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August 17, 2011
What are you passionate about?
It could be music or art. Perhaps it’s history or entertainment. Maybe a rousing debate about contemporary issues and events is what truly interests you.
The LifeLong Learning Society at Temple University Fort Washington provides active persons 50 and over an opportunity to explore their passions in new and innovative ways each semester through topics ranging from American Opera to an open forum on national and international events.
“The LifeLong Learning Society began in 1995 and was primarily created to meet the needs of the newly retired and over 50 age group in our community,” said Marylou Delizia, director of Temple University Fort Washington. “It’s for those who enjoy learning and want to expand their knowledge during the day in topics of specific interest to them.”
The fall session of the LifeLong Learning Society will kickoff Wednesday, October 12, at Temple University Fort Washington, 401 Commerce Drive. The first courses begin at 9:30 a.m. with other programs offered throughout the day.
Prospective members will have an opportunity to preview the program during a free LifeLong Learning Society Open House on Wednesday, October 5, beginning at 11 a.m.
Participants may join via the annual membership fee of $185, which allows them to attend as many of the courses offered through the LifeLong Learning program as they like during the fall and spring semesters. For members who wish to attend classes only in the fall semester, the fee is $99.
Individuals may also decide to attend one or more offerings in the Society’s Lecture Series —The B. Batsheva Friedman Lecture Series — Lectures that Matter. During the fall semester, the lecture series will examine topics such as “Discovering Christopher Columbus,” “Spirit Soaring, Laughter Roaring, Spirituality and Humor,” “The Shaping of the Constitution – Part II,” “The Wonderful World of Orchids,” “The Other Gershwin” and “The Lady is a Champ,” presented by Carol Polis. the first female professional boxing judge in the world who was recently featured in the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Additional LifeLong Learning Society courses for Fall 2011 include:
Right or Wrong?! – Can There Be a Universal Moral Philosophy?: Journey back in time and across the three axial continents with visits to Africa and Latin America. Listen — and talk back! — to Moses, Lao Tze, Buddha, Confucius, Jesus, Augustine, the great Rabbi Hillel, and Arjuna and his divine charioteer Lord Krishna. Agree and disagree with Socrates, Aristotle and Plato, Marcus Aurelius, Giordano Bruno and Baruch Spinoza, Hobbes, Locke, Kathleen Nott, Paulo Freire, and the American John Dewey (to name a few). We will also reflect on our personal histories. Instructor, Navy combat veteran and government, business and non-profit entrepreneur, Samuel Adams (Sam) Frederick has authored many articles and is founder and facilitator of Philadelphia’s Socrates Café discussion group.
The Lives of Famous Artists: Our study of the art work and biographies of famous artists will emphasize those working after 1850, such as Chagall, DeChirico, Gaugain, Cezanne, Manet, Matisse, Monet, Picasso, Pissarro, Renoir and Van Gogh. Presented by Ruth Herman Cohen, who has been instructing adults for over 25 years with the Archdiocese Continuing Education program and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. She is a prize winning artist and past two-term president of the Artists’ Cultural Exchange.
Turkey’s Historical Role from Past to Present: Explore the development of the modern Middle East as observed from Turkey and the eyes of the Ottoman Empire and Turkish Republic. We will address issues of modernization, the Islamic Empire in the modern period, democracy in Turkey, the effects of the Cold War on Turkish issues and Turkey’s unique political position in the Middle East today. Offered in partnership with the Middle East Center at the University of Pennsylvania, this class is presented by James Ryan, a Ph.D. student in History at Penn and Mehmet Darakcioglu, Ph.D., Near Eastern Studies from Princeton University, who both work with the Middle East Center.
The Civil War — Creation of the United States of America: No other event in US History has galvanized the public’s attention as the US Civil War. Go behind the scenes of the Civil War, analyzing the human side of the conflict, including the roles of women and minorities. We will highlight the lives of the soldiers who fought and died. Presented by James H. Robertson, MA, Modern European History from Washington State University; an Adjunct Professor of History at Eastern University.
Tragic and Short Lives of Great Singers: Many great singers have been plagued by tragedy. Others have had their lives cut short. Learn about the lives of Enrico Caruso, Joseph Schmidt, Leonard Warren, Fritz Wunderlich, Jussi Björling and others. We will listen to recordings and watch DVDs of operas from these great singers. Presented by Raffaele Tudisco, baritone, founder and impresario of The Amici Opera Company. He has studied extensively around the world and amassed an extensive collection of original recordings, playbills and photographs.
Computer Basics (which will be held on Thursdays): Join us in a relaxed atmosphere as we explore using computers. Learn about using e-mail and sending attachments, searching the Internet for information, downloading, saving, printing and sending pictures and using Microsoft Word for letters, flyers, greeting and business cards. Enrollment is limited to 15 students. Presented by Mohamed and Maria Morsi, LifeLong Learning members and presenters.
A program favorite, A Forum on National and International Events, is also returning with brand new topics.
“My philosophy is simple — the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth,” said LifeLong Learning Society Program Coordinator Dan Shoulberg, who leads the Forum course. “I think the most effective way to get to the truth is to hear from a diversity of opinions in an open discussion of today’s issues.”
Each semester “starts off fresh with new programs for our longtime members and for individuals just finding out about the LifeLong Learning Society,” Delizia said.
“We have courses that highlight arts and entertainment, history, health, technology, and finance — most every facet of a person’s life is represented in some way,” she said. “The program is a fun and educational way to learn about and discuss the issues that impact our lives with others who are facing those same issues.”
About the LifeLong Learning Society. For more information, call 215-468-8500.
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