Study groups are courses designed for seniors by seniors, given both online and on campus.
Spring Term Duration: April 13 - June 18, 2026
Spring Registration is now open.
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MCLL Spring 2026 Available Study Groups |
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ARCHITECTURE/VISUAL ARTSYCMS 722 (in person - FULL, Waitlist Available)/ YCMS 723 online) Documentary Photography
Hybrid Study Group â register for in-person or online attendance
Moderator: Gordon Campey | gcampey [at] videotron.ca
Time: Tuesday, 12:00-2:00 p.m.
Duration: 10 weeks
Study Group Style: Moderator/Participant presentation
Attendance: Hybrid
Maximum Number of Participants: 13 in person, 14 online
Moderator Location: In person
This study group, the second in an ongoing series, explores how social documentary photography reflects, critiques, and shapes society. We'll examine iconic projects that have documented war, inequality, protest, and daily life â from the Great Depression to climate change. Discover how photographers use images to frame truth, memory, and power. No prior expertise is needed, just curiosity, opinions, and an eye for imagery. Presentations are most welcome but not mandatory. Join this group for lively discussions that reveal the enduring power of photography to inspire awareness, empathy, and change.Â
Please register for one section:
YCMS 722 - In person
YCMS 723 - Online
YCMSÂ 724Â To Observe, To Understand, To Appreciate . . . Art (FULL)
Waitlist Available
Moderator: Barbara Karasek | karasekb [at] vaniercollege.qc.ca
Time: Tuesday, 12:00-2:00Â p.m.Â
Duration: 6 weeks, starting April 14
Study Group Style: Moderator/Participant presentation
Attendance: In person
Maximum Number of Participants: 10
âThe average person spends 17 seconds looking at a work of artâ (Toledo Museum of Art, 2021). We will spend much, much longer carefully observing originals at the MMFA in order to learn how to examine, understand, and appreciate a work of art. After being introduced to the elements of art in the first two classes, the remaining four will be spent at the Museum (free for seniors; stools provided) with members choosing a work that appeals to them and guiding our examination. The emphasis will be on observation, analysis, and discussion. The goal: to enjoy art, without feeling intimidated by it!Â
Register for this in-person study group
CREATIVE WRITING / LITERATUREYCMSÂ 662Â Creative and Mundane Writing with AIÂ AssistanceÂ
Moderators:
Romano De Santis | romano.desantis [at] polymtl.ca
Giovanna De Santis | giodesantis [at] videotron.ca
Time: Monday, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Duration: 10 weeks
Study Group Style: Workshop
Attendance: Online
Maximum Number of Participants: 12
This study group will explore, through hands-on creative writing projects, including short stories, poems, sonnets, letters, and text for presentations, the potential of AI (Artificial Intelligence) chatbots to inspire, guide, and refine the writing process. The focus will be on developing authentic expression, emotional resonance, and literary quality, using AI chatbots as collaborative tools for brainstorming, editing, experimenting with style, and exploring creating writing structures. Curiosity, creativity, sharing, and a willingness to write are essential for full participation.
