SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Wofford College will continue its new Lifelong Learning program with a full schedule of classes being offered to adult learners beginning in January.

Led by Charlie Gray, Wofford’s director of continuing education, the program’s winter classes offer a variety of topics ranging from learning how to play pinochle and pickleball, to introductory French, to art such as watercolors and pen and ink, photography, U.S. military history and companion dog training. Enrollment in the eight-week winter semester is open now, with classes running Jan. 19 through March 14.

The “no tests, no homework, just fun” philosophy is ingrained in every aspect of the program. Classes will feature hands-on learning activities, audiovisual presentations and small class sizes to create interactive, fun learning.

“We had great success with our first semester of Lifelong Learning at Wofford,” Gray says, “and we want to continue to cater to the interests of adult students. The program is intended to show people how much they can enjoy extracurricular learning without worrying about grades or diplomas.”

Each class is taught by an expert in the field, providing the same high standard of instruction expected in a regular Wofford course, he adds. “It’s top-notch teaching in an atmosphere of variety and culture.”

To take the classes, students must join Lifelong Learning at Wofford for a $50 annual fee (Sept. 1, 2015, through Aug. 31, 2016); each course then is $40. If students wish to take multiple courses, packages are available for $225 for six courses per year and $315 for nine courses per year. The six- and nine-course packages may be used in any classes throughout the year. Join and register for classes online at wofford.edu/lifelonglearning or contact Charlie Gray at 864-641-8378 or graych@wofford.edu.

Here’s a listing of the courses being offered this winter and their instructors:

Railroads of the Hub City
Frank Ezell
Monday, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Mungo Room #2
This course will begin with a study of future rail transportation opportunities already being discussed and planned for this region of the country. The course examines economic, financial, educational and social contributions made by the railroad industry to foster growth in textiles, peach farming and manufacturing. We will examine the reasons why railroads came to Spartanburg and have stayed to the present.
Class size: 6-30

Healthy and Authentic Chinese Cooking
Mei Li Tratasso
Monday, 10 a.m.-noon
Monarch Café, Howard Street
Students in this course will enjoy a lesson in Chinese culture while learning the basic ingredients and techniques of authentic Chinese cuisine. Students will participate in food preparation and cooking. There will be an additional $15 per-session fee ($15 due to instructor at first class with remainder due at second class).
Class size: 8-20

Watercolors 101
Amy Weaver
Monday, 1-3:30 p.m.
Mungo Room #2
An introduction or refresher to watercolor painting, covering brushes, paper, paints, the color wheel and value scale. Learn a new concept each week and apply it in a step-by-step approach resulting in a small painting.
Class size: 4-12

Eight Weeks in China Without Leaving the U.S.
Mei Li Tratasso
Monday, 1:30-3 p.m., Location TBA
Topics will include the beauty, geography, climate, population, culture and environmental sustainability of China. In addition, students will look at the architecture, tradition, food, religion, ethnicities, education, economy and leadership of China.
Class size: 8-60

Companion Dog Training
Rose Schwietert
Monday, 2:30-4 p.m.
Cumming Street School
Train your dog to be your best companion — under control at home and well behaved in urban settings. Participating owners will be instructed on basic commands such as: sit, down, stay, come and heel. The class will prepare participants to obtain a Canine Good Citizen Certificate or Title if interested. If you have ever wondered about the sport of showing dogs in performance events, this is your chance to learn and ask questions.
Class size: 4-18

Pen and Ink Drawing
Ray Holland
Tuesday, 9-11:30 a.m.
Mungo Room #2
This relaxed, two-hour studio class is for both new and returning students and includes both group and individual instruction. Students will complete at least two projects. The class will cover strokes, techniques, hints, secrets and tricks. A list of materials will be provided to those who enroll in the class.
Class size: 8-10 returning students, 6-8 new students

