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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 research on thousands upon thousands of NDEs reported around the world have 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 worldwide continue to study this phenomenon with mind-blowing results. This course brings you up to speed on these findings and on what we now know about other exceptional paranormal phenomena like Out-of-Body and Shared Death Experiences.

Saddle up for a journey into the world of the Spaghetti Western—the Italian reinvention of America's most iconic film genre. In this course, we'll explore how directors like Sergio Leone and Sergio Corbucci transformed the classic Western into something darker, grittier, and far more stylized. With unforgettable music by Ennio Morricone, stark landscapes, and morally ambiguous antiheroes, these films redefined what it meant to ride into the sunset. Each session will feature a screening and discussion focusing on cinematic style, cultural context, and the enduring influence of the Spaghetti Western on global cinema. We'll look at Leone's classics like A Fistful of Dollars, For a Few Dollars More, and The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, Corbucci's eerily gripping The Great Silence, plus some others. We show each film in its entirety with English subtitles. Longer films will be spread across two class periods to allow ample discussion time. Be advised that these films contain violent content.

Each week participants will consider a different critical or current issue. The group will analyze at least three perspectives or viewpoints for addressing this issue. We will use the Deliberative Democracy framework to thoughtfully review each of these ideas. Topics will be selected by the group in a survey in the first session. Class members are encouraged to bring open minds and analytical thinking to our discussion-oriented class.

The course will have speaking, reading, and writing. The primary objective is to teach enough vocabulary and expressions that you 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 is difficult to learn another language, making it necessary for everyone to be patient with one another. We can laugh together while we all make mistakes!

Required text: Dorothy Richmond, Practice Makes Perfect Spanish Verb Tenses, Fifth Edition

Despite tremendous advances in technology and in treatments of many cancers, the outcomes for far too many cancers and individuals remain unacceptable. One of the root causes of this is that many cancers exhibit tremendous heterogeneity across populations and at the cellular level within a single individual. Newly developed single cell omics techniques are leading to critical insights into cancer cell biology at the population and individual level that have the potential for revolutionizing cancer care. This webinar will focus on both the challenges and the opportunities associated with this potential revolution.

"Before Monet, there was Pissarro," writes the Denver Art Museum in its announcement of the extraordinary exhibition "Camille Pissarro: The Honest Eye," open from October 24, 2025, to February 8, 2026. This course will focus on the life and times of Camille Pissarro, his unusual background, and how he became the supporter and mentor to the famed painters of his milieu: Monet, Renoir, Degas, Cassatt, Sisley, and Morisot—the Impressionists known as the painters of "soft skies and radical ideas." Also included in the six PowerPoint presentations will be those painters who influenced Pissarro and how he in turn influenced those who followed him. The course will be presented in two formats: Tuesday mornings in person at Jefferson Unitarian Church and Wednesday mornings via Zoom. Participants may attend either or both presentations.

Participants will pay for only six classes, but the facilitator is offering two bonus sessions: a morning at the museum on Tuesday, January 27, and an all-French breakfast on Tuesday, March 3.

"Before Monet, there was Pissarro," writes the Denver Art Museum in its announcement of the extraordinary exhibition "Camille Pissarro: The Honest Eye," open from October 24, 2025, to February 8, 2026. This course will focus on the life and times of Camille Pissarro, his unusual background, and how he became the supporter and mentor to the famed painters of his milieu: Monet, Renoir, Degas, Cassatt, Sisley, and Morisot - the Impressionists known as the painters of "soft skies and radical ideas."Also included in the six PowerPoint presentations will be those painters who influenced Pissarro and how he in turn influenced those who followed him. The course will be presented in two formats: Tuesday mornings in person at Jefferson Unitarian Church and Wednesday mornings via Zoom. Participants may attend either or both presentations.

Participants will pay for only six classes, but the facilitator is offering two bonus sessions: a morning at the museum on Tuesday, January 27, and an all-French breakfast on Tuesday, March 3.

There will be weekly handouts sent by email.

There will be no class on January 28 or March 4.

With powerful new telescopes, scientists are making observations that challenge our theories of the cosmos. Each week we will meet a different telescope, discussing why it was built, how it was developed, and what makes it special. Then we will review the key discoveries it helped make and how those confirm or disrupt our current understanding of the universe. The telescopes include the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), the early universe and exoplanets; Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI), dark energy and dark matter; Vera C. Rubin Observatory, a 10-year survey of the universe; Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe (SPHEREx); Euclid Space Observatory, dark energy and dark matter; Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA), viewing the universe at radio wavelengths; Nancy Roman Grace Telescope. Prior knowledge of cosmology is not required, as we will review the underlying cosmological principles at an introductory level.

Bitcoin has been called everything from "digital gold" to "a passing fad." What's the truth? This class offers a clear, non-technical introduction to Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies—what they are, how they work, and why they've captured so much attention.

Together, we'll explore whether this technology could reshape money or simply fade away. We'll explore what money is and how it has evolved over time from commodity money (seashells, coins, paper) to electronic money (wire transfers, credit cards, and peer-to-peer transfer such as Venmo and Zelle), and then explore digital currencies. We'll explore whether Bitcoin is an investment asset, a speculation, or an emerging technology—or all of the above.

Bitcoin has been called everything from "digital gold" to "a passing fad." What's the truth? This class offers a clear, non-technical introduction to Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies—what they are, how they work, and why they've captured so much attention.

Together, we'll explore whether this technology could reshape money or simply fade away. We'll explore what money is and how it has evolved over time from commodity money (seashells, coins, paper) to electronic money (wire transfers, credit cards, and peer-to-peer transfer such as Venmo and Zelle), and then explore digital currencies. We'll explore whether Bitcoin is an investment asset, a speculation, or an emerging technology—or all of the above.

Explore how digital technologies and artificial intelligence affect the brain, behavior, and mental health. This course examines the impact of modern devices on attention, memory, emotions, and decision-making, while addressing ethical concerns like privacy and tech-based addictions. We will learn how neuroscience and psychology offer tools to support well-being in a rapidly evolving digital world.

This Osher Online course, offered through the Osher National Resource Center, lets you learn with fellow lifelong learners nationwide, guided by a world-class expert. After enrolling, you’ll receive and email inviting you to a Member Orientation on January 7 at noon to review course materials, access your Zoom classroom, and prepare for your first class.

Something magical happens when we harness the power of our breath. The mind slows, the body relaxes, and we remember that we are part of something so much greater. This course will serve as a way to remember, as we combine these three powerful aspects of life—breath, meditation, and community. Each class will begin with a breathing exercise connected to simple seated movements to prepare the body and mind for guided meditation practice. Meditation will last about 20-25 minutes, after which we will share our experience with one another in breakout rooms. Sharing is an important part of the process, for meditation is different for everyone and no one experience is the same, nor is there a right or wrong way to meditate. This class offers a unique way to connect to your fellow human, realizing we all share much more in common than we think.

Defense 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. This course helps bridge students learn the basics of defending a bridge hand. Students will learn opening leads in both notrump and trump contracts, second- and third-hand play, defensive signals, developing defensive tricks, interfering with declarer, and developing a defender's plan. Defense in the 21st Century is the text, provided to students free, sponsored by the American Contract Bridge League (ACBL).

There is a $20.00 non-negotiable and non-refundable fee for this class covering the book mailing and virtual bridge app fees. The fee is paid to teacher Michael Holmes via check to 313 Clisby Austin Rd., Tunnel Hill, GA 30755, or Zelle (303-928-9187 or mdholmes8@yahoo.com). Note: If the address for book delivery differs from your check address, send special instructions. If using Zelle, email the instructor your correct address. Your book will be mailed upon receipt of the course fee. Failure to send the fee by the second class will result in removal from the class.

