Fall 2009 Classes
Art
Art 814
Art of the City: Rome
This course will cover the history, culture, and art of Rome. The Eternal City has been reborn and rebuilt multiple times since its foundation in 753 BCE, more than once sitting at the political and religious center of Europe and beyond. We will study the surviving monuments and museums of Rome layer by layer including Ancient remains, early Christian sites, and Baroque splendor.
Brenna Chapman has an MA in Art History from UC Davis and taught for Sierra College’s Study Abroad program in Florence.
Sun City Lincoln Hills, Kilaga Springs Lodge
# 83365 10/29 - 11/19
Thur 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Presentation Hall
History of California Art
An overview of art created in California between 1800 and 2000. The course covers the history of architecture, sculpture, painting and design from the Indians and Mission period through the Gold Rush and on into the 20th Century. You will explore the tonalists, impressionists, and revivalist architecture as well as the many styles of the later twentieth century. Presentations and discussion will be centered on slides of the art works.
Moreland Stevens has taught art history and introduction to art at Sierra College since 1973 and has lectured at the Crocker Art Museum.
Roseville Gateway Campus
# 83347 10/26 - 11/16
Mon 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Room 607
Nevada County Campus
# 83366 10/29 - 11/19
Thur 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Room N7-207
Business
Bus 809
Personal Investments
Learn how to manage investments during retirement. Topics include generating both income and growth from investments, fixed income, stocks, mutual funds, and annuities.
Russ Abbott is a registered financial advisor who holds an MBA in Finance and a BA in Economics. . He has taught investment classes for over 18 years.
Roseville Gateway Campus
# 83348 9/17 - 10/8
Thur 2 PM - 4 PM
Room 601
Drama
Drama 809
A Tribute to Paul Newman
Paul Newman had a long and distinguished film career, spanning over 50 years, from 1954 to nearly the end of his life in 2008 at age 83. Thus it seems appropriate that we honor him nearly a year after his passing by showing six of his major performances from his early, mid and late career. We will view such films as: Hud (1963), Cool Hand Luke (1967), Absence Of Malice (1981), Nobody’s Fool (1994), and others to be announced, all of which garnered him best actor nominations.
Curtis Covington has a BA in political science with a primary interest in Film, History, Literature and Current Affairs.
Roseville Gateway Campus
# 83349 9/15 - 10/20
Tues 1 PM - 4 PM Room 601
Lincoln Library at 12 Bridges
# 83350 9/17 - 10/22 Thur 2 PM - 5 PM
Willow Room
Documentary Films
Life in the raw. The camera never blinks. Culturally significant stories of real people caught on film. The French call it “cinema verite.” Documentaries can freely explore truth, beauty, and the peculiarities of human behavior. We will view the Maysles Brothers’ Salesman (1968) and Grey Gardens (1975), pioneering in what they call “direct cinema”, plus The Thin Blue Line (1988), Dear America: Letters Home from Vietnam (1988), Harlan County, USA (1976) and others.
Stephen Sterling has a BA in Film from San Francisco State University and also teaches English and Meditation.
Nevada County Campus
# 83369 9/15 - 10/20 Tues 2:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Room N15-101
European Film Comedies
Comedic genres: slapstick, satire, parody, black comedy, tragi-comedy, and the absurd, are featured in six acclaimed films from Europe - they are humorous with a critical edge and are conducive to discussion and interpretation. Films include: Local Hero - Great Britain; Almarcord - Italy; Waking Ned Devine - Ireland
Lincoln Curtis has a BA in Spanish and Drama and an MA in German and Film Studies. He is a Fulbright Scholar, director, actor, and documentary film maker, and has taught at the community college level for more than 20 years.
Nevada County Campus
# 83367 9/18 - 10/23 Fri 2 PM - 5 PM
Room N7-214
Fathers and Sons in World Cinema
From both psychological and cinematic perspectives, we will study how six films portray the relationships fathers share with their sons. From warm (Together, China, 2002) to severely troubled (Shine, Australia, 1996), we will analyze the dynamics that love, respect, distain, hatred, etc. play in the relationships and characters of the film. Also, in varying degrees of intensity: In the Name of the Father (Ireland, 1993), Character (Holland, 1997, Rated R), The Return (Russia, 2001) and Color of Paradise (Iran, 1999).
Stephen Sterling
Lincoln Library at 12 Bridges
# 83351 10/30 - 12/18 Fri 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM (no class 11/13 or 11/27)
Willow Room
Film: The Decalogue
Polish filmmaker, Kieslowski's legendary cinematic masterpiece uses the Ten Commandments as a thematic spring board for extraordinary stories of human frailties, moral dilemmas, and philosophical queries in the lives of ordinary people. The selected six commandments are: 1. I am the Lord and God...though shalt not have other gods before me; 4. Honor thy Father and thy Mother; 5. Thou shalt not kill; 6. Thou shalt not commit adultery; 7. Thou shalt not steal; 8. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
Lincoln Curtis
Nevada County Campus
# 83368 10/30 - 12/18 Fri 2 PM - 5 PM (no class 11/13 or 11/27)
Room N7-214
Interesting Films from the New Millennium
Though this current decade has been short on great films, there are a few worthy of note: Little Children (2006, Rated R); Notes on a Scandal (2006, Rated R); Helen Mirren’s performance of the decade, The Queen (2006); engrossing, masterful storytelling with a superb performance by Viggo Mortensen, Eastern Promises (2007, R, three scenes of extreme violence); delightful coming of age satire, Napoleon Dynamite (2004); and perhaps the most unusual superhero ever Ironman (2008) with the magnetic Robert Downey, Jr.
