PLATO - Spring 2025 Course Schedule
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Attic Angel Place
Ashman Public Library
Bethany United Methodist Church
Capitol Lakes
Chazen Museum of Art
Christ Presbyterian Church
Covenant Presbyterian Church
Fitchburg Senior Center
The Gardens Retirement Community
Goodwill Community Room
Goodwill - Northside Town Center
Madison Museum of Contemporary Art
Madison Senior Center
Middleton Glen
Monona Library
Mount Olive Lutheran Church
Neighborhood House
Oak Park Place
Oakwood Village Prairie Ridge
Oakwood Village University Woods Campus
Pinney Library
UW South Madison Partnership
UW Space Place
Verona Public Library
Verona Senior Center
Vista West
Wil-Mar Neighborhood Center
Wisconsin Bank and Trust
Wisconsin Historical Museum
DCS
Courses Past
Summer 2025 Course Schedule
Spring 2025 Course Schedule
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Events
Annual Event Calendar
Field Trips
Lectures
Local Tours & Walks
A Self-Guided Walk in the Tenney-Lapham Neighborhood
Indigenous Earthwork (Indian Mound) on Lake Mendota's North Shore
Stewart Lake County Park
POPE Farm Conservancy
Cherokee Marsh: Yahara Heights Section
Edna Taylor Conservancy
Cherokee Marsh - North Unit
Donald Park: Woods, Hills and Farmstead
Wilkie Gorge of the Cross Plains National Scientific Reserve, where the Glacier Started to Recede
Pheasant Branch Conservancy
Olin Park, Turville Point Conservation Park
Social Gatherings
The Agora
Features from The Agora
Test page - Feature from The Agora
Past Recordings
Donate
Volunteer
Social Justice
UW Library Card
Senior Guest Auditors
FAQ
About
Spread the Word About PLATO
Board of Directors
Board Nominee Bios
Board Election 2026-27
Meeting Minutes
Committees
Weekly Update
Organizational Documents
PLATO Staff
Join PLATO
Courses
Spring 2026 Course Schedule
Winter 2026 Course Schedule
Curriculum Showcase
Propose a Course
For Course Coordinators
Course Locations
Attic Angel Place
Ashman Public Library
Bethany United Methodist Church
Capitol Lakes
Chazen Museum of Art
Christ Presbyterian Church
Covenant Presbyterian Church
Fitchburg Senior Center
The Gardens Retirement Community
Goodwill Community Room
Goodwill - Northside Town Center
Madison Museum of Contemporary Art
Madison Senior Center
Middleton Glen
Monona Library
Mount Olive Lutheran Church
Neighborhood House
Oak Park Place
Oakwood Village Prairie Ridge
Oakwood Village University Woods Campus
Pinney Library
UW South Madison Partnership
UW Space Place
Verona Public Library
Verona Senior Center
Vista West
Wil-Mar Neighborhood Center
Wisconsin Bank and Trust
Wisconsin Historical Museum
DCS
Courses Past
Summer 2025 Course Schedule
Spring 2025 Course Schedule
Winter 2025 Course Schedule
Fall 2025 Course Schedule
Fall 2024 Course Schedule
Events
Annual Event Calendar
Field Trips
Lectures
Local Tours & Walks
A Self-Guided Walk in the Tenney-Lapham Neighborhood
Indigenous Earthwork (Indian Mound) on Lake Mendota's North Shore
Stewart Lake County Park
POPE Farm Conservancy
Cherokee Marsh: Yahara Heights Section
Edna Taylor Conservancy
Cherokee Marsh - North Unit
Donald Park: Woods, Hills and Farmstead
Wilkie Gorge of the Cross Plains National Scientific Reserve, where the Glacier Started to Recede
Pheasant Branch Conservancy
Olin Park, Turville Point Conservation Park
Social Gatherings
The Agora
Features from The Agora
Test page - Feature from The Agora
Past Recordings
Courses
Courses Past
Spring 2025 Course Schedule
SPRING 2025 Course Schedule
Announcements
Most Spring Courses will began the week of February 17, 2025,
and run for 10-12 weeks.
Members may register for
more than one course
each semester;
To register for a course, contact the course coordinator
– you will find their contact info at the top of their course descriptions listed below.
Not yet a member of PLATO?
You are invited to
sample a course by attending the first two classe
s – contact the course coordinator in advance so they know that you want to come. And if you decide to continue for the rest of the term, you are required to become a member. Visit our
Join PLATO webpage
to learn more.
Spring Courses 2025
Registration
To register for a course, please email or call the course coordinator.
Printable Spring Courses 2025 Schedule
Printable PDF  – 37 Pages Total
Course Details
Click on a course title below to view detailed information about the course.
Monday
Time
Course
Coordinator
Location
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Classic Film Discussion
Tobey and Wes Marsceill
Virtual
9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Reading US History: The Scopes Trial and the Debate over Science and Religion
Michael Stevens
Virtual
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Drawing as a Sacred Activity
Heather C. Williams
Virtual
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Novels Old and New
Cindy Collins, Jane Stimac
Fitchburg Senior Center
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Exploring Creativity
Karen Wulff
Christ Presbyterian Church
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Money Skills for Retirees
Tom Eggert
Virtual
1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Photographer's Journey to Three Medieval Cathedrals in Southeast England
Arthur De Smet
Oakwood Village University Woods Campus
Tuesday
Time
Course
Coordinator
Location
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Alicia's Book Club
Sally Porter
Alicia Ashman Library
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Biography
Chuck Pils
Vista West
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Short Stories and Essays
Irv Klibaner
Covenant Presbyterian Church
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Partners in Crime: History and Mystery of Personal Relationships in Golden Age Detective Novels
Helene Androski
Christ Presbyterian Church
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Jazz
Mike Lipp
Wisconsin Bank and Trust
1:00 PM - 3:30 PM
History of the Hollywood Musical - TUES.
