programme printemps 2016 - mcgill university...moderators: roz paris | [email protected] rhoda...

SPRING 2016 PROGRAMMCGILL COMMUNITY FOR LIFELONG LEARNING FOR THE JOY OF IT

PROGRAMME PRINTEMPS 2016COMMUNAUTÉ D’APPRENTISSAGE CONTINU DE MCGILL POUR LE PLAISIR D’APPRENDRE

mcgill.ca /mcll_joy

MCLL SPRING 2016 3

As I prepare this message, spring seems a distant and hopeful gleam. But the

delightful reality is that a glorious spring will be here before we blink and, with

it, another opportunity to participate in learning and socializing opportunities

with the McGill Community for Lifelong Learning (MCLL).

Once again, MCLL presents a rich array of study group and lecture topics that

you will enjoy perusing. Each term, MCLL welcomes new members and new

study group leaders, the volunteers who make possible the famed peer-learning

model. But equally amazing are the members and moderators who have been a

part of MCLL since its origins more than 25 years ago.

As Dean of Continuing Studies, I am very proud of the creativity of MCLL, a

vital part of the McGill School of Continuing Studies. Make sure that you sign

up for spring!

Keep on learning!

DEAN’S MESSAGE

Dr. Judith Potter Dean of Continuing Studies McGill University

MCGILL COMMUNITY FOR LIFELONG LEARNING

688, rue Sherbrooke ouest, bureau/suite 229, Montréal (Québec) H3A 3R1

Téléphone | Telephone: 514 398-8234 Télécopieur | Fax: 514 398-2757

Courriel | Email: [email protected]

Site web | Website: www.mcgill.ca/mcll_joy

Facebook: www.facebook.com/mcll.joy

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SHERBROOKE STREET WEST

PRESIDENT KENNEDY AVENUE

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METRO MCGILL

BUS24, 356

MCLL688 SHERBROOKE

Our location is wheelchair accessible, and has direct underground accessto the metro.

MCLL SPRING 2016 54 MCLL SPRING 2016

STUDY GROUPSMCLL study groups are offered in a wide variety of subjects. The study group style indicates the type of participation expected. Please do not join a Style B study group unless you plan to make a presentation, participate/lead a debate or contribute to the overall discussion in some other way.

STUDY GROUP STYLES

A Participants read works of literature or other texts at home for review and discussion in class.

B Participants are expected to research a chosen topic and present it to the class, setting the scene for discussion.

C Moderator presents knowledge and information for discussion and debate. Brief presentations by participants are encouraged but not essential.

D Moderator presents knowledge and information for class discussion and debate. Presentations by participants are not anticipated.

E Participants share their own writings about real or imagined experiences for discussion and feedback.

F Participants attend events or follow media at home for review and debate in class.

YEARLY CALENDAR ABOUT MCLLThe McGill Community for Lifelong Learning brings together like-minded men

and women from different horizons, for the pleasure of interacting with one

another and learning in a vibrant environment. The program features study

groups involving different levels of participation and extending over 5 to 10

weeks, as well as lectures, workshops and outings. Topics include art, cultural

studies, current events, history, literature, music and science. There are two mem-

bership options (see Practical Information section, page 27) and many opportunities

for volunteering.

À PROPOS DE LA CACM La Communauté d’apprentissage continu de McGill réunit des hommes et des femmes

d’horizons différents, tous désireux d’échanger avec d’autres et d’apprendre dans un

cadre inspirant. La plupart des activités se déroulent en anglais; la description est

en français ou dans les deux langues lorsque l’activité est en français ou bilingue.

Le programme comprend des groupes d’étude d’une durée de 5 à 10 semaines, dont le

niveau de participation est variable, ainsi que des conférences, des ateliers et des

sorties. L’art, les études culturelles, l’actualité, l’histoire, la littérature, la musique et

la science sont parmi les sujets abordés. Il y a deux formules d’adhésion et les occasions

d’implication bénévole sont nombreuses.

SPRING 2016 TERM• Monday, April 11 – Thursday, June 16

• Statutory holiday: May 23; study groups held on that day will be made up or shortened.

• Registration processing begins:

March 21

FALL 2016 TERM• Monday, September 19 – Thursday, November 24

• Statutory holiday: October 10; study groups held on that day will be made up or shortened.

• Registration processing begins: August 8

SUMMER 2016 TERM• Wednesday, July 6 – Wednesday, August 24

• Lectures and outings

• Registration processing begins:

June 13

WINTER 2017 TERM• Monday, January 16 – Thursday, March 23

• Registration processing begins: December 5


224 Variety of Visual Creative Activities

Moderator: Romano M. De Santis | [email protected] Time: Thursday, 4-6 p.m. Duration: 10 weeks Study Group Style: B

This study group is intended for participants who are passionate about pursu-ing visual creative activities and love to share their experience with similarly inclined others. By visual creative activities we mean drawing, painting, photog-raphy, sculpting, ceramics, jewelry-making, woodworking, and such activities. As elements of experience: characterization of the activity, physical and social context in which it is developed, objectives, techniques, personal evolution, suc-cesses, failures and similar elements. To the extent of practical feasibility and participants’ interest, classroom display of personal work is encouraged. Talks by invited artists and visits to selected centers of visual creative activities are also envisioned. Formal presentations by participants are expected.

225 Interpreting Contemporary Art

Moderator: Sandra Frisby | [email protected] Time: Thursday, 11:45 a.m.-1:45 p.m. Duration: 10 weeks Study Group Style: B

Each participant will give a short (10-15 minutes) introduction to a little-known contemporary artist and prepare a series of six or seven slides showing work by that artist, to be discussed and interpreted by the group as a whole. A list of suggested artists will be emailed two weeks before classes begin.

