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Biblical Scholarship opens myriad perspectives on the four Gospels in the Christian Testament. The material in this course will enable us to more fully understand the ancient Gospel texts. We will focus on the ancient Jewish, Roman and Hellenistic context of the Gospels and the Early Christian Communities from which they emerged. We will concentrate on Mark, the oldest of the Gospels. During each class session, we will read aloud from Mark for about 20 minutes. There will be lecture, question and answer, and discussion during each class. 

This workshop will examine American Resistance Poetry--poems meant to pay tribute to those who resisted as well as being meant to empower, mobilize, and inspire others to resist. Participants can use these poems as models and inspiration to write their own resistance poems, which can then be shared, discussed, and revised during the workshop. Most of the workshop sessions will be devoted to the discussion of the participants' poems. The writing of poems, as Mary Oliver tells us, will need to be done at the solitude of the writer's desk. Course Note: This course was offered in Spring 2026, but will feature different poets and poems for inspiration. 

In this 8-week course, we will continue to explore the wonderful medium of watercolor painting! Through warm-up exercises designed to refine your value studies, we will focus on composition planning before you start painting. This will help ensure you start with a successful design...and painting! Each class, we will work with a photograph that needs some compositional editing. By practicing thumbnail sketching and quick small value studies, we will pre-plan for larger and more successful colorful paintings. This course assumes that you have had some watercolor painting and drawing practice. You are encouraged to paint from your own reference photographs or set up a still life in front of you from which to paint. This course is taught entirely online through the Zoom platform. 

When Africa appears in the news, it often looks the same: famine, conflict, poverty, corruption, crisis. But that picture is radically incomplete. Africa is also home to some of the world's fastest-growing cities, most dynamic youth populations, boldest democratic experiments, and most innovative responses to climate change. This five-week course invites OLLI members to look again, more carefully, more curiously, and more honestly. Each session takes a different lens: economics, politics, climate, culture, and diaspora, examining both the real challenges and the stories that rarely make the front page. Drawing on current research and firsthand knowledge of the region, we will move from stereotype to complexity, from headlines to human reality. 

American politicians, policymakers, and the public battled each other for two centuries on how to supply, regulate, or even conceptually understand money, as the country progressed from an experimental, pre-industrial republic to a world superpower. This lecture series will explore early currency and banking crises, cultural attitudes about credit, the gold standard versus free silver, auto and home loans and the rise of personal finance, and the post-WWII transition to a new global and domestic role for the US dollar. The course contextualizes these debates with theory, scholarship, political and cultural history, and comparisons to the present. 

Retirement can open new space for creativity, reflection, and connection. In this five-session course, participants will create one artwork in each class while exploring themes such as music, memory, nature, relationships, and personal growth. Inspired by artists whose works are in Boston-area museum collections, the course offers a relaxed, welcoming space for creative expression. No prior art experience is needed. The emphasis is not on technical skill, but on enjoyment, self-expression, and meaningful conversation. 

This class welcomes a mix of new and experienced knitters. To accommodate new knitters, the class will offer two sessions of basic information and how to’s. Experienced knitters will be provided with patterns, or they can bring their own, in order to get started on their projects. All participants will also be introduced to Ravelry, a free knitters website. In the third session there will be a discussion on colors and how to use different stitches and yarn to create original garments. According to what is new in knitting, the trend is to use a palette of colors (the bigger the contrast, the better!) and using a combination of stitches, yarn types, and geometrical pictures in the overall design. The rest of the course will be used to troubleshoot and to discuss different techniques. 

Drawing on speeches from the past 100 years, this course focuses on how political speeches persuade, inspire, divide, and shape history. Participants will analyze famous and lesser-known speeches from campaigns, debates, concessions, policy addresses as well as from other political events. Using video clips, transcripts, guided analysis, and  discussions, we will explore how content, delivery, audience connection, timing, and historical context influence a speech’s effectiveness and lasting impact. Together, we will examine why some political speeches inspire nations, shape history, or define a political era—while others fail, backfire, or disappear entirely. 

