Spring 2019 Classes (March 13th to May 10)
Link to Registration at bottom of page.
Wednesdays
9:30 a.m. ClassesGREAT DECISIONS 2018
Gail Ripans, MA in 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 Refugees and Global Migration; The Middle East: Regional Disorder; Nuclear Negotiations: Back to the Future: The Rise of Populism in Europe; Decoding US-China Trade; Cyber Conflicts and Geopolitics; The United States and Mexico: Partnership Tested; and State of the State Department and Diplomacy. Booklets will be available at the Coordinator’s table during February (approximately $30). THE INFLUENCE OF BOOKS Kay Collins and Marcy Nader, Members, SUGA Several years ago, a member who was a voracious reader chose eight of his favorite books to discuss. He told the class about the author, the story or content and his reasons for choosing the book. He moved, but we revived the idea two years ago. This Spring we offer it again with more favorites! One or two members of the book club or SUGA will discuss a book of his/her choice each week. Titles may range through fiction, non-fiction, children's books, current best sellers or classics. What these books have in common is that they lit a spark that each reader would like to share. CHAMBER MUSIC OF THE CLASSICAL PERIOD Charles R. Hubert, retired attorney, Member, SUGA The class will consist of listening to recordings of performances of selected works by various composers from the classical period, preceded by a brief lecture and followed by questions, answers, and discussion. Each week, the music will include (list subject to change): 1. Haydn - String Quartet in C Major, Op. 76, No. 3, "Emperor" 2. Mozart - String Quartet in B Flat Major, K. 458, "Hunt" 3. Mozart - Clarinet Quintet in A Major, K. 581; Quintet for Piano and Winds in E Flat Major, K. 452 4. Beethoven - String Quartet in G Major, Op. 18, No. 2; String Quartet in E Flat Major, Op. 74, "Harp" 5. Beethoven - String Quartet in F Major, Op. 135; Piano Trio in D Major, Op. 70. No 1. "Ghost" 6. Schubert - Quintet for Piano and Strings in A Major. Op. 114. D. 667, "Trout" 7. Schubert - String Quartet in D Minor, D. 810. "Death and the Maiden" 8. Schubert - Piano Trio in B Flat Major, Op. 99, D. 898 11:00 a.m. Classes
WEDNESDAYS, 11:00
A VIRTUAL FIELD TRIP THROUGH CENTRAL AMERICA: From the Maya Lands of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula to the Panama Canal and the Darien Gap John Allensworth, PhD, Geography, Kent State and Georgia State University (retired), Member, SUGA Although covering only a small portion of the Western Hemisphere, the Yucatan Peninsula and Central America, which form an isthmian land bridge between North and South America, represents a diverse cultural and natural history that includes vast Mayan archaeological sites, a variety of indigenous communities, and a history with deep roots to pre-Columbian America, Spain, West Africa, northwestern Europe, the United States and south and east Asia. It is a region of rainforests, vast savannas, exotic wildlife, active volcanos, UNESCO World Heritage sites, Spanish colonial cites and a world-class cosmopolitan trade and commerce center (Panama City) and the Panama Canal. However, this region does have its negative issues, as well, exemplified by the violence in the region’s “Northern Triangle” which has led to a mass exodus of the most vulnerable of its population, many of whom are currently seeking refuge in the United States. Through photos, maps and lectures we will “travel” through this fascinating region THE POWER OF ART IN THE MUSEUM SETTING: Part II Susanne Katz, Museum Curator, Director of Exhibitions, The Breman Museum The class will study exhibitions from area museums, examining the power of the images and the messages, theories and methods. Exhibitions include: William Coupon (who set out to photograph everyone in the world); Vedem, an underground newspaper produced by kids in a concentration camp; Houdini, an exhibition about the legendary magician; “The 613,” an exhibition of contemporary paintings by Archie Rand; plus, Contemporary Cuba and Contemporary “Tower of Babel” (Israel through the eyes of contemporary artists). Several guest speakers will join us. WATER WARS: An Overview of Battles Over Our Most Precious Resource John Clarke, Course Coordinator and Member, SUGA Water is the lifeblood of our planet. Throughout history to the present day, wars have been waged over this precious resource. The course will provide an overview of historical and modern-day conflicts over water including Israel and the Middle East, the American West, Cyprus, and the State of Georgia. John Clarke, along with two expert colleagues, Keith McFadden and Ed Martin, will conduct the class presentations. |
