Innocents Abroad

February 10, 17, 24, March 2 & 9
3-4:30 p.m.
Ezell Center, Room 109

Cost: $80

Instructor:  Dennis Loyd, Retired English Professor, Lipscomb University

With the American Revolution a success, many citizens of the new country could not forget their heritage. They continued to cast their eyes to Europe and other parts of the globe. Were they attempting to ensure their own place in the world? Numerous prominent American writers felt especially drawn to other cultures, experiences, and themes. Writers as diverse as Benjamin Franklin, Washington Irving, Edgar Allan Poe, Herman Melville, Mark Twain, Henry James, Robert Frost, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, and others made up that unique assortment who still wanted to know how the rest of the world lived and what they wrote. We will survey experiences and works influenced by their travel.

Astronomy: Overview of our Solar System and Galaxy 

February 11, 18, 25, March 3 & 10
3-4:30 p.m.
Swang Center,  Room 108

Cost: $80

Instructor: Justin Myrick, Retired Lipscomb Professor & Former Dean of the Raymond B. Jones College of Engineering

In Session I, our astronomy course will focus on our solar system and the Milky Way galaxy. For a Christian, the wonder of God’s creation is evident. We will look at the history of astronomy, the oldest of the sciences, and look at the impact of astronomy on the Renaissance.  We will explore the 21st century astronomers’ views of how our sun and planets were developed. We will look at the amazing discoveries in the last 100 years made possible by increasingly improved ground-based and space-based telescopes. The universe is now seen as dramatically larger since the 1924 work of Edwin Hubble. 

We will study the sun and the amazing diversity of the planets and moons in our solar system. Of particular importance are contributions from our spacecraft which have explored the planets. Some have landed on these remote bodies and some spacecraft are now continuing to travel to the outreaches of our solar system. 

Practical demonstrations including operation of a telescope and astro-photography will be included. “Backyard astronomy” will be demonstrated. 

Important Questions and Discussion:

• How is a star formed, how long does it “live” and how does it “die?” 
• What sort of objects are out in space? Are planets, moons, and stars the only things?
• How big is the Milky Way? Where do we live inside it? 
• If you were abducted by an alien ship, could you get back home? (OK, I had to ask.) 
• How do we measure distances in space, e.g., how far is it to the next nearest star, how far across our galaxy, how far to the next galaxy, how far to the edge of the universe?
• What does the Bible say about the heavens? 
• What do you think the Christmas Star was? We will talk about one of the leading explanations.

America’s Civics Lesson:  2020 Edition

February 12, 19, 26, March 4 & 11
10-11:30 am
Ezell Center, Room 109

Cost: $80

Instructor: Linda Peek Schacht, Founding Director, Andrews Institute for Civic Leadership, Lipscomb University

Once again, veteran political communication and leadership expert Linda Peek Schacht, founding director of Lipscomb's Andrews Institute for Civic Leadership, will bring her White House, US Senate and national media experience to a robust discussion of the current events shaping our lives in 2020.  We will cover all things 2020 Presidential: the White House, the race for the Democratic nomination, the issues dominating the national discussion, and more. We will analyze the 2020 race through the lens of theories of presidential leadership and communication, and consider the impact of social media and our own vulnerability to disinformation. In a spirit of civility and bipartisanship, we will look at just how all this matters in the everyday lives of Americans, particularly those of us here in Tennessee. There will be suggested reading and viewing throughout the class.

Real Women of the Bible

February 12, 19, 26, March 4 & 11
3-4:30 p.m.
Ezell Center, Room 109

Cost: $80

Instructor, Elizabeth Coker, Portrayal Actress and Historian

She's back! Featuring dramatic and witty presentations that are sure to encourage a more in-depth study of God's Word by making the stories we've all known come alive! This time the wit and humor of Elizabeth Coker will transport you back in time to meet a few of those feisty females God chose to change the course of History.

A costumed, first-person portrayal of five women from the Old Testament, surely will entertain as well as enlighten, and open your eyes to a fresh interpretation on  just how their choices have affected and influenced us today.

