Fall 2026 Catalog
FALL 2026 Catalog
In-person classes will be held on Fridays on campus. All Thursday courses will be held on Zoom. Off-Friday courses will be held in person at their respective locations. Complete information may be found in the catalog.
Course Dates
Zoom classes: September 10, 17, 24, October 1, 8, and 15
In-person classes: September 11, 18, 25, October 2, 9, and 16
There are some exceptions. Please check course descriptions for more details.
Course Enrollment: There will be a one-class preregistration on Wednesday, September 2, from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. that evening. During that period, LLI members may register for one course only. On Thursday, September 3, at 9:00 a.m., people may register for as many courses as they wish on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration is open to all members (free with your 2026-2027 membership). Log in to ProClass to register for courses.
The complete catalog with all course details (class size limits, classroom locations, dates, etc.) is in ProClass. Go to ProClass and from the Select Semester drop-down menu choose Fall 2026. Then hit the Search button. Click on any of the titles below to see expanded information.
ZOOM course
friday
8:30 a.m. until 9:50 a.m.
This is a Hybrid class, being offered in person (F1A) and on Zoom (Z1) at the same time.
Friday 8:30 a.m.–9:50 a.m.
September 11, 18, 25, October 2, 9, and 16
THIS COURSE MEETS ON ZOOM
Description: Film noir is celebrated as the quintessential American genre, but its dark heart was born in the shadows of post-WWI Berlin. We will trace the haunting lineage of cinema’s most seductive style—from the distorted, jagged sets of German Expressionism to the back alleys of 1940s Los Angeles. We will investigate how the “visual angst” of refugee filmmakers transformed the California dream into a claustrophobic nightmare of fate, obsession, and moral ambiguity. By analyzing the migration of cinematic techniques and narratives, we will uncover how the trauma of a fractured Europe redefined the American screen. The course includes video clips and film recommendations.
Class Limit: 100
Presenter: Chuck Mishaan, MA, (LLI) has been presenting courses at Bard LLI for many years, including his popular Opera as Politics series, the Leonard Bernstein Centenary Lectures, and recently The Roaring 20s. His commentary on the intersection of politics and the arts continues with this course.
Producer: Chuck Mishaan
ZOOM Courses
THURSDAY
9:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m.
Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. (note shorter time)
September 24, October 1, 8, and 15 (four classes)
THIS COURSE MEETS ON ZOOM
Description: Begin the day with calm and ease, and take away simple reminders for restoring equanimity throughout the week. Students will sample gentle, whole-body movement, body scans, breathing practices, and guided meditation to discover the combination that works best for them. There will be time afterward for discussion and Q&A. Sessions are designed so students can either sit in a chair or lie down. Please have a straight-backed chair available, as well as a cushioned mat or carpet. Have a few towels available to fold or roll for support, and wear comfortable clothing you can move in easily.
Class Limit: 16
Presenter: Margaret Pierpont, a Guild Certified Feldenkrais Practitioner, has taught Awareness Through Movement® at LLI since 2017 and offers her own classes on ZOOM. She has extensive experience in dance, yoga, relaxation, and meditation, and is a Certified Laban Movement Analyst and graduate of the Integrated Study and Practice Program at the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies. She is particularly interested in helping people reduce stress and become more self-sufficient as they negotiate the changes of aging.
Producer: Margaret Shuhala
NOTE: This is a one-hour class that meets on ZOOM four times: September 24, October 1, 8, and 15.
Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
September 10, 17, 24, October 1, 8, and 15
THIS COURSE MEETS ON ZOOM
Description: From innovative treatments and surgical advances to the science behind nutrition, breathing, and caregiving, explore the discoveries transforming healthcare today. This six-part series offers an inside look at the people, ideas, and breakthroughs moving medicine forward.
- Week 1: Caring for Caregivers: Supporting Those Who Support Others
- Week 2: The Weight Loss Revolution: What’s Changed, What’s Working and What’s Next
- Week 3: Small Incisions, Big Impact: The Evolution of Modern Surgery
- Week 4: Food as Medicine: What Science Is Teaching Us About Nutrition
- Week 5: Small Organs, Big Questions: Why Treatment Decisions Are Rarely One-Size-Fits-All
- Week 6: When Breathing Becomes Challenging: How Physicians Diagnose and Treat Conditions that Challenge the Body’s Most Vital Function
Class Limit: 100
Presenters: Northwell Health Specialists: Allison Gould, LCSW; Shawn Liechty, MD; Brian R. Binetti, MD; Roufia Payman, DT, CDN; Adam Petchers, MD; Rena Patierno, AGACNP-BC.
