Lyceum Course Catalog
Spring 2008
LYCEUM - WHAT IS IT?
Affiliated with Binghamton
University and national Elderhostel, this “institute
for
learning in retirement” has 400+ local members.
They are men and women aged 50 and over who want
to join a community of lifetime learners. Some
daytime courses, which typically run four weeks,
are
designed primarily for listeners, while the majority
allow for and encourage discussion and participation.
Our course leaders are usually retired specialists,
members who have pursued interests in some depth,
or knowledgeable community members.
Lyceum sponsors day
trips. In addition, theme or ethnic dinners provide
opportunities to socialize and sample foods. We encourage
members to help keep Lyceum a participatory organization
by sharing in policy making, proposing courses, assisting,
and making coffee for class meetings.
We
hope you find our program intriguing and that we may
welcome you to membership in Lyceum. Please refer to
the registration form for membership fees.
Classes, unless otherwise
specified, are held at Blessed Sacrament Church,
Chrisfield Ave off Riverside Drive at the Johnson
City circle. Call
the Lyceum office at 607-777-2587 or e-mail lyceum@binghamton.edu if
you have questions.
In case of inclement weather, please
call the Lyceum Office at 607-777-2587 after 8:00 a.m.
to hear a message regarding cancellation of Lyceum
classes.
To register for these courses, please
download and complete the registration
form. All
checks must be made
out to
Lyceum.
Codes: [$] = fee; [NC] = no charge
Welcome
to Our Spring Program
Feb.,
Mar., Apr., May, 2008
The Grand Tour
[$5]
Mon.,
Feb. 25; 1-3
p.m.
A view of the European cultural voyage well-off British young men, and some women,
took between the mid-17th and early 20th centuries. Some analysis, lots of slides.
Leader:
Robin Oggins, professor
emeritus, history, BU
Challenging Plays
by Nobel Prize Winners [$20]
Tues.,
Feb. 26;
Mar. 4, 11, 18;
10 a.m.-noon
This
course aims to unfold
the depths of two of the greatest plays in the
so-called Theater of the Absurd, Samuel Beckett’s
Waiting for Godot and Harold Pinter’s
The Birthday Party, so that you can understand
and appreciate them—partly because of their
challenging depths. Time will be made for discussion.
Please read Waiting for Godot before
the first class. Text: Beckett, Waiting
for Godot,
$13.00, ISBN# 9780802130341; Pinter, The
Birthday Party, $13.00,
ISBN# 9780802151148, Barnes & Noble
Leader:Al Carpenter, professor emeritus,
English, BU
Minimalist French
II [$15]
Tues.,
Feb. 26;
Mar. 4, 11; 1-3
p.m.
This
course will give you basic French
words and phrases with which to communicate a lot
by saying very little! It is a continuation of Part
I, but also a quick review for those who have had
some French in the past.
Leader:Joanne Baker, linguist
What Is It? How Does It Work? [$5]
Wed.,
Feb. 27; 10 a.m.-noon
The Chip: How can they put a billion transistors
on a silicon chip the size of your thumbnail? Join us for a brief history of
integrated circuits and a description of how they are made.
Leader:Roger Gregor, retired electrical engineer
Armchair Travel [$20]
Wed., Feb. 27; Mar. 5, 12, 19; 1-3 p.m.
Feb.
27—Guatemala Our recent trip to
the
lowlands of Petén
and the highlands
of
Sierra de las Minas
enabled us to get
our first sightings
of the Resplendent
Quetzal. We also had
a chance to see how
vastly the countryside
has changed over the
years.
Leaders:Nick and Ailsa Donnelly
Mar.
5- Wales The presenters visited Wales
in
2006, staying in a northern seaside community and
in Cardiff, the capital. The country’s history
and beauty are reflected in photos and music.
You may even learn to speak some Welsh!
