• Dates: Wednesdays, January 29 to March 11 (no class Feb. 19)
• Location: Brantford Campus, Carnegie Building, CB100
• Time: 10:00 a.m. – 11:50 a.m. 
• Cost: $85
• Eligible for 12 hours towards Laurier's Lifelong Learning Certificate

Course Description

Why is Brantford here? What is the origin of the City? These are the questions that peaked my curiosity about the history of my community. Why is Brantford at this spot on the Grand River? What was the geology of the land before it was reshaped by settlers? Why did Brantford grow and prosper when other communities stagnated or faded away? Who were the drivers of the community? What impact did the Grand River Navigation Company, the railway, and Ignatius Cockshutt have on the City? These are just some the topics we will pursue as we delve into the history and evolution of Brantford. The course will make use of historic images, maps and class discussions to facilitate engagement.

Instructor

Jack Jackowetz was born and raised in Brantford. His interest in the history of the City and the County began with his father’s stories about growing up in Brantford. In 2007 Jack began working as an artist after spending thirty years specialising in marketing, client relationship management, and software development. His art focuses on images of our built heritage. To engage the viewer of his exhibits Jack writes short paragraphs about the history of his images. In 2015 Jack began writing a history column for BScene, a local arts and entertainment paper. Studying history helps him learn about the origin of our community; why is Brantford here? It helps him discover the soul of our community.

Jack attended North Park Collegiate and graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University with a degree in Business Administration. Jack self-published his first book: The Places We Live, Geneva, NY in 2012. He has since published six more titles including the just revised The Places We Live, Waterford, Ontario, A Short History.

Jack is on the Board of Directors of Stage 88, served as president of the Brant Historical Society for two years and chaired the City of Brantford’s Tourism Advisory Committee for four years. He has also been involved with the Brantford Heritage Committee, Downtown Action Committee, and the Brantford Cultural Advisory Committee.

• Dates: Tuesdays, January 28 to March 10 (no class Feb. 18)
• Location: Waterloo Campus, 45 Lodge St., Lower Level Room
• Time: 10:00 a.m. – 11:50 a.m. 
• Cost: $85
• Eligible for 12 hours towards Laurier's Lifelong Learning Certificate

Course Description

When the news is all about climate emergency, violence, poverty, and the decay of political discourse, what does it mean to have hope? On a personal level, when faced with sickness, conflict, or overwhelming difficulty, do you have hope? This course offers an introduction to hope from various perspectives (e.g. philosophical, spiritual, political, medical) and looks at whether or not this four-letter word can help us with the difficult things that are coming. Participants will be given various tools to evaluate the effectiveness of hope in the context of several case studies.

Instructor

Matthew Bailey-Dick is a recent PhD graduate from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (University of Toronto) where he studied the connections between adult education and death education. Over the years, Matthew's roles have included Mennonite pastor, peace educator, funeral celebrant, educational developer, and hospice volunteer. He enjoys playing and listening to music, going on trips with his family, and hoping.

• Dates: Tuesdays, January 28 to March 10 (no class Feb. 18)
• Location: Waterloo Campus, 45 Lodge St., Lower Level Room
• Time: 1:00 p.m. – 2:50 p.m. 
• Cost: $85
• Eligible for 12 hours towards Laurier's Lifelong Learning Certificate

Course Description

This overview of one of the greatest composers of all time will focus on his life and times, and provide insight into his church cantatas, his major choral works (St. Matthew Passion, Mass in B Minor), his greatest contrapuntal masterpieces (Well-Tempered Clavier, Goldberg Variations, Musical Offering, Art of Fugue). There will be a consideration of the Bach legacy and performance tradition, beginning with Mendelssohn and continuing to the present day.

Instructor

Howard Dyck is the conductor of the Nota Bene Baroque Players & Singers, Artistic Director Emeritus of the Grand Philharmonic Choir (Kitchener-Waterloo) and Conductor Emeritus of the Bach Elgar Choir (Hamilton). He is well known across Canada as the former programme host of Choral Concert and Saturday Afternoon at the Opera on CBC Radio. In 2013 he was conductor-in-residence of the Kunming Nie Er Symphony Orchestra in China.

