Wednesday Courses   

Join Jan, Neil, and maybe a guest lecturer, as we “Zoom” through 100 years of popular and lesser-known operas.  We will cover the bel canto works “La Sonnambula” and “I Puritani “ from the 1830s; the ever-popular “La Traviata” and “La Boheme”, and the verismo work “Andrea Chenier” from the Romantic mid and late 1800s.  We conclude with “Arabella”, from the 1930s.  These works can be seen during OLLI’s Fall term at the Metropolitan Opera’s Live in HD simulcasts at local theatres or Opera Colorado. Selections from each will be shown in class.  Please join us whether you are an experienced opera goer or new to the art form. 

There are some books we often have heard cited and may have quoted ourselves, but in reality, we’ve never read. One book that could fit this description for you is Alexis de Tocqueville’s Democracy in America. In this course, we will have the opportunity to read and talk about parts of this classic work.

In the 1830s, de Tocqueville came to the United States from France to study prison reform. He used his time for a much broader investigation into American society, culture, and politics. The result was Democracy in America. The book is partly an entertaining literary travelogue that captures many aspects of life in 1830s America. But mostly it’s an examination of how democracy shaped American culture, institutions, and character. De Tocqueville analyzes themes relevant to today, such as equality, individualism, civil society, religion, and the dangers of majority tyranny. He contrasts American democracy with European aristocracy, urging Europeans to become more democratic, but he also warns his audience of potential democratic excesses.

Alexis de Tocqueville: Democracy in America, Volume 1, 1835. Book is in public domain

Mah Jongg is an ancient Chinese game that has been played in the American version since the 1900s. It's played with 4 people and is similar to Gin Rummy. It's a fun, complex game that is very challenging and interesting. This is a game of strategy, defense, and knowledge of the game. It's also 50% skill and 50% luck. The National Mah Jongg League creates a card with hands that can be played. These hands change every year. There are also categories of hands that do not change. A current card will be provided for each participant at the first class. This will be yours to keep. Elaine will provide handouts to help you learn quickly. The class will be taught in a progressive manner. Class members are STRONGLY encouraged to attend every class when able since it's difficult to "catch up" on what was taught and discussed in the previous week. The game is easy to learn if you're having a good time. Warning! This game is ADDICTIVE, you will LOVE playing, and you will get hooked!!

By watching lectures by archaeologists, reviewing handouts, and engaging in class discussions, we will explore several intriguing questions about ancient cities. For example:

• When did humans switch from the nomadic lifestyle of hunting & gathering to settled lives in cities they built?
• Why did they make such a dramatic change?
• Where were the first cities built and occupied?
• What did those early cities look like?
• How did early city dwellers live and what social, economic, political and religious arrangements formed their cultures?

The cities we will examine date to the neolithic age through the bronze and iron ages, up to classical Greece and imperial Rome in the old world; in North America, our sites date from the Woodland period and Pueblo II-to-III. Our chosen cities are primarily in the Mediterranean; we also will skip over to Mesopotamia, the Indus River, and sites in present day Louisiana and Colorado.

(cities/sites listed on syllabus)

Join former professional dancers Joy and Jeffrey Engel for a captivating journey through the history of ballet. Drawing from their wealth of experience, the Engels will guide participants through an engaging exploration of ballet's evolution, enriched by captivating videos and dynamic discussions.

We will start in the 15th century, examining ballet's origins in the royal courts of Italy and France. Our journey will then take us to the early 19th century, a transformative period known as the Romantic era, featuring iconic productions like *Giselle* and *La Sylphide*.

As we progress, we’ll delve into the hallmark ballets of the classical era, including beloved masterpieces such as *The Nutcracker*, *Swan Lake*, and *Sleeping Beauty*. In later classes, we will analyze the evolution of ballet styles, tracing the shift from Romantic and classical forms to the neoclassical influences and the contemporary dance styles that shape the art today. Join us to deepen your understanding and appreciation of this timeless dance form!

