Solutions to the energy crisis, current foreign policy dilemmas and the evolution of medical education and its impact on health care are among the offerings for the spring term of Retirement Learning at Vanderbilt March 12-April 19.
Classes take place at a variety of locations, including Dyer Observatory, St. George‘s Episcopal Church, West End United Methodist Church and the Branscomb Rec Room on the Vanderbilt campus. Topics include:
- “All About Energy,” taught by Gerry Calhoun, a certified petroleum geologist. The class will explore the conditions that affect energy and climate decisions. Issues will include oil supply, comparisons among alternative fuels and obstacles to the development of new sources.
- “Evolution of Medical Education,” taught by Gottlieb C. Friesinger, professor of medicine, emeritus. Changes to medical education through the years will be covered, including the explosion of scientific knowledge, increasing sub-specialization and the commercialization of medicine – trends pointing toward the need for major reform.
- “Placetne, J.K. Rowling? The Worlds of Lord Peter Wimsey and Harry Potter,” led by Peg Duthrie, a writer and editor. She will focus on the influence of mystery author Dorothy Sayers on Rowling and highlight themes that the novels by the two authors share.
- “Comparative Slavery in the Americas,” taught by Jane Landers, associate professor of history. Legal and economic frameworks within which various slave systems developed will be discussed along with the historical and archaelogical evidence concerning slave culture and slave resistance.
Membership in Retirement Learning at Vanderbilt, which enables one to take any or all of the non-credit courses offered this spring, is $80. All adults with an interest in continuing to learn are invited to join the organization, which sets the curriculum and plans extracurricular activities.
In addition to the spring classes, Retirement Learning‘s annual meeting and luncheon is scheduled at noon on May 2 at the Student Life Center. Call 343-0700 to make a reservation.
To receive a brochure, call 322-5569. More information is available at www.vanderbilt.edu/cngr/rlv.
Media contact: Ann Marie Deer Owens, 615-322-NEWS
annmarie.owens@vanderbilt.edu