Spring 2024 Overview
Lecture Series
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From degradation to regeneration, how do we cultivate a sustainable future for our food and planet? Industrial agricultural practices undermine the ecological systems we depend on under the pretext of “feeding the world”. More specifically, industrial agriculture is the leading cause of deforestation and biodiversity loss, water pollution and overuse, and a major contributor to climate change. If society wants future generations to have a healthy, happy future, undoubtedly we need to change our food system. Regenerative agriculture offers alternative methods of food production that not only prevent the degradation of ecosystems, but enhances them. In this series, we will dive into how food is produced currently and its effects, and how the agriculture of the future could look like.
Dates: Fridays, March 22 – May 3, 2024.
Time: 9:00am-11:00am
Price: $150 + HST
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This six-week series offers a how-to guide for navigating social media with an informed, critical eye. Peeking behind the curtain of popular sites like Facebook and Instagram, participants will learn about social media algorithms, online marketing, data collection, and cyber hygiene. By demystifying social media, the series aims to empower participants, equipping them with the knowledge (and best practices) they need to boost their social media literacy.
Dates: Wednesdays, March 20 – April 24, 2024.
Time: 1:30pm-3:30pm
Price: $150 + HST
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Over six weeks, this course covers the basics of AI for everyday use. Participants will explore AI’s history and practical applications, mastering basic and advanced skills with a focus on enriching daily life. The course delves into AI’s role in art creation and video generation, as well as its potential for skill acquisition. By the end, participants will be adept at leveraging AI to streamline tasks and enhance creativity in their everyday routines.
Dates: Thursdays, March 21 – April 25, 2024.
Time: 9:30am-11:30am
Price: $150 + HST
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A dynamic exploration of the multifaceted relationship between sports, culture, and politics. The series begins with the history and significance of sports journalism, dissect the influence of sports icons as cultural symbols, and critically examine representation and diversity in sports media. Participants then delve into an overview of the historical and contemporary connections between sports and politics, including significant moments in sports history. The series also addresses ethical dilemmas and navigates the digital revolution in sports journalism, providing learners with insights into the intersection of sports with broader societal issues, shaping public discourse and cultural narratives.
Dates: Tuesdays, May 7 – June 11, 2024.
Time: 1:00pm-3:00pm
Location: Online, via Zoom.
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In this World Affairs lecture series, we will discuss current events making the news, affecting our lives and our world.
Hot topics of the week will be explored in-depth, providing context and background for stories in the headlines. We will also be exploring some topics that did not make the headlines, but should have. The content will be determined weekly by emerging issues of importance to Canadians. Come for lively discussions of the news that matters, led by a veteran Carleton University political scientist and media commentator.
Perspective and analysis will be provided by the lecturer, followed by a discussion with participants. Come see why this series is an engaging and enlightening favourite for so many.
There is no outline for this series given the nature of its topic. Each lecture will cover up-to-the-hour information on current news and world events.
Dates: Wednesdays, May 8 – June 12, 2024.
Time: 1:30pm-3:30pm
Price: $150 + HST
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Wrongful convictions are a horrendous reality within our criminal justice system, but it is one we rarely hear or talk about. Some high-profile cases make the headlines, but rarely do we take the time to appreciate the scope of the problem. The aim of this series is to critically examine the ugly underbelly of the criminal justice system to better understand how these tragic errors happen. Through the use of case examples, learners will become familiar with the various sociological, legal and psychological factors that have been identified as contributing to a wrongful conviction.
Dates: Fridays, May 10-June 14, 2024.
Time: 1:30pm-3:30pm
Price: $150 + HST
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Join Keith McCuaig for an overview of some of the most popular musical genres from the 1940s to the 1970s. Enjoy examples of blues, rhythm & blues, soul and funk music, while exploring their history. This will include main figures, important recordings, and the musical features of each style. We will also discuss the cultural importance and impact of this music, including the overlap between genres, and the ways in which one genre influenced another. From Muddy Waters and Marvin Gaye to Aretha Franklin and James Brown, this series will be an exciting musical journey.
