Fully Online Courses   

Fridays
Mid January-May

Recordings will be posted in the Members-only Video Library, which is accessible to all current Senior College members.

Stay informed and engaged with Simply Civics: The Week in Review, a weekly conversation that breaks down the major political, governmental, and national events shaping our world. Each Friday, instructor Dr. Michael Kryzanek offers a clear, accessible, and nonpartisan overview of the week’s most significant news from policy decisions and political developments to major national issues.

This bonus course is designed especially for Senior College members who want to better understand current events and their impact. Zoom recordings will be posted on the members only video library. Questions and suggestions are welcomed via email throughout the week.

Step into the world of cinema with CineSeniors, a lively community for film lovers who enjoy deep conversation and fresh perspectives. Together, we’ll explore unusual, overlooked, and thought-provoking movies that inspire debate and discovery. Each week, we’ll discuss themes, theories, and cinematic styles—from classic auteurs to bold contemporary storytellers—while sharing insights, laughter, and a love of great storytelling. No film degree required—just curiosity, conversation, and a good internet connection to stream the films from home!

This course will talk about ways of getting ready for the growing season, how you can extend your growing season, growing the best seedlings that you can, and how to effectively get your plants ready to be planted out into your gardens. This course will consist of the following topics: Seed Starting, Extending the Growing Season, Bed Preparation, Composting, Planting, and Pruning. There will also be demonstrations on several of these topics along with detailed handouts for the students.

Through PowerPoint and class discussion, we’ll study the physics of forces and how they affect the way things move. Using the knowledge gained from that study we’ll move on to examine plate tectonics, earthquakes, and vulcanism. As a group we’ll look at YouTube videos that illustrate the phenomena. Questions and comments from class participants will be encouraged.

This course offers a comprehensive overview of Alzheimer’s disease, mild cognitive impairment, and other common non-Alzheimer’s dementias. We’ll explore the signs, symptoms, and progression of these conditions, how diagnoses are made, and current treatment options. Special attention will be given to the emotional and practical impact on spouses and primary caregivers, including the challenges of transitioning to long-term care. We’ll also examine proactive steps individuals can take to reduce their risk of developing serious cognitive disorders. Each session will feature a structured presentation followed by interactive class discussion.

This course introduces restorative justice, a growing movement that emphasizes healing and accountability instead of punishment. Students will explore how restorative justice emerged as an alternative to traditional criminal justice approaches and how it repairs harm caused by crime through collaboration among all those affected. We will discuss the core principles of restorative justice: Inclusion, Encounter, Repair, and Cohesion. Additionally, students will learn about various ways these practices can be applied within the criminal justice system to promote fairer and more supportive outcomes.

This six-week course explores the ideas, debates, and misunderstandings surrounding Critical Race Theory (CRT) and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Together we will examine the origins of CRT in legal scholarship, its role in broader cultural conversations, and the ways DEI initiatives have been implemented in workplaces, schools, and communities. We’ll also consider why these topics have become flashpoints in today’s political and social climate. Through short lectures, videos, and open discussion, participants will gain the tools to separate myths from realities and develop their own informed perspectives. The goal is not to persuade but to understand—encouraging respectful dialogue on some of the most pressing issues of our time.

In this course you will read and discuss three books. All sessions will be on Zoom. The first book will be The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell by Robert Dugoni. The book is available in paperback print, large print, eBook, and audio formats. The remaining two books will be announced during the first session of the group. Nan Loggains has led book groups for the past 25 years.

