Online - Zoom
Biofilia: A Grand Tour of Life
This 16-hour course offers a guided exploration of life across eight sessions. The first two classes introduce the fundamental building blocks of life, including the molecules that animate cells, such as proteins and RNA.
The remaining sessions examine major forms of life—bacteria, cells, plants, fungi, animals, and viruses—highlighting their diversity and interconnections. Throughout the course, emphasis is placed on the relationships that link all living systems and the broader “family of life” on Earth. By exploring these connections, participants will develop a deeper appreciation of the natural world and a greater awareness of humanity’s place within it.
Instructor: Thierry Vain is a retired soil biologist and genetic engineer, he spent his entire research career with the Department of Agriculture in Canada. He was the head of a research group of 40 professionals in Biotechnology, the Vice President and President of national and international associations of soil biologists, and an Associate Editor of several scientific Journals in Europe and in the USA. Thierry lives on Vancouver Island on the West Coast of Canada, a corner of paradise.
Website: www.innisfreefarm.ca
Suggested Prerequisite: The Elder College Course: Life as We Know It - is a Preview of Biofilia.
Price: $88.00 Taxes not included
Schedule: Fridays, September 18, 2026 until November 6, 2026; 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Location: Online
Conspiracy Thinking
Conspiracies – or at least, claims of conspiracies – seem everywhere. While many conspiracies are generally accepted (9/11, the Gulf of Tonkin incident, regrettably frequent sexual abuse coverups) many alleged conspiracies are “theories” in the worst sense of that term: just wild accusations and speculations of immense and intricate plans of evil. Is there any distinction between these? How can we navigate a world filled with conspiratorial ideas? I’ll be your guide to understanding what philosophers are currently thinking about conspiracy thinking, and how it might differ from reasonable thinking.
Instructor: Dr. McDermid is a philosopher with expertise in critical thinking, epistemology (the study of the nature of knowledge), and philosophy of science. He moved to the Island in 2024, having taught at Montclair State University in northern New Jersey and the University of Western Ontario for 20 years, and is currently teaching at Camosun College in Victoria.
Price: $42.00 Taxes not included
Schedule: Tuesdays, September 8, 2026 until October 6, 2026; 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Location: Online
Democracy and its Vulnerabilities: Dynamics of Democratic Backsliding and Resilience
Over the past two decades, many countries around the world have experienced a decline in democratic practices and institutions, a trend often described as "democratic backsliding". At the same time, we have seen the rise of populist movements, growing nationalism, and increasing challenges to democratic norms. This course explores two fundamental questions: What is democracy, and has there ever been a perfect democracy? While these questions may seem straightforward, scholars and citizens alike continue to debate how democracy should be defined and measured.
Together, we will examine the evolution of democratic systems, explore different models of democracy, and investigate the concept of democratic backsliding. Drawing on contemporary examples, we will consider how democratic institutions and civil society can respond to democratic backsliding. Through lively discussion and critical reflection, participants will explore questions such as:
Is there a gap between the ideals of democracy and how democracy functions in practice?
Is Canada immune to the democratic backsliding seen in other parts of the world?
What can citizens, governments, and institutions do to strengthen and protect democratic values?
*No prior background in political science is required, just an interest in understanding one of the most important issues shaping our world today.
Recommended Text: Bermeo, N. 2016. On Democratic Backsliding. I Journal of Democracy, 5-19. Johns Hopkins University Press: Baltimore, Maryland. Vol: 27, no. 1. https://www.ucg.ac.me/skladiste/blog_607795/objava_206974/fajlovi/On%20Democratic%20Backsliding.pdf
Other short articles and videos- links would be provided in the course outline.
