Senior Learners, Inc. Online Course Catalog for 2020-Fall Term

Click on the course title to register for the course.

Health and Better Living
Title	Instructor	First	Weeks	Starts	Ends	Fee
Your Deceptive Mind IV	Putzeys	Mon, 8/31/20	5	10:00 AM	11:00 AM	$12.50
Discover the science of cognitive biases and critical thinking and become a savvier, sharper critical thinker in your professional and personal life. This course includes additional lectures in the course of the same name from The Great Courses.
An Introduction to Infectious Diseases I	Putzeys	Mon, 10/12/20	5	10:30 AM	11:30 AM	$12.50
This first course in a series is by Dr. Roberto Putzeys, a retired radiation oncologist. In this course and the second in the series, Dr. Putzeys will be supplementing the lectures of Professor Barry Fox, M.D., in The Great Courses: An Introduction to Infectious Diseases.
An Introduction to Infectious Diseases II	Putzeys	Mon, 11/16/20	5	10:30 AM	11:30 AM	$12.50
This second course in a series is by Dr. Roberto Putzeys, a retired radiation oncologist. In this course, Dr. Putzeys will continue supplementing the lectures of Professor Barry Fox, M.D., in The Great Courses: An Introduction to Infectious Diseases.
The Holidays Are Here	Patterson	Wed, 11/18/20	4	10:30 AM	12:00 PM	$15.00
Let us enjoy the holidays together. Special seasons of the year mean we celebrate family, friends, fun, and food. During this class, we will learn about each other’s traditions, plan a party, create wonderful holiday menus, have a virtual cookie exchange, remember special music, work on creating meaningful gifts and identify ways to share seasonal kindness with our less fortunate Ocala neighbors.
History and Geography
Title	Instructor	First	Weeks	Starts	Ends	Fee
Winston Churchill Early Career Through WWI	Hautanen	Tue, 9/1/20	4	1:30 PM	2:30 PM	$10.00
Here we will explore Winston Churchill in the period from his entry into politics through the First World War. What issues did he face in his public and personal life? How did he rise so meteorically? How did the memories and legends of his family drive him? This course will make use of multiple Great Courses series, some focused directly on the man, others on major historical events of the time.
Eurasian Steppe Nomads: The First Indo-European Speakers	Holloran	Wed, 9/2/20	4	1:30 PM	3:00 PM	$15.00
The First Indo-European Speakers were the pastoral steppe nomads who tamed horses, invented the wheel, and spread their language throughout Europe and Asia. The course starts with an overview of steppe geography, the evolving steppe way life, and the war that persisted for six thousand years. This course is the first in a series of four about Eurasian Steppe Nomads. The series explores how the powerful militarized nomadic peoples impacted eventual development of the modern world for six thousand years up to the early 1900s. They interacted with and often conquered much larger, powerful sedentary civilizations in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and East and South Asia. The European Steppe Nomads courses are based on key lectures from 65 in several of The Great Courses. These courses also include online videos and materials for home study. Attendance at all courses in the series is desirable, but new students can join any course.
Winston Churchill Between The World Wars	Hautanen	Tue, 9/29/20	4	1:30 PM	2:30 PM	$10.00
Let us examine this fascinating period in the life of Winston Churchill. He reached great heights of fame and power, and was then relegated to what he called the political wilderness. Money troubles and near death experiences followed him as usual. This course will make use of multiple Great Courses series, some focused directly on the man, others on major historical events of the time.
European Steppe Nomads - The Huns	Holloran	Wed, 9/30/20	3	1:30 PM	3:00 PM	$11.25
The Huns were preceded by several militarized confederations of pastoral steppe nomads. Atilla the Hun successfully united the Hun tribes and led them in the conquest of the lands across the frontiers of the Roman Empire. The European Steppe Nomads courses are based on key lectures from 65 in several of The Great Courses. These courses also include online videos and materials for home study. Attendance at all courses in the series is desirable, but new students can join any course in the series.