Producer: Anne Brueckner
zoom course
thursDAY
11:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.
Thursday, 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
September 10, 17, 24, October 1, 8, and 15
THIS COURSE MEETS ON ZOOM
Description: This course will examine the ways that the human figure has been represented in art around the world. It will include images from Europe, West Asia, the Middle East, Africa, South Africa, and particularly India. This course will not be chronologically oriented, except within some of the presentations (e.g., Europe), but will attempt to show the variety of ways in which the human figure has been depicted around the world over the centuries.
Class Limit: 40
Presenter: José Moreno-LaCalle, MA, taught advanced placement (AP) art history for seven years at the Lenox School, a private school in Manhattan. On several occasions, he took his art history students on trips to Europe. He also taught history courses covering Europe, Asia, Africa, and pre-Columbian America. He later worked for Sotheby’s auction house for 16 years.
Producer: Fern Fleckman
zoom courses
THURSDAY
1:00 p.m. until 2:30 p.m.
Thursday, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
September 10, 17, 24, October 1
THIS COURSE MEETS ON ZOOM
Description:
Why is it that we have experiences like thinking of a person and suddenly that person calls us, or suddenly remembering where we left the car keys, or even glimpsing future events? Because we live in nonlocal consciousness—the primal energy of the universe. Though this energy connects everything and everyone, enfolding time and space, we are often too distracted to notice the times when we intuitively grasp a situation or feel someone’s ”‘vibes.” Participants will examine this phenomenon through the portals of physics, the human mind, the social compact, Earth’s ecosystem, and spiritual teachings.
Class limit: 100
Presenter: Lyla Yastion received a PhD in anthropology from the University at Albany and taught college-level anthropology and religious studies for 18 years. Since retiring, she has taught at lifelong learning centers, including Bard. Yastion has written three books, including My Years as an Alzheimer’s Caregiver: Transcending Loss by Nurturing Spirit, which was the sole finalist in the Heath: Aging/50+ category of the 2026 American Legacy Book Awards. A Reiki master, she is also certified in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction after studying with Jon Kabat-Zinn.
Producer: Margaret Shuhala
NOTE: This class meets on ZOOM four times, September 10, 17, 24, and October 1.
Thursday, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
September 10, 17, 24, October 1, 8, and 15
THIS COURSE MEETS ON ZOOM
Description: What if we were to read essays as navigating tools pointing us to who we are, what we don’t know, how to live in our time? We’ll employ James Baldwin, George Orwell, Virginia Woolf, and others to be compasses of sorts. Let’s try! In this small class of deep reading, discovery, conversation, questions, and reflection, one essay each week (provided through the internet) will need to be read at least once.
Class limit: 25
Presenters:
Barbara Danish (LLI) was director of the Writing Center at New York University, taught at Pratt Institute, and currently works at Family of Woodstock.
Laura Brown, MFA, (LLI) has worked in publishing for more than 40 years and is a former president of Oxford University Press.
Producer: Barbara Danish
On-Campus courses
friDAY Period 1
8:30 a.m. until 9:50 a.m.
Friday, First Period: 8:30 a.m.–9:50 a.m.
September 11, 18, 25, October 2, 9, and 16
This is a Hybrid class, being offered in person (F1A) and on Zoom (Z1) at the same time.
Description: Film noir is celebrated as the quintessential American genre, but its dark heart was born in the shadows of post-WWI Berlin. We will trace the haunting lineage of cinema’s most seductive style—from the distorted, jagged sets of German Expressionism to the back alleys of 1940s Los Angeles. We will investigate how the “visual angst” of refugee filmmakers transformed the California dream into a claustrophobic nightmare of fate, obsession, and moral ambiguity. By analyzing the migration of cinematic techniques and narratives, we will uncover how the trauma of a fractured Europe redefined the American screen. The course includes video clips and film recommendations.
Class Limit: 25
Presenter: Chuck Mishaan, MA, (LLI) has been presenting courses at Bard LLI for many years, including his popular Opera as Politics series, the Leonard Bernstein Centenary Lectures, and recently The Roaring 20s. His commentary on the intersection of politics and the arts continues with this course.
Producer: Chuck Mishaan
Friday, First Period: 8:30 a.m.–9:50 a.m.
