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Lifelong Learning Institute
Harper College’s Continuing Education Department offers courses for adults 55 and older through its Lifelong Learning Institute. Courses are available to members and nonmembers. Fees vary by course and are listed with the individual course descriptions. Classes are held on Harper campuses in Palatine and Prospect Heights and at partner sites in Barrington, Wheeling, Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Palatine and Schaumburg.
Register for classes by calling (847) 925 to 6300
Truth and the Powers That Be
Jim Tye will help you discover who might be the so-called powers that be. You will then analyze how to determine if what they say is true. You will identify, evaluate and discuss cases where there has been significant deception of the public by governmental, economic and doctrinal powers in society. You will also review notions of truth, truth models, evidence and certainty in the western world beginning with the Greeks. Practical, narrative, coherent, correspondence and personal truth models will be assessed. Finally you will apply what is learned of the different meanings and models of truth to become a more enlightened and critical consumer.
Fees: $45, from 1 to 3 p.m. Jan. 17 to Feb. 7. Harper College Northeast Center in Prospect Heights,
Building A Classical CD Library
Finding your way through the almost unlimited amount of classical masterworks can be a challenge. How do you choose from the many titles? What are the great starters for any classical music library? What are the essentials for building a distinguished collection of classical recordings to grace your home? Let composer and music researcher Jim Kendros create a path through the retail offerings and show you the building blocks to starting your own classical music library. Kendros will show you all the essentials from the main hits to the must-haves. The class includes an essential classics list as a resource to further enhance your listening experience while saving money.
Fees: $15, Harper College in Palatine, Jan. 17 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
World War I: The Great War
World War I, from the perspective of the soldiers, was made up of battles full of carnage and atrocities of great savageness. Gary Midkiff will examine the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand, the event which created a chain reaction around the world and precipitated World War I. The confusion that followed, fueled by new technology, old national animosities and conflicting political philosophies, will then be reviewed. You will consider what happened to make Woodrow Wilson and Congress abandon their position of non-intervention and why the U.S. waited three years to declare war. Finally, you will learn why at the end of World War I the victorious allies chose to punish their enemies and create the animosities that set up World War II.
Fees: $60, Harper College in Palatine, Jan. 18, Feb. 1 to Feb. 15, from 1 to 3 p.m.
Piano Revival Continued
As a continuation of Piano Revival, Lavonne Mrozinski’s class will cover mastering basic piano skills of technique, musicianship and repertoire in an informal and relaxed atmosphere. The class is limited to eight students to ensure plenty of personal attention. If you have not taken Piano Revival, you may enroll in this class with instructor approval.
Fees: $70, Arlington Heights Senior Center in Arlington Heights, Jan. 18 to March 8, from 9:15 to 10:05 a.m.
Financial Planning for the Unthinkable
CFP Theresa Harezlak will provide financial and personal information, strategies and ideas for couples or individuals preparing for the unthinkable: The Widow Epidemic. Discover the steps to take before and after the event, and gain the courage and confidence to move ahead. Harezlak will provide guidance for those who have already experienced the death of a spouse or those who have divorced. You will develop a blueprint and reference guide to help you prepare and thrive. Harezlak will discuss cash flow and tax changes, how to find a trusted advisor, and how to complete the estate plan you and your spouse put in place.
Free, Palatine Township Senior Center in Palatine, Jan. 24 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Passing Assets to the Next Generation
How much will you really leave your heirs? You will learn that all assets are not created equal when passing them to your heirs in the program “Heirs vs. Uncle Sam.” You will gain an understanding of how your assets will be taxed, tips for which assets are best to pass down, and which you should spend. For example, a stretch IRA can be a great strategy to lessen the tax burden. You will also discuss the pros and cons of estate planning techniques, such as wills, trusts, direct beneficiaries and joint ownership. CFP Theresa Harezlak will show you how to maximize the amount your heirs will enjoy and learn ways they can maximize their inheritance.
Free, Palatine Township Senior Center in Palatine, Jan. 24 from 1 to 3 p.m.