226 The Life and Times of Emily Carr

Moderator: Ann Pearson | [email protected] Time: Tuesday, 11:45 a.m.-1:45 p.m. Duration: 5 weeks, starting April 12 Study Group Style: C

This study group will concentrate on the paintings of Emily Carr and her impor-tance as an iconic figure in Canadian art. Among the topics to be explored will be her development as an artist – from her early works influenced by the

French Impressionists, her interaction with the indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast, her relationship to Lawren Harris and the Toronto-based Group of Seven, and the evolution of Carr’s style in depicting nature as a result of her spiritual and philosophical beliefs. A second part of this study group examining Carr’s writings will be presented at a later date.

227 Design for Living 2016

Moderator: Barbara MacLeod-Rey | [email protected] Time: Tuesday, 2-4 p.m. Duration: 10 weeks Study Group Style: C

A curated overview of how we view and express our private home life: archi-tectural choices, colours, furnishings, fixtures, smart materials, latest building technologies. How are our choices influenced by media culture? Participants will explore new ways of living as well as sources of beautiful and exceptional products; learn about new trends and branding; and examine personality and designer endorsements.

228 Do-it-yourself Chinese Calligraphy and Ink-Wash Painting

Moderators: Yashiung Wei | [email protected] Hervé Benoit | [email protected] Time: Monday, 11:45 a.m.-1:45 p.m. Duration: 10 weeks Study Group Style: C

Do you know that these two subjects are actually related? The first hour we will learn about paintings/painters, calligraphy/calligraphers. The second, we will satisfy our own creative impulses by trying our hand at painting/calligraphy. Beginners are more than welcome. You just need to bring your brush pen and patience. Maximum 12 participants.

ART AND ARCHITECTURE

ART ET ARCHITECTURE


229 The Craft of Writing

Moderator: Ilona Martonfi | [email protected] Time: Wednesday, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Duration: 10 weeks Study Group Style: E

Short story, memoir, poetry… an ongoing discussion of the craft of writing, along with peer-feedback workshops. Bring two copies of your best writing, not to exceed 500 words.

230 Around the World in 10 Weeks

Moderator: Kuai-Yu (Paul) Leong | [email protected] Time: Thursday, 2-4 p.m. Duration: 10 weeks Study Group Style: C

We explore cities and countries around the world via videos and discussions. The moderator will start with Hong Kong and Mozambique. Participants are encour-aged to make presentations or nominate topics for visual tours and discussions. So, allons-y, bon voyage, let’s have some good times!

231 Bridge for Fun

Moderator: Michael McCusker | [email protected] Time: Tuesday, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Duration: 10 weeks Study Group Style: C

Once again we will cover the basics of the game of bridge. This time we will review (quickly) important ideas of bidding and play but we will concentrate on important aspects of defensive play. The ACBL will provide the third booklet in their Club Series (on defense) and we will ask a minimum payment to cover +/- shipping and Canadian duties. In short, this is a continuation of previous study groups but you may treat it as a “stand alone”. Some bridge experience is necessary. We need at least 12 participants (16 is better) and could go up to 24.

232 Grow Anything

Moderator: Penny McEwen | [email protected] Time: Tuesday, 11:45 a.m.-1:45 p.m. Duration: 10 weeks Study Group Style: C

Every gardener knows the joy and excitement of spring. It’s the time to dig, mulch and plant in readiness for a cavalcade of plants with their choreographed colours, tastes and aromas. Whether you have a few balcony containers or an overgrown estate, gather up your gloves, spade, kneepads, trowel, dibble stick and sturdy boots so that you can, in the words of Thomas Moore, “Let the deli-cious secret out to every breeze that roams about.” Come and learn the horticul-tural techniques that will enhance your gardening pleasures. A choice of seed catalogues will be provided.

233 Aging and Dying With Dignity

Moderators: Roz Paris | [email protected] Rhoda Wise | [email protected] Time: Monday, 11:45 a.m.-1:45 p.m. Duration: 10 weeks Study Group Style: C

This is an expanded version of a study group given in fall 2015, aimed at examin-ing a variety of life changes and issues of concern at this stage of our lives. We will explore topics such as where and how we want to spend our time, our options, what end-of-life treatments and trade-offs we consider desirable or tolerable, and how to tell our families, physicians and other professionals of our choices and directives as to who can carry out our wishes. The moderators will present professionals and videos to address legal, financial, medical and social concerns. Suggested reading: Being Mortal by Atul Gawande. Participants who wish to make a presentation are welcome to do so.

234 Dramatic Self-Expression for Adults

Moderator: Freda Segal | [email protected] Time: Thursday, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Duration: 8 weeks, starting April 14 Study Group Style: N/A

This study group, led by an experienced drama teacher, is designed to build con-fidence and provide enjoyment. It will involve drama games and improvisations, speech work and mime – in an ambiance both fun and totally non-threatening. The entire purpose is to allow participants to enjoy themselves and feel comfort-able enough to present in front of their peers.

CULTURAL STUDIES

ÉTUDES CULTURELLES

CREATIVE WRITING

CRÉATION LITTÉRAIRE


235 Current Affairs through the Eyes of the Québec Media | L’actualité: perspectives des médias québécois

Moderator: Anthony Frayne | [email protected] Time: Wednesday, 2-4 p.m. Duration: 10 weeks Study Group Style: F

We live in interesting times, in a city which has some world-class media. Join our study group to discuss current events, in Québec, Canada or abroad, as reported in our local printed and electronic media. You also get the chance to practise your French. Participants are expected to be able to read and understand French and English but may express themselves in the language of their choice.

