View All Courses Alphabetically   

From the corridors of power to the pages of history, Pulitzer Prize-winner Doris Kearns Goodwin's 2024 "An Unfinished Love Story" blends memoir with historical insight. Both working for Presidents, she and her husband, Richard Goodwin, witnessed the history of the 60s and helped shape it. After 50 years, they share insider perspectives and reflections. In the words of "America's Historian," meet JFK, LBJ, RFK, and MLK up close. Expect surprises!

But this isn’t a typical history class. We lived the 60s! Using Goodwin’s book as a spark, we’ll reflect on our own experiences—capturing them in quick writes, a gazillion prompts provided—sharing voluntarily.

We aim to explore our own experiences. How did events shape our lives, our country, our culture? What were our successes, our mistakes? What did we learn to guide us into the future? We’re asking YOU!

For those who enjoy active participation and memories of the 60s.

Required: An Unfinished Love Story by Doris Kearns Goodwin

Note: The first class is scheduled 1 pm - 3:30 pm.  Remaining classes are 1 pm - 3 pm.

This is the story of a young woman and her life altering-decision after tragedy strikes her family's peach farm leading to an epic adventure of love, loss and survival. As seasons flow and years pass, Victoria Nash finds in the natural world the strength and meaning that sets her on a quest to regain all that she has lost. Inspired by true events, this novel is the story of a deeply held love amid hardship, but also of finding resilience, friendship, and finally a home where the peaches grow once again.

Shelley Read's stunning historic novel takes us into mid-20th century life in Western Colorado where the Gunnison River swallows towns, ranches and farms in the creation of the Blue Mesa Reservoir.

Join Carol and Bob Steele for six weekly discussions about this intriguing, well-written novel that has in just two years been translated into over 34 different languages and sold over a million copies.

Book:  Go As A River by Shelley Read

"I Cheerfully Refuse" by Leif Enger, is a novel set in a not-too-distant future. The story follows Rainy, a grief-stricken man who sets sail on Lake Superior against the background of a dystopian future — America wrecked by climate change, political and economic division, and more. Despite the bleakness of the setting, the novel also offers a message of hope and resilience, suggesting that even in the darkest of times, it is possible to find beauty, kindness, and meaning. 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. As a general rule, once classes begin, we spend the first half discussing the previous reading. The last half is devoted to taking turns reading aloud and discussing what we have read. Reading is always voluntary.

Required: Please purchase I Cheerfully Refuse by Leif Enger, before class begins.

What happens to human “consciousness” when we die? In 1978 Dr. Raymond Moody's landmark book Life After Life reported on Moody’s investigation of 150 people who died “clinically,” were subsequently revived, and reported similar extraordinary experiences. His book started a revolution in popular attitudes regarding an “afterlife” and forever changed how we understand both death and life. Since then, with vastly improved resuscitation techniques, five decades of scientific research on thousands of NDEs has brought us powerful evidence that yes, Virginia, there is “life" after physical death and, as frosting on the cake, what awaits us is both heart-warming and extremely comforting. Physicians and professors at prominent universities, medical schools, and hospitals world-wide continue to study this phenomenon with seriously "mind-blowing" results. This course brings you up to speed on these findings as well as what we now know about other exceptional “paranormal” phenomenon.

Terms like complexes, the shadow, introvert, extravert, archetypes, and the collective unconscious have seeped into common usage. While some may be aware that they originally emerged from the work of the Swiss psychiatrist C.G. Jung (1875-1961), many people do not understand fully the ways in which these concepts were developed within the comprehensive psychological theory that Jung constructed and which continues to have resonance today.

In this course, we will explore core Jungian ideas and their utility in our individual lives and our contemporary world.

We will also delve into dreams and their meaning from a Jungian perspective and explore how one can work with them, whether they are nightmares, or outlandish, or profound or silly. There are no required readings and no required preparation. During the course, the instructor will suggest further resources for those who are interested. We will have fun.

Harari’s 21 lessons + Neil deGrasse Tyson’s cosmic perspectives + Jon Seely Brown’s learning perspectives = an integrated experience with science and astrophysics, knowledge and learning, and Harari’s history and philosophy.

We will analyze why modern man is so justifiably disillusioned and then traverse the philosophical and psychological options of preparing for a world without work, where liberty and equality are balanced against our newest technologies. We will investigate the political challenges of a new civilization born from social media and the issues surrounding nationalism and immigration. Factors of despair like terrorism and war will be countered with possible strategies for hope. We will examine the ellusive issues associated with truth and attempt to uncover a strategy for resilience.

Our guidebook will be Harari's “21 Lessons for the 21st Century.” Past participants in my class on this book will find this update offers reasons for hope.

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. 

The current telescopes exploring the universe are revolutionizing our understanding. These modern space and ground-based telescopes are essential tools for exploring the cosmos, enabling us to study galaxies, stars, planets, and cosmic phenomena. We are acquiring new perspectives on such things as the early galaxies, exoplanet atmospheres (with the potential presence of life beyond Earth), the mystery of Dark Energy, and the nature of the cosmic expansion. This class will examine the many telescopes, current and future, including the Chandra Xray Observatory (imaging Black Holes, Galaxy Clusters, Dark Matter.) the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (Detecting exoplanets by observing stellar transits), the Euclid Telescope (Mapping dark matter and dark energy), the SPHEREx (launched March 2025) to study the Galaxies, the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope (to be launched May 2027) to study Dark Energy, exoplanets, and stellar Evolution. All of these incredible tools are designed to bring more clarity and understanding to the cosmos, our home.

The newest telescopes are revolutionizing scientists’ understanding of space. These space-based and ground-based telescopes are essential tools for exploring the cosmos, enabling us to study galaxies, stars, planets, and cosmic phenomena. The James Webb Space Telescope has greatly expanded our understanding of the universe’s origins and structure. We are acquiring new perspectives on such things as the early galaxies, exoplanet atmospheres, the mystery of dark energy, and cosmic expansion.

In this class we will examine the many space telescopes, including the Chandra Xray Observatory (imaging black holes, galaxy clusters, dark matter); the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (detecting exoplanets by observing stellar transits); the Euclid Telescope (mapping dark matter and dark energy); the SPHEREx to study the galaxies; and the anticipated Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope (to study dark energy, exoplanets, and stellar evolution). All of these incredible tools should bring greater clarity and understanding to the cosmos, our home.

Russia has thrust itself into the international limelight by its war against Ukraine. Russian motives for this war and much of the predictable future arose in Russia's past. Vladimir Putin in many ways is a traditional Russian leader although his political environment is different from the Tsars and the Soviets. But his management and government style have roots in the past. This course seeks to look in a very brief manner at the roots of the forces that drive Russian international policy. In addition, it will seek to clarify both Russian mythology about the past as well as to clarify Putin's effort to reestablish the empire. The class will undertake an eight-week survey of the general outlines of Russian history that have led us to the current situation and try to look forward to future Russian behavior.

This course leverages artificial intelligence (AI) to explore America's most contentious issues with balance and nuance. Participants will learn how to use AI as an effective "fact averager" that can reveal underlying truths behind persistent social conflicts and identify biases in our opinions.