Register for this online study group
YCMS 725 Great Writers: George Eliotâs Creative JourneyÂ
Moderator: âŻGabrielle Soskin | gabriellesoskin [at] hotmail.com
Time: Tuesday, 2:30-4:30Â p.m.Â
Duration: 10 weeks
Study Group Style: Moderator/Participant presentation
Attendance: In person
Maximum Number of Participants: 17
Each session will explore the voice of George Eliot as expressed in her first and final publication, as well as the literary arc of her writing.  In-class presentations will be encouraged. Required reading: âThe Sad Fortunes of the Rev. Amos Bartonâ from Scenes of Clerical Life (1857); âThe Modern Hep! Hep! Hep!â from Impressions of Theophrastus Such (1897). Both texts are available online for download. Recommended reading: any biography of George Eliot.Â
Register for this in-person study group
YCMS 726 Two Novels: Small Island & Small Things Like These (FULL)
Waitlist Available
Moderators:
Maggie Benfield | mbenfield6 [at] gmail.com
Susan van Gelder | susanvg [at] mac.com
Time: Monday, 9:30-11:30Â a.m.Â
Duration: 10 weeks
Study Group Style: Discussion group
Attendance: In person
Maximum Number of Participants: 17
The word âsmallâ in the two titles is deceptive! In one case, the âsmall islandâ has been an imperial power; in the other, a âsmall thingâ has huge consequences. We shall discover, through discussion, how the two authors (Andrea Levy and Claire Keegan) create their very different worlds. They both show societies in flux, in which individual acts of courage contribute to societal change.Â
Register for this in-person study group
YCMS 547 Fairy Tales: Once Upon a Time -- Today (FULL)
Waitlist Available
Moderator: Barbara Karasek |Â karasekb [at] vaniercollege.qc.caÂ
Time: Thursday, 2:30-4:30 p.m. Â
Duration: 10 weeks
Study Group Style: Discussion group
Attendance: In person
Maximum Number of Participants: 17
Apart from the Bible, there is probably no body of material that is as familiar to Western society as fairy tales. Transmitted orally for hundreds of years until they were eventually recorded, these tales can be found in many versions worldwide. In this process, the tales have undergone constant transformation as generations of tellers, collectors, writers, and artists across cultures have been drawn to this motherlode of story. Comparison of multiple versions will allow us to examine the features of a particular tale that have brought about its enduring popularity.Â
Register for this in-person study group
YCMS 727 Le bonheur de lire et dâapprendre le français
Moderator: Suzie Bogos |Â suzie.bogos [at] gmail.comÂ
Time: Monday, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Duration: 5 weeks, starting April 13
Study Group Style: Moderator/Participant presentation (optional)Â
Attendance: In person
Maximum Number of Participants: 17
En français seulement.
AmĂ©liorez votre français en lisant dâadmirables textes classiques et contemporains de la littĂ©rature française et quĂ©bĂ©coise. Nous dĂ©couvrirons des nouvelles, des contes, et des poĂšmes Ă©crits par de grands auteurs. Nous explorerons ces Ćuvres dans leur contexte historique et culturel et discuterons des idĂ©es, du style, du vocabulaire etc Chaque texte seraâŻdistribuĂ© Ă lâavance. Les participantsâŻqui le souhaitent pourront prĂ©parer une courte prĂ©sentation.âŻLa participation nĂ©cessite un niveau de compĂ©tence intermĂ©diaire enâŻfrançais.
Register for this in-person study group
YCMSÂ 249Â Writersâ Circle (FULL)
Waitlist Available
Moderator: Laura Malbogat | lauramalbogat [at] gmail.com
Time: Tuesday, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Â
Duration: 6 weeks, starting April 14
Study Group Style: Workshop
Attendance: Online
Maximum Number of Participants: 10
Whether you are a novice or an experienced writer, refining your writing skills is a positive, enriching exercise, especially when combined with feedback and supportive coaching within a small group. Every second week, each participant will submit their fiction or non-fiction writing (up to 1,200 words) two days prior to the workshop. Participants will then read their drafts aloud, followed by a group discussion with the goal of enhancing their writing. All participants must be willing to engage in a positive, supportive exchange and be ready to receive thoughtful, diplomatic feedback from the MCLL participants.Â
Register for this online study group
CULTURAL STUDIES / TRAVELYCMSÂ 437 An Ocean Voyage Around the World in 140 Days (FULL)
Waitlist Available
Moderator: David Grogan | david [at] davidmgrogan.comÂ
Time: Thursday, 12:00-2:00 p.m.Â
Duration: 10 weeks
Study Group Style: Moderator presentation
Attendance: In person
Maximum Number of Participants: 15
In 2017-18, the moderator voyaged around the world for 20 weeks. The presentation features high-resolution photographs with explanation and commentaries on the historic sites, cities, and people visited during this 60,000-kilometer voyage to 31 countries. Highlights include Havana, Panama Canal, South Pacific, Polynesia, New Zealand, Australia, Komodo Islandâs dragons, Indonesiaâs Borobudur temple, Bruneiâs water village, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Hainanâs wet market, Ho Chi Minh City, Cambodiaâs Angkor Wat, Singapore, India, Jordanâs Petra, Pyramids, Egyptian Museum, Suez Canal, Malta, Algiers, and London.