Camille Pissarro earned the title "Father of Impressionism" through his influence on younger artists and his remarkable kindness toward fellow painters, including Monet, Cézanne, Matisse, and Berthe Morisot. Born on St. Thomas in a prominent Jewish community, Pissarro and his brother attended a Moravian missionary school with predominantly Black students after a family dispute with the synagogue. This unique education gave him fluency in English and an unusual immunity to prejudice—qualities that shaped his inclusive approach to art and life.

After studying in France, Pissarro settled near Paris with his family, becoming the only artist to exhibit at all ten Impressionist exhibitions. He led these radical painters in challenging the rigid Paris Salon with fresh, impressionistic views of nature and the world.

As the Denver Art Museum presents its Pissarro exhibit (October 26, 2025--February 8, 2026), join Walling for a detailed exploration of Pissarro's life, work, and artistic impact.

Text: Anka Muhlstein, Camille Pissarro The Audacity of Impressionism (Other Press 2023).

This is Part Four of a four-course political philosophy ensemble extending over four academic periods starting Fall 2024 and concluding Winter 2026. Its primary focus is on issues of inequality and their relationship to capitalism and liberalism. The primary text, Thomas Piketty's Capital and Ideology (Part Four for this course), is divided into four parts of roughly 200–250 pages each. The course will generally follow the chapter structure with additional readings and videos augmenting and critiquing Piketty's arguments. The Winter 2026 course will generally focus on Piketty's thinking regarding the political-ideological conflicts on the question of "just inequality." The text provides a foundation for thinking about inequality as well as a point of departure for considering contemporary capitalism, liberalism, illiberalism, and democracy. The previous courses, Parts 1 through 3, are not necessary prerequisites for Part 4; however, participants will be expected to be familiar with the key concepts introduced in the Piketty text.

Required text: Thomas Piketty, Capital and Ideology. Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 2020. Available in hard copy, EBook, and Audio Book.

Unlock your artistic potential and explore the captivating world of colored pencils in this comprehensive course. Whether you are a beginner or looking to refine your skills, this course offers an immersive experience in the art of colored pencils. The fundamental technique of blending and how to mix colors together will be taught to achieve a realistic 3D look with colored pencils. We will learn color-mixing concepts and how to color objects with the color pencils. Participants will also learn how to look at light and shadow in an object, and how to look at details in a reference photo to make drawings realistic. At the end of class, they will have a better understanding of shading and blending with colored pencils. Join Mitra and let your creativity flourish!

Required materials: pencil, eraser, set of 36 or 48 Color pencils (Mitra has Prisma color soft core color pencils), Canson vellum paper.

Though humans share 99.9% of their genes, human learning across the planet results in great differences in languages, values, beliefs, and tastes. This course will address how humans--united by nature--still divide and suffer conflict and frustration. It also addresses how humans tap into their inherent strengths, both genetic and learned, to minimize conflict and frustration and to flourish.

Common Humanity is a multidisciplinary course that taps into history, biology, psychology, and anthropology. Participants will explore the basic human forces of instinct, emotion, thought, and habit that determine why individuals and groups succeed and fail.

Participants are asked to bring an open mind and heart to class. Activities to fuel learning include group conversations, short lectures, game-playing, short videos, and surveys. Before each weekly class, a relevant short article or a brief survey activity will be provided.

This is a discussion of the current week's events in the first hour. Dick will do the first week overview. Then the facilitators would like two people in class to volunteer each week to do an overview of the week before. The second hour will be a discussion of a specific topic. 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 is a discussion of the current week's events in the first hour. Dick will do the first week overview. Then we would like 2 people in class to volunteer each week to do this overview of the week before. The second hour will be a discussion of a specific topic. 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 will not be a discussion, debate, argument, or continuing complaint about current problems with health care. Deliberation is a well-known process called a "reasoning exchange" where members examine several "frameworks" or sections of a public problem. This keeps the group focused on only one piece of the issue and not bogged down on a more global view. It will include 15-20 OLLI members, hopefully various health care professionals, citizens who have no involvement in health care, and perhaps leaders in the community from business, education, and nonprofits. Luckily, perhaps a local political leader. Each framework will call for the "considered judgment" of each participant, not a vote up or down. This process is more personal, with respect for each person's opinions. The first class will be a brief presentation on the process. Each session will present a specific framework to engage: the standing of health care in a modern society, what is universal care, financing health care in the state, governance and its specific services, cost containment, service delivery, evolution of malpractice, and funding and development of professional manpower in the state.

Conspiracy theory beliefs are notoriously persistent. Yet we are able to substantially reduce belief among believers by leveraged developments in generative artificial intelligence (AI). When we engage conspiracy believers in personalized evidence-based debunking dialogues with AI models such as GPT, we reduced conspiracy belief by ~20%. The effect remained 2 months later, generalized across a wide range of conspiracy theories, occurred even among participants with deeply entrenched beliefs, and occurred even if participants were led to believe they were talking to a human expert instead of an AI. These findings suggest that many conspiracy theory believers can revise their views if presented with sufficiently compelling evidence.

Overexploitation of ground-water aquifers occurs worldwide. The Atlantic and Coastal Plains Aquifer in the U.S. exemplifies recent trends to rely more on ground water. Emerging topics include undersea fresh-water aquifers, how ground-water pumping is altering the rotation of the earth, and geoengineering to mitigate climate change. These are some of the emerging issues to be discussed in this course. As water scarcity becomes more acute—by 2030, fresh-water demand may exceed supply by 40%. Water-supply contamination and water-management issues are affecting drinking-water supplies in rural areas. A case study in the Guanajuato state in Mexico will involve water-supply contamination, regulatory conflicts, and frustrations by local community activists to resolve this issue. Mitigation of climate change using geoengineering may help reduce freshwater demands. Some of the proposed geoengineering methods include the three broad categories (1) carbon dioxide removal (CDR); (2) solar radiation management (SRM) and (3) earth surface interventions such as glacial geoengineering and ocean heat management.

Sorry, this isn’t a course about fashion sense and/or adult beverages. Instead, it asks what Charlotte Perkins Gilman, O. Henry, Katherine Mansfield, Zora Neale Hurston, and four other authors have in common. Answer: They each have written a short story that appears on a “great” or “best” list of national and international short stories.

So, what makes these “shorts” memorable? Do they surprise you with unexpected elements? How do the authors elevate your reading experience? What makes them great or the best? Join me as we determine for ourselves whether they are the BEST!

As for “the unexpected part,” the commentaries are 21st century essays that explore the Beatles and hip-hop. Thus, one might ask: what relationship exists between the “shorts” and the “commentaries?” Maybe none. However, perhaps our readings, analyses, and discussions will reveal multiple connections.

Soft copies of all stories and essays will be emailed to participants.

This class will be based on the format of dialogue, which exemplifies the heart of democracy. The facilitators propose to discover together with participants what constitutes a deep and resilient democracy. A sample of some questions that will be considered is as follows: What virtues does democracy require of individuals, members of institutions, and society at large? What inspiration and practical advice will we be able to offer ourselves and our grandchildren as a consequence of our exploration? The facilitators leave you with this quote by Buckminster Fuller: "You can never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete."