“A small man can be just as exhausted as a great man.” —Linda, Death of a Salesman 

Aristotle’s Poetics suggests that tragedy is most powerful when it depicts a person of stature falling from prosperity into suffering—think Othello, Hamlet, or Oedipus. Arthur Miller’s modern drama challenges this inherited model, turning instead to the tragedy of the ordinary man: a failing door-to-door salesman who dreams of being well-liked while struggling to like himself. In this course, we’ll read Miller’s Death of a Salesman and All My Sons, asking what tragedy looks like when its hero is not a king, prince, or general, but a father, husband, worker, and dreamer. Prior to the first class, please obtain copies of both plays and read Act I of Death of a Salesman. 

Planning a trip to Japan or simply curious about the language? It’s never too late to start learning Japanese. This class is designed for absolute beginners and lifelong learners. You will learn greetings, essential vocabulary and useful phrases for travel-related conversations. Each lesson also introduces Japanese culture through customs, etiquette, and seasonal traditions.  Through fun, engaging activities, you will build confidence in speaking in a relaxed, supportive environment. By the end of the course, you will be able to communicate in simple Japanese and deepen your understanding of Japanese culture.  

American Roots Music series and is appropriate for both new and returning students. From the popular press to concert promotional materials to Grammy Awards categories, terms like “roots,” “Americana,” “folk,” “traditional,” and “bluegrass” are often thrown around with little distinction or context, yet these words carry specific meanings, histories, and legacies. In this course, we will study the genres of American roots music both as commercial categories and culturally specific musical practices. We’ll begin by examining how these terms have been used and applied to specific genres at different points in their development. As the course progresses, we’ll move beyond identifying what makes each genre unique to uncover the many ways they connect. 

Chair yoga is so popular now….for many reasons. One is because people can get the benefits without getting on the floor and most everyone can do it. It increases circulation, keeps the joints lubricated, promotes relaxation, helps with better breathing, works on balance and increases strength. Come reap the benefits of this practice. You can do it! 

Many of the most powerful and enduring stories about historical presidents are more myth than fact. That includes famous legends like George Washington chopping down a cherry tree and William Howard Taft getting stuck in a bathtub, as well as lesser-known stories like John Quincy Adams’s pet alligator and Andrew Jackson’s battle against the Bell Witch of Tennessee. In this course, we will explore the real stories behind these myths—where they came from, how they spread, and why they hold such a special place in the public consciousness. 

In this class, I will present different paintings, documents and photographs during the colonial rule in India and how and why that rule lead to Indian partition which created three major countries. 

Conflict Resolution Through Effective Communication explores how communication shapes conflict and how everyday disagreements can become opportunities for growth. Through interactive discussions, role plays, self-assessment exercises, and practical activities, participants will improve active listening, constructive feedback, and communication skills; acquire better self-awareness; and learn strategies for managing difficult conversations. The course does not have any prerequisites, just curiosity and openness for experience sharing and learning. 

This five week course provides an introduction to all aspects of current knowledge of Autism Spectrum Disorders: from its history to current information and perspectives, including interventions, schooling and behavior management. 

Economics plays a central role in the functioning of every aspect of society. This course addresses a set of prominent policy issues where economics is at their core. We will explore their origins as policy matters, the underlying data and evidence, and what policy levers are available to deal with them. Lectures will be standalone, taught by a subject matter expert – all of whom have a Ph.D. in Economics. Potential topics include Climate Change, Healthcare Economics, Social Security, and many more. The topics presented will be determined by what is most topical at the time of the course.  No reading is required prior to the lectures. 

Creative drama is an educational art form that incorporates theatre techniques and pedagogy, such as improvisation and role-play, drawing on participants’ experiences. It is structured through hands-on interactive activities. This course aims to introduce four branches of art in a fun and engaging manner. In the first week, we will get to know one another through icebreaker activities and build a positive group dynamic. Throughout the course, we will share our stories and learn the basics each week of (1) visual arts, (2) literary arts, (3) dance, and (4) musical theater. Anyone interested in exploring these art forms in an enjoyable way is welcome to join this weekly 90-minute workshop series. This course fosters a sense of belonging within a learning community, literacy across the four art branches, and reflection on personal experiences through art. 

