Galileo, Tudor history, Europe in the 1930s, Vancouver Island history and understanding climate change are a few of the courses offered at Vancouver Island University’s Elder College spring semester.
The group will also offer courses on the space race, deciphering the code of life and empires and revolutions.
Elder College is a program of Vancouver Island University focused on the lifelong learning needs and interests of persons 50 years and older.
There are no exams or compulsory assignments in Elder College courses – just lots of class participation and personal learning.
All courses are held during the day, at VIU’s Nanaimo campus, Parksville campus or public locations in either city. All locations are accessible by bus and have parking nearby.
Elder College is volunteer-based. All instructors and board of management members are volunteers, which allows the program to keep course fees modest, usually only $40 for a six-week course of one to two hours per week.
Students also pay an annual membership fee of $20.
With their Elder College student card they can then access other benefits such as free entrance to Milner Gardens and use of VIU Library Services.
For more information, pick up a course calendar at one of the VIU campuses, or visit www.viu.ca/eldercollege or call 1-866-734-6252.
VOLUNTEER INSTRUCTORS ALWAYS NEEDED
VIU Elder College, the volunteer-led educational program for over-50s, is planning a 2014 repeat of its first successful May Program of short courses. It needs volunteer instructors to make the program successful.
Courses in the May program have only three weekly classes, each 1.5 to two hours long as the instructor chooses. Out-of-the-classroom sessions such as field trips are encouraged. Classes begin the week of April 28.
If you would like to participate as an instructor, please contact the VIU Elder College program coordinator, Regan McKeever, at 250-740-6536 or Regan.McKeever@viu.ca.