Search results for

October 1962: The USSR introduced nuclear weapons into Cuba bordering the US, which America saw as radically destabilizing the “balance of terror” and posing an existential threat. War was narrowly averted by a compromise that removed the weapons and guaranteed Cuban independence. February 2022: Russia shattered post-Cold War European peace. It viewed an independent Ukraine bordering its territory as an existential threat, the result of Western aggression. Might frustration tempt Russia to escalate across the nuclear threshold to find peace on its own terms? Ukraine gave up its nuclear arsenal in 1994; had it kept its nukes then, would Russia have been tempted to invade now?

The potential for nuclear destruction grows. What might we learn about crises involving nuclear powers? Cuba and Ukraine are examined in terms of context (Cold War v. globalization), political aim (expansion v. defense), strategic operation (nuclear threat v. denial) and possible outcome (stalemate v. accommodation).

Dr. Herbert Gooch is Professor Emeritus of Political Science at California Lutheran University. He formerly served as Director of the Masters in Public Policy and Administration program and Assistant Provost for Graduate Studies at Cal Lutheran. A graduate of U.C. Berkeley in History, he holds a M.B.A in Management and both masters and doctoral degrees in Political Science from UCLA. He has written extensively and is a frequent commentator on political affairs locally and statewide. He has been at Cal Lutheran since 1987 and lives in Newbury Park with his wife. His interests include politics, film and travel.

Fifty and Better was designed to offer university-level courses and lectures (no tests, no homework) taught by experts in the field, and to host social engagement activities for individuals age 50 and older.

The Art Deco period of the 1920s and 1930s infused modern design with elegance and sophistication in an exuberant display of stylized geometric and floral elements that were drawn from sources as varied as the discovery of King Tut’s tomb to sleek modern industrial design. Influential factors and chic forms of the Art Deco style will be studied in architectural design, interior decor, furniture, and decorative objects.

Eleanor Schrader is an award-winning educator, lecturer, and author. She lectures worldwide on art and architectural history, and leads art and architecture tours throughout the world. She has been named a Distinguished Instructor at UCLA Extension, where she teaches history of architecture, interior design, furniture, and decorative arts. She is also Professor Emeritus of Art and Architectural History at Santa Monica College. She has completed graduate work in fine and decorative arts at Sotheby's Institute in London and New York. She has served as a Design Review Commissioner for the City of Beverly Hills and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the John Lautner Foundation.

Fifty and Better was designed to offer university-level courses and lectures (no tests, no homework) taught by experts in the field, and to host social engagement activities for individuals age 50 and older.

In the early 19th century, Thomas Cole took on the mission of creating art that would capture and bring to life the wilderness of the unexplored America. He strove to bring the art of landscape painting to the heights of history painting, while embracing the natural world and creating moments of contemplative power for the viewers. Together, we will journey into the paintings of Cole and investigate their continuing impact and meaning to us today in the 21st century.

Christine Maasdam holds a Master in Humanities and a B.A. in Cultural Geography. Her art studies include The Courtauld Institute of Art in London, The Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center in D.C. and Post Graduate studies in Antiquities Trafficking and Art Crime at the University of Glasgow. She is a graduate of the Art Crime Investigation Seminar led by Robert Wittman, founder of the FBI's National Art Crime Team. Christine is a member of the International Foundation for Cultural Property Protection and holds a certificate from Trident Manor on Protection of Cultural Venues. Christine received Sotheby’s certification on Determining Value: An Appraiser’s Perspective. She has spent over a decade as a LACMA docent and is an active volunteer at the City of David archaeological dig in Israel.

Fifty and Better was designed to offer university-level courses and lectures (no tests, no homework) taught by experts in the field, and to host social engagement activities for individuals age 50 and older.

From the mid-50s until the mid-60s, AM radio underwent radical changes in what was played. Early on, different genres of music were strictly limited to what demographic a station was aiming for. This resulted in the broadcasting of R&B to an exclusive African American audience, country music to a rural listener, and pop music was usually relegated to “block programming.” But that began to change in the 50s and 60s. This two-part lecture will explore the reluctance of any genre to actually “crossover” to another as well as the societal changes and tastes of the public that ultimately led to change. We will listen to the hits that changed American music forever!

Tony Moon has spent 60 successful years in the music business. Beginning in 1960, he joined the L.A. group Dante and The Evergreens, which was managed and produced by Lou Adler and Herb Alpert. He later moved to Nashville becoming the guitarist and conductor for Brenda Lee. He also began playing on recording sessions and was Nashville's first rock independent music producer, working with five major labels. He scored several big hits for The Vogues, including "5 O' Clock World." Tony has won several awards as a songwriter and music publisher. His songs have been released by artists as diverse as Porter Wagoner, Willie Nelson, Vickie Carr, Pearl Jam, and the Beatles. He currently administers several Music Publishing Companies and a New York Entertainment Company.

Fifty and Better was designed to offer university-level courses and lectures (no tests, no homework) taught by experts in the field, and to host social engagement activities for individuals age 50 and older.

