Spring 2024 Registration   

Understanding the News: U.S. Classification System (44211)

Presented by:   Sally Holcomb

Using the Mar-a-Lago raids, Trump indictment, and discovery of classified documents in Biden and Pence offices as a backdrop, the instructor will offer, in a non-political context, a discussion on how secrecy and classification work in the U.S. government and who has authority and responsibility to participate in related processes. She will provide context for the terms you might be hearing in press coverage and what to listen for as the story evolves. The goal is to provide a better understanding of the framework and the related laws and policies that are being discussed in coverage of recent cases.

Concurrent with "Economic Issues in the 2024 Election."

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CRI Spring Book Club: “The Covenant of Water” by Abraham Verghese (35669)

Presented by:   Nancy Eidemiller

Spanning the years 1900 to 1977, “The Covenant of Water” is set in Kerala, on South India’s Malabar Coast, and follows three generations of a family that suffers a peculiar affliction: in every generation, at least one person dies by drowning. The family is part of a Christian community that traces itself to the time of the apostles, but times are shifting, and the matriarch of this family will witness unthinkable changes at home and at large over the span of her extraordinary life. All of Verghese’s great gifts are on display in this new work: there are astonishing scenes of medical ingenuity, fantastic moments of humor, a surprising and deeply moving story, and characters imbued with the essence of life.

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Earth Flowers (35654)

Presented by:   Linda Khandro

In this class, we will study crystals of the various minerals that make up the rocks of the Earth. They take their forms not from random collections of atoms, but from a limited number of very specific atomic relationships. The fascinating thing about crystal forms in minerals is that there are so few possible atomic symmetries and shapes, and yet about 3,800 minerals have been identified on planet Earth to date! We will study these atomic limitations and then discuss the crystal forms that result, using our birthstones as guides to some of these forms. Simple paper cut-out-and-glue models of birthstone crystals will be available for you to make your own “birthstone”! Come along on an excursion to the symmetry, simplicity, and beauty of mineral crystals.

No class 5/27. Concurrent with "Women Writers of the Southwest."

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Good Poetry for Hard Times (35671)

Presented by:   Bethany Reid

Many of us can recall gorgeous, memorable poems that inspired us in childhood, poems by Emily Dickinson or Robert Frost or Geraldine Brooks, poems we return to and share with friends. Grittier examples come to mind, too, as inspiring poems aren’t always gorgeous, but sometimes convey a hard truth that hits us in the gut. In this class, we’ll look at a range of such poems and discuss the inspiration and craft that goes into them. A PDF of poems will be distributed prior to the first class meeting.

Concurrent with "U.S. History Part II: The Moderns" and "The Rise of Fascism: We Need To Talk… AND Engage."

History and Use of the Alphorn in Switzerland (35661)

Presented by:   Gary Martin

Instructor Gary Martin and author Yannick Wey recently collaborated on a translation of a book about the connections between the alphorn and yodeling. In this class, students will explore that topic and learn the history and use of the alphorn in Switzerland. Gary will accompany Yannick in playing a few short, traditional alphorn pieces, explaining the natural tones produced by the instrument. Students will also have the opportunity to play an alphorn with some instruction.

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Introduction to the Criminal Justice System (35649)

Presented by:   Marilyn (Mimi) Walsh

The criminal justice system is regularly a topic of the news and political campaigns, but its portrayal is often inaccurate or misleading. As a consequence, the average person doesn’t really know that much about the system and how it works. This is despite the fact that the system is typically one of the largest budget items at the state and local levels. This course is designed to give participants a baseline knowledge of the system and the tools to encourage them to explore further on their own.

No class 5/27. Concurrent with "Monumental Work: Cultural Survival and The Monuments Foundation."

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Jazz Appreciation Series: Survey of Jazz (35676)

Presented by:   Brent Jensen

This course provides a brief survey of the development of jazz music in the United States. A number of jazz styles will be listened to and studied, along with important instrumentalists, singers, bands and composers. Important historical and social events which parallel the development of jazz music will also be discussed. Live and recorded demonstrations of jazz style periods and jazz techniques will be presented.

Light Takes the Tree: The Poetry of Theodore Roethke (35672)

Presented by:   Jerry Austin

In this class, we will study the poetry of Theodore Roethke, focusing especially on nature poetry and love poetry. Roethke is from Michigan, studied under W. H Auden, and taught toward the end of his life at the University of Washington in Seattle.

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A Love Story in Design: Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Margaret MacDonald Mackintosh (35646)

Presented by:   Eleanor Schrader

The remarkable artistic collaboration between Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Margaret MacDonald Mackintosh produced elegant and sensuous forms that would leave a distinctive imprint upon modern design. Their highly imaginative designs in art, architecture, interiors, and furniture intuited an astonishing modernity in turn-of the-century Glasgow, taking inspiration from movements as diverse as Viennese Secessionism, Art Nouveau, and Arts and Crafts. This course will explore the couple’s innovative architecture, luminous interiors, and sumptuous decorative arts that forged a new style for a new age.

