SCANS
SENIORS' COLLEGE ASSOCIATION OF NOVA SCOTIA
SENIORS' COLLEGE ASSOCIATION OF NOVA SCOTIA
Continue your life-long learning by joining the Seniors’ College Association of Nova Scotia, a volunteer-based registered non-profit organization dedicated to providing affordable non-credit academic courses to seniors (age 50+) in Nova Scotia. Courses are for your learning enjoyment, without tests or assignments. Membership entitles you to enrol in any number of the courses offered per year. It also allows you to participate in further developing this dynamic learning organization. Classes are offered in the Halifax Regional Municipality, Chester, Liverpool, Mahone Bay, and Truro.
More about SCANS
More about SCANS
2021 Fall TerM
All courses will be delivered online as Zoom webinars
Download the print-friendly course schedule and description brochure (pdf)
Download the print-friendly course schedule and description brochure (pdf)
1. Women Artists Through Art History: Hidden But Very Present - VirginIa Stephen
Day: Monday
Dates: Oct 18 - Nov 22
Time: 1:30 - 3:00 pm
Course Description
To read a standard art history text you might come away wondering where the women artists were. For centuries it would seem there were no women artists, few or not-named in the records and books. But we know they must have been there. In this course we will look at the place of women in the history of art from the Renaissance to today by looking at themes such as Their Father’s Daughters; Women’s Work; How Women Artists See Themselves (self portraiture); Women as Muse and/or Artist; and others. We will explore the work women who were seminal in the development of visual art some of whom you may know, others will be new acquaintances, and there are some who we never may now their identity beyond the work left.
Instructor Biography
An art historian and educator by training (and passion) Virginia Stephen brings to her practice over 40 years of experience as an arts educator, museum educator, art museum director and senior arts administrator. She was as Acting Director of the Arts and cultural Management Program at MacEwan where she taught Museum/Gallery Management, Human Resources and advocacy for several years. She was Deputy Director (Head of Programs and curator of Education) of the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia and Executive Director of the Edmonton Art Gallery. As an educator, artist, writer and curator her focus has been to facilitate individual and group interaction with art to enrich ways of knowing, ways of interacting with the world and other people, and ways to achieve innovation with students, adults, and corporate groups. She has worked and presented across Canada and been guest speaker at education, museum, healthcare, and leadership conferences and symposia in the United States and Europe. She has written exhibition catalogues and books for museum audiences of all ages and contributed to arts education and museum periodicals, anthologies and peer reviewed journals in Canada and the United States.
Ms Stephen holds an MA in Visual and Performing Arts Education and undergraduate degrees in both art history and arts education. In her own practice, she is a painter and fibre artist.
Dates: Oct 18 - Nov 22
Time: 1:30 - 3:00 pm
Course Description
To read a standard art history text you might come away wondering where the women artists were. For centuries it would seem there were no women artists, few or not-named in the records and books. But we know they must have been there. In this course we will look at the place of women in the history of art from the Renaissance to today by looking at themes such as Their Father’s Daughters; Women’s Work; How Women Artists See Themselves (self portraiture); Women as Muse and/or Artist; and others. We will explore the work women who were seminal in the development of visual art some of whom you may know, others will be new acquaintances, and there are some who we never may now their identity beyond the work left.
Instructor Biography
An art historian and educator by training (and passion) Virginia Stephen brings to her practice over 40 years of experience as an arts educator, museum educator, art museum director and senior arts administrator. She was as Acting Director of the Arts and cultural Management Program at MacEwan where she taught Museum/Gallery Management, Human Resources and advocacy for several years. She was Deputy Director (Head of Programs and curator of Education) of the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia and Executive Director of the Edmonton Art Gallery. As an educator, artist, writer and curator her focus has been to facilitate individual and group interaction with art to enrich ways of knowing, ways of interacting with the world and other people, and ways to achieve innovation with students, adults, and corporate groups. She has worked and presented across Canada and been guest speaker at education, museum, healthcare, and leadership conferences and symposia in the United States and Europe. She has written exhibition catalogues and books for museum audiences of all ages and contributed to arts education and museum periodicals, anthologies and peer reviewed journals in Canada and the United States.
