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| Winter Speaker Luncheon |
| C973 |
Dec. 10 |
| Thursday |
11:30am |
| TUB |
$12 members, $20 nonmembers |
CRI is pleased to present its fifty-sixth event on Thursday, December 10th, on the second floor of the Triton Union Building on the main campus of Edmonds Community College. The event includes a luncheon with guest speaker and is sponsored by the Dr. Maybelle Chapman Speakers Series. Join Nancy Leson for her indulgent presentation, "All You Can Eat, and Then Some: Why Greater Seattle is a Food-Lovers Paradise!" She spent nearly 20 years waiting tables before trading her apron and corkscrew for a writers notebook and keyboard. She joined the Seattle Times as lead restaurant critic in 1998 and today keeps her finger on the pulse of the local food scene on her Seattle Times blog, All You Can Eat (www.seattletimes.com/allyoucaneat). Nancy's "Food for Thought" radio commentaries air weekly on Seattle NPR-affiliate KPLU (www.kplu.org/leson). Seating will begin at 11:30am followed by lunch. The presentation will begin at approximately 12:40pm and includes time for questions.
The luncheon cost is $12 for CRI members. The event is open to the public. Tickets for the luncheon and speaker are $20 and available for purchase at the CRI office (T-F 10:00am-2:00pm) in the Edmonds Conference Center (201 4th Ave . N., downtown Edmonds) or by mail using a registration form. No phone reservations. Register or purchase your tickets before November 26th. |
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| Archaeology and The Bible* |
| C957 |
Feb. 3-Mar. 3 |
| Wednesdays |
9:30am-11:30am |
| MAB 108 |
$50 |
| We will explore the Bible stories of Abraham, Jesus, and the Dead Sea Scrolls to discover how archaeology continues to inform our understanding of the Bible. Rev. Gibson will help class members to experience an actual dig through pictures and discussion. Rev. Gibson is a popular teacher and former CRI Board member. 5 sessions. |
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| √ Archaeology of the Pacific Northwest |
| C959 |
Feb. 4-Feb. 25 |
| Thursdays |
10:00am-12:00pm |
| MAB 108 |
$40 |
| Evidence of past human occupation is all around us, including news-making sites near the modern Ozette, Discovery Park and Port Angeles. Learn of the earliest material evidence of people in the Pacific Northwest through the magnificent record of maritime subsistence and social hierarchy left by nearly 12,000 years of hunter-gatherers. The instructor will discuss the basic techniques used by archaeologists to reconstruct the past, including radiocarbon dating, stratigraphy, stone tools, faunal and floral remains, and oral histories. Jennie Shaw received her PhD from the UW in archaeology and is a lecturer in anthropology there. She has done research and field work in the San Juan Islands, Fort Clatsop, urban Seattle, Kodiak Island, and France. 4 sessions. |
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| Art 1765-1848: Revolution and Romanticism |
| C901 |
Feb. 22-Mar. 15 |
| Mondays |
10:00am-12:00pm |
| Blakely |
$50 |
| The 18th century has been called the Age of Reason, and the Neoclassical style which took root in the 1760s better expresses Enlightenment ideals than the frivolous Rococo art that preceded it. Neoclassicism became the preferred style of Louis XVI, Thomas Jefferson and Napoleon, but other artists of their era rejected rationality in favor of emotion and intuition. The new Romantic sensibility sought inspiration in human passions and in the sublime, awe-inspiring aspects of nature. Some artists we will explore include David, Goya, Friedrich, Delacroix and Turner. Rebecca Albiani gives a popular lecture series at the Frye Art Museum. 4 sessions. |
| |
| √The Beginnings of Modernism in Architecture |
| C903 |
Jan. 8-Jan. 29 |
| Fridays |
1:00pm-3:00pm |
| MAB 108 |
$40 |
| Modern architecture became a cultural phenomenon in Europe at the beginning of the 20th century. But where did it come from? What led to the radical shift in ideas that made modern architecture possible? We will study the origins of architecture in Europe from the beginning of the century to the height of the Bauhaus, as well as the strong influence of Frank Lloyd Wright on early European modernists. Steve Turner has his own interior design firm and holds an MA from Seattle University. He is an instructor of modern architectural history and the history of modern design at Bellevue College. 4 sessions. |
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| Billy, Carmen, Mabel, Sammy and Sarah Sing the Great American Songbook |
| C923 |
Feb. 19-Mar. 12 |
| Fridays |
1:30pm-3:45pm |
| MAB 108 |
$45 |
| Celebrate Black History Month with the musical talent of Billy Eckstine, Carmen McRae, Mabel Mercer, Sammy Davis, Jr., and Sarah Vaughan. Original recordings and rare video and film clips will be featured. There will also be special handouts about each artist. Expect guest appearances by Count Basie, Nat King Cole, Bing Crosby, Duke Ellington, Hildegarde, Lena Horne, Bobby Short, and Frank Sinatra. Enjoy classic entertainment this winter. John James is a retired librarian from Shoreline Community College with advanced degrees in history and library science and a life-long interest in the best of popular music from the '30s, '40s, and '50s. 4 sessions. |