Leaders:Jack
and Judy
Davis
Mar. 12-
The Trans-Caucasus: Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan From
Caspian Sea oilfields to the
Black Sea, these former Soviet republics have
been the targets of invading armies throughout
history. We travel from deserts to mountains—to
find medieval cities, ancient monasteries, Silk Road ruins, Stalin’s birthplace
and more.
Leader:Gladys
Walling
Mar.
19—Iran I
traveled to Iran in May
2007 as a Civilian Diplomat
with the Fellowship of
Reconciliation, an international
peacemakers organization.
After you see the pictures
and hear the stories,
I hope that you will
have a better understanding
of this ancient country.
Leader:Helena
Garan
Rome:
The Immense Majesty [$20]
Thurs., Feb. 28; Mar. 6, 13, 20; 10 a.m.-noon
Picking
up with the accession of Caesar Augustus, the course looks at the politics,
society and culture of Imperial Rome.
Leader:Gerald
Kadish, distinguished
teaching professor, history, BU
Women
of
the Old Testament [$20]
Thurs.,
Feb. 28; Mar. 6, 13, 20; 1-3 p.m
Get
to know some of the heroines of the Hebrew scriptures
(as well as the villainesses!) in this exploration
of women of the Old Testament. What can history,
archaeology, textual criticism and feminist approaches
reveal about these matriarchs, queens and bystanders?
Leader:Rev.
Patricia J. Raube,
designated pastor, Union
Presbyterian Church
George’s
Books: The Radetzky March [$20]
Fri.,
Feb. 29; Mar. 7, 14, 21; 10 a.m.-noon.
We follow three generations of the von Trotta family during the waning days
of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Published in 1932, this is a portrait of a civilization
in decline just before World War I. The book and the society it describes will
be examined. Text: The Radetzky March, Joseph Roth, ISBN # 97815673261,
$16.25, Barnes & Noble
Limited to 20, separate check
Leader:Harold Geisse
Science
Discussion [$10]
Fri.,
Feb. 29; Mar. 14; Apr. 11, 25; 1-3 p.m.
Do you like biology, ecology,
chemistry, physics, astronomy, technology or other
science? Bring your ideas, questions and articles
to our group. Our members come from many backgrounds.
All are welcome.
Leader:Roger
Gregor, retired
electrical engineer
Emergency
Preparedness
[$10]
Mon.,
Mar. 3, 10; 1-3 p.m.
Mar. 3—Part 1 Personal
Risk Management A program on personal safety which
will heighten your awareness, keep your interactions
verbal, and assist you in avoiding another’s
aggression.
Leader:Carl Fenescey, security consultant and trainer
Mar. 10—Part
2 American Red Cross; Overview of Disaster:A
local and national response to disasters such
as hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes
and fires or other situations that cause human
suffering and create human needs.
Leaders:Sharon Aswad, director, Emergency Services and Marilyn
Weiner, volunteer, Emergency Services
Evolution for Everyone
II [$5]
Wed.,
Mar. 5; 10 a.m.-noon.
Learn
more about how Darwin’s theory can change
the way we think about our lives, this time focusing
on religion. This class will build on the fascinating
discussion held in September, and will be led once
again by the founder of Binghamton University’s
Evolutionary Studies Program. This will be of
interest to newcomers, as well as those who attended
the previous class.
Leader:David Sloan Wilson, distinguished professor, biology
and anthropology, BU
Current Events Discussion
[$10]
Fri., Mar. 7, 21; Apr. 18; May 2; 1-3 p.m.
Current
Events is a discussion group covering local, state, national and international
news. Many points of view are represented which makes for a lively discussion.
Leader: Eugene Burns
The Great Railway Stations
of Manhattan: Their History and Future [$10]
Mon.,
Mar. 10, 17; 10 a.m.-noon
Grand
Central Terminal and Pennsylvania Station
are parts of the fabric of Manhattan.
This presentation will include their financing, engineering,
architecture, operations, construction, and images in the
popular culture.