Required text: John Keane, The Shortest History of Democracy, The Paperback Edition

From hydrothermal vents and frosty peaks to sulfuric caves, Earth’s most extreme places are home to microscopic life with extraordinary talents. In this talk, Dr, Tierney will share stories from the field and the lab through the Two Frontiers Project, a nonprofit that hunts for “microbial superpowers” that could help tackle pollution, increase crop yields, and improve human health. We will explore how these invisible ecosystems work, why they matter for everyday life, and how citizen scientists and students can help map this hidden world.

This class brings the unique history, culture, and traditions of Japan to life! Participants will enter the heart of Japanese culture—past and present. Whether you’re fascinated by art, history, philosophy, or simply seek answers about Japan’s allure, this immersive journey will deliver.

Travel through Japan’s history, explore the traditional arts, and learn about the culture’s perspectives on resilience, beauty, and harmony. Dive into the philosophies and values that shape Japanese thinking. Connect ancient wisdom with contemporary issues to see how they inform pop culture to business etiquette. Encounter Japan’s rich mythology, religious traditions, and folktales that inspired generations and still influence its art, film, and literature today.

Whether you’ve been to Japan and want to expand your knowledge, are considering a future trip, or just want to immerse yourself in another culture, this class is for you. Instruction will consist of lectures and videos, as well as opportunities to engage with the material.

Each week a foreign film will be viewed, followed by a class discussion. Before each class, the facilitator will send to participants the name of the film that will be shown in the next class. None of the films will have been shown in the facilitator's prior classes.

Quantum mechanics is arguably the most important invention of the human mind. Our standard of living has increased significantly due to applications of technology in computers and communications, education, entertainment, medical devices, navigation, energy production, travel safety, and other advancements, 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, despite the theory's continued success in explaining the world of the atom and its components. This class will present the history of quantum science, its key personalities, and 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.

Step into a world of fun and nostalgia as we explore the history of play, toys, and games through the ages. This engaging class traces the timeless joy of play, from ancient dice and spinning tops to Victorian dolls, tin soldiers, and board games, all the way to the rise of electronic toys and video games in the modern era. Along the way, we’ll look at how culture, technology, and history shaped the ways children and adults have played and share personal memories of favorite pastimes. Whether you grew up playing Candy Land, jacks, jump rope, Lionel trains or Barbie dolls, this class offers a chance to revisit cherished moments, learn surprising historical stories behind familiar toys, and discover how play has always been a universal part of human life. Quoting Roy Angel, inventor of Pictionary, “Everyone has their own toy box of memories…Let’s open the lid wide open!”

Lately, we have been bombarded with commentary about generational differences. We hear that Boomers (born between 1946 and 1964) are hogging prime real estate and leadership positions, while Gen X (born 1965-1979) are described as out-of-sight--similar to middle children. Furthermore, Millennials (born 1980-1994) are selfish due to delaying marriage and child-bearing, and Gen Z (born 1995-2012) are said to be pessimistic and unmotivated. Meanwhile, the Silent Generation (born 1925-1945) are...silent!

• Are the popular descriptions of people in those five generations accurate? Or are they about as reliable as horoscopes?
• If there are real differences, what contributed to the variations in attitudes and behaviors?

By reviewing economic, political, and social-cultural events and trends for the decades between 1940 and 2020, we will confirm actual differences associated with generational groups while identifying contributors to those deviations. This course will involve active group discussions and conclusions.

This movement-oriented class will combine seated, standing, and kneeling postures. Modifications will be given for most postures—the point of this hour is more about giving yourself time to breathe and move with your body than it is about doing a posture in a particular way. We will combine dynamic and static movements, simple mobility exercises with postures that help to build strength and stability. Props are highly encouraged—blocks, blankets, chairs, and straps, in addition to mats, will help give you great success if you find you have limits in a posture. Instruction on how to use these props will also be provided, so you can get comfortable enough to focus on your breath, the most powerful part of practice. Join us for a beautiful session connecting body, mind, and spirit.

Required materials: A yoga mat, 2 blocks; Recommended materials: A bolster & strap (could use a pillow & a belt)

The music of Broadway and Hollywood musicals is an art form in and of itself. It takes a team of multi-talented performers and an orchestra to produce these entertainment extravaganzas. At the heart are creative geniuses who set the whole thing in motion: the songwriters! In this multimedia course, we will cover Richard Rodgers, Cole Porter, Alan Jay Lerner, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Jerome Kern, Claude-Michel Schönberg, Leonard Bernstein, Jule Styne, and George Gershwin. Much attention will be paid to their collaborators as well. The facilitator will share many videos to demonstrate the songs as they appear on stage and screen.

Great Decisions is a course on United States foreign policy. Each week, we will focus on a specific topic related to that policy from a U.S. perspective. Other perspectives on that policy topic are valued and encouraged. In addition, each week the class will watch a video, prepared by the Foreign Policy Association, to further define the week’s topic. Students are encouraged to provide their thoughts and opinions on the presented materials and be ready to discuss with and learn from their classmates. Topics included are:

• America and the World: Trump 2.0 Foreign Policy
• Trump Tariffs and the Future of the World Economy
• U.S.-China Relations
• Ruptured Alliances and the Risk of Nuclear Proliferation
• Ukraine and the Future of European Security
• Multilateral Institutions in a Changing World Order
• U.S. Engagement of Africa
• The Future of Human Rights and International Law

Required text: Great Decisions Briefing Book 2026 available from the Foreign Policy Association.

Great Decisions 2026 is a course on United States foreign policy. Each week, we will focus on a specific topic related to that policy from a U.S. perspective. Other perspectives on that policy topic are valued and encouraged. In addition, each week the class will watch a video, prepared by the Foreign Policy Association, to further define the week’s topic. Students are encouraged to provide their thoughts and opinions on the presented materials and be ready to discuss with and learn from their classmates. Topics included are:

• America and the World: Trump 2.0 Foreign Policy
• Trump Tariffs and the Future of the World Economy
• U.S.-China Relations
• Ruptured Alliances and the Risk of Nuclear Proliferation
• Ukraine and the Future of European Security
• Multilateral Institutions in a Changing World Order
• U.S. Engagement of Africa
• The Future of Human Rights and International Law

Required text: Great Decisions Briefing Book 2026 available from the Foreign Policy Association.

Some directors have an identifiable brash style that we can all appreciate; some strive to be invisible—if you can see their efforts, they feel they have usurped the story. Whichever way, the great directors with long, successful lists of films to their credit are, in reality, supreme artists of film that can make you laugh through tears and surprise you with unexpected film twists. How do they do that? What direction and what film grammar do they know and use on you to tell their stories in compelling ways? Take this course and begin to see how they do it. We will look at a range of directing techniques, then a series of great directors: Steven Spielberg, Sidney Pollack, Joel and Ethan Coen, Stanley Kubrick, Francis Ford Coppola, Martin Scorsese, and Quentin Tarantino. We'll see excerpts of their work, biographic info and interviews with them, and detailed commentaries on their techniques, mostly in the form of YouTube videos. Two hours per session, eight sessions. Come see, learn, and discuss. Warning: Many of these films are violent (Tarantino, Scorsese, and Kubrick especially), so know this before you sign up. No texts are required—information will be emailed as needed.

William F. Halsey was, quite possibly, the most popular admiral in U.S. Navy history during World War II. His aggressive risk-taking throughout the war led to U.S. victories at Guadalcanal, Midway (even though he was hospitalized), numerous island landings, and Leyte Gulf, culminating in the Japanese surrender aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay.

Questions surround Halsey’s actions at Leyte Gulf and during Typhoon Cobra, however. Was he lured from a desperate battle by a Japanese decoy fleet? Did he hold too long before releasing his ships to return to the San Bernardino Strait? Did his actions lead to the loss of men and vessels both at Samar and in Typhoon Cobra?

