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Spring 2020
About WISE
WISE is a nonprofit member driven organization
founded in 1993. Serving the central Massachusetts
community, WISE is a premier lifelong learning
program that offers adult intellectual stimulation,
socialization and personal growth. WISE is a
member of the Road Scholar Lifelong Learning Network.
About Lifelong Learning
Lifelong learning offers many benefits to our members
who seek engagement and meaning in retirement.
Major benefits include:
Perpetuating education of older learners
Increasing an understanding of self & society
Promoting an active and engaged lifestyle
Opportunity to expand social circles
Utilizing lifelong work skills in volunteer opportunities
Join Our Community
We invite you to join our active community by
becoming a Member. Read through the information
contained in this catalog and contact the WISE office
if you have any questions. We look forward to your
participation and engagement in our organization.
In this Catalog
Membership & Registration page 2
WISE Calendar page 2
WISE Office Information page 3
Parking Information page 3
C Session Courses pages 4-10
D session Courses pages 11-17
WISE Organization Page 17
Save the Dates page 18
Registration Form page 19
1
Membership Fees
Fees may be paid online or by check before you register for classes. The half year fee is $165
per person and upgrade to a full year fee is $100. If paying by check, please mail your
registration form and payment directly to the WISE office.
Refund Requests
Refund requests are reviewed by the WISE Director on a case by case basis. Please contact the
WISE office at wise@assumption.edu or by phone 508-767-7513 to submit your request.
Registration
Registration begins 12:01am on December 11, 2019. All members need to pay the
membership fees prior to registering for classes. Registration will remain open while there are
courses with available space. You can login to your WISE account at http://assumptionwise.org
to confirm and print your selections from your profile at any time. Refer to page 3 of this catalog
for waiting list and other WISE information.
You can register online and receive a confirmation email for courses in which you are enrolled.
Online registration is strongly recommended (website on page 3).
You can register by mail by returning the Registration form (page 19) or return the form and
check before December 11th (address and office location on page 3). The Office staff will
manually enter in your course selections starting at 9:00am on December 11th and send you an
email confirmation for each class. Please note that we cannot guarantee a seat in any course.
Online Registration Assistance
Contact the WISE Office to set up an appointment for one-on-one assistance to learn how to
login, set up a WISE profile, pay membership dues online and register for classes on your own!
Spring 2020 Academic Calendar
January 29, 2020: Parking Permit Pick-up (details announced via email)
January 29, 2020: New Member Orientation, 10am-12pm, LaMaison Salon
January 30, 2020: Meet & Greet, 3-5pm, Kennedy 119
January 31, 2020: Snow Date for New Member Orientation
February 3, 2020: Session C Begins
March 6, 2020: Session C Ends
March 23, 2020: Session D Begins
May 1, 2020: Session D Ends
2
ANSWERS TO WISE FAQ
Course Selection: WISE members should plan by email and by announcements on the WISE
on only registering for as many classes as their Office voicemail.
personal schedule allows. There are many
interesting courses listed in this catalog, and we Cancellations: Any individual class
ask that you carefully review each listing’s cancellations due to inclement weather are
description and course dates before making your announced by email, posted on the WISE website
final choices. and on the WISE Office voicemail: 508-767-
7513. Although rare in occurrence, courses may
Course Withdrawal: If you find that you cannot be cancelled due to low enrollment or other
attend a course that you selected, please notify unusual circumstances. Communication of such
the WISE office to have yourself removed from circumstances will be relayed via email.
the class roster so another member may attend.
Your consideration in this matter is appreciated. Parking: Members taking classes located at
Assumption College must purchase a $15
Waiting List: If a class is full, contact the WISE campus parking permit each academic year.
Office with a request to be placed on a waiting Applications are available in the WISE office and
list. If a space becomes available, the first on the WISE website (office contact info below).
member on the waitlist will receive an email Checks are written out to Assumption College
notification. If that member decides to pass, the and submitted to the WISE Office. After the
next member on the waitlist will be contacted. If application form is marked as paid, members can
you wish to be removed from the waitlist, please then submit the form & car registration to the
send an email to wise@assumption.edu. Public Safety office located at Kennedy Hall and
receive their permit sticker.
Holidays & Closures: WISE follows the
Assumption College holiday calendar. If the Financial Aid: WISE has a small fund for partial
college is closed, the WISE Office will also scholarships. Please contact the WISE Office
close. Members are informed of holiday closures (contact info below) to receive an application or
request additional information.
WISE Office Information
Location Assumption College, La Maison Hall, Office 203B
Access Follow the ramp from the Taylor parking area to the La Maison building’s campus
entrance for wheelchair access
Hours Monday-Thursday 9:00 am-2:00 pm
Friday 9:00 am-12:00 pm
Email wise@assumption.edu
Website https://assumptionwise.org
Phone (508) 767-7513
Mail WISE, Assumption College, 500 Salisbury Street, Worcester, MA 01609
3
SESSION C February/March 2020
(Divinity), Union Seminary, NYC (Religion and
C1. America in the 1920’s: The Culture Wars Literature) and is currently working on his
Begin MFA at Sewanee, The University of the South.
Mondays 10:00 - 11:30 am He has a love of southern writers including
February 3, 10, 17, 24, March 2 Flannery O’Connor.
This course is an examination of the origins of the REQUIRED BOOKS: Flannery O’Connor, Wise
religious, artistic, social, and cultural battles that Blood, Macmillan: FSG Classics. ISBN: 978-
continue to divide Americans. Topics include 0374530631. Flannery O’Connor, The Complete
religious fundamentalism, Harlem Renaissance, Short Stories, Macmillan: FSG Classics. ISBN:
White Supremacy, popular culture versus modern 978-0374515362.
art, and the rise of the modern young woman.
LOCATION: Briarwood Community Center, 65 C3. Gastronomic Tales of Revolution, War and
Briarwood Circle, Worcester 01604 Enlightenment in France (10 Week Course)
CLASS LIMIT: 60 Mondays 1:30 - 3:00 pm
INSTRUCTOR: John F. McClymer recently February 3, 10, 17, 24, March 2 and March 23,
retired after 48 years of teaching history at 30, April 6, 13, 20
Assumption College. He is the author of seven This ten-week course invites you to learn about
books as well as dozens of scholarly articles and the most legendary foods and drinks of France
book chapters. This course is based in part on his and their gastronomic shifts over time due to the
The Birth of Modern America 1914 -1920, 2nd social and political trends that evolved over
Ed. (forthcoming). centuries. Enjoy a series of French culinary tales
NO REQUIRED BOOKS, supplementary from the Gaul era, where there were barbarians at
materials will be provided by instructor the plate, to the international cuisines that infil-
FOR THE FIRST CLASS: Hiram Wesley trated France after WWII. A sample of topics
Evans, “The Klan’s Fight for Americanism” at include Charlemagne’s agricultural reforms, the
https://archive.org/details/Klansfightamericanism Crusades, the Sun King, revolution & Napoleon.
