In-person Courses   

This course is a one-week introductory “boot camp” for absolute beginners who want to learn the basics of playing American mah-jongg (AMJ). This five-day series of hands-on play and practice activities is limited to two tables of four or five students each. Instruction will cover the game materials and the rules of play. This is not for people who have played before and want to get back into the game. Intermediate or advanced game play strategies are not part of this activity. At the conclusion of this boot camp, students will understand the game materials, objectives and rules of play, and be ready to form a group of beginner players to continue their AMJ play. Each variation of mah jongg (American, Chinese and Japanese Riichi) has a unique play style and set of rules.

NOTE: The required reference text is provided by the instructor. Text fee is $10, payable at the first class, cash only, please. Please commit to the full week of classes. Missing one class can disrupt the learning experience for all participants. Class will meet in Room C on Tuesday, Jan. 6.

This course is a one-week introductory “boot camp” for absolute beginners who want to learn the basics of playing American mah-jongg (AMJ). This five-day series of hands-on play and practice activities is limited to two tables of four or five students each. Instruction will cover the game materials and the rules of play. This is not for people who have played before and want to get back into the game. Intermediate or advanced game play strategies are not part of this activity. At the conclusion of this boot camp, students will understand the game materials, objectives and rules of play, and be ready to form a group of beginner players to continue their AMJ play. Each variation of mah jongg (American, Chinese and Japanese Riichi) has a unique play style and set of rules.

NOTE: The required reference text is provided by the instructor. Text fee is $10, payable at the first class, cash only, please. Please commit to the full week of classes. Missing one class can disrupt the learning experience for all participants. Class will meet in Room C on Tuesday, Jan. 6.

Transform a memory into a meaningful short story in this eight-week course for photographer-storytellers. For those who have decades of rich experiences (and the photos to prove it) but struggle to share them meaningfully, this course will explore how to use multimedia e-books to accomplish that. Unlike traditional memoir writing, this course will focus on telling a single story as a relationship-building tool. Learn to select a personal experience that inspires, craft a short story that invites reflection, use personal photos and maybe short voice clips to enhance your text and host a follow-up conversation with readers. Come develop these essential skills for your third act. Leave a legacy of shared wisdom and connection that inspires long after your story has been told.  

NOTE: Participants need their own late-model laptop (Mac preferred but Windows or Android also work with BookCreator). Participants need to know how to copy and paste between documents, use the audio and video tools built into their laptops and how to access their digital photos. To use the AI prompts from the instructor, participants also need their own Claude AI account (the free version is fine). 

Per Ernest Hemingway, “If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you, for Paris is a moveable feast.” Between the end of World War I and the 1929 stock market crash, Paris was a magnet for aspiring U.S. writers, artists and musicians. We will explore the reasons why they became expats for varying lengths of time, who they were, how they lived and what they accomplished. We will try to get some feel of the Paris scene, both in “Black Montmartre” on the Right Bank and in bohemian Montparnasse on the Left Bank. In addition to well-known figures such as F. Scott Fitzgerald, Man Ray, Josephine Baker and Aaron Copland, we will get to know many lesser but fascinating ones. The course combines lecture and discussion.

NOTE: Malcolm Cowley’s “Exile’s Return” is a required text. Assigned shorter texts, musical pieces and documentary films will be accessible online at no cost.

In this class, students will acquaint themselves with the parts of the guitar, string names, how to play a basic scale, how to tune a guitar, how to play basic guitar chords and possibly more advanced skills. A book on guitar chords is recommended but not required. The class includes learning how to play a few easy chords and, time permitting, more advanced chords. Students will have the option to learn a song of their choice. Class will include a workshop session. Some previous musical experience is helpful but not required. 

NOTE: Students must provide their own guitars.

Why obsess over kale and collagen while ignoring the foundations that make it all work? Every superfood and supplement depends on one catalyst — oxygen, optimally delivered through healthy breathing. This course reveals how proper breathing transforms your complete metabolic cycle, from fuel intake to waste elimination. Discover why healthy breathing 24/7 catalyzes cardiovascular, digestive, brain and metabolic health — while mouth breathing sabotages it, even if you eat well and exercise daily. Exercise with healthy breathing to amplify benefits and limit stress risks. You invest your time and money in proper food and ample exercise. Why not “invest-igate” in your breath and master the overlooked keys to metabolic health?

