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.
We are a group of writers who enjoy presenting our works to each other. We value criticism that can improve our writing, and we like hearing others’ work. There are a number of issues that we want to work on, such as control of the writer’s voice, how to edit what we write, and how to write poetry. Each week, please bring two copies of your work, approximately 500-600 words, or a poem, as well as a copy for someone who will act as your critic.
In this study group, participants will view short documentaries on various subjects. A discussion will follow each film. Participants are encouraged to introduce a documentary of their choice with a few discussion questions to follow. A list of documentary sources will be supplied. Home internet access is strongly recommended.
Global crises, international affairs and how they affect us in Canada. World news from mainstream media, BBC, CNN International, The Economist etc. Discussion follows each presentation.
THE NEW YORKER (TNY) magazine is the resource for this SG. Each class consists of three discussions: a topical issue, usually TNY's weekly Comment, an article chosen by a class member, and a short story from current or past issues. Class members are expected to do 1-2 hours of reading in advance of each class and to participate in all discussions. Internet and email access are essential as weekly reading assignments and discussion questions are posted on the class website. Before registering, please visit our 2017 website to get a sense of the structure and content of this SG: https://itny2017.wordpress.com/about/
Improvisation and drama games are used to allow participants to enjoy social situations that were awkward for them in the past. Laughter is an important factor in helping people feel comfortable and confident in groups.
We will discuss bridge play, bidding and defense. There will be practice hands played under supervision. As before, the group will do better with a minimum of 10 and maximum of 24 participants. Some bridge experience required.
It is time to shift our attention from the clash of civilisations that we are witnessing around the world, to a consideration of the harmonious mosaic of cultures that make up the Canadian population. Why not step into an exploration of new cultures, with everyone describing the lands of their ancestors? A quick sight-seeing tour in pictures or short video, then perhaps geography and demography, traditional clothing, artisanal handcrafting, turning points in history and their implications, or current political context. And finally a taste of their culinary art.
YCMS 087 AIGLE : L’histoire positive d’une adolescence difficile
Automne 2019
thursday
Un cours de discussion - en français - basé sur mon scénario didactique AIGLE ** comme matériel de base : diction, jeux de rôle, échange d’idées sur les thèmes abordés, observation de la langue écrite, révision grammaticale, entre autres. Une connaissance de base intermédiaire du français serait préférable. ** À acheter ($ 25) à la librairie Le James de McGill, 680 rue Sherbrooke O.
Each week we discuss a debate from Intelligence Squared (IQ2) (intelligencesquared.com; iq2us.org). IQ2 is an Oxford debating forum for informed discussion on a vast variety of provocative topics. It operates in the UK, the US, Australia and Hong Kong. Other debates such as Munk (munkdebates.com/the-debates) and TRT World Roundtable (TRT stands for Turkish Radio TV, not Talking Real Turkey) will be included. So let’s keep calm and enjoy a stimulating afternoon!
YCMS 129 Downsizing Your Home Means Rightsizing Your Lifestyle
Automne 2019
thursday
There comes a time where we want to or need to move from our comfortable and perhaps spacious home to a different type of accommodation. The real-estate market can be daunting at the best of times. Come explore options for seniors and the real-estate market. In this study group, we will cover a variety of topics, from how to establish the market value and maximize the sale price of your home to the pros and cons of downsizing and all the challenges it represents. A five-week lecture packed with useful information for those contemplating a life transition.
Enjoy the history of visual imagination through the ages with a combination of dramatic reconstruction and spectacular photography. This study group will feature a series of ten part hour-long films, one each week in chronological sequence, showing the lives and works of the world’s great artists chosen from a list that includes Caravaggio, Rembrandt, Bernini, David, Turner, Van Gogh, Cézanne, Matisse, Picasso, Chagall, and Rothko. Discussion and short presentations on other artists of the same period will follow. Participant presentations will be appreciated but are not mandatory.
YCMS 152 Montreal Landscape Architecture History – Encore
Automne 2019
tuesday
This second study group will examine further examples of Montreal’s landscape architecture, from the time of Canada’s First Peoples and its early colonists to later immigrant communities, to the remarkable landscape innovations of 19th century industrial Montreal. We will also cover public parks and gardens, cemeteries, private gardens, the City Beautiful movement and contemporary landscape design. One walking tour: Canadian Centre for Architecture (CCA) Sculpture Garden
This study group will explore the interconnections between art and other fields of human endeavors such as medical and physical sciences, pure and applied mathematics, industrial design, haute couture and haute cuisine, business and the automotive and aerospace industries. Presentations by participants are expected. Interventions by invited speakers including outside speakers.
In this study group, we are going to follow the development of the Gothic Cathedral from the 12th century to the 16th century. We will cover the reason for building the cathedrals, the changing architecture, the stained-glass windows, the sculptures and the reliquaries. Participants will pick a cathedral of their choice and talk about its history and special features.
More and more in this age of anxiety, artists are turning their talents towards making social statements. Artists like Ai Wei-Wei consider a variety of problems, from the refugee crisis to rampant materialism. Others like Nan Goldin focus on a particular problem, in this case, sexuality and sexual identity. From well-known figures like Andy Warhol to lesser known artists like Tania Bruguera, the range is limitless. The moderator will provide a list of possible artists to choose from, but the field is open. An exciting field of exploration.
Lavishly illustrated with 400 images, this study group covers 200,000 years of architecture in the Western Hemisphere from prehistoric times to today. The evolution of architecture is traced through basic theory of architectural design to associated disciplines of structural design and a broad palette of applied arts. We will discuss the challenges that all buildings must meet to qualify as architecture. Some revelations about Canadian Indigenous architecture are included.