LOCATION: AC - Kennedy Building Rm. 119
C2. Flannery O’Connor & the Haunted South CLASS LIMIT: 65
Mondays 10:00 - 11:30 am INSTRUCTOR: Yvonne M. LaFleur, M.Ed
February 3, 10, 17, 24, March 2 obtained her Master’s Degree from Worcester
This course will look at Flannery O’Connor’s life State University and completed undergraduate
in context through a biographical sketch and and graduate work in French at UMASS Amherst.
especially in her works. We will read one novel She taught French and Intercultural
and two short stories. Flannery is arguably one Communications at three universities and colleges
of the greatest American writers, especially in the over 20 years. Recipient of NEH grants and
genre of the short story. She was deeply international fellowships in French.
religious, remarkably witty, and brilliant. Writing REQUIRED BOOK: A Bite-Sized History of
in the Southern Gothic tradition, she opens a France: Gastronomic Tales of Revolution, War,
surprising and transcendent world to us through and Enlightenment. (1st Edition) Stephane
violence, the grotesque, and the outsider. Henault and Jeni Mitchell, The New Press. ISBN:
LOCATION: Worcester Jewish Community 978-1620979 (hardcover), ISBN: 9781620972526
Center (JCC), 633 Salisbury Street, Worcester (e-book).
CLASS LIMIT: 25
INSTRUCTOR: Tim Burger lives in Worcester.
He studied at the University of GA (Literature
and Philosophy), The General Seminary, NYC
4
C4. Long Live the King C6. Failures and Those Who Love Them
Mondays 3:15 - 4:45 pm Tuesdays 11:30am - 1:00pm
February 3, 10, 17, 24, March 2 February 4, 11, 18, 25, March 3
This course will present a look at the music and History is full of inspirational stories of people
life of Elvis Presley. A close look at recording redeeming themselves from failures, such as
sessions will paint a portrait of Presley’s music George Washington (who lost a major battle with
and how it changed over the years from radio the French), Mark Twain (who once went
influences growing up in Memphis, his hit years, bankrupt) and Grace Hopper (who turned to
the army and post-army years. alcohol after being turned down for a Navy
LOCATION: AC - Kennedy Building Rm. 119 commission). We don’t always learn from these
CLASS LIMIT: 65 mistakes, as seen in WW II in battles between the
INSTRUCTOR: Lee Morin has hosted a local Allies and Germany. In this course, we will look
radio show for the past 25 years on WCUW. He at failures redeemed and failure enduring from the
has a good understanding of rock, blues, R & B, perspective of psychologists, economists,
and country music genres. He is retired now but politicians, and theologians.
spent years training/teaching corporate staff at LOCATION: AC - Kennedy Building Rm. 119
UMASS Medical School and Hanover Insurance. CLASS LIMIT: 65
NO REQUIRED BOOKS INSTRUCTOR: Karl Hakkarainen is technology
adviser for WISE. He has taught WISE courses
C5. The Wisdom of Greek Mythology covering digital literacy, social networks, history,
Tuesdays 9:45 - 11:15 am music, and intellectual property law.
February 4, 11, 18, 25, March 3 NO REQUIRED BOOKS
Arrogant, passionate, jealous, powerful and wise - OPTIONAL BOOKS: Dweck, Carol S.
the gods and goddesses of the ancient Greeks Mindset: The New Psychology of Success.
very much resembled their imaginative creators. Random House, 2016. ISBN: 9781400062751.
The bizarre and intriguing tales of the mortals and Taleb, Nassim Nicholas. Antifragile: Things That
immortals of classical Greek mythology endure Gain from Disorder. Random House, 2016.
today, revealing profound truths about ourselves. ISBN: 9780812979688.Weinberger, David.
This course examines these timeless myths with Everyday Chaos: Technology, Complexity, and
the goal of discovering what wisdom they How We’re Thriving in a New World of
continue to teach us. Possibility. Harvard Business Review Press,
LOCATION: AC - Plourde Recreation Center, 2019. ISBN: 9781633693951.
Conference Room
CLASS LIMIT: 22 C7. Exploring Genes and DNA (Repeat)
INSTRUCTOR: Harvey Fenigsohn has taught at Tuesdays 1:15 – 2:45pm
the college and secondary level, including 20 February 4, 11, 18, March 3, 10
years at the Bancroft School, and was awarded a Human civilization has been shaped by genetics.
Fulbright Teacher Exchange Grant. He has Our modern understanding of genes and
published in local and national publications and chromosomes developed over the past 200 years,
has taught numerous WISE courses. beginning with Gregor Mendel’s pioneering
REQUIRED BOOK: Mythology: Timeless Tales experiments with pea plants. In the last century,
of Gods and Heroes by Edith Hamilton. Mass scientists elucidated the structure of DNA and
Market Paperback, Grand Central Publishing. developed powerful techniques for DNA
Reprint Edition (1/1/2011). ISBN: 978044- sequencing and genetic modification. We will
6574754 discuss our modern understanding of the human
genome and current topics such as precision
medicine, cancer genetics, ancestry kits and
5
genetic modification. Only a basic understanding punishment for a crime or to gain power, prestige,
of DNA is required for this course. and wealth or simply to gain satisfaction in
LOCATION: AC - Kennedy Building Rm. 119 duping someone in a high position. We will study
CLASS LIMIT: 65 the lives of these imposters and con artists, many
INSTRUCTOR: Clare O’Connor received her of whom have been exposed and brought to
PhD from Purdue. She was a senior scientist at justice, including Whitey Bulger, Adolf
the Worcester Foundation from 1984-1995. She Eichmann, Clark Rockefeller, and Jim Bakker.
joined the Biology Department at Boston College LOCATION: The Willows, Great Room, 101
where she taught courses in genetics and Barry Road, Worcester 01609
molecular cell biology before retiring in 2018. CLASS LIMIT: 50
NO REQUIRED BOOKS, Links to online INSTRUCTOR: Margaret Watson is a product
resources will be provided of the Big Ten, having received her bachelor’s
and master’s degrees from the University of
C8. The History of Spanish Painting Michigan and then pursuing further graduate
Tuesdays 3:00 - 4:30 pm study at the Ohio State University. She is
February 4, 11, 18, 25, March 3 Professor Emerita from Quinsigamond Com-
From El Greco to Picasso, Spanish artists have munity College, serving both on the faculty and
made unique and influential contributions to the the administration in her thirty-six year tenure.
history of art. In this survey of Spanish painting, NO REQUIRED BOOKS, supplementary
we will explore the work of El Greco from the materials will be provided by instructor
16th century, Diego Velasquez and Jusepe de
Ribera from the 17th century, Francisco Goya C10. History in Verse
from the late 18th and early 19th century, Joaquin Wednesdays 10:00 - 11:30 am
Sorolla from the late 19th century and Jaun Gris, February 5, 12, 19, 26, March 4
Joan Miro, Salvador Dali, and Pablo Picasso from In this course, we will read 5 short books of
the 20th century. poetry each based on an historical event or
LOCATION: AC - Kennedy Building Rm. 119 person. History texts tend to bypass the day-to-
CLASS LIMIT: 65 day happenings in history. This is different for
INSTRUCTOR: Martha Chiarchiaro has brought poetry, and each poet uses persona poems to give
history to life through art for more than 30 years. us her interpretation of events in the imagined
She received her Master’s degree in the History of voices of those directly involved.
