courses offered in 2026 Fall Semester  


WALL230-01    Angels in America 2: Perestroika
Instructor(s):
  Jim Crisp, M.F.A.
  Course Days:
 
Mondays: July 27, Aug 3, 10, 17
  Course Time:
    3:00-4:00pm
  Description:
  
  In this class, participants will read, analyze, discuss and then SEE a production of this challenging, complex, metaphorical, and symbolic play. Class instructor, Jim Crisp, is the director of this production. "Perestroika" is the second part of Tony Kushner's acclaimed play "Angels in America." It explores themes of AIDS, politics, and personal relationships in the 1980s. It is known for its groundbreaking depiction of human life, migration, and the sacredness of everyday experiences. The play continues the narrative from the first part, "Millennium Approaches," and delves deeper into the characters' struggles and transformations as the AIDS crisis worsens. "Perestroika" is widely regarded as a significant work in American theater, addressing complex social issues and the human condition.
 




WALL202609-02    Writing Your Autobiography
Instructor(s):
  Ed Grisamore
  Course Days:
 
Mondays: September 7, 14, 21, 28
  Course Time:
    3:00-4:00
  Description:
  
  This four-week course is designed to teach and encourage students to write their memoirs. Each class offers a step-by-step approach to tweak your memory and organize your thoughts. The classes are entertaining, stimulating and inspiring.
 




WALL202609-03    The New Age of Business: Shaped by Technology, Changing Values and a Global Mindset
Instructor(s):
  Seth Selke
  Course Days:
 
Tuesdays: September 8, 15, 22, 29
  Course Time:
    3:00-4:00
  Description:
  
  The world of business has entered a new era. This period is designed around technology, changing values, and a global mindset. Yet at its heart, business still depends on people, trust, and innovation. In this four-week discussion-based class, participants explore how modern business has evolved, how technology and social change influence it, and what the future might hold for workers, consumers, and communities. Additionally, the course examines emerging trends and challenges, preparing participants to adapt and thrive in this dynamic environment. By understanding these shifts, individuals can better navigate the complexities of today's business landscape.
 




WALL202609-04    History and Background of Our Founding Documents
Instructor(s):
  Vince Coughlin, J.D., LL.M
  Course Days:
 
Wednesdays: September 9, 16, 23, 30
  Course Time:
    1:30-2:30
  Description:
  
  This course describes the background leading up to the Declaration of Independence, The Articles of Confederation and the US Constitution, along with several odd Clauses and Amendments. A brief history of the US Supreme Court is included.
 




WALL202609-05    Tech Talks: Putting Tech & Best Practices to Good Use
Instructor(s):
  Bethany Buck
  Course Days:
 
Wednesdays, September 9, 16, 23, 30
  Course Time:
    3:00-4:00
  Description:
  
  Technology changes quickly, but the fundamentals of learning, connection, and dignity never do. This four-part Tech Talks series welcomes you exactly as you are, whether you're tech-curious or tech-cautious, and honors the wisdom and experience you bring to every conversation. Grounded in the belief that feelings are mentionable and manageable, we'll create a judgment-free space where questions are celebrated and mistakes are simply part of discovery. Across these sessions, you'll build practical skills in digital etiquette, cybersecurity, efficiency shortcuts, and understanding emerging technologies, all while connecting with neighbors who share your journey. We'll explore how the values you've always held—kindness, safety, thoughtfulness, and authentic connection—translate beautifully into our digital world. Most importantly, you'll discover that technology is simply a tool that should serve you, not the other way around. By the end of our time together, you'll feel more confident, more capable, and more in control of the technology in your life, with a supportive community cheering you on every step of the way. Session 1: Technology & Etiquette, Session 2: Technology & Cyber Security (from phone calls to AI), Session 3: Technology & The Fast Lane (including things you never thought you’d do!), Session 4: Technology & Future (what’s coming?)
 




WALL202609-06    Healthy Trees, Healthy Lives: Benefits of Trees for Well-being
Instructor(s):
  Lea Clark
  Course Days:
 
Wednesdays: October 7, 14, 21, 28
  Course Time:
    1:30-2:30
  Description:
  
  In this class, members will learn how trees and forests are connected to our health and how to take advantage of these benefits. This class will provide information on the science behind the physical and mental health of trees, proper tree care techniques, species selection for healthy trees in our area, explore ecosystem impacts, and invasive species. The last class will include a short therapy outdoor walk as an introduction to tree identification.
 