Nous vivons à une époque intéressante, chanceux d’habiter dans une ville où il y a des médias de classe mondiale. Venez assister à notre groupe d’étude pour discuter de l’actualité québécoise, canadienne ou internationale, telle que rapportée par les médias québécois imprimés ou électroniques. Les participants doivent pouvoir lire et comprendre le français et l’anglais mais ils peuvent s’exprimer en classe dans la langue de leur choix.

236 The Québec Healthcare System and the Aging Population

Moderators: Irwin Kuzmarov | [email protected] Barbara MacLeod-Rey | [email protected] Time: Monday, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Duration: 10 weeks Study Group Style: C

Healthcare in Canada is governed by the Canada Health Act and is administered by the provinces. The aging population is one of the most important consumers of healthcare. We will explore the organization of healthcare in Canada, with an emphasis on the Québec model, and the reform it has undergone from its incep-tion to the present. We will review current objectives of the reform by the Québec government. The course will deal with patient-centred care models, prevention, and the approach to chronic illness, as well as help in the understanding of the role of medical clinics, CLSCs, chronic care facilities and acute-care hospitals in the organization of healthcare delivery to the Québec population. (This is a repeat of the study group offered in fall 2015.)

CURRENT EVENTS

ACTUALITÉ

ECONOMICS AND SOCIETY

ÉCONOMIE ET SOCIÉTÉ

MCLL’S ANNUAL PLOUGHMAN’S BREAKFAST AND PERENNIAL PLANT EXCHANGE

June 4, 2016, 10 a.m.

This is a free event, but participants must bring a plant to exchange for another.

For more information, please visit www.mcgill.ca/mcll_joy


237 Middle East: 20th Century to the Present

Moderator: Ruth Allan-Rigby | [email protected] Time: Tuesday, 2-4 p.m. Duration: 10 weeks Study Group Style: B

Please join this study group to gain a deeper understanding of current develop-ments in the Middle East. We will use research, articles, discussion and MOOCs (massive open online courses) to discover the complexities of the area from the time of World War I to the present. The focus will be mainly on the following countries: Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Jordan.

238 Films and History

Moderator: Peter Berry | [email protected] Time: Wednesday, 11:45 a.m.-1:45 p.m. Duration: 10 weeks Study Group Style: C

Films do not always present a completely true picture of events, but the films selected for this course do provide many useful insights and raise interesting moral and political questions for class discussion. Lacombe, Lucien deals with collaboration and anti-Semitism in Vichy France during World War II. The Wind that Shakes the Barley looks at the finally successful Irish struggle for independence from Britain. The fate of a mixed-race child born to a white family in South Africa is the subject of the film, Skin. The Official Story follows the search for the children of the Disappeared in Argentina.

239 Israel/Palestine

Moderator: Peter Berry | [email protected] Time: Monday 2-4 p.m. Duration: 10 weeks Study Group Style: C

Using historical resources, films and current events, we will investigate and try to understand the reasons for the ongoing conflict between Jews and Arabs over the future of this small corner of the Middle East. The course begins with the late 19th century efforts by largely secular Zionists to re-establish a Jewish homeland in the Holy Land. It will continue through the British Mandate period, the triumphs and tragedies of 1947-48, the achievements of the Zionists in building a viable state, the continuing conflict with the Palestinians and the

Arab states, and end with a look at the achievements and failures of the two communities still locked together in an unwilling embrace.

240 The Railways of the Prairie Provinces

Moderators: Andrew Macdougall | [email protected] Robbie Robinson | [email protected] Time: Tuesday, 11:45 a.m.-1:45 p.m. Duration: 10 weeks Study Group Style: B

Andrew and Robbie continue to move west in their exploration of Canada’s railway history, this year reaching Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta. Join us as we explore Canada’s history, geography and engineering wonders through its railways. The study group will include an outing, by train, to Exporail (The Canadian Railway Museum) in St. Constant. Participants will be expected to give presentations based on material (books, pamphlets and magazine articles), which will be lent to them. Presentations will be supplemented by videos to help us experience riding the train. Further information will be emailed to those who register.

241 Matriarchy to Patriarchy

Moderator: Thomasine Mawhood | [email protected] Time: Monday, 11:45 a.m.-1:45 p.m. Duration: 10 weeks Study Group Style: A

Why are women still being abused, denigrated and excluded? For the answers we must go back to the time of Matriarchy when women were equal to men. The gradual shift to patriarchy led to 500 years of witch-burning in Europe and the abuse continues. Required text: The Crone by Barbara G. Walker, available at Paragraphe bookstore, approximately $20. There will be discussions on the text, videos will be shown, and presentations are welcome but are not required.

242 Who Wrote the Christian Bibles? When? Why?

Moderator: Elie Schwartz | [email protected] Time: Thursday, 11:45 a.m.-1:45 p.m. Duration: 10 weeks Study Group Style: C

Christian tradition offers its versions of the origin, authorship, reasons and timing of the creation of its scriptures. Prominent among these is the existence of a divine author who either dictated or inspired the content. We will examine these traditional versions in the light of the accumulated knowledge, over the past three centuries, by biblical scholars and researchers, and present alternative accounts. In the process, both the content of selected scriptures (e.g., the writings of St. Paul and the Gospels) and the early Christian history will be reviewed. If you are comfortable with the traditional or “Sunday School” version of the authorship of the Bible, and are not interested in scholarly alternatives, this study group is not for you.