Art from Williams College and taught art history LOCATION: Worcester Jewish Community
courses at the Worcester Art Museum and other Center (JCC), 633 Salisbury Street, Worcester
local cultural organizations. Her specialty courses CLASS LIMIT: 25
relate to specific periods, artists, and activities INSTRUCTOR: Eve Rifkah earned her MFA in
and provide an in-depth look at the life and times 2002 from Vermont College of Fine Arts. She has
of the people who are part of the exploration. taught at WPI and is the author of four published
NO REQUIRED BOOKS books and is published in many journals.
REQUIRED BOOKS: Commonwealth of Wings,
C9. Imposters, Con Artists, and Their Webs of by Pamela Alexander (Available online). Blue
Deception Front by Martha Collins. Graywold Press. ISBN:
Wednesdays 10:00 - 11:30 am 9781555974497. A Sea Called Fruitfulness by
February 5, 12, 19, 26, March 4 Martha Carlson-Braley. WordTech Press, ISBN:
In the history of humankind, we often detect 9781625490254. Book of Sarah by Amy Benson
unusually clever personalities who assume a Brown, ISBN: 978-1936370344.
double life or use fraudulent methods to deceive READING FOR FIRST CLASS: Read
the innocent for their own purposes. The motive Commonwealth of Wings.
for such deception may be to escape capture and
6
C11. Lichens LOCATION: AC - Plourde Recreation Center,
Wednesdays 1:30 - 3:00 pm Conference Room
February 5, 12, 19, 26, March 4 CLASS LIMIT: 22
Lichens are unusual organisms which consist of at INSTRUCTOR: Lillian Corti earned a doctorate
least two kinds of living things: fungi and algae, in Comparative Literature at the City University
living in a mutually supportive partnership to of New York. She taught ancient classics in
exist and thrive in some of the harshest places and translation at Tulsa University, the University of
habitats. Often noticed after rain, when lichens’ Alaska Fairbanks, and at the Athens Center for
green colors brighten extensively they are found the North West Council of Study Abroad. She
on trees, rocks, stone walls, gravestones, sand, participated in an NIH Institute on Homer and
soil, and many other habitats. There are at least Oral Traditions at the University of Arizona in
1,000 species in our area, many of which Tucson (1994) and has published a book-length
specialize in where they will grow. We will study of the myth of Medea.
combine indoor work with lichen specimens with REQUIRED BOOK: Homer. The Odyssey.
occasional walks to observe lichens in their Trans. Emily Wilson. Norton: NYC 2019.
natural settings around the sanctuary when the READING FOR FIRST CLASS: The Odyssey,
winter weather allows. Book 1.
LOCATION: MA Audubon Broad Meadow
Brook Wildlife Sanctuary, 414 Massasoit Road, C13. Removing a President by Impeachment:
Worcester 01604 The Ultimate but Elusive Check on
CLASS LIMIT: 25 Presidential Power
INSTRUCTOR: Joe Choiniere is a lifelong Wednesdays 1:30 - 3:00 pm
naturalist with a B.S. in Natural History from February 5, 12, 19, 26, March 4
UMass/Amherst. He has worked for Mass This course will explore the constitutional
Audubon since 1975 and taught hundreds of framework, theory, procedure, and history of the
natural history classes and workshops and has authority of Congress to remove a sitting
been an instructor for Fitchburg State University president by impeachment. Topics will include
ALFA series (similar to WISE), teaching the intent of the Founding Fathers in adding the
workshops on nature study. He is an instructor in impeachment mechanism to the Constitution,
Mass Audubon’s Naturalist Certificate Program. impeachment and separation of powers, the
NO REQUIRED BOOKS constitutional standard for impeachment, the
responsibilities of the House and the Senate, the
C12. The Odyssey (Ten Week Course) procedures governing impeachment inquiries,
Wednesdays 1:30 - 3:00 pm articles of impeachment and trials, historical case
February 5, 12, 19, 26, March 4 and March 25, studies of impeachment and the prospects of an
April 1, 8, 15, 22 impeachment of President Trump.
Whereas Homer has sometimes been considered LOCATION: AC - Kennedy Building Rm. 119
the first of the tragic poets, the hero of The CLASS LIMIT: 65
Odyssey has been described as the ancient INSTRUCTOR: John S. Ross, III holds degrees
prototype of comedy. Never at a loss, the wily from Yale University and the University of
Odysseus relies on his wits to extricate himself Virginia School of Law and served as Adjunct
from the tightest scrapes, displaying qualities that Professor of Law at Washington & Lee
May recall trickster figures to comedy. To follow University. He has taught a number of courses in
the resourceful Odysseus on his way back the WISE Program on constitutional law topics.
from the battlefield at Troy to his royal home in REQUIRED BOOK: Impeachment: What
Ithaca is to embark on a narrative adventure Everyone Needs to Know, Michael J. Gerhardt,
through realms of fantasy and romance inspiring Oxford Univ Press 2018.ISBN# 9780190903657.
readers and poets since the bronze age.
7C14. Mary Oliver’s Search for God exchange rates, measures economic well-being
Wednesdays 3:15 - 4:45 pm and investigates the independence of the Fed.
February 5, 12, 19, 26, March 4 LOCATION: AC - Kennedy Building Room 119
Mary Oliver was a nature poet, essayist and a CLASS LIMIT: 65
spiritual guide for millions. Her verses are almost INSTRUCTOR: William O’Brien holds a PhD
holy text, inspiring the religious and non-religious in Economics from Northeastern University and
alike. In this course, we will read Thirst, a is an Economics Professor at Worcester State
collection of poems grieving the death and University. His research interests are public
celebrating the life of her beloved partner. Here choice, effects of taxes on economic behavior, the
she grapples with sorrow as a path to spiritual determinants of MCAS scores and globalization.
progress and chronicles her discovery of faith NO REQUIRED BOOKS
within, not outside, the physical world. We will READING FOR FIRST CLASS: Please skim
also read several of her short essays exploring the www.federalreserve.gov/econresdata/feds/2015/fi
spiritual wisdom that made Oliver one of les/2015047pap.pdf
America’s most beloved poets.