Over the course of eight weeks, we’ll touch on those parts of the Pacific War that drove the U.S. to Leyte Gulf and see how even heroes can make mistakes--mistakes which may be saved by selfless acts of courage and sacrifice by others.

Recommended text: James D. Hornfischer, Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors

Electron transfer is the basis of most cellular processes, ranging from photosynthesis to cellular respiration. These processes have evolved over billions of years to be highly efficient, far surpassing engineered systems. Our research harnesses this natural efficiency by integrating materials science with synthetic biology to develop versatile, low-cost, and user-friendly technologies, ranging from inexpensive diagnostics for infectious disease to improved catalysis for sustainable conversions.

James McBride's The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store opens with the discovery of a skeleton in a well in the Chicken Hill area of Pottstown, Pennsylvania. This sets up a sense of mystery as the narrative jumps back nearly 50 years to explore the town, its secrets, and its people.

Chicken Hill is a vibrant community of Jewish and Black immigrants--a mix of characters with intertwined lives and shared histories. McBride, who is Black and Jewish, tells their stories with affection, humor, and some vexation with the world when a deaf boy in town is left without a mother and the state looks to take him into their custody.

It's a well-written, intriguing story about people who are struggling, and their ambitions, successes and disappointments. In this compassionate, life-affirming and often funny novel, McBride explores what it means to live in a community on the margins of "white" America.

Required text: James McBride, The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store

Sicily has been a mythic crossroads of heroes, conquerors, and culture for over 3,000 years. From Odysseus and the Arabo-Norman Golden Age to the Mafia and modern mythmakers like Garibaldi and Coppola, Sicily’s story is rich, complex, and central to Western history. This course explores its pivotal role in shaping civilization—and why Goethe famously said, “To have seen Italy without having seen Sicily is not to have seen Italy at all.”

This Osher Online course, offered through the Osher National Resource Center, lets you learn with fellow lifelong learners nationwide, guided by a world-class expert. After enrolling, you’ll receive and email inviting you to a Member Orientation on January 7 at noon to review course materials, access your Zoom classroom, and prepare for your first class.

These four interactive sessions include lectures, group discussions, and online readings/videos. Session one examines U.S. healthcare status and insurance options (Medicaid, Medicare, Medicare Advantage, VA, private). Compares international health systems and quality measures between the U.S. and other developed nations. Session two traces the $4.8 trillion spent annually on U.S. healthcare: where it originates and how it's allocated, as well as exploring why America spends twice the per capita amount of other developed countries yet leaves millions uninsured or underinsured. Session three is a two-hour deep dive into the $1 trillion problem of healthcare waste, fraud, and abuse. Finally, session four discusses pathways toward universal, comprehensive, affordable health insurance that eliminates medical bankruptcy, ensures adequate coverage, and provides quality care for all Americans.

While some leaders have sought power, money, and glory in their pursuits, 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 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, videos, and lots of discussion.

Explore the foundations of music in this fun and accessible course designed for lifelong learners. We’ll cover the basics of rhythm, melody, harmony, and musical form, using familiar examples and interactive exercises. You'll also have the chance to try your hand at simple composition, with guidance and feedback in a supportive environment. No prior music experience is necessary—just curiosity and a love of music!

Participants should have a laptop with the ability to run musescore (a free program that needs Windows 10 or higher, Mac OS 11.5 or higher, or recent Linux distributions). The facilitator prefers that participants load musescore before the first class.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) shapes our daily lives in subtle yet powerful ways. In this non-technical course, we will explore six case studies that reveal how AI systems work, the ethics behind machine decision-making, and the impact of these technologies on our world. We will gain a deeper understanding of AI’s current influence—and the possibilities ahead.

This Osher Online course, offered through the Osher National Resource Center, lets you learn with fellow lifelong learners nationwide, guided by a world-class expert. After enrolling, you’ll receive and email inviting you to a Member Orientation on January 7 at noon to review course materials, access your Zoom classroom, and prepare for your first class.

Human beings are complicated, and every person is at least slightly different. Most drugs work for only a fraction of patients. The five major medical conditions in developed countries are cardiac diseases, cancers, autoimmune diseases, infectious diseases, and aging. For decades we have imagined that personalized diagnoses and treatments could extend healthy, active lives for additional decades. The oldest person in the world recently died in France at about 117, showing what might be possible. I will describe unbiased proteomics—a method we invented thirty years ago, explaining in plain English, how this approach could fundamentally change our health for the better.

This course will be a combination literature and history class. The book we’ll read is Sinclair Lewis’s 1935 novel "It Can’t Happen Here." Lewis was the first American recipient of the Nobel Prize for Literature. He’s well-known for such novels as "Main Street," "Babbitt," "Elmer Gantry," "Arrowsmith," and "Dodsworth." In his 1930 Nobel acceptance speech, Lewis warned that in America, literature was stifled by a “standardization of thought,” and he criticized publishers, critics, and readers who resisted frank portrayals of American life.

In addition to reading Lewis’s book, we’ll take a close look at the history of 1930s America. The 1930s in the United States (in the shadow of the Great Depression and global political upheavals) saw a wide range of extreme political personalities and movements. Among the individuals we’ll examine are Father Coughlin, Huey Long, William Pelley, and Francis Townsend. We’ll also focus on social movements such as the National Union for Social Justice, the American Liberty League, the Silver Legion of America, the German American Bund, America First, Share Our Wealth, and the Communist Party USA.

Required text: Sinclair Lewis: It Can't Happen Here, copyright 1935

This course will be a combination literature and history class. The book we’ll read is Sinclair Lewis’s 1935 novel "It Can’t Happen Here." Lewis was the first American recipient of the Nobel Prize for Literature. He’s well-known for such novels as "Main Street," "Babbitt," "Elmer Gantry," "Arrowsmith," and "Dodsworth." In his 1930 Nobel acceptance speech, Lewis warned that in America, literature was stifled by a “standardization of thought,” and he criticized publishers, critics, and readers who resisted frank portrayals of American life.

In addition to reading Lewis’s book, we’ll take a close look at the history of 1930s America. The 1930s in the United States (in the shadow of the Great Depression and global political upheavals) saw a wide range of extreme political personalities and movements. Among the individuals we’ll examine are Father Coughlin, Huey Long, William Pelley, and Francis Townsend. We’ll also focus on social movements such as the National Union for Social Justice, the American Liberty League, the Silver Legion of America, the German American Bund, America First, Share Our Wealth, and the Communist Party USA.

Required text: Sinclair Lewis: It Can't Happen Here, copyright 1935

The origin of Judeo-Christian values that cemented the foundation of Western Civilization must be studied and understood in order to preserve these values for the future. This series of lectures will cover Jewish history, addressing the major points of positive and negative intersections with Christianity and their complex relationship. The series will emphasize that Judaism and Christianity have more commonalities than divisions. The topics will cover Biblical and post-Biblical Jewish history through the First and the Second Temples, the history of the diaspora, the birth of Christianity, the interplays between the Church and Synagogue in antiquities, Renaissance, Middle Ages through Reformation up to the Enlightenment and finally, modern times. The goals of this series of lectures are to build a better understanding of the shared history and shared values within the Judeo-Christian world in order to construct bridges to a common future for many generations to come.

Recommended texts: 1) Max I. Dimont. Jews, God, and History. 2)Paul Johnson. A History of the Jews. 3) A.N. Wilson. Jesus: A Life. 4) James Carroll. Constantine’s Sword.