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| √ Current Issues Forum: The US and the Disaster in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Central Asia |
| C871 |
Mar. 5-Mar. 12 |
| Fridays |
10:00am-12:00pm |
| MAB 108 |
$20 |
| Christopher Hitchens has described Ahmed Rashid as Pakistans best and bravest reporter. Join in a discussion of Rashids recent book, Descent into Chaos, which Greg Mortenson, author of Three Cups of Tea, calls a crucial book with a timely message for policy-makers. Mortenson further states that the book is a thoughtful dissection of recent events in central Asia, and provides insight into the future scenarios of where the road maps to terror and peace may be headed. Descent into Choas is available in paperback. John McGibbon is a CRI member with an AB degree from Dartmouth College. He is a retired Boeing finance manager with a strong interest in current affairs. 2 sessions. |
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| √ The Development of Handwriting and Its Impact Today* |
| C995 |
Jan. 13-Jan. 27 |
| Wednesdays |
1:00pm-3:00pm |
| CON |
$30 |
| In this computer/internet driven age, it is timely to look back at how letterforms have been created and evolved through human history. From the earliest forms of recorded pictograms to medieval manuscripts to todays computer-generated fonts, letterforms have affected world cultures. Discover the power of written words and how the evolution of letterforms continues to impact our lives today. Charlemagne unified his empire partly by enforcing a standardized writing system. Hitler required his citizens to use Gothic handwriting as a standardized means of enforcing his delusions about Teutonic culture. And the division of Europe into Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox communities is still expressed by the Roman and Cyrillic alphabets. We will study early forms such as cuneiform, runes, and several others leading up to the letters used today. From craft to fine art, the world of calligraphy has been the focus of Dewey Hendersons work since 1975. She was the organizing president of Write On Calligraphers, the principal calligraphy organization in Washington State, and continues to serve on the Board of Directors. She recently retired following 26 years of teaching calligraphy at the Frances Anderson Center in Edmonds. Pat Thyden, co-instructor, studied calligraphy in Washington D.C. and has done calligraphic work for the U.S. State Department. 3 sessions. |
| |
| √ Dickens In and On America |
| C913 |
Feb. 3-Feb. 24 |
| Wednesdays |
1:00pm-3:00pm |
| MAB 108 |
$40 |
| Dickens twice toured America. Basking in his growing international popularity, he came for five months in 1842 to meet American writers and visit major cities. He expected to find an ideal Republic, but finally was disappointed. From correspondence and notes of this trip, he published his first nonfictional book, American Notes, and in his next novel, Martin Chuzzlewit, he fictionalized his American experience in bringing his title character to our country. More than two decades later, he returned to America in 1868 for public readings of his fiction. Visit Dickens and the country he found on both occasions. Readings will center on American Notes, pertinent chapters from Martin Chuzzlewit, and a sample from the public readings he gave in America. Richard Dunn is professor emeritus of English at the UW. He has written about and taught a wide range of Victorian literature, with Dickens remaining his special interest and has given CRI classes on Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights and film adaptations of Dickens. 4 sessions. |
| |
| Eagles Fell and The World Turned Upside Down, Part 2 |
| C905 |
Jan. 6-Jan. 27 |
| Wednesdays |
9:30am-11:30am |
| CON |
$45 |
| In 1848, the "Spring of the peoples revolutions" burst forth all across Europe. This time the 'Rights of Man" would be fulfilled and liberty, equality, fraternity would reign. After three years, the old order was restored. Conservatism and reaction again ruled until Europes last great civil war, 1914-1918. Then the Eagles fell and the world turned upside down. In this second of a three-part series we will examine the history of these events and their consequences for America and the world. Part I is not a prerequisite for Part II, which will begin with World War I and the period immediately following. David A. McCourt taught history and political science for 30 years at Everett Community College and has presented classes for CRI for 16 years. 4 sessions. |
| |
| √ The Elephant in the Room: India Today |
| C873 |
Jan. 25-Feb. 8 |
| Mondays |
12:00pm-2:00pm |
| Blakely |
$30 |
