On the fourth Tuesday of the month, we gather for informal discussion and debate about the latest and most engaging news of the time. We choose, by vote, a pair of topics and each member offers an opinion on the first. The battle is joined. The sessions usually run from September through March and perhaps April depending in the timing of Easter.  Special Socrates / Social events usually occur in July and August at local residences.

PIL Forum

Diverging from the pressure of the lecture hall, members took time to uncover topics especially meaningful to them, and worked in groups to find lively formats to engage members. Of special interest is the use of questions and interactive participation to stimulate discussion. Join us for a refreshing experience!

Discovery Talks

How come Shakespeare is a billion dollar world-wide industry four hundred years after he wrote the plays, while other playwrights of his time and later are utterly unheard
of? Because Shakespeare’s plays still work on the modern stage. Educators regularly spoil them by slogging the through texts. This course aims to undo some of the damage done in classrooms by making a case for their genius. Week by week, we will talk about what we already know, the men (heroic and villainous), the women (good and bad), the plot lines, and then, “what you will”.

Co-operation is an accepted and often preferred way to develop and complete projects This series builds on the success of last year’s Form and revisits the goal of providing members the option to create research topics in small groups rather than working alone. Anyone looking to gain confidence in making presentations will enjoy this group. Artist and educator Richard Sewell shifts the focus away from the competitive model toward a collaborative team process. Participants take time to exchange ideas, create topics, and present a short talk with a partner. Expect to enjoy the atmosphere of a retreat.

It can be helpful and meaningful for each one of us to adjust our deck chair and reflect on the voyage of our life. Annually there are experiences that we are unable to control, like the four distinct weather seasons. Similarly, we live Seasons in our Life. Life’s seasons are more prolonged but have similarities to the seasons of each year. Spring produces learning, Summer represents the highly productive years, in Fall there is reaping and sometimes repositioning and then Winter allows freedom. But Wait – there can be a fifth season – the “Second Spring”. Come join in on the conversation.

The way we move seems automatic, yet how we sit, stand, walk, turn and even breathe affects our health and quality of living. In response to the demands of life, we often develop movement habits that magnify the aches and pains of aging. We start to do less than before. This course uses the Feldenkrais Method of intelligent movement to provide simple exercises and awareness training to help us find more efficient and comfortable ways of moving. Expect to increase freedom of movement, and enjoy life more. Wear loose layered clothing. Info: kbsewell123@gmail.com

We all struggle with our digital technology. (And what does “digital” mean, exactly?) How does our generation, which didn’t grow up with computers and probably didn’t learn about them in school get our head around the rapidly changing digital world? How does this stuff work? What do I need to know to avoid being a complete Luddite? How can I be sure to stay safe online? Join a couple of long-time IT wonks for an inside look at the digital world.

Session one of this series is a tourist’s impression of China introduced by Fredrieka Hunter who visited China in the spring of 2019. The next 3 sessions will be topics selected and presented by course participants. Possible topics could include innovations, ethnic diversity, the environment, Hong Kong, politics or global economic impact (e.g. One Belt, One Road initiative; economic imperialism?). The final session will look at Canada’s recent freeze in relations with China.