Monumental Work: Cultural Survival and the Monuments Foundation (35645)

Presented by:   Christine Maasdam

For over 80 years, the original stories that surround WWII have continued to be of global interest. One of the historical dimensions of that war is the work of the men and women who defended and rescued the arts by saving the cultural heritage of our world for future generations. We hear the stories or see the movies and think perhaps these experiences are all in the past. The truth is that today, the Monuments Foundation is at the forefront of cultural heritage preservation and art restitution, continuing to retrieve artworks and honor the work of those who carved the path of restitution. We will look at the lives of these “art saviors,” current cases, and the new Monuments Men & Women Foundation.

Concurrent with "Introduction to the Criminal Justice System."

The News: Entertainment, Information, Advocacy in the Campaign Season? (35650)

Presented by:   Michael Knapp

In the current media environment, news comes at us from all directions and many forms. Yet, regardless of political leaning or purpose, it adheres to a central principle: it must catch and retain our attention. It inevitably tries to entertain us while (perhaps) informing us and even advocating for what the newsmakers see as true, good, and important. This is especially apparent and important to understand in a presidential campaign. The mix of entertainment, information, and advocacy varies across news outlets and with events on which news reporting focuses. This course will help us tune into our own preferences, tastes, and presumptions as we consume the news during the campaign season. Aided by fact checkers, cartoonists, and media analysts, we’ll explore examples of newscasting, hopefully emerging as “smarter” consumers of the news and better participants in the campaign season.

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2023 Nobel Laureate in Literature: Jon Fosse (35667)

Presented by:   Katherine Hanson

Last October, Norwegian author Jon Fosse was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature. Writing in Norway’s second official language, Nynorsk, Fosse has authored over 70 plays, novels, poems, essays, and children’s books. His plays are staged in countries around the world; indeed, Fosse is the most performed Norwegian playwright since Henrik Ibsen. Three Norwegian authors have previously been honored with the Nobel Prize — Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson (1903), Knut Hamsun(1920), and Sigrid Undset(1928) — but Fosse is the first whose works are written in Nynorsk. Each of these authors will be presented in this class, but the focus will be on Jon Fosse, with one class session devoted to his poetry, one to his plays, and one to his novels. Fosse’s writing is set in the present and has a stream-of-consciousness feel — open and hypnotic, spiritual and serene. Class participants are encouraged to read “A New Name: Septology VI-VII,” translated by Damion Searls. Additional readings will be provided by the instructor.

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Phishing and Social Engineering – Nip 'em in the Bud! (35687)

Presented by:   Brian Boston

“Phishing” uses techniques from social engineering to deceive us through dozens of different kinds of scams. It comes in the form of “alert” emails, “ominous” phone calls, and "urgent” web pop-ups. The goal is to rattle you enough to part with cash or personal information that can be monetized. While technical practices can help, the key defense to stopping these attacks is an awareness of the strategies being used. Join us to learn how to recognize the signs before phishing becomes part of your personal story.

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Responding to Shipwrecks & Oil Spills Worldwide (35681)

Presented by:   M.W. (Mac) McCarthy

Shipwrecks and oil spills are massive emergency response situations. Environmentally threatening and logistically complex, each requires unique resources to control. They can take years to resolve, costing billions of dollars. Modern deep-draft ships easily carry over one million gallons of heavy fuel oil. Crude oil tankers carry more than 23 million gallons of cargo. Given those volumes, there’s always a risk of pollution when their cargo spills. The abandonment of derelict vessels in territorial waters threatens ecosystems around the world, and their removal strains public budgets. Using personal case studies, the instructor will present the best available science and the best management practices employed to overcome these extreme events.

Concurrent with "CRI's Expanded Book Group."

ATTENTION: See the updated location above.

The Rise of Fascism: We Need To Talk... AND Engage (35653)

Presented by:   David Fenner

This class is full. Please click the Add to Waitlist button below.

This course will explore the roots of the periodic waves of authoritarianism around the world. Specific focus will include the ideology and rise of Adolph Hitler and the Nazi Party in Germany, the brief and sadly unsuccessful birth of democracy in Russia in the 1990s, and the current trends toward despotism that threaten to lap at shores decidedly closer to home. We will discuss the conditions that lend themselves to the ascendence (and perceived allure) of “strong men” and why democracy can seem so vulnerable to collapse. Ultimately, the course will ask the most important question: What can each of us do to “protect and defend” our hard-won democratic rights and principles? Course material and the reading list will draw from a wide variety of historical and contemporary sources. Spirited question-and-answer sessions are expected and will help illuminate many of the complex issues involved.

Concurrent with "Good Poetry for Hard Times."

Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” (35673)

Presented by:   Sean Taylor

This course will undertake a reading of Shakespeare’s most famous love story, which will be staged by Seattle Shakespeare Company between April 24 and May 12. We will consider the operation of fortune in the play and how fortunes are made subject to societal demands of class and kinship. Students are asked to read through Act 2 for the first class meeting. Any edition of the play will do, though it is recommended to find one with annotations and line numbers (the instructor prefers Signet Classic paperbacks, widely available).

ATTENTION: See the updated location above.

Superlative Spies (35664)

Presented by:   Helen Holcomb

This course focuses on spies who distinguished themselves from other spies, including the most dangerous, the most feared, the most beautiful, the most famous, the most damaging, the world’s greatest, the one never caught, and the one who saved the world. We will examine their biographical profiles, motivations, and impact. We will also take a look at the techniques of their espionage tradecraft.

UNESCO World Heritage Site Designation (35663)

Presented by:   Sally Holcomb

You see it when you travel: "This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site." What does that mean? Who's UNESCO? How does a landmark or site get this designation? Can a site be “undesignated”? The instructor will answer these questions and provide insight into the sites currently designated under the UNESCO World Heritage umbrella.

Concurrent with "CRI's Expanded Book Group."

ATTENTION: See the updated location above.

Buildings That Define American Cities (35644)

Presented by:   Eleanor Schrader

Class begins in less than 2 business days or is already in session... Please call 425.640.1830 or email CRI@edmonds.edu to register.

Every city has a particular feel about it, defined by its architecture, demographics, geography, climate, and the people and cultures who have shaped the city from its founding to its current status. From historical to contemporary structures, this course will explore the iconic structures that identify various American cities and how they came to be. We will discuss architectural styles and the sociopolitical context in which these buildings were created. Cities to be discussed include Philadelphia, Boston, and Washington, D.C.

No class 5/23. Concurrent with "Economic Issues in the 2024 Election."

CRI’s Expanded Book Discussion Group (35668)

Presented by:   Nancy Eidemiller

Class begins in less than 2 business days or is already in session... Please call 425.640.1830 or email CRI@edmonds.edu to register.

Join with other story lovers as we talk about books, theater, and film. Each week, participants will share what they have been reading or watching. Any genre, fiction or non-fiction, is fine. We will enjoy great discussions as we link up book themes, topics, authors, and books that have found another life on the stage, in the movies, and even in opera. You are guaranteed to go home with at least one new book suggestion, a new author to read, or a theme or genre to explore.

Concurrent with "Great Museums of Rome Part I," "Jews in the American Civil War," "UNESCO World Heritage Site Designation," and "Responding to Shipwrecks & Oil Spills Worldwide."

Economic Issues in the 2024 Election (35651)

Presented by:   Scott Gassler

Class begins in less than 2 business days or is already in session... Please call 425.640.1830 or email CRI@edmonds.edu to register.

In this class, we will address major issues in the 2024 presidential election: national security, economic policy, environmental policy, and social policy. Both Democratic and Republican perspectives are represented. No previous knowledge of economics is required, though students with an economics background may discover something new.

Concurrent with "Buildings that Define American Cities" and "Understanding the News: U.S. Classification System."

Free Will: Do We Have It or Not and Why It Matters (35679)

Presented by:   Sorrel Paskin

Class begins in less than 2 business days or is already in session... Please call 425.640.1830 or email CRI@edmonds.edu to register.

The problem of free will vs. determinism lies at the heart of much contemporary philosophy. It informs our convictions about why people behave the way they do and justifies our policies of praise, blame, and personal responsibility. It is involved at the most fundamental level in the formulation of our policies concerning adjudication of error, exoneration, punishment, and legal incarceration. It also figures prominently in the religious problem of evil and justifications for our imperfect world. This class is devoted to an exploration of these issues and others informing the contemporary view of determinism and free will.

No garden? No problem! Containers to the Rescue (35677)

Presented by:   Jerelyn Resnick

Class begins in less than 2 business days or is already in session... Please call 425.640.1830 or email CRI@edmonds.edu to register.

Think you can’t be a gardener if you don’t have a garden plot for vegetables and flowers? Well, think again. Container gardening offers a ready solution for gardeners without a garden plot. We will discuss how to care for container plants and explore topics like watering, fertilizing, plant spacing, selecting the appropriate soil, choosing appropriate plants, and advantages and disadvantages to container gardening.

U.S. History Part II: The Moderns (35660)

Presented by:   Kristi Busch

Class begins in less than 2 business days or is already in session... Please call 425.640.1830 or email CRI@edmonds.edu to register.

We will focus on the 1920s with amazing court cases such as women gaining the right to vote, the Scopes Trial (evolution’s day in court), and the censorship trial of James Joyce’s “Ulysses.” We will take a detailed look at the Harlem Renaissance and all of its amazing art, literature, and music. It’s the golden era of business, King Tut, and Hollywood’s silent movies, with plenty of heroes including Charles Lindbergh and Douglas Fairbanks.

Concurrent with "Good Poetry for Hard Times."