HISTORY

HISTOIRE


243 From Modernism to Absurdism: Joyce and Beckett

Moderators: Maggie Benfield-Doubt | [email protected] Judith Schurman | [email protected] Time: Wednesday, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Duration: 10 weeks Study Group Style: A

Two giants of 20th century literature, James Joyce and Samuel Beckett, were also good friends – Irishmen living in Paris. In this study group we will look at selec-tions from their work – innovative masterpieces all of them – and look at how Beckett’s writing was influenced by Joyce. In particular we will study some stories from Dubliners and selections from Molly Bloom’s monologue from Ulysses (both by Joyce), and read the plays Waiting For Godot and Happy Days by Beckett. Most reading will be done at home ready for class discussion.

244 Romeos and Juliets

Moderators: Marie Blydt-Hansen | [email protected] Judith Elson | [email protected] Time: Wednesday, 2-4 p.m. Duration: 10 weeks Study Group Style: D

We plan to explore and analyze through watching films and through group discussion the ways in which different artistic forms – dance, music, stage, film, Broadway – have portrayed various themes from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. It is not essential to read the play beforehand.

245 The Impossible Quest of Robert Musil

Moderator: Lewis Cattarini |514-483-0934 Time: Thursday, 2-4 p.m. Duration: 9 weeks, starting April 21 Study Group Style: D

Austrian writer Robert Musil (1880-1942) is ranked with Joyce and Proust as a literary giant. His goal was to depict reality by combining precision and soul, as if the scien-tific and the spiritual could be united. Or is that an impossible quest? Participants are expected to read aloud brief passages from The Man Without Qualities (photocopies will be distributed in advance) and to discuss their style or content, without making formal presentations. Limit of 12 members. Two dollars will be charged to cover all the copies.

246 Charles Dickens: A Writer for his Time and Ours: Hard Times

Moderator: Ellie Clavier-Rothstein | [email protected] Time: Wednesday, 11:45 a.m.-1:45 p.m. Duration: 10 weeks Study Group Style: C

This study group is designed for those who enjoy the works of Charles Dickens and want to learn about his writing, his life and his times. Through film and discussion we will explore the Victorian era and discover the impact Dickens had on his own world and on our own popular culture. Over ten weeks we will read and review Hard Times. Short (5-15 minute) presentations on the book, on aspects of Victorian life pertaining to the book and on aspects of Dickens’ rich, and often controversial, personal history are encouraged. Be prepared for a fun and infor-mative experience. Participants will be expected to obtain their own copy of the book and are encouraged to start reading it as soon as possible.

247 Why Read Detective Stories?

Moderators: Katherine (Kay) Palkhivala | [email protected] Eleanor Hynes | [email protected] Time: Tuesday, 2-4 p.m. Duration: 10 weeks Study Group Style: C

Why do mature, up-standing, law-abiding citizens enjoy reading stories of blood-shed, police action and evil deeds? What does this literary taste reveal about us? Are detective stories and murder mysteries really literature? These vital questions and other related topics will be discussed, and possibly even settled, each week. Willing participants should be ready to give a 20-minute presentation on one of the suggested themes or books. People who have attended previous versions of this seminar may re-join; the reading list to be provided will be different.

248 Le théâtre français au XVIIIe siècle : Lesage, Marivaux, Voltaire, Diderot, Rousseau, Beaumarchais

Moderators: Nycole Paquin | [email protected] Wilfrid Dubé | [email protected] Time: Thursday, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Duration: 10 weeks Study Group Style: A

Les participants seront invités à lire et à interpréter les extraits clés des pièces les plus importantes des auteurs en titre. Chaque pièce sélectionnée sera située dans son contexte historique, littéraire, théâtral et sociopolitique. À cet égard, un cahier photocopié sera accessible en début de session pour une somme d’environ 12 $. Il comprendra la mise en contexte générale et les extraits à l’étude, incluant le contexte initial de présentation de chacune des pièces, ses sources et un résumé.

LITERATURE

LITTÉRATURE


249 Anthony Trollope: The Barchester Chronicles

Moderator: Clifford Parr | [email protected] Time: Monday, 2-4 p.m. Duration: 10 weeks Study Group Style: C

Many critics consider Anthony Trollope the best chronicler of the life and times of Victorian England. In this session we will be reading together and discussing the first two novels of The Barchester Chronicles: The Warden and Barchester Towers.

250 The Plays of Oscar Wilde

Moderator: Clifford Parr | [email protected] Time: Monday, 11:45 a.m.-1:45 p.m. Duration: 10 weeks Study Group Style: C

“There is only one thing in life worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about.” In this session we will be watching together and discussing the plays of Oscar Wilde. Be prepared to go Wilde.

251 Stefan Zweig – Master Storyteller: Beware of Pity and Selected Short Fiction

Moderators: Pamela Sachs | [email protected] Juliet Wait | [email protected] Time: Thursday, 11:45 a.m.-1:45 p.m. Duration: 10 weeks Study Group Style: A

Stefan Zweig (1881-1942) was famous in his time as a writer of novellas, short stories, popular histories and biographies. His works are having a renaissance and we will continue our fascinating discovery by examining his only full-length novel Beware of Pity, his novella The Chess Player, the posthumous novel The Post Office Girl and some of his short stories.

252 Gustav Mahler – Symphony and Song

Moderator: Bernadine Lewis | [email protected] Time: Thursday, 11:45 a.m.-1:45 p.m. Duration: 10 weeks Study Group Style: C

In this study group, we will listen to several of Gustave Mahler’s symphonies and also some of the many songs which he wrote with orchestral accompani-ment. We will listen and compare the two and discuss the inspiration which led Mahler to his compositions.

