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This class will survey the history of immigration to the United States. Beginning in the late 16th century, explorers sought out the North American continent and by the 17th century immigration, some voluntary, some forced, had begun. Over the next two centuries, immigration continued unabated, creating a much-needed workforce but also introducing questions about what kind of country we were going to be and what it meant to be an American. Questions of race, religion, and ethnicity, encouraged by the nativism and scientific racism of the early 20th century, continue to the present day. The book we will use, Roger Daniels, Coming to America (2nd edition) will tell this story. It was published in 2002 so for the past two plus decades of recent immigration we will use other readings.

Tom Hanks is known for his comedic and dramatic roles, making him one of the most popular and identifiable film stars worldwide. His films have grossed over $16 billion globally. He has been the recipient of countless awards including two back-to-back Best Actor Oscars, a feat not accomplished since Spencer Tracy. Other awards include the Kennedy Center Honor, the French Legion of Honor and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. During this term we will view eight movies, including three Tom Hanks regards as his favorites, and four often judged as his finest performances. The last film will be chosen by the class. Please join me in observing some of Tom Hanks’ talented productions. There will be class discussion of each movie. The facilitator will email trivia questions to class members in advance of each class about the upcoming movie. The facilitator will also provide an explanation of why experts view the four movies as Hanks’ best works.

Beethoven did not invent the symphony. Both Mozart and Haydn had gotten there before him, and others before them. However, Beethoven was the first to prove that a symphony could express the composer’s view of the world: triumph, tragedy and all the emotions in between.

The summit of that journey arrived with his Symphony No. 9, premiering in Vienna May 7, 1824, and containing so famously the Ode to Joy. His concept of what symphonies could become inspired countless composers in later years, Brahms and Tchaikovsky amongst them. Even today, most composers have Beethoven in their minds when they sit down to write a symphony.

Music historian Betsy Schwarm offers a six-week online course exploring Beethoven’s symphonic vision, and how he influenced the grand works that would come with later generations. How did Beethoven change the musical world and how does he still make a difference today? We’ll find out!

In this class we will explore the profound world of animated cinema with rich narratives and mature storytelling in animated features beyond traditional children's entertainment. Through films like "Grave of the Fireflies," a poignant exploration of wartime suffering; "Mary and Max," a touching tale of friendship and mental health; "The Fantastic Mr. Fox," a witty and visually stunning adaptation of Roald Dahl's classic; and "The Little Prince" (2015), a heartfelt reimagining of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's timeless story, and four other films, we look at how animation tackles deep, complex themes. Class discussions will focus on thematic elements, artistic techniques, and the impact of these films on the audience, demonstrating the power of animation to convey intricate human experiences and emotions. This course invites you to look beyond the surface and appreciate the depth and artistry of animated storytelling. We will show each film in its entirety with English subtitles for the hearing impaired (if available).

Bridge is a wonderful game for us seniors. It keeps our minds active, and it keeps us computing, deciphering, and using logic and deduction. It is also a very social game. All very good for us seniors. Also, perhaps the most important thing, it is a fun game. This is the first beginning bridge class “Bridge Basics I.” This course is for individuals new to bridge or those who have been absent from bridge for a while.

Recommended Book: Bidding in the 21st Century. The American Contract League (ACBL) will provide the book for the participants. There is a $20.00 non-negotiable or refundable fee for this class. The fee goes to offset the app fees so students can play bridge online and postage to mail the book to the students. The fee is paid to the facilitator Michael Holmes, via check, to 313 Clisby Austin Rd. Tunnel Hill, GA 30755 or Zelle. Your book will be mailed upon receipt of the course fee. Please send the fee by the second-class session.

Consumed with grief, driven by vengeance, John Chenneville undertakes an unrelenting odyssey across the lawless post–Civil War frontier, seeking redemption, in this fearless novel from the award-winning and New York Times bestselling author of News of the World. We approach reading as discovery in a reading community; therefore, some of the reading is done in class so that, together, we encounter the text as a group, allowing multiple insights from the class. PLEASE DO NOT START READING THE BOOK BEFORE CLASS BEGINS

“Churchill” the name sparks multiple images: Boer War correspondent, prisoner of war, Gallipoli, Minister of Parliament, The 1930s Wilderness Years, First Lord of the Admiralty, and Wartime Prime Minister. We will cover his World War II leadership from the dark days of The Gathering Storm, Dunkirk, Their Finest Hour, the Grand Alliance, Hinge of Fate, Alone No More, Closing the Ring, Turning the Tide, D-Day, to Triumph and Tragedy. Churchill was a controversial figure. We will discuss his political and military decisions and their ramifications. Our source material is the ABC Emmy Award-winning 1961 TV series “The Valiant Years,” the accompanying book “Winston Churchill: The Valiant Years,” Churchill’s sixth volume “The Second World War”, plus other books. Join us as we listen to Richard Burton speaking Churchill’s own words, Gary Merrill narrating, and war-time leaders providing their experiences.

