Fairleigh Institute for Lifelong Learning at Metro

**Tue01. IN PERSON. "The Writings of Abraham Lincoln." Kyle Kattelman, Ph.D. March 3, 10, 24, 31, April 7 (5 sessions): 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm. Email: ktk94@fdu.edu 

Description: This course will explore some of Abraham Lincoln's most famous speeches and letters by framing them within the context of the time in which he lived. The course will be a mixture of public speaking, history, and storytelling, and will cover such famous speeches as the Gettysburg Address and Second Inaugural, but it will also cover lesser-known important letters and private correspondence. The result is to draw us into a deeper understanding of the philosophical foundations of the United States and what it means to be an American citizen.

**Wed01. IN PERSON. "Stories from a Second-Generation Holocaust Survivor." Gerald Zaks. February 11, 18, (2 sessions): 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm. Email: gmzaks@gmail.com

Description: Jerry is a second-generation Holocaust survivor who has dedicated himself to preserving the memory of the Holocaust. After retiring from a successful career in IT, he began researching and documenting his parents' experiences during WWII. Their story begins in 1937, when his parents were 17 and 18 years old and traces their lives from before WWII, how they were selected for and then survived multiple concentration camps and death marches, how they were liberated and how they rebuilt their lives in America. His presentation includes historical records, actual NAZI documentation, and audio clips from an interview he conducted with his parents in 1980. His presentation offers a deeply personal story about the human experience of the Holocaust. 

**Wed02. IN PERSON. "Forensic Investigation of Murders." Roger Forstoff. February 4, 11, 18, 25, March 4, 11, 25, April 1. 11:00 am - 1:00 pm. Email: rogerf@fdu.edu 

Description: 
This course offers a rigorous, application-based study of Forensic Science and criminal investigation theory as directly applied to complex murder cases. Participants will explore the systematic process of death investigation, from securing the crime scene to presenting evidence in court. The curriculum integrates multiple forensic disciplines—from biology and trace evidence to psychology and pathology—to provide a holistic understanding of how evidence is identified, collected, analyzed, and used to solve homicides. Actual cases will be discussed throughout the course.
 
⚠️ Content Awareness/Warning
Please be advised that this course deals with the graphic realities of death, trauma, and violent crime. Discussions will include detailed analysis of homicide crime scenes, autopsy protocols, injury patterns, and forensic evidence. The instructor will draw on extensive experience as a Senior Homicide Crime Scene Investigator, meaning the course will involve discussions of intense, sensitive real-life case details and imagery. Participant discretion is advised.

**Fri01. IN PERSON. “Shakespeare: A Primer.” Jeffrey Hermann. February 6, 13, 27, March 6, 13, 24, and 27 (7 sessions): 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm. Email: jwh@njlawfirm.com

Description: This class will involve an exciting examination of four of Shakespeare's greatest plays. With an emphasis on exploring themes, we will take an in-depth look at some of the questions posed by A Midsummer Night's Dream, The Merchant of Venice, Hamlet, and Julius Ceasar. No matter what you familiarity you may have with Shakespeare, this course will help you better appreciate the plays and may even change the way you view the world.

**Fri02. IN PERSON. “Bat Biology 101: Evolution, Ecology, and Extraordinary Adaptions.” Melissa de Waal, Ph.D. January 30, February 27, March 27 (3 sessions): 12:00 - 2:00 pm. Email: m.dewaal@fdu.edu

Description:  This course will delve into the overlooked and unloved creatures we rarely think about outside of Halloween -- bats! In this three-part series, we will cover how bats evolved, the ecological roles they play across the globe, and their extraordinary adaptions that make them unique among mammals. Grounded in cutting-edge science but accessible for the casual learner, this course requires no background or expertise in mammalogy or biological sciences.