253 Yes, There was Music in the Renaissance

Moderator: Miriam Tees | [email protected] Time: Tuesday, 2-4 p.m. Duration: 10 weeks Study Group Style: D

Renaissance music has come into its own in the last century, and we hear it in concert, on the radio and in movies. Byrd in London, Palestrina in Rome, and Monteverdi in Mantua and Venice are all familiar names but there is a wealth of other, lesser-known, composers who wrote fascinating music from the end of the Middle Ages around 1450 until the beginning of the Baroque period around 1600. We will listen to some of their music and examine the development of music in that era. Participants can bring in their own CDs/DVDs of Renaissance music for in-class discussion.

LITERATURE

LITTÉRATURE

MUSIC AND DANCE

MUSIQUE ET DANSE


254 Shakespeare in the Opera House I

Moderator: Bill Wees | [email protected] Time: Wednesday, 11:45 a.m.-1:45 p.m. Duration: 10 weeks Study Group Style: D

This study group will be given twice in the same day, the morning session to be presented by Bill Wees, the afternoon session by Averill Craig; the operas watched will be identical. They are six operas based on plays by Shakespeare: Verdi’s Otello and Macbeth, Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette, Thomas’s Hamlet, and The Tempest by the contemporary com-poser Thomas Adès. Among well-known singers we will hear are Jon Vickers, Renata Scotto, Rolando Villazón, Simon Keenlyside, and Natalie Dessay. No formal presentations are required but discussion is encouraged.

255 Shakespeare in the Opera House II

Moderator: Averill Craig | [email protected] Time: Wednesday, 2-4 p.m. Duration: 10 weeks Study Group Style: D

See description for Shakespeare in the Opera House I.

256 Russian Music from Glinka to Tchaikovsky

Moderator: René Welter | [email protected] Time: Thursday, 2-4 p.m. Duration: 10 weeks, starting April 21 Study Group Style: D

The emergence of a truly Russian school of music came from a group of gifted amateurs determined to show the difference their huge but little known country, their character and soul, could bring to the mainstream of European Romanticism. Learning from their mentor Balakirev and from each other, Borodin, Rimsky-Korsakov, Mussorgsky and Cui, better known as the “Russian Five”, composed music that became linked to their homeland forever. They were followed by Tchaikovsky, the first Russian master trained at the newly founded St. Petersburg Conservatory.

257 The Atom

Moderator: Martin Coles | [email protected] Time: Monday, 2-4 p.m. Duration: 5 weeks, starting May 9 Study Group Style: C

What is an atom? Is an atom the same thing as an element? What is the periodic table of elements? How do atoms combine to make molecules? What is the inner structure of an atom and how is this structure known? What does it mean to split an atom and how come this liberates so much energy? What’s the differ-ence between fusion and fission? These are the questions that will be addressed in this series of five presentations by Martin Coles, who delights in the challenge of presenting complex ideas in simple ways that ordinary folk can understand.

MUSIC AND DANCE

MUSIQUE ET DANSE SCIENCE

WWW.BLOOMSDAYMONTREAL.COM


LECTURES AND WORKSHOPS

Friday, April 15, 10 a.m.

258 Strategies for Healthy Aging: An Active Brain

Presenter: Dolly Dastoor

A very special lecture by Dr. Dolly Dastoor, Chair of the McGill University Research Centre for Studies in Aging (MCSA), Education Committee, and As-sistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University. She is active in teaching, research and clinical work. Dolly is a great example of life-long learn-ing as she and two of her children received a PhD in the same year!

259 Scottish Stories of the Seal People

Presenter: Margaret Nicolai

Three folk tales will be told: The Silkie Painter and The Fisherman and his Sons from Duncan Williamson’s collection, and The Selkie Girl retelling by Susan Cooper.

Friday, April 15, 1 p.m.

260 The Papacy: King-Size Ambition - Tenaciously Pursued

Presenter: Elie Schwartz

For the first few centuries of the Common Era, all churches and bishops were equal to each other and fiercely independent. How then did the Bishop of Rome – a title and a city that Jesus never mentioned – become the absolute monarch of Christendom for a thousand years? Only to have his authority clipped and limited solely to the Roman Catholic Church. The lecture will focus primarily on the claimed source of the Papacy’s authority, and partly on its rise and fall, echoing the maxim “the higher the climb – the harder the fall.”


261 Rise, Fall and Survival of the Knights Templar

Presenter: George Lapa

Analysis of the rise and fall of the Knights Templar from 1119 to 1314 CE. They were the wealthiest and most powerful of the military orders and were closely tied to the Crusades. Speculation and legends have kept the “Templar” name alive into the modern day. The PowerPoint presentation will be based mainly on Sanford Holst’s book with the same title. His website is www.sanfordholst.com.

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262 The Music of China

Presenter: Sherry Steinberg

Music has been a part of every culture since humans appeared on earth. I will talk about the history of Chinese music and types of instruments and music in China, relating it to the different historic periods of that country.

263 Legendary Entertainers: Bing Crosby

Presenter: Harry Shapiro

A retrospective of the life and career of Bing Crosby and of his impact on the American entertainment scene of the mid-20th century.


265 Churchill at the Admiralty

Presenter: John Felvinci

This lecture will cover the years between 1911 and 1915 when Churchill headed the Admiralty of the United Kingdom. Many of his decisions at that time signif-icantly affected the history of World War I and many of them are still felt today.


266 Legendary Entertainers: Frank Sinatra


A retrospective of the life and career of Frank Sinatra and of his impact on the American entertainment scene of the mid-20th century.

Friday, May 6, 10 a.m.

267 Canadian Art History in Retrospect

Presenter: John Hobday, C.M.