South Carolina in the 19th Century
Phillip Stone
Tuesday, 2-3:30 p.m.
Main Building
South Carolina emerged from the American Revolution with serious divisions between different parts of the state, as well as over politics, economics, religion and slavery. The state unified itself in the following generation and became the home of some of the most outspoken proponents of secession. This course will look at the history of the Palmetto State from the end of the revolution through the 19th century, exploring the ways the state grew and developed as a part of the new nation. Participants may find it helpful to have a copy of Edgar’s South Carolina: A History (USC Press 1998).
Class size: 6-25

Beginning Genealogy
Page Lee
Tuesday, 1-2:30 p.m.
Mungo Room # 2
Start a family tree using census records, probate, family stories, etc. We will explore local resources and state resources. Participants will be exposed to the uses and dangers of information on the internet. Although this is a beginning course, we will include some advanced material such as the use of DNA.
Class size: 5-25

Introduction to French
Betty Carver
Tuesday, 3-4:30 p.m. (Begins on Jan. 12)
Mungo Room #2
This introductory French course is for the novice and will concentrate on the pronunciation of French sounds, some basic vocabulary and some phrases that would be useful for travelers to France.
Class size: 5-20

Naked Economics
David Grote
Wednesday, 9-10:30 a.m.
Mungo Room #2
Economics drives our world. The idea of this course, as quoted in the book Naked Economics, is to demystify the economic principles that we all live by — no charts, diagrams or complex mathematical formulas, just common sense and simple language. This is a great class for people who want to know “why.”
Class size: 5-50

Folk Tales, Folk Medicine and Folk Songs of the Southern Region
Maxine Appleby
Wednesday, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Mungo Room #2
An overview of the distinctive qualities that have shaped the people of the southern region of the U.S. through their folk tales, both in story and song. The class also will explore the region’s traditional natural medicinal practices.
Class size: 5-20

Learn to Play Pinochle (Pe Knuckle)
David Grote
Wednesday, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Mungo Room #3
Pinochle is a fast-paced card game of four. Two teams play with a 48-card deck. Players score points by trick taking and also by forming combinations of cards into melds. Each hand is played in three phases: bidding, melds and tricks. Participants will learn the competitive game, but the focus of the course will be on fun.
Class size: 8-20

U.S. Military and Diplomatic History – World War II Forward
Bob Perrin and Roy Cole
Wednesday, 1-2:30 p.m.
Mungo Room #2
Continuing from the fall session, the class examines a world on the brink of the second World War, its horrors and far-reaching aftermath. This brief history of America’s diplomatic and military history from World War I to Vietnam examines the connections among the ethnic, tribal, religious and nationalistic causes underlying each major war of the 20th century leading to the current conflicts in the world today.
Class size: 15-220

Learn to Play Pickleball
David Grote
Wednesday, 1-3 p.m.
Duncan Park Tennis Courts (located just off South Union Street)
Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport and activity for people 50 years and older. Having played ping-pong, tennis and badminton is a plus, as this sport combines the skills of all three. We will play doubles and learn the game. Balls will be provided, but participants must bring their own paddles, which may be purchased at local sporting goods stores or through Amazon for as little as $15.
Class size: 4-16 maximum

Short Stories 101: Write for Publication
K.G. “Gail” McAbee
Wednesday, 3-4:30 p.m.
Mungo Room #2
Covering topics from brainstorming ideas to the mechanics of plot, characterization and setting, the goal of this course is publication.
Class size: 10-20

Photography
Mike Wojcik, Michael Lamb and Dick Carr
Thursday, 9-10:30 a.m.
Mungo Room #2
Over this eight-week course, participants (both beginners and students who are continuing from the fall) can expect to broaden their knowledge about different photographic equipment options as well as photo techniques that will enhance skills. The course covers the history of photography, subject matter, composition, techniques, the use of iPhones for photography, editing, printing and critique. This hands-on course, with opportunities to take photos, requires that participants provide their own camera.
Class size: 5-40

Bible Basics
Tyrone R. Jackson
Thursday, 9-10:30 a.m.
Mungo Room #3
Develop a better understanding of the Bible by studying topics ranging from the creation and fall of man to the prophecy of the coming redeemer. Learn how the major themes of the Old Testament fall into place within the pages of the New Testament.
Class size: 10-25

