Lee University’s Encore Program, which offers people age 60 and over the opportunity to take university courses, has a new line-up of specially designed mini-courses for the fall. These mini-courses are planned exclusively for Encore-eligible students and are available along with selected traditional courses.
With a $25 fee for up to two courses, the Encore Program will offer the following courses: History of Baseball; German Language and Culture; Spanish Language & Culture for Travelers I; Spanish Language & Culture for Travelers III; The Teachings of Jesus with emphasis on the Sermon on the Mount; Learning from the Great Revivals; Class Guitar for Beginners; Art Connections; The iHows in the iWorld: A Guide to the iPhone and iPad; Computer for Beginners; Computer for Beginners II; Office for Beginners; Office for the Advanced Beginner; Introduction to Fitness for the Encore Years; Encore Joint Conditioning Class; and Myths and Legends of the Old West.
Reviews for the courses:
The History of Baseball is a must for all baseball enthusiasts. In addition to learning about the game using the Ken Burns video series on the history of baseball, students will travel to the Babe Ruth Museum in Baltimore and the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y. This is a first time opportunity for Encore students. The course is led by Dr. David Altopp and will meet on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, Sept. 2-Oct. 6. There will be an additional cost for the trip.
German Language and Culture is an introduction for those who have not studied German and are interested in learning about the language and culture of Germany. There will be a focus on learning how to read, write, and speak German while exposing students to a broad range of aspects of German culture that engage the students’ interest and creativity as well as discussion on travelling opportunities. This eight-week course will be taught by Dayne Frost, an adjunct professor of music, on Wednesday afternoons, Sept. 3-Oct.22.
Spanish Language & Culture for Travelers I is intended for travelers to Spanish-speaking countries. Students will be exposed to political, social and religious issues going on in Spanish-speaking countries as a part of their awareness before travel. Dr. Alexander Steffanell, an assistant professor of Spanish, will teach this four-week course on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, Sept. 2-25.
Spanish Language & Culture for Travelers III is a continuation of the Spanish Language & Culture for Travelers II offered in spring 2014. It is intended for travelers to further their knowledge of Spanish-speaking countries through the study of language, culture, and useful expression. Steffanell will teach this four-week course on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons Oct. 7-Nov. 4.
The four-week course, The Teachings of Jesus with emphasis on the Sermon on the Mount, will be taught by Dr. Henry J. Smith, an adjunct professor in Christian ministries. This course will delve into the teaching ministry of Jesus and focus on the ethical and moral teachings of Jesus as found in chapters 5-7 of the Gospel of Matthew. The course will meet on Monday evenings, Oct. 13-Nov. 3.
Dr. Jerald Daffe, professor of pastoral studies, will teach Learning from the Great Revivals.
Students will travel through history and be introduced to historic revivalism beginning with biblical revivals. There will also be an emphasis on the 18th and 19th century revivals which impacted entire nations and helped shape today’s culture. This six-week course will meet Thursday evenings, Sept. 4-Oct. 2.
Class Guitar for Beginners is intended for novice guitar players and introduces the basics of guitar playing such as strumming chords, learning how to find notes on the fingerboard and reading music notation, and tablature. Students will also practice accompanying singing. The course is taught by guitar instructor Alan Shikoh on Monday afternoons, Sept. 8-Oct. 13.
Art Connections will engage students of all skill levels and cover a variety of two-dimensional media ranging from watercolor to printmaking to oils. The class format is flexible and can be tailored to specific interests of the students. Mary Mathias-Dickerson, assistant professor of art, will teach this five-week course on Friday evenings, Sept. 26-Oct. 31.
The iHows in the iWorld: A Guide to the iPhone and iPad will cover the basics of navigation, settings, email, Facetime, messaging and taking pictures and videos. Students will learn how to share pictures with friends and family through messaging, email and Facebook, along with exploring the Web and social media such as Facebook with the iPhone or iPad. The student will examine free apps, utilities, and games for these two devices. Students should bring their iPhones and iPads to this class. This six-week course will be taught by Dr. Bill Jaber, professor of computer information systems, on Tuesday evenings, Sept. 2-Oct.7.
Dr. Mava Wilson, associate professor of Computer Information Systems, will teach the four courses on computers: Computer for Beginners, Computer for Beginners II, Office for the Beginner and Office for the Advanced Beginner.
Computer for Beginners is a five-week course for the computer novice. It will cover the basics of sending and receiving emails and searching and surfing the internet – all without the use of “tech speak.” The class will meet on Tuesday evenings, Sept. 2-Oct.7.
Computer for Beginners II is a continuation of Computer for Beginners. It is a hands-on, jargon-free course for people who know the basics, but would like to learn more, including better ways of searching the web, making better use of email and downloading photos. This five-week course is taught on Tuesday evenings, Oct. 14-Nov. 11.
Office for the Beginner offers an introduction to Microsoft Word and Excel and their applications. Students will learn techniques and shortcuts for each program allowing them to become confident users of each of the Microsoft Office programs. This course will meet on Tuesday afternoons, Sept. 2-Oct. 7.
Office for the Advanced Beginner offers a more comprehensive study of Excel and its math, finance, database, and record keeping application. Students will also take a deeper look into Word and its word processing capabilities. This five-week course will meet on Tuesday mornings Oct. 14-Nov. 11.
Introduction to Fitness for the Encore Years is a ten-week course that offers a variety of fitness concepts including low impact aerobics, ballroom dancing, cardio machines, weight machines, walking, hiking, senior Zumba, and stretch band workout. Students will need to wear the proper attire such as clothing that can be moved in easily and comfortable walking shoes. Roxanne Tyson will teach this course on Wednesday afternoons, Sept. 3-Nov. 5.
Tyson will also teach the Encore Joint Conditioning Class, a ten-week course that will cover different techniques to help students strengthen and regain movement in their joints. The class will include different stretches and breathing techniques to help with relaxation and flexibility. Students will need to wear the proper attire. The class will meet on Wednesday afternoons, Sept. 3-Nov. 5.
Dr. Drew Bledsoe, assistant professor of history, will teach Myths and Legends of the Old West. This course will explore the myths and realities surrounding some of the most famous - and infamous - people in the history of the Old West. Students will examine the lives and legacies of explorers, Native Americans, outlaws, lawmen, soldiers, and the pioneer men and women who tamed the American frontier in the 19th century. This five-week course will meet Tuesday afternoons, Sept. 2-Sept. 30.
Students may choose up to two courses from the list of traditional courses and special lecture topics. All enrolled students will have free entry to campus concerts, plays and athletic events.
In-office registration will begin on Tuesday, Aug. 12. Encore office hours are Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m.–noon. Fast track registration will take place Thursday, Aug. 21, and Monday, Aug. 25, from 5:30-7 p.m. in the Centenary Room located in Lee’s Higginbotham Administration Building. Participants can drop-in and complete registration in one step during these times. All courses are on a first-come, first-serve basis, and spaces are limited.
Lee University's Encore Program is a part of the institution's commitment of service to the community.
For more information about Encore, contact Community Relations at 614-8598 or encore@leeuniversity.edu.