We will consider the nature of paintings from the caves to contemporary art by examining artists' use of line, form, colour, perspective, and iconography. Handouts about critical analysis, reproduction, and curatorship will be examined in group discussions. As an independent extension to the five weeks of classroom discussions, we intend to visit some nearby museums and exhibitions to look at original works.
YCMS 159 Extraordinary Women in Early Canadian Sport and Society
Automne 2019
tuesday
A combination of gender studies and an investigation of the historic role of clubs/sporting groups in early Canada reveals the stories of many interesting, sometimes strident and accomplished female athletes. As Canada took its place in a more connected world, some female athletes challenged our cultural views and changed the social fabric. Do you know or remember who they were?
YCMS 160 Donald J. Trump - A Second-Term President?
Automne 2019
wednesday
The battle lines are drawn. It's the Trump Administration versus Congress. But is it on this battleground the voters will make their final determination on the candidate in the 2020 presidential election? Over a 10-week period, we will focus on the challengers heading into the primaries and the issues that resonate with the public. Will Trump prevail or suffer the ignominy of defeat? Exciting ain’t the word for it.
YCMS 161 Dialogue on Africa's Development Opportunities Part 1
Automne 2019
wednesday
What can development scholars and entrepreneurs at McGill learn from the experiences of MCLL members, and vice versa? MCLL participants will join Dr Nii Addy of McGill's Max Bell School of Public Policy and scholars/change-makers from Africa currently at McGill, to engage in an intergenerational-learning initiative about international development. Participants will reflect on past approaches as contrasted with what each host country needs today, and in the future. These reflections will include the applicability to African countries, of lessons learned from Canadian approaches to key issues—for example in nutrition, finance, agriculture, healthcare, education, climate change and industry.
YCMS 162 Dialogue on Africa's Development Opportunities Part 2: Selected Topics
Automne 2019
wednesday
This study group will address, in more detail, specific topics related to the intergenerational-learning initiative on international development launched in Part 1 during the first five weeks of the term. As in Part 1, MCLL participants will join Dr Nii Addy of McGill's Max Bell School of Public Policy and scholars/change-makers from Africa currently at McGill.
YCMS 163 Neoliberalism- The Ideology at the Root of All Our Problems
Automne 2019
tuesday
Neoliberalism has brought out the worst in us. It has played a major role in a remarkable variety of crises: the financial meltdown of 2007-8, tax havens, of which the Panama Papers offer us merely a glimpse, the slow collapse of public health and education, resurgent child poverty, the epidemic of loneliness, the collapse of ecosystems, the rise of Donald Trump. So pervasive has neoliberalism become that we seldom even recognize it as an ideology. We will explore neoliberalism and its negative role in formulating public policy.
YCMS 164 Part II - 15 Global Challenges for Humanity in Coming Years
Automne 2019
monday
The 15 Global Challenges for Humanity are the result of the Delphi studies, interviews, and participation of over 4,000 experts from around the world since 1996 and have been published in the annual State of the Future. Arguing that one of theses challenges is more important than another is like arguing whether the human nervous system is more important than the respiratory system. These challenges are transnational in nature and trans-institutional in solution. They cannot be addressed by any government or institution acting alone.
This study group is based on the book with the same title by Lynda Gratton and Andrew Scott. Longevity is projected to increase significantly with 50% of children born today in the western world expected to live to 100 or more. The authors say that this longevity will change society in many ways, impacting on family life, education, work and aspects of social life. In this study group, we will examine the authors’ prediction of the future and their road map to a successful life. The moderator highly recommends that participants read the book prior to the start of this study group.
From studying the indigenous civilizations of pre-Colombian Mexico, through the three hundred years of Spanish colonial rule, to the long struggle of post-colonial Mexico to create a united and modern nation, we will come to understand what heroic and tragic events went into making the proud mestizo Mexico of today.
Using historical sources, films, and analysis of current events, we will investigate the reasons for the ongoing conflict between Jews and Arabs over the future of this one small corner of the Middle East. This SG begins with the late 19th century efforts by largely secular Zionists to re-establish a Jewish homeland in the Holy Land. It will continue through the British Mandate period, the triumphs and tragedies of 1947-48, the achievements of the Zionists in building a viable state, and the continuing conflict with the Palestinians and the Arab state.
As usual, a combination of history and the current situation. We will investigate the history of India in three parts: before colonialism, under British rule, and after independence. We will also cover, to a degree, Pakistan and Bangladesh.
YCMS 169 The War in Spain (1936-39) a.k.a. The Spanish Civil War (a misnomer)
Automne 2019
thursday
The Spanish Civil War was a war in which barbarism, cruelty, duplicity and fraud abounded on both sides, aggravated by a code of silence. Speaking about, teaching or publicising any aspect of the war was strictly forbidden. Since approximately 2000, there has been a major “volte-face” in Spain. Research and investigation now proceed apace with little or no governmental censorship. Revisiting the Study Group given in 2018.
To understand the natural world and humankind's place in it solely on the basis of reason and without turning to religious belief, was the goal of the intellectual movement called the Enlightenment. The eighteenth century, when Newtonian science exerted its greatest impact, was noteworthy for European cultural expression. This was most evident in philosophy, which sought to find in human affairs natural laws similar to those that science had discovered in the physical universe. We will study and discuss these developments, along with the political and social events of the time, and the Enlightenment’s legacy. Please do not register for this study group unless you are prepared to make a presentation.
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.
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.
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.