Michael Troudt
Capitol Lakes
1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
The Musical Evolution of The Beatles 1962 - 1970
––>
Watch the Coordinator Video
Joseph Koykkar
Oakwood Village University Woods Campus
Wednesday
Time
Course
Coordinator
Location
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Current Events - AM
Mert Corwin
Virtual
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Buddhist Mindfulness: How To Do It; How To Understand It
Craig Wille
Virtual
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Global Affairs and the Media
Leon Lindberg, James Danowski, Kirk Elliott
Hybrid
- Capitol Lakes
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Discussions in Philosophy
Ed Cothroll, Bill Colwell
Hybrid
- Bethany United Methodist Church
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Current Events - PM
Meg Taylor, Jerry Burns
Virtual
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Seasons of Hell: Written Testimonies of Holocaust Survivors
John Michael Thorn
Bethany United Methodist Church
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Writing Life Stories (for Women and Men)
Sue Ellingson
Madison Senior Center
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Writing Workshop - WED
Andy Millman
Virtual
1:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Film History
Mary Klink
Oakwood Village University Woods Campus
10
1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Pinney Lane Book Discussion Group
Nancy Miller
Pinney Library
Thursday
Time
Course
Coordinator
Location
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
CANCELLED:
History of the Hollywood Musical - THR.
Michael Troudt
Oakwood Village University Woods Campus
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
What in the World Happened
Chuck Pils
Vista West
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
1961-1975: 15 Years that Changed America
Tim Otis
Covenant Presbyterian Church
12:30 PM - 2:00 PM
On Being Mortal: Retaining Quality of Life as We Age
Cheryl Campbell
Virtual
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Book Study Group of
Poverty, by America
Baxter Richardson
Covenant Presbyterian Church
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Writing Workshop - THURS
Andy Millman
Virtual
1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
The Play's the Thing
Tess Mulrooney
Madison Senior Center
1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
We Love a Mystery
Barbara Evans
Virtual
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
It's TV Series Time!
Tobey and Wes Marsceill
Virtual
Friday
Time
Course
Coordinator
Location
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Our Declining Social Fabric
Janet Bailey
Virtual
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Reading the Classics:
The Grapes of Wrath
by John Steinbeck
John and Jan Kinar
Hybrid
- Fitchburg Senior Center
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
PLATO Travel Group
Annette Bollig, Kevin Bollig, Lois Baseler, Linn Roth
Capitol Lakes
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Shakespeare's Tragedies: Method and Meaning
Thomas Schlicht
Madison Senior Center
12:30 PM - 1:15 PM
Gentle Chair Yoga
Stephanie Steigerwaldt
Virtual
SPRING 2025 Course dESCRIPTIONS
Monday
M1
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Classic Film Discussion
Coordinator
Name
Email
Phone
Tobey and Wes Marsceill
platoclassicfilms@gmail.com
954-695-2778
Course Description
Lights, camera, action! Join and discuss films selected primarily from Turner Classic Movies (TCM) shown the previous week and watched at your convenience in your own home. Think of us like a book club for movies! We discuss the history and social relevance of the films, and learn about film techniques, cinematography, and the resumes of the directors and actors. You will be invited to join the Google Meet via email the morning of the discussion. Some movies may be shown off-hours so participants should have the ability to record, tape, or stream movies or obtain a DVD from their local library to fully participate.
Location
Virtual
Meeting Day
Monday
Meeting Time
9:30 AM to 10:30 AM
Start Date
February 17, 2025
End Date
May 12, 2025
No Course Dates
April 21, 2025
Participation
No reading to minimal reading
Class Size
35
# of Sessions
12
Registration
Required, contact coordinator for instructions
Monday
M2
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Reading US History: The Scopes Trial and the Debate over Science and Religion
Coordinator
Name
Email
Phone
Michael Stevens
Michaelstevens50@gmail.com
608-215-4887
Course Description
Read and discuss a Pulitzer Prize-winning history of the debate over teaching evolution in public schools. Edward J. Larson’s
Summer for the Gods: The Scopes Trial and America's Continuing Debate Over Science and Religion
reexamines the 1925 trial of a school teacher for violating Tennessee’s law banning Darwinism in classrooms. The case pitted William Jennings Bryan against Clarence Darrow. Larson shows how the case has been misinterpreted in popular culture and how it continues to reverberate in education and politics. We will discuss the Preface, Introduction and Chapter 1 of the 2020 edition at our first meeting
Download Course Syllabus
Download Coordinator Bio
Location
Virtual
Meeting Day
Monday
Meeting Time
9:30 AM to 11:30 AM
Start Date
February 17, 2025
End Date
April 7, 2025
No Course Dates
Participation
Regular reading/discussion expected
Class Size
20
# of Sessions
Registration
Required, contact coordinator for instructions
Monday
M3
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Drawing as a Sacred Activity
Coordinator
Name
Email
Phone
Heather C. Williams
heather@drawingtogether.com
760-213-6060
Course Description
Connect with your INNATE, Creative Self using the practice of both observational and imaginative drawing. The author of the book,
Drawing as a Sacred Activity,
by Heather C. Williams, will lead the course, offering many exercises! Bring pencil and paper and curiosity and a willingness to learn and be surprised by the creativity you can draw out of yourself!