Tour the History, Art, and Culture of Washington D. C. Part 2	Crawford	Fri, 10/2/20	4	1:30 PM	3:30 PM	$20.00
From your living room continue your tour of the Nation's Capital from its origin to its present cultural features. Along the way you will get insights from one who grew up in (and later escaped from) the big city. The course is based in part on video lectures by Richard Kurin, Ph.D.,Undersecretary of Culture at the Smithsonian Museums from one of the Great Courses: Great Tours: Washington, D.C.
Eurasian Steppe Nomads - The Turkish Speakers	Holloran	Wed, 10/21/20	4	1:30 PM	3:00 PM	$11.25
The Turk tribes initially emerged from the Mongolian Steppes. They evolved while spreading west across the steppes, becoming ascendant and then being replaced by another. While ascendent, they impacted the sedentary civilizations to the south, frequently replacing the Iranian languages of the Middle East and Central Asia. In the process, they spread Islam to what is now Turkey, Pakistan, and India. They also had a profound effect on the development of Moslem Civilization in the Middle Ages. The European Steppe Nomads courses are based on key lectures from 65 in several of The Great Courses. These courses also include online videos and materials for home study. Attendance at all courses in the series is desirable, but new students can join any course in the series.
Winston Churchill World War II	Hautanen	Tue, 10/27/20	4	1:30 PM	2:30 PM	$10.00
The best known portion of Winston Churchill’s life and career is undoubtedly his stint as British prime minister during the Second World War. It is not too difficult too conclude that he was the only person who could have accomplished what he did at this crucial time of world history. We will use multiple Great Courses and other materials to examine this extraordinary period.
Greece & the Balkans - Birth of West and Battleground of East	Coffey	Thu, 10/29/20	4	10:30 AM	11:30 AM	$10.00
Southeast Europe, the area known as the Balkans, has been a battleground for empires for centuries and a cauldron of civilizational clashes of East and West to the present. The Balkan area has diverse religions, cultures, languages, and geopolitics. Greece was the birthplace of democracy and progenitor of western culture. At the other extreme, the Balkans was the battleground of the violent breakup of Yugoslavia into 8 separate states. Although only a fraction of Europe's population, the Balkans have been a large part of Europe's fractures. Lectures will be presented live via Zoom and lecture notes will be emailed in advance and posted on coffeynotes.com.
Winston Churchill Second Prime Ministership	Hautanen	Tue, 11/24/20	4	1:30 PM	2:30 PM	$10.00
Our final look at Winston Churchill will be the period after WWII. Churchill’s war time coalition government ended before Japan had even surrendered. Though no longer prime minister he became the leader of the Tory party and thus leader of the opposition. During this time he gave his famous Iron Curtain speech, and then in 1951 the Tories won a general election and WSC would serve a 2nd term as prime minister. What were the major issues this time?
Eurasian Steppe Nomads - The Mongols	Holloran	Wed, 12/2/20	3	1:30 PM	3:00 PM	$11.25
This course begins with Chinggis (often pronounced Genghis) Kahn successfully uniting the Mongol tribes and starting a series of conquests in the early Thirteenth Century. His sons and grandsons finished these conquests. The Mongol Empire eventually covered most of Eurasia, becoming the largest contiguous empire in history. His grandson Qubilai (often pronounced Kublai) Khan through his conquests of China founded the Yuan Dynasty that replaced the Song Dynasty. He eventually ruled a united China and 1/6 of the land area of the Earth in the late Thirteenth Century. The European Steppe Nomads courses are based on key lectures from 65 in several of The Great Courses. These courses also include online videos and materials for home study. Attendance at all courses in the series is desirable, but, new students can join any course in the series.