Register for this in-person study group
YCMSÂ 728Â Glorious Food IÂ (Appetizers and Entrees)Â
Moderator: Diana Ooi | ooidiana22 [at] gmail.com
Time: Tuesday, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Duration: 5 weeks
Study Group Style: Moderator/Participant presentationÂ
Attendance: In person
Maximum Number of Participants: 17
Simple bites can evoke memories of childhood, family kitchens, and moments of belonging, generously shared around the table. This study group embraces that spirit. We wonât just talk about food - weâll taste it, from shared samples to occasional restaurant outings. No presentation skills required, only curiosity, openness, and a love of food. Come as you are, and let familiar flavours spark stories, connection, and shared discovery.Â
Register for this in-person study group
YCMS 730 (in person - FULL, Waitlist Available)/ YCMS 731 (online - FULL, Waitlist Available) Who . . . and What Makes You Laugh?
Hybrid Study Group â register for in-person or online attendance
Moderators:
Linda Sidel | lindasidel [at] me.com
Jeff Sidel | jeff [at] seniorsadvisory.ca
Time: Thursday, 12:00-2:00 p.m.
Duration: 5 weeks, starting April 16
Study Group Style: Moderator presentation
Attendance: Hybrid
Maximum Number of Participants: 13 in person, 14 online
Moderator Location: In person
Do you remember when you couldnât wait to sit in front of your TV to watch your favourite sitcoms such as, The Dick Van Dyke Show or All in the Family? How about your favourite comedy variety shows such as, Carol Burnett or The Smothers Brothers? Humour is very much subjective, and it is also contagious. For five weeks, we will explore comedy in its many forms, what we find funny, and who and what makes us laugh.Â
Please register for one section:
YCMS 730 - In person
YCMS 731 - Online
YCMS 732 Let's Do Philosophy! As a Way of Life. (FULL)
Waitlist Available
Moderator: Alan Belk |Â abelk [at] uoguelph.ca
Time: Thursday, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Duration: 10 weeks
Study Group Style: Discussion group
Attendance: In person
Maximum Number of Participants: 17
Western philosophy originated in Greece as a practical guide to living well. We still need such a guide as we try to live a good life both as individuals and as members of a community. Philosophy today has become largely an academic pursuit but the questions it raises â What is happiness? What is the right thing to do? What is it to be human? â are questions we can all ask and, importantly, struggle to answer through Socratic discussion with like-minded people. The big BUT is that we must be prepared to examine ourselves and our beliefs and to change them, which we may not find easy.
Register for this in-person study group
YCMS 487 (in person)/YCMS 488 (online) Parlons Français
Hybrid Study Group â register for in-person or online attendance
Moderator: Jacques Lalanne |Â m.jacques.lalanne [at] gmail.com
Time: Monday, 2:30-4:30 p.m.
Duration: 10 weeks
Study Group Style: Workshop
Attendance: Hybrid
Maximum Number of Participants: 13 in person, 14 online
Moderator Location: In person
En français seulement
Conversation en français sur des sujets dâexpĂ©riences vĂ©cues, proposĂ©s par le modĂ©rateur.
Veuillez vous inscrire Ă l'un des cours suivants :
HEALTH/MEDICINE/WELLNESSNo study groups in this category are available in the Spring term.
HISTORYYCMS 718 (in person - FULL, Waitlist Available)/YCMS 719 (online - FULL, Waitlist Available) Russian Tsars: Ivan the Terrible to Vladimir Putin
Hybrid Study Group â register for in-person or online attendance
Moderator: Peter Blaikie |Â blaikiepeter [at] gmail.com
Time: Wednesday, 2:30-4:30 p.m.
Duration: 10 weeks
Study Group Style: Moderator/Participant presentation
Attendance: Hybrid
Maximum Number of Participants: 13 in person, 14 online
Moderator Location: In person
Given its importance geopolitically, particularly in the era of Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump, a study of Russian history through the prism of its tsars, including the Red Tsars, seems timely. The focus will be not only on the life and times of the individual tsars, but also on the major historical threads running through several centuries, which explain how Russia is governed. While much has changed in Russia over the centuries, both internally and externally, the many remaining constants are remarkable, e.g. statism, nationalism, and the search for control, order, unity and conservatism.