Howard Dyck’s international conducting career has taken him to twenty countries on three continents where he has conducted, among others, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, the National Arts Centre Orchestra, the Arnold Schoenberg Choir of Vienna, the Mozarteum Orchestra (Austria), the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra and Obretenov Choir (Bulgaria), the Bach Collegium and Gächinger Kantorei (Germany), the Taipei Symphony Orchestra & Chorus (Taiwan), and the State Symphony Orchestra of St. Petersburg (Russia).

His discography includes: Bach – Missa Brevis in g; Handel – Messiah Highlights (SONY Classical); Verdi – Requiem; Beethoven – Missa Solemnis (EMI); Brahms – Ein deutsches Requiem.

Singers of international distinction who have performed under Howard Dyck’s baton include: Sondra Radvanovsky, Nathalie Paulin, Measha Brueggergosman, Suzie Leblanc,  Karina Gauvin, Marie-Nicole Lemieux, Catherine Robbin, Maureen Forrester, Susan Platts, Daniel Taylor, Richard Margison, Ben Heppner, Rufus Müller, Michael Schade, Gary Relyea, Nathaniel Watson, John Relyea, Russell Braun, James Westman,  and Nathan Berg.

Howard Dyck has received numerous honours for his musical contributions, both nationally and internationally. He holds honorary Doctor of Laws degrees from the University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University, and is an Honorary Professor of Music at Yunnan Arts University (Kunming, China). Howard Dyck is a Member of the Order of Canada, and a recipient of the Queen’s Golden and Diamond Jubilee Medals. A Waterloo Region Arts Awards Lifetime Achievement Award winner, he was inducted into the Waterloo Region Hall of Fame.

In recent years, Howard Dyck has officiated at approximately 120 Canadian citizenship ceremonies, having sworn in some 6000 new Canadians.

• Dates: Wednesdays, January 29 to March 11 (no class Feb. 19)
• Location: Waterloo Campus, 45 Lodge St., Lower Level Room
• Time: 10:00 a.m. – 11:50 a.m. 
• Cost: $85
• Eligible for 12 hours towards Laurier's Lifelong Learning Certificate

Course Description

In a follow-up to the first 'Discovering The Ancient World' course offered in Spring 2019*, continue to explore the ancient world and its civilizations beyond the "glory that was Greece" and the "grandeur that was Rome". This course will delve deeper into lesser-known corners of the ancient world, examining the mysterious catastrophe called the Late Bronze Age Collapse, explore the role of the war chariot and astronomy in civilizations across the ancient world, and re-evaluate the enigmatic Phoenicians and other peoples who slip between the cracks of history. You will learn about the ancient warrior queens of Ethiopia, the contested origins of Great Zimbabwe, the history of ancient border walls from China to Roman Britain, and much more.

*participation in Spring 2019 course not required.

Instructor

Alicia McKenzie has taught courses in history and medieval studies at Laurier since 2008. She did her graduate work at the University of Toronto, where she focused on the fall of the Roman Empire and the social history of late antiquity. At Laurier, she has taught various courses on the ancient and medieval world, as well as courses on medievalism (how the Middle Ages are reflected in contemporary culture).

• Dates: Wednesdays, January 29 to March 11 (no class Feb. 19)
• Location: Waterloo Campus, 45 Lodge St., Lower Level Room
• Time: 1:00 p.m. – 2:50 p.m. 
• Cost: $85
• Eligible for 12 hours towards Laurier's Lifelong Learning Certificate

Course Description

Canada has long been known for – and prided itself on – having developed a strong humanitarian tradition with respect to refugees, most prominently seen of late in the resettlement of tens of thousands of Syrian refugees. At the same time, there have been moments in Canadian history when refugees have been excluded from its shores, some of which – such as the turning back of Jews aboard the MS St. Louis in 1939 – are now recognized as moments of deep national regret. This course provides a history of Canadian refugee policy, from pre-Confederation to the present, exploring not only the roots and growth of this humanitarian tradition but as well some of the barriers that have been placed – and that continue to be place – before those seeking sanctuary within our walls.

Instructor

Christopher G. Anderson is an Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science at Wilfrid Laurier University. He received his PhD from McGill University and his BA from the University of Toronto. His research encompasses both historical and contemporary studies of Canadian citizenship, multiculturalism, immigration, and refugee policy. His book, Canadian Liberalism and the Politics of Border Control, 1867-1967 (UBC Press) was published in 2013, and he co-edits a widely used introductory politics textbook, Studying Politics (Nelson Education). Elsewhere his work has appeared in various edited volumes and journals.