Leader: Herbert
Landow, retired rail planner
Economic
Development
[$10]
Wed.,
Mar. 12, 19; 10 a.m.-noon
Mar. 12—What is economic development? What attracts a company
to locate in a particular area? Which groups and agencies are involved?
Leaders: Richard
D’Attilio, executive director, Broome County I.D.A.; Kevin
McLaughlin, NYS Empire Development
Mar. 19—What
impact does infrastructure have on economic
development? Local experts on Broome
County’s infra-structure will discuss
their specialties.
Leaders: Steven Gayle, executive director, Binghamton Metropolitan
Transportation Study;Carl Beardsley, commissioner, Binghamton Airport;Cathy Aingworth,
superintendent, Binghamton/Johnson City Sewage Treatment Plant
The Vanderbilts
[$5]
Mon.,
Mar. 17; 1-3 p.m.
Cornelius
Vanderbilt was one of the leading “Robber
Barons” of the 19th century. We’ll
talk about his life, his amassing of wealth,
his Hyde Park mansion and the generation
that followed him.
Leader: JoAnn Maniago, professor emerita, U.S. history, BCC
Hudson Valley [$76]- Culinary
Institute
of America
and Vanderbilt
Mansion
Wed.,
April 2, Board 6:45 a.m. and Return 7:30 p.m.
Our adventure starts with a tour of classrooms and kitchens of the Culinary
Institute of America and is followed by lunch at their Escoffier Restaurant. Lunch,
prepared and served by C.I.A. students, will include lentil and vegetable soup,
confit of duck with Armagnac sauce, and crème brulee for dessert. Fixed
menu with no choices. After
lunch we will tour
the “Gilded
Age” Vanderbilt Mansion, overlooking the Hudson River, with magnificent
Italian gardens. To
register,
send
a separate
check to
Lyceum.
Reservations
taken
in
order
of
post-mark
date. Members
accepted
first
and guests
after
February
15. No
refunds
after
February
25. Limited
to 54.
Stem
Cell Research
and New
Advances
[$5]
Tues.,
Mar. 18; 1-3 p.m.
This
lecture will provide an overview of stem cells, issues that raise debate and
current use of stem cells in healthcare. New advances in genetics will partner
with stem cell research to bring deeper understanding of our bodies.
Leader: Luba Djurdjinovic, executive director/genetic counselor,
Ferre Institute
Otra Vez: Visit a Rehearsal
of the Binghamton Philharmonic [$5]
Thurs.,
Apr.
3; 6:00-8:15
p.m.
6:00-7:00 Anderson
Center Reception Room, BU
7:00-8:15 Osterhout Concert Hall, BU
The
Binghamton
Philharmonic
provides
a behind-the-
scenes glimpse
as it prepares for its April 5 concert, which features
the world premiere of Carlos Sanchez-Gutiérrez’s Concerto
for Piano, Marimba and Orchestra, and a performance of Symphony
No. 2 by
Brahms. Participants will hear a presentation by Mr. Sanchez-Gutiérrez
and Music Director José-Luis Novo, and then attend rehearsal with the
opportunity to sit on stage with the orchestra.
Limited to 80.
Leader: José-Luis Novo,
music director,
Binghamton
Philharmonic
Connecting
Across the Political
Divide with Compassionate
Communication [$10]
Mon.,
Apr. 7,
14; 9 a.m.-noon
Do
you feel
alienated from some friends or family members when the conversation turns to
political issues? Would you like more closeness, understanding and harmony in
your relationships with people holding very different views from your own? CompassionateCommunication
(also known as Nonviolent Communication) is being used on six continents to improve
connections between people, to prevent and heal conflict. Come see how this can
be of value to you.
Leader: Jane Connor, Bartle Professor, human development, BU
The Great Mexican
Muralists
[$15]
Mon.,
Apr. 7, 21, 28; 1-3 p.m.