Ms Stephen holds an MA in Visual and Performing Arts Education and undergraduate degrees in both art history and arts education. In her own practice, she is a painter and fibre artist.
2. Criminal Justice in Nova Scotia: One Size Does Not Fit All (new 2021 course) - Nova SCOTIA CRIMINAL JUSTICE ASSOCIATION
Day: Tuesday
Dates: Oct 5 - Nov 9
Time: 10:00 - 12:00 pm
Course Description
The criminal justice system has struggled to deal with matters whose root causes are linked to poverty, marginalization, mental health and addiction issues. In recent years, Nova Scotia and other Canadian jurisdictions have developed ‘wellness’ courts and programs as a means of addressing the revolving door for vulnerable individuals in the traditional justice system. This course will introduce participants to these ‘wellness’ courts and programs – explore the reasons for their creation, how they work and what the outcomes have been. The course will be delivered by those who are involved in these courts: judges, Crown and defence lawyers and community program personnel.
Session 1: October 5
Wellness courts – an overview
This session will explore the development of wellness courts in Nova Scotia and why they are now an integral part of the criminal justice (court) system. The three programs under the wellness court umbrella (Mental Health Court Program, Drug Court Program and Alcohol Court Program) will be described – their roles, teams and results.
Speaker: Pamela S Williams, Chief Judge of the Nova Scotia Provincial Court
Session 2: October 12
Domestic Violence Court programs, services and supports
This session will provide information regarding the prevalence of domestic violence incidents in Nova Scotia; concerns regarding the ability of the traditional justice system to deal with these complex cases; development of the Domestic Violence Court; supports for victims and perpetrators; and how the Court is taking a trauma-informed approach to those affected by domestic violence.
Speakers: Carolyn Baker, Coordinator NS Domestic Violence Court Program; Tammy Anderson, Nova Scotia Victim Services
Session 3: October 19
Sexual assault cases
This session will examine the criminal justice system’s response to allegations of sexual assault. It will address public misperceptions concerning the nature of the legislation relating to sexual assault, issues of consent, burden of proof, protections offered to complainants, and the role of the Crown and defence in criminal proceedings.
Speakers: Carla Ball, Crown attorney; Brad Sarson, Nova Scotia Legal Aid
Session 4: October 26
Accused persons with addictions
This session will explore how addictions impact criminality and consider evidence that some harm-reduction approaches can have a positive impact on the revolving door of incarceration for those suffering from addictions.
Speakers: Steven Deveau, Executive Director, 7th Step Society; Amy Siciliano, HRM Public Safety Advisor
Session 5: November 2
Indigenous persons and the criminal justice system
This session will explore the factors responsible for over-representation of Indigenous people in the justice system. It will describe the various programs that have been implemented in Nova Scotia in order to respond more appropriately to Indigenous persons who come into conflict with the law. The speakers will explain the impact of the 1999 Supreme Court of Canada Gladue decision.
Speakers: Judge Catherine Benton; David Curry, Crown attorney, Digby
Session 6: November 9
Issues related to the experience of African Nova Scotians with the criminal justice system
The speakers will address issues of intergenerational trauma; systemic racism; challenges experienced by African Nova Scotians as they navigate the justice system and initiatives that are being developed to counter them. The session will explore the community advocacy work undertaken to address concerns re police street checks and community initiatives that focus on ‘upstream’ prevention.
Speakers: DeRico Symonds, Senior Policy Analyst, NS Office of Equity and Anti-Racism; Charnell Brooks, social worker, Nova Scotia Legal Aid
Instructor Biography
The Nova Scotia Criminal Justice Association is a non-governmental provincial organization. NSCJA members include individuals working in all components of the justice system as well as our partners in the fields of health, education and social services. The Association is involved in a range of activities aimed at promoting a humane, equitable and effective criminal justice system.
Dates: Oct 5 - Nov 9
Time: 10:00 - 12:00 pm
Course Description
The criminal justice system has struggled to deal with matters whose root causes are linked to poverty, marginalization, mental health and addiction issues. In recent years, Nova Scotia and other Canadian jurisdictions have developed ‘wellness’ courts and programs as a means of addressing the revolving door for vulnerable individuals in the traditional justice system. This course will introduce participants to these ‘wellness’ courts and programs – explore the reasons for their creation, how they work and what the outcomes have been. The course will be delivered by those who are involved in these courts: judges, Crown and defence lawyers and community program personnel.
