Winter/Spring 2008 Courses
The Crusades and Their Relevance to the 21st Century
Feb 5, 12, 19, 26 (four Tuesdays); 1:00-3:00
William Allen
Triplett Building, 809 W. Middle, Chelsea Retirement Community, Chelsea MI
Although the last crusader died about 700 years ago, the Crusades remain alive and relevant in the 21st century. Our mortal enemy Osama bin Ladin has regularly referred to Americans as “Crusaders.” The president of Iran recently called Americans “neo-Crusaders.” Neither of them intended to compliment the United States. This course will examine the nine Crusades as (1) a major cause of modern 21st century Middle East friction; (2) a fascinating, improbable adventure story, filled with saints, sinners, heroes, villains, inspired leaders, and feckless losers; and (3) the seminal event for Western Europe, which ended the Dark Ages and triggered the Renaissance.
Chelsea City Government: It Belongs to YOU!
Feb 7 (one Thursday), 1:00-3:00
John Hanifan and Ann Feeney
Triplett Building, 809 W. Middle, Chelsea Retirement Community, Chelsea MI
City Government is your Government. Learn the basics of the City Charter. What about those property taxes and fees? Why did the Village become a City? What does a City Council do? Just who is in charge of what? This course will answer these questions and more.
Journeys through Western Civilization: The Renaissance to Romanticism
Feb 8, 15, 22, 29; March 7, 14, 21, 28 (eight Fridays); 10:00-noon
Nancy Booth Nilsson
Maples I, Silver Maples, Old US 12, Chelsea MI
Inexhaustibly fascinating, this period from 1400-1850 has left those of us who are part of Western culture with ideas and attitudes we can’t shake. Art historian Nancy Nilsson, with her usual abundance of slides and enthusiasm, will explain and be your guide.
Where You Spend Your Money Matters
Feb 11 (one Monday), 1:00-3:00
Barbara Cherem, Heather Palmer, and Cynthia Edwards
Triplett Building, 809 W. Middle, Chelsea Retirement Community, Chelsea MI
Beyond fair trade purchases, there are many more opportunities to impact the world, our environment, the local economy, and our health and fitness. This class will introduce the principles of socially responsible investing, provide an overview of the continuum of conscious spending, and briefly review fair trade concepts. At the break of this two-hour class, we will display samples of crafts and artwork that result from socially responsible investing.
Fashion and Dress Over the Generations
Feb 18 (one Monday), 1:00-4:00
Helen Welford
Maples I & II, Silver Maples, Old US 12, Chelsea MI
What did the French Revolution do for women’s clothing? What happened to make 1851 and 1859 landmark years in the clothing industry? How did WWII affect fashion and dress for both men and women? As we inspect costumes and garments from 1800 to the present, we’ll take a look at what happened in society and technological development to influence fashion and clothing.
Creative Writing: Sharing our Stories
Feb 21, 28; March 6, 13, 20, 27 (six Thursdays); 1:00-3:00
Esther Hurwitz
Triplett Building, 809 W. Middle, Chelsea Retirement Community, Chelsea MI
Words open the floodgates of what really matters: the stories we share with other people. In this six-week course, we will explore literary and metaphorical forms and use them to tell stories through poetry, fiction, and essays. Come prepared to read and write—we’ll have in-class and out-of-class exercises and even a chance for participants to share their work with the class and receive feedback on it. Beginners as well as seasoned writers are welcome.
Exploring Musical Theater
Mar 3, 10, 17, 24 (four Mondays); 1:00-4:00
Angelo Angelocci, Bob Southgate, and Chris Lenehan
Auditorium, Dancey House, Chelsea Retirement Community, 801 W. Middle, Chelsea MI
This program is designed for those of us who like musical theater. The course consists of viewing three musical productions: a musical comedy (Evita), an operetta (Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Gondolier), and an opera (Carmen). The instructors will introduce each movie with a brief history of the production, information about the director, casting problems, location decisions, difficulties to overcome, perhaps some outtakes, and sometimes inconsistencies. After the showing, we will have time for questions and discussion.
Why Study Huckleberry Finn?
Mar 5, 12, 19, 26 (four Wednesdays); 10:00-noon
Paul Terpstra
Maples I, Silver Maples, Old US 12, Chelsea MI
What are the controversial aspects of Huckleberry Finn? Why do many, many literary critics consider this book The Great American Novel? What are various meanings of the river? How is the book autobiographical for Mark Twain? Why did Mark Twain put aside the writing of the book for more than a year? Reading, preparation, lecture, and discussion will lead us to the answers to these questions and to more information about this widely read novel.
