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Alvernia Seniors College
Mid-Year 2008

∆ - A convenient shuttle is available from the Alvernia College Upland Center to these courses on the west campus.

Monday Courses

Growing Older, Better and Bolder (5 weeks)
Rabbi Alan Weitzman
Growing older is a great journey that is not for the faint of heart. It takes courage and dedication to mature. Do you have what it takes? Ask the questions that maximize the quality of your life and choices. Learn what you need to know about youthful aging.
Dates: January 28; February 4, 11, 18 and 25
Time: 10:00 - 11:30 AM Cost: $35.00
Place: Alvernia College, Student Center, Seminar Rms. ?

A Taste of the Arts (3 weeks)
Sandra Nestlerode-Hale, Matt Faranda – Institute of the Arts
American Art Deco This class investigates American Art Deco; Music that Changed the World will introduce timeless composers and compositions that changed music forever; Medieval Manuscripts investigates the significance of medieval manuscripts, their origins, preservation and current usage.
Dates: February 11, 18 and 25
Time: 3:00 – 4:30 PM Cost: $25.00
Place: Alvernia College Upland Center, Community Room

Explore Your Creativity in the Visual Arts (5 Weeks)
Nancy Morrissey
Discover your creativity using various media: oils, water color, pastel, acrylic, tissue paper collage and mixed media. This class is geared for beginners through all levels. Come have fun.
Dates: January 28; February 4, 11, 18, and 25
Time: 2:30 - 4:00 PM Cost: $35.00
Place: Alvernia College Art Studio ?

Tuesday Courses

The Declaration of Independence (5 Weeks)
Rabbi Eliot Marrus
The Declaration of Independence proclaims the reasons for America’s separation from England. It also contains the founding father’s vision for the nation. Using Jewish historical literature as a model of the immigrant experience, this course will track the extent to which the United States followed its original promises.
Dates: January 29; February 5, 12, 19 and 26
Time: 10:00 - 11:30 AM Cost: $35.00
Place: Alvernia College Upland Center, Community Room
Resources of Faith (5 Weeks)
Steve Elmarzouky, Dr. Kevin Godfrey, Rev. David Lawton, Pastor Scott Kramer, Rabbi Alan Weitzman
The journey of faith is a difficult journey. Spiritual support along the way is invaluable. Scripture, prayer, meditation, and music are helpful tools. Guest lecturers will share insights about these important religious resources from their traditions.
Dates: January 29; February 5, 12, 19 and 26
Time: 11:30 AM - l:00 PM Cost: $35.00
Place: Alvernia College, Upland Center, Room 229

The Players In Your Health Care (4 Weeks)
Dr. James Morrissey, Dr. Lee Radosh
What happens when you age, get sick, have an emergency or need a long time to recover? How can we participate positively? We are in a biologic revolution. The business of medicine uses a Victorian model at the physician level and a multinational model at the insurers and drug companies level with government trying to mediate. We will try to help you steer your way through this landscape.
Dates: February 5, 12; 19 and 26
Time: 1:00 - 2:30 PM Cost: $30.00
Place: Alvernia College Upland Center, Community Room

Understanding the Fundamentals of Classical Music (5 Weeks)
Dr. Rándel Wolfe
This course will offer insight into the splendid complexity of classical music, help learners to understand the concert repertory and investigate the stories and schemes of classical composition.
Dates: January 29; February 5, 12, 19 and 26
Time: 2:30 - 4:00 PM Cost: $35.00
Place: Alvernia College, Upland Center, Community Room

Wednesday Courses

Criminal Cases that Shape American Life (5 Weeks)
Eleni Dimitriou Geishauser, Esquire
Do criminal trials reflect moral conscience or do they forge a new moral compass for Americans? This course will review historic criminal trials that have influenced American life and public morality. Cases covered will examine the following areas: battered wife syndrome, criminal incompetence to stand trial, juveniles tried as adults, justifiable homicide and detainment of terrorists.
Dates: January 30; February 6, 13, 20 and 27
Time: 10:00 - 11:30 AM Cost: $35.00
Place: Alvernia College Upland Center, Community Room

