Lifelong Learning

Events during the years 1892 to 1920 made profound changes to the social fabric of United States. Many of these changes affect America today, in controversial ways. An historical analysis of aspects of the Progressive Era may enhance an understanding of issues which currently challenge American society. Through the use of differing means of instruction and class participation, currently misused terms will be reconsidered, historical political trends during the Progressive Era examined, important individual Progressives identified and discussed, major social changes made during the period from 1892 to 1920 considered, ideas influential during the Progressive Era analyzed and the twilight, influence and legacy of this age of reform assessed. 

Fred Himmelein holds a PhD. in History from the University of Virginia and a law degree from the University of Notre Dame. He has taught at universities and colleges in Virginia, Minnesota, Illinois and Indiana, been associated with a Wall Street law firm, served as a senior corporate executive and been active as an investment banker. He once met Maurice Chevalier.

Learners will be introduced to the best-selling game of all time: Minecraft. Often described as "digital legos," Minecraft is an immersive world where you can build anything you want, explore, fight monsters, or create crazy machines. Your path is up to you -- you can be an explorer, a builder, a warrior, an adventurer, or an engineer. Or any combination of all these! Bob Irving is a seasoned instructor, a Minecraft Global Mentor, and has taught Minecraft in classes and run Minecraft clubs for over 10 years. If they do not already have access to Minecraft, Learners will need to purchase a license for the game, which costs about $30. It can run on Windows, Mac, iPads, or iPhones. 

Bob Irving is a recently retired teacher with over 45 years’ experience, a published author, YouTube personality, and Minecraft expert. He loves to help learners realize their own creative visions!

https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/store/minecraft-java-bedrock-edition-pc

The purpose of this course is to foster open discussions and model a forum and protocol for civil discourse on difficult subjects that are otherwise far too polarizing in the current social and political environment. 

In the current world of noise, dissonance, and disinformation, many of us are seeking new ways to engage in civil discourse, to communicate and listen to views that do not necessarily echo our own. Building on the Civility Initiative at College of Charleston, led by Mike Lee, and the associated When We Disagree podcast, this class will listen to selected podcasts from the series, then discuss themeach week. We have asked Dr. Lee to help launch our discussions. 

Martha Hruska is a retired university librarian who was responsible for digital initiatives and collections at UC San Diego and, previously, at the University of Florida.

The U.S. banking system (including the central bank and the regulatory system) reflects the history and culture of the United States. In particular, this unique system reflects American’s long-running fear of the concentration of wealth and power, as well as the need to finance wars, responses to repeated financial crises, and technological change. This course will cover this history and culture as well as current issues facing the banking, regulatory, and Federal Reserve Systems and will compare these systems to those in other developed countries. This course grew out of my experience as an economics professor, especially my recent experience as an adjunct professor at the College of Charleston where I taught courses on Money and Financial Institutions, as well as my years evaluating the financial regulatory system at the Government Accountability Office, the research arm of the U.S. Congress.

Dr. Nancy Barry taught economics including courses on Money and Banking as a full-time college professor for about 20 years before becoming an economist at the Government Accountability Office (GAO). At GAO, where Nancy spent almost 25 years, she oversaw research, met with high-level government and private sector officials, and produced reports for Congress that evaluated the effectiveness of the various financial regulators in overseeing financial entities and providing for the overall stability of the financial system. Nancy also produced reports on housing finance, homelessness, telecommunications, spectrum management, and aviation while at GAO. Nancy has a Ph.D. in economics and since moving to Charleston in 2013 taught economics courses at the College of Charleston as an adjunct professor.

This will be a very interactive course of 3 weeks featuring film clips, soundtracks, behind-the-scenes stories, trivia and gossip surrounding the classic movies we all grew up watching.

Cale Shipman taught C.A.L.L. classes on "Intro to Astronomy", "Birds of the Lowcountry" and last year a course entitled "From Elvis to Elton...When our Music Ruled the World".

Did you wear a bracelet with the name of a POW/missing person during the ‘70s? If so, this course will be of special interest to you. We will discuss the American captive pilots shot down over North Vietnam during the war 1965-1979. Further, we will discuss the survival methods and the heroes like Stockdale, McCain, and others. 