Amazing Azores
The story of the Azores, a group of islands off the coast of Portugal, begins with volcanoes and their power to destroy and to create. The Greek writer and philosopher Plato believed that the lost city of Atlantis was located in the Azores. Join Lisa Didier for a virtual tour of all nine islands and discover the history, the people and the traditions of the amazing Azores.
Fees: $10, Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Arlington Heights, Jan. 28, from 1 to 2:30 p.m.
Lake Shore Drive
The magnificent lakefront highway in Chicago follows the shoreline of Lake Michigan for 19 miles. There is widespread agreement that Lake Shore Drive is an incomparable urban roadway. It wanders through four parks, past five major museums and a zoo. It is enhanced by the signature architecture of Chicago, boasting some of the most prestigious addresses in the world. Neal Samors and Bernard Judge will tell you why Lake Shore Drive visitors are awed by it and locals never tire of its beauty.
Free, Arlington Heights Senior Center in Arlington Heights, Jan. 30, from 10 to 11 a.m.
Astronomy and Ancient Civilizations
For millennia, cultures around the world have had important relationships with the sun, moon and stars observed with the unaided eye. The field of cultural astronomy investigates these connections through archaeological, astronomical, ethnographic and documentary records. Lee Minnerly, an anthropologist and archivist at the Adler Planetarium and Museum, will show you some of the rich cultural astronomy of the Americas as expressed in architectural alignments, time to keeping systems, decorative art, world views and religion. You will first learn about the cultures of the Mississippi Valley, Great Plains, desert Southwest and Mesoamerica. Then you will explore sites in South America, Cahokia, Chaco Canyon, Chichen Itza, Machu Picchu, Chankillo, and the Nacza Lines.
Fees: $45, Harper College Northeast Center in Prospect Heights, Feb. 1 to Feb. 15, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
History of Mystery
Explore the types of tales that make up the mystery genre and the development of mystery stories. Join Jodie Draut and meet others who enjoy the same kind of intrigue that you do. What are your favorite mysteries? You will discuss why those stories appeal to you. Bring in the names of some of your favorite mysteries and the class will compile a reading list. Bring your own lunch for this out to of to the to box discussion.
Fees: $10, Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Arlington Heights, Feb. 4, from 10 a.m. to noon
Music in the Films of Alfred Hitchcock
Alfred Hitchcock was a genius at using music to create suspense. In the chilling “Vertigo,” there was more music than dialogue. Dorothy Andries, Pioneer Press’ retired music critic, will discuss how Hitchcock used the music of Bernard Herrmann, John Williams and Henry Mancini, and she will tell you which collaborations did not go well. You will discuss “Vertigo” as well as “The Man Who Knew Too Much,” a film that used the work of three composers.
Fees: $10, Addolorata Villa in Wheeling, Feb. 6, from 1 to 2:30 p.m.
Travel to Hawaii: Aloha
Our 50th state entices you with the promise of paradise, swaying palm trees, the blue Pacific and mountain vistas. You imagine all of these to be part of the relaxed Aloha spirit. Then you snap back to reality and tell yourself that Hawaii is out of your reach. How do you navigate a state that consists of islands? How do you travel to Hawaii without spending a fortune? LLI member Marge Sala will explain how to stay on budget and maximize your experience. She will explain the differences between the islands and what each offers, how to optimize your time and dollars spent for major attractions, and tips about hotel locations. The Aloha spirit is more obtainable than you may think.
Fees: $10, Harper College Northeast Center in Prospect Heights, Feb. 6, from 2 to 4 p.m.
Mystery And Suspense On The Silver Screen
Black and white motion pictures have a rich history dating back to the silent film era. Special visual effects technician and film enthusiast Franklin Stevenson will explore cinematic elements that made three Academy Award nominated films legendary. Each was recognized for directing, screenwriting, cinematography, acting, and art direction. First we will explore the beautiful silent classic, “Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans” (1927). Next comes the comic, romantic murder mystery “The Thin Man” (1934), starring William Powell and Myrna Loy. Finally, the series will conclude with the haunting “Laura” (1944), by Otto Preminger, starring Gene Tierney and Dana Andrews. A group discussion will follow the screening of each film.
