Keep the conversation going when the next series of Let's Talk Current Events begins shortly after the winter sessions come to an end. Engage in stimulating conversation with a group of curious, well-informed, and friendly news junkies each week to discuss a variety of challenging topics, including popular culture, politics, media issues and other items in the news — at the local, national and international levels. Bring your observations and an open mind to facilitated round-table discussions. This spring, we have two online and one in-person sessions planned for this perenially favorite course. Grab one of the remaining spots quickly or add your name to the wait list to be notified when new sections open.

• Let's Talk Current Events: Topics in the News (12465) meets Wednesday mornings online with Alfred Hunt, starting April 3, 2024.
• Let's Talk Current Events: Topics in the News (12466) meets Thursday mornings online with Alfred Hunt, starting April 4, 2024.
• Let's Talk Current Events: Topics in the News (12464) meets Tuesday mornings in person with Edward Ginsberg, starting April 16, 2024.

Also resuming this spring is the next installment of Moral Dilemmas, Case Studies in Justice, Ethics, and Morality (12463), beginning Tuesday, April 16, 2024. Modeled after Harvard political theorist Michael Sandel's famous Socratic course and companion book, Justice: What's the Right Thing to Do?, this discussion class tackles different moral dilemmas in which the answers are not clear and decisions have dramatic real world consequences. This series will not repeat any of the scenarios covered in previous terms. Newcomers are always welcome.

New to SAS this term are two different courses designed to challenge your assumptions on a wide variety of issues. Led by instructor Tamar Arnowitz, Truth vs. Truths (12586) will probe the concepts of a single truth versus the potential for multiple truths in a given situation. The goal is to think more critically, be open to others, be aware of bias and misperception and how they impact our thinking. This two-session morning class starts Wednesday, May 1, 2024.

Arnowitz's second course, Disagree with Respect (12588) begins once her first course ends, meeting on three Wednesday mornings starting May 22, 2024. Wade into the complicated and difficult topic of interacting with others when we disagree on trigger-laden issues such as religion, parenting, education, or diversity. Using NPR's show "This I Believe" as a model, find common ground in some core beliefs, knowing that the goal is not to persuade others but to encourage respect for beliefs that differ from one's own.

Week of March 24, 2024

Special Events

• Author Visit and Book Discussion: Thrity Umrigar, The Museum of Failures (2023) (12441)

Architecture

• Must-See Buildings in Europe: Villa Barbaro at Maser, Veneto, Italy (12361)

Art Appreciation

• Contemporary Artists of the Post-Pandemic Art Scene: Bruce Nauman (12339)

Arts & Crafts

• Knitting for All Levels (12476)* New start date

Fitness and Dance

• Walk 15® (12453)

Games

• Bridge: Supervised Play (12525)

Languages

• Intermediate to Advanced Conversational Spanish (12589)

Literature

• Novellas About the Shaping of Identity (12483)
• Book Discussion: Absolution (2023) by Alice McDermott (12515)* Pair this with the author visit special event on Monday, May 6, 2024 (Course 12590), separate registration required

Walking Tours

• Walking Tour: Going Dark: The Contemporary Figure at the Edge of Visibility at the Guggenheim (12434)

Week of March 31, 2024

Special Events

• Author Visit: Will Schwalbe, We Should Not Be Friends (2023) (12440)

Art Appreciation

• Contemporary Artists of the Post-Pandemic Art Scene: Anselm Kiefer (12340)

Arts & Crafts

• Portrait Drawing (12484)
• Express Yourself Through Collage (12536)
• Open Studio Painting for All Levels (12560)
• Paper Quilling (12556)
• Watercolor Painting (12559)
• Collage Creation (12601)
• Introduction to Drawing and Acrylic Painting (12538)

Current Events and Politics

• Let's Talk Current Events: Topics in the News (Wednesday mornings: 12465; Thursday mornings: 12466)

Fitness and Dance

• Movement to Music (Tuesdays in-person: 12444; Tuesdays online: 12445; Thursdays online: 12446)
• Sit and Be Fit: Chair-Based Body Sculpting (Tuesday afternoons online: 12450; Thursday mornings online: 12451; Thursday mornings in-person: 12541)
• Body Sculpting (Thursday mornings in-person: 12449; Thursday afternoons online: 12448)
• Total Body Workout with Bands (12452)

Games

• Beginner Canasta (Tuesday evenings: 12331; Thursday mornings: 12330)
• Canasta: Supervised Play (Tuesday evenings: 12561; Thursday afternoons: 12329)

Languages

• Intermediate German (Tuesday mornings: 12506; Tuesday afternoons: 12498)
• Advanced Beginner Spanish (12522)
• Intermediate Spanish (12518)
• Advanced Spanish (12516)
• Advanced Conversational Spanish (12520)

Performing Arts

• Ring Your Bell for Beginners (12530)

All upcoming classes are listed in the Printer-Friendly, Interactive Version of our Spring/Summer 2024 Catalog. New classes are added in real time.

Class times are for the Eastern Time Zone. Please check regularly for additional options to keep you engaged and learning, whether from the comforts of home or through our expansive number of in-person options.