WALL202609-07    Elements of Healthy Grief Recovery
Instructor(s):
  Dr. Betty Williams
  Course Days:
 
Thursdays: October 8, 15, 22, 29
  Course Time:
    11:00-12:00
  Description:
  
  This course enables students to distinguish between grief and clinical depression. Evidence-based interventions and coping strategies are introduced to support participants in identifying effective approaches for healthy personal growth. The curriculum places special emphasis on life cycle stages, contextual factors, and complex trauma related to grief. The presenter adopts a holistic recovery framework that incorporates intellectual, emotional, physical, and spiritual development.
 




WALL202609-08    Discovering America's Musical Heritage—One Piano Note at a Time
Instructor(s):
  Chenny Gan, D.M.A
  Course Days:
 
Tuesdays: October 13, 20, 27, Nov 3
  Course Time:
    3:00-4:00
  Description:
  
  This class invites participants on a journey through the rich tapestry of American music using the piano as our guide and storyteller. From the parlor songs that shaped 19th century homelife to the ragtime rhythms that set America dancing, from the soulful depths of blues and spirituals to the sophisticated sounds of jazz and modern art music, we’ll explore how the piano became a central part of American musical identity. Each session combines live performance, listening, and interactive discussion—no musical background required--just curious ears and an appreciation for the stories music can tell.
 




WALL202609-09    Developing a Color Scheme for Home & Garden
Instructor(s):
  Martha Duke
  Course Days:
 
Tuesdays: November 2, 9, 16, 30
  Course Time:
    11:00-12:00
  Description:
  
  The objective of this course is to demonstrate how anyone can develop a color scheme for their home and garden that is cohesive, beautiful and satisfying to the senses. We will take an object such as a painting or rug and use it to create a color palate that flows from space to space.
 




WALL202609-10    Heresy & Persecution: History of the Inquisition
Instructor(s):
  Andrew Reeves
  Course Days:
 
Wednesdays: November 4, 11, 18, Dec 2
  Course Time:
    1:30-2:30
  Description:
  
  The very name of the Inquisition conjures images of fear and oppression; we think of a Europe lit by the pyres of accused heretics sent screaming to the stake by power-mad churchmen. But if we peel back the layers of myth, we see that executions were relatively few, and that even the dreaded Spanish Inquisition was perhaps the fairest court in early modern Europe. How justified is our picture of the Inquisition as synonymous with fear and oppression? Can we even talk about “the Inquisition” as a single entity? In this course, we’ll explore the Inquisition from its founding in the early 1200s to the Roman and Spanish Inquisitions of early modern times, and finally to the end of the Inquisition as a body holding coercive power.
 




WALL202609-11    History and Development of Terrorism in the Middle East
Instructor(s):
  Betty Taylor
  Course Days:
 
Thursdays: November 5, 12, 19, Dec 3
  Course Time:
    11:00-12:00
  Description:
  
  This class will help participants understand the historical evolution, ideological roots, and major organizations associated with terrorism in the Middle East and their impact on regional and global politics. Session 1: Origins and Early Movements (Pre-1948 to 1970s) Session 2: Ideology and Faith: Rise of Islamic Movements (1979-1990s) Session 3: The 21st Century: Global Terror and Regional Chaos (2000-2014) Session 4: Counterterrorism and the Future (2014-Present)
 




WALL202609-12    Refounding Macon (Series 5)
Instructor(s):
  Rev. Sarah Pugh-Montgomery
  Course Days:
 
Thursdays: November 5, 12
  Course Time:
    1:30-2:30
  Description:
  
  These classes will view and discuss the finale in the Refounding Macon film series that was previously presented. This series was just completed by Mercer University that shares the history of slavery, reconstruction, segregation and integration of Macon. As we learn more about our past, we’re invited to wonder what we can change about our trajectory for the future in how we shape the beloved community of Macon.
 




WALL202609-13    Verdi's MacBeth
Instructor(s):
  Mary Keating, Ed.D.
  Course Days:
 
Fridays: September 25, Oct. 2, 9, 16
  Course Time:
    1:30-3:00
  Description:
  
  MacBeth is an opera by Giuseppe Verdi, based on William Shakespeare’s tragedy. It follows the ambitious Scottish general Macbeth, who—spurred by a prophecy from witches and urged on by his wife—murders King Duncan to seize the throne. Verdi’s opera is known for its dark, dramatic music, especially the eerie witches’ choruses and Lady Macbeth’s intense vocal scenes, which emphasize psychological tension and moral collapse.