Posts Tagged ‘history’
The History Of Women
Bi-weekly; Week Two; Thursday; 12:15 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
In-person **NEW**
We will discuss the role women played in society throughout the ages from hunter-gatherers to modern times. While women are over half the population, standard history and anthropology texts say little about women and what they accomplished. And though it is a story often left untold, assumptions about women’s roles abound. However, current scholarship is changing those assumptions and the findings may surprise you.
We will examine many similar findings about women that demolish the myth of the ‘weaker sex’. We will shine a light on the little-known history of women, and to do so we will enlist the work of modern historians, archeologists, anthropologists, biologists, economists, and sociologists. In disentangling the past, we will learn about the stellar accomplishments of little-known female artists, writers, and scientists as well as ground-breaking discoveries by women that were credited to men.
Participants may choose to present from a wide range of topics.
Read MoreThe Supremes: Function and Impact of Our Supreme Court
Bi-weekly; Week One; Thursday; 12:15 – 2:15 p.m.
In-person **NEW**
Are you interested in learning more about the highest court in Canada and how it shapes our country’s laws and policies and impacts Canadian society? Do you want to find out about the Supreme Court’s rulings affecting social, moral and ethical issues including reproductive rights, human rights, medical assistance in dying, the environment and indigenous rights? This workshop provides the opportunity to delve into the reasoning of the Court on significant issues affecting us all and to discuss the rationale for the decisions. We will also look at how our top court in Canada operates and how it compares with the US Supreme Court. Regardless of your background, this opportunity to discuss these ground-breaking decisions and issues is sure to provide valuable insights. No technical knowledge of the law or terminology is required and participants have flexible options for presentation.
Read More1848: Springtime of the Peoples
Bi-weekly; Week Two; Monday; 12:15 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
In-person **NEW**
1848 was a pivotal year for the development of modern Europe. The aftermath of the French Revolution and the Napoleanic Wars was playing out in almost every aspect of society. Certainly we see this in politics, with reform movement leading to civil disturbances of different levels of violence even up to actual revolutions in many countries. We also see radical changes in governance, education, finance and economic systems, science and technology, music, theater, architecture, indeed virtually in every human endeavor. It’s true that some of the changes started before, and some of the ramifications didn’t become clear until long after, but the Revolutions of 1848 will be a handy way of referring to these changes.
We expect that every participant will prepare a brief (20-30 minute) presentation, given about 20-24 members in the class. A lower number of participants would allow for longer presentations or more than one presentation per member.
Read MoreDames: Lives of Notorious Women
Bi-weekly; Week One; Tuesday; 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon
Online via Zoom **NEW**
They spurned conventions and broke rules; they shaped events and changed history; they occasionally shocked contemporaries. ‘Dames’ will explore the lives of extraordinary women who fashioned life on their terms and whose actions and decisions, above all, had impact.
We will focus on exceptional women from a variety of fields. Some ‘dames’ we may discuss are the sovereigns – Catherine the Great and the Empress Dowager Cixi, spies such as Mata Hari, adventurers like Gertrude Bell, artists such as Tamara de Lempicka, scientists like Émilie du Châtelet, and out-and-out influential people such as Imelda Marcos, Wallis Simpson and Coco Chanel.
Presenters will discuss the time in which the dame lived, her decisions, challenges, accomplishments and long term impact.
A list of notorious women will be sent to participants; however, members may propose a ‘dame’ of their choice. All participants will make a 20-25 minute digital presentation.
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