Language, Literature, and Writing   

Biblical Scholarship opens myriad perspectives on the four Gospels in the Christian Testament. The material in this course will enable us to more fully understand the ancient Gospel texts. We will focus on the ancient Jewish, Roman and Hellenistic context of the Gospels and the Early Christian Communities from which they emerged. We will concentrate on Mark, the oldest of the Gospels. During each class session, we will read aloud from Mark for about 20 minutes. There will be lecture, question and answer, and discussion during each class. 

This workshop will examine American Resistance Poetry--poems meant to pay tribute to those who resisted as well as being meant to empower, mobilize, and inspire others to resist. Participants can use these poems as models and inspiration to write their own resistance poems, which can then be shared, discussed, and revised during the workshop. Most of the workshop sessions will be devoted to the discussion of the participants' poems. The writing of poems, as Mary Oliver tells us, will need to be done at the solitude of the writer's desk. Course Note: This course was offered in Spring 2026, but will feature different poets and poems for inspiration. 

“A small man can be just as exhausted as a great man.” —Linda, Death of a Salesman 

Aristotle’s Poetics suggests that tragedy is most powerful when it depicts a person of stature falling from prosperity into suffering—think Othello, Hamlet, or Oedipus. Arthur Miller’s modern drama challenges this inherited model, turning instead to the tragedy of the ordinary man: a failing door-to-door salesman who dreams of being well-liked while struggling to like himself. In this course, we’ll read Miller’s Death of a Salesman and All My Sons, asking what tragedy looks like when its hero is not a king, prince, or general, but a father, husband, worker, and dreamer. Prior to the first class, please obtain copies of both plays and read Act I of Death of a Salesman. 

Planning a trip to Japan or simply curious about the language? It’s never too late to start learning Japanese. This class is designed for absolute beginners and lifelong learners. You will learn greetings, essential vocabulary and useful phrases for travel-related conversations. Each lesson also introduces Japanese culture through customs, etiquette, and seasonal traditions.  Through fun, engaging activities, you will build confidence in speaking in a relaxed, supportive environment. By the end of the course, you will be able to communicate in simple Japanese and deepen your understanding of Japanese culture.  

What happens to a middle-class family in a period of social upheaval? Russian author Boris Pasternak's novel Dr. Zhivago follows the title character, a physician and poet, through the Russian Revolution and its aftermath. Painting a sweeping picture of the revolution and its human costs, this remarkable book addresses the emotional, moral, and philosophical questions of the revolutionary era. How does revolution ripen and spread in a society? How do different individuals perceive and react to revolutionary change?  How does an artist portray revolution?  How does Pasternak’s artistic vision resonate with us today? 

Have you ever gone to a Moth event and thought, “I would love to do that!” Then this is the class for you! Even if that isn’t your goal, this is still a fun and creative class. Students will learn the techniques of effective storytelling. Students will do activities in class to spark their creativity. Video clips of storytellers will be viewed and critiqued by students. Students will get to share their stories with fellow classmates to get their opinions. Finally, there will be a showcase in the last class where students can present their favorite story. 

A recent issue of the Hedgehog Review (tagline: Critical Reflections on Contemporary Culture) explores the meaning of character and the causes and consequences of its apparent decline in today's world.  Drawing on the works of thinkers as diverse as Aristotle, Nietzsche, Emily Dickinson and Samuel Beckett, the readings explore our current moral climate and speculate on its future trajectory, providing us with food for thought and some new perspectives.  We will read from the Spring 2024 issue of the Hedgehog Review, titled "Missing Character," available for $14 from https://hedgehogreview.com/order. 

Everyone has a story to tell! This workshop is designed to give you the space to write about your life, share your legacy. Whether you want to capture your family history for your grandchildren or write about an event that occurred in your life, all stories are valid and welcome. Memoir writing can be healing and magical. When a story persists in your consciousness, it is demanding to be told. You are the best person to tell it. You’re the expert – you lived it. No writing experience is needed. This is a safe zone where you won’t be judged for the content of the story or the writing! You’ll hear where your writing resonates with us, your audience. What to expect? In each session, we will read a brief memoir piece, write for about 20 minutes from a prompt or whatever pops into your head, and finally, read our stories aloud. No one is obligated to share their work, but it's a good way to quiet your inner critic.  

