Thursday Courses   

A visit to the past helps us to see both the bruises and the blessings of our lives. Reviewing our memories can help identify and evaluate the experiences we have had. It can lead to discovery of those revealing moments along the way. Using a workbook of life story questions, participants will journal, share experiences in small groups, and participate in interactive exercises.

Materials: Participants will need a journal notebook. The Life Story Workbook will be provided.

History of the Rain by Niall Williams, tells of a young woman trying to find out about her father through the library he left behind. The Time Literary Supplement calls it, “A multi-layered, mythological retelling of the making of a family and nation.” We approach reading as discovery in a reading community; therefore, some of the reading is done in class so that, together, we encounter the text as a group. We use an approach called reader response theory, where meaning is created by the reader. For this reason, we encourage discussion and analysis as an ongoing activity during the reading. For this reason, PLEASE DO NOT START READING THE BOOK BEFORE CLASS BEGINS!

Please purchase a copy of History of the Rain by Niall Williams before class begins (required) BUT DO NOT BEGIN READING.

In the abbreviated format I have developed for Oscar Movies, I have selected some 24 of those same films spanning 1940 to 2018 to recap and discuss, three movies per session. These will be organized in mini-genre groups rather than by year so we can see and compare love stories, family struggles, society issues, making it, show biz behind the scenes, war, musicals, and life on the wrong side. The syllabus details which films, which weeks. We can muse over how Hollywood has evolved in its storytelling in these areas and whether the lessons have changed over time.

Back by popular demand, this updated course offers a clear, engaging introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how it’s rapidly transforming our world. From self-driving cars to chatbots and precision medicine, we will explore how AI works, where it’s headed, and what it means for society. No tech experience needed—just curiosity! With fresh examples and timely updates, participants will gain a solid understanding of the opportunities and challenges AI presents today.

This Osher Online course, offered through the Osher National Resource Center, lets you learn with fellow lifelong learners nationwide, guided by a world-class expert. OSHER ONLINE COURSES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has insinuated itself into just about everything. It already has an outsized impact on our purchases, communications, finance, investments, software development, travel, workflows, and even our culture and politics. AI has been a long time coming but it is here now. It is imposing a new cultural paradigm, defining behaviors and setting out a new world order. We can only dimly see this next evolutionary era, an age that began with a steep decline of the industrial age from the middle of the last century.

This class will look at the current state of AI, its promises and pitfalls, and what is on the immediate horizon (2028-2030). It will include a deeper dive into where AI has been applied successfully (or not), what the big players are doing, and of course, all the new jargon. Discussion of related social and economic changes coming will also be included.

Borderlands tells the powerful history of the Hispanic Southwest, stretching from Spain's earliest explorations of the Americas to Mexico's settlement of the northern frontier that became today's American Southwest. Through vivid storytelling, author Angel Vigil traces the evolution of Hispanic life—from the Mexican Revolution through the Bracero labor program to the rise of the United Farm Workers and the Chicano movement. It celebrates the culture's deep traditions in art, music, food, and language, and the unbreakable value placed on family. It honors the patriotism of Latinos who have served our nation in every war and contributed leadership across every field. Borderlands showcases the lives of Hispanic leaders who through perseverance, resilience, and faith have contributed to America's success. Interactive discussion will be encouraged.

Recommended Book: Borderlands, Living in Two Worlds – the Story of Hispanics in the American Southwest

Apeirogon, a shape with a countably infinite number of sides, tells an epic story rooted in the real-life friendship between two men united by loss. Bassam Aragon is Palestinian. Rami Elhanan is Israeli. When Bassam and Rami learn of each other's stories, they recognize the loss that connects them and they attempt to use their grief as a weapon for peace. This compelling hybrid novel, published in 2021, is crafted out of a universe of fictional and nonfictional material. Colum McCann, renowned Irish writer, crosses centuries and continents stitching together time, art, history, nature and politics in a tale both heartbreaking and hopeful. If you enjoy a challenging, unforgettable read, join me as we look again at these incredibly complex issues that continue to haunt us all. Please come with an open mind and heart.