NOTE: This is a practical course exploring the different dimensions of your breath and respiratory functions. It is not a substitute for medical care of your conditions. You are responsible for your own participation.

This course will review Broadway musicals that were hits of their time but are rarely produced anymore or, conversely, were considered failures in the initial run but are now considered minor classics. Whenever available, filmed productions of the original stage version will be used rather than less faithful Hollywood movie adaptations. Each session will feature a production video. Due to length, some productions will be divided into two sessions. Titles for this term include: “Kiss Me, Kate” (Porter), “Half a Sixpence” (Heneker), “Curtains” (Kander & Ebb) and “Lady in the Dark” (Weil & Gershwin). Time is allotted during each session for class discussion. Enrollment in Broadway Musicals, Part 1, is not a prerequisite. 

NOTE: There is no class on Monday, Jan. 19.

Cells are the fundamental building blocks of all living things. But today’s cells are NOT the cells your grandparents knew, nor even those you learned about back in school. Recent research has revealed amazing things about how cells arose, how their various internal parts (organelles) function, and how their genes (DNA regions) are controlled by types of RNAs unknown until recently. Might some single cells live for 100,000 years or longer? Even the ubiquitous AI has entered the scene: Can a computer-contrived “virtual cell” be used for drug design in silico, replacing time-consuming, laborious work with real living cells in petri dishes or within animal tissues? The course will comprise a potpourri of lectures on various topics in the recent biology of cells with directed discussion.

NOTE: No previous coursework in science is presumed or required.

This class is composed of structured interactions in larger and smaller groups, from dyads to the whole class. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about one another, share about their own lives and build skills and agreements that allow for deeper conversations and connections. The class will be a bit of encounter group blended with theater and team-building games, with a dash of improv. Expect to touch and be touched, both physically and emotionally. Feed your playful side and counteract feelings of isolation or loneliness. Come willing to take some risks, stretch yourself and make some new friends!

NOTE: Although this class shares some elements with growth-oriented therapy groups, it is not therapy. Participants should be able to manage their own experience and emotions in the class without needing help from others. A private continuation of this group will be available upon the conclusion of the class. Signed liability waiver required to participate.

Ready to expand into your next level of consciousness? In his book “A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose,” world acclaimed spiritualist Eckhart Tolle takes us beyond our own lives to show that we can create a new, more loving world. This involves a radical inner leap of consciousness from identification with ego to a new way of transformative thinking that few of us have achieved. In this highly interactive course, you will have opportunities to bring to the group specific Tolle passages that you would like the group to explore for clarification and deeper meanings. We will create a “collective consciousness” that uses members’ shared experiences and insights to reveal new interpretations of Tolle’s unique ideas for the evolution of human awareness.

NOTE: Students are encouraged to read the book before class meetings and make notes on topics to present for group discussion.

Most families have secrets that conceal shame-evoking histories and experiences. Many of them involve taboos about sex, criminal behavior, incarceration, war trauma, ancestry, race or other denied and hidden pasts. Some secrets hold less power over our lives, and others are so painful or would create so much pain for others that we keep them hidden. Decisions about concealment and truth-telling are often complicated and raise questions such as: “Who owns the secret?” and “Who has a right to know?” This is an academic exploration of the social and interpersonal dynamics in families that lead to secret-keeping, and the motivations behind secret-keeping and revealing. No one is expected to reveal secrets. Discussion formats will give participants freedom to share or opt out of sharing.  

NOTE: Course materials are from psychological studies in family secrets, sociological looks at trends in culture, and diverse memoirists. Some discussions or materials could be evocative. Those with newly uncovered secrets or deeply painful secrets may wish to take another course. Course participants will read “The Secret Life of Families” by Evan Imber-Black.

Exploring the nearby winter trails on cross-country skis will provide a forum for 10 students to get together at a snow park close to Ashland. The first class will be held at Campbell Center, where we meet in person and begin to form community while assessing everyone’s understanding and abilities, check all gear, and get logistics for the next classes when we meet on the mountain. We’ll use the buddy system for safety on the snow and practice getting up and down from the ground. Slowing down will be promoted, as well as enjoying the scenery, breathing, releasing ambition and always reducing the effort. It’s a way to feel your whole self in a new way while breathing the fresh, cool mountain air, learning from fellow students and seeing Mount McLoughlin in the distance.