This course is meant to be a movement class generated to the folks in the room. While we might take adapted ballet techniques, we're not rigid on meeting certain techniques. Instead, we focus on the physical/social/emotional wellness of the students in the virtual room. We believe that movement can be generated anywhere (like our homes or wherever you're calling from) while building community in virtual space (to show we can still build connection in virtual formats). This course is designed to get us in tune and connected to our bodies, develop a deeper sense of physicality, and enjoy joyful movement. Creative Movement will be a safe and inviting space to try new things and explore new forms of dance. Course Note: Since this course seeks to accommodate all participants, it is essential that students make it possible for the instructor to provide feedback. It is useful for participants to leave their Zoom camera on so the instructor can most effectively guide and encourage participants.  

Course Note: Since this course seeks to accommodate all participants, it is essential that students make it possible for the instructor to provide feedback. It is useful for participants to leave their Zoom camera on so the instructor can most effectively guide and encourage participants. 

 

This is a viewing and discussion program. We will watch the documentary together in class and then share our thoughts about the film.  Did we grow as we discover the value and/or purpose of what we watched. We can critique the quality of the film; indicate our enjoyment of or our displeasure with it; say if we learned anything new; tell if you were surprised at anything. A full list of the documentaries will be provided at the first class. 

What happens to a middle-class family in a period of social upheaval? Russian author Boris Pasternak's novel Dr. Zhivago follows the title character, a physician and poet, through the Russian Revolution and its aftermath. Painting a sweeping picture of the revolution and its human costs, this remarkable book addresses the emotional, moral, and philosophical questions of the revolutionary era. How does revolution ripen and spread in a society? How do different individuals perceive and react to revolutionary change?  How does an artist portray revolution?  How does Pasternak’s artistic vision resonate with us today? 

Have you ever gone to a Moth event and thought, “I would love to do that!” Then this is the class for you! Even if that isn’t your goal, this is still a fun and creative class. Students will learn the techniques of effective storytelling. Students will do activities in class to spark their creativity. Video clips of storytellers will be viewed and critiqued by students. Students will get to share their stories with fellow classmates to get their opinions. Finally, there will be a showcase in the last class where students can present their favorite story. 

In this 11th Exploring Longevity series, we will continue to explore human posture, an evolutionary miracle that enabled our species to evolve from quatrupedalism to bipedalism. We will explore how the S-shaped spine and upright posture have distinguished humans from other primates during our prolonged history of evolution. We will also examine how human posture, embedded in our social, cultural, and technological evolution, has played a critical role in our longevity and quality of independent living. This course has been enriched by the shared wisdom and insights from our participants’ lived experiences.

 

In this 11th Exploring Longevity series, we will continue to explore human posture, an evolutionary miracle that enabled our species to evolve from quadrupedalism to bipedalism. We will explore how the S-shaped spine and upright posture have distinguished humans from other primates during our prolonged history of evolution. We will also examine how human posture, embedded in our social, cultural, and technological evolution, has played a critical role in our longevity and quality of independent living. This course has been enriched by the shared wisdom and insights from our participants’ lived experiences. 

This film appreciation course offers a brief but in-depth ZOOM dive into four movies by America's favorite French director. Each week participants will view one Truffaut movie at home to prepare for discussion and detailed analysis of that film in class. Note: This course is not a repeat of Bernie’s previous film courses. Requirements: (1) Participants commit to 1 weekly online movie-viewing at home: on TV, pc, or tablet/laptop. (2) Must have Access to the Criterion Channel, Amazon Prime and Kanopy video streaming service (via Boston Public Library or another library e-card). Most films are free, some rentals (less than $20). 

Despite facing decades of hatred and discrimination, Transgender people have built a rich, resilient culture and artistic tradition in America. This class is for anyone at any knowledge level on trans issues who wants to learn more about that culture and history. We will start with a practical guide on trans history, terminology, theory, and navigating real-world conversations. Then, we will look at and discuss excerpts from the landmark works of Trans Art. By the end of this class, you will have a better understanding of the Trans perspective and of the ways Trans people have impacted your own life. 

Have you ever felt stuck in old routines, habits, or ways of thinking? The good news is that lasting change often begins with small steps. In this uplifting class, we'll explore why we get stuck, how our thoughts shape our experience, and simple ways to create positive change. We'll discuss resilience, neuroplasticity, reinvention, and the power of opening ourselves to new possibilities at any age. Join us for reflection, discussion, and practical tools to help you move forward with greater hope, confidence, and curiosity. 