This class will be a combination of lecture, video, and discussion, with discussion questions emailed each week.

Required Text: Apeirogon, a novel by Colum McCann

During the Middle Ages seafaring merchants plied their trade at ports primarily along the coasts of northern Europe, the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. Their focus was the trade of many goods and materials in demand in that region. They concentrated on trade; how to develop trade; how to promote trade; and how to protect trade in their sphere of influence and operation. Known as the Hanseatic League, their influence extends to today. The first half of this class will concentrate on the Hansa’s rise and fall. Many believe that the historical roots of the European Union may be found in this organization. Therefore, the last half of the class will examine those connections and contrasts including why the EU was formed, how it is formed, how it is organized and how it operates today.

Presentation will include power point, lecture, graphics, video, and discussion.

Explore the expressive and flowy world of watercolor. This 8-week course is designed for those who are new to watercolor or would like to strengthen their foundational skills. Participants will learn essential watercolor techniques through step-by-step demonstrations and hands-on practice. Topics include washes, wet-on-wet and wet-on-dry techniques, layering, blending, and creating textures. You will also gain a deeper understanding of how water, pigment, and paper work together—key to painting with confidence. Each class encourages experimentation, creativity, and personal expression. No prior watercolor experience is required. Come ready to relax, explore, and enjoy the process while discovering the joy of watercolor painting.

Required Materials: Supply List will be provided in advance to all participants. But here are basics supplies like 100% cotton 140lb Paper, Brushes round fine tip #2, #6, #10 or #12, watercolors, Paper Towels, Pencil, Eraser, Sharpener, Ruler.

The music of Broadway and Hollywood musicals is an art form in and of itself. It takes a team of multi-talented performers and an orchestra to produce these entertainment extravaganzas. At the heart are creative geniuses who set the whole thing in motion: the songwriters! In this multimedia course, we will cover: Stephen Sondheim, Kander & Ebb, Frank Loesser, Harnick & Bock, Irving Berlin, Burt Bacharach, Jerry Herman, Gilbert & Sullivan, Rado & Ragni, Stephen Schwartz, Charles Strouse, Elton John, Alan Menken and Meredith Willson. Lee will share many videos to demonstrate the songs as they appear on stage and screen.

Science is full of surprises. Dyes, accidentally discovered, launched the modern pharmaceutical industry. A failed experiment opened the door to new physics. Discoveries are never just facts. They are moments of creativity, struggle, and chance with far-reaching consequences. In this course, we will explore the human side of science, tracing breakthroughs in biology, chemistry, physics, and more. We will ask not only what was found, but how and why it matters.

This Osher Online course, offered through the Osher National Resource Center, lets you learn with fellow lifelong learners nationwide, guided by a world-class expert. OSHER ONLINE COURSES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE.

“Yada, yada, yada.”

“Stifle it.”

“I hate spunk.”

“Lucy, I’m home.”

Do you recognize these catch phrases? Can you identify the sitcom? This course will examine eight great American sitcoms: I Love Lucy, The Honeymooners, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, All in the Family, M*A*S*H*, Cheers, The Golden Girls, and Seinfeld. Each week we will tackle a sitcom, view a full episode, and analyze and discuss how these sitcoms impacted American culture. We will review the creative minds and environment that helped develop these memorable programs. Why were we ready for an Archie Bunker or a bedroom setting or the humor of a war? Join me as we take an informative look at the role these TV sitcoms played in shaping our society, while we laugh and have fun with the memories.