| We will look at India's development as an independent nation and the actions it is taking to establish itself as an economic and political global power. Also hear how India is attempting to address issues such as poverty, education, and environmental degradation. Keith Snodgrass is Associate Director of the South Asia Center at the Jackson School of International Studies at UW. He has studied in India and Pakistan, and previously presented two highly-praised classes for CRI. A suggested text is Imagining India: The Idea of a Renewed Nation by Nandan Nilekani. 3 sessions. |
| |
| √ EU Update: Europe after Lisbon |
| C875 |
Jan. 14 |
| Thursday |
1:00pm-3:00pm |
| Blakely |
$10 |
| The European Union is a unique form of governance and cooperation that continues to evolve and expand as it enters the second decade of the 21st century. Potential new member states, including Croatia and Turkey, are in negotiations to join the EU, while Europeans debate and discuss the impact of the Lisbon Treaty and possible future directions of EU integration. How has the EU evolved over the last decade and where will it be ten years from now? How have these changes affected Europes role in the world and its relationship with its closest economic and strategic partner, the United States? This course will seek to provide perspectives on these issues, while also offering an overview of the basic nature and functions of the European Union. Phillip Shekleton is Associate Director of the European Union Center of Seattle and the Center for West European Studies at the UW. He has been the lead administrator of the EU Center since its inception in 1998, and became Associate Director of both centers in 2001. He received his BA in history and political science from the University of California San Diego and his MA in political science from the UW. 1 session. |
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| √ Fact and Fiction |
| C915 |
Jan. 7-Jan. 28 |
| Thursdays |
10:00am-12:00pm |
| MAB 108 |
$10 |
| We are not your average book discussion group! Participants make their own reading choices and come prepared to present brief reviews and share their appraisals. You may select a past or current author in any genre. Learn from each other through informal discussion. Marge Young and Dorothy Jennings are avid readers who have conducted this class for years. 4 sessions. |
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| √ Farmland Preservation |
| C877 |
Mar. 10 |
| Wednesday |
10:00am-12:00pm |
| Blakely |
$10 |
| In this course, we will discuss and highlight the work of PCC Farmland Trust, covering topics of land use, growth management, organic agriculture and the local food movement in our Puget Sound region. Students will be left with a better understanding of farmland preservation efforts, the importance of local food, and ways to become involved in farmland preservation efforts. Melissa Campbell has a BS in agriculture and environmental economics from The Ohio State University and an MA in environment and community from Antioch University. She has worked on land and species conservation for the City of Seattle and King County and currently manages the Farmland Stewardship program at PCC Farmland Trust. 1 session. |
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| Fire and Brimstone: Geology of Volcanos |
| C961 |
Jan. 4-Feb. 8 |
| Mondays |
9:00am-11:00am |
| MAB 108 |
$50 |
| Volcanos dominate their surrounding regions and their eruptions are compelling events. As much as many tourists do, geologists regard an eruption as an awe-inspiring, magnificent, even frightening event, but always as a fascinating opportunity. We will discuss the types of volcanos, how they are produced, why and how they appear on the earth, and how we can exist with them in respectful harmony. Donn Charnley is a professor emeritus of geology at Shoreline Community College. He earned an MS degree in geology from the UW, and has taught for Seattle schools, the UW, Shoreline CC, and for CRI (since 2003). No class on January 18! 5 sessions. |
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| √ Introduction to Theravada Buddhism |
| C945 |
Feb. 18-Mar. 11 |
| Thursdays |
1:00pm-3:00pm |
| MAB 108 |
$40 |
| To introduce students to Theravada Buddhism we will discuss its history, basic concepts, and the important elements of Theravada doctrine: no-self, karma, rebirth, impermanence, and several types of meditation. We will examine Theravada Buddhism as it is practiced today in several countries, including Burma, Thailand, Sri Lanka and the US. Matt Walton is a PhD student in the Department of Political Science at the UW. His research focuses on Buddhism and politics in Southeast Asia. In Spring 2009, he taught a well-received CRI course entitled, Making Sense of Burma/Myanmar. 4 sessions. |
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| √ Maritime History of the Pacific Northwest |
| C907 |
Jan. 5-Jan. 19 |
| Tuesdays |
10:00am-12:00pm |
| MAB 108 |
$30 |
