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In our movie series, Greg and Larry have featured great male actors from the 1930s through the 50s. It is time to recognize female movie greats from the same era. We start with the original The Thin Man with Myrna Loy, followed by Rosalind Russell’s delightful performance in His Girl Friday, and then two of our favorites, Claudette Colbert from It Happened One Night and Ingrid Bergman from Casablanca.   And then we will skip forward eight years into the 1950s and include three movies with spectacular actresses from a new generation.

Join us for a term of unforgettable stars and movies, where we show these movies and then discuss them.

• 1934- The Thin Man - Myrna Loy
• 1939- It Happened One Night - Claudette Colbert
• 1940- His Girl Friday - Rosalind Russell
• 1942- Casablanca - Ingrid Bergman
• 1950- All About Eve - Bette Davis, Anne Baxter & Celeste Holm
• 1953- Roman Holiday - Audrey Hepburn
• 1958- Cat on a Hot Tin Roof - Elizabeth Taylor
• 1959- Some Like It Hot - Marilyn Monroe

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

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

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

What happens to human consciousness when we die? In 1975, 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.

Join Jan, Neil, and guest speakers in exploring 298 years of various operas:

1. Perennial favorites - THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO, EUGENE ONEGIN, THE MAGIC FLUTE, MADAMA BUTTERFLY

2. Some lesser-known gems - RODELINDA, THE BALLAD OF BABY DOE

3. Two recent operas - EL ÚLTIMO SUEÑ0 DE FRIDA Y DIEGO*/2022, LILI ELBE*/2023 *Guest speakers

These operas can be seen during or soon after OLLI’s spring term, either at many local movie theaters broadcast live from the Metropolitan Opera, or onstage at Opera Colorado, Central City Opera, or the Santa Fe Opera. In Jan and Neil's class, you’ll get an in-depth education on these operas, explore the historical and social worlds in which they premiered, why they still resonate, and get some fun opera nerdery. Through videos, entertaining lectures, and lively class discussions (there are no dumb questions!), you'll feel at home whether you're an opera veteran or a deer-in-the-headlights newbie.

Art in the streets (including graffiti, murals, stickers, and paste-ups) gives voice to marginalized communities, shapes urban environments, and challenges institutional norms. This course explores graffiti and street art in the U.S. and around the world, examining their histories, motivations, and social impact. Participants will consider the rise of global mural movements, efforts to preserve and present street art, and its evolving role in activism, community identity, and social change.

 

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

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

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

Participants will be engaged in wide-ranging discussions regarding how we can use medical ethics in dealing with such issues as epidemics, end of life care, the well-being of vulnerable and migrant children and commercial determinants of health. Participants will be in dialog with faculty members of the Center for Bioethics and the Humanities at the University of Colorado Anschutz medical campus. Readings will be circulated prior to each session to set the stage for moderated class discussion with the guest expert. The discussions will consider matters such as public trust, individual choice, public policy, changing social norms, and individual rights vs. the rights of the community. The class will not be a one-way street. This is an opportunity to voice your perspective on these important topics.

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

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

Mike Holmes is offering this multifaceted course that helps the bridge student to develop play of the hand techniques and defense strategy. This online course is for individuals with some bridge experience or those who have been absent from bridge for a while. Each class the students will engaged with supervised play on either play of the hand or defense strategy. After the hand has been played, the facilitator will lead a discussion and demonstration of the important strategies leading to success with each hand. This course is taught on Wednesdays at 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

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 and postage to mail a book to the students (there is no text for this class). Failure to pay the fee will result with you being dropped from the class. Students will pay the instructor directly via check or Zelle.

Between the years 600 BCE and 50 CE, Judaism experienced a profound transformation: first from its exposure to Assyrian, Babylonian, and Persian culture, and next from the effects of Hellenization, including Greek philosophy and science. Alexander the Great conquered most of the Middle East by 320 BCE and his successors extended Greek language and culture throughout the region. These cultural shocks engendered such religious ideas as the struggle between heaven and hell, carried out by angels and demons, life after death, and new concepts of the cosmos. These ideas gave birth to new religious communities such as Qumran (of the Dead Sea Scrolls) and later Christianity. By 200 CE Judaism had purged most of these ideas, but they survived within Christianity, Gnosticism and Greek Mystery religions. This course will explore these events from earliest Israel and how they affected the development of Christianity.

