FALL 2018 COURSES
At a glance
HALIFAX REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY
1. ‡ Domestic Architecture in Nova Scotia 1764 - 1923 - Allen Penney ‡
2. Study of Elizabeth Bowen’s “The House in Paris” and Henry James’s “What Maisie Knew” - Victoria Rosenberg
3. Creative Writing: Fiction - Gwen Davies COURSE FULL
4. Jazz Essentials - Ted Blackbourn
5. Six Controversies - Norman Pereira COURSE FULL
6. A History of Recorded Sound: from Edison to MP3 - Bob Bauer
7. Filthy Lucre: a brief (but affectionate) history of money - Alex Roberts COURSE FULL
8. Food and Nutrition for Successful Aging - Sandi Berwick COURSE FULL
9. Capitalism: From Prosperity to Inequality - Daphna Levit COURSE FULL
10. The Science of Mindfulness: How Mindfulness Meditation Affects our Bodies, Brains and Minds - Patricia McMullen COURSE FULL
11. Comedy, Tragedy and Dramatic Structure Onstage and in Film - Glenn Walton
12. Ayn Rand and Her Philosophy - Steve Chipman
‡ Course marked with double-dagger is in partnership with Halifax Public Libraries,
1. ‡ Domestic Architecture in Nova Scotia 1764 - 1923 - Allen Penney ‡
2. Study of Elizabeth Bowen’s “The House in Paris” and Henry James’s “What Maisie Knew” - Victoria Rosenberg
3. Creative Writing: Fiction - Gwen Davies COURSE FULL
4. Jazz Essentials - Ted Blackbourn
5. Six Controversies - Norman Pereira COURSE FULL
6. A History of Recorded Sound: from Edison to MP3 - Bob Bauer
7. Filthy Lucre: a brief (but affectionate) history of money - Alex Roberts COURSE FULL
8. Food and Nutrition for Successful Aging - Sandi Berwick COURSE FULL
9. Capitalism: From Prosperity to Inequality - Daphna Levit COURSE FULL
10. The Science of Mindfulness: How Mindfulness Meditation Affects our Bodies, Brains and Minds - Patricia McMullen COURSE FULL
11. Comedy, Tragedy and Dramatic Structure Onstage and in Film - Glenn Walton
12. Ayn Rand and Her Philosophy - Steve Chipman
‡ Course marked with double-dagger is in partnership with Halifax Public Libraries,
CHESTER
13. Capitalism: From Prosperity to Inequality - Daphna Levit
14. Women In Russian History - Natalia Koutovenko
MAHONE BAY
15. From Bach to Beatles. Evolution of Guitar - Vladimir Sitnikov
16. Back to Babel: Issues in the Media - Kevin Cox
17. Would I Lie to You? A Look at Video Tricks and Deceptions on Television and Online - Dawn Harwood-Jones
LIVERPOOL
18. A Brief History of Queens County (and Beyond) Through Six Lenses - Various Speakers
19. The Protestant Imagination - Rosalie Osmond
TRURO
20. Getting Started With Writing - Jon Peirce
21. Nature Conservation - Martin Willison
22. The Science of Food - Nancy Pitts
13. Capitalism: From Prosperity to Inequality - Daphna Levit
14. Women In Russian History - Natalia Koutovenko
MAHONE BAY
15. From Bach to Beatles. Evolution of Guitar - Vladimir Sitnikov
16. Back to Babel: Issues in the Media - Kevin Cox
17. Would I Lie to You? A Look at Video Tricks and Deceptions on Television and Online - Dawn Harwood-Jones
LIVERPOOL
18. A Brief History of Queens County (and Beyond) Through Six Lenses - Various Speakers
19. The Protestant Imagination - Rosalie Osmond
TRURO
20. Getting Started With Writing - Jon Peirce
21. Nature Conservation - Martin Willison
22. The Science of Food - Nancy Pitts
HRM classes
1. Domestic Architecture in Nova Scotia 1764 - 1923 |
Tuesdays, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm (6 weeks) - Begins October 9, ends November 13 |
Twelve houses in the Nova Scotia Museum collection will be examined, three in considerable detail. Their owners, contexts, main function, construction, and design influences will inform us of the history of Nova Scotia, how people lived in them and why the houses are still standing. Divided into six sessions, the houses will be discussed in roughly chronological order. Note dates are approximate. 1. Perkins’ House, Liverpool, 1764 2. Ross–Thomson House & Store, Shelburne, 1781 North Hills Museum, Granville Ferry, 1793 McCulloch House, Pictou, 1808 3. Mount Uniacke, 1816 4. Prescott House, Starrs Point, 1811 Rosebank Cottage, New Ross, 1818 Jail, Sherbrooke Village, 1860 5. Clifton, Windsor, 1836 6. Lawrence House, Maitland, 1871 Shand House, Windsor, 1897 Fisherman’s Life Museum, Oyster Pond, 1923 [top] |
2. Study of Elizabeth Bowen’s “The House in Paris” and Henry James’s “What Maisie Knew” |
Tuesdays, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm (6 weeks) - Begins October 9, ends November 13 |