We’ll cover getting started with a large language model, so that class members can employ it at home to prepare weekly analyses of controversial topics. Each week we’ll share findings and seek common understanding. AI-generated summaries often reveal surprising areas of potential agreement between seemingly irreconcilable viewpoints.

As an experiment in machine-assisted conflict resolution, this course welcomes participants who have strong opinions. All we need are people who are curious, willing to do a little homework, and who are happy to consider topics from diverse viewpoints.

As we will discuss during Session 1, participants will benefit most by subscribing by Session 2 to the AI services Perplexity Pro and Claude Pro, each $20/month.  Free versions of these and other AI services are available for those who need to economize.

This speaker series course will explore how artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming various aspects of life and work, from how we access, process, and interact with information, to how learning experiences are being transformed, illnesses diagnosed, and tasks and jobs automated. We will talk about right now, not about the future or theory. Bring your curiosity and questions. A background in IT or previous knowledge is not required.

Week 1: September 16, 2025 What is Artificial Intelligence(AI)? An overview of how it developed and how generative AI is changing our everyday lives. Can AI think, does it hallucinate? Speaker: Pat Smith

Week 2: September 23, 2025 Artificial intelligence is changing transportation from self-driving cars to drone delivery. Speaker: Ron Knox

Week 3: September 30, 2025 How artificial intelligence and machine learning is transforming health care. Speaker: Casey Greene, Ph.D., CU Medical School, Chairman of the Department of Biomedical Informatics

Week 4: October 7, 2025 How is AI changing the education landscape? How are we preparing future military leaders to use AI? ChatGPT is now being licensed by schools and colleges and changing how students take tests, write papers and do research. Speaker: Eric Tucker, Associate Professor in the Management Department at the United States Air Force Academy

Week 5: October 14, 2025 Drones with artificial intelligence are literally changing geopolitical warfare. The latest on drones and AI in the military. Speaker: Bill Gernert

Week 6: October 21, 2025 Field trip to Arapahoe Community College to learn how AI is being used in clinical programs and a live demonstration of the Anatomage table, a 3D virtual cadaver system. Speaker: Lexi Gaines, PT, DPT, Faculty, Director of Clinical Education Physical Therapist Assistant Program

Week 7: October 28, 2025 Bits and pieces - a potpourri of amazing ways AI is being used including its use in detecting brain tumors, dementia, and breast cancer risk. Plus how AI is cutting down on construction waste and improving farming. Speaker: Jan Friedlander

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

Did you know that Ray Bradbury, author of “Fahrenheit 451” and “Dandelion Wine”, was also a prolific short story writer? This class will explore the literary breadth of Ray Bradbury’s work.

What do Bradbury’s stories tell us reveal about life in small-town or big-city America? Who are we as a people? Do we ever learn the lessons the universe is so desperate to teach us? Bradbury knows and he brings the harsh reality of humanity home.

This class will explore Ray Bradbury’s magical youth and learn about the challenges of becoming a writer. We will read excerpts from his fictional memoir, “Dandelion Wine”, and watch videos of his short stories after reading them. His life defined his talent and his imagination threw open doors to both the past and the future.

The class will rely on three main concepts: readings, videos, and discussion.

Recommended: Any of Bradbury Short Story Collections

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!

Have you admired from afar the beauty and art of your grandmother’s quilts? Have you wanted to learn how to quilt? If so, then this class is for you! You will learn the following quilting skills/techniques/processes(?):

• How to read a pattern.
• How to choose, prepare, & cut the fabric.
• How to build and assemble quilt blocks.
• How to add a border.
• How to prepare the quilt for the quilting process.
• Preparing and sewing the binding to your quilt

In addition, you will learn about the supplies needed to re-create your grandmother’s quilt! Please note that not all the steps will be completed during class time, so you will have relaxing work to finish at home.

For those who know they want to do quilting and invest in the tools, you will need the following items at a minimum:

• 18”x24” or 24”x36” cutting mat. (I recommend the larger size)
• 24 1/2” x 6 1/2” ruler and 8 1/2” square ruler
• Rotary cutter (either 45mm or 60mm)

The above items will cost approximately $100 - $150.

IF YOU WANT TO TAKE THIS CLASS TO FIND OUT IF YOU LIKE QUILTING, I CAN PROVIDE LESS EXPENSIVE OPTIONS.

You will need to purchase about 31/2 yards of fabric that will cost $35-$60. DO NOT PURCHASE FABRIC UNTIL AFTER THE FIRST CLASS.

Bring to class: Sewing machine in good working order, Manual for the sewing machine, Thread - white for piecing, Scissors, Straight pins. Additional tools and materials will be addressed in class.

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 is Part Three of a four-course ensemble extending over four academic periods starting Fall 2024 and concluding Winter 2026 focusing on issues of inequality and their relationship to capitalism. The primary text, Thomas Piketty's Capital and Ideology, is divided into four parts of roughly 200-250 pages each. The course will generally follow the chapter structure with additional readings to augment and critique Piketty's arguments.

The Fall 2025 course will focus on the transition from the 19th Century “Ownership Society” to 21st Century “Hyper-Capitalism with particular focus on the changing narratives of inequality and equality (chapters ten through thirteen). The text anchors the intellectual and economic history while providing the context for our examination of the underlying philosophical premises and arguments of the period. In particular, we will assess Piketty’s ongoing critique of capitalism, liberalism and illiberalism and the policies and institutional arrangements that might flow from these critiques.

All civilizations eventually collapse. Historically, the average lifetime of civilizations is about 250 years, the age of the United States. The life cycle of civilizations follows a similar pattern of 7 stages, with common factors contributing to eventual collapse. From climate change to economic turmoil to the rise of authoritarianism, current circumstances indicate that the US and much of the world are now in the crisis and decline stage, with collapse on the horizon.

In this course we will address the seven stages of civilizations, current trends that point to civilization collapse, the grief cycle as a model of the personal experience of collapse, practical steps you can take to survive and adapt to collapse, indigenous cultures as a model for sustainable communities, and how to be content and resilient in the face of collapse.

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!

Explore and learn about the history and development of classical music, from small ensembles to the symphony orchestra, with a Colorado Symphony musician educator. Discover, explore, and compare the music-making techniques of master composers from every major era, including women composers and composers of color. We will listen to, discuss, and make observations about different instruments and compositions. This class will enhance the understanding and appreciation of classical music. OLLI students will learn the basic history of classical music, listen to and compare/contrast examples of music from all major historical periods, and learn about composers from each of those periods. Whether you’re a novice or a classical music aficionado, get ready to expand your knowledge and experience all sorts of new cool info from a professional musician and educator!

