Spring 2026 CLASSES
Come To Our Enrichment Classes
PALS (Perimeter Adult Learning Services) is pleased to announce that it will be presenting classes for the Spring 2026 session running for 7 weeks on Mondays, April 13 – June 1 (No class on May 25, Memorial day). The classes will be at Dunwoody United Methodist Church. A detailed description of the classes is as follows:
10 – 11 am INTRODUCTION TO BEHAVORIAL ECONOMICS – Shai Robkin introduces students to key
concepts designed to help people and organizations make better decisions and avoid common pitfalls that result
from instinctive human behaviors. Behavioral economists start by asking how humans actually behave in the
real world. The course covers basic theories of evolutionary psychology, automatic vs. controlled thinking,
heuristics (simple procedures that people use unconsciously to reach decisions on difficult questions), prospect
theory and inaccurate perceptions of risk, the role of chance, public policy and choice architecture, and when
and when not to trust experts.
10 – 11 am HOLLYWOOD – THE RISE AND FALL OF JEWISH DOMINANCE — Rabbi Scott and
Karen Colbert will show, through film and discussion how immigrant Jewish entrepreneurs built the American
film industry and shaped U.S. culture, identity and mythology through the Hollywood studio system; and how
the “Jewish moguls’” obsession with acceptance led to the end of their dominance in the industry.
10:00 – 2:00 OPEN MAH JONGG – Bring your own Mah Jongg card and come play. There is no instructor
for this weekly session. Play is bases on National Mah Jongg league rules.
11:30 am – 12:30 pm NEW: Playing with the 2026 Mah Jongg card. Become familiar with the new card and
learn strategies for winning. Class size is limited to 10 attendees. Prerequisite: 6+ months playing Mah Jongg.
This is NOT a beginner’s class. Play is based on National Mah Jongg league rules,
11:30 am – 12:30 pm EVOLUTION 101 – Clive Gillon presents an introduction to the Theory of Evolution.
Topics include “What is Evolution?”, “How Evolution Works,” “Natural Selection,” “Human Evolution” and
“Evolution & Viruses.” We will also learn about Charles Darwin and the infamous Darwin Awards.
11:30 am- 12:30 pm DEMONSTRATIONS/STRIKES/PROTESTS/REBELLIONS — Betsy Jones will
cover the Haitian Rebellion of 1798 (the first time an enslaved people rose up and won their freedom); the
Lawrenceville Strike of 1912 when thousands of immigrants from dozens of countries went on strike
demanding better pay and better working conditions —- first time a Union defeated management; the 1899
Newsboy strike; Gandhi’s Salt March; and the French Revolution as taught from the ColdPlay song Viva La
Vita (on the way to the guillotine — King Louis supposedly gave a speech sharing his love for the French people
hoping they would understand what he had tried to do for them…the speech was drowned out by the raucous
crowd but enough was heard that 200 some years later it made a great song).