This five-week course explores the underlying causes, evolving dynamics, and possible resolutions of major global political conflicts in the modern era. Through interdisciplinary perspectives drawn from political science, history, sociology, and international relations, the course examines how power, ideology, identity, and resource competition shape conflicts across regions. Participants will engage with classical theories of conflict and peace, study contemporary case studies, and discuss realistic pathways toward sustainable resolution and global cooperation. 

A recent issue of the Hedgehog Review (tagline: Critical Reflections on Contemporary Culture) explores the meaning of character and the causes and consequences of its apparent decline in today's world.  Drawing on the works of thinkers as diverse as Aristotle, Nietzsche, Emily Dickinson and Samuel Beckett, the readings explore our current moral climate and speculate on its future trajectory, providing us with food for thought and some new perspectives.  We will read from the Spring 2024 issue of the Hedgehog Review, titled "Missing Character," available for $14 from https://hedgehogreview.com/order. 

Some trials do not end simply with their verdict. They have a power that echoes throughout history. They have shaped and transformed the social, political and legal landscape. These trials deserve the description “Great” because they serve as enduring lessons for us all on such issues as social justice, race, abuse of power, and injustice. We will examine the Boston Massacre trials, the criminal minds in the Leopold and Loeb murders, the haunting Lindbergh baby kidnapping tragedy, the Lincoln assassination conspirators’ trial, and the Lizzie Borden case.  Class Note: This course will feature new cases and is not a repeat from the one offered Spring 2026.

This course will expose the origins of the "American" Vietnam War. We will start with the presence of the French in the 1850s and travel through the years, up to and including our involvement in the fighting. Many commonly held concepts and beliefs will be shattered by the information presented. The role that our leaders, both military and political, played will be examined and critiqued. After taking this course, you will likely learn many previously untold truths about the events that happened so many years ago. Course Note: This course has been offered in the past. While the content will be similar, the discussion resulting from questions is always different.  

Amidst enormous social upheaval after the murder of George Floyd in 2020, Isabel Wilkerson published her book Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents. In it, Wilkerson drew connections between racism in America and the caste system of India (as well as the ideology of Nazi Germany). Is the caste system the same as racial discrimination? Is there a caste system in the U.S.? What can the experiences of millions of marginalized caste people in India and the U.S. teach us about inequality, identity, and justice? In this course we will discuss these questions guided both by Wilkerson’s book as well as the experiences of instructor Mahesh Admankar, a member both of an oppressed caste in India as well as a person of color in the United States. Course Note: This class was taught in Fall 2025 and has been updated with new material and content. Purchasing and reading Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents is not required for this course. Readings will be provided by the instructor. 

Students will acquire a comprehensive understanding of Yang-style Tai Chi, the most widely practiced and popular style of Tai Chi, commonly referred to as “meditation in motion.” The Yang postures are characterized by their relaxed, expansive, simple, precise, centrally aligned, and harmoniously combined nature, incorporating both hard and soft elements. These postures can be positioned at high, middle, or low stances, accommodating individual preferences. This flexibility renders the Yang form suitable for health preservation and enhancement, thereby augmenting strength, balance, and overall fitness. Each class commences with warm-up exercises designed to promote softness, relaxation, and looseness. We will delve into fundamental principles and concepts, fostering body awareness, balance, and meditation. 

 

We’ll review what has been called the first American detective story - Dashiell Hammett’s - The Maltese Falcon ‘30 which introduced Sam Spade in the ‘41 movie. This image of the “hard-boiled” private investigator is pitted against a band of criminals and his woman of the moment. Under John Huston’s direction this film (nominated for 3 Academy Awards) has been noted as the beginning of the film noir genre. 

Great news! There is no such thing as talent. Talent is actually skill developed by combining techniques and practice. If you’re a beginner, you’re only 60 drawings away from being good and 100 drawings away from being an expert. This introductory course is great fun because students will discover a new way of looking at shape, texture, source of light, and dimension as they uncover the optical illusions, the magic of drawing. Age or ability is not part of this learning process. How do I know this? Just watch kids stretched out at the kitchen table armed with a couple of #2 pencils, paper, and no one to disturb their concentration. You, my friends, will witness the birth of creative genius. Talent or thoughts of talent is never a consideration. Joy and enthusiasm and shared curiosity regarding each other’s masterpiece is what matters. Keys to drawing: Trust Your Eyes will rekindle the embers that have been smoldering for all these years. Are you ready to light the fire and regenerate the artist within? I know you are! 

