select recordid,lname ,fname, abbreviated_title, courses.start_date,courses.institution_id, courses.course_id,selected_courses.course_id, selected_courses.recordid
from person, courses, selected_courses
where selected_courses.recordid=person.recordid and courses.course_id=selected_courses.course_id and courses.institution_id='<$USER>'and
courses.start_date=dateadd("m",-1,"31-jan-95"

order by lname, start_date
that what i've done
actually i need the start date before 30 days than this date (31-jan-95)and less than any date in 2010.