Spring 2025 Semester Week 8

For Full Course Descriptions Click Here
For Course Calendar Click Here 


Here's a brief summary of the courses this week:

TUESDAY, JUNE 3
10:30-11: Pleasure for Sale, with Richard Klein 
1:00-2:15pm Poetry for Pleasure in the Spring, with Barry Wallenstein
2:45-4:00pm What Do You Think? Discussion, with Bill Goldman

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4
10:30-11:45am The Rise of Alternative Media, with Alan Steinfeld and David Katzmire
1:00-2:15pm Wildlife Photography: What I’ve Seen and What I’ve Learned, with George McKenzie, Jr. 
2:45-4:00pm Everything You Wanted to Know About the FBI (But Were Too Afraid to Ask), with Frank Hickey

THURSDAY, JUNE 5
10:30-11:45am Law in the Headlines: Exploring Current Legal Controversies, with Leora Harpaz
1:00-2:15pm Politics 2025, with Bruce Berkman, Beth Pessen, Kathy Kehoe, Bert Pekowsky
2:45-4:00pm End-of-Season Celebration


Here are the full course descriptions of this week’s classes:

NEW CLASSES

TUESDAY, JUNE 3

Pleasure for Sale, with Richard Klein
10:30-11:45am

Here’s a class that examines how prostitution is handled in the movies. There have been several great films which deal with prostitutes (or as they are referred to today – sex workers) in different ways. Some are comedies – such as The Owl and the Pussycat, while others are heartbreaking, like Hardcore, starring George C. Scott, who loses his daughter in the seamy underworld of NYC. Others have happy – if implausible-endings – like Pretty Woman. Still others present an indomitable hopeful spirit like Sweet Charity. From Jane Fonda in Klute to Barbra Streisand in both The Owl and the Pussycat and Nuts, Richard takes a look at the world’s oldest profession and those who attempt to navigate it. It will tug at your heart and tickle your funny bone!

The Rise of Alternative Media, with Alan Steinfeld and David Katzmire
10:30-11:45am

When American Express became one of the 30 Dow Jones Industrial stocks, it was the first company that did not produce a product to do so. We knew the world was changing. Since then, we have shifted from: traditional magazines, like Time, Look and Life, to special interest niche publications; from terrestrial radio to podcasts; and from legacy media, like ABC, CBS and NBC broadcasts to YouTube, TikTok and social media. The change in the last 30 years has been profound and it is defining our future. David reflects on alternative trends and invites you to share your thoughts. He is a technology consultant for CL&L. Alan is the producer/host of the YouTube channel program New Realities and author of the award-winning book, Making Contact: Preparing for the New Realities of Extraterrestrial Existence. David is CL&L’s tech consultant, who has extensive experience as a webmaster. 

Wildlife Photography: What I’ve Seen and What I’ve Learned, with George McKenzie, Jr.
1:00-2:15pm

George shares powerful stories and lessons from his time photographing elusive species and threatened ecosystems across the US. From capturing rare glimpses of Florida panthers with camera traps to documenting the human stories that shape our landscapes, he discusses how photography can serve as both a scientific tool and a storytelling force. He reflects on the ethical challenges of working with wildlife, the patience required to earn a single frame, and the importance of building trust with communities who live closest to the land. Whether crouched in a cypress swamp or collaborating with researchers in the field, his lens is guided by respect – for the subject, for the story, and for the legacy we leave behind. This talk invites listeners to see photography not just as art but as a bridge between people and the wild. George is an award-winning wildlife conservation photographer and National Geographic Explorer whose work spotlights the deep connections between nature, culture, and community.

