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The Laurier Lifelong Learning lecture series is open to everyone.
Upcoming offerings are listed below. Be the first to know about new and upcoming offerings by signing up for our email list.
- Location: All lectures are held at the Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex Community Pavillion.
- Date and time: Lectures in Fall 2024 will be held on Thursdays. View lecture details below.
- Price: Thursday 90-minute lectures are $16 + HST. Our half-day lecture Aliens, Time Travel and Doomsday Meteorites is $22 + HST.
This year, Laurier is celebrating 100 years of the Faculty of Arts! Any lectures marked by a "***" are taught by instructors from across the Faculty of Arts at Laurier. Attend these lectures to join the celebration!
Fall 2024 Lectures
Register for Fall 2024 courses on our registration website.
Thu. Sep. 26 (1:30 PM - 3:00 PM)
Course Description
When the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (the TRC) presented its 94 recommendations—its Calls to Action—on 2 June 2015, Commissioner Chief Wilton Littlechild told the gathered audience, “Above all, we must remember that this is a Canadian story, not an Indigenous one.” The story he’s referring to is the history of residential schools, and more broadly colonialism of Indigenous peoples. Here, history matters in a big way! Join me on Sept 26th, just a few days before Canada's National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, to learn more about why acknowledging this history is important and what truths we should all know about the Canadian story if we hope to move toward reconciliation in Indigenous-Settler relations in this country.
Instructor Bio
A member of Laurier’s History Department (Waterloo campus) since 2000, Dr. Susan Neylan is a Canadian historian particularly interested in Indigenous-non-Indigenous relations. In her research she specializes in the Indigenous-Church encounter on Northwest Coast of North America in the 19th and 20th centuries and forms of Indigenous Christianity in British Columbia. Recently Dr. Neylan explored the place of Indigenous peoples within the narratives created about the history of the Grand River watershed region through a collaborative project with our local regional museum. Read more on Dr. Nelyan's research.
Wed. Oct. 2 (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM)
Course Description
Are you ready for a cosmic adventure to the stars and beyond?Set sail for a mesmerizing journey across the cosmos to experience the incredible mysteries and wonders of our universe with these three topics:
1. Amazing Time Travel in Movies and Real Science
2. The Quest for Alien Life – Are We Alone?
3. Cosmic Treasures – Unveiling Ancient Doomsday Meteorites
Instructor Bio
Tom Vassos is an astronomer, university instructor, founder of Cosmologists Without Borders, member of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada and author of several books in “The Inspiring Universe Collection” series. Mr. Vassos is a science communicator who is frequently invited as a guest expert on radio and television. He is the Astronomer-in-Residence for Royal Caribbean and Holland America cruise lines, leading eclipse expeditions worldwide. Mr. Vassos’ teaching career spanned 35 years at the University of Toronto and he is teaching two upcoming astronomy courses in the Fall 2024, including one at Toronto Metropolitan University. Mr. Vassos delights in imparting his knowledge to space enthusiasts, young minds and lifelong learners everywhere.
Thu. Oct. 10 (1:30 PM - 3:00 PM)
Course Description
We often think about African migrants and refugees heading to Europe and the West, but most migrate within Africa. Uganda is Africa's biggest refugee host country, and many refugees and other asylum seekers settle in the capital city, Kampala, instead of in camps. This presentation looks at the experiences -especially related to food and family - told by refugees and other forced migrants living in Kampala's informal settlements, based on interviews held in 2023.
Instructor Bio
Andrea Brown is Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science at Wilfrid Laurier University. Her research focus is urban food security in Africa, with particular interest in how this connects with sustainable development, migration, gender, and governance, and the multi-level policy environments supporting anti-poverty measures. Her research centres on cities in Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania.
Thu. Oct. 17 (1:30 PM - 3:00 PM)
Course Description
On July 21st, AD 365 the largest documented earthquake in the Mediterranean, measuring 8.5 on the Richter Scale, struck the island of Crete. Originating underwater, the quake also caused a large tsunami that impacted larges swaths of the Mediterranean coast. The damage this earthquake caused to Crete was immense and scholars have often considered this to be an event that led to substantial cultural, religious, economic, and political change.