Judaism & Islam in Dialogue (4 Weeks)
Rabbi Alan Weitzman/Steve Elmarzouky
This course investigates the inter-relationship between Judaism and Islam. This study will focus on the following topics: Jewish and Islamic customs, cultures and literature; theological doctrines and spiritual practices; and the present state of the relationship between Jews and Muslims.
Dates: January 30; February 13, 20 and 27 (Note: no class Feb 6)
Time: 10:00 - 11:30 AM Cost: $30.00
Place: The Highlands at Wyomissing

Introductory Digital Camera (3 weeks)
Dr. Laurence Citro
This course is designed to introduce you to the world of digital photography. If you are considering buying a camera, or have a camera that is still in its box, or if you have used it and are confounded by it, this course is designed with you in mind. All the basics of digital photography will be covered, including how to use the camera, how to store the images in your computer and how to improve their appearance.
Dates: February 13, 20 and 27
Time: 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM Cost: $25.00
Place: Alvernia College, Upland Center, Room 229

Understanding America’s Involvement in the War in Iraq (3 Weeks)
Dr. David Silbey
How did the United States get involved in the war in Iraq? Are we winning or losing? This course will investigate the war in Iraq in historical context to understand the conflict that started in 2003 and that continues to this day.
Dates: February 13, 20 and 27
Time: 1:00 - 2:30 PM Cost: $25.00
Place: Alvernia College, Upland Center, Seminar Room, 2nd Floor

Energy Resources and Consumption (5 Weeks)
William Yeich
This course will offer helpful information about the raising costs of your energy bill and about the media’s portrayal of energy consumption. One timely issue that will be covered in depth is the increasing international problem of global warming.
Dates: January 30; February 6, 13, 20 and 27
Time: 2:30 - 4:00 PM Cost: $35.00
Place: Alvernia College, Upland Center, Community Rm.

Thursday Courses

Troubled Times and Better Times: Understanding Violence in America’s Cities (5 weeks)
Jeffrey Brown, Asst Chief Adult Probation Officer, The Honorable Thomas McMahon, Mayor of Reading, The Honorable Peter Schmehl, Mark Talbot, Deputy Chief of Police, Glenn Walsh, Chief Public Defender
America’s cities can be scary places. Some sectors of Reading, PA are frightening. Guest speakers will offer information about what is being done to prevent city crime and about ways to protect yourself from city violence.
Dates: January 31; February 7, 14, 21 and 28
Time: 10:00 - 11:30 AM Cost: $35.00
Place: Alvernia College Upland Center, Community Room

Finding Information and Understanding Search Tools: Strategies for Using the World Wide Web (4 Weeks)
Professor Leon Weber
This course will teach efficient and effective methods for finding authoritative information on the World Wide Web. We will focus on search strategies, evaluate Websites to determine their credibility, use search tools for finding information that is not found with Google, and explore specialized search tools like Google Scholar and Google Books.
Dates: February 7, 14, 21 and 28
Time: 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM Cost: $30.00
Place: Alvernia College Bernardine Hall Rm. 211 ?

Turkey: Where Europe Meets Asia (3 Weeks)
Dr. Tufan and Tuba Tiglioglu
As the birthplace of human civilization and a bridge between Asia and Europe, Turkey has plenty to offer. This course provides an overview of the ancient civilizations of Anatolia and the two great empires which ruled the world: Byzantine and the Ottoman Empire. The course highlights the economics, politics, culture, and traditions of modern Turkey.
Dates: February 14, 21 and 28
Time: 2:30 - 4:00 PM Cost: $25.00
Place: Alvernia College Upland Center, Community Room