“Churchill” the name sparks multiple images: Boer War correspondent, prisoner of war, Gallipoli, Minister of Parliament, The 1930s Wilderness Years, First Lord of the Admiralty, and Wartime Prime Minister. We will cover his World War II leadership from the dark days of The Gathering Storm, Dunkirk, Their Finest Hour, the Grand Alliance, Hinge of Fate, Alone No More, Closing the Ring, Turning the Tide, D-Day, to Triumph and Tragedy. Churchill was a controversial figure. We will discuss his political and military decisions and their ramifications. Our source material is the ABC Emmy Award-winning 1961 TV series “The Valiant Years,” the accompanying book “Winston Churchill: The Valiant Years,” Churchill’s sixth volume “The Second World War”, plus other books. Join us as we listen to Richard Burton speaking Churchill’s own words, Gary Merrill narrating, and war-time leaders providing their experiences.

The United States has held 59 presidential elections. A few of these contests concluded in extreme controversy. This course will examine 8 such elections, concluding with the 2024 election which will be held the day before the final class session.

Each week, we’ll scrutinize one election. We’ll first look at the 1800 election where it took 36 votes in the House to declare Jefferson the winner. We’ll then review the 1824 election where Andrew Jackson received 15 more electoral votes and a third more popular votes than John Quincy Adams, but Adams became president. Then, in turn, we’ll examine the 1860 election of Lincoln; the 1876 selection of Rutherford Hayes that ended Reconstruction; the 1912 contest where Wilson defeated both an incumbent and an ex-president; the “hanging chads” election of 2000; and the 2020 election where, for the first time, the losing candidate refused to concede defeat.

The course will not use a text. Before each class, the facilitator will distribute a short reading describing the election and why it resulted in such controversy.

Climate change dominates headlines with dire warnings, yet discussions often fragment into specific topics like electric vehicles, renewable energy, extreme weather events, and climate refugees. It’s hard to connect the dots to see the full picture. How do all these stories – all these pieces fit together?

This 8-week guest speaker series brings together leading researchers and subject matter experts to provide a fuller and clearer view of what is, perhaps, humanity's greatest and most consequential challenge.

Each presenter offers a nuanced perspective on a key aspect of climate change. Collectively they’ll provide an integrated up-to-date understanding of this complex issue already, and perhaps inexorably, impacting Colorado, the nation, and the world.

The series will help us understand: (1) what we’re likely facing, (2) what some of the realistic goals are, (3) some of the options to achieve these goals, (4) the keys and barriers to success that we should consider.

Explore the guiding Jewish values that help inform choices on common medical questions. This course will equip participants with the tools to chart a path through four areas of medical ethics: experimental treatments, extending life, pregnancy questions, and caring for a body. Gain an enriching perspective on how the Jewish ethical tradition helps us confidently navigate fateful decisions.

According to experts at the 2024 Conference on World Affairs, the top 3 threats to humanity over the next 10 years are (in no particular order) pandemics, global warming, and nuclear weapons. And the underlying causes of our current global conflicts are natural resources, the rise of multi-powers, and that old stand-by, the human quest for power. Sheesh! How’s a person to sleep at night?! Join Paula Staffeldt for a hopeful look at our current reality. No rose-colored glasses or “pollyanna” tropes. But no doom and gloom filters, either. In 4 interactive sessions, consider how our individual thoughts and feelings might either support or hinder a more peaceful, sustainable future. And how the inspiration that comes from a mind that is “at ease with what is” could guide us in making more insightful decisions and taking wiser actions toward creating a more enlightened world.

Through this course, students will encounter the cinema of Martin Scorsese, arguably one of the most important living film directors. Beginning with his breakthrough work, "Taxi Driver" (1976), and progressing through his widely recognized masterworks Raging Bull (1980) and Goodfellas (1990), the course will culminate with a look at his modern output: The Irishman (2019) and Killers of the Flower Moon (2023). Over the course of this survey, students will be exposed to the influences, inspirations, and challenges behind Scorsese's work. We'll learn about the films' production, their critical and popular reception, and ultimately, their importance to cinema history.