Instructor: Reeta Tremblay is former Provost and Vice President Academic at the University of Victoria and is currently Professor Emerita of Political Science. She holds a PhD from the University of Chicago and an MPhil degree from Jawaharlal Lal Nehru University, New Delhi. Before coming to Victoria, she held other senior administrative positions including Vice President Academic and Pro Vice-Chancellor (Pro Tem) at Memorial University in Newfoundland; Dean of the Faculty of Arts at Memorial; and Chair, Department of Political Science at Concordia University, Montreal. She is the former President of the Canadian Political Science Association (CPSA), and the Canadian Asian Studies Association (CASA). Her major areas of research are secessionist movements in India, comparative federalism and politics of resistance. She has authored or co-authored several books and essays. Her work is widely reviewed and cited- in particular, her writings on Kashmir and India-Pakistan relations, a subject on which she is widely considered the leading North American expert. Some of her recent publications include: "Unpacking the Equity Myth: Diversity and Leadership Deficit” (2024); “Religion and Politics in Jammu and Kashmir" (2020); "India: Federalism, Nationalism, and the Marginalized – Covid India" (2020); Kashmir Elections: A Precursor to 'No More Two Flags, Two Constitutions" (2019); "Contested Governance, Competing Nationalisms, and Disenchanted Publics: Kashmir beyond Intractability?" (2018); Modi’s Foreign Policy"(2017). She has been also recognized for excellence in undergraduate and graduate teaching by Concordia Alumni association. She is widely sought by Canadian and global media on the issues of Kashmir, India-Pakistan and India-Canada relations.
Price: $66.00 Taxes not included
Schedule: Fridays, November 6, 2026 until December 11, 2026; 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Location: Online
Ideas with Legs 4: Democracy
What is democracy and why, if at all, is it a good idea? This first episode in a series on the principles of democracy and its various instantiations will consist of a lively and interactive discussion of the philosophical underpinnings of the concept.
Instructor: John Black is a philosopher and historian of ideas who is fascinated by the way concepts echo down through the ages, shifting meaning in accordance with changing conditions. It would be fair to say that he is not particularly satisfied with what passes for democracy in many current political systems.
Price: $20.00 Taxes not included
Schedule: Monday, October 26, 2026; 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Location: Online
In/Equality An Alternative Anthropology
Explore a short introduction to Anthropology which will provide you with a framework for thinking and learning about other societies and about your own. It is about learning to see in a new way through a different, hopefully clearer, pair of glasses. It is about an anthropological understanding of the world, particularly the world of societies like our own, where some people have far more power and wealth than others.
Instructor: David Aliaga has a BA (Anthropology) and an MA (Interdisciplinary Studies) from the University of Calgary. He lectured in Anthropology at the same University. He has conducted migration field research among migrants both in Italy and Canada. He enjoys teaching Anthropology & Sociology.
Price: $66.00 Taxes not included
Schedule: Fridays, November 6, 2026 until December 11, 2026; 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Location: Online
Joyful Living with a Meditation Practice
This is an ongoing course, exploring the Mindfulness of Breathing instructions that was the favourite meditation of the Buddha. You will join a dynamic group of seniors who have been meeting together to share the benefits of this ancient practice. There will be guided meditations and explanations of the Buddhist teachings that support this meditation. This course offers a journey of self-exploration aimed at cultivating insight for the purpose of enhancing daily life with greater clarity and wellbeing.
Instructor: Ralph Frank is a retired psychotherapist who has been practicing Mindful Meditation since 2003. Ralph has studied with renowned Buddhist monks and nuns at monasteries in Northern Thailand, as well as with numerous international teachers in Canada, the U.S. and Mexico. In his classes Ralph brings the essential teaching of the Buddha into an easy to understand exercise in meditation for the Western mind. As part of his classes, Ralph will show practical steps to develop a 10 to 15 minute daily meditation practice that will bring a pause to an overactive mind, and a sense of being in love with this moment just as it is.
Price: $132.00 Taxes not included
Schedule: Mondays, September 14, 2026 until December 7, 2026; 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Location: Online
Life As We Know It - A Preview of Biofilia
This one-hour presentation serves as a precursor to the course Biofilia — a 16-hour “Grand Tour of Life” also offered through ElderCollege. Featuring 50 short video clips, this engaging slideshow offers a dynamic overview of life’s incredible diversity and intelligence.
You’ll explore what life is made of, from the remarkable molecules that animate cells to the fascinating worlds of Bacteria, Plants, Fungi, Animals, and Viruses. Discover how life is intelligent at every level and how understanding your connection to living things can bring you closer to nature.
Instructor: Thierry Vrain isa retired soil biologist and genetic engineer, He spent his entire research career with the Department of Agriculture in Canada. Thierry was the head of a research group of 40 professionals in Biotechnology, the Vice President and President of national and international associations of soil biologists, and an Associate Editor of several scientific Journals in Europe and in the USA. Living on Vancouver Island on the West Coast of Canada, a corner of paradise.