Location
Virtual
Meeting Day
Monday
Meeting Time
11:00 AM to 12:30 PM
Start Date
February 17, 2025
End Date
April 21, 2025
No Course Dates
Participation
High participation with assignments and/or possible presentations by participants
Class Size
No limit
# of Sessions
10
Registration
Required, contact coordinator for instructions
Monday
M4
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Novels Old and New
Coordinator
Name
Email
Phone
Cindy Collins
cindaa0812@gmail.com
608-220-3812
Jane Stimac
jstimac242@gmail.com
608-347-7819
Course Description
Come and join us as we read and discuss the following books: 2/17, 2/24/25
Stolen
by Ann-Helén Laestadius; 3/3, 3/10
Beartown
by Fredrik Backman; 3/17
Transcendent Kingdom
by Yaa Gyasi; 3/24, 3/31
The Magician of Lublin
by Isaac Bashevis Singer; 4/7, 4/14, 4/21
Demon Copperhead
by Barbara Kingsolver.
Location
Fitchburg Senior Center
Meeting Day
Monday
Meeting Time
1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Start Date
February 17, 2025
End Date
April 21, 2025
No Course Dates
Participation
High participation with assignments and/or possible presentations by participants
Class Size
No limit
# of Sessions
10
Registration
Required, contact coordinator for instructions
Monday
M5
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Exploring Creativity
Coordinator
Name
Email
Phone
Karen Wulff
wulff.karen@gmail.com
608-770-8408
Course Description
This class is an ongoing workshop where individuals work on their personal art goals in a sharing environment. Participants can exchange knowledge and offer “gentle” feedback to each other if they want to. Bring the supplies you will need for your own project. We are fortunate to use this space. Come and make a commitment to yourself to do art at least two hours per week. Join a group of people who enjoy working on their art together in a peaceful and supportive environment.
Location
Christ Presbyterian Church
Meeting Day
Monday
Meeting Time
1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Start Date
February 17, 2025
End Date
April 21, 2025
No Course Dates
Participation
High participation with assignments and/or possible presentations by participants
Class Size
10
# of Sessions
10
Registration
Required, contact coordinator for instructions
Monday
M6
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Money Skills for Retirees
Coordinator
Name
Email
Phone
Tom Eggert
tleggert@wisc.edu
608 279-8608
Course Description
Retirees have different financial challenges than younger people. In general, we are no longer saving for retirement, but we are continuing to grow and use the money that we saved. We’ll cover topics such as the importance of diversification, taxes and investment decisions, ROTH conversions, Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs), basic and more complex investing, strategies for spending our retirement savings and using tools (like the Morningstar rankings) in making investment decisions. The class is designed so that we’ll learn just as much from the experiences of our classmates as we will from guest speakers. Each semester we plan a mix of presentations, guest speakers and reviews of our investing successes and failures.
Location
Virtual
Meeting Day
Monday
Meeting Time
1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Start Date
February 17, 2025
End Date
May 5, 2025
No Course Dates
Participation
Regular reading/discussion expected
Class Size
No limit
# of Sessions
12
Registration
Required, contact coordinator for instructions
Monday
M7
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Photographer's Journey to Three Medieval Cathedrals in Southeast England
Coordinator
Name
Email
Phone
Arthur De Smet
tipandskip1@gmail.com
N/A
Course Description
The medieval cathedrals of England are among its architectural wonders. This four-part series will use extensive photographs to illustrate the architecture of these magnificent buildings with a brief review of the relevant events in English history. After an overview of the Saxon, Norman and Gothic architectural styles in the first session, the cathedrals of Rochester, Chichester and Canterbury will be discussed in detail including the construction methods for medieval stone buildings. For each cathedral, photographs of the cathedral city and surrounding countryside and historical sites will be included to place the cathedrals in their surroundings.
Location
Oakwood Village University Woods Campus
Meeting Day
Monday
Meeting Time
1:30 PM to 3:00 PM
Start Date
March 24, 2025
End Date
April 14, 2025
No Course Dates
Participation
No reading to minimal reading
Class Size
Unlimited
# of Sessions
Registration
Required, contact coordinator for instructions
Tuesday
T1
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Alicia's Book Club
Coordinator
Name
Email
Phone
Sally Porter
ssporter22@gmail.com
N/A
Course Description
Join us to read good books and engage in good discussions on the second Tuesday of the month. Participants will receive the book list upon registration.
Location
Alicia Ashman Library
Meeting Day
Tuesday
Meeting Time
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Start Date
March 11, 2025
End Date
May 13, 2025
No Course Dates
Participation
Class Size
14
# of Sessions
Registration
Required, contact coordinator for instructions
Tuesday
T2
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Biography
Coordinator
Name
Email
Phone
Chuck Pils
cmpils3304@gmail.com
608-772-8575
Course Description
We are biography readers who enjoy sharing their experiences. Presentations are participants’ responsibility. It is optional for participants to do a presentation.
We look at biographies of widely different people in various contexts – historical, political, show business, environmentalists, etc.
