The Great Books Foundation provides a program of intellectually challenging discussion in which your LLI’s members can take advantage of their life experience.

They publish anthologies that include classic and contemporary selections on a variety of subjects with background material and suggested lines of inquiry with themes such as “Clashes of Culture,” “Love and Marriage,” “Happiness and Discontent.” Also, they promote a study method called shared inquiry, in which all members of a reading group take an active role in discussing a work’s multiple layers of meaning from the perspective of their individual knowledge and experience.

Here are some reasons to consider adding a Great Books class to your LLI curriculum:

Great Books classes tend to be self-sustaining term after term. Participants keep re-enrolling, since a different anthology can be selected each time the class is offered. Such a class provides a stable income-generating course for your LLI.

Great Books classes appeal to mature people who for many years may have wanted to read and reflect on these works, and who finally have the leisure to do so.

Great Books discussion groups encourage people to form satisfying friendships with fellow participants. Such strong social ties can be very valuable to retired people.

Older people find that the lively stimulation of Great Books discussions is helpful to maintaining mental faculties.

The content of readings in Great books classes add intellectual substance to the array of LLI offerings, an excellent complement to those courses that convey specialized information and skills.

Participation in Great books courses is an entrée to a nationwide network of people involved in similar activities, many of which are publicized by the Foundation.

The program is not expensive or complex to set up, the only fixed cost being the price of the books (which range from $10-$30). Instructions in leading shared inquiry can be provided, either as gratis basic written materials, or as formal training.

If this sounds like an activity that would interest and benefit the members of your LLI, please contact The Great Books Foundation at 800-222-5870, and ask for either Dan Born (x282) or Don Whitfield (x227). You can also learn more about Great Books and their mission on their web site, www.greatbooks.org