The blurb on the cover of a copy of Bowen's novel emphasizes that the children gain "possession of the kind of grave knowledge usually reserved for adults". Maisie begins "What Maisie Knew" at age 6; Henrietta is 11 in "The House in Paris", Leopold is 9. We will explore the nature of the children's acquired knowledge but, more important, study the growth of their consciousnesses. The focus of the course will accordingly be the analysis of the children's perceptions and awareness. We will discuss whether or not any one, or perhaps all, of the three grow into an intelligent understanding. Our method of approach will be one of close analysis of the texts. The first three sessions will be devoted to the James novel, the final three to the Bowen. The editions I will be referring to in class are the Oxford Classics of the James, the Anchor of the Bowen. Although any edition of either novel will suit, I suggest you look for a copy of "What Maisie Knew" which includes James' Preface to the novel; it will indicate the 1909 text of the New York edition (James revised his original 1897 text) that I will be using in class. Most editions will also state which of the two texts, the 1897 or the 1909, that particular publisher is using. Both novels are available online; those who prefer a book in hand can try used bookstores, the city libraries or, if you want a brand-new copy to mark in as you please, Bookmark on Spring Garden Road. [top] |
3. Creative Writing: Fiction COURSE FULL |
Gwen Davies [biography] |
Tuesdays, 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm (6 weeks) - Begins October 9, ends November 13 |
This is an active course in writing, for those who want to explore your own stories but have never gotten around to it, and those who need help to get back to writing. The class is designed to be a safe place for beginners to get started, and useful to those with writing experience. Over the six weeks, we will play with ways to find a focus, uncover memories, write pieces that hold a reader’s interest, and organize what you write. You will come away with a folder of writing and some ideas on how to keep your project going. [top] |
4. Jazz Essentials |
Tuesdays, 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm (6 weeks) - Begins October 9, ends November 13 |
Overview: What are the essentials of Jazz? What distinguishes Jazz from other musical genres? How has Jazz changed throughout its history? Can Jazz be defined? What is the relationship between Jazz and the popular song? By examining examples of recorded Jazz from its earliest days to the present, course participants will explore these and other questions in order to gain a greater depth of understanding of this rich and ever-changing art form. Recordings of popular songs as interpreted by jazz musicians will be used to illustrate the elements of Jazz and the many stylistic changes that have developed over the years. Topics:
[top] |
5. Six Controversies COURSE FULL |
Norman Pereira [biography] |
Wednesdays, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm (6 weeks) - Begins October 17, ends November 21 |
This class is discussion based with introductions and commentary by the instructor. Topics vary from year to year; in Fall 2018 they are:
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6. A History of Recorded Sound: from Edison to MP3 |
Wednesdays, 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm (6 weeks) - Begins October 10, ends November 14 |
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7. Filthy Lucre: a brief (but affectionate) history of money COURSE FULL |
Alex Roberts [biography] |
Parkland Clayton Park, Cameron Hall, 114 Fairfax Drive, Halifax [location] |
Wednesdays, 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm (6 weeks) - Begins October 10, ends November 14 |
“The thing that differentiates man (and woman) from the apes is money” – Gertrude Stein Dough, scratch, bread, moolah, quid, greenbacks, yen, rupee, euros, bahts, bitcoin: money permeates virtually every aspect of our psychological, emotional and financial lives. Indeed, we focus more of our time in the pursuit of money than any other human activity. It is also the essential back story that explains the origins of most great events: everything from the fall and rise of great empires to potentially catastrophic trade wars. Cultural anthropologist, Jack Weatherford goes as far as to argue, “Money is a plausible candidate for being the single most influential factor” shaping modern human progress, and the “definitive element of social life.” Employing an accessible, entertaining, thought-provoking approach, this course will look at the world’s second most interesting topic from many different perspectives: historical, economic, psychological, sociological and cultural. The central aim being to help the student to develop an understanding of money in its many forms, and how they will continue to be the force that makes the world go round. The course will include: the origin, evolution and characteristics of money, money in trade, in war, the psychology of spending, electronic money, money and inflation, how banks create money (out of nothing), the roles played by the IMF, World Bank and the Bank of Canada, money systems in prisoner of war camps, stock market bubbles, digital currencies and “blockchain”, numismatics, money in music and literature, the allure of gambling, things money can’t buy, cognitive biases that cost you money, and the future of money [top] |