LOCATION: AC - Kennedy Building Room 119 C16. Olam Haba, The Afterlife in Judaism
CLASS LIMIT: 65 (REPEAT)
INSTRUCTOR: Kathleen Fisher thoroughly Thursdays 10:00 - 11:30 am
enjoyed teaching WISE members in her first February 6, 13, 20, 27, March 5
course last spring. She teaches theology at What happens to us after we die? According to
Assumption College and has a fondness for Jewish Law, our physical bodies get buried but
medieval monks, Irish saints, and spiritual poets. our souls live on. In this course, we will begin to
She’s been studying the contemplative nature of explore what happens when we die, how does
Mary Oliver’s work for several years. Judaism view and approach the afterlife and the
REQUIRED BOOK: Thirst: Poems by Mary roles of Resurrection, the Messiah, and Angels
Oliver. Boston, Beacon Press, 2006. ISBN: 978- and Demons. We will study Jewish Mourning
0807068977. Customs as well Biblical texts and Liturgy.
FOR FIRST CLASS: Read the following poems LOCATION: Library, Congregation Beth Israel,
in Thirst: Messenger, What I Said at Her Service, 15 Jamesbury Drive, Worcester 01609
Praying, The Uses of Sorrow, Percy(Six) and CLASS LIMIT: 25
Thirst. The Instructor will provide in advance the INSTRUCTOR: Rabbi Aviva Fellman is the
essay, Staying Alive. spiritual leader of Congregation Beth Israel in
Worcester, MA. She holds a Bachelor’s in
C15. Money, Banking, and Monetary Policy Religious Studies from the University of
Wednesdays 5:00 - 6:30 pm Pittsburgh and earned her Master’s in Talmud and
February 5, 12, 19, 26, March 4 Jewish Law from Machon Schechter in
At this writing, by most economic measures, the Jerusalem. Rabbi Fellman was ordained by the
U.S. economy is running at full employment with Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS) in NYC.
inflation in check. Yet the GDP is not growing as REQUIRED BOOK: Bible of your choice
fast as many would like and the yield curve has
inverted multiple times lately. The Federal C17. The History of Art Through the Artist’s
Reserve conducts monetary policy to try to keep Self-Portrait
inflation in check while helping the GDP to grow. Thursdays 11:30 am - 1:00 pm
We will look at current and historical monetary February 6, 13, 20, 27, March 5
policy trends in an effort to figure out where the The self-portraits of artists can provide insight not
U.S. economy is headed. We will examine how only into the style of painting of a period of art,
monetary policy influences interest rates, but also to the character and personality of the
artist. We will explore the history of art from the
815th through the 20th centuries from the unique February 6, 13, 20, 27, March 5 and March 26,
and very personal perspective of the self-portraits April 2, 16, 23, 30
of major European and American artists. For Americans are committed to political equality and
example, through the numerous self-portraits of freedom for all. Participants in this class will do a
artists such as Rembrandt and Vincent Van Gogh, significant amount of reading to explore to what
we will witness the history of their lives through extent we are managing to realize our ideals. We
their own images. shall pay special attention to problems of race, the
LOCATION: AC - Kennedy Building Rm. 119 state of our democracy and of the capitalist
CLASS LIMIT: 65 system. After trying to inform ourselves about
INSTRUCTOR: Martha Chiarchiaro has these aspects of our society, we shall consider
brought history to life through art for more than what, if any, changes are in order.
30 years. She received her Master’s degree in the LOCATION: AC - Plourde Recreation Center,
History of Art from Williams College and taught Conference Room
art history courses at the Worcester Art Museum CLASS LIMIT: 22
and other local cultural organizations. Her INSTRUCTOR: Richard Schmitt was born in
specialty courses relate to specific periods, artists, Germany. Forced to leave for being Jewish, he
and activities and provide an in-depth look at the reached the U.S. as a young man. He received his
life and times of the people who are part of the higher education at the University of Chicago and
exploration. Yale and spent many years teaching at Brown
NO REQUIRED BOOKS University and at Worcester State University. He
has taught WISE courses for over twenty years.
C18. Science Potpourri II NO REQUIRED BOOKS: supplementary
Thursdays 1:15 - 2:45pm materials will be provided by instructor.
February 6, 13, 20, 27, March 5 REQUIRED READING: Class members will be
For the scientific novice this course will be a asked to read one book on a contemporary social
fearless and fun look at an assortment of scientific issue and report briefly in class.
subjects. Are you smarter than a chemist? Yes!
Let’s figure out the Periodic Table of Elements. C20. Robert Frost and the New England
The human digestive system is the source of Landscape
pleasure (yummy food!) and ills (bellyache!). We Thursdays 3:00 - 4:30 pm
will learn about the anatomy and physiology of February 6, 13, 20, 27, March 5
the stomach. Moon stuff will also be examined: This course is an exploration of Robert Frost’s
phases, eclipses and tides. What is so cool about poetic narrative of the New England landscape:
water? Its structure results in some astounding farming, seasonal change, abandoning the land,
properties. Come prepared with an open and ecological succession, and New England today.
inquiring mind. We will examine Frost’s background including
LOCATION: AC - Kennedy Building Rm. 119 his farming, his experience in New England and
CLASS LIMIT: 65 the events (such as the Agrarian diaspora) that
INSTRUCTOR: Jane Crooks (B.S. Biology, shaped his relationship to the land.
University of Notre Dame; M.A. Secondary LOCATION: AC - Kennedy Building Rm. 119
Education, Tufts University) is a former middle CLASS LIMIT: 65
school science teacher. She currently works with INSTRUCTOR: Owen Sholes is a retired
at-risk college students as an academic coach. Assumption College Professor of Biology. He
NO REQUIRED BOOKS taught biology, ecology and environmental
science. He has lived in rural Massachusetts for
C19. Appearance and Reality in North forty years, has given two conference
American Life Today (10 Week Course) presentations and written two articles and one
Thursdays 1:15 - 2:45 pm book on the poetry of Robert Frost.
9REQUIRED BOOK (select one): The Poetry of thought will be discussed. The course will make
Robert Frost: The Collected Poems, E. C. Latham constant reference to the teaching of the relation
(ed.), Holt Publishing. ISBN: 9780805069860 or between God and evil in the Bible and will
Robert Frost: Collected Poems, Prose and Plays, examine the value of theodicy and its future.
Richard Poirier (ed.), Library of America. ISBN: LOCATION: AC-Kennedy Building Room 119
9781883011062. CLASS LIMIT: 65
OPTIONAL READING: Stopping by Woods: INSTRUCTOR: Gary Shahinian is the Senior
Robert Frost as New England Naturalist. Owen Pastor of Park Congregational Church in
D. V. Sholes, McFarland Books. ISBN: 978- Worcester. He earned a PhD in Philosophy from
1476673189 The Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam. He taught
philosophy and theology at Redeemer College in
C21. Conspiracy Culture and Hollywood from Ontario, Dordt College in Iowa, and Worcester
the Red Scare to Watergate State University.
Fridays 10:00 - 11:30 am REQUIRED BOOK: Pathways in Theodicy: An
February 7, 14, 21, 28, March 6 Introduction to the Problem of Evil. Mark S. M.