September 11 and 25 only
Description: Artificial Intelligence is transforming the way we create, communicate, and express ideas. This introductory course is designed for curious learners with little technical background who want to understand how AI is shaping two of the most creative human activities: music and writing. Through accessible examples and hands-on demonstrations, participants will explore how AI can compose melodies, assist musicians, generate lyrics, support creative writing, and help authors develop ideas, structure, and edit texts. The course will examine the opportunities, limitations, and ethical questions raised by these new technologies. This course will provide some insights into how humans and AI can collaborate in artistic expression. Contributors to the course are Hudson Valley–based composer/performer Sharon Klein and writer/poet Ken Follett, who will share their own experiences.
Class Limit: 30
Presenter: Jean-Claude Fouéré (LLI) holds advanced degrees in engineering physics and optical systems design. His diverse career spans engineering, semiconductors, and education, with teaching roles at Marist University and several local lifelong learning institutes. He has also served on the boards of nonprofit organizations such as the Adirondack Mountain Club. As a resident of the Hudson Valley, Fouéré enjoys the outdoors year-round, including hiking, cross-country skiing, and kayaking.
Producer: Mary McClellan
NOTE: This class will meet twice, September 11 and 25 only.
on-campus courses
FRIDAY, Period 2
10:10 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.
Friday, second period: 10:10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
September 11, 18, 25, October 2, 9, and 16
Description: Aging is inevitable, but the speed of decline can be significantly altered.
This course provides scientific evidence on strategies to ensure adequate physical and cognitive reserve as we age. Part One will focus on expanding the quality part of longevity. Topics include the biology and mechanisms of aging, the major factors affecting longevity, the epidemiological evidence of how exercise impacts physical and cognitive functions and reduces the risk of age-related diseases, and the key components of adequate exercise that will lead to healthy aging. Healthy Aging: Part Two (which will be presented in SummerFest 2027) will focus on the role of diet and nutrition. This course’s goal will be to promote action, not just provide information.
Class Limit: 45
Presenter: Ray Yip, MD, MPH (LLI) is a physician and epidemiologist certified in pediatrics (University of Minnesota), pediatric hematology and oncology (UCSF), and preventive medicine (Centers for Disease Control). After seven years of clinical practice, Dr. Yip devoted his career to global health, working for the Centers for Disease Control and the Gates Foundation in a number of countries on issues related to nutrition, refugee health, maternal and child health, chronic disease prevention, and HIV/AIDS.
Producer: Mary McClellan
Friday, second period: 10:10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
September 11, 18, 25, October 2, 9, and 16
Description: This course examines the founding of the United States as a process shaped by debate, compromise, and conflict. Beginning with the Declaration of Independence, we will consider how Americans justified separation from Britain, defined basic rights, and sought support at home and abroad. We will then trace the move from the Articles of Confederation to the Constitution, focusing on how the framers balanced liberty with authority and state power with national power. The course also explores the conflicts and compromises that shaped the new republic and continue to influence constitutional debates today.
Class Limit: 30
Presenter: Robert Beaury, MS, (LLI) is a retired high school social studies teacher and college adjunct. He earned a BA in history and political science from Hunter College and an MS in education from Sage Graduate Schools. He has presented courses at LLI in history and government since 2019.
Producer: Robert Beaury
Friday, second period: 10:10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
September 11, 18, 25, October 2, 9, and 16
Description: When it comes to movement, mainstream fitness ideology has fooled us into believing that hard work and extra effort lead to better results. There is a secret that musicians, martial artists, dancers, and other peak performers have long understood: it’s actually about doing less. We will explore a gentle experimental approach to movement by slowing down, tuning in, and listening for more refined kinesthetic feedback. As we learn to release the excess habitual tension that normally accompanies our movement, we can begin to uncover optimal coordination and experience genuine ease in the body. No prior experience necessary.
Class Limit: 20
Presenter: Kelly Garone, RSMTE, is a performing artist and somatic movement therapist/educator. Her approach to movement is informed by her experience training and performing as a professional dancer, as well as her long-term process of questioning, unraveling, and re-integrating that training through the support of many different embodiment modalities. She is a registered professional member of ISMETA (International Somatic Movement Education and Therapy Association) and has a parallel career as an assistant and advocate for elder artists.
Producer: Leslie Weinstock
Friday, second period: 10:10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
September 11, 18, 25, October 2, 9, and 16
Description: This course will be the first of two devoted to J.S. Bach’s great (greatest?) masterpiece known popularly as the Mass in B Minor (although in fact most of it isn’t!). The fall semester will focus on the Kyrie and Gloria movements (which Bach originally composed in 1733 as a unit for the Dresden court). In addition to considering the music—representing an enormous range of contemporary styles and drawn largely from pre-existing music—there will be consideration of the political situation in Lutheran Saxony in this period, which was ruled by a Catholic monarch, as well as of the historical development of the liturgy of the Roman Catholic Mass.
