Course Schedule – Spring 2024 / History and Philosophy


The courses listed below, in the general area of history and philosophy, are currently offered at Quest.

Click on any title to view the related course page.


CONSTRUCTION: BEYOND BRICKS AND MORTAR

Coordinators: Andrea Irvine, Marion Schultheis, David Bartash

Birds do it. Bees do it. Even educated Questers do it. What is it? It’s construction.

EXPLORATIONS IN PHILOSOPHY AND LITERATURE

Coordinators: Larry Shapiro, Steve Allen

For each session, we will read an essay, classic short story, or excerpt from a play.

FASCINATING NONFICTION

Coordinators: Harriet Finkelstein, Bob Reiss, Ruth Ward

At each session the presenter will tell you about a book you always wanted to read or about a book you never heard of but will be glad that you now have.

HARLEM RENAISSANCE

Coordinators: Richard Byrd, Stuart Parker

The Harlem Renaissance was a period of great change in America, and in the African-American community in particular.

NEW & CLASSIC ESSAYS

Coordinators: Steve Allen, Martha Drezin, Ellie Schaffer, Larry Shapiro

Each week the course coordinators will pick an essay designed to provoke new perspectives, to ask us to question assumptions, and to encourage thoughtful discussion.

NYC AND ITS ENVIRONS: PEOPLE, PLACES, THINGS

Coordinators: Paul Golomb, Bob Reiss

New York City is a tapestry. It is a 400-year development entailing subsequent waves of immigration and architectural styles.

WOMEN SPIES

Coordinators: Penelope Pi-Sunyer, Judy Hampson, Donna Ramer, Tamara Weinberg

The stories of hundreds of courageous women spies have been long hidden from reports of battles and war. Before and during World War II, both Allied and Axis powers trained and sent women to the war fronts in occupied territories, to conduct espionage, sabotage and reconnaissance.