Winter/Spring 2012 Courses
Many great courses are available for February through May for the 2012 Winter/Spring term. A scholarship fund has been established for Adult Learners Institute enrollments (see the bottom of home page for details). Adult Learners Institute courses are conducted in cooperation with Washtenaw Community College.
Registration is required for all ALI classes and continues as long as space is available. If classes are full they will be marked as Closed below. However, you will then be able to sign up on the wait list for these classes. Note: even if the course is marked as Free, you will need to register.
To register, please fill out a registration form for each person and mail it to Adult Learners Institute, 809 West Middle Street, Chelsea, MI 48118, with a check made out to ALI of Chelsea, MI Inc. Registration forms are processed based on the date received at the ALI office. Confirmation slips will be mailed.
Click on the link below to open a printable form of a:
- Registration form which lists the fees for each course
- Catalog
- Calendar showing the courses.
If you have questions, please send an e-mail to info@adultlearnersinstitute.org or call 734-433-1000 ext. 7358.
Please Note: ALI courses are cancelled when Chelsea District Schools are closed due to inclement weather [Call 734-433-2275. Ext. 3, for information]. Courses cancelled for any reason will not be automatically rescheduled.
The following are the courses for the Winter/Spring semester.
A Different Mark Twain
Paul Terpstra
May 8, 15 and 22 (three Tuesdays) 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Chelsea Senior Center, 512 E. Washington St., Chelsea, MI, Building 100
In contrast to the serious issue of slavery in Huck Finn, Mark Twain takes a more light-hearted approach to his observation of the human condition in Tom Sawyer. He places emphasis on events in which adults may look back and remember some of the joys and innocence of their own childhood; however he continues to criticize in a satirical manner institutionalized religion and other social institutions.
Astronomy
Charlie Taylor
March 8, 15 and 22 (three Thursdays) 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
CRC Dancey Auditorium, Chelsea Retirement Community, 805 W. Middle, Chelsea, MI.
People have been looking at the stars and planets since before recorded history. Now, in the 21st Century, scientists have very clear ideas about what the planets, stars, our sun, comets, galaxies, nebulas and more exotic objects in the sky are made of and how they "work". This class will explore elementary astronomy in ordinary language with lots of questions, answers and discussions. It will cover earth, our solar system, stars like our own sun and current ideas about how these huge objects formed and got where they are now.
Baseball Facts, Fiction, and Memorabilia
Erik Pedersen
April 2 (one Monday) 3:00—5:00 p.m.
Silver Maples, 100 Silver Maples Dr. , Chelsea, MI.
How did baseball evolve from a game played by milkmaids in the late 1500’s to the popular summer pastime we now enjoy? Names, equipment, tales, publications and memorabilia will be used to tell the story.
China
Ed Riske
March 19 (one Monday) 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Chelsea Senior Center, 512 E. Washington St., Chelsea, MI, Building 100
In May of 2008, Ed and Karin Riske traveled to China. Highlights of their trip included the major cities of Shanghai and Beijing. The western areas of Urumqi, Kashgar, and Turpan, on the old Silk Road, were also highlights, along with Xian and the Terracotta Warriors. Ed has been taking photographs since high school and was photo editor for his college newspaper and yearbook. Over the years, he has attended many classes and seminars on photography. Note: This is a free class, but prior registration is required.
Container Gardens: Vegetables and Herbs
Charlene Harris
April 24 (one Tuesday) 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon
Chelsea Senior Center, 512 E. Washington St., Chelsea, MI, Building 100, room 111
Container gardening is easy and fun. Charlene will lead you through some basic steps to insure your veggies and herbs are healthy and plentiful. The key to successful container gardening begins with the proper soil mix, fertilizing and watering. Containers should be large enough to support root growth and development to produce healthy herbs and veggies. She will share a few tips to make it easy and fun. There’s nothing quite like walking outside to clip a few fresh herbs for cooking or bite into a tomato that you just picked. Charlene will demonstrate how to plant different containers. At the end of the class, a drawing will be held for Charlene’s creations.
Estate Planning
Elisha and Mariah Fink
April 11 (one Wednesday) 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon
The Cedars of Dexter Clubhouse, 411 Cedars Lane, Dexter, MI.
This
course will be a basic presentation of estate planning, including wills, trusts, powers of attorney, patient advocate designation, and lady bird deeds.
Explaining the Science of Climate Change
Peter Sinclair
March 26 (one Monday), 7:00—9:00 p.m.
