International Human Rights
Led by Dr. Paul Magnarella
Highland Farms Men’s Lounge, Fountain Building
Monday Classes: April 2–23, 2012
9:30–11:30 a.m.
This course will deal with human rights cross-culturally, focusing on the history and philosophies of the concept, its development, major human rights conventions, universalism versus cultural relativism, gender, self-determination, and human rights in peace and in war. It will also cover the nature and function of national and international organizations that work to promote universal human rights and peace.
Dr. Paul Magnarella holds a Ph.D. from Harvard and a J.D. from the University of Florida College of Law. He serves as Director of Warren Wilson College’s Peace and Justice Studies program, and has served as Expert-on-Mission with the UN Criminal Tribunal for Yugoslavia.
Dr. Magnarella has offered college courses on human rights for many years, and has published widely on the subject. His most recent book is Human Rights in Our Time (2009.)
Iran’s Politics and Religion: Before and After the Islamic Revolution
Led by Mary Lasher
Highland Farms Men’s Lounge, Fountain Building
Monday Classes: April 2–23, 2012
2:00–4:00 p.m.
After a brief overview of Iran’s storied ancient empires, we will discuss its conversion to Shia Islam in 1500, the Qujar and Pahlavi dynasties, and rising popular protests against Western imperialism in Iran since the 1890s. There will also be discussion about the U.S.’s involvement in Iran since World War II , the Islamic Revolution led by Khomeini, and the current regime of Supreme Leader Khamenei and President Ahmadinejad, including their quest for nuclear power.
Mary Lasher is a North Carolinian who graduated from Duke University with a B.A. and M.A. in history. Since then, she has taught in public school and at the University of Alabama and Furman University. In the past ten years, she has focused on the Middle East and taught many courses for seniors relating to the Middle East. She is now retired and lives in Asheville, NC. She’s also taught Elderhostels at Montreat.
America’s Political Dilemma: Paranoia, Big Money, and Anti-Humanism
Led by Dr. George Yates
Highland Farms Men’s Lounge, Fountain Building
Wednesday Classes: April 4–25, 2012
9:30–11:30 a.m.
The vast majority of America’s adults agree that their nation’s current political system is dysfunctional. What are the primary problems contributing to the deterioration of our democracy? Obviously, that depends upon the political beliefs of the person answering the question. This course takes a relatively moderate position in its discussion of three of those problems: a political paranoia that has polarized America’s politics; huge amounts of money anonymously contributed to various politicians’ campaigns; and a dismissive political attitude toward fellow Americans that can best be described as anti-humanist.
Dr. George C. Yates is an Associate Professor Emeritus of the University of North Carolina at Asheville and has 20 years’ experience in corporate management. His scholastic expertise is in strategic and international management. George received a B.S. in structural engineering from California State Polytechnic University; an M.S. in management from the University of California at Los Angeles; and a Ph.D. in management from the University of North Texas. He and his wife have three grown children.
Enneagram: A Tool for Self-Understanding and Lifelong Transformation
Led by Reverend Canon Robert (Gus) Boone
Highland Farms Men’s Lounge, Fountain Building
Wednesday Classes: April 4–25, 2012
2:00–4:00 p.m.
Join us as we begin an exploration of the nine types of human beings we encounter along our individual journeys.The Enneagram is a helpful tool of universal insight into human nature that offers us a means for deepening our personal growth. It is not a spiritual path, but rather a model that helps us better understand ourselves as spiritual presences in the world. Often, our personalities mask the essential qualities God gives us for living and serving in the world. Enneagram training enables us to identify these roadblocks and to develop patterns of awareness for growth and transformation from self-deception to real self-knowledge. The method is neither a quick-fix fad nor a spiritual band-aid, but it does provide us with an important framework for lifelong learning and for living more compassionately with those who differ from us—like a spouse, children, grandchildren, siblings, coworkers, and even our best friends!
An experienced teacher, group facilitator, author, and speaker, Rev. Boone was Canon for Lifelong Christian Formation in the Diocese of Western North Carolina. He served on program groups for Kanuga Conferences, was a member of the Episcopal Council for Christian Education, and is a founding member of the National Association of Episcopal Education Directors. His professional training in Enneagram is through the Enneagram Institute with Russ Hudson and Don Riso, and he’s led Enneagram training events for national church committees, regional groups, and community organizations. He holds an M.A. in special education and an M.Div. from St. Luke’s School of Theology in Sewanee, TN. He is married to Sharon Carleton, organist and adjunct faculty member of Montreat College.
Early Christian Teachings
Led by Dr. Douglas W. Johnson
Highland Farms Fountain Building, Conference Room
Friday Classes: April 6–May 11, 2012
9:30–11:30 a.m.
This course will be based on Dr. Johnson’s book, The Great Jesus Debates. It will study how basic Christian teachings (such as trinity and grace) were developed from the New Testament onwards.
Dr. Johnson is a retired minister and professor. He holds degrees from the University of Chicago, Lutheran School of Theology, and Harvard Divinity School. His Ph.D. (with Honors) is in the history of Christian thought. He has received several “Excellence in Teaching” awards.
From Sticks and Stones to Symphonic Tones
Led by Doug Murray
Carver Center, 101 Carver Avenue, Black Mountain, NC—Classroom
Friday Classes: April 6–27, 2012
9:30–11:30 a.m.
What do termites have to do with brass instruments? What are the oldest known musical instruments still in existence? How did musical instruments develop from their simple beginnings to the complex objects of musical art and technology we hear today? This course will be a survey of the instruments that became our modern brass, woodwind, string, and percussion families, featuring in-class demonstrations of musical instruments from many cultures and opportunities for hands-on music making. Class members will see and hear musical examples from the ancient to the modern. From ram’s horn to French horn, eagle bone to silver flute, talking drum to timpani, hunter’s bow to violin, each modern instrument has its own fascinating story.
Doug Murray is a retired public school music teacher. He has been a guest lecturer and a performer at several Georgia colleges in the field of world music. He currently plays Irish traditional music in area sessions, facilitates the Asheville Ukulele Society’s biweekly jams, and plays the Native American flute with the Carolinas Flute Circle.
Doug lives in Black Mountain.
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Registration Each course is $20 with a membership. If you haven’t already paid the fall or winter term fee, the spring membership fee is $20. If you have questions, please email Bob or call him at 828.669.6423. Send your registration form to: |
Reception and orientation
March 28, 2012
Highland Farms Men’s Lounge, Fountain Building
2:00 p.m.
End-of-term honorarium lunch
April 25, 2012
Howerton Cafeteria Private Dining Room
Lunch is $5.85.
*Wear your McCall membership name tag.
Support for the savvy S.E.N.I.O.R.
April 27, 2012
Chapel of the Prodigal
3:00–4:30 p.m.
Led by geriatric care coordinator Jill Richardson from Always Best Care Senior Services in Asheville, we’re offering three 20-minute presentations from area professionals with information about products and services (no-cost and low-cost) available to senior adults. Following the presentations, there will be open time for attendees to openly ask questions for interactive discussion and to meet with the presenters one on one to address any specific questions or interests they may have. The planned topics are: