This course will include many of the key concepts and ideas related to environmentalism. The class involves a discussion of sustainability, the ethical ideas of the world’s major religions, concepts related to politics and economics, as well is social activism. The final subject will be positive and negative scenarios for the future. Instructor, Robert Rainwater, Ph.D.

The music of France a century ago, with a focus on lesser-known figures such as Satie, Poulenc and Milhaud. (Room 218). Please join Dr. Paul Blaney for a look and listen on early 20th century French music.

Join the Culinary Institute of America for Part II of their cooking series. Recipes will be provided and one can take the class even if they missed Part I. Some of the topics to be covered are soups, sauces, salads and seafood.

Author Joe Tennis returns for another class session based on his books, including "Virginia Rail Trails," "Along Virginia's Route 58," "Haunted Highlands," "Washington County, Virginia: Then & Now" and the updated, second edition of his first book, "Southwest Virginia Crossroads." Hear tales of Virginia, Tennessee and North Carolina. The presenter is a longtime writer and columnist for the Bristol Herald Courier.

Join Cathy Lowe, the Mayor of Abingdon, and other Town officials and employees for a look at how our town government works and functions. Class will not meet on Tuesday, April 4, 2017.

Adelaide Moss continues with her look at modern art. Part Two will cover Cubism, German Expressionism, Dadaism, and Abstract Art – with some surprises thrown in. One can enjoy this class without having taken Part One.

A pictorial and cultural journey around Scotland (and Antrim). Scottish singer and radio presenter Jack Beck (Celtic Clanjamphry on WETS.fm and WEHC.fm) will be taking you along with him as he explores both familiar and less well-known corners of his homeland, and with a detour to the Antrim glens of Ireland. And, perhaps, you can get Jack to sing a ballad or two!

This class is for intermediate knitters. Jo Johnston will be helping with knitting the basic sock. Class members need to bring 2 balls fingering weight sock yarn (or desired yarn) and a set of 4 or 5 8" double pointed needles. Class will not meet April 11, 2017.

Learn the basic principles and strategies that promote health, independence, and a great quality of life. Discussion will include how to reduce risk of (and help you heal from) heart disease, cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s and all forms of dementia, arthritic disorders, hip fractures, autoimmune disease, and more. Instructor, Chris Brown, Doctor of Chiropractic., in Tazewell and Abingdon.**1st week of class Dr. Brown will take requests for specific health related topics that are important to you. **

Movies to be seen are: North By Northwest; The Bourne Identity; From Russia with Love; Three Days of the Condor; Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy; and No Way Out. Popcorn will be served.

Bart Ehrman, Ph.D. and Chairman of the Religion Department at the University of North Carolina presents the history of the New Testament. This is not a class on theology or about belief, but is history of the making of New Testament canon during the centuries after Christ’s death.

History, beliefs, and worship practices of these two major world religions that have their origins in India. We will look at the Hindu epics of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, key Hindu deities, the life and teachings of the Buddha, and Buddhist "denominations" such as Mahayana, Theravada, and Zen. Instructor, Dr. Fred Kellogg, Professor Emeritus of Religion, Emory & Henry College.

Linda Hudson Hoagland, award winning author of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and plays will lead her students on a trip from inception of an idea to places to submit the written story for possible publication. Students will write whatever they want to share with class members. The instructor and other class members will be able to offer suggestions on a better path to be taken. Sharpen your pencils, uncap your pens, and get ready to write.

Alexander Dumas' enthralling tale of betrayal, revenge and fabulous wealth, first published in 1844, remains one of the most popular works in the western literary cannon. Like his "Three Musketeers", this epic novel takes off at a breathtaking pace. Set against the backdrop of the post-Napoleonic era, Dumas careens through a mesmerizing story with his signature audacity, style and joie de vivre. Instructor, Lee Saunders, the COA’s Renaissance Man.