When the word “God” is mentioned, most people in the West automatically assume a particular concept of God. The Asian religions challenge that concept. In this class we will look at the Hindu concept of Brahman, the Buddhist concept of Nirvana, the Taoist concept of Nature, and the Confucian idea of how our actions relate to the “Way of the Gods.” But the class will not be just about the concept of God. We will cover other central ideas like the nature of knowledge and what it means to be human. It is also inevitable, especially in the East, that many practices of the religions are connected to their philosophical ideas, e.g., their rituals and lifestyles, Moreover, the ethical perspective of each religion will be central as well as the concept of an afterlife in each one. This will primarily be a philosophy course about the ideas involved in the Asian religions. Personally, I have found the Asian religions a rich challenge to the beliefs with which I grew up and they have opened the door to other ways of seeing the world.

Do you sometimes feel frustrated because of the complexity of using our computers? Or perhaps you have had years of hit-or-miss learning? We will learn more about today’s computer technology, including PC hardware, the Windows operating system components and settings, peripheral connections and ports, file and application management, Internet connectivity, Cloud storage with OneDrive, security, and maintenance, including backing up your computer. Understand what is happening with Windows 10 and how to use Windows 11. Become more familiar with how your computer syncs with other devices and the Cloud. Come get more comfortable with today’s technology on our desktops and laptops. You will end up with a smarter computer and a smarter you!

Some directors have an identifiable brash style that we can all appreciate; some strive to be invisible - if you can see their efforts, they feel they have usurped the story. Whichever way, the great directors with long, successful lists of films to their credit are, in reality, supreme artists of film that can get you to laugh through tears and surprise you with unexpected story twists. How do they do that? What techniques, what film grammar do they know and use on you to tell their stories in compelling ways? Take this course and see how they do it – Quentin Tarantino, Francis Ford Coppola, Sidney Lumet, Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, Stanley Kubrick, Joel and Ethan Coen, Sidney Pollack. We’ll see excerpts of their work, biographic info and Interviews with them, and detailed commentaries on their techniques via YouTube videos.

Unlock the power of color in your art by diving into the essentials of color theory. Whether you're new to this fascinating world or just want to brush up on your skills, understanding the color wheel, complementary colors, and the psychological effects of colors is key to creating impactful art. This course offers a fun and engaging journey into color theory and its practical applications in painting. You'll learn how to choose and use colors systematically, bridging the gap between creativity and science. By mastering these principles, you'll add depth, variety, and allure to your artwork. As you work with acrylics or watercolors, the advantages of knowing color theory will become clear, taking your artistic journey to exciting new heights. Join us and discover how to make your paintings more vibrant and dynamic!

This course will walk through the history of Denver, exploring the successive waves of immigrants who have made their home in the Mile High City. This journey will include the stories of immigrants from Mexico, New Mexico, Ireland, China, Germany, Russia, Japan, Italy, Greece, Poland, Vietnam, Central America, and South America. Particular attention will be paid to the labor that these communities performed, how they struggled for fair wages and conditions in their workspaces, and how they contributed to the larger culture that has come to define Colorado.

Monet, Cezanne, Van Gogh, Matisse and Picasso - we'll explore the work and the worlds of these five amazing artists, their impact upon Modern Art and the joy and wonder they continue to prompt. Class will be a combination of lecture, discussion and video. At the end of each class Bob will do a brief demonstration exploring the painters' techniques, using inexpensive materials like crayons, colored pencils and a beginners watercolor set and work towards simulating a few of their innovative methods of application. All are invited to play along - participation is optional of course and simply observing will be of value.

Improving Your Bridge Judgement is for anyone who has some experience with the game of Bridge. Participants in this course will learn how to be better bidders and responders. Strategies to improve your decision making will be discussed, demonstrated, and practiced. Students will learn strategies when bidding in first and second position. Strategies for bidding in third and fourth seat will also be discussed and practiced. How to handle preemptive bidding and slam bidding will be demonstrated and discussed. Bidding and responding to strong hands will be demonstrated and discussed.