Location
Vista West
Meeting Day
Tuesday
Meeting Time
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Start Date
February 18, 2025
End Date
April 22, 2025
No Course Dates
Participation
High participation with assignments and/or possible presentations by participants
Class Size
No limit
# of Sessions
10
Registration
Required, contact coordinator for instructions
Tuesday
T3
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Short Stories and Essays
Coordinator
Name
Email
Phone
Irv Klibaner
ihklibaner@yahoo.com
608-628-6154
Course Description
For those who love reading and discussion, this is the perfect entertainment. One hour each is devoted to a short story and an essay. There is always a lively, opinionated, and friendly atmosphere with a welcome for all participants. Come join us as we delve into the ever-fascinating world of short stories and essays created by some of the best writers who have put pen to paper. Texts to be used:
The Art of the Story: An International Anthology of Contemporary Short Stories
, by Daniel Halpern and
Best American Essays 2023
, edited by Vivian Gornick.
Location
Covenant Presbyterian Church
Meeting Day
Tuesday
Meeting Time
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Start Date
February 18, 2025
End Date
April 22, 2025
No Course Dates
Participation
High participation with assignments and/or possible presentations by participants
Class Size
15
# of Sessions
10
Registration
Required, contact coordinator for instructions
Tuesday
T4
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Partners in Crime: History and Mystery of Personal Relationships in Golden Age Detective Novels
Coordinator
Name
Email
Phone
Helene Androski
helene.androski@wisc.edu
608-335-5105
Course Description
In this class we will combine literary and historical analysis as we examine novels by the four Queens of Golden Age detective fiction, who, atypically, gave their detectives strong partners: Agatha Christie in
The Secret Adversary
, Ngaio Marsh in
Artists in Crime
, Dorothy L. Sayers in
Strong Poison
, and Margery Allingham in
Sweet Danger
(with the alternate title
The Fear Sign
). We’ll begin with essays criticizing and defending them (links will be provided) and draw our own conclusions from the clues provided by the novels themselves. The books will be available at Mystery to Me bookstore at a discount to class participants plus through their
Bookshop.org webpage
or from your favorite new and used book outlets. Some hunting may be necessary.
Location
Christ Presbyterian Church
Meeting Day
Tuesday
Meeting Time
1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Start Date
March 4, 2025
End Date
March 25, 2025
No Course Dates
Participation
High participation with assignments and/or possible presentations by participants
Class Size
25
# of Sessions
Registration
Required, contact coordinator for instructions
Tuesday
T5
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Jazz
Coordinator
Name
Email
Phone
Mike Lipp
lippfamily@charter.net
608-233-3943
Course Description
We are a congenial group of jazz enthusiasts ranging from eager newcomers to seasoned aficionados. All jazz genres are thoughtfully presented through class participation, documentaries, and visiting jazz musicians and scholars. We welcome all levels of jazz knowledge and no musical skills are required. (NOTE FOR PARTICIPATION: We encourage class participation. There are no assignments, however, your enthusiasm is deeply appreciated and presentations are welcome.)
Location
Wisconsin Bank and Trust
Meeting Day
Tuesday
Meeting Time
1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Start Date
February 18, 2025
End Date
April 22, 2025
No Course Dates
Participation
High participation with assignments and/or possible presentations by participants
Class Size
No limit
# of Sessions
10
Registration
Required, contact coordinator for instructions
Tuesday
T6
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History of the Hollywood Musical – TUEs.
Coordinator
Name
Email
Phone
Michael Troudt
mgmfanatic@aol.com
920-279-1846
Course Description
This is a chronological history of the film musical beginning with
Sweethearts
and continuing on through each decade. The films have been chosen due to their historical significance as well as their popularity at the box office.
Download the Course Schedule
Location
Capitol Lakes
Meeting Day
Tuesday
Meeting Time
1:00 PM to 3:30 PM
Start Date
February 11, 2025
End Date
April 29, 2025
No Course Dates
Participation
No reading to minimal reading
Class Size
None
# of Sessions
12
Registration
Required, contact coordinator for instructions
Tuesday
T6
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The Musical Evolution of the Beatles 1962 - 1970
Coordinator
Name
Email
Phone
Joseph Koykkar
jkoykkar@wisc.edu
608-276-9448
Course Description
This course will highlight how the popular music group, The Beatles, changed the music of the last half of the 20th century. A general study of what makes their music so unique and groundbreaking will be emphasized.
Watch the Course Coordinator video to learn more about this course
Location
Oakwood Village University Woods Campus
Meeting Day
Tuesday
Meeting Time
1:30 PM to 3:00 PM
Start Date
February 18, 2025
End Date
April 8, 2025
No Course Dates
Participation
No reading to minimal reading
Class Size
No limit
# of Sessions
Registration
Required, contact coordinator for instructions
Wednesday
W1
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Current Events - AM
Coordinator
Name
Email
Phone
Mert Corwin
mdcorwinjr@gmail.com
608-774-3403
Course Description
This class will discuss local, national, and international events. Some topics will be hot and current, and others will be ongoing issues. Topics will be determined each week at the start of the session. All viewpoints are encouraged. The format will be very casual and interactive. Participants are encouraged to share relevant links via email during the week about topics for discussion.