NOTE: This is not an introduction to cross-country skiing. Students must be familiar, although not expert with the activity and know their physical abilities. Students must have their own gear or secure rentals. If snow or weather conditions are unfavorable, we’ll hike the ski trail or reschedule. A seasonal Sno-Park pass ($25), valid from April through November, is required to leave vehicles at snow parks. The first class session on Jan. 14 will be held at the Campbell Center in Room D. Signed liability waiver required to participate.

Come explore local food with us in two sessions. We'll start with a slide presentation with discussion and a short activity, then we dive in with a demonstration cooking project. This course will explore connecting with where your food comes from, building positive relationships with food, and using local, seasonal, budget-friendly produce. We’ll share what farm to school is and what is happening in our region. Our style of education will utilize similar techniques we use with students: fun, interactive learning with opportunities for discussion, exploring new things and asking questions. This will be an opportunity to learn about growing, buying, cooking and enjoying food for yourself as well as ideas for engaging the young people in your life to share the joy of connecting with food.

NOTE: The second session on Jan. 12 will be a demonstration cooking class held at the Ashland Food Co-op, located at 237 N. First St., from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Efforts will be made to address individual food allergies and sensitivities; ingredients will be listed in a pre-course email to registered students. Signed liability waiver required to participate.

We’re often told, “We can’t afford that program” or “The deficit will bankrupt our grandchildren.” But is this true? Unlike households, the U.S. government issues its own money through the Federal Reserve — it doesn’t need to “find” dollars before it spends them. That’s what makes the dollar a fiat currency: It isn’t backed by gold or any commodity, but instead by law and trust. This class cuts through myths about budgeting, deficits and debt to show how government spending really works. We’ll separate fear from fact and explore how money creation shapes policy, inflation and our everyday lives. 

NOTE: There is no class on Monday, Jan. 19.

This course explores the structure and primary movements of the 24 ribs and how they are connected to the entire skeletal system. Each class features a lesson involving gentle movements, done slowly with minimal effort, while paying attention to one’s own personal experience. Students will be guided through easy, novel movement sequences, exploring and discovering ways of moving that activate the neuroplasticity of the brain. The lessons are safe, fun puzzles for the nervous system and brain designed to create new patterns of behavior. Benefits may include improved breathing, less neck and shoulder pain, fewer backaches, improved ability to manage anxiety and stress, better circulation and a sense of comfort and ease throughout the whole self. It is beneficial to repeat this course.

NOTE: There is no class on Monday, Jan. 19. Signed liability waiver required to participate.

In this mostly lecture class, we’ll cover the basics of stocks, bonds, real estate and alternative investments before moving on to address how to combine various asset classes into a diversified portfolio. Investment vehicles such as mutual funds and exchange-traded funds will also be discussed, as well as passive versus active investing, market timing, investor behavior, socially responsible investing and tax considerations. At the end of the class students will have the tools to either do their own investing or be able to evaluate what their advisers are doing. No prior investing experience is required. Expect some class discussion and home assignments. 

NOTE: The content provided in this class is for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide specific financial, investment, tax or legal advice. 

Experience gentle yoga poses with moving meditation practices to release tension and improve overall strength. Yoga can improve well-being and relieve stress. Learn how yoga makes your body feel better and brings peace and clarity to your mind. Simple breathing exercises and gentle yoga poses help you relieve stress and discomfort. Each session will be different, targeting alternating areas of the body. The entire course is filled with love, inspiration and creativity through soothing music, flowing movement and thoughtful readings shared in class. Yoga tune-up balls or two tennis balls will be used for the last 10 minutes in restorative postures finishing with the head, neck, shoulders and lower back. An ability to sit comfortably on a cushion or the floor is necessary.

NOTE: Signed liability waiver required to participate.

In 2024, the average U.S. consumer spent about 12 hours and 42 minutes daily with media. Most people know very little about the history of media or its economic and societal impacts. Over four classes, students will learn about the evolution of media from the invention of the printing press to everyone having a world of information at hand. No prior knowledge is required. There are no outside assignments or required reading. Topics: the origins of print, radio, TV, social media and the size of their audiences; how different types of media generate income; how media is or is not regulated; news versus journalism; an attempt to forecast what might be in the future for media. Discussion will be encouraged, but the course will not be about blame, anger, grievance, opinions or entertainment. 

NOTE: There is no class on Monday, Jan. 19.

