Oxford College is offering residents a way to stimulate their brains this fall and it's absolutely free. The series of classes, each with a different topic, will be designed and taught by members of the exclusive college's faculty.

The college's Community Classroom will begin Oct. 30 with "Down These Mean Streets: On the Trail of the American P.I." from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Tarbutton Theater, Oxford's adjunct assistant professor of English Brad Hawley will give an overview of the various sub-genres of crime fiction, with an emphasis on the private investigator. The class will discuss the origins of the terms "pulp fiction" and "Private I," and be given a handout of suggested readings.

On Nov. 13, associate professor of religion Florian Pohl will give a class called "Insights into Islam: Considering the Qur'an" from 7 to 8 p.m. in the Dean's Dining Room, Pohl will talk about how accurate the understanding of the Qur'an as the Muslim Bible is and explore the Qur'an's role in Muslim piety from a comparative religious studies perspective by highlighting the Islamic sciences of interpretation and recitation.

The last class will be held on Nov. 27 from 7 to 8 p.m. in Tarbutton Theater, with associate history professor and musician David Leinweber who will give a presentation on the folk tradition and share original folk songs based on his lifelong love of history and literature. Topics will include the Sioux Wars of the American West, Woodstock, Phillip II of Spain, Beowulf and the classic TV series "Dark Shadows."

Complementary snacks and beverages will be supplied. However, for $8 there will be an all-you-can-eat buffet beginning at 5 p.m. in the dining hall.

For more information call (770) 784-8389 or visit oxford.emory.edu/calendar.