The philosophy behind this course is simple: we appreciate poetry best when we examine it closely, with other attentive readers. Our community combines returning members, working poets, and poetry lovers with diverse life experiences. Although this is our seventh semester together, every semester we welcome new members to our group because they bring fresh perspectives. And you are welcome to simply “listen in” if you’re not sure how to talk about poetry: you will quickly learn! Over the course of our eight meetings together we will work to fully understand poems written in the English language from the Renaissance to today. You will learn what to look for in old and new poems to appreciate different poetic styles. Emphasis will be placed on hearing diverse voices from various times, places, and standpoints: some famous, some contemporary, some recently rediscovered. We will read poems out loud while practicing our scansion skills, noting patterns of sound and rhythm. We will tease out possible interpretations of metaphors. We will discuss the historical and biographical context that frames each poet and poem. Why are some poems read over and over, delighting generations of readers? Why are some considered landmarks of social change? What do you enjoy in a poem?

This class will be taught in a Group Discussion style on Zoom. Members will be provided with copies of poems and supporting materials in advance of class through email. They will be encouraged to share their discoveries about each poem, while remaining open to contributions from other group members. Our goal will be to work towards a richer understanding of each poem together.

In this age of overblown claims and outright falsehoods, common sense needs to make a comeback. This course goes back to some of the basics, looking at fallacies that have been recognized as illogical reasoning since at least the times of the Romans. Yet, such arguments persist.

Ireland, a tiny country on the periphery of Europe, has exerted an extraordinary impact on modern literature: Who is the greatest poet of the 20th century (Yeats), who is the century's greatest dramatists (Synge, O'Casey, and Beckett), who is the century's greatest fiction writer (Joyce), who are the greatest poets in the 21st century (Heaney and Bolland). This course will provide an overview of Irish literary greatness in the 20th and 21st centuries. Week 1: Yeats, Week 2: Synge, Week 3: Joyce, Week 4: O'Casey, Week 5: Beckett, Week 6: Heaney/Bolland. The course will provide an introduction to Irish literary history and its impact.

Traditionally Origami follows 3 rules: Models are folded from a single square, no cuts, and no adhesive. Modern origami has loosened these requirements for the sake of art and exploration. Origami design beginning with other geometric shapes is now common.

Included in this course will be a Sakura Star from a pentagon, a bowl from an octagon, and a flower/star from a hexagon. We’ll fold more as time allows.

A word to totally new folders: These are firmly intermediate level models. However, if you are willing to use the recording, start over and be persistent, you will find increasing success with each attempt. Andrea’s overhead camera makes it possible for you to see how I make each fold.

What can individuals do about climate change? A lot! This series of six 80-minute in-person meetings is designed for people interested in learning more about climate change and climate justice, becoming more effective in communicating with others about it, and taking action to mitigate its impact on our planet and ourselves. The course begins with the problems, basic science, and equity issues, but mainly focuses on understanding the wide range of available climate change solutions and how you can get involved, both as an individual and working with others.

Sitting in the space you are right now, what colors do you see? Have you ever really noticed them before or asked yourself "why?" In this class, we'll discover how colors affect our emotions and choices, often without us even realizing it.

Each week, we'll explore color in different areas—movies, cultures around the world, fashion, home design, and more. Through friendly discussions and real-life examples, you'll start noticing things you may have never paid attention to before. How does a film's color set the mood? Why do certain stores or restaurants choose specific colors? What do colors mean in different cultures?

No previous knowledge needed—just bring your curiosity and openness to seeing the colorful world around us in a whole new way. Perfect for anyone interested in everyday discoveries.

"Certain I am that unless Congress speaks in a more decisive tone, unless they are vested with powers by the several states competent to the great purposes of War…that our cause is lost…I see one head gradually changing into thirteen."—George Washington May 31,1780

Many believe that our Constitution is the heart and soul of the American political system. But how did we get from thirteen colonies coalescing to win a revolution to thirteen states ratifying a Constitution? This course will examine the debates of strong opinions, beliefs and fears, political philosophies, theories and realities as well as trial and error (the fun part). There will be slides, emailed handouts, and time for discussion and questions from the class.

Learn about some unusual plant groups and their very unusual abilities as they adapt to their environments. The class will cover topics such as carnivorous plants, aquatic plants, plants that generate heat, bizarre pollination strategies, and novel dispersal mechanisms.