The four play sequence known as the Henriad is considered by many to be the crown jewel of Shakespeare’s history cycle. In the Middle Ages having no royal male heir led to awkward moments but having too many heirs meant disaster: The five sons of Edward III brought England 100 years of usurpations, murders and civil war, ending only in 1485 with the new Tudor dynasty. The familial and national tragedies portrayed in the plays based on this era continue to rivet audiences—from Richard II’s fecklessness through Henry V’s fleeting moments of martial glory to Richard III’s melodramatic villainy. This course will examine the play “Henry IV, Part One” (in the OSF ’26 season) in the context of the BBC series “The Hollow Crown.”

NOTE: Students should have access to a copy of the play and “The Hollow Crown” video series. As an option to private viewing, the four plays in the video series will be shown at Campbell Center on successive Fridays from 1 to 4 p.m., Feb. 6-27.

This is a beginning course in 3D printing. Students will learn about the history of 3D printing, its uses and how it works. The many types of 3D printers and the wide range of materials that can be used for printing will be discussed. As part of the actual printing process, students will use 3D modeling software to access existing files of 3D models for printing 3D objects. Students will print objects and learn to decorate and modify them. Additional topics covered will include an introduction to high-tech 3D printing in space travel and other applications. No previous knowledge of 3D printing is needed to participate. Basic computer skills are required.

NOTE: Total cost to participate is $100 ($25 per session). Signed liability waiver required to participate.

This course is designed for students who know little to nothing about bitcoin and cryptocurrencies, although those who have some subject knowledge and want a deeper understanding are also welcome. By the end of the course, students can expect to have enough knowledge to procure, manage and sell their own bitcoin (if they desire), as well as to understand the basics of managing those assets. Students can also expect to gain a greater understanding of the role bitcoin plays in the world’s political and monetary arenas, as well as the history of money and world economies. Each class will include instruction followed by group discussions and Q&A.

NOTE: This course is not recommended for “experts” in the cryptocurrency field.

Discover the art of creating with clay in this hands-on, beginner-friendly ceramics course. Over eight weeks, students will explore the fundamentals of hand building techniques, including pinch, coil and slab construction, while learning how to shape, texture and join clay. The course will also cover surface decoration methods, glazing and an introduction to the firing process. Each week builds on core skills, guiding students from simple functional forms to more creative, sculptural projects. By the end of the course, participants will have completed a collection of unique ceramic pieces and gained a strong foundation in working with clay. No prior experience is needed, just a willingness to get a little messy and experiment!

NOTE: Total cost to participate is $200 ($25 per session). Signed liability waiver required to participate.

This course will focus on bringing beginning learners to the exciting world of drone operation. Over the span of the course, participants will learn how to safely and confidently operate beginner-friendly drones and gain insight into drone regulations and safety procedures. The course will also feature guest speakers from the fields of environmental science and military/defense, who will share how drones are used for conservation, disaster response, surveillance and strategic operations. No prior experience with drones or technology is required.

NOTE: Signed liability waiver required to participate.

Have you ever wanted to learn to play the guitar or improve your guitar playing skills? Did you take guitar lessons once but stop playing, intending to pick it up again someday? Then this guitar course may be for you. Students will be introduced to the most common chords and a variety of playing techniques. In a few weeks, they will learn the skills to begin to create pleasing guitar music. Sessions will consist of lectures and demonstration followed by group practice. Students will have the opportunity to practice individually with guidance from the instructor. Participants should spend some time outside class reviewing and practicing the skills introduced during each session. 

NOTE: Students must provide their own guitars. A music stand, guitar tuner, capo and picks would be helpful. There is no class on Monday, Jan. 19. 

In this course, you will learn the basics of creating the sewing projects of your choice. The instructor will emphasize the development of basic sewing skills used to create apparel. We will focus on learning how to use the sewing machines, fabric and pattern selection, how to decode information on patterns, basic construction techniques, pressing skills and time-saving technologies and techniques. By the end of the course, you will have the basic skills to embark on your own creations with or without a pattern. Together we will create a sewing skills foundation that can help you in career opportunities or just sewing for yourself, friends and family.

NOTE: Total cost to participate is $200 ($25 per session).Signed liability waiver required to participate.

