Lifelong Learners
An Independent Collaborative

Lifelong Learners

An Independent Collaborative

The Old Way: Life Lessons from African Bushman Living Outside the Modern World

Course Leader(s)
Day of Week: Tuesday
Course Length: 5 weeks
Starting: 04/14/2026
Ending: 05/12/2026
Period of Day: Period 1 In-Person
Time: 9:45 - 11:15
Course Fee: $50

Course Description:

The class will read and discuss the book, The Old Way by Elizabeth Marshall Thomas, who chronicles the life of the Bushmen of the Kalahari shortly before they were forced to abandon a lifestyle like those of the hunter-gathers of 100,000 years ago. She gives a vivid account of her time living with the Bushmen, one of the last hunter-gathers societies on the earth. Her observations make us look at ourselves with humility and offer us lessons to be learned for today’s world.  The class will discuss the weekly readings.  Preparation will be reading two chapters before each class.

 

Books and Other Resources:

Thomas, Elizabeth Marshall. The Old Way.  First published in the U.S. by Sarah Crichton Books/Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2006.

Course Leader Bio(s)

Pat Cole

I was first introduced to anthropology by my sister when she was in college and had hands-on experience in a dig. I had an anthropology course in college while earning my BS in a  health studies program for RNs, where I was introduced to the works of Elizabeth Marshall Thomas. I earned an MA in religious studies and had an additional graduate year in theology. I then worked in the Roman Catholic Church directing religious education programs. Medicine and religion continued my quest to understand what it means to be a human.