This course will include speaking, reading, and writing. The primary objective is to teach enough vocabulary and expressions that participants can begin to speak and understand others who speak Spanish. We will build a community of safety together, where everyone is praised for trying to communicate, and there is no room for criticism. It isn't easy to learn another language, so everyone needs to have patience with themselves and each other. The book will be used at each class session. There will be many opportunities for practice, questions, and explanations of verb usage and sentence formation. We can laugh together while we all make mistakes!

China is very much in the news these days. President Trump has initiated a tariff program on China in an attempt to address the current very negative trade balance. This process is upending the economies of both countries. Taiwan is in play also with both nations trying to anticipate the actions of the other. Meanwhile President Xi has many critical domestic issues, any one of which would be considered a primary focal point for any other countries. Steve Swenerton will review all of this in depth presenting much new information and perspectives. The people, the domestic economy, China`s international economy, the military and a report card on President Xi will all be included in this class.

This course will explore the development of maps and navigation through history. Advancements in the art and technology of cartography allowed our forebears to move from a world defined by their local surroundings to oceanic exploration and on to global commerce. The course will begin with the ancient Babylonians and their study of the motion of the stars and the planets. We will progress through time -- exploring the Greeks, discussing the “Search for Longitude,” and ending with the modern age of digital maps and satellite navigation.

Along our journey of videos and facilitator presentations, we will look at individuals who were key to advancing the expertise involved in maps and navigation. We will also examine some of the explorers and surveyors who expanded the knowledge of our world. Finally, we will look at some of the errors, frauds, and geographical misconceptions that have arisen over the years.

Classical keyboards: what might that be? Thunderous organ music by Bach? Dramatic piano sonatas of Beethoven? Delicate keyboard musings by Debussy? Even saucy creations of Gershwin? In this six-week online course, music historian and frequent OLLI program presenter Betsy Schwarm will feature all of those, and much more! We’ll consider how various keyboard instruments work and how some of the most beloved keyboard music came to be written. Betsy’s course, to be offered via Zoom, will include video performances of almost all the music, as well as opportunities for commentary and Q&A. No music reading required: just an active interest in discovering how this wonderful music came to be!

This class is for anyone who is interested in “Birding” or “Bird Watching” and who enjoys being outdoors, walking 1-2 miles, and interacting with others while watching birds. The classroom sessions will consist of birding etiquette and appearance of birds including size, shape, color and identifying field marks. They will highlight bird behaviors and habitats and other interesting aspects of these living dinosaurs and how they reflect the health of our planet.

In the four classroom sessions, George will share his photos of birds on PowerPoint, his knowledge and experience in birding, and his experience being a citizen scientist. The other four sessions will be field trips. Locations include Bluff Lake Nature Center, Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge, and other locations. These field trip sessions may be longer than 2 hours and scheduled depending on the weather.

If you’ve ever asked, “Why is health care like this?” — this course is for you. Over eight weeks, we’ll take a serious, detailed look at how the U.S. health care system, despite its enormous potential, became so complex, fragmented, and difficult to navigate. We’ll cover the history of medicine and medical training, the development of scientific knowledge, the evolution of reimbursement and payment systems, and the layered, often contradictory structures that shape how care is delivered. We’ll examine the societal, institutional, and individual-level factors that influence how people seek care, experience illness, and interact with a system that often leaves them confused and frustrated. We’ll understand why there are no easy answers or simple fixes. Each 2-hour session is dense with information, intended for learners who want to truly understand—not just skim—the dynamics that shape today’s health care environment.

This course will cover six key economic issues: the recent slowdown of US economic growth, economic inequality, the US’s mounting national debt, the US’s inefficient health care system, the US’s soaring prescription drug prices, and immigration.

Here are some of the questions that will be addressed:

• What caused the recent slowdown in the nation’s growth?
• Is faster growth a good thing?
• What is driving the US’s widening income inequality?
• Is the “American Dream” now just a pipedream for all but the richest Americans?
• How critical is it for America’s national deficit to be reduced?
• Why does the US spend so much more on health care than other high-income countries, and is it getting its money’s worth?
• Why are pharmaceutical drug prices so high in the US?
• Can drug price inflation in the US be tamed?
• What are the benefits and costs of immigration to US citizens, and does one exceed the other?

