Academy of Learning in Retirement

What's New

Torture and Intelligence in the U.S. War on Terrorism

Presented by Dr. Gary Kern, Author and Critic

The question of torture as it applies to both the Bush and Obama administrations. Is torture legal? Does it produce "actionable intelligence?" What are the consequences of its use? Topics include: Methods used in the war on terror (special operations, hit lists, the kill/capture option); the assassination of Osama bin Laden; effective and ineffective interrogation techniques; the debate for and against torture in the context of "the struggle for the soul of America".

I. The Twentieth Hijacker

II. The Cheney Offensive

III. Kill or Capture, Torture or Deceive

IV. The Good Interrogation

Tuesdays and Thursdays, May 1, 3, 8, 10, 2012

Narco Violence in Mexico: Drug Wars or Human Rights Disaster?

Presented by Molly Molloy, Research Librarian, NMSU; Editor,Translator and
Charles Bowden, Award Winning Author

I. The history and background of the Mexican drug trade and violence.

II. Hyper-violence in Ciudad, Juarez (and elsewhere in Mexico) 2008--present: Statistics, demographics of victims, impunity.

III. The myth and reality of spillover violence from Mexico into the border region of the US.

IV. The real spillover: Refugees, asylum seekers, businesses, and more. The human costs of US drug, immigration, trade, economic, and homeland security policies.

Tuesdays and Wednesdays, April 10, 12, 17, 19, 2012

Economic Policies and a Tour of the Heavens

Presented by Dr. Jim Peach, Regents Professor of Economics, NMSU
Dr. Don Neidig, Emeritus Astronomer, National Solar Observatory

Mondays and Wednesdays, per dates below

Mar 5. The continuing recession and its effects on the NM economy, particulary the poor, and how poverty is primarily a policy decision rather than a lack of resources or technology.

Mar 7. A brief history of U.S. energy policy, why a national energy policy is needed, and why such a plan is an unlikely outcome of current policy debates.

Mar 12. Building a map of the heavens, and using it to "take a tour" of the stars, constellations, and the best known sky wonders and their physical interpretations.

Mar 14. The problem of measuring the brightness of the Sun and its evolution in time, and how the Sun's output affects life and climate in past, present, and future.

Mondays and Wednesdays, March 5, 7, 12, 14, 2012

Jazz Basics: With Great Recordings and Videos

Presented by Dr. James E. Shearer, Regents Professor of Music, NMSU

The basic components that make jazz a unique art form that has endured for over 100 years will be presented by listening to the music; viewing historic video material of jazz greats and their life stories; looking closely at today's most successful young artists; and paying homage to the artist who pioneered the style of music that many are now calling "America's Classical Music".

I - Historic overview and jazz timeline.

II - The Rhythm Section: From Jelly Roll Morton, through Count Basie, Oscar Perterson, and Bill Evans, up to today.

III - The Horn Players: Buddy Bolden, Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman, Charlie Parker, Clifford Brown, Ornette Coleman, and today's jazz stars.

IV - The Singers: Early blues singers, Sinatra, Ella, and Louis Armstrong, and brilliant young singers including Jamie Cullum, Norah Jones, and Michael Buble.

Mondays and Wednesdays, Feb 20, 22, 27, 29, 2012