Please register for one section:
YCMS 733 (in person)/YCMS 734 (online - FULL, Waitlist Available) The Adventure of Archeology
Hybrid Study Group â register for in-person or online attendance
Moderator: Michel Lamarche |Â michel152 [at] sympatico.ca
Time: Tuesday, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Duration: 5 weeks, starting on May 19
Study Group Style: Moderator presentation
Attendance: Hybrid
Maximum Number of Participants: 13 in person, 14 online
Moderator Location: In person
We will explore the tools of modern archaeology and the lives of the pioneers who worked in Egypt, Mesopotamia, prehistoric Greece, Crete, and the Levant. We will look in particular at how the deciphering of ancient writing systems transformed our understanding of history. Major archaeological discoveries will be discussed, and participants are warmly encouraged to share presentations about their own visits or experiences at notable sites or museums.
Please register for one section:
YCMS 389 (in person - FULL, Waitlist Available)/YCMS 390 (online - FULL, Waitlist Available) Ancient Worlds: Uncovering the Past
Hybrid Study Group - register for in-person or online attendance
Moderator: Robert Winters |Â robertwinters [at] videotron.ca
Time: Monday, 2:30-4:30 p.m.
Duration: 10 weeks
Study Group Style: Moderator/Participant presentation
Attendance: Hybrid
Maximum Number of Participants: 13 in person, 14 online
Moderator Location: In person
What can we learn from exploring ancient civilizations and discovering how people lived in the past? Recent research into the DNA of ancient people, how they thought and what they believed can challenge our views about the past. Discussion will be stimulated by presentations and videos that explore major events and people that changed history. We will look at civilizations of the Mediterranean, Asia and the Americas, including Rome, Egypt and Greece. We will also explore the colourful lives of ancient leaders and learn what motivated them. Participants are encouraged to do presentations.
Please register for one section:
YCMS 386 A History of South Africa
Moderator: Peter Berry | peterberyy [at] yahoo.com
Time: Wednesday, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Duration: 10 weeks
Study Group Style: Moderator presentation
Attendance: Online
Maximum Number of Participants: 20
A look at the events that have contributed to the creation of the modern multi-racial, multi-cultural society of South Africa. A country that has been the arena of such complex individuals as Cecil Rhodes (diamonds and empire building), Jan Smuts (segregation and the United Nations), Dr. Verwoerd (apartheid) and Nelson Mandela (the Rainbow Nation), and is now attracting the attention of Donald Trump with his allegations of white genocide.
Register for this online study group
YCMS 735 India and The Silk Road (FULL)
Waitlist Available
Moderators:
Roger Humphrey | rth201002 [at] yahoo.ca
Jim Wyant | wyantcoinc [at] gmail.com
Time: Thursday, 12:00-2:00 p.m.
Duration: 6 weeks, starting April 16
Study Group Style: Moderator/Participant presentation
Attendance: In person
Maximum Number of Participants: 17
The Indian subcontinent played a significant role in the Silk Road trade. Integrating the already established spice trade with demand in Europe and China for goods produced in India and those that transited through the country were key elements in creating what is now referred to as the Silk Road. Indian advances in science and technology were adopted by the Arab world and medieval Europe. Members are encouraged to do presentations. A list of suggested readings and presentation topics will be circulated before the session begins.
Register for this in-person study group
YCMS 736 When Christianity Encountered Indigeneity
Moderators:
Randy Kritkausky| rkritkausky [at] ecologia.org
Chukwuemeka Antansi | chukwuemeka.antansi [at] mcgill.ca
Time: Wednesday, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Duration: 5 weeks, every 2nd week, starting April 15
Study Group Style: Discussion group
Attendance: Online
Maximum Number of Participants: 30
What really happened during the colonial era when Christian European cultures encountered Indigenous cultures in North America and Africa? How were both transformed and even enriched? It is time to depoliticize this historical encounter and discover more about our resulting hybridized spiritualities. The moderator is an enrolled Citizen Potawatomi Nation tribal member.