I love to share the beauty of our world with you! Whether you are eager to travel and want some ideas about future trips, or you're an armchair traveler who enjoys seeing the beauty of the world, 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. I hope to have class participation and hear about your travels and concerns.

Imagine a memoir in 17 syllables all about beauty and endings, the two greatest topics in literature. Personal stories are so relevant today, but how to take a different, exciting, simple, and approachable path, both for writer and reader? Poetry is the answer! Many Asian forms in particular, such as the familiar haiku, are conducive to pithy statements that embody far more than the actual words, an unexpected impetus to the memoirist ready to share sparkling bits of experience, but perhaps not a full book. This class bridges reading, appreciation, discussion, and a generative writing workshop to create mini-memoir poems. Presentations first offer a wide-ranging variety of poetic and short poetic prose works for analysis and inspiration; second, explanations of structure, style, punctuation (or not), and how to find the “right words” to begin the path toward valuable experiential memoir; and third, end with composition and time to share and appreciate creative efforts with participants.

"Film Noir," as the French called the American movies that emerged from World War II, implies dark film or black movie. It refers not only to the fact that movies were in black and white but also to the plot, actors, and film production. This time we meet a murderer for hire, a lonely professor and a femme fatale, an actress helping Scotland Yard, a gang that commits the perfect crime, a jaded ex-con, a party girl who wakes up with a corpse, a bride who loses her husband on an ocean cruise, and an Army officer who rescues a soldier from East Germany. Along with our movies we will have weekly action-packed serial episodes. We will have a short discussion before and after each movie to discuss the stars, plot, and why the movie was successful. Due to movie lengths, the class will start at 12:30.

In traditional Chinese medicine, the patient is expected to be an active participant in their own healing, not just a victim of disease. Strong believers that exercise is medicine, Qi-gong evolved over centuries to become the primary form of exercise therapy in traditional Chinese medicine. Medical Qi-gong exercises are considered superior to herbal medicine and acupuncture because patients learn to keep themselves healthy by cultivating a strong mind and body. With over 3,600 psychophysiological exercises, medical Qi-gong provides tools for everyone to participate actively in their own health. This course introduces students to the most popular exercise sets in a safe, progressive way. Learn from two top professors of traditional Chinese medicine at the University of Denver and Colorado Chinese Medicine University about evidence-based therapeutic exercises you can use in your own life.

Recommended text:  Chinese Medical Qigong Paperback – May 28,  2013 by Tianjun Liu (Editor), Xiao Mei Qiang (Editor)

Experience for yourself the accumulated wisdom of centuries with the timeless exercise of T'ai Chi. According to the Harvard Medical Health Publication, "Tai chi is often described as meditation in motion, but it might well be called medication in motion." Designed to be hands-on, this class will explore the principles and basic exercises in T'ai Chi and the growing body of evidence of its value in treating or preventing many health problems. This introduction to T'ai Chi Ch'uan is both practical and participative. These exercises can powerfully complement medical intervention. Modern studies have reported positive effects of Tai Chi on balance, hypertension, diabetes, arthritis, osteoporosis, cancer, COPD, heart disease, and depression. Many more studies are underway to explore the medical benefits of this mind/body exercise. Topics include global health care implications and applications in daily life.

Recommended text: The Harvard Medical School Guide to Tai Chi: 12 Weeks to a Healthy Body, Strong Heart, and Sharp Mind (Harvard Health Publication)

No class 1/19 for MLK Day.

This course will have the same format as Spring Term 2024, but with different composers and historic events. This class is for lovers of music and history. During each session, we will learn about one particular time in a composer's life and the composition it inspired. Our chosen composers are Mozart, Beethoven, Glinka, Wagner, Shostakovich, and Crumb. Histories will cover the Habsburg and Ottoman Empires, France during and after the Revolution, Russia and its tsars, Germany and the industrial revolution, the Soviet Union under Stalin, and the United States during the Vietnam War. Each session is selected from "Music as a Mirror of History," a lecture series by Professor Robert Greenberg, a prolific presenter of music-related topics for Great Courses who presents in a lively, engaging style. Here he turns to connections between specific compositions and their historical context. Many of these topics will have somber backstories. We will hear and view one lecture per session, leaving ample time for discussion and further exploration.

Book club and armchair travel! We focus on mysteries with a powerful sense of place, this time exploring various American regions or cities. A different author/series each week gives us stories to explore place as a character and how that location plays into the plot. Choose a couple or read a book a week, but plan to join in the wide-ranging discussions every week.

Some substances heal, others harm—and some do both. This chemistry-rich (but non-technical) course explores the fine line between pharmaceuticals and poisons. We will examine drug development, venom-inspired medicine, and the history of FDA regulation shaped by scandal and reform. From aspirin’s industrial roots to Gila monster hormones, participants will uncover the fascinating, sometimes unsettling chemistry behind what we choose to swallow.

This Osher Online course, offered through the Osher National Resource Center, lets you learn with fellow lifelong learners nationwide, guided by a world-class expert. After enrolling, you’ll receive and email inviting you to a Member Orientation on January 7 at noon to review course materials, access your Zoom classroom, and prepare for your first class.

The facilitator will provide notes for the classes and will use class discussion, drills, and play of bridge hands to demonstrate and reinforce the concepts learned. Participants will review planning by counting points, counting tricks, counting distribution, second-seat play, planning when to cover, and play hands related to the concepts learned in class.

There is a $20.00 non-negotiable and non-refundable fee for this class. The fee offsets the app fees so students can play bridge online, as well as postage to mail a book to students (there is no text for this class). Failure to pay the fee will result in removal from the class. Participants can pay the instructor via check or Zelle (303-928-9187 or mdholmes8@yahoo.com). Participants can mail a check to 313 Clisby Austin Rd., Tunnel Hill, GA 30755.

Why are there volcanoes in Washington and Oregon, but not Idaho? Why is California threatened by large earthquakes, but Colorado is seismically quiet? Why is the island of Hawaii, the world’s highest mountain from sea floor to summit, located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, but Mt. Everest is landlocked? In this class we will review and discuss the history and evidence for the theory of plate tectonics, which was the most significant advance in geology in the 20th century. This unifying theory explained many geological conundrums, and has withstood the test of time. We will examine how the outer rigid layer of Earth is broken into several plates that move with respect to each other. Movement of these plates creates earthquakes, volcanoes, mountains, ocean basins and continents. Buying a retirement home in California or Costa Rica? You might want to learn about plate tectonics first!

America is a single nation but made up of states, of regions, and of peoples. Increasingly, we talk about regional differences based on religion, ethnicity, and national origin. How did these regions arise? Why do they matter? Using Colin Woodard's book American Nations: A History of the Eleven Rival Regional Cultures of North America, we will trace the growth of regional differences and attempt to understand their continued influence.

Required text: Colin Woodard, American Nations

While movies, documentaries, and books may seem to portray the German population meekly falling in line with the Nazi agenda, a small percentage stood against the Nazi threat, unaffected by the populist pipe dream. Students such as the White Rose, military officers such as von Stauffenberg, newspapers like the Munich Post, and Jews such as the Herbert Baum Group, Niuta Teitlebaum (Little Wanda), and Roza Robota all stood bravely in the face of death. This class examines the courage needed to stand against mindless tyranny.

“What really matters is the work.” Robert Redford

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid made Robert Redford a star as a lovable rogue—but he immediately shattered that image with Downhill Racer, creating a coolly unsympathetic portrait of ambition. Such risk-taking began a career that became a laboratory for artistic innovation.

