Class Offerings - Lifelong Learning
We look forward to seeing you this semester!
The Lifelong Learning courses for Spring 2025 run from Jan. 13 through April 30. In the Spring 2025 Classes section below, click the + icon in the tabs to expand each day to see details of our class offerings.
Register for the Spring 2025 Classes
*Note: Current and retired Lipscomb faculty and staff are eligible for a 50% discount off certain in-person/Zoom classes and the video-only classes when registering using this downloadable registration form. Discount does not apply to Special Gatherings or the Painting the Head from Life, Adult Beginning Piano Class 1 & 2 events. If you prefer to register online, please contact amy.hamar [at] lipscomb.edu (Amy Hamar) for the discount code.
Class Offerings - Spring 2025
Mondays
America’s Civics Lesson – Spring 2025 Monthly Sessions
January 13, 27 | February 10, 24 | March 10, 24 | April 14, 28
- 1-2:30 PM CT
- Location: Zoom Only
- Cost: $150
Instructor: Linda Peek Schacht (’72), Lipscomb University Faculty (retired)
Linda Peek Schacht returns the second and fourth Monday each month to discuss current public affairs through the lens of politics, government, communication and the information ecosystem. Since 2016, this series has offered analysis, tools and knowledge to be informed, engaged citizens of a democracy. Spring 2025 focuses primarily on the Presidency, Congress and the Judicial branch in a world of increasing disinformation and norm-breaking, disruptive leadership. Other topics will include: political communication and the ongoing fragmentation of information sources; the rise of news influencers and the decline of traditional journalism and its norms; the state of political parties in the US; state legislative action; global trends in politics and government, and the role and responsibility of social media platforms in increasing polarization and disunity.
Course intro video coming soon!
Prophecies for Our Time
February 3, 10, 17, 24 | March 3
- 10-11:30 AM CT
- Location: Longview Mansion
- In Person & Zoom
- Cost: $80
Instructor: Rob McRay, Adjunct Instructor, College of Bible & Ministry, Lipscomb University
Do ancient Biblical prophecies speak to us today? Were the prophets concerned with events happening in our past, present or future? How was a prophet different from a fortune teller or future predictor? How did Jesus view Old Testament prophecies? What would the prophets say to us today...and how would we react? Join us as we explore these questions and consider key prophetic texts that are very relevant today.
Course intro video is coming soon!
Adult Beginning Piano Class I
January 27 | February 3, 10, 17, 24 | March 3, 17, 24, 31 | April 7
- 5:30 -6:30 PM CT
- In Person Only
- Location: Piano Lab at McMeen Music Building
- Capacity: 10 spaces available
- Cost: $265
Instructor: Sarah Faulk, Senior Piano Major; Mentored by Dr. Jackie Edwards-Henry, Professor Emeritus of piano, Mississippi State University and Adjunct Instructor and Collaborative Pianist, Lipscomb University.
For the second semester, adult piano classes are being offered through a collaborative effort of Lifelong Learning and the School of Music at Lipscomb. Adult Beginning Piano Class 1 is for students ages 25-75+ with little-to-no previous background in music or piano. This hour-long class meets once per week for 10 weeks. Only 10 spaces are available, and they will be filled on a first-come, first-reserve basis.
Presidential Speeches as Literary Artifacts
March 24, 31 | April 7, 14, 21
- 10-11:30 AM CT
- In Person & Zoom
- Location: Longview Mansion
- Cost: $80
Instructor: Willie Steele, Ph.D. (’95) ), Lipscomb University Professor of English
Join Dr. Willie Steele, university research professor of English, in an exploration of some of the most important presidential speeches in American history. The course focuses specifically on speeches from Abraham Lincoln, Franklin D. Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan and considers their historical context, literary merits and why certain speakers (and certain speeches) remain relevant to Americans today.
Course intro video is coming soon!
Tuesdays
Adult Piano Class II
January 28 | February 4, 11, 18, 25 | March 4, 25 | April 1, 8, 15
- 5:30 -6:30 PM CT
- Location: Piano Lab at McMeen Music Building
- In Person Only
- Capacity: 10 spaces available
- Cost: $250
Instructor: Jackie Edwards-Henry, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of Piano, Mississippi State University and Adjunct Instructor and Collaborative Pianist, Lipscomb University.
For the second semester, adult piano classes are being offered through a collaborative effort of Lifelong Learning and the School of Music at Lipscomb. Adult Piano Class 2 is a continuation of Piano 1. The class begins with a review of basic pitch and rhythm notation and features a variety of styles of repertoire, chord construction, lead sheets, improvisation and ensemble playing. This hour-long class meets once per week for 10 weeks. Only 10 spaces are available, and they will be filled on a first-come, first-reserve basis.
Course intro video is coming soon!