Location
Virtual
Meeting Day
Wednesday
Meeting Time
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Start Date
February 19, 2025
End Date
April 23, 2025
No Course Dates
Participation
Some reading/discussion expected
Class Size
20
# of Sessions
10
Registration
Required, contact coordinator for instructions
Wednesday
W2
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Buddhist Mindfulness: How To Do It; How To Understand It
Coordinator
Name
Email
Phone
Craig Wille
wille.craig@gmail.com
608-692-3163
Course Description
Mindfulness allows individuals to focus on the present without judgment, significantly reducing stress, anxiety, and negative emotions while improving self-awareness, emotional regulation, concentration, and overall well-being by enabling a more conscious approach to thoughts, feelings, and actions. There are a variety of styles of mindfulness practice. The style taught here is a classic one that is Buddhist-based, without requiring adherence to Buddhism as a religion. The class focuses on mindfulness of breathing, body, emotion, thinking, and activities of daily living. The format includes the practicing of mindfulness, as well as information about the “why” behind the “how” of the practice.
Location
Virtual
Meeting Day
Wednesday
Meeting Time
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Start Date
February 19, 2025
End Date
April 16, 2025
No Course Dates
Participation
No reading to minimal reading
Class Size
No limit
# of Sessions
Registration
Required, contact coordinator for instructions
Wednesday
W3
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Global Affairs and the Media
Coordinator
Name
Email
Phone
Leon Lindberg
lindbe@tds.net
608-571-9468
James Danowski
jdanowski@gmail.com
630-726-6442
Kirk Elliott
kirk_elliott@hotmail.com
608-213-6100
Course Description
We focus on international events and concerns, addressing American issues only as they relate to the rest of the world. An invited speaker or a member of the group will make a presentation of about 40 minutes followed by your questions and comments for perhaps 20 minutes. We'll take a break and then pull some chairs into a circle, and discuss items of interest that members have brought to the meeting (members are invited to bring a news clipping or news item summary). We hope to increase our exposure to high-quality sources of news and information.
Location
Hybrid
Capitol Lakes
Meeting Day
Wednesday
Meeting Time
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Start Date
February 19, 2025
End Date
April 23, 2025
No Course Dates
Participation
No reading to minimal reading
Class Size
No limit
# of Sessions
10
Registration
Required, contact coordinator for instructions
Wednesday
W4
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Discussions in Philosophy
Coordinator
Name
Email
Phone
Ed Cothroll
cothroll@tds.net
608-831-4493
Bill Colwell
wscacct@live.com
847-830-1501
Course Description
We will continue to read and discuss the book
The Stone Reader: Modern Philosophy in 133 Arguments
, by Peter Catapano and Simon Critchley, published by Liveright, available in hard cover, paperback, or eBook formats. This is a fun book with a series of short essays on philosophical topics, fueling lively discussion about how those concepts apply to today’s world. New members do not need to read preceding sections of the book. The essays stand alone. We’ll begin this term at “Some Hard Moral Cases”, on Page 519 of the paperback, and proceed through “Economics and Politics”, “The Modern Family”, and other societal topics.
Location
Hybrid
Bethany United Methodist Church
Meeting Day
Wednesday
Meeting Time
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Start Date
February 19, 2025
End Date
April 30, 2025
No Course Dates
Participation
Regular reading/discussion expected
Class Size
No limit
# of Sessions
11
Registration
Required, contact coordinator for instructions
Wednesday
W5
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Current Events PM
Coordinator
Name
Email
Phone
Meg Taylor
taylome@charter.net
608-369-3578
Jerry Burns
geburns@facstaff.wisc.edu
608-556-2924
Course Description
This is an in-depth discussion course on current events in Wisconsin, the United States and the World. Course members choose the topics and lead and moderate a discussion or two. We email readings and website links prior to each discussion. Each presenter may invite a guest with some first-hand knowledge or experience on the topic for the discussion.
Location
Virtual
Meeting Day
Wednesday
Meeting Time
1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Start Date
February 19, 2025
End Date
May 21, 2025
No Course Dates
Participation
High participation with assignments and/or possible presentations by participants
Class Size
27
# of Sessions
14
Registration
Required, contact coordinator for instructions
Wednesday
W6
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Seasons of Hell: Written Testimonies of Holocaust Survivors
Coordinator
Name
Email
Phone
John Michael Thorn
thornj@uwm.edu
608-831-0515
Course Description
The Nazi purpose in the Holocaust was not just mass killing. It was also a sadistic desire to force victims, especially Jews, to become as the Nazis wished them to see themselves – utterly subhuman only worthy of death. By contrast, any victim with a chance of withstanding such a fate had to find ways of subverting it. So, our goal in the course is to witness these two processes at work through intensive study of three of the most valuable survivor memoirs supplemented by film.
Download the Syllabus.
Location
Bethany United Methodist Church
Meeting Day
Wednesday
Meeting Time
1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Start Date
February 19, 2025
End Date
April 23, 2025
No Course Dates
Participation
Regular reading/discussion expected
Class Size
20
# of Sessions
10
Registration
Required, contact coordinator for instructions
Wednesday
W7
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Writing Life Stories (for women and men)
Coordinator
Name
Email
Phone
Sue Ellingson
sue.ellingson@icloud.com
608-320-8206
Course Description
Every week, class members will write a 1-2 page essay about something that happened in their lives. I will provide prompts to help spur your thoughts, but following the prompt is not required. We will read the essays aloud during the class meeting. During the readings, we will practice respectful and nonjudgmental “active listening.”
