CoOL Offers Enjoyable Learning Experiences for People Rich With Life Experience
Learning with – and from – your peers is the essence of CoOL, NECC’s College of Older Learners. If you are 50 or older, we invite you to come expand your mind, and social circle, by participating in, or even leading, a three to six-week seminar/lecture/course in the fall or spring, exploring a topic of interest.
What Attracts People to the College of Older Learners?
- Being part of a vibrant community
- Sharing a joy of learning with others
- Exploring issues relevant to individuals who are 50+
- Uncovering hidden interests and potential
- Sharing knowledge and passion for a topic with others
- Recognizing that a life of learning is a life well spent
College of Older Learners Course Offerings
Each fall and spring, you can choose from a variety of CoOL seminars/lectures/courses. Topics vary and range from Meditation, yoga, and Tai-Chi to senior theater, television production, gardening, and more. Typically, classes meet once a week for a five-week period. Most courses cost $35 and some courses have additional costs (such as purchasing a book or other class-related material such as a yoga mat).
We welcome you to propose an idea for a new CoOL course offering. For details please call 978-556-3110.
It’s Easy to Register!
Just call Enrollment Services at 978-556-3700 and let us know which course you would like to attend. We will send you a letter and a campus map one week prior to the start of your course with the location, dates and times. Temporary parking passes will be mailed to those attending courses not offered at the Haverhill Opportunity Works building.
Upcoming Seminars/Lectures/Courses
How Marie Curie and Her Daughter Changed the Way We Understand the World
How Marie Curie and Her Daughter Changed the Way We Understand the World
This lecture will discuss how the Curies, via observation and measurement, discovered details of the physical world that still confounds some to this day.
Lecture Leader: Arthur Yarranton
Course Information
Dates/Time: Mondays, 2:00 to 4:00 pm, January 28 through February 25 (no class 2/18)
Location: Haverhill
Cost: $35
CRN: 189 Course Number: COOL1152 Section: OWA
Tai Chi to Improve Health
“Tai Chi to Improve Health”
Developed for the Arthritis Foundation, this workshop teaches the Sun Form followed by Qigong meditation to blend your mind and Chi.
Facilitator: Allen Drelick
Course Information
Dates/Time: Mondays, 2:45 to 4:00 pm, January 28 through March 4 (no class 2/18)
Location: Haverhill Campus
Cost: $35
CRN: 181 Course Number: COOL1111 Section: OWA
Dates/Time: Mondays, 2:45 pm to 4:00 pm, March 25 through April 29 (no class 4/15)
Location: Haverhill Campus
Cost: $35
CRN: 182 Course Number: COOL1111 Section: OWB
Open Your Gift - Self Healing Workshop
Open Your Gift – Self Healing Workshop
Whatever challenges you are facing, your mind is ready to assist you in coping with stress, healing disease, and empowering you to face whatever life throws your way.
Facilitators: Josephine Howland
Course Information
Dates/Time: Tuesday, 1:00 to 3:00 pm, January 29 through February 19
Location: Haverhill
Cost: $35
CRN: 190 Course Number: COOL1153 Section: OWA
Liberty, Fraternity, Equality: The History and Impact of the French Revolution
Liberty, Fraternity, Equality: The History and Impact of the French Revolution
We will study the French Revolution from 1789 through the era of Napoleon by discussing “When the King Took Flight” by Timothy Tackett, Harvard University Press, ISBN# 978-067-40-1642-2. Please purchase book and bring to first class.
Lecture Leader: Stephen Russell
Course Information
Dates/Time: Tuesdays, 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm, January 29 through February 26
Location: Haverhill
Cost: $35
CRN: 191 Course Number: COOL1154 Section: OWA
Frankenstein and the Romantics
Frankenstein and the Romantics
In this course, we will read Frankenstein and talk about the novel, the author Mary Shelley, and the English Romantics. Please bring any edition of the 1831 text.
Lecture Leader: Barbara Stachniewicz
Course Information
Dates/Time: Wednesdays, 2:00 to 4:00 pm, January 30 through February 27
Location: Haverhill
Cost: $35
CRN: 328 Course Number: COOL1165 Section: OWA
Meditation
Meditation
A hands-on (we will meditate) seminar to discuss the what is, the benefits of, the how to, and the types of meditation. Practice outside of class is required.
Seminar Leader: George Medelinskas
Course Information
Dates/Time: Wednesdays, 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm, January 30 through February 27
Location: Haverhill
Cost: $35
CRN: 192 Course Number: COOL1155 Section: OWA
Bioethics for Beginners
Bioethics for Beginners
We’ll explore some of the most difficult and fascinating moral challenges we face in health, medicine, and emerging technologies. Reflective conversation is encouraged on these polarizing issues.
Lecture Leader: Judy Flieder
Course Information
Dates/Time: Thursdays, 2:00 to 4:00 pm, January 31 through February 28
Location: Haverhill
Cost: $35
CRN: 193 Course Number: COOL1156 Section: OWA
Thinking of Leading a Class?
Thinking of Leading a Class?
This is a free three-week class on how to present a class for 5 weeks and prepare for Showcase. We will research a topic, prepare a PowerPoint slide presentation and prepare for Showcase. Hands-on practice with a computer and audio-visual equipment. Registration is required.
