ONLINE: This course is for those interested in current events. Each week we will discuss news/issues from around the world and at home. The facilitator provides an agenda prior to the class, and members of the class are encouraged to propose additional discussion topics. Active participation is encouraged (but not mandatory), since it expands our understanding of the many perspectives that might, and do, affect us. Discussions are enriched by the variety of class members' backgrounds, expertise and viewpoints. Topics are discussed knowledgeably, respectfully and, sometimes, with passion, but we always end with humor. Each facilitator is a news/politics junkie and has led discussions many times. Each brings his/her own distinctive style and background to the course, and, most importantly, each will encourage a wide selection of views from class members. We are especially looking for members who represent points of view from across the political spectrum. | Facilitated discussion.
Max enrollment: 30.
Henry Blinder served as city attorney for the City of Durham for many years prior to retirement. He is past president of the North Carolina Association of Municipal Attorneys and a former deputy attorney general for the State of New Jersey. He has a J.D. degree from Duke University Law School, and has lived in Durham for more than 35 years.
Dean Block served in municipal government in three cities, as budget director, deputy city manager and public works director, prior to retirement. He began his career as an officer in the U.S. Navy. Dean holds a master's degree and has lived in the Triangle since 2009.
Virginia Gray, Ph.D., taught political science at the universities of Kentucky, Minnesota and North Carolina. She participated in election night survey analysis for NBC News in the 1980s. She is an expert on state politics; public policy, including health care reform and criminal justice; and interest groups.
Ginnie Gruendel held senior level positions in Fortune 100 companies as well as biotech startups as a human resource professional and change management leader. Later, she started a career coaching practice to continue doing the work she loved, helping individuals find their best-fit career. Originally from Philadelphia, she came to Wake Forest 13 years ago.
Stuart Kaplan performed agricultural research for over 40 years. He earned his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in crop physiology from Purdue University. Since retiring, Stuart typically volunteers weekly at Red Cross blood drives throughout the Triangle. He has taken over 30 OLLI courses, covering a wide range of subjects, and lectured on GMO crops.
Doug Longman spent 25 years in marketing management at Fortune 100 firms. He holds a doctorate in business administration and taught at the University of Texas, UNC-Chapel Hill and the University of Chicago. Over the past 15 years, he has taught more than 30 OLLI courses in international political economy, public policy, economics and politics/political science.