Theoretical futurism is best described as informed speculation about humanity’s future as it is affected by developments in science and technology. We say “development” rather than “progress,” because many are concerned about the possible negative effects of these developments. Whether these are used for good or evil end depends on the values of those involved. We will keep abreast of latest developments in technology, and examine their moral implications.

Hide your wine, women and wallet - Falstaff is coming to town. You'll meet this world famous comic figure in Shakespeare's Henry IV, part 1 and 2, and his Merry Wives of Windsor, and experience Verdi's version of the Fat Knight in his great last opera, Falstaff. Readings, lecture, discussion, films, and a chance to sign up for an outing to the Seattle Shakespeare Company's live production at Seattle Center. Queen Elizabeth was crazy about Falstaff - let's find out why!

Opera as a viable national art form may have come late to Mother Russia, but it has arrived none too soon for the Lifetime Learning Center! This eight-week course will explore the turbulent history of Russian musical drama. See how Glinka tinkers with the foreign models to compose his wonderful Ruslan and Lyudmilla. Encounter Tchaikovsky’s dangerous romantic liaisons in Eugene Onegin. Meet the Mighty Handful: the exotic Rimsky-Korsakov and friends. Watch Mussorgsky and his creation Boris Godounov self-destruct. And untangle the political intrigues as Stalin faces off with Prokofiev (War and Peace) and Shostakovich (Lady Macbeth of Mistenk). A class both novice and operaphile will enjoy. (Assisted by Comrade Donald Bartholomew)

Notebook users: you are welcome to bring your own computer to class.

Prerequisite: For experienced XP users who just want to learn the new features of Microsoft Vista operating system. This course is for home users and not appropriate for using Vista in business settings.

Description: Get up to speed on Vista in one day! We will look only at the differences between XP and Vista and learn how to make the necessary translations and transitions to become proficient and productive using this new operating system from Microsoft.

Highlights: Customizing Vista features and pc user accounts, passwords, multiple users, parental controls, backing up files, closing a misbehaving program, optimizing performance, managing your desktop and Windows Sidebar.

Note: This course is about USING the Vista operating system. Does not include issues regarding upgrading an XP machine to Vista or troubleshooting problematic post-installation upgrade issues.

Does not include Windows Vista Media Center functions. Look for our special one-day workshop for Vista Media Center during Winter quarter.

Notebook users: you are welcome to bring your own computer to class.

Prerequisite: For experienced Apple or PC users who are comfortable with using their machines. The class will be taught on pc machines but it’s all on the internet so great for Apple users also.

Description: Searching is one thing – FINDING what you want is another. Learn productive search skills to save time and frustration. We’ll be using Google in ways you never imagined.

Highlights: excluding, time searching, automatic word stemming, similars, wildcards, advanced search page, google directory, phone numbers, financial information, blogs and postings, university searches, patent searches, using Google Notebook to save searches, parental controls in Google.