• Dates: Fridays, January 31 to March 13 (no class Feb. 21)
• Location: Waterloo Campus, Peter's Building, P115
• Time: 10:00 a.m. – 11:50 a.m. 
• Cost: $85
• Eligible for 12 hours towards Laurier's Lifelong Learning Certificate

Course Description

By the end of the 1st century B.C., the city of Rome controlled an Empire that stretched across three continents. This followed a century of tumultuous political intrigue that resulted in a man named Augustus rising to the position of Emperor, changing the government of Rome forever. The city continued to amass power and territory for several centuries but did have to overcome significant challenges and threats. This course will explore the major figures, events, and circumstances that defined the Roman Empire from its establishment under Augustus to its division into Eastern and Western Empires under Constantine during the first half of the 4th century A.D.

Instructor

Scott Gallimore is an Associate Professor in the Department of Archaeology & Heritage Studies at Wilfrid Laurier University. He is a Roman archaeologist who has worked on numerous archaeological projects in different parts of Greece. He conducts research on ancient landscapes and the economic history of the Roman Empire. Dr. Gallimore is also a recipient of the 2017 Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance Award for Excellence in Teaching.

• Dates: Mondays, October 21 to November 25
• Location: Brantford Campus, Carnegie Building, CB100
• Time: 1:00 p.m. – 2:50 p.m. 
• Cost: $85
• Eligible for 12 hours towards Laurier's Lifelong Learning Certificate

Course Description

This course will serve as an introduction to Criminal Law in Canada. The first half of the course will cover the origins of Criminal Law in Canada and include the Rule of Law, Principals of Law, the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Adversarial system, the difference between Criminal Law and Civil Law, Discretion and Ethics. We will compare local Ontario communities and determine how safe local residents are compared to other areas of North America. The second half of the course will include the structure and roles of the police in Canada, police powers and police strategies and operations. The course will include discussions and emphasize the importance of Evidence Based Decision making. Current events will be used to make the material relevant to today’s world.

Instructor

F. W. (Wayne) Morris worked for 30 years in the Correctional Services of Ontario and Alberta. He worked with Young Offenders and Adults, men and women and all levels of security. He also was an Area Manager of Probation and Parole and in charge of Policy Development for the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services, receiving numerous commendations. After a number of years as a Superintendent (Warden) of a number of Correctional Facilities, he managed a project that revised the Classification System for inmates in Ontario. Upon leaving corrections, Wayne became an Administrator at Conestoga College, in charge of Social Service and Community Safety Programs. During this time he developed the Community and Criminal Justice Degree program. Wayne has taught a very broad selection of courses at both the government and post- secondary levels. He has a strong interest in Criminal Psychology, and acquired a Master’s degree in Social-Community Psychology while working in Corrections. Wayne has taught a number of different courses at Laurier over the past 6 years.

• Dates: Tuesdays, October 22 to November 26
• Location: Brantford Campus, Carnegie Building, CB100
• Time: 1:00 p.m. – 2:50 p.m. 
• Cost: $85
• Eligible for 12 hours towards Laurier's Lifelong Learning Certificate

Course Description

Shunpkiking, or travelling the back roads of Ontario, one is exposed to and impressed by Ontario’s rich natural and cultural history.

Ontario’s natural landscape and the built/cultural heritage is impressive and is the attraction for thousands of visitors to and from within Ontario. Many writers, some professional, some amateur, and historical societies have documented the history of Ontario in numerous publications.

The provincial and federal governments, as well as local heritage groups, have erected thousands of the plaques and historical markers at significant locations throughout Ontario. Many communities operate museums that depict their interesting local history.

Through the use of slides and print material, we will discover Ontario’s natural (geologic) and cultural history through the patterns of urban and agricultural settlement, the architecture of public and private buildings, churches and cemeteries, industrial buildings such as mill sites and early transportation routes.

It’s our province to discover!

Instructor

Warren Stauch is a life-long resident of Kitchener who has a keen interest in the geography and history of the Waterloo Region and the Grand River watershed.

