Updated Friday, October 17, 2008

This is a list of new course ideas suggested to us. If you have an interest in taking any of these courses, should they be offered, please let us know and we will add your name to those interested in taking that particular course. Where we see there is enough interest to create an actual course, we will advertise the course in The Villages media and will personally call you to let you know the course has been created. If you have an interest in a course that is not already offered at the college or listed on this survey page, feel free to contact us and we will add it to the list.

Course Title:     Armchair Adventure Travel to Northern Asia

Instructor:         Kolleeta Seeley

Description:       Are you an “armchair traveler” or planning an upcoming trip to an exotic destination?  Or do you want to know more about a place to which you have traveled?  If so, join this fellow adventurer to learn about the remarkable culture, geography, history and current events of Northern Asia.  Travel information on the not-to-be missed sights of each country, as well as off-the-beaten-path spots will be presented.  Artifacts, visuals and personal anecdotes will help you enjoy the experience while geography lessons come alive!

Course Title:     Armchair Adventure Travel to Southeast Asia

Instructor:         Kolleeta Seeley

Description:       Are you an “armchair traveler” or planning an upcoming trip to an exotic destination?  Or do you want to know more about a place to which you have traveled?  If so, join this fellow adventurer to learn about the remarkable culture, geography, history and current events of Southeast Asia.  Travel information on the not-to-be missed sights of each country, as well as off-the-beaten-path spots will be presented.  Artifacts, visuals and personal anecdotes will help you enjoy the experience while geography lessons come alive!

Course Title:     Basic Meteorology

Instructor:         William Koenemann

Description:       A study on how meteorological conditions affect Florida’s weather.  Course topics include pressure, moisture, heating/cooling, wind, clouds, tropical weather, thunderstorms, tornadoes, hurricanes, and weather web sites.

Course Title:     Basic Rules of Football 

Instructor:         Robert L. Nelson

Description:       Basic Rules of Football: To better understand and enjoy the game: a simplified understanding of the 11 rules of football.  Rules are different in high school, college and at the professional level.   Presenter has many humorous personal stories about coaches, players and referees after 40+ years of officiating football.

Course Title:     Change Your Beliefs, Change Your Life

Instructor:         Carol Dodge           

Description:       Are your beliefs shaping your experiences, or are your experiences shaping your beliefs? This course provides opportunities to explore the question of how our beliefs influence our lives in areas such as relationships, business, finance and health.  Learn effective tools for identifying and evaluating, and if you choose, changing the beliefs that shape your life.

Course Title:  Changes in Latitude and Changes in Attitude

                         (A Creative Path into and Through Retirement)

Instructor:      Kent Hamdorf

Description:   Retirement can catapult people into and through new relationships and bring new faces, roles and challenges into their lives. Whether it is aging, budgeting, new interest, new or changing relationships, establishing new investment strategies to make your money last a lifetime or dealing with the changes in your body as you age.  Retirees can learn to adapt or fundamentally change their lives to closely reflect upon and live out their personal values.  This course will identify and explore the faces and stages of retirement, areas of desired change, the values that these changes reflect, potential action steps and possible obstacles.  Let us help you walk through the retirement minefield safely. 

Course Title:     Create a Personal Website in four hours

Instructor:         Ralph Thomas                                 

Description:      Students will create and publish a Website using web based (WYSIWYG) software.  Planning and design will be discussed as well as basic website construction.  This program is hands on with each student building their own site with assistance from instructor.  On completion of the course each student will have a personal published site with a distinct address.

Course Title:     Florida Seashells I                              

Instructor:         Dr. Ed Frayer                                                          

Description:      A beginner’s course in identification of Florida shells. All common shells are covered. Shells and an identification guide will be provided by the instructor. Shell collection and cleaning procedures will be covered. A follow-up class, Florida Seashells II, will be offered after attending Florida Seashells I and will include a field trip to selected locations on Florida’s Gulf Coast for shell collection with instructor guidance.

Course Title:     Getting the Most Out of Your Savings Bonds

Instructor:         Del Burfitt

Description:       Updates on Government changes and how it could adversely affect investments.  Course will cover common pitfalls and mistakes of Bond Owners proper Savings Bond Management, cash-in and taxation issues, Estate Planning, the best way to Title a Savings Bond and how to qualify your Bonds Tax-Free for education and current values and interest rates.        

Course Title:   Harpsichord Classes-Recitals 

Instructor:       Vladimir Svoysky

Description:  Keyboard music by Bach, Scarlatti, Haydn, Couperin was originally written for harpsichord. Vladimir Svoysky will play their music on his own original Flemish harpsichord with detailed comments from the keyboard.  Everyone is welcome for the unique classes-recitals of Baroque music.

Course Title:     Line Dance Fundamentals

Instructor:         Bill and Violet Ray

Description:       This class is for people who are brand new to line dancing.  The class will be geared toward teaching dance techniques and fundamentals such as footwork, balance and centering, rhythm and timing, relationship of music and dance, and basic line dance steps.  We will incorporate very easy, basic line dances to reinforce the dance principles learned during the session.

Course Title:     Living in the Now

Instructor:         Vera Coulson

Description:       Do you find yourself feeling guilty about the past or fearful about the future?  Although you know that the only moment that exists is the present moment, do you still fret over the past and worry about the future, and experience the pain of those thoughts?  This class is about finding perfect peace in this moment and every moment.  Life becomes a joy when we become the master of our thoughts and our lives.  Learn the teachings of enlightened masters, such as Eckhart Tolle (The Power of Now and the New Earth), and experience true peace and happiness.

