Meeman Center for Lifelong Learning

A Murder Mystery Party With a Dose of Science
Professor Kim Brien (Chemistry)
Mondays, January 29 and February 5; 5:30–7:00 p.m.
In-person (Dorothy King Hall), $70

Channel your inner CSI as we look at various forensic techniques (fingerprinting, breathalyzer, entomology, blood splatter, ballistics) in a hands-on workshop in week one. Then, in week two, put your recent knowledge and skills to the test during a murder mystery party. It’s 1923, Prohibition is in full swing. The music is swinging, the gin is slinging, and the pistols are hot. Do you have what it takes to crack the case? Characters of all ages and all science levels are welcome!

Class size: minimum of 6 students and maximum of 20 students. | .3 CEU, 3 PDP
 

Food, Gender, and Culture 
Professor Sarah Ifft Decker (History)
Wednesdays, January 31 and February 7, 21, 28; 5:30–7:00 p.m.
In-person (Dorothy King Hall), $35 per session, $140 for all four sessions

Why does food matter? This course answers this question through a global and trans-historical exploration of how gender, religion, and race have shaped food, food culture, and the labor surrounding food production. The history of food illuminates many different aspects of the past: gender and household labor; the construction of socioeconomic class; the production and performance of ethnic, religious, and racial identities; enslavement; exploitation; and marginalization. Why do we eat how we eat, and what do our food cultures tell us about our identity? Register for one session or all four as your schedule allows.

January 31: Food, Law, and Religious Identity
Class size: minimum of 6 students and maximum of 20 students. | .15 CEU, 1.5 PDP

February 7: Food, Sex, and Temptation
Class size: minimum of 6 students and maximum of 20 students. | .15 CEU, 1.5 PDP

February 21: Gender, Food, and Fasting
Class size: minimum of 6 students and maximum of 20 students. | .15 CEU, 1.5 PDP

February 28: Food, Colonization, and Slavery 
Class size: minimum of 6 students and maximum of 20 students. | .15 CEU, 1.5 PDP

Tales from Around the World
Professor Nina Morais (Modern Languages and Literatures)
Thursdays, February 1, 8, and 15; 5:30–7:00 p.m. 
In-person (Dorothy King Hall), $35 per session, $105 for all three sessions

“…and if they haven’t died, then they are still living today.” So ends the typical fairy tale written by the Grimm Brothers. A little different from the “happily ever after” we are used to, right? The retelling of traditional tales (fairy tales, folktales, myths, legends, folklore, etc.) is at the center of all cultures. Not all tales, however, are meant for children, feature magical beings, or have a happy ending. In this series, we will learn together about tales from around the world, their character archetypes, symbology, and the cultural and historical conditions in which they were created. We will not only examine various stories, but also explore some interpretations and adaptations to different contexts and media – and even create our own tales! The three classes will address common themes and analytical practices but will differ in their core content. Register for one, two, or all three sessions.  

February 1: European Fairy Tales
Class size: minimum of 6 students and maximum of 20 students. | .15 CEU, 1.5 PDP

February 8: African Folktales
Class size: minimum of 6 students and maximum of 20 students. | .15 CEU, 1.5 PDP

February 15: South American Folklore
Class size: minimum of 6 students and maximum of 20 students. | .15 CEU, 1.5 PDP

African Youth, International Soccer, and Conflicting Goals: Belly of the Atlantic by Fatou Diome
Professor Abou-Bakar Mamah (Modern Languages and Literatures, Africana Studies)
Mondays, February 26 and March 4; 5:30–7:30 p.m.
In-person (Dorothy King Hall), $100

Recent decades have seen an exodus of African youth lured by dreams of greener pastures abroad, a phenomenon with stark repercussions for the African economy. Though the sport of soccer might seem unrelated to this exodus, movement across soccer fields often leads to movement across oceans, as players pursue their goals of achieving greater things both on and off the soccer field. Praised by reviewers as charming, vivid, poetic, and poignant, The Belly of the Atlantic (2006) by Senegalese novelist Fatou Diome tells the story of young soccer enthusiast Madicke and his sister Salie as their hopes and ambitions clash with the realities of immigrant life. In this course, we will look at the dream of playing soccer in European leagues as a driving force behind migration, one that carries substantial risks for African youth in uncharted territory. For the best experience, participants should obtain the book in advance: The Belly of the Atlantic by Fatou Diome. Class size: minimum of 6students and maximum of 20 students. | .4 CEU, 4 PDP

