Study Groups

Class Offerings 

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Mondays:

History

Explore the lives of three influential figures in New York's history: Herkimer, Lincoln and La Guardia. This course delves into their biographies, uncovering the remarkable contributions and legacies they left behind. Discover the stories of these heroes in depth and gain a richer understanding of their impact on New York and beyond! 

Leader: Dr. Daniel Marrone
2024 Sessions Fees: $25 for 5 weeks

Fall Session 1: 9/23, 9/30, 10/7, 10/21, 10/28 

Location: Campus Center Meeting Room B
Time: Mondays 10 AM - 12 PM

 

Sessions/Dates:

Fall: Session 1 Topics:

Each session of 4 sessions will cover two chapters of the book, New York Heroes: Herkimer, Lincoln, TR, & La Guardia (Halo Publishing International, 2014).  Note:  This 2014 book was mentioned, but not used in his fall 2023 course.  The proposed fall 2024 course will cover in-depth eight biographies as follows:

History of "Herkimer/Greene, Lincoln/TR, Barringer/La Guardia, and Dewey/Koch."

9/23/2024:  American Revolutionary War generals, Nicholas Herkimer, who was the "Savior of the Mohawk Valley, New York;" and Rhode Islander Nathanael Greene, who was the "Savior of the South."

9/30/2024:  Abraham Lincoln's speeches on 6/16/1858, 2/27/1860, 3/4/1861, 11/19/1863, and 3/4/1865; and Theodore Roosevelt and His Family on Long Island.

10/7/2024: Columbus Day, no class.

10/21/2024:  Dr. Emily Dunning Barringer, 1st NYS Licensed Surgeon; and Fiorello H. La Guardia, "Highest Rated Big-City Mayor in History."

10/28/2024:  Governor Thomas E. Dewey, who sacrificed the U.S. presidency to launch SUNY; and "How'm I  doin'" NYC Mayor Edward I. Koch.

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Business of Sports

Explore the financial dynamics of professional sports, covering collective bargaining agreements, salary caps, WNBA salaries, sports gambling, and revenue streams. Understand how these elements shape team management and athlete compensation, and examine the industry's economic challenges and opportunities. 

Leader: Dr. Ira Stolzenberg
2024 Sessions Fees: $25 for 4 weeks.
Location: Campus Center Meeting Room B
Time: Mondays 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM

Sessions/Dates:

Fall: 9/30, 10/7, 10/21 & 10/28 

 

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Wednesdays:

Contemporary Literature

Join our monthly group to dive into engaging books together. Explore diverse genres, share insights, and enjoy lively discussions in a welcoming environment. Perfect for book lovers seeking connection and thoughtful conversation. 

Leader: Susan Blaeser 
2024 Sessions Fees: $25 for 5 weeks.
Location: Lupton Hall T101
Time: Wednesdays  2:00 PM - 5:35 PM

Sessions/Dates:

Fall: 9/11, 10/23, 11/13, 12/11 & 1/8

September 11 The Engineer's Wife by Tracey Enerson Wood 

October 23 Hang the Moon by Jeanette Walls 

November 13 The Bird Hotel by Joyce Maynard 

December 11 The Twenty: One Woman's Trek Across Corsica on the GR20 Trail by Maryanne C. Bohr 

January 8 The Tender Bar: A Memoir by J.R. Moehringer 

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 Introduction to Spanish

Leader: Profesora Shari O'Flanagan
2024 Sessions Fees: $55 for 10 weeks      
Location: Campus Center Meeting Room 
Time: Wednesdays 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM 

¡Hola Estudiantes! This Spanish Culture and Conversation course is designed for beginning students who have studied Spanish and need an in depth review, and for those who want to learn Spanish before traveling to a Spanish-speaking country. Students will learn new vocabulary, idiomatic expressions, fun facts and basic verb conjugations in the present, past and future tenses. We will listen to Spanish songs, describe famous paintings, explore various places virtually and create simple, practical dialogue's all while covering a wide variety of topics and improving our communication skills in a relaxing and enjoyable atmosphere. ¡Vámonos!