Warren earned an honours B.A. in Geography at Waterloo Lutheran University in 1968 and then a Masters of Arts in Geography at Wilfrid Laurier University in 1978. After a year at Althouse College of Education in London, ON, Warren taught Geography for 30 years in three high schools before retiring in June 1999.

In 1967, Warren was asked to be a step-on guide for the Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber of Commerce and has been leading bus tours of the local area for the past 51 years.

In retirement, Warren has taught interest courses for seniors at the Laurier Association for Life-Long Learning in Waterloo. In addition to bus tours, Warren also does local historical walking tours, and presents slides shows on a variety of topics.

Warren has been married to Martha, a retired Language teacher, for 48 years, and volunteers in the community and sits on a number of boards. He is a Board member on the Grand River Conservation Authority and chair of the Waterloo Regional Heritage Foundation.

Warren has been the recipient of a number of awards and honours. In January 2017, he was the recipient of the Mayor’s Community Builder Award for the City of Kitchener.

• Date: Friday, Oct. 4
• Location: Turret, Laurier Waterloo campus
• Time: 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. 
• Cost: $25
• Not Eligible for hours towards Laurier's Lifelong Learning Certificate

Itinerary
5 p.m. | Enjoy Oktoberfest inspired appetizers while you mingle with fellow members of the Laurier community

5:30 p.m. | Keg tapping – All attendees are invited to enjoy a drink from the keg or grab their preferred beverage from the bar

6 p.m. | Oktoberfest: The History of Germany’s Most Famous Festival Lecture with Professor James Skidmore (see lecture details below)

7 p.m. | Enjoy an Oktoberfest dinner with all the fixings – including schnitzel, potato salad and apple strudel!

Lecture Details
Oktoberfest: The History of Germany’s Most Famous Festival Lecture with Professor James Skidmore

Professor Skidmore will describe how the original Oktoberfest, a horse race held in 1810 to mark a Bavarian royal wedding, grew into a festival celebrated throughout the world. The festival’s history reflects not only the history of Germany, but also the history of German migration in the 19th and 20th centuries. In addition to explaining some of the most common practices and oddities of Oktoberfest, Prof. Skidmore will also reflect on what it means to celebrate a German festival in Waterloo Region, a community whose connections to Germany are less prominent than they once were.

James Skidmore is Director of the Waterloo Centre for German Studies, a research institute at the University of Waterloo, and a long-time LALL instructor.

• Dates/Time:
  • Lecture – Wednesday, Oct. 9, 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  • Bus Tour – Wednesday Oct. 16, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Location:
  • Lecture – Laurier's Waterloo campus, Room TBD
  • Bus Tour – Parking and/or pick-up and drop off available at Laurier's Waterloo campus
• Cost: $100
• Eligible for 10 hours towards Laurier's Lifelong Learning Certificate

Course Description

The Grand River, a Canadian heritage river, was formed by the remnants of the Wisconsin Ice Age thousands of years ago. Indigenous people have travelled and lived in the area of the Grand River watershed for hundreds of years.

On Oct. 25, 1784, Sir Frederick Haldimand, the governor of Québec, on behalf of King George III, signed a decree that granted a tract of land, six miles (10 kms) wide on either side of the Grand River from its source to its mouth, to the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois), also known as the Six Nations, in compensation for their alliance with British forces during the American Revolution (1775–1783).

On Feb. 5, 1798, this land was parcelled out in six large blocks to specific purchasers. These later developed into towns that still exist today: the Township of Dumfries, Waterloo Township, Waterloo County, Pilkington Township in Wellington County, Woolwich Township in Waterloo County and Nichol Township in Wellington County.

This lecture and subsequent bus tour will explore the natural history of the Grand River watershed from Waterloo to Elora and Fergus, including the Elora Gorge.

Learn about the early people, such as Augustus Jones, Joseph Brant, Robert Pilkington, William Gilkison, Adam Fergusson, James Webster and William Wallace, who had a vision to settle this area.

Discover the importance of other early personalities, such as Dr. Abraham Groves, Charles Kirk Clarke, David Boyle, the Beatty Brothers, John Connon and others, who influenced the business and political life of the area.

A visit and presentation will be made to the Wellington County Museum and Archives, a National Historic Site and the oldest remaining House of Industry in Canada. It was built in 1877 as a "Poor House" or place of refuge for the poor, homeless, and destitute people in Wellington County.