During his mid-career, he followed his moral compass to create two true explorations of scandal, both hinging on the ethics of journalism and entertainment and showing how institutions protect deception: All the President’s Men, as actor and producer, and twenty years later, Quiz Show, as director. He brought his journey full circle with The Old Man and the Gun, a graceful farewell to his own persona, a man who can’t stop practicing his craft.

Join us for behind-the-scenes revelations, full screenings, and spirited discussions. We'll celebrate Redford’s lifelong commitment to hard work, innovation, and the pleasure of doing something well. “Work keeps me going.”

“What really matters is the work.” Robert Redford

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid made Robert Redford a star as a lovable rogue—but he immediately shattered that image with Downhill Racer, creating a coolly unsympathetic portrait of ambition. Such risk-taking began a career that became a laboratory for artistic innovation.

During his mid-career, he followed his moral compass to create two true explorations of scandal, both hinging on the ethics of journalism and entertainment and showing how institutions protect deception: All the President’s Men, as actor and producer, and twenty years later, Quiz Show, as director. He brought his journey full circle with The Old Man and the Gun, a graceful farewell to his own persona, a man who can’t stop practicing his craft.

Join us for behind-the-scenes revelations, full screenings, and spirited discussions. We'll celebrate Redford’s lifelong commitment to hard work, innovation, and the pleasure of doing something well. “Work keeps me going.”

In this course, we will survey the lives of seven modern geniuses who profoundly altered their fields but who remain largely anonymous in the public eye: Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin (astronomy); Stanley Miller (chemistry); George Cantor (infinity); Vernon Smith (economics); Robert Trivers (biology); V. S. Ramachandran (neuroscience); and Kurt Gödel (truth). When we're done, we'll get a glimpse of the surprising connections across some of these seemingly disparate fields of study, and perhaps also a glimpse of the sometimes-porous boundary between genius and madness.

Hamlet and Luke Skywalker may not have much in common—other than father issues! However, both characters become more vivid to audiences with musical support. Is he thoughtful or anguished? Ready for action or fearful of failure? The script may hint at the answers, but music brings it home to us. In this six-session Zoom course, music historian and frequent OLLI presenter Betsy Schwarm explores the subject. She'll consider music for stage plays, from Shakespeare to Peer Gynt. Then it's operetta and musical theater, including Mozart, Gilbert and Sullivan, and Sondheim. Film music gets two sessions: one for John Williams and another for other great names. After all, Robin Hood's Merry Men and the Titanic's tragic lovers require very different music. Then there's that shark and those Jedi! How does great music add to what we see on the stage or screen? That's Betsy's topic for the winter term of 2026 with OLLI!

Let's go back and enjoy some of Hollywood's best song and dance scenes. We will see some classical dance scenes with Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire, Donald O'Connor, Chayanne, Ginger Rogers, Ann Miller, Vanessa Williams, Patrick Swayze, Jennifer Grey, Richard Gere, Jennifer Lopez, Jennifer Beals, John Travolta, Bob Fosse, Gwen Verdon, and many more. Much of the music will come from well-known musicals such as Damn Yankees, On the Town, Swing Time, Hellzapoppin, Fiddler on the Roof, Mamma Mia, Rocketman, Singing in the Rain, Andrew Lloyd Webber shows, Rodgers and Hammerstein shows, Cole Porter, Lerner and Loewe, and George M. Cohan. This is a class to sit back and enjoy.

The novel is set in East Texas during the Great Depression. A family of women, abandoned by their husband and father, set out to rebuild their lives through their own ingenuity and resourcefulness. The book should be purchased before class begins and is available online and at local bookstores. Although you may be tempted, please do not begin reading before class.

We approach reading as discovery in a reading community; therefore, much of the reading is done in class so that, together, we encounter the text as a group. We encourage all class members to mark their books to aid in discussion.

Required text: Paulette Jiles, Stormy Weather. Please purchase before class begins.

Join former professional dancers Joy and Jeffrey Engel for an insider's view of the life of a professional ballet dancer. The Engels will share their experiences and insights using videos and discussions to explore how young ballet students develop into professional dancers. The first class will focus on the different training styles and student progress using videos of classes from some of the world's major ballet academies. The next class will feature dancers auditioning and in competitions. The last two classes will explore the challenging career of a professional ballet dancer with videos of rehearsals and onstage performances. Comments and questions from class members are always appreciated.

As with so many aspects of life, women have traditionally been marginalized by men. The field of music, and for our purposes, jazz, is no different. This course is designed to bring women out of the shadows of the patriarchy and discover their immense talent, not only as singers (the most traditional role) and swingers, but as instrumentalists, composers, and bandleaders. We will explore the origins of jazz beginning in the 19th century and the evolution of this African-American art form through the women who influenced it. Instruction will be multi-media, including PowerPoint presentation, audio, and video. All sessions are designed to stimulate interaction with participants, including commentaries, questions, and perhaps even relating personal experiences.

This class will explore the causes, events, and legacy of the American Revolution, designed to mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Participants will examine the political, social, and economic forces that led to colonial resistance, from taxation without representation to the rise of revolutionary ideas. We will study key figures such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin, as well as the debates that shaped the movement toward independence. Major battles and turning points, such as Lexington and Concord, Bunker Hill, Saratoga, and Yorktown, will be analyzed, with attention to military leadership, strategy, and the role of international alliances, particularly France. The class will also consider how revolutionary ideals influenced the Declaration of Independence and the creation of the United States. Class participants will gain a deeper understanding of how the Revolution transformed thirteen colonies into a new nation and forged a lasting legacy.

The Blues: Roots and Branches, Part 2 continues to explore The Blues, its origins, evolution and expansion into other musical genres, particularly rock 'n' roll. This course is independent of The Blues, Part 1 and can be taken and enjoyed without one having taken Part 1. The class includes lectures, music, music video, documentaries and class discussion. The class will focus upon the important and influential musicians of The Blues and its branches, as well as others whose contributions helped the genre and its "branches" to grow, evolve and branch out. There will also be lecture and discussion regarding the connections between The Blues and its branches and the socioeconomic and historical influences upon The Blues and the musical genres that evolved out of The Blues. The class will conclude with an examination of the recent and current state of The Blues, including some recent video of current Blues musicians, such as Joe Bonamassa, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Kingfish Ingram.

Among the important and influential musicians and contributors to be discussed in Part 2 will be (not in the following order) Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, B.B. King, Sam Phillips, Elvis Presley, the Chess Brothers, Chuck Berry, Lonnie Donegan, The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Jimmie Page, Paul Butterfield, Mike Bloomfield, Buddy Guy, Albert King, Freddie King, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Bonnie Raitt, Taj Mahal, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Joe Bonamassa.

What happens when the dust of ancient civilizations collides with the grit of modern academic life? Thomas E. Levy’s The Boomer Archaeologist is a thrilling excavation of the past and an unflinching look at the personal and professional upheavals of a life in archaeology. Through vivid graphic storytelling, Levy guides readers on expeditions across Israel, Jordan, Greece, and beyond, where every dig site becomes a lens for exploring identity, belonging, and purpose—capturing the rush of discovery alongside the disillusioning shifts in elite American universities over three decades. More than a career memoir, it is a meditation on tribes—ancient and modern, academic, and cultural, chosen and inherited—that resonates with anyone piecing together meaning from the past while grappling with the present. A candid postscript reflects on how the events of October 7, 2023, reshaped fieldwork and scholarly life in the region.