8. Food and Nutrition for Successful Aging COURSE FULL |
Sandi Berwick [biography] |
Thursdays, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm (6 weeks) - Begins October 11, ends November 15 |
It is my pleasure to share current, relevant and validated food and nutrition information for the older adult. This course offers the fundamentals of nutrition as applied to older adults in a variety of settings and contextual situations (This course is adapted from a course in Applied Human Nutrition at Mount Saint Vincent University). The overall content of the course reflects the following: Aging is multi-factorial (health behavior, genetics, environment and lifestyle, and medical condition), and nutrition is one of the major determinates of positive aging. Older adults are a diverse group living longer and are the largest growing segment of the population. Consider the following: In 2030, the last baby boomer turns 65; by 2040, older adults will make up 25% of the population (65 years or older); older women outnumber older men, and have a longer life span; the number of old – old (85 years and older) will also grow immensely. Case studies and the lived experiences of the presenter as a medical nutrition therapist support the course content. There will be two topics offered each week; these are still to be determined. Resources will be made available to course participants. [top] |
9. Capitalism: From Prosperity to Inequality COURSE FULL |
Thursdays, 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm (6 weeks) - Begins October 11, ends November 15 |
After Karl Marx, successive economists writing about the benefits of capitalism have long been giving guidance on how to reach material abundance and consumption plenty. Growth is considered essential and prosperity is expected to cure all social ills. Politicians, supported by wealthy corporate donors, perpetuated the promise of capitalist prosperity and continually rewarded these supporters, thus ensuring the continuity of a corporate growth system. The underbelly of prosperity, inequality, has been given less attention until fairly recently. Very few of those economists who pointed out the consequences of unrestrained capitalism on inequality have been American. This course takes a look at the writings of some outstanding scholars in the late 20th and early 21st centuries in Europe and lately in the USA who bucked the trend and focused on the dramatic rise of the superrich, the expanding gap between the top and the bottom of the wealth ladder and the damaging effect this will continue to have in the free world. This course will also provide a related glimpse into an economic pursuit that is beginning to grow: feminist economics. (At the end of the course we will write our own treatise and march on Washington to protest the rise of gilded peacocks). [top] |
10. The Science of Mindfulness: How Mindfulness Meditation Affects our Bodies, Brains and Minds COURSE FULL |
Fridays, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm (6 weeks) - Begins October 12, ends November 16 |
In this seminar about the science of mindfulness, you will learn about the practice of mindfulness from an experiential stand-point. Investigation of the effects that this secular practice is purported to have on cognition, emotions, the brain and our bodies will be central to the course. We will also discuss the psychological conditions that mindfulness has been used to ameliorate and the applied settings in which it has been implemented. Finally, some of the problems with mindfulness as a practice will be presented as well problems with the scientific research as it stands today. If time permits we may explore what a theory of mindfulness would look like. [top] |
11. Comedy, Tragedy and Dramatic Structure Onstage and in Film |
Fridays, 9:30 am to 12:30 pm (6 weeks) - Begins October 12, ends November 16 |
This course looks at the genres of tragedy and comedy and how they function in three very different works spanning the history of drama. First we will watch and discuss a film version of Sophocles' play Oedipus Rex, which Aristotle in his Poetics used as his model to define the perfect tragedy. Then we will screen Franco Zeffirelli’s celebrated film of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, which can be described as “a comedy turned tragic”. Finally, we will see Madden's recent Shakespeare in Love, which employs comedy and tragedy in its two plots to produce its bittersweet ending. Along the way, the professor, who is both playwright and filmmaker, will outline relevant stage practice over the centuries as well as present-day film language. Find out, for example, what a deus ex machina ending is, and why actors are called thespians. [top] |
