Botanical Gardens Workshop: Early Spring Wildflowers
In a major departure from the usual format, Coastal Senior College is offering this two-day workshop in cooperation with the Coastal Botanical Gardens in Boothbay. For two consecutive days, students will become immersed in the world of native Maine wildflowers under the expert tutelage of Wanda Garland, a most popular CSC instructor. Wanda will involve students in the historical uses of wildflowers in medicine, for food, fibers and dyes. Blooming times, rarity and specific ecosystems will be part of the curriculum. Many slides will be presented along with descriptions and hands-on samples.
Boxed lunches will be provided by the Damariscotta River Grill. Weather-permitting, field identification will be part of the second afternoon session. This is a once-in-a-blue-moon opportunity to become absorbed in the world of wildflowers in the beautiful setting of the Botanical Gardens facility.
Instructor Wanda Garland has been a popular member of the CSC faculty for a number of years. As a child at her parents’ dairy farm in northern Maine she watched and tracked wildlife, becoming totally familiar with trees and wildflowers. Earning B.S. and M.S.
degrees in biology, she taught high school biology for many years. An experienced wilderness hiker, Wanda hikes daily with a camera to discover and photograph wildflowers. A member of the Josselyn Botanical Society of Maine, she has participated in several field research courses at Humboldt Field Research Institute in Steuben, Maine.
At Coastal Botanical Gardens, Boothbay
Directions to the Gardens: Follow Route 1 south through Camden, Waldoboro and Newcastle. In Edgecomb, turn left onto Route 27 South toward Boothbay. After 9.3 miles, bear right at the Boothbay monument, across from the town common and gazebo. Go straight at the stop sign immediately ahead. After 0.25 miles, turn right onto Barters Island Road. The entrance to the Gardens is about 1 mile ahead, on the left.
Watercolor in Winter
Susan St. John will present watercolor techniques for beginners on Tuesdays from 9:30 am until 12:00 noon at the University College at Rockland. A materials fee of $20 (for paper and paints) will be charged (in addition to the $30 course registration fee). Her students in other watercolor courses have been very enthusiastic and complimentary about Susan's presentation and thoughtful assistance.
Instructor Susan St. John holds a degree in architecture from Yale University and has practiced in Maine and Colorado. Her studies in watercolor have spanned 15 years with 14 instructors! She claims she has first-hand experience with the frustrations of not knowing how to use watercolor materials, as well as in feeling too tightly constrained. She seeks a middle ground. Her work has been exhibited in several local shows and includes a one-woman show at The Small Point Club in Phippsburg. She states: "My 30 years as an Outward Bound instructor make me especially interested in painting wind and water. I also enjoy painting architecture, chairs, and old cars. I love to teach!"
At University College, Rockland
You can find directions to University College, Rockland by clicking HERE.
CSC Coffee House - Continuing
This ongoing experience is provided at no cost to CSC members. A core group of 10 - 12 people sometimes swells to 18 individuals who drop in for some free-wheeling conversation covering a multitude of topics. Every 4th Tuesday, Peter Muth will join facilitator Bill Newman for a discussion of globalization.
This group now meets at Bookland Cafe Rockland, in its conference room on the second floor, which is in the same building as the new home of URock. You can find directions by clicking HERE.
More Bird Watching In The Field
This course continues Noreen O’Brien’s very popular birding series. As in the past, emphasis will be on bird song and identification. Once again students are encouraged to have binoculars, hats, water, bug spray and solid footwear. A suggested field guide is: Birds of Eastern and Central North America (R.T. Peterson). Students may use other guides, however.
Instructor Noreen O’Brien has been a birder for more than 35 years and has traveled the world in pursuit of these feathered creatures. She stresses learning bird song and call to aid in bird identification, in addition to behavior and habitat preferences. This is Noreen’s fifth class for CSC. She writes a weekly bird- ing column for the Courier Gazette and a birding blog on www.Mainecoastnow.com
Various Locations
First meeting will be at Heritage Farm – Damariscotta River Association headquarters, 109-110 Belvedere Road. (Turn onto Belvedere Road at the blinking light on Route 1 at Miles Home Health and Hospice Center, Damariscotta). .