A former director of the Canada Council, long-time arts advocate and promoter of lifelong learning through the arts, the presenter will trace the absorbing narrative of Canada’s cultural development from the original inhabitants to the coming of the Europeans. Drawing on his extensive knowledge and experience in broadcasting, arts management and cultural advocacy, he will address the issues of illiteracy, vast geography, language barriers, cultural diversity and the ever-present and powerful influence of American culture. He will outline some of the complex and fascinating political pressures that led to the creation of the Massey Commission and its transformational report in 1951. Participants may also wish to attend the lecture given on May 13.

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268 The Concertos of Camille Saint-Saëns

Presenter: Morty Ellis

He was a child prodigy, an outstanding musician, a prolific composer, whose talents went beyond the field of music. Three of his concertos will be presented in DVD format as well as an interview with Arthur Rubinstein, one of the soloists.

Friday, May 6, 1 p.m.

269 Living under the Shadow of the Bomb

Presenter: Martin Coles

Nuclear weapons are so dangerous that a full-scale conflict would inevitably lead to MAD, or mutual assured destruction. In this lecture, the following questions will be addressed: How were nuclear weapons developed? How is it that they pack so much destructive power? How are they currently deployed in the arse-nals of the nine countries that have nuclear armaments?

Tuesday, May 10, 3:30 p.m.

270 Brainy Bar I

Workshop leaders: IELC student volunteers

Brainy Bar is patterned after Apple’s Genius Bar. Intermediate to advanced English learners from the School of Continuing Studies’ Intensive English Language and Culture program provide one-on-one assistance in a computer lab on the 12th floor. This is an opportunity to meet students from around the world while obtaining IT help on a range of operating systems, hardware and software: Mac and PC computers, tablets, e-readers, smartphones, digital cam-eras; Word, Excel, PowerPoint; Adobe Reader, Google, Skype, etc. PC/Microsoft computers are available in the labs. You may bring your iPads, mini notepads, laptops, cameras, smartphones and other tech gadgets you want to learn about or on. If using your own portable devices, you must activate your Wi-Fi connec-tion ahead of time (see McGill Tech Services on the 2nd floor with your MCLL member’s card and McGill username and password in hand).


271 Looking Forward: The Future of Canadian Arts and Culture in a Digital Age

Presenter: John Hobday, C.M.

The legacy of the Massey Report gradually brought to Canada the cultural vitality it enjoys today. In spite of the challenges of jurisdictional issues, lan-guage barriers, the chronic under-funding of our major cultural institutions, the complexity of investing in film, television and publishing in a timely and appropriate manner, Canadian artists and cultural leaders achieved remarkable results. The lecturer, a former director of the Canada Council, will provide the historical context for guiding creative future cultural development in the digital age. Participants may also wish to attend the lecture given on May 6.

272 The Quest for Immortality

Presenter: Michel Virard

The desire to survive, in one form or another, beyond the grave is a deep desire for most humans. It translates into various attempts at leaving traces in the hope our descendants find them interesting enough to conserve them. We will discuss the many methods humans have used to project their persona into the future until, finally, immortality seekers stumbled upon an astonishing fact: actual immortality of our persona is no longer science fiction.


273 War and Justice: The F. Korematsu Case

Presenter: Kuai-Yu (Paul) Leong

“Several years ago, a panel of (U.S.) Supreme Court scholars met… to discuss what they had determined (to be) the five biggest mistakes made by the Court… The Korematsu Case ranked… (as one of) the worst.”—National Constitution Center; 2013.12.18. Come to see and discuss why this case is relevant nowadays in the U.S.—and in Canada too.

274 Legendary Entertainers: Ella Fitzgerald


A retrospective of the life and career of Ella Fitzgerald and of her impact on the American entertainment scene of the mid-20th century.

Thursday, May 19, 3:30 p.m.

275 Brainy Bar II


Brainy Bar is patterned after Apple’s Genius Bar. See description under May 10, 3:30 p.m.


276 Higher Education: Who Should Pay?

Presenter: Bernard J. Shapiro

Higher education is important but expensive. Who should bear these costs? Government? Parents? Students? Philanthropists? And why?

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277 The Music Instinct

Presenter: Sherry Steinberg

Darwin said music developed through natural selection as part of the mating rituals of the earliest humans. Musical notes and rhythm were first acquired by the male and female progenitors of mankind for the sake of charming the opposite sex. Musical tones became firmly associated with some of the strongest passions an animal is capable of feeling, and are consequently used instinctively.

278 The Great White Fleet

Presenter: Dan J. Sullivan

In the early 1800s navigation through the Great Lakes and rivers in Eastern Canada was one of the few methods of transporting goods and passengers. Small shipping firms were bought and often merged into more competitive corpora-tions. Many will remember the Great White Fleet passenger ships sailing on Lake Ontario, the Lachine Rapids and the St. Lawrence and Saguenay rivers.


279 Estate Planning Session

Presenters: Elisabeth Evans-Olders and Debbie Larocque

This estate planning session will educate participants on the importance of having a will. A will is an opportunity to have a say in your affairs, in how your property will be divided and how your family will be taken care of. Your estate plan is also an expression of the causes you are passionate about. This lecture will briefly cover planned giving vehicles available at McGill.


280 Focus on the National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg

Presenter: Harvey Artsob

Find out how Canada responds to outbreaks at home and abroad of pathogens such as influenza, Ebola, West Nile, SARS and Zika. This presentation will describe how infectious diseases emerge and how public health responds to such threats. The presenter, long associated with Winnipeg’s reputed National Microbiology Laboratory, will explain how these diseases were addressed using examples from his former lab.

281 Brainy Bar III



Friday, June 3, 10 a.m.

282 History of Science in Victorian Times: What Might Have Been?

Presenter: Ruth Allan-Rigby

In the 1840s one agonizing narrative of what might have been is the story of Charles Babbage’s Analytical Engine which, had it received the financial back-ing from Peel’s government, may have kick-started a Victorian computer age, and Ada Lovelace would have become a household name.