This course will talk about various types of gardens, the plants that can be utilized in those gardens, why we should be using native plants, plants that can be used medicinally, and those with edible flowers. This course will consist of the following topics: Bird Gardening, Butterfly Gardening, Rain Gardens, Utilizing Natives, Medicinal Plants and Edible Flowers. There will also be demonstrations on several of these topics along with detailed handouts for the students.

This six-week course explores how America’s generations view politics, culture, and the future. From Baby Boomers shaped by Vietnam and the Civil Rights Movement, to Generation X’s pragmatism, to Millennials coming of age during 9/11 and the Great Recession, and Gen Z’s activism around climate change, identity, and technology, each generation brings its own priorities and values. Together we will examine voting patterns, social movements, economic pressures, and media influences that define intergenerational dynamics today. Through discussion and case studies, participants will consider how these generational perspectives interact, clash, and cooperate—and what this means for the direction of American democracy in the 21st century.

In this course on Modern Scotland, students will embark on an exploration of contemporary Ireland through the lens of renowned Scottish writers. Participants will explore a curated selection of three impactful books, each offering a unique perspective on the cultural, social, and historical fabric of modern Scotland.

Spring Yoga II unites a gentle morning yoga practice with meditation & breathing practices. This class will open the body, mind and spirit as the great mother awakens in spring. Learn how our alignment with nature brings increased health and well-being.

This class is a continuation of Chair yoga I, but new students are welcome to join. Chair yoga is designed for students who have physical limitations preventing them from participating in a standard class. During our six-week class together, you will learn sequences to open and align the body from a seated position that you can make part of your daily routine. We will also explore meditation and breathing practices that decrease anxiety and generate a positive connection to the body.

From the Garden of Eden to the Salem witch trials and the 1980s “Satanic Panic,” humans have blamed misdeeds on the Devil. But where did the idea of the devil come from? Did the ancient Israelites believe in such a being? Is Lucifer the same as the Devil? Did Jesus believe in hell? This course traces the evolution of the idea of the Devil from Zoroastrian and Jewish roots through Christianity and Islam, exploring figures like the adversary in Job and the dragon in Revelation. We’ll see how European folklore and writers such as Milton shaped his image, and how “the Devil” still haunts modern American political rhetoric.

The Great Gatsby delves into the decadence and disillusionment of the early 1920s. Women’s haircuts and hemlines were shorter. Alcohol was illegal, but bootleggers kept the booze flowing. Gangsters ruled the streets, and jazz music floated out of the clubs. Enter Jay Gatsby—a mysterious man with bountiful riches and an unknown past. The Great Gatsby is an anti-love story; it’s a tale of one man’s obsession with rewriting history. In this course, students will learn about the 1920s and F. Scott Fitzgerald. They will also receive a six-week at-home reading schedule. The foundation of each class will be discussion based on the assigned reading. Join this course for six weeks of engaging literary discussion on The Great Gatsby!

In this six-session workshop, participants will explore the power of gratitude and the beauty of personal and cultural traditions. Through guided reflection, storytelling, creative activities, and group discussion, we’ll share memories, honor meaningful rituals, and discover new ways to practice gratitude in daily life. This series offers a supportive space to connect, create, and celebrate the stories that make us who we are.

This course will focus on the reading and discussing of Shakespeare's greatest comedies. Each week, students will be invited to engage in a wide-ranging discussion about a given play.

This class is an opportunity to develop your creative writing skills; you may decide to write short fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, or any other creative genre that appeals to you.  The class will be taught in a workshop format; each week, we’ll read works written by class participants and give them feedback on their work.  As the instructor facilitates the discussion, you’ll gain insight into key elements of creative writing, including sensory detail, pacing, characterization, dialogue, and the use of scenes as the building blocks of narrative. 

In addition to having the opportunity to read and learn from each other’s work, you’ll be provided with a guide to creative writing, available at https://tinyurl.com/w4yt4juy.