Session 1: October 5
Wellness courts – an overview
This session will explore the development of wellness courts in Nova Scotia and why they are now an integral part of the criminal justice (court) system. The three programs under the wellness court umbrella (Mental Health Court Program, Drug Court Program and Alcohol Court Program) will be described – their roles, teams and results.
Speaker: Pamela S Williams, Chief Judge of the Nova Scotia Provincial Court
Session 2: October 12
Domestic Violence Court programs, services and supports
This session will provide information regarding the prevalence of domestic violence incidents in Nova Scotia; concerns regarding the ability of the traditional justice system to deal with these complex cases; development of the Domestic Violence Court; supports for victims and perpetrators; and how the Court is taking a trauma-informed approach to those affected by domestic violence.
Speakers: Carolyn Baker, Coordinator NS Domestic Violence Court Program; Tammy Anderson, Nova Scotia Victim Services
Session 3: October 19
Sexual assault cases
This session will examine the criminal justice system’s response to allegations of sexual assault. It will address public misperceptions concerning the nature of the legislation relating to sexual assault, issues of consent, burden of proof, protections offered to complainants, and the role of the Crown and defence in criminal proceedings.
Speakers: Carla Ball, Crown attorney; Brad Sarson, Nova Scotia Legal Aid
Session 4: October 26
Accused persons with addictions
This session will explore how addictions impact criminality and consider evidence that some harm-reduction approaches can have a positive impact on the revolving door of incarceration for those suffering from addictions.
Speakers: Steven Deveau, Executive Director, 7th Step Society; Amy Siciliano, HRM Public Safety Advisor
Session 5: November 2
Indigenous persons and the criminal justice system
This session will explore the factors responsible for over-representation of Indigenous people in the justice system. It will describe the various programs that have been implemented in Nova Scotia in order to respond more appropriately to Indigenous persons who come into conflict with the law. The speakers will explain the impact of the 1999 Supreme Court of Canada Gladue decision.
Speakers: Judge Catherine Benton; David Curry, Crown attorney, Digby
Session 6: November 9
Issues related to the experience of African Nova Scotians with the criminal justice system
The speakers will address issues of intergenerational trauma; systemic racism; challenges experienced by African Nova Scotians as they navigate the justice system and initiatives that are being developed to counter them. The session will explore the community advocacy work undertaken to address concerns re police street checks and community initiatives that focus on ‘upstream’ prevention.
Speakers: DeRico Symonds, Senior Policy Analyst, NS Office of Equity and Anti-Racism; Charnell Brooks, social worker, Nova Scotia Legal Aid
Instructor Biography
The Nova Scotia Criminal Justice Association is a non-governmental provincial organization. NSCJA members include individuals working in all components of the justice system as well as our partners in the fields of health, education and social services. The Association is involved in a range of activities aimed at promoting a humane, equitable and effective criminal justice system.
3. Frameworks for Understanding the History of Photography - Alan Griffiths
Day: Wednesday
Dates: Oct 6 - Nov 10
Time: 10:00 - 11:30 am
Course Description
This new course takes the history of photography apart so one can grasp the many different ways of appreciating and enjoying the subject. We will seek out patterns to recognize the key techniques, dating elements, themes and those involved in the photography community. There will be walks down winding roads, strange tales of adventure, mysterious temples, elephants, eyeballs, popes and bizarre connections. I will be a carnival barker enticing you into my visual tent.
Come on in… all will be revealed.
Instructor Biography
Alan Griffiths has lectured on multimedia and consulted worldwide for organizations as diverse as the British Library, IBM, the Portuguese Air Force, the European Union and Eastman Kodak. He has lectured at the University of Sheffield, been Visiting Professor at the University of Massachusetts and Chief Information Architect for a dot com start-up. He has maintained an interest in photography throughout.
Alan started developing www.luminous-lint.com in 2005 as a personal exploration of the history of photography. To date photographs from over 3,800 organizations, photographers, photographic galleries and private collectors around the world have been included. This allows users to explore an ever-expanding online history through over 700 online exhibitions, numerous biographies, techniques, timelines and a visually rich website with many millions of interconnections.
Dates: Oct 6 - Nov 10
Time: 10:00 - 11:30 am
Course Description
This new course takes the history of photography apart so one can grasp the many different ways of appreciating and enjoying the subject. We will seek out patterns to recognize the key techniques, dating elements, themes and those involved in the photography community. There will be walks down winding roads, strange tales of adventure, mysterious temples, elephants, eyeballs, popes and bizarre connections. I will be a carnival barker enticing you into my visual tent.
Come on in… all will be revealed.
Instructor Biography
Alan Griffiths has lectured on multimedia and consulted worldwide for organizations as diverse as the British Library, IBM, the Portuguese Air Force, the European Union and Eastman Kodak. He has lectured at the University of Sheffield, been Visiting Professor at the University of Massachusetts and Chief Information Architect for a dot com start-up. He has maintained an interest in photography throughout.
Alan started developing www.luminous-lint.com in 2005 as a personal exploration of the history of photography. To date photographs from over 3,800 organizations, photographers, photographic galleries and private collectors around the world have been included. This allows users to explore an ever-expanding online history through over 700 online exhibitions, numerous biographies, techniques, timelines and a visually rich website with many millions of interconnections.
4. Plants, People, and Politics - Hilda Taylor
Day: Thursday
Dates: Oct 7 - Nov 18 (no class on Nov 11)
Time: 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm
Course Description
This course explores the diverse ways that cultures have utilized plants. Historically, plant hunting has driven fantastic journeys of exploration but also plants have been the cause of strife between nations. Plants provide us with a wealth of valuable resources – we are frequently unaware of the contribution they make to our lives. The course will attempt to increase your appreciation of the plant kingdom.
Instructor Biography
Hilda Taylor obtained a BSc from the University of Liverpool and a PhD from the University of Waterloo. After moving to Wolfville in 1971 she taught a variety of courses in the Biology Department at Acadia University. Her research interests were mycological, in particular mycorrhizal fungi associated with the vascular plants of the salt marsh. For several years she ran the Scanning Electron Microscopy unit. Dr. Taylor was active in several organizations involved with equity matters, and served on the CAUT Status of Women Committee.
Dates: Oct 7 - Nov 18 (no class on Nov 11)
Time: 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm
Course Description
This course explores the diverse ways that cultures have utilized plants. Historically, plant hunting has driven fantastic journeys of exploration but also plants have been the cause of strife between nations. Plants provide us with a wealth of valuable resources – we are frequently unaware of the contribution they make to our lives. The course will attempt to increase your appreciation of the plant kingdom.
Instructor Biography
Hilda Taylor obtained a BSc from the University of Liverpool and a PhD from the University of Waterloo. After moving to Wolfville in 1971 she taught a variety of courses in the Biology Department at Acadia University. Her research interests were mycological, in particular mycorrhizal fungi associated with the vascular plants of the salt marsh. For several years she ran the Scanning Electron Microscopy unit. Dr. Taylor was active in several organizations involved with equity matters, and served on the CAUT Status of Women Committee.
5. (Almost) Everything You Wanted to Know about Medical Imaging but Were Afraid to Ask! - Pierre Schmit
Day: Friday
Dates: Oct 8 - Nov 12
Time: 1:30 - 3:00 pm
Course Description
Over the last 40 years, medical imaging has played an increasingly important role in the diagnosis and evaluation of medical conditions reshaping the diagnostic pathways.
We will also discuss the advantages of each modality when compared to other ones, specific contraindications and risks, especially related to irradiation.
Instructor Biography
Dr. Pierre Schmit MD is a former Paris (France) University Hospital resident: he worked for three years under Pr Cl. Fauré in Paris (France) during which his interest and orientation developed in pediatric imaging and more specifically musculoskeletal imaging. He, then successively worked as a staff pediatric radiologist in two other university hospitals in Paris. He was also involved in a pediatric imaging private practice.
Finally, he landed in Halifax in January 2006 and since has worked as a staff radiologist at the IWK until he retired in December 2020. He was head of the IWK Diagnostic Imaging department for 5 years and promoted to Professor in Radiology on July 2018.