Curious about how color really works in art? This short and fun course breaks down the basics of color theory into four easy-to-follow sessions. You’ll learn how colors mix, match, and contrast, and how to use them to create balance, mood, and harmony in your artwork. We'll cover the color wheel, warm vs. cool tones, complementary colors, and more—with plenty of hands-on practice and helpful tips along the way. Whether you're new to art or just want a refresher, this course is a great way to build your confidence with color. It also pairs perfectly with the Ink and Wash course offered in this term, where you'll get to apply your color knowledge using vibrant watercolor washes over expressive ink drawings. Take both to build a strong foundation in both color and mixed media! If you’ve already taken this course before, there’s no need to take it again.

Recommended: Basics supplies like watercolorpaper, Brushes round fine tip #2, #6, #10 or #12, Watercolor set,Paper Towels, Compass, Pencil, Eraser, Sharpener, Ruler. Supply List will be provided in advance to all participants through email.

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 said, “Why doesn’t my photo look like that?”—this course is for you. Composition and the Art of Chasing Light is a hands-on, six-week workshop for smartphone shooters and digital camera fans alike. Each week, we’ll spend an hour in the classroom learning the visual tricks of the trade—like symmetry, perspective, and framing—then head outside, after the first in-class hour, to the beautiful DU campus to put it all into practice. The last two weeks of the workshop will shift focus to mastering natural light: golden glow, moody shadows, and how to chase the sun. You’ll leave with sharper eyes, better shots, and a new appreciation for how light and structure shape your photos. Warning: You may never see a sidewalk crack or late afternoon sunbeam the same way again. Oh, and you'll finally understand why photographers are always squinting into the sun!

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.

The United States has held 60 presidential elections. A few of these contests proved to be extremely controversial. This course will examine eight such elections, concluding with the 2024 election.

Each week, we’ll scrutinize one election. We’ll first look at the 1800 election where it took 36 votes in the House to declare Jefferson the winner. We’ll then review the 1824 election where Andrew Jackson received 15 more electoral votes and a third more popular votes than John Quincy Adams, but Adams became president. Then, in turn, we’ll examine the 1860 election of Lincoln; the 1876 selection of Rutherford Hayes that ended Reconstruction; the 1912 contest where Wilson defeated both an incumbent and an ex-president; the “hanging chads” election of 2000; and the 2020 election where, for the first time, the losing candidate refused to concede defeat.

The course will not use a text. Before each class, the facilitator will distribute a short reading describing the election and why it resulted in such controversy.

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?

This course will address contemporary political, economic, social and cultural issues that are topical at the time the course is offered. It is anticipated that international, national and local issues will be discussed. Generally, each class will address two of these issues per week, with the class participants being heavily involved in the selection of issues. Participants should expect @ 20-25 minutes of reading(s) prior to each class on the topics for that week. Likely subjects are: K-12 education, college education, Colorado’s state budget, local and state elections, global warming, trade and tariffs, artificial intelligence, housing policy, technology, healthcare, US Supreme Court decisions, and others.

New and engaging topics are continually emerging as our world is constantly in flux; economics, politics, environment, gender, and racial divides, wars and aggressions, health care issues, etc.

The class time is divided into two sections each week.

During the first section, we will discuss current events suggested by class members. In addition, participants will receive two or three emailed articles per week in advance of class, drawing from sources like the New York Times, Washington Post, The Economist, National Public Radio, Wall Street Journal, etc. We will discuss one or more of these articles in the second section of the class.

The objective of the course is an informative, engaging sharing of ideas, life experiences, and viewpoints in a civil and safe dialogue. Please bring an open mind, tolerance of differences, your best manners of discourse, and a sense of humor.

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.

This class will be a non-partisan discussion of current events that values diverse points of view. The first hour will be a look at the news of the week, with an eye towards independent/alternative news sources. Hour two will be a deeper examination of a single topic, chosen by the facilitator with input from the group. The class will be provided background information on the topic prior to the session which could include articles, videos, or podcasts.

What if you were assigned to a national, state or local panel tasked with making recommendations on a number of the most important issues of our time including: schools, policing, national leadership, election reform or mass shootings? Each week in this course class members will review multiple proposals on a critical topic and deliberate on the strengths and weaknesses of each "solution." The class will then try to discern any common ground and consider recommending a path forward. Critical but open minds will be an asset to this work. (Note: New topics will be addressed this term).

We are all fascinated with torment on the high seas and peril atop the highest mountains. But many other disasters, natural and man-made confront regular people on a daily basis: in our homes, on nearby highways, and in the news. We have survived all of them to date. This course will empower you to pull through the next disaster, if survival is at all possible. Over six classes we will discuss various cataclysmic events in depth (ship wreck, famine, flood, fire and more). You will acquire concrete usable tools to tackle the next challenge that man or nature may throw at you. Each session analyzes several dramatic, but lesser-known disasters through readings, videos, podcasts, music, and artifacts. Each event will teach us valuable lessons in survival. Note: This is not a course on bushcraft or wilderness survival.

Two Old Women by Velma Wallace , HarperPerennial press 1994

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.

In the vibrant tapestry of Colorado's history, few threads are as significant as the early railroads that forged connections and propelled the region's transformation from a mere territory into a thriving state. In the 1860s, it was said that “Colorado without railroads is comparatively worthless.” Railroads would play a pivotal role in shaping Colorado's economy, culture, and communities. During this course, we will learn about the visionary efforts of individuals, technology, and politics that made railroads in Colorado a reality.

Ansel Adams once said, ”When you photograph people in color, you photograph their clothes. But when you photograph people in black and white, you photograph their souls!” Perhaps that’s exactly what director Steve Zaillian was after in his brilliant decision to film the 2024 Netflix series, “Ripley”, in stunningly beautiful black and white. Zaillian, who also wrote the screenplay, focuses on the moral ambiguity and duplicity of the anti-hero, Tom Ripley. This term we’ve decided to step away from the big screen films and instead take a closer look at the small screen TV series where, we feel, some of the most creative filmmaking is now taking place.

Zaillian’s Emmy award winning series is an eight-part adaptation of the Patricia Highsmith novel, “The Talented Mr. Ripley”. Each week we’ll watch one episode and then review it in detail. The episodes are approximately one hour long, which leaves us with plenty of time to discuss the acting performances, cinematography, directorial decisions, how the episode advances the plot, and any other cinematic techniques that you might discover. Join us for an in-depth look at how this TV series offers a novel dimension to this Noire inspired psychological thriller.

We show each episode with English subtitles for the hearing impaired.

Caution: The series depicts two brief scenes with violent content which may be off-putting to some.

Much of the popular art of our day is rooted in the fundamental innovations of five turn of the 19th century artists - Monet, Cezanne, Van Gogh, Picasso & Matisse. In this course, we'll dive in and take a look at some of the unique techniques they employed in color and composition. Using basic materials, such as crayons, colored pencils and a beginner's watercolor set, we'll experience a bit of the magic these five greats sensed, saw and articulated. Class time will be a combination of lecture, dialogue and hands on play.

Supply List will be emailed to those who register

Through a lively exploration of interactive digital maps, past and present, let’s explore Colorado! What are the longest and widest rivers in the state? The strangest boundary of the state? The weirdest place names? What was the street layout of Denver and Colorado Springs 100 years ago? We will explore Colorado’s history, landforms, water, habitat, population change, energy, land use, biomes, natural hazards, and much more through this engaging and relevant course. Whether you are from Colorado or not, this course may challenge a few preconceived notions you have about the Centennial State, confirm some others, and make you glad that you live in Colorado (or make you want to visit!).

