MARIETTA — Eight new classes are in the Fall 2023 schedule at the Institute for Learning in Retirement at Marietta College.

The Arts and Crafts Movement is a four-week course meeting on Mondays beginning Sept. 25.

Beth Sears Cox, professor emeritus at West Virginia University at Parkersburg, will provide an overview of traditional craftsmanship, simplicity and respect for natural materials.

Archeologist Wes Clarke will discuss the return of individual artistic expression to the furnishings of everyday life.

Andrew Richmond, an historian, will look at the philosophy and aesthetic of the movement with emphasis on handcrafted works such as metalware and glassware. He will address the use of understated design and color.

Founding Principles of Our Republic is a four-week course on Tuesdays beginning Sept. 26. Washington County Commissioner Kevin Ritter will trace the history of the founding documents of the republic from the Declaration of Independence to the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

Banned and Challenged Books is a four-week course on Wednesdays beginning Sept. 27. Marietta College Professor Nicole Livengood will explore book bans worldwide, and then turn to American book bans in the last few decades. Key themes and subjects that meet resistance in American schools and libraries will be examined.

Artificial Intelligence You Can Use Today is an eight-week Zoom course on Thursdays beginning Sept. 28. Retired Rutgers Professor Ted Goertzel will introduce participants to ChatGPT, Bard, New Bing and other AI software used to produce documents, draw pictures, plan vacations, invent recipes, resolve disputes and shop, among others. Participants will use the programs and share results.

Confrontations with the Reaper: A Philosophical Study of the Nature and Value of Death is an eight-week course on Fridays beginning Sept. 29. WVU Parkersburg professor Lawrence McKenzie will discuss of questions surrounding death such as what is death? Do people survive death? What is meant by someone is dying? The course will examine the metaphysical and philosophical questions and moral problems surrounding death.

A second series of four-week classes will begin on Oct. 23. Classes include: Four Foreign Films About Food and Family led by retired physicist Dave Cress; Living Democracy, Engaging Citizens, presented by Betsy Cook, Joy Cowdery and others; and Curating Your Life, presented by LifeCoach Suzanne Shultz.

Schedules, course materials, instructor bios, discussion boards and announcements are available on the Marietta College Learning in Retirement Facebook page at www.facebook.com/gorups/3339761109894464 and by contacting Director Rebecca Phillips at 740-358-9646 or bennphil@hotmail.com or Program Chair Jim Moon at 740-434-5309 or jbmoonman@aol.com.

The Institute for Learning in Retirement is a community-based organization of retirement-age people who share a love of learning. At its heart is an academic program designed by its members to suit their interest and taught by knowledgeable instructors. All are welcome.