Bienvenue à la Communauté d’apprentissage continue de McGill!
Nous proposons des programmes éducatifs pour des étudiants adultes qui souhaitent poursuivre leur apprentissage pour le simple plaisir.
Nos groupes d’études animés par des pairs et nos conférences couvrent un large éventail de sujets : arts, littérature, histoire, musique, sciences, philosophie, culture mondiale et voyage. Vous aurez le plaisir de satisfaire votre curiosité intellectuelle, de nouer de nouvelles amitiés et de reprendre les études dans une université de renommée mondiale — sans la pression des examens.
Spying and crimes, both recent and in history, will be presented and discussed. Who was the first African American member of the KKK? Was there a real James Bond? The sky is the limit. The CBC series “X-Company” will be followed in part. There will be a suggested list of topics, but nothing is off the table. Presentations may take any format, and can be based on real or fictional events. Any format such as PowerPoint, a video, a personal story, or a written speech may be used. The moderator will draw upon 28 years in federal law enforcement to relate some interesting anecdotes. There will be several hands-on sessions and, of course, “SPY SCHOOL”. This study group is limited to 20 participants.
YCMS 172 History of Israel from Pre-state to 1995 and Leadership of the Times
Automne 2019
thursday
Ten lectures on Israel’s leaders, with special consideration given to Israeli prime ministers and the chief of Mossad including the personality tests that some of them completed.
The United States comes to grips with the end of Civil War: The Emancipation Proclamation of 1863 and the subsequent constitutional amendments officially put an end to slavery. But they did not change the color of the former slaves: racism replaced involuntary servitude and proved to be harder to combat, both in the North and the South. With the participants’ presentations, we will study this grievous development and its aftermath.
YCMS 174 Ancient Worlds: The Evolution of Daily Life
Automne 2019
monday
What draws us to learn about ancient civilizations and how their peoples lived? What can we learn from research into how they thought and what they believed? Discussion will be stimulated by presenting videos and other material that provide insight into, and understanding of, various aspects of ancient civilizations. This study group will explore the evolution of daily life from our roots as hunter-gatherers to the development of complex societies. Participants are encouraged to make presentations although these are not obligatory.
In this study group we will look at two novels by contemporary British novelists at the top of their game: The Sense of an Ending (Julian Barnes) and Atonement (Ian McEwan). In each novel, a young person makes a mistake; we watch the consequences develop over many years as the ironies pile up. Format is mostly discussion but relevant presentations are always welcome.
YCMS 176 Charles Dickens: A Writer for His Time and Ours: Our Mutual Friend
Automne 2019
wednesday
This study group is designed for those who enjoy the works of Charles Dickens and want to learn about his writing, his life and his times. Through films and discussion, we will explore the Victorian era and discover the impact Dickens had on his own world and on our popular culture. Over ten weeks we will read and review Our Mutual Friend. Short presentations on the book, aspects of Victorian life and Dickens’s rich, and often controversial, personal history are encouraged. Be prepared for a fun and informative experience.
An exploration of Pride and Prejudice and other works by Jane Austen. Each week, a viewing of an episode of a film version of Pride and Prejudice will be followed by class discussion. It is not necessary to read the novels beforehand though it adds to the interest. The moderators will present information on Jane Austen’s life and on aspects of the period such as why marriage was so important for women; patronage; elopement; social conduct; travel, etc. Presentations are not required.
YCMS 178 Literature and National Rebirth: 20th Century Hebrew Literature
Automne 2019
tuesday
"If the Jews wish to become a nation of Jewish Culture, they must first become truly a nation" ~ Eliezer Ben-Yehuda, 1904. With Zionism came a renaissance of the Hebrew language and literature. The Janus-like challenge to the predominantly diaspora people was to fashion a cultural ethos and modes of meaningful being fit for the modern world. Course readings: English translations of novels, parts of novels, short stories, poems in Hebrew literature from early to late 20th century. Among the featured authors: Agnon, Burla, Michael, Har-Even, Yehoshua, Gur.
Wayne Johnston has written a masterful international-best-selling historical novel paying tribute to the people of Newfoundland, while highlighting the beautiful and brutal landscape of that province. We will read and discuss this novel which is both a mystery and a soul-moving love story that spans five decades in an epic portrait of powerfully imagined passion and ambition. Copies available at Paragraphe Books.
As a continuation to the previous study group on Hispanic Short Stories, we will read short stories by ten other Hispanic authors: Ruben Darío, Horacio Quiroga, Gabriela Mistral, César Vallejo, Miguel Ángel Asturias, Alejo Carpentier, Pablo Neruda, María Luisa Bombal, José María Arguedas, Octavio Paz. Participants can expect to pay up to $15 for photocopies.
In this session, we will be watching together and discussing a selection of Shakespeare's comedies in live performance from London's Globe Theatre. Scheduled productions include: The Taming of the Shrew, Much Ado about Nothing, Twelfth Night, and As You Like It.
Anton Chekhov’s life experiences gave him a unique perspective on the problems of 19th Century Russia. He was a physician, philanthropist, playwright and master of the modern short story. We will examine the atmosphere of the Russia of his day as seen through his novellas, plays and short stories. A list of suggested readings will be sent upon registration. Discussion style, but presentations are always welcome.
