Lecture Series

Our FAB students’ safety is important to us; therefore, we are taking precautions to make the in-person classes a safe and welcoming environment. In this environment, students will be able to enjoy face-to-face interactions with their faculty and classmates and the option to grab a coffee or a bite to eat before or after class. For those not able to join us in person, we continue to be your virtual home for learning!

Note: Walk-ins are not permitted. You may register via phone by calling (805) 493-3290 at least 30 minutes prior to the start of the lecture. Persons will not be allowed into the learning space if they are not on the roster in advance.

Regarding in-person attendance:

• FREE, accessible parking at both campus locations (view location and parking details HERE)
• Large lecture room with ample space meeting Cal/OSHA guidelines
• Masks are recommended but are not required

Can’t get to campus for an in-person course? No problem! Attend the course virtually instead.

In-Person & Virtual Learning

Using a hybrid learning model, in-person and virtual students can attend the same class simultaneously. A special “360-camera” will follow the instructor in the classroom, and students attending virtually will be able to see and hear the instructor and view the PowerPoint over Zoom (similar to our traditional virtual courses).

Thursday, November 2, 10am-12pm (Pacific)
Online via Zoom 

Lecture Description:
After a century of fire suppression, California wildfires are now getting bigger, hotter and more frequent. This surge of large wildfires has been particularly pronounced over the past decade, which has witnessed the majority of the largest wildfires in state history. While 2020 was a historically bad year for wildfires in California, Ventura County was most severely impacted in 2017 by the Thomas fire and in 2018 by the Woolsey fire. This lecture will examine fire history in California and the American West stretching back more than 1000 years and consider the primary drivers of the dramatic 21^st century regime shift towards large wildfires affecting 100,000-1,000,000+ acres.

Bio:
Dr. Robert Dull is the Chair of the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Cal Lutheran. His research seeks to elucidate human-environment relationships over time, with emphases on the Late Prehistoric and Colonial periods in the Americas. Dr. Dull works on topics ranging from deforestation and food production to climate change and natural hazards.  He has spent most of his career working in Central America, although he also has ongoing research projects in California.  Dr. Dull grew up in Bakersfield, CA and received his Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley in 2001.  Before arriving at CLU in 2019 to Chair the newly formed Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences, he held full-time academic appointments at UC Berkeley, Texas A&M University, and the University of Texas, Austin. 

Monday, November 6, 10am-12pm (Pacific)
Choose to attend Online via Zoom or In-Person in Thousand Oaks

Lecture Description:
Cosmopolitan, gregarious, and prodigious, Sargent’s fashionable portraits were the most celebrated symbol of his brilliance. He was a master of many different painting styles—Impressionism, classical portraits, landscapes, watercolors, and murals—and his richly textured pallets reflected his lifelong reverence for Diego Velázquez and Franz Hals. Caught in the cross-fire of controversy on several occasions, he celebrated his passion for art through a breadth of subject matter ranging from portraits of two U.S. Presidents to paintings executed near the front lines during World War I.

Bio:
Eleanor Schrader is an award-winning educator, lecturer, and author. She lectures worldwide on art and architectural history, and leads art and architecture tours throughout the world.  She has been named a Distinguished Instructor at UCLA Extension, where she teaches history of architecture, interior design, furniture, and decorative arts. She is also Professor Emeritus of Art and Architectural History at Santa Monica College. She has done graduate work in fine and decorative arts at Sotheby's Institute in London and New York.  She has served as a Design Review Commissioner for the City of Beverly Hills and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the John Lautner Foundation.

Wednesday, November 8, 1-3pm (Pacific)
Online via Zoom

Lecture Description:
Do you just want to sit back and laugh while exploring the world of musicals? This is the lecture for you. You’ll be chuckling while watching and discussing the most hilarious numbers from famous musicals and not so famous musicals.  What can be funnier than watching ”Putting On The Ritz” from Young Frankenstein, “You’ve Gotta Have a Gimmick” from Gypsy, or absolutely anything from The Producers? There is nothing like a great song to get you in a great mood. We promise you will leave this class with your toes tapping and a smile on your face.

Bio:
Film historians Sam and Candy Caponegro are passionate about movie musicals. For over thirty years, they have acted, directed, and produced professional, community, and school theater. Candy’s most notable professional acting roles are Adelaine opposite Nathan Lane in Guys and Dolls and Cheri opposite Divine in the New York production of Women Behind Bars. Sam and Candy have taught numerous courses and lecture on cruise lines, at libraries, and for many 50+ audiences. They hope to keep the classic movie musical and the golden age of Broadway alive through their lectures.