We will discuss the prior week’s news in the first hour. In the second hour, a topic that has been determined by the facilitators and articles that have been sent out prior to the class will be discussed. The facilitators of this class express a progressive point of view on American politics. They welcome conservative or other points of view and encourage discussion as part of our learning experience.

The Fall Documentary Film class will cover a wide variety of films. Each film will be shown in class and will be followed by a discussion of the film. Class members are expected to stay for the discussion. The Facilitator likes to remain flexible as to what films to show due to availability, the arrival of new films, or events that would make a film topical.

Since films are of varying length, class may end at 2:45 or extend past 3 pm. The class will be informed in advance when a longer film will require class to go past 3 pm.

Quantum Mechanics is arguably the most important invention of the human mind. Our standard of living has increased enormously due to its applications to computers and communications, education, entertainment, medical devices, navigation, energy production, travel safety, and other advances.

Yet, many mysteries remain. Experiments show that the quantum world is weirder than science fiction. Scientists cannot agree on how to interpret its seemingly illogical predictions, even though the theory continues to successfully explain the world of the atom and its components.

This class will present the history of quantum science, its key personalities, a non-technical explanation of its guiding tenets, what is and isn’t understood, and the exciting future it offers in computing and communication security.

Professors usually say 'Shut up and calculate' to students who want answers about the foundations of quantum mechanics. We will expose those shadowy areas and offer the best current explanations.

Great Decisions is a program of the Foreign Policy Association, which presents new topics each year. The class is expected to read a chapter from the Briefing Book before each class, will then view a video of background information and relevant interviews with world leaders and scholars during class, and discuss the topic.

Required Book: Great Decisions 2025 Briefing Book, available from the Foreign Policy Association.  Registered members, please order. www.fpa.org/great_decisions

GREAT DECISIONS 2025 TOPICS

• 1. AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY AT A CROSSROADS
• 2. U.S. CHANGING LEADERSHIP OF THE WORLD ECONOMY
• 3. U.S.-CHINA RELATIONS
• 4. INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION ON CLIMATE CHANGE
• 5. THE FUTURE OF NATO AND EUROPEAN SECURITY
• 6. AI AND AMERICAN NATIONAL SECURITY
• 7. INDIA: BETWEEN CHINA, THE WEST, AND THE GLOBAL SOUTH
• 8. AFTER GAZA: AMERICAN POLICY IN THE MIDDLE EAST

There have been all kinds of leaders in our world. Some led their sports teams to world championships. Others built great corporations and dominated markets. Still others built large armies and attacked their neighbors, accumulating power along the way. These leaders tended to gain a lot of notoriety and large fortunes.

But still others like Gandhi, King, and Mandela chose to lead their oppressed peoples against seemingly invincible power in search of justice and freedom. Rather than earning great wealth, they were imprisoned and in two cases assassinated. Why did they do that?

This course will explore several important questions. What was in their makeups and in their backgrounds that led them to lead their oppressed peoples in a fight for justice and freedom? What “magic” did they have that led them to harness the support of their peoples? What unique strategies did they use to win against superior power?

And finally what have been the long-term outcomes of their heroic efforts? What can we learn about leadership from these men?

The eight weeks of classes will consist of some lecture, some videos, and lots of discussion.

"Know your nature. Know your strength. Know who you are—and embody that." (Prem Rawat)

The Peace Education Program is designed to support you in uncovering your inner strengths and resources so that you can gain a deeper understanding of yourself.

This engaging, two-hour course will be held weekly over the span of five weeks. It showcases a media-based peace education initiative developed by The Prem Rawat Foundation, guiding you on a journey to explore your inner resources, including Peace, Appreciation, Inner Strength, Self-awareness, Clarity, Understanding, Dignity, Choice, Hope, and Contentment.

