Classes, Courses, and Lectures
Trips
There are three types of trips planned: museum walks and talks, walking tours, and bus trips.
Museum Walks and Talks
- Museum of Arts and Design—March 24
- Poster House—March 31
- Morgan Library and Museum—April 2
- Center for Italian Art—April 21
- Metropolitan Museum of Art—May 5
Walking Tours
- Weeksville Heritage Center—March 1
- Noguchi Museum and Socrates Park—April 26
- Historic Sheepshead Bay—April 27
- A Historic Walking Tour Through the Town of Flatbush—May 4
- Financial District Walking Tour—May 11
Bus Trips
- Hunterdon Playhouse—May 3: Million Dollar Quartet
- Paper Mill Playhouse—June 2: Rent
Spring 2023 Classes
Monday
The Short Story: Here and There
February 6–May 1
10:30–11:45 a.m.
The art form of the short story offers a unique opportunity to explore how fiction can reflect or imitate life. Participants choose stories that stimulate discussion and thought.
Instructor: Rotating facilitators
The Constitution in the News (in-person class)*
February 6 and 27; March 6, 13, 20, and 27
1:15–2:45 p.m.
Bedford Room, second floor, Student Center
* Pre-registration is required for this class. Contact the BLL office to sign up.
This course will examine the U.S. Constitution and Supreme Court cases relevant to abortion, immigration, guns, and public safety (vaccines).
Instructor: Dianne Stillman practiced law for more than 20 years, and was an adjunct professor of law and a high school English teacher. She has written about public education. As her BLL students know, she is both knowledgeable and warm, encouraging questions and discussion.
Actor's Workshop
February 13–May 1
12:30–2:30 p.m.
This is your opportunity to tap into your creative side and explore your hidden talents, but most of all to have fun! Come join us. This class has an end-of-term performance on May 8, 12:30–2 p.m.
Instructors: Julie Kirshner graduated from Brooklyn College with a degree in theater and a master’s degree in English. She is a professional actor. Sunny Brandler is a retired CUNY professor who holds a B.A., M.S.W., and M.A. in English literature and a doctorate from Adelphi University. Judith Reiss, stage manager, is an accomplished singer, actor, and dancer.
Spanish for Beginners
February 13–May 1
2:45–4 p.m.
This class will focus on oral communications and practical use of the language. Students will learn about culture and useful expressions, basic grammar, vocabulary, and phrases aimed to interact and survive in a Spanish-speaking context.
Instructor: Nilita Leon is a certificated teacher with an exceptional knowledge of Spanish-speaking countries.
Tuesday
The African Experience: From "Lucy" to Mandela
February 7–May 2 (except March 28 and April 11)
1–2:15 p.m.
In this lecture series, Professor Kenneth Vickery, an award-winning and Yale-trained historian, reveals Africa in all its complexity, grandeur, tragedy, and resilience. His extensive research and understanding of the material provide the historical background that underlies events occurring in present-day Africa.
Contemporary Book Club
February 7, March 7, April 4, May 2*, June 6*
10–11:30 a.m.
* Tentatively planned as in-person classes, in 241 Library.
We will discuss Death in Her Hands, by Ottessa Moshfegh (February 7); The Promise, by Damon Galgut (March 7); Haven, by Emma Donoghue (April 4); Bewilderment, by Richard Powers (May 2); and Horse, by Geraldine Brooks (June 6).
Instructor: Rotating facilitators
Mystery Book Club
February 21, March 21, April 1, May 16
10–11:15 a.m.
The class will discuss four mystery and suspense novels: The Long Goodbye, by Raymond Chandler (February 21); The House on the Strand, by Daphne Du Maurier (March 21); The It Girl, by Ruth Ware (April 1); and O Caledonia, by Elspeth Barker (May 16).
Instructor: Richard Redmond is retired from the IT department of a major investment bank. Prior to that he worked as a librarian for many years.
Classic Book Club
February 28, March 28, April 25, May 23, June 20
10–11:30 a.m.
We will discuss Tolstoy's War and Peace over multiple sessions in the spring. The novel chronicles the French invasion of Russia and the impact of the invasion and of the Napoleonic era on Russian society through the stories of five aristocratic Russian families.
Instructor: Richard Redmond is retired from the IT department of a major investment bank. Prior to that he worked as a librarian for many years.
Understanding Hearing Loss: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Resources
March 28
12:30–1:45 p.m.
