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Description

Most lectures are presented on Fridays at 10 a.m.-noon or 1-3 p.m. In the summertime, lectures are presented on Wednesdays only, at the same times.

For additional information on each lecture, please click on the ‘+’ sign.

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Section(s) offered

Section Title
MCLL Lectures
Language of Delivery
English
Type
In-class Lecture
Days
F
Time
10:00AM to 12:00PM
Dates
May 22, 2026
Schedule and Location
Contact Hours
2.0
Location
  • Downtown, Montreal
Course Fee(s)
Fee non-credit $10.00
Drop Request Deadline
May 24, 2026
Transfer Request Deadline
May 19, 2026
Withdrawal Request Deadline
No withdrawal request allowed after enrollment

Section Notes

Presenter: Robert Paris   

The lecturer will present new knowledge of the brain focused on research that concludes that the majority of us are unaware of our authentic personal stories. The lecturer will demonstrate the power of storytelling by telling his own genuine narrative and guide the group to become comfortable telling their own genuine stories. The lecturer will then relate the power of personal storytelling to self-leadership and fulfilment. 

 

 

 

Section Title
MCLL Lectures
Language of Delivery
English
Type
Lecture
Days
F
Time
10:00AM to 12:00PM
Dates
May 22, 2026
Schedule and Location
Contact Hours
2.0
Course Fee(s)
Fee non-credit $10.00
Drop Request Deadline
May 24, 2026
Transfer Request Deadline
May 19, 2026
Withdrawal Request Deadline
No withdrawal request allowed after enrollment

Section Notes

Presenter: Sharon Harris   

Step into the world of Giovanni Puccini’s La Bohème and the turbulent life behind its music. This lecture delves into the passion, heartbreak, and creative genius of Puccini, revealing how his loves, losses, and recurring personal struggles shaped his greatest works. Explore the inspiration behind his unforgettable melodies, the Parisian world of the opera, and discover why La Bohème remains one of the most moving and enduring achievements in the operatic repertoire.

 

 

 

Section Title
MCLL Lectures
Language of Delivery
English
Type
Lecture
Days
F
Time
1:00PM to 3:00PM
Dates
May 22, 2026
Schedule and Location
Contact Hours
2.0
Course Fee(s)
Fee non-credit $10.00
Drop Request Deadline
May 24, 2026
Transfer Request Deadline
May 19, 2026
Withdrawal Request Deadline
No withdrawal request allowed after enrollment

Section Notes

Presenter: Raymond Stern   

The breathtaking cave art from prehistoric times evokes awe. How did this major transition into becoming “human” come about? What do these symbols and animal images reveal about the ancestral mind? How was this large-scale, universal art produced? What are the theories to explain the development of this phenomenon? The integration of art and rock combined with anthropological and neurological content was unique and gives insights into the human need to make art.  This presentation will be image-driven. 

 

 

 

Section Title
MCLL Lectures
Language of Delivery
English
Type
In-class Lecture
Days
F
Time
1:00PM to 3:00PM
Dates
May 22, 2026
Schedule and Location
Contact Hours
2.0
Location
  • Downtown, Montreal
Course Fee(s)
Fee non-credit $10.00
Drop Request Deadline
May 24, 2026
Transfer Request Deadline
May 19, 2026
Withdrawal Request Deadline
No withdrawal request allowed after enrollment

Section Notes

Presenters: Dale Bonnycastle and Debra Fisher 

Hearing loss is common in people over 65, but it often develops slowly and can be hard to recognize. This talk will explain what hearing loss is, how it affects everyday life and communication, and why it is often misunderstood. We will also share practical information about available services, hearing devices, and simple strategies that can make communication easier. 

 

 

 

Section Title
MCLL Lectures
Language of Delivery
English
Type
In-class Lecture
Days
F
Time
10:00AM to 12:00PM
Dates
May 29, 2026
Schedule and Location
Contact Hours
2.0
Location
  • Downtown, Montreal
Course Fee(s)
Fee non-credit $10.00
Drop Request Deadline
May 31, 2026
Transfer Request Deadline
May 26, 2026
Withdrawal Request Deadline
No withdrawal request allowed after enrollment

Section Notes

Presenters: Eduardo Cabrera  

Among evolution's most effective tools, "repurposing" (known as “exaptation”) is perhaps one of the most fascinating and counterintuitive. It challenges our natural perception of things, which might lead us to believe that, since every part of our body seems so efficient, nature originally designed it that way. But we would be wrong. Let's examine the origin of the lungs and other essential parts of our anatomy to discover how nature excels at the art of repurposing. 

 

 

 

Section Title
MCLL Lectures
Language of Delivery
English
Type
Lecture
Days
F
Time
10:00AM to 12:00PM
Dates
May 29, 2026
Schedule and Location
Contact Hours
2.0
Course Fee(s)
Fee non-credit $10.00
Drop Request Deadline
May 31, 2026
Transfer Request Deadline
May 26, 2026
Withdrawal Request Deadline
No withdrawal request allowed after enrollment

Section Notes

Presenters: Romano DeSantis and Giovanna DeSantis  

Drawing on the experience gained from moderating several study groups concerning AI (artificial intelligence) — Introduction to Digital Art, From Creative Writing to Visual Art and Back, How Can AI Chatbots Help Lifelong Learners?, and Creative and Mundane Writing with AI Chatbots — this lecture will present concrete examples of how AI tools can support and enrich the learning experience of retired adults. 

 

 

 

Section Title
MCLL Lectures
Language of Delivery
English
Type
Lecture
Days
F
Time
1:00PM to 3:00PM
Dates
May 29, 2026
Schedule and Location
Contact Hours
2.0
Course Fee(s)
Fee non-credit $10.00
Drop Request Deadline
May 31, 2026
Transfer Request Deadline
May 26, 2026
Withdrawal Request Deadline
No withdrawal request allowed after enrollment

Section Notes

Presenters: John Felvinci  

This lecture follows the unusual lives of the Eastern Roman Emperor Justinian (482-565) and his wife Theodora (490/500-548). Their rise from poverty to great power is exceptional. We will describe Justinian’s achievement in reconstituting the Roman Empire, his building program, his legal code and the plague which occurred during his reign. Some of the sources used include the controversial three books by Procopius, their contemporary.  

 

 

 

Section Title
MCLL Lectures
Language of Delivery
English
Type
Lecture
Days
F
Time
10:00AM to 12:00PM
Dates
Jun 05, 2026
Schedule and Location
Contact Hours
2.0
Course Fee(s)
Fee non-credit $10.00
Drop Request Deadline
Jun 07, 2026
Transfer Request Deadline
Jun 02, 2026
Withdrawal Request Deadline
No withdrawal request allowed after enrollment

Section Notes

Presenters: Michael Moore

1995: In my initial involvement, I used artificial intelligence (AI) in simulations and in 3D spatial “walkthroughs”. Fast forward to 2025: I probed and practised the constructive use of AI in writing research; at the same time, as an educator, I was concerned about AI confusion. This lecture will provide a comparative review of state-of-the-art of current AI delivery vehicles and provide an update of what might come next. I will present visual examples of a variety of AI applications and challenges. 

 

Section Title
MCLL Lectures
Language of Delivery
English
Type
Lecture
Days
F
Time
1:00PM to 3:00PM
Dates
Jun 05, 2026
Schedule and Location
Contact Hours
2.0
Course Fee(s)
Fee non-credit $10.00
Drop Request Deadline
Jun 07, 2026
Transfer Request Deadline
Jun 02, 2026
Withdrawal Request Deadline
No withdrawal request allowed after enrollment

Section Notes

Presenters: Alana Gowdy

Created after the 1066 Battle of Hastings, the Bayeux Tapestry has survived nearly a thousand years, enduring war, political upheaval, and the many hazards of history. This remarkable artifact remains one of our greatest cultural treasures. In 2026, it will once again draw international attention when France lends it to the British Museum — its first return to England since the 11th century. Join us to explore the tapestry’s extraordinary survival and the long, improbable journey that brought it to the present day.  

 

Section Title
MCLL Lectures
Language of Delivery
English
Type
Lecture
Days
F
Time
1:00PM to 3:00PM
Dates
Jun 05, 2026
Schedule and Location
Contact Hours
2.0
Course Fee(s)
Fee non-credit $10.00
Drop Request Deadline
Jun 07, 2026
Transfer Request Deadline
Jun 02, 2026
Withdrawal Request Deadline
No withdrawal request allowed after enrollment

Section Notes

Presenters: Jean-Denis Gingras and Philip Ehrensaft 

The Genesis Paradox consists of balancing the immense promise of the biotech revolution with existential risks. Biotech simultaneously creates something wonderful but also inherent contradictions and dangers. Plus, biotech is inherently dual use: civilian benefits, and high impact military applications. 

 

 

Section Title
MCLL Lectures
Language of Delivery
English
Type
In-class Lecture
Days
F
Time
10:00AM to 12:00PM
Dates
Jun 12, 2026
Schedule and Location
Contact Hours
2.0
Course Fee(s)
Fee non-credit $10.00
Drop Request Deadline
Jun 14, 2026
Transfer Request Deadline
Jun 09, 2026
Withdrawal Request Deadline
No withdrawal request allowed after enrollment

Section Notes

Presenters: Robert N. Wilkins

From the burning of the Canadian Parliament Buildings in Youville Square, to the ominous threat of annexation to the USA, to the violent municipal election madness of 1851, to the Great Fire of July 1852 that lamentably destroyed nearly a quarter of the town, to the bloody Gavazzi Riot of 1853, this five-year period dramatically pushed Montreal to the breaking point. Not to be missed!! 

 

 

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