The Cultural Relevance of Horror: Scary Stories by Mariana Enríquez 
Professor Alberto del Pozo Martinez (Modern Languages and Literatures)
Tuesdays, March 5 and 19; 6:00–7:30 p.m.
In-person (Dorothy King Hall), $70

Despite an academic tendency to ignore such literature, the sheer number of contemporary cultural productions that might be classified as “horror” has become nothing short of overwhelming since the 1970s. Argentinean writer Mariana Enriquez has produced several such masterworks in fiction, leading many to declare her as the region’s most important writer in the last decade. How is such a thing even possible when Horror is considered merely a minor genre within mainstream literature? In this course we will read and analyze together specific examples of what Enríquez does with Horror and to Horror. That is to say, we will pay attention to how the “Dark Lady of Latin American Literature” manipulates major Horror themes and subtopics (ghost stories, haunted houses, terrifying monsters, emergence of bizarre cults…) in her literature, to finally ask what “fear” tells us about ourselves and the world around us. Participants may read Enríquez’s 2016 short story collection in either Spanish or English as they prefer. Classes will be conducted in English. Please purchase and bring the textbook to class: Things We Lost in the Fire (English) OR Las cosas perdimos en el fuego (Spanish). Class size: minimum of 6 students and maximum of 20 students. | .3 CEU, 3 PDP

Art and Artificial Intelligence
Professor Karl Erickson (Art and Art History) 
Wednesday, March 6; 6:00–7:30 p.m.
In-person (Dorothy King Hall), $35

Professor Karl Erickson will present an overview of various opportunities, challenges, techniques, and tools for making visual art with Artificial Intelligence, including a walk-through of his recent videos. Freely available online software will be shared, as well as some examples of what artists are doing with these revolutionary technological developments. Students who would like to experiment with software during the class are encouraged to bring laptop computers. Class size: minimum of 6 students and maximum of 20 students. | .15 CEU, 1.5 PDP

Learning to Remember: How does memory work? How do we improve it? 
Professor Geoff Maddox (Psychology)
Thursdays, March 7 and 21; 5:30–7:00 p.m.
In-person (Dorothy King Hall) or remote (Zoom), $70

The thing we commonly refer to as “memory” is actually a set of memory systems that support different types of learning and behaviors. In this course, we will consider each of these memory systems and the ways they work together to support successful remembering. We will also consider different strategies for maximizing memory performance across a range of tasks and explore why these strategies are so effective. Class size: minimum of 6 students and maximum of 20 students. | .3 CEU, 3 PDP

Conversation with Danielle Chapman: Holler: A Poet Among Patriots 
Facilitated by Professor Amy Benson (English, Creative Writing)
Monday, March 18; 5:30–7:00 p.m.
In-person (Dorothy King Hall) or remote (Zoom), $35

Join Professor Amy Benson for a conversation with special guest Danielle Chapman about her new book, Holler, “a beautiful memoir…as devastating as American history itself” (Ilya Kaminsky). Holler begins with the death of Chapman’s father in Okinawa, explores memories of the family’s ancestral farm in Fairfield, Tennessee, and unflinchingly lays bare a legacy of racism and violence. The author of several acclaimed collections of poetry and essays, Chapman currently teaches creative writing and literature at Yale University. Participants in this lifelong learning session will have the chance to learn more about Chapman’s work in an intimate classroom setting. For the fullest experience, participants are encouraged to purchase and read Holler in advance. Class size: minimum of 6 students and maximum of 20 students. | .15 CEU, 1.5 PDP

Explorations in Disability Studies 
Facilitated by Professor Charles Hughes (Urban Studies)
Mondays, April 1, 15, and 22; 5:30–7:00 p.m.
In-person (Dorothy King Hall) or remote (Zoom), $35 per session, $105 for all 3 sessions