Study Circle On The Corporation and The New Capitalisms
This study circle will investigate the corporation and the new capitalisms as key concepts in an emergent national debate. We will delve into the ways in which the terms “corporation” and “capitalism” have changed through history, learn to recognize new ideologies in the making, and examine new ideas across the political-economic thought spectrum. Participants will discover where their own views fall in this debate and perhaps together derive recommendations for possible changes in policy, if any.
Instructor Matthew Clarke majored in American Studies, with a focus on intellectual and social history, at Case Western Reserve University. In the 1960’s, he left college teaching to lead national social policy seminars and public radio discussions for a labor and social action think tank in Washington, D.C. Later, Clarke was a writer at Mergers and Acquisitions, the Journal of Corporate Venture, and a consultant to the Pentagon. He then switched to work for non-profits, created a pioneering national entrepreneur-training program, and had another career in higher education management consultancy. With retirement in 2001, he has returned to leading discussion groups.
At University College, Rockland
You can find directions to University College, Rockland by clicking HERE.
International Cinema: Bill’s Favorites
Starting with Akiro Kurosawa’s Dersu Uzala, the class will then have choices of movies from other continents.
Instructor Bill Newman has taught many film classes for CSC. and shares his knowledge, curiosity and interest in international films with great generosity. Born in Czechoslovakia in 1937, he and his parents, the only Holocaust survivors from their large family, immigrated to the United States, leaving on the last train to cross the border to the west before it was closed. Bill received a BA from Brooklyn College and an MLS from Columbia University. He continued graduate study in philosophy and history at the New School for Social Research and Cornell University. Prior to retiring, Bill was a librarian at various universities in the U.S. and Canada. Bill originated and continues to facilitate the CSC Tuesday morning Coffee House discussion group and has taught other CSC courses in history, philosophy, and literature.
At Skidompha Library, Damariscotta
Directions to Skidompha Library: Skidompha Library is located on the right side of Business Rt. 1 south in downtown Damariscotta.
Church and State: A look at the “wall
of separation” as we move toward Nov.’08
Thomas Jefferson’s January 1, 1802 letter to the Baptists of Danbury, CT in which he followed his quote of the First Amendment with the words: “thus building a wall of separation between church and state…” has remained to this day the most recognized and most controversial of American ideas. There are those wanting to strengthen the wall into an impregnable fortress, while others itch to tear it down in a rush to establish a Christian theocracy. Those in between look either for peep-holes in the wall through which each side can peer voyeuristically at the other, or strive to find constructive ways whereby church and state learn from each other. This course will look at all sides of the issue. Two texts will be provided: American Gospel: God, the Founding Fathers, and the Making of a Nation (Meacham) and Thy Kingdom Come: How the Religious Right Distorts the Faith and Threatens America – An Evangelical’s Lament (Balmer).
Instructor The Reverend Ed Wynne holds an undergraduate degree in chemical engineering and a PhD in Religious Education. Throughout his adult life, despite his primary occupation as a clergyman, he has kept up his interest in numerous areas. He maintains a vital interest in the ongoing struggles between religion and other spheres of life. Ed has taught four other popular classes for CSC.
At Schooner Cove, Damariscotta
Directions to Schooner Cove: In Damariscotta, take Rtes 129/130 and enter the Miles Hospital complex of Rtes. 129/130 in Damariscotta. Take your first left. Schooner Cove is the large building on your right.
.
Nature’s Eye: A Writing Course
This course will offer students a unique way to observe and record the natural world. When we take the time to look, we see. Our recorded observations may take our writing into new and exciting genres which will be shared on a weekly basis. A process approach will be used in all areas of learning and sharing.
Instructor Pete Schiot has a Bachelor of Marine Science degree and a Master of Arts degree. He has taught all content areas, especially writing across the curriculum, with middle school, high school and college students seeking advanced degrees. This will be his third writing class for CSC.
At University College, Rockland
You can find directions to University College, Rockland by clicking HERE.
Achieving American Art
Students may enroll for all twelve lectures, or for one (or more) of the three blocks of four presentations. Each lecture will be presented at 10:00 am at the 350-seat Strand Theatre (345 Main Street, Rockland). In this lecture series Farnsworth Director of Education Roger Dell will present an overview of the challenges and achievements found in the visual arts from the founding of this nation up until the present. He will discuss the art history and social context of the paintings and sculptures in the Farnsworth collection which illustrate major art movements. This series will be the third collaboration between Coastal Senior College and the Farnsworth Art Museum.