Recommended Reading: The Crucible of Faith, Phillip Jenkins

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

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

Required Text: Apeirogon, a novel by Colum McCann

This course will cover six major economic issues: the recent slowdown of US economic growth, economic inequality, the US's mounting national debt, the US's inefficient health care system, soaring prescription drug prices, and immigration. Here are some of the questions that will be addressed: What has 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 American? 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 much higher in the US than elsewhere? 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?

Dance is Healing is an inclusive movement workshop, founded by Paige Fraser-Hoffman. This program blends ballet and modern dance with a deep focus on awareness and wellness. Participants will learn the foundations of Modern dance technique, while also prioritizing breath work, mobility, and alignment.

Participants can expect a supportive space where and personal expression are prioritized over perfection. Ms. Fraser brings together her contemporary dance training and her perspective as a scoliosis advocate to create a class that’s inclusive of all bodies and movement abilities. Whether you’re returning to dance or stepping into it for the first time, this class offers an opportunity to move with freedom, awareness, and care.

You will learn foundational modern dance techniques while incorporating breath work, alignment practices and mobility exercises. Rather than seeking perfection, this class emphasizes self-expression, body positivity and creative engagement. Drawing from her extensive professional training (at The Alvin Ailey School) and her journey as a scoliosis advocate, Fraser-Hoffman designs each session to meet the needs of all bodies and movement levels.

Participants will engage in visual modeling, verbal cues and real-time feedback. A complete warm-up, guided movement phrases, and a calming cool-down are included. Journaling prompts will be offered to deepen personal insight and integration—so please bring a journal along with a yoga mat. Wear clothing that allows ease of movement. No dance experience is required—just a willingness to explore and connect.

Discover or rediscover the joy of movement in a vibrant, expressive and embodied way. Come as you are. Move how you feel. Let’s dance toward deeper connection—in body, breath, and community.

Participants should wear comfortable athletic clothing or sweats and bring a yoga mat and journal for note-taking; you'll be barefoot for this class. Please ensure you have enough clear floor space to lie down on your back and move side to side comfortably, removing any furniture or objects that could pose a safety hazard. This session includes a complete warm-up, guided movement phrases, and cool-down, with the instructor demonstrating all movements and providing both visual and verbal cues throughout, along with regular check-ins to ensure everyone is comfortable and following along.

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.

The Colorado Front Range faces numerous environmental challenges that impact living in Colorado. The air we breathe, the water we drink, the products we use, and the recreation sites we visit all face environmental challenges we need to understand. This 4-week presentation-discussion course using a zoom format will provide a foundation for understanding the scientific principles, health impacts, and mitigation options for Front Range environmental challenges, including:

• Is the Suncor refinery the largest polluter in the Denver metro area?
• Is radon infiltration of homes a serious health risk?
• Why does the Front Range fail to meet federal air quality standards?
• Are ‘forever’ chemicals and microplastic contaminants a drinking water threat?
• How safe are Rocky Mountain Arsenal and Rocky Flats after Superfund cleanup?

The course includes some general science; however, no science background is required or assumed. Discussions will also include how political and economic factors impact environmental perceptions.

We invite you to join us for a preview of the 2026 and 2027 Pioneer Journeys alumni travel portfolio. In this Zoom webinar, we will walk you through a curated collection of small-group adventures—from the Norwegian fjords, Alaska, Madagascar, Cuba, Costa Rica, Antarctica and more. These programs, traditionally offered to DU alumni, parents and friends, are now being introduced to OLLI Enrichment as an exciting new travel option.

You’ll see how each itinerary is crafted for curious travelers, with rich educational content, well-located hotels and ships, built-in free time, and chances to connect with your travel companions. We’ll also outline pricing basics, what’s typically included, how faculty hosts enhance the experience, and what kind of traveler is the best fit for each departure.

Bring your questions; there will be time for Q&A, plus guidance on how to choose the right journey, when to book, and how you can sign up and find detailed itineraries on the Pioneer Journeys website. If you’re thinking about a big trip in 2026 or 2027, this is where you start.

People often talk about "ethics" but the term is usually vague and unclear. This class will explore how various philosophers have analyzed ethics and how those ideas apply today. We will definitely bring up several ethical issues in class but it is important to note that this will not primarily be a "case study" course. It is a class designed to discuss different ways philosophers in history and today have thought about how we should live together on this planet. Discussion is encouraged in all classes.