The program features inspiring video excerpts from world-renowned peace educator and bestselling author Prem Rawat’s presentations around the globe, along with captivating, animated stories. With the help of provided workbooks, facilitators will engage participants through insightful discussions, interactive activities, and meaningful reflections. Together, we will delve into the theme of personal peace through a transformative process of self-discovery.

No Class 10/01/2025

I love to share the beauty of our world with you! Whether you are eager to travel and want ideas about future trips, or you're an armchair traveler who enjoys seeing the beauty of our world through photography and descriptive videos, you'll enjoy this class. Furthermore, if you are as concerned as I am about current "overtourism," you will share my concern and discuss the problem.

At first blush Shakespeare’s famous line, “The first thing we do, let’s kill all the lawyers” seemed to disparage lawyers. But, in the context of the Henry VI play, it was a satirical remark uttered as a testament to lawyers to underscore their importance in upholding the rule of law and maintaining societal order.

Now, more than 425 years later, the Oval Office is determined to kill all the lawyers who aim to preserve justice and thwart the current tsunami of chaos and office holder’s quest for anointment. Scores of dedicated and honorable judges are an integral part of this mission.

This course will address the numerous actions the Oval Office (47) has taken to arguably throw America’s social order into disarray. There is little resistance from Congress to this movement.

However, opponents from various segments of society view the actions as antithetical to guarantees in the US Constitution, Congressional law and society’s mores. In support of this quest for societal order, dedicated lawyers and judges have fought for the adherence to justice, the rule of law and protections in our Constitution.

This course is designed to address the competing interests between the oval office and his opponents through the below-classes with the caveat that modifications of any one or more of them could be dictated by current events:

Discover the beautiful combination of detailed ink drawing and soft watercolor in this beginner-friendly course. Line and Wash is a timeless art technique that brings together the structure of sketching with the flow and spontaneity of watercolor, resulting in expressive and elegant artwork. Through simple step-by-step lessons and fun, creative exercises, you’ll learn how to trace and draw with ink, then bring your work to life using transparent watercolor washes. No experience is needed, but if you're also taking the Basic Color Theory course this term, it may help you better understand how colors blend and interact.

This is a hands-on and relaxing class, perfect for anyone who wants to explore a new art style, loosen up their watercolor skills, and enjoy the creative process using both pen and brush.

Supply list includes Waterproof black pens, Watercolor, Watercolor paper, Brushes, Pencil, Water jar, and paper towel and will be emailed in detail 1-2 week prior the course start.

This class will explore the post WWII or Cold War development of nuclear weapons and manned delivery systems and their cultural influence. We will examine the doctrine of strategic use of nuclear weapons and the various international incidents that heightened the threat of atomic weapon use.

How did the US respond to this growing, ever-present threat? We will reveal the political and military infighting in the late '40s that resulted in the creation of the USAF and the Strategic Air Command (SAC). We will study the effectiveness of civil defense measures instituted in the 1950s and explain the significant nuclear accidents during this time frame.

After exploring these topics, we will grapple with the cultural influence of the USA’s political and military responses to nuclear weapons. The class will watch the Cold War thriller, “Fail Safe” and the satirical black comedy, “Dr. Strangelove.” After viewing each film, we will discuss the background and stories of each and analyze their societal impact.

Have you ever wondered what “Fracking” is, and why it is controversial? How is a horizontal well drilled with a rig that only moves pipe vertically? How does a directional driller control and measure the placement of the wellbore? Who are the team members involved in planning and executing an oil well, and how long does it take? What are the economics of drilling and producing oil, and why is gasoline so expensive? We will cover these questions and more, with examples of what can go wrong. The BP Deepwater Horizon Macondo well in the Gulf of Mexico in 2011 and other incidents will be used to illustrate the drilling process, loss of well control, and intercept and plugging of oil and gas wells.