Class Limit: 30
Presenter: Ray Erickson, PhD, has given previous LLI courses dealing with both Bach and Debussy. He is professor emeritus of music at Queens College and the Graduate Center, CUNY, and has also taught at Rutgers University and The Juilliard School. He earned his PhD in the history of music at Yale University and is a widely traveled keyboard performer. He is on the Bard College Conservatory of Music faculty in chamber music, harpsichord, and piano.
Producer: Cathy Reinis
Friday, second period: 10:10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
September 11, 18, 25, October 2, 9, and 16
Description: Satire is a form of cultural and political criticism. This course will pair short essays and stories with feature films that mock authority, expose hypocrisy, and reveal the absurdity and lethality of power.
Examples of paired essays and feature films:
- Mark Twain, “The War Prayer” (1904) and Wag the Dog (1997). Both expose how patriotic language and public spectacle can hide violence, manipulation, and political theater.
- Jonathan Swift, “A Modest Proposal” (1729) and Dr. Strangelove (1964). Both use deadpan absurdity to attack systems that treat poverty and war as acceptable state policy.
NOTE: All films will be available for streaming at home, some at a nominal fee.
Class Limit: 30
Presenter: Peter Scheckner, PhD, (LLI) retired professor of literature, Ramapo College of NJ, did his undergraduate work at Bard College. His publications include American War Cinema and Media Since Vietnam: Politics, Ideology, and Class (2013), co-author Patricia Keeton; The Way We Work: Contemporary Writings from the American Workplace (2008) co-editor, M.C. Boyes; An Anthology of Chartist Poetry: Poetry of the British Working Class, 1830s-1850s (1989); and Class, Politics, and the Individual: A Study of the Major Works of D. H. Lawrence (1985).
Producer: Fern Fleckman
Friday, second period: 10:10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
September 11, 18, 25, October 2, 9, and 16
Description: China, Russia, or maybe narcoterrorists, but Iran? The US bombing of Iran shocked most Americans. Why did an alliance, formed during WWII, dissolve into open hostility in 1978 and war in 2026? In this class, we will consider the three factors that defined the rise and fall of the alliance: Iran’s location between rival empires in Russia and the Middle East, the region’s vast oil resources, and an arms race in which Iran seeks nuclear weapons. Is war the most effective way to manage Iran’s threat to its Persian Gulf neighbors, Israel, and the United States?
Class Limit: 30
Presenter: Mark Lytle, PhD, (LLI) is the Lyford Paterson Edwards and Mary Gray Edwards Professor Emeritus of Historical Studies at Bard. In addition to his biography of Rachel Carson and America’s Uncivil Wars, a history of the 60s era, he is the author of the recently published The All-Consuming Nation: Pursuing the American Dream Since World War II (Oxford).
Producer: Margaret Moran
Friday, second period: 10:10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
September 11, 18, 25, October 2, 9, and 16
Description: While eternal youth is out of reach, there is much we can control to achieve and maintain vibrant health. This course explores the practical, life-extending strategies in How Not to Age, a bestseller by Dr. Michael Greger. Instead of focusing on restrictive habits, we will examine a proactive, positive approach to aging gracefully and feeling our best. Participants will leave with clear, actionable steps to kick-start a healthier lifestyle today. Purchasing the book is optional. A limited number of discounted copies will be available.
Class Limit: 25
Presenter: Roberta Schiff, retired teacher of health education, life sciences, and social studies, has a master’s degree in Community Health Education from the University of Kansas. Since the turn of the century, she has served as the coordinator of the not-for-profit Hudson Valley Vegans, an organization that combines social events and social action. She has presented lectures and cooking demonstrations at conferences and other venues throughout the country. She previously taught LLI classes on Dr. Greger’s How Not to Die and How Not to Diet.
Producer: Margaret Shuhala
on-campus courses
FRIDAY, Period 3
11:50 p.m. until 1:00 p.m.
Friday, third period: 11:50 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
September 11, 18, 25, October 2, 9, and 16
Description: American poetry of the 20th and 21st centuries often explores the unseen dimensions of human experience through nature, memory, identity, and moral choice. This collection brings together Robert Frost, Wallace Stevens, Theodore Roethke, Mary Oliver, Joy Harjo, and Li-Young Lee, six poets whose work transforms ordinary landscapes and personal histories into sites of reflection. Although shaped by distinct cultural and literary contexts, they share a commitment to examining an inner life and the ways individuals interpret, endure, and inhabit the world.