FridaysMarch 15, 22 & 29
April 5, 12 & 19 May 3 & 10 9:30 a.m. Classes
SENIOR GLOBETROTTERS 2019: Developing a Better Bucket List
George Brown. Ph.D. (International Relations), retired President/CEO of Friendship Force, SUGA Travel Coordinator, Member, SUGA Why do Americans put “travel” so high on their list of retirement priorities? This course will explore the senior travel phenomena from two perspectives: (1) What are the motivations and benefits of travel for seniors; and (2) How to take advantage of today’s vast array of travel opportunities. A central feature of the course will be 5 classes that focus on specific destinations (Norway, Hiroshima, Lake Baikal, Nova Scotia, Tierra del Fuego/Cape Horn), illustrating how knowledge of the culture, history and geography of a region can enhance the overall travel experience. The goal of the course is to stimulate thinking about travel in a way that contributes to more effective (and hopefully more extensive) travel plans for the future. DANCING WITH GENE KELLY Anne MacDougal, Member, SUGA A review of Gene Kelly’s dancing from his early life in Pittsburgh through the beloved movie “Singin’ in The Rain.” Taking a look at Gene Kelly as he danced during the golden age of movie musicals, with details and highlights including his dances with Jerry the cartoon mouse and other partners -- Judy Garland, Cyd Charisse, Leslie Caron, Debbie Reynolds, Frank Sinatra and even (only once) Fred Astaire. WICKED WOMEN IN LITERATURE Katherine Nash, Member, SUGA Do wicked women exist? Wicked is defined as “Evil or Morally Wrong” in the Oxford Dictionary. So, specifically, do Evil Women exist? What actions make a woman wicked? What if she has a “good” motive? Perhaps her experiences in childhood formed her evil behavior. Perhaps she was genetically born evil. Or both? Is wickedness a matter of perspective? Do our perceptions of evil change from age to age? What political or religious views influence our decisions about what we think of as evil? What does our literary history tell us about “wicked women”? We will be reading four books about “so called” wicked women: The Tragedy of Macbeth by Shakespeare (first published in the Folio of 1623) Medea by Euripides (approx. 431 B.C.E.) Circe by Madeline Miller (2018) Rebecca (1940) This Hitchcock film won an Academy Award for Best Picture. It was based on a book by Daphne Du Maurier and stars Lawrence Olivier and Joan Fontaine. If you are interested in exploring the “evil” side of the feminine, please join us and start reading now. 11:00 a.m. Classes
POTPOURRI: SPEAKER SERIES 2019
Ed Aqua and Sid Stein, Co-Chairs of the Edgewise Program, Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta (MJCCA); Members, SUGA In this third year, the theme “Think Global and Act Local” continues to be the driving force for our vetted presenters. Speakers will address topics including the history and the future of NASA; Health Care; the FBI foreign intelligence; Playwriting; Hate Crimes; Broadcasting; Public Health; Sex and Human Trafficking; and Science and the Media. RELIGION AND SPIRITUALITY Tom Hawkins, Member, SUGA Beginning with an overview of the current religious landscape in America (Pew Research/2014), this course will address the spiritual journeys of some who have described their own quests for finding God, discovering evidence for belief, seeking a better way to live, and experiencing a new spiritual awakening. The discussion will include ideas from books by Dr. Timothy Johnson, Francis Collins, Brian McLaren, Diana Butler Bass and others. Two or three guest speakers are planned, including David Gushee and Rehoboth Pastor Troy Bush. UNSETTLING THE LAW: CONTROVERSIAL SUPREME COURT DECISIONS Sandra W. Thornton, Ph.D., J.D., Retired, School of Public Policy, Georgia Tech, Member, SUGA In interpreting the Constitution and the law, the Supreme Court shapes social, political and economic policy – but then may reshape the same policy in ways that (dramatically) disrupt popular understanding and expectations. We’ll discuss some of these decisions, including ones on guns, corporate personhood, abortion, race, gender, sexual orientation, voting, speech and religion. |
Tuition for two quarters (2019 Spring, Summer): $85 (single) $150 (couple)
Check is payable to SUGA. You can bring registration to the Coordinator's Table or mail to:
Bill Beeson, SUGA
PO Box 941338
Atlanta, GA 31141
Check is payable to SUGA. You can bring registration to the Coordinator's Table or mail to:
Bill Beeson, SUGA
PO Box 941338
Atlanta, GA 31141