In this course we examine an earlier era when Scott. Fortress Press. ISBN: 9781451464702.
conspiracy thinking was on the rise - the late 40s
to mid-70s.We look at the role Hollywood films C23. Human Shape of Films to Come
played in reflecting, and in some cases spreading Fridays 3:15 - 4:45 pm
conspiracy ideas. We will consider many of the February 7, 14, 21, 28, March 6
conspiracy themed films from these years, among Join us as we bring ourselves up to date on the
them Invasion of the Body Snatchers, The most talented and promising film actors who had
Manchurian Candidate, and All the President’s hit the big screen since 1990. Do you know Lily
Men. James or Matthias Schoenaerts? Which award-
LOCATION: Southgate at Shrewsbury winning films have they (and others) performed
Retirement Community, 30 Julio Drive, in? What are some recurring topics in recent
Shrewsbury 01545 movies that did not even exist prior to 1990 and
CLASS LIMIT: 65 which actors and directors seem to gravitate
INSTRUCTOR: Gordon Arnold is the author of towards them?
several books about popular culture and U.S. LOCATION: AC-Kennedy Building Room 119
society. He is a Liberal Arts professor at CLASS LIMIT: 65
Montserrat College of Art where he has taught INSTRUCTOR: Jeff Long has taught film
Sociology and film history for over thirty years. studies courses at WISE since 2014 and has
NO REQUIRED BOOKS, supplementary written movie reviews for the Worcester
materials will be provided by instructor Telegram & Gazette since 2008. He taught film
studies courses at Becker College and is the
C22. The Problem of Evil: The Uneasy author of the reading guide, Remembered
Coexistence of God and Evil Childhoods (2007).
Fridays 1:30 - 3:00 pm NO REQUIRED BOOKS
February 7, 14, 21, 28, March 6
The problem of evil is perhaps the most
existentially tormenting challenge to belief in
God. If God is all-loving and all-powerful, then
how can we explain that there is so much evil in
the world? This course will investigate the
project of theodicy, “the justification of God’s
ways in view of evil.” Popular theodicies in
contemporary philosophical and theological
10SESSION D March/April 2020 OPTIONAL READING: 21st Century Common
Sense: A Bold Reform Agenda for Our Broken,
D1. There’s Something Happening Here Gridlocked, Dysfunctional, and Boring Politics.
Mondays 10:00 - 11:30 am Bob Spear, Carrie Tazbir. ISBN: 9781733097611.
March 23, 30, April 6, 13, 20
D3. Gastronomic Tales of Revolution, War
A look at how rock music changed in the 1960’s.
and Enlightenment in France
The course considers the factors that led to this
(Continued from C3)
change and the outcomes that changed the music
Mondays 1:30 – 3:00
industry. Topics to be covered include the cultural
March 23, 30, April 6, 13, 20
and social elements of the early 60s, the music
LOCATION: Kennedy Building Room 119
trends in the early 60s and the ensuing changes
during the music scene throughout the 60s. D4. The Transcontinental Railroad
LOCATION: Briarwood Community Center, 65 Mondays 3:15 - 4:45 pm
Briarwood Circle, Worcester 01604 March 23, 30 April 6, 13, 20
CLASS LIMIT: 60 In the sesquicentennial year of its completion, we
INSTRUCTOR: Lee Morin has hosted a local will examine the creation of the first rail line to
radio show for the past 25 years on WCUW. He cross the USA. It was a tremendous feat of
has a good understanding of rock, blues, R & B, engineering, a massive public boondoggle, a
and country music genres. He is retired now but vehicle for racial prejudice and virtual genocide, a
spent years training/teaching corporate staff at death march of cutthroat competition, and a
UMASS Medical School and Hanover Insurance. corrupt political stew all rolling on rails 4’8 ½”
NO REQUIRED BOOKS apart.
LOCATION: AC - Kennedy Building Rm. 119
D2. “Common Sense” Reforms
CLASS LIMIT: 65
Mondays 1:30 - 3:00 pm
INSTRUCTOR: Victor Saffrin has a BA in
March 23, 30, April 6, 13, 20
Theater and Economics and an MS in Computer
In 1776, Thomas Paine’s pamphlet Common
Science and is now retired from a career spanning
Sense inspired colonists to revolt against the
rock-and-roll lighting roadie, laser light show
British Monarchy and establish a new and
designer, embedded software engineer, and
independent country. The original pamphlet
engineering process manager. He has taught
(https://archive.org/details/commonsense00painri
WISE courses for several years.
ch) is often called “the most influential political
NO REQUIRED BOOKS
tract of all time.” In this course, we will seek to
understand the principles of Thomas Paine’s D5. Introduction to Obscure Invented Poetry
Common Sense and how they apply to today. Forms
LOCATION: AC - Plourde Recreation Center, Tuesdays 9:45 - 11:15 am
Conference Room March 24, 31, April 7, 14, 21
CLASS LIMIT: 22 Many poets tend to be intimidated by writing in
INSTRUCTOR: Jean Sifleet is a retired attorney poetic forms, fearing it will be too difficult and
and CPA. During her business career of over 40 restricting. Yet the practice can be a freeing
years, she worked in a variety of management, experience. In this course, you will be introduced
consulting and private practice roles. She taught to examples of various obscure poetry forms such
business and intellectual property law. In as the abecedarian, the minute, the streetbeatina,
retirement, Jean has served as an Access to and the anagrammatic selfie and will learn their
Justice Fellow and worked with the Mass Law history and rules.
Reform Institute on immigration policy and LOCATION: AC – Plourde Rec Center
reform initiatives. Conference Room
11CLASS LIMIT: 22 the lives of these imposters and con artists, many
INSTRUCTOR: Paul Szlosek is co-founder of of whom have been exposed and brought to
the Poet’s Parlor poetry venue and the open mic justice, including Whitey Bulger, Adolf
and featured poetry reading series The Poetorium Eichmann, Clark Rockefeller, and Jim Bakker.
at Starlite in Southbridge. He is a past recipient of LOCATION: AC - Kennedy Building Rm. 119
the Jacob Knight Award for Poetry and taught CLASS LIMIT: 65
poetry workshops at the Worcester Art Museum, INSTRUCTOR: Margaret Watson is a product
the Museum of Fine Arts and the Peabody Essex of the Big Ten, having received her bachelor and
Museum. His poems have appeared in various master’s degrees from the University of Michigan
publications including the Worcester Review and and then pursuing further graduate study at the
Worcester Magazine. Ohio State University. She is professor emerita
NO REQUIRED BOOKS from Quinsigamond Community College, serving
both on the faculty and the administration in her
D6. The Pilgrimage to Santiago and the Birth thirty-six years tenure.
of Romanesque & Gothic Architecture NO REQUIRED BOOKS
Tuesdays 11:30 am - 1:00 pm
March 24, 31 April 7, 14, 21 D8. Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra
This course is a study of the important pilgrimage Tuesdays 3:00 - 4:30 pm
route to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. We March 24, 31, April 7, 14, 21
will examine its impact on the development of Antony and Cleopatra is Shakespeare’s last great
Romanesque and Gothic architecture and in tragedy. But commentators from the 18th, 19th
decorate style if both France and Spain from the and early 20th centuries rejected Cleopatra as a
11th to the 13th centuries. heroic figure, saw Shakespeare’s dramatic
LOCATION: AC - Kennedy Building Room 119 structure as disordered, and dismissed the play as
CLASS LIMIT: 65 not a “true tragedy.” Thus Antony and Cleopatra
INSTRUCTOR: James Powers is Professor became Shakespeare’s least known “great” play
Emeritus of History at Holy Cross College. He until our current times reclaimed this amazing
has authored two books and dozens of articles on drama. Shakespeare’s assaults on dualisms such
Spanish history. Recently, he lectured on ocean as masculine/feminine, rational/intuitive and
liners on the Atlantic, Mediterranean and Baltic comic/tragic make it great.