Course Title:     Meditation in Motion

Instructor:         Marge Blakely

Description:       Liturgical dance, dance choir, praise dance are all names used in different churches to express through movement the love of God and the celebration of the church.  I have been “dancing for the Lord” for over 25 years.  Student taught a variety of songs, music and bible verses to express in movement what is being spoken or sung.  This class is for all people of faith, dancers, non-dancers, vocalists and non-vocalists.  

Course Title:     Printmaking (Block Printing)

Instructor:         David Henckel

Description:       This introduction to printmaking is taught by an artist and teacher.  For those who have experience in printmaking, this course can offer encouragement and enrichment where teacher and students alike, share ideas about composition and techniques.  Materials can be simple or elaborate with results that are equally effective.  Course will include the history of this art form, examples and a look at various materials to fit the individual student’s temperament and budget. 

Course Title:     The Seven Building Blocks of Life

Instructor:         Gary Palmer

Description:       An enlightening power presentation that addresses the seven necessary components needed to lead a productive fulfilling life: create an environment for success, goal setting, health and fitness, finances, careers & professional performance, family and social relationships and personal and spiritual needs. 

Course Title:     TablEdit Course

Instructor:         Ruth Harnden

Description:       TablEdit software is a program for creating, editing, printing and listening to tablature and standard notation.  It supports guitar and other fretted stringed instruments such as the mountain dulcimer.  While it isn’t perfect, it is the fastest and most friendly software available for Mac and PC.  Course will cover the configuration of the program after installation, how to put a tune on paper with the tablature and notation.  How to add and delete measures, save work and recall it to make corrections. 

Course Title:     Tap Dancing                          

Instructor:         Jim Caisse                                                   

Description:      Beginner course in tap technique, combinations and short routines.  In this six week course the student will learn to fully enjoy the art of tap dancing while challenging their capabilities.  Instructor is a Dance Educators of America certified teacher for over 25 years.     

Course Title:     Tone Deaf Choir                               

Instructor:         Robbie Riddle                                                         

Description:      Have you been told you “can’t carry a tune in a bucket.”?  That just isn’t true!  Discover your music potential.   You will learn how to sing in tune and keep a beat.  Participants will also learn how to use music to communicate with others and young children.  Instructor has Master of Music Education and is the music director of bands and choirs at the Villages High School and has lectured on the different ways people learn music, especially newborns and toddlers.

Course Title:     Understanding the Game of Football

Instructor:         Robert L. Nelson

Description:       This class will be an open forum for questions and answers. Rules are different in high school, college, and at the professional level. Presenter has many humorous personal stories about coaches, players and referees after 40+ years of officiating football.

Course Title:     Understanding the key issues of life and relationships

Instructor:         Charles H. Scott, Jr.            

Description:       This course will teach you many of the key rules, facts and issues of life and relationships.  If one has the understanding of the differences in people and the key issues of life, they will be more open to and enjoy all the beautiful aspects of life.  Too many people spend time and effort in waiting for or expecting things to change.  In this class you will learn, you should be able to make better choices and enjoy life more.                      

Course Title:     Veterinary Assist Program

Instructor:         Mark Wilson, DVM

Description:       The Florida International Teaching Zoo announces a new veterinary assistant program designed for pet lovers, exotic animal aficionados, zoo and performing animal professionals.  A lecture series and veterinary assistant skills certification program has been developed.  Completion of the course leads to certification by the Florida International Teaching Zoo.  Course topics include parasites, sanitation, pharmacology, nutrition, public management and disease, etc.

Course Title:     Watercolors the Terry Madden Way

Instructor:          Suzanne Svejcar

Description:       A creative time spent painting, step-by-step with Suzanne, a certified Terry Madden instructor.  You will be amazed to find the “artist” within you.  All levels are welcome.  Even beginners will be painting using the methods and style of loose painting.  No drawing skills are required. 

Course Title:     Writing for Children

Instructor:         Dr. Brenda M. Weaver

Description:       Do you have a heartwarming child’s story to tell?  Then this course will help you in your writing for children.  Learn to develop your story, to write in fiction and folktales.  Learn what elements are critical to writing a publishable text from idea conception to editing.  Classes will include writing in different genres, text patterns, and reading levels.  The goal is complete one short piece of writing for children.

Course Title:     Zumba after work

Instructor:         Carol Lynn Nelson

Description:       Zumba is the hottest exercise class that is not only sweeping the nation but the world.  Aerobic and cardio exercise to international music often associated with Latin music.  For those who don’t have time in the morning because of a work schedule, here’s finally a Zumba class right after work, before you go home.  Taught by a certified Zumba instructor.

Course Title:     Zumba Just for Guys!

Instructor:         Carol Lynn Nelson

Description:       Zumba is the hottest exercise class that is not only sweeping the nation but the world.  Aerobic and cardio exercise to international music – often associate with Latin music.  Men come join the fun without wondering what the ladies are thinking.  Taught by a certified Zumba instructor.

Please indicate your interest in any of the courses above -  Call 753-3035  OR  email us at College@TheVillages.com  and include the following information:

1. Course Title(s) you might be interested in taking, your name & phone number