Fred Zinnemann was a young Austrian filmmaker when he came to Hollywood in 1929. After working as a cameraman, he began making films on his own within a few years. Although he made a wide variety of films, he was particularly gifted in featuring characters who face difficult, even impossible choices, particularly in wartime.  We will view a variety of these films, including Vanessa Redgrave and Jane Fonda in Julia, which features Meryl Streep’s first film appearance, the great Paul Scofield in his Oscar winning role in A Man for All Seasons, and one of the best American westerns, High Noon with Gary Cooper and Grace Kelly.  

Everyone has a story to tell! This workshop is designed to give you the space to write about your life, share your legacy. Whether you want to capture your family history for your grandchildren or write about an event that occurred in your life, all stories are valid and welcome. Memoir writing can be healing and magical. When a story persists in your consciousness, it is demanding to be told. You are the best person to tell it. You’re the expert – you lived it. No writing experience is needed. This is a safe zone where you won’t be judged for the content of the story or the writing! You’ll hear where your writing resonates with us, your audience. What to expect? In each session, we will read a brief memoir piece, write for about 20 minutes from a prompt or whatever pops into your head, and finally, read our stories aloud. No one is obligated to share their work, but it's a good way to quiet your inner critic.  

The Baroque era in music ended with the death of Bach. We will learn the revolution in music which took place with the emergence of Bach's sons, Haydn, Mozart and the young firebrand Beethoven. 

This class is for anyone interested in learning how to draw from life and from reference photos using both pencil and colored pencil. Students will learn some color theory in order to understand layering techniques with their colored pencils. This course will focus on observational drawing in order to capture form and space using simple still life objects for inspiration. Additionally, students may choose to draw from their own reference photos or still life, particularly if they have had prior drawing experience. All levels are welcome. This course is taught entirely online through the Zoom platform. 

Sir Peter Paul Rubens was a Flemish artist and diplomat. He is considered the most influential artist of the Flemish Baroque tradition. Rubens's highly charged compositions focused on works associated with classical antiquity (encompassed the culture of ancient Greece & Rome) and Christian history. Due to the enormity of his work, we will focus on his mature period after he returned to Antwerp in 1609, following his stay in Italy. Early on he served as a diplomat to the Archdukes Albert and Isabella, and negotiating a peace treaty between England and Spain This period also included notable paintings such as “The Elevation of the Cross” and huge commissions like the Medici Cycle. Surprisingly, there came a sea change in his style due to his reencounter with the works of Titian in Madrid in 1628. After retiring  in the 1630s, he no longer worked on commission but rather for his own pleasure. He focused on landscapes and the life of peasants and portraits, characterized by a more relaxed, intimate technique.  

This course covers the topic of psychological trauma and how it affects people, from some trauma-related disorders to the ways in which it helps people grow. It first covers the different types of trauma and the ways that it can manifest, including its classic definitions to contemporary understandings. Then, the course will cover some trauma-related psychological disorders and the best ways that people with trauma histories can be supported in mental health care. The course then considers how people can make meaning, find hope, and flourish after experiencing trauma. 

Are you ready to put AI to work as your project assistant? If you are curious to learn more about what ChatGPT and other AI tools can really do, there’s no substitute for personal experience. With long-time AI user Scott Guthery as your guide, this course will be a hands-on AI workshop for people who want to accomplish a specific objective. No AI experience is required. All you need to bring to the first meeting is a description of what you want to work on during the four-week workshop. This can be planning a vacation, learning about your neighborhood, writing a children's book, starting a business, or anything else that your smart, tireless assistant can help you with. From week to week, you will practice writing ChatGPT prompts that produce the most helpful results, discuss your results with other participants, and explore some of the advanced features that AI has to offer. 

In this course, we  revisit Howard Zinn’s A People’s History of the United States, published in 1980, from the perspective of 2026. How does A People’s History, which brings to life voices left out of most accounts of our history, help us make sense of the last decade, in which Donald Trump has dominated our political and cultural life as a nation?  We will read and discuss selected chapters from A People’s History to place Trump’s rise in a coherent narrative arc that more traditional histories miss. We will also evaluate Zinn’s prescription for healing what ails us, activism. Required text:  A People's Hisory of the United States by Howard Zinn. 

