our fall 2018 program
Tuesday courses Moderated by Pat Simke
NOTE: ABOUT TUESDAY COURSE PEER PANELS & SOURCE BOOKS
- To keep our discussions lively & thought-provoking we will have a 'Peer Panel' in this course. Four volunteer class participants will have the opportunity to select an issue from the prepared class handout on which they will have a month to prepare their comment for a class.
- Everyone will still receive a digital copy of the class handout a few days ahead of class & a 'hard copy' of the handout in class.
- A recommended book will be a significant source of the class content, but not the only source!
Trade as War: Rebalancing Global Politics & Economics
October 2 & 9 (2 Weeks), from 2-4 PM
At OISE, 252 Bloor Street West, Room TBA
Trade is a tool to achieve political ends. And recent statements about trade are steeped in the rhetoric of war. We are seeing an economic battle between the globalists who see trade as a “win-win” for everyone, & the anti-globalists, such as Trump, who see global trade as having created winners & losers, with massive trade deficits & surpluses. Who is right? Let's discuss...
October 2 & 9 (2 Weeks), from 2-4 PM
At OISE, 252 Bloor Street West, Room TBA
Trade is a tool to achieve political ends. And recent statements about trade are steeped in the rhetoric of war. We are seeing an economic battle between the globalists who see trade as a “win-win” for everyone, & the anti-globalists, such as Trump, who see global trade as having created winners & losers, with massive trade deficits & surpluses. Who is right? Let's discuss...
The Myth of Free Trade
October 23 & 30 (2 weeks), from 2-4 PM
At OISE, 252 Bloor Street West, Room TBA
Today's economic superpowers-from the U.S. to Britain to Korea all attained prosperity by shameless protectionism & government intervention in industry. But they have conveniently forgotten this fact telling a fairy tale about the magic of free trade. And via proxies, such as the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, & World Trade Organization, they are ramming policies that suit the superpowers of today, down the throat of all other nations. Examining what has actually happened, history demolishes one pillar after another of free-market mythology. Does justice & common sense, demand that we re-evaluate the policies we accept as we pursue Peace, Order & Good Government. Let's discuss....
October 23 & 30 (2 weeks), from 2-4 PM
At OISE, 252 Bloor Street West, Room TBA
Today's economic superpowers-from the U.S. to Britain to Korea all attained prosperity by shameless protectionism & government intervention in industry. But they have conveniently forgotten this fact telling a fairy tale about the magic of free trade. And via proxies, such as the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, & World Trade Organization, they are ramming policies that suit the superpowers of today, down the throat of all other nations. Examining what has actually happened, history demolishes one pillar after another of free-market mythology. Does justice & common sense, demand that we re-evaluate the policies we accept as we pursue Peace, Order & Good Government. Let's discuss....
Us Vs Them: The Failures of Globalism
November 13 & 20 (2 weeks), 2-4 PM at OISE, 252 Bloor Street West, Room TBA
Course full. To go onto waiting list please e-mail us at learningexperiences@bell.net
When human beings feel threatened, we identify the danger & look for allies. We use an enemy, real or imagined, to rally friends to our side. This course is about the ways we define today's threats as fights for survival. It's about the walls our governments build to protect insiders from outsiders & the state from its people. The "globalizers" have failed to recognize these deep human instincts, with the result that globalism is being challenged by push back almost everywhere - the UK, the US, large swaths Europe, & Latin America. Can globalism recover by factoring in identity? Or is globalism a fundamentally flawed idea? Let's discuss....
November 13 & 20 (2 weeks), 2-4 PM at OISE, 252 Bloor Street West, Room TBA
Course full. To go onto waiting list please e-mail us at learningexperiences@bell.net
When human beings feel threatened, we identify the danger & look for allies. We use an enemy, real or imagined, to rally friends to our side. This course is about the ways we define today's threats as fights for survival. It's about the walls our governments build to protect insiders from outsiders & the state from its people. The "globalizers" have failed to recognize these deep human instincts, with the result that globalism is being challenged by push back almost everywhere - the UK, the US, large swaths Europe, & Latin America. Can globalism recover by factoring in identity? Or is globalism a fundamentally flawed idea? Let's discuss....
Thursday Courses moderated by John Simke
OK, enough of polite discussion. This term we’re going “mano a mano” in a series of debates on key issues. Each of the five issues we’ll debate will have radically different points of view on either side. I’ll tee up each debate with some facts and the perspectives on each side of the issue. I’ll then open it up to you for discussion. So bring your point of view whatever it is. No holds barred. If you love Trump, fine. If Doug Ford is your guy, bring it on! You believe in Naomi Klein, let’s hear it. You think Chrystia Freeland is wonderful? Sorry, that’s going too far.
Debate 1. Big Canada or Small Canada?
September 27 & October 4 (2 Weeks), from 2-4 PM
At OISE, 252 Bloor Street West, Room TBA
Course full. To go onto waiting list please e-mail us at learningexperiences@bell.net
We'll debate whether Canada should seek a much bigger population through significantly increased immigration, or whether we should keep Canada more or less at our existing population. Of course to be a big country we would also have to learn to stop apologizing. Can we do that?
September 27 & October 4 (2 Weeks), from 2-4 PM
At OISE, 252 Bloor Street West, Room TBA
Course full. To go onto waiting list please e-mail us at learningexperiences@bell.net
We'll debate whether Canada should seek a much bigger population through significantly increased immigration, or whether we should keep Canada more or less at our existing population. Of course to be a big country we would also have to learn to stop apologizing. Can we do that?