Frank Lloyd Wright designed nearly 1,000 buildings and helped define modern architecture. This course explores highlights of his practice, from Prairie houses to Fallingwater and the Guggenheim Museum, alongside lesser-known projects like affordable housing and city planning. We’ll examine how Wright’s work reflected cultural shifts in technology, science, and politics, offering a deeper understanding of his lasting influence on architecture and modern design.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Just about everywhere you look today you can see artificial intelligence (AI) in products and services, from cars to cameras, TVs to shopping and crafts to education. But once you’re done with the demos, the question remains: How can AI actually improve your daily life? In this course, tech expert and DU professor Dave Taylor shares how you can use AI to improve almost everything in your life. The class is broken down into four areas: texting with AI, talking to AI, creating images with AI and using AI for creative writing. If you attended this course in a previous session, you’re encouraged to join us again—there will be new tools, examples and hands-on practice to deepen your skills.

If you’re worried about AI and privacy, Taylor covers that too, along with ethical implications of using AI for creative work. “Our primary focus is on how to continue with your regular daily activities, but have them be AI infused, smarter and more streamlined,” Taylor says. “One key skill you learn is how to use AI to fact check your own communications, whether text messages, email or articles. Join us to go beyond demos and master AI in no time.”

Please note: Students are asked to sign up for a ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, or Google Gemini account prior to class. “There are hundreds of AI systems, but those are the tools we focus on in this course,” Taylor says.

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

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

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, 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. Here we talk travel!

Walter Matthau, known for his "hangdog face" and playing world-weary characters, stars in eight dramas and comedies this quarter. We start with a confirmed bachelor with a wild girlfriend, a kindly widower helping a young lady in trouble, a bank robber on the run from the mob, an aging vaudevillian with a partner, a man exploring middle-aged dating, a horse track bookie with a problem, a liberal justice on the US Supreme Court, and an escaped mental patient with an equally crazy partner. All these movies show why Matthau won an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, two Tony Awards, and two BAFTA Awards. We will have a short discussion before and 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. We will have a 2:00 p.m. intermission.

Science has answered many questions, but we are still just scratching the surface on understanding the human brain. Nevertheless, one thing becomes clearer with each new discovery: the brain is massively powerful! This is the third part of Dutch's Neuroplasticity series. In this 4 week course, participants will learn how breathing and stress affect our brains. We'll learn several breathing drills and discuss ways to mitigate stress to improve brain performance. We will take a "deep dive" into the mighty cerebellum and explore concepts and drills to improve performance of this crucial brain area. We will also explore how the cerebellum helps with balance and learn cerebellum drills to improve balance. Each class is half lecture and half brain-based exercises. Modifications for exercises will be available to make them accessible for everyone. It is not necessary to attend these classes in order. You can start here with Part III!

These books are recommended, not required: The Tell-Tale Brain by Ramachandran, and Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art, by Nestor

The "Arsenal for Democracy," as President Roosevelt urged America to become. But wait…what was required to make this change? Unemployment in America was still at 4 million workers right before Pearl Harbor. Suddenly with Pearl Harbor, everything changed in America. Some of these changes lasted well after the war. We will look at these changes. We start with America's reaction to the attack and the rush to enlist. We encounter involuntary internment of US citizens. Rationing affected everyone. Industry retooled to go on a war footing. Worker shortages added Rosie the Riveters and mass movements of people. Hollywood joined in with war-related movies, bond drives, and stateside and overseas USO tours. Finally, the GIs returned. How had they changed during their time overseas? How had America changed? Join us as we look back at America during the war and discuss what was going on "On the Home Front."

There are 18 species of penguins in the world. We will explore 7 species that have accepted the frigid waters and icy shores of the Antarctic region as home. What life strategies have made them successful in this harsh and unforgiving environment? How do they find their mates, secure enough food to raise their chicks and protect themselves from predators? These penguins, and a host of other birds and animals have relied on the environment, food supply and protection of Antarctica to survive for millions of years. Man discovered Antarctica barely 200 years ago. In that short time man’s presence on this remote continent has affected the penguin population as well as the other creatures that call Antarctica their home. How has climate change, commercial fishing, large scale hunting, and ocean pollution contributed to stress on the population and existence of these Antarctica natives? What will their future be like? Lots of fun stories and recent research findings will be presented to help answer these questions.