Learn a complete tai chi form for health and longevity that can be done anywhere and is adaptable for all ages, body types and abilities. No previous experience is necessary. Reduce pain and stress, improve balance, increase focus and find comfortable ways to move while gaining benefits from a 3,000-year-old Chinese movement form, tai chi. When students finish the course, they will have three tools for dealing with change, transition and life in general. These tools include the tai chi 17-form, movements from a Yang short form, and a martial arts sequence called Finished the Form as well as a basic knowledge of tai chi and the martial arts. Each time students take this previously offered course a deeper understanding of this lifelong practice is gained. 

NOTE: There is no class on Monday, Jan. 19. Signed liability waiver required to participate.

Jin shin jyutsu is an ancient, energetic healing art from Japan brought to the West in the 20th century. Similar to acupressure, it uses simple and deeply effective hands-on techniques to stimulate “energy flows” within the body to restore balance in one’s system. Releasing accumulated tensions and stress allows the body to heal and rejuvenate naturally. In this self-care version, one gains a new awareness and sensitivity for listening closely to what one’s body is saying energetically, while one learns to treat and rebalance. As a daily practice, jin shin jyutsu is known as a powerful tool for correcting emotional and physical imbalances as one’s skill grows.   

NOTE: The three-book set of manuals, “Introducing Jin Shin Jyutsu Is” by Mary Burmeister from jsjinc.net ($42), is required for this course. Signed liability waiver required to participate.

You have learned basic kumihimo or Japanese braiding; now let’s try it with beads! By adding beads, you can create a new dimension to the art of kumihimo braiding and transform a simple braid into an elegant piece of jewelry. We will use varying combinations of beads, resulting in a unique, distinctive look for each bracelet. We will explore different finishing methods for enhancing your bracelet. By the end of the class each student will have completed a beaded kumihimo bracelet. This is not a beginning kumihimo course. Knowledge of basic eight-cord round kumihimo is needed for this course.

NOTE: Cost for supplies is $15 to $40. A supply list will be provided prior to the first class.

What is kumihimo? The word means “gathered threads” and involves using a multistrand cord or string known as the “koma.” Originally used for practical purposes such as securing armor and clothing, kumihimo now serves many decorative functions, including jewelry making and home decor. Participants will learn the craft by starting out making a friendship bracelet. After that is mastered, they will move on to more advanced design and projects. Both new and returning students are welcome. We will try simple and advanced designs to keep everyone engaged. 

NOTE: This is round, not square, kumihimo. A supply list will be sent to registered students prior to the first class. The cost of supplies may range from $15 to $40, depending on the project. 

Enchanting miniature fairy gardens in teacups, terrariums or other containers are fun to make for yourself or as gifts for others. This course will cover designing and assembling the scene in a container of the student’s choice. Students will also learn to make certain elements from scratch (acorn birdhouses, anyone?). In the three class sessions, students will have the opportunity to make one or more garden scenes. Teacups and materials will be provided. No prior fairy experience is required.

NOTE: The course will not use live plants; instead, dried or artificial plants will be provided. A donation of $5 to cover materials is suggested but not required.

Transform nature into sparkling silver! Discover the magic of turning leaves, flowers and found treasures into stunning, fine silver jewelry. In this hands-on class, you’ll learn how to capture botanical textures and natural forms using art clay silver — a versatile fine silver clay. Create your own one-of-a-kind pendant inspired by the beauty of the world around you. No prior experience is needed — just your curiosity and a love of nature. Let your creativity take root and blossom into timeless silver pieces you’ll be proud to wear or give as a gift.

NOTE: Total cost to participate is $120 ($30 per session). Signed liability waiver required to participate.

While many Oregonians have advance directives for health care, there are other documents they can use to help shape the kinds and extent of health care they want as they age. This course explores directives, health care representation, HIPAA rules, physicians’ orders for life-sustaining treatment (POLST), and Oregon’s Death With Dignity law to help students guide their own decision-making and care.

NOTE: There is no class on Monday, Jan. 19.

Using research-backed strategies, the AARP Smart Driver course has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of accidents, boost knowledge of the current rules of the road, improve defensive driving techniques, and help you with safe vehicle operation in today’s demanding driving environment. This course will focus on the vital relationship between the driver, vehicle and road, and look at how factors such as aging, medication and alcohol can affect driving. You’ll also learn about the latest vehicle safety features and technological advancements. Importantly, you will learn how to identify when it’s no longer safe to drive and how to find alternative travel options. This course may qualify you for a multiyear discount on your auto insurance.

