February 12, 1998
Contact: Beth Fox
(615) 343-3210
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February 12, 1998 Contact: Beth Fox (615) 343-3210 |
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- People of retirement age who are looking for stimulating conversation and insightful learning opportunities need look no further than the spring classes being offered by Retirement Learning at Vanderbilt. The classes focus on a number of current events issues, as well as physical fitness and literature.
"It is a continuing education program for the joy of learning," said Silvine Hudson, director of Retirement Learning. "It is the opportunity to take classes you missed in college, but without the worry of grades or papers."
The classes are noncredit, college-level courses open without regard to previous level of formal education.
"This isn't a how-to curriculum; it's more academic. And it's unique to Nashville in that they are daytime classes and they have more of a liberal arts focus than other continuing education classes," Hudson said.
The spring schedule begins March 3 and includes the following classes:
* "The Incarnational Art of Flannery O'Connor," taught by Victor Judge, examines different themes from the human condition that O'Connor "incarnates" in her short stories "The Displaced Person," "Revelation," "Good Country People" and "Parker's Back." It will be held every Tuesday, March 3 - April 7 from 9:15 to 10:30 a.m.
* "The Moral Meaning of Childhood: What Are We Doing to Our Children?" explores how we view children and how we treat them individually and collectively. The goal of this course, taught by Dr. Jan van Eys, is to help formulate an understanding of the moral challenges children pose. It will be held every Tuesday from 10:45 a.m. to 12 p.m., March 3 - April 7 and will be followed by a brown bag lunch discussion at 12:15 p.m.
* "The State of Israel: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow" will discuss the role of the "Promised Land" in Israel's history and relationships with its neighbors from biblical times through the present. Taught by Rabbi Randall Falk, this class will explore the country's economic, political, religious and social issues. It will be held every Wednesday, March 4 - April 8 from 9:15 to 10:30 a.m.
* "Public Policy and Public Good: How Do We Get It Right?" is a survey of the major public policy issues facing families and children in Tennessee and across the country. Moderated by Bill Purcell, director of the Child and Family Policy Center at the Vanderbilt Institute for Public Policy Studies, this class will include presentations by policy leaders concerned with crime, health care, education, services for children and the environment. This class is from 10:45 a.m. to 12 p.m. every Wednesday from March 4 - April 8 and is followed by a discussion group at 12:15 p.m.
* "Wellness Journeys" is an overview of different aspects of staying healthy. It is not an exercise class, but rather a lesson in health promotion, stress management, aerobic activity, flexibility and balance, general nutrition and eating out. It will be led by Barbara Forbes, coordinator of senior health and health promotion, and the staff of the Dayani Center. Class size is limited to 25 people and will be from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., every Thursday, March 5 - April 9.
Classes will be held in the Branscomb Recreation Room, Vanderbilt Place, between 24th and 25th Avenues South, except "Wellness Journeys," which will be in the Dayani Center, 1500 22nd Avenue South. Spring membership is $60 for one person and $110 for a couple. Enrollment is open until Feb. 27.
Membership in the Retirement Learning organization is required for the classes. Members determine the curriculum, select the instructors, recruit new members, finance the program and plan extracurricular activities. Retirement Learning is an affiliate of the Elderhostel Institute Network, which is a national senior education program.
Retirement Learning also sponsors the Lunch and Learn series approximately once a month throughout the year. Scheduled discussions through June include "Ethics and Death" with Dr. John Sergent, professor of medicine, March 12 in the Branscomb South Dining Room; the annual meeting of Retirement Learning at Vanderbilt, April 14, location to be announced later; "Volunteerism in Emerging Democracies of Eastern Europe" with Jenny Yancey and Dan Seigel, May 5, in the Branscomb Recreation Room; "Figurative Sculpture in the 20th Century" with sculptor Alan Le Quire, June 18, in the Walnut Room of the Hill Student Center, Peabody campus; and "Old Nashville, New Nashville -The Changes We Have Seen!" with author John Egerton, June 25 in the Branscomb Recreation Room. Participants are asked to call to reserve a box lunch at least five days in advance or to bring their own lunch.
For more information or to register, contact Silvine Hudson at 343-0553.
-VU-
Vanderbilt University is a private research university of approximately
5,900 undergraduates and 4,300 graduate and professional students. Founded
in 1873, the University comprises 10 schools, a public policy institute,
a distinguished medical center and The Freedom Forum First Amendment Center.
Vanderbilt offers undergraduate programs in the liberal arts and sciences,
education and human development, engineering and music, and a full range
of graduate and professional degrees.
For more news about Vanderbilt, visit the News and Public Affairs home page
on the Internet at http://www.vanderbilt.edu/News.