Senior Scholars is an 11-week program that meets three afternoons per week and features academic lectures by university faculty and local experts on a variety of topics. While the format is lecture style, the afternoons are informal and interactive with an opportunity to ask questions and discuss the topics of the day. The Senior Scholars Council, an elected group of volunteers, helps with the program’s administration and participates in planning the classes.
Senior Scholars is supported by a generous gift from the Jane and Jon Outcalt Foundation.
Fall 2017
Tuesdays
Origins Science Series
This course will introduce senior scholars to six of the biggest questions in the Origins Sciences. Topics range from the first moments of the universe to the only very recently evolved human mind. Each session will focus on one of these issues and will include both lecture and discussion. Optional readings will be suggested.
Lecturers: Glenn Starkman, Professor of Physics, Case Western Reserve University.
Patricia Princehouse, Director, Evolutionary Biology Program, CWRU
Tuesdays, September 5 – October 10
The Reformation
It was five hundred years ago that Martin Luther posted his 95 theses on the door of the Wittenberg Cathedral. Today people are saying there needs to be a “Muslim Reformation.” This is, then, a good time to look back at the series of events we call the Protestant Reformation to see how, why and in which ways, the religious landscape of the West was radically changed. The course will look at the background of the Reformation and at four of its most influential streams: Lutheranism, Calvinism, the English Reformation and the radical reformations. We will also look at the Roman Catholic Counter-Reformation.
Lecturer: Peter Haas, Emeritus Professor of Jewish Studies, Case Western Reserve University
Tuesdays, October 17 – November 14
Wednesdays
The Roberts Court
The Supreme Court had only eight Justices for much of its 2016-17 term, but it nonetheless decided a number of important cases. Law School faculty will present lectures on cases recently before the U.S. Supreme Court on a wide range of issues, including predatory lending and subprime loans; the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA); racial bias on juries; and state funding for religious schools.
Lecturers: Faculty, School of Law, Case Western Reserve University
Wednesdays, September 6– October 4
Jazz – From Its Origins to the Present
Jazz History is American History. Join us as we dig into the roots of jazz, its explosion in the 1920s and the swing era and its eventual transition into art music. Special emphasis on Jelly Roll Morton, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, and even some music from the instructor.
Lecturer: Paul Ferguson, Senior Instructor, Department of Music, Case Western Reserve University; Artistic Director, Cleveland Jazz Orchestra
Wednesdays, October 11-November 15
Thursdays
U.S. and Latin Relations: From The Cold War to the Trump Administration
This course will examine the major events and policies that shaped the relationships between the United States and the Latin American nations. In the process we will examine how the Cold War shaped U.S. views towards the region, how economic policies and political conflicts impacted migration and immigration patterns, and how U.S. history tends to ignore Latin American perspectives towards the US.
Lecturer: Jose Sola, Associate Professor of History, Cleveland State University
Thursdays, September 7-October 12
Turkey: Understanding the Present by Seeing the Past
For many years news about Turkey was rarely found on the front pages of the daily news—whether in hard copy or on the web. For the past several years, and particularly, after the failed coup of July 15, 2016, events in Turkey have achieved a new prominence. Yet, for many Turkey remains a mystery.
This course will look at the history of Turkey, beginning with prehistoric settlement and moving on to the rise and fall of the Ottoman Empire. It will conclude with a close look at the history of the current Turkish Republic, created in 1923, with a special focus on economics, education, and religion and a detailed examination of the events which brought that nation back to the front page.
Lecturer: John Grabowski, Associate Professor of Applied History, Case Western Reserve University
Thursdays, October 19-November 16
Spring 2018
(TBD)
Landmark Centre | Lifelong Learning Members: $350; Nonmembers: $385 | REGISTER >
Fall 2017
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays September 5 - November 16 | 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Tuesdays
Origins Science Series
This course will introduce senior scholars to six of the biggest questions in the Origins Sciences. Topics range from the first moments of the universe to the only very recently evolved human mind. Each session will focus on one of these issues and will include both lecture and discussion. Optional readings will be suggested.
Lecturers: Glenn Starkman, Professor of Physics, Case Western Reserve University.
Patricia Princehouse, Director, Evolutionary Biology Program, CWRU
Tuesdays, September 5 – October 10
The Reformation
It was five hundred years ago that Martin Luther posted his 95 theses on the door of the Wittenberg Cathedral. Today people are saying there needs to be a “Muslim Reformation.” This is, then, a good time to look back at the series of events we call the Protestant Reformation to see how, why and in which ways, the religious landscape of the West was radically changed. The course will look at the background of the Reformation and at four of its most influential streams: Lutheranism, Calvinism, the English Reformation and the radical reformations. We will also look at the Roman Catholic Counter-Reformation.
Lecturer: Peter Haas, Emeritus Professor of Jewish Studies, Case Western Reserve University
Tuesdays, October 17 – November 14
Wednesdays
The Roberts Court
The Supreme Court had only eight Justices for much of its 2016-17 term, but it nonetheless decided a number of important cases. Law School faculty will present lectures on cases recently before the U.S. Supreme Court on a wide range of issues, including predatory lending and subprime loans; the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA); racial bias on juries; and state funding for religious schools.
Lecturers: Faculty, School of Law, Case Western Reserve University
Wednesdays, September 6– October 4
Jazz – From Its Origins to the Present
Jazz History is American History. Join us as we dig into the roots of jazz, its explosion in the 1920s and the swing era and its eventual transition into art music. Special emphasis on Jelly Roll Morton, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, and even some music from the instructor.