At the Strand Theater at 345 Main Street in Rockland.
Discovering Opera: Part I
Beaumont Glass brings this extremely popular series to Damariscotta, having presented it in Belfast and Thomaston. This is an overview of the development of a new art form from its birth,around 1600, to the first quarter of the 20th century. Part I features Italian and French opera with a first meeting devoted to Monteverdi, the first true genius of opera and then Handel. Next come Gluck (the “reformer”) and Mozart whom some consider the greatest of all. These are followed by the “bel canto” trio: Rossini, Donizetti, and Bellini; then come Verdi and Puccini. The last class is an overview of French opera from Lully to Debussy. All sessions feature videos and DVDs of stunning, representative productions from Beaumont’s exceptional collection. Students will receive detailed handouts with historic background, composer information and the opera stories.
Instructor Beaumont Glass has spent more than 50 years in the world of professional opera, including 19 years with the Zurich Opera as a coach and stage director. He has accompanied opera greats such as Grace Bumbry and Simon Estes, was the director of opera for 18 years at the University of Iowa and, with his wife, who is an opera singer, teaches every summer at the American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz, Austria. In March ’08 he has been engaged as stage director by the Chamber Opera Chicago for its production of Carmen. He currently hosts a weekly radio program (WRFR – FM 93.3 or 99.3) Sundays from 6-7 p.m. (or ‘live’ on the Internet: www.wrfr.org). His most recent book, The Memoirs of an Opera Bug, was recently published by Leyerle Publications. Amazingly, he has found time to teach several extremely popular CSC courses.
At Skidompha Library, Damariscotta
Directions to Skidompha Library: Skidompha Library is located on the right side of Business Rt. 1 south in downtown Damariscotta.
IT WASN’T JUST LUTHER! Religion, Politics and Society in Early Modern Europe
In the 16th century men and women killed and were killed for their religious beliefs. For the first time in western history, people had a religious choice, yet those choices tore society apart. Through lecture, reading, discussion and film, we will examine the roles played by Luther, Calvin, the Radicals, Loyola, the Church leadership, secular rulers, cities and women. We will explore the society in which these momentous events occurred, the beliefs of the reformation leaders and their followers, and the impact of their religious zeal on secular Europe and the world. Who were the leaders? To whom did their ideas appeal? What role did politics play? And women? A text, A Short History of the Reformation by Jonathan Zophy will provide the context.
Instructor Charmarie Blaisdel one of the founding members of CSC, holds a PhD in Early Modern European History, an M.A. in Medieval History and a B.A. in Art History. Her comments follow. “I taught both traditional and adult students at Northeastern University for over 35 years and was twice the recipient of the University award for Excellence in Teaching. My course repertoire included Medieval, Renaissance, and Reformation cultural history and the French Revolution. I was one of the creators and first Instructors of Women’s Studies at Northeastern and during my last five years at the University, I held a joint appointment in the History and Education Departments teaching graduate educators. My research focused on Protestant and Catholic women in the Reformation. I currently work on women’s diaries in 19th century Maine.”
At Camden Public Library
Directions to Camden Public Library: From the South, take Rte. 1 north into Camden. The library is just past the commercial district on the right hand side of Rte. 1 It is an elegant brick building atop a knoll. Parking is on the street just before the library. There is also a parking lot on the left just past the library amphitheatre.
Watercolor Techniques and Open Studio
This course is designed for all levels EXCEPT for first time beginners. Susan St. John will present it on Thursdays from 9:30 am until 12:30 pm beginning February 28th at the First Universalist Church in Rockland (345 Broadway). A materials fee (for paper and paints) will be charged (in addition to the $30 course registration fee). Her students in other classes have been very pleased with Susan's approach and effectiveness.
Instructor Susan St. John holds a degree in architecture from Yale University and has practiced in Maine and Colorado. Her studies in watercolor have spanned 15 years with 14 instructors! She claims she has first-hand experience with the frustrations of not knowing how to use watercolor materials, as well as in feeling too tightly constrained. She seeks a middle ground. Her work has been exhibited in several local shows and includes a one-woman show at The Small Point Club in Phippsburg. She states: "My 30 years as an Outward Bound instructor make me especially interested in painting wind and water. I also enjoy painting architecture, chairs, and old cars. I love to teach!"
