University College at Fairfield University offers weeklong Summer Institute for Retired Professionals | Press Releases

University College at Fairfield University invites retired professionals to enjoy a thought-provoking week on the philosophy of old age, the ethics of modern biological research, and the global and national implications of U.S. foreign policy.

The "Summer Institute for Retired Professionals," which is open to anyone age 55 or older, will run from Monday, June 7, through Friday, June 11, on the campus at Fairfield University. The weeklong institute, which costs $165, will comprise three lectures each day for five days. Attendees will wrap up the week at a festive dinner on Thursday, June 10, at 5:30.

Kick off each day with a class on the "Philosophy of Old Age from the Pre-Socratics to the Renaissance," from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. King Dykeman, Ph.D., associate professor of philosophy, will share what some of the world's greatest philosophers and thinkers, such as Cicero, Seneca, and Plato, had to say about the relationship between virtue and old age.

"Cicero felt that virtue changes with age," Dr. Dykeman said. "Plato thought that wisdom is the key."

The religious, theological, and ethical questions raised by advances in modern biological research and the influences of these deeply controversial issues on scientific breakthroughs will be explored in "God and Modern Biology." Glenn Sauer, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology, will teach this course, which will run from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Politics professor Edward Dew, Ph.D., will wrap up each day with a look at U.S. foreign policy, and how it is shaped by America's role in the world. "U.S. Foreign Policy from the Cold War to the Present Day," will run from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. and will consider how history and political culture play a key role in understanding how Americans see their role in the world and how others interpret that role.

Coffee, tea and dessert will be served during luncheon breaks throughout the week. Members are encouraged to bring a brown bag lunch each day, or they can purchase lunch at the trendy Jazzman's Café in the Barone Campus Center. Members can also bring guests to the June 10 dinner at an added cost of $25 each. Registration is ongoing. To register, contact Elizabeth Hastings at (203) 254-4000, ext. 2688.