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Senior Learners, Inc., Online Course Catalog for 2026-Spring Term |
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| *"Both" courses are simultaneously online and in Room 107 of Building 20, when more than 5 students register in each. |
Finance and Economics | ||||||
| Title | Instructor | First | Weeks | Starts | Ends | Fee |
| Financial Crashes and Crises - *Both | Reilly | Thu, 4/23/26 | 3 | 10:30 AM | 12:00 PM | $11.25 |
| One cannot read or watch the news without hearing that the Federal Reserve system must be reformed or that digital currency is the wave of the future. The year 2026 is not the first time that claims are made for new financial products and reforms. In this 3-week course, you will examine past financial crashes and crises. How did the banking system work before the Federal Reserve was created in 1913? How did Charles Ponzi conduct the money-making scam in 1920? Why did the U.S savings and loan industry go belly up in the 1980s? How did a wealthy county in California go bankrupt in 1994? What caused the near-collapse of the global financial system in 2008? This course is intended for those who believe financial crises are not merely relics of the past. | ||||||
Health and Better Living | ||||||
| Title | Instructor | First | Weeks | Starts | Ends | Fee |
| Senior Moments or Something More Serious? - *Both | Santini | Fri, 2/20/26 | 1 | 2:00 PM | 3:30 PM | $3.75 |
| Elizabeth Santini, RN, Alzheimer’s and Dementia Education RN for Nancy Renyhart Dementia Education Program, will explore what are signs of normal aging versus something that may be more serious. | Understanding Dementia - *Both | Santini | Fri, 3/6/26 | 1 | 2:00 PM | 3:30 PM | $3.75 |
| Elizabeth Santini, RN, Alzheimer’s and Dementia Education RN for Nancy Renyhart Dementia Education Program, will discuss basic facts about the different types of Dementia. | Dementia and Driving - *Both | Santini | Wed, 4/8/26 | 1 | 2:00 PM | 3:30 PM | $3.75 |
| Elizabeth Santini, RN, Alzheimer’s and Dementia Education RN for Nancy Renyhart Dementia Education Program, will explain how Dementia impacts driving. | CANCELLED: Science Behind Proton Beam Therapy - Online | Reilly | Thu, 4/16/26 | 1 | 10:30 AM | 12:00 PM | $3.75 |
| Proton beam therapy is a proven, high-precision tool in the fight against cancer. A fight that continues to evolve in the U.S. It is an exciting technology, but the main battle now is not just one of science. The fight now is about access and cost, so that patients who could benefit from this reduced-toxicity treatment can actually receive it. This course examines the physical and medical science on which this therapy is based. Why is it so expensive? For what types of cancer is it especially effective? In this course, Senior Learners will view clips from an engaging YouTube video by Dr. Simon Jolly before Britain’s Royal Institution. Drs. Reilly and Putzeys will help you interpret the video. interpreted by Drs. Reilly and Putzeys. | Primary and Secondary Prevention - *Both | Lossada | Wed, 4/22/26 | 1 | 2:00 PM | 3:30 PM | $3.75 |
| Dr. Mery Lossada is the Chief Medical Officer of the Heart of Florida Federally Qualified Health Center. | Caring for the Caregiver - *Both | Santini | Wed, 4/29/26 | 1 | 2:00 PM | 3:30 PM | $3.75 |
| Elizabeth Santini, RN, Alzheimer’s and Dementia Education RN for Nancy Renyhart Dementia Education Program, will discuss the importance of avoiding burnout as a caregiver. | Updates on Balance and Fall Prevention - In Room 107 | Joranlien | Mon, 5/4/26 | 1 | 10:00 AM | 12:00 PM | $5.00 |
| Ability to maintain your balance is important to seniors health and safety. This course covers the importance and main techniques for keeping your balance. | ||||||
History and Geography | ||||||
| Title | Instructor | First | Weeks | Starts | Ends | Fee |
| Conversation with a Cold War Nuclear Submarine Commander - *Both | Wilcox J | Tue, 1/13/26 | 1 | 1:30 PM | 3:00 PM | $3.75 |
| This course will entail a discussion with Captain Jimmy Ellis, USN, retired, who commanded two ballistic missile submarines during the height of the Cold War. After a structured interview covering his experience as a nuclear submarine officer and commander, the floor will be opened for questions from the group. | Communism in Decline Starting with Sputnik - *Both | Holloran | Thu, 3/26/26 | 5 | 1:30 PM | 3:00 PM | $18.75 |
| This course is based on lectures by University to Tennessee, Knoxville, Professor Vejas Gabriel Liulevicius from his course Communism in Decline, From Sputnik to Gorbachev. This course will cover the decline of communism and Gorbachev's leadership. and the final collapse of communism. | Apprentice Statesman: Young Winston Churchill - Online | Reilly | Thu, 3/26/26 | 3 | 10:30 AM | 12:00 PM | $11.25 |