Take the mystery out of digital photography and start creating images you're proud of. This interactive, hands-on course introduces you to the fundamentals of using your digital camera (point-and-shoot, mirrorless, hybrid, DSLR—this is NOT a smartphone camera course), selecting lenses, and mastering light with portable flash units. Whether you're new to photography or seeking a creative refresher, you'll gain confidence, technical understanding, and an artistic eye through guided instruction and practice on the University of Denver campus.

Required materials: Point-and-shoot, mirrorless, hybrid, DSLR type camera– this is NOT a smartphone camera course. Recommended materials: Portable or attached flash unit.

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 deeply 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 to academic and non-academic audiences, many of which are available via YouTube. Each week we will watch two lectures and struggle with selected texts.

Denver has nearly 60 designated historic districts. We will visit them all over this four-week class and explore what each one adds to an understanding of Denver's history and culture. Our first class will cover Denver's Historic Preservation Ordinance and the process and criteria for historic district designation. We'll also look at significant architectural styles of the periods represented in various historic districts. Subsequent classes will look at each historic district and who and what made it significant. Districts are spread throughout Denver, so this is an opportunity to get to know some new parts of town. There are no reading requirements, but a reading guide will be provided.

This engaging, video-rich course tells the story of American television—from its 1920s origins to today’s streaming era. We will explore decades of iconic shows, genres, and cultural moments that shaped the medium and its audiences. From sitcoms and dramas to news and sports, we will rediscover how TV evolved, adapted, and transformed American culture—one broadcast, cable channel, and streaming service at a time.

This Osher Online course, offered through the Osher National Resource Center, lets you learn with fellow lifelong learners nationwide, guided by a world-class expert. After enrolling, you’ll receive and email inviting you to a Member Orientation on January 7 at noon to review course materials, access your Zoom classroom, and prepare for your first class.

Life is busy. What connects it all? Join this six-session course to discover Judaism’s timeless approach to meaning in life. Participants will hear answers to some of life’s most fundamental questions: What is meaning? Where does it come from? And if we have it all, why do we seek more? Participants will gain tools to see the meaning in the routines, relationships, and rhythms of time that shape their lives. Discover the purpose in what has been achieved and in what lies ahead. *No previous Jewish learning required.

This course will satisfy the continuing education requirements of doctors, psychologists, social workers, LMFTs, and LMHC/LPCs in most states Go to myjli.com/continuingeducation for a complete accreditation statement. myJLI.com

Please note that this course includes a $26 book fee, which will be automatically added to your course fee during checkout.

If you are reading this, you almost certainly are embedded in our infrastructural systems: electricity, water and sewage, transportation, telecommunications, and more. This talk is an overview of these shared systems: where they came from, what they have in common, how they shape our lives and give us agency to act in the world. We will also talk about why we can no longer take them for granted and look towards how we can make them more resilient, equitable, and sustainable.

In this deep dive into the elegant and accessible poetry of Mary Oliver, we'll study a wide variety of her poems in depth and then have fun doing our own writing. You'll have an opportunity to share, but this is always optional. We hope most of all that students enjoy the process of creating a poem—it's not as difficult as it appears. We welcome aspiring or practicing poets of all levels, but take particular interest in those who are new to the craft.

European empires followed their quest for raw materials into a new world. The advent of the Industrial Revolution transformed that quest into a new appetite for more power. The Road to Imperialism traverses revolutions, philosophical shifts, and global wars. Join Shellie on this road, from 1700-1890, that leads us to the modern world.

Drawing on two decades of portfolio management and retirement advising, this OLLI course shows what truly works—and what doesn't—when your savings need to last. You'll get practical, real-world lessons on simple rules for building a resilient investment portfolio, income strategies, spotting and avoiding high-fee investments that underperform, and examples of mistakes that have cost retirees time and money. The emphasis is on usable steps and plain-English explanations you can evaluate for your own situation. We'll also explore a mindset shift that reduces stress about market swings by reframing decisions around income needs, time horizons, and tolerable risk instead of daily price movements. Along the way, Eric will introduce a few lesser-known asset types and professional techniques—explained so they're understandable and actionable—that can play a thoughtful role in retirement planning when used appropriately. Bring your questions and specific scenarios; the session is designed to leave you more confident and better prepared to make practical investing choices for retirement.

How low can a family go? For Faulkner’s Compsons it is alcoholism and child abuse, mental impairment and mutilation, promiscuity and incestuousness, madness and suicide, warped time, and raging revenge. Then, rinse and repeat!

“The Sound and the Fury” is a recondite telling and re-telling of the coming of age of four children amidst this dissolution and the decay of the South’s Lost Cause mythology. But there is a Black family deeply entangled in this story, and the voices and actions of “the help” stand in muffled but meaningful contrast to the surrounding disintegration. Join us in taking on the book that made Faulkner’s reputation and explore whether the past is, indeed, ever really past.

Required text: William Faulkner, The Sound and the Fury, with an Introduction by Casey Cep, Vintage International Edition (2025), ISBN 978-0-679-73224-2

No class on 1/28.

Money. We work for it, chase it, save it, spend it, win it, and lose it. But do you know what money really is, how and why it was invented, who controls it, how it affects history and the economy, and what the future holds? This is the Story of Money. Depending on time and class interest, we will explore what money really is, early forms of currency, paper currency, the Gold Standard and fiat currency, the banking system, the Federal Reserve, inflation, and the future of money, including cryptocurrency.

No class on 2/16, President's Day.

Money. We work for it, chase it, save it, spend it, win it, and lose it. But do you know what money really is, how and why it was invented, who controls it, how it affects history and the economy, and what the future holds? This is the Story of Money. Depending on time and class interest, we will explore what money really is, early forms of currency, paper currency, the Gold Standard and fiat currency, the banking system, the Federal Reserve, inflation, and the future of money, including cryptocurrency.

No class on 2/16, President's Day.

Embark on a virtual photography journey through the awe-inspiring landscapes of the American West. From the rugged frontier of Yellowstone to California's coastal cliffs and Joshua Trees, this online course explores both iconic and lesser-known locations across Arizona, California, Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and surrounding regions. You'll learn how to capture the essence of place through light, composition, and timing—while discovering insider tips from a "been there" photographer's perspective. Each session features practical shooting advice, visual storytelling techniques, and location-specific insights that inspire creativity for photographers of all levels. Whether you're planning your next trip or simply love to explore from home, you'll come away ready to turn your travels into powerful visual and oral stories.

Required materials: Digital camera or Smartphone camera, curiosity, and a notebook

Recommended materials: Regional Map

The 1930s were a decade of uncertainty and dramatic change in the US and throughout the world. In this course, we will use Timothy Egan's book The Worst Hard Time as a jumping-off point to explore many of the events that defined the 1930s. A few of the topics we will touch on include: the Dust Bowl, the stock market crash, the New Deal, economic protectionism, American isolationism, the westward migration, and the effects of the depression on everyday life and family dynamics.

Required text: Timothy Egan, The Worst Hard Time

The art of a culture often reflects its values, concerns, struggles, and preoccupations. This truism is especially accurate when it comes to the birth of our world in the tumultuous years of the Renaissance and Reformation. The art of Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Donatello, and Albrecht Dürer—to name only a few—is a crucial window into the birth pangs of our world. In this course we will delve into the emergence of our world and explore how the artists' eyes help us to understand, appreciate, and explore the challenges, opportunities, and anxieties that continue to shape our lives today.

This class will be a mind-bending exploration of time travel—from its origins in literature and science to its influence on our understanding of time itself. We will explore physics, technology, philosophy, and art as each relates to time travel and tells the story of the concept's cultural evolution—from H.G. Wells to Doctor Who, from Proust to Woody Allen.

