Tempe   

This class will cover the basic tools of literary memoir, with a focus on micro and flash memoir – memoirs in the 250–1,000-word range. We'll read, discuss, and write micro-memoirs, which we'll share in class and with your permission, publish on the ASU OLLI Community Blog. No prior writing experience is required.

FRIENDSHIP VILLAGE RESIDENTS SHOULD CONTACT THEIR ACTIVITIES DEPARTMENT DIRECTLY TO REGISTER. PLEASE DO NOT REGISTER IN OLLI SYSTEM.

Undoubtedly, AI will become deeply integrated into medical education as well as clinical and research medicine. While there are many advantages, there are also challenges and details that remain to be refined. This talk will highlight controversies surrounding AI, including educational, ethical, and legal issues.

Alfred Hitchcock’s Oscar-nominated 1944 drama Lifeboat is a masterfully composed allegory of the Allied forces during WWII and their need to unite to defeat the Nazi enemy. The film’s powerful interplay of suspense and emotion is all the more remarkable given that it is set entirely on a lifeboat and shot on the backlots of 20th Century Fox. This class explores the innovativeness of Lifeboat as well as its controversies: John Steinbeck, who wrote the original story, denounced the film as racist and anti-labor; the Production Code Administration navigated concerns over gruesomeness and vulgarity; and several prominent critics claimed it was anti-democratic.

From poisoned cups to daggers in the dark, the ancient world was rife with rumor, suspicion, and political intrigue. Was Alexander the Great murdered by his generals? Did Nero set the Great Fire of Rome to build his Golden House? Were the Bacchic rites really a secret underground cult? Who mutilated the sacred herms of Athens, bringing on military disaster? This class explores famous conspiracies – real, imagined, and exaggerated – from Greece and Rome. Together we’ll sift fact from legend, see how ancient writers shaped stories of treason, and consider why conspiracy theories held such power then – and why they still capture imaginations today.

We can all probably recall our high school science classes, where a periodic table of the elements almost certainly hung on the wall. This simple chart represents the handful of discrete substances responsible for the makeup of everything in the universe. Each element has a unique set of properties – but each also has a story to tell. In this class, we will spend time with a few of these elements, exploring their place in our world – from those that have shaped human history to ones that make for spectacular parlor tricks!

The light visible to human eyes represents only a small portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. Infrared light has longer wavelengths than visible light – although we cannot see it, cameras equipped with special detectors can. In this class, we’ll explore electromagnetic energy and demonstrate an infrared camera in action. Infrared observations are invaluable for studying the Earth, as well as other planets, moons, and asteroids. We will also discuss their role in monitoring global warming and greenhouse gases on our planet.

This discussion examines the Rule of Law in American history. We will begin with concepts of Natural Law and the Rule of Law, trace its development through Greek and Roman courts, and explore