Seminar Leader: Bonnie Pearlman
Course Information
Dates/Time: Thursdays, 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm, January 31 through February 14
Location: Haverhill
Cost: free
CRN: 183 Course Number: COOL1138 Section: OWA
Building Presence Through Play
Building Presence Through Play
Explore personal growth through individual and partner play and reflection. Gentle movement will be informed by martial arts and the Feldenkrais Method® of movement.
Facilitator: Stan Wrobel and Linda Sanchez
Course Information
Dates/Time: Fridays, 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm, February 1 through February 15
Location: Haverhill
Cost: $25
CRN: 206 Course Number: COOL1157 Section: OWA
Native Americans: Seeing Beyond Stereotypes
Native Americans: Seeing Beyond Stereotypes
Learn about the rich histories, traditions, beliefs and art of the indigenous tribes that once dominated the Great Plains and the Southwest. Lecture with discussion.
Lecture Leader: Barbara Keller
Course Information
Dates/Time: Mondays, 10:00 pm to 12:00 pm, March 25 through April 22 (no class 4/15)
Location: Haverhill
Cost: $35
CRN: 207 Course Number: COOL1158 Section: OWA
Gardening With Perennials
Gardening With Perennials
Learn how to choose plants and care for these garden showpieces. This is a seminar course with everyone contributing. We will end with a plant swap (weather permitting).
Seminar Leader: Ruth Young
Course Information
Dates/Time: Mondays, 1:00 pm- to 3:00 pm, March 25 through April 29 ( no class 4/15). Plant swap May 6 (weather permitting)
Location: Haverhill
Cost: $35
CRN: 209 Course Number: COOL1160 Section: OWA
What’s So Special About the Mona Lisa Anyway
What’s So Special About the Mona Lisa Anyway
Learn about Leonardo, Michelangelo, Raphael and others. We look at their lives and struggles in tumultuous times and their individual contributions to style and the advancement of technique.
Lecture Leader:Ben Coughlin and Nancy Clark
Course Information
Dates/Time: Tuesdays, 2:00 to 4:00 pm, March 26 through April 23
Location: Haverhill
Cost: $35
CRN: 210 Course Number: COOL1161Section: OWA
Discovering Moss
Discovering Moss
Learn all about this very small plant including how to cultivate it, where it came from, where to find it, and why it is important.
Lecture Leader:Ruth Young
Course Information
Dates/Time: Wednesdays, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm, March 27 through April 24
Location: Haverhill
Cost: $35
CRN: 211 Course Number: COOL1162 Section: OWA
A Time to Dance
A Time to Dance
Experience the basic movements of dance and ignite the fire within. Explore your space, feeling the freedom of collapsing, yielding, and rolling. Bring a journal to record your thoughts.
Facilitator: Bonnie Pearlman
Course Information
Dates/Time: Wednesdays, 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm, April 3 through May 1
Location: Haverhill
Cost: $35
CRN: 212 Course Number: COOL1163 Section: OWA
Worry Less, Live More
Worry Less, Live More
Worrying is the mind’s way to problem solve. This seminar will offer simple tools and techniques on managing our worry habits so we can live our lives with peace of mind.
Lecture Leader:Tom Ellis
Course Information
Dates/Time: Thursdays,2:00 pm to 4:00 pm, March 28 through April 25
Location: Haverhill Campus
Cost: $35
CRN: 213 Course Number: COOL1164 Section: OWA
Why Does the Merrimack River Flow Northeast?
Why Does the Merrimack River Flow Northeast?
Explore the confluence of forces that may have caused the Merrimack River to flow northeast. Comprehension of global plate tectonics and North America’s Ice Age will be helpful.
Lecture Leader:Joseph McManus
Course Information
Dates/Time: Tuesdays, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm, April 2 through April 16
Location: Haverhill Campus
Cost: $25
CRN: 208 Course Number: COOL1159 Section: OWA
Registration and Confirmation
Ways to Register
How to Register
There are several ways to register:
- Register online using FlexReg, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Use FlexReg and search for Cool courses. Follow the prompts or read instructions below on how to Sign–in, search and register for classes or get help.
- Register by phone by contacting Enrollment Services at 978-556-3700. Have your credit card ready and be prepared to provide your name, address, phone, date of birth and the course number.
- Fax: Complete the registration form at the back of our course catalogue or the registration form (PDF) from our website and fax it with your credit card information at least one week prior to the start of the course to Enrollment Services at 978-556-3171.
- Mail: Complete the registration form (PDF) and mail it with your check, credit card information or purchase order to Bursar’s Office, NECC, 100 Elliott Street, Haverhill, MA 01830.
- In Person: Enrollment Services are at the Behrakis One Stop Student Center on the Haverhill campus, or the Lawrence campus (414 Common Street).
Approximately one week prior to a seminar’s start date, you will be mailed a letter confirming your seminar attendance along with the appropriate campus map. If you are registering late, please call Sandy Zappala at 978-556-3064, for directions and/or confirmation if needed.
Parking
Most seminars/lectures/courses take place on NECC’s Haverhill Campus at the Opportunity Works Building (HOW) and no parking hang tag is needed. Temporary parking hang tags will be mailed for courses that are on the Haverhill campus but are not at the HOW building.
If for any reason you need additional information regarding parking or a guest parking hang tag, please contact Sandy Zappala at szappala@necc.mass.edu (e-mail is the preferred method of contact) or 978-556-3064.
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