Spring 2008 Course Information

April 8 - May 15 2008

Classes meet for 6 weeks from 3:30-5:30

Download Spring 2008 Course Listing Here

Spring 2008 Registration Form

Tuesday Classes

The Media and Politics

            A behind-the-scenes look at the intriguing symbiotic dance between the “news” media and those who seek and hold official political power in the U.S.   We’ll look at newspapers, magazines, television, radio, and the internet to see how they help shape, and are shaped by politicians and interest groups.  Also – especially relevant in this election year – we’ll examine how opinion polls influence our voting and how the media and office-seekers use these surveys to promote their goals. This course will reinforce your own intuitive sense of what’s really going on! 

 Instructor:  Michael Newbrough, Ph.D

The American Revolution – the Northern Action

          A companion course to “the Revolution through the eyes of a Tory,” this class will follow the exploits of the new American army in New England, particularly the complex roles played by Gen. Benedict Arnold.  We will follow the action through the book by Kenneth Roberts, Rabble in Arms (contact instructor as early as possible).   Class size limited to 10.

 Instructor: Joseph Vitovec

Beginning Birding

          An introduction to the fascinating hobby of observing the variety of birds in our area.  The course will cover birding equipment, how to attract birds to your yard, how to create & maintain birding records, identifying the birds of Skagit County, and a wealth of other information useful to beginning birders.

 Instructor: Joe Halton

Whose Bug Is It, Anyway?

       The return of infectious disease is a current trend facing medicine today.  This course is designed to introduce the miracle of human biology, with its immune functions and its capacity to adapt and defend itself.  We will also investigate the challenges of human cultural practices and change, the manner by which those pesky ‘bugs’ (viruses and bacteria) also adapt, and effects of interaction between human culture and “bug” behavior. Recommended reading: “New Guinea Tapeworms and Jewish Grandmothers” by Desowitz, available on Amazon.com      

 Instructor:  M.J. Mosher, RN, PhD

Globalization and Us

            This will be a conversation about the present and future of the globalization. We will look at the results of technology which have “flattened” the world and the convergences which are transforming economies, cultures, and political behavior.  We will also speculate on the future of jobs, education, wealth and poverty, population growth, and more, as they relate to our lives and those of the rest of the world.  A $5 fee will cover a world population data publication.  Class size limited to 16.

 Instructor: Fred Curow

Thursday Classes

Beginning Conversational Spanish, part III

        This course is the third part of the Spanish class that began in the Fall. It addresses topics of daily communication at the novice level.  Prerequisite: participation in Beginning Conversational Spanish, part II or a basic knowledge of Spanish.

 Instructor: Ruth Vitovec

Memoir Writing

          “I think of life as a good book.  The further you get into it, the more it begins to make sense.” – Harold Kushner

          Have you ever wished someone had written down your parents’ stories?  What could be a more wonderful gift to give present and future family members? While a six-week class isn’t enough time to accomplish a complete autobiography, it can result in a fine collection of memories in the form of short narratives.  The instructor will help participants remember and write about their lives; participants agree to write brief anecdotal accounts of their experiences to be shared at class sessions.  Being an accomplished writer isn’t necessary.  The resulting collection of memoirs – be it six or sixty short stories – will be a truly special gift to children, grandchildren, and generations beyond….

          If you like to write and share stories, you will find this class great fun!

 Instructor: Larry Verbano

Basic Navigation

          This class will focus on the fundamentals of traditional navigation for
the small boat operator navigating in the coastal waters of the San Juan
archipelago.  The text will be Fundamentals of Kayak Navigation (contains   ideas useful to sailors on any small craft). Students will need to purchase a chart and plotting tools.  Students will become familiar with the use of tools, documents, and tables useful to the navigator.  The objectives of the class are to have fun, and to give the student confidence in how to attack practical navigation problems when out on the waters this summer and beyond.   Class size is limited to 12 students.

 Instructor: Jim Taylor

 Geology of the Pacific Northwest

          This course will provide an overview of our region’s geology, emphasizing the Fidalgo Island area and then extending out to our broader region.  We will identify the properties of rocks and minerals of our region, look at the latest plate tectonic ideas, and then investigate how our current geologic setting poses risks through volcanism, earthquakes, flooding, and on-going climate change since the Ice Age.  The course will conclude with an easy-access field trip to some fabulous Fidalgo Island geologic sites that illustrate everything we’ve learned.

Instructor: Brad K. Smith, Ph.D.