| Hundreds of lectures. Knowledgeable instructors. Join us in-person at one of over 20 locations or participate online.  Winter / Spring January – May 2025 PROGRAM REGISTRATION IS NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE OR VIA PHONE Keep your mind active and engaged! Register for a lecture or special event with FGCU Academy! NEW! – FGCU Academy has added two more ChatGPT: Personal Guide to AI lectures for you! ChatGPT is a powerful tool designed to make your interactions with technology smoother and more enjoyable. Think of it as a friendly assistant that you can chat with about almost anything, from answering questions to helping with daily tasks. History of American Musical Theatre: Late 19th – 21st Century – The History of Musical Theater is such a rich and fascinating topic, spanning from the grand operettas of the late 19th century to the diverse and groundbreaking productions of today. There’s just so much to explore! What Does It Really Mean When the Bible and Constitution Say…? – The Bible and the Constitution are two foundational texts that have shaped societies in profound ways. Un- derstanding what they truly mean requires delving into their historical contexts, interpreta- tions, and the perspectives of scholars and legal experts. Arthritis: Why Me? – Arthritis can feel like an unwelcome guest, but understanding its caus- es and risk factors can help make sense of why it might affect you. The Creation of Germany – The creation of Germany as a unified nation-state was a complex process that took place in the 19th century, culminating in the formation of the German Empire in 1871. This period is often referred to as the unification of Germany. In addition to our featured classes, we have a plethora of lectures and fun classes for you. Scroll below to view what interests you and register today. VIEW WINTER/SPRING PROGRAM GUIDE HERE REGISTER FOR COURSES HERE Call our office for assistance with your registrations at 239.434.4737.  View 2025 Winter / Spring Program Guide View Here Feel free to print catalog at home, or just print the specific pages that interest you. View our Chronological Calendar by date beginning on page 8. Just look for your available dates and see everything being offered that day. View our LATE EDITIONS page at back of catalog on page 67. Lectures at Moorings Park Grand Lake – 7410 Little Lane, Naples  Watch for lectures being held at our New Location Moran Wealth Management Education Center 5801 Pelican Bay Blvd, Suite 110, Naples Due to Popular Demand – We have added 2 NEW CHATGPT Lectures for you  ChatGPT: Personal Guide to AI February 26 | 9:30 – 11:30am | Wednesday Naples Center / Online via Zoom April 2 | 9:30 – 11:30am | Wednesday Naples Center / Online via Zoom Unlock the potential of conversational AI with this engaging 120-minute class designed specifically for senior citizens. This session introduces ChatGPT, an advanced AI tool, and demonstrates how it can simplify daily tasks, spark creativity, and provide endless learning opportunities. Whether it is drafting emails, answering questions, brainstorming ideas, or exploring new hobbies, this hands-on class will guide you through practical ap- plications of ChatGPT. Tailored for beginners, this session ensures a comfortable and en- joyable learning experience, empowering you to embrace AI technology confidently. Join us and discover how ChatGPT can become your everyday assistant! FEATURED CLASSES  iPhone/iPad Apps: Master Texting with Messages February 12 | 10 – 11:30am | Wednesday Naples Center / Online via Zoom With the Messages app, stay connected to the conversations that matter the most. Send texts, photos, videos, voice texts and more. Personalize your messages with animated effects, pin your important conversations, send inline replies and more. Learn Messages’ most important settings and latest features so you can communicate more effectively.  History of American Musical Theatre: Late 19th – 21st Century February 17 | 1:30 – 3pm | Monday Naples Center / Online via Zoom This lecture offers an overview of the history of the American Musical Theatre, with its roots in European operetta and Early American Vaudeville. Historical periods from the late 19th century (French and Viennese operetta, American Vaudeville and early American Operetta), followed by the early the 20th century (the 1920s and 30s, including “Showboat”, the first truly American musical) and Broadway’s “Golden Age” (“Kiss me Kate”, “Oklahoma”, “My Fair Lady”, etc.) will be covered. Works of the last half of the 20th century (including major works such as “West Side Story” and “A Little Night Music”) will be presented, along with musical examples. Composers include Victor Herbert, Jerome Kern, George Gershwin, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Cole Porter, Lerner and Loewe, Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim, among others.  What Does It Really Mean When the Bible and Constitution Say…? February 18 | 1:30 – 3pm | Tuesday Naples Center / Online via Zoom What do the Bill of Rights and the Bible really say? Words and their usage change over time. By employing an interpretive process, we use the U.S. Bill of Rights and the Bible to ascer- tain the meaning the original authors intended as well as how the original audience would have understood those messages.  Arthritis: Why Me? February 19 | 10 – 11:30am | Wednesday Naples Center / Online via Zoom Arthritis affects every one of us, and possibly every animal, to some degree. There are more than 100 types of arthritis, but just three of them affect over 20% of the population. Some of them are crippling, but they do not have to be. This lecture explores the various types of arthritis, their eti- ology, and various forms of treatment available.  