OLLI-UA Offerings

Each class session will focus on a different current issue society faces in the 21st century, with topics such as gun violence and climate change. The structure of each session will be Socratic-based discussion: participants will either read an article or watch a video related to the topic prior to class and will be given one or more guiding questions to consider. Class members will be encouraged, but not required, to write down some ideas that directly relate to the article/video and questions provided prior to coming to the next session. Then, participants will share ideas, hopefully gaining new insights from others by the end of each session. Discussion guidelines will be addressed and agreed upon at the onset of the course to help create a focused, relaxed, and stimulating learning environment.

Rick, the facilitator, has had years of experience leading Socratic-based discussions with both adolescents and adults. As well as a lifelong educator, he is a semi-professional singer/songwriter/guitarist, so he may include a relevant song about the social issue being discussed at a few of the sessions to inspire more insights and creative exploration.

Instructor: Richard Leighton

Rick Leighton has been involved with education since 1975, and has taught all levels, ranging from teaching music to five-year-olds to teaching curriculum and instruction classes to graduate-level adults. He has a BA in Psychology and an MS in Instructional Leadership. He is a full-time Green Valley resident and has been active in Oregon and Arizona OLLI since 2018.