This course will address the treatment of religion and religious beliefs under the First Amendment. We will first examine the evolution of the “separation of church and state”doctrine under the Establishment Clause, and explore the increasing tolerance for religious expressions in public life under recent decisions of the Supreme Court. We will also examine how the Roberts Court’s embrace of religious rights under the Free Exercise Clause, the Freedom of Speech Clause, and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act in recent years is redefining the traditional separation between government and religious organizations as well as the application of nondiscrimination laws, health regulations, and the regulation of corporate entities. Finally, we will touch on the current Christian Nationalist movement, the policies of Trump 2.0, and their impact on the resurgence of Christianity in public life. 

The Salon provides an opportunity to discuss perspectives, exchange ideas, critique concepts and share perceptions and thoughts with others in a convivial, collaborative environment. Each class session will focus on a different topic. Writings, videos, and/or audio clips on the topic will be presented in class as a springboard for dialogue and group interactions

Rediscover Shakespeare as we take a deep dive into Julius Caesar and Twelfth Night. For each play, outside of class, participants will be expected to read the play and view a selected film version. The texts we will use are the Folger Shakespeare Library editions (under $10 apiece and/or available for free download from the Folger Shakespeare Library). However, any editions of the plays are acceptable. Both required films are available for rent, but they may be viewed for free on Zoom (courtesy of the OLLI office). In class we will discuss the plays in the contexts of Shakespeare’s life and times as well as the historical periods of the plays, with reference to major critical research. Our goal is a rich appreciation of Shakespeare’s work. 

The objects we use every day - glass windows, paper, electric light, hold stories that have shaped the way we live. This course uncovers the surprising journeys behind familiar materials and inventions, revealing how they transformed homes, cities, and daily routines. Each session explores a different object, connecting its history to the world we know today. Along the way, participants are invited to reflect on their own experiences and memories tied to these everyday items. Together, we will rediscover the ordinary and see how small things have made a lasting impact. 

Do you want to learn about the history of South Asia—a region rich in diversity, culture, art, and political history? This four-day introductory course explores South Asian societies through film, media, and visual arts. Students will examine how history, identity, religion, gender, migration, and social change are represented across the region. Students will gain a deeper understanding of South Asian cultures and histories while sharing their own perspectives in an interactive learning environment. 

Often one runs out of ideas for new poems. This course is designed to help you find new source material to create new poems.  By focusing on a topic, such as the Boston Molasses Flood for example, or paintings at the Museum of Fine Arts, you will do research and then write poems based on this research. By the end of the course, the goal is to have about 5-6 poems that could be the steppingstone to a chapbook, book or longer length collection. We will also dabble our toes into poetical forms, such as sonnets or a villanelles which can help you learn to develop and flex your creative muscle. And write new poems! 

Are you going to France or to a French-speaking country? If so, you need to be able to communicate at least at a minimum to show that you are making an effort toward the culture of the host country. The people there will greatly appreciate (even if they answer in English) and may even be friendlier. In this class you will learn French basic vocabulary and phrases in a conversational setting. The course will integrate the Mango Languages computer program to practice and reinforce your new skills at home.  

The Black Plague, also known as the Bubonic Plague or Black Death, brought an apocalyptic sickness to Europe, never experienced, that those who lived it believed death itself had touched down on Earth. For our course, we will be diving into what it took to survive and what life was like for the survivors. Touching upon themes of medicine and politics, deciding whether surviving was based on random pure luck or something more. We will also be discussing the community and mental consequences, how were the survivors able to move forward and rebuild. 

Developed by Dr. Paul Lam and the Tai Chi for Health Institute, this comprehensive program, based on the Sun style of Tai Chi, provides an in-depth understanding of its distinctive characteristics. This evidence-based program serves as an effective exercise regimen promoting holistic well-being, with customizable exertion levels suitable for individuals of varying abilities, including young seniors. It incorporates unique gentle qigong practices and a higher stance, making the learning process engaging and enjoyable. Published medical studies have demonstrated that this program offers numerous health benefits, including arthritis symptom relief, reduced pain, improved balance, fall risk reduction, flexibility, strength, cardiovascular fitness, immune system support, and tranquility. Arthritis foundations and the CDC recommend these evidence-based exercises. Each class commences with gentle warm-up exercises to foster softness, relaxation, and looseness, followed by the learning of fundamental Tai Chi postures, principles, and concepts. 