At First Universalist Church, Rockland
Directions to First Universalist Church: Located at 345 Broadway in Rockland, it can be reached from the south by turning left onto Broadway at the traffic light on Route 1. Proceed on Broadway; the Church will be on your right. From the north, approach Rockland on Route 1. Turn right onto Route 17 at MacDonalds. At EBS Building Supply, turn left onto Birch Street and, at the first stop light, continue straight to Broadway. Proceed on Broadway and the Church will be on your left.
Exploring Maine’s Natural History
This course will, through lecture, specimens, slide presentations and other media, enable students to develop an expanded knowledge and appreciation of the geology, primitive and flowering plants, reptiles, and amphibians, birds and mammals in Maine. The
influence of humans and climate change in this milieu will be explored.
Instructor Joe Gray is a retired forester and has been an interpretive naturalist for the past 40 years. He serves as a volunteer with many organizations, including Kno-Wal-Lin, Tanglewood 4-H Camp Director Emeritus, and Mid-coast Audubon. With Audubon, he is a writer, past officer, field trip leader, lecturer, and producer of the quarterly newsletter. He has been a
CSC instructor in natural history subjects for several
years.
At Schooner Cove, Damariscotta
Directions to Schooner Cove: In Damariscotta, take Rtes 129/130 and enter the Miles Hospital complex off Rtes. 129/130. Take your first left. Schooner Cove is the large building on your right.
Maine in Children’s Literature
This course will explore a variety of children’s books written by authors who reside in Maine or live “away.” With a few notable exceptions, the selections will have Maine as the primary subject. Books will come from a variety of sources, including Nancy’s own collection.
Instructor Nancy Wheeler is a former classroom and Special Education teacher with a lifelong passion for children’s literature. She is formerly a member of the Midcoast Senior College (Bath/Brunswick) Executive Board and is equally passionate about the “senior college” concept. A popular instructor, this will be the fourth class she has taught for Coastal Senior College.
At the Lincoln Home, Newcastle
Directions to Lincoln Home: From the center of Damariscotta, cross the bridge into Newcastle on Business Rt. 1. Take a left onto the River Rd, and then an immediate left again into the Lincoln Home - the large yellow building on the river. Enter the smaller door to the left of the main entrance.
A Musical Journey With J.S. Bach
Forget those portraits of Bach as a grumpy old man. You will realize as we journey together through Bach’s life what a passionate, religious and yet fun-loving musician he was. Each week we will see him in a different capacity and study one or more of his masterpieces on CD and DVD. These will include, among others, one of the great organ chorales, a Partita for violin, the Cello Suites, the Goldberg Variations and the St. Matthew Passion.
Instructor Marjorie Roberts notes that, although she was trained in Art History and Literature, with a master’s degree and special interest in women artists and writers, “I have spent most of my adult life as an amateur musician. I have directed early music
groups, a historic dance ensemble and play the viola da gamba, the piano and the harpsichord. I’ve known and loved the music of J.S. Bach and his contemporaries for many years.”
In partnership with and at the Rockland Public Library
Directions to the Rockland Public Library:The Rockland Public Library is located at the comer of Beech and Union Streets. If coming from the south, go through downtown on Main Street, watch for the signs to make two left turns. If from the north, continue south on Route 1 until it becomes one-way north and you are guided
onto Union Street which runs behind the Famsworth Museum.
Books & Libraries in Western Civilization: Cuneiform to Geeks
This class will explore the development of the printed word from cuneiform tablets to digital formats and also the role of libraries in storing and disseminating information. Library, a book on the history of libraries, will accompany our discussion.
For Instructor Bill Newman’s biography see International Cinema.
At University College, Rockland
You can find directions to University College, Rockland by clicking HERE.
SAINTS AND SINNERS: Heresy, Witchcraft and the Inquisition, 1100-1700
This course will focus on “deviant” behavior including heresy, witchcraft, mysticism and science and the response of the Church in the Medieval and Early Modern period. We will examine the political, social and cultural forces that created “deviants” and subjected them to persecution. Some questions we will consider include: what was “normative”and what was “deviant” behavior and why? What was heresy? Why did the Church institutionalize persecution of heresy and witchcraft in the 13th century? What was witchcraft? Who were the witches? Why were there so many female witches? How did the attitude of the church toward witchcraft change over time? What was the difference between magic, sorcery and science? What was Galileo’s “crime?” Depending on student interest, we might make use of the recent PBS series on the Inquisition. The course will combine lecture, visual materials and discussion. Hand-outs each week will be the starting point for discussion.