Part 1: Friday, November 10, 10am-12pm (Pacific)
Part 2: Friday, November 17, 10am-12pm (Pacific)
Choose to attend Online via Zoom or In-Person in Oxnard

Lecture Description:
Critics widely regard Leonard Cohen to be one of the very best, if not best, of the many singer/songwriters who emerged in the 1960s following in the path of the pioneering Bob Dylan. Over a fifty-year career, Leonard Cohen created a remarkable body of work, that included poetry, novels, and songs, and made an indelible imprint on the contemporary music scene. Similar to Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen’s Jewish background deeply shaped his life and work. Cohen’s poetry and lyrics reflect a deep connection with Jewish tradition and biblical sources. These lectures will examine the mixture of Jewish influences in the work of Leonard Cohen and will seek to demonstrate the value of viewing Leonard Cohen’s work through a Jewish lens. This course will be taught using audio, video, text analysis, and group discussion.

Week 1: From Poetry to Song: Leonard Cohen, the Early Years

Week 2: Leonard Cohen: Between the Mountain and the World

Bio:
Clifford Wilcox, Ph.D., is a historian who focuses on American intellectual and cultural history and Jewish Studies. His courses concentrate on the intersection of culture, ideas, politics, and religion in American history. He is Director of Education and Operations at Temple Beth Torah in Ventura, CA and has taught in the CLU FAB program since 2021. He holds a Ph.D. in American intellectual history from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

Wednesday, November 15, 10am-12pm (Pacific)
Choose to attend Online via Zoom or In-Person in Thousand Oaks

Lecture Description:
There is nothing more political than food. In the food production process, what counts as food, how it's produced, to whom it is distributed, and what regulations apply to the process are all matters of political resources and deliberations. More immediately for us, the food we consume is also intertwined with our identities, families, bodies, and beliefs. Our understanding of food, however, is constructed - most often by media images about the food we eat, how we cook it, and where it came from. Everything from food advertisements, social media trends, Food Network content, cookbooks and magazines shape how we think about food and its consumption. This lecture will explore media content and the politics and representations of food.

Bio:
Aaron Heresco, Ph.D., is a 1st generation college student who grew up in central Pennsylvania. He went to Penn State Altoona for his undergraduate degree with plans to work in international affairs. After taking two years off after graduation, Aaron decided to pursue a post-graduate degree in communication, focusing largely on news cultures and practices. While studying news Aaron developed a passion for understanding the relationship between communication, media, and power. These interests have led Aaron to research issues ranging from campaign finance coverage, television representation of masculinity, financial literacy programs, and the economics of television production. Aaron currently lives in Camarillo with his wife Leslie and pet.

Monday, November 20, 10am-11:30am (Pacific)
Online via Zoom

Lecture and Tour Description:
This presentation examines our food system’s impacts on workers, communities, animals, and the planet and how these issues are interrelated and rooted in systemic injustice. Students learn how animals come to live at Farm Sanctuary, the nation’s first farm animal rescue organization, and about meaningful ways to create a more just, compassionate, and sustainable food system for all.

Virtual Tour: Come meet some of the rescued residents of our sanctuary! Get to know their rescue stories and unique personalities through a virtual guided visit.

Bio:
Farm Sanctuary was founded in 1986 to combat the abuses of factory farming, advocate for institutional reforms, and encourage a new awareness and understanding of farm animals and the benefits of plant-based living. In recent years, science has confirmed the inhumane and destructive impact of animal agriculture — a food system based on interrelated oppression and injustice.

As the founding farm animal Sanctuary in the U.S., Farm Sanctuary has rescued and provided refuge for countless survivors of the animal agriculture system. Today, at Farm Sanctuary’s Los Angeles, CA and Watkins Glen, NY Sanctuaries you will find over 600 rescued animals — each with an individual story to tell. These survivors are ambassadors, representing the billions of farm animals currently in the system. They, and others like them, have changed the hearts and minds of a generation.

Thursday, November 30, 10am-12pm (Pacific)
Choose to attend Online via Zoom or In-Person in Thousand Oaks

Lecture Description:
Whimsical and innovative, the sculptures of Alexander Calder defy specific classification, but can be described as kinetic, abstract and surreal. His main output are classified as either Mobiles, that embrace chance and movement, and Stabiles, which are monumental and public. He also created a wide amount of varied and original delicate sculptures, installations, drawings and designs. Calder was the third-generation sculptor within his family and spent much of his life surrounded by art and artists, taking inspiration from a wide amount of sources. This lecture will give an overview of his artistic life and output.

Bio:
Katherine E. Zoraster is an Art Historian and a Professor of Art History at several local colleges specializing in Western art from the Renaissance to the 20th century. She graduated with a double major in English Literature and Art History from the University of California, Los Angeles. Following her undergraduate degree, she received a Master’s Degree with Distinction in Art History from the California State University at Northridge.