Register for this online study group
YCMS 720 Exploring the British Legacies in India
Moderator: Vikram Bhatt | vikram.bhatt [at] mcgill.ca
Time: Monday, 12:00-2:00 p.m.
Duration: 5 weeks, starting April 13
Study Group Style: Participant presentation
Attendance: In person
Maximum Number of Participants: 17
Like the Romans, the British built a great empire. During their 350-year reign in India, they founded great cities, established various institutions, and constructed impressive edifices. They also created more than 100 resorts or hill stations, where they spent long summers to escape the heat of the tropical plains; and to rule from these comfortable surroundings, they built roads, railways, and a communication network. The discussion group will explore the major physical, architectural, and socio-cultural legacies of that period, shaping India and Britain alike.
Register for this in-person study group
MUSIC / THEATRE / FILM STUDIESYCMS 737 All Things Hamlet
Moderator: Clifford Parr | clifford.parr [at] sympatico.ca
Time: Monday, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Duration: 10 weeks
Study Group Style: Discussion group
Attendance: In person
Maximum Number of Participants: 17
In this session, we will be focusing on perhaps the world's most famous play, Shakespeare's Hamlet. We will begin with Kenneth Branagh's extravagant film production of the play from 1996. Then we will watch a more traditional stage version from 2015 by the Stratford Festival featuring Jonathon Goad. Next, we will watch a modern film version with Ethan Hawke. In addition, we will look at examples of some of the more famous soliloquies, as well as scenes from English, French, and Italian versions of Hamlet.
Register for this in-person study group
YCMS 709 More Grand Opera (FULL)
Waitlist Available
Moderators: Clifford Parr | clifford.parr [at] sympatico.ca
Tony Wait | pawait [at] sympatico.ca
Time: Monday, 12:00-2:00 p.m.
Duration: 10 weeks
Study Group Style: Discussion group
Attendance: In person
Maximum Number of Participants: 17
In this session, we will be watching together and discussing more operas from the Grand Opera tradition. Tales of scheduled productions include: Rusalka (Dvorak), Werther (Massenet), Tales of Hoffman (Offenbach), Beatrice et Benedict (Berlioz), and Otello (Verdi).
Register for this in-person study group
YCMS 678 The Music We Love (FULL)
Waitlist Available
Moderator: Dan Babineau | danbabineau2023 [at] outlook.com
Time: Thursday, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Duration: 10 weeks
Study Group Style: Moderator/Participant presentation
Attendance: In person
Maximum Number of Participants: 17
How is it possible that every known human culture has created music? What is it about music that is so important and so apparently intrinsic to human development? Why do we love music? We will try to answer these questions, looking at how music works and the role it plays in human culture. We will examine how it is created, performed, recorded, and enjoyed, in a variety of settings and for a variety of reasons, throughout the world and history. Music is so diverse that we will only scratch the surface â but it will be fun! Be prepared to contribute your own musical preferences and knowledge.
Register for this in-person study group
YCMS 738 Movies Behind the Scenes (FULL)
Waitlist Available
Moderator: Dan Babineau | danbabineau2023 [at] outlook.com
Time: Thursday, 2:30-4:30 p.m.
Duration: 10 weeks
Study Group Style: Discussion group
Attendance: In person
Maximum Number of Participants: 17
We will analyze how movies are put together by looking âbehind the scenesâ of a specific film each week. We will examine as many aspects of the filmmaking process as possible, from screenwriting and casting through set design, shooting, and editing, and, of course, the special effects and trickery used to create the spectacular scenes we all know and love. Each movie will be screened at 5 pm at MCLL the evening before the study group for anyone who hasnât seen it or wants a refresher. Possible examples: Casablanca, The Godfather, 2001: A Space Odyssey, Panâs Labyrinth, Titanic, Star Wars âŠ
Register for this in-person study group
YCMS 498 What's All the Percussion About?Â
Moderator: Lanny Levine | lannylevines [at] gmail.com
Time: Wednesday, 2:30-4:30 p.m.
Duration: 5 weeks
Study Group Style: Moderator presentation
Attendance: In person
Maximum Number of Participants: 10
This study group will showcase the sounds of orchestral percussion instruments: timpani, cymbals, snare drum, triangle, tambourine, and mallet instruments. It will also demonstrate playing techniques, explain percussion notation, and have everyone try out smaller instruments first-hand. There will be lots of listening. Participants could give a short presentation touching, however tangentially, on any aspect of percussion.
