COURSES – FALL 2026 / Old Courses
The courses listed below in alphabetical order were offered in previous semesters.
Click on any title to view the related course page.
EMOTIONAL DICHOTOMIES WITHIN
Coordinators: Elaine Martin, Donna Ramer
In this course, we’ll break down the dualities that live within each of us and better understand how we effectively harness and live with conflicting feelings, emotions, and values, which is a lifelong balancing act.
ERAS IN AMERICAN HISTORY
Coordinators: Joy Sabella, Bob Gottfried
This course will explore the eras in American history that are distinct periods characterized by unique social, political, economic, and cultural developments.
FABULOUS FIFTIES
Coordinators: Michael Wellner, Ellen Gottfried, Bob Gottfried
It’s safe to say that every single one of us at Quest remembers the Fifties pretty clearly. If there is any single word that describes that decade it’s transformative.
FASCINATING ISLANDS
Coordinators: Stephen Baker, Pete Weis
In this course we will explore some fascinating islands. These are widely scattered throughout the world in oceans, seas, lakes, and rivers as well as scattered in time with references from antiquity to the future.
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.
FEDERALIST PAPERS: AMERICAN CONSTITUTIONALISM
Coordinators: Sandy Kessler, Andrea Irvine
James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay wrote The Federalist Papers in 1787-88 as part of the successful effort to ratify the US Constitution.
FLAWED GREATNESS OF THOMAS JEFFERSON
Coordinators: Sandy Kessler, Andrea Irvine
How should we regard Thomas Jefferson today? Should we consider him a great American founder, or someone who, in the words of one scholar, should be “knocked off his pedestal?”
FOLK MUSIC AND MELLOW ROCK
Coordinators: Bob Gottfried, Michael Wellner
Each class will be devoted to one or two Folk/Rock artists or groups. We will learn about the artists and listen to and sing along with them.
FOOD: BEYOND JUST CALORIES
Coordinators: Andrea Irvine, David Bartash, Marion Schultheis
We all eat it. But how we grow it, process it, cook it, or consume it raw are significant definers of who we are as a society.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Coordinators: Bob Gottfried, Sandy Frank, Glenn Johnston
Each Foreign Affairs class will explore issues of global importance, inter-national relations, or our national interests abroad.