Members of the Baylor Institute for Learning in Retirement in Texas studied Causes, Course, Settlement this spring. After taking a detailed look at the circumstances that combined to plunge Europe into a veritable orgy of self-destruction in 1914, this course discussed the strategies of the Center Powers and the Allies, key campaigns and engagements on land and at seas, as well as the Paris Conference whose efforts at peace-making fell woefully short in healing what one analyst has called a broken world.

Boats & Men: The Creators of River Civilizations in Ancient Egypt was the title of a spring program at the Berkshire Institute for Lifetime Learning in Massachusetts. Members studied the ships from the dawn of Egyptian history into the Middle Kingdom period, at times comparing them with modern sailing or paddled ships that still follow many of the rules and techniques used by the ancient craft.

Three Frontiers was the title of a spring course given at the Community Academy for Lifelong Learning in State College, Pennsylvania. The American, Russian and Chinese frontiers have some commonalities both past and present: unconquerable distances, indigenous peoples with a genius for horsemanship and vast natural resources. This course explored the similarities and differences among these three frontiers.

Members of Elderwise in Ann Arbor, Michigan recently examined Solitude and Fate: A Brief Study in Contrasts. They studied two stories by two great writers – The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway and Brokeback Mountain by Annie Proulx – stories that are very different and yet are strangely comparable.

Introduction to Field Robotics is the title of a course given recently at the ILR at Bradley University in Peoria, IL. This course provided an overview of field robotics with applications to advanced control, sensing technologies, and other necessary components of autonomous machines operating in variable and hostile environments. Many of these automated work machines are used in mining, agriculture, forestry, construction, cargo handling, undersea, air and space.

Eleven Things You Can Do to Make Your Life Better was the title of a course given at the L.I.F. E. program at Mount Saint Mary’s College in New York this spring. This course was a synopsis of the most important practices of successful people, and learn how to manage yourself and your relationships with the people and the world around you. Topics included: God, You, World, Paradigm, Thinking, Baggage, Differentiation, Resourcefulness, Support, Relationships and Planning.

Men in the Kitchen was the title of a program at Lifelong Learning of Hilton Head Island in South Carolina. Limited to 10 men, this course covered such subjects as menu planning for dining on the deck, in the garden or at the beach. Participants learned to make Cobb Salad, Asian Lettuce Wraps, Grilled Pork Tenderloin and Lobster Salad on the Half-Shell. Wine pairing was also discussed.

Major Crises Points of Jewish History was the title of a spring program at the Learning Institute at New England College in Henniker, New Hampshire. Led by a local Rabbi, the class explored the points at which Judaism experienced a dramatic shift in its teachings and its practice. Participants also identified the internal and external circumstances leading to these changes.

The History of Political Cartoons, I & II was offered this spring at the McGill ILR in Montreal. Participants followed the developments of political cartoons from 18th century Britain through the present all across the world. They also examined how contemporary politics and the cartoons were always closely related and how present day cartoons are often mild compared to those in the 18th and 19th centuries.

The Middlesex Institute for Lifelong Education in Connecticut has set aside a special Hobby Day. This day will showcase the many hobbies of LLI members including Letter Boxing, Weaving, Scrapbooking and many other activities.

Music of the Victorian Era…and More was the title of a program given this spring at the Old Dominion ILR in Virginia. Participants listened to and studied an engaging overview of popular Victorian music from a century ago, then some ear-opening examples of popular songs derived from classical music and finally some critics’ woefully mistaken assessments of classical music masterpieces.

Participants of the Brown Bag Science program at OMNILORE at California State University Dominquez Hills recently took on the subject of Noah’s Ark. Led by a marine biologist and local professor they discussed the difficulty of the task assigned to Noah. They learned how many trees had to be felled, the number of workers employed, the duration of the job, and the logistics of food and housing for the animals, as well as consideration of waste removal and other problems. They then discussed the source of all the water that flooded the earth for 40 days and 40 nights. It was an entertaining lunch program for all who attended.

Geisha, Gangsters, Samurai & Salarymen: Refocusing Hollywood Images of Japan was the title of a course given at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Duke University this spring. Through American films members looked at images of the Japanese as they have been presented to movie audiences around the world. Brief lectures and discussion helped to get a clearer view of the “real” Japan.

Five Hundred Years of the Forgotten Women in Art was the title of a course given this spring at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at George Mason University in Virginia. This six-session course explored forgotten women artists. Participants explored the women’s art through slides and discussed the conditions under which they struggled to express themselves as artists. Students also considered the artists private lives and the culture that diminished their talents and treated them as inconsequential.

The Rose Institute for Lifelong Learning at Menorah Park Center for Senior Living in Beachwood, Ohio recently offered a course called Critical Presidential Elections. Members considered a number of presidential elections – who won – why they won – and what happened because they won.

Senior Learning Unlimited at the University of California Davis offered a course recently entitled Looking Back, Looking Forward: Edward R. Murrow in the 1950s. The Edward R. Murrow collection of broadcast excerpts – shown in the class in segments over six weeks – framed the class discussion of the political and social issues then, now and tomorrow.

The Seniors Education Centre at the University of Regina, SK recently offered members a stimulating course entitled The Celts and the Scandinavians. Two strong, virile, imaginative cultures whose influence is still felt in our world of today were studied. Their art, literature, religions and sense of adventure are similar in many aspects, yet have distinct differences. This study compared and contrasted their origins, cultural development, their movements throughout Europe and beyond the ocean, as well as their legacy which surrounds us.