Register for this in-person study group
YCMS 739 Music, Mathematics and Science
Moderators:
Philip Ehrensaft | metro845 [at] philipehrensaft.com
Rick Jones | rickjones205 [at] yahoo.com
Time: Wednesday, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Duration: 10 weeks
Study Group Style: Moderator presentation
Attendance: Online
Maximum Number of Participants: 90
Music, mathematics, and science have been intertwined since the rise of ancient complex civilizations through to the present world system. Weâll first follow a lecture series on relations between mathematics and music; the concluding weeks of the session will explore current work on the physics of music.
Register for this online study group
POLITICS / ECONOMICS / CURRENT EVENTSYCMS 740 Do We Have Economic Democracy? (CANCELLED)
Moderator: Nadia Alexan | nadia.alexan [at] videotron.ca
Time: Wednesday, 2:30-4:30 p.m.
Duration: 10 weeks
Study Group Style: Moderator presentation
Attendance: In person
Maximum Number of Participants: 17
We will discuss the award-winning book Vulture Capitalism: How to Survive in an Age of Corporate Greed, by Grace Blakeley, who answers the questions: Are markets really free? Do record corporate profits really trickle down? How can we be empowered to make our own choices when we have no choice over economic decisions? Are we going back to a feudal age? This book will help us to understand the world in which we live. It is recommended by Naomi Klein & Yanis Varoufakis as a must-read.
This group has been cancelled.
YCMS 741 (in person - FULL, Waitlist Available)/ YCMS 742 (online - FULL, Waitlist Available) âU.S. elections are always rigged.â. . .
Hybrid Study Group â register for in-person or online attendance
Moderator: Jeff Sidel | jeff [at] seniorsadvisory.ca
Time: Tuesday, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Duration: 5 weeks, starting April 14
Study Group Style: Moderator presentation
Attendance: Hybrid
Maximum Number of Participants: 13 in person, 14 online
Moderator Location: In person
. . . If Democrats âdidnât cheat, they couldnât winâ. This statement by President Donald Trump as expressed to the New York Times sets the stage for the upcoming midterm elections this November. Trump is afraid of the electorate. His checks and balances: âMy own morality, my own mind - Itâs the only thing that can stop me.â For five weeks, we will explore in-depth how the people could keep Trump in check and prevent the midterms from being stolen.
Please register for one section:
YCMS 743 âU.S. elections are always rigged.â. . .
Moderator: Jeff Sidel | jeff [at] seniorsadvisory.ca
Time: Wednesday, 12:00-2:00 p.m.
Duration: 5 weeks, starting April 15
Study Group Style: Moderator presentation
Attendance: Online
Maximum Number of Participants: 28
. . . If Democrats âdidnât cheat, they couldnât winâ. This statement by President Donald Trump as expressed to the New York Times sets the stage for the upcoming midterm elections this November. Trump is afraid of the electorate. His checks and balances: âMy own morality, my own mind - Itâs the only thing that can stop me.â For five weeks, we will explore in-depth how the people could keep Trump in check and prevent the midterms from being stolen.
Register for this online study group
YCMS 043 Current Events: Global Crises (FULL)
Waitlist Available
Moderator: Mireille Coulourides | coulourides123 [at] hotmail.com
Time: Tuesday, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Duration: 10 weeks
Study Group Style: Moderator presentation
Attendance: In person
Maximum Number of Participants: 17
In this study group, we will examine how global crises shape our lives: Canadaâs role in the world, the shifting international order, and how the global community responds to emerging instability. Together, we will explore the forces driving these changes and consider what they may mean for the future. Each week, a moderator presentation will open the session followed by discussion.
