Click here for Spring 2008 At a Glance
Keep learning with our study groups!
The purpose of the NIU Lifelong Leaning Institute is to pursue the pleasures of study and the exchange of ideas through active participation in peer-led study groups. Each study group member holds the key to success in this mutual search for knowledge.
Nuts and Bolts of Personal Investing
Tuesdays, March 18, 25, April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 & May 6
9:30 – 11:30am
All of the information about investing that you have always wanted to know but were afraid to ask. We will concentrate on the time value of money, on risk and return, on valuation, and on forming a portfolio. We will discuss common investing errors and the use and misuse of derivatives. This Spring Study Group will be related to, but will not overlap with nor require the material from the LLI Winter class in personal investing.
Convener: Richard Dowen, CFA, is a past chair of the NIU Department of Finance, Past President of the Midwest Finance Association, and Past President of the Fox Rock Chapter of Financial Executives Institute. He served for over ten years as an external trustee for the Calamos Family of Mutual Funds. He currently serves as a member of the State Treasurers Investment Advisory Committee.
Choosing A President
Tuesdays, March 18, 25, April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, & May 6
9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
It's not as simple as just voting! During this class, we'll examine the many influences on the process of choosing our presidents. Who votes? What influence do religion, polling, finances, the media have on the process? What role do local parties play? How do different candidates communicate? While discussion of this year's election is bound to intrude, we'll take an historical look at the development of these influences.
Expert speakers have been invited to share their knowledge and been told to expect lively discussion.
Convener: Carol Zar is semi-retired and continues to serve on a part-time basis as a Senior Research Associate in the Center for Governmental Studies at NIU. She has a life-long interest in the political process.
Jewish Answers to Life's Questions
Tuesdays, March 18, 25, April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, & May 6
1 – 3 p.m.
What are the Jewish answers to the issues that religions raise? To the importance of good deeds? To prayer? To community? What are the Jewish responses to America, to Israel, to other religions?
Convener: Avi Bass, has led two LLI groups, one on the Jewish life cycle and one on Jewish holidays. He edits an international online forum for Jewish faculty.
Recommended Text: Kushner, H. (1994). To Life: A Celebration of Jewish Being and Thinking. Grand Central Publishing. ISBN# 9780446670029.
Three New York All-Americans
Tuesdays, March 18, 25, April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
1 – 3 p.m.
The lives and music of composers Irving Berlin, Richard Rogers, and George Gershwin. They spent most of their lives in New York City yet their romanticized musical images of scenes across the USA remain a lasting part of the American psyche. Wyoming Wild West show, Iowa state fair, Florida river, Maine clambake, Catfish row, S.C. picnic, waltz at the Ritz, Okla. barn dance, choo-choo to Alabama, strike up the military band, listen to ragtime, bless America, and the images go on and on. Too many hit songs and shows and star performers to mention except to say lots of video clips of Astaire and Rogers and Judy Garland.
Convener: Paul Pawlawski has convened several well received and stimulating courses in music appreciation for the NIU LLI in the past, including “Lyrics and Lyricists: From Brain to Broadway,” “Four International Music Events,” and “Race in American Musicals.”
Surfing the Net
Tuesdays, March 18, 25
1 – 4 p.m.
This workshop introduces participants to the Internet and the World Wide Web through demonstration and hands-on exercises. Learn the jargon of searching the Web and strategies you can use to find what you want from the millions of documents, pictures, and other resources available through the Internet.
Convener: Norma Wiley worked for 13 years at NIU and Harper College providing support and instruction on computing and the Internet and has developed computer training courses for numerous businesses.
Strength and Flexibility
Tuesdays, March 18, 25, & April 1
3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Learn and practice strengthening and flexibility routines with Professor Pamela Macfarlane and her students. The students who are studying exercise gerontology will serve as personal trainers during the three class sessions, guiding and encouraging LLI members to continue the routines at home. Exercise bands will be provided, but if you have your own from a previous exercise program, bring them to class.
