Cannon Valley Elder Collegium (CVEC) has announced its course offerings for the Winter Term, 2024 January 8 --- February 28th.

Fifteen courses are being offered: five online via Zoom, six at Village on the Cannon (VOC), two at Northfield Community College Classroom, and two at Kildahl Park Pointe.

Current registration begins November 20 and runs through December 11.  Class size ranges from 15 to 20, in two-hour sessions, meeting once a week, morning or afternoon.  No previous formal education is required. Detailed course descriptions can be found at CVEC.org as well as registration information.

Listings follow: 

“Travel and Ethics” taught by John Barbour, Professor Emeritus of Religion. Considers the ethics of pilgrimage in two religious traditions and contemporary expressions of “spiritual Pilgrimage.” Zoom class.

“Tone and Text and Musico-Poetic Synthesis” taught by Dan Dressen, Professor Emeritus of

Music. The science of voice and singing, and the human impulse to sing and its effects on the performer and listener.

“Braiding Sweetgrass – Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teaching of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer” taught by Susan Evans, a Spiritual Director with degrees in Literature and Theology.  The course will focus on this book with the three strands that are braided together in essay form.

“Jazz Appreciation” (Repeat of Winter 2023 Course) taught by Daved Hagedorn, percussionist and retired college jazz band director. The course is designed to enhance understanding of jazz by understanding how composition and improvisation intersect and change through history.

“Vietnam History, Myths and Misunderstandings” (Repeat of Spring 2023 Course) taught by Paul Kluge, author of several plays and two historical novels. This course explores the history of Vietnam and how that small country found itself a political proxy between world powers in multiple wars.

“Aging is Hard – Can philosophy Help?” taught by Ed Langerak, Professor Emeritus of Philosophy.  The course will explore what philosophers have said that might provide hope for seeing an aging life as worthwhile, if not fulfilling.

“Is the Decline of Christianity in America a Good Thing, Bad Thing, Neither or Both” taught by Jan Linn a retired minister and author of numerous books.  The course will examine the numerical decline of Christianity today and questions that raises. Zoom class

“The 1970’s, Pivotal Decade – Its Music, Politics & Culture” (Repeat of Fall 2022 course) taught by Tim Madigan, retired after 35 years in city management profession.  This course will visit the transition of American society during the 1970’s through optics of music, politics, and culture.

“Holocaust and the Churches” (Repeat of Fall 2020 Course) taught by Rev. John Matthews, retired ELCA pastor and former adjunct professor of religion.  The course is designed for learning about and discussing the Holocaust of the 20^th century in Europe and the active and passive roles of the churches. Zoom class.

 “Establishing Roots Along the River – Northfield’s First Decade” taught by Jackie McNeil, former teacher of history. The course will use the Northfield Historical Society archives to focus on the town’s history before it was founded in 1855 through the Civil war.

 “Astronomy 101” Introduction to the Sky and the Stars (Repeat of Fall 2022 Course) taught by David Nitz, Professor Emeritus of physics and astronomy. The course will explore two topics in astronomy: (1) naked eye astronomy and (2) the nature of stars.

“Light Fantastic” taught by Richard Noer, Professor Emeritus of physics. The course will explore “facts” of past and present understanding of light.

 “The Pursuit of Happiness” taught by Brian O’Donnell, Professor Emeritus of Psychological and Brain Sciences. The class will focus on the experience and causes of happiness and its flip side, suffering. Zoom class.

“What’s Opera, Doc?” taught by Mary Savina Professor Emerita of geology and opera buff. The course will explore why and how opera—a blend of music, theater and literature—can be more than the sum of its parts.

“Myths and Controversies in American Higher Education” taught by Daniel Sullivan, President Emeritus of St. Lawrence University and Fred Ohles, President Emeritus of Nebraska Wesleyan University. This course engages a series of major questions and controversies in American higher education today. Zoom class.

CVEC welcomes younger registrants (under 50) on a seat-available basis.

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