Lifelong Learning

Learn about CALL classes

• Reader's Theatre

  Readers Theatre, a chance to experience the fun of drama without memorization or elaborate sets, offered by Diana Barth.
  
  Tuesday mornings
  10 to 11:30 a.m,
  February 11 to March 18 (6 weeks)
  Study/library of the Charleston Atlantic Presbytery
  near Park Circle at 4701 Park Place W, North Charleston.

  Course Description: This term, those who love the drama without the need for memorization or elaborate sets are invited to join our Readers Theatre. We will be warming up with a few short offerings, followed by an in-depth reading of James Goldman’s The Lion in Winter, a play in which, according to one critic, domestic turmoil rises to an art form as the playwright explores the relationship between Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine (and their sons).  Scripts will be provided and everyone will have a chance to emote, I mean, read! 
  
  Facilitator: Presenter Diana Barth taught English literature at the secondary school level and worked as a newspaper reporter. She then earned her law degree 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 committee chairman for the Charleston Academy for Lifelong Learning.

• When We Disagree: A Civil Discourse Discussion

  When We Disagree: A Civil Discourse Discussion, a dynamic group discussion focusing on democracy, civic engagement, and civil discourse, offered by Martha Hrushka.

  Tuesday afternoons
  1 to 2:30 p.m.
  February 11, March 11 (5 weeks)
  VIA ZOOM ONLY

  Course Description: This is a discussion group whose purpose 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. This is a stand-alone course, but it follows on the heels of last term’s course, When We Disagree. This term we will discuss various podcasts in the The Democracy Group network of podcasts about democracy, civic engagement, and civil discourse. We may also look at America in One Room and just may take on the Unify Challenge: Unify America. 
  
  Facilitator:  Martha 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 Physics Behind Medical Technology

  The Physics Behind Medical Technology, learn what’s behind the medical technologies physicians use every day to diagnose and treat us, offered by John Preston.

  

  Wednesday mornings
  9:30 to 11 a.m.
  February 12 to March 11 (5 weeks)
  The Citadel, 171 Moultrie St., Charleston
  Mark Clark Hall, Room 228

  Course description: Come and learn what’s behind the medical technologies that physicians use every day to diagnose and/or treat us. For five weeks, John Preston will explain how these technologies work, including their strengths and weaknesses, as follows:

  • Week 1: Cryogenics and Sound (Freezing eggs and Ultrasound
  • Week 2: Electricity and Magnetism (Heartbeats and MRIs)
  • Week 3: EM Waves (Blood Oxygen and Heat Images)
  • Week 4: Short EM Waves (Visible Light and Ultraviolet Light)
  • Week 5: Gamma Rays and Nuclear Medicine (Tumor Treatment and Detection)

  Facilitator:  Professor Preston taught at Eastern Michigan University for 30 years. He developed bachelor's degrees in energy and facility management and taught computer applications and project management. He received the Teaching Excellence Award from his own University and International recognition as Teacher of the Year from the International Facility Management Association. John co-founded EnTech, a computer software company specializing in energy management, co-authored more than sixty books on computer applications and the future of computing, and co-authored a book on project management with Charleston native Russ Darnall. John’s most recent book is Silicon Intelligence: An Introduction to Artificial Intelligence. John has degrees in physics and physics education and enjoys preparing talks on the relevance of physics to everyday life and to other fields of study such as art, music, history, and philosophy.
• The Great American Song Book

  The Great American Song Book Come listen to and examine 3 songs a week from some of the great song writers and composers of eras past (think Irving Berlin), offered by Fred Himmelein.
  
  Wednesdays midday
  11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  6 weeks
  The Citadel, 171 Moultrie St., Charleston
  Mark Clark Hall, Room 228

  Course Description:  This course will bring participants three songs a week, all by some of the great song writers and composers (think Irving Berlin) of eras past. Hear those songs and learn the how and the why behind their musicality and the choices those composers made.
  
  Facilitator:  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.

• History of the U.S. Congress

  History of the US Congress, a course that takes a long view when looking at the productivity of our nation’s governing body, offered by Russ Hutchins.
  
  Thursday afternoons
  2 to 3:30 p.m.
  Feb. 13, 20, and 27 (3 weeks)
  VIA ZOOM ONLY

  Course Description:  Russ will help us take a long view of our nation’s governing body and its productivity throughout its history.
  