Class Limit: 30
Presenter: Ed Ingebretsen, PhD, holds degrees in theology and ethics and a doctorate in American Studies/Theology. His publications (books, journals) consider the intersection of gender, race, theology, and popular cultures. He concentrates on nonhuman animal ethics and American race and social history.
Producer: Robert Beaury
Friday, third period: 11:50 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
September 11, 18, 25, October 2, 9, and 16
Description: Every week, a different member of the Bard Faculty will present a math or science topic, depending on their discipline and research. Presenters will include Felicia Keesing, PhD; Lauren Rose, PhD; Harold Haggard, PhD; Rebecca Cox, PhD; and M. Elias Dueker, PhD.
A sampling of topics to be included is:
- How to Prevent the Next Pandemic Pathogen
- Jumping Julia Puzzles and Graph Theory
- Breathing Water and Drinking Air: Environmental Connections and Human Health in the Hudson Valley
Come and share the experience of Bard students. Bios of presenters will be sent to participants before each class
Class Limit: 45
Presenter: Various
Producers: Cathy Reinis and Mary McClellan
Friday, third period: 11:50 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
September 11, 18, 25, October 2, 9, and 16
Description: Explore traditional and contemporary forms of verse from haibuns to sonnets, villanelles to pantoums with Lee Woodman. We’ll savor the work of time-honored poets to learn mechanics of meter, rhyme, and structure. “Loosening up” exercises and speed prompts will pave the way for time to draft longer formal poems during each session, with suggestions for topics and imagery. Both curious newcomers and seasoned writers are welcome—all that’s needed is a sense of adventure and faith in the magic of language.
Class Limit: 15
Presenter: Lee Woodman, author of the “Scapes” poetry series, is winner of the 2026 Indie Reader Gold Discovery Award, the 2025 Independent Press Gold Award for Poetry, the 2025 Nautilus Gold Award for Poetry, and the 2020 William Meredith Prize. Her six published collections include Colorscapes, Soulscapes, Artscapes, Lifescapes, Mindscapes, and Homescapes—all books that treat inner and outer landscapes, literal, emotional, cultural.
For podcast interviews, book reviews, artist statements, and readings of her poems, visit www.poetleewoodman.com.
Producer: Eleanor Wieder
Friday, third period: 11:50 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
September 11, 18, 25, October 2, 9, and 16
Description: Savor a taste of three different dance styles: ballet, modern dance, and musical theater dance. Adapting the BrainDance to each style, we will warm up and center the mind and body. The BrainDance strengthens neural pathways and the brain/body connection. We will delve into the technique of each style, learn relevant choreography, and experience how fundamental movement concepts apply. Attention will be given to strength, flexibility, balance, and body awareness. We will have fun while creating community in a judgment-free zone. No experience necessary. All levels, genders, and repeat participants are welcome.
Class Limit: 20
Presenter: Judith Nelson, MFA, (LLI) was a professor of dance and theater at Auburn University, Missouri State University, and Carleton College. She danced with the Limón Dance Company and the David Gordon Pick-Up Company, among others, and toured the United States and Europe as a solo artist and in musical theater. An expert in BrainDance, she leads professional development workshops for dance educators through the NYC Department of Education, the 92nd Street Y, and the Mark Morris Dance Center. She holds an MFA from the University of Arizona, and a BFA from the University of Utah. Judith has lived in Rhinebeck since 2020.
Producer: Leslie Weinstock
Friday, third period: 11:50 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
September 11, 18, 25, October 2, 9, and 16
Description: Join Nancy Theeman for a fun, relaxed hootenanny in which we’ll sing familiar songs in an informal setting around the piano. If you play an acoustic instrument, bring it along! We’ll sing songs that everyone can enjoy: folk, gospel, show tunes, and popular songs. Making music together is not only fun, it is a full mind-and-body activity. Research shows that singing reduces stress, improves cardiovascular function, and sharpens memory. Plus it creates a wonderful sense of connection and community.
Class Limit: 20
Presenter: Nancy Theeman, PhD, has had a lifelong career in music that includes performance and teaching. She is a pianist and singer who has performed in the United States and abroad. She has chaired music programs at schools in Westchester County and has directed numerous musicals there. She has conducted community choirs and for 30 years she ran Touring Talent, a program in which high school students go to local senior residences to share their talents.