Course Type: Lecture, discussion, on-line play of bridge

Books/Materials. There is a $20.00 non-negotiable or refundable fee for this course. There is not a textbook for this class and the fee goes to offset the app fees so students can play bridge online. Failure to pay the fee by the second class will result in the student being dropped from the class. Students will either pay for the instruction via check or Zelle. Address: 313 Clisby Austin Rd, Tunnel Hill, GA 30755. Zelle Michael Holmes 303 928-9187.

"Huck Finn is a masterpiece. This retelling just might be, too."NYTimes. In James. Perceval Everett's new, Pulitzer-listed, bestselling novel, Huck's enslaved sidekick, Jim, tells the story. This shift redirects the focus from a white boy's adventure to the harrowing experiences of a runaway. Through Jim's eyes, readers realize the mistreatment he endured in Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. In James, Jim sheds his fearful, subservient identity to reclaim his freedom and manhood as James. Everett deftly maintains humor and page-turning drama throughout. Everett's James:

• reveals the racism of philosophers influencing the Founding Fathers;
• explains why African-Americans switch language or dialect based on social or conversational context, code-shifting;
• explores the blackface minstrel tradition; and
• reveals the sexual exploitation of enslaved women.

Facilitator presentations will delve deeper into these topics providing scenes from Twain's Huck with racial slurs redacted. Join us to decide if James is a new masterpiece and if Huck remains one?

The current tech revolution is the integration of our devices and information through “The Cloud.” But just what IS The Cloud? And what is The Internet?! Let us ride on the cloud to learn about cloud computing and services, cloud storage, backup and sync, file sharing, and much more. Become informed about the Internet, browsers, search engines, and the technologies involved in delivering the Internet, and explore different devices, and security. Understand how your smartphones and PC “sync” with the Cloud, device continuity, and how synced data and info are accessed online. Visit the Internet of Things and see how you are already in that world. Get more comfortable with AI & Augmented/Virtual Reality. Discuss how we are using cross-platform, network-connected devices. Get Smarter about your amazing and sometimes dangerous Smart World.

“Bogie” the name conjures an immediate picture of the classic tough guy with a heart of gold. Classic quotes such as “Play It Again, Sam” and “You’re Good. You’re awfully Good.” bring to life some of the most outstanding dramas from the Golden Days of Hollywood. Again, we return to watch Humphrey Bogart in eight more movies that showed the range of his talents. Bogart plays returning veteran, escaped convict, hotel visitor, gold seeker, a down-and-out scriptwriter, corporate executive, and a crusading newspaper editor. Again, we will have a short discussion before and after the movie to discuss the stars, the plot, and what made this movie successful (or not).

These movies are “A” movies and will run long. Our class will start at 12:30 to accommodate the length of the movie plus our serial of the week.

Join us for our 4th in a series of most highly rated and enjoyed films of a decade. Having done the films of the 1960s, 70s and 80s, this term we look at the films of the 1990s. Examples are Shawshank Redemption, Forrest Gump, Good Will Hunting, and A League of Their Own. We will also select from 10 other excellent films of the decade using our 1980s film class for guidance. During the course you will see many great actors (Ben Affleck, Robin Williams, Tom Hanks, Matt Damon, Geena Davis, Brad Pitt, Edward Norton, Helen Hunt, Holly Hunter, Jodie Foster, Andie MacDowell, Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman, Minnie Driver) and the work of great directors and writers (Darabont, Zemeckis, Van Sant, Marshall, Fincher, Nichols, Ramis, Brooks, Hansson, Demme, Spielberg.).

Place is sometimes described as an additional character in novels, especially when an author develops a collection of characters in a specific location throughout a continuing series. "Mysterious Places" encourages armchair travel while exploring various mystery series - in this case, with a weather theme. Hurricanes, snowstorms, drought, gloomy or sunny days have all been used to establish atmosphere in a story and are sometimes the means, motive, or opportunity. In addition to our usual book club discussions of mysteries featuring weather, meteorologist Tom Corona will explain various weather phenomena that appear in our stories. A little science, some fun mysteries, lots of great discussion - another fine "Mysterious Places" class coming up!

What happens to human “consciousness” when we die? In 1978 Dr. Raymond Moody's landmark book “Life After Life” reported on Moody’s investigation of 150 people who died “clinically,” were subsequently revived, and reported similar extraordinary experiences. His book started a revolution in popular attitudes regarding an “afterlife” and forever changed how we understand both death and life.