Everything You Wanted to Know About the FBI (But Were Too Afraid to Ask), with Frank Hickey
1:00-2:15pm

You are a new lawyer, 23 years old in 1932. The Depression is ripping America apart. You cannot find work anywhere. The Army, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard are all reducing their ranks. On a freezing morning, you pull on your best Interview suit and trudge to the Post Office building in your farm town. By chance, you hear about the infant and political Bureau of Investigation in the Department of Justice. The job of Special Agent has no gun and little power. But it pays $3200 per year. Without a weapon, the Bureau sends you out to arrest machine gun killers. If you need help, call the police. What do you decide to do? This book tells that story, the story of "Real Cops."

THURSDAY, JUNE 5

End-of-Season Celebration
2:45-4:00pm
It’s the last session of our spring 2025 semester. Come for some or all of the time, whatever is best for you. We’d love to see you and, even better, to hear from you. Have a poem, a saying, a picture, a video, a joke or a song to share? Something serious or silly about what you love, find amusing or annoying? A simple greeting is fine too. Or just come to enjoy being part of our special community. It’s a chance to get dressed up too if you'd like! If you want some technical support for showing a video or photo, please send them in advance to judy@langerqual.com.

CONTINUING CLASSES

TUESDAY, JUNE 3

Poetry for Pleasure in the Spring, with Barry Wallenstein
1:00-2:15pm
These lectures with discussion will involve close readings of poems – classic, modern, and contemporary. Our aim is to listen to the sound poems make. What makes a successful language performance? We will discuss these works’ emotional truth, unity of expression, and attention-holding, pleasure-providing use of language. 

Click here for the poetry book for the semester 
The poems for this week:

• Crow’s Fall by Ted Hughes, p.14

• Cheap Seats.  The Cincinnati Gardens…1959 by William Matthews, p. 67

• May Perpetual Light Shine by Patricia Spears Jones, p. 22

• My Shadow by Robert Louis Stevenson, p. 64

• Home Burial by Robert Frost, pp. 42-45

• Her Kind by Anne Sexton, p.18

• Confiding with a Hen by Chloe Ortiz, p. 58

What Do You Think? Discussion, with Bill Goldman
2:45-4:00PM
This course is a group discussion of current events, focusing on significant economic, social, and political issues in the news. A few short articles from major newspapers and journals are sent to students in advance to read so we can come to talk about our views on the subjects. We want to hear what you think! 

This week’s class includes findings from a poll that indicates Americans are searching for common grounds, recommendations for how to be a great thinker, and an opinion that generative AI models are skilled in the art of BS.

Click here for this week's articles.

THURSDAY, JUNE 5
Law in the Headlines: Exploring Current Legal Controversies, with Leora Harpaz 
10:30-11:45am
Leora will continue to report on recent emergency applications, some of which have been either granted or denied, and others that await action by the Supreme Court. She will then discuss a series of cases in which law firms have challenged President Trump’s executive orders punishing the firms for representing his political enemies, brought lawsuits challenging Trump’s actions, or have employed attorneys who have been involved in investigations against Trump. The cases raise First Amendment and Due Process issues and focus on both the obligation of lawyers to diligently and vigorously represent their clients as well as the rights of clients to have zealous representation. She welcomes your suggestions for other subjects you’d like to hear about.


Politics 2025, with Bruce Berkman, Beth Pessen, Kathy Kehoe, Bert Pekowsky
1:00-2:15pm
In this special panel discussion, Bruce and Beth will speak on the upcoming primary election for various city-wide offices in NYC, Kathy on new vs. old media, and Bert on why the Democrats lost the 2024 election. They are replacing Larry, who will be away.

And There’s More…  

SAVE THE DATE: Our Celebration of the Season will be June 5 2:45-4pm, the last session of spring semester.

Derek Garcia presented a class on his film, A/way. The trailer is now live online at https://youtu.be/Xq6KWfr-bmg, and the film will be available to stream on Amazon, Apple, and Fandango on June 26.

Erica Mather recommends Yoga Nidra by Satyananda Saraswati. She gave a session on Yoga for Staying Calm this past week. It was so restful that some of us fell asleep, waking up at just the right moment.  

So much to think about, get involved with and enjoy! We look forward to seeing you at our great sessions.