seas. He has led a tour from France to Santiago. LOCATION: AC - Kennedy Building Rm. 119
NO REQUIRED BOOKS: Copies of maps will CLASS LIMIT: 65
be provided. INSTRUCTOR: Helen Whall received her PhD
RECOMMENDED: Watch the movie, The Way from Yale University in 1976 and then joined the
(2012), directed by Emilio Estevez. College of the Holy Cross retiring in 2017. She
taught courses in Shakespeare, Renaissance
D7. Imposters, Con Artists, and Their Webs of Drama, Modern Drama, Law and Drama, and
Deception (Repeat) Dramatic Comedy. Helen has written plays from
Tuesdays 1:15 - 2:45 pm the age of Shakespeare to that of Lin-Manuel
March 24, 31, April 7, 14, 21 Miranda and has served as the theater review
In the history of humankind, we often detect editor for Theatre Journal.
unusually clever personalities who assume a REQUIRED BOOK: Folger Edition of Antony
double life or use fraudulent methods to deceive and Cleopatra.
the innocent for their own purposes. The motive
for such deception may be to escape capture and
punishment for a crime; to gain power, prestige,
and wealth; or simply to gain satisfaction in
duping someone in a high position. We will study
12D9. Yiddish Stories in Translation from The D11. Flannery O’Connor and the Haunted
Forward South (Repeat)
Tuesdays 4:45 - 6:15 pm Wednesdays 10:00 - 11:30 am
March 24, 31 April 7, 14, 21 March 25, April 1, 8, 15, 22
The Forward is a renowned Jewish newspaper This course will look at Flannery O’Connor’s life
published originally in 1897.In 2017, Norton in context through a biographical sketch and
published an anthology of short fiction in in her works. We will read one novel and two
translation from the Yiddish edited by Ezra short stories. Flannery is arguably one of the
Glinter. The stories reflect 120 years in the life of greatest American writers, especially in the genre
the paper telling of the struggles of Jewish of the short story. She was deeply religious,
immigrants through poverty, two World Wars, remarkably witty, and absolutely brilliant.
assimilation and the development of a new Writing in the Southern Gothic tradition, she
American Jewish identity. opens a surprising and transcendent world to us
LOCATION: AC - Kennedy Building Rm. 119 through violence, the grotesque, and the outsider.
CLASS LIMIT: 65 LOCATION: Worcester Jewish Community
INSTRUCTOR: Marcia Tannenbaum is a Center (JCC), 633 Salisbury St., Worcester 01609
longtime WISE instructor who has been teaching CLASS LIMIT: 25
Jewish and secular settings since 1967. She holds INSTRUCTOR: Tim Burger lives in Worcester.
a B.A. and a M.A. in English from Simmons and He studied at the University of GA (Literature
a J.D. from the University of Connecticut School and Philosophy), The General Seminary, NYC
of Law. Marcia grew up hearing “secret” Yiddish (Divinity), Union Seminary, NYC (Religion and
in her home and often hears her grandchildren Literature) and is currently working on his
speaking Yiddish. MFA at Sewanee, The University of the South.
REQUIRED BOOK: Have I Got a Story for He has a love of southern writers including
You. Ezra Gilnter (Ed). W.W. Norton and Co., Flannery O’Connor.
2017. ISBN: 9780393062700. REQUIRED BOOKS: Flannery O’Connor,
Wise Blood, Macmillan: FSG Classics. ISBN:
D10. The Rise of American Air Power 9780374515360. Flannery O’Connor, The
Wednesdays 10:00 - 11:30 am Complete Short Stories, Macmillan: FSG Classics
March 25, April 1, 8, 15, 22 ISBN: 0374515360.
This course will look at the evolution of
American air power from its initial development D12. The Odyssey (Continued from C12)
at the end of the 19th century to the present. It Wednesdays 1:30 - 3:00 pm, a 10-week course
will examine both tactical and strategic decisions March 25, April 1, 8, 15, 22
regarding its development. We will also look at LOCATION: AC – Plourde Rec Center
the impact of the military on commercial aviation Conference Room
and vice versa. Focus in the course will be on the
pioneers, WWI and WWII, and contemporary use D13. Removing a President by Impeachment:
of airpower. The Ultimate but Elusive Check on
LOCATION: The Willows, Great Room, 101 Presidential Power (Repeat)
Barry Road, Worcester 01609. Wednesdays 1:30 - 3:00 pm
CLASS LIMIT: 50 March 25, April 1, 8, 15, 22
INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Jed Watters is a former This course will explore the constitutional
Assumption College history professor and retired framework, theory, procedure, and history of the
naval officer. authority of Congress to remove a sitting
NO REQUIRED BOOKS, supplementary president by impeachment. Topics will include:
materials will be provided by instructor the intent of the Founding Fathers in adding the
impeachment mechanism to the Constitution;
13impeachment and separation of powers; the workshops on nature study. He is also an
constitutional standard for impeachment; the instructor in Mass Audubon’s Naturalist
responsibilities of the House and the Senate; the Certificate Program.
procedures governing impeachment inquiries, NO REQUIRED BOOKS
articles of impeachment, and trials; historical case
studies of impeachment; and the prospects of an D15. The News Media We Hate to Love
impeachment of President Trump. Wednesdays 3:15 - 4:45
LOCATION: AC - Kennedy Building Rm. 119 March 25, April 1, 8, 15, 22
CLASS LIMIT: 65 We want to trust and admire our news sources but
INSTRUCTOR: John S. Ross, III holds degrees are not sure we can. At least, we can understand
from Yale University and the University of them a little more. We will look at the nature of
Virginia School of Law and served as Adjunct news and how we receive and perceive it by
Professor of Law at Washington & Lee considering topics such as what constitutes
University. He has taught a variety of courses in credibility, the benefits and problems of non-stop
the WISE program focusing on constitutional law coverage, newsworthiness, consumer expectations
and the Supreme Court. and biases, the impact of shrinking newsrooms
REQUIRED BOOK: Impeachment: What and where the lines are among news, opinion and
Everyone Needs to Know, Michael J. Gerhardt, punditry.
Oxford Univ Press 2018.ISBN# 9780190903657. LOCATION: AC - Kennedy Building Rm. 119
OPTIONAL BOOK: Impeachment: The Case CLASS LIMIT: 65
Against Donald Trump. Neal Katyal. Houghton INSTRUCTOR: Rosemary McCarthy has a
Mifflin, to be released in November 2019. Master of Arts in Journalism from the University
of Nevada, Reno, where she was also Assistant
D14. The Nature of Spring Professor from 2002 - 2012. She also has
Wednesdays 1:30 - 3:00 pm broadcast experience in television and radio.
