Literature and Writing   

This easy and short read is fun and provides great insight to one of our Founding Fathers. In fact, Franklin’s Autobiography is the most read autobiography of all time. If you’ve never read it or it has been years since you first read it, it will bring a smile to your face from this master of wit, anecdotes and wisdom. The first class will be a history lesson of Franklin and his life while the second class will discuss the short read. A great class for those on the Philadelphia OLLI trip in October.

Bret Harte is one of the finest writers during the Californias Gold Rush. Born in New York, Harte contracted Gold Fever and came overland at age 17 to work the gold fields. His short stories are classic California literature. Over these two classes, we will read and discuss his short stories including, The Luck of Roaring Camp, The Outcasts of Poker Flat and the infamous —The Heathen Chinee. Mark Twain credited Harte with helping develop him as a fine writer. Later, the two violently clashed leading to the demise of Harte in literary circles because of Twain’s wrath. Readings will be provided at the first class.

Set against the political turmoil of 1964, particularly passage of the Civil Rights Act, The Secret Life of Bees examines the ability of perspective to equalize human behavior, reaction, and response, and invites the possibility of cross-racial communication. Comparatively, the community photography of African American photographers Marion Butts, Louise O. Martin, and S. Juanita Williams, recorded achievement, self, and self-worth during this era. The photographs of Florence Mars and the Southern Documentary Project will add to this conversation.  The novel’s thematic adaptation for the screen will be studied alongside period photography.
(On-ground) Membership not required for tuition-free courses. 

Tuition-free Class
Must complete Sierra College application/registration form - click here for more information and forms 
If needed, we can email you the application/registration form. Email us at: olli@sierracollege.edu   

Set against the political turmoil of 1964, particularly passage of the Civil Rights Act, The Secret Life of Bees examines the ability of perspective to equalize human behavior, reaction, and response, and invites the possibility of cross-racial communication. Comparatively, the community photography of African American photographers Marion Butts, Louise O. Martin, and S. Juanita Williams, recorded achievement, self, and self-worth during this era. The photographs of Florence Mars and the Southern Documentary Project will add to this conversation.  The novel’s thematic adaptation for the screen will be studied alongside period photography.
(On-ground) Membership not required for tuition-free courses. 

Tuition-free Class
Must complete Sierra College application/registration form - click here for more information and forms 
If needed, we can email you the application/registration form. Email us at: olli@sierracollege.edu   

This book club will focus on the First Ladies and Presidents sent to the Executive Mansion from Virginia. Each month, we will focus on one First Couple. Participants may choose any book about the month’s President, First Lady, and/or their family. We will discuss what we learned and compare the books we each read. (Recommended reading list provided).
 

Scotsman John Muir did more to transpose California than any single person in the Golden State. His efforts brought us Muir Woods, Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. This two-part class investigates the life of John Muir and selected readings of his writings about his wild adventures. In one adventure, he wanted to know what birds and squirrels felt in a horrific winter windstorm, so he climbed to the top of a 100 ft. tall pine tree and hung-on for the wild ride. Maybe you’ll enjoy his writings on having a conversation with a Grizzly Bear 10 yards away from him. Let’s together honor and appreciate the life of John Muir.