| An overview of maritime history and industry in the Pacific Northwest from canoes to sails, steam to diesel, tugboats to ferries. Students will trace the salt-water history of our coast, take a look at the craftsmen, mariners and development of marine travel occupations of early coastal times to the present. If you relish the thought of learning about the people and boats exploring or working on the salt water around us, this is the class for you. Recommended reading: Tall Ships on Puget Sound and Tugboats on Puget Sound, both by Chuck Fowler. Instructors Karl House and Chuck Fowler have extensive backgrounds in PNW maritime history, from military service to current volunteer service at the Puget Sound Maritime Historical Society in Seattle. Both maintain a strong interest in teaching about our local waters and their boats, ships and industries. 3 sessions. |
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| √ Modern Egyptian Culture |
| C879 |
Mar. 3-Mar. 10 |
| Wednesdays |
1:00pm-3:00pm |
| MAB 108 |
$20 |
| A panel composed of Egyptian students who are enrolled at Edmonds Community College will discuss the diversity, economics and daily life of modern Egypt. As recent arrivals to America, they bring a current perspective to the discussion. Chuck Cox is an instructor at EdCC and has taught in nine countries, including two in the Middle East. He has a strong interest in languages and cultures, having traveled to more than 30 countries. 2 sessions. |
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| √ Predictions from Chaos Theory and Quantum Mechanics |
| C963 |
Feb. 23-Mar. 9 |
| Tuesdays |
10:00am-12:00pm |
| MAB 108 |
$30 |
| Physical scientists try to understand nature and to use this understanding to predict the future, not always as easy as it seems. We begin Session 1 with a discussion of chaos theory: why are all snowflakes and fingerprints different and why is it so hard to predict the weather? Session 2, using models of extreme simplicity, will show how behavior of arbitrary complexity, as well as complex but regular pattern formation, follows from very simple rules. In Session 3, we enter quantum mechanics, leading to new levels of puzzlement and uncertainty. No math! No physics! A course for non-scientists, for those with a lively curiosity about the natural phenomena all around us and how nature might or might not work. Optional readings: Chaos: Making a New Science, James Gleick; A New Kind of Science Stephen Wolfram; The Fabric of Reality, David Deutsch. William P. Reinhardt is a professor of chemistry and adjunct professor of physics, UW. He taught at Harvard, the University of Colorado Boulder, and at the University of Pennsylvania. He enjoys teaching pre-freshman Discovery Seminars and giving public lectures in the sciences and mathematics. 3 sessions. |
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| √ Selma Lagerolf and The Saga of Gosta Berling* |
| C917 |
Feb. 3-Feb. 24 |
| Wednesdays |
10:00am-11:30am |
| Blakely |
$30 |
| In the late 1800s several Scandinavian writers achieved unprecedented international standing. Among them was Swedish writer Selma Lagerlf with her 1891 novel, The Saga of Gosta Berling. This story, grounded in Swedish culture and folklore, still ranks among the most widely read books in Swedish literature. Lagerlf was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1909 (the first woman and first Swedish writer to be so honored). We will read and discuss selected chapters of The Saga of Gsta Berling as a central work in a fascinating decade. Pauls new translation of the book is available in paperback, Penguin Classic series. Please read the Prologue and chapters 1-6 before the first class meeting. Paul Norlen has a PhD in Scandinavian languages and literature from the UW. He is a professional translator/editor of Swedish language and Scandinavian literature and an affiliate assistant professor in the Department of Scandinavian Studies at the UW. 4 sessions. |
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| √ Side by Side Yet Worlds Apart: Mexico and the United States |
| C881 |
Feb. 5-Feb. 26 |
| Fridays |
10:00am-11:30am |
| Blakely |
$30 |
| Poor Mexico, so far from God and so close to the United States. This old Mexican saying reflects the unequal relationship between Mexico and the Colossus of the North. The course will focus on the turbulent history of Mexico since 1825, with emphasis on its uneasy relationship with its giant neighbor to the north. Mike McBeth has a BA, Spanish language and literature, UW; MA, University of Wisconsin Madison; and a PhD, UW. He taught Latin American history at St. Olaf College and Carleton College and later worked in investment banking at SeaFirst Bank. 4 sessions. |
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| √ The Silk Road |
| C909 |
Jan. 26-Feb. 16 |
| Tuesdays |
10:00am-12:00pm |
| MAB 108 |
$40 |
Four lectures on the Silk Road, past and present, with slides:
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Between Xian and Constantinople Caravan
- Cities Monks and Merchants
-
New Games on the Old Road.