Download the Writing Prompts
Location
Madison Senior Center
Meeting Day
Wednesday
Meeting Time
1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Start Date
February 19, 2025
End Date
April 9, 2025
No Course Dates
Participation
High participation with assignments and/or possible presentations by participants
Class Size
12
# of Sessions
Registration
Required, contact coordinator for instructions
Wednesday
W8
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Writing Workshop - WED
Coordinator
Name
Email
Phone
Andy Millman
mill60062@yahoo.com
847-275-6251
Course Description
“The scariest moment is always just before you start.” Stephen King,
On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft
. Maybe you haven’t written the first word. Possibly you’re polishing that manuscript. Our writers’ group will provide you with the feedback, structure and support you need to push forward or get started. All writers are welcome, regardless of your experience or the type of writing you wish to pursue.
Andy Millman’s writing has appeared in several outlets, including “Whistling Shade,” “Points in Case,” “Midwest Review,” “The Big Jewel,” “Zest Literary Journal,” “Black Heart Magazine,” “Flash Fiction Magazine,” “The Helix,” and “Pif Magazine.”
Location
Virtual
Meeting Day
Wednesday
Meeting Time
1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Start Date
February 19, 2025
End Date
April 23, 2025
No Course Dates
Participation
Regular reading/discussion expected
Class Size
14
# of Sessions
10
Registration
Required, contact coordinator for instructions
Wednesday
W8
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Film History
Coordinator
Name
Email
Phone
Mary Klink
jgmk10@gmail.com
608–235–9631
Course Description
I love movies! If you love cinema as much as I do and enjoy learning about the evolution of film over the years, you will definitely enjoy this semester of film history. I will cover films of the 1940s, part of the golden age of Hollywood Cinema. I’ll have several international films in the collection as well. I will introduce each film with background on pertinent aspects of the historical times and the movie’s place in cinema history. We will watch the film in class and then have what I hope to be a spirited discussion after the movie. The first two weeks of class will be led by Laura Batzer as I will be out of town.
Download the Film History Schedule.
Location
Oakwood Village University Woods Campus
Meeting Day
Wednesday
Meeting Time
1:00 PM to 3:30 PM
Start Date
February 19, 2025
End Date
April 23, 2025
(Originally May 14, 2025)
No Course Dates
Participation
No reading to minimal reading
Class Size
No limit
# of Sessions
12
Registration
Required, contact coordinator for instructions
Wednesday
10
W8
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Pinney Lane Book Discussion Group
Coordinator
Name
Email
Phone
Nancy Miller
nancym2079@gmail.com
608-320-0896
Course Description
This book discussion group meets on the first Wednesday of the month to discuss a novel: March 5, April 2, and May 7. The book selections are determined in the spring of each year and assigned to a specific month. Group members volunteer to lead the discussion one month out of the year, and also select a month to bring treats to share with the group one month out of the year. Books selected for January and February are shown on the syllabus.
Download the Syllabus
Location
Pinney Library
Meeting Day
Wednesday
Meeting Time
1:30 PM to 3:00 PM
Start Date
March 5, 2025
End Date
May 7, 2025
No Course Dates
Participation
Regular reading/discussion expected
Class Size
15
# of Sessions
Registration
Required, contact coordinator for instructions
Thursday
TH1
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CANCELLED:
History of the Hollywood Musical – THR.
Coordinator
Name
Email
Phone
Michael Troudt
mgmfanatic@aol.com
920-279-1846
Course Description
This is a chronological history of the film musical beginning with
The Jazz Singer
and continuing on through each decade. The films have been chosen due to their historical significance as well as their popularity at the box office.
Download the Syllabus.
Location
Oakwood Village University Woods Campus
Meeting Day
Thursday
Meeting Time
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Start Date
February 20, 2025
End Date
April 24, 2025
No Course Dates
Participation
No reading to minimal reading
Class Size
None
# of Sessions
10
Registration
Required, contact coordinator for instructions
Thursday
TH2
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What in the World Happened
Coordinator
Name
Email
Phone
Chuck Pils
cmpils3304@gmail.com
608-772-8575
Course Description
This course is made up of presentations on eclectic historical topics of interest. Examples of topics come from natural disasters, historical battles, assassinations, political events etc. Presentations last 45 minutes to an hour (or more, depending upon presenter and topic), with time remaining for questions and answers. Enthusiastic Q & A’s are the norm. Topics this semester are determined by the group.
Location
Vista West
Meeting Day
Thursday
Meeting Time
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Start Date
February 20, 2025
End Date
April 24, 2025
No Course Dates
Participation
High participation with assignments and/or possible presentations by participants
Class Size
No limit
# of Sessions
10
Registration
Required, contact coordinator for instructions
Thursday
TH3
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1961-1975: 15 years that Changed America
Coordinator
Name
Email
Phone
Tim Otis
tierneyotis@gmail.com
608-233-1050
Course Description
The course covers the period from 1961-1975, focusing on the fundamental changes that happened politically, culturally, etc. that significantly changed our nation and set the stage for many of the issues and challenges that we are confronting today. Emphasis will be on the civil rights movement, Vietnam War, The Great Society, reconfigured of politics, divisions in cultural values, rising youth culture, women’s movement, sexual revolution, LGBTQ movement, music, technology, etc. Weekly links to readings will be emailed to participants. Classes will include video presentations and discussions.