| Senior Learners recognize Winston Churchill as the great leader who guided Great Britain to success in World War II. But how does someone become such a world leader? In this course, we will examine the dramatic, ambitious, and often reckless early career of Winston Churchill, and explore how his experiences as a soldier, journalist, and politician shaped the leader he would become. The course draws upon “How Churchill Changed the World” from The Great Courses and “Winston Churchill and Statesmanship” from Hillsdale College. | The Olmecs - Mesoamerica’s Mysterious First Civilization - *Both | Hautanen | Tue, 3/31/26 | 6 | 10:30 AM | 12:00 PM | $22.50 |
| Based on The Great Courses lectures by Prof. Barnhart the series will look into this ancient civilization’s religious practices, architectural wonders, astronomical calendars, writing and numbering systems, and much more. Prof Barnhart has led archaeology and anthropology explorations to SE Asia, Mexico, Central & South America and Europe. He is the Director of the Maya Exploration Center and discoverer of the ancient city of Maax Na, a major city of the Maya period. | Polynesia: Islands of Legacy, Culture, and Continuity - *Both | Rossi | Wed, 4/22/26 | 1 | 10:00 AM | 12:00 PM | $5.00 |
| This course explores the enduring legacy of Polynesia’s ancient voyagers, the vibrant traditions that still pulse through island life, and the remarkable continuity of language, art, and belief systems across thousands of miles. From the sacred moai of Easter Island to the rhythmic dances of Samoa and the spiritual wisdom of Hawaii, we’ll uncover how these islands preserve their past while adapting to the present. Join us for a journey through myth, migration, and the magic of a civilization that refuses to fade. | May Day Senior Learners Style - *Both | Howard | Fri, 5/1/26 | 1 | 1:30 PM | 3:00 PM | $3.75 |
| The Empire State Building was dedicated in 1931 in the United States and this date has further significance for us and in other countries as well. We will share photos, stories and more. Besides, what would a Senior Learners be without some surprise foodstuffs to enjoy. | ||||||
Literature and Language | ||||||
| Title | Instructor | First | Weeks | Starts | Ends | Fee |
| Talking About Books 3 - In Room 107 | Berra | Wed, 3/25/26 | 1 | 1:30 PM | 3:00 PM | $3.75 |
| Avid readers enjoy a casual, friendly meeting with like-minded members to talk about the books they have been reading, how they liked them (or not!) and why. As we share our recent reading experiences, we also get to hear about books recommended by fellow book-lovers. If you are an enthusiastic reader, come join us. | Novellas 4 - Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton - *Both | Hull | Wed, 4/15/26 | 1 | 10:30 AM | 12:00 PM | $3.75 |
| Edith Wharton was the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for Literature for her novel, The Age of Innocence. Her 1905 novel, The House of Mirth was covered in Fall Term, Best Sellers that Shaped America. Now we will read her 1911 work set in the fictitious town of Starkfield, MA. Ethan Frome is torn between thwarted dreams and a sense of obligation, then caught in an ironic turn of events. Join retired English teacher Brad Hull, who uses probing questions and discussion to lead the class to a much deeper understanding of this work. | Talking About Books 4 - In Room 107 | Berra | Fri, 4/17/26 | 1 | 1:30 PM | 3:00 PM | $3.75 |
| Avid readers enjoy a casual, friendly meeting with like-minded members to talk about the books they have been reading, how they liked them (or not!) and why. As we share our recent reading experiences, we also get to hear about books recommended by fellow book-lovers. If you are an enthusiastic reader, come join us. | Talking About Books 5 - In Room 107 | Berra | Wed, 5/6/26 | 1 | 1:30 PM | 3:00 PM | $3.75 |
| Avid readers enjoy a casual, friendly meeting with like-minded members to talk about the books they have been reading, how they liked them (or not!) and why. As we share our recent reading experiences, we also get to hear about books recommended by fellow book-lovers. If you are an enthusiastic reader, come join us. | ||||||
Science and Technology | ||||||
| Title | Instructor | First | Weeks | Starts | Ends | Fee |
| Facebook 2 - *Both | Jordan | Fri, 1/16/26 | 1 | 1:30 PM | 3:00 PM | $3.75 |