“Planning the Defense – Step up Your Game I” is taught on Wednesdays, online, for 8 weeks. The class starts at 1:00 p.m. and finishes at 3:00 p.m. The instructor will provide notes for the classes. The instructor will use class discussion, drills, and play of bridge hands to demonstrate and reinforce the concepts learned. Students will review defensive signals, making a defensive plan, and making a defensive plan that requires counting. Other:

There is a $20.00 non-negotiable or refundable fee for this class.  The fee goes to offset the app fees so students can play bridge online (there is no text for this class). Students will either pay the instructor via check or Zelle (3039289187) (mdholmes8@yahoo.com). Students can mail a check to: 313 Clisby Austin Rd, Tunnel Hill, GA 30755. Phone# 303 928-9187. Failure to pay the fee will result with you being dropped from the class.

Play of the Hand in the 21st Century is an eight-week online course designed for individuals new to the game of bridge or those who have been absent from bridge for a while. The instructor will use class discussion, drills, and play of bridge hands to demonstrate and reinforce the concepts learned. This course helps the bridge student to develop a plan for declaring a bridge hand. Students will learn how to build a plan, use the strategies of promotion and length, the finesse, eliminating losers, developing and using entries, watching out for the opponents, managing the trump suit and developing the timing to make the plan work. Play of the Hand in the 21st Century is the text. This text will be provided to the students free, sponsored by the American Contract Bridge League (ACBL).

There is a nonnegotiable, nonrefundable $20.00 fee for this class.  The fee covers the mailing of the book and fees for the use of the virtual bridge app.  The fee is paid to the teacher Michael Holmes, via check, to 313 Clisby Austin Rd. Tunnel Hill, GA 30755. You can also use Zelle - 3039289187 or mdholmes8@yahoo.com.  Your book will be mailed upon receipt of the course fee.  Failure to send the fee by the 2nd class, will result in you being dropped from the class.

Are you curious about how the financial markets work, and how investment advisors make their decisions? This six-week course will provide interactive discussions and structured lessons offering a broad overview of investment options and strategies tailored for retirement. We’ll discuss risk and volatility, portfolio diversification, and economic trends, with a focus on understanding how registered investment advisors (RIA) operate. Participants will learn how to use investment analysis tools and techniques for managing risk and volatility; by the end of the course, you will have a deeper understanding of financial investment strategies and be equipped to collaborate with financial planners and advisors confidently.

Retirement brings opportunities and challenges in investing, from managing upcoming changes from the SEC, utilizing required minimum distributions (RMDs), generating recurring income, to minimizing volatility, risk and taxes. Whether you want to optimize your retirement accounts or simply grasp the principles behind investment decisions, this course is for you.

Required: How NOT to Invest by Barry Ritholtz (eBook will be provided for each student after the first class).  Must be proficient with using a computer and basic software applications.

What drove some of the world’s most famous explorers? How were they able to persevere? What resources did they use? How did they survive in desolate, unforgiving circumstances? When teammates died, how did the others react? And of course, what routes did they take? What did they discover?

This five-week course will take a deep dive – in some cases literally – into ten historic voyages of discovery and survival. The last, featuring Peter Van Arsdale’s own journey, explores the heartland of New Guinea and the remote tribe his team discovered. In each case, first-hand narratives – as well as numerous photographs and maps – will be included: Cabeza de Vaca (1527-1536, North America); DeSoto (1539-1543, North America); Coronado (1540-1542, North America); Cook (1776-1780, Pacific Ocean); Bligh (1789, Pacific Ocean); Lewis and Clark (1803-1806, North America); Franklin (1845-1846, Arctic); Scott (1910-1913, Antarctic); Shackleton (1914-1916, Antarctic); Van Arsdale (1974, New Guinea).

This course will explore the musical genre that became known as The Blues, including the musical, historical, sociological, and economic factors that contributed to its origins and evolution. Some of these factors and events include the advent of slavery, Jim Crow laws and practices, the development of recordings and the record industry, the emergence of radio, television and, later, the internet. The course will introduce many of the progenitors of The Blues, as well as the musicians and others who influenced its growth. The class will provide the opportunity to hear and view a significant amount of music, in both audio and video formats. Over two semesters, the class will meet and listen to a wide range of performers, all of whom played or sang The Blues, or whose music was influenced by it. As the course progresses, we will focus on the evolution of The Blues itself and its transformation into the musical genres that became "branches" of The Blues, i.e. jazz, country music, rock 'n' roll, American folk music, rhythm and blues and "popular music."