Russ Hutchins holds an ED Sp degree in school administration and has taught numerous OSHER Lifelong Learning classes in American and World History since 2013. He teaches for Universities of Kansas, West Virginia, Clemson, and Charleston. He resides in Summerville with his wife of 51 years.

In this one-day-only session, participants will learn the theory behind the operation of the Electoral College, a timely subject prior to any national election. This course will be followed later in October by a three-week course offered by Russ Hutchins that zeroes in on those times when the US Supreme Court had a hand in determining the U.S. president.

Vincent McGuire, Ph.D., has retired as a professor of Politics at the University of Colorado in Boulder. Dr. McGuire moved to the Charleston area after teaching in Boulder for more than 25 years.

The Supreme Court has intervened twice in Presidential elections 1876 and 2000. Will they intervene again? Come join us as we look at 10 elections when the Court, congress, and the electoral college have determined the outcome of who is President. 

(A one-day session on the Electoral College is being offered on Oct. 10th by Dr. Vincent McGuire, for those who would like to explore that aspect of national elections prior to this course.)

Russ holds an ED Sp. degree in school administration and has taught numerous OSHER classes in American and World History since 2013. He teaches for Universities of Kansas, West Virginia, Clemson, and Charleston. He resides in Summerville with his wife of 51 years.

We all have stories of our life to tell. While other people may be interested in them, WE are the ones who benefit the most from a look BACK down Memory Lane.

The first four sessions explain where to begin, stay organized, and incorporate previous writings. Student participation and discussion are encouraged throughout all sessions to stimulate their memory. The 5th and 6th sessions can be considered "optional" for those who wish to begin writing or continue talking. Students will be provided with a user-friendly format based on the "people, places, and things" of their lives. If previous writings along these lines have been done, they can easily be incorporated. 

Archie Burkel (birth name Barbara) graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Madison in 1968 with an Undergraduate Degree in English Education. She immediately went on to Northwestern University to get a master’s degree in Guidance Counselor Education. She taught English for two years, then served as a Guidance Counselor for the next 23 years in Chicago suburban High Schools. Upon moving to Atlanta in 1994, she worked for the Counselor General of Israel during the Olympics and afterwards for President Carter as Interim Volunteer Coordinator. She and her husband moved to Charleston in 1998. She worked in Student Services at The Citadel for 1 year, then created an organization called "the Hat Ladies" (www.hatladies.org) and this Memoir writing course called "Memoirs Done Write." She has been engaged in both The Hat Ladies and teaching Memoir Writing for the past 24 years.

The Detective Film and Novel explores the rich and complex world of detective fiction through the history, conventions, and cultural significance of the genre. The course will consist of lectures and discussion revolving around film screenings, novel readings, and critical analysis. 

Watch parties will be organized to view the films prior to class for those who wish to join in. Check the CALL Catalog for a more detailed description of each session.

Vincent McGuire, Ph.D., has retired as a professor of Politics at the University of Colorado in Boulder. Dr. McGuire moved to the Charleston area after teaching in Boulder for more than 25 years.

Put on your goggles and fasten your seatbelts, as we explore man's ventures in the air. From Chinese kites to ion drives in outer space, we'll discuss the evolution of the aeroplane from a gentleman’s competitive sport to the global killing machine of intercontinental missiles, venturing on to the space weapons of today. 

This 4-week course begins in the 3rd century BC with struggling attempts to see above the horizon with kites and balloons. From there we’ll go to the 19th century, where man finally flies a heavier than air machine. Then, in less than 50 years, we’ll see where machines can destroy cities and even possibly nations. 

Next, we’ll look at today and the current conflicts in Ukraine and Palestine,where drones have changed everything and where the traditional aircraft is not effective. Finally, we will end with a look at our newest military command: Space Command and its role.

John Barth is an ex-Air Force Aircraft Maintenance Officer and WWI aircraft enthusiast.

From the tales of the bards and early Irish folk songs through to today, Irish poets have contributed to and influenced the whole canon of poetry. William Butler Yeats and Seamus Heaney exemplify those Irish poets whose influence has spread far and wide. Come join us in exploring in the thoughts and emotions their words wield so well.

Diana Barth taught English literature at the secondary school level and worked as a newspaper reporter. She earned her law degree later in life and was admitted to the bars of Maine and Massachusetts, practicing family and regulatory law. Now retired, she has returned to her love of learning and literature, serving as the head of the Charleston Academy for Lifelong Learning committee.