March 25, April 1, 8, 15, 22 REQUIRED BOOK: Bill Kovach and Tom
Spring is an exciting time for naturalists. Birds Rosenstiel. The Elements of Journalism: What
migrate north. Trees, shrubs and wildflowers Newspeople Should Know and the Public Should
bloom. Frogs and salamanders emerge and ride to Expect. Revised and Updated 3rd Ed. (2014).
breeding ponds. Early flying insects, mourning Three Rivers Press. ISBN: 9780804136785.
cloak butterflies and bumblebees appear as days
warm. A procession of predictable happenings, D16. An Introduction to African Art and
many of them timed to cooperate with each other, Architecture
creates a natural calendar. As nature awakens and Wednesdays 5:00 - 6:30 pm
the class progresses week by week, we will March 25, April 1, 8, 15, 22
explore and look for signs of spring around the This introductory course spans approximately
sanctuary. 80,000 years of art and architecture of the African
LOCATION: MA Audubon Broad Meadow continent, discussing major objects such as the
Brook Wildlife Sanctuary, 414 Massasoit Road, Blombas Cave and early Rock Art, the pyramid of
Worcester 01604 Djoser, the Great Mosques at Qairoun and
CLASS LIMIT: 25 Djenne, the Great Zimbabwe, and the rock
INSTRUCTOR: Joe Choiniere is a lifelong churches of Lalibela. We will explore major
naturalist with a B.S. in Natural History from issues linked to the arts of African including
UMass/Amherst. He has worked for Mass Eurocentric interpretations, how works are
Audubon since 1975. He has taught hundreds of displayed, provenance, and the impact of
natural history classes and workshops and has globalization.
been an instructor for Fitchburg State University LOCATION: AC - Kennedy Building Rm. 119
ALFA series (similar to WISE), teaching CLASS LIMIT: 65
14INSTRUCTOR: Barbara Beall is Professor include the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, and
Emerita of Art History at Assumption College. the 19th and 20th centuries of America and
As a Visiting Professor at Clark University, she Europe.
currently teaches African as well as Islamic LOCATION: Worcester Art Museum, Main
Architecture. She completed her doctorate at Entrance, 55 Salisbury Street, Worcester 01609
Brown University and has many publications in CLASS LIMIT: 22
the field of art history and understanding the art INSTRUCTOR: Virginia (Ginny) Powell-
museum. Brasier was a high school teacher of English and
NO REQUIRED BOOKS, supplementary German for 32 years. A big fan of the German
materials will be provided by instructor Expressionists, she is currently a docent at the
Worcester Art Museum.
D17. Living by the Pulse of the Sea: Cape Cod NO REQUIRED BOOKS
Women Writers (Repeat)
Thursdays 9:45 - 11:00 am D19. American Imagines the Future: A Social
March 26, April 2, 16, 23, 30 History, 1930 - 1965
Cape Cod’s unique sense of place as inspiration for Thursdays 11:30 am - 1:00 pm
women writers is the core of this course. How March 26, April 2, 16, 23, 30
powerful to live on Cape Cod and experience a Throughout much of the first half of the 20th
unique sense of place - this spit of land, sea and sky. century, Americans imagined a brighter future as
In this course, we will look at the lives and writings the nation’s rising power and scientific know-how
of Mary Oliver and Anne LeClaire as Cape Cod has unleashed a series of imaginative visions. At the
inspired and challenged their creativity. This course height of American futurism, a life with flying
is centered on the themes of nature, specific senses cars, undersea cities, robots, space travel, and
of place, solitude, creativity, and living deeply. technological marvels seemed to be on the
LOCATION: AC – Plourde Rec Center horizon. The optimistic spirit persisted despite
Conference Room world wars, the Cold War, and other challenges.
CLASS LIMIT: 22 In this course, we look at the evolution of
INSTRUCTOR: Ellen Duzak is retired from American thinking about the future and at how
Becker College where she was a psychology world events shape our expectations about
Professor. Her favorite sunrise walk on Cape Cod is tomorrow.
Nauset beach with the seals and seagulls as LOCATION: AC - Kennedy Building Rm. 119
companions. CLASS LIMIT: 65
REQUIRED BOOKS: Long Life by Mary Oliver. INSTRUCTOR: Gordon Arnold is the author of
Da Capo Press. ISBN# 9780306814129. Why I several books about popular culture and U.S.
Wake Early, by Mary Oliver. Beacon Press. ISBN: society. He is professor of Liberal Arts at
9780807068793. Listening Below the Noise, by Montserrat College of Art where he has taught
Anne LeClaire. Harper Perennial. ISBN: 978- courses in Sociology and film history for more
0061353369. than thirty years.
READING FOR THE FIRST CLASS: Start NO REQUIRED BOOKS, supplementary
reading Long Life. materials will be provided by instructor
D18. How to Read Art (Repeat) D20. Appearance and Reality in North
Thursdays 10:30 am - 12:00 pm American Life Today (Continued from C19)
March 26, April 2, 16, 23, 30 Thursdays 1:15 - 2:45 pm
Learn how to read visual stories narrated by March 26, April 2, 16, 23, 30
artists from ancient Athens and Rome to colonial LOCATION: AC – Plourde Rec Center
America. Enter these storied worlds and deepen Conference Room
your appreciation of them. Other topics will
15D21. Great Movie Music (Repeat) University with interest in Shakespeare, 19th
Thursdays 1:15 - 2:45 pm century American Literature, and drama.
March 26, April 2, 16, 23, 30 REQUIRED BOOK: Any edition of Henry IV,
What do John Williams, Max Steiner, Maurice Jarre, Part 2.
Elmer Bernstein, Jerry Goldsmith, Dimitri Tiomkin,
John Barry, James Horner, Alfred Newman, Andre D23. Of Thee I Sing: Contesting Celebratory
Previn, and Vangelis all have in common? They and Critical Patriotism in America
have written memorable music for films- from Fridays 10:00 - 11:30 am
Titanic to Exodus, from Star Wars to Gone with the March 27, April 3, 17, 24, May 1
Wind and from On the Waterfront to the Magnificent From the return of “love it or leave it” and
7 and Mission Impossible. We will examine the lives renewed attention to Colin Kaepernick’s anthem
and notable contributions of these and other great protests to debates over the New York Times’
composers whose music makes these films even 1619 Project, 2019 has seen a number of
more memorable. prominent discussions center around critiques of
LOCATION: AC - Kennedy Building Rm. 119 America. But these are simply the latest salvos in
CLASS LIMIT: 65 a foundational and ongoing contest between
INSTRUCTOR: Joe Corn spent most of his celebratory and critical patriotisms. Examining
professional career working as an engineer. He these competing forms of patriotism helps us
has also taught in the NYC school system, better understand and take part in current debates.
Springfield Technical Community College, Penn LOCATION: Southgate at Shrewsbury
State University, and worked as a technical Retirement, 30 Julio Drive, Shrewsbury 01545
instructor for Moore Products. Joe has taught a CLASS LIMIT: 65
number of music and technology courses for INSTRUCTOR: Benjamin Railton is a
WISE and is a former WISE President. Professor of English and American Studies at
NO REQUIRED BOOKS Fitchburg State University. He is author of five
books, most recently We the People: The 500
D22. Henry IV, Part 2, One Act at a Time Year Battle over Who is American (2019).