Chelsea District Library,
221 S. Main St., Chelsea MI.
Peter Sinclair’s mission is to bring clarity to the complicated issue of climate change. His series of YouTube videos aim to separate facts from misinformation in his distinctive style, which is equal parts Daily Show delivery and An Inconvenient Truth’s expertise. No issue will have a greater impact on the new century than the decisions we make on energy and the impact of global climate change. This presentation makes the critical points dramatically clear and immediate. Note: This is a free class, but prior registration is required.
Geology and Field Trip
Steve Daut
March 14, 21, 28 (three Wednesdays), 6:30—8:30 p.m.
Triplett Building, Chelsea Retirement Community, 809 W. Middle, Chelsea, MI. Optional Field Trip April 14 (one Saturday), 1:00—3:00 p.m. Meet at
Triplett Building to carpool.
This survey course in geology starts with basic principles and continues with a discussion of systems viewed through the dynamic sweep of geologic time. Topics include gravitational forces, magnetism, tectonics and glaciers. Includes an optional field trip to the Waterloo Recreation Area to look at glacial formations. Steve has developed a brochure on the glacial geology of Waterloo Recreation Area, which will be the basis for the field trip. Note: Some of the glacial sites may be seen from the car, but others will require the ability to walk on rough terrain.
Historic Theaters and Prisons Closed
Grace Shackman (presented in cooperation with Washtenaw Community College)
May 2, 9, 16, 23 (four Wednesdays), 1:00—3:00 p.m.
The Cedars of Dexter Clubhouse, 411 Cedars Lane, Dexter, MI
Learn about the history of area movie theaters ranging from golden age movie palaces to small town cinemas, in lectures, with visits to two movie palaces in Ann Arbor (The Michigan and The State), and one in Jackson (The Michigan). Staying with the arts, we will also see how the Jackson prison was turned into the Armory Arts Center and study the background of prisons and jails from the state’s earliest days. The class will meet four times, two classroom sessions for discussion and lectures, and two field trips. Full participation requires the ability to take a two hour walking tour. (If needed, bring a collapsible stool or walking stick.) Note: Participants will be expected to arrange their own transportation or car pools to the sites included in the field trips.
How to Feed the World
Catherine Badgley
May 1 (one Tuesday), 3:00—5:00 p.m.
Silver Maples, 100 Silver Maples Dr. , Chelsea, MI.
This
course will present current crises and opportunities in the food system from the local to the global scares. The course will consist of lecture and discussion about transforming the current food system into a more sustainable future.
Journeys through Western Civilization: Going for Baroque
Nancy Nilsson (presented in cooperation with WCC)
Session 1: February 10, 17, 24, March 9 (four Fridays), 10:30 a.m.—12:30 p.m.
Session 2 : March
16, 23, 30, April 6 (four Fridays), 10:30 a.m.—12:30 p.m.
Note: You may take either session or both.
Silver Maples, 100 Silver Maples Dr. , Chelsea, MI.
Art historian, Nancy Nilsson, surveys the Baroque period (1600-1715), an exciting and dynamic time for the western world. From Rubens in Flanders to Rembrandt, Hals and Vermeer in Holland, from Bernini’s Rome to Louis XIV’s Versailles, the course will sample the visual arts of this extraordinary period.
Long Live the Queen: A Film Study of the House of Windsor Closed
Susan Nenadic (presented in cooperation with WCC)
March 5, 12, 19, 26 (four Mondays), 1:00-4:00 p.m.
CRC Dancey Auditorium, Chelsea Retirement Community, 805 W. Middle, Chelsea, MI.
In celebration of the Queen Elizabeth's 2012 Diamond Jubilee, celebrating sixty years as monarch, we will examine the House of Windsor through film. Beginning with Elizabeth's great-grandmother, Victoria, the class will view and discuss one movie per week. The films will be Young Victoria, The Lost Prince, The King's Speech, and The Queen for their historical accuracy and artistic presentation.
Organizing Your Life 101 Closed
Deborah Mantel
March 6, 13 ( two Tuesdays), 1:00-3:00 p.m.
The Pines Community Room, 325 Wilkinson St. , Chelsea, MI.
Could you use some help in getting more organized? If so, this is the class for you. Professional organizer, Deb Mantel, will help you gain a better understanding of how to organize your life. Deb is the owner of Spaces with Soul and is a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers. Whether you are overwhelmed and not sure where to begin, or you just need a few ideas to move to the next level, you will benefit from the ideas and Information presented in this two-part course. Learn how to overcome the obstacles that keep you from moving forward, gain the knowledge and skills to organize your home and time, and understand how to maintain that organization for a more peaceful and productive life.
