Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
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It's like going back college... only there are no required courses. The University's new OSHER Institute offers everything from computers, digital photography, to spanish 101, to politics. We recently sat in on a class especially timely right now... on the Supreme Court...Anne Polinsky: "WE LEARNED RENQUIST WOULD ALLOW EACH JUDGE TO SPEAK ONE TIME BEFORE HE WOULD ALLOW ANOTHER TO SPEAK AGAIN."
Anne Polinksy is a retired CPA. Wally Smith, a former aerospace engineer.
Wally Smith: "THE KINDS OF ISSUES THAT HAVE DEVELOPED THIS COUNTRY, IT'S EXCITING TO LEARN."
Both are among students...of Barbara Champions's course on the Supreme Court... and say school's never been so much fun.
Anne Polinsky: "EVERYBODY COMES FROM A DIFFERENT BACKGROUND, SO EVERYBODY PRESENTS A DIFFERENT...POINT OF REFERENCE."
And, of course, with the recent changes to the highest
Wally Smith: "AT THIS PARTICULAR TIME WITH 2 NEW JUSTICES IN THE WINGS, IT'S FASCINATING."
Anne Polinsky: "WE LEARNED LAST WEEK ABOUT THE WORKINGS OF THE SUPREME COURT AND WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THEY HEAR A CASE AND HOW MANY CASES COME BEFORE AND OF THOSE HOW MANY THEY ACTUALLY CONSIDER, AND WHAT IT TAKES TO GET A CASE BEFORE THE SUPREME COURT."
"THAT'S THE COURT WHERE I'M GONNA HAVE A TRIAL..."
In this class...there are no tests, no term papers...no required reading...still Champion says, her students do their homework.
Barbara Champion, OSHER Institute Instructor: "THEY'RE CURIOUS. THAT'S WHAT MAKES IT REALLY EXCITING."
Wally Smith: "KEEPS YOUR NEURONS SNAPPING, AND CONTINUE TO LEARN."
Class sizes vary, and like regular college students... you do have to pay a tuition fee. 400 dollars for the year allows you to take up to nine courses. And, that does also entitle you to use the library, campus fitness facilities, and get student discounts.. like any other student.