How much of who we are is shaped by the places we live and experience? This course invites reflection on the psychological and emotional relationships between people and their environments. Drawing on psychology, geography, architecture, and design, we will explore environmental psychology and how physical environments shape behavior, cognition, identity, and memory. Using place-based methods, we will discuss concepts such as place attachment, identity, and cognitive maps. We will reflect on memory, home, trauma, displacement, and nature’s role in well-being.

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

Across Colorado, gardeners are saving water, supporting biodiversity and beautifying their yards with native plants. But what does it really mean to garden for pollinators and wildlife? In this two-session course, you will explore the growing “native plant” movement and how to be part of it.

In our first session, we’ll debunk common myths about pollinator-friendly gardening and discover why native plants are essential to local ecosystems. We’ll also review flowers, shrubs and trees you can add this spring to provide three seasons of blooms and year-round habitat. In our second session, we’ll dig deeper into landscaping practices that sustain the full life cycles of bees, butterflies and birds. Along the way, you’ll meet some of the common—and not so common—species you might encounter in your own garden. Time permitting, we’ll also discuss how to elevate your practices by participating in citizen-science projects that contribute to broader conservation efforts.

As both a gardener and sociologist, Jared Del Rosso believes that what we cultivate matters—to other species, our communities, and the future of biodiversity. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just beginning, you’ll come away with practical, inspiring strategies for creating a thriving, sustainable yard. While the course focuses on CO native plants, much of what it covers is adaptable to other places.

Siberia covers three quarters of Russia’s territory but is home to only a quarter of its population. Yet its role in shaping Russia as a vast and wealthy empire is profound. In this course, we will explore Siberia’s economic significance, indigenous cultures, and history as a penal colony, along with its importance for climate change, environmental issues, and Russian-Chinese relations. We will also consider Siberia’s role in both the rise and possible fragmentation of Russia.

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

Are supplements essential for good health, or are many simply marketing hype? In this engaging two-hour workshop, Registered Dietitian Jessie McGinty helps you make sense of the confusing supplement industry by providing clear, evidence-based guidance. Designed for adults of all backgrounds, this session is especially valuable for those looking to take a more proactive and informed approach to lifelong wellness.

“With so much conflicting information online and in the media, it’s easy to feel unsure about which supplements are truly beneficial, which may be unnecessary and how to tell the difference”, says McGinty. We’ll cut through the noise to examine commonly used supplements such as vitamin D, B12, calcium, omega-3s and magnesium. We’ll also explore when supplementation can be helpful, when a balanced diet may be enough, and what red flags to watch for in marketing claims.

This workshop blends expert explanation with interactive discussion and Q&A so that you can apply what you learn directly to your own choices. Along the way, you’ll gain practical strategies for evaluating products, identifying credible information sources and making decisions that align with your individual health needs. Whether you currently take supplements, are considering them or simply want to stay informed, you’ll leave with greater clarity, confidence and the ability to make smart, personalized decisions about your health.

This course explores the birth of cinema as a long, evolving process. Rather than beginning with the traditionally recognized start dates of film history, we will look back thousands of years to examine our earliest attempts to tell stories with moving pictures. From ancient caves and magic lanterns to optical experiments and pre-cinematic devices, students will trace the technological and artistic developments that eventually gave rise to the movies—and to sound, color, and other foundational elements of cinematic language.

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.

The Frozen River is one heck of a good historical mystery novel. Author Ariel Lawhon takes us into the 18th century world of midwife Martha Ballard who cares for the women and babies of Hallowell, Maine. She also investigates a gruesome murder, protects rape victims, fights against a warped justice system, and challenges egotistical doctors.

This a well-written story of a real-life, smart, strong feminist in an era when women were treated as far less than equal. It’s also a cautionary tale about those men who demean, dishonor and try to destroy women.

Join us as we explore complex societal themes that are as vital today as they were 250 years ago during America’s infancy. Some scenes are very painful and some characters despicable. Yet there is great moral courage and heroism in this novel.

We’ll read about 60 pages for each class and send out discussion prompts each week to help create respectful, spirited class conversations.

Required Text: The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon

Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, and G. K. Chesterton . . . or should we say Hercule Poirot, Lord Peter Wimsey, and Father Brown?

