Updated Friday, January 2, 2009

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:     An Up-Close Look at Horses

Instructor:         Gloria Austin

Description:       This two part program consists of a two hour PowerPoint assisted lecture on “Why They Do What They Do” and a two hour visit to the Florida Carriage Museum and Resort to learn from the horses themselves.  Students will learn interesting facts about how horses sleep standing up and why they are more like rhinos than cows.  Peje, Baron, Flash and Gordon will teach students at the resort to teach the four basic gaits and how Columbus brought horses to the Americas. 

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 Motorcycle Rider Course

Instructor:         Dennis Halloran

Description:       In the classroom you will learn about the different kinds of motorcycles, their controls and how they operate.  An important segment of the course will show you how to create a strategy for dealing with Norman as well as critical traffic situations.  The importance of protective gear will be discussed.  Instructor has been a state certified RiderCoach in Florida for 5 years.

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:     Canine Good Citizen Program

Instructor:         Patricia Caruso

Description:       The course is a AKC certification program that allows the owner of a pet to have training as well as a new behaved family and community member. There are 10 items required to pass a CGC Program.  Each item will be covered and the dogs will be judged on a pass-fail exam at the end of the 5th lesson.  It is fun, useful and helps establish a bond for pet and owner. 

Course Title:     Canine Seminar for pet owners

Instructor:         Patricia Caruso

Description:       Course will cover Vaccines and how they are effective, dog food nutrition, potty training, things that could harm a pet and various other topics.  *Instructor is a canine education trainer.

Course Title:     Chinese Brush Paining – Beginning the “Chi”

Instructor:         Bonnie Canning

Description:       “Chi” is the Chinese expression for “energy” or “spirit.”  The beginners’ class teaches you to let loose your “chi” through the simple but expressive art of Chinese Brush Paining.  Student will learn basics of using the traditional Chinese brush and ink to produce the strokes needed to create any Chinese painting.  You can use Chinese Brush Paining skills on a variety of media – rice paper, watercolor paper, ceramics, pottery, fabric and even your walls. 

Course Title:     Conversational Spanish for Beginners

Instructor:         Mario Acevedo

Description:       This course is intended as a foundation for those who have a desire to more effectively interact and communicate with Spanish speaking individuals or who just want to learn to speak Spanish.  In every lesson there will be an effort made to incorporate the 4 skills of language learning; listening, speaking, reading and writing with emphasis on listening and speaking.

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:     Food Science in Everyday Cooking

Instructor:         Joe Hambright

Description:       We eat to remember.  That is why comfort food is so popular.  Do you remember when the family would all gather around the table for Sunday dinner?  Let’s let food science explain why your home made rolls would rise, why the broccoli would stay green, why you cooked the roast for a long time and why the gravy would thicken and maybe even get lumpy.  We will also examine how the starch content of a potato dictates baking or boiling and other aspects of food science related to our everyday life.

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:     The History of Florida

Instructor:         Gloria Austin

Description:       This two hour PowerPoint assisted lecture of Florida focuses on the early history of the cow hunter on horse back in Florida.  See images of early Florida and learn of native cultures, the arrival of Europeans, and the multiculturalism of Florida today.  Learn some interesting facts about this State that we call “Home.”

Course Title:     Horses, Wheels to Automobiles

Instructor:         Gloria Austin

Description:       This two part program consists of a two hour PowerPoint assisted lecture of our 6000 years of history with the horses and wheeled transportation and a two-hour tour of the Florida Carriage Museum guided by its founder and collector of the largest most comprehensive collection of restored American and European carriages in the world.  Learn of the importance of horse, harness and wheel in the development of civilization.  Feast your eye on the Golden Carriage and learn of its history and the gallant efforts to restore it to its former glory.

Course Title:     Introduction to Hula

Instructor:         Violet Ray

Description:       Learn the basic steps, hip sways and arm motions of Hawaiian Hula dancing.  Violet was Director/Choreographer for the Tropical Expressions Dance Team, Hilo Hi for five years and has performed and competed in the Hula Dance. 

Course Title:     Investment Analysis Workshop

Instructor:         Dean Nicholson

Description:       Participants will learn how to use the noble prize winning theory of “Modern Portfolio Theory” to determine how they should invest.  Each participant will determine their “risk tolerance” and how this will help them to obtain their optimal performance.  Participants will learn how to compare mutual funds, analyze annuities and to help identify undervalued stocks. 

Course Title:     Let’s Write A Novel

Instructor:         Darlene Funkhouser

Description:       The mechanics of how to write a novel are explained.   Students – as an entire entity – plot the main parts of a novel using plot points, pacing, and themes; characters are “designed.”  Students are asked to write scenes in different ways to enhance their understanding of the craft; logic, closing up holes and tying up loose ends are explained, valuable hints regarding page length, screenplays, chapter endings and the writing life are given.

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:     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:     Meditation-Training and Practice

Instructor:         Stuart Feinman

Description:       A practical down to earth experiential course focusing on mediation instruction and practice.  The practical portion will be comprised of seated and walking meditation and time allotted for questions and answers.  The goal is to demystify the practice of mediation and help the student begin to develop an individual practice they can integrate into their daily lives. 

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:     Reading, Writing and Appreciating Poetry

Instructor:         Richard Mowry

Description:       Introduction to the reading and writing of poetry and various elements of poetry including imagery, metaphor, personification, symbols, rhyme and meter.  Class will cover the difference between denotation and connotation, limericks, didactic poetry, internal rhyme and alliteration.   Instructor will use his own published collection as a textbook to explain the background and meaning of each poem.           

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:     Signature Silhouettes

Instructor:         Susan Powell

Description:       Students will be taking a child’s full name and turn it into a work of art.  Tracing a simple pattern putting in a name and filling in the drawing with black ink makes these “namesakes” personal and special done by hand.  Supplies needed: black permanent ultra-fine and fine Sharpie markers; black permanent large magic marker, several sharp pencils and an art gum soft eraser. 

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:     Tea – Steeped in Tradition

Instructor:         Gloria Austin

Description:       This two hour PowerPoint assisted lecture traces the history of tea from the first writing of this beverage as one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world.  See images of tea’s early origins and its agriculture, harvesting and processing.  From horsewoman an world traveler, Gloria, you will learn of the Tea and Horse Caravan and the role of the Silk Road in tea’s journey around the world.  Examine its tradition in many of today’s cultures and, after learning its many health benefits, you will be drinking tear morning, noon and night!

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:     Trails, Roads and Bridges

Instructor:         Gloria Austin

Description:       This two hour PowerPoint assisted lecture focuses on the history of roads and their importance in civilization.  Since most historical roads and bridges were built for horses and carriages, Gloria will focus on the development of trails to roads.  She will present some modern-day statistics and offer an appreciation of the development of wheels and tires.  See images of the past and present and talk about the need for updating our infrastructure.

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:     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:     Writing for Profit: Submitting Your Work to Paying Markets

Instructor:         Julie McGlone

Description:       It's time to earn money for all those half-written, half-forgotten files falling off your desk or stored on your computer. Instructor will work with you to submit your poems, essays, short stories, and longer works to paying markets. Julie McGlone has an MA+30 extra credits in writing and technology.

Course Title:     Your Learning and Life Preferences

Instructor:         Michael Gudaitis

Description:       This course will help you learn how you deal with ideas and day to day situations in your life.  We all have a sense that people learn in different ways.  This course will help you understand your preferred learning style.  It will help you understand goals, manage others and deal with new situations.

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 would be interested in taking, your name & phone number