Location
Covenant Presbyterian Church
Meeting Day
Thursday
Meeting Time
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Start Date
February 27, 2025
End Date
May 8, 2025
No Course Dates
April 3 and May 1
Participation
Regular reading/discussion expected
Class Size
15
# of Sessions
Registration
Required, contact coordinator for instructions
Thursday
TH4
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On Being Mortal: Retaining Quality of Life as We Age
Coordinator
Name
Email
Phone
Cheryl Campbell
cheryl@hebell.net
561-403-3935
Course Description
To cover the challenges of aging, ranging from avoiding social isolation, maintaining adequate healthcare coverage and caregiver support, to living with purpose and satisfaction, while maintaining independence. Emphasis will also be placed on resources available within Madison WI. End-of-life planning, including an executor handbook, will be covered. Course will consist of presentations, handouts, and guided conversations with participants. Two optional in-person field trips will be offered: one on using the Madison bus system, and another at a local coffee shop for the final session.
Download the Syllabus
Download Coordinator Bio
Location
Virtual
Meeting Day
Thursday
Meeting Time
12:30 PM to 2:00 PM
Start Date
February 20, 2025
End Date
May 8, 2025
No Course Dates
April 10 – May 7
Participation
No reading to minimal reading
Class Size
18
# of Sessions
Registration
Required, contact coordinator for instructions
Thursday
TH5
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BOOK STUDY GROUP OF
Poverty, by America
Coordinator
Name
Email
Phone
Baxter Richardson
baxter.2614@charter.net
608-509-5528
Course Description
Using Matthew Desmond’s 2023 book,
Poverty, by America
, we will examine Desmond’s analysis of American poverty and his prescriptions for ending poverty. Particular attention will be directed toward his singular perspective that we (the prosperous middle class) are the direct beneficiaries of poverty and therefore have a moral obligation to become “poverty abolitionists.” The goals of the class, therefore, are to deepen our understanding of poverty and, to the extent possible, evaluate Desmond’s proposals – both structurally and personally – for coming to grips with what appears to be a permanent feature of American life. Those familiar with Desmond’s earlier work,
Evicted
, are well acquainted with his solid use of data along with personal engagement with those affected by the structures we tolerate and foster. As part of this study the class will also look at the national movement called
Mayors for a Guaranteed Income
and the Madison equivalent, the
Madison Forward Fund
. Both are innovative, and controversial, approaches to poverty.
Download the Syllabus
Location
Covenant Presbyterian Church
Meeting Day
Thursday
Meeting Time
1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Start Date
February 20, 2025
End Date
April 24, 2025
No Course Dates
Participation
Regular reading/discussion expected
Class Size
15
# of Sessions
10
Registration
Required, contact coordinator for instructions
Thursday
TH5
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Writing Workshop - THURS
Coordinator
Name
Email
Phone
Andy Millman
mill60062@yahoo.com
847-275-6251
Course Description
“The scariest moment is always just before you start.” Stephen King,
On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft
. Maybe you haven’t written the first word. Possibly you’re polishing that manuscript. Our writers’ group will provide you with the feedback, structure and support you need to push forward or get started. All writers are welcome, regardless of your experience or the type of writing you wish to pursue.
Andy Millman’s writing has appeared in several outlets, including “Whistling Shade,” “Points in Case,” “Midwest Review,” “The Big Jewel,” “Zest Literary Journal,” “Black Heart Magazine,” “Flash Fiction Magazine,” “The Helix,” and “Pif Magazine.”
Location
Virtual
Meeting Day
Thursday
Meeting Time
1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Start Date
February 20, 2025
End Date
April 24, 2025
No Course Dates
Participation
Regular reading/discussion expected
Class Size
14
# of Sessions
10
Registration
Required, contact coordinator for instructions
Thursday
TH5
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The Play's the Thing
Coordinator
Name
Email
Phone
Tess Mulrooney
tlmmdsn@aol.com
608-257-5595
Course Description
Each semester we read (aloud) and discuss three or four plays using an integrated approach which allows everyone to participate. Participant volunteers will each present a brief background of each play and playwright before reading begins. This semester we will read:
The Last of the Red Hot Lovers, Three Sisters, Appointment with Death
and
R.U.R.
Please note that the March 20 class will meet in the Lake Room at
Christ Presbyterian Church
Location
Madison Senior Center
Meeting Day
Thursday
Meeting Time
1:30 PM to 3:30 PM
Start Date
February 27, 2025
End Date
April 24, 2025
No Course Dates
Participation
Class Size
15
# of Sessions
Registration
Required, contact coordinator for instructions
Thursday
TH5
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We Love a Mystery
Coordinator
Name
Email
Phone
Barbara Evans
evansbj@charter.net
608-833-6822
Course Description
The focus of this course is to read and critique contemporary mystery novels. Members take turns leading the discussion focusing on the author, the settings, the characters, plot development and story conclusion. Stories are chosen at the end of each semester for the following semester. The group reads five novels each semester and meets every other week to discuss the novel. The last two meetings are held consecutively to nominate and select novels for the next semester. There is an expectation of high participation and possible presentations by participants.
Location
Virtual
Meeting Day
Every other Thursday
Meeting Time
1:30 PM to 3:30 PM
Start Date
February 20, 2025
End Date
May 1, 2025
No Course Dates
Participation
High participation with assignments and/or possible presentations by participants
Class Size
18
# of Sessions
Registration
Required, contact coordinator for instructions
Thursday
TH5
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It's TV series time!