These authors and their famous detectives were all part of a period called “The Golden Age of English Detective Fiction.” The period covers the years between the two world wars, so this fiction was published after Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes mysteries, but represented a unique trend all its own.

We will read short fiction by six authors and watch dramatizations of their detectives. That approach allows us to discuss and compare depictions by the authors vs. interpretations by subsequent screenwriters and directors.

The objective is to contemplate why the “Golden Age of English Detective Fiction” occurred when it did and produced the kind of fiction it did. We will be guided in that venture by reading mystery writer P.D. James’s book Talking About Detective Fiction.

The Peace Education Program is an innovative series of video-based workshops that invite you to explore personal peace and your inner resources for wellbeing. The course includes short video excerpts featuring author and peace educator Prem Rawat’s international talks, facilitated reflection time, individual exercises and the opportunity for group interactions. The sessions cover ten themes, among them Peace, Inner Strength, Dignity, etc.

Rather than describing or defining personal peace, the program aims to empower participants to reach their own understanding.

The facilitators’ role is to support the activities, interactions and reflection times, helping each workshop to run smoothly.

This course will be offered over five weeks, in weekly two-hour sessions. A complimentary course workbook will be given to each participant. For more information about the Peace Education Program, please visit https://tprf.org/peace-education-program/

Cultural symbols are everywhere — on our screens, in our politics, throughout our communities and in our own stories. They’re ancient, powerful, and multiplying precipitously; they quietly shape our choices, identities and collective imagination. Symbols guide, warn, inspire and/or divide us. But they speak a language older than words.

This course will examine cultural symbolism and uncover how profoundly it influences us. We’ll trace the journey of symbols from prehistoric markings and sacred icons to the hyper-speed imagery of the digital age and AI. In honor of America’s 250th birthday in 2026, we will spotlight some American iconic symbols.

Through selected readings and guided discussions, we’ll deconstruct powerful symbols from business, politics, pop culture and America’s history, revealing why some images unite us, while others separate us. Join me in decoding the language of symbols and how they help us make sense of ourselves, each other, and the culture we share.

Explore how the ancient practices of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) are being reexamined 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 Qigong — 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 will 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 Readings: Beinfield, Harriet, and Efrem Korngold. Between Heaven and Earth: A Guide to Chinese Medicine. New York: Ballantine, 1992.

Robert Putnam's book, "The Upswing: How America Came Together a Century Ago and How We Can Do It Again," uses quantitative data and trusted economists such as Thomas Piketty and Raj Chetty to track four trends shaping America from 1900 to 2020. Exploring income inequality, political partisanship, social capital and cultural narcissism, Putnam offers at times counter intuitive insights to explain the unique transition from individualistic "I" to the communitarian "We" and back again in the past 120+ years. All of this is further complicated by the perpetual factors of race and gender. The book also explores the forces which cracked the cohesion starting in the mid-1960s. These began with increasing individualism and greed and evolved into tribalism. Still optimistic, Putnam encourages us to take inspiration and instruction from a period of despair much like our own.

The book, The Upswing: How America Came Together a Century Ago and How We Can Do It Again, is required. On Amazon, the paper book is $12.59, and the Kindle version is $9.99.

A New York hedge fund (Alden Global) purchased the Denver POST in 2010 and then began to systematically reduce its budget and sell the building it had occupied for over a hundred years. Another large corporation (Nexstar) owns a controlling interest in TV networks that offer local programming and may make changes with little concern for accurate reporting. Radio, TV, and print news media in Colorado will change over the next few years. A few large corporations may soon own and control news sources. Let’s explore what this could mean for our access to news.

What does the First Amendment say about protecting access to news sources? What is disinformation and misinformation? Does the truth still matter? Where do you get your news? How confident are you in what you read and hear? How much difference will it make to our grandchildren who owns and controls their news?

Numerous actors have brought Agatha Christie’s Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot, to the screen. We will see Albert Finney, Peter Ustinov, David Suchet, and the latest to join the ranks, Kenneth Branagh. Tony Randall and John Malkovich’s performances will also be covered. There are various attempts to choose who best portrays the Belgian detective. Now it's your turn to join the dispute. In this class, we will view and discuss 15 of Agatha Christie’s 40 Poirot creations. Near the conclusion of our eighth week adventure, your vote will be cast to decide the contest.

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