This course may be taken by itself or with the Balance and Mobility Class (Thursdays 11:00 am – Noon)
Conveners: Pamela Macfarlane and students in KNPE 454. Pommey Macfarlane has taught exercise gerontology and supervised the Oak Crest clinic for the past nine years. Her research is in fall prevention and older adults, and she has developed numerous effective exercise programs for older adults. The students who will assist in the sessions are all in her NIU exercise gerontology class and have had experience working with the residents of Oak Crest, a retirement community in DeKalb.
Vietnam
Wednesdays, March 19, 26, April 2, 9, 16, 23
9 – 11 a.m.
This study group will focus on Vietnamese history, culture, politics and economics. There will be significant opportunity to discuss the War in Vietnam and to learn about contemporary life in the new Vietnam.
Convener: Clark Neher taught courses on Southeast Asia and wrote ten books on Southeast Asian politics he was a professor of political science at NIU. During the month before this Spring 2008 LLI course, he will be leading a study tour to Vietnam for Stanford University; this will be his 25th trip to Vietnam.
Overcoming Your Barriers to Total Wellness and Balance
Wednesdays, April 30 and May 7
9 – 11 a.m.
This interactive class will help you:
*Learn skills to get past your barriers to achieving the kind of wellness you truly desire
*Find out how balanced your life is and where imbalances may exist
*Learn how to go through the process of creating change that is enduring and successful
*Discover the easy and powerful six steps to achieving total wellness
Convener: Rebecca Cohen holds masters degrees in both nursing and health administration, and a doctorate in education from NIU. She has over 20 years of experience in healthcare; is a Certified Wellness Coach and a Board Certified Holistic Nurse; and is trained in the stress reduction and healing techniques of HeartMath and Reiki. She is owner of Partnering for Change Wellness Coaching.
Islam for Beginners
Wednesdays, March 19, 26, April 2, 9, 16, 22, 30 & May 7
1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Back by popular demand, this study group will begin with a look at the founding period of Islam. Then we will turn to theological beliefs and practices, and the relationship between spiritual and secular life. We will study the history, expansion and decline of Islam, Sectarianism and Islamic Law. In the last two sessions we will examine the historic interrelationship between Islam and The West in terms of irreconcilable differences, conflict, terror and coexistence. The sessions will employ handouts, audio-visual documentaries, discussion and guests, if available. No textbooks are required, but a cursory bibliography will be provided for those participants desiring to study the subject in greater depth.
Convener: Allan Wantroba is a retired teacher who has convened a wide range of LLI courses in the belief that "the best way to learn something is to teach it."
An Introduction to Psychedelic Studies
Wednesdays April 16, 23, 30, May 7
1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Each week members of this study group will view then discuss a videotape or other graphic presentation to elucidate psychedelic studies. (1) Psychedelic Science, BBC (2) The Spring Grove Experiment, CBS Reports (3) Hofmann's Potion, National Film Board of Canada (4) "Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs -- Psychedelic Psychocriticism," Grof's map of the mind.
Convener : Tom Roberts has taught Foundations of Psychedelic Studies at Northern since 1981; this was the first such catalog-listed course at a college or university. Now retired from NIU’s College of Education Tom has continued to share his interests in mind body states and psychological processes with fellow LLI members. He formerly taught an LLI course in the entheogenic (spiritual) uses of psychedelics.
Suggested book: Huxley A. (2004). The Doors of Perception and Heaven and Hell. HarperCollins Publishers. ISBN# 9780060595180.
Let's Talk Baseball
Thursdays, March 20, 27, April 3, 10, 17, 24, May 1, 8
9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Baseball season is about to begin again. Your spring training course will include among its topics: 1) Will the Red Sox replace the Yankees as baseball's best team? 2) Can a team have too much pitching? 3) Why do teams use pitch counts? 4) What have been the advantages and disadvantages of the designated hitter? 5) Can you identify the best designated hitters? 6) Does Coors Field really make a difference for hitters and for pitchers? 7) How are baseball's iconic ballparks, Fenway Park and Wrigley Field, different? 8) What do you think about trades(or lack of them) made by the Cubs and White Sox for 2008?
Convener: Dan Dillman is a former visiting teams batboy for the Detroit Tigers and author of Hey Kid! A Tiger Batboy Remembers.
