Spring 2022 Classes (Subject to Change)

Mon 9:30-11:30 Music, Noise, or a Little of Both - Harry Nugent-Patten - In Person 40 Seats -
This music appreciation class will be a solution for welcoming non-music majors to the art of listening to great classical music. We’ll place a focus on learning the elements of music, fostering a unique path to listening and understanding. You will achieve this through a step-by-step guidance while learning the elements of music, as well as listening to a number of selections for a better understanding of the musical experience. I will equip you with the language, tools and listening skills required to sustain an enthusiasm for music.

Mon 9:30-11:30 Adv Memoir Writing-Inward Bound - John Murrow - Zoom 10 Seats -
You’ve begun writing your memoir as if it were an autobiography. Scrap that idea! Instead, find a theme. And then pry yourself open to reveal what you felt about and learned from the people, places, and events that impacted your life. In this challenging course, you will learn how to craft dialogue, use various narrative devices, and sew your stories together with a common thread. Full interaction with classmates is essential as you learn to critique actively and effectively your own and each other’s works. P.S. If you lose some sleep during this process, CONGRATULATIONS, you’re on the right track.

Mon 12:00-2:00 Politics & Finance From A Conservative POV - Leonard Goldstein - Zoom 80 Seats -
This course will discuss economics, finance (both governmental and personal) and current events from the perspective of a Conservative. All political views are welcome and respected.

Mon 2:30-4:30 Hot News/Hot Views - John Considine - In Person 40 Seats - 4 weeks
We live in a world where news-making issues come up daily. Take the opportunity to discuss breaking local, state, national and international news with curious and knowledgeable colleagues. The facilitator will select topics from current events and provide background information.

Mon 2:30-4:30 Understanding T.S. Eliot & The Waste Land - Nick Ravo - In Person 20 Seats -
This year is the centennial anniversary of the publishing of T.S. Eliot’s The Waste Land, one of the seminal pieces of literary modernism and perhaps the most famous poem written in the 20th century. We will examine the poem and its interpretations as well as study Eliot’s life.

Tue 9:30-11:30 Entertaiment Classics - Gerald Salomon - In Person 40 Seats -
If you like comedy, drama, and music then come spend two hours a week viewing some wonderful videos and films from my collection. Many of the selections are rare and you will get the interesting back-story on each of them. Selections are taken from television, Broadway, concerts, and film.

Tue 9:30-11:30 JD Salinger Short Stories – The Glass Family - Steven Weinraub - Zoom 20 Seats -
This is a group participation class. We will discuss certain short stories written by JD Salinger which refer to members of The Glass Family. The 1st JD Salinger book is Nine Stories including “A Perfect Day For Bananafish,” “Down at the Dinghy” and “Uncle Wiggily in Connecticut.” The 2nd book is Franny and Zooey. The 3rd book is Raise High the Roof Beam, Carpenters along with Seymour an Introduction. This class is not about Catcher in the Rye or Holden Caulfield.

Tue 12:00-2:00 Opera for All - Gerald Salomon - In Person 40 Seats -
Whether you've been humming arias since you were 12 or you have no idea what an aria is....THIS OPERA CLASS IS FOR YOU! We will hear a wide range of operatic presentations, including complete performances, individual scenes and arias. The class is designed to appeal to everyone, regardless of their familiarity with the subject. Using my large collection of DVD's and CD's, we will view and listen to familiar and unfamiliar performers in a variety of roles. When we're through with this class, you may be humming arias and demanding encores, but if so, please wait until you're out of earshot of the wonderful COD staff in the office area.

Tue 12:00-2:00 Evidence vs. Emotion - Jerry Blatt - Zoom 80 Seats -
This dynamic class challenges the way we shape our positions on current political, social and economic issues. We examine the objective EVIDENCE from reliable sources and observe the effect of EMOTION in reaching decisions. It's Fact vs Fiction, Head vs Heart, Data vs Opinion, Evidence vs Emotion.

