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Announcements for Summer Courses 2026

Most Summer Courses will begin the week of June 8, 2026 and run from 3-10 weeks

Reminder – PLATO members may register for more than one course each term. Non-members are invited to sample a course by attending the first two classes, however they are required to contact the course coordinator in advance via email or phone to make sure there is space, as some courses fill up. And if non-members want to continue to attend for the rest of the term, they are required to become a member. Visit the Join PLATO webpage to learn more about member benefits and how to join.

NEW! The Summer Course 2026 Schedule has a new format and some courses have a new registration process! Most courses will require you to register by contacting the course coordinator via email or phone, as you have done in the past, and three courses will require online registration, which is something new. To get started, watch this brief video tutorial to learn how to register online with this new system and then explore this video to learn how to register for a coordinator reserved seat. If you have further questions, check out this Online Registration Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document. 

Finally, experiment with these two "List Views" to see how you prefer to browse the Summer Courses Schedule:

Month at a Glance View

List View – Note that the courses in the List View are in ascending date order.



Summer 2026 Course DESCRIPTIONS - Sorted by Start Date

  • Short Stories and Essays

    • June 02, 2026
    • August 04, 2026
    • 7 sessions
    • Covenant Presbyterian Church

    Coordinator: Irv Klibaner

    Email: ihklibaner@yahoo.com

    Phone: 608-628-6154

    Registration: Required, Contact Coordinator

    For those who love reading and discussion, this is the perfect entertainment. One hour each is devoted to a short story and an essay. There is always a lively, opinionated, and friendly atmosphere with a welcome for all participants. Come join us as we delve into the ever-fascinating world of short stories and essays created by some of the best writers who have put pen to paper. Texts to be used: The Art of the Story: An International Anthology of Contemporary Short Stories, by Daniel Halpern; Best American Essays of 2024.

    Additional Information


    Meeting Day:     Tuesday
    No Class Dates: June 23, July 7, July 21

    Location Directions: Covenant Presbyterian Church
    Participation: High participation with assignments and/or possible presentations by participants
    Class Size: 15

    Show details

  • Page Turners Book Discussion Group

    • June 03, 2026
    • August 05, 2026
    • 3 sessions
    • Monona Library

    Coordinator: Nancy Miller

    Email: nancym2079@gmail.com

    Phone: 608-320-0896

    Registration: Required, Contact Coordinator

    This book discussion group meets on the first Wednesday of the month to discuss a novel.  The book selections are determined in the spring of each year and assigned to a specific month.  Group members volunteer to lead the discussion one month out of the year, and also select a month to bring treats to share with the group one month out of the year.  The books selected are included on the syllabus. Download the Syllabus

    Additional Information

    Meeting Day: Wednesday

    Location Directions: Monona Library

    Participation: Regular reading/discussion expected

    Class Size: 12


    RETURN TO COURSE CATALOG


    Show details

  • Drawing as a Sacred Activity

    • June 08, 2026
    • July 06, 2026
    • 5 sessions
    • Virtual – Zoom

    Coordinator: Heather C. Williams

    Email: heather@drawingtogether.com

    Phone: 760-213-6060

    Registration: Required, Contact Coordinator 

    Watch the Coordinator Intro Video to get a feel for the coordinator and learn more about this course.

    You will expand your visual thinking skills! And, you will develop greater hand-eye coordination! Plus, you will experience seeing old things in new ways and you will connect your inner and outer world in a meaningful way. The big skill you will develop in Heather's Drawing Class is learning to observe yourself and the world around you - without naming, labeling, or judging what you see.

    Drawing is a Spiritual Practice of Being Present and paying Attention! 

