Lee University’s Encore Program, which offers people age 60 and over the opportunity to take university courses, is celebrating its 10th anniversary with 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.
“We are so excited to enter into our 10th year of offering educational enrichment opportunities to the community,” said Bethany McCoy, assistant director of community relations at Lee. “I am consistently overwhelmed by the response we receive in regards to the Encore program, and I can’t wait to see the students again in just a few short weeks.”
With only a $25 fee for up to two courses, the Encore Program will offer the following courses: The Grantchester Mysteries Pt. II, Genesis Part I, The Parables of Jesus, The People and Place of Appalachia, iHows in the iWorld, Clothing a Naked Church, Life and Ministry of the Apostle Paul, Basic Computers, Basic Word and Excel, Why Stuff Matters, Exploring Europe’s Great Churches, Heroes and Villains, Fitness for Encore Years, Joint Conditioning, Tennessee in Tennis Shoes: A Traveling History Course, Introduction to Painting, and Lee University Choral Union.
The Grantchester Mysteries Pt. II will continue exploring the James Runcie novels shown on PBS. The reading will come from Runcie’s “Sidney Chambers and The Problem of Evil” (Book 3) and “Sidney Chambers and The Forgiveness of Sins” (Book 4). Dr. Christopher Coulter, associate professor of English, will teach this course on Thursday evenings, Sept. 14–Oct. 12.
Genesis Part I examines the general narrative of the first book of the Bible with a special focus on interpreting Genesis in light of historical literature and context. Dr. Brian Peterson, assistant professor of Old Testament, will teach this course on Wednesday afternoons, Aug. 23–Oct. 4.
The Parables of Jesus will explore the parable genre that Jesus used as teaching materials in the New Testament, along with the three types of New Testament parables. Dr. Mark Proctor, associate professor of New Testament, will teach this course on Monday evenings, Sept. 4–Oct. 2.
The People and Place of Appalachia will provide an overview of the history, culture, values, economy, and politics of the Appalachian region and its people. A specific focus will be placed on the unique challenges Appalachian people face in terms of health. There will also be a panel of Appalachian natives, along with an Appalachian meal at the end of the course. Dr. Karen Mundy-Judkins, professor of sociology, and Dr. Bennett M. Judkins, sociologist, will teach the course on Monday evenings, Oct. 16–Nov. 13.
iHows in the iWorld will cover the basics for using iPads and iPhones, including how to use built-in features, sharing on social media, and exploring free apps using the devices. Students should bring their iPhones and iPads to this class. The phone or tablet must be an Apple product, and should have the latest update and operating systems or be willing to update the first night of class. Dr. Bill Jaber, professor of computer information systems, will teach the course on Thursday evenings, Aug. 31–Sept. 28.
Clothing a Naked Church reviews reasons behind the decline of many churches and reasons why younger generations are leaving not only the church, but Christianity. There will also be an exploration of what needs to be done to revive local congregations. This course will be taught by Dr. Jerald Daffe, professor of pastoral studies, on Thursday evenings, Sept. 7–Oct. 19.
Life and Ministry of the Apostle Paul will cover the life, ministry, and message of the Apostle Paul. Paul’s calling, commission, suffering, and missionary activities of Paul will also be discussed. Dr. Henry Smith, senior adjunct professor in theology, will teach the course on Thursday evenings, Sept. 7–Oct. 5.
Basic Computers will teach students how to receive and send emails, search the internet, and keep in touch with others on social media. It is recommended that students bring a 2GB flash drive for transferring files from class to personal computers. Rhonda Graham of Lee’s Department of Academic Affairs will teach the course on Tuesday evenings, Sept. 12–Oct. 10.
Ms. Graham will also teach Basic Word and Excel. The goal is to provide each student with the knowledge to create simple documents using Word and simple spreadsheets using Excel. The course will be offered on Thursday evenings, Sept. 14–Oct. 19.
Why Stuff Matters is a hands-on, discussion-based course that will explore material culture of the past and present. Students will learn to preserve and share stories by using objects. Joy Key, part time instructor of museum studies, will teach the course on Monday evenings, Sept. 18 – Oct. 9.
Exploring Europe’s Great Churches will lead students on virtual tours during the class period. The historical context, religious culture, and architectural features of churches such as St. Peter’s Basilica and the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, among others, will be discussed. Associate Professor of Humanities Dr. Jared Wielfaert will teach the course on Tuesday evenings, Sept.19–Oct. 24.
Heroes and Villains will explore the lives of some of history’s most intriguing figures. Each night, a participating professor will present the life and times of an individual typically considered a hero, along with a figure commonly thought to be a villain. Questions of heroism, greatness, and historical significance will be explored, as well as problems of historical evidence and interpretation. The courses will be taught by professors from Lee’s Department of History, Political Science, and Humanities, and will be offered on Wednesday evenings, Sept. 20–Oct. 18.
Fitness for Encore Years keeps students moving, whether seated or standing. All major muscle groups, that help students enjoy an active lifestyle as they age, will be worked. Roxanne Tyson, part-time faculty, will teach the course on Wednesday afternoons, Oct. 4–Dec. 6. Ms. Tyson will also teach Joint Conditioning, which covers 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, flexibility, agility, and strength. Chairs will be used in class, but some of the exercises do require standing. The course will be offered on Wednesday afternoons, Oct. 4–Dec. 6.
Tennessee in Tennis Shoes: A Traveling History Course will include visits to five historical sites in Tennessee, Georgia, or Alabama, with one potential overnight trip. Class participants may choose which sites they wish to visit at the informational meeting on Monday, Sept. 11 at 4 p.m., with a minimum of 20 participants required for each trip. Dates of travel and locations will be announced at this meeting. Travel opportunities include Davy Crockett Tavern and Museum, Bush’s Beans, Dahlonega Gold Museum in Georgia, Ryman Auditorium Concert & Tour, Carnton Plantation, and the Lost Sea. David Altopp, retired Lee University faculty, will lead this course.
Introduction to Painting will allow students to create artwork using a variety of media including color pencils, oils, watercolors, and more. They will also learn color mixing while becoming familiar with a variety of brushes, knives, and other tools. Students will explore textures and composition in this class. Experienced and unexperienced artists are welcomed. A supply fee of $35 will be attached to this course. Bob Grayson, guest artist, will instruct the course on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, from Sept. 7–Oct. 19.
Lee University Choral Union is the featured choir at Lee University’s Classic Christmas program (December) and spring Masterworks concert (April). The choir is committed to the study and performance of major choral masterworks as well as standard choral literature and newly composed works for festival chorus. Enrollment is open to music majors, general college students, and members of the local community. No audition required. Rehearsals will take place on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, directed by Assistant Professor of Choral Music Dr. Jonathan Rodgers.
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.
Registration will take place from Tuesday, Aug. 15, through Monday, Aug. 21, in the Communication Arts Building, Room 113, from 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. It will continue Tuesday, Aug. 22, through Tuesday, Sept. 5, in the Higginbotham Administration Building, Room 214, with varying hours. Applications can also be returned by mail to the Community Relations office at Lee.
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 communityrelations@leeuniversity.edu or visit http://www.leeuniversity.edu/encore/.