Pakistan and the Arab Spring
Elizabeth Thoburn (presented in cooperation with WCC)
April 4, 11, 18, 25 (four Wednesdays), 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Silver Maples, 100 Silver Maples Dr. , Chelsea, MI.
The course will address cultural, religious, artistic, and political issues associated with several countries in the Middle East, including Pakistan, Egypt, Iran, Israel and the Palestinian territories.
Regional Cuisine with Chef Shawn Closed
Shawn Lenhardt
Feb. 15, 22, 29 (three Wednesdays.) 2:00— 4:00 p.m.
The Cedars of Dexter Clubhouse, 411 Cedars Lane, Dexter, MI.
Chef Shawn will take you around the globe sampling a variety of cuisines. He will talk about the flavors, ingredients, cooking methods and seasonings used by the people of the area he is featuring. We will taste different ingredients from their raw state and learn how to choose the proper cooking method. Chef Shawn will prepare variations of classical dishes, and samples will be available. Note: This class is limited to 10 students.
Spring Wildlife and Wildflowers
Closed
Tom Hodgson
April 26 (one Thursday), 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon. Note: optional field trip May 3 (one Thursday) 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
The Cedars of Dexter Clubhouse, 411 Cedars Lane, Dexter, MI. (For optional field trip
meet at Nan Weston Preserve, 16259 Easudes Road, Sharon Township. The field trip is not handicap accessible.)
The class will learn about the many species of woodland wildflowers that bloom in the spring and the interesting wildlife that frequent the woodlands. The class will include a power point presentation and an optional field trip to nearby Nan Weston Preserve, one of the best areas for spring wildflowers in Washtenaw County.
Severe Weather: How do You Know When "The Sky is Falling"? Closed
David Mastie
May 4 (one Friday) 1:00— 3:00 p.m.
Triplett Building, Chelsea Retirement Community, 809 W. Middle, Chelsea, MI.
Here’s another close look at severe weather, once again including some hands-on activities. Many of you who attended the first ALI weather program asked for more—with an emphasis on hazardous weather. We will examine the weather phenomena associated with colliding air masses, resulting fronts, and stirring highs and lows directed by the jet stream.
The Art of Writing: Fiction and Non-Fiction
Cynthia Furlong Reynolds
Feb. 9, 23, March 8 (three Thursday), 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Crippen Building, Chelsea Retirement Community, 725 W. Middle, Chelsea, MI.
Do you have a great story idea - fiction or non-fiction, but you don't know how to begin to write? Do you feel swamped with materials and ideas and don't know how to organize them and structure a story? When you break a writing project into its component parts, the job of writing becomes an exciting adventure, not a daunting task. Whether you are writing fiction or non-fiction, building a story is like building a house. Writers, like architects, need to lay a strong foundation; then, as they proceed to write, they refer to blueprints that ask and answer all the right questions and offer a roadmap to the successful completion of our project. We'll discuss how to choose an appropriate structure for your building blocks, how to begin writing, and how to complete an intriguing marketable story.
They Can Only Be Seen At Night
Charlie Nielsen
April 26 (one Thursday) 7:00— 9:00 p.m.
Triplett Building, Chelsea Retirement Community, 809 W. Middle, Chelsea, MI.
Charlie will show you how to observe the night sky and the rewards from doing so. Learn about what you can see with just your eyes, including the moon, stars, planets and more. Move on to what can be seen with binoculars and small telescopes, learn about how your eyes work and how to use them more effectively at night Take a look at light pollution and the weather, how it affects us, and what we can do about it. Weather permitting, members of the University Lowbrow Astronomers will set up telescopes outside and show many of the objects discussed.
U.S. Grant's Civil War: The Western Theater
John Gibney (presented in cooperation with Washtenaw Community College)
April 16, 23, 30, May 7, 14, 21(six Mondays) 6:30— 8:30 p.m.
Triplett Building, Chelsea Retirement Community, 809 W. Middle, Chelsea, MI.
Grant’s unique background, his string of famous battles, his political struggles, and gracious victory over Robert E. Lee will be at the heart of the course.
What's All This School Testing About?
Marge Mastie
Feb. 28 (one Tuesday) 1:00 to 3:00 pm.
Triplett Building, Chelsea Retirement Community, 809 W. Middle, Chelsea, MI.
If you are following the news these days, you know that the tests given to our children in school have proliferated. The uses of these assessments are frequently more political than helpful to the learning process. An overview of some of the “biggies”, including MEAP, MME, ACT, SDAT, MI-Access, ELPA, GED and ASVAB will include answers to: What are these tests? Who uses them? What were they built for and how are they used now? Why do politicians care? Why should the rest of us worry about that? What are some better ways of monitoring student learning?
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.