Italy and the Italians Among Us	Kelly	Thu, 12/3/20	1	1:30 PM	2:30 PM	$2.50
What can one say about the great country of Italy-except that it only became a real country in 1871? Before then it was an interesting collection of powerful city states- such as Venice, Florence, Milan, etc. The contributions of Italy to world culture are amazing and overwhelming. I have visited Italy three times - in different parts of the country - so I will take you overland to see some of these cities and the Italian countryside. But why then did so many citizens from this land immigrate to the USA. Beginning in 1870 to 1920 floods of people from Italy arrived on our shores. They were the poor and disenfranchised; many became successful. Here are some of the names you may companies that you may know founded by Italian immigrants from Italy: Ghirardelli Chocolate Company, Progresso, Planters Peanuts, Contadina, Chef Boyardee, Italian Swiss Colony wines and Jacuzzi.
Understanding the Best Countries of the World	Coffey	Thu, 12/3/20	3	10:30 AM	11:30 AM	$7.50
There are some 200 countries in our modern world of diverse geographies, politics, economics, cultures, and geopolitical influence. But an elite few standout for the past several decades as consistently serving their citizens in a superior way. While it is true that the world is dynamic and the best countries today may not necessarily remain on top forever, nevertheless there are three groups of advanced countries which are widely recognized as among the best. These three groups are scattered on 4 different continents, relatively small in population ( 5 to 50 million), though not necessarily in area and none is considered a world power. These three groups are Scandinavia (Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Finland), the Asian Tigers (Hong Kong, S Korea, Taiwan, and Singapore) and the British offshoots (Canada, Australia, and New Zealand). This zoom class will focus one class on each of these groups and explore why they are considered among the best and compare and contrast their secrets to success. Lectures will be presented live via Zoom with time reserved for discussion. Presentations will be emailed in advance and posted on coffeynotes.com.
Romania and the Romanians Among Us	Kelly	Thu, 12/10/20	1	1:30 PM	2:30 PM	$2.50
Us Bucharest, the capital of Romania, was once known as the Paris of the East. It was the culture center of the Slavic world. But the sad history created conditions in which many Romanians - especially Ashkenazi Jews - left the country. There are many Romanians among us - mostly in New York, California, Florida, and spread throughout the country. I will take you to this interesting country that I have visited twice. We will also go to that mysterious place called Transylvania - you may even meet Dracula.
Literature and Language
Title	Instructor	First	Weeks	Starts	Ends	Fee
Language Families of Asia	Holloran	Fri, 10/2/20	5	10:30 AM	12:00 PM	$18.75
This course explores the language families of Asia. In it, we will follow Eurasian Steppe Nomads as they spread several of these language families across Eurasia. The course is based on lectures by Professor John McWhorter from his The Great Courses Language Families of the World. We will supplement his lectures with information from other sources.
Science and Technology
Title	Instructor	First	Weeks	Starts	Ends	Fee
Tour the History, Art, and Culture of Washington, D.C	Crawford	Wed, 9/2/20	4	10:00 AM	12:00 PM	$20.00
From your living room take a tour of the Nation's Capital from its origin to its present cultural features. Along the way you will get insights from one who grew up in (and later escaped from) the big city. The course is based in part on video lectures by Richard Kurin, Ph.D.,Undersecretary of Culture at the Smithsonian Museums from one of the Great Courses: Great Tours: Washington, D.C.
The Search for the Causes of Dark Matter and Energy	Holloran	Fri, 9/4/20	4	10:30 AM	12:00 PM	$15.00
This course follows the Summer Term course, The Evidence for Dark Matter and Energy. In this course, we will review the unsuccessful results of recent research into the causes of Dark Matter and Dark Energy. The expected Dark Matter particle has eluded physicists for almost 40 years. Now, new explanations are being considered for the evidence of Dark Matter and Energy. This course will be primarily based on video and printed online resources about the latest theories and experiments.