Explore
the renaissance of Mexican mural painting and discover the works of Diego Rivera,
José Clemente Orozco, David Alfaro Siqueiros, Rufino Tamayo and Juan
O’Gorman.
Leader: Helene Combopiano, retired Spanish teacher
Secrets
of
Indian
Literature [$20]
Tues., Apr. 8, 15, 22, 29; 10 a.m.-noon
The
discovery
of the literature
of India
burst upon
the intellectual
world of
Europe in
the 18th
century, and its influence was immediately felt. The
secrets of
the Vedas, the Upanishads, the Bhagavadgita and works
of poetry and science will be revealed. Texts: Upanishads,
ISBN# 139781586380212, $3.95, Bhagavadgita, ISBN# 139780553213652,
$5.95, Recognition of Sakuntala, ISBN# 139780486431697,
$2.50
Leader: William Snyder, professor emeritus, German, BU
Great Decisions 2008
[$20]
Tues., Apr. 8, 15,22, 29; 1-3 p.m
Apr.
8—Private Philanthropy
Leader: Judy Siggins, executive director, Broome Community College
Foundation
Apr. 15—European Union at 50
Leader: Thomas Rossi, professor, business,
BCC
Apr. 22—Talking to Enemies: Russia
Leader: Anne Blakeslee, professor, business,
BCC
Apr. 29—U.S. Defense and Security Policy
Leader: Bentzil
Kasper, professor, social science, BCC
The
U.S. Foreign Policy Association’s Great Decisions
Manual: 2008 is recommended, but optional, mailed
in advance if ordered on the registration form.
Global Warming II [$10]
Wed.,
Apr. 9, 16; 10 a.m.-noon.
Global
warming is real. It’s here. It’s in
our face. This class will discuss the current
status of climate change indicators, what to
expect in the near future and what can be done
to help.
Leader: Cornelia Yoder, environmentalist
Traditional
Music of Scotland [$20]
Wed., Apr. 9, 16, 23, 30;
1-3 p.m.
Their
strathspeys, reels, jigs, pipe tunes, airs and ballads
provide a unique picture of the history, customs,
bygone beliefs, humor, dances and natural beauty
of Scotland. Classes will include live and recorded
music and sing-alongs.
Leaders: Charlene
Thomson, Martin Bidney,
and friends; musicians
and retired teachers
Wit, Humor and Wisdom
in the Ancient Near East [$15]
Thurs., Apr. 10, 17, 24; 10 a.m.-noon
At
least 4,000 years ago, the literature of the Ancient Near East, from Egypt to
Mesopotamia, displayed a sophisticated sense of humor which we can still appreciate
today. This course features several such pieces, including The Journey of
Wen-Amon to Phoenicia, The Poor Man of Nippur, A Dialog Between a Master and
his Servant,
and various proverbs.
Leader: Judy
Bjorkman, historian
Mystery
of Anastasia [$5]
Thurs., Apr. 10; 1-3 p.m
Roberson
Museum & Science Center, 30 Front Street,
Binghamton, NY.
The
Romanov family ruled Russia for 300 years. In 1918,
Nicholas II and his family were murdered and buried
in Siberia. When exhumed, two bodies were missing.
In this computer-generated activity, you will meet
Anna Anderson who claimed to be Anastasia and using
forensic tools we will explore the mystery of Anastasia.
Limited
to 25, separate check
Leader: Katherine Bouman, director
of education, Roberson Museum and Science Center
George’s
Books: Tender Is the Night [$20
Fri.,
Apr. 11, 18, 25; May 2; 10 a.m.-noon
It
is said that Fitzgerald’s life attracted
more attention than his work. This novel helped
to establish his literary reputation. We will
examine it both in context of his life and on
its own merits as an American classic. Text: Tender Is the Night,
F. Scott Fitzgerald, IBSN# 139780684801544, $12.60,
Barnes & Noble
Limited
to 20, separate check
Leader: Doris
Lawton
Rehearsal at
Tri-Cities Opera [$5]
Mon.,
Apr. 14; 12:30—3
p.m.
