| Published April 15th, 2009 | SMC's Weekend College is Reaching Out | By Andrea Firth | | | Saint Mary's College is reaching out to the community with several new course offerings through the Weekend College. In addition to the Great Books Seminar, which has been open to the community for many years, SMC's Weekend College has shifted its focus toward non-credit courses that will appeal to many Lamorinda residents. "It's a great way for the College to get to know its neighbors better," says Grete Stenersen, the Director of the program. Although called the Weekend College, courses are often offered on weeknights and are taught by SMC faculty or graduates of the Masters in Fine Arts Program.
SMC recently launched a memoir writing class, Telling Our Stories, through the Weekend College. Every other Tuesday for twelve weeks, participants will be encouraged to flex their writing muscles and tell the tales of the roads they have traveled. Saint Mary's MFA graduate Erich Miller will support the budding memoirists as they share their stories and work to preserve their memories. "Erich is very excited to guide other writers, and he has exercises planned that will invite participants to find their own voices," says Sternersen.
In the summer, the Weekend College will expand to include five, six-week long courses. The memoir class will be offered again along with a continuation course, Telling Our Stories, part 2. A Great Books course taught seminar style will feature both classical and modern readings to provide participants exposure to the range of books covered in the undergraduate program. Courses in sustainable gardening and Italian history and culture will also be offered.
Your path to a great story, a great garden, or a great book may be right here in Lamorinda. For more information regarding the Weekend College, contact Grete Stenersen at (925) 631-4162 or gsteners@stmarys-ca.edu.
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