NOTE: Required materials fee of $20 to $25 (discount for AARP members) includes a comprehensive 120-page Participant Guide to bolster learning and reinforce key concepts. Both days are required for course completion and insurance discount.

Develop a passion for printing in this hands-on art class that includes art, design and printmaking. We will focus on a variety of mediums; including cyanotype, gelli prints and screen printing. Each week students will learn different aspects of what makes a good design based on composition principles such as golden ratio, the rule of thirds and the use of positive and negative shapes. Students will learn how to digitize and edit designs for screen printing using an iPad. Additional printing methods will be introduced.

NOTE: Total cost to participate is $200 ($25 per session). Signed liability waiver required to participate.

This course is designed for the person who wants to learn the fundamentals of the fastest growing sport in America. It is played by all age groups and physical abilities in recreational or tournament play. Join the fun, led by experienced instructors from the Ashland Oregon Pickleball Club. We will meet for 1½ hours a day for five consecutive afternoons. Beginning players will learn the basics: choosing a paddle, paddle position, serving, return of serve, dinking, drills, scoring and calling “out balls.” You might meet “Nasty Nelson!” An emphasis will be placed on safety, court etiquette and sportsmanship. AOPC will provide the paddles, balls and instruction. Use of the Playtime scheduler will be covered as well as courts available in our area. 

NOTE: If you have a mobility issue, this may not be the course for you. Please wear court shoes, bring a hat/visor and a hydrating drink. Eye protection is recommended. If we have inclement weather the class will be canceled. Signed liability waiver required to participate.

This course is designed for students who have taken the Absolute Beginners Pickleball course or have a rudimentary knowledge of the game. It will be taught by seasoned instructors who are experienced players. Expect to build on the basic game to include advanced strategy in play. We will meet at Lithia Park pickleball courts for 1½ hours a day for five consecutive days. There will be an emphasis on safety and sportsmanship. This skills-building class will focus on different types of serves; lobs; third shot drops or “drop shots” drives; partner communication; stacking; types of scoring; and identifying Bert, Ernie and Nasty Nelson. The last day will be a FUN round-robin in which each player will rotate play with all others. An instructor will be on each court to provide feedback.  

NOTE: Please bring a paddle, court shoes, a hat or visor, snacks and a hydrating drink. Eye protection is recommended. Students must know the basic game, such as rules/usapickleball.org, court position, basic serve, return of serve, NVZ, calling “out” balls, safety and sportsmanship. If we have inclement weather the class will be canceled. Signed liability waiver required to participate. 

We often take plants for granted, but we shouldn’t. The goal of this course is to foster an appreciation for the importance of plants in our daily lives. We will examine how plants contribute to our lives and well-being, including the basics such as oxygen to breathe, food, shelter and clothing. We will also discuss the role of plant compounds as medicines and psychoactive/stimulating agents. The course will introduce some scientific concepts and terminology relating to plant structures and functions as well as economic and historical aspects of plant use. The format will be interactive lectures; plant material will be brought in periodically to demonstrate particular concepts.

NOTE: There is no class on Monday, Jan. 19.

“Prophet Song” is the 2023 Booker Prize winner by Irish novelist Paul Lynch. This gem of a novel, described as a “prophetic masterpiece” in the Washington Post, is a dystopian take on modern life. In lyrical prose Lynch slowly reveals a horrific scenario through the experience of his protagonist, Eilish, a scientist and mother of four whose husband, a union organizer, is “disappeared” at the beginning of a totalitarian takeover of the country. Described in the New York Times as coming “at a moment when the fear it addresses is daily in the news,” this novel is not an easy read and yet it is essential. The flow of the narrative revealing the process of Eilish’s awakening to horror as she struggles to care for her young family is deftly handled and riveting.

NOTE: Students are encouraged to read the entire novel before the course begins.

Interested in cultivating a mind full of wonder? In this class you will learn and use seven rich, beloved practices adapted from Zen Buddhism for being alive in the moments of your ordinary day and drawing on mundane moments to cultivate wonder-mind. Students will explore the topic of wonder by engaging with self-designed experiences based on a framework of practices that will be offered in the course. Through sharing experiences, dialogue and applying the practices in your everyday life, you will end the course fully prepared to build upon your class experiences — you may find yourself living in wonder! No prior knowledge or experience is needed for this course. All are welcome! 