Ever wondered if sci-fi gets it right? You’ll explore how iconic, highly rated films foresee social shifts and tech breakthroughs. While screening classic and current versions, we'll dissect cinematic prophecies and their surprising real-world echoes.

“A Trip to the Moon” (1902) propels us into space, “Terminator” (1984) and “Minority Report” (2002) examine AI's rise, dystopian societies, gadget predictions, surveillance, and bio-tech ethics. Discover how these movies and others reflect our anxieties and shape our tomorrows.

Get ready for lively chats and a fresh perspective from eight provocative science fiction stories. Through select film screenings, weekly readings and discussions, we will explore the intersection of film, technology, culture, the world to come and perhaps our current chaos.

This course explores how a deeper understanding of emotions can enhance communication and strengthen relationships. Drawing on Brené Brown’s "Atlas of the Heart," participants will learn to identify, name, and describe complex emotional experiences in order to communicate better with others. We will be reading "Atlas of the Heart" together, using it as a foundation for reflective exercises and discussions to develop emotional literacy that fosters authentic connection in both personal and professional settings. By cultivating emotional awareness, participants will gain the skills to communicate more clearly and compassionately, strengthening their connections with others.

Required Reading: Atlas of the Heart

France during World War II almost defies understanding. The German Blitzkrieg overwhelmed France in 1940, after which an infamous Armistice Agreement left southeastern France “independent” of Germany under new government based in the resort town of Vichy. Meanwhile, a few dissenting French military officers escaped to London or French North Africa. Among them was an upstart French General named Charles de Gaulle, who presumptuously assumed leadership of an unofficial French government-in-exile based in London. As the war progressed, the Vichy-based government progressively Nazified while a growing resistance movement increasingly conducted espionage and guerrilla warfare inside France. The Allied invasion of French North Africa in late 1942 complicated matters, prompting Germany to immediately occupy the rest of France. Allied liberation in 1944 induced near-anarchy in France until after V-E Day a year later. Wartime stories of heroism and tragedy abound. Mini biographies of such notable characters as Marshal Philippe Petain, Pierre Laval, and de Gaulle will provide sympathetic understanding countered by some harsh assessments of their arrogance and judgment errors.

Water availability and climate-change issues continue to confront stakeholders and decision makers both in the U.S. and globally. This course is divided into two separate (4-week) segments, each giving selected examples that address these topics: (1) the continuing drought in the southwestern U.S.; and (2) global water and climate-change frameworks and regulatory policies. In the first four sessions, pending and recent OLLI presentations will be updated and enhanced to examine the impacts of water and climate change on major water-resource components, including rivers, aquifers, and lakes. In the final four sessions, regional and global perspectives encompassing these issues will be presented for general discussion, including updates on the EU’s water framework directive and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

This class examines the pivotal year of 1945 in global history as a new world emerged from the ruins of World War II. One world had ended, and a new, uncertain one began. Regime changes occurred on a global scale. Asia and continental Europe experienced dramatic disruptions. Out of the often vicious power struggles that ensued, the modern world as we know it emerged. Devastated cities were transformed; the liberated celebrated; scores were settled; people starved; justice was and was not meted out; soldiers and refugees returned home; suffering ended, or continued, or began anew. In human terms, the scale of transformation is almost impossible to imagine.

Discussion topics include:

• --The nation-state and the rule of law
• --Similarities and differences in the events of Western Europe, Eastern Europe, and Asia
• --Ethnicity and tribalism
• --Ethnic-cleansing
• --Treatment of refugees, of immigrants, of emigrants
• --The allies and the Holocaust
• --Civil society and the rogue nation state
• --Revenge, retribution, nationalism

Recommended:  Year Zero, A History of 1945 by Ian Buruma