Right Under Your Feet: Principles of Regenerative Gardening
February 4, 11, 18, 25 | March 4
- 2-3:30 PM CT
- Location: Longview Mansion
- In Person & Zoom
- Cost: $80
Instructor: Paul Prill, Ph.D., Lipscomb University Professor (Retired); Certified Master Gardener of Davidson County; Certified Tennessee Naturalist Service
“A man scatters seed in the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or not, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain . . .” (Mark 4:26-28) We’ve come a long way since 33 ACE, but most of us still do not appreciate soil and how to keep it healthy. Whether we call it biodynamic agriculture, permaculture, (mostly) organic gardening, we are talking about how to make sure that the life held in the soil continues from growing season to growing season, ensuring that our yards produce the plants we hope to grow.
We will talk about what soil is, how to determine what kind of soil you have, what lives in the soil in terms of bacteria, fungi, and invertebrates and how they contribute to healthy soil, what weeds indicate about the health of our soil, and best practices for improving and maintaining the health of the soil in our yards.
- Week 1 - What is soil and how did we get it?
- Week 2 - What kind of soil do I have on my property, and how do I assess its health?
- Week 3 - What do weeds tell me about my soil, and are weeds necessarily bad?
- Week 4 - What yard/garden management practices will improve and maintain the health of my soil?
- Week 5 - Odds and ends that don’t fit neatly into the first four weeks and answers to your questions.
Course intro video is coming soon!
Aging and the Brain
March 25 | April 1, 8, 15, 22
- 10-11:30 AM CT
- In Person & Zoom
- Location: Longview Mansion
Cost: $80
Instructors: Michael Kaminski, MD, FAAN, Retired Clinical Neurologist, and William Petrie, MD, Geriatric Psychiatrist, Professor Emeritus at Vanderbilt Medical School
Aging has been a hot topic in the press and news in recent years. Articles abound about aging politicians, biological age, new treatment for dementias and brain health in later life. There are claims about reversing cognitive decline, reinvigorating old age and yes, an end to aging as we know it. This course addresses many of these questions with a timely update on the neurology and psychiatry of aging. The lecturers bring over a combined 90 years of experience treating brain disorders in geriatric populations.
The tentative lecture schedule includes:
- What Causes Brain Aging Anyway?
- Cognitive Aspects of Normal Aging
- Psychological Aspects of Aging
- Brain Disorders of Aging
- Is Aging/ Dementia Really Treatable Now?
- Optimal Brain Health
Course intro video is coming soon!
Music at the Mansion
March 25 | April 1, 8, 15, 22
- 2-3:30 p.m. CT
- In Person Only
- Location: Longview Mansion
- Cost: $80
Facilitator: Janet McMahan (’75), Performing Artist, Writer and Producer
Back by popular demand, Music at the Mansion” returns on March 25. Join us for five fun-filled Tuesday afternoons of toe-tapping, handclapping and brain tickling tunes. From the celebratory to the cerebral, you'll be entertained, educated and enlightened the sounds, the history and the very essence of a broad spectrum of genres. Bring your curious heart, your adventuresome spirit and get ready to feel soothed, energized, encouraged and inspired…all the things music does best. In a recent article from Johns Hopkins, the writer states, "If you want to firm up your body, head to the gym. If you want to exercise your brain, listen to music.”
So do your brain a favor and join us for Music at the Mansion!
Course intro video is coming soon!
Wednesdays
A History of Spain!
March 26 | April 2, 9, 16, 23
- 2-3:30 PM CT
- In Person & Zoom
- Location: Longview Mansion
- Cost: $80
Instructor: Howard Miller, Ph.D., Professor, History Politics and Philosophy, Lipscomb University
This course traces Spain’s journey from prehistoric times to the modern era, exploring how various civilizations including the Celts, Romans, Visigoths and Muslims shaped the Iberian Peninsula. We will discuss the formation of Christian kingdoms, the Muslim caliphate of Al-Andalus, the unification under Ferdinand and Isabella, and Spain's emergence as a global empire during its Golden Age. The course delves into Spain's gradual decline as a world power, its tumultuous 19th and 20th centuries including the Civil War and Franco dictatorship, and its successful transition to democracy.
Course intro video is coming soon!
The Psychology of Disease and Healing
April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
- 10-11:30 AM CT
- In Person & Zoom
- Location: Longview Mansion
- Cost: $80
Instructor: Alex Loyd, Ph.D., ND (’83)., New York Times bestselling author of The Healing Code, The Love Code, and The Memory Code
Join Dr. Alex Loyd as he shares what he has been doing with clients for 30 years. Each week, he will discuss the following topics:
- Week 1: Explain and show visually the #1 Cause of all Physical Illness and Disease.
- Week 2: The #1 Cause of all Mental/Emotional Stress and Issues.
- Week 3: How to initiate the mind's and body's MIRACULOUS healing response, no matter what your situation.
- Week 4: How all of this harmonizes with the Bible and Scripture.
- Week 5: How to easily share this "self-treatment" with those you love and care about (and Dr. Alex is making it available for free with this class!). It takes 5-15 minutes to do, in its entirety.
Course intro video is coming soon!
