Lifelong Learners Institute

The Lifelong Learners Institute offers open courses for the community independent of Canisius University degree programs. Our instructors come from a wide range of academic disciplines to give our courses a broad cross-section of knowledge, experience, and experience. No papers or tests are given! Just much good discussion!

Classes meet weekly for six weeks and are limited to 16 students. Cost is $60. Questions? Contact Yvonne Widenor at 716-888-2531.

Spring 2025

Adventure into the Heart of the Celtic World, Pt. 1: Exploring Myth & Culture

January 7, 21, 28, February 4, 11, 18

12:00 – 1:00 PM

Via ZOOM

Let us venture into the enchanting world of Celtic mythology, a dimension where gods transcend life and death, where an ethereal world coexists with our own, and one inhabited by celestial beings capable of intertwining with our realities. The ancient Celts lived in a beautiful tapestry woven with rich traditions, where covens of revered Druids, custodians of knowledge, dedicated lifetimes to absorbing and perpetuating the profound lore, thus ensuring its legacy for 21st century visitors to encounter, learn from, and enjoy. The Celts had a vibrant landscape marked with jubilant festivities and fierce battles, and narratives that have etched their way into the heart of Celtic legends.

Dive deeply into this course and traverse the intricate Druidic rituals, witness the strategic encounters between the formidable Julius Caesar and the lands that remained elusive to his dominion. Unravel the tales of crafty deities and formidable rulers, and become engrossed in the chronicles of the indomitable Tuatha Dé Danann or the feats of Finn ma Cumhal. In our encounter with these mythic figures, our own perspectives in religion and mythology will be transformed as we listen to the echoes of powerful myths and stories and come to realize that the echoes of Celtic mythos are ever present in our world today.

This course will be offered as a two-part study, the first to begin this winter and the second part in the spring.

I will begin with some suggested approaches and observations about the readings and then time will be given for lively and open conversation and sharing among the participants.

WK 1: Introduction and Cycles of Celtic Myths: Astronomical and Agricultural Celebrations of the Ancient Celts

WK 2: The Ulster Cycle: The Hero’s Journey and Invasions Myths

WK 3: The Ossianic Cycle: The Hero’s Journey, cont., Heroes of A Different Kind, and Finn ma Cumhal

WK 4: The Celtic Poetic Tradition

WK 5: Myths & Legends from the Scottish, Irish, & Welsh Tradition: Magicians and the Great Wizard Merlin

WK 6: Celtic Cosmologies

Johanna Fisher is an adjunct professor in the Department of English and Co-Director of the Women & Gender Studies Program at Canisius University. Professor Fisher has taught courses such as Romancing the Grail, High Adventures and Chivalrous Knights and The Quest in Medieval Literature for over 20 years. She has also taught German and German literature courses with an emphasis on the contemporary era. She is originally from Bayern, Germany and lives there part-time when she is not teaching at Canisius.

2024-2025 Semester

Funny Things Happened in Greek Comedies

Johanna Fisher (English)

The Literature of the Bible

Johanna Fisher (English)

2023-2024 Semester

Boundaries of Wisdom: Reading Ancient Texts

Johanna Fisher (English)

Reading the Crusades in Literature: Negotiating War & Change

Johanna Fisher (English)

To Hell & Back: Reading Dante’s “Il Inferno”

Johanna Fisher (English)

The Power of Myth: Opening to the Mystery of the Universe

Johanna Fisher (English)

2022-2023 Semester

From Odysseus to Harry Potter: The Evolution of the Hero

Robert J. Butler (English)

2021-2022 Semester

Witches & Wives: Women in the Middle Ages

Kara Larson Maloney (English)

A Brief History of Byzantium

Jeff Brubaker (Classics)

2020-2021 Semester

The Plague in Medieval Literature

Johanna Fisher (English)

Arthur: The Once & Future King

Kara Maloney (English)

The Crusades

Jeff Brubaker (Classics)

Tempters & Temptresses: The Medieval Romance

Johanna Fisher (English)