The Mohawk Valley Institute for Learning in Retirement (MVILR) at SUNYIT is offering more than 30 courses on a wide range of subjects for the four-week winter term that begins on Jan. 30.

Most courses are held at the SUNYIT campus and are strictly for the pleasure of learning with no grades, no homework, no exams and no credit.

Courses in the arts, sciences, philosophy, religion and social sciences will be offered as well as several winter sports and many other special interest courses.

Offered for the first time are: “Remembering the Vietnam War and its Unintended Consequences,” with Ira Cooperman; “Analysis of Moby-Dick, the Great American Novel,” with Fred Capozzella; “European History from WWI to the Cold War from the German Perspective,” with Manfred Klutschkowski; “Founding Fathers, Founding Mothers, Founding Brothers,” with Richard Gates; “Retirement Lessons from True Case Studies,” Dennis Coughlin and Chris Giambrone; and ”An Antiquing Medley,” facilitated by Joyce Hunt.

Others offerings include: “Many Cultures; One Community” (a course on how refugees have influenced our community); “God and the Muslims;” “Day of Infamy: the Attack on Pearl Harbor;” and some off- campus courses at the Utica Public Library, Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute and Fort Stanwix among other courses.

For personal growth and pleasure there are exercise courses (Zumba, folk dancing), outdoor sports (cross country skiing, snowshoeing and downhill skiing) plus reading and craft groups, Mah Jong and more.

MVILR is offering a mid-year membership rate of $125 for new members interested in joining this life-long learning program on the SUNYIT Campus. MVILR members pay one annual membership fee and then take courses each semester, free, with no additional charge. All members will be able to take courses for the rest of the academic year including the eight week spring term that runs from March through May.

There is still time to become a member and enroll in some of the new winter courses.

MVILR is an educational organization for active older adults who enjoy sharing their knowledge in a classroom setting and continuing stimulating and meaningful educational activities.

Classes are held once a week during the day. Instructors are volunteers from the community who often teach courses that have been their passions over a lifetime. In addition to taking courses MVILR members enjoy socializing between classes, attending events, and trips.

For more information, including how to receive a copy of the winter catalog, contact the MVILR office at (315) 792-7192 or visit the website at www.sunyit.edu/mvilr. The catalog is available on line.

In addition, year MVILR offers non-members the opportunity to take courses, space available, for $50 per course. Contact the office (315) 792-7192 for eligibility.