This class provides an understanding of the different types and causes of hearing loss. An overview of the audiological evaluation will be given as well as possible treatment options for hearing loss. Resources to help individuals with hearing loss will be included as well.
Instructor: Rivka Strom has been teaching and supervising graduate students in CUNY's doctoral audiology program for many years. She herself is a proud CUNY graduate who is passionate about audiology and helping individuals with hearing loss. When Dr. Strom is not with her students, she can be found working in her private audiology practice.
Wednesday
Reading The New York Times Science Section
February 8–May 3 (except April 12)
10:30–11:30 a.m.
Great things are happening in the world of science today. Read and bring the Tuesday New York Times Science Section to class for our informative discussions about the latest breakthroughs.
Instructor: Leslie Jacobson, a longtime professor of health and nutrition sciences and a “founding mother” of IRPE/BLL, has been a major supporter of our organization since its beginning.
Current Events Discussion Group
February 8–May 3 (except April 12)
12:30–2 p.m.
Staying abreast of current events allows you to have a better understanding of the world around you. It helps you develop informed opinions and make decisions about issues that affect your life. Participants will discuss local, national, and international news. Come tell us what you think.
Facilitator: Robert Mishaan is member of BLL and has taught a number of classes on varied subjects that he believes would be of interest to fellow members.
Thursday
Great Documentaries
February 9–May 4 (except April 6 and 13)
10:30 a.m.–noon
We will explore aspects of contemporary culture through their representation in documentary films and discuss them. Where are we and how did we get here? This course ranges widely, looking at everything from the arts to life in other countries, war, politics, and medical crises.
Instructors: David Krupp taught in the New York City school system for 45 years. Annette Libert has been a registered nurse/administrator and educator for 45 years.
Turning Points in Modern History
February 9–May 4 (except April 6 and 13)
12:30–1:45 p.m.
We will get a unique view of world history by recounting fascinating stories of the discoveries, inventions, upheavals, and ideas that shaped the modern world. In a series of lectures, we will learn of unexpected connections between events and figures and their long-term impact on history and our lives today.
Beginnings: First Steps in Hebrew Consciousness
February 9 and 16
2:15–3:30 p.m.
Using ancient Near Eastern examples as background, Professor Sasson wil explain how ancient Israel initiated its own history by crafting a sequence of two original narratives.
Instructor: Jack M. Sasson is Kenan Professor of Religious Studies (emeritus, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) and Werthan Professor of Biblical and Judaic Studies (emeritus, Vanderbilt University). He is past president of the International Association for Assyriology and of the American Oriental Society. He publishes widely on Biblical as well as Mesopotamian subjects and has directed many adult education programs.
Friday
American Film Genres
February 10–May 5 (except April 7)
10:30 a.m.–noon
We will explore the evolution of American film genres. We will first examine the appearance of silent films in the early 20th century, and then continue on with the development of the following film genres, in order: science fiction, film scores, suspense as exemplified by Alfred Hitchcock's films, war and anti-war, musicals, drama as exemplified by Stanley Kubrick's films, westerns, film noir, and horror. After videos are shown, discussion will follow.
Instructor: Sol Makon has had a longstanding interest in cinema. This course will enable BLL members to expand their knowledge and appreciation of film.
Mah Jongg (in-person class)*
March 3–May 5 (except April 7)
11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Student Center
* Pre-registration is required for this class. Contact the BLL office to sign up.
Mah Jongg is a game of skill, strategy, and luck that was developed in China. It is widely played throughout Asia and the entire world. If you are already a player or would like to learn, your opportunity has arrived. We have a talented and experienced teacher in Irene Nachinoff. In addition to teaching basic play, Nachinoff also provides information about the National Mah Jongg League Rules and can assist those players looking to improve strategies and defensive moves.
Instructor: Irene Nachinoff is a retired New York City school teacher who now devotes her skills to the teaching of the popular game of Mah Jongg.
One, Two, Three…Infinity
April 21
1–3 p.m.
The title of this lecture is that of a book by the eminent American physicist George Gamow. We will consider the place and role of infinity in mathematics and some of its strange properties. We will also see if we should refer to "infinities" rather than merely "infinity." Isn't it remarkable that our presumably finite minds can comprehend and deal with the infinite?
Instructor: Fred Friedland teaches mathematics at Baruch College (CUNY). He has given lectures at BLL/IRPE since 1990.