He has been a guest lecturer at 23 radiology international conferences, 42 national and 13 local ones. He has presented over 100 scientific presentations in both French and English. He has authored 57 peer reviewed articles and 18 radiology textbook chapters
Dates: Oct 8 - Nov 12
Time: 1:30 - 3:00 pm
Course Description
Over the last 40 years, medical imaging has played an increasingly important role in the diagnosis and evaluation of medical conditions reshaping the diagnostic pathways.
- X-Rays are now delivered and reported in a completely different way than they were 40 years ago
- Computed Tomography (CT) has recently become a widely (too widely?) used type of imaging
- UltraSound (US), which initially provided only static images, now offers real time imaging with Doppler and color Doppler capacity and is no longer only used for obstetrics
- Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging provides extremely important information and opens new insights especially in neuroradiology
- Nuclear Medicine (NM) which uses radioisotopes provides anatomic and functional information. Its most recent development, Positon Emission Tomography combined with CT (ie PET-CT) helps to better delineate cancer
- Medical imaging also has a therapeutic component (Image Guided Therapy or IGT) which allows radiologists to perform minimally invasive procedures such as biopsies, tumor ablation, abcess drainage, angioplasties and embolizations
We will also discuss the advantages of each modality when compared to other ones, specific contraindications and risks, especially related to irradiation.
Instructor Biography
Dr. Pierre Schmit MD is a former Paris (France) University Hospital resident: he worked for three years under Pr Cl. Fauré in Paris (France) during which his interest and orientation developed in pediatric imaging and more specifically musculoskeletal imaging. He, then successively worked as a staff pediatric radiologist in two other university hospitals in Paris. He was also involved in a pediatric imaging private practice.
Finally, he landed in Halifax in January 2006 and since has worked as a staff radiologist at the IWK until he retired in December 2020. He was head of the IWK Diagnostic Imaging department for 5 years and promoted to Professor in Radiology on July 2018.
He has been a guest lecturer at 23 radiology international conferences, 42 national and 13 local ones. He has presented over 100 scientific presentations in both French and English. He has authored 57 peer reviewed articles and 18 radiology textbook chapters
Course Information Session
Free Public Lecture
OCTOBER 28, 2021, 10:00 am
via Zoom
Things That Go Bump in the Night
Do you hear eerie sounds in the dead of night? Is someone watching you even though no one is there? Do doors mysteriously open on their own? If you’ve answered yes to even one of these questions, then join veteran ghost story teller Vernon Oickle as he brings to life some of Nova Scotia’s most intriguing tales of suspense in this presentation. And please bring your own ghostly tales to share.
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VERNON OICKLE was born and raised in Liverpool where he continues to reside. He is an award-winning journalist and editor, and is the author of 33 books, many of which collect and preserve the heritage and culture of Atlantic Canada. His best-selling books include Ghost Stories of the Maritimes, Ghost Stories of Nova Scotia, More Ghost Stories of Nova Scotia, the Nova Scotia Outstanding Outhouse Reader, South Shore Facts and Folklore, Strange Nova Scotia, The Bluenosers’ Book of Slang and Red Sky at Night.
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Items Of Interest
Books by Barbara Newland
WILLIAM"S WAY
A three-part family saga written by Barbara Newland, one of SCANS' directors, is now available in Kindle and Paperback format.
https://www.amazon.ca/B-A-Newland/e/B088DC2C4Z
A three-part family saga written by Barbara Newland, one of SCANS' directors, is now available in Kindle and Paperback format.
- William’s Way Volume One – A Boyhood Journey,
- William’s Way Volume Two – Mountains to Climb
- William’s Way Volume Three – Family Fortunes
https://www.amazon.ca/B-A-Newland/e/B088DC2C4Z
Farewell to barbara Newland
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Barbara Newland, BoD Secretary and a class manager extraordinaire, is moving to Vancouver. She was recently presented with a gift from the Board in appreciation of her volunteer work with the Seniors' College.
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The following information is not hosted by SCANS. No endorsement of any products or services is expressed or implied.
CBC Nova Scotia
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Check for winter class cancellations on
CBC Storm Centre Read the SCANS policy on class cancellations |
Environment Canada
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