Classes

Classes  meet for ten  to twelve weeks. An excerpt from an important work is read before each class--these should take one to two hours to read. Classes meet in our seminar rooms. Discussions are guided by questions included with readings. Facilitators are class members, alternating each session.

Some of the classes we are planning are listed  below.

Community building and city planning. The development of alternative public spaces in Anchorage. Concrete ways to improve community in Anchorage.

Theories and programs of education. An examination of a variety of important approaches to the learning environment, including: the Montessori system, Anthroposophy, the Paedeia Program, etc.

The origins of the U.S. Constitution. Discussion of the ideas and personalities behind this founding document. The nature of representative democracy.

Military Ethics

The Holocaust

Feminism

Criminal Justice System

Technology--trends, problems, solutions. Its ethical ramifications.

Krishnamurti. A discussion of short works of J. Krishnamurti, an independent, profound thinker. Krishnamurti rejects institutions of every kind on his 'pathless path' to truth and love. This winter we are reading his book, The Awakening of Intelligence. Readings are available in advance in the cafe.

Slow readings of great works. We will begin with Plato's Symposium, a dialogue about the kinds of love. Slow readings, in which we carefully consider each paragraph, are a useful method of understanding particularly important works. It's not easy to slow down so much, but its worth it.

Biographies and auto-biographies. The inside story about creative or inspiring women and men. We will begin with Thomas Jefferson.

Judaism for non-Jews. A look at its ethical views and the traditions--normally not accessible by the general public.

Church Walk. See insert.

Church Class. See insert.

Reading of Spiritual Classics. A monthly reading of non-dogmatic, profound classic works. Texts from  philosophy, religion, literature, etc. Information ten minute readings; brief discussion follows. You're welcome to bring readings to share. Feel free to listen only.

Discussion of successive issues of particular magazines. In Context, a journal about humane sustainable culture, hope and change; Plain, a magazine about simplicity, life, land and spirit; and the Skeptical Inquirer, a publication which promotes science through the investigation of claims of the paranormal.

Special classes with fees. Pick up detailed information at Qupqugiaq

Russian language classes. See insert.

Beginning drawing. Evgeny Baranov and Lydia Velichko-Baranov, professional fine artists, are offering drawing and painting classes based on the best traditions of academic school of 19th century Russia. The program is absolutely unique--nothing similar is available in Alaska. "In order to be able to express one's creative concept we believe it is necessary to enrich oneself with the knowledge of traditional ways and methods of art." --Evgeny and Lydia.

We are looking for help developing syllabi for these classes. Please contact if you would like to assist us.