This new series emerges from the work of Rhodes faculty participating in a community of practice focused on teaching Disability Studies. This collaboration, led by Professors Charles Hughes and Kendra Hotz, has been made possible through a Mellon Equity Grant. Disability Studies is an interdisciplinary field of study that regards disabled experiences as both subject matter and source of authority. It emerged from Disability Rights movements of the 1970s and maintains close links with ongoing activist and advocacy campaigns for Disability Justice and the larger confrontation with inequity and systemic discrimination. In this three-session course, Kim Brien will share the successes and challenges of her own work lobbying for disability rights in Washington, DC; Joel Parsons will introduce participants to radically innovative approaches to the creation and curation of accessible art; and Lori Garner will lead discussion on representations of disability in selections of medieval English poetry. Register for one session or all three as your schedule allows. 

April 1: Professor Kim Brien (Chemistry)  
What does disability rights activism look like? Lobbying on the Hill
Class size: minimum of 6 students and maximum of 20 students. | .15 CEU, 1.5 PDP

April 15: Professor Joel Parsons (Art and Art History)
Creating Accessible Art: The work of Finnegan Shannon and Christine Sun Kim
Class size: minimum of 6 students and maximum of 20 students. | .15 CEU, 1.5 PDP

April 22: Professor Lori Garner (English)
Disability and Literature: Three Medieval Tales
Class size: minimum of 6 students and maximum of 20 students. | .15 CEU, 1.5 PDP
 

Teaching English as a Foreign Language: 20-Hour Certificate
Dr. Erin Hillis (Buckman Center for International Education)
Thursdays, April 4, 11, 18, and 25; 5:30–7:30 p.m.
In-person (Dorothy King Hall) or remote (Zoom), $300

Have you always wanted to learn how to teach English as a foreign language? This four-part course offers an introductory 20-Hour TEFL Certificate, which can be a useful credential for beginning EFL instruction in volunteer settings. Participants will learn the essential principles of teaching English as a foreign language to non-native users of English, such as student-centered teaching, the role of the teacher, and language teaching and assessing methodologies. Participants will be able to:  

1. Support language learners and facilitate their learning 
2. Plan learning activities, lessons, and courses
3. Engage in effective teaching practices in a variety of settings

Participants will be eligible for the 20-Hour TEFL Certificate if they attend each session and complete all homework. Course reading assignments will be provided electronically. Class size: minimum of 6 students and maximum of 20 students. | .8 CEU, 8 PDP

Conversation with Marjorie Garber: Shakespeare After All 
Facilitated by Professor Scott Newstok (English)
Wednesday, April 10; 5:30–7:00 p.m.
In-person (Dorothy King Hall), $35

Professor Scott Newstok will lead a conversation with special guest Dr. Marjorie Garber as we celebrate the 20th anniversary of her landmark book, Shakespeare After All. Praised as “the indispensable introduction to the indispensable writer” (Newsweek) and winner of Phi Beta Kappa’s Christian Gauss Award, this widely-lauded volume grew out of Dr. Garber’s popular lecture courses at Harvard University, where she is the William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor of English and Visual and Environmental Studies, Emerita. She is the author of twenty single-authored books, including most recently Shakespeare in Bloomsbury (2023). Her visit to Rhodes College is made possible thanks to the Pearce Shakespeare Endowment. This lifelong learning class offers a special opportunity for close reading and discussion in a small group setting. Excerpts from the book will be provided to participants in advance. Class size: minimum of 6 students and maximum of 20 students. | .15 CEU, 1.5 PDP

Interrogating Inequities: Conversations on Health and Justice
Professor Duane Loynes (Urban Studies)
Wednesdays, April 17, 24; 5:30–7:00 p.m. 
In-person (Dorothy King Hall), $70

The U.S. healthcare system and the U.S. criminal legal system are the two structures in our nation that hold the power of life and death in their hands. And yet, both are stricken with several inequities that afflict communities that are already marginalized. In this two-week series, we will (1) look at ways in which our national mission to pursue health and justice is failing the most vulnerable among us and (2) explore options for repair. Class size: minimum of 6 students and maximum of 20 students. | .3 CEU, 3 PDP

Where are in-person classes held? Unless otherwise noted, in-person Meeman classes will be held in Dorothy King Hall, which is located along University Street on the West Campus of Rhodes College. Simply buzz the doorbell when you arrive, and you will soon be greeted at the door. Light snacks, water, and coffee will be available.

