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WHAT IS THE VALUE OF LIFE – FROM AN ECONOMIC PERSPECTIVE? (Limit 12)

Six-week course - 10:30 AM Mondays

3/1, 3/8, 3/15, 3/22, 3/29 and 4/5/2021

This is an odd question when you think about it. Many people say it is infinite because they believe the question might be something like “ How much money would it take to give up my life or the life of a loved one?” But if we think about this question a bit differently, the answer may be different. Question: Suppose I told you there was a .01% chance you would be killed or injured if you drive to Tampa. Would that persuade you to not drive as often? How about flying to your next destination instead of staying at home?

The point is that if life has infinite value, then you would likely not be doing much of anything that had a chance you would die or be injured. 

Thinking about the value of life makes more sense when you move from you actually dying to some activity that affects the chance of dying or becoming seriously injured. With the latter approach, we want to know whether the benefits of the activity (visiting grandchildren in California) are worth the increased chance of injury or death. 

It turns out that the government measures the monetary value of life from this probabilistic perspective in order to decide on the value of various life-saving programs such as highway safety and research in health care (such as a vaccine for covid 19). Another area where life is valued is in court cases where forensic economists like myself are asked to estimate what a defendant should give to an individual who was seriously injured or the heirs in a death case.

All these issues concerning the value of life will be discussed, both arguments supporting such estimates and arguments that believe estimating the monetary value of life cannot be accurately measured and is ethically suspect.

Frank Slesnick, Ph.D. – Frank was a full-time teacher at Bellarmine University in Louisville, Kentucky for 30 years (1975-2005). He taught a course in forensic economics, specializing in personal injury, death cases, a limited number of discrimination and commercial damage cases. Frank moved to Sun City Center in 2005 and has established a consulting practice.

THE AMERICAN EXPERIMENT: 1603 TO 1877 (Limit 12)

Six-week course - 10:30 AM Tuesdays

 3/2, 3/9, 3/16, 3/23, 3/30 and 4/6/2021 

1. Exploration, the Reformation and the Development of a Free English Society in North America
2. Protecting Freedom 1763 - 1781 and the Constitution of 1788.
3. Developing a Nation from 1789 to 1860
4. The Election of 1860, Secession and the Decision for War
5. Civil War Strategy & the Conduct of the War
6. Reconstruction: 1865 - 1877

Dr. Michael Deeb - Received his master’s degree from Michigan State University and his doctorate from Wayne State University. He worked in education and taught American History at the college level for twenty years before owning an accounting practice for twenty-five years. He has published a series of books about the Civil War that are in our local libraries.

ANDROID SMARTPHONES & TABLETS  (Limit 12)

Six-week course - 1:00 PM Tuesdays

3/2, 3/9, 3/16, 3/23, 3/30 and 4/6/2021  

This class will start with the very basics of the Android Operating System and introduce you to the uses and operations of Smartphones and Tablets. You will learn how to connect to the internet and use your device to do things such as; check your email and calendar; take pictures and share them with your friends; review your collection of photos; read a book; watch a video; listen to music, and play games like Solitaire.  Apps determine what the device can do, so the class will concentrate on basic Apps such as Google Play Store, Email, Photos, Camera, and Settings.  Apps that expand the use of the device, such as OneDrive, Maps, and Facebook, will also be downloaded and discussed. The first three sessions will focus on the device and the second three sessions will focus on Apps. This class is for those with little knowledge of smartphones, but a big interest in using it.

Phil Sorrentino - Member of the SCC Computer Club and a past president of the Sarasota Computer Users Group. He has taught a variety of beginner and advanced computer classes and writes a monthly computer article for both organizations’ newsletters. He is an electrical engineer and has worked at developing computer hardware and software for his entire career.

 UNDERSTANDING AND ORGANIZING YOUR INVESTMENTS (Limit 12)

 Four-week course - 3:00 PM Tuesday 3/2, 3/9, 3/16, and 3/23  

• Overview of Investments and Markets: Learn the basics of the capital markets and forces that cause stocks and bonds to fluctuate. Understand how the Fed, the markets, and the economy interact.