Friday Courses

Religious Islam, Political Islam: What Difference Does It Make? (5 Weeks)
Jamal Abodalo
Religious Islam and political Islam are not the same. Does the difference have to do with the spread of violence? Does violence have to do with the way Islam is spreading world-wide? What dynamic trends since the World Wars have led to the expanding presence of Islam on the world stage today?
Dates: February 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29
Time: 10:00 - 11:30 AM Cost: $35.00
Place: Alvernia College, Upland Center, Community Room

On Keeping A Journal (5 Weeks)
Sister Christen Shukwit, OSF
Keeping a journal is a way to explore and deepen our experience of being alive. Journaling gives the opportunity to honor the lives we have led, meet a part of ourselves we may never have met before, and dream new dreams. No matter at what age we begin journaling, it can prove to be a life-changing experience. This course will be filled with endless suggestions for journaling and many opportunities to write.
Dates: February 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29
Time: 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM Cost: $35.00
Place: Alvernia College, Upland Center, Room 228

Mini-Courses

AARP Driver Education Safety Program - 2 Sessions
(each class will be 4 hours)
Edith Bleichart
This course is designed for those who have not taken the course previously. Update driving knowledge, sharpen driving skills, help compensate for normal age/related physical change and drive more safely for years to come. Insurance companies should discount your premium upon completion of course.
Dates: Thursday, February 28 and Friday, February 29
Time: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM Cost: $10.00 (AARP fee)
Place: Alvernia College Upland Center, Room 229

AARP Driver Education Safety Program - 1 Session
(each class will be 4 hours)
Edith Bleichart
This course is designed for those who have taken the course previously, either AARP or AAA. You must bring proof of either course with you (an insurance statement indicating you have had a driver improvement course and have received your discount.) Update driving knowledge, sharpen driving skills, help compensate for normal age/related physical change and drive more safely for years to come. Insurance companies should discount your premium upon completion of course.
Dates: Friday, February 22
Time: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM Cost: $10.00 (AARP fee)
Place: Alvernia College Upland Center, Room 229

News and Chews Breakfast Club
First Wednesday of every month (begins February 6)
8:30 - 10:00 AM Alvernia College, Student Center, Dining Hall ?

Lunch Bunch Discussion Club
Lunch Bunch Discussion Group typically meets every Monday from 11:45 am to 2:00 pm in the Student Center Dining Hall and Seminar Rooms. Exceptions are listed below.
January 14 Sneak Preview of Classes (12:15 - 1:45 pm-No Lunch this day)
January 21 Alvernia College Closed-No Classes
January 28 Lunch (11:45 am)-Sneak Preview (12:45 - 2:00 pm)
February 4 Mayor Thomas McMahon - “Reading PA: A City of Hope & Future”
February 11 Jeffrey Weidner, Berks Emergency Management -”The Vulnerability of Berks”
February 18 Barry Rohrbach - Crime Watch
February 25 Maestro Andrew Constantine - “Future of Reading Symphony Orchestra

Book Review Club
Alvernia College, Student Center, Seminar Rooms
First Wednesday of every month, 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
January 2 “A Thousand Splendid Suns” by Khaled Hosseini
February 6 “Water For Elephants” by Sara Gruen
Third Monday bi-monthly - 7:00 – 8:00 PM at Phoebe Berks Village, 1 Reading Drive, Wernersville
February 19 “Eat, Pray and Love” by Elizabeth Gilbert

Computer Club
Third Tuesday of every month (begins January 15)
2:00 – 3:30 PM at Alvernia College, Bernardine Hall, Rm. 211

Red Hat Society
A Society for women dedicated to a gathering filled with camaraderie ,exploring new avenues of fun and entertainment, such as luncheons, shows, etc. It definitely affords an opportunity to wear a RED HAT AND PURPLE CLOTHING with panache!
Call 610-779-6652 or 796-8357.

Alvernia Seniors Card Club
Each Monday beginning January 14. (School closed January 21)
9:00 AM – 12:00 Noon - Alvernia College Bernardine Hall, Room 19
The card club includes bridge, bridge lessons, pinochle, and other games.

BRING YOUR FRIENDS!!!

Updated: January 22, 2008

Your comments are welcome