But was the transformation so vast or did the population show resilience in the face of catastrophe? This talk investigates the disaster event and its aftermath to assess what transformations did occur.
Instructor Bio
Scott Gallimore is an Associate Professor in the Archaeology & Heritage Studies department at Wilfrid Laurier University. He undertakes field work in Greece every summer and has been part of excavations in many different parts of Greece. His speciality is the analysis of ancient artifacts, especially pottery.
Thu. Oct. 24 (1:30 PM - 3:00 PM)
Course Description
Dramatic changes in urban form have historically followed major shifts in the techniques we use to move around, be it by foot, streetcar, car or along major highway systems. This talk will take a look back at these changes, first conceptually, then by using old photographs, maps as well as modern interactive “streetview” panoramics that will hopefully spur people’s memories (that they can share!).
The lecture will end with open discussion on what transport technology will next lead the way to major urban form change, such as autonomous vehicles and ebikes.
Instructor Bio
Dr. Sean Doherty is professor of Geography & Environmental Studies at WLU, amateur chef and brewer, and founder/chair of an award-winning local charity (kwlegacy.ca). He grew up in Kitchener, is a graduate of St. Jerome’s highschool and the universities of Waterloo and Toronto, and been a visiting researcher in Quebec, Australia, England, Israel and at U. Western.
His research has transitioned from urban/transport to health geography, including exploration of some rather novel questions: Can a smartphone be a health device? How are parks making us healthier? Can text messages make you eat more local foods?
Thur. Oct. 31 (2:00 PM - 3:30 PM)
Course Description
In this first-hand account, Michael Imort and his wife Cathie relate how young-onset Alzheimer’s knocked on their door in the middle of Michael’s ’best years.’ Michael will describe how he grapples with the disease at such a young age and how it has fundamentally changed his outlook on life - for the better. Cathie will explore her steep learning curve, sharing insights she gained into the paramount role of modifiable risk factors in the delay of Alzheimer’s.
Ultimately, their message is one of hope: it is never too early or too late to take action against Alzheimer’s.
Instructor Bio
Since the year 2000, Michael Imort has been an Associate Professor of Cultural and Historical Geography in Laurier' Department of Geography and Environmental Studies. When he was diagnosed with a progressive neurodegenerative condition in 2023, he and his wife Cathie were hurled into a new stage of life from one day to the next.
As they try to make sense of Michael's new reality of cognitive decline, they experience every emotion from heart-wrenching grief to belly-shaking humour. Together, they want to spread the message (exemplified by the comprehensive Lancet Report on Dementia Prevention and Intervention released on July 31) that Alzheimer's and similar conditions can be delayed or even prevented through simple lifestyle and health changes.
Thu. Nov. 7 (1:30 PM - 3:00 PM)
Course Description
We are a century away from the death of Lenin. In this talk Friesen reflects on the death of Lenin and the rise to power of Joseph Stalin. Along the way he will discuss the rise of the cult of Lenin as well as the formation of the USSR and its connection to the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. Expect cameo appearances from Trotsky, Putin and others.
Instructor Bio
Leonard G. Friesen has been a professor of History at Wilfrid Laurier University since 1994 and is a specialist in Imperial Russian and Soviet history. During these years, and until Covid, he made almost annual trips to Russia and Ukraine. Friesen's own roots are from the Black Sea lands and includes his mother, who was born in the Soviet Union in 1929.
Thu. Nov. 14 (2:00 PM - 3:30 PM)
Course Description
If you Google Bob Dylan you will find out that he is considered by many people to be the greatest American songwriter. If you followed his early career you might remember him mostly as a 1960s protest singer-songwriter with a rough-hewn, but authentic voice, or the artsy disruptor who caused controversy at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival when he plugged in an electric guitar. This lecture will focus on Dylan’s influence over the music of the 1960s and beyond to demonstrate how his songwriting and artistic experimentation fundamentally altered the popular music landscape and helped rock 'n' roll come.
