Check out the Albany Senior Center speical interest classes for adults ages 50 and over.
World Affairs & Politics
This is an open group discussion of world affairs and politics, both local and international. Fee is per class.
Mon, Apr 8-June 17 9:30-11:00 AM (No class May 27)
Fees: $4R $5NR
Instructor: Constance Cole
Location: Albany Senior Center, Multi-Use Room
World Literature
Class reads great, enduring literature from around the world, especially the classics from America, England and Europe. Such fiction, long and short, all delve into universal human concerns such as love, religion and death, and confront persistent, unanswerable questions. We move at snail’s pace over puzzling and intriguing passages, emphasizing language, structure, method and implicit meanings. Issue of genre, technique, symbolism, and historic background are also considered. Students discuss, challenge, dispute, re-interpret and misquote what the old teacher is trying to say.
Tue, Jan 8-Apr 9 10:00 AM-12:00 PM
Fees: $99R $104NR
Instructor: Bill Hyman
Location: Albany Senior Center, South Room
Memoir Writing
Students read their own writings to the class for its criticism and evaluation. The teacher adds another voice, pointing out basic principles and approaches to effective non-fiction prose. The idea is to make our writing as vivid and effective as it can be so that it will not be filed somewhere in the dark, but will be read and re-read with enjoyment by children, grandchildren, and even by strangers yet unborn. No one is required to read out loud, or to withhold other kinds of writing, which are welcome. We try for a low-pressure, respectful atmosphere in which embarrassing events and deep emotions may be safely exposed.
Mon, Jan 7-Apr 22 2:30-4:30 PM (No class Jan 21 and Feb 18)
Fees: $99R $104NR
Instructor: Bill Hyman
Location: Albany Senior Center, South Room
Savoring Short Stories
The Oxford Book of Japanese Short Stories, edited by Theodore Goosen, includes pieces from the late 19th century through the end of the 20th --- the entire modern era. One of them is the surprising "The Elephant Vanishes."
Mon, Jan 7-Mar 25 11:30 AM-1:30 PM (Session 1, no class Jan 21 and Feb 18)
Fees: $55R $60NR
Instructor: Debra Ratner
Location: Albany Senior Center, South Room
Reading Novels
Nadine Gordimer's The Pickup, set in South Africa and in an Arab desert village, has been called "a masterpiece of creative empathy... as unpredictable as it is compelling." Unusual both in plot and prose style.
Wed, Jan 9-Mar 13 3:00-5:00 PM (Session 1)
Fees $55R $60NR
Instructor: Debra Ratner
Location: Albany Senior Center, South Room
The Lives of Women
We will read selections from Shaking the Tree: A Collection of New Fiction and Memoir by Black Women. Published by Norton, this book represents women as different as Edwidge Danticat and ZZ Packer.
Fri, Jan 11-Mar 15 2:00-4:00 PM (Session 1)
Fees: $55R $60NR
Instructor: Debra Ratner
Location: Albany Senior Center, South Room
AARP's 55 Alive Mature Driving Class
This class provides awareness of aging as it affects driving. It offers participants compensating techniques, and emphasizes defensive practices for drivers age 50 and older. Participants must take both classes to receive their Certificate of Completion, which entitles drivers 50 and older to a discount for three years on their auto insurance!
Thr. Jan 24 and 31 1:00-5:00 PM
Fees $12 AARP member $14 non AARP member (Checks only per AARP's request)
Instructor: Alice Meyers
Location: Albany Senior Center, South Room
New! Cooking Round the World Workshop & Lunch
Seniors are whisked away to “the country of the day” through a colorful slide presentation, and then collaboratively cook 2 different dishes from that country – typically soup and a yummy dessert. We eat as a group and discuss how the characteristics of the country seeps into the foods we are enjoying.
Tue Mar 19-Apr 23 11:00 AM-1:00 PM
Fees $81R $86NR
Instructor:Shaleah Nelson
Location:Albany Senior Center, Multi-Use Room