| Learn how to confidently navigate Facebook with this easy, step-by-step overview. Whether you are brand-new to social media or just looking to sharpen your skills, you will discover how to create an account, customize your profile, connect with friends and family, share posts and photos, adjust your privacy settings, and explore groups, pages, and more. Perfect for beginners, this overview helps you feel comfortable, secure, and in control while using Facebook to stay connected with the people and communities you care about. | Tech Help 3 - *Both | Team | Fri, 4/10/26 | 1 | 1:30 PM | 3:00 PM | $3.75 |
| Senior Learners works with the philosophy that there is no such thing as a dumb question. We are here to help with your technology questions, devices such as laptops, phones, storage devices, cables, etc. Submit questions in advance or join us as we explore a technical topic of your choice. If we cannot answer your questions we will follow up with practical suggestions and possible solutions. A casual and fun atmosphere where no one will be embarrassed by asking a dumb question. Bring in your laptop, phone, or other portable device and we will navigate together. If you cannot come into the classroom, help will be available via Zoom. | More Neil deGrasse Tyson Lectures - Online | Holloran | Thu, 4/30/26 | 2 | 1:30 PM | 3:00 PM | $7.50 |
| Since 1996, Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson has been the director of the Hayden Planetarium at the Rose Center for Earth and Space in New York City. The center is part of the American Museum of Natural History, where Tyson founded the Department of Astrophysics in 1997 and has been a research associate in the department since 2003. This course will include the remaining lectures by Dr. Tyson from course he prepared for The Great Courses: My Favorite Universe. | Music and the Brain - *Both | Gaudier | Wed, 5/6/26 | 1 | 10:30 AM | 12:00 PM | $3.75 |
| Music is food for the soul. But really what is music? Why is it so significant for humans? These are some of the questions that inspired this lecture. The lecture covers the evolutionary origin of music, music perception and the brain, and the interaction between music and neuropsychiatric disorders. The effect of music therapy on patients with certain medical conditions is also discussed. Data for this lecture was drawn form the work of a variety of sources, which will be shared during the class. | Tech Help 4 - *Both | Team | Fri, 5/8/26 | 1 | 10:30 AM | 12:00 PM | $3.75 |
| Senior Learners works with the philosophy that there is no such thing as a dumb question. We are here to help with your technology questions, devices such as laptops, phones, storage devices, cables, etc. Submit questions in advance or join us as we explore a technical topic of your choice. If we cannot answer your questions we will follow up with practical suggestions and possible solutions. A casual and fun atmosphere where no one will be embarrassed by asking a dumb question. Bring in your laptop, phone, or other portable device and we will navigate together. If you cannot come into the classroom, help will be available via Zoom. | ||||||
Special Event | ||||||
| Title | Instructor | First | Weeks | Starts | Ends | Fee |
| Pre-St. Patricks and 2nd Kickoff Parties - *Both | Sutton | Fri, 3/13/26 | 1 | 1:30 PM | 3:00 PM | $3.75 |
| You do not have to go to a pub to get into the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day. Come join us for corn beef and cabbage, Irish beef stew, non-alcoholic Guinness and other goodies. We will also find out about what classes Senior Learners will be offering during the second half of the Spring semester. | Board Meeting - Online | Howard | Wed, 4/15/26 | 1 | 1:30 PM | 3:30 PM | $0.00 |
| Later | FREE Summer Term Kickoff Party Preparations - *Both | Nevard | Fri, 4/24/26 | 1 | 10:00 AM | 12:00 PM | $0.00 |
| Later | FREE Summer Term Kickoff Party - *Both | Howard | Fri, 4/24/26 | 1 | 1:00 PM | 3:00 PM | $0.00 |
| Please join us for our Summer Term Kickoff Party. Instructors and staff will introduce themselves and the Summer Term Courses. Light refreshments will be served, coffee, cookies, etc. | ||||||
the Arts | ||||||
| Title | Instructor | First | Weeks | Starts | Ends | Fee |
| For Love of Film: Robin Williams - In Room 107 | Smith | Mon, 4/13/26 | 4 | 1:00 PM | 4:00 PM | $20.00 |
| Robin Williams was a unique talent who delighted the world with his humor and ability to engage an audience in a serious role. We will be viewing and discussing The World According to Garp starring Robin Williams, Glenn Close and John Lithgow; Inside the Actor’s Studio with Robin Williams; Aladdin with Robin Williams ad libbing the voice of the Genie; and Good Morning Vietnam with Robin Williams and Forest Whitaker. The film lineup could change due to availability. Popcorn will be provided to enhance the viewing experience. | ||||||
*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.
Printed 4/17/26.