Senior enrichment starts with curiosity and ends in lifelong friendships.
Designed for the retired and semi-retired, The Knowledge Exchange is a lifelong learning program that meets on Fridays for eight-week sessions in fall, winter and spring. Full-length courses, workshops and presentations are offered.
Courses are non-credit and led by a team of dedicated volunteers made up of GovState faculty, alumni and community experts. A volunteer Advisory Committee made up of Exchange class leaders and participants assist in overseeing the curriculum and sustaining quality programming. Topics include: History, Law, Liberal Arts, Current Events, Foreign Policy, Music/Film, Philosophy and more with lively discussions. Lunch is a great time to know other Exchange students, continue classroom discussions and share classroom and life experiences. Participants of The Knowledge Exchange enjoy a relaxed and friendly environment on the GovState campus and have formed a community of shared learning, social interaction and the free exchange of opinions and ideas.
The Knowledge Exchange, Fall 2024
Fridays, September 20 – November 8
Astronomy For Everyone with Richard Loslo
Join Richard Loslo in his first course for The Knowledge Exchange and learn about the stars, the galaxies, and your place in the universe!
The Roosevelts with Myras Osman
Join Historian Myras Osman as he covers topics in history from the time of Theodore Roosevelt’s birth in 1858 to the death of Eleanor Roosevelt in 1962.
Short Fiction by Latin American Women Authors: Readings and Discussions with Isabel Simard
Join Longtime Knowledge Exchange participant Isabel Simard for this discussion-based journey into the world of short stories written by women with a focus on the 1986 Anthology, Other Fires: Short Fiction by Latin American Women.
Science and Spirituality: The Journey of the Universe From an Environmental Perspective with Dick Lewis
Join Dick Lewis as he leads his first 8-week course for The Knowledge Exchange. Through written and recorded excerpts from the book (and film), The Journey of the Universe, class will ponder Cosmic and Earth Evolution from the Big Bang to the epic impact Humans have on the planet today.
Art & Architecture: 100 Cathedrals of Europe with Christine Small
Christine Small returns with yet another fascinating course on art & architecture, this time with a look at 100 of Europe’s grandest cathedrals. Christine will guide the class through the years proving that these grand buildings are history, geography, art, and science all rolled into one.
FALL FIELD TRIPS (Saturdays)
The B. Harley Bradley House in Kankakee, IL
A repeat of our summer destination to the Frank Lloyd Wright designed B. Harley Bradley House (formerly Yesteryear) in Kankakee, IL, for a guided tour with lunch to follow at Ryan’s Pier.
The Illinois Holocaust Museum in Skokie for their current exhibit:
Kindertransport: Rescuing Children on the Brink of War
Showcasing the astonishing rescue effort that, in only nine months, brought thousands of unaccompanied children from Nazi Europe to the United Kingdom, this exhibition’s thoughtful, artistic design features 75 personal artifacts, including items from Illinois Holocaust Museum’s collection.
WANTED! VOLUNTEER CLASS LEADERS
The Knowledge Exchange’s (TKE) lifelong-learning program, at GovState’s School of Extended Learning is the only one of its kind in the Chicago southland and is currently looking to expand its team of class leaders.
Courses are non-credit meeting over 8-week sessions on Fridays during
the Fall, Winter, and Spring semesters.
Topics of interest include History, Literature, Music, Current Events, Science, Philosophy, and, most of all, Special Expertise. Whatever your interest or hobby, come and share that passion with TKE’s friendly and eager-to-learn community in a relaxed classroom environment at Governors State University.
If available and interested, contact Suzanne Patterson at 708.534.4393 or by email at spatterson3@govst.edu and she will be thrilled to discuss your ideas!