Website:www.innisfreefarm.ca
Price: $20.00 Taxes not included
Schedule: Friday, September 4, 2026; 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Location: Online
Living on Earth as if We Want to Stay
The world is changing—are we ready to change with it? As humanity pushes against planetary limits, the old model of perpetual growth no longer works. But what if there was a better way? Join Mike Nickerson, author of "Life, Money & Illusion", for an eye-opening discussion on how rethinking our economy through the lens of nature’s time-tested systems can unlock a path to long-term well-being.
Just as children grow into responsible adults, humanity has reached a stage of collective maturity. With this transition comes not just responsibility but incredible opportunities. By adapting how we provide for one another, we can solve many of today’s pressing challenges—without sacrificing quality of life. Humans are capable of remarkable things. Be part of the conversation and discover how a shift toward More Fun, Less Stuff can create a brighter, more sustainable future for generations to come. Don't miss this chance to reimagine what’s possible!
Instructor: Mike Nickerson co-founded the Institute for the Study of Cultural Evolution in 1971. He coordinated activity on the Canada Well-Being Measurement Act, drawing attention to the advantages of a Genuine Progress Index (GPI). Along with the Guideposts for a Sustainable Future video, numerous articles, pamphlets, and speaking engagements, he has written three books on sustainability and social change: "Change the World I want to Stay ON” (1977), "Planning for Seven Generations” (1990) and the most inclusive: "Life, Money and Illusion; Living on Earth as if We Want to Stay” (2006 & 2009).
Mike Nickerson has participated in: the Leeds and Grenville Waste Management Master Plan, the Board of the Ontario Environment Network, the Governing Council of the Green Party of Canada, and the World Federalist Foundation board. An enthusiastic gardener, he supports his study and writing habit by building custom furniture.
Price: $20.00 Taxes not included
Schedule: Tuesday, October 27, 2026; 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Location: Online
“Lost Generation”: Two Writers Respond to the Great War
The Great War — now commonly known as World War I — left a profound and lasting impact on Western civilization. In this course, participants will grapple with T. S. Eliot’s complex and influential poem The Waste Land (1922), a landmark work of early modern literature. The course then turns to Ernest Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises, first published in 1926 and now marking its centennial year. Through both works, we will examine the characters, themes, and cultural disillusionment that emerged in the postwar era, while considering how these texts helped shape modern literary expression.
Instructor: Steve Lane (Ph.D.) is a retired professor of English and academic administrator who spent most of his career at Vancouver Island University. His doctoral work was in the area of the English Romantics, but he also pursued research on Ernest Hemingway, delivering several papers at the International Hemingway Conference.
Note: This course includes discussion of bullfighting, which some participants may find disturbing.
Required Text: The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway’s and The Waste Land by T.S. Eliot. The instructor will distribute free versions ahead of the first class meeting.
Price: $44.00 Taxes not included
Schedule: Fridays, September 11, 2026 until October 2, 2026; 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Location: Online
Non-Fiction Club
After establishing a reading list, the club will meet once a month to discuss the book chosen for that date. We request that you bring a title of a nonfiction book that you recommend to the first meeting. Any genre such as history memoir, biography, politics, philosophy, environmental issues or travel is acceptable, as long as the book is non-fiction. At the first meeting, you can share a little about your recommended book and mention why you chose it. Members are responsible for locating their own copies of books, though we always check library availability.
Note: Books for September and October have been selected by the previous year’s book club to allow us to begin discussions right away. Books for the rest of the year will be chosen by new book club members.
Required Text:
September’s Book: “1929:Inside the Greatest Crash In Wall Street History- and How It Shattered a Nation” by Andrew Ross Sorkin
October’s Book: “Plastics Inc. The Secret History and Shocking Future of Big Oil’s Biggest Bet” by Beth Gardiner
Instructor: Anne Brailsford Ph.D is a lifelong reader of many genres, and a passionate advocate for
children’s literacy.
