Nearly 30 years after a leading political scientist declared the triumph of liberal democracy across the globe, the world is seeing fledgling and established democracies struggle. From here at home, in the United States, to Venezuela to Poland, voters are seeing the deterioration of what was supposed to be the norm--democracy. The gains of democracy in the 20th century and early in this century are being usurped by a very speedy retreat to the number of young, fragile democracies falling to "strongman" or populist leadership. Examples of fledgling and failing democracies from the Americas, Africa and Europe will be studied. Maria Montalvo holds a Master's in political science and economics. This is her second course with CRI. She is a columnist for the Edmonds Beacon, and works as Executive Director in the non-profit education sector. 4 sessions.

A hands-on guided workshop designed for adult beginners, introducing the basics of iPad navigation, finding and using applications ("apps"), and tips and tricks. Participants will need their own iPad and email account (and their passwords available to them at class). Included are: Finding your way around with touch and stylus; installing and troubleshooting apps; managing picture and videos; email, browsers and internet safety; introducing social media in the iPad. Kate Schwarz works in EdCC Technology Resource Center helping faculty with e-learning, instructional technologies and course design. She worked for many years at the University of California as a computer resource manager. Since moving to the Northwest, she has worked as in independent educational technology consultant for non-profits, both locally and on the East Coast. 2 sessions.

The biggest threat to the continuation of life on Earth is climate change. We will begin with scientific evidence for the change in climate since the Industrial Revolution, then focus on physical, chemical, biological and sociological effects of climate change. Discussions include examples of current local, state, national, and international actions and what we can do individually and collectively to reduce, mitigate and prevent climate change. Fran Solomon is an environmental biology professor at WWU, Huxley College of the Environment. She earned a BS in biology from the U of Rochester, an MS in environmental health and PhD in fisheries from UW. Her teaching experience includes teaching older adults through Shoreline CC and UW Osher. It is fun and rewarding for Fran Solomon to teach people in her age group who are eager to apply new learning to their lives. 4 sessions.

Earth and sky are inextricably linked in our imaginations, our histories, and our sciences. Let us see how the seasons, with emphasis on equinoxes and solstices, provide us with a fascinating but realistic view of our place on our planet and in our solar system. Linda Khandro, MAT, is a geologist, with over 25 years teaching college earth and space sciences in the Seattle area: astronomy, astrobiology, environmental science, geology, meteorology and oceanography. 4 sessions.

The Civil War ended slavery in America, but left the most important question facing the nation unanswered: What was to be the fate of the newly freed slaves? The decade after the Civil War was one of the most fateful eras in America history. Would ex-slaves be treated as political and social equals and get the right to vote? Would they receive compensation for two hundred years of enslavement? How should defeated states as well as soldiers and citizens of those states be treated? These questions would exacerbate bitter feelings and divide the country for the next decade. The Reconstruction Era had profound repercussions that are felt to this day and would shape race relations for the next 150 years, reshape the political system in America and have a major impact on legal and constitutional systems. James Rigali earned his PhD in history at UW. He has taught American History at PLU and North Seattle CC and UW and classes for CRI. 4 sessions.

Willa Cather, born in Virginia in 1873 but moved to Nebraska at age ten, grew up observing the difficulties and uncertainties of farm life. A celebrated storyteller, she makes us see the land and its people -- many of them immigrants from diverse origins -- and the inner working of the minds and emotions of her characters, especially strong women characters. She follows a young Frenchman from newly hatched priesthood to beloved archbishop, leading us through half a century of history, geography, ethnicity and religion in New Mexico and Arizona. We will read O Pioneers, The Song of the Lark, My Antonia and Death Comes for the Archbishop. Students are requested to read O Pioneers before the first class meeting. Wayne McGuire received a BA in English from U of Denver and an MA in English from U of OR. He has taught at Ouachita Baptist College, Arkansas, and Shoreline CC. His areas of concentration are English Romantic Movement and History of the English Language. 4 sessions.

Class focus is on the west and south with the first western president, Andrew Jackson. We will explore his new approach, including his distrust of the National Bank, disdain for the high court, and disgust of Native Americans. King Cotton ruled, spreading plantation life in the south and factory life in the northeast. It is the time of the aggressive little war with Mexico, where we garnered great swaths of land just in time for the California Gold Rush, and a time when we found our feet culturally, with the philosophy of Transcendentalism, great writing and poetry and the amazing painting of the Hudson River School of Art. Kristi Busch holds an MA in museum studies from George Washington U. She has been a storyteller in both performance and therapeutic settings, but her main focus has been teaching courses in history, civics, philosophy and mythology to 16-86 year olds and nothing compares to making history come alive. 4 sessions.