LIR Class Offerings for Fall 2005

I have been invited again to teach possible classes in the Learning in Retirement Program in the Fall.  Again, I would like to express my great enthusiasm and excitement to be a part of this wonderful program.  I hope I can be of service to my students again real soon.

I have had some basic ideas for classes that can be crafted either way to fit the "Arts, Language or Leisure" section, or "History, Social Studies, and Nature" section offered this past Spring.  These are included in the List below.  I have also included some newly added classes for Fall.

Introduction to Chinese Chess	Kimono Dress
The World of Tea	Origami - Paper Folding Fun
Japanese Tea Ceremony	Intro. to Oriental Culture
Japanese Flower Arrangement	An Illustrated Intro. to Japan
Beg. Japanese/Chinese Language	Patterns of JPN Culture/Behavior
Chinese Calligraphy	Japanese Gardening
Japanese Cooking	Spring 2005 LIR Class Offerings

For the "Arts, Language or Leisure" section:

Introduction to Chinese Chess
(3 days for 1 hour each day)
$3 for materials
Sept. 12, 19, 26
(2:00pm - 3:00pm)
Class size: anywhere from 1 to 30 students

Learn the game of Chinese Chess, which is related to International Chess.  Chinese Chess is a stimulating game that helps keep the mind alert and teaches strategic thinking, patience, careful calculation and the art of maneuvering.  Chinese Chess has been played for centuries and continues to be a hobby of millions today, making this the oldest board game in the world!  The goal of this class is to help one get started in playing Chinese Chess.  The first part of the class will involve a lecture about the history of Chinese Chess and its relationship to other chess games.  Then the next part will detail the basic moves, instructions, and rules needed to play the game.  The last part of the class will require minds to stay alert, where students may want to start learning deeper strategies and tactics for a final tournament-style game.  This class can be designed for non-native Chinese speakers or enrich and expose students to some unique Chinese characters.  An alternative set of Chinese Chess pieces that are represented by pictures instead of Chinese characters will be prepared also, so participants do not have to understand Chinese characters in order to learn how to play this game.

The World of Tea 
(3 days for 1 hour each day)
$10 for materials
Sept. 12, 19, 26
(1:00pm - 2:00pm)

Did you know that Tea is the second most consumed beverage on the planet?  Water is first!  So, open your mind, senses and heart to the World of Tea.  In this Tea Tasting workshop, students will learn everything there is to know about tea, from understanding various tea grade and type classification, to becoming aware of the various health benefits that can be gained from the variety of teas from specific parts of the world.  This class will also review the history of tea starting from its origins in Asia to its movement into Europe and Africa and across the globe.  Essentially, the techniques of selecting, steeping and serving tea will also be introduced.  In the end, students in this class will be able to sample lots of kinds of tea, learn lots of interesting and exciting things about tea and be able to contribute their own creativity and contributions for a final Tea Party on the last day.

Japanese Tea Ceremony
(3 days for 1 hour each day)
$10 for materials
Oct. 3, 10, 17
12:00pm-1:00pm
Syllabus
Power-point Presentation
Final Class Tea Ceremony

Discover the traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony, in three 1 hour classes.  In the first class, a brief 15-minute introduction will be presented by a video that details the rich tradition of oyu, the Japanese Tea Ceremony.  Then, a lecture via power-point presentation on Chado, the Way of Tea, will immerse students in the deep philosophy, concepts and ideas associated with the ceremony.  The second class will involve a physical showing of the Japanese tea utensils, as well as engage students in a hands-on experience, practice and participation of holding, serving and drinking tea.  The final class will involve the students? own creativity and contributions, allowing the students to synthesize what they have learned to design, develop and determine their own style of tea and tea gathering.  Come and experience Tea in the "table style" - Tea as a state of mind.. Tea as a living tradition.  Students will also learn how to prepare the quintessential bowl of hot tea, and throughout the classes, students will enjoy Japanese sweets and Japanese tea. 

Japanese Flower Arrangement
(2 days for 1 hour each day)
$10 flower charge
Oct. 3, 10, 17
11:00pm-12:00pm

This class will study the Japanese Flower forms as it relates to Japanese artistic styles that are exemplified in Ikebana flower arrangement.  Learn how to create your own stunning Japanese or Oriental flower arrangements in this 2 day class.

Beginning Japanese & Chinese Language
(1 day per week for 1 hour each day)
Beginning September 12 - November 18
(4:00pm-5:00pm)
Power-point Presentation

Handout sheets will replace the need for textbooks, but textbooks can be available.  Learn conversational Japanese and Chinese, a little reading, and a little writing in a friendly, sociable atmosphere.

