Peer Learning Courses
Fall 2021
Friends Around the Kitchen Table Facilitator: Kris Yensen
Zoom Moderator: Scott Parent
Monday 11-12:30 12 weeks: Sept 13-Nov 15, Nov 29-Dec 6
We can’t visit each others’ kitchens right now, but we can still share our stories--- and now we can do it in our slippers! Each week, we’ll have a theme and everyone who wants to tell a five-minute related story can have the floor, so to speak. (No pressure, though--- you’re welcome to sit and listen, too.) We share stories about childhood friends, pet peeves, favorite parables, neighborhoods, heroes, wins and losses.
Short Story Facilitator: Lori Shapiro & others
Zoom Moderator: Jim Neeley
Monday 1:30-3 12 weeks: Sept 13-Nov 15, Nov 29-Dec 6
The “short story” is a unique and special genre. It has its own guidelines and features as a craft. Join us as we embark on this rewarding journey of literary exploration and discovery. Each week a different participant will select and moderate group discussion. Selections are pulled from the tremendous wealth of free downloadable short stories available on-line.
History of the Christian Church Facilitator: Sally Binkowski
Zoom Moderator: Frank Binkowski
Tuesday 11-12:30 12 weeks: Sept 14-Nov 16, Nov 30-Dec 7
In this history course, we will learn how the religion of Jesus spread to nearly one-third of the global population and fractured into hundreds of different sects, each believing that it is true to scriptural teaching and, during our journey, we will see how this religion changed and was changed by two thousand years of world history.
American Mythology Facilitator: Gary West
Zoom Moderator: Sally Binkowski
Tuesday 1:30-3 12 weeks: Sept 14-Nov 16, Nov 30-Dec 7
A Myth is defined as a widely held but false belief or idea. Mythology refers to a collection of related myths or the study of myths. Myths are used to explain natural or social phenomenon not well understood. Myths can be inspired by actual events. Some myths have many believers and many non-believers. This course will explore and analyze some of the myths more commonly, held by Americans. It will use history and science to explain and assess them. The course will include videos, short lectures, and group discussions. Participants will be encouraged to contribute, raise myths for discussion and, if interested, invited to make short presentations.
Women and the Bible Facilitator: Beth Timson
Zoom Moderator: Jim Neeley
Wednesday 11-12:30 12 weeks: Sept 15-Nov 17, Dec 1-Dec 8
The Bible, all versions of it, speaks on many levels: historical, theological, political and legal. But it is also literature, and we will seek to understand how the Bible operates as literature by concentrating specifically on those stories which focus on female characters. What do they tell us about the ancient writers’ and editors’ worldviews and self-definition, and how are critics—especially feminist critics—interpreting those stories today?
African American History Post Emancipation Facilitator: Michael Joseph
Moderator: Jim Neeley
Wednesday 1:30-3 12 weeks: Sept 15-Nov 17, Dec 1-Dec 8
These 12 weekly videos will contain classroom lectures by Professor Jonathan Holloway of Yale University on: Dawn of Freedom; Reconstruction; Uplift, Accommodation, and Assimilation; Migration and Urbanization; The New Negroes; Depression and the New Deal; The Road to Brown and Little Rock.
Think Again: Learning How the Human Brain Works Facilitator: Matt Epstein
Zoom Moderator: Jim Neeley
Thursday 11-12:30 11 weeks: Sept 23-Nov 17, Dec 1-Dec 8
The human brain is more complex than we can imagine and more simple than we like to believe. It evolved for survival, not accuracy. Rational thought is more myth than reality. Conscious awareness is primarily empirically based predictions. Illusions and cognitive biases show how well our brains work rather than how poorly. We will see how biology, electricity, and chemistry combine to control our thoughts and behaviors. This is a continuation of a course offered in the Spring term but participation in that class is not necessary for this one. We will continue to look at how the brain operates, how to listen to what it is telling us without becoming captive to it, and how to keep our brains healthy
Fall Cornucopia Facilitators: Various
Zoom Moderator: Matt Epstein
Thursday 1:30-3 11 weeks: Sept 23-Nov 18, Dec 2-Dec 9
First Thursdays: Kathleen Snipes: Ecology: Nature & Saving the Ecosystems
Second and Third Thursdays: Mir Ali: Problems of Saudi Women & Expatriate Workers
Fourth Thursdays: Gary West: Updates on Covid 19
Book Club Facilitator: Various
Zoom Moderator: Kris Yensen
Third Friday 11-12:30 Sept. 17, Oct. 15, Nov 19, Dec 17
Each month we will pick a book from suggestions we have received from members and send you information on how to access it via a NC library. Then, one Friday a month, we will meet via Zoom to discuss the book and what we learned from or enjoyed about it. Info about each book will be emailed to registered members & posted on the calendar.
Zoom Moderator: Scott Parent
Monday 11-12:30 12 weeks: Sept 13-Nov 15, Nov 29-Dec 6
We can’t visit each others’ kitchens right now, but we can still share our stories--- and now we can do it in our slippers! Each week, we’ll have a theme and everyone who wants to tell a five-minute related story can have the floor, so to speak. (No pressure, though--- you’re welcome to sit and listen, too.) We share stories about childhood friends, pet peeves, favorite parables, neighborhoods, heroes, wins and losses.