How do I join classes that are offered remotely? Zoom links will be sent to all registrants for remote classes and to those registering for the remote option in hybrid classes. Please note that if you are sharing a screen with other members of your household, only one registration is necessary. If you are new to Zoom, you can find a beginners’ guide here.  

How big are Meeman Center classes? In keeping with the liberal arts mission of Rhodes College, our lifelong learning courses are kept small enough to allow everyone to actively participate, including remote participants. The minimum class size is 6, and classes are normally capped between 15 and 25, depending on subject matter and class needs. 

The class I want to take is offered both in-person and remotely. Which is better? The choice is completely up to you. The AV system in our classroom is excellent, and remote learners will be able to see, hear, and fully participate in all aspects of the course. Additionally, a Lifelong Learning fellow will typically be on Zoom calls to help ensure a seamless experience for remote learners. 

Where should I park for my Meeman class? Meeman students are free to make use of any lots on the Rhodes campus at no charge. Parking is available in the lot directly behind King Hall and in the adjacent lot near McNeill Concert Hall. A campus parking map can be found here.

Does Dorothy C. King Hall have accessible facilities? Yes, the back of King Hall has an accessible entrance. Simply buzz the doorbell or knock when you arrive. King Hall also has a wheelchair accessible restroom. Please feel free to contact us with any additional needs you might have.  

Do Meeman courses have textbooks? Some faculty select textbooks that students should purchase ahead of time, others share readings with students as PDFs, and many expect no advance reading at all. Participants will be sent an email well ahead of time with details for their course.

Do Meeman Center classes have exams or other requirements?  Unless otherwise noted, our courses have no entrance requirements, no grades, and no tests. Meeman classes are non-credit bearing and offer opportunities for adult learners to explore new ideas in an informal and open environment.

An emergency came up, and I can no longer attend my Meeman class. Can I receive a refund? We understand that life is sometimes uncertain. Full refunds will be given for registrations cancelled at least two weeks before the first day of your class. Those needing to cancel less than two weeks before a course start date may choose to receive either a credit of the original amount toward future classes or a 50% refund.

What if a class is cancelled due to inclement weather? If any class must be cancelled due to inclement weather or for any other reason, students will be notified via email and plans will be made to reschedule. In the event that rescheduling is not possible, refunds will be issued for any cancelled classes.

I would like to earn Continuing Education Units or Professional Development Points through my Meeman course. How can I do this? All Meeman Center classes are eligible for CEU and PDP credits, normally .1 CEU and 1 PDP per hour of instruction. If you would like a certificate to verify your course completion, simply write to meemancenter@rhodes.edu or to the director, Lori Garner, at garnerl@rhodes.edu. 

My Meeman class ends after dark. Is anyone available to escort me to my car? Yes, Rhodes Campus Safety is happy to escort Meeman students. Just call the Campus Safety non-emergency number: 901-843-3880.

What kind of discussion can I expect in my Meeman class? Meeman Center students can expect the same commitment to an open learning environment found across the Rhodes College campus. Freedom of thought, a respectful exchange of ideas, and an appreciation of diverse perspectives are fundamental characteristics of the Rhodes learning community.

How can I stay connected with the Meeman community on social media? 
Follow us on facebook at facebook.com/meemancenter or Instagram at Instagram.com/meemancenter

I have a question not answered here or an idea I would like to share. Who should I contact? You can reach us by phone at 901-843-3965 and by email at meemancenter@rhodes.edu.  Feel free also to email the director, Dr. Lori Garner, at GarnerL@Rhodes.edu. We would love to hear from you!