12. Ayn Rand and Her Philosophy |
Fridays, 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm (6 weeks) - Begins October 12, ends November 16 |
This course will be an introduction to Ayn Rand and her philosophy of Objectivism. There are two aims. First, to clearly present her ideas in some depth. Second, to stimulate a thoughtful discussion of these ideas among class members. We will focus on her non-fictional writing in metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, politics and aesthetics. The course should interest anyone interested in serious ideas even those which are unconventional and controversial. [top] |
Chester classes
13. Capitalism: From Prosperity to Inequality |
Tuesdays, 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm (6 weeks) - Begins October 9, ends November 13 |
After Karl Marx, successive economists writing about the benefits of capitalism have long been giving guidance on how to reach material abundance and consumption plenty. Growth is considered essential and prosperity is expected to cure all social ills. Politicians, supported by wealthy corporate donors, perpetuated the promise of capitalist prosperity and continually rewarded these supporters, thus ensuring the continuity of a corporate growth system. The underbelly of prosperity, inequality, has been given less attention until fairly recently. Very few of those economists who pointed out the consequences of unrestrained capitalism on inequality have been American. This course takes a look at the writings of some outstanding scholars in the late 20th and early 21st centuries in Europe and lately in the USA who bucked the trend and focused on the dramatic rise of the superrich, the expanding gap between the top and the bottom of the wealth ladder and the damaging effect this will continue to have in the free world. This course will also provide a related glimpse into an economic pursuit that is beginning to grow: feminist economics. (At the end of the course we will write our own treatise and march on Washington to protest the rise of gilded peacocks). [top] |
14. Women In Russian History |
Thursdays, 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm (6 weeks) - Begins October 11, ends November 15 |
The course “Women in Russian History” will describe the role of women in the history of Ancient Russia; the role and life of women in the medieval Russia; women on the Russian throne; growth of feminism at the end of the 19th century and the role of women in the revolutions in 1905 and February and October revolutions in 1917; active role of Soviet women in building the new socialist society. [top] |
Mahone Bay classes
15. From Bach to Beatles. Evolution of Guitar |
Mondays, 10:00 am to12:00 pm (6 weeks) - Begins October 15, ends November 19 |
From Bach to Beatles is the musical journey throughout times and continents. It focuses on history of music in general and guitar evolution in particular. Each class is dedicated to a different music genre: baroque, classical, romantic, modern, flamenco from Spain, Latin American music such as salsa, samba, tango, bossa nova, and North American music such as jazz, blues and rock. Live guitar compositions performed by instructor throughout the course. [top] |
16. Back to Babel: Issues in the Media |
Mondays, 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm (6 weeks) - Begins October 15, ends November 19 |
The course will examine issues such as the future of mainstream media in a social media world, how newspapers became lumbering Goliaths, who filters the news (if anybody), what is fake news and who is faking it- whom do we trust, whom do we believe- the media images of leaders like Trump and Trudeau- the impact of 24-7 news – history of social media- when everyone’s opinion supposedly matters how do we make decisions - should governments subsidize the media - what are the dangers and the benefits - we will use the small-group case study approach to examine situations that confront journalists so we can engage everyone in the class. We will look at how the media is affected by and covers the #metoo movement- the traditional checks and balances and issues of fairness and credibility in a 24/7 news cycle where rumours travel faster than fact. Readings are sent out every week via email a couple of days before the class. Often the intended topics are overtaken by issues of the day – we just go with the flow. [top] |
17. Would I Lie to You? A Look at Video Tricks and Deceptions on Television and Online |