Thursdays
Cooking and Southern Hospitality
February 6, 13, 20, 27 | March 6
- 10-11:30 AM CT
- In Person Only
- Location: Avalon House
- Cost: $80
- Capacity: 16
Instructor: Mary Nelle Chumley (’53), Lipscomb University Special Event Hostess
Meet with Mary Nelle Chumley for another opportunity to find out about cooking the “easy way.” You will be able to watch demonstrations for making food from a different food category each week. You will also learn shortcuts in planning, cooking and serving meals. Best of all, at the end of each class we will “eat what we learn!” Different recipes are highlighted each semester.
Course intro video is coming soon!
Painting the Head from Life
February 6, 13, 20, 27 | March 6
- 1-4:30 PM CT
- In Person Only
- Location: Longview Mansion
- Cost: *$350 (Fee includes paint, disposable palettes, brushes, turp, turp jars, paper towels and model fees. Students are to bring their own canvas and a sketchbook.)
- Capacity: 12
Instructor: Mattie Ree Neal (’20), Artist in Residence, Lipscomb University; Alumna, Lipscomb Academy
This five-week class focuses on the fundamental principles and techniques of painting the portrait from life. We will learn how to successfully pose and light a subject, compose a picture, and draw and paint with accurate proportions, form and color with creativity and interest. We will work to achieve the effect of our model efficiently in the limited time provided by alla prima portrait painting and will strive for both accuracy and expression. Students will be working in oil. All levels of experience are welcome. Each class will start with a lecture, demonstration or exercise, followed by 3 hours of painting from the model.
Space is limited and will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Due to Lipscomb’s special relationship with Mattie Ree Neal, we are excited to offer this workshop to our Lipscomb community for a discounted rate of only $350!
Course intro video is coming soon!
The Foundations of American Free Speech
March 27 | April 3, 10, 17, 24
- 11 AM – 12:30 PM CT
- In Person & Zoom
- Location: Cofer’s Chapel Free Will Baptist Church; 3915 Franklin Pike
- Cost: $80
Instructor: David French, J.D. (’91), Distinguished Visiting Professor of Public Policy, Lipscomb University College of Leadership & Public Service
In this class, David French guides the class through a history of free speech in America and an understanding of the true scope and extent of the First Amendment. The United States hasn't always been a haven for free expression, and our modern free speech culture is a relatively recent development. We'll talk about where we've been, where we are, and where we're going—with an emphasis on both the law and culture of free speech in the United States.
Course intro is coming soon!
You’re Never Too Old for Yoga!
March 27 | April 3, 10, 17, 24
- 2-3 PM CT
- In Person Only
- Location: Longview Mansion
- Cost: $80
Instructor: Ruth Henry, Adjunct Professor, College of Health Sciences
This class incorporates both standing and chair yoga poses, and emphasizes alignment, breathing, strength, flexibility and balance. Besides numerous known physical benefits of yoga, helping with mood, mental health and providing a social outlet is perhaps where yoga shines the most. Don’t miss out on this opportunity and let’s start moving! (Modifications will be shown for all fitness levels.)
Course video intro is coming soon!
Video-Only Courses
The Philosophies of the American Foundings
The Philosophies of the American Foundings
- 5 Video-recorded sessions of the 2024 spring semester course
- Cost: $80
Instructor: David French (’91) J.D., Distinguished Visiting Professor of Public Policy, Lipscomb University College of Leadership and Public Service
The best way to think of the American experiment is that it truly had two foundings. The first took the moral clarity of the Declaration of Independence and translated it into a Constitution that was both revolutionary for its time and also contained a fundamental flaw that almost destroyed our new nation. The second founding—the "new birth of freedom" promised by Abraham Lincoln in the Gettysburg Address—is what truly transformed the character of our young republic and created the nation we know today.
Using the video recordings of French's five classes from his spring 2024 course, we'll walk through the philosophical and moral origins of the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and the Civil War Amendments. What did the founders think of human nature? Of the role of government? What did they get right? What did they get wrong? And we'll end with a challenging question: As Americans grow increasingly alienated from each other, and the bonds of civic fellowship are strained to the breaking point, do we need yet another constitutional revolution to preserve the American experiment?
Why are Americans So Divided—The Real Story of Modern American Politics
Why are Americans So Divided—The Real Story of Modern American Politics
- 5 Video-recorded sessions of the 2024 fall semester course
- Cost: $80
Instructor: David French (’91) J.D., Distinguished Visiting Professor of Public Policy, Lipscomb University College of Leadership and Public Service
If you talk to any person who closely studies American politics, they'll tell you that it is dominated by anger and fear. They have a term for it—"negative polarization." That means that people support their party not because they necessarily love their party or its politicians, but because they hate or fear the other side.
Polling tells us that partisan animosity is greater than any time in generations, and some fear that we're more divided than we've been since the Civil War. How did this happen? Why did we reach this terrible impasse? In some ways, our division has little to do with the Democratic Party or Republican Party and a lot more to do with geography, mobility, isolation, and technology. These video recordings from French's five classes from fall 2024 course will explore the true reasons for American division, and the best path out of the darkness.