Adventures in Learning, an annual four-week program for adults aged 50 and older, is scheduled to begin Monday, Sept. 10, at First United Methodist Church, located at 265 W. Thompson Lane in Murfreesboro.

Current and retired MTSU personnel once again will play major roles in this year’s lectures. Those leading the four-lectures-per-week series and their topics and dates are:

• Dr. Ralph Fullerton, professor emeritus of geography and geology, “China, the Sleeping Giant of Asia,” on Sept. 10;
• Dr. Paul Foster, associate professor of psychology, “The Aging Brain: Part III,” on Monday, Sept. 17;
• Dr. John Paul Montgomery, professor emeritus and former director of the University Honors Program, “Poetic Voices,” on Monday, Sept. 24; and
• Dr. Ron Messier, professor emeritus of history, and former director of the University Honors Program, “Islam Primer,” on Monday, Oct. 1.

On Sept. 10 and 17, Messier also will speak about his archaeological digs in Morocco as part of a “Digging up the Past” lecture series.

Dr. Doug Heffington, director of global studies, and student Kaitlin Huppmann will conduct the series’ Sept. 24 lecture about earthquake and tsunami damage in Japan. Dr. Tanya Peres, associate professor of history, will discuss the impact of flooding along the Cumberland River on archaeological sites on Oct. 1.

Other members of the MTSU community will conduct individual lectures within this year’s other Adventures in Learning series. They include:

• Dr. Mark Byrnes, dean of the College of Liberal Arts, “Civics 101,” Sept. 10;
• Lynette Ingram, former MTSU professor, “‘Salvage the Bones’ by Jessmyn Ward, Sept. 10;
• Dr. Hilary Stallings, manager of recruitment and resources for the College of Liberal Arts, “Improving Civic Engagement among College Students,” Sept. 17;
• Larry J. Castelli, former MTSU professor, “Antiques of the 18th Century,” Sept. 24;
• Dr. Karen Petersen, associate professor of political science and assistant dean of the College of Liberal Arts, “Assessing the Impact of Higher Education on Civic Engagement,” Sept. 24; and
• Dr. Larry Mapp, former MTSU professor, “‘Absalom, Absalom!’” by William Faulkner, Oct. 1.

Adventures in Learning is planned by an interfaith coalition that includes Allen Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church, Central Christian Church, First Baptist Church at East Main Street, First Presbyterian Church, First United Methodist Church, North Boulevard Church of Christ, Northminster Presbyterian Church, St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church.

Lectures are slated for 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., 10:45-11:45 a.m. and 1-2 p.m. each Monday. Carolyn’s Creations will cater lunches.

Registration fees are $10 per person for the complete four-week lecture series, plus an optional $40 per person for all four lunches. For participants who choose to register one day at a time, registration is $5 per day.

Checks should be mailed to AIL Treasurer, 1267 N. Rutherford Blvd., Murfreesboro, Tenn., 37130. For more information, contact Mary Belle Ginanni at 615-895-6072.

— Gina K. Logue (Gina.Logue@mtsu.edu)