This six-week seminar examines the 2026 U.S. midterm elections through the lens of presidential power, institutional dynamics, and democratic norms. Using the presidency of Donald Trump as a central case study, the course provides a structured, non-partisan space to explore current events, historical precedent, and competing interpretations of American political life. This course will rely in part on OLLI students actively participating by bringing a weekly question or topic based on a news article or other media they have encountered. Zoom breakout rooms will be used for small group discussions. Understanding a pivotal election through history, institutions, and informed dialogue is our aim. 

Using excerpts from Jill Lepore’s new book We the People as a guide, we will explore the uncertain future of the Constitution and the equality, freedom, rights, security and order it has come to promise for all.  What happened to that promise?  What exactly is the “originalism” that has been cited in a generation of decisions by the Roberts Court?  Does the Constitution need to be amended?  What are the competing visions of the future of the Constitution?  Can any of these visions repair the fraying of the promise the Constitution has come to represent? 

What makes the Great Gatsby so compelling? Published in 1925 and written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby is a treasure chest of characters, observations, and wonder. What does it say about the American Dream? Romantic love? The past? Wealth? Class? Most of all, how does Fitzgerald's stunning language affect us? We will read a portion of the book each week. Please do not read ahead! 

The nineteen century saw great strides in science such as the discoveries of Alexander von Humboldt and Charles Darwin. Artist such as Frederic Edwin Church, Charles Willson Peale, and others were greatly influenced by these new discoveries. We will learn about them. 

Have you ever felt guided by a dream, a coincidence, an animal symbol, or a deep inner knowing you couldn’t quite explain? In this reflective and experiential class, we will explore the idea of spirit guides and invisible helpers through meditation, symbolism, intuition, synchronicity, and guided imagery. Together, we’ll explore how guidance may appear through nature, dreams, signs, emotions, and meaningful moments in everyday life. This class includes slides, videos, guided experiences, journaling, and group discussion designed to encourage curiosity, imagination, and deeper connection to your own inner wisdom. Whether viewed spiritually, symbolically, or intuitively, this class offers a gentle and open-minded space for exploration and reflection. 

We will learn about the history of our nation's first capital. We will encounter great Philadelphians such as Benjamin Franklin, Benjamin Rush, Alexander Calder, Albert Barnes, and Charles Willson Peale. This course will be similar to the Cultural History of Boston class from last semester. 

Chiang Yee wrote and illustrated this charming book in 1959. Chiang Yee has a vibrant, whimsical, humorous voice which transcends time. For those of us who love the area it is all here: the Boston Common, Beacon Hill, Fenway, Charles River, Salem, Rockport, the Cape and Islands, to name a few. Yee included 16 full color paintings, 60 black and white drawings, and 20 of his poems. What better way to celebrate our 250th than to toast Boston, its surrounding neighborhoods and towns, its history and people, than to share this unique book together? We will read and discuss a portion of the book each week. Please do not read ahead. You can find the 1959 version in a library or purchase a copy from Amazon or eBay for about $8-12.  You can also find it on Internet Archive which allows you to read for free online: https://archive.org/details/silenttravelleri0000chia_u2e8/mode/2up  Long out of print, it was recently republished in 2017 in paperback.  

An engaging course that explores 30 artworks featured in Mona’s Eyes, blending literature, art history, storytelling, and the cultural legacy of the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, and Beaubourg (the Centre Pompidou). Participants will examine how art shapes the novel’s meaning and discover how masterpieces can be read as both image and story. 

Artists let us see the world through their eyes, transporting us through time and space. Throughout history, art has been used to record our daily lives, share our connections with people and our environment, and to visualize what we cannot see—such as the spiritual realm. Session topics will include: Andrew Wyeth’s expressive watercolors of the people and places that surrounded him in rural Pennsylvania and Maine in the special exhibition Spectacular Freedom: Andrew Wyeth and the Modern American Watercolor; how medieval Koreans envisioned the world beyond death in the special exhibition Ten Kings of Hell: The Afterlife in Medieval Korea; as well as various examples across the museum’s exhibitions and permanent collections.  