Tri-Cities
Opera, 315 Clinton Street, Binghamton, NY
Attend a rehearsal of The Barber of Seville two weeks before opening night, when
things are getting serious and the staging is planned.
Limited to 80, separate
check
Leader: Reed
Smith, general
manager, Tri-Cities Opera
A Touch of
Scandinavia [$29]
Wed.,
April 16; 6 p.m.
Old Union Hall, University
Union, BU
These
Swedish dishes will remind you of just
how many American country favorites come from this
particular “old country”. Some will
seem exotic, but most have the flavor of home.
We
will start with a traditional appetizer of snor
ost och sill, which means butter, cheese and herring
(the cheese is havarti, the herring pickled in
wine sauce). With this is vortlimpa (rye bread)
and knockiebrot. Also included is smoked salmon
and deviled egg. We follow with arta soppa (pea
soup) and then a smorgasbord of rodkal (red cabbage
salad), pressgurka (cucumber salad), pickled beets,
Swedish meatballs, ham with Madeira sauce, and
grilled salmon. Dessert is julgrot and pepperkakor
(almond rice pudding with lingonberries). After
dinner Professor Snyder
will present a brief history of the Vikings, the
notorious sea raiders who ruled the northern
coastal regions of Europe in the 9th and 10th
centuries.
Reservations
must be received by April 4
Middle
East [$10]
Thurs., Apr. 17, 24; 1-3 p.m.
The
course will cover the Palestinian-Israeli
peace initiatives, Iranian nuclear ambitions,
other regional events and U.S. policy in the
region.
Leader: Patrick
Regan, professor, political science, BU
Invented
in Our Valley
[$5]
Mon.,
Apr. 21; 10 a.m.-noon.
The
IBM cell separator and blood-processing program was initiated in 1962 by George
Judson, whose son had leukemia. The process will be described by one of the inventors.
The machines are still in use for applications never envisioned during their
development.
Leader: Alan
Jones
Crime and
Punishment in Broome County [$10]
Wed., Apr. 23, 30;10 a.m.-noon - Apr. 30 at Broome County Safety Facility,
Upper Front St., Binghamton, NY
Part
I—This class will cover the types of crime that occur most frequently
in our area and investigation procedures, prosecution and convictions.
Leaders: Kevin
Wright, professor, human development, BU, and Gerald
Mollen, Broome County District Attorney
Part II—Tour
the Broome County Safety Facility (jail) including
the process from intake to release or transfer to
another facility. During this class we will also
hear from Sheriff David Harder.
Leader: David
Harder, Broome County Sheriff
Evolutionary Changes
in Plants [$5]
Mon.,
Apr. 28; 10 a.m.-noon
How flowering plants have changed since their first appearance, what preceded
them, and what familiar flowers have the “oldest” features.
Leader: George
J. Schumacher, professor emeritus, biology, BU
Everybody
Has a Story to Tell [$5]
Thurs., May 1; 1-3 p.m.
This
is a class in creative writing. I will be giving some writing exercises,
which may be written in either poetry or prose, and I’ll also be
bringing in some great writing for us to discuss together.
Leader: Liz
Rosenberg, professor, English, BU
Editor’s Note;
Entering
the catalog data and graphics is the fun part. The
hard work is done by the program committee in creating
the courses and recruiting the leaders. Contact the
chair Ailsa Donnelly (722-4939), if you
would
like
to help.
You
have free access to
the materials at Binghamton
University libraries. Just
show your Lyceum card
at the Main Desk to
take out materials.
You
also can access the online
catalog for Binghamton
University libraries
at http://library.lib.binghamton.edu/. You
can do your own library
search at home by using
your computer.