Price: $88.00 Taxes not included
Schedule: Wednesdays, September 16, October 21, November 18, December 16, January 20, February 17, March 17, April 21; 2.30 - 4:30 PM
Location: Online
Probate Bypass, Estate Planning and Mindful Investing
This course provides a practical introduction to estate planning, with a particular focus on strategies for avoiding probate. It will also touch on key investment considerations that relate to effective financial and estate planning. Designed specifically for Elder College students, the course explores the essential principles of estate planning, a basic introduction to the probate process, and some strategies to help minimize the costs, delays, and challenges often associated with probate.
Instructor: Nathan Paisley is co-owner of Nathina Financial Services and holds both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in business, with a particular focus on financial and estate planning. With over five years of experience working alongside his father and business partner, Len Paisley, Nathan brings a balance of academic knowledge and practical insight to his teaching. Born and raised on Vancouver Island, Nathan combines an understanding of local needs with broader financial planning strategies. His teaching style incorporates real-life examples, practical exercises, and useful tools to help students gain a clear understanding of probate bypass strategies and wealth preservation techniques.
Supplies: It is encouraged to bring a pen and paper.
Price: $20.00 Taxes not included
Schedule: Monday, October 26, 2026; 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Location: Online
Price: $20.00 Taxes not included
Schedule: Monday, November 9, 2026; 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Location: Online
Rebel Painters: The Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood
In Great Britain in the middle of the nineteenth century a group of painters, sculptors and poets set out to revitalise the visual arts by reversing what they saw as an historical wrong turn made in the time of Raphael. In this course we'll explore what they meant by this idea through discussing their unique contributions in painting, comparing these with their historical precedents and also with contemporary developments in France.
Instructor: John Black has taught numerous art history courses for Elder College, and has a fondness for the Pre-Raphaelites sparked by paintings he encountered while growing up in north-west England.
Price: $66.00 Taxes not included
Schedule: Mondays, November 2, 2026 until December 7, 2026; 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Location: Online
The Origins of Writing
Writing is unquestionably one of the most important inventions of the human species, allowing for communication over time, space, and culture. How did writing come about? Where and how did the earliest writers practice their craft? How did we get from complicated hieroglyphic and cuneiform writing systems with thousands of characters to the simplicity of the alphabet? In this brief course, we will trace writing’s origins and development from the clay counters of the Neolithic Age of the Near East to the earliest accounting systems and the development of literary texts of Mesopotamia. We will compare this to other experiments with writing systems elsewhere in the world and how they evolved into the simplicity of the modern alphabet.
Instructors: Mitchell Allen, PhD (UCLA), is a research associate in archaeology at UC Berkeley. He has taught archaeology for over 20 years, and has done fieldwork in Israel, Afghanistan, and California.
Price: $20.00 Taxes not included
Schedule: Tuesday, September 1, 2026; 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Location: Online
The Rush to Climb Mount Waddington
In the 1920s and 1930s, once famed BC mountaineering couple Don and Phyllis Munday had begun getting the word out about 'Mystery Mountain' (later Mount Waddington, the tallest mountain within BC) in the 1920s, the race was on to be the first to climb it. The Mundays had climbed to the complex mountain's northwest peak, but one challenged remained: the final tower, a shaft of ice and rock. The rush to be the first to reach the true summit fell in to the historical context of many current quests for mountaineering glory at the time, whether it was in the attempt in conquering Mount Logan, the highest peak in Canada, or the tallest peak of them all, Everest. In this course, via readings from his book, and discussions with students, we'll get to know why there was such a rush to be the first to climb the tallest mountain in BC, and how this related to nationalism, the interwar period, and the traditions of mountaineering that ascended during the Victorian era in the Alps, brought over to Western Canada through immigration from the UK and Europe.
Instructor: Trevor Marc Hughes is the author of The Final Spire: 'Mystery Mountain' Mania in the 1930s & Capturing the Summit: Hamilton Mack Laing and the Mount Logan Expedition of 1925. He is the nonfiction editor for The British Columbia Review as well as the video segment producer for its BC author interview series.
Recommended Text: The Final Spire: 'Mystery Mountain' Mania in the 1930s by Trevor Marc Hughes
Price: $20.00 Taxes not included
Schedule: Monday, December 14, 2026; 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Location: Online
Understanding BC’s Budget and Fiscal Plan
This short six-hour course will explore the following topics:
The meaning of government deficits and public debt, why they matter, their advantages and disadvantages, and how they can be managed.