Producer: Suzanne Holzberg
Friday, third period: 11:50 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
September 11, 18, 25, October 2, 9, and 16
Description: This introductory tai chi course consists of four sessions, held regularly by the Dutchess County Office for the Aging across 16 sessions. The gentle movements are designed to improve joint flexibility, increase muscle strength, decrease pain, and enhance balance. Each class starts with warm-ups focusing on the neck, shoulders, spine, hips, knees, and ankles. Participants will then learn and practice the routine’s opening movements. Be prepared to stand during the active portions. The course is suitable for beginners, but those with previous tai chi experience are welcome to join and participate.
Class Limit: 16
Presenter: Georgette Weir (LLI) is certified to teach Tai Chi for Health and Fall Prevention by the Tai Chi for Health Institute, founded by Dr. Paul Lam in Australia. She has been teaching the full 16-session program for seven years with the Dutchess County Office for the Aging. In addition, she has taught several eight-session introductions to the program for the Center for Lifetime Study at Marist University.
Producer: Robert Beaury
on-campus courses
FRIDAY, Period 4
1:40 p.m. until 2:50 p.m.
Friday, fourth period: 1:40 p.m. – 2:50 p.m.
September 11, 18, 25, October 2, 9, and 16
Description: Vienna, 1888: Franz Joseph I celebrates 40 years on the Austria-Hungary throne. His steady hand and seriousness of purpose keep his polyglot empire peaceful (mostly) and prosperous. In imperial Vienna, the monumental Ringstrasse is now complete. The city’s cultural life is a showcase of modernity. Yet, members of the imperial family chafe under the Court’s backwardness. Many ordinary citizens are bored or anxious. Vienna’s suicide rate is the highest in Europe. No wonder Sigmund Freud finds fertile ground at all levels of society.
What made Vienna “a nervous splendor”? The course draws its title and inspiration from Frederic Morton’s classic account, A Nervous Splendor: Vienna 1888/1889.
Class Limit: 30
Presenter: Shelly Weiner grew up in Brooklyn, graduated from Colby College (BA), and attended the MDiv program at Earlham School of Religion. She worked in print production for graphic designers and book publishers, represented commercial printing firms in the Northeast US, taught technical MacOS/iOS classes to educators and corporate clients for Apple, and owned an Apple-authorized training center in the Hudson Valley for 15+ years. She geeks out over history, languages, art, travel, and music.
Producer: Mary McClellan
Friday, fourth period: 1:40 p.m. – 2:50 p.m.
September 11, 18, 25, October 2, 9, and 16
Description: Since the nation’s founding, Americans have had an insatiable desire for new experiences and opportunities. This restlessness has manifested itself in many ways; the lure of the American West has prompted many to leave behind the familiar and migrate, first to the Midwestern plains, then further west. This course explores the excitement of those starting a new life by heading west and the hardships, struggles, and sometimes tragedies many of them encountered. Stories in excerpts by such writers as Bret Harte, Jack London, Willa Cather, and John Steinbeck will provide insight into this unique aspect of the American character.
Class Limit: 25
Presenter: David Ofill taught literature and writing at the secondary level for over 30 years at several boarding and day schools. He also has extensive experience in developing curricula and teaching Advanced Placement Courses. He currently spends his free time reading, writing, woodcarving, and hanging out with family. In his next life, he wants to travel the seven seas and keep an eye out for the White Whale.
Producer: Fern Fleckman
Friday, fourth period: 1:40 p.m. – 2:50 p.m.
September 11, 18, 25, October 2, 9, and 16
Description: How many jellybeans are in a jar? How many t-shirts are purchased in New York City in a given year? In this interactive course, participants will calculate seemingly impossible quantities using logic, scientific reasoning, and educated approximations. They will develop practical estimation skills that can be applied to everyday life, exploring a variety of estimation techniques and strategies for checking the reasonableness of answers. Through engaging scenarios, photographs, and real-world challenges, participants will practice making and refining estimates while strengthening their quantitative reasoning skills. No advanced math is required—just curiosity and a willingness to take a good guess!
Class Limit: 20
Presenter: Beth Goldberg (LLI) is a New York State Master Teacher Emeritus with a BA in mathematics from Wellesley College and an MBA from MIT. After approximately 20 years in banking, she relocated to the Hudson Valley and pursued a new career in education through Bard’s Master of Arts in Teaching program. Selected for NYS’s four-year Master Teacher program, she taught secondary school mathematics for nearly 20 years and served as math department chair until retiring in June 2024.