Interested in cultivating a mind full of wonder? In this class you will learn and use seven rich, beloved practices adapted from Zen Buddhism for being alive in the moments of your ordinary day and drawing on mundane moments to cultivate wonder-mind. Students will explore the topic of wonder by engaging with self-designed experiences based on a framework of practices that will be offered in the course. Through sharing experiences, dialogue and applying the practices in your everyday life, you will end the course fully prepared to build upon your class experiences — you may find yourself living in wonder! No prior knowledge or experience is needed for this course. All are welcome! 

This 10-week series will introduce students to 10 very different films, ones that are on various spiritual or transformational topics, including: pilgrimage, forgiveness, the internet and technology, healing from childhood loss, a relationship with an octopus (!) and more. Each class begins with a short, guided meditation, teaching on an aspect of film studies, and an introduction to the film of the week. These vary in length from 84 to 118 minutes. We will discuss the movie at the beginning of the next week, paying attention to psychological and spiritual themes, motifs, archetypes, plot and character portrayal, and useful life lessons. There will be weekly study questions with (optional) homework. Movies will be announced the week before class starts. All are welcome!

NOTE: There will be subtitles with the foreign films (German, French, Spanish) and there will be no subtitles on the English-language films.

Students will learn that ancient prehistoric cultures as well as practitioners and teachers of women’s spirituality today celebrate/d a female goddess. You will read materials, discuss and have student presentations on scholars who illustrate the goddess as a giver of life, of sustenance, of agricultural plenty, a keeper in death and as a connection to the great cosmic cycles. We will discuss what a worldview that values equality in social relations and connectivity to the cycles of natures and the web of life could mean for us and our communities. No prior knowledge is needed. There will be in-person sharing and discussion.

NOTE: There is no class on Monday, Jan. 19.

“The Lord of the Rings” ranks as one of the most popular works of fiction of the 20th century, both in terms of sales and in reader surveys. Why? In this course we will read and discuss Tolkien’s masterpiece within the context of his career and its predecessor stories: “The Silmarillion” (small selections only), which Tolkien began in his early 20s during World War I, and “The Hobbit,” a tale he wrote for his children that gradually became linked with his earlier work in “The Silmarillion” and led to “The Lord of the Rings.” We will consider the nature of fantasy as literature and what Tolkien’s work has to say about fate versus free will, hope versus despair, war, courage, sacrifice, compassion, mercy, power and the nature of evil.

NOTE: Any edition of “The Hobbit” or “The Lord of the Rings” will be fine. Participants should be prepared for a substantial amount of reading and may want to read ahead.

Transitions can be difficult, long and unsettling. Where we are now in life took time to develop, and we keep adjusting over the span of a working and parenting life. Many of us had to put aside deeper life issues to successfully function with a career and family. The major theme in William Bridges’ book “Transitions” is that we will, almost universally, need to spend some time in “the neutral zone,” waiting until a new direction becomes apparent. This is challenging but necessary if one wants to take on a durable new direction and attitude toward the future. How one adapts to this neutral zone will affect the success of the new direction.

NOTE: Required reading: “Transitions: Making Sense of Life’s Changes” by William Bridges. Read the first two chapters before class and continue reading throughout the course to facilitate awareness and maximize time in class.

This term’s course will introduce six new wine regions not covered in previous “Wines of the World” offerings. Lectures using PowerPoint and multimedia will cover the geography, climate, soils, history, varietals, labeling and regulatory structure of each region. We will taste four quality wines from that region and discuss our perceptions. No special knowledge is required but a passion for wine is recommended.

NOTE: A class fee will be charged to cover the cost of the premium wines we taste. The fee will be based on the cost of the wines but will not exceed $120 per student. Students are required to pay the full fee, even if they expect to miss some classes. Signed liability waiver required to participate.

Family relationships are often a significant theme in film and often highlight the multifaceted nature of friendship, love, conflict, betrayal and forgiveness. In five award-winning narratives, European and Asian filmmakers explore the consequences of choices made within family settings, reflecting on how relationships can shape identity, moral values and, ultimately, destinies. The films will provide the content through which we can examine the influence of familial structures on character development and plot progression. Students are asked to view the films before the discussion.

NOTE: All five films are on the Criterion Channel. You can view all the films as many times as you like for a single-month fee of $10.99. Also, if you are new to the Criterion Channel, you can view all films at no charge during a free 14-day trial.