Register for this in person study group
YCMS 744 (in person)/ YCMS 745 (online) Women of Power
Hybrid Study Group â register for in-person or online attendance
Moderator: Tony Frayne | anthonyfrayne26 [at] gmail.com
Time: Monday, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Duration: 5 weeks, starting April 13
Study Group Style: Participant presentation
Attendance: Hybrid
Maximum Number of Participants: 12 in person; 14 online
Moderator Location: In person
Despite having often been treated in the past as the âweaker sexâ, there have been notable exceptions of women having played significant political roles: Cleopatra and Elizabeth the First, among others, come to mind. Similarly, in the past century, several women have made their mark: Margaret (the Hun) Thatcher, Eleanor Roosevelt, etc. Do women have innate qualities which make them more apt to govern well? In this study group, participants will be invited to make a short presentation (20-30 minutes) on women of their choice. Discussion will be encouraged.
Please register for one section:
YCMS 746 Homelessness: Causes, Pathways, & Myths
Moderators:
François Labonté | flabonteca [at] yahoo.ca
Brian Webber | saican [at] icloud.com
Time: Tuesday 2:30-4:30 p.m.
Duration: 5 weeks, starting April 14
Study Group Style: Participant presentation
Attendance: In person
Maximum Number of Participants: 17
The scale and nature of homelessness boggle the mind. In Quebec, more than 10,000 people (almost half in Montreal) are homeless, not to mention those who face precariousness due to surging rental costs, loss of income, or health issues. The study group will focus on the situation close to home but will also look elsewhere. We will attempt to find consensus on integrated solutions and on what actually works. Suggested presentation topics will be provided. An overview of the issues for Montreal is set out in https://cmm.qc.ca/planification/strategie-metropolitaine-en-itinerance-smi/
Register for this in-person study group
YCMS 300 LâActualitĂ©: perspectives des mĂ©dias QuĂ©bĂ©coisÂ
Moderator: Tony Frayne |Â anthonyfrayne26 [at] gmail.com
Time: Thursday, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Duration: 10 weeks
Study Group Style: Discussion group
Attendance: In person
Maximum Number of Participants: 17
En français avec participation dans les deux langues officielles.
We live in interesting times, in a city which has some world-class media. Join our study group to discuss current events in Québec, Canada and abroad, as reported in our local print and electronic media. You also get the chance to practice your French. Participants are expected to be able to read and understand French and English but may express themselves in either language.
Inscrivez-vous à ce groupe d'étude en présentiel / Register for this in-person study group
YCMS 344 LâActualitĂ©: perspectives des mĂ©dias QuĂ©bĂ©coisÂ
Moderator: Tony Frayne |Â anthonyfrayne26 [at] gmail.com
Time: Wednesday, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Duration: 10 weeks
Study Group Style: Discussion group
Attendance: Online
Maximum Number of Participants: 20
En français avec participation dans les deux langues officielles.
We live in interesting times, in a city which has some world-class media. Join our study group to discuss current events in Québec, Canada and abroad, as reported in our local print and electronic media. You also get the chance to practice your French. Participants are expected to be able to read and understand French and English but may express themselves in either language.
Inscrivez-vous Ă ce groupe d'Ă©tude en ligne / Register for this online study group
YCMS 349 (in person - FULL, Waitlist Available)/YCMS 350 (online) World Topics of Interest for Discussions
Hybrid Study Group â register for in-person or online attendance
Moderator: Paul Kuai-Yu Leong | paul.leong1234 [at] gmail.com
Time: Thursday, 2:30-4:30 p.m.
Duration: 10 weeks
Study Group Style: Discussion group
Attendance: Hybrid
Maximum Number of Participants: 13 in person; 14 online
Moderator Location: In person
Each week, we will discuss a variety of interesting topics after viewing videos from a variety of sources. The objective is to expand our horizons on world affairs, even with controversial or inconvenient opinions. . . . So, let's keep calm and carry on with stimulating discussions.
Please register for one section:
YCMS 683 Fascism (FULL)
Waitlist Available
Moderator: Laura Grunberg | laura.grunberg01 [at] gmail.com
Time: Wednesday, 12:00-2:00 p.m.
Duration: 10 weeks
Study Group Style: Moderator/Participant presentation
Attendance: In person
Maximum Number of Participants: 17
The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, the subsequent collapse of the Soviet Union and the emergence of new democracies worldwide offered hope of a more prosperous and equitable world. Today we are living the legacy of that time, but the earlier hope is gone. As the radical right surges, there is growing fear that fascism is making a comeback. In this study group, we will try to understand what fascism is. Is it an ideology? How does it happen? Can parallels to early 20th century European fascism be made, or is it different today? These are just some of the questions we will explore.