The Creation of Germany February 19 | 1 – 2:30pm | Wednesday The Collaboratory – (Fort Myers) Perhaps because of its dominant role in two world wars, it is easy to think of Germany as an old nation with a long history. But Germany is a young state, less than 150 years old. The original territory was divided into myriad small holdings ruled by independent noble families and sur- rounded by the powerful states of Austria and France. The path to unification would be blocked by all of these. Despite earlier attempts, it took the rise of Otto von Bismarck, with his cunning, wisdom and political acuity, to overcome all these obstacles and establish the German Empire. February 12 – 19 Click on any class below to see more information and to register Wednesday February 12 – Arthritis: Why Me? – Operation Werwolf – World War II Nazi Insurgency Thursday February 13 – iPhone-ography – Against All Odds: The Ordeal of Ernest Shackleton and The Crew of the Endurance – The Chicago 8 Conspiracy Trial – Current Events Discussion Group (Monthly 2-part series) – Pierre-Auguste Renoir: Impressionist Painter of Beauty – iPhone/iPad Apps: Master Safari Web Browsing & Calendar Scheduling Monday February 17 – Advanced Mah Jongg Strategies (3-part series) – Introduction to Microsoft Windows 11 – Paris 1874: Examining the Dawn of Impressionism on its’ 150th Anniversary – Nuclear Power – The Essential Component in a Strategy to Mitigate Climate Change – The A to Zzz’s of Sleep Health Tuesday February 18 – Florida’s Book Bans, Teaching Restrictions and Other Limits to Freedom Wednesday February 19 – Making/Taking Better Photos – iPhone/iPad Apps: Master Organization with Notes – America’s Great Book Giveaway: The Armed Services Editions – The Second Trump Administration in a Turbulent World – Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About the Major Motion Picture Industry – Fake News: What it Is, What it Isn’t and What We Can Do About It – Julius Caesar: The Conquest of Gaul – Queen Victoria: The Grandmother of Europe Looking Ahead  Bridge for Advanced Beginners/Intermediates February 20, 27, March 6, 13, 20, 27 | 10 – 12pm | Thursdays Naples Center Students should bring $35 cash or a check payable directly to the instructor on the first day of class for purchase of a Bridge Convention Workbook and Guide. Only students who have taken “Contract Bridge for Beginners” or have a minimum of several years playing experience should enroll in this course. The course is intended for students who want to learn many Advanced Top- ics in Contract Bridge and is composed of a series of lectures with many examples of each topic discussed AND student playing of topic hands. A total of 12 advanced conventions AND 10 guid- ance “rules” to aid player’s bidding are analyzed for use in achieving the best contracts and scores. BEER vs. WINE – Take your Pick or do Both  Beer 101 – History, Mystery and Science February 25 | 1:30 – 3pm | Tuesday Naples Center Brewing is an ancient practice with historical data showing beer being brewed and consumed over 10,000 years ago. This overview lecture will lead participants through the history of beer and how science impacts the styles of beer. What beer industry innovations changed the world around us and what is still to come in the science of beer. This lecture explores the science of ingredients, and the history and chemistry of beer styles, including a tasting of some beer styles to differentiate the impact of ingredients.  Wine Tasting Event: Four California Varietals February 25 | 4 – 6pm | Tuesday Naples Center California produces over 80% of American wines, and this lecture will introduce you to the major winegrowing regions, plus samples of four major grape varieties grown throughout the state. As we sample, we’ll enjoy small bites that will help you understand the basics of food and wine pairing. We’ll learn how to read a wine label, and also learn the professional “5-S” approach to sampling wine. This process will help you appreciate the wines you enjoy even more. Day Trips and Special Events These day trips and Special Events are a fantastic way to enhance your learning journey with FGCU Academy. Be sure to register early, as spots can fill up quickly! Click Here to View all of Our Upcoming Day Trips and Special Events If you would like to discuss any of our trips, please feel free to call our office anytime as well as for assistance with your registrations at 239.434.4737.   CONSIDER BECOMING A FRIEND OF THE ACADEMY WITH A $100 DONATION AS A NON-CREDIT PROGRAM WE RECEIVE NO FUNDING FROM FGCU. WE NEED YOUR HELP TO CONTINUE OUR IMPORTANT COMMUNITY OUTREACH MISSION. To donate, simply: 1. Visit our website at Academy | Online Giving (fgcu.edu). 2. Send a check payable to FGCU Academy with “Friend of the Academy Donation” in the memo line. 3. Or, contact us at 239-434-4737 to arrange a donation over the phone. Thank you for considering this opportunity to contribute to a program that celebrates lifelong growth. Together, we’re enriching lives, one class at a time. 2025 TRAVEL PROGRAMS Travel with FGCU Academy   Northern Italy: From the Alps to the Adriatic Departure August 20, 2025 View Brochure  Journey Through Central Europe Departure: August 30, 2025 View Brochure  Insider’s Japan Departure September 8, 2025 View Brochure  Paradores and Pousadas: Portugal & Spain Departure: September 15, 2025 View Brochure  Machu Picchu to the Galapagos Departure October 28, 2025 View Brochure  Egypt and the Eternal Nile Departure: November 17, 2025 View Brochure  Moroccan Discovery: From the Imperial Cities to the Sahara Departure November 18, 2025 View Brochure  Portugal and the Douro River Cruise Departure: September 17, 2025 View Brochure View Video Presentation  Gems of Eastern Europe River Cruise Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania, Departure September 24, 2025 View Brochure View Video Presentation Travel Abroad with FGCU Academy Call our office 239.434.4737 for assistance with registration or Click to View our Website     FGCU Academy FGCU ACADEMY NAPLES CENTER 704 Goodlette-Frank Rd N Suite 330 Naples, FL 34102 239.434.4737 [email protected] |