Wednesdays, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm (6 weeks) - Begins October 10, ends November 14 |
The course will cover the basics of good video production with an intent to teach how easily video can be deceptive. Even the choice of how one frames the subject will make that person look either weak or strong. The course is not intended to create monster videographers although many will want to put some of the information to use. This is more a look at how video can deceive so that participants will gain a healthy appreciation for how easily a video can be altered. We will also cover the use of fancy effects to mask empty content. After an overview about techniques and video language, participants will watch a person be interviewed. The following week they will see an edited piece that makes the person say the opposite of what they meant. [top] |
Liverpool classes
18. A Brief History of Queens County (and Beyond) Through Six Lenses |
Various Speakers |
Tuesdays, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm (6 weeks) - Begins October 9, ends November 13 |
The course will consist of six separate presentations by six local historians. Topics will include, (but are subject to change):
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19 .The Protestant Imagination |
Wednesdays, 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm (6 weeks) - Begins October 10, ends November 14 |
This course will look at the effect of the Reformation in England on the imagination of writers and musicians. Rather than focusing on the minutiae of theological controversy, we shall see how the underlying assumptions of Protestantism led to far-reaching changes in the way we read and react to authority in our reading, to the rise of individualism, and to changes in literary and musical style. We begin with the invention of printing and the widespread dissemination of texts, which were both a prerequisite for Protestantism and a necessary instrument for its propagation. Individual reading led to individual thought ranging from the iconoclastic to the deeply moralistic. The age, which we remember chiefly as one of great hope and optimism, also had its disturbing aspects. We shall consider the emotional effect of the enormous religious and social upheavals on the people living through them and the tensions that must have been produced by the conflict between nostalgia for the old and the challenge of the new. [top] |
Truro classes
20. Getting Started With Writing |
Tuesdays, 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm (6 weeks) - Begins October 9, ends November 13 |
This is a beginning-level course in writing for people who haven’t written much in the past, or for those who have been away from writing for a long time and feel in need of a refresher. Current and prospective writers from all genres are welcome. We’ll start with a discussion of what writing process works best for you. Subsequent classes will focus on developing content, the importance of the first draft, the role of the outline, and a brief introduction to editing. Because many of you are likely to be interested in writing a memoir, some time will be devoted to issues related to memoir-writing. I’m also prepared to entertain suggestions for topics you would like to cover. [top] |
21. Nature Conservation |
Wednesdays, 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm (6 weeks) - Begins October 10, ends November 14 |
Most people have an intuitive sense that life is precious and that humans have a duty to act as stewards of wild natural systems such as forests and coral reefs. Despite this, Earth's biological diversity is declining due to extinction of life forms caused by human activities. This decline must be eliminated for the Earth to remain healthy, but it is a difficult task. In this course we will examine why we need to reduce the rate of extinction and how we can do it. An holistic approach will be taken, integrating both natural sciences (such as biogeography and landscape ecology) and humanities (such as ethics and ecological economics). The course will be richly illustrated with examples of nature conservation projects from around the world, with a particular focus on Nova Scotia. Many opportunities for questions and discussion will be provided throughout the lectures. [top] |
22. The Science of Food |
Nancy Pitts [biography] |
Thursdays, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm (6 weeks) - Begins October 4, ends November 8 |
We all have our own food preferences and experience with food and yet, how much do we really know about food and its components? Focusing on making the chemistry of food components understandable, this SCANS course will include:
Please bring several food labels with you to the classes. [top] |
COURSES |
ORGANIZATION |
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