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Coral Reefs and Climate Change
Coral reefs are by far the oldest and most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet. They
are facing unprecedented challenges from global warming and ocean acidification. This
lecture will review the current state of affairs and outline steps that must be taken
to preserve coral reefs. Using clips of film from the Emmy and Peabody Award-winning
documentary, Chasing Coral, this lecture will cover the past, present, and future
of coral reefs. It will highlight the global importance of coral reefs and the, sometimes
extraordinary, efforts being taken to preserve them.
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James Porter
James W. Porter is Meigs Professor of Ecology, Emeritus and President of the Friends
of the Georgia Museum of Natural History. The exhibit of his antiquarian books and
coral specimens is on display at the Special Collections Building from January to
June, 2024. He has testified before Congress three times on issues relating to coral
reefs. His documentary film, Chasing Coral, won Sundance, Peabody and Emmy Awards.
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Feb 20 |
Hummingbirds and Bluebirds: How to Attract, Feed, and Protect Them
Get ready for Spring! Two of our most cherished backyard birds will be featured in
this course. Despite weighing less than a nickel, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds migrate
3000 miles to South America and back. Through dangerous conditions, they have been
repeating this amazing feat for thousands of years. Eastern Bluebirds are a longtime
symbol of happiness, health, and hope in North America. But just 50 years ago they
were so rare that birders were sure of their inevitable extinction. Learn more about
both of these species and how to attract them with native plants, feeding stations,
and proper habitat.
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Gary Whiting
Gary Whiting is a photographer, master naturalist, kayaker, and British car enthusiast.
His photography vision is to capture uncommon moments that create unique works of
art. He currently hosts the PictureThis photography and Splashdown kayaking SIGs.
When not paddling or taking photos, he can be found exploring twisty mountain roads
in a vintage Mini Cooper. His award-winning presentations have been enjoyed by OLLI
members, photography clubs, Audubon societies, and conservation organizations throughout
Georgia and Florida.
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Mar 5 |
Political Polarization in America: Are We Facing a Death Spiral?
Political polarization has been building in the U.S. since the 1980s. What economic,
social, and political forces have produced this political upheaval? How does this
polarization affect our society overall? Does this trend threaten our liberal, democratic
traditions? Robert Grafstein will address these deeply important questions.
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Bob Grafstein
Robert Grafstein is the Georgia Athletic Association Distinguished Professor Emeritus
at the University of Georgia. He also was the associate dean and interim dean of the
School of Public and International Affairs. He received his BA from the University
of Pennsylvania and his MA and PhD from the University of Chicago. Specializing in
political economy, he is the author of two books, co-editor of one, and author of
numerous articles in leading political science journals.
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Mar 19 |
Three Chords and the Truth: A Sampling of Folk Songs, Hymns, or Country Ballads that
Capture the Human Experience
Music can be enjoyed because it makes you want to move (dance music) or provides a
soothing soundscape to relax to at the end of a hard day. There is also music that
seems to capture a basic truth about human experience. This presentation will focus
on the latter category. These are songs that have a particularly meaningful text and
present the words in a musical context that is readily accessible (e.g., no fancy
jazz chords). Most of the songs would be categorized as folk tunes, hymns, or country
ballads.
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Roy Martin
Roy graduated from the University of Texas with a Ph.D., and worked at Temple University
in Philadelphia before joining the College of Education at the University of Georgia.,
where he worked from 1979 through 2007. He has played the violin in the Albuquerque
Civic Symphony, and in the Athens Symphony, the latter for 40 years. He also has pursued
a variety of musical activities including singing with a jazz combo including several
times for OLLI.
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Apr 30 |
From North to South: Frederic Edwin Church’s Icons of the Americas
Frederic Edwin Church (1826-1900), a native of Hartford, Connecticut, became more
famous and successful than his teacher Thomas Cole, in part because Cole died suddenly
at the age of 47. Church, however, would take to heart Cole's instruction to seek
"a higher sort of landscape painting" and merge natural history with national destiny
far beyond the vision of Englishman Cole. This lecture will focus on Church's great
icons of North and South America-- including Niagara, Heart of the Andes, and Twilight
in the Wilderness--with an eye to revealing their nationalistic meanings. Church's
home on the Hudson, Olana, is his last masterpiece.
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Janice Simon
Janice Simon taught art history at UGA for thirty-five years, specializing in American
Art, spirituality in modern art, and the films of Alfred Hitchcock. She received all
her degrees in art history: her BA from SUNY/Buffalo (her home town), and her MA and
PhD. with great distinction from the University of Michigan. At UGA she received many
teaching awards including the University’s highest designation, Josiah Meigs Distinguished
Teaching Professor.
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May 7 |
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