We all know what terrorism is, as it is all over the news and has been for years. This is especially true, since many of us know the details of the largest terrorist attack on US soil in New York City on September 11, 2001. Al-Qaeda, the Taliban, Osama bin Laden: these are groups and individuals most of us know, as the US and world continue to fight terrorist groups. But what about Cyberterrorism? Is someone attacking someone, and if so, how? And, who is attacking who? It may be a term you have heard on the news, especially given the war in Ukraine. In this lecture, we will explore the world of cyberterrorism and answer all of these questions, as well as, how you can defend yourself.

Samantha Meyer is an IT professional working in the computer industry for over 28 years. She started her career as a professional software developer and principal software architect. Samantha then moved into the Networking, Collaboration, Cloud, and Data Center industries as a Technical Solutions Architect and Principal Systems Engineer. Samantha currently works in the Cybersecurity industry, leading a team of engineers covering the education space, as well as state, city and county government entities across the United States. Samantha holds numerous industry certifications and speaks regularly at large events covering deep technical topics to large scale architecture discussions. Samantha holds a B.S. degree in Computer Science & Mathematics from SUNY Albany, and a M.S. degree in Computer Science & Electrical Engineering from Columbia University.

Fifty and Better was designed to offer university-level courses and lectures (no tests, no homework) taught by experts in the field, and to host social engagement activities for individuals age 50 and older.

"Women in the Sciences” Molly Shelton, Power Systems Engineers at JPL, will talk about her work on CADRE; an all-terrain navigation system to be used in future planetary exploration rovers. It can make decisions without human input. She’ll also have a special message for young women who dream of becoming Aero-Space Engineers. Moorpark College Forum. Admission and Parking free. Please No Pets.

The Theatre Arts and Dance Department presents a staged reading of "Roe" by Lisa Loomer. "Roe" follows the history of the controversial U.S. Supreme Court decision through the eyes of the participants involved, including Norma McCorvey, aka Jane Roe, and Sarah Weddington, the lawyer who presented the original case before the court. "Roe" has been presented at numerous theaters across the county. The playwright updated the script to reflect the recent Supreme Court decision to uphold a Mississippi law that bans most abortions after 15 weeks, thereby overturning the constitutional right to abortion established by Roe v. Wade.

Now that the JWST has completed its commissioning phase and is operational, we will take a look at some of the first sets of data that have been released from some of Webb’s initial observations of nebulas, Jupiter, stars, stellar nurseries and exoplanets. A brief overview of the history of the JWST conception, development, flight and deployment will also be included, as well as time for Q&A, in this one hour lecture.

Christopher Mick is the Executive Director for the STEM educational nonprofit, Space St. Croix, which brings free Space-themed STEM programming and teacher support materials to all Hudson, Wisconsin area schools, as well as The YMCA, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and home-school programs at the Hudson Area Public Library. Christopher is a NASA Solar System Ambassador, OSIRIS-Rex Ambassador, member of the NASA Museum & Informal Education Alliance and was recently on the Education Advisory Board for Infiniscope as well as a blogger for the Space Science Institute.

Christopher is a member of the Planetary Society, the National Space Society, is a NASA Social Alum, and has been a presenter at the Space Exploration Educators Conference at Space Center Houston, in Houston, TX.

He lives in Hudson, WI.

Fifty and Better was designed to offer university-level courses and lectures (no tests, no homework) taught by experts in the field, and to host social engagement activities for individuals age 50 and older.

Although one of the leading figures in the Impressionist movement, the art of Edgar Degas looks a little different than the art of Monet and Renoir. More emotional and set indoors, Degas’ paintings have a psychological element in their scenes of contemporary life. From ballet dancers, to laundresses, to horse races, today’s lecture will look at his unique body of work.

Katherine E. Zoraster is an Art Historian and a Professor of Art History at several local colleges specializing in Western art from the Renaissance to the 20th century. She graduated with a double major in English Literature and Art History from the University of California, Los Angeles. Following her undergraduate degree, she received a Master’s Degree with Distinction in Art History from the California State University at Northridge.

In addition to the courses Katherine teaches for other lifelong learning programs, she also works as an Adjunct Professor of Art History at Moorpark College and an Art History Instructor for the full-time program at the Los Angeles Academy of Figurative Arts. Katherine also serves as a commissioner for the Burbank Cultural Arts Commission and volunteers at the Burbank Animal Shelter. In her free time Katherine is an avid runner and travels extensively.

Fifty and Better was designed to offer university-level courses and lectures (no tests, no homework) taught by experts in the field, and to host social engagement activities for individuals age 50 and older.

Join us for a policy talk and a discussion with Juan Ponce, patrol supervisor for the Ventura County Sheriff's Department and adjunct professor in the MPPA program at Cal Lutheran's School of Management.

Ponce is a Ventura County native who earned his master’s degree in public administration from Cal Lutheran in 1999. He is an authority commissioner representing the city of Moorpark. In August of 2022, he was selected by the Moorpark Chamber of Commerce as the Public Servant of the Year.

His many years of experience in undercover narcotics, felony crimes and jail watch, his lifetime membership in the California Narcotic Officer's Association, and his seven years of teaching experience demonstrate his expertise in building better community and police relations. His upcoming policy talk will be a great opportunity for people interested in public administration or law enforcement to learn from an expert. Come share your ideas and leave with some new insights.