Stonewall Communities LLI Spring Semester March 4, 2008

Stonewall Communities Lifelong Learning Institute (LLI), the nation’s first LLI designed by and for older LGBT individuals and their friends, celebrates its first anniversary with the launch of its Spring Semester 2008 courses and programs beginning March, 4, 2008 at Wheelock College’s Brookline Campus, 43 Hawes Street, Brookline. For more information call 617-369-9090, or visit www.StonewallCommunities.com to download a complete course catalog.

Lifelong learning is a rapidly growing social and personal growth movement for people over 50 and does not require a college education, just a passion for learning. There are no grades, tests, or requirements, and more than 400 LLIs now operate throughout the United States. With an estimated 26,000 older LGBT people living in the Boston area, the sense of community provided by a lifelong learning program is invaluable.

The LLI offers daytime full and half-term courses, as well as a popular Brown Bag Lunch Speaker Series and social networking opportunities. LLI members have access to various facilities and programs at Wheelock College, and are to participate in other activities and social events. Stonewall Communities LLI is open to anyone, regardless of background, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression.

Beginning March 4, Bob Wohlgemuth offers History of Modern Art, a full-term course exploring the origins and development of 20th century art. Participants will study the groundbreaking art, including Picasso and Cubism, Dali and Surrealism, Pollock and Abstract Expressionism, Warhol and Pop Art. The course, which will be a mix of lecture, presentation and discussion, concludes with a brief exploration of contemporary art.

Also commencing March 4 is the half-term course, Strong Women in Film, with instructor Mary Ann Cassella. The course will focus on the depiction of powerful women in films ranging from documentary to drama. Cassella will examine the topic through discussion of issues of race, history and color, gender identity, the politics and economics of Hollywood, and cinematography. Cassella taught the “Women Directors” course last semester, and each class will consist of the viewing and discussion of at least one film.

The Art of the Interview, taught by well-know journalist, Chuck Colbert, maps the anatomy of a successful interview. In this hands-on course, participants will learn the techniques of an expert interviewer and will have the opportunity to interview active members of Boston’s LGBT community including authors, bloggers, activists and more. “A good interview informs and entertains,” comments Colbert. “A great interview captivates and startles. It lets you see the world through the eyes of another and hear a unique, unrepeatable voice.”

Building on the success of last semester’s “Brown Bag Lunch” speaker series, spring semester speakers will explore a wide range of fascinating topics including Oral History in Cambridge on March 4, Bringing Dentistry to African Village on March 11, Welcoming Schools on March 18 and New England Mystery Writers on March 25. April and May lecturers will discuss Socially Responsible Investing, Gay History of Boston – 1650-1975, A Guided Tour of Buddhism, New England Mystery Writers and many more. The speaker series takes place weekly on Tuesdays from March 4 through May 6 and runs from 12pm to 1pm. Attendees may bring their own lunch or buy lunch from the cafeteria on site.

Official Website: http://www.stonewallcommunities.com