YCMS 184 The Origins of Canadian and American Music
Automne 2019
monday
The origin of American Roots music goes back to Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger. Folk music from this era became the anthem for many social movements in the US. From Joan Baez to John Denver and Buddy Holly in the US, and from Zachary Richard to Ian and Sylvia and the Rankins in Canada, this music defined an era. Songs from this heritage will be discussed ... and then sung. Lyrics will be made available and the entire group will be encouraged to join in.
This study group will highlight the major compositions of Johannes Brahms, composer and pianist, and Gustav Mahler, composer and conductor. Brahms and Mahler are considered to be the musical giants of the Romantic Era, each with his own unique sound. Brahms was a Classicist in the second half of the 19th century, and Mahler bridged the Late Romantic Period with early 20th century Modernism. Brahms was also a prolific composer of piano works, and Mahler was renowned for his epic song cycles. Join me in listening to this treasure trove of musical excellence and diversity.
Can opera portray the powers of evil and the supernatural? We’ll look for answers in Gounod’s Faust, Berlioz’s The Damnation of Faust, Boito’s Mefistofele, Rubinstein’s Demon, and Britten’s The Turn of the Screw.
While no presentations are required, discussion will be strongly encouraged.
Textiles are all around us - in the clothes we wear, our household linens and soft furnishings, the interiors of cars and in artworks. What unfair labour practices are common in the textile industries? Why did Gandhi carry a spinning wheel? Who were the earliest humans to wear clothes? How has clothing changed throughout history? What is the history of the garment trade in Montreal? What new textiles are on the horizon? What kinds of pollution result from the manufacture and use of textiles? Participants are expected to give 30-40 minute presentations and to contribute to discussions.
Although we are all familiar with the concept of climate change and the associated ecological and societal implications, how well do we understand the factors that determine our weather? We will examine these atmospheric factors from both a scientific and a historical point of view. All participants are expected to make a presentation of 20 to 30 minutes and take part in discussion. A list of suggested topics will be available in advance from the moderators.
YCMS 190 Finding and Evaluating Information on the Internet
Automne 2019
monday
We all use the Internet to get news and advice, to find answers to questions, to buy stuff and more. However, the results of our online searches are not always of the best quality. There’s more information out there than what we see, and what we get is often not accurate, objective or trustworthy. This study group is intended for the less digitally savvy, and will cover the basics of Internet searching and how to critically evaluate the results. The moderator will present the many varieties of online truth, such as biased and fake news, fraudulent product reviews and hyped or pseudo medical studies.
YCMS 191 Impacting Social Issues: Making Change Happen
Automne 2019
monday
Working together, we will compile a list of topical social issues that we would like to see resolved. Participants will present a topic of their choice and look at possible solutions (tried or not). The first session will be the loss of jobs due to technology and possible solutions. Other topics could include body image as a major source of depression, and information overload. Feel free to be creative, the list is vast.
So, you have to make a presentation, or perhaps, you would like to participate more fully and confidently in your MCLL study group. This workshop will lead you through the basic steps of understanding a communication model, organizing your material and delivering it with ease. “Learn by Doing” is the method we will use; therefore, some homework will be required so that we can pack a lot of activity into a 5-week session. Class Maximum 12.
The Workshop leader invites you to meet every two weeks with a group of travellers or would-be travellers to share their experiences, plans and apprehensions concerning global travel. Topics will include group versus independent travel, how and when to book airfare, comparing similar tours, safety considerations and handling of various foreign currencies. We will also cover car rentals, travel insurance, booking accommodations, solo travel, packing tips and suggestions for getting the most bang for your travel buck.
Presenter: April Colosimo -
Journal articles are used to communicate experimental results among members of a scientific community, and as such can be intimidating for other readers. This workshop will cover the organization of scientific papers and how to approach reading them. Participants may bring articles to use during the exercises, but sample papers will be provided
Presenter: April Colosimo -
This is a hands-on workshop to help you to set up your iPad (and other mobile devices) and to make the most of what the Library has to offer. Applications will include OverDrive (e-books and audiobooks) and PressReader (magazines and newspapers). Your McGill email address and password are required.
Presenter: Manon Wascher -
Journaling is private writing about our thoughts, ideas, emotions, lives, etc. In this Morning Journaling workshop we will work with journal-writing exercises that help beautifully shape our days. By the end of this workshop you will know why people world-over have been journaling for centuries.
After taking early retirement from McGill in 1996, a friend told me about the then McGill Institute for Learning in Retirement. I joined and never looked back. Not a university graduate, I had language and organizational skills and have been driven by curiosity and love for learning all my life. So rich is the variety of MCLL study group topics, that it is hard to select any two each term. Not only have I found MCLL stimulating, challenging and also fun but have met people with unexpected and amazing life stories. I will certainly participate in MCLL as long as my brain works!
Thea Pawlikowska
MCLL Testimonial
After retiring I had a fair idea of what I wanted to do: catch up with my reading, indulge in some travelling, and, do more to keep fit. I ran into an old friend who told me, with much enthusiasm, about MCLL. It took a couple more encounters before I took the plunge and discovered all the great benefits that MCLL has to offer. Since joining around eight years ago, it has been a pleasure meeting interesting people with such a wide variety of backgrounds. The other great boon has been experiencing the peer learning process, contributing to study groups and giving lectures, all of which continue to be enjoyable and enriching experiences.