Join us from Feb. 12 to March 11 for:

• All about Eve: Feeding Your Ego
• Murder and the Justified Jael
• It’s Good to be Queen: The Life of the Idolatrous Jezebel
• Hannah's Legacy
• Bathsheba Takes a Bath

The Story of Jesus, Part I: The Birth, Ministry and Mission of Jesus

February 13, 20, 27, March 5 & 12
3-4:30 p.m.
Ezell Center, Room 109

Cost: $80

Instructor: Scott Sager, Vice President of Church Services and Adjunct Professor, College of Bible & Ministry, Lipscomb University

Experience Freshman Bible from one of Lipscomb's own Bible faculty as Scott Sager presents his "Story of Jesus" course for Lifelong Learning. The course will take a look at all four of the gospels, understanding how each functions in the overall story of Jesus. Sager will share maps and other resources as well as sharing pictures from the locations where the story actually unfolded. Difficult topics will be addressed and the course includes weekly reading and writing assignments (optional for Lifelong learners of course) from The NIV Harmony of the Four Gospels, Second Edition, The New International Version by Orville E. Daniel.

The Story of Jesus, Part II: The Final Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus

March 30 and April 6, 13, 20, 27
3-4:30 p.m.
Ezell Center, Room 109

Cost: $80

Instructor: Scott Sager, Vice President of Church Services and Adjunct Professor, College of Bible & Ministry, Lipscomb University

Experience Freshman Bible from one of Lipscomb's own Bible faculty as Scott Sager presents his "Story of Jesus" course for Lifelong Learning. The course will take a look at all four of the gospels, understanding how each functions in the overall story of Jesus. Sager will share maps and other resources as well as sharing pictures from the locations where the story actually unfolded. Difficult topics will be addressed and the course includes weekly reading and writing assignments (optional for Lifelong learners of course) from The NIV Harmony of the Four Gospels, Second Edition, The New International Version by Orville E. Daniel.

Astronomy:  Our Amazing Universe: What is beyond our Milky Way

March 31, April 7, 14, 21 & 28
3-4:30 p.m.
Swang Center, Room 108

Cost: $80

Instructor: Justin Myrick, Retired Lipscomb Professor & Former Dean of the Raymond B. Jones College of Engineering

Session II will focus on galaxies and the dynamic nature and makeup of the universe. The universe has a multitude of mysteries. We are now truly in the Golden Age of astronomy because of the exponential improvement in tools to study the stars. We will look at a wealth of internet pictures now possible because of the work of astronomers—both professional and amateur. We will also look at Einstein’s theoretical contributions including space-time and discuss the implications. 

(Session II can be taken without taking Session I.) 

• What are all these new things like black holes, dark matter, dark energy, exploding stars and other mysteries?
• Just how vast is the Universe and how is it changing?  How fast is it changing?
• What things are keeping astronomers up at night?  (Well, I guess looking at the stars is one thing!) 

Nashville Baseball Beyond Sulphur Dell

April 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29
3-4:30 p.m.
Ezell Center, Room 109

Cost: $80

Instructor: Skip Nipper, Nashville Author and Historian

Nashville's first baseball teams were organized in the mid-19th century to allow for healthful exercise and competitive spirit. They began a legacy that includes amateur and professional clubs, Tom Wilson and Sulphur Dell ballparks, sandlot games at Shelby and Centennial parks, and many baseball stars. Some aspects of Nashville's economic, cultural, and social growth were direct results of the interaction between baseball fans, players, and owners.

Join Skip Nipper as he takes you through our city's history of "the National Pastime" with stories, pictures, and events that allow us to hold on to and expand our treasured memories of local baseball.

Five Great British Prime Ministers

April 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30
3-4:30 p.m.
Ezell Center, Room 109

Cost: $80

Instructor: Jerry Gaw, Lipscomb University History Professor

The British prime ministry started three-hundred years ago. It became more important than the monarchy which had signed its power away in the English Bill of Rights. This course will highlight five of the best who held the office: William Pitt the Elder, Earl Grey, William Gladstone, David Lloyd George, and Winston Churchill. Their domestic reforms and/or foreign policies improved the lives of people and defended freedom throughout the world.