Guided tours of local gardens focus on native plants and xeric landscape options. Gardens will include Hudson Gardens, Kendrick Lake Park, Aurora Water-wise Garden, and Jeffco Extension trial gardens. Participants must be able to walk & stand for brief presentations (no seating provided).

Transportation to each garden is the participant's responsibility, although informal carpooling may be arranged.

Hudson Gardens encompasses more than thirty acres of garden exhibits, trails, open spaces, and event venues only minutes from downtown Littleton.

The gardens at Kendrick Lake Park contain 10+ beds representing the major biomes in Colorado. Xeric species from across the regions are interspersed throughout the winding trails.

The Jefferson County Extension gardens showcase research-based gardening practices, and are thoughtfully maintained by our Colorado Master Gardeners.

The Aurora Water-wise Garden is a botanical display of low-water plant species to promote the efficient use of water through education, demonstration of proven techniques, and experimentation.

Members will get a complete overview of the background of the Civil War Amendments, the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, and how they changed America forever. These Amendments are crucial to modern America and the foundation of nearly every fight in the so-called “culture wars.”

Fixing The Framers' Failure: The 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments and America's New Birth of Freedom

• Session 1: America and Herself – War Adrift on a Sea of Misery.
• Session 2: The 13th Amendment: Bringing Forth a New Nation
• Session 3 and Session 4: The 14th Amendment: Defining A New Nation
• Session 5: The 15th Amendment: Dropping the Musket to Reach the Ballot and America Becoming Herself

Recommended: Robert J. McWhirter, Fixing the Framers Failure: The 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments and America’s New Birth of Freedom (Twelve Tables Press, 2022)

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.

When the word “God” is mentioned, most people in the West automatically assume a particular concept of God. The Asian religions challenge that concept. In this class we will look at the Hindu concept of Brahman, the Buddhist concept of Nirvana, the Taoist concept of Nature, and the Confucian idea of how our actions relate to the “Way of the Gods.” But the class will not just be about the concept of God. It is also inevitable, especially in the Asian religions, that many practices of the religions are connected to their philosophical ideas, e.g., their rituals and lifestyles. Moreover, the ethical perspective of each religion will be central as well as the concept of an afterlife in each one. I am not a specialist in any of the religions but have taught and reworked the course for over forty years in college and now in OLLI. This will primarily be a philosophy course about the ideas involved in the Asian religions. Personally, I have found the Asian religions a rich challenge to the beliefs with which I grew up and they have opened the door to other ways of seeing the world.

This discussion class will explore current crises whose solutions appear impossible. 1. Continuing the unregulated development of Artificial General Intelligence, 2. Social Media and Deaths of Despair, and 3. Modern Asymmetrical Warfare. Enacting international regulations requires understanding of the risks followed by legislative cooperation at a time when divisions are widening. Our fourth crisis is 4. Healing the political divide. Do we citizens still have shared values that can be the basis for building the bi-partisan cooperation needed to enact and enforce regulations? Or do we need a strongman to rule us? The class will explore research conclusions and discuss solutions already identified. We will prepare for an informed discussion by watching selected TED Talks or YouTube videos. That way we won’t need to spend too much class time defining the problems. Our focus will be on evaluating alternative solutions instead of just depressing ourselves with the dangers. It should be enlightening.

Join us for a journey through the fascinating history of investing. We'll embark on a historical adventure and explore how humans developed new approaches to building wealth and managing risk through financial innovations - with booms and busts along the way. We’ll begin with the bonds and stocks in the 17th century and move on to the evolution of stock markets, pooled investments, modern portfolio theory, and the new frontier of cryptocurrency.

Optional background:  The Ascent of Money, Niall Ferguson; Devil Take the Hindmost, Chancellor, Edward; Number Go Up, Zeke Faux

When the US Constitution was ratified in 1788, there were serious questions, both in the US and abroad, whether this new form of government could be effective and long lasting. As a result the US was shown little respect on the world stage.

By the end of the War of 1812, 27 years later, perceptions had shifted. Foreign countries were viewing the U.S. as more of a lasting presence. Americans were experiencing a surge of patriotism and growing optimism for the future of the government.

This class will look at how the U.S. Constitution came about and examine the struggles faced by the first 4 US Presidents as they worked to build a nation. The War of 1812 will be studied to see how a war with mixed results came to be viewed as a national victory.

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

Great Decisions is a program of the Foreign Policy Association that deals with eight new topics each year. High quality educational materials are prepared and provided to discussion groups in cities and universities throughout the United States. On each topic there will be a chapter describing the current issues around the selected topics supplemented by a video of background information and relevant interviews with world leaders and scholars. Topics range from US foreign Policy to India: Between China, the US, and the Global South.

REQUIRED: Great Decisions 2025 Briefing Book, ordered from the Foreign Policy Association (https://fpa.org/bookstore/ ).  It costs $35.

This is the 7th and final course in our series of movies by the decade that started with the 1960s.  We will show just five movies, because we only have a half decade to cover (and because Larry is going on a wonderful trip).   The value and fun of the post-movie discussions depend on contributions from class members, although we are fine with some who want to just watch and listen.

The four movies we have selected are diverse and very highly rated by critics and audiences.  They are:

• 1. American Fiction, a 2023 dark comedy/satire/drama starring Jeffrey Wright;
• 2. The Holdovers, another 2023 comedy/drama directed by Alexander Payne starring Paul Giamatti;
• 3. Top Gun: Maverick, the 2022 Tom Cruise highly rated thrilling drama sequel to his not-highly-regarded 1986 Top Gun;
• 4. Little Women, the 2019 drama directed by Greta Gerwig and featuring an outstanding ensemble cast.
• 5. To be announced 

 

For nearly three hundred years, audiences have gathered all around the world to hear Handel’s brilliant oratorio, Messiah. In this class you will discover how Handel brought his masterpiece to life, and you’ll learn much about the composer himself along the way. We’ll take a close look at the musical devices and tricks that Handel and his soloists used to make this such a fascinating and brilliant work. We’ll examine some myths, misunderstandings, at least one scandal, and even some recent controversy raised about this much-loved piece. And finally, we will follow the journey that Messiah has taken for nearly three hundred years since that first performance in Dublin, the many versions, reworkings, and traditions that the work has engendered. What would Handel think of “Too Hot to Handel,” the "stompin' clappin'" jazz-gospel version of Messiah that Marin Alsop brought to the world in 1993? It's all here!

Guided expressive writing has been proven to reduce stress, enhance social relationships, and improve academic performance. While these outcomes may not surprise you, expressive writing has also been shown to improve lung function among asthma patients, reduce pain for people with rheumatoid arthritis, and reduce sleep disturbances, among a host of other wellness outcomes.

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.

Have a Notebook handy

Whether you use hearing aids or not, there are environmental, people, and technology-based techniques to help you better understand one-on-one, in small groups, at medical appointments, when you're out in public in your communities, or traveling. Topics include: room setups, communication techniques, captions, personal amplification products, assistive listening systems (hearing loops, FM, infrared, and the upcoming Auracast streamed assistive listening) and requesting hearing accessibility for public and private places. A digital handout will be provided for reference later.

By studying the Holocaust, we will make the essential connection between history and the moral choices we confront in our own lives. History is not a series of inevitable events. It arises through a series of individual decisions. Even what seems to be small decisions can have enormous consequences. We will confront stereotyping and scapegoating, hatred and cruelty, and racism and antisemitism as we examine the holocaust. We will also examine the moral and legal issues of judgment and legacy. Throughout, we will examine how we can use this knowledge to guide our daily choices, and to better fulfill our responsibilities as citizens in a democracy.

The new book When We Walk By written by the facilitator, Don Burnes PhD, will be the center of this course. Each of the eight classes will discuss one or two of the chapters. We will explore in depth the ways we dehumanize those experiencing homelessness, the ways in which each of the relevant systems fail to meet the needs of the unhoused and the potential solutions that address our forgotten humanity and the broken systems.

America’s healthcare system presents a fascinating paradox: we spend more per capita than any other developed nation—yet achieve poorer health outcomes and face significant barriers to care. This course demystifies our complex healthcare landscape, and its evolution into a fragmented system made up of Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance, the Affordable Care Act and self-pay. We’ll follow the money trail of our $4.3 trillion healthcare expenditure, examining funding mechanisms and comparing our performance internationally. A critical focus will be the estimated $300-500 billion lost annually to waste, fraud, and profit-driven intermediaries who extract value without delivering care. Finally, we’ll evaluate current reform proposals, including Colorado’s single-payer study legislation and federal Medicare for All bills, analyzing their funding mechanisms and political challenges/impediments. Through expert presentations, curated resources, and robust discussion, participants will gain the knowledge needed to understand—America’s healthcare past, present and, perhaps what its future can be.

Required:  Medicare for All A Citizens Guide  Recommended: online videos

Do you want to advance and expand your use of AI?

In 2023, Google released Gemini 2.5 with a powerful research application called NotebookLM.

This class will explore the 4 Best NotebookLM and AI Prompt Practices: 1) Target Your AI Questions, 2) Analyze Multiple Input Documents, 3) Generate Summaries, 4)Translate to Audio Overview of your NotebookLM research.

By using NotebookLM and AI prompts of Gemini, means you can upload multiple documents, have NotebookLM analyze them, and check for contextual connections between documents relevant to your question. NotebookLM will then generate useful cited source responses to your question. One great feature is NotebookLM can translate the response summary to an audio overview.

Learn by doing: You will do your own research with NotebookLM using your laptop. You will learn how to ask questions about complex information and get thoughtful, cited responses to your research questions. Members should bring their own laptop to class.

No Class 9/23

Anti-Asian violence: A modern day occurrence? Not at all. Fear, hatred, and racism toward the Chinese and Japanese began in the mid-1800s culminating with the incarceration of over 125,000 Japanese at the beginning of WWII, two-thirds of whom were US citizens. From the perspective of a third-generation Japanese-American (Sansei), we will discuss the how, when and why racism landed Americans in what is more accurately described as prison camps, and what we can do to countermand the effects of anti-Asian violence and racism in America today. With the continuing immigration and border crisis, we will see how the incarceration of the Japanese in WWII can repeat itself today, and why we should be ever vigilant that this NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN.

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.

Stories about food through the ages have gotten lost in the glare of historical dates and warfare. Yet, food has had an influence on events through time. How did travelers eat on their journey without roadside taverns? Was food preserved for long journeys? Was it safe to eat the produce grown in community gardens and fields? How did trading for exotic food stuff lead to war?

Come and engage in discussion on the influence of food in changing our past as well as changing today’s food culture.

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.

“Dying is more than a set of medical problems to be solved. The fundamental nature of dying is not medical, but it is personal and experiential.”

We will all die and we need to be prepared. We also need to develop our own understandings, attitudes and wishes of what our end-of-life should look like. This course explores: Why is death frightening? Why has death become more fearsome with scientific advancements? What is the nature of death and what are the trajectories of how life will end? How to navigate our complicated healthcare system to experience a good death?

In order to be prepared for the end of life, we need to do our homework and make our end-of-life choices and share them with our surrogate decision maker, family members and health care providers. Through reading stories, discussions and self-examination, these choices become clearer by the end of the course.

Billy Wilder, the name may not conjure up recognition but name the movies and suddenly a light bulb goes on. His style ranged from comedies, heavy drama, crime dramas, and back to comedies. Wilder didn’t start out to be a director. He began as a screenwriter and many of his best-known movies were from screenplays he wrote. Join us as we look into the four decades Wilder made movies. We have a lost British soldier in the desert, an alcoholic, a married man with a midlife crisis, two crossdressing musicians on the run, an investigating Congresswoman, a Berlin executive vying for a promotion, a French policeman and a streetwalker, and a famous American flyer. Again, we will have a discussion after the movie to discuss the stars, the plot, and why the movie was successful.

Due to the length of the movies the class will start at 12:30 p.m.

As we get older, the risk of falling tends to increase significantly due to a gradual decline in balance abilities. This decline may begin in middle age and progress slowly, making it easy to ignore - until a fall happens. To address this, incorporating balance training into our personal health management strategy is essential, allowing us to take proactive steps toward maintaining stability and preventing falls.

Minding Your Balance™ training addresses this need, drawing on lessons from the martial art Ki-Aikido to take a groundbreaking look at balance and its fundamental relationship to mind and emotion. Easy to learn mind body exercises, scientific insights, and stories of applications in everyday life provide participants with tools to immediately improve balance control.

Participants work individually and with partners. Activities can be done seated and standing; all activities are adaptable to different needs and abilities.

Recommended - Minding Your Balance: Mind Body Exercises to Improve Balance & Prevent Falls - $15 on Amazon

In this course we'll begin by exploring the work and lives of five 19th century greats - Monet, Cezanne, Van Gogh, Picasso & Matisse - then move up the timeline to trace a path of a continuous innovation into the world of the early European Moderns such as Wassily Kandinsky and Joan Miro. From there, we'll continue into the mid 20th century Abstract Expressionist phenomenon, giving attention to such notables as Jackson Pollock and Joan Mitchell. We'll explore within these movements what's similar, what's different, and what's fascinating. Class time will be a combination of lecture, dialogue and demonstration using simple art-making tools—an all around attempt to experience a bit of the awe and wonder these amazing artists put forth.

Movie music is designed to marry the film it’s in—highs, lows, heroes, villains, action, love, and life stories. But beyond that, music brings its film to life, giving depth and meaning to what you are seeing. Come see the some of the Top Composers of this magic and their works. We will meet them, understand how they go about composing and listen to the best of their work through YouTube videos.