Leonardo da Vinci and the Italian High Renaissance I	Pealer	Tue, 9/22/20	3	10:30 AM	12:00 PM	$11.25
/"Leonardo da Vinci is the one of the most recognized figures in history…/" This course covers his early life and works, as well as the context in which he lived, 1452-1519, known as the High Renaissance. This was a time of intellectual advancement, geographic exploration during which there was much political instability and intrigue. It is based in part on lectures from one of The Great Courses: Leonardo da Vinci and the Italian High Renaissance by Professor George Bent from Washington and Lee University.
Special Abilities and Limitations: Prodigies and Autism	Stephens	Thu, 10/1/20	4	10:00 AM	11:30 AM	$15.00
Do you or do you have relatives that have uncommon cognitive capabilities? During this course will examine the autism spectrum and the types and nature of child prodigies. How do such unusual personalities develop? We will look at genetic factors and how the brains of these individuals appear to differ from most human brains. We will look at the common links between the behaviors of those diagnosed as autistic and as prodigies.
Mac 102: Tips and Tricks	Davis	Tue, 10/13/20	1	10:00 AM	11:30 AM	$3.75
Once you have mastered the essentials, it is time to learn a few tips and tricks to get more from your computer. Mac 102 will provide you with tips, tools, and techniques to help you use your Mac more effectively. You will start by learning how to use System Preferences to personalize your computer. You will learn to use several Mac utilities, get information about security, and learn how to avoid problems. Class participants will get links to useful resources and there will be ample time for questions and discussion.
Tech Topics	Davis	Mon, 11/2/20	1	1:00 PM	2:30 PM	$3.75
Tech Topics may include short presentations about hardware and software, tutorials, and Zoom tips. It is like meeting in a coffee house. Come to talk about your computer problems. You may get answers, you may not! Ah well, that is life.
Language and the Mind	Holloran	Fri, 11/6/20	5	10:00 AM	11:30 AM	$18.75
Modern technology has permitted new insights into how the mind processes language. Furthermore, we now know much more about why children easily learn even the most complex of native languages. We also know why many adults find learning a language very difficult. This course uses lectures from one of The Great Courses of the same name by Professor Spencer Kelly of Colgate University, supplemented with other online resources.
Mac 103: Organization and Productivity	Davis	Tue, 11/10/20	1	10:00 AM	11:30 AM	$3.75
Ready to learn how to get more from your Mac? Mac 103 will give you tips to help you organize your Mac and will introduce you to the productivity apps included in all computers. Learn how to find and remove clutter and how to use utilities to improve the performance of your computer. Learn how to use Notes as a Personal Knowledge Library. Get introduced to Pages, Numbers, and Keynote and see examples of how they can help you with various chores. Class participants will get links to useful resources and there will be ample time for questions and discussion.
Leonardo da Vinci and the Italian High Renaissance II	Pealer	Tue, 11/17/20	3	10:30 AM	12:00 PM	$11.25
/"Leonardo da Vinci is the one of the most recognized figures in history…/" This course completes his life and works as well as the context in which he lived, 1452-1519, known as the High Renaissance. This was a time of intellectual advancement, geographic exploration during which there was much political instability and intrigue. It is based in part on lectures from one of The Great Courses: Leonardo da Vinci and the Italian High Renaissance by Professor George Bent from Washington and Lee University.
Experiencing Hubble: Exploring the Milky Way	Cheney	Fri, 11/20/20	3	1:30 PM	3:00 PM	$11.25
Dr. Jerry Cheney is the President of the Alachua Astronomy Club. He will bring you an inside look at the Milky Way through the big eye of the Hubble Space Telescope. He will be supplementing lectures by Professor David Meyer for The Great Courses: Experiencing Hubble - Exploring the Milky Way.
Mac 104: Maintenance and More	Davis	Tue, 12/8/20	1	10:00 AM	11:30 AM	$3.75
There comes a time in the life of every computer when problems strike. Mac 104 will give you tips on avoiding problems and how to fix them when they occur. You will learn how to back up your files, maintain your computer for best performance, and fix problems. Class participants will get links to useful resources and there will be ample time for questions and discussion.