Since then, with vastly improved resuscitation techniques, five decades of scientific research on thousands of NDEs has brought us powerful evidence that yes, Virginia, there is “life" after physical death and, as frosting on the cake, what awaits us is both heart-warming and extremely comforting. Physicians and professors at prominent universities, medical schools and hospitals world-wide continue to study this phenomenon with seriously "mind-blowing" results. This course brings you up to speed on these findings as well as what we now know about other exceptional “paranormal” phenomena.

This lively, interactive course will examine what sexuality means to us, and how this changes as we mature. Topics include physical changes with aging, the nature of intimacy, and relationships both longstanding and new. We’ll cover online dating, consent and safety, sex toys and more! There will be ample opportunity for questions and discussion, and resources will be offered to meet current and future needs.

Create magazine-worthy images from smart phone travel, event, and everyday photos. The free Snapseed in-phone app offers fun and flexible tools for effective, professional edits and polish in post-production. Snapseed is great for making memory books, inspiring slide shows, and eye-catching Internet posts. The class will include detailed instruction and examples to correct, optimize, and artistically interpret photos, as well as hints for improving photo capture. A PDF presentation of more than 100 slides can be downloaded to follow along during the class and be retained for later reference.

This course will explore several social movements from the 1960s, including the Civil Rights movement, Chicano and American Indian Movements, feminist movement, Gay Liberation, Anti-War, and Economic Justice. For each of these movements, we will examine the history behind the movement, and relate it to current events and social change in the 21st century. Students are encouraged to share their own experiences and memories of this era and to use this course to reflect deeply on the questions that define us today.

Mandalas, with their rich history and beautiful designs, are amazing tools for meditation and self-reflection. Found in cultures all over the world, these intricate patterns have decorated temples, manuscripts, and more, symbolizing cosmic order and inner peace. Beyond their spiritual roots, mandalas also show up in modern science, illustrating energy, waves, and sound, and are used in therapy as a way to express oneself and heal. In this course, guided by an experienced OLLI facilitator and artist, you will dive into the world of mandala creation. Each session mixes theory with hands-on practice, allowing you to explore the artistry behind these fascinating designs. By combining ink, symmetry, and mindfulness, you'll learn how to create beautiful mandalas that have personal meaning and artistic flair. Join us for a fun and enlightening journey into the world of mandalas!

The Focus

• We will focus on the history and evolution of the economic, legal, theological, and philosophical systems embedded in our country’s laws and systems. We will follow the four roots as they become ever more intertwined and grow ever more deeply each decade to produce the racial disparities that we experience today.
• While there are many stories of minorities that could and need to be told, given eight weeks, these conversations will focus on those systems and structures that have resulted in wealth disparities, mass incarceration, and the unchecked killing of Black people.

Why Participate

• “Whites created slavery, segregation, and racial discrimination. Whites have most of the political and social power to change racial discrimination and inequality now. We cannot have a truly free and democratic society until we do that.” MLK
• Our desire to be good can prevent us from doing good if we do not see the historical systems and structures we created. If we don’t see them, we cannot act to change them.

Severe income inequality. Powerful corporations that reject regulations or taxes but expect government support for infrastructure. Immigrants and people of color filling low-wage jobs. Think these are recent issues? Let’s look at the Gilded Age.

The “Gilded Age” refers to the boom in U.S. industrialization and prosperity between 1870 and 1900. It witnessed the rise of self-made men, powerful corporations, unimaginable wealth, and a sizable middle class.

This phenomenon was characterized by innovation, get-rich schemes and laissez-faire attitudes and policies that enriched the few. But did the country as a whole benefit?

Wages increased. But rapid urbanization and industrialization caused new social problems ignored by the powerful. These detrimental effects of the economic boom led to reform movements to lessen inequality.

We will consider the belief that the Gilded Age birthed modern America, with ideas and ideals that are debated today. We will be guided by an excellent Great Courses curriculum, handouts and class discussion.

Join Anne and Bill as they look behind the curtain of our modern food supply system. Questions to be explored:

• How do supermarkets seem to always be filled with tasty looking food?
• Why is the arrangement of food similar in different locations?
• Why buy what we do?
• How far does food travel to reach us?
• What is lifelike for an 18-wheel long-haul truck driver carrying your groceries?
• Is our food supply safe?
• Why does the seafood department shut down for such a long time?
• What happens to supermarket food during a power outage?
• What percent of our food is wasted?
• What is a food desert?
• What is monoculture and organic farming?
• How much of our food is local?
• What happened to all the small farms?
• What is community supported agriculture?
• How does a food co-op work?
• What effect will climate change have?
• Is our food system sustainable?
• ow much of our food is ultra-processed?
• What do food additives do?
• Are they safe?