Tue 2:30-4:30 Great Literature - Harold Jacobs - Zoom 60 Seats -
We will discuss short fiction found in "The Art of the Story: An International Anthology of Contemporary Short Stories" edited by Daniel Halpern. The text can be purchased from Amazon (ISBN: 978-0-14-029638-9). The writers in this collection are contemporary international practitioners of the short story. They were born between 1938 and 1970 and represent thirty-five countries. Their art is distinguished from the great short story writers that preceded them by primarily being influenced by their own cultures rather than past literary traditions. In particular, there is a focus on how the impact of popular culture and the media condition social identity, politics, and art. For the first class, participants should read and be prepared to discuss Ama Ata Aidoo, “A Gift from Somewhere” pp. 1-8.

Wed 2:30-4:30 Reading Between the Lines - Terry Boyle - Zoom 80 Seats -
In this short course we will use a number of literary texts (all available for free online) to demonstrate the importance of literary analysis. The most enduring creative texts continue to be relevant simply because they are packed with layers of meaning. As we study these texts we discover how the author's clever use of language makes it possible for us to interpret their work on more than one level. Once we understand some of the literary devices employed by the author, we can begin to appreciate the various intricacies of the work.

Wed 9:30-11:30 French Conversations - Lilian Fymat - In Person 15 Seats -
This is a French conversation course for those who would like to brush up on their rusty conversational skills, become more fluent and improve their pronunciation. It is a great opportunity to practice what you have learned in the past. THIS IS NOT A GRAMMAR COURSE OR A BEGINNER LEVEL CLASS.

Wed 9:30-11:30 Birds and Birding in the Coachella Valley - Nancy Dowling - Zoom 40 Seats -
Learn about our local birds and how to identify them. We will dive into bird anatomy, bird behavior, and where to find interesting species around the Valley. You’ll also be introduced to books, websites and apps that will help you be a better birder. Note that the first class session will be a recording (link will be provided by email) and all remaining classes will be via Zoom.

Wed 12:00-2:00 Ted Talks - Lilian Fymat - In Person 40 Seats -
This class will present videos of Ted Talks on topics of special interest, leading to interesting class discussions. The talks will stimulate analysis and sharing of ideas, offering "food for the mind and soul, new discoveries and uplifting subjects." The goal is to introduce new ideas and discover new concepts.

Wed 2:30-5:00 How To Watch a Movie - David Klingenberger - In Person 40 Seats -
Understanding HOW a film communicates to viewers—framing, focus, camera movement, editing, music, color, etc.—not only increases one’s abilities to understand what a film says, it greatly enriches the overall enjoyment of watching movies. This class will closely examine six Hollywood films.

Thu 9:30-11:30 Short Story Discussion Group - Adair Fell - Zoom 20 Seats -
Participate in a lively and in-depth discussion of two contemporary short stories each week. Discussions will be led by the class members and everyone is expected to lead a discussion during the term. Discover new worlds and insights from award winning authors. “The Scribner Anthology of Contemporary Short Fiction”, edited by Lex Williford and Michael Martone, Dec. 2007. For the first class we will read one story, “Tine, Smiling Daddy” by Mary Gaitskill, pp. 228-238.

Thu 9:30-11:30 Be a Better Photographer - Marc Rosen Rosen - Zoom 60 Seats -
Open to all levels of photographers. Each week, participants will have an opportunity to take and submit photos by email that encourage experimentation with composition, lighting, perspective, etc. Participants can use phones or cameras to take photos. Observers who do not wish to submit photos are also welcome to attend and learn from others.

Thu 12:00-2:00 Creative Problem Solving - Kate Coates - Zoom 20 Seats -
This class is about finding new solutions to challenges using the principles of a well-researched process called CPS-Creative Problem Solving. You will learn to look at problems and ideas from a fresh perspective, create new solutions to both problems and opportunities, and have fun while doing it. We will discuss specific techniques for creative problem solving and methods to make them work for your unique needs. This includes hands-on applications of proven techniques that are useful and satisfying.

