TOPICS  OFFERED  FOR  SUMMER  2008

 

 

Please note that the books listed for each course are only possible candidates. 
Do not buy any until the pre-meeting and a decision on the common reading is made.

 

 

1.   (BHS)    BACH,  HANDEL  AND  SCARLATTI 

By a stunning coincidence, three of the most magnificent composers in the history of western music were born in the same year:  1685.  Each made significant contributions, not only to the lasting musical repertoire, but to the development of musical taste and style.  True contemporaries, they had careers that epitomized the glory of the high baroque period in music.

All were brilliant performers, all held prestigious posts, all were recognized and celebrated in their day.  Yet the music of each is distinctly unique and (after a happy eight weeks of listening and comparing) easily recognizable.

In this S/DG we will survey the vast variety of works they wrote, will learn about their individual styles, their choices of instrumentation and musical forms, and will explore reasons for the differences in their compositional methods and their attitudes about the meaning and purposes of music.

We’ll try to find the answers to such questions as:  Why does it take four people to play a trio sonata? Why are so many musical terms Italian, and is it really helpful to know what they  mean? What in the world is a fugue, why did composers write so many, why do people still play them, and how are we supposed to hear what’s going on? What exactly is a viola da gamba?  A da capo aria?  ic and jazz?

And along the way, of course, we’ll enjoy listening to some of the most beautiful music ever written.   

Possible Topics: General characteristics of baroque music, and how it differed from music of the Renaissance & Classic periods; The instruments: how they sounded and how they were combined; Johann Sebastian Bach:  His life and the place of music in the late 17th & 18th centuries; George Frideric Handel:  His life and his operas;Domenico Scarlatti:  His life and his keyboard sonatas; Vocal and choral music  A summing up, noting how these three composers influenced the continuing development of western music, with perhaps a quick look at their contemporaries. (After all, Vivaldi wasn’t just chopped liver.) 

No Common Reading. Members will have many choices of sources, some with information easily accessible to the lay person and others of a more detailed, technical nature.  In addition to written material, CDs, DVDs and video tapes are readily available and will be a vital part of each presentation.

2nd & 4th Thursday, a.m. – Room 8


 

2.            (DEC)             GREAT  DECISIONS  -  2008   

The Foreign Policy Association (FPA) has declared what it believes are the “great decisions” the U.S. is to make during 2008— as it has done annually for over 50 years.  It encourages Americans to consider and discuss these world issues.  In addition to the annual briefing book Great Decisions — 2007, the FPA now publishes a DVD that presents background information on the issues from subject matter specialists.  The 2007 issues are: the U.S. in the Middle East, Central Asia, Climate Change, Mexico, International Migration, South Africa, War Crimes and Helping the World’s Endangered Children.

In the study/discussion group, each issue will be introduced by watching the FPA’s DVD presentation to set-up the discussion sessions which will be structured using the briefing book.  Additional resource material suggested by the FPA will be available on reserve in the library.  We will consider the U.S. position — and we each develop our own position — on these world issues.

Common Reading:            Great Decisions – 2008 will be available from the FPA

1st & 3rd Friday, p.m. – Room 7

 

 

3.            (DRM)           TO  SLEEP,  PERCHANCE  TO  DREAM

Ay, there's the rub, for though mankind has always been plagued, inspired, and fascinated by dreams, we still do not fully understand why we dream, whether dreams really have meaning, or how to interpret them.  C.G. Jung described the dream as "a hidden door in the innermost secret recesses of the soul, opening into the cosmic night."  In primitive times, a dream was considered to be a message from a god which predicted the dreamer's future.  Today, dreaming is generally attributed to neural activity in the brain.  Freud saw dreams as symbolic or coded expressions of inner drives, largely for power or sex; Jung said dreams had a moral and spiritual dimension; and some "dream analysts" will explain it all to you for a fee.  This S/DG will explore the world of dreams and dream interpreta-tion; presentation topics can include the theories of Freud and Jung; symbols and codes in dream interpretation; whether we can learn to choose our own dreams; the value of "dream books"; theories of "lucid dreaming."  No falling asleep in class allowed!