Come learn to identify some of our most common birds by sight and by sound. A field trip will be held if there is enough interest. Class instructor, Ramsey White

The Teaching Company/National Geographic Society DVD series continues. Some of the parks included in part III are: Grand Canyon; the Rocky Mountains; Montana Glacier, the Everglades and Carlsbad Caverns. New students are welcomed to this series that emphasizes the geology of the parks.

This class will be based on the popular spiritual self-help e-book on Amazon.com titled Cleanse, Heal, & Defend, that assists people to proficiently recognize, interact, and understand the spiritual soup around us. The emphasis will be on encouraging students to discover their spiritual skills as they observe and interact in live classroom demonstrations. Bring a yoga mat, personal pendulum (you can make one in class) and an open mind as we work with the chakras, aura, and the spiritual entourage that walks with us all. Instructor: Philip Ernst.

This year marks the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther's famous posting of the 95 Theses on the church door in Wittenberg. This course will examine the background and significance of that event, and survey the Reformation it started. We will consider late medieval Christianity, Luther's career, the ways that church life changed for Protestants, the Reformed churches, the Reformations in England and Scotland, and the Radical Reformation. Throughout, we will give attention to ideas, especially theology, as well as other historical context, notably the history of the book. Instructor, Martin Holt Dotterweich, Ph.D., Associate Professor of History, Chair, Department of History and Political Science King University.

April 5 - Craig Ashbrook, Spectacular Spain, Portugal and Morocco; April 12 Eileen Garner, Cruising the Danube continued: Budapest to Prague; April 19 TBA; April 26 Jill Jessee, Exotic Asia: Japan, China and Korea; May 3 Bill Shanks, Magnificent Myanmar Part I; May 10 Bill Shanks, Magnificent Myanmar Part II.

This class is for those who have taken Phil’s classes before and have some knowledge of his techniques.

Mindfulness can be thought of as the ultimate evolution in human consciousness. How we hold our minds in everyday life affects everything, and most people exist at the mercy of every stray thought or emotion that happens along. Is it even possible to do better at all when our thoughts control who we are? YES! The Secret of happiness is real, and begins with learning to develop mindfulness. Learning this true, simple knowledge can change your life for the better. Be happy! Come join us. Instructor, Robert Smith. Robert holds degrees in philosophy, economics and English and has practiced Buddhism for more than 14 years

An excellent series by Marshall Eakin, Ph.D., Vanderbilt University, that begins with the 16th century’s “collision, convergence and complex mixture of Native Americans, Europeans, and Africans” in the New World. Some of the topics include: the Incas, the Mayas, the Aztecs, Columbus, Cortes, Montezuma, the Conquistadors, the Africans.

(room 240 and room 222). The class offers the opportunity to enjoy musical numbers from such films as An American in Paris, Carousel, Bells Are Ringing, Thoroughly Modern Millie and Hello Dolly. Enjoy performances by such stars as Debbie Reynolds, Gene Kelly, Kathyrn Grayson, Gordon MacRae and Barbara Streisand. Presenter, Bill Campbell, the host of Vocal Treasures on stations WETS-FM HD3 and WEHC-FM, 90.7.

Please join Jim Warden, Ph.D., for an update of all the new astronomy findings – gravity waves, other solar systems and planets, black holes, aliens (?) and other fascinating things. Jim always makes astronomy extremely interesting and easy to understand.

Snow Ferreniea will look into the world of wildflowers – starting with classroom introduction/overview of growing wildflowers in the area. One session will be a leisurely walk on the Creeper Trail in Alvarado and another will be a look around Snow’s garden which contains many native wildflowers. Dates and times will be discussed the first class.

This course is for both beginners as well as experienced practitioners. Students will be paired up. Teaching others is an excellent way of consolidating one's own learning. Course will look at: 1) Dowsing----the basic tool; 2) One's own chakra system; 3) Clearing; 4) The relationship of shamanism to other healing modalities. Shamanism and spirituality; 5) Soul and destiny retrievals (transe work). Instructor, August Lageman, Ph.D., is a retired psychologist. He is a Reiki Master and certified as a holographic health practitioner. He is a graduate of the Four Winds Society and their three year training program and is a shaman in the Inka tradition.