Producer: Beth Goldberg
on-campus courses
FRIDAY, Period 5
3:10 p.m. until 4:30 p.m.
Friday, fifth period: 3:10 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
September 18, 25, October 2, 9 and 16.
Description: Did you know that LLI has a Friday Happy Hour? Come explore the world of wine in a relaxed, fun setting, with a weekly tasting of four wines and learn some general facts about wine. We will share opinions on the tastings as well as learn about storage, buying tips, accessories, and identifying characteristics of the wine. This class is for those who enjoy wine or want to enjoy wine, broaden their palates, and have fun while doing so.
Fee: $50 per person (covers wine and snacks)
Class Limit: 30
Presenter: Marc Wieder (LLI) is a CPA by profession and a passionate wine enthusiast in his free time. He enjoys exploring wines from around the world and has turned his personal interest into a lifelong hobby. Marc loves sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm in a relaxed, approachable way.
Producer: Eleanor Wieder
NOTE: This class meets five times: September 18, 25, and October 2, 9, and 16.
Friday, fifth period: 3:10 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
September 18, 25, October 2, 9, and 16
Description: Procrastinate no longer! To honor your life, take responsibility for your death and leave a conscientious legacy for your loved ones. Students will learn to articulate their values and wishes, have meaningful end-of-life discussions, and to codify their departure instructions into actionable documents. Topics include choosing suitable healthcare and financial proxies to speak for us when we are not able, as well as how to organize personal obligations and effects. We will discuss traditional as well as alternative end-of-life options. Students will make a plan to accomplish their goals, to receive support, and to help peers as we age together.
Class Limit: 15
Presenter: Ruven Liebhaber (LLI) is a retired architect whose career focused on senior living and hospice residences. Since relocating to the Hudson Valley from Boston, he has continued his long-term service as a hospice volunteer, an artist, and a nature-worker. Liebhaber holds certificates in Elder Co-Housing development, Elder Mediation, Hospice Volunteering, Nursing Home Ombudsmanship, and Guardianship. Liebhaber has created and facilitated workshops on end-of-life issues in order to raise awareness about preparation and available alternatives for this often neglected stage of life.
Producer: Suzanne Holzberg
Friday, fifth period: 3:10 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.
September 11, 18, 25, October 2, 9, and 16
Description: This course pairs Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment with Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Tell-Tale Heart” and “The Black Cat.” Through these works, we will examine how both authors use intensely subjective narration to draw readers into the minds of killers whose accounts are both revealing and unreliable. Raskolnikov’s theories, fevers, evasions, and confessions will be read beside Poe’s monomaniacal and delusory first-person narrators. Together, these works reveal murder not as an act of dark artistry, but as a collapse of reason, conscience, and self-control—driven by vanity, wounded pride, and the ego’s need to justify itself. The text that will be used is: Dostoevsky, Fyodor. Crime and Punishment. Translated by Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky. New York: Vintage Classics, 1993. ISBN: 978-0-679-73450-5. Part One will be discussed in the first class on September 11.
Class Limit: 30
Presenter: Daniel Lanzetta, MA, (LLI) has been teaching literature most of his life at Mt. Vernon High School, The College of New Rochelle, Thornton School, and Western Connecticut State University. He hopes to continue teaching it in the afterlife, but that remains to be seen.
Producer: Fern Fleckman
Note: This class ends at 4:45 p.m.
off-friday courses
Days & Times Vary by Course
Wednesdays, 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
September 9, 16, 23, 30, October 7 and 14.
Description: This course explores the visions of leading figures shaping key programs and institutions at Bard College.
- Maestro Jindong Cai discusses the US-China Music Institute and East/West Ensemble, which foster cultural exchange through music.
- Jana Marlene Mader and Thomas Bartscherer highlight the Hannah Arendt Center’s commitment to critical political discourse.
- Jeffrey Lependorf presents the John Cage Trust as a source of ongoing creative experimentation.
- Artist Nayland Blake advocates for an interdisciplinary approach to studio art.
- Lauren Cornell examines contemporary art’s relationship to technology and global change through CCS Bard and the Hessel Museum.
- Gideon Lester and Christopher Gibbs discuss the Fisher Center’s future, including the new Maya Lin–designed arts facility.
Class Limit: 25
Presenter: Kornelia Tamm (LLI) was born in Germany and has lived across Europe and the U.S., working in the arts and cultural institutions. A Bard literature graduate and Hudson Valley resident since 1997, she serves on the board of the Bard Conservatory and is active with the CCS Hessel Museum and the Fisher Center. With a lifelong passion for the arts and deep ties to Bard, she offers a unique, insider’s perspective on the college’s creative and institutional life.
