UNIVERSITY-LEVEL LECTURES OFFERED TO THE COMMUNITY
THOUSAND OAKS, CA — June through August, California Lutheran University’s Fifty and Better (FAB) program will offer its FABulous Summer Lecture Series. All 2-hour independent lectures will be available virtually, and several of the lectures will be available in-person.
The summer lecture series offers a range of topics, for example: Dr. David Parsons will delve the history of American amusement parks; Sharon Boorstin will explore the history and stories of Sunset Blvd.; Dr. Herb Gooch will discuss explorers including Cortes and Pizarro; Cary Ginell will take a look at George and Ira Gershwin; Christine Maasdam will survey the famous and infamous art houses of WWII; Katherine Zoraster will unpack Isabella Stewart Gardner and her museum; Dr. Jason Hensley will review the history of genocide (past and present); and Dr. Paul Hanson will examine the architecture of Mughal India.
Several 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.
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 third year.
Ishara Bailis shared, “I appreciate Cal Lutheran offering affordable and high-quality classes for older adults. I know the pandemic made it mandatory to offer classes virtually, but it was also an opportunity for those of us living further away from Cal Lutheran to attend these classes and continue learning. I really appreciate the responsiveness of staff, whenever I have had any questions or issues with registering, etc. As a recently retired individual, I want to continue learning and engaging in subjects of interest to me and going deeper than my current knowledge. The educational opportunities through FAB have allowed me to do this. I know the importance of lifelong learning for one’s mental and physical health and psychological wellbeing – and these classes provide these experiences.”
The FABulous Summer Lecture Series runs June 6, 2022-August 24, 2022.
All independent (stand-alone) lectures meet for two hours. FAB’s in-person lectures will meet at the main campus in Thousand Oaks. Parking is free. Lectures are $10 each or bundle all 28 lectures for $140. Lectures can also be bundled by month at a discounted rate. FAB lectures are open to all, regardless of age.
Registration is on-going through the series.
To register, go to CalLutheran.edu/fab. For more information, visit the website or contact Christina Tierney at [email protected] or 805.493.3290.