    Additional Information

    Meeting Day: Monday

    Participation: High participation with assignments and/or possible presentations by participants

    Class Size: No Limit


    RETURN TO COURSE CATALOG


    Show details

  • Exploring Creativity

    • June 08, 2026
    • August 10, 2026
    • 10 sessions
    • Christ Presbyterian Church

    Coordinator: Karen Wulff

    Email wulff.karen@gmail.com

    Phone: 608-770-8408

    Registration: Required, Contact Coordinator 


    This class is an ongoing workshop where individuals work on their personal art goals in a sharing environment. Participants can exchange knowledge and offer “gentle” feedback to each other if they want to. Bring the supplies you will need for your own project. We are fortunate to use this space. Come and make a commitment to yourself to do art at least two hours per week. Join a group of people who enjoy working on their art together in a peaceful and supportive environment.

    Additional Information

    Meeting Day: Monday

    Participation: High participation with assignments and/or possible presentations by participants

    Class Size: 10

    Location LInk: Christ Presbyterian Church


    RETURN TO COURSE CATALOG
    Show details

  • Why Free Speech Is Not A Free Pass

    • June 08, 2026
    • July 13, 2026
    • 6 sessions
    • Bethany United Methodist Church - Room 228
    • 15
    Register

    Coordinator: Allen May, J.D.

    Email: platofreespeech@gmail.com

    Phone: (630) 263-2629 (before 8pm)       

    Registration: Required, Register Online


    You’ve probably heard someone at some point proudly proclaim, “It is a free country. I can say whatever I want,” but is that really true? Some people are all for the First Amendment until they hear something they don’t like. So, what are the limits? Does the First Amendment protect too much or not enough speech? What kind of speech? And who decides? Congress? The Court? The President? We will talk about current cases, but be prepared: your own attitudes about free speech may not always be in agreement with what the Constitution says.


    Download the Syllabus

    Additional Information

    Meeting Day: Monday

    Location Directions: Bethany United Methodist Church Room 228

    Participation: Some reading/discussion expected

    Class Size: 15



    Show details

  • Second Tuesday Book Group

    • June 09, 2026
    • August 11, 2026
    • 3 sessions
    • Stark Building - 702 N. High Point Road

    Coordinator: Sally Porter

    Email:  ssporter22@gmail.com

    Registration: Required, Contact Coordinator

    Join us for our book group which meets on the second Tuesday of the month from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. We meet at 702 N. High Point Road. Participants will receive the book list upon registration. Join us for good reading and good discussion.  There is a random selection of books, 1 to be read each month for group discussion. The expectation that each person will be a discussion leader of a book of their choice from the list during the year. (treat provider is up for discussion)

    Additional Information

    Meeting Day: Tuesday

    Location Directions: Stark Building - 702 N. High Point Road

    Participation:

    Class Size: 15


    RETURN TO COURSE CATALOG


    Show details

  • Current Events - AM

    • June 10, 2026
    • September 09, 2026
    • 14 sessions
    • Virtual – Google Meet

    Coordinator: Mert Corwin

    Email: mdcorwinjr@gmail.com

    Phone: 608-774-3403

    Registration: Required, Contact Coordinator

    This class will discuss local, national, and international events, both hot and current. Some topics will be very current and others will be ongoing issues. Topics will be determined each week, at the start of the session. All viewpoints are encouraged. The format will be very casual and interactive. Participants are encouraged to forward relevant links during the week for discussion.

    Please contact Mert through email to register.

    Additional Information

    Meeting Day: Wednesday

    Participation: Participants need video conference capability and email.

    Class Size: 20


    RETURN TO COURSE CATALOG


    Show details

  • Military History of the American Civil War

    • June 10, 2026
    • August 12, 2026
    • 9 sessions
    • Oakwood Village University Woods Campus

    Coordinator: Bob Brown

    Email:  brown9873@sbcglobal.net

    Phone 262-347-9111

    Registration: Required, Contact Coordinator

    During this course there will be weekly discussions of military strategies and tactics of Civil War battles from First Manassas July 1861 to Appomattox Court House April 1865. I use battlefield maps to discuss Union and Southern Strategies and Tactics complete with actual troop movements and formations at the beginning and end of major battles during the war.

