or Tablet PC for that Matter) – 3 Weeks
Michael Nerino
Come learn why the iPad is so popular among many in the Seniors College. Get on board with the latest “tablet technology.” This three-session course will provide an introduction to the Apple iPad. It will cover some of the more popular iPad applications. Bring your own iPad. A limited number of iPads will be available for sharing. Priority reserved for those who have not previously attended. Former students welcome subject to availability.
Dates: 4/11,18,25
Time: 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Place: AU, Upland Center, Community Rm. 103
Cost: $35.00

Encounters With the West: Asian Responses to Imperialism – 3 Weeks
Dr. Kevin Donnelly
The course will look at how the countries and peoples of Asia responded to western imperialism during the nineteenth and early-twentieth centuries. We will explore the strategies of intellectuals, politicians, and everyday people in China, India, and the Middle East during this tumultuous period. Notable events include: Napoleon’s invasion of Egypt, the Opium Wars of China, and collapse of the Ottoman Empire.
Dates: 4/11, 18, 25
Time: 2:00 – 3:30 PM
Place: AU, Upland Center, Community Rm. 103
Cost: $35.00

FRIDAY

SPRING HAS SPRUNG!! Pruning – Birding - Container Gardening - 3 Weeks
Rich Hawk,Landscaper; Pat Magala, Penn State Master Gardner; William Urich, Reading Eagle Nature Columnist
This course will help you discover fun, new activities for Spring. Discover techniques for successful planting, tricks for attracting and watching your favorite birds. Learn about growing herbs and flowers in pots and specialty in-door and out-door garden containers.
Dates: 4/5,12,19
Time: 10:00 – 11:30 AM
Place: AU, Upland Center, Community Rm. 103
Cost: $35.00

Gentle Yoga for Gentle People - 3 Weeks
Jeanne B. Brock, Certified Yoga Teacher
Warm up for yoga while seated in a chair. Try some simple yoga positions while standing. If you wish, experiment with easy final poses and savasana (rest) on the floor. Class participants may be seated to experience most yoga positions.
Dates: 4/26; 5/3,10
Time: 10:00 – 11:30AM
Place: AU, Upland Center, Community Rm. 103
Cost: $35.00

MINI-COURSES

AAA Driver Improvement Program - 2 Sessions
(class will be 4 hours)
Edith Bleichart
The AAA Driver Improvement Program (DIP) presents the techniques, skills and information necessary to navigate in today’s traffic environment. Included are: Communicating, Seeing, Adjusting Speed, Margin of Safety, Driving Emergencies. Newcomers to the AAA program will take the 8-hour course.
A minimum of eight participants will be required. You must bring a Drivers’ license and a AAA membership card.
Date: Thursday, April 18 - Friday, April 19
Time: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Place: AU, Upland Center, Rm. 154
Cost: $15.00 – one AAA member -- $25.00 Husband & Wife AAA member -- $25.00 Non-member
(to be paid in cash during the 1st session of the class.)