Rediscover Shakespeare as we take a deep dive into Julius Caesar and Twelfth Night. For each play, outside of class, participants will be expected to read the play and view a selected film version. The texts we will use are the Folger Shakespeare Library editions (under $10 apiece and/or available for free download from the Folger Shakespeare Library). However, any editions of the plays are acceptable. Both required films are available for rent, but they may be viewed for free on Zoom (courtesy of the OLLI office). In class we will discuss the plays in the contexts of Shakespeare’s life and times as well as the historical periods of the plays, with reference to major critical research. Our goal is a rich appreciation of Shakespeare’s work. 

Often one runs out of ideas for new poems. This course is designed to help you find new source material to create new poems.  By focusing on a topic, such as the Boston Molasses Flood for example, or paintings at the Museum of Fine Arts, you will do research and then write poems based on this research. By the end of the course, the goal is to have about 5-6 poems that could be the steppingstone to a chapbook, book or longer length collection. We will also dabble our toes into poetical forms, such as sonnets or a villanelles which can help you learn to develop and flex your creative muscle. And write new poems! 

Are you going to France or to a French-speaking country? If so, you need to be able to communicate at least at a minimum to show that you are making an effort toward the culture of the host country. The people there will greatly appreciate (even if they answer in English) and may even be friendlier. In this class you will learn French basic vocabulary and phrases in a conversational setting. The course will integrate the Mango Languages computer program to practice and reinforce your new skills at home.  

What makes the Great Gatsby so compelling? Published in 1925 and written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby is a treasure chest of characters, observations, and wonder. What does it say about the American Dream? Romantic love? The past? Wealth? Class? Most of all, how does Fitzgerald's stunning language affect us? We will read a portion of the book each week. Please do not read ahead! 

Chiang Yee wrote and illustrated this charming book in 1959. Chiang Yee has a vibrant, whimsical, humorous voice which transcends time. For those of us who love the area it is all here: the Boston Common, Beacon Hill, Fenway, Charles River, Salem, Rockport, the Cape and Islands, to name a few. Yee included 16 full color paintings, 60 black and white drawings, and 20 of his poems. What better way to celebrate our 250th than to toast Boston, its surrounding neighborhoods and towns, its history and people, than to share this unique book together? We will read and discuss a portion of the book each week. Please do not read ahead. You can find the 1959 version in a library or purchase a copy from Amazon or eBay for about $8-12.  You can also find it on Internet Archive which allows you to read for free online: https://archive.org/details/silenttravelleri0000chia_u2e8/mode/2up  Long out of print, it was recently republished in 2017 in paperback.  

This course uses simple, guided writing exercises to help you make sense of your experiences and articulate what matters most. Through short prompts, discussion, and optional reading, we’ll explore how writing can bring clarity, insight, and perspective to everyday life. No prior writing experience is required. 

Everyone has a story, and journaling can be a powerful way to make sense of your thoughts and experiences. We will explore different approaches, from structured prompts to more open-ended reflection. You don’t need to be a “good writer” or have a current journaling practice. Each session will include time to write and optional opportunities to share. This course is ideal for anyone looking to better understand themselves or someone who is curious about what journaling is all about! 

What secrets and stories are hidden in song lyrics? What about songs which call back sharp memories? Songs offer gifts of comfort, inspiration, and amusement. In this writing workshop we will study a variety of song lyrics and use their lines and images as a starting point for creative writing.  Give yourself the gift of time to consider lyrics as a path into your own writing. Through writing prompts and writing sessions, your imagination will be invited to the page. Participants will be encouraged to share their work and offer positive comments to others. Prior creative writing experience is not necessary. Please come ready to write, please keep camera on during sharing and prompts to encourage our special community.