Place is sometimes described as an additional character in novels, especially when an author develops a collection of characters in a specific location throughout a continuing series. "Mysterious Places" encourages armchair travel while exploring various mystery series - in this case, places where the character(s) are coming from, going to, discovering anew, or otherwise in transition from one to another. We'll explore authors who have set their stories firmly in a place, reflecting the geography, culture, and personal relationships that inform means, motive, and opportunity for our reading and detecting pleasure.

The first thing high school kids want to know when they’re taking a foreign language is: What are the dirty words? “Language evolves with time, and so does what we consider profane or unspeakable,” says the author of our text. We will be looking at perhaps the nine most offensive words in the English language; the evolution of obscenities, curses, cussing, slurs, why we use them and how they become blasphemous. We will be examining the historical, sociological, political, religious and linguistic effects that create changes in the meaning of these words. Note: If you feel like you will be uncomfortable saying these words aloud in class, this is probably not the course for you.

Required: Nine Nasty Words by John McWhorter, Avery - an imprint of Penguin Random House, New York 2021 Random

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.

Whether you are discovering OLLI at DU for the first time, or have taken several OLLI classes, if you’ve ever wondered, “Would I or could I ever facilitate an OLLI class?”, this course is for you! During our time together you will have an opportunity to: explore possible topics you might want to teach, investigate developmental characteristics of life-long learners, consider how to facilitate classes for life-long learners, develop skills in managing productive, inclusive classroom participation, discover current, research-based resources to enhance your topic, and build your understanding of the course proposal process. Also, classroom experiences with seasoned facilitators, peer critique of proposals, and optional class presentations will provide you with the confidence and expertise to begin your journey to a rewarding and renewing facilitation experience.

This course is offered free of charge.

“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.

We will examine – through video, readings, and discussion – those in German society who stood against Hitler and the Nazi party. These groups acted and spoke out to free Germany from oppression despite threats of incarceration or death. Germans from religious groups, journalism, the arts, universities, youth groups, and populations of occupied countries all took part in this dangerous, but necessary, resistance. We will also review the successes of these various resisting groups.

Far from being the quiet participants in the Nazi terror, entire sections of German society rose up against the Hitler government. Resistance also bloomed in occupied countries, including France, Poland, Norway and Czechoslovakia.

Join Greg in exploring the history of resistance in this significant era.

RECOMMENDED: RESISTANCE, DIETRICH BONHOEFFER,  VALKYRIE, THEY FOUGHT BACK, MAQUIS

Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson's influential and best-selling book "Abundance offers a provocative vision of "supply-side progressivism," focusing on how the progressive agenda created a government that has forgotten how to build solutions rather than merely redistribute money. We'll explore how these authors challenge fellow liberals by arguing that scarcity in housing, energy, and infrastructure results from political choices, not inevitabilities. We’ll consider the proposals offered by the bipartisan "Abundance Caucus" in Congress, which the book inspired, and debate America's priorities.

In the spirit of doing things in a new way, this discussion seminar will encourage participants to use AI to research background material and vet their opinions. We will include a brief introduction to chatbots that can search the Web for references. We’ll use these tools to critically examine whether streamlining government processes alone can achieve true abundance while also exploring the tension between the authors’ vision and concerns over environmental sustainability, economic inequality, and power concentration.

This course invites you to engage with one of today's most discussed political frameworks, using civilization’s latest knowledge tools, to develop your own perspective on how society might best create "enough of what we need."

 Participants will benefit most by purchasing a Kindle version of the book, so they can process it with AI, and  subscribing by Session 2 to the AI services Perplexity Pro and Claude Pro, each $20/month.  (Free versions of these and other AI services are available for those who need to economize.)  

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.

Most of us have not studied the Constitution in detail since high school, but now with almost daily references to the document, we should see it in a new light. This course will examine previous constitutions, from the colonial period to 1787, to see how and why the U.S. Constitution came about and how it has been able to provide the law of the land ever since. Through background-building and lively discussions, class members will come to better understand the origins of the U.S. Constitution and how it has been adapted to accommodate changing times.

Recommended: Copy of the US Constitution

This class provides a journey through science (STEM & Health Science) with both guest speakers and experienced OLLI facilitators presenting a 2-hour class on a topic of their choice.

While the weeks for each topic have not yet been scheduled, each of the following topics will be presented by a subject matter expert.

1. Patients and Doctors: What Makes Them Tick, Bridging the Gap Between You and Your Doctor – Bill Shaw

2. Searching For Other Earths: Our Growing Understanding Of The Cosmos And Our Place In It – Charlie Holt

3. Neuroplasticity: A Brain Awakened – Dutch Thompson

4. Colorado’s Propensity for Drought– Jim Kunkel

5. Fossils: What are they and what can they tell us – Larry Matten

6. The Moon: Facts and a Little Fiction – Lynn Peyton

7. Electricity, Education, Entrepreneurship - A Solar Case Study from India - Ranjan San 8. Lightning, Tornadoes, and Hail, Oh my! – Tom Corona

Everyone eats. So it’s important to know how to creatively, artistically and responsibly prepare a meal, whether it’s just you, a small family, or the whole world. This four-part course will examine and discuss the challenges of feeding ourselves…and the world. As our families shrink to a one- or two-person household, we need to adjust our shopping, planning and preparation. From preparing simple, healthy meals to feeding the whole planet, we’ll explore the connection of every human being through food.

Class does not meet 10/09 or 10/16

Short stories are fun and they're easy to write. The approach that Facilitator Edward Ford uses is known as writing from life. A writer does not make up a story and then try to make it seem real. Rather a writer writes about everyday life and tries to make it seem magical. If a student can write a story about strolling down the sidewalk, or riding a bus, then the student can write about anything and there will be no end to their stories. Each class, students will write two stories about their own lives and then read them to each other. Facilitator Ford will share some of his stories, as well. We will get to know each other very well.

Required: Pen and paper

Recommended: Notes in response to weekly prompts

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).

Stories have always been a way of preserving history. Today we still need stories. There are stories inside all of us. Some are funny, some not so much. These stories are often waiting to come out. Sometimes they just need a little help. This class will feature examples of stories well told. You may remember stories told by your grandparents or other adults. We will review good stories and discuss what makes them memorable.

You will be invited to share a story – your own or just one you remember. Small groups can help us share our stories informally.

We will laugh, we may cry, but we will surely learn how to tell a good story. Whether your target is a grandchild, a partner, or a friend, we can make our stories better with a little help. So, don’t keep your stories locked inside. Let this class help you get them out.

Suggested reading: Telling Your Own Stories by Donald Davis

Seven Colorado Authors League writers will be sharing their unique paths to becoming published in this fascinating speakers series. Learn about their books, their techniques, their successes and their failures. Genres include science fiction, historic fiction, historic non-fiction, poetry, memoir and mystery. There will be ample time for Q&A and an optional writing exercise. See Author information in Jack's bio.