Fees: $35, Harper College in Palatine, Feb. 11 to Feb. 25, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
A Tribute To Abraham Lincoln
You know that he was born in a log cabin and that he was considered to be one of our greatest presidents. But what else do you know about the man? Was he mentally ill? What kind of father and husband was he? Did he save the nation or precipitate an unnecessary war? Joyce Haworth will provide an interesting discussion about our 16th president, Abraham Lincoln.
Free, Arlington Heights Senior Center in Arlington Heights, Feb. 11, from 5:45 to 7:45 p.m.
Elizabethan Experience
In this costumed performance, Lady Anne Bacon, attendant to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth I, arrives from court to describe life in Renaissance England. From the royal schoolroom to the formal presence chamber, Lady Bacon has seen it all. She educated her son Francis Bacon, traveled with the Queen, and lived during the times of Shakespeare, Raleigh, Drake, and Walsingham. Dressed in period clothing and using her traveling basket full of necessities, Christine Brookes captures the essence of a Renaissance courtier’s life.
Fees: $10, The Garlands in Barrington, Feb. 23, 2013 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Suburban Mosaic: The Submission
The Submission, a first novel by Amy Waldman, is well plotted, tightly written and turns out to be an example of life following fiction. The former New York Times journalist has crafted a powerful foretelling of the post to 9/11 controversy over an appropriate memorial for that tragic day. In 2003, a jury is assembled by the governor of New York and assigned the task of choosing the memorial design from among the anonymous submissions. After months of reviewing the designs, they choose one called “The Garden.” When a name is finally attached to the winning entry, they are dumbfounded to find that the architect is a Muslim named Mohammad Khan. The issue of how to deal with the dilemma spreads across the nation. Waldman does a masterful job of getting inside the heads of her characters to develop their motivations and reactions. Join LLI member Sherrie Kirmse to discuss this fascinating book.
Free, The Harper Campus in Palatine, Feb. 14, 2013 from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
American Industrial to Military Force: 1940 to 1945
How did America transition from a peace to time economy to the industrial to military power that defeated Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan? Dennis Bulat will discuss the transformation of America at that critical time in history. He will also profile the women and men that worked in the factories that produced the military hardware for our fighting men and women.
Fees: $20, Harper College in Palatine, Feb. 19 to Feb. 26, 2013 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Movers And Shakers
Take a tour back in history and meet the larger to than to life movers and shakers that created the image of Chicago. Hy Speck will make some of the most famous and infamous people in the history of Chicago come alive. Ada and Mini, the Everleigh sisters, Bertha, the Colonel, and Hizzoner are just a few of the many characters that played crucial roles in shaping both the image of the city and its place in the 21st century. Speck will review the wielders of power and influence in Chicago history, from John Dillinger and Sally Rand to Jerry Springer and Rod Blogojevich.
Fees: $10, Arlington Heights Senior Center in Arlington Heights, Feb. 20 to Feb. 27, 2013 from 9:15 to 11:15 a.m.
The Most Beautiful Love Songs
February is the most romantic time of the year. Why not celebrate it with some of the most treasured and popular love songs? Jim Kendros will offer a bouquet of timeless romantic favorites. You will know most, if not all of them. Jim will also treat you to a romantic piano performance of great love themes from the movies.
Fees: $15, Harper College in Palatine, Feb 21, 2013 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Magnificent Seven: Founding Fathers of America
The gathering of seven key founding fathers was a unique happening in the history of civilization. It is not a common occurrence to have so many people come together to create a country. Washington, Adams, Jefferson, and Franklin are household names, yet James Madison, Alexander Hamilton and John Jay were also vital members of the team. Bill Haase will review the strengths of the lesser known members which compensated for the weaknesses of the other founding fathers.
Fees: $10, Buffalo Grove Park District in Buffalo Grove, Feb. 22, 2013 from 1 to 2:30 p.m.