The Surveillance State Big Data, Freedom, and You is a 2016 Great Courses video series presented by Paul Rosenzweig, JD.

Over 24 lectures (12 in Fall 2024 and 12 in Winter 2025), you will:

• Learn some of the history of surveillance.
• Gain understanding of how intelligence collection works in the US and why 9/11 was so transformative.
• Explore new technologies and their ramifications.
• Examine big data.
• Learn why the Internet is a treasure trove for spies and commercial companies.
• Explore how people are trying to get off the grid or secure their communications.
• Discover how Europe is answering some of these difficult questions.

We will watch two 30-minute lectures with discussion of related material after each. Knowledgeable class members are encouraged to present brief updates on material covered in the lectures or discussions.

Are you shy? This class offers the first steps to explore overcoming the fear of talking to new people. Learn to be comfortable at a reception, luncheon, church social, in waiting line, or in a lobby waiting to check in. How important is it to know that YOU can converse with any person willing to reply “Hi” or “Hello” back to you? We will discover how to ask simple questions. We will learn how to be interested in the other person. We will use a system based on A.E.I.O.U.: Assumptions, Expectations, Issues/Information, Observations, and Understand. These vowels are the keys to opening an informal chat connection with new people. “The Vowels of Science Workshop” will explore quotations and books that help us better appreciate the diverse reasons WHY people do what they do, not WHAT or HOW! We will enjoy the journey of being interested (vs. interesting) in our chats.

So what created this mess? William Faulkner wrote: “The past is never dead. It’s not even past.” This class will dive deeply into Palestine’s past and how it has contributed to, and ultimately shaped, the current-day tragedy in the Holy Land.

We will begin with 3000 BCE:

• Who were the Canaanites and where did they come from?
• How did the Israelites end up in Palestine?
• How did the series of conquerors and rulers shape the country? '
• How did the religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam influence Palestine?

We will explore the last 150 years:

• Where did the Zionist movement begin and why was it so successful?
• Why did Great Britain support the creation of a Jewish homeland in Palestine?
• Why did the newly formed United Nations advocate a two-nation solution in 1948?
• Why did the Jews win the wars of 1948 and 1967 so decisively?

And finally, what is the situation today?

This is an eight-week course that will include lecture, videos, and a lot of discussion. The class will be offered both in person at OLLI South and on-line. Each class will be limited to 35.

In this class we will investigate the skills necessary for responsible decision making. We will look at 10 different strategies we employ to avoid making the important decisions that affect our lives. We will investigate how our current understanding of justice and guilt handcuffs our abilities to make free and open decisions. Kaufmann will provide us with a guide to develop a new integrity / morality based on a set of virtues that he feels will replace our current fascination with justice and equality. We will then take the Kaufmann model and integrate it with some of the challenges presented by a few modern feminists and develop a working model for a 21st century worldview.

This course will take participants on a meaningful survey of the 5000+ women composers documented throughout history, beginning with Medieval ‘rock star’ Hildegard von Bingen and finishing with Pulitzer Prize winners and innovative newcomers of our time. No prior knowledge of music is necessary to ignite your curiosity and engage in this material. We will do a lot of listening for discovery and comparison, and we will engage in discussion from time to time. Prepare to be amazed at the richness of genius in these women!

This 8-week course is designed to help you write the idea that has been hanging around on the fringes of your thoughts. Learn how to expand your idea and people it with characters, how to insert conflict and how to structure resolution. Most importantly – this course will help you decide where and how to begin. We also explore the different avenues of publication: publishing through a publisher, self-publishing, and contests. Join me on the adventure of unfolding your idea into a short story – the basis of storytelling.

Veteran journalists and political observers Bob Steele and Dennis Ryerson will lead this four-class discussion of the twists and turns, the drama, the lowlights, and the highlights during the final weeks leading to the November 5th vote plus the day after post mortem. For the first three weeks class participants will discuss a wide range of election topics: The candidates’ jousting and punching, the contentious issues, the final polls, the TV commercials, the media coverage, the unexpected, and more. We will get insights and commentary from political pundits and expert observers. Dennis and Bob will send out weekly emails with articles and prompt questions to help frame the class discussions.

Our final class on Wednesday November 6th will be the morning-after reactions to the election results or possibly the contested vote count. Bring your caffeine, your scorebook, and your huzzahs, lingering hopes, or your shattered dreams.