Instructor Bio
Brent Hagerman teaches courses on popular music and religion at WLU, including “The History of Rock Music” for the Faculty of Music. His research is on Jamaican music and religion, has published several articles on reggae, and two books: Bob Marley FAQ: All That's Left to Know About the King of Reggae (Backbeat, 2018), and King Yellowman: Meaningful Bodies in Jamaican Dancehall Culture (University of West Indies Press, 2021).
Thu. Nov. 21 (1:30 PM - 3:00 PM)
Course Description
This talk will explore music’s role in promoting mental health and wellness. Drawing upon her work as a certified music therapist in mental health treatment settings, Dr. Mitchell will explore the research and practice of music therapists as well as ways that we can all integrate music into our everyday lives.
Instructor Bio
Elizabeth Mitchell, PhD, began piano lessons at the age of six, and singing in choirs shortly after that. A registered psychotherapist and certified music therapist, Liz has extensive experience working in mental health treatment settings with children, adolescents, and adults. In 2020, Liz was appointed Assistant Professor at Wilfrid Laurier University, where she coordinates the Bachelor of Music Therapy program, and in 2024 she won Laurier’s “Hoffman-Little Award” for teaching excellence.
Liz holds an ARCT (Associate of the Royal Conservatory of Toronto) in piano performance. Liz recently served as Ethics Chair for the Canadian Association of Music Therapists and sings professionally with the Canadian Chamber Choir.
Thu. Nov. 28 (1:30 PM - 3:00 PM)
Course Description
How can regular people make change in their communities? Learn strategies for community development and gain confidence in your ability to promote change as an individual or part of a larger group. Key takeaways will include: finding your "sweet spot," effective communication strategies, and community impact tools.
Instructor Bio
Becca McLellan (WLU B.A. 2012, B.Ed, MA Candidate) has worked in management in the charity sector in Brantford, Ontario for over a decade in the areas of poverty alleviation, housing security, youth empowerment, and supporting families. Her extensive experience in community development both as an employee and volunteer have allowed her to coach and teach numerous postsecondary students and community members to take on grassroots-level projects to help their communities.
Thu. Dec. 5 (1:30 PM - 3:00 PM)
Course Description
In this lecture, we will do a deep-dive into the complex and nuanced topic of emotions - both the experience and regulation of them. More specifically, we will seek to answer the following four questions: 1) Definition: What are emotions? 2) Function: What is their purpose? 3) Context: When are they adaptive? 4) Emotion Regulation: What can you do to change them?
Instructor Bio
Dr. Meaghan Barlow is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology, and director of the Self-regulation, Emotion, and Aging (SEA) Lab at Wilfrid Laurier University. Her research interests are broad, spanning lifespan, social, personality, and health psychology. Her research includes explorations of: 1) age-related structures, functions, and consequences of emotional experiences. 2) motivational factors that protect older adults’ well-being and health well into advanced old age, 3) the experiences, beliefs, and definitions of well-being across the adult lifespan, and 4) community-based social interventions.
Thu. Dec. 12 (2:00 PM - 3:30 PM)
Course Description
Conversation analysis is the study of action in and through talk. It was first conceived and developed in the field of sociology by Harvey Sacks and his collaborators, Emanuel Schegloff and Gail Jefferson. As a method for analysing everyday interactions, conversation analysis has proliferated considerably and is now a well-established method used in linguistics, psychology, medicine, anthropology, and cognitive science.
This lecture will introduce the method of conversation analysis. It will highlight the basic structures of conversation and the ways these structures are used as the building blocks for social actions in interaction. We will then collectively apply this method to recorded interactions to understand how actions are produced by speakers and how these actions might be resisted.
Instructor Bio
Jeffrey Aguinaldo is Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology at Wilfrid Laurier University. His research interests are situated at the intersection of health, society, and interaction. He teaches qualitative methods and conducts research using conversation analysis. He is currently a Research Fellow in the Laurier Centre for Studies in Canada.
More Lectures Coming in Winter 2025
We are currently planning and booking our next round of lectures for 2025.
Reach out to lifelonglearning@wlu.ca with any hopes, dreams, or topics of interest!
Interested in teaching? Apply to lead a LLL lecture!