Frank and Ruth Harold are scientists by profession and travelers by avocation. Over the past 40 years they have traveled extensively in Asia, including almost all of the Silk Road. They have done their homework by reading and have written a series of articles on the subject. 4 sessions. |
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| √ Sir Gawain and the Green Knight |
| C919 |
Jan. 21-Feb. 11 |
| Thursdays |
1:00pm-3:00pm |
| MAB 108 |
$40 |
| We will read the works of the anonymous 14th-century English poet known either as the Gawain Poet or the Pearl Poet. A contemporary of Chaucer, his poems exist only in a single manuscript, but attain a remarkable level of artistry. The first two class meetings will be devoted to Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, the last two to discussing The Pearl and Patience. Students are asked to read the first two parts (or fitts) of Gawain for the first meeting. The suggested text for this course (so well all be on the same page) is Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Patience, Pearl: Verse Translations by Marie Borroff, widely available in paperback. Sean Taylor holds a PhD in English from the UW, and has taught as a professor at Portland State University and Hamilton College. His main areas of expertise are Old and Middle English literature. 4 sessions. |
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| √ Using Natures Wonders to Improve Technology and Medicine |
| C965 |
Jan. 19-Feb. 9 |
| Tuesdays |
1:00pm-3:00pm |
| MAB 108 |
$40 |
| Explore biomimicry, human technology improved by imitating natures designs, such as techniques for navigation, target recognition, low-power cold light, and adhesives. Drugs and therapies developed from natures designs include sunscreens, diabetes and anti-cancer drugs. We will show how these are accomplished and how the study of biomimicry is making our lives better. John N. Johnson is a retired Boeing mathematician, with a PhD in applied mathematics from the University of California Berkeley. Dr. Johnson developed computer algorithms for airborne radar, military aircraft, and spacecraft navigation guidance and control during flight. He has taught advanced math evening classes for Boeing and at the UW. 4 sessions. |
| |
| √ The Versatile Edgar Allan Poe |
| C921 |
Jan. 8-Jan. 29 |
| Fridays |
10:00am-12:00pm |
| MAB 108 |
$40 |
| Edgar Allan Poe is probably best known for his frightening stories and his melancholy poetry, but he wrote prolifically in other veins as well. We will begin with tales of horror: "Ligeia, "The Fall of the House of Usher," "The Mask of the Red Death," "The Pit and the Pendulum," "The Tell-Tale Heart," "The Black Cat," "The Premature Burial" and "The Cask of Amontillado." In the second session, well discuss three mysteries: "The Murders in the Rue Morgue,' "The Mystery of Marie Roget" and "The Gold Bug." Session three will focus on adventure: "Ms. Found in a Bottle," "A Descent into the Maelstrom" and "Eleanora: A Fable." Last, well enjoy some of Poes humorous stories: "The Duke de l'Omelette", 'Loss of Breath',"Why the Little Frenchman Wears His Hand in a Sling", "The Angle of the Odd", "The Literary Life of Thingum Bob, Esq." and "The Thousand and Second Tale of Scheherazade" along with a few poems: "Lenore," "The Raven,'" "Ulalume," "Eldorado," 'Annabel Lee" and "The Bells." All are available in The Unabridged Edgar Allan Poe. Ginny Enstad has a masters degree in literature. Now retired from the Edmonds School District, she continues to be an enthusiastic reader who values literature as a way to understand our world and ourselves. 4 sessions. |
| |
| Vive la Diffrence! A Survey of the Great French Composers |
| C925 |
Feb. 16-Mar. 9 |
| Tuesdays |
1:00pm-3:00pm |
| Blakely |
$45 |
| I cannot perform French music, admitted the great Italian Baroque era violinist and composer, Arcangelo Corelli. It's in a different language. Yes, over the centuries the French have created a unique classical music accent, distinct from the two major national streams that have traditionally dominated Western "art" music: Italy for opera and Germany/Austria for instrumental works. Popular CRI lecturer Steven Lowe will guide listeners through a panorama of great music, ranging from Jean-Baptiste Lully (dominant court composer for Louis XIV), continuing through Jean-Philippe Rameau, Hector Berlioz, Claude Debussy, Maurice Ravel and other engaging Gallic composers past and present. Lectures will be illustrated with recordings from Mr. Lowes extensive library of CDs. 4 sessions. |
| |
| √ Whats New?* |
| C883 |
Jan. 6-Jan. 27 |
| Wednesdays |
1:00pm-3:00pm |
| MAB 108 |
$40 |
| Lets talk about the news. We will read and discuss articles about the people, places, and events shaping our world today. Discussion material will be distributed in class. Judy Kessinger was a librarian at the Library of Congress. |
