Stanford Report, August 20, 2008

Continuing Studies fall registration open

Stanford Continuing Studies celebrates its 20th anniversary this autumn with more than 100 courses, lectures, workshops and special programs. The courses—ranging from literature, politics and science to business, professional and personal development—are open to all members of the community. Most of the courses are taught by Stanford professors and instructors.

In recognition of its anniversary, Continuing Studies will offer a special team-taught course each quarter during the 2008-09 academic year, with subsidized tuition as a gift to Continuing Studies students. A Stanford senior faculty member will direct the courses, collaborating with colleagues from Stanford or elsewhere. These courses will offer a chance to learn from some of the world's finest scholars as they work together to explore compelling cultural, scientific and philosophical issues.

The first such course, Darwin's Legacy, anticipates two major events in the life of Charles Darwin: the 200th anniversary of his birth in 1809 and the 150th anniversary of the publication of On the Origin of Species in 1859. Bill Durham, the Bing Professor of Human Biology and an international expert on ecological and evolutionary anthropology, will direct Darwin's Legacy. Students will meet weekly with Darwin scholars from around the country during the 10-week course.

Several new liberal arts and science courses also will debut this season, including Journeys of the Soul in Classical Persian Poetry, Europe in the Age of the Cathedrals, Energy Cooperation in the Western Hemisphere, China Today in Light of Its Past, The Geography of U.S. Elections, Tolstoy's War and Peace, Revolution: The Music of The Beatles, Health Psychology, The World of Autism and Asperger's Disorder and Einstein's General Theory of Relativity.

Continuing Studies also will offer eight online creative writing courses. Designed in close partnership with the Stanford Creative Writing Program, these courses are practical tools for students looking to improve their craft. The online courses are increasingly popular and have filled up quickly in previous quarters. Early registration is encouraged.

In October, Continuing Studies will launch "Stanford Pioneers in Science," a series that honors the lives and accomplishments of Stanford's most celebrated scientists—faculty who have been awarded Nobel Prizes, National Medals of Science or Technology and MacArthur Fellowships. The series will first honor Sidney Drell and Robert Sapolsky, both MacArthur winners. The science series, free and open to the public, will continue throughout the year.

Other highlighted public events include a Saturday seminar at the Cantor Arts Center called "Understanding Buddhist Art," which includes a lecture, discussion and gallery tour. "The Other Bagpipes: Exotic and Lesser-Known Piping Traditions of the World" introduces listeners to the bagpipes of many cultures, along with a bit of bagpipe folklore.

Registration is now open. Courses start the week of Sept. 22 and meet on campus from 7 to 8:50 p.m. Monday through Thursday. University employees who work half time or more may use their Staff Training Assistance Program (STAP) funds to pay tuition and registration fees.

For more information and course registration, visit the web at http://continuingstudies.stanford.edu.