Chinese Calligraphy
(3 days for 1 hour each day)
$10 for materials
Oct. 3, 10, 17
1:00pm-2:00pm

Explore Chinese Calligraphy and the pictorial/character writing system.  An introduction to the ancient art of Chinese and Japanese ink painting will be presented on the first day. On the second day, students will learn how to hold a Chinese brush and write their own name in Chinese or Japanese.  On the last day, students will learn to use the Oriental brush painting equipment and develop the basic techniques used to write Chinese characters and paint classic nature subjects such as bamboo, chrysanthemums and plums. Ink stick and ink stone or bottle of ink, medium Japanese brush, and 9x12" pad of rice paper will be provided.

Japanese Cooking
(3 days for 1 hour each day)
$30 for lunch and materials
October 31, November 7, 14
(12:00pm-1:00pm)

The Japanese are re-known all over the world for having the longest life expectancy than any other nation on the planet.  This fact can be attributed to their optimal living standards and eating traditions found in their daily lifestyle and cuisine.  Healthy foods, such as seaweed, soy and other low-fat, high fiber, plant-based dietary ingredients, contribute to a longer, healthier life.  Therefore, students in this class will learn how to make the world's healthiest foods!  A variety of Japanese foods will be introduced, where students can participate either by observation or by hands-on experience.  On the first day, students will be given an overview of the foods of Japan via a video.  And then, they will be invited to lunch to try a variety of sushi, sukiyaki, tempura, teriyaki, don-buri, or suki-mono, and other Japanese foods.  After tasting, students will decide which kinds of foods they would like to learn how to make.  On the second day, students will gather in the class kitchen to learn what will be involved in the cooking and preparing of various recipes of different Japanese dishes, and on the final day, the class will gather to have their own full Japanese dinner course.

Kimono Dress
(1 day for 1 hour)
Oct. 3, 10, 17
3:00pm-4:00pm

Students will be introduced to the traditions of Japanese Fabric & Clothing Art and examine the sophisticated designs and patterns that prevail in Japanese Fashion.  This class will also teach you how to dress Japanese traditional clothes kimono, how to tie obi, and also the meanings of variety of kimonos. 

Origami - Paper Folding Fun
(1 day for 1 hour)
Oct. 3, 10, 17
2:00pm-3:00pm

This class aims to develop fine motor skills and foster an awareness of Oriental Culture through the Ancient Japanese Art of Paper Folding.  Everything from the simple, basic everyday designs like "boxes" to creating more complex artwork such as the "crane" and "flower", will be demonstrated.

Introduction to Oriental Culture
(3 days for 1 hour each day)
$10 for materials
Oct. 3 (4:00pm-5:00pm), October 10 (any one hour segment from 
(11am-4pm)), 
October 17 (any one hour segment from (11am-4pm))
Power-point Presentation

This class will provide a general overview of Oriental Culture as it relates to Western Culture, presenting exploratory topics in Oriental Art, Asian Language and Eastern Culture, with an focused interest and study into Japanese Customs and Traditions.  A video and slide show will present some unique ideas and topics related to Oriental Culture.  Students will also be given the opportunity to participate in a hands-on experience in Japanese Tea Ceremony, Bonsai & Flower Arrangement, Origami, Chinese Calligraphy and/or Kimono Fashion, depending on the class interests.

For the "History, Social Studies, and Nature" section:

An Illustrated Introduction to Japan
(1 day for 1 hour)
October 24 (2:00pm-3:00pm)

This class was developed as a result of the teachers? experience in Japan and is designed to extend the experience of the Japanese history, culture, composition, and geography, through brief visual exposure.

Patterns of Japanese Culture & Behavior
(1 day for 1 hour)
October 24 (3:00pm-4:00pm)

A Brief Introduction to Japanese Society Values / Traditions /  Rules of Behavior seeking to develop increased awareness of Japan and Asia among its students.

Japanese Gardening
(3 days for 1 hour)
$15 for materials
Class size: from 8 to 12 students
October 31 (2:00pm-3:00pm)
Syllabus
Power-point Presentation

This class will study the Japanese Plant/Garden forms as it relates to Japanese artistic styles that are exemplified in Traditional Bonsai Design, and in the more contemporary Japanese Rock Gardens.  In the first class, a video introduction and discussion will be presented that details the form, style, and deep philosophy and ideas associated with Japanese Gardens.  Then on the second day, a Japanese Gardening workshop will be held that will invite students to create their own stunning Japanese Bonsai or Japanese Zen Garden in this class.  Finally, depending on feasibility, a trip to a nearby Japanese Garden will be arranged. 

Thank you for your consideration of me.