Note: There will be multiple stops throughout the bus tour where participants will need to get on and off the bus, with limited walking. It is recommended that participants consider their own mobility when registering.

Course Details

The cost of the course includes:

• Tour pre-lecutre and guided tour with long-time LALL instructor, Warren Stauch.
• Access to MyLearningSpace for course materials.
• Designated parking at Laurier's Waterloo Campus for the duration of the bus tour on Oct. 16 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Parking on Oct. 9 during the pre-lecture is not included.
• Use of Great Canadian Bus Tours luxury coach bus with onboard restroom.
• Lunch at the Gorge Country Kitchen on tour day.

Instructor

Warren Stauch is a life-long resident of Kitchener who has a keen interest in the geography and history of the Waterloo Region and the Grand River watershed.

Warren earned an honours BA in Geography at Waterloo Lutheran University in 1968 and then a MA in Geography at Wilfrid Laurier University in 1978. After a year at Althouse College of Education in London, ON, Warren taught Geography for 30 years in three high schools before retiring in June 1999.

In 1967, Warren was asked to be a step-on guide for the Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber of Commerce and has been leading bus tours of the local area for the past 51 years.

In retirement, Warren has taught interest courses for seniors at the Laurier Association for Life-Long Learning in Waterloo. In addition to bus tours, Warren also does local historical walking tours, and presents slides shows on a variety of topics.

Warren has been married to Martha, a retired Language teacher, for 48 years, and volunteers in the community and sits on a number of boards. He is a Board member on the Grand River Conservation Authority and chair of the Waterloo Regional Heritage Foundation.

Warren has been the recipient of a number of awards and honours. In Jan. 2017, he was the recipient of the Mayor’s Community Builder Award for the City of Kitchener.

• Dates: Mondays, Oct. 21 to Nov. 25
• Location: Waterloo campus, Peter's Building, P119
• Time: 10 a.m. – 11:50 a.m. 
• Cost: $85
• Eligible for 12 hours towards Laurier's Lifelong Learning Certificate

Course Description

Imitation is a time-honored way to understand more deeply and get more proficient at any art or skill, whether it’s cooking, painting, dancing, composing, acting, or designing clothes. Beginning chefs start by following a recipe closely, and then eventually, as they get the technique down, they add their own flare to the dish. The same is true for writing. By carefully examining how accomplished writers work, by copying what they do, we become better writers!

In this course, we will explore poetry, creative nonfiction, and fiction by first imitating the masters to create our own masterpieces.

Instructor

Christin Taylor is the author of two books. Her articles and essays have appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Sojourners. She holds a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Antioch University of Los Angeles and is currently completing her PhD in Composition and Rhetoric at University of Waterloo. In addition to writing, Christin has taught composition and creative writing since 2006 at universities and colleges across North America. To read more about Christin and her writing, visit www.christintaylor.com.

Tuesday AM section

• Dates: Tuesdays, Oct. 22 to Nov. 26
• Location: Waterloo campus, 45 Lodge Street, Lower Level Classroom
• Time: 10:30 a.m. – 12:20 p.m.
• Cost: $85
• Eligible for 12 hours towards Laurier's Lifelong Learning Certificate

• Dates: Tuesdays, Oct. 22 to Nov. 26
• Location: Waterloo campus, Peter's Building, P119
• Time: 1:30 p.m. – 3:20 p.m.
• Cost: $85
• Eligible for 12 hours towards Laurier's Lifelong Learning Certificate

Course Description

Come explore the rich history of the Renaissance!

In this course, we’ll revisit the extraordinary legacy of some of history’s greatest creators, and examine the links between them. Starting with a quick introductory survey, we’ll dive into the works of the most important artists and musicians of the time—Donatello, Brunelleschi, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Dufay, Josquin, and more—with an eye toward how the social, intellectual, and political atmosphere of the day was reflected in their magnificence. Some of the topics we’ll discuss:

•  Hidden messages: symbols, names, and numbers in art and music;
• The Virgin Mary honoured in the works of Leonardo, Michelangelo, Dufay, and Josquin;
• The First Lady of the Renaissance: art and music for the court of Isabella d’Esté;
• Dufay’s Mass for the Shroud of Turin;
• Josquin’s music for the Sistine chapel
• The beauty and charm of Florence, as expressed in Florentine carnival songs, laudes, and motets;
• Popular music of the Renaissance.

