The Bloomsbury Group  6 sessions

Course Leader
Helen Long (Contact Course Co-ordinator 0411 244 103)

Course Outline
In the early twentieth century a group of friends formed strong bonds and went on to make significant contributions to the literary, artistic and intellectual life of Great Britain. We will explore the wonderful record they left of their work, their lives and their loves. No homework, but reading encouraged and facilitated.

Entry Criterion
Just interest, curiosity and desire to learn. Maximum of 10 people.

Meeting Time
2 pm to 4 pm on alternate Tuesdays from 5 June.

Venue
Private residence – contact course leader.

 

British Literature - All year

Course Leader
Diana Collier 5443 0137

Course Outline
Authors and poets, and their works – early English (Anglo-Saxon) roots, Chaucer, Marlowe, Shakespeare, the Metaphysical poets, perhaps as far as Milton.

Entry Criterion
An interest in the topic, and a willingness to read and contribute to discussions.

Meeting Time
3 pm to 4.30 pm 2nd & 4th Monday, commencing 13 February.

Venue
Fellowship Room, Uniting Church.

 

Craft of Writing I: From Memoir to Fiction  8 sessions

Course Leader
Elizabeth Rider 5470 5681

Course Outline
Participants will use their own memories as the basis for creating fiction, experimenting with different narrative voices, use of tense and structure. The term will include an optional 5-hour workshop (cost $25) with a professional writer on 22 March 2012. The workshop will be open to other U3A members.

Entry criteria
A willingness to produce regular pieces of writing to present in class.
Participants need to be prepared to produce current manuscripts for constructive criticism in the class and to build on that criticism to improve their writing skills. Participants need to be willing to share the task of facilitating the class if appropriate.

Meeting Time
1.30 pm to 4.30 pm Wednesdays (including tea break), weekly from 8 February to 28 March.

Venue
Salvation Army Hall, Kennedy Street (adjacent railway station).

 

Craft of Writing II: Short Stories  8 sessions

Course Leader
Elizabeth Rider 5470 5681

Course Outline
Participants will plan, write and workshop three short stories (1,000 – 3,000 words), refining character development and dialogue.

Entry criteria
A willingness to produce regular pieces of writing to present in class.
Participants need to be prepared to produce current manuscripts for constructive criticism in the class and to build on that criticism to improve their writing skills. Participants need to be willing to share the task of facilitating the class if appropriate.

Meeting Time
1.30 pm to 4.30 pm Wednesdays (including tea break), weekly from 18 April to 20 June.

Venue
Salvation Army Hall, Kennedy Street (adjacent railway station).

Craft of Writing III: Using different devices in fiction  8 sessions

Course Leader
Elizabeth Rider 5470 5681

Course Outline
The class will incorporate letters, diaries, press reports, and poetry as inspiration for stories.

Entry criteria
A willingness to produce regular pieces of writing to present in class. Participants need to be prepared to produce current manuscripts for constructive criticism in the class and to build on that criticism to improve their writing skills. Participants need to be willing to share the task of facilitating the class if appropriate.

Meeting Time
1.30 pm to 4.30 pm Wednesdays (including tea break), weekly from 18 July to 5 September.

Venue
Salvation Army Hall, Kennedy Street (adjacent railway station).

 

Craft of Writing IV: Complete Two Stories  6 sessions

Course Leader
Elizabeth Rider 5470 5681

Course Outline
Participants will write, workshop and self-edit two short stories.

Entry criteria
A willingness to produce regular pieces of writing to present in class. Participants need to be prepared to produce current manuscripts for constructive criticism in the class and to build on that criticism to improve their writing skills. Participants need to be willing to share the task of facilitating the class if appropriate.

Meeting Time
1.30 pm to 4.30 pm Wednesdays (including tea break), weekly from 17 October to 21 November.

Venue
Salvation Army Hall, Kennedy Street (adjacent railway station).

 

Ethics 4 sessions

Course Leader
Karen Mather 9347 6925

Course Outline
Designed for beginners, the first session introduces the method of ethics. The remaining sessions are: Professional Ethics and the world of work; Environmental Ethics and the dilemma of human needs versus the needs of the natural environment; and, finally, Ethics in (some of) the Plays of Shakespeare.

Entry Criterion
None. Participants will be invited to engage in Question Time at the end of each session.

Meeting Time
11 am to 12.30 pm, Thursdays, commencing 22 March.

Venue
U3A Office.

Let’s Read a Play - All year

Course Leader
Barrie King and Trish King 5470 5514

Course Outline
Each fortnight our group reads a play, either a drama or a comedy, from a wide range of authors. Everyone chooses who can participate in the reading of the play. It is very enjoyable to be able to have the story unfold and reach its conclusion at each session – so come along and give it a try.
Payment of $3 per session covers hire of plays and postage of scripts

Entry Criterion
None.

Meeting Time
10 am to 1 pm 2nd & 4th Monday, commencing 13 February.

Venue
Private residence – contact course leader.

 

Public Speaking 3 sessions

Course Leader
Diana Collier 5443 0137

Course Outline
Discussion and practice in aspects for good public speaking. Preparation, subject matter, audience, presentation/appearance, voice projection, breathing. Handouts, slides and other material. Use of microphone

Entry Criterion
An interest in clear speaking, in drama, in finding the ‘right’ word, and an expectation of active participation.

Meeting Time
10 am to 11.30 am, Monday, 13 & 27 February, and 26 March.

Venue
Fellowship Room, Uniting Church.

 

Shakespeare - All year

Course Leader
Diana Collier 5443 0137

Course Outline
A study of some of Shakespeare’s plays and sonnets – his poetry, his language, themes such as love and artifice, action, history.

Entry Criterion
Interest in the topic, and willingness to read & contribute to discussions.

Meeting Time
1.30 pm to 3 pm, 2nd & 4th Monday, commencing 13 February.

Venue
Fellowship Room, Uniting Church.

 

The Story of Language - All year

Course Leader
Diana Collier 5443 0137

Course Outline
1. What is language? Social background - Oral and written symbols for communication, meaning and sound. How language changes. Indo- European languages, the beginnings of English.
2. Dialects and Norman English. Influences on English.
3. The growth towards modern English: standards, technology.

Entry Criterion
An interest in language and its developments and changes. A willingness to contribute – perhaps to lead a subject (e.g., printing; illustrations).

Meeting Time
11.30 am to 1.30 pm 2nd & 4th Monday, commencing 13 February.

Venue
Fellowship Room, Uniting Church.

 

Twentieth Century Literature - All year

Course Leader
Denise Jepson 5473 4470

Course Outline
We will read and discuss fiction from the 20th century starting with Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale.

Entry Criterion
To read at least part of a book each month.

Meeting Time
10 am to 12 noon second Friday of the month commencing 10 February.

Venue
Fellowship Room, Uniting Church.