Posing Modernity is the revelatory investigation of how Black female models were foundational to the development of Modern Art. The exhibit, curated by Columbia University scholar Denise Murrell (resulting from the research done for her doctoral thesis) and the Musee d’Orsay curatorial team in Paris, examines the legacy of Manet’s infamous 19th century painting “Olympia” and traces its far reaching effect across the Atlantic with Matisse into the 20th century and the Harlem Renaissance where artists such as Charles Alston, Laura Wheeler Waring and William H. Johnson defied racial stereotypes. Join me as we take a deep look into this fascinating thesis. We will be reading from and studying the over 175 illustrations, photos and profiles of models, artists and literary personalities contained in the exhibition catalog, Posing Modernity, available online.

Recommended: Posing Modernity by Denise Murrell

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."

Michael Pollan, one of the most trusted food experts in America, demonstrates the relationship between people and domesticated plants in this PBS series. Learn how Pollan has linked four fundamental human desires – sweetness, beauty, control and intoxication – with plants that satisfy those needs. The stories of the apple, the tulip, the potato and cannabis illustrate how plants have evolved to satisfy humankind’s most basic yearnings. This 4-week class is loosely based on the series and will feature lively discussion.

The Focus:

*We will focus on the history and evolution of the economic, legal, theological, and philosophical systems embedded in our country’s laws and systems. We will follow the four roots as they become ever more intertwined and grow ever more deeply each decade to produce the racial disparities that we experience today.

•While there are many stories of minorities that could, and need to be told, given the eight-week timeframe, these conversations will focus on those systems and structures that have resulted in wealth disparities, mass incarceration and the unchecked killing of Black people.

Why Participate:

•“Whites created slavery, segregation, and racial discrimination. Whites have most of the political and social power to change racial discrimination and inequality now. We cannot have a truly free and democratic society until we do that.” MLK

•Our desire to be good can prevent us from doing good if we do not see the historical systems and structures we created. If we don’t see them, we cannot act to change them.

History is filled with unbelievable stories that will astonish and make you shake your head in wonder and lead you to unexpected discoveries. This class is based on a series of books written by Rick Beyer in conjunction with the History Channel, as well as other carefully researched sources.

Each week will focus on stories from a different genre: music, sports, war, presidents, animals, science and miscellaneous.

You will hear about:

• Animal residents of the White House, from rats to alligators to hyenas and snakes.
• The “Candy Bomber” who, during the Cold War Berlin Airlift, dropped candy for the children trapped in Berlin.
• Two of Shakespeare’s friends who spent 7 years, after his death, to finally get his works published in the First Folio.
• Willy the Whale in London’s River Thames and sharks in the Hudson in NYC.
• How beer and a board game called Senet helped build the Egyptian pyramids.

Come hear these and other stories that seldom make the history books or the nightly news!

The Bible is considered the foundation document of Western thought and is often taken as absolute truth. Modern scholarship views the Hebrew Bible as an anthology that expresses diverse ideas through stories rich in ambiguity. Join us to see if you agree.

This class will take a fresh look at the Hebrew Bible. By closely examining biblical narrative, we are challenged regarding motive, moral character, and psychology. Robert Alter gives us tools to address those challenges in “The Art of Biblical Narration” (not required). We will dig deep into selected material alongside 30-minute lectures from Professor Amy Jill Levine (The Old Testament - a Great Courses series). She is a widely sought-after speaker who has delivered talks on biblical subjects and issues to academic and non-academic audiences. Many of her talks are available via YouTube. Each week, we will watch two lectures and struggle with some selected text.

This course will focus on the Scopes Trial, allowing us to consider how the U.S. developed a strain of anti-intellectualism, dating back to the 18th century: Is this a conflict of reason vs. religion; Democracy vs. Authoritarianism? Do the old religious tropes of "heat and light" and "head and heart" apply today?

Brenda Wineapple, Keeping the Faith (2024)

The Soul in Kabbalah: ‘Hearing’ Its Persistent Calling

The soul plays a central role in Kabbalah, Judaism’s mystical tradition. From the 13th century onward, Kabbalistic texts—especially the Zohar—describe the soul as a multi-layered entity involved in both personal transformation and cosmic repair (tikkun). Concepts like reincarnation (gilgul) and the five-part soul structure reflect Kabbalah’s deep vision of the human-divine connection.

This course offers an accessible exploration of these teachings through Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz’s The Soul, which introduces core ideas from theoretical Kabbalah. While we won’t cover the full history of the soul in Judaism, we will gain insight into the Kabbalistic understanding of the soul’s purpose and destiny.

No prior knowledge of Judaism or Kabbalah is required, though a background in either may enrich the experience. Together, we’ll explore how the soul “calls” us to meaning and connection across worlds.

Required reading:  Adin Steinsaltz, The Soul, Maggid Books, 2018.

This class seeks to answer the question of role reversal:

In the Old Europe, Mesopotamia, and Canaan areas during Neolithic (10,000 - 3500 BCE) times, women were of greater value and respected as creators of life. The people’s worship reflected this with the Goddess who was creator of all life and the cosmos. By 1000 BCE the tables had turned, and men were of greater value. The male God became creator of all life and the cosmos.

We will explore both worlds to discover how and why this reversal of roles happened. We will look at how women became subordinate as the new God became fixed and more powerful and how this continued through the centuries and what it meant to a woman’s conscious development as a person.

 

This class will shine the spotlight on the wind instruments in the context of classical music – the flute, clarinet, oboe, English horn, bassoon and French horn. Highly accomplished musicians will visit with their instruments, talk about their musical journeys and play for us. Along the way, we will explore the history of these instruments, the composers they inspired, and the ways our musical world combines them to delight audiences. We will learn a bit about how they are built, how they work, and why they have become such mainstays in the world of concerts. The musicians plan to perform a wind quintet for us during the final session.

Explore how the ancient practices of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) are being re-examined through the lens of cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) in this unique and timely course. With over 5,000 years of clinical tradition and more than 10,000 randomized controlled trials conducted since 1975, TCM remains one of the most widely practiced and studied systems of medicine worldwide.

Today, researchers at leading institutions like Harvard Medical School and the National Institutes of Health are leveraging AI to unlock the complex, whole-person effects of TCM. Unlike conventional approaches that focus narrowly on single conditions, TCM addresses the body, mind, and spirit as an interconnected system. Multifaceted interventions — such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, Tai Chi, and Qi-gong — impact multiple physiological and psychological domains at once, posing a challenge for traditional research methods.

Artificial intelligence offers powerful new tools to analyze these complex interactions, helping scientists better understand how TCM promotes prevention, resilience, and self-healing. We’ll explore how AI is transforming research in whole-person health and how universities, including the University of Denver, are pioneering studies that combine lifelong learning, integrative medicine, and advanced analytics to improve health outcomes in aging populations.

Whether you are curious about natural ways to enhance your well-being or eager to understand how ancient wisdom meets modern technology, this course will provide you with a rich foundation. Learn how TCM and AI together are shaping the future of health — and how these innovations can help you lead a healthier, more vibrant life.