In addition to the courses Katherine teaches for other lifelong learning programs, she also works as an Adjunct Professor of Art History at Moorpark College and an Art History Instructor for the full-time program at the Los Angeles Academy of Figurative Arts. Katherine also serves as a commissioner for the Burbank Cultural Arts Commission and volunteers at the Burbank Animal Shelter. In her free time, Katherine is an avid runner and travels extensively.

Part 1: Wednesday, December 6, 1-3pm (Pacific)
Part 2: Wednesday, December 13, 1-3pm (Pacific)
Online via Zoom

Lecture Description:
Ostensibly, Christmas is celebrated annually as the birth of Jesus. Nevertheless, Jesus was likely born in the spring, not the winter, considering the Christian Scriptures describe shepherds pasturing their flocks at the time. So, where, then, does Christmas originate? And, how did it come to be connected with Christianity and Jesus? Additionally, from where did so many of these Christmas traditions develop? This two-part lecture will consider the historical basis of the Christmas holiday and how it developed over time.

Bio:
Jason Hensley, PhD, teaches religious studies at a private school in Los Angeles. He is a fellow of the Michael LaPrade Holocaust Education Institute of the Anti-Defamation League, a member of Civic Spirit's teacher education cohort, and the award-winning author of 10 books. His work has been featured in The Huffington Post as well as the BBC, and he has served as the historical advisor for a Holocaust documentary.

Thursday, December 7, 10am-11am (Pacific)
Online via Zoom 

Tour Description:
We are excited to welcome you all to The Broad albeit virtually! During the tour, we will walk through the entire museum, stopping at some of our favorite pieces in the gallery by artists including Roy Lichtenstein, Jeff Koons, Jean-Michel Basquiat and many others. During the tour, we will show the artwork through a camera and the tour guide will speak through the computer allowing students to engage with the tour guide through voice and chat.

Bio:
The Broad makes its collection of contemporary art from the 1950s to the present accessible to the widest possible audience by presenting exhibitions and operating a lending program to art museums and galleries worldwide.

By actively building a dynamic collection that features in-depth representations of influential contemporary artists and by advancing education and engagement through exhibitions and diverse public programming, the museum enriches, provokes, inspires, and fosters appreciation of art of our time.

Monday, December 11, 10am-12pm (Pacific)
Online via Zoom 

Lecture Description:
Join us on a journey of discovery into two essential elements of aging that often escape our notice but hold immense significance: resilience and successful aging. Resilience is far more than weathering life's storms; it's the remarkable ability to adapt and flourish amidst challenges. On the same token successful aging is the synergy that contributes to longevity, an active lifestyle, paving the way for vibrant and fulfilling later years.

Throughout this enlightening lecture, we'll unravel the intricate connections between resilience, the aging process, and the transformative effects of physical activity and cognitive engagement. Together, we'll delve into the ways in which cultivating resilience empowers us to navigate life's twists and turns, while encompassing successful aging as it encourages us to actively embrace life, maintain independence, and nurture cognitive health. Join us as we explore how these intertwined elements shape our physical, mental, and social well-being, ultimately leading to healthy, happy, and thriving later years.

Bio:
Arvind Grewal is a dedicated individual with an unwavering passion for enhancing the quality of life for older adults. With a natural inclination to help others, he prides himself on being a lifelong learner. Currently pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology with a specialization in Gerontology, his research centers around the aging process and its profound impact on individuals, communities, and societies. Arvind aspires to return to his alma mater to share his knowledge and teach, driven by his deep commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of older adults. With fluency in multiple languages, exceptional communication skills, and a warm and energetic demeanor, he thrives on connecting with new people and spearheading positive change in the field of gerontology.

Thursday, December 14, 10am-12pm (Pacific)
Online via Zoom 

Lecture Description:
For over 80 years, the original stories that surround WWII have continued to be of global interest. One of the historical dimensions of that war is the work of the men and women who defended and rescued the arts by saving the cultural heritage of our world for future generations. We hear the stories, we see the movies and think perhaps, that these experiences are all in the past, Cliff Notes to history. 

The truth is that today, The Monuments Foundation is at the forefront of cultural heritage preservation and art restitution, continuing to retrieve artworks and honour the work of those who carved the path of restitution. We will look at the lives of these ‘art saviours’, current cases and the new Monuments Men & Women Foundation.

Bio:
Christine Maasdam holds a Master in Humanities and a B.A. in Cultural Geography. Her art studies include The Courtauld Institute of Art in London, The Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center in D.C. and Post Graduate studies in Antiquities Trafficking and Art Crime at the University of Glasgow. She is a graduate of the Art Crime Investigation Seminar led by Robert Wittman, founder of the FBI's National Art Crime Team. Christine is a member of the International Foundation for Cultural Property Protection and holds a certificate from Trident Manor on Protection of Cultural Venues. Christine received Sotheby’s certification on Determining Value: An Appraiser’s Perspective. She has spent over a decade as a LACMA docent and is an active volunteer at the City of David archaeological dig in Israel.