Thu 12:00-2:00 Writing Creative Fiction - Susan Reinke - In Person 12 Seats -
A class to get you writing by opening you to your creativity. It is for all of those who already love to write or would love to write if they could just get started. This class will give you the paths to follow to get over your fear of writing and/or your writer’s block. We will write from a variety of prompts to get us going. This class is dedicated to helping us all to feel comfortable with one another and accepting of all of our efforts. This is a class where we will write fiction, freeing our imaginations and drawing on our life experiences to write stories. We’re still living in a pandemic, which has an effect on us all. Our stories may be based in the pre-pandemic world, the pandemic world, or looking ahead to a post-pandemic world. It will be interesting to see where our writing leads us. Please, join me in this adventure.

Thu 12:00-2:00 Controversial Issues - Marc Rosen Rosen - Zoom 80 Seats -
We will discuss and debate contemporary issues that are both controversial and familiar. Brief presentations by the facilitator and class discussion will stimulate fact-based, informative exchanges. The facilitator will ensure that all sides and viewpoints are heard and considered. (Similar classes are: Hot News/Hot Views, Economics from a Conservative Perspective, Evidence vs Emotion).

Thu 2:30-5:00 Film Noir - John Curran - Zoom 80 Seats -
Dark Alleys and Dangerous Blonds: Film Noir is a unique contribution by American films to the world catalog of the many kinds of stories told in movies. The Spring 2022 term will feature six films from Alfred Hitchcock. Hitchcock was known as a master of suspense. His films are so singular that they reside in a realm of their own - the Hitchcock movie. His movies are almost always noir movies and we will see Shadow of a Doubt, Notorious, Strangers on a Train, and other masterpiece films from the greatest filmmaker of them all.

Thu 2:00-3:30 Basic Spanish - Martin Frank - In Person 20 Seats -
A basic knowledge of Spanish is required. This class will focus on basic conversation and grammar. It is meant to reinforce or enhance your existing Spanish skills.Textbook is Basic Spanish Premium Third Edition by Dorothy Richmond which can be purchased from Amazon.

Thu 2:30-4:30 Survey of Supreme Court Cases (The Roberts Court) - Jerry Swirsky - Zoom 60 Seats - wks 1-2
This 2 week session will deal with cases which have been decided or oral arguments presented in cases, which probably will not have been decided in the Spring term, that merit some discussion.

Fri 9:30-11:30 The Bill Of Rights - Michael Ruark - In Person 40 Seats -
A survey of the historical background, adoption and application of the first ten amendments (the Bill of Rights) to the US Constitution. Discussion will address the Founder’s initial rejection of a Bill of Rights; issues of interpretation, such as Originalism, judicial restraint and activism; and the consequences of adopting the fourteenth amendment.

Fri 9:30-11:30 Plants and Civilization - Larry DeBuhr - Zoom 80 Seats -
Humans have depended on plants for our entire existence. This course will look at the impact of the agricultural revolution on human civilization as well as many of the ways humans have used plants throughout our history. It will identify many of the important plants used as food, medicines, fibers, dyes, stimulants, narcotics, and recreational drugs.

Fri 12:00-2:00 Life Energy Action Planning - Dr. David & Susan George/Francis - In Person 30 Seats -
Having a personal life energy moment? Perhaps Life Energy Action Planning [LEAP] can help. Developed and presented by the local husband and wife team of Dr. David George and Susan Francis, LEAP helps you review 8 critical life dimensions. By determining your satisfaction levels and time spent in these life dimensions, an approximate measure of real life energy levels is revealed. You will find out if you are a net generator or net consumer of your Own personal life energy, and the consequences/opportunities in each case. Please join us for this highly interactive, enlightening experience.