Buffalo Soldiers: The Untold Stories
Mar 25; April 1 (two Tuesdays); 6:30-8:30
James Mays
Maples I, Silver Maples, Old US 12, Chelsea MI
Learn “the rest of the story” that never made it into our history books. African American contributions to the development of our country are numerous, from the Revolutionary War to the present time. High on the list of accomplishments is the involvement of the “Buffalo Soldiers” during the westward movement. You will meet many of the outstanding and brave African Americans who made a difference in our history during the time following the Civil War up until 1947, when the U.S. Army was desegregated. This is an opportunity to learn history, including “Our Story!”
Enjoying Music Through the Ages
April 4, 11, 18, 25 (four Fridays); 10:00-noon
Betty Lester
Maples II, Silver Maples, Old US 12, Chelsea MI
Together we will explore what music is and learn about the history of western music from its earliest written examples to contemporary times. Musical examples of these periods will be played either on CDs or on the piano. Various styles and ethnic and cultural influences will be considered. The meaning of musical terms will be explained. You do not need to have taken any piano lessons or even read music to enjoy the class; all you need is a love for music and a desire to learn more about it.
Historic Eastern Washtenaw County: Ann Arbor, University of Michigan, and Ypsilanti
April 7, 14, 21, 28; May 5, 12, 19 (seven Mondays); 1:00-3:00
Grace Shackman
Triplett Building, Chelsea Retirement Community, 809 W. Middle, Chelsea MI
Through lectures, slide shows, and walking tours, we will explore the history and architecture of the eastern side of Washtenaw County. We will look at local examples of major 19th and 20th century architectural styles as well as the area’s growth and development. We will talk about Ypsilanti, including the settlement at Woodruff’s Grove, Depot Town development, and the start of EMU. We will cover Ann Arbor, including the University of Michigan and the Old West Side.
Women in the Bible: Genesis to Deuteronomy
April 8, 15, 22, 29; May 6, 13 (six Tuesdays); 10:00-noon
Ken Phifer
Auditorium, Dancey House, Chelsea Retirement Community, 801 W. Middle, Chelsea MI
The Bible is one of the central texts of western civilization. Most of the key figures in these writings are men, but women also played vital though often overlooked roles. We will examine these roles and how women are regarded in the first five books of the Bible. There will be presentations on how female and male scholars and religious leaders and traditions view and have viewed the women of the Bible. The course is taught through lectures, discussion, and the reading of the texts. Different translations of the Bible help us understand the original language. The best book of commentary is The Women’s Bible Commentary, edited by Carol A. Newsome and Sharon Ringe (paperback).
The Civil War: The Years Asunder
April 16, 23, 30; May 7, 14, 21 (six Wednesdays); 6:30-8:30
John Gibney
Maples I, Silver Maples, Old US 12, Chelsea MI
Michigan’s great historian Bruce Catton called the Civil War “the biggest thing that ever happened to us.” This course will explore the roots of the war, the issue of slavery, the misplaced notion of popular sovereignty, and the results of failed political compromise. We will explore the people behind the names in the history books and we will discuss the battles and leaders of this most studied and misunderstood period of American history. We will examine artifacts, uniforms, maps, and weapons from the war. We will also explore the results of the war and how the war is misrepresented in documentaries and the movies. Some 90,000 Michigan men served in the Civil War. This was 12% of all her people, or 1 out of every 8 men, women, and children. Of this number, 16.5% (14,855) died. For such a small state, Michigan still supplied 31 regiments of infantry, 11 regiments of cavalry, and 14 batteries of artillery. We will emphasize Michigan’s role in the war along with the general history of the conflict.
Perspectives from Space
May 12 (one Monday), 10:00-noon
Jack Lousma
Auditorium, Dancey House, Chelsea Retirement Community, 801 W. Middle, Chelsea MI
Have you ever tried to imagine what it’s like to be in space? Wondered what we’ve gained from space exploration? Asked about the surprises encountered and practical uses in everyday life? In this two-hour talk, you’ll hear a former astronaut’s perspectives on life from being in space and see his “home movie” made in space. Bring your questions and enjoy this informative talk!
Who We Are
Based in Chelsea, Michigan, the Adult Learners Institute (ALI) provides a diverse selection of quality community-based learning experiences and camaraderie for adults in western Washtenaw County. ALI is a Lifelong Learning Institute (LLI) affiliated with the Elderhostel Institute Network (EIN), a group of 320 similar organizations. We conduct our programs in cooperation with Washtenaw Community College.