Stephen Sterling
Roseville Gateway Campus
# 83352 10/2 - 11/6 Fri 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Room 601
The Spiritual Dimension in Film
Sometimes cinema can reach us on deep psychological, emotional, and even spiritual levels. The following six well-made films explore various aspects of the mystical side of life, from the serious to the funny. Faith healing, reincarnation, disembodied voices, ghosts and visions of the afterlife: Resurrection (1980), Kundun (1997), The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928, French, Silent), The Sixth Sense (1999), Defending Your Life (1991) and Babette’s Feast (1987, Danish).
Stephen Sterling
Lincoln Library at 12 Bridges
# 83353 9/18 - 10/23 Fri 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Willow Room
English
English 812
Writing Poetry for Self Expression
Through classic, modern and student poetry, we will emphasize figurative language (metaphor, simile, irony), the music and sound of words, and developing consciousness of the poem’s voice. We will also consider Coleridge’s famous definition of poetry, “The right words in the right order.” Students are free to share their own poetry in class or merely listen to others read. There are no requirements other than an interest in experiencing the patterns and expression of poetry.
Stephen Sterling
Eskaton Village, Grass Valley
# 83354 9/15 - 10/20 Tues 10 AM - 12 PM
Theatre
Maidu Community Center
# 83355 9/17 - 10/22 Thur 1 PM - 3 PM
Senior Meeting Room
English 814
Writing Your Autobiography
On one level or another, everyone’s life is interesting and multifaceted. Learn to express your unique personal journey in the form of memoirs or journal entries in a very supportive atmosphere. We will practice techniques to make your writing flow and give you confidence in creating a vivid picture of your life story—a real page turner for your children and grandchildren. Bring a blank journal or something similar for writing in class.
Stephen Sterling
Roseville Gateway Campus
# 83370 9/16 - 10/21 Wed 2 PM - 4 PM
Room 607
Roseville Gateway Campus
# 83371 10/28 - 12/9 Wed 2 PM - 4 PM (no class 11/25)
Room 607
Writing Your Life Story
An opportunity to begin or finish writing your life story for yourself or your family members. Class will include exposure to published life stories, memory triggers, instruction in how to begin and organize the high points in your life, small group critiques, and the opportunity to have your writing edited and critiqued by the instructor. Class members are requested to bring writing materials to class.
Suzanne Villarreal has a BA and an MA in English and has taught English for 35 years.
Nevada County Campus
# 83372 10/26 - 12/7 Mon 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM (no class 11/23)
Room N8-108
English 815
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
Anna Karenina is a powerful novel of realist fiction exploring the themes of passion, family life, betrayal, hypocrisy and self discovery—all within the context of massive change in 19th Century Russia. We will study how Tolstoy brought innovative technique to the novel through his use of interior monologue, multiple perspectives, use of real life events and stream of consciousness. In addition to the novel, we will consider Tolstoy’s personal life and philosophy and their affect on his writing.
Stephen Sterling
Maidu Community Center
# 83357 10/29 - 11/19 Thur 1 PM - 3 PM
Senior Meeting Room
The Revival of the Short Story
When someone says he's a writer, our response is usually, "What novels have you written?" Today, short stories are enjoying a revival in anthologies, commercial and literary magazines, contests, and even newspapers. We'll be studying the history of U.S. short story writers and reading their short stories, some of the best in the world of literature. Bring your glasses and your curiosity.
Sue Clark is a literary agent, author, poet, co-publisher of ShortReads Press and an award winning ghostwriter. She has taught poetry, fiction, and non-fiction writing classes for 18 years.
Lincoln Library at 12 Bridges
# 83356 9/15 - 10/20 Tues 3 PM - 4:30 PM
Willow Room
Music
Music 810
OLLI Orchestra
This course is a performance ensemble that focuses on the orchestral music of the 18th and 19th centuries. Each semester the group presents a concert for the public, usually in late November for the fall semester. There are no auditions and the atmosphere is one of friendly encouragement and mutual support. The average age of those in the group is about 60, and enrollment is limited to high school graduates.
Steve Miller has a BM and MM from CSU Sacramento. He is a part-time faculty member at Sierra College.