Dates: Wednesdays, March 20 – April 24, 2024
Time: 10:00am-12:00pm
Price: $150 + HST
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Join Keith McCuaig for an overview of some of the most popular musical genres from the 1940s to the 1970s. Enjoy examples of blues, rhythm & blues, soul and funk music, while exploring their history. This will include main figures, important recordings, and the musical features of each style. We will also discuss the cultural importance and impact of this music, including the overlap between genres, and the ways in which one genre influenced another. From Muddy Waters and Marvin Gaye to Aretha Franklin and James Brown, this series will be an exciting musical journey.
Dates: Thursdays, March 21 – April 25, 2024.
Time: 1:30-3:30pm
Price: $150 + HST
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The music that supports the story in a film has tremendous power to enhance and even determine the emotion and impact of a scene. How is film music created and why does it work the way it does? How has film music evolved over time? Join Ottawa composer and film music lover Jack Hui Litster on a guided tour of the award-winning music that has brought to life many iconic action adventure films from the 1960s to today.
Dates: Thursdays, March 21 – April 25, 2024.
Time: 9:30am-11:30am
Price: $150 + HST
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This course is a literary introduction to great books ( mostly novels and some biographies) written by Muslim women authors from different Muslim countries. The novels will be explored in a literary manner but also will be a point of conversation to the country, its traditions, its history, its geography and its political situation.
Dates: Mondays, March 18 to April 29, 2024.
Time: 9:30-11:30am
Price: $150 + HST
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Over a span of six weeks, participants will engage in two-hour sessions tailored to their learning preferences, covering key topics such as foundational AI concepts, practical applications, cybersecurity, and ethical considerations, without the pressure of homework or mandatory readings. These sessions promise to be highly interactive, with a mix of discussions, hands-on experiences with AI tools, and real-world examples to suit diverse learning styles. The program not only seeks to educate but also to empower retirees, encouraging them to view AI as a beneficial tool in their daily lives and to continue their exploration of technology and innovation.
Dates: Mondays, May 6 – June 17, 2024
Time: 9:30am-11:30am
Price: $150 + HST
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This course is a literary introduction to great books written by mostly Muslim women ( two men) authors from different Muslim countries. The novels will be explored in a literary manner but also will be a point of conversation to the country, its traditions, its history, its geography and its political situation.
Dates: Tuesdays, May 7 – June 18, 2024.
Time: 1:30pm-3:30pm
Price: $150 + HST
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This series will include a combination of lectures and problem solving, with a special focus on games and puzzles to highlight mathematical concepts. Attendees will have a chance to play games discussed and discover the creativity involved in mathematics. Highschool level math is sufficient for this course; we will go over new concepts in detail.
Dates: Wednesdays, May 8 – June 12, 2024
Time: 1:30pm-3:30pm
Price: $150 + HST
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On February 24, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin initiated a “special military operation,” while Russia’s military launched a comprehensive invasion of Ukraine, employing air, sea, and ground forces. As of today, two years into the full-scale conflict, Ukraine remains resilient, with President Zelensky leading from Kyiv and none of the regional centers under Russian control. Despite Ukraine’s strong resistance to the invasion, significant challenges to its sovereignty persist, posing ongoing threats to European security. This course delves into the complex dynamics underlying the conflict, examining the historical, political, and security factors that have contributed to the largest security crisis in Europe since the Cold War.
Dates: Thursdays, April 11 – May 16, 2024
Time: 1:30pm-3:30pm
Price: $150 + HST
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These six-week series will maintain a uniform structure, however each iteration will introduce fresh content and new cases. The objective of this series is to develop a critical understanding of the constant evolution of criminal law in Canada. Examining the way Canadians think, talk and act on criminal justice and how this has shaped the criminal justice system today. The series will be taught from a legal-process perspective that will concern itself with legislative, administrative, judicial and private ordering and their interactions. This process is also rooted in a pragmatic approach to politics which attempts to understand competing perspectives and achieve some form of reconciliation between them.