A Look at the Civil War from a Literary Perspective
Carol J. Barnette
Thursday, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Mungo Room #2
Study various types of literature written during and after the Civil War by authors such as Walt Whitman, Emily Dickinson, Stephen Crane and Michael Sharra. In addition, participants will read excerpts from the letters and journals of people who lived during the time and will discover some of the often-overlooked collateral damage inflicted during the war. Participants will need copies of The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane and Killer Angels by Michael Sharra, one medium-to-large three-ring binder and one composition book.
Class size: 10-20

Moments That Made the Movies
Jack Fisher and Chris White
Thursday, 1-2:30 p.m.
Mungo Room #2
This course is aimed at the serious “filmofile” and at people with an interest in some of the greatest classic films ever produced. The class will review and discuss films that will cover a variety of genres.
Class size: 15-50

Fundamentals of Fly Fishing
James A. Hopkins
Thursday, 2-3:30 p.m.
Location TBA
Attendees will learn the basics of fly fishing, including selection and use of fly rods, reels, lines and tippet; fly casting and presentation; hooks and knots; essential and useful equipment and attire; what fish eat; types and use of flies for fresh and salt water; fly selection; basics of reading the water; catching and (often) releasing fish; safety and etiquette. Participants will need access to a fly rod with reel and fly line for classroom hands-on instruction. Suggested texts are Fly Fishing Made Easy by Michael Rutter and Dave Card or Fly Fishing for Dummies by Peter Kaminsky.
Class size: 5-20

A Mind-Body Experience/Meditation for Anyone
Dr. John W. Simmons
Thursday, 3-4:30 p.m.
Mungo Room #2
Learn how to slow down and find some calm in the fast-paced world in which we live. Participants will learn the benefits of meditation as well as techniques.
Class size: 6-12

Tabletop Warfare in American History – Part I
Ben Lineberry
Thursday, 3-5 p.m.
Mungo Room #2
Use tabletop simulation war games to visualize and gain a better understanding of military campaign planning, execution and outcomes. Each exercise will be prefaced with lecture, video clips or guest speaker insights.
Class size: 15-20

Intuitive Art: A Wet Paint Workshop
Kris Neely
Friday, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Cumming Street School
This course is designed to encourage beginning and more experienced artists to explore different art materials and techniques with the goal of creating work for a public art show. A list of supplies will be available upon registration.
Class size: 5-15

SPECIAL PROGRAMS

Revolutionary War Roundtable
Friday, Jan. 15, 6:30-8 p.m.
Montgomery Room, Burwell Building
Mark Schneider
A visit with the Marquis de Lafayette: a first-person performance
RSVP to GrayCH@Wofford.edu

Telling Your Story with Photography
Friday, Feb. 5, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Mungo Room #2
Mike Wojcik and Dick Carr
RSVP to GrayCH@Wofford.edu

Dunlap Chamber Music Series Concert
Thursday, Feb. 11, 7 p.m.
Cho-Liang Lin, violin, and Jon Kimura Parker, piano
Leonard Auditorium, Main Building
An all-Viennese program, the internationally acclaimed duo will perform Mozart Sonata No. 5 in G Major, K. 379; Brahms Sonata No. 2 in A Major, Op. 100; and Beethoven Sonata in C minor, Op. 30 #2.

Dunlap Chamber Music Series Concert
Thursday, March 10, 7 p.m.
William Preucil, violinist and concertmaster of the Cleveland Orchestra; Alexandra Preucil, violinist and associate concertmaster of the Cleveland Orchestra; William Ransom, pianist and artistic director of the Highlands-Cashiers Festival; Eun-Sun Lee, viola and professor at Wofford College; Charae Krueger, cellist
Leonard Auditorium, Main Building
The performance will include Bach Trio Sonata in C Major for Two Violins, Cello and Keyboard; Beethoven Piano Trio in C minor, Op. 1 #3; and Dohnanyi Piano Quintet in C minor, Op. 1.

Revolutionary War Roundtable
Monday, April 18, 6-8 p.m.
Montgomery Room, Burwell Building
A Demand for Blood – Cameron Nadia Dean