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Editor’s Note: “The Learning in Retirement Association (LIRA) is a multi-faceted educational program for the retired and semi-retired, for which there are neither educational nor age requirements.” Source: UMass Lowell’s LIRA program.
Preliminary Classroom offerings:
* CSI Lowell – The Science of Forensics – introduction using real casework.
* Fighting Misinformation: Gaining Media Literacy – tools and techniques to judge validity of information; News, Deep Fake Videos, Bias, Bots and more.
* Great Decisions – America’s largest discussion program on world affairs.
* With age Comes Wisdom: Some of the Time – Dr. Kerzner discusses research on how Wisdom is part of maturation.
* Evolution of the Universe: It’s beautiful history – Professor Bob Gamache traces the universe’s evolution; atoms, molecules, stars, solar systems, planets, and the origins of life.
* Getting Your Legal House in Order – Elder Law expert Sally Balch Hurme gives practical & accessible information to secure finances, home & health care.
* Discovering New England Stone Walls – Author Kevin Gardner explains how New England acquired thousands of miles of stone walls with varying styles. Live demonstration.
* Self-monitoring of functional and cognitive heath of older adults using wearables – Professor Alam introduces research on advancements in wearable technology.
* Women in American History – Professor Michael Pierson on history of women in North American, 1600 to the present.
* The Age-Friendly University Initiative: Opportunities and Challenges – 3 Professors cover; The Age-Friendly University, Technology & Aging, Depression in Older Adults, and Promoting Cognitive Health.
* American Heritage Museum – Dr. Patricia Fontaine talks about the museum’s focus on WWII technology advancements that helped the Allies victory.
Arts & Music offerings:
Boston Symphony Orchestra rehearsal performance trip, Tour of The Royall House in Medford, Slavery Didn’t End, it Just Evolved – talk by Jesse Heines, Indian Hill Music presentation on architecture of jazz, Museum of Printing Tour in Haverhill, The Faces of the American Revolution: Portraits by John Singleton Copley presented by Mary Woodward, Merrimack Repertory Theater performance, and My Japan – Reflections on 25 years Living & Working in Japan by Marie Gleason-Tada. (Some trips have a small fee)
Book Discussion Group:
Celestial Bodies, fiction by Jokha Alharthi, The Fifth Risk, non-fiction by Michael Lewis, Say Nothing: A true story of murder and memory in Northern Ireland by Patrick Radden Keefe, and The Nickel Boys, fiction by Colin Whitehead.
Classes begin March 9th. Finalized, detailed course information will be available early March on LIRA’s website. New member half-year membership is available NOW – $75 each ($125 for couples). www.uml.edu/LIRA/Â
(LIRA is a partnership project with the Offices of Community and Alumni Relations at UMass Lowell.)