We will take a close look at the porous boundary between science fiction and modern physics, and we will ultimately delve into what it all means in our own moment in time—that is, the world of the instantaneous, with its all-consuming present and vanishing future.

Classes will include lecture, discussion, and presentations from The Great Courses series, “Mysteries of Modern Physics: Time.”

Required text: James Gleick, Time Travel: A History. Recommended additional text: Carlo Rovelli, The Order of Time, (2018).

Virginia Woolf is considered one of the most important writers of the twentieth-century because of her modernist “stream of consciousness” technique and because of her feminist essays. She was also at the center of the Bloomsbury Group, a group of artists, writers, and philosophers who came to define the intellectual life of England between the two world wars.

In this novel, published in 1927, a large family and their guests spend summers in a house in the Hebrides, just as Woolf and her family spent summers in St. Ives in Cornwall in the Southwest of England. The novel presents the personalities and tensions among this large cast of characters. Additionally, Woolf raises issues of gender, change, bereavement, finding meaning in artistic creation, and the ways that memories and the past continually impinge on the present. Join us as we explore To the Lighthouse.

Required text: To the Lighthouse, the Virginia Woolf Library Annotated Edition. ISBN 978-0-156-9073922. (Please obtain this edition so we can all be, literally, on the same page.)

How much do you really know about the American Indian? Where did the American Indian come from? What about the wars between the American Indian and the white man? What are some of their ceremonies, and what is a powwow? What happened at boarding schools? Have you ever seen an American Indian opera with its story of song and dance? Learn the influence of American Indian music and jazz shared in a film titled Spirit. See the facilitator's examples of American Indian art forms, such as paintings, weavings, pottery, and jewelry. Bring your examples of American Indian art to share with the class. Who were code-talkers of World War I and II? View and learn of American Indian poverty versus wealth through casinos. This information will be shared using PowerPoint presentations, DVDs, discussions, and your impressions of what you may or may not know about the American Indian.

Dr. Chapman will present the exciting story behind the research to virtually unwrap the carbonized papyrus scrolls from the ancient city of Herculaneum. The scrolls were buried and carbonized by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, and since their discovery in 1752, various attempts have been made to open them, with disastrous results. Hundreds of them remain unrolled and unread. In 2024, after more than twenty years of research and a global, $1 million AI contest called the Vesuvius Challenge, Professor Brent Seales and his team were able to reveal for the first time—and purely via computational methods—sixteen columns of text from within an unopened Herculaneum scroll. This talk will provide a behind-the-scenes look at how the decades of work Dr. Seales the open-source software development competition cracked open this window into the ancient world.

This class will feature two or more videos per session, followed by a discussion of the subjects featured in each video. The films will be primarily documentaries and TED Talks focused on issues of importance and current interest. These topics are guaranteed to be wide-ranging. Please join us and bring your curiosity, discussion skills, and sense of humor.

This course covers the panorama of Westerns in cinema. We'll watch classic Westerns and discuss them. Why have Westerns resonated so powerfully with audiences? Why did they dominate the large and small screen, and why did they become less popular? What makes Westerns endure, and how have they adapted into other genres and cultures? Who were the important directors, writers, and actors of Western cinema? How do Westerns depict or distort history? How have Westerns influenced our culture and politics? Course sessions will include a mix of presentation and discussion. The facilitator will give some background on that week's topic, followed by a discussion of the movie of the week.

Each week, we will watch a movie before class and discuss. Rental of movies on streaming services will be required.

Note: Because of streaming availability changes, we may replace the planned movie for a particular week.

Three hundred million people are migrating every year globally. We hear about the horrors of Gaza, Syria, and Afghanistan, but far more people are migrating from violence and starvation in various parts of Africa in wars that have been going on for years. The UN has declared that Sudan is the most serious humanitarian disaster in the world, but more people are escaping from Venezuela than any other country. Why are these events happening, what future ones can we expect, and how is it that most migration is for economic reasons? Migration into Europe and America has been reduced, but what does the future hold? This class will give you the answers to these and many other important questions.

Three hundred million people are migrating every year globally. We hear about the horrors of Gaza, Syria, and Afghanistan, but far more people are migrating from violence and starvation in various parts of Africa in wars that have been going on for years. The UN has declared that Sudan is the most serious humanitarian disaster in the world, but more people are escaping from Venezuela than any other country. Why are these events happening, what future ones can we expect, and how is it that most migration is for economic reasons? Migration into Europe and America has been reduced, but what does the future hold? This class will give you the answers to these and many other important questions.

The questions of who we are as human beings and our place in the world have been at the heart of human thinking since ancient times. In this class, I will cover fundamental issues about who we are and the universe we live in, drawing on two major philosophical questions and current scientific research. Do we have free will? What is time? What is our location in the universe? Is reality the same at the quantum level as it is at our everyday scale? The close relationship between philosophy and advances in science reveals answers that stretch our minds in ways our ancestors could not have conceived.

Join us for an engaging literary journey through brief, captivating lectures on the rich history of short forms of literature. This class is designed for participants to dive deep into the art of concise expression, primarily through the reading and writing of short literary constructs. You'll have the opportunity to share your insights and discoveries in lively small group discussions, within a collaborative learning environment.

Our focus on brevity will invite you to experience and contribute to the literary legacy of the shortest forms—including sentences, maxims, aphorisms, anecdotes, couplets, quatrains, characters, captions, comments, notes, and tweets.

Our rich reading list features timeless works, including Sei Shonagon's enchanting "The Pillow Book," Benjamin Franklin's clever "Poor Richard’s Almanac," and Ambrose Bierce's sharp and witty "The Devil’s Dictionary."

Embark on this exploration of literature’s succinct forms and discover the power of words in their most concise and transformative expressions!

Required texts: They are all Dover Thrift Edition paperbacks, and the total cost of the six books is $30: The Pillow Book of Sei Shonagaon ($5), The Devil’s Dictionary of Ambrose Bierce ($5), Wit and Wisdom from Poor Richard’s Almanac ($4), Women’s Wit and Wisdom: A Book of Quotations ($5), Book of African-American Quotations ($8), Music: A Book of Quotations ($3)

"The Yanks Are Coming!" The Allies on the Western Front were exhausted. Three years of hard and bitter fighting drained the countries of their finest men. Casualties were appalling. Poison gas, machine guns, and artillery caused a stalemate that resulted in trench warfare. "Over the Top" was the cry, but it meant walking into a hail of bullets and shells. New blood and new ideas were needed. Could the Yanks supply both? With Russia now out of the war, the Germans could move their troops from the Eastern Front to the West and attack one last time. Battles such as Meuse-Argonne, Belleau Wood, and others led to the final collapse of the German forces. We end the class with a look at the Versailles Treaty. It was supposed to solve the problems that caused the war and prevent another from ever happening again. How did it fail?

“The Yanks Are Coming!” The Allies on the Western Front were exhausted. Three years of hard and bitter fighting drained the countries of their finest men. Casualties were appalling. Poison gas, machine guns, and artillery caused a stalemate that resulted in trench warfare. “Over the Top” was the cry but it meant walking into a hail of bullets and shells. New blood and new ideas were needed. Could the Yanks supply both? With Russia now out of the war, the Germans could move their troops from the Eastern Front to the West and attack one last time. Battles such as the Meuse Argonne, Belleau Woods, and others led to the final collapse of the German forces. We end the class with a look at the Versailles Treaty. It was supposed to solve the problems that caused the war and prevent another from ever happening again. How did it fail?