By TANE ADAMS
Director of Corporate Services

GOSHEN — The Lifelong Learning Institute of Elkhart County provides short courses in many fields for active seniors. There are no tests or grades, and no previous studies or degrees are required.

The fall Lifelong Learning Institute course brochures are available at the Goshen College Welcome Center and the Greencroft Goshen Community Center. Course descriptions can also be found online by clicking on “Sign Up for Courses.” Registration may be done online at the LLI website or at the Goshen College Welcome Center, 1700 S. Main St., Goshen. Registration may also be made by phone and paid by credit card by calling (574) 535-7566.   

The eight fall courses are:

• Psychology and Daily Life by Duane Kauffmann — 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Aug. 24, 26, 31 and Sept. 2, at Jennings Auditorium

We will discuss what it means for psychology to define itself as a science in the context of applied topics in developmental psychology, clinical psychology, experimental psychology, and social psychology.

• The Book of Job and its Tradition by Paul Keim — 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Sept. 9, 11, 16, 18, at Jennings Auditorium  

We will explore the various uses of the Job tradition in religion and culture, and suggest ways in which it remains a vital resource for pondering the meaning of human happiness and suffering.

• Mennonite-Catholic Connections by Glen Miller — 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 22, 24, 29, Oct. 1 at Jennings Auditorium

We will explore current connections between Catholics and Mennonites through stories of intermarriage, living peaceably as neighbors, teaching in each other’s universities, and joining hands in each other’s service agencies.  

• Poetic Forms by Wilbur Birky — 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Oct. 5, 7, 12, 14 at Jennings Auditorium

 We will consider ways in which poetic form may express culture or era via samples from the Bible, classical Greece, Dante’s “Divine Comedy,” Shakespeare’s sonnets, 18th and 19th century forms, 20th century “free verse,” war and “protest” poetry, African American forms, as well as a few from Costa Rica, Japan, and China. 

• A Glimpse into Goshen’s Guilds by John Hertzler — 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Oct. 19, 21, 22, 26, 28, at Jennings Auditorium

There are lots of “creative juices” flowing in Goshen, notably among members of a variety of guilds established here in recent years. We will hear representatives of five of these Goshen Guilds: Painters, Jewelers, Clay Artists, Photographers, and Woodworkers. They will highlight their activities, and will display or share some of their creations. 

• Absurdist Drama and the American Dream by Ervin Beck — 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Nov. 3, 5, 10, 12, at Jennings Auditorium

“The Bald Soprano” is a European absurdist drama by Eugene Ionesco, and Edward Albee’s “American Dream” is its American counterpart. “True West” by Sam Shepard illustrates the effect of absurdism on American realist drama. All show the persistence of the American Dream in cynical times. The Ionesco and Albee plays will be presented by a readers’ theater group, and the Shepard play by a recorded performance.

• Christian Communities of the Middle East by John Lapp — 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Nov. 16, 18, 20, 23, at Jennings Auditorium

We will explore the geography of Christian Middle Eastern communities, the secrets of their survival, and their current jeopardy.

• Festival of Carols by Mary Oyer — 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Nov. 30, Dec. 2, 3, 7, at Jennings Auditorium

We will study the music to be performed at the annual “Festival of Carols” at Goshen College on Dec. 4, 5, and 6. Class guests may include some of the directors and student performers.  The session on Dec. 3 will feature the class’s exclusive attendance at the afternoon dress rehearsal.