  Facilitator: Russ Hutchins, EDSp, served as a school Administrator, retired. He has been an OSHER Lifelong Learning Instructor since 2013 and has presented lectures for the University of Kansas, University of West Virginia, Clemson University, and the College of Charleston. His study of American History, and thus his presentations, have focused on the Civil War, WWII, the Great Depression, Women biographies, and Spies.

• The Declaration of Independence Turns 250!

  The Declaration of Independence Turns 250!, that anniversary makes this term the perfect time to look at the history and impact of this historic document, offered by Russ Hutchins>
  
  Thursday afternoons
  2 to 3:30 p.m.
  March 6, 13, and 20 (3 weeks)
  VIA ZOOM ONLY

  Course Description: 2025 marks the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, making this the perfect time to look at the history and impact of this historic document.
  
  Facilitator: Russ Hutchins, EDSp, served as a school Administrator, retired. He has been an OSHER Lifelong Learning Instructor since 2013 and has presented lectures for the University of Kansas, University of West Virginia, Clemson University, and the College of Charleston. His study of American History, and thus his presentations, have focused on the Civil War, WWII, the Great Depression, Women biographies, and Spies.

• Food as Medicine

  Food as Medicine, an opportunity to learn how our choice of food can help prevent or heal the diseases caused by our modern lifestyle, offered by Bea Ventura Lavelle
  
  Friday mornings
  9:30 to 11 a.m.
  Feb. 21 to March 14 (4 weeks)
  The Citadel, 171 Moultrie St., Charleston
  Mark Clark Hall, Room 228
  

  Course Description: Come learn about the power of food to prevent and heal America’s lifestyle disease.  More than 2,000 years ago, the Greek physician Hippocrates, known as the “Father of Western Medicine,” advised “Let your food be thy medicine and your medicine they food.”  Today, leading public health organizations claim that unhealthy diets are major contributors to premature death and disability.  The good news is that evidence-based science proves that phytochemicals – chemicals in edible plants – work harmoniously inside the human body to prevent and heal those lifestyle diseases. The main focus of this course will be a journey of exploration as we learn how the plants we eat behave inside our body and why they are the key prescription for a healthy diet.
  
  Facilitator: Bea Ventura Lavelle is an educator, writer, health coach, and a whole food plant-based nutrition advocate for disease prevention. She holds a Master of Arts degree in holistic health studies from Georgian Court University and is a graduate of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. She is a member of the American Association of Drugless Practitioners and the author of the book Eating Plants – What’s in it for Me? (Recommended for participants; available on Amazon). She has been an educator for more than 40 years and has taught at the collegiate level since 2008. Bea was an adjunct professor in the Health and Human Services Department of the College of Charleston for 10 years and, in 2008, was named one of the Top Ten Professors at the institution.

• Behind the Scenes of Classic Movies, Part 2

  Behind the Scenes of Classic Movies, Part 2, an interactive class that looks at clips from four genres of classic movies:  epics, classic musicals, science fiction and horror, offered by Cale Shipman,
  
  Fridays midday
  11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  The Citadel, 171 Moultrie St., Charleston
  Mark Clark Hall, Room 228

  Course Description: This would be a very interactive 4-week course featuring film clips, soundtracks, behind-the-scenes stories, trivia and gossip surrounding the movies we all love watching. While it is Part 2 of a series, the course will stand alone. Part 1 featured classic movies (think Gone with the Wind), while Part 2 features the following genres:
  
  Course Outline:  

  • Week 1:  Classic Epics with a cast of thousands
    Week 2:  All Singing, All Dancing Classic Musical Movies
  • Week 3:  Out of this World Science Fiction Screen Classics
  • Week 4:  Horror Movies Through the Years, starting with Frankenstein 

  Facilitator:  Cale Shipman has taught C.A.L.L. classes on "Intro to Astronomy", "Birds of the Lowcountry" and last year’s course entitled "From Elvis to Elton...When our Music Ruled the World". He says, “I enjoyed the classes I have taught and all the ones I have attended. I would encourage everyone to pitch in and participate in any adult education series. Try presenting a class, I predict you will enjoy it greatly.”