Thursdays 3:00 - 4:30 pm He also maintains the daily American Studies
March 26, April 2, 16, 23, 30 blog, contributes public American Studies
Even if you were not in the fall course, Henry IV, scholarship to many other sites including
Part 1, you will easily pick up the second of the Huffington Post, and is a member of the Scholars
Henry IV plays which continues the journey of Strategy Network.
Prince Hal as he passes through carefree younger NO REQUIRED BOOKS
days and moves with an increasing sense of
responsibility towards his ultimate coronation as D24. Rod Serling’s The Twilight Zone
Henry V. The play continues to explore the Fridays 1:30 - 3:00 pm
relationship between Falstaff and Prince Hal (and March 27, April 3, 17, 24, May 1
the escapades of Falstaff). We will examine this Rod Serling was an Emmy-winning television
play one act per session, taking particular notice writer when he devised The Twilight Zone.
of Shakespeare’s insightful counter-balancing of Sensitive to censorship but wanting to address
the world of the court and the world of the tavern subjects deemed controversial in the 1950s and
and the ways in which these two worlds interact early 60s, he found the genres of fantasy and
and comment on one another. science fiction to be the ideal media to get across
LOCATION: AC - Kennedy Building Rm. 119 his message. This demonstrated Serling’s
CLASS LIMIT: 65 creativity in educating people on controversial
INSTRUCTOR: Jim Foley is an Emeritus topics in a non-provocative way. Episodes from
Professor of English at Worcester State the classic series will be shown and discussed.
LOCATION: AC - Kennedy Building Rm.119
16CLASS LIMIT: 65 Meryl Streep, Judi Dench and Alec Guinness.
INSTRUCTOR: Gary Shahinian is the Senior This course will offer tribute to gifted movie
Pastor of Park Congregational Church in actors whose careers were too short. Hearing the
Worcester. He earned a PhD in Philosophy from names William Holden, Philip Seymour Hoffman,
the Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam. His doctoral Jean Harlow and Brittany Murphy makes us
dissertation examines the problem of evil. He wistful. Which of them received their due in fame
taught philosophy and theology courses at and honor? Which did not?
Redeemer College in Ontario, Dordt College in LOCATION: Kennedy Building Room 119
Iowa, and Worcester State University. CLASS LIMIT: 65
NO REQUIRED BOOKS INSTRUCTOR: Jeff Long has offered film
studies courses at WISE since 2014 and has been
D25. We Wanted More – Short but Great writing movie reviews for the Worcester
Film Acting Careers Telegram & Gazette since 2008. He also taught
Fridays 3:15 - 4:45 pm film studies courses at Becker College and is the
March 27, April 3, 17, 24, May 1 author of the reading guide Remembered
We have been spoiled with the prodigious number Childhoods (2007).
of brilliant performances by some actors like NO REQUIRED BOOKS
WISE Officers, Committee Chairs &
Council Members
Executive Officers Committee Chairs
Tej Maini, President Karl Hakkarainen, Communications
TBA, Vice President Sue Tellier, Finance
Donna Crocker, Secretary Ann (Cookie) Nelson, Special Events
Sue Tellier, Treasurer Zelda Schwartz, Nominations
Barbara Groves, Curriculum
Council Members at Large
Joyce Abdow-Dowd Michael Fishbein College Sponsors/ WISE Administrators
Ron Crocker Patricia Hertzfeld Francesco Cesareo, PhD, President, Assumption College
Mariam Karis Cronin Ginny McNamara Dennis Braun, MBA, Director of Professional &
Cathy Samko Continuing Education, Assumption College
Susan Perschbacher, PhD, WISE Director
Coordinators Jill Lagana, MEd, WISE Office Manager
Bobbi Corn, Class Assistants
Kathy Drew, New Member Orientation
Jane Gilligan, Evaluations
Karl Hakkarainen, Technical Advisor
17WISE Special Events
Save the dates for these upcoming events & trips
January 22, 2020
Caroll Bogert lecture, “The Media’s Influence in Creating and Challenging Mass Incarceration”
Curtis Hall Ballroom, Assumption College, 6:30-8:30pm
January 23, 2020
A conversation with Caroll Bogert and WISE members
Kennedy 119, 1:00-2:00pm
February 12, 2020 (snow date Feb 13)
Brown Bag Lecture, “Eleanor Roosevelt” by Sheryl Faye
Assumption College
March 12, 2020
Worcester Night Out, location TBA
Worcester Men of Song
April 14, 2020
Brown Bag Lecture, Ben Railton will talk about his latest book,
We the People: The 500 Year Long Battle Over who is American.
Assumption College
May 14, 2020
Trip to Mark Twain House & Harriet Beecher Stowe house
Hartford, CT
June 1, 2020
WISE Annual Meeting
La Maison Salon
Assumption College Events
Assumption College plays, lectures or other events of interest are announced by email and posted on the
WISE events calendar on our website. Postings can also be found on the bulletin boards located at; campus
side entrance/ La Maison building, outside of classroom 119/ Kennedy building and the WISE office/ 203B
La Maison.
18WORCESTER INSTITUTE FOR SENIOR EDUCATION – 2020 Spring Registration
Name ___________________________________________________ Phone __________________ Cell______________________________
Address _________________________________________________ Email _________________________________
City/Town ______________________________________________ State____________________ Zip ______________________________
Emergency Contact: Name_______________________________ Phone _____________________________________
1. Indicate Your Membership Category
Spring term Membership -$165 _______ (January-July 2020) *Please note that Spring members may participate in
the WISE June annual meeting, activities, lectures, clubs and trips
Upgrade to Full year membership -$100 _______ (For 2019 Fall members, extends membership to July 2020)
2. Enter Course Numbers (Example C3, D8) In Order Of Preference. (For paper registrants only)
Since some courses fill early, please list all alternative courses you may be interested in.
Session C Course Session D Course
1st choice ___________ 1st choice ___________ Session C: Feb. 3–March 6, 2020
2nd choice ___________ 2nd choice ___________
3rd choice ___________ 3rd choice ___________ Session D: March 23–May 1, 2020
4th choice ___________ 4th choice ___________
5th choice ___________ 5th choice ___________
3. Courses per Session
If all of your above choices are available to you, how many courses do you want to take for each session? Please do
not state more than you will actually show up for.
Session C: _________ Session D: _________
4. Volunteer Opportunities The organization’s success depends on the network of volunteers within our community.
Refer to the WISE Committee & Volunteer Facts Sheet for descriptions and indicate your area of interest:
Class Assistant Communications Council
Finance Special Events Curriculum
WISE Clubs (Baseball, Book, Movie, Non-Fiction, Writing)
WISE Special Interest Groups (Supreme Court, Environmental)
5. Please complete this form and return with payment
Mail: WISE, Assumption College, 500 Salisbury Street, Worcester, MA 01609
Office location: La Maison building, Room 203B
Mailed in course selections will be recorded starting on December 11th at 9am. Online registration is strongly
encouraged and will be available online starting at 12:01am on December 11th. Registrations after December 11th
are accepted for courses with available space. You will receive a confirmation email for every course you have enrolled
in. Please refer to page 2 of this catalog for more information about the registration process.
{Office Use Only} Amount Received: $________________ Date Received: _____________________ Credit Card: ______ Check: _______
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