Producer: Eleanor Wieder
Wednesday, September 23
1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. (one session)
Description: Each year, nearly 40% of adults over age 70 experience a fall, and many of these falls result in serious injury. This practical course will introduce participants to simple exercises designed to improve balance, stability, and confidence in everyday movement. Students will learn techniques that strengthen the legs and feet while supporting the body systems involved in maintaining balance. Participants should bring a lightweight mat and be prepared for gentle physical activity. Reference materials for all exercises discussed in class will be provided, so note-taking will not be necessary.
Class Limit: 25
Presenter: Russel Charno, a chiropractor in Rhinebeck, NY, graduated from Northeast College of Health Sciences in 1987. He has completed extensive continuing education in biomechanics, strength training, corrective exercise, movement assessment, and functional rehabilitation. Dr.Charno teaches strength-training classes to older adults and has a particular interest in helping his patients enhance and maintain their strength, balance, and mobility into later years.
Producer: Margaret Moran
NOTE: This class will meet at Starr Library in Rhinebeck for one session on Wednesday, September 23.
Wednesdays, 3:00 p.m – 5:00 p.m.
September 23 and 30, October 7 and 14 (four sessions)
Description: Shaped by centuries of migration and colonization, Caribbean cuisine is a rich tapestry of flavors. This course explores how Spanish, Dutch, French, British, African, Indian, and Chinese cultures transformed indigenous recipes across the region. Through live cooking demonstrations, we will prepare authentic dishes from various islands and analyze how different spheres of influence created distinct culinary traditions. Join us to taste and compare how history, culture, and geography blend together on the Caribbean plate.
Fee: $60 cash for four sessions, payable at the first class.
Class Limit: 15
NOTE: This class will meet at the Church of the Messiah Parish Hall in Rhinebeck for four sessions on Wednesdays, September 23 and 30, October 7 and 14.
Presenter: Harvey Monder (LLI) has been fascinated by the foods of Southeast Asia for over 65 years. His interest developed when he accidentally came across a book on Indonesian cooking. Through the years, his interests spread to include other countries of Southeast Asia. Harvey is self-educated on regional cooking techniques and ingredients. He has prepared representative meals for parties and picnics. In addition to his interest in Southeast Asia, Harvey has taught classes in Caribbean, Japanese, and Mediterranean cooking.
Producer: Dorothy Baran
Tuesday, September 22
2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (one session)
Description: Experience a one-day tour of Madeleine Segall-Marx’s thought-provoking art installation at her barn in Hyde Park, NY. Over a decade, the artist collected 25 accounts of global war from individuals labeled “the enemy,” transforming each story into a unique visual artwork. Explore the full collection online at Listening to the Enemy. The program begins in the house in the great room with an overview of the project’s origins and the companion narratives. Guests then walk to the nearby barn, where the artist personally guides the group, sharing the moving stories that inspired each piece. This immersive journey invites reflection on conflict, perspective, and our shared humanity through art.
Class Limit: 30
Presenter: Madeleine Segall-Marx, a former instructor of figurative sculpture, has won myriad awards for her work, including the Dutchess County Executive Arts Award to an Individual Artist. When president of the National Association of Women Artists, she developed programs for its members that involved social justice issues. Her journey in the Listening to the Enemy Project (supported by grants from NYSCA and the Puffin Foundation) led to her involvement with helping Iraqi refugees and with Nepal’s Tharu population.
Producer: L. Walker
Note: This class will meet in Hyde Park, NY, for one session on Tuesday, September 22.
Accessibility: The great room has seating for all, there is a short walk on a grassy surface to the barn and a few stairs are required. The barn has limited seating for about 8.
Credits
Curriculum Committee
Mary McClellan, Chair
Kathryn Clark, Secretary
Anne Brueckner, Course Scheduler
Dorothy Baran
Robert Beaury
Barbara Danish
Fern Fleckman
Carmela Gersbeck
Beth Goldberg
Suzanne Holzberg
Nancy Keeney
Gary Miller
Chuck Mishaan
Margaret Moran
Janet Pincus
Cathy Reinis
Margaret Shuhala
L. Walker
Leslie Weinstock
Eleanor Wieder
Catalog Team
Ann Green, Chair
Anne Brueckner
Susan Christoffersen
Mark Houghtaling
Deborah Lanser
Susan Mermelstein
Margaret Shuhala
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