Short Story Facilitator: Lori Shapiro & others
Zoom Moderator: Jim Neeley
Monday 1:30-3 12 weeks: Sept 13-Nov 15, Nov 29-Dec 6
The “short story” is a unique and special genre. It has its own guidelines and features as a craft. Join us as we embark on this rewarding journey of literary exploration and discovery. Each week a different participant will select and moderate group discussion. Selections are pulled from the tremendous wealth of free downloadable short stories available on-line.
History of the Christian Church Facilitator: Sally Binkowski
Zoom Moderator: Frank Binkowski
Tuesday 11-12:30 12 weeks: Sept 14-Nov 16, Nov 30-Dec 7
In this history course, we will learn how the religion of Jesus spread to nearly one-third of the global population and fractured into hundreds of different sects, each believing that it is true to scriptural teaching and, during our journey, we will see how this religion changed and was changed by two thousand years of world history.
American Mythology Facilitator: Gary West
Zoom Moderator: Sally Binkowski
Tuesday 1:30-3 12 weeks: Sept 14-Nov 16, Nov 30-Dec 7
A Myth is defined as a widely held but false belief or idea. Mythology refers to a collection of related myths or the study of myths. Myths are used to explain natural or social phenomenon not well understood. Myths can be inspired by actual events. Some myths have many believers and many non-believers. This course will explore and analyze some of the myths more commonly, held by Americans. It will use history and science to explain and assess them. The course will include videos, short lectures, and group discussions. Participants will be encouraged to contribute, raise myths for discussion and, if interested, invited to make short presentations.
Women and the Bible Facilitator: Beth Timson
Zoom Moderator: Jim Neeley
Wednesday 11-12:30 12 weeks: Sept 15-Nov 17, Dec 1-Dec 8
The Bible, all versions of it, speaks on many levels: historical, theological, political and legal. But it is also literature, and we will seek to understand how the Bible operates as literature by concentrating specifically on those stories which focus on female characters. What do they tell us about the ancient writers’ and editors’ worldviews and self-definition, and how are critics—especially feminist critics—interpreting those stories today?
African American History Post Emancipation Facilitator: Michael Joseph
Moderator: Jim Neeley
Wednesday 1:30-3 12 weeks: Sept 15-Nov 17, Dec 1-Dec 8
These 12 weekly videos will contain classroom lectures by Professor Jonathan Holloway of Yale University on: Dawn of Freedom; Reconstruction; Uplift, Accommodation, and Assimilation; Migration and Urbanization; The New Negroes; Depression and the New Deal; The Road to Brown and Little Rock.
Think Again: Learning How the Human Brain Works Facilitator: Matt Epstein
Zoom Moderator: Jim Neeley
Thursday 11-12:30 11 weeks: Sept 23-Nov 17, Dec 1-Dec 8
The human brain is more complex than we can imagine and more simple than we like to believe. It evolved for survival, not accuracy. Rational thought is more myth than reality. Conscious awareness is primarily empirically based predictions. Illusions and cognitive biases show how well our brains work rather than how poorly. We will see how biology, electricity, and chemistry combine to control our thoughts and behaviors. This is a continuation of a course offered in the Spring term but participation in that class is not necessary for this one. We will continue to look at how the brain operates, how to listen to what it is telling us without becoming captive to it, and how to keep our brains healthy
Fall Cornucopia Facilitators: Various
Zoom Moderator: Matt Epstein
Thursday 1:30-3 11 weeks: Sept 23-Nov 18, Dec 2-Dec 9
First Thursdays: Kathleen Snipes: Ecology: Nature & Saving the Ecosystems
Second and Third Thursdays: Mir Ali: Problems of Saudi Women & Expatriate Workers
Fourth Thursdays: Gary West: Updates on Covid 19
- September 23- Gary West- Covid 19 Update
- September 30- Kit Hill – Ponzi Schemes
- October 7- Kathleen Snipes- Ecology: Nature and Saving the Ecosystems
- October 14- Mir Ali- Problems Facing Saudi Women
- October 21- Mir Ali- Problems Facing Saudi Women
- October 28- Gary West- Covid 19 Update
- November 4- Kathleen Snipes- Ecology: Nature and Saving the Ecosystems
- November 11- Mir Ali- Harasssment Facing Saudi Expatriate Labor
- November 18- Mir Ali- Harasssment Facing Saudi Expatriate Labor
- December 2- Kathleen Snipes - Ecology: Nature and Saving the Ecosystems
- December 9- Gary West- COVID 19 Update
Book Club Facilitator: Various
Zoom Moderator: Kris Yensen
Third Friday 11-12:30 Sept. 17, Oct. 15, Nov 19, Dec 17
Each month we will pick a book from suggestions we have received from members and send you information on how to access it via a NC library. Then, one Friday a month, we will meet via Zoom to discuss the book and what we learned from or enjoyed about it. Info about each book will be emailed to registered members & posted on the calendar.