For Instructor Charmarie Blaisdell’s biography
see It Wasn’t Just Luther.
At Skidompha Library
Directions to Skidompha Library: Skidompha Library is located on the right side of Business Rt. 1 south in downtown Damariscotta.
Great Russian & Czech Operas
Beaumont Glass will delve into seven operas, beginning with Boris Godunov (Mussorgsky), the most Russian opera of all, pitting the troubled Tsar against the turbulent Russian people in the “time of troubles”. Others are: Eugene Onegin (Tschaikovsky) the most intimate and touching of Russian operas; Prince Igor (Borodin), an epic from Russia’s distant past; The Bartered Bride (Semtana); Rusalka (Dvorak), a lushly romantic love story; Jenufa (Janacek), a moving slice of small-time life and The Cunning Little Vixen (Janacek), a mostly animal and insect cast - with some humans - celebrating the life force in nature. As usual, presentations will include handouts for each opera with videos and DVDs from his extraordinary collection.
For Instructor Beaumont Glass’s biography
see Discovering Opera.
In partnership with and at the Rockland Public Library
Directions to the Rockland Public Library:The Rockland Public Library is located at the comer of Beech and Union Streets. If coming from the south, go through downtown on Main Street, watch for the signs to make two left turns. If from the north, continue south on Route 1 until it becomes one-way north and you are guided onto Union Street which runs behind the Famsworth Museum.
Cycle of Czech Cinema
Starting with Heddy Lamar in Ecstasy, we will examine the history of Czech cinema with representative movies covering the period 1930 to 2000.
For Instructor Bill Newman’s biography see International Cinema.
At the Camden Public Library
Directions to Camden Public Library: From the South, take Rte. 1 north into Camden. The library is just past the commercial district on the right hand side of Rte. 1 It is an elegant brick building atop a knoll. Parking is on the street just before the library. There is also a parking lot on the left just past the library amphitheatre.
Poetry to Read, Poetry to Write
Author and poet Jean Scott Creighton will present poetry from early times to the present day. The class will read and discuss examples of both free and formal verse. Participants will be encouraged to write their own poetry and, if they wish, to share it with the class. Students will be expected to read the material prepared for the course, which will be presented in the first session.
Instructor Jean Scott Creighton is a mystery writer and poet who has been a teaching fellow in English at SUNY Buffalo and a lecturer at Indiana University. She has taught English and held workshops at middle and high schools in Maine. Scott holds a Masters of Arts degree in English and has completed her doctoral work ABD (all but dissertation) in 19th century literature. She has taught every spring and fall term since CSC started in 2002.
At University College, Rockland
You can find directions to University College, Rockland by clicking HERE.
Socialise with your classmates, or have
lunch with them at the Bookland Cafe when
you take classes at URoc. Food is available or
you can brown bag it.
Looking Ahead to Summer…
WATERCOLOR PAINTING EN PLEIN AIR
We are delighted to announce that Susan St. John and Frank Chin will teach a watercolor class for CSC during the summer. WATERCOLOR PAINTING EN PLEIN AIR will meet on Tuesday s from l0:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for six weeks from July 15 through August 19. The class is open to anyone with experience in watercolor. At each session a technique will be demonstrated and then the class will paint on location in the midcoast area. There will be opportunity at the end of each day to discuss and enjoy each other's painting in a supportive, friendly atmosphere. Susan St. John has fifteen years of experience in painting with watercolor. Her thirty years as an Outward Bound instructor have made her especially interested in painting wind and water. Frank Chin is a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design and teaches art in the Skowhegan School system. He is a master print maker and a fine watercolorist. Register for this course at any time through the spring and early summer.
[Back to Top]
Coastal Senior College - University College at Rockland - 60 Camden Street, Suite 402 - Rockland, ME 04841 800-286-1594
[Home] [Spring 2008 Course Catalog and News] [Spring 2008 Schedule] [Register] [Contribute/Volunteer] [Be A Teacher] [Newsletter Archives] [Monthly Email News]
080308  Website problems? Email: WebWork4NonProfits@Mac.Com
|
