FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jan. 6, 2005

CONTACT: Daniel P. Finney, (515) 271-2833, daniel.finney@drake.edu

FROM POINT AND CLICK TO WHAT MAKES CHINA TICK, DRAKE’S RAYSOCIETY OFFERS VARIETY OF COURSES FOR LIFELONG LEARNERS

Drake University’s RaySociety plans a plethora of interesting courses and entertaining social events for the New Year. Upcoming classes range from a course on the basics of e-mail and Internet use to the changing political climate of China.

The Billie and Robert D. Ray Lifelong Learning Society at Drake offers courses on a variety of topics targeted at retirement-age people interested in learning in a college atmosphere. The courses are designed to accommodate those returning to school as well as individuals setting foot on a university campus for the first time.

The society takes its name from a pair of distinguished Drake alumni, former Iowa Gov. Robert D. Ray, who also served as the University's president, and Billie Ray, former first lady of Iowa and a former schoolteacher.

A $50 annual membership fee to the RaySociety allows members to participate in monthly events as well as fall and spring classes. There is a $25 registration fee per class.

Classes are held during the day, Monday through Friday, and are taught by volunteer instructors drawn from current and former Drake University faculty members, as well as members of the society and community leaders.

A highlight of the RaySociety spring semester is a course titled World War II: Iowans in the Greatest Generation Speak. All World War II veterans and their spouses are invited to attend this course as guests of the RaySociety.

Here’s a look at this semester’s course offerings:

Relating Traditional Religious Values to Modern Concepts — Harold Swanson, Drake professor emeritus of biology. This course will look at religious beliefs in light of 21st century concepts of science. Topics to be explored: “How religions and science are related to general culture.” “Why many people consider biblical statements wrong or meaningless.” “Suggestions for untangling religious ideas from ancient cultural assumptions.” Class meets 3 to 4:30 p.m. Jan. 18 and 25 and Feb. 1 and 8 in room 207 of Meredith Hall.

Health, Wealth and Peace of Mind for Seniors — Wayne Adair, Mike Deege and David Steege. Focusing on areas of special interest to retirees and those about to retire, this course will address and clarify Medicare and all related health care insurance issues, essential financial planning issues and key legal needs to ensure peace of mind. Each presenter is a specialist in one of the three areas. Class meets 2 to 3:30 p.m. Feb. 7, 14 and 21 in room 207 of Meredith Hall.

Mysteries and Musicals: A Look at Two Popular Film Genres — Thomas Beell, Iowa State University professor of journalism, looks back on 70 years of cinematic suspense and syncopation in this course related to movie mysteries and musicals. The class will view excerpts from some of the most important films in these two categories of filmmaking and discuss their impact on the audiences of those earlier days. Class meets 3 to 4:30 p.m. Feb. 15 and 22 and March 1 and 8 in room 207 of Meredith Hall.

The World’s Great Religions — Get a better understanding of five religions that are not as well known as Christianity is in the U.S., but have a major impact on life in America and the world. The course will focus on Buddhism and the Hindu, Islamic, Mormon and Sikh faiths. Dean Wright, Drake professor emeritus of sociology, and Forrest Harms, executive director of the Des Moines Area Religious Council, are bringing together representatives of those religions to share information and address questions in five classroom and “site visit” sessions. Class meets 1 to 2:30 p.m. Feb. 15 and 22 and March 1, 8 and 15 in Fellowship Hall at First Christian Church, 25th Street and University Avenue.

Surfing the Internet and Using E-mail — Robert Lutz, Drake associate professor emeritus of physics. The course is designed to develop basic skills in using the Internet to access information from the World Wide Web, communicate with individuals or businesses next door and around the world using e-mail (electronic mail). Class meets 2:30 to 4 p.m. March 1, 8, 15 and 22 in the Kinne Alumni and Development Center.

The Values, Vagaries and Vicissitudes of Contemporary Life in 21st Century America — Daniel Power, Drake professor emeritus of law. This course will look at the various character traits that are essential for individual admiration and discuss with students how they rate attitude, over-coming obstacles, friendships and who would be inducted into their personal halls of fame. Class meets 3 to 4:30 p.m. March 27 and April 3 in the Drake Legal Clinic Courtroom in the Neal and Bea Smith Law Center.

Politics and Religion — Two of the fundamental institutions of human society are religion and politics. Worldwide there is interplay between these two fundamental parts of human life. In the United States, however, there is debate concerning how closely the two should interact in everyday life. This course, arranged by Dean Wright, Drake professor emeritus of sociology, will have several participants—each presenting ideas from a different perspective. Class members will have opportunities to hear different viewpoints and will be able to interact with the ideas presented by the speakers. Class meets 2:30 to 4 p.m. March 29 and April 5, 12, 19 and 26 in room 207 of Meredith Hall.

The Changing Face of China, South Asia and India — Walter Clark, Drake professor emeritus of political science, and Ramesh Dhussa, Drake assistant professor of geography. This course will focus on the political, social and economic changes in the three areas and the implications of those changes for the rest of the world. Class meets 10 to 11:30 a.m. March 31 and April 7, 14 and 21 in room 101 of Aliber Hall.

The English Renaissance Woman — Linda Galyon, Iowa State professor emerita of English. English literature by, for, or about women published during the 16th and 17th centuries, including works by Christine de Pizon, Shakespeare, Spenser, Lady Mary Wroth, Milton and others. Class meets 2 to 3:30 p.m. April 18 and 25 and May 2 and 9 in room 207 of Meredith Hall.

End of Life Rituals — Norma Hirsch, M.D., and Trudy Holman, an expert in grief recovery. Members of this class will explore attitudes and beliefs about the dying process and death. This will include learning about rituals—cultural, religious and familial—surrounding those sacred times in our lives. Also the ways we honor the memory of those loved ones who have died. The course will discuss today’s young people and helping them live with a healthier acceptance of death as a part of life. Class meets 3 to 4:30 p.m. May 2, 9, 16 and 23 in Olmsted 310-311.

World War II: Iowans in the Greatest Generation Speak — Fred Adams, Drake professor of history. This course is designed to remember and honor the role Iowans and other Americans played during WWII. The course will not relive the details of the battles on land, sea and in the air except as they impacted the lives of those who were involved in them and their families. Besides the sharing of “war experience and human interest stories” from the various WWII theaters of operation, there will be classes on “The Home Front” and the “Music of the WWII Era.” Class meets 2 to 3:30 p.m. May 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31 in Bulldog Theater in Olmsted Center.

What We’re Doing to Meet the Human Services Needs of Iowans. Luncheon meeting featuring Kevin Concannon, Iowa’s commissioner of human services, who will tell how the Iowa Department of Human Services serves Iowans. There will be an opportunity for questions and interaction with the commissioner. The luncheon will be held from noon to 2 p.m. May 4 in Olmsted Center, rooms 312-313. Cost of the luncheon is $12.50. There is no registration fee for this one-time session.

What Would You Like to Know About the U. S. Judicial System? – Three Drake professors, Daniel Power, Russell Lovell and Mark Kende, will make presentations on the federal and state court judicial systems and the U.S. Supreme Court. If arrangements can be made, there will be a visit with U.S. Supreme Court Clarence Thomas when he visits the Drake University Law School in February. Class dates will be announced soon.

RaySociety membership application forms, course registration forms as well as the impressive spring events list are available by calling (515) 271-1847 or visiting the RaySociety Web site at www.drake.edu/raysociety.

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