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Here are the courses that will be offered by the doctoral students in the new Graduate Teaching Program and a description of each:

Marriage Proposal Remix: Film Analysis Using Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice – Carrie Hess

“Will you marry me?” “No.” “If I did it differently, would it change your mind?” “No…but others might see us differently.” Through an exploration of both text and film adaptations of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, in this course we will address the question “How do film directors use their tools to help us understand a classic story in different ways?”

The Wild World of Prairies – Ellen Badger Hanson

This course will introduce the prairie ecosystem, covering both key players in prairies and key ecosystem services prairies provide. It will finish with some tips for starting your own mini-prairie in your backyard!

Islamic Mysticism: History of Sufism in Michigan – Tasleem Firdausee

This course will be interactive and present a historical narrative of Sufism, the mystical Islamic belief and practice in which practitioners seek character purification and heart illumination through personal experience. Journey as we explore Sufism in Michigan with its diverse Sufi orders and experience the mystical chanting as a group.

Ergonomically Designed, a Truth or Myth? – Enas Aref

Ergonomically designed is a label seen on many products on the market. Some of us make a buying decision based on that label, believing that “ergonomically designed” means more comfort, more luxury or that a product is in general “better” than similar products on the market.
In this class, we will explore how to “think” and “apply” ergonomics in daily tasks to ensure your safety and comfort.

Comics and Justice: How Graphic Novels Depict Nonviolent Resistance – Krista Turner

Whether you are a lifelong reader of comics, or just a beginner, join us as we talk about how the comics medium—often associated with superhero comic books—can be used to cover a serious subject like nonviolent resistance. In this class we will learn about comics terminology as well as the principles and history of nonviolent resistance to examine how the experiences of historical figures such as Martin Luther King, Jr. are being made relevant for a new generation of readers.

Atoms Yesterday and Today: How A Basic Scientific Concept Keeps Evolving – Asgha Gill

Science helps improve our understanding of natural phenomena. This understanding may change with the availability of new evidence. Consequently, our knowledge about the world and natural phenomena refines over time.

This two-lesson curriculum will utilize atomic structure as a topic to engage participants in how human knowledge about this topic changed over history. Through engagement in the discussion about different atomic models, participants will be able to appreciate the self-correcting nature of science and learn that the scientific knowledge may change but such change leads towards improvement and refinement of existing knowledge. An appreciation of this feature of science will enable the participants to learn that science, though inherently tentative, is durable and trustworthy.

Tending Your Inner Garden: For Writers Inspired by Nature – Samantha Jo Atkins

This course is designed to inspire creative writers of all levels and genres to write and then improve their nature-inspired poetry, fiction, or non-fiction. Students will receive creative writing instruction, which includes a traditional writing workshop, from a professional creative writing professor and published author.

March courses with openings still available:

•  Five Brief Lives of Napoleon – Tom Vance, Tues. 3/1, 10 a.m. to noon, online via Webex
•  Getting the Best from Your Digital Camera – David Randell, Wed. 3/2 and 3/9, 9 a.m. to noon, Walden Woods, Classroom
• Modern Finance - Understanding Cryptocurrency – Joe Kiser, Wed. 3/2 and 3/9, 5 to 6:30 p.m., online via Webex
• Michigan, My Michigan: The History of Michigan from the Civil War to the Automobile – Lynn Houghton, Thurs. 3/3, 3/10 and 3/17, 10 a.m. to noon, Zhang Legacy Collections Center
• Local History Resources at Your Public Library – Ryan Gage, Tues. 3/8 and 3/15, 5 to 7 p.m., Friendship Village, Village Clubhouse Classroom
• Photography Field Trip to the Gilmore Car Museum – David Randell, Thurs. 3/17, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Gilmore Car Museum, 6865 W Hickory Rd, Hickory Corners, 48060
• Discovering Oakwood Park: Kalamazoo's "Coney Island" – Keith Howard, Thurs. 3/17, 3/24 and 3/31, 1 to 3 p.m., College of Health and Human Services, Room #1093
• French or Foe - Increasing Cultural Competency – Carol Hodges, Mon. 3/21, 3/28, 4/4 and 4/11, 10 a.m. to noon, College of Health and Human Services, Room #1057
• Horatio's Drive a Ken Burns Film – John Geisler, Thurs. 3/24, 9 to 11 a.m., College of Health and Human Services, Room #1093

Register on the website or by phone at (269) 387-4157.

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OLLI members win Waitress the Musical tickets

Congratulations to the five fortunate OLLI members who won tickets to Waitress the Musical at Miller Auditorium:

1. Joyce Cialdella
2. Maxine Gilling
3. Judith Moore
4. Janet Tagett
5. Mary Ann Wuerthele

OLLI gave these tickets to randomly selected members to show our appreciation for their continued membership in OLLI.

OLLI…In person or remote, it's your choice

This semester is off to a great start, with courses offered both in person and online. Many OLLI members have been attending courses via Webex, but some of you have been waiting until you could walk into a room with other people. The wait is over! If you haven't yet rejoined, now is the time! There's plenty of time to decide what you want to learn, and as the weather warms up, there will be several outdoor offerings as well.

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We all know March is usually known for St. Patrick’s Day. Many see this day as a day to party and have fun, but this holiday was originally observed as a religious holiday by the Irish for over 1,000 years. This holiday commemorates the passing of the patron Saint Patrick who helped to change the religion of Ireland.

National Deaf History Month, is also celebrated in March, from March 13 through April 15. Deaf History Month highlights and celebrates the accomplishments of people who are Deaf or hearing impaired. This nationally celebrated month began when two deaf employees of the MLK Library in Washington D.C. started teaching their colleagues sign language.

To learn more please visit the following websites:

Deaf Articles:

St. Patrick’s:

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