• Taxes, Estates, Probate and Trusts: Simplify life for your survivors. Plan for the efficient transfer of assets during your life and at death. Understand wills, trusts, and steps to reduce your tax liability.

• Evaluating Special Situations: Retirement plans; Taxable versus Tax Free Investments; managing your portfolio rationally.

• Investment Strategies: Updating your investment portfolio and understanding the markets in today’s volatile economy.

*(Informational purposes only. Contact your Tax Advisor/Estate Planner for more information)

Rudy Fernandez, CFP® - Has practiced in the financial services industry since 1982. Rudy works with businesses and individuals, guiding them to achieve their financial objectives. His years of experience have given him a depth of knowledge, particularly in the field of Retirement Planning. Rudy earned his degree in Accounting at the University of Notre Dame. Since 1987, he has taught courses dealing with current financial and economic issues at Hillsborough Community College, at the Community Church College of Sun City Center, and at USF Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. A highly active member of the Tampa Bay community, Rudy was elected to the Tampa City Council in 1991. During his time as a council member, he served as Finance Chairman for eight years. Rudy has also served on many other civic boards throughout the area.

THE HISTORY OF TAMPA BAY (Limit 12)

Six-week course - 10:30 AM Classes on Wednesday 

3/3, 3/10, 3/17, 3/24, 3/31 and 4/7/2021  

Many residents of South Hillsborough County are new to Florida or new to Tampa Bay and would like to learn about our local history. This six-week course will explore many of the topics that make Hillsborough County, Tampa and southern Hillsborough County an interesting and fascinating place chock full of history. Topics to be explored will include, the Early and Modern History of Tampa, The Growth of the Cigar industry, African American History in the Tampa Bay, the First People of Florida and the Seminole Indians, South Shore’s unique local history, and in our final class – in a topic selected by the students -- a discussion designed to round out your understanding of the rich fabric of our local historical record. 

Charles Nelson - Earned an MA in American History from George Mason University. A native West Virginian, he moved to Hillsborough County in 1998 and has been active in Tampa area history since then. Charlie is a docent at the Tampa Bay History Center and works with HCC’s South County History Connections Project. He is active in presenting, researching and documenting the history of south Hillsborough County. He also taught American History at HCC as an adjunct instructor. 

CHAUTAUQUA 2021 (Limit 12)

Six-week course - 10:30 AM Thursday 

3/4, 3/11, 3/18, 3/25, 4/1 and 4/8/2021  

Our Spring Chautauqua will explore social, demographic, economic, political, and philosophical aspects of justice.  One of the instructors will introduce the day's topic, followed by viewing and class discussion of a twenty-five minute PBS video selection from its Justice series starring the “rock-star” philosopher, Michael Sandel.  As with prior Chautauquas, the emphasis will be on promoting lively, civil, intelligent class discussion.  

But more important is the wonderful mix of experience and knowledge to be shared by you and the former managers, bench and line workers, teachers, administrators, financial advisors, first responders, town officials, medical workers, engineers, and others who will be your classmates. Together we will discuss citizenship and justice in the finest traditions of comity, with intelligence and humor.

Robert Silverman, MA; Frank Slesnick, PhD; and Wiley Mangum, PhD - 

Wiley Mangum is Professor Emeritus of Gerontology from the University of South Florida, with special expertise in demographics and social policy.   

Frank L. Slesnick is Professor Emeritus of Economics from Bellarmine University, with special expertise in compensation and the social implications of economic policy.

Robert Silverman taught philosophy at Rutgers University and currently teaches at Hillsborough Community College, specializing in logic and ethics.  He is retired from IT work at IBM and JPMorgan Chase.

Professors Mangum and Slesnick are long-time Center for Lifelong Learning instructors, and Professor Silverman is the relative newcomer, having instructed three prior courses at the Center