283 The Contrapuntal Ethics in Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice

Presenter: Noga Emanuel

In this presentation, the lecturer will submit the proposition that The Merchant of Venice is a play less about usury and more about the apparent clash between competing systems of ethics, Jewish versus Christian, as exemplified in the final showdown between Portia and Shylock in the trial scene: Jewish law versus Christian mercy.

Friday, June 3, 1 p.m.

284 What is the Current State of Electricity in Québec?

Presenter: Anne-Marie Prud’homme

Global energy challenges, including electricity, are at the heart of many debates, be it on the regional or international stage. There are many electricity genera-tion options: hydropower, wind, solar, thermal, etc. Each has its advantages, constraints and drawbacks. What energy options will supply Québec’s long-term electricity needs? Which sources of energy offer reliable output? Which options best reconcile the interests of Quebecers with regard to the environment, per-formance, costs and social acceptability? This presentation will also describe the role electricity will play in both personal and public transportation.

285 Travels in Burgundy

Presenter: Rosalie Acutt

An illustrated talk on a trip through Burgundy, with descriptions of historic towns such as Beaune and Dijon, famous Romanesque monasteries, especially the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Fontenay and Vézelay, wineries, villages and some of the most beautiful countryside in Europe.

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PRACTICAL INFORMATION

THE MCLL DIFFERENCE

THE MCLL DIFFERENCE – Peer learning and active participation are two cornerstones of MCLL’s curriculum; these principles differentiate its programs from traditional university courses and classes. The form of participation varies according to the subject matter and the approach chosen by the moderator. The level of involvement can range from mere presence, to advance preparation/research, participation in group discussions and presentations to the class (see study group styles A, B, C, D, E and F on page 4). Two forms of membership are offered: full and associate.

FULL MEMBERSHIP

Full members pay a flat fee of $105 per term ($75 for a single 5-week study group). This allows one to register for one or two study groups per term, with the pos-sibility of joining additional study groups later when there is room. Full members receive a McGill ID and e-mail address when they first register; they keep the same ID number as long as they are members. The member’s card is renewed twice a year; privileges include free access to the McGill libraries, free IT assistance and discounts at some McGill facilities. A “fee waiver” form is available on request.

ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP

Associate members pay a flat fee of $20 per term. This allows one to take part in social activities held by MCLL and to register for lectures, workshops and outings.

FEES FOR LECTURES, WORKSHOPS AND OUTINGS

Full and associate members pay $8 per activity, provided they reserve and pay in advance. They may pre-register one guest per term at the $8 rate. The fee is $10 for those paying at the door (if there is room).

REGISTRATION

Members may register in person or by mail (with a single cheque payable to McGill University); cash is not accepted; returning members may also register online. Registration forms may be submitted at any time once the program is distributed/posted, although they will only be processed at the dates indicated on page 2. Registration forms will be dated and numbered as they are received, then processed in the same order. Registrations made online are processed at online time and accepted/rejected based on the space available at the time.

Monday, June 6, 1 p.m.

286 Brainy Bar IV



Friday, June 10, 10 a.m.

287 James Joyce and Ulysses for Sceptics

Presenters: David and Judith Schurman

Of all the challenging novels that we never manage to finish, one of the most famous is probably James Joyce’s Irish masterpiece Ulysses. To encourage you to make it through the book - and enjoy it - get tips from Bloomsday members about how they’ve done it. And then attend the 5th Bloomsday Festival from June 12-16!

288 Conservation Chronicles from the McCord Museum

Presenter: Anne MacKay

Conservation is at the heart and soul of the museum mandate to preserve, study and diffuse its collections. Anne MacKay, Head of Conservation at the McCord Museum, will chronicle the many ways that conservation activities can reveal object histories and preserve those things most important to us.

Friday June 10, 1 p.m.

289 A Tribute to Rory O’Sullivan: From Russia – An Opera Gala*

Presenter: Timmy Cohen

A superb live concert from Red Square, Moscow. Anna Netrebko and Dimitri Hvorostovsky return to their native Russia, singing a brilliant program of popu-lar arias and duets from some of the world’s best loved operas, including, among others, Eugene Onegin, Il Trovatore and Don Carlos.

* Rory had intended to present this program in 2015.

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ADMISSION

Members may pre-register for up to two study groups. The number of participants per study group is limited. Since some study groups are extremely popular, regis-trants are asked to register early and to list their first four choices. Waiting lists are available. Admission to a study group is valid only once processed by the office; members are asked not to communicate with moderators concerning registration.

REFUNDS

Full and associate membership fees are refundable before the start of the second week of the term. Lecture fees may be exchanged for vouchers.

TAX CREDIT

Seniors aged 70 and older with a net income (line 275 of Québec tax return) less than $40,425 may claim their MCLL membership fees for a small provincial tax credit. Please ask Student Accounts for a statement to use as a receipt. (Student Accounts telephone: 514-398-7878).

STUDY GROUPS

Study groups are offered Monday to Thursday at 9:30-11:30 a.m., 11:45 a.m.-1:45 p.m., 2-4 p.m. and, on occasion, 4-6 p.m. While most study groups extend over 10 weeks, some have a shorter duration. All are held on the 2nd floor, in rooms 225, 241, 243 and 245. Schedules are posted on the noticeboards.

LECTURES

Most lectures are presented on Fridays at 10 a.m.-noon or 1-3 p.m. In the summer-time, lectures are presented on Wednesdays only, at the same times. Lectures are held either on the 2nd floor or in room 1041. Schedules are posted on the noticeboards.