Sessions/Dates:

Winter: 12/4, 12/11, 12/18, 1/8, 1/15, 1/22, 1/29, 2/5

Please complete registration by clicking this link 

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Fridays:

Current Issues Forum

Each week for the first hour the class we will set an agenda and exchange ideas concerning local, national, and global issues. During the second hour the focus is on one or more larger national issues; in an effort to identify problems, generate solutions, and hopefully, clarify your position. 

Leader: Chet Gerstenbluth
2024 Sessions Fees: $55 for 10 weeks
Location: Gleeson Hall 131
Time: Fridays 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM 

Sessions/Dates:

Winter: 12/6, 12/13, 12/20, 1/3, 1/10, 1/17, 1/24, 1/31, 2/7, 2/14, 2/21

Discussion and participation are strictly voluntary. Members are encouraged to bring in most current news articles and current events are generally provided by Chet our Study Group Leader. 

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Movie Review

This fall we will be presenting 8 films and following each with a lively discussion. The movies are from a variety of genres and were released between 1944 to 2017. 

Leader: Larry Blaeser
2024 Sessions Fees: $50 for 8 weeks      
Location: Gleeson Hall 127* (Room Change)
Time: Fridays 12:45 PM - 3:15 PM

Sessions/Dates:

Fall: 9/13/2024, 9/20/2024, 9/27/2024, 10/18/2024, 10/25/2024, 11/1/2024, 11/15/2024, 11/22/2024 

9/20/2024    Days of Heaven (Rating PG)  1978, 1h 34m,  Drama,  Romance
A hot-tempered farm laborer convinces the woman he loves to marry their rich but dying boss so that they can have a claim to his fortune.

9/27/2024  Chinatown (Rating R)  1974,  2h 10m,  Drama,  Mystery,  Thriller 
A private detective hired to expose an adulterer in 1930s Los Angeles finds himself caught up in a web of deceit, corruption, and murder.

10/18/2024  American Fiction (Rating R)   2023, 1h 57m,  Comedy,  Drama
A novelist who's fed up with the establishment profiting from Black entertainment uses a pen name to write a book that propels him into the heart of the hypocrisy and madness he claims to disdain.

10/25/2024  12 Angry Men (Rating Approved) 1957 ,  1h 36m, Crime, Drama
The jury in a New York City murder trial is frustrated by a single member whose skeptical caution forces them to more carefully consider the evidence before jumping to a hasty verdict.

11/1/2024 The Holdovers (Rating R)  2023, 2h 13m, Comedy,  Drama
A cranky history teacher at a prep school is forced to remain on campus over the holidays with a grieving cook and a troubled student who has no place to go.

11/15/2024 The Maltese Falcon  (Rating Approved)  1941, 1h 40m,  Crime,  Film-Noir,  Mystery
San Francisco private detective Sam Spade takes on a case that involves him with three eccentric criminals, a gorgeous liar and their quest for a priceless statuette, with the stakes rising after his partner is murdered.

11/22/2024 Brooklyn (Rating  PG-13)  2015, 1h 57m,  Drama,  Romance
An Irish immigrant lands in 1950s Brooklyn, where she quickly falls into a romance with a local. When her past catches up with her, however, she must choose between two countries and the lives that exist within.

12/6/2024 Hannah and Her Sisters (Rating  PG-13)   1986, 1h 47m, Comedy,  Drama
Between two Thanksgivings two years apart, Hannah's husband falls in love with her sister Lee, while her hypochondriac ex-husband rekindles his relationship with her sister Holly.

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Volunteer Opportunities - Join Our Team!

ILR thrives on the enthusiasm and commitment of our members, and we are actively seeking volunteers to contribute their time and expertise to our vibrant community. If you have a passion for a particular subject and would like to lead a study group or contribute in any other capacity, we warmly encourage you to step forward and be part of our dedicated team.

 
Help Us Grow and Build Our Program

We are committed to enhancing the ILR experience and creating an inclusive, dynamic learning environment for all. As we embark on this journey together, your ideas, suggestions, and feedback are invaluable in shaping our program and ensuring its success. We welcome your input on new course ideas, potential guest speakers, and any other initiatives that could enrich the ILR community.