The role of the BC Government’s Treasury Board, its relationship to Cabinet and other Cabinet committees, how financial decisions are made, and the provincial budget process.
Understanding key provincial financial documents, including BC’s Annual Budget, the Estimates, Quarterly Reports, and the Public Accounts.
Significant time will also be devoted to participant questions, discussion, and related topics of interest identified during the course.
Instructor: Gord Enemark has a Masters in Economics from the University of Victoria and was an Executive Director at BC's Treasury Board Staff for over a decade and at the Ministry of Housing for almost five years. His main responsibilities were analyzing and managing complex financial decisions for presentation to the Minister of Finance and Treasury Board regarding operating program requests and capital project approvals, in addition to managing the expenditure component of the annual budget process and helping to write the budget document. He subsequently led the development of the government's current housing plan, "Homes for BC," as well as the new 2023 legislation governing Short Term Rentals in BC. He previously taught introductory economics at a community college for five years. Gord lives in Victoria and is now happily retired!
Note: Links will be distributed prior to the course to publicly available published documents of relevance, primarily from the BC Ministry of Finance website.
Price: $33.00 Taxes not included
Schedule: Wednesdays, October 14, 2026 until October 28, 2026; 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Location: Online
Weekly Guided Meditation
Join Ralph Frank for a weekly meditation focused on relaxation and wellbeing. There will be guided meditations based on the Mindfulness of Breathing Meditation that was the favourite meditation of the Buddha that has been passed down through the millennium. Suitable for both beginners and those looking to deepen or broaden their meditation experience. You will learn a short meditation that can be introduced into daily life for the purposes of reducing stress and facing difficult challenges.
Instructor: Ralph Frank is a retired psychotherapist who has been practicing Mindful Meditation since 2003. Ralph has studied with renowned Buddhist monks and nuns at monasteries in Northern Thailand, as well as with numerous international teachers in Canada, the U.S. and Mexico. In his classes Ralph brings the essential teaching of the Buddha into an easy to understand exercise in meditation for the Western mind. As part of his classes, Ralph will teach practical steps to develop a short meditation practice that will bring a pause to an overactive mind, and a sense of being in love with this moment just as it is.
Price: $77.00 Taxes not included
Schedule: Thursdays, November 5, 2026 until December 17, 2026; 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Location: Online
Your Home, Your Future: A Gentle Introduction to Reverse Mortgages
This course offers a clear, practical introduction to reverse mortgages in Canada, designed to help older homeowners understand how this financial tool can support their retirement goals. Participants will learn what a reverse mortgage is, how it works, and the safeguards built into Canadian regulations. We will explore eligibility requirements, payment options, interest considerations, and how funds can be used to reduce financial stress, supplement retirement income, or plan for future needs.
The course also addresses common misconceptions, including concerns about losing ownership of the home or leaving less for heirs. Real-world examples will illustrate when a reverse mortgage may be a suitable solution and when it may not be the right fit.
By the end, participants will feel more confident evaluating reverse mortgages as part of a broader retirement strategy.
Instructor: Rich Ulvild is a Seniors Lending Specialist and award-winning mortgage professional with more than 20 years of experience helping Canadians 55+ unlock the value of their homes safely, responsibly, and strategically. Recognized as one the Top 3 Mortgage Brokers in the Peach Arch News Readers’ Choice Awards in 2024 and 2025, Rich brings deep industry expertise and a long-standing commitment to serving his community.
He currently serves as Chair of the White Rock/Surrey Chapter of CARP (Canadian Association of Retired Persons), is a Steering Committee member of the Semiahmoo Seniors Network, and active member of Langley Seniors in Action. Rich recently completed his term on the board of the South Surrey White Rock Chamber of Commerce (now the Surrey White Rock Board of Trade), where he contributed to the Transition Committee, Interim Board, and CEO Search Committee. Whether supporting clients one-on-one or leading community-focused initiatives, Rich is known for his professionalism, integrity, and warm, approachable style - all grounded in a genuine commitment to helping seniors enjoy greater comfort, confidence, and financial security in retirement.
Price: $20.00 Taxes not included
Schedule: Wednesday, September 9, 2026; 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Location: Online