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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.

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. 

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

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)

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 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?

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.

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!).

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.

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 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 

 

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.

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

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.

"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.

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.

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.

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.

“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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

“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.