Recommended: Beinfield, Harriet, and Efrem Korngold. Between Heaven and Earth: A Guide to Chinese Medicine. New York: Ballantine, 1992.?E-mail Citation »??Written by two TCM practitioners, this book is divided into three parts: “Theory” (chapters 1–6), “Types” (chapters 7–12), and “Therapy” (chapters 13–15). A general introduction to Chinese medicine, it emphasizes the differences between Chinese medicine and modern biomedicine, and the difference between philosophy in the East and that in the West

What better way to spend your Friday mornings than on a morning walk with your OLLI buddies in Colorado’s fall weather?! You’ll explore places like land trust properties, state parks, and maybe a private ranch.

"We don’t need no stinkin’ sidewalks." Walks are curated for OLLI’s population by local, nature-related non-profits. All walks are rated easy to moderate with some elevation changes, and are led by trained, volunteer guides who provide a fun and educational experience. Learn about plants, wildlife, geology, history, and our environment while getting in your steps!

You’ll travel to places that may be familiar to you, and likely some new ones. We’ll arrange meetup spots for those who want to carpool or caravan.

Wait, there’s more! A class favorite is the optional lunch after each walk, where we continue the fun and camaraderie. Be an OLLI OUTSIDER!

Class Fee: Each class member, including Jan, pays a $50 class fee in addition to the OLLI course fee of $70. 100% of the class fees are donated to the non-profit organizations who lead our walks.

Expanded weeks and new tips added to this class, which features the new user interface for Snapseed. A deep dive into the free Snapseed in-phone app for comprehensive, flexible tools for effective, professional edits and polish in post-production. Within each session, we will unpack techniques for optimal smartphone handling and improving photo capture for expressive images that sparkle with color, composition, and impact. Explore journaling in words to accompany and expand the pictorial message. Snapseed is great for making memory books, inspiring slide shows, and eye-catching Internet posts. Detailed instructions and examples to correct, optimize, and artistically interpret photos will be included.. There will be a PDF presentation of more than 200 slides, downloadable to follow along during the class and retain for later reference.

Recommended: Late model Smartphone, iphone 13 or later, with email capability, free Snapfeed app. 

Rick will discuss legal actions facing the court system, including those brought against Donald Trump and or his administration. He will review underlying issues of the various cases and compare them with similar cases to understand whether there is merit to the actions. He will discuss if the cases could or should be criminally prosecuted. The class will be by presentation and question and answer. The hope is that classroom members will be active participants.

War is often a turning point in history, but it does not stand alone in reordering a culture. This course explores other circumstances that altered our history. For example, after the Corps of Discovery, Lewis and Clark estimated that 200 years would be needed to settle the Louisiana Purchase territory; but the rapid growth in population and the railroads changed everything, including the timeline.

How does history happen? Is it inevitable or full of surprises? Does history progress by gradual evolution, or can a single person or event change its direction almost instantly? With Great Courses lectures, we take a dynamic journey of U.S. history to explore these questions. Please join me on this memorable excursion.

The divergent directions that U.S. history takes will expand your awareness and significance of known and unknown events. Instructional methods will include presentation, discussion, Great Courses and YouTube videos.

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.

In this course you will learn how to use brain plasticity to improve balance (vestibular system), focus (keeping your mind on topic!), and memory. Science has answered many questions, but we are just scratching the surface of understanding the human brain. Nevertheless, one thing becomes clearer with each new discovery: the brain is massively powerful. One of the more intriguing aspects of the brain is its adaptability. The brain can change! It can employ strategies to improve memory and focus; it can learn to be more positive and ruminate less; it can reshape itself, assigning tasks to different areas if one area becomes injured or weakened. In fact, it might be possible for the brain to accomplish practically anything!

The Tell Tale Brain, by V.S. Ramachandran; The Brain that Changes Itself, Meditations of Marcus Aurelius (translated by Waterfield), and The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday

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.

Mrs. Dalloway (1925), recounts one June day in the life of a wealthy London woman. As she makes preparations for her party, Clarissa’s memories and reflections intersect with her actions and with the plight of a WWI soldier. Virginia Woolf (1882-1941), an innovative novelist, used “stream of consciousness” as a way to access the inner life of her characters and to consider the social changes of the 1920s.

Woolf and her sister, Vanessa Bell, an artist, gathered around them a group of friends in the north London neighborhood of Bloomsbury. This group included some of the great intellectuals of the early 20th century, including John Maynard Keynes, Duncan Grant, T.S. Eliot, Leonard Woolf, E.M. Forster, and Lytton Strachey. Their philosophy valued knowledge, freedom, progress, and beauty, as they broke from the values and restrictions of their Victorian childhoods.

Join us as we read Mrs. Dalloway and explore Bloomsbury!

Required text: Mrs. Dalloway, Virginia Woolf, Penguin Classics, ISBN 978-0-241-37194-7, or equivalent.

 

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).

What is the ionosphere? Will solar flares hit us? What are CMEs? What does an X flare mean? How will it affect us? Why do we have auroras? What is a geomagnetic storm? Will an asteroid hit us? Will the magnetic field change poles? What is a light year? What is gravitational lensing?

These are some of the questions we all have, and they will be answered in this class. We’ll explore the building of the ISS (International Space Station), and what it’s like to live in space. How many satellites do we have, and what are they doing? What will the Artemis program accomplish? And should we go to Mars? We’ll also delve into what is beyond our solar system, and discuss SETI (Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence).

Wine 101 – Swirl, sniff, sip, and spit. What does all that mean to you? What is the difference between a sommelier and a master sommelier? What wine goes with what food? Why does soil matter? Does location mean a lot in wine? Some countries name wine after the grape, some after the region, and some are proprietary names. How do you differentiate, and is this information on the label? These are all questions you have probably asked yourself or others. Wine can be magical and mysterious. Each week, we will explore wines from around the world. They might be one country or one grape. It could be one region or one vineyard.

This class is scheduled to start at 1:30pm and conclude at 3:30pm to allow participants to have lunch before arriving for the class. Small snacks will be available during each session.

Join us for the fun! A $100 fee will be added for wine samples when registering for the course.

“The War to End All Wars” promised the world leaders. What really happened? How could an assassination in a third world country propel all the world powers into a global conflict? How did imperial leadership give rise to the escalation? The war brought the end to four great royal houses and the rise of communism and fascism that led to another world war in just 20 years. Join us as we look at what was supposed to be a small punitive action that went wrong. What part did mutual support agreements play into conflict getting out of control? In this course we will cover the first three years of the war. We have great battles that have faded into the past such as Gallipoli, Verdun, the Somme, and others. We will end the class with the little discussed Mutiny in the French Army. Part 2 follows in the Winter Quarter.

“The War to End All Wars” promised the world leaders. What really happened? How could an assassination in a third world country propel all the world powers into a global conflict? How did imperial leadership give rise to the escalation? The war brought the end to four great royal houses and the rise of communism and fascism that led to another world war in just 20 years. Join us as we look at what was supposed to be a small punitive action that went wrong. What part did mutual support agreements play into conflict getting out of control? In this course we will cover the first three years of the war. We have great battles that have faded into the past such as Gallipoli, Verdun, the Somme, and others. We will end the class with the little discussed Mutiny in the French Army. Part 2 follows in the Winter Quarter.

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