Please join us for the first day of class on March 14. See registration form at the bottom of the page.
Spring 2018 Classes (March 14 - May 11)
Link to Registration at bottom of page.
Wednesdays
9:30 a.m. Classes
WHY GEOGRAPHY MATTERS: The Political Geography of our Contemporary World
John Allensworth, PhD, Geography, taught at Kent State and Georgia State University Using maps, photos and other illustrations, we will explore how various elements of geography have influenced and continue to influence the way that many of the world's countries view their national political, cultural and economic interests. For Americans, it is critical that we understand these in order to better assess our own relationship with the rest of the world. To begin, we will be introduced to some of the geopolitical theories and activities that have been advanced over time, including Lebensraum, Manifest Destiny, Colonialism, Strategic Partnerships and Spheres of Influence. We will then focus on what matters for places such as the United States, Canada, Russia, China, Latin America, Europe, South Asia and the Middle East and North Africa. AN INTRODUCTION TO ASTRONOMY AND PLANETARY SCIENCE Chris De Pree, PhD, Charles A. Dana Professor of Astronomy at Agnes Scott College Dr. De Pree, along with Agnes Scott Astronomy colleague, Dr. Amy Lovell, and Scott Harris, planetary geologist at Fernbank Science Center and Planetarium, will present the class. Dr. DePree will present lectures on “The Lives of Stars,” “The Search for Exoplanets,” and “The Origin and Fate of the Universe.” Dr. Lovell will lecture on “Comets & Meteor Showers,” and “Asteroids.” Scott Harris’ topics include “Cosmochemistry and Meterorites,” “The Outer Planets and their Moons,” and “The Inner Planets.” INTRODUCTION TO BEHAVIORAL ECONOMICS – Part II Shai Robkin, serial entrepreneur, Operations Manager and Business Consultant This course explores in greater depth a number of themes introduced in the first course and introduces new concepts directly related to financial decision-making. These include: the psychology of money, mental accounting, the pain of paying, the price of “free,” relativity and choice sets, the long lasting effects of decision-making, fairness and reciprocity, market vs. social norms, labor and motivation, and self-discipline. 11:00 a.m. Classes
THE POWER OF ART IN THE MUSEUM SETTING
Susanne Katz, Museum Curator, Director and Educator; Photographer; Author/Writer The class will revisit these eight exhibitions from the High Museum and the Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art, examining the power of the images and the messages, theories and methods, politics and environments: Celebration of the Horse; Wyeths: NC, Andrew and Jamie; Wood and Fiber; 20th Century Masters; The Art of Saudi Arabia; Equal Rights and Justice; Art of the City: Architecture of the Urban Environment; and Photographic Journeys: David Graham, John Pfahl and more. GREAT DECISIONS 2018 George Brown retired President, Friendship Force International, PhD, International Relations, Member, SUGA Great Decisions is an annual program developed by the Foreign Policy Association (FPA), a non-partisan organization whose mission is to promote interest and understanding of policy issues that impact our world. Fascinating topics this year include: The Waning of Pax Americana?; Russia’s Foreign Policy; China and America: The New Geopolitical Equation; Media and Foreign Policy; Turkey: a Partner in Crisis; U.S. Global Engagement and the Military; South Africa’s Fragile Democracy; Global Health: Progress and Challenges. Booklets will be available at the Coordinator’s table during February (approximately $25). GEORGIA AND ITS ENVIRONMENT: WATER, CLIMATE, AND ENERGY John Clarke, Course Coordinator and Member, SUGA Course will consist of a series of presentations by scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey and academia, Georgia’s State Climatologist, and the business community. Students will be provided with an overview of the State’s water resources, geology, and climate as they relate to current environmental issues. Specific topics include climate change, water pollution, and competition for the state’s limited surface- and groundwater resources. |
FridaysMar. 16, 23
April 6, 13, 20, 27 May 4, 11 9:30 a.m. Classes
YERKES RESEARCH: DISCOVERING CAUSES, PREVENTIONS, TREATMENTS AND CURES
Yerkes National Primate Research Center Researchers. Lisa Newbern, Coordinator. The Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, is helping people worldwide and across generations live longer, healthier lives. The center is dedicated to discovering causes, preventions, treatments and cures. Hear from the researchers who are fighting disease and improving human health and wellbeing. TROUBLE SPOTS: SURF, TURF AND ETHNIC CONFLICTS Sandra W. Thornton, retired, School of Public Policy, Georgia Tech. Member, SUGA All over the world rival claimants for land, water access or national self-determination are in frozen conflicts of constant hostility, sporadic violence and no solution. We’ll examine some of these: Kosovo, Cyprus, Crimea, Rohingyas in Rakhine, Nagorno-Karabakh, Jerusalem, Catalonia, Kurdistan, South China Sea islands. BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY 101 Arch Baker, retired Presbyterian minister and commercial photographer There is no secret to making pictures that you will love and your friends will envy. It is not necessary to have hundreds or even thousands dollars’ worth of complicated equipment. All you really need is to have two simple principles in your head and use them on every picture you take. You will learn these two principles, and much more, to use with whatever camera you have, to produce these enviable results! 11:00 a.m. Classes
POTPOURRI: PERSPECTIVES AND FORECASTS -- PAST, CURRENT AND CONTINUING GLOBAL ISSUES
Ed Aqua and Sid Stein, Co-Chairs of the Edgewise Program, Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta (MJCCA); Members, SUGA A series of observations and recommendations, from speakers on critical global issues, including: 1) the environment; 2) drug addiction and justice reform; 3) counter terrorism; 4) disease prevention and control; 5) human trafficking; 6) anti-Semitism; 7) innovations from Israel; 8) archival history. GAME CHANGERS II Brandt Ross, former business CEO, Mergers & Acquisitions Intermediary, & folk singer Course will be comprised of stories of people and events that changed the course of our history. Stories of these “Game-Changers” include: “Stephen Decatur and the Pirates of the Barbary Coast,” “Remember the Alamo,” “Civil War--Two important events,” WWII civilian soldiers, “Women of the West” and two other programs. Each program includes contemporaneous folk music & guitar. WHAT WERE THEY THINKING? A CRITICAL STUDY OF ARTISTIC MOTIVATION William Shassere, BS & MS in Biology & Health, Indiana State, Member, SUGA This course will explore the life and state of mind of four influential authors as they produced some of their greatest artistic works. We will look at and discuss each author's motivation, life experiences, and mental state that influenced them while creating some of their most important pieces. We will spend two sessions on each work. While it is not necessary to read all four works, it will be more fun if you can! This year's course will include three novels and a play: J. R. R. Tolkien - The Hobbit Norman Mailer - The Naked and the Dead Alice Walker – The Color Purple Eugene O'Neill - Long Day's Journey into Night . |
Annual Tuition for four quarters: $195 (single) $350 (couple)
Reduced Tuition for three quarters starting in January:
New members $140( single) $250 (couple)
Reduced Tuition for three quarters starting in January:
New members $140( single) $250 (couple)