Fifty And Better Program Announces Summer Lecture Series

UNIVERSITY-LEVEL LECTURES OFFERED TO THE COMMUNITY

THOUSAND OAKS, CA — As California Lutheran University’s Fifty and Better (FAB) program begins its fifth year, it is proud to announce the FABulous Summer Lecture series which begins June 3^rd and concludes August 28^th.

The summer series offers individual and two-part lectures on a wide range of topics. All 2-hour lectures will be available virtually, and nearly half of the lectures will be available in-person.

In a very special lecture in June, the Wall Street Journal’s Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, James Grimaldi, will discuss investigative reporting in a tricky media landscape (this lecture can be attended virtually or in-person at the Thousand Oaks campus).

In other June lectures, Tony Moon will delve into the life of Frank Sinatra; Tracy Dubin will discuss the allure of the Byronic hero; Dr. Jason Hensley will examine the religious views of some of the founders of the United States; Michael Arndt will talk about the theme of love in Shakespeare’s plays and poetry; Steven Becknell will explore what it takes to create and produce music for Hollywood movies; Dr. Kirstie Hettinga will unpack the role of the media in Presidential elections; Eleanor Schrader will discuss the portrayals of animals in art; and Avril Angevine will examine the art world of San Francisco’s beatniks and hippies.

Nearly half of the lectures this summer 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 individual (stand-alone) lectures meet for two hours. FAB’s in-person 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. Lectures are $10 each, bundle 10 lectures across the summer for $75, or bundle the entire lecture series for $220. FAB lectures are open to all, regardless of age.  Registration is open.

In addition to the summer lectures, students can attend various activities with FAB. In June, activities include a virtual tour of a special exhibition at The Broad Museum; a tour of the North Pleasant Valley Desalter plant and learning center; FAB Night at Kingsmen Shakespeare’s production of “Much Ado About Nothing”; and Tai Chi classes.

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 connecting. Since that time, FAB has evolved into a program that offers courses, lectures, and activities year-round.  All courses and lectures are available virtually, with a growing number of them also offered in-person.  FAB has served in excess of 1400 students (and counting), hosted over 90 courses, and has presented more than 150 lectures.  FAB has sponsored tours to museums and places of interest within and external to Ventura County and has hosted “FAB Nights” at the Kingsmen Shakespeare Festival.  Additionally, FAB offers virtual tours of museums such as The Broad and the Holocaust Museum.  Furthermore, FAB offers several free virtual lectures and virtual or in-person tours each year, to create an opportunity for all in our 50+ community to continue learning.

Devoted participant, Cherie Wrigley shared, “I love so many of the class offerings and they keep me very engaged on a regular basis. I love learning in this way. People around me are surprised because I am so hooked on FAB! This program is the best run extended learning program I have ever been involved with. I am so grateful to be a part of the FAB community!”

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