Instructor

Dr. Alma Santosuosso is professor emeritus at Wilfrid Laurier University, where she taught music history for thirty-three years. She has published six books and several articles on the topics of mediaeval notation and music theory manuscripts, including a three-volume series on Music Theory in Mediaeval Normandy.

• Dates: Tuesdays, Oct. 22 to Nov. 26
• Location: Waterloo campus, 45 Lodge St., Lower Level Classroom
• Time: 2 p.m. – 3:50 p.m.
• Cost: $85
• Eligible for 12 hours towards Laurier's Lifelong Learning Certificate

Course Description

This course investigates the challenges our society faces as we automate not just processes, but increasingly also decisions. Consider this: every day, we blithely give ourselves into the hands of Artificial Intelligence (AI): whether searching for online deals or flying across the Atlantic, we trust the decisions made for us by computer software. AI also determines who gets a mortgage, where police cars patrol, or who is released from jail on parole. AI is a form of computer software that makes such decisions by following algorithms, which are programmed sets of rules that are designed to produce a desired outcome. But what if that outcome involves deeply ethical questions, such as who gets hurt in a car crash, receives treatment in hospital, or dies on the battlefield? Can we program AI to make ‘ethically correct’ decisions with such far-reaching consequences? Would we want to?

We will examine the ethics of AI as it plays out in everyday life. Course participants are welcome to suggest their own case studies at any time during the course, but here is a preliminary lineup:

 Week 1: What is AI and what role does it already play in your life?

Week 2: Commercial AI and data privacy. Case study: What Facebook does with your data

Week 3: AI in the service of the state. Case study: the Chinese social credit system

Week 4: Neural Networks and Deep Learning. Case study: AI in health care

Week 5: Should AI act impartially or ethically? Case study: AI in self-driving cars

Week 6: Should AI become ‘compassionate’ or ‘more human’? Case study: AI on the battlefield

Instructor

Michael Imort received his Ph.D. from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. Ever the geographer, he took the long way to get there, studying at Brock, York, Waterloo, and Freiburg, Germany, with stints in the Arctic, Hawaii, Mali, and Zaire (now the DR of Congo), and a teaching appointment in an English castle—not to mention the days when he worked as a lumberjack or ran a bookstore. When the time came to get serious, he joined the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies at Wilfrid Laurier University, where he currently is an Associate Professor of Cultural and Historical Geography. Originally trained as a forest scientist with an interest in fire ecology, he soon became interested in the human side of environmental problems. Today his research interests include environmental ethics and the many ways in which representations of landscape are used and abused for political purposes.

Wednesday AM Section

• Dates: Wednesdays, Oct. 23 to Nov. 27
• Location: Waterloo campus, 45 Lodge St., Lower Level Classroom
• Time: 10 a.m. – 11:50 a.m.
• Cost: $85
• Eligible for 12 hours towards Laurier's Lifelong Learning Certificate

• Dates: Thursdays, Oct. 24 to Nov. 28
• Location: Waterloo campus, Peter's Building, P119
• Time: 10 a.m. – 11:50 a.m.
• Cost: $85
• Eligible for 12 hours towards Laurier's Lifelong Learning Certificate

Course Description

What does aging mean to you? Do you consider yourself an elder? What difference exists between “age-ing” and “sage-ing?” What is eldering and how does it compare to aging? And how might your understanding of conscious eldering support your own sense of wellbeing and that of the larger community?

In this multidisciplinary course, we will explore these questions and engage in conversation about their significance in our third act of life. Aging is a natural process of life we tend to celebrate when we are young. When we grow into older adulthood, many of us cherish the gifts and opportunities that are deeply meaningful to us. Along with the joys and strengths that arise, though, new challenges emerge. We may be aware of physical changes and decline. We may feel anxious about our financial situation or anticipate failure of our cognitive faculties. We may struggle with a potential loss of independence. We may be fearful of isolation or loneliness and uncertain when facing loss, illness, death, grief and the realities of our own mortality.

A shift to conscious eldering contributes to our ability to harness our intelligence, courage, resilience, passion and grace to cope well with change and the new complexities that circumstances might provide. Through stories, videos, art and poetry we will journey through a life review in all seven dimensions of wellness. When we confront the challenges and opportunities of aging, we increase and deepen our potential to cope along with our passion and sense of purpose. We then create the space to serve as storytellers, wisdomkeepers and stewards, in short, as “elders.”