Register for this in-person study group
SCIENCE / TECHNOLOGYYCMS 606 A SmörgÄsbord of Science and Technology
Moderator: Peggy Leech | leechpeggy [at] gmail.com
Time: Wednesday, 12:00-2:00 p.m.
Duration: 5 weeks, every 2nd week, starting April 22
Study Group Style: Moderator presentation
Attendance: Online
Maximum Number of Participants: 65
Science and technology play an integral role in our lives, and every day there are new discoveries and developments. However, details behind the news items or their future implications often remain a mystery. Five informed presenters will each share their underlying knowledge of a specific topic. Before each presentation, you will receive reference material or links to relevant articles and videos. Join us for a season of stimulating presentations and discussions with your fellow members.
Presenters:
Joe Schwarcz - Quackery and Pseudoscience
Tim Skene - Are We Alone in the Universe?
Simon Reader - Animal Innovation and Social Intelligence
Sandra Linton - China's Role in the History of Cyber Warfare
Victoria Kaspi - Pulsars and Neutron Stars
Register for this online study group
YCMS 747 (in-person - FULL, Waitlist Available)/YCMS 748 (online) History and Science of Food and Agriculture
Hybrid Study Group â register for in-person or online attendance
Moderators:
Wolfgang Schneider | wolfgangschneider [at] videotron.ca
Muriel Herrington | murielh [at] bell.net
Catherine Main-Oster | catherinemainoster [at] gmail.com
Time: Tuesday, 2:30-4:30 p.m. Â
Duration: 10 weeks
Study Group Style: Moderator/Participant presentation
Attendance: Hybrid
Maximum Number of Participants: 12 in person; 13 online
Moderator Location: In person
Food and farming are crucially important in human history and have enormous social, commercial, political and cultural significance. Based on archaeology, history, science, or economics, this study group will look at some of these issues. We may talk about hunter-gatherer diets, the agricultural revolution, fermenting food, dairy farming, single crops like maize, or anything in between that we find interesting. The moderators will give some of the presentations, but additional presentations by participants are strongly encouraged.
Please register for one section:
YCMS 079 Drama for Fun (FULL)
Waitlist Available
Moderator: Freda Segal |fsegal10 [at] gmail.com
Time: Monday, 12:00-2:00 p.m.
Duration: 10 weeks
Study Group Style: Workshop
Attendance: Online
Maximum Number of Participants: 11
Drama for Fun is a workshop that promotes socialization, improves creativity, and induces laughter â a perfect remedy for our times. Come and witness the creativity that can be unleashed when thespians get together via Zoom to create online drama.
Register for this online study group
YCMS 749 Appreciating Aging with the Aging
Moderator: Grace Rostig | graceswann [at] yahoo.ca
Time: Wednesday, 12:00-2:00 p.m.
Duration: 5 weeks, starting April 15
Study Group Style: Moderator/Participant presentation
Attendance: In person
Maximum Number of Participants: 12
This study group will focus on ways in which we, as the loved ones of aging people â as well as people who are getting on in age ourselves â can bring joy, meaning and compassion to our daily lives. The passing years often confront us with new challenges and questions. Exploring creative, intellectual and spiritual avenues, we will share our experiences, bring light to our worries and have fun together. Each session will begin with a 15-minute grounding exercise and include two 5-minute meditation periods.
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YCMS 721 Debate Club - with a twist!?
Moderator: Daniel Lemay | daniel.lemay [at] mail.mcgill.ca
Time: Wednesday, 2:30-4:30 p.m.
Duration: 10 weeks
Study Group Style: Workshop
Attendance: In person
Maximum Number of Participants: 17
Would you like to do some thinking? This participative workshop offers friendly practice in the core skills of contemporary debate, such as public speaking, quick research, effective note taking, and argument analysis - before practicing these skills in a variety of debates and, if the group wishes, trying out some salon-style or symposium-style alternatives. A welcoming space for all levels of experience and participation, for the sake of fun and the exercise.
Register for this in-person study group
