Bluffton University’s Institute for Learning in Retirement (ILR), an educational program for retirees, is offering six courses on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from Sept. 19-Oct. 27.
 
Each course costs $50; the cost to take two or more courses is $100. Registration and, if applicable, course fees are due at the time of registration. Sept. 15 is the deadline to register.
 
To register or for more information, contact Janet “JP” Schumacher, ILR director, at 419-358-3346 or [email protected].
 
Fall courses are:
 
A History of the Russian Czars
Mondays beginning Sept. 19, 10-11:30 a.m., Kreider Room, Marbeck Center
Learn about the history of Russia. Participants will be introduced to some basic Russian language and typical Russian music, as well as pictures taken from St. Petersburg to Moscow.
 
Colloquium: Creativity, the Arts and Civic Life
Mondays beginning Sept. 19, 1-2 p.m., Kreider Room, Marbeck Center
Explore Bluffton University’s 2016-17 Civic Engagement Theme, Creativity the Arts and Civic Life. The resource book is “Spark: How Creativity Works,” by Julie Burstein. Each week a different university faculty member will share their perspective on the theme.
 
Film Classics and Films of Literary Classics
Wednesdays beginning Sept. 21, 9 a.m.-noon, Yoder Recital Hall
Watch six classic movies and discuss the different kinds of artistry used. Films range from Charlie Chaplin’s “City Lights” to “Singin’ in the Rain.”
 
Calligraphy: The Art of Writing Beautifully
Wednesdays beginning Sept. 21, 1-2:15 p.m., 1899 Room, Marbeck Center
This course is presented by Ayane Hida, Japanese outreach initiative coordinator, Mazza Museum, University of Findlay. Participants will learn to write Japanese words in the revered and historic style of calligraphy. This course requires an extra $10 material fee and is limited to the first 12 students registered.
 
How They Do It:
A Comparison of Sexual Life Cycles in the Animal Kingdom. The Mammals.
Thursdays beginning Sept. 22, 10-11:30 a.m., Reichenbach Room, Sommer Center. Participants will review reproduction, life cycles and parenting in mammals. Naturalist David Attenborough’s films will be viewed.

Prose, Poetry, Scripture and Palms
Thursdays beginning Sept. 22, 1-2:15 p.m., Reichenbach Room, Sommer Center
Participants will discuss the literary use of various forms of plant life, their value and their habitats.