Dates: Tuesdays, March 26 – April 30, 2024.
Time: 10:00am-12:00pm
Price: $150 + HST
Workshops & Gallery Series
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This workshop will provide participants with the skills to feel comfortable while communicating during a trip to Italy or in an Italian environment. Teaching each you how to introduce yourself, make hotel reservations, make a phone call, write an email, order in a restaurant, and shop for food.
One field trip will familiarize participants with Italian food products in an Italian shop. Audiovisual materials about Italian culture, music, and daily life will also be a part of the workshop. Vi aspettiamo!
Dates: Tuesdays & Thursdays, March 21 – April 18, 2024
Time: 9:30am-11:30am
Price: $300+ HST
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Over the course of six weeks, novelist and essayist Jennifer McGuire will guide participants through writing exercises to help unlock more fulsome memories to help work towards writing their own lives. From teaching the fundamentals of life-writing to structuring a memoir to the therapeutic power of personal writing, this class is intended to encourage participants to use empathy, observation, and gratitude to look at their own life for what it really could be. An amazing story everyone wants to hear.
Dates: Fridays, March 22 – May 3, 2024
Time: 9:30am-12:00pm
Price: $200 + HST
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We all have a story to tell. Often we think of a life story or memoir as a chronology of events. However, knowing where to begin can become so overwhelming that we put off writing the story at all. This is an invitation to re-collect, record and share the stories from your life through travel, through space and time. What spaces and places have played an important role in your life? What are your memorable journeys – big and small? How does “exploration” give us a glimpse into who we were and who we have become? Who are you as a result of “having been there” and what do you know now that you didn’t know then? Please bring your own writing instruments to a safe environment where you will experiment with writing strategies using prompts, share your writing with others, and begin your collection of life-stories.
Dates: Wednesdays, May 8 – June 12, 2024.
Time: 9:30am-12:00pm
Price: $200+ HST
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his small-group series led by Lecturer Maria Martin, will help you to develop your knowledge, appreciation and comfort level when viewing and discussing art. Each week you will gather together at the National Gallery of Canada, with a variety of themes, including Sculpture, Landscape, Love in Art, Art by and about Women, and Contemporary Art. We will take a light-hearted approach, looking at works of art in their historical context, including discussions on artistic techniques, meaning, conservation, and valuation. Lectures and discussions will take place in front of selected work’s in the Gallery’s collection.
Dates: Fridays, May 10 – June 14, 2024.
Time: Morning Group10:30am-12:30pm and Afternoon Group 1:30pm-3:30pm
Price: $195 + HST
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We all have a story to tell. Often we think of a life story or memoir as a chronology of events. However, knowing where to begin can become so overwhelming that we put off writing the story at all. This is an invitation to re-collect, record and share the stories from your life through the lens of reading. What picture books, novels, collections of poetry, songs, magazines, journals, fiction, non-fiction, science-fiction, historical-fiction played an important role in your life? Who read to you? Where did you and do you like to read and why? What memories do you have of your mother and father reading? How might writing about what we read give us a glimpse into who we were and who we have become? Please bring your own writing instruments to a safe environment where you will experiment with writing strategies using prompts, share your writing with others, and begin your collection of life-stories.
“A library is a good place to go when you feel unhappy, for there, in a book, you may find encouragement and comfort. A library is a good place to go when you feel bewildered or undecided, for there, in a book, you may have your question answered. Books are good company, in sad times and happy times, for books are people – people who have managed to stay alive by hiding between the covers of a book.” E.B White
Dates: Wednesdays, May 8 – June 12, 2024.
Time: 1:00pm-3:30pm
Price: $200 + HST