Lecturer: Paul Ferguson, Senior Instructor, Department of Music, Case Western Reserve University; Artistic Director, Cleveland Jazz Orchestra
Wednesdays, October 11-November 15
Thursdays
U.S. and Latin Relations: From The Cold War to the Trump Administration
This course will examine the major events and policies that shaped the relationships between the United States and the Latin American nations. In the process we will examine how the Cold War shaped U.S. views towards the region, how economic policies and political conflicts impacted migration and immigration patterns, and how U.S. history tends to ignore Latin American perspectives towards the US.
Lecturer: Jose Sola, Associate Professor of History, Cleveland State University
Thursdays, September 7-October 12
Turkey: Understanding the Present by Seeing the Past
For many years news about Turkey was rarely found on the front pages of the daily news—whether in hard copy or on the web. For the past several years, and particularly, after the failed coup of July 15, 2016, events in Turkey have achieved a new prominence. Yet, for many Turkey remains a mystery.
This course will look at the history of Turkey, beginning with prehistoric settlement and moving on to the rise and fall of the Ottoman Empire. It will conclude with a close look at the history of the current Turkish Republic, created in 1923, with a special focus on economics, education, and religion and a detailed examination of the events which brought that nation back to the front page.
Lecturer: John Grabowski, Associate Professor of Applied History, Case Western Reserve University
Thursdays, October 19-November 16
Landmark Centre | Lifelong Learning Members: $235; Nonmembers: $260 | REGISTER >
Tuesdays, September 5-November 14 | 1:30–3:30 p.m.
Origins Science Series
This course will introduce senior scholars to six of the biggest questions in the Origins Sciences. Topics range from the first moments of the universe to the only very recently evolved human mind. Each session will focus on one of these issues and will include both lecture and discussion. Optional readings will be suggested.
Lecturers: Glenn Starkman, Professor of Physics, Case Western Reserve University; Patricia Princehouse, Director, Evolutionary Biology Program, CWRU
Tuesdays, September 5 – October 10
Download the syllabus: Origins Science Series - Senior Scholars Fall 2017 Tuesdays
The Reformation
It was five hundred years ago that Martin Luther posted his 95 theses on the door of the Wittenberg Cathedral. Today people are saying there needs to be a “Muslim Reformation.” This is, then, a good time to look back at the series of events we call the Protestant Reformation to see how, why and in which ways, the religious landscape of the West was radically changed. The course will look at the background of the Reformation and at four of its most influential streams: Lutheranism, Calvinism, the English Reformation and the radical reformations. We will also look at the Roman Catholic Counter-Reformation.
Lecturer: Peter Haas, Emeritus Professor of Jewish Studies, Case Western Reserve University
Tuesdays, October 17 – November 14
Landmark Centre | Lifelong Learning Members: $115; Nonmembers: $135 | REGISTER >
Wednesdays, September 6-November 15 | 1:30–3:30 p.m.
The Roberts Court
The Supreme Court had only eight Justices for much of its 2016-17 term, but it nonetheless decided a number of important cases. Law School faculty will present lectures on cases recently brought before the U.S. Supreme Court on a wide range of issues, including predatory lending and subprime loans; the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA); racial bias on juries; and state funding for religious schools.
Faculty, School of Law, Case Western Reserve University
Wednesdays, September 6– October 4
Download the syllabus: The Roberts Court - Senior Scholars Fall 2017 Wednesdays
Jazz – From Its Origins to the Present
Jazz History is American History. Join us as we dig into the roots of jazz, its explosion in the 1920s and the swing era and its eventual transition into art music. Special emphasis on Jelly Roll Morton, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, and even some music from the instructor.
Lecturer: Lecturer: Paul Ferguson, Senior Instructor, Department of Music, Case Western Reserve University; Artistic Director, Cleveland Jazz Orchestra
Wednesdays, October 11-November 15
Landmark Centre | Lifelong Learning Members: $115; Nonmembers: $135 | REGISTER >
Thursdays, September 7-November 16 | 1:30–3:30 p.m.
U.S. and Latin Relations: From The Cold War to the Trump Administration
This course will examine the major events and policies that shaped the relationships between the United States and the Latin American nations. In the process we will examine how the Cold War shaped U.S. views towards the region, how economic policies and political conflicts impacted migration and immigration patterns, and how U.S. history tends to ignore Latin American perspectives towards the US.
Lecturer: Jose Sola, Associate Professor of History, Cleveland State University
Thursdays, September 7-October 12
Turkey: Understanding the Present by Seeing the Past
For many years news about Turkey was rarely found on the front pages of the daily news—whether in hard copy or on the web. For the past several years, and particularly, after the failed coup of July 15, 2016, events in Turkey have achieved a new prominence. Yet, for many Turkey remains a mystery. This course will look at the history of Turkey, beginning with prehistoric settlement and moving on to the rise and fall of the Ottoman Empire. It will conclude with a close look at the history of the current Turkish Republic, created in 1923, with a special focus on economics, education, and religion and a detailed examination of the events which brought that nation back to the front page.
Lecturer: John Grabowski, Associate Professor of Applied History, Case Western Reserve University
Thursdays, October 19-November 16
Read about John Grabowski in this Think article at case.edu/think/spring2017/historian.html#.WVpILYgrK7
Landmark Centre | Lifelong Learning Members: $115; Nonmembers: $135 | REGISTER >