Debate 2. Does The World Still Need An All-Powerful United States?
October 11 & 18 (2 weeks), from 2-4 PM
At OISE, 252 Bloor Street West, Room TBA
Course full. To go onto waiting list please e-mail us at learningexperiences@bell.net
We'll debate whether the current challenge to U.S. power by China and others is good for the world in the long-term, or whether it signals a period of great risk and possibly disaster. Should those who want a more balanced global power structure be careful what they wish for? Or maybe the U.S. really does need a serious kick up the ar_e.
October 11 & 18 (2 weeks), from 2-4 PM
At OISE, 252 Bloor Street West, Room TBA
Course full. To go onto waiting list please e-mail us at learningexperiences@bell.net
We'll debate whether the current challenge to U.S. power by China and others is good for the world in the long-term, or whether it signals a period of great risk and possibly disaster. Should those who want a more balanced global power structure be careful what they wish for? Or maybe the U.S. really does need a serious kick up the ar_e.
Debate 3. Universal Basic Income -
Embrace It Or Fear It?
October 25 & November 1 (2 weeks), from 2-4 PM
At OISE, 252 Bloor Street West, Room TBA
Course full. To go onto waiting list please e-mail us at learningexperiences@bell.net
We'll debate whether a Universal Basic Income (free money) is the right solution to mass loss of jobs as a result of technology, or whether UBI will actually make peoples' lives worse. Money for nothing and your chicks for free. Sounds good to me... OK, just the money part. Is money for nothing the answer?
Embrace It Or Fear It?
October 25 & November 1 (2 weeks), from 2-4 PM
At OISE, 252 Bloor Street West, Room TBA
Course full. To go onto waiting list please e-mail us at learningexperiences@bell.net
We'll debate whether a Universal Basic Income (free money) is the right solution to mass loss of jobs as a result of technology, or whether UBI will actually make peoples' lives worse. Money for nothing and your chicks for free. Sounds good to me... OK, just the money part. Is money for nothing the answer?
Debate 4. Super-rich Philanthropy:
For The People Or The Plutocrats?
November 8 & 15 (2 weeks), from 2-4 PM
At OISE, 252 Bloor Street West, Room TBA
Course full. To go onto waiting list please e-mail us at learningexperiences@bell.net
We'll debate whether the likes of Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg and George Soros are using their money to solve problems or to push their ideologies on the world. OK, so you're a hyper-successful tech geek or financial speculator. Does that mean we have to accept your world view? Maybe we do, to get the money. What do you think?
For The People Or The Plutocrats?
November 8 & 15 (2 weeks), from 2-4 PM
At OISE, 252 Bloor Street West, Room TBA
Course full. To go onto waiting list please e-mail us at learningexperiences@bell.net
We'll debate whether the likes of Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg and George Soros are using their money to solve problems or to push their ideologies on the world. OK, so you're a hyper-successful tech geek or financial speculator. Does that mean we have to accept your world view? Maybe we do, to get the money. What do you think?
Debate 5. Nukes or No Nukes?
November 22 & 29 (2 weeks), from 2-4 PM
At OISE, 252 Bloor Street West, Room TBA
We'll debate whether the world needs more nuclear energy to help mitigate climate change, despite the safety risks, because renewables can't do the job quickly enough. Take your pick - die of heat or floods, or glow in the dark. It's increasingly looking like that's the choice. What's your's?
November 22 & 29 (2 weeks), from 2-4 PM
At OISE, 252 Bloor Street West, Room TBA
We'll debate whether the world needs more nuclear energy to help mitigate climate change, despite the safety risks, because renewables can't do the job quickly enough. Take your pick - die of heat or floods, or glow in the dark. It's increasingly looking like that's the choice. What's your's?
Pop Up Course - Brexit: The End Game
Course full. To go onto waiting list please e-mail us at learningexperiences@bell.net
Brexit is reaching its end game. The UK and EU are in heated and often acrimonious negotiations about Britain’s future relationship with the EU. It's going to come to a head within the next 60 days. In this course we’ll look at the issues, the stakes involved, the negotiating positions and the players. You’ll come away able to follow this story as it reaches its denouement.
Moderated by John Simke
October 2 and 9 from 2-4 PM
Northrop Frye Building Room 006, Victoria University, University of Toronto, 73 Queen's Park Cres East
Pop Up Courses
We will periodically offer "pop-up courses" at short notice on hot current issues.
So watch your e-mail!
ARCHIVED COURSES:
"Click here to see courses we have archived
Course full. To go onto waiting list please e-mail us at learningexperiences@bell.net
Brexit is reaching its end game. The UK and EU are in heated and often acrimonious negotiations about Britain’s future relationship with the EU. It's going to come to a head within the next 60 days. In this course we’ll look at the issues, the stakes involved, the negotiating positions and the players. You’ll come away able to follow this story as it reaches its denouement.
Moderated by John Simke
October 2 and 9 from 2-4 PM
Northrop Frye Building Room 006, Victoria University, University of Toronto, 73 Queen's Park Cres East
Pop Up Courses
We will periodically offer "pop-up courses" at short notice on hot current issues.
So watch your e-mail!
ARCHIVED COURSES:
"Click here to see courses we have archived