Traveling in Spanish–Speaking Countries:
The Language, the Customs, the Cultures
Thursdays, March 27, April 3,
9:30 - 11:00 am
Thursdays April 10, 17, 24, May 1, 8
9:30 - 11:30 am.
“¿Hablas español?” “Claro que sí”
While traveling in Spanish-speaking countries, don’t you want to respond, “Of course, I speak Spanish? Learn or review pronunciation, helpful phrases for traveling, and basic language structures. Survey the customs and cultures of various Spanish-speaking countries and either share or hear first-hand about travel experiences. Previous knowledge of Spanish is not required. “¡Vámonos, amigos!”
Convener: Jan Modloff is a retired Spanish teacher with years of experience in both teaching the language and in traveling to places where she has been able to use her expertise.
Mobility and Balance
Thursdays, March 20, 27 and April 3
11:00 a.m. - noon
By the end of the three class sessions, LLI members will have practiced mobility and balance exercises that they can teach others and integrate into their daily routines. NIU students enrolled in Exercise Gerontology students will assist in the class to individualize instruction.
This course may be taken separately or in conjunction with the LLI Strength and Flexibility Course offered the first three Tuesdays of Spring term from 3:30 – 4:30 pm.
Conveners: Pamela Macfarlane and students in KNPE 454 (see Tuesday Strength and Mobility class).
What's New on the Farm?
Thursdays, March 20, 27, April 3, 10, 17, 24, May 1, 8
1 – 3:00 p.m.
Advances in agriculture are as startling as in many industries today. Machinery, satellite imagery in application of chemicals, measuring crop yields, manure use, GMO's and a host of advancing techniques enable today's farmers to meet the needs of an increasing world population while maintaining the integrity of our soil. We will be looking at some of these innovations and how they apply to the agricultural community, especially in DeKalb County. Expert speakers on various subjects have been invited to share their knowledge and lead discussions of these topics.
Conveners: Pat and Gilby Mehagan own a 350 acre farm north of Sycamore. In conjunction with their resident manager, they raise pigs from wean to finish. Previously they have convened an LLI class on raising pigs. They are charter members of LLI and have also convened study groups on a variety of subjects.
Seven Wonders of the World
Thursdays, March 20, 27, April 3, 10
1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Carved in stone, these seven wonders are significant expressions of the civic, economic, religious and personal power of the people who built them. But what do they say to us today who travel from afar to experience them? Share and hear travel tales of the “new” seven wonders of the world: Chichen Itza, Christ the Redeemer, The Colosseum, The Great Wall, Machu Picchu, Petra and the Taj Mahal. LLI members and guests will be encouraged to share pictures and travel memories of the new seven wonders as well as of other favorite destinations and sites.
Conveners: Arlene Neher and Steven Johnson, fellow travelers and former colleagues in NIU’s Liberal Arts and Sciences External Programming office, launched NIU’s Lifelong Learning Institute seven years ago. Between them, they have been to all of the sites on the new list of seven wonders.
Transformations of Religious Images and Spiritual Visions in 20th Century Art: Picasso to Kiki Smith
Thursdays, April 17, 24, May 1, 8
1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
A series of illustrated lectures focused on the way in which notable 20th century artists have borrowed and utilized Judeo-Christian images and references for a variety of expressive purposes, transforming the traditional content and meaning of those images and references. The transformed content of the artist’s painting, sculpture, or installation may be politically directed, may be focused on the artist’s own spiritual searching, or may be involved with sexual, gender, or ethnic issues. Artists include Max Beckmann, Pablo Picasso, Mark Rothko, Andy Warhol, Francis Bacon, Robert Mapplethorpe, Andres Serrano, and Kiki Smith.
Convener: Jerry Meyer retired after 33 years as Professor of Art History and administrator in NIU’s School of Art. Jerry continues his interest in 19th- and 20th-century art by teaching, writing and collecting. He is currently editing a book manuscript on the uses of religious images and references, and it is from this project that he will draw his illustrations for this LLI class. He has an extensive collection of decorative art, books, and prints related to late 19th- and early 20th-century Arts and Crafts and Art Nouveau.