CLU’s Fifty And Better Program Announces The Winter Session

UNIVERSITY-LEVEL LECTURES OFFERED TO THE COMMUNITY

Fifty and Better Program Announces the Winter Session

THOUSAND OAKS, CA — In mid-January, California Lutheran University’s Fifty and Better (FAB) program will begin its winter session with lectures, a special course, Tai Chi, and tours. All lectures and the course will be available virtually, with select lectures available in person as well.

The Winter session runs January 18^th-February 22^nd.

One of the highlights of the FABulous Winter session is a very special six-week course that will attempt to unpack the history of Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank. Dr. Jason Hensley will examine the history of the area and the roots of the conflict between Israel and Palestine.

The FABulous Winter Lecture Series offers individual and two-part lectures on a wide range of topics. In recognition of International Holocaust Remembrance Day, the lecture series begins with a free virtual tour of the Holocaust Museum LA and a talk from a Holocaust survivor.

In other lectures: Katherine Zoraster will discuss the immigrant painters and sculptors who dominated the new art scene of Montparnasse in Paris prior to World War II; Dr. Kirstie Hettinga will explore how journalists report on conflict and include how news agencies are handling the trauma their war correspondents experience; Eleanor Schrader will examine American Romanticism through the works of the Hudson River School artists; Dr. Herb Gooch will delve into the relationship between China, Russia, and the United States; Sharon Boorstin will take a look at Los Angeles during World War II; Sam and Candy Caponegro will explore ten musical films that have won the Academy Award for Best Picture; Harry Medved will talk about Ventura County’s connection to Oscar-winning celebrities and classic films; and Christine Maasdam will explore the artistic impact of the women of The Bauhaus.

During the winter session, FAB is also offering a 5-week introduction to Tai Chi and Qigong course at the Thousand Oaks Campus.

FAB is also offering new tours: a free private tour of the “Print+” exhibit given by the exhibit’s curator, Sheila Goloborotko, at the William Rolland Gallery at Cal Lutheran’s Thousand Oaks campus; and a free tour of the Santa Paula Art Museum, which will include a walk through the museum exhibits with discussions about central pieces of artwork.

Several courses and lectures will be delivered in a “HyFlex” format – FAB students may attend the same lecture in-person or virtually. Students attending virtually will access the lectures via Zoom.

All courses and lectures meet for two hours, one day each week. FAB’s in-person courses and lectures will meet at Cal Lutheran’s main campus in Thousand Oaks or Cal Lutheran’s satellite campus in Oxnard. Parking is free at both locations. The Six-week course is $45 each; lectures are $10 each or bundle the series for $60.

FAB was designed to offer university-level courses with no tests or homework taught by experts in the field and to host social engagement activities for individuals 50 years of age and older. When COVID-19 erupted and the first-ever offering of in-person courses had to be postponed indefinitely, Cal Lutheran responded by being the first program in the area to offer courses virtually via Zoom. The first year of the program was a success, giving those most impacted by the pandemic an outlet to continue learning and networking. Additionally, the student base grew with approximately 40% of FAB students living out of the local area. The program has continued to thrive and is entering its fourth year.

Devoted FAB student, Susan Salmore shared, “I keep coming back to FAB because I enjoy being part of this educational community. There is always a variety of interesting courses offered and the instructors are excellent…FAB offers an opportunity for me to stay active in my retirement, both intellectually and socially.”

To register for the winter, go to CalLutheran.edu/fab. For more information, visit the website or contact Christina Tierney at fab@callutheran.edu or 805.493.3290.