Summer classes for older adults passionate about continuous education
(Join now for ORICL courses beginning June 2)
Out of the 60 courses that the
The Oak Ridge Institute for Lifelong Learning (ORILL)
During its summer session running from June 2 to August 1, the program offers various hands-on courses such as cooking meals suitable for singles or couples, safeguarding yourself and your family against financial frauds, enhancing your gardening techniques, and organizing and reducing clutter when downsizing before moving into more compact living spaces.
Here are some additional courses you can sign up for right away: learning Russian or Ukrainian, fostering “lovingkindness” and goodwill, exploring resources within the Tennessee Electronic Library, identifying top-tier exchange-traded funds, or crafting a sliding knot bracelet or a chip and dip serving set at the Oak Ridge Art Center (with a fee involved).
The majority of these courses will take place at the Oak Ridge Branch Campus, specifically within the Coffey-McNally building located at Roane State Community College, 701 Briarcliff Avenue.
A number of highly favored classes focus on intriguing facets of history: the six spouses of Henry VIII, the transformation of the English Church during the Reformation, foundational ideas in American ideology, the enduring impact of President Jimmy Carter, the pivotal Battle of Gettysburg, developments in Cold War weaponry, the cultural roots of Appalachia, and the beginnings of baseball in Tennessee.
In honor of the 100th anniversary of the renowned Scopes trial held in Dayton, Tennessee, Michael Toomey, who has recently stepped down as a history professor at Lincoln Memorial University, along with Steve Reddick, a past instructor of American history within the Oak Ridge school system, will concentrate on illustrating how this pivotal event highlighted America’s ongoing quest for clarity regarding the conflicting ideas of creationism and evolution.
Should you be inclined towards literature and film studies, consider enrolling in courses exploring media’s fascination with crime across various platforms such as film, radio, television, and podcasts. You could also delve into Jonathan Swift’s renowned satirical work “Gulliver’s Travels,” explore contemporary thriller novels, and participate in virtual group readings of Shakespeare’s plays throughZoom sessions.
You may want to consider joining an online book club focused on nonfiction, speculative fiction, classic literature, mysteries, or hybrid fiction genres.
If you like science, ORICL offers courses on the origin and evolution of birds, the cedar barrens of Oak Ridge, the roots of quantum mechanics and artificial intelligence in education (taught by RSCC English faculty). You can also sign up for the Great Courses video series on “The Theory of Everything: The Quest to Explain All Reality.”
Online registration remains available. You can find the summer catalog posted on ORICL’s website.
www.roanestate.edu/oricl
. The registration form and calendar are also posted there. Paper registration forms and the printed catalog can be picked up from the ORICL office in F-111 in the Coffey-McNally building between 9 a.m. and noon, Monday through Thursday.
The summer term runs from Monday, June 2, through Friday, Aug. 1. The fee for the summer term for those who are not current ORICL members is $80; you may pay it online or by check included with the mailed paper form. Mail your form and check to ORICL, RSCC, 701 Briarcliff Ave., Oak Ridge, TN 37830. For more information, contact the ORICL office at 865-481-8222 or at
oricl@roanestate.edu
.
Classes are being offered on a variety of other subjects such as health care reform, Jewish views of the Messiah, Oak Ridge’s comprehensive plan, a history of theater, a travelogue on Southern Italy, the life and music of Igor Stravinsky and an all-Chopin piano recital (at First United Methodist Church).
Hobbyists may enjoy ORICL’s classes on crochet and cryptic varietal crosswords (Zoom only).
For a fee, you can join a group that will get reserved seating at the Flatwater Tales Storytelling Festival events on June 6 and 7 at the Historic Grove Theater in Oak Ridge.
This article originally appeared on Oakridger:
Are you a seasoned individual looking to continue learning—whether for enjoyment or financial gain?
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