Special Event
Title	Instructor	First	Weeks	Starts	Ends	Fee
Should We Amend Florida's Constitution? Again?	Johnson	Thu, 9/24/20	1	10:00 AM	11:30 AM	$3.75
Six amendments to Florida's constitution are on the November 3 ballot. The issues include establishing minimum wages, allowing all registered voters to vote in statewide primary elections, changing requirements for amending the constitution and changing additional homestead taxes. The amendments all have an impact on Florida and on you directly. Hear the arguments both for and against each of the proposals. Then make up your mind and VOTE.
Saint Augustine and the Nights of Lights Festival	Kelly	Mon, 12/14/20	1	1:30 PM	2:30 PM	$2.50
Saint Augustine has been billed as the oldest city in the United States. It also has one of the most spectacular shows of holiday lights. Called the Night of Lights, the display begins the Saturday before Thanksgiving and ends the first of February. Locals say the time to go is very early at the first or in January. Tourists from many countries come to see the lights; it is well-publicized in travel brochures. We will also visit some of the spectacular old places that also are decorated - the Lightner Museum, Flagler College, and their famous haunted cemeteries. Saint Augustine is said to be the most haunted place in the United States, with ghosts of Native Americans, Spanish settlers, Englishmen, Pirates, and even some modern ghosts of Henry Flagler. Visiting the old fort is a must. This might be a place you would like to go and take those visiting relatives with you.
the Arts
Title	Instructor	First	Weeks	Starts	Ends	Fee
How to View and Appreciate Great Movies II	Sullivan	Mon, 8/31/20	4	1:30 PM	3:00 PM	$15.00
Are you interested in viewing movies with a more critical eye? Professor Eric Williams of Ohio University has prepared a series of lectures for The Great Courses, which we will be watching together online. This course is the second in a series of three. Its lectures are an exploration of individual production areas involved in movie making.
The Craft of Drawing - Functions of Design and Layout	Thomas	Thu, 9/3/20	4	1:00 PM	3:00 PM	$20.00
The Craft of Drawing/Functions of Design and Layout Session is developed as a logical progression focusing on the principles of establishing unity, balance and creating a focal point. We will work with dividing the picture plane to use the entire space to the best advantage, exploring ways to create a center of interest. This session will introduce using thumbnail drawings to develop value studies as a way to compose your drawing. Get ready for One-Point Perspective. Materials: Sketch paper, or copy paper, or news print; graphite pencil or charcoal pencil – eraser optional.
Watercolor Still Life	Craggs	Wed, 9/30/20	6	10:00 AM	12:00 PM	$30.00
We will learn to use the four basic principles of color effectively. These are hue, value,intensity and temperature. Learning to use these principles effectively will achieve greater expression in our painting experience.
The Craft of Drawing and Color Theory	Thomas	Thu, 10/1/20	4	1:00 PM	3:00 PM	$20.00
The Craft of Drawing and Color Theory is the continuation of Sessions One and Two. You will create detail drawings to use as under drawings for value and color studies. This session will introduce the color wheel, the structure of color and monochromatic, complementary and analogous color themes using acrylic paint. Materials: Acrylic paint primary and secondary colors (yellow, green, blue, violet, red and orange), small flat and round brush; any heavy weight paper for wet mediums (acrylic, water color, illustration board…). Note: We will be working in a 6 x 6 or 6 x 8 format size, in order to get through the exercises in the allotted time.
How to View and Appreciate Great Movies III	Sullivan	Mon, 10/5/20	4	1:30 PM	3:00 PM	$15.00
Are you interested in viewing movies with a more critical eye? Professor Eric Williams of Ohio University has prepared a series of lectures for the Great Courses, which we will be watching together online. This course is the third in a series of three. Its lectures focus on idea of character, including leading and secondary character development.