Common Reading:            The Complete Book of Dreams and Dreaming, by Pamela Ball (2005)

Supplemental References (not required, suggestions for presentation research):

The Art of Dreaming, by J. Mellick and M. Woodman (2001)

Understanding Sleep and Dreaming, by W. H. Moorcroft and P. Belcher (2005)

1st & 3rd Tuesday, p.m. – Room 7

 


 

4.   (ECN)             ECONOMIST’S  WAY  AT  LOOKING  AT  LIFE

Looking at life through an economics lens provides something valuable to say about many social issues.  Economics is about much more than just business and money.  Recent Nobel laureates and other prominent economists are vastly extending the ways in which we view the world and with significant changes from what many of us were taught in college.  In this study group, we will examine their contributions to our understanding of conflicts, irrational economic behavior, neuroeconomics, and we will view “externalities” (traffic jams, pollution, etc.) to illustrate the widespread applicability of economic thinking to various areas of life. In addition we will look at development economics and study newer theories to explain economic growth.  The impacts of the rising standard of living of 6 billion people on the environment will be considered.  Some effort will be made to place the ideas here in the context of the historical development of economic theory and practice.  The group will make extensive use of the Internet for source material.

Common Reading:             The Undercover Economist, by Tim Harford (2007; available at amazon.com @ $10.17)

Supplemental References (not required, suggestions for presentation research):

The Paradox of Choice, by Barry Schwartz (2004)

Hidden Order: The Economics of Everyday Life, by David Friedman (1996)

Law’s Order: What Economics Has to Do with Law and Why It Matters, by David Friedman (2000)

New Ideas from Dead Economists: An Introduction to Modern Economic Thought, by Todd G. Buchholz (Plume, 1999)

2nd & 4th Friday, a.m. - Room 7


 

5.      (ENG)   THE  STORY  OF  ENGLISH 

A work of profound scholarship and powerful storytelling from host Robert MacNeil, this classic nine-part PBS series remains one of the great narratives of linguistic studies. Steeped in history, geography, sociology and political drama, The Story of English has little to do with dictionaries, official documents or highbrow literature.  It is a tale of language used for immediate needs – in street talk, popular entertainment, war and trade – and it covers more than a millennium of civilization’s ebb and flow.  Vividly capturing a sense of global dynamics, the series travels to 16 countries and across 5 continents as it follows the evolutionary path of the first worldwide language.

The series includes:  An English-Speaking World; The Mother Tongue; A Muse of fire; The Guid Scots Tongue; Black on White; Poineers! O Pioneers!; The “Muvver” tongue; Loaded Weapon; and The Empire Strikes Back.  

Videos:         The Story of English, Programs 1-9 (1986), starring John Barton and Peter Hall (9-part series, 58-59 minutes each)

Books:         The Story of English: Third Revised Edition by Robert McCrum, Robert MacNeil, and William Cran (Paperback - Dec 31, 2002)

               The Story of English: Companion to the PBS television series, by Robert McCrum, William Cran, and Robert MacNeil (Paperback - 1986)

EN1:   2 & 4 Tuesday, a.m. - Room 7

EN2:            1st & 3rd Wednesday, p.m. – Room 7

 

 

6.   (GDR)            GREAT  DRAMATISTS  

Yes, there is life after Shakespeare!  Explore the creations of other dramatists of western civilization.  There will be no designated text.  Instead, each participant will choose a playwright for presentation and assign (ahead of time, of course), an easily accessible play of the dramatist to be read by the group.  Presentations may include information on the playwright's life and how he reflects the time period in which he wrote as well as a summary/analysis of his total body of work.  Perhaps members of the group can perform a short scene from one of his plays.  A discussion of the assigned play, led by the presenter, will also be included.  Aristophanes or Moliere?  Ibsen or Shaw?  Albee or Pirandello?  Chekhov or Synge?  O'Neill or Miller?  Oh, the rich possibilities!!  What do the world's great playwrights have to say about humanity?

Common Readings to be Selected by Participants

1st & 3rd Thursday, a.m. - Room 7


 

7.   (HTH)     HEALTH  CARE  PROPOSALS,  WHAT  CAN  WORK? 

