Meet neuro-scientist Oliver Sacks, biologist Stephen Jay Gould, biochemist Rupert Sheldrake, philosopher Daniel C. Dennett, science historian Stephen Toulmin and physicist Freeman Dyson. We join them for a rare adventure of the mind, as they explore man's place in the evolutionary cycle and investigate new ideas that challenge the way we think about the origins of life and the universe. At each session of this course LIRA participants will view an hour-long video and then engage in discussion of the ideas presented. Plans for the first four weeks include a bus trip on Sep. 22 to the Museum of Fine Arts to enjoy the John Singer Sargent exhibit of more than 150 paintings. On Thursday, Oct. 14 a bus trip is being planned to Symphony Hall for an open rehearsal of the Boston Symphony Orchestra with Seiji Ozawa, conductor, and Peter Duchin, pianist.
Additional programs are in the planning mode.
These last four weeks will be a LIRA music appreciation program. The 4 week session is designed to improve listening skills and to increase one's enjoyment of classical music. Prior participation in Part I is not a requirement. Identifying instruments, recognizing the basic elements of music, rhythm, melody, harmony, tonal color, and form will again be stressed. We will talk about the way these basic elements affect us and add to our enjoyment.