In Search of Pablo Picasso	Kelly	Tue, 10/20/20	1	10:30 AM	11:30 AM	$2.50
Sometimes - a painting will evoke emotions and strong responses. That is the way I felt when I presented the painting Guernica to a group of students. The painting in black and white depicts the aftermath of the Nazi bombing of the town Guernica, Spain in 1937. They became engrossed in this work - that is probably the most famous painting in the world. So in this session we will look at the life of Picasso - whose father was also a painter and artist. Pablo’s first words were "piz piz" - he wanted a pencil (in Spanish lapiz means pencil) to draw.
In Search of El Greco	Kelly	Tue, 10/27/20	1	10:30 AM	11:30 AM	$2.50
Our bus stopped on a pinnacle overlooking the city of Toledo, Spain. We were told this view is the inspiration of one of the most famous landscape paintings of all times - View over Toledo. It was then inspiring to visit the Museum and see this painting - by a Greek with a very long name. His comrades shortened it to El Greco - meaning "the Greek." Born on the Isle of Crete, which was ruled by Venice, he made his way to Spain and claimed Toledo as his hometown. There, he developed a unique style of expressionism and cubism.
The Craft of Drawing Color and Light	Thomas	Thu, 10/29/20	4	1:00 PM	3:00 PM	$20.00
The Craft of Drawing Color and Light is our final session in the series. You will work to develop your personal paint palette, mixing color for a specific composition that gives accurate and compelling expressions of your individual color style. Materials: Acrylic paint primary and secondary colors (yellow, green, blue, violet, red and orange), small flat and round brush; any heavy weight paper for wet mediums (acrylic, water color, illustration board…). Note: We will be working in a 6 x 6 or 6 x 8 format size, in order to get through the exercises in the allotted time.
The American Journey: Pioneering American Artists and Musicians	Satterfield	Fri, 10/30/20	3	1:30 PM	3:30 PM	$15.00
This course will explore visionary Americans who created masterworks in art and music during the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about the lives of pioneering figures that helped shape our country’s musical landscape, as well as look at examples of their art and listen to recordings or their music.
In Search of Andy Warhol	Kelly	Tue, 11/3/20	1	10:30 AM	11:30 AM	$2.50
Have you ever thought that a can of tomato soup can be exciting? What about it as a subject for great art? This movement of pop art may leave some people snickering or scratching their heads- huh? But for Andy, a very sickly young boy, such objects became very interesting. At school, he showed so much interest in art and drawing that his teachers suggested he take weekend classes at the nearby Carnegie Museum of Art. He later studied art and design at Carnegie Institute of Art - and there became known for an unusual art style. I will take you to his museum in his hometown of Pittsburg, and we will take a look at some of his designs that may make you take a look at what is important and what is not important in life.
For Love of Film: Potpourri	Smith	Mon, 11/9/20	4	1:00 PM	2:00 PM	$10.00
Join us for For Love Of Film: Potpourri. Based on the book club model, the assigned movies will be discussed using prepared questions at the beginning of each class. The next film will be introduced at the end of the hour followed by a film short. I will be selecting well reviewed movies that are free to Amazon Prime members. You will need to provide your own popcorn and brownies for the class. See you at the movies!

*Senior Learners, Inc., sponsors events offered by non-profit organizations, such as the CF Foundation and its Appleton Museum, which the Board considers will be of interest to our students.

info@seniorlearners.org (352) 239-8780

Senior Learners, Inc. 3001 S.W. College Road PMB No. 210 OCALA FL 34474-4415

IMPORTANT Please do not contact CF personnel about any Senior Learners, Inc. courses. Senior Learners, Inc. is independent of CF. We have the use of a classroom and support the CF Foundation with donations. If you have any questions about our courses or operations, please contact us: info@SeniorLearners.org, (352) 239–8780.

NOTE: The views of our instructors and students are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Senior Learners, Inc. This position is also true for videos, handouts, and other instructional materials used in our courses, and for events that we may sponsor in conjunction with other non-profit organizations.