In this class, we’ll take a retrospective look at the remarkable career of a filmmaker whose work brought laughter, insight, and emotional depth to audiences around the world. From the razor-sharp satire of This Is Spinal Tap to the nostalgic tenderness of Stand by Me, and from the moral urgency of A Few Good Men to the enduring charm of When Harry Met Sally, Reiner’s films balanced entertainment with humanity. In the wake of his tragic death in December 2025, this course celebrates his legacy across eight screenings, exploring how his warmth, wit, and storytelling conviction continue to resonate with viewers and enrich the art of cinema. In each session, we will screen the entire film with English subtitles followed by a lively discussion. Participants are encouraged to share their insights, making this a collaborative and enriching experience.

Throughout his 1000-day presidency, John Kennedy pursued peace through a broad spectrum of initiatives. He saw a connection between learning and leadership and sought to use military deterrence, diplomacy, and soft power in novel ways. In this course, we will explore how his character and life experiences were the origins of those efforts. We will evaluate his powers of persuasion by listening to key speeches, and we will assess his successes and failures and their relevance to today’s world.

This is an Osher Online course, offered through the Osher National Resource Center, lets you learn with fellow lifelong learners nationwide, guided by a world-class expert. OSHER ONLINE COURSES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE.

This course is for anyone who wants to add more energy, movement, interaction, and fun to their day.  Line-dancing is one of the easiest dances to learn. Line dancing is versatile; you will be able to dance to multiple music genres, including Country, Rock, Pop, Bluegrass, R&B, and Blues.  You will learn new steps by observing the facilitators, Ellen and Chris, and will practice first without music and then with music.  We will demonstrate the steps from different locations in the room to boost visual cues.  We recommend practicing between classes to enhance skills, confidence, and fun. You will receive video links to assist with your practice sessions at home.  So, if you’d like to meet new folks, enjoy upbeat music, exercise lightly, and engage both your body and mind, come dance with us. No experience is necessary, just comfortable footwear.

Can people really talk to the dead—or have séances simply offered one of the most enduring illusions of the last 150 years? In booming Western cities like Denver, spiritualist mediums, lecturers, and stage magicians turned “spirit circles” into both a source of comfort and a profitable public spectacle, drawing believers, doubters, and outright debunkers into the same candlelit rooms.

In this class, explore how the séance emerged from the 19th-century spiritualist movement and spread across the American West, including Colorado’s own lively culture of mediums, spirit guides, and “spook exposers” working the newspapers and theaters of Denver. Trace key moments in American and Colorado history when people turned to séances—from post-Civil War grief to Gilded Age showmanship—and consider why the idea of speaking with the dead has remained so compelling.

Together, you’ll examine famous séance participants and scandals, analyze how performers blend psychology, technology, and stagecraft to create “otherworldly” effects, and discuss the ethical line between comfort, entertainment, and exploitation. Then, participate in a demonstration séance in a Denver venue with its own stories of “spirits and spirits,” using your new knowledge to decode what you’re experiencing in real time.

Please note: The class will meet at Broderick Bar, 1080 Gaylord St., Denver. You must have a valid 21-plus government issued ID.

A deep dive into a shallow pond—Wham!—to explore the creation of the greatest cartoon characters in American history (Pow!). Not even Mickey Mouse could hold a candle to the loud, rough, rude, scatter-shot, machine-gun humor of Bugs, Daffy, Elmer, Porky, Taz, Yosemite Sam, Road-Runner, Coyote, Tweety, Sylvester, Speedy, Witch Hazel, Foghorn Leghorn, and more. The most extraordinary talents in the business (Need Proof? Chuck Jones, Friz Freleng, Tex Avery, Bob Clampett, Frank Tashlin – ALL CERTIFIABLY MAD AS HATTERS!!!!!!) developed the most fantastic characters in animation. They changed the very face of American comedy ** Crash! ** from vaudeville patter to rapid-fire machine-gun action, wisecracks, biting sarcasm, and outrageous fun. Join the Wascally Wabbit on Michigan J. Frog's eight-week wild ride!

Opera isn’t all tragic sopranos and bombastic baritones. Sometimes, it’s a light-hearted, danceable blend of singing and spoken dialog. Welcome to operetta! More than just light opera, it’s an art form of its own: predecessor of modern musical theater.