TECH-SAVVY WORKSHOPS

These workshops are held on the 2nd floor or in a lab on the 12th floor. “Brainy Bar”, patterned on Apple’s Genius Bar is conducted in partnership with the School of Continuing Studies’ Intensive English Language and Culture (IELC) program. Tech-Savvy workshops are often presented on Fridays at 1-3 p.m., although some Brainy Bar sessions are held on other days and at other times. Participants can use lab PCs or their own portable devices, provided they have activated their Wi-Fi connection ahead of time. A McGill username and pass-word is necessary to connect to the Wi-Fi. These can be obtained by setting up a McGill e-mail account on Minerva. (For help, see McGill Tech Services on the 2nd floor with your MCLL member’s card).

OUTINGS

Occasional outings to various locations in and around the City of Montréal are held on a Friday or Saturday in the fall, winter and spring, and on Wednesdays in the summer.

FACILITIES

MCLL premises are located on the 2nd floor at 688 Sherbrooke St. West (a few activities are held in a large lecture room on the 10th floor or in computer labs on the 12th floor). There is a kitchen and a lounge (with a small library, a computer and a telephone) for the use of members; Wi-Fi is available. The office is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Thursday.

ACCESSIBILITY

MCLL has direct underground access to the McGill metro station. There is an elevator from the ground floor to the 2nd floor. Members who use a wheelchair or walker and need to use the elevator should identify themselves at the front desk on the ground floor.

EMERGENCY PRECAUTIONS

Evacuation procedures are clearly posted in the classrooms. Members should have with them at all times the coordinates of a person who could be reached in case of emergency; they should also leave that information at the office.

VOLUNTEERING AT MCLL

Volunteering greatly enhances the MCLL experience. Volunteer positions range from moderating to serving on Council, working in the office, taking atten-dance at lectures or performing a range of other tasks. Application forms are available in the office.

ORGANIZATION

MCLL is part of McGill’s School of Continuing Studies. A Council, elected from among members, provides overall direction as well as day-to-day management. The organization is entirely self-financing; while it draws most of its revenues from registrations, it also benefits from the generosity of individual donors and foundations.

HISTORY

MCLL was founded in 1989. It is patterned on a model developed at Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), based on peer-learning and active participation. The model is applied in a variety of ways in the context of study groups, lectures, workshops and outings. Its hallmark is that members assume responsibility for sharing their knowledge and experience with others. The result is a rich and dynamic learning environment.

30 MCLL SPRING 2016

LECTURES AND WORKSHOPS

April 15, 10 a.m. Strategies for Healthy Aging: An Active Brain | Dolly Dastoor 258

Scottish Stories of the Seal People | Margaret Nicolai 259

April 15, 1 p.m. The Papacy: King-Size Ambition - Tenaciously Pursued | Elie Schwartz 260

April 22, 10 a.m. Rise, Fall and Survival of the Knights Templar | George Lapa 261

April 22, 1 p.m. The Music of China | Sherry Steinberg 262

Legendary Entertainers: Bing Crosby | Harry Shapiro 263

April 29, 10 a.m. Churchill at the Admiralty | John Felvinci 265

April 29, 1 p.m. Legendary Entertainers: Frank Sinatra | Harry Shapiro 266

May 6, 10 a.m. Canadian Art History in Retrospect | John Hobday, C.M. 267

The Concertos of Camille Saint-Saëns | Morty Ellis 268

May 6, 1 p.m. Living Under the Shadow of the Bomb | Martin Coles 269

May 10, 3:30 p.m. Brainy Bar I | IELC student volunteers 270

May 13, 10 a.m. Looking Forward: The Future of Canadian Arts and Culture in a Digital Age 271 | John Hobday, C.M.

The Quest for Immortality | Michel Virard 272

May 13, 1 p.m. War and Justice: The F. Korematsu Case | Kuai-Yu (Paul) Leong 273

Legendary Entertainers: Ella Fitzgerald | Harry Shapiro 274

May 19, 3:30 p.m. Brainy Bar II | IELC student volunteers 275

May 20, 10 a.m Higher Education: Who Should Pay? | Bernard J. Shapiro 276

May 20, 1 p.m. The Music Instinct | Sherry Steinberg 277

The Great White Fleet | Dan J. Sullivan 278

May 27, 10 a.m. Estate Planning Session | Elisabeth Evans-Olders and Debbie Larocque 279

May 27, 1 p.m. Focus on the National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg | Harvey Artsob 280

Brainy Bar III | IELC student volunteers 281

June 3, 10 a.m History of Science in Victorian Times: What Might Have Been? 282 | Ruth Allan-Rigby

The Contrapuntal Ethics in Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice | Noga Emanuel 283

June 3, 1 p.m. What is the Current State of Electricity in Québec? | Anne-Marie Prud’homme 284

Travels in Burgundy | Rosalie Acutt 285

June 6, 1 p.m. Brainy Bar IV | IELC student volunteers 286

June 10, 10 a.m James Joyce and Ulysses for Sceptics | David and Judith Schurman 287

Conservation Chronicles from the McCord Museum | Anne MacKay 288

June 10, 1 p.m. A Tribute to Rory O’Sullivan: From Russia – An Opera Gala | Timmy Cohen 289

DATE EVENT | PRESENTER No.

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688 Sherbrooke Street West, room 229, Montreal, Quebec H3A 3R1Telephone: 514-398-8234 | Fax: 514-398-2757

[email protected]

www.mcgill.ca/mcll_ joy

PLAN ON ATTENDING THE MCLL SPRING FLING LUNCHEON IN JUNE 2016!

programme printemps 2016 - mcgill university...moderators: roz paris | [email protected] rhoda...

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