This course explores the meaning of “age-ing” and “sage-ing” and its implications for ourselves and the world around us. We will examine a reimagined model of conscious eldering that can serve as a foundation to supporting ourselves and future generations in a sustainable, joyful and purposeful fashion.

Instructor

Martina C Steiger, ThD, Professor Emeritus at Holos University Graduate Seminary, is a 2013 graduate of the Master of Science program in Narrative Medicine at Columbia University in New York. She currently works as a narrative coach, transformative educator and Narrative Medicine Practitioner in private practice. Facilitation of reflective workshops for staff and volunteers at the Hospice of Waterloo Region constitutes a significant aspect of her work.

• Dates: Wednesdays, Oct. 23 to Nov. 13
• Location: Waterloo campus, 45 Lodge St., Lower Level Classroom
• Time: 1 p.m. – 3:50 p.m.
• Cost: $85
• Eligible for 12 hours towards Laurier's Lifelong Learning Certificate

Course Description

This course is a new round of the Families in Film series. Previous participation in a Families in Film course is not required.

This year’s theme focuses on the experiences of those who live through conflict and war across the globe. Troubled times can both fragment families and force strangers together, so our theme will include a range of groups living together. Despite the horrors of war, there is love and hope in these films as well as suffering and tragedy.

As in previous offerings in this series, the films have been selected from around the world to provide glimpses into other cultural, social, and family contexts. Titles TBA. Each of the four classes will last for three hours, allowing for a brief introduction of salient background, full viewing of the film and discussion afterwards.

Instructor

Professor Emeritus Deena Mandell taught in Laurier’s Faculty of Social Work until June 2017. She has been a guest teacher in countries ranging China and Taiwan to Israel, Malta and Ireland. Her research and teaching have focused largely on families in interaction with social systems… and she loves movies.

• Dates: Thursdays, Oct. 24 to Nov. 28
• Location: Waterloo campus, Peter's Building, P119
• Time: 1 p.m. – 2:50 p.m.
• Cost: $85
• Eligible for 12 hours towards Laurier's Lifelong Learning Certificate

Course Description

As Canada’s only Nobel Prize winner in Literature, Alice Munro was recognized as a master of the short story form. Although she has claimed that her imagination was not comfortable with the novel form, at least two of her fourteen collections of stories are comprised of a set of interlinked stories that approach the novel form. Lives of Girls and Women consists of eight interlinked stories focussing on the early life of Dell Jordan. Who Do You Think You Are contains ten interlinked stories featuring its protagonist Rose’s retrospective view of her life. After an introductory session on Munro’s life and the nature of her artistic world, this course will focus on a detailed study of these two collections in a lecture and discussion format.

Instructor

Roman Dubinski is a retired Professor from the English Department at the University of Waterloo. He has taught several courses for LALL. One of these was on a selection of stories by Alice Munro. This current course on Alice Munro will study different stories than were covered in the previous course.

• Dates: Fridays, Oct. 25 to Nov. 29
• Location: Waterloo campus, Bricker Academic Building, BA211
• Time: 1 p.m. – 2:50 p.m.
• Cost: $85
• Eligible for 12 hours towards Laurier's Lifelong Learning Certificate

Course Description

In this course we will explore the exciting world of science. In each class we will look at a different discipline of science and discuss some of the great discoveries and how they have contributed to our society.

We will look at scientific disciplines that will include psychology, physiology, bacteriology, chemistry, environmental studies and astronomy. We will take a general look at each topic and highlight how these disciplines overlap with one another and influence our everyday life. Each session we will also focus on a current news article that relates to each discipline and you will develop an understanding of how to interpret the scientific findings and the ability share this scientific knowledge with your family and community.

Instructor

Dr. Marcia Chaudet is an Educational Developer in Teaching and Learning here at Wilfrid Laurier University. She is also a sessional instructor at the University of Guelph and the University of Waterloo and has taught a range of biology and science undergraduate courses. She received her PhD in Science from the University of Waterloo and focused her research on the role of bacteria in human sugar digestion. Through her research and teachings in the sciences she strives to invoke student’s sense of curiosity in science and question the world of biology that surrounds them.