In late April, DU’s Lamont School of Music will present the most popular of all classic operettas. J. Strauss Jr.’s Fledermaus (1867) blends flirtation, song and dance, practical jokes, and much champagne, all leading to an ebulliently happy ending. Frequent DU Enrichment instructor and music historian Betsy Schwarm celebrates the occasion with a three-session course on operetta and Fledermaus. One session is a live performance of the Lamont production.

First, we’ll consider operetta before Fledermaus, then delve into Strauss’ most popular work. Next comes the performance itself. In the final session, we’ll share impressions of the experience, as well as explore where operetta went as it entered a new century. Strauss Jr.’s work anticipated what Stephen Sondheim would be doing a century later.

Human populations have grown ceaselessly since the last ice age. We now dominate almost every ecosystem on this planet. At first, the rate of growth was modest, but with each passing era the rate increased. Population growth has been accompanied by an even greater growth in both consumption and insatiable demands for energy. Ingenuity and innovation have up to now created new ways to sustain, protect and grow human populations. For thousands of years human ingenuity found ways to ease the burdens of labor, create surpluses, make room for more people, kept innovating, met demands for more energy, but also unleashed the disruptive forces of change, such as migration, war, and genocide. We don't seem to be done.

This course is the first of a two-part series. Part II will follow as a separate class. It will deal with the social, economic and political aspects of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Why do so many Americans love their guns? How do we reconcile the proliferation of firearms and their use with the trauma and death they cause? How did a nation built on muskets and expanding frontiers become a country awash in modern firearms? Why do efforts to enact gun control laws spark such emotional and political division? How did the one-sentence Second Amendment become a defining flashpoint of American identity?

These questions lead to the central one this course will explore: Should regulation of gun possession and use be more stringent? What might such a path forward look like?

This eight-week course draws heavily from Robert J. Spitzer’s The Politics of Gun Control (9th ed.), not required. Tom Mauser, father of Columbine victim Daniel Mauser and a gun safety advocate, will be a guest speaker. We will use lecture, video, guided discussion, and interactive learning to examine legal, historical, and cultural forces shaping America’s gun debate.

Why do so many Americans love their guns? How do we reconcile the proliferation of firearms and their use with the trauma and death they cause? How did a nation built on muskets and expanding frontiers become a country awash in modern firearms? Why do efforts to enact gun control laws spark such emotional and political division? How did the one-sentence Second Amendment become a defining flashpoint of American identity?

These questions lead to the central one this course will explore: Should regulation of gun possession and use be more stringent? What might such a path forward look like?

This eight-week course draws heavily from Robert J. Spitzer’s The Politics of Gun Control (9th ed.), not required. Tom Mauser, father of Columbine victim Daniel Mauser and a gun safety advocate, will be a guest speaker. We will use lecture, video, guided discussion, and interactive learning to examine legal, historical, and cultural forces shaping America’s gun debate.

Life brings change—sometimes gradual, sometimes sudden. Guided expressive writing offers a powerful way to build resilience during these transitions, helping us bend rather than break. Research shows that expressive writing can reduce stress, strengthen relationships, and support cognitive and emotional wellbeing. It has also been linked to improved physical health outcomes, including better sleep, reduced chronic pain, and improved lung function among people with asthma. Writing gives us a way to make meaning of life's "lifequakes," to remain flexible when circumstances change, and to find joy in everyday experiences. Over four sessions, you'll dive into current research on writing and wellbeing, learning how writing practices—such as journaling, reflective writing, and expressive storytelling—can enhance your wellness. Guided by an experienced writing professor, you'll experiment with these techniques in a supportive environment and develop a personalized wellness writing routine. The course design emphasizes the importance of community wellness. By sharing stories and reflections with classmates, you'll connect with others, fostering compassion and collective wellbeing. Together, we'll explore the healing power of shared experiences and build a supportive and thriving community.