What can one do about climate change? A lot! This series of six 90-minute meetings is designed for people interested in learning more about climate change and climate justice, becoming more effective in communicating with others about it, and taking action to mitigate its impact on our planet and ourselves. We start with the problems, basic science, and equity issues involved, but spend most of our time understanding the wide range of available climate change solutions and how you can get involved, both individually and working with others. Course Note: This course is similar to the “Can We Stop Climate Change” course offered in previous semesters, but it is continually updated with new material. If you attended previously you're welcome to repeat! 

Vaccines and sanitation are the medical advances which have saved the most lives throughout human history, but there have been skeptics of the former since at least the 14th century. In this course we will explore how vaccines work, what the differences between vaccines are, why some vaccines work better than others, and how we test the efficacy and safety of vaccines. We will also consider how we can continue to build new and better vaccines as we move into the future. 

This class is for anyone interested in learning the wonderful medium of watercolor painting! At the beginning of each class, the instructor will present a specific technique or concept. Topics of exploration include value studies, color theory, still life, composition, and landscape painting. Students will have the choice of painting from reference photos (provided by the instructor) or from their own photographs or still life set-ups. Students with prior experience will have opportunities for additional challenges. Some prior experience is helpful, but students new to watercolor are always welcome. This course is taught entirely online through the Zoom platform. 

Conspiracy theories often emerge during times of uncertainty, or fear when people seek simple explanations for complex problems. While some conspiracies proved to be true, most conspiracy theories rely on weak evidence, selective reasoning, or misinformation spread through media and social networks. Studying conspiracy theories is important because they influence politics, public health, and social trust. For example, conspiracy beliefs about vaccines or elections can shape public behavior and create divisions within societies. This course, therefore, explores what conspiracy theories are, why they deserve critical study, and how they can be identified and evaluated. 

As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the American Declaration of Independence, this class builds on students’ interest in art and history to explore important moments of Haitian history that intersect with American history.  A curated selection of artworks (by Haitian and non-Haitian artists) will be featured for active discussions.  At least one class will be hybrid, with students attending either online or onsite at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, to discuss a Haitian painting.  Classes are expected to be engaging and interactive, and students can also submit artworks relevant to the topic for interpretation. No formal background in art or Haitian history is required. 

Join the ultimate dance-fitness party that beats a boring exercise workout any day!  Zumba (r) Gold is part of the popular Zumba (r) dance-based fitness program, and is specifically designed for active older adults.  The class includes the same wide variety of Latin and Other International rhythms, but without any high-impact moves.  It's not a dance class, though, so there are no right or wrong moves.  Stand.. sit in a chair... alternate between the two.  Just let the music move you! Wear workout clothes and sneakers, and be sure to hydrate. 

This course explores why women’s participation in the workforce continues to differ across industries, income levels, and stages of life. We will discuss major barriers women face, including childcare costs, workplace expectations, gender norms, and the motherhood penalty. The course will also examine strategies that support women’s career advancement, policies that reduce inequality, and how technology and changing work environments may shape the future of women’s employment. Through real-world examples, research findings, and discussion, participants will gain a deeper understanding of women’s economic experiences and the challenges and opportunities ahead. 

This course uses simple, guided writing exercises to help you make sense of your experiences and articulate what matters most. Through short prompts, discussion, and optional reading, we’ll explore how writing can bring clarity, insight, and perspective to everyday life. No prior writing experience is required. 

Everyone has a story, and journaling can be a powerful way to make sense of your thoughts and experiences. We will explore different approaches, from structured prompts to more open-ended reflection. You don’t need to be a “good writer” or have a current journaling practice. Each session will include time to write and optional opportunities to share. This course is ideal for anyone looking to better understand themselves or someone who is curious about what journaling is all about! 

What secrets and stories are hidden in song lyrics? What about songs which call back sharp memories? Songs offer gifts of comfort, inspiration, and amusement. In this writing workshop we will study a variety of song lyrics and use their lines and images as a starting point for creative writing.  Give yourself the gift of time to consider lyrics as a path into your own writing. Through writing prompts and writing sessions, your imagination will be invited to the page. Participants will be encouraged to share their work and offer positive comments to others. Prior creative writing experience is not necessary. Please come ready to write, please keep camera on during sharing and prompts to encourage our special community.