    Additional Information

    Meeting Day: Wednesday

    No Class Dates: July 15

    Location Directions: Oakwood Village University Woods 

    Participation: Some Reading/Discussion Expected

    Class Size: No Limit


    RETURN TO COURSE CATALOG


    Show details

  • Foundations of Mindfulness

    • June 11, 2026
    • July 16, 2026
    • 6 sessions
    • Virtual – Google Meet

    Coordinator: Craig Wille

    Email: wille.craig@gmail.com

    Phone: 608-692-3163

    Registration: Required, Contact Coordinator

    This six-session course offers a clear, practical introduction to mindfulness meditation in the style of Gil Fronsdal. Participants learn how to develop steady, relaxed awareness of breathing, the body, emotions, thinking, and the overall qualities of the mind. Each session includes guided meditation, brief teachings, and suggestions for integrating mindfulness into everyday life. The emphasis is on simplicity, patience, and learning to meet experience with greater clarity and ease. Suitable for beginners as well as those wishing to refresh or strengthen an existing meditation practice.

    Additional Information

    Meeting Day: Thursday

    Participation: No reading to minimal reading

    Class Size: No Limit


    RETURN TO COURSE CATALOG


    Show details

  • Gentle Chair Yoga for Stress Reduction

    • June 11, 2026
    • July 02, 2026
    • 4 sessions
    • Virtual - Zoom
    Register

    Coordinator: Stephanie Steigerwaldt

    Email: steph.steigerwaldt@gmail.com

    Registration: Required, Register Online

    Gentle Chair Yoga for Stress Reduction is accessible to people at all stages of life, offering the many benefits of yoga to promote mental, physical, and emotional health. This 45-minute class requires an armless, sturdy chair to provide support during seated and standing shapes and movements. Over time, this practice can improve strength, flexibility, and balance; enhance proprioception; and promote a sense of relaxation and wellbeing. No previous experience with yoga is necessary to attend this class. Even people with limited mobility can participate. Members are welcome to treat this class like a drop in class – it's just fine to miss a class since summertime is a busy time. Stephanie is a certified yoga teacher (RYT-200) through Perennial’s Wisdom Yoga Teacher Training in Madison, WI. 

    Additional Information

    Meeting Day: Thursday

    Participation:

    Class Size: No Limit


    Show details

  • Prose and Cons Book Discussion Group

    • June 23, 2026
    • 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
    • Christ Presbyterian Church
    • 11
    Register

    Coordinator: Barbara Drake

    Email: barbaradrake21@gmail.com

    Registration: Required, Register Online


    This book discussion group will meet monthly, with the exception of July and August, on the fourth Tuesday of the month. Book titles for each month have been selected through June, 2026, and are available from the group coordinator. The group will read and discuss both fiction and nonfiction genres. Participants will be expected to read the book selection for each month and participate in group discussion. Participants will also be asked to lead one book discussion each year.

    Additional Information

    Meeting Day: Tuesday

    ocation Directions: Christ Presbyterian Church

    Participation: Regular reading/discussion expected

    Class Size: 12


    RETURN TO COURSE CATALOG


    Show details

  • History of the Hollywood Musical

    • July 07, 2026
    • August 25, 2026
    • 8 sessions
    • Capitol Lakes

    Coordinator: Michael Troudt

    Email: mgmfanatic@aol.com

    Phone: 920-279-1846

    Registration: Required, Contact Coordinator

    This is a chronological history of the film musical beginning with Brigadoon in 1954 and continuing on through Give a Girl a Break. Each week, we will watch a musical and discuss it.  The films have been chosen due to their historical significance as well as their popularity at the box office.

    Additional Information

    Meeting Day: Tuesday

    Location: Capitol Lakes

    Participation: No Reading to Minimal Reading

    Class Size: No Limit


    Show details



PLATO is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization supported in part by:



info@platomadison.org

Facebook: @platomadison

608-572-6869

6209 Mineral Point Road #203
Madison, WI 53705








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