Classes – What You Need to Know

LLI/NOVA classes cover many different topics, including but not limited to history, foreign affairs, science, financial and retirement planning, political science, government, technology, philosophy, psychology, religion, music, art, poetry, and personal development.

The LLI/NOVA Curriculum Committee creates a class catalog each semester (Spring, Summer, and Fall).  The Committee holds multiple meetings per catalog, the first of which is the planning meeting.  At this meeting, various class topics are discussed to see if they would be appropriate classes for LLI/NOVA members.  Some Committee members, along with other LLI/NOVA members, have specific areas of expertise that they share by teaching a class.  In other cases, either a Committee member or another LLI/NOVA member may know someone outside of the organization who could develop an interesting class for LLI/NOVA.  Because LLI/NOVA is affiliated with Northern Virginia Community College, Annandale Campus, we are also fortunate that many of the college professors teach classes for us.

LLI/NOVA members are encouraged to share their class ideas and suggestions with any Committee member. To this end, prior to each semester the LLI/NOVA membership is solicited for new class ideas via an article in the the Newsletter.

Most LLI/NOVA classes are free to members, but some may include assigned reading and purchase of a textbook or require a small materials fee.  The class description explains the fee and when and how it is to be paid.

Each class has a Coordinator who maintains the registration roster, ensures the classrooms are set up for each class, and distributes and collects the Class Evaluation Form, among other duties.  The Coordinator’s contact information is listed under each class in the catalog and on the class entry in the LLI/NOVA website event calendar.  You may contact the Coordinator if you have questions about logistics or class content or if you need to cancel.  In a number of cases, there is a waitlist for a class, so it’s important to let the Coordinator know if you are unable to attend once you have registered for the class.  This will allow someone on the waitlist to attend.

The Class Coordinator will distribute an evaluation form to each registrant at the beginning of the class.  Registrants are asked to fill out the form and return it to the Coordinator prior to leaving the classroom.  The evaluation asks for your opinion on the class and the instructor, as well as any suggestions you may have for future classes.

Classes generally consist of one to eight 90-minute sessions, are informal and frequently include group discussion. The morning sessions generally run from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., while the afternoon sessions generally run from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.  The three semesters include Spring (January through late May/early June), Summer (mid-June through mid-September), and Fall (mid-September through December).

The classes are held on the NOVA Annandale Campus and off-campus in churches, community centers, government centers, and other suitable locations.  Each class entry in the catalog and in the website event calendar contains the course location/address.  In addition, the event calendar entry includes a map and a link to driving directions to the location.

As a general rule, LLI/NOVA classes are open only to LLI/NOVA members who have registered for the class.  Class Coordinators are given latitude in determining whether a member may attend a class even if he or she has not registered.  If you would like to attend a class but have not registered, contact the Class Coordinator listed for that particular class.  The Coordinator can determine if space is available.

Although LLI/NOVA courses are generally open only to LLI/NOVA members, there may be occasions when non-members may attend (or may be invited to attend).  Course Coordinators are authorized to admit non-members when appropriate, and when space is available.

Please note that if you are wait-listed for a class, you may not attend unless notified by the Coordinator. 

Inclement weather policy:  LLI/NOVA follows the lead of Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) regardless of the location of the class or event when schedules are changed due to inclement weather or area-wide emergencies:

• If the FCPS are open, all LLI/NOVA classes and events will be held.
• If the FCPS close, there will be no LLI/NOVA classes, SIGs, or Forums.
• If the FCPS delay morning opening, the LLI/NOVA morning classes, SIGs, and Forums are cancelled.
• If the FCPS close early, the afternoon LLI/NOVA classes and SIGs are cancelled.

Regardless of the weather or road conditions, every LLI/NOVA member must make his/her own decision about whether it is safe to travel.  This includes our instructors.  Trips and social events will take place unless cancelled at the leaders’ discretion.  When in doubt, check the LLI/NOVA website at https://llinova.org.  

Classes are offered throughout the year, subdivided into Spring, Summer, and Fall semesters. They are typically held on weekdays between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. The classes are held on the NOVA Annandale Campus and off-campus in churches, community centers, and other suitable locations.

Classes generally consist of one to eight 90-minute sessions, are informal, and frequently include group discussion. Class instructors may be active or retired teachers, historians, authors, or other experts in their field, drawn from throughout our community (and) who volunteer their time. Among them are NOVA faculty and your fellow LLI/NOVA members. Most classes are free to members, but some include assigned reading and purchase of a textbook, or require a small materials fee.

Members register for classes online using the LLI/NOVA website Classes & Events Calendar. The Classes & Events Calendar contains a complete description of each class and other LLI/NOVA activities. The Classes & Events Calendar can be accessed from the website Home Page or directly via this link.

Classes are also described in the semester Class Catalog (click the link) that is posted online on this website and in addition is emailed to each member.

Complete instructions for registering for classes online are provided on the website and may be found in the “Quick Connect” section of the Home Page. Simply select FAQ:  Using the LLI/NOVA Website, and then select  item 3 – Class/Event Registration Process (click the link).

Members who are unable to register online may contact the Administrator for special instructions to register for classes manually (i.e., a paper-based submission).

As a courtesy to other LLI/NOVA members, please contact the Coordinator listed in the class description if you will not be able to attend part or all of a class after you have registered.  This will give members on a waitlist an opportunity to attend.

Classes for a semester open for registration on a date published on the website. If a class is full, members may select to be placed on the waitlist. Once opened for registration, registration does not close.

The class description in the class catalog and on the online event calendar provides the location addresses. In addition, the online event calendar provides a map and a link to driving directions to the class location.

LLI/NOVA is now offering some classes online. You must register for these classes just like in-person classes. You will, however, receive an email invitation to the class about a week prior to the class that includes a "URL link" to the online class. Follow the instructions in the document How to Join Your Online Zoom Class (click the link).