Coordinator
Name
Email
Phone
Tobey and Wes Marsceill
platoclassicfilms@gmail.com
954-695-2778
Course Description
It's TV Series Time! Join us every Thursday night for eight weeks to critique the critically acclaimed Netflix series
Ripley
. With fourteen Emmy nominations and four Emmy wins, this cinematic masterpiece series is worthy of a group discussion and analysis. A Netflix subscription is necessary to watch this series in the convenience of your own home.
Location
Virtual
Meeting Day
Thursday
Meeting Time
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Start Date
February 20, 2025
End Date
April 10, 2025
No Course Dates
Participation
Some reading/discussion expected
Class Size
35
# of Sessions
Registration
Required, contact coordinator for instructions
Friday
F1
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Our Declining Social Fabric
Coordinator
Name
Email
Phone
Janet Bailey
jb.plato.jb@gmail.com
N/A
Course Description
"What's going on?" might have been the first question on your mind after hearing the results of the November 2024 election. Do you feel out of sync with society today? Has it strayed too far from common sense and decency? This course will take a look at recent trends that contribute to our declining social fabric: authoritarianism, alienation, fraying bonds, brain rot, Christian nationalism, polarization, coddling, fragility, bro culture, anti-intellectualism, nastiness and more. We'll also examine leading Western moral philosophies to see how they might lead us (if not others) to the good place.
Download the Syllabus.
Location
Virtual
Meeting Day
Friday
Meeting Time
10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Start Date
February 21, 2025
End Date
April 18, 2025
No Course Dates
Participation
Regular reading/discussion expected
Class Size
18
# of Sessions
Registration
Required, contact coordinator for instructions
Friday
F2
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Reading the Classics:
The Grapes of Wrath
by John Steinbeck
Coordinator
Name
Email
Phone
John and Jan Kinar
jrkinar@gmail.com
608 238-2826
Course Description
This semester we will read
The Grapes of Wrath
by John Steinbeck. It is considered by some to be the most American of American classics. We will read the Penguin Classics edition with an ISBN of 9780143039433. For the first class please read through chapter 6, page 60.
Location
Hybrid
Fitchburg Senior Center
Meeting Day
Friday
Meeting Time
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Start Date
February 21, 2025
End Date
April 25, 2025
No Course Dates
Participation
High participation with assignments and/or possible presentations by participants
Class Size
14
# of Sessions
10
Registration
Required, contact coordinator for instructions
Friday
F3
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PLATO Travel group
Coordinator
Name
Email
Phone
Annette Bollig
acbollig@gmail.com
267-303-1328
Kevin Bollig
kevinbollig@gmail.com
267-303-1328
Lois Baseler
loisbaseler@gmail.com
608-220-1840
Linn Roth
linnroth102@gmail.com
608-238-2297
Course Description
The PLATO Travel Group is your opportunity to experience world-wide travel from the comfort of a chair and in the presence of others who possess extensive knowledge of where, when and how to travel. Participants in this group are past, current and future travelers who love to learn about cultures near and far. PLATO Travel Group members and guest presenters provide photographic, historical, geographic and cultural information about specific destinations where they have traveled. Knowledge exchange and discussion by all members is welcome and encouraged.
Download the Syllabus
which was updated on March 13.
Location
Capitol Lakes
Meeting Day
Friday
Meeting Time
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Start Date
February 21, 2025
End Date
May 9, 2025
No Course Dates
April 18
Participation
No reading to minimal reading
Class Size
No limit
# of Sessions
11
Registration
Registration not required; contact
acbollig@gmail.com
to be included in the email list for announcements if not already on the list.
Friday
F4
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Shakespeare's Tragedies: Method and Meaning
Coordinator
Name
Email
Phone
ThomasSchlicht
N/A
608 831-6593
Course Description
We examine five often staged tragedies: Romeo and Juliet, Julius Caesar, Macbeth, Hamlet and King Lear. Discover how the Bard created his tragic masterpieces as we read plot outlines and analysis by expert critics and watch key scenes from DVDs of the plays. Join our lively group as we learn how Fate and/or character flaws may lead to "dusty death" for our protagonists.
Location
Madison Senior Center
Meeting Day
Friday
Meeting Time
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Start Date
February 21, 2025
End Date
April 25, 2025
No Course Dates
Participation
Regular reading/discussion expected
Class Size
# of Sessions
10
Registration
Required, contact coordinator for instructions
Friday
F5
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Gentle Chair Yoga
Coordinator
Name
Email
Phone
Stephanie Steigerwaldt
steph.steigerwaldt@gmail.com
N/A
Course Description
Gentle Chair Yoga is accessible to people at all stages of life, offering the many benefits of yoga to promote mental, physical, and emotional health. This 45-minute class requires an armless, sturdy chair to provide support during seated and standing poses and movements. Over time, this practice can improve strength, flexibility, and balance; enhance proprioception; and promote a sense of relaxation and wellbeing. No previous experience with yoga is necessary to attend this class.
Download Stephanie's Bio here.
Location
Virtual
Meeting Day
Friday
Meeting Time
12:30 PM to 1:15 PM
Start Date
February 21, 2025
End Date
May 2, 2025
No Course Dates
March 21, March 28 and April 11
Participation
Participation at any level is just fine
Class Size
Unlimited
# of Sessions
Registration
Required, contact coordinator for instructions
PLATO is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization supported in part by:
info@platomadison.org
Facebook: @platomadison
608-572-6869
6209 Mineral Point Road #203
Madison, WI 53705
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