Nevada County Campus
# 83375 9/8 - 12/15 Tues 6:30 PM - 9 PM (no class 11/24)
Room N15-101
Rock and Roll Part II
We take up where we left off. Rock & Roll changes forever with the Beach Boys' "Pet Sounds" and the revolutionary "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" by the Beatles. Our musical journey will take us through the rest of the 60's, 70's, and into the 80's. We'll experience The L.A. & San Francisco music scene, Psychedelic Rock, Protest Music, Monterey Pop, Woodstock, the Jazz & Classical Connections, and Rock Opera
Ray Ashton has both an MA and BA in Music from the University of Nevada and has taught music at Sierra College since the fall of 1999.
Nevada County Campus
# 83358 9/17 - 10/22 Thur 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Room N15-101
Sierra Community Chorus
Practice in the interpretation and performance of traditional and contemporary choral music. Successful completion of the course constitutes membership in the Sierra Community Chorus. Auditions take place at the first and second class meetings. Visit www.sierrachorus.org for more information.
Lorin Miller has a vocal music degree from Oral Roberts University and a distinguished background as a solo performer and choral director. He has performed nationally and internationally in a variety of styles ranging from Bach to Broadway.
Rocklin Campus
# 83374 9/1 - 12/8 Tues 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM (no class 11/24)
Room D-2
The Chamber Music of Mozart: Part One
Mozart wrote alot of chamber music (instrumental music written for one player per part). Most of it ranks among his finest music, which makes it some of the greatest music ever written. This course will focus on works, composed between 1781 and 1791, that reflect three different chamber genres: any group consisting in whole or in part of a string quartet, any group that includes a piano; and any chamber genre that falls outside those groupings.
Steve Miller
Roseville Gateway Campus
# 83359 9/14 - 10/19 Mon 1 PM - 3 PM
Room 601
Nevada County Campus
# 83360 9/16 - 10/21 Wed 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Room N7-214
The Chamber Music of Mozart: Part Two
Roseville Gateway Campus
# 83361 10/26 - 12/7 Mon 1 PM - 3 PM (no class 11/23)
Room 601
Nevada County Campus
# 83376 10/28 - 12/9 Wed 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM (no class 11/25)
Room N7-214
Physical Education
PE 808
Fitness Options for Older Adults
Have you heard the saying, “Stay young at any age?” Are you familiar with the term “aerobic?” What else is necessary to become a well-balanced, healthy, physically fit senior? Discover how a good physical fitness regimen is dependent on many different factors and learn to plan a good physical fitness program using items commonly found in your home. You’ll be introduced through lecture, discussion, and instructor demonstration, to a wide range of flexibility and muscular strength and endurance exercises. Discussions and handouts will focus on fitness issues critical to senior health including essential vitamins and minerals and the hazards of osteoporosis. Each section offered introduces a different form of exercise through lecture, handouts, and instructor demonstration.
Sifu Renee Neal has been teaching martial Arts for 19 years, and also teaches other mind/body fitness/classes. She holds a 3rd Degree Black Belt and is an 8 time International Champion. She is currently the Sierra College Martial Arts Club Faculty Advisor.
Emphasis: Tai Chi Level 2
This class is designed for continuing students who are working on or who have completed Section One of the Yang Long Form.
Renee Neal
Roseville Gateway Campus
# 83362 9/14 - 10/7 Mon & Wed 9 AM - 10 AM
Room 525
# 83379 10/12 - 11/4 Mon & Wed 9 AM - 10 AM
Room 525
# 83382 11/9 - 12/9 Mon & Wed 9 AM - 10 AM (no class 11/23 or 11/25)
Room 525
Emphasis: Tai Chi Level 3
This course is designed for continuing students learning Sections 2 and 3 of the Yang Long Form.
Renee Neal
Roseville Gateway Campus
# 83363 9/14 - 10/7 Mon & Wed 10 AM - 11 AM
Room 525
# 83380 10/12 - 11/4 Mon & Wed 10 AM - 11 AM
Room 525
# 83383 11/9 - 12/9 Mon & Wed 10 AM - 11 AM (no class 11/23 or 11/25)
Room 525
Emphasis: Tai Chi Level 4
This course is designed for continuing students learning Section 4 of the Yang Long Form.
Renee Neal
Roseville Gateway Campus
# 83364 9/15 - 10/8 Tues & Thur 10 AM - 11 AM
Room 525
# 83381 10/13 - 11/5 Tues & Thur 10 AM - 11 AM
Room 525
# 83384 11/10 - 12/10 Tues & Thur 10 AM - 11 AM (no class 11/24 or 11/26)
Room 525
PE 809
Introduction to Meditation Practice
Through relaxation exercises, guided visualization and lectures, we will learn how the practice of meditation can, in a variety of ways, enhance the quality of your life. Our emphasis will be on the practical application of the meditative experience so that it can become a useful tool for your own spiritual path. In navigating through a sometimes challenging world, the sincere seeker is helped by meditation to cultivate the qualities of mindfulness, serenity and expanded awareness.
Stephen Sterling
Eskaton Village, Grass Valley
# 83377 10/27 - 11/17 Tues 10 AM - 12 PM
Theatre
Sierra Pointe
# 83378 10/29 - 11/19 Thur 10 AM - 12 PM
Great Room
Page last updated
August 26, 2009