Health care is one of the top public concerns in the United States during this election year.  Two of the most vexing problems of health policy are how to balance coverage and quality of care against constantly rising costs and how to best finance those costs.  Reliance on market forces to solve these problems is greatest in the United States compared to other countries, but nonetheless nearly half of U.S. funding is public – indeed, in per capita dollar terms, much more than in many “socialist” countries, such as the United Kingdom and France.

This country spends far more money per person on medical care than other countries and still seems to get worse results.  Health care spending simply can’t continue to rise at its current pace.  There is an obvious candidate for cost-cutting: all that care that brings no health benefit.  It’s not hard to find examples.  Scientific studies have shown that many treatments are overdone.  Worst of all, overtreatment often causes harm, because even the safest procedures bring some risk.  One study found that a group of Medicare patients admitted to high-spending hospitals was 2 to 6 percent more likely to die than a group admitted to more conservative hospitals.  Research has shown that patients frequently decide against marginal care when they know the true risks and benefits. Malpractice laws might also need to be changed so doctors were not sued by patients who later changed their minds.  (From review in NY Times 12-19-07.)

Possible Common Reading:           

Medicine and the Market: Equity Versus Choice, by Daniel Callahan and Angela A. Wasunna (University Press, 2006, 334 pp)

Overtreated, by Shannon Brownlee (Hardcover - Sep 18, 2007

1st & 3rd Tuesday, p.m. – Room 8


 

 

8.     (INV)  INVESTING  FOR  FUN  &  PROFIT

This class is independent of prior semesters.  You need not have taken a prior class for your wealth to benefit from this one. Current flux in the world markets make this an opportune time to review and improve your investments. Managing money has a scientific basis. It has little to do with stock picking and a lot to do with understanding economies, diversification, asset classes, etc.  Modern Portfolio Theory fundamentals are accessible to any interested person and will have a positive influence on your wealth, risk profile and enjoyment.  We'll split our time between a core text and member researched presentations. The core text will provide the basics. The presentations an opportunity to delve deeper and expose interesting topics in finance. The Presentation topics might include:  Behavioral finance, Diversification and its affect on risk and reward, Measures of risk, Mutual funds, Hedge funds, Private equity, Asset allocation, Types of available funds, Measuring (Fund) performance, Sources of good financial information (including the Internet), Financial vocabulary, Bonds vs. bond funds, Yield curve analysis, Exchange rates and the effect on foreign investment, Hedging away risk, Derivatives - what are they and what are they good for, Investment ideas from Nobel Laureates, Computer modeling (Monte Carlo simulation), Risk reduction - knowing yourself and what it takes to sleep well, Rebalancing and market timing, Taxes and after tax yields, Managing retirement accounts (IRAs), etc., etc.  The goal is better understanding of managing your net worth through a diversified personalized portfolio. The common reading will provide the basics and structure to the class. The presentations will delve more deeply into individual areas.

Common Reading:            At the pre-meeting the group will choose something like:

The Little Book of Common Sense Investing, by John Bogle (240 pages; available from Amazon for $11.97, hardcover, Wiley)

1st & 3rd Monday, p.m. – Room 7


 

 

9.     (ISX)   THE  INVISIBLE  SEX

Every generation of anthropologists, sociologists, archaeologists, and others approaches the past with a different set of cultural baggage. As a result of this bias, the interpretation of the role of women through time takes on a different character too. According to our authors, women of prehistory were pivotal in a wide range of culture-building endeavors, including the invention of language, the origins of agriculture and the conceptualization of boat building. Although based on the most current scientific evidence, these theories are presented as accessibly as possible, with frequent humorous asides and a wide range of popular cultural touchstones, from Charles Darwin to The Clan of the Cave Bear.

The authors offer scientific arguments that radically challenge our preconceptions of human behavior and history. They argue, for instance, that brain development and an increase in longevity that produced extended families, especially grandmothers, brought about a "creative revolution" in the Late Paleolithic period (about 30,000 years ago).

Did goddess worship in prehistoric society relate to contemporary New Age feminism? What does the latest science say about what was more important in hunter-gatherer societies - men "bringing home the bacon" or women foraging and weaving? There are many opportunities for discussing topics that challenge current male-dominant views. And there are many topics available for personal research - within what some have termed the authors' "feminist pale anthropology!"

Common Reading:            The Invisible Sex: Uncovering the True Roles of Women in Prehistory, by J. M. Adovasio, Olga Soffer, and Jake Page 

(January 22, 2008; paperback, $10.17, Amazon)

2nd & 4th Monday, a.m. - Room 7


 

 

10.   (LAM)             LATIN  AMERICA  &  THE  USA

Latin America is diverse and it is complex.  It has 44 countries with 550 million inhabitants and a history of friendly embrace with - and deep mistrust of - the USA, its northern giant.

Latin America could, in some ways, be called the land of broken dreams.  It has enormous natural reserves and – for the most part – a dynamic and highly trainable population.  Climate is as diverse as its politics, social fabric and economy, from jungles and tropical forests to the north down to the frozen landscapes of Antarctica at the extreme south.  Differences between adjoining countries are dramatic:  travel from Argentina to Bolivia and you will see more change than when you venture south from the U.S. to visit Mexico.  Most analysts agree that, so far, Latin America has failed to achieve a fraction of its potential, though the economy of most countries in the region is growing at a much faster pace so far in the 21st century than in the 20th.

In this course we will cover briefly the history of the countries in question and will place more emphasis on political and social aspects, economic growth, educational systems and living standards.  We will also study the reasons for the failure of most Latin American countries to develop at a faster pace, reasons that include political and economic factors.  To mention a few: dictatorships, inept government officials, corruption, nepotism and insufficient education. We hope that at the end of this S/DG we will all look differently – and with clearer vision - at our intriguing neighbors to the south, from Mexico to Argentina.

Common Reading:            Latin America Transformed:  Globalization & Modernity, edited by Robert N.  Gwynne and Cristobal Kay (Arnold Publication, 2004)

LA1:    1st & 3rd Friday, a.m. – Room 7

LA2:    2 & 4 Thursday, a.m. - Room 7

 


 

 

11.    (LEO)            LEONARDO  DA  VINCI:  FLIGHTS  OF  THE  MIND 

With our author as guide we will pour over Leonardo's Codex Atlanticus, that displays much of da Vinci's multi-varied interests, ideas and doodles - and, which reveals the linear and non-linear flow of his mind. The master had so many thoughts and ideas endlessly flowing that it is no wonder that he failed to complete many of his projects and paintings. By drawing on Leonardo’s notebooks to delve deep inside the mind of this beloved Renaissance icon, we will celebrate Leonardo’s life and projects with excitement by putting his achievements in the context of the Italian Renaissance as a whole.

If we learn little new about Leonardo’s most famous works (e.g., the Mona Lisa or The Last Supper) or his competition with Michelangelo, we gain valuable insight into the “cool, interior, ungraspable” creative process that raised Leonardo head and shoulders above his peers in most fields. Information on the subsequent history and restorations of da Vinci’s paintings helps anchor them in the present.

We will have many opportunities to discuss Leonardo's life, his times and his creations. Although Leonardo considered himself a failure during his lifetime, we will focus on why he is now regarded as one of the greatest artists and inventors in history. 

Common Reading:            Leonardo da Vinci: Flights of the Mind: A Biography, by Charles Nicholl (paperback, November 2005; $13.50 at Amazon)

2 & 4 Wednesday, a.m. - Room 7

 

 

12.   (MYT)            CLASSICAL  GREEK  AND  ROMAN  MYTHOLOGY

The myths of ancient Greece and Rome have influenced and inspired the literature and artists of the Western world.  While academia has its own numerous reasons for the study of classical mythology, we who merely enjoy literature can learn to appreciate it from a non-academic standpoint.  First, we should derive pleasure from exploring the myths themselves.  They offer something for everyone, whether interested in romance, drama, tragedy, war, monsters, or vengeance.  The myths are so very rich in excitement, intrigue and imaginations, it is hard to dispute their appeal and easy to understand why they have endured these millennia.

The suggested reading presents an easy-to-read summary of Greek and Roman gods, goddesses, heroes, and monsters from Ares to Zeus.  It opens with “What is a myth and its functions” and “What are the sources of classical mythology.”  It closes with a discussion of how myths affect our everyday lives.  Our goal is to learn historic Greek and Roman mythology, appreciate the impacts they have on history, and its continuing influences on our lives today.

Common Reading:            The Everything Classical Mythology Book, by Lesley Bolton

            (2002, ISBN 1-58062-653-X)

1st & 3rd Thursday, p.m. - Room 7


 

13.   (PAK)   PAKISTAN  AS  KEYSTONE

Many Americans are too little aware of how key Pakistan is to the world’s future. This Muslim country, formed in the violent break-up of India after the British left in 1947, has nuclear weapons, missiles, madrassas, Osama bin Laden, Taliban, wide-spread poverty, a feudal social structure, and an unstable government that has no control over important parts of the country.  The recent assassination of twice former prime minister Benazir Bhutto reduced chances for a peaceful, much less democratic, governmental transition. It appears that Muslim radicals have targeted the take-over of Pakistan. Such a take-over would place an estimated 40-plus nuclear weapons in bin Laden’s hands. Even without such a calamity, there are factions that continually promote war with Hindu India, also a nuclear power. One of the best hopes for America and the world now is for another Pakistani general to take over and maintain order. This country has been left in the political shadows for too long and will be a central issue facing the next US administration.

This S/DG will review the historical, geographic, social, economic, and political facts of Pakistan in order to better prepare class members to discuss alternative approaches to future US policies toward and interaction with Pakistan.

Common Reading:         Pakistan: Between Mosque and Military, by Hussain Haqqani

(Carnegie Endowment for World Peace, 2005)

Supplemental References (not required, suggestions for presentation research):

The Fragmentation of Afghanistan, by Barnett R. Rubin  (Yale Univ., 2002)

 2nd & 4th Monday, p.m. – Room 7

 

 

14.   (PHO)   DIGITAL  FINE/ART  PHOTOGRAPHY

A lot of folks equate digital photography with Photoshop, which is a waste of time. If you don't take good photos to begin with, the end-result will not be good not matter how much post-processing you do on your computer. We will actually talk about photography techniques in a very accessible fashion. Aperture, shutter speed, ISO, white balance will be gently demystified, while equal, or greater, emphasis will be given to the content and composition of photographs.  Presentation opportunities range from technical to artistic. We'll cover a text with great reviews and share our pictures.

Common Reading:            The Better Photo Guide to Digital Photography, by Jim Miotke (Amphoto Guide Series, Paperback, available from Amazon $16.47 June 2005)

1st & 3rd Thursday, p.m. - Room 8

 


 

 

15.   (POE)   STUDYING  AND  ENJOYING  POETRY 

If you enjoy reading poetry, would like to write poetry, love sharing favorite poems, like to analyze poetry, or would just like to be introduced to poetry, this is a class for you.  The suggested class format will consist of two oral readings of one or more poems, followed by a brief introduction to the author and some background on the poem, and a brief analysis and discussion of the poem.  There will also be a discussion of a chapter of the core text, which will be led by one of the class members.  We will also provide time for open reading of poems brought in by class members.

The discussion text is a well-written presentation of the elements of poetry organized into topics such as word texture and sound, images, rhyme and repetition, meter, subject and style, and interpretation.  Each chapter includes a selection of 15 to 25 pages of poems illustrating the topic under discussion.  The book is by a skilled writer and includes many popular and interesting poems by well-known and highly talented poets.  The book is available at low cost in paperback format.

The class will be conducted in an easygoing informal style designed to maximize participation and will encourage sharing and reading of poetry.  Poetry authors will be especially encouraged to bring in their own work for discussion and critique.

Common Reading:            The Discovery of Poetry, A Field Guide to Reading and Writing Poems, by Frances Mayes (author of Under the Tuscan Sun and professor of creative writing at the University of San Francisco)

2nd & 4th Wednesday, p.m. – Room 7 

 


 

 

16.   (POP)            POPULAR  CULTURE  IN  AMERICA 

This course will look at how television, films, music, sports and the internet influence the culture of America. Special emphasis will be given to the political and social implications of popular culture.

The common reading, by science writer Steven Johnson, argues that, contrary to popular belief that video games, television shows, and other forms of popular entertainment are detrimental to Americans' cognitive and moral development, today's pop-culture consumer has to do more "cognitive work"--making snap decisions and coming up with long-term strategies in role-playing video games, for example, or mastering new virtual environments on the Internet-- than ever before.  Whether you agree or disagree with his conclusions, it provides a different way of looking at today’s popular culture.

Presentations might include a combination of how Games, TV, Cable,  Movies, Internet, Cell Phones, Tabloids, Instant Messaging (IM), Blogs, and Message Boards, IMPACT our Strategic Thinking, Poetry, Drama, Music, Novels, Logic skills, Intelligence, Crime,  and our ability to use Complex rules and procedures.

Common Reading:            Everything Bad Is Good for You: How Today's Popular Culture Is Actually Making Us Smarter, by Steven Johnson  (Riverhead Trade, 2006, 272 pp; available from Amazon for $11.20)

2 & 4 Tuesday, p.m. - Room 7

 

 

17.   (SSW)    SHORT  STORIES  FROM  AROUND  THE  WORLD

In this S/DG we’ll read short stories from around the world, selected from an anthology of 78 contemporary international authors.  All were born after 1938 and represent 35 countries. We’ll approach each story with a special focus on the main characters and how they were each developed.  How does an author construct a character?  How much do we learn about the character’s background and personality?  What parts of the story give us this information?  Exposition?  Dialogue?  Action?  Is the character believable?  Why are the characters in one story so much more vivid than in another?

Topics:  Each week we will discuss some of the short stories from our anthology, with a focus on the development of the characters in the stories. 

Common Reading:            The Art of the Story: An International Anthology of Contemporary Short Stories, edited by Daniel Halpern  (Penguin Books, 2000)

SS1:    1 & 3 Monday, p.m. - Room 8

SS2:    2 & 4 Thursday, p.m. - Room 8

SS3:    1 & 3 Thursday, a.m. - Room 8

 


 

 

18.   (TTT)         THUMBS,  TOES,  AND  TEARS   

In his book, Thumbs, Toes, and Tears: And Other Traits That Make Us Human, Chip Walter, science journalist and former CNN bureau chief, shows us how the six unique human traits evolved.  How did thumbs, big toe and pharynx, and the human emotions, laugh, love and tears, come to be uniquely human characteristics?  Drawing on complexity theory, the latest brain scanning techniques and new insights from fields as diverse as anthropology, neurobiology, and artificial intelligence, this book reveals a creature whose relationships, sexual behavior, and internal self image were shaped by its ability to walk upright, make tools, use language, and bond deeply in a dangerous world.

Common Reading:            Thumbs, Toes, and Tears: And Other Traits That Make Us Human, by Chip Walter (Walker & Company, February 2008, 272 pp)  Available from Amazon for $10.85.

1st & 3rd Monday, a.m. – Room 7

 

 

19.        (WRI)            THE  WRITING  MIND

This S/DG concentrates on fostering creativity and improving techniques of the writer through the production of original pieces of writing, literary critique and presentations by each group member.  Presentations are on literary topics or on the philosophy, subtleties or techniques of writing.  Each member will be responsible for; a presentation, at least two submissions of original fiction, non-fiction, poetry, or other form of writing, and for reading and critiquing submissions from other group members.

Common Reading:  None Suggested

2nd & 4th Tuesday, p.m. – Room 8

 

 


 

 

20.        (YRW)  1968:  THE  YEAR  THAT  ROCKED  THE  WORLD

It has been 40 years since the cataclysmic events of 1968 changed the world forever. To some, it was the year of Sex, Drugs, and Rock & Roll.  Yet it was also the year of the assassinations of Martin Luther King and Robert Kennedy; the riots at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago; Prague Spring; the Tet Offensive; the anti-Vietnam war movement; the Black Power salutes at the Mexico City Olympics; and student uprisings around the globe.  The impact of television made 1968 a global year.  It was the year that an awestruck world watched the first broadcast from outer space and at the same time watched the Vietnam War - in our living rooms - during dinner.

There will be a host of commemorations and reflections this year.  For example, Works in Progress will be presenting a four-part theatre experience in Torrance this spring, addressing four of the most significant events of 1968, and an op-ed on the impact of 1968 has already appeared in the Los Angeles Times.  This S/DG will not only examine the events themselves, but, from a distance of four decades, the impact they had on the nation and the world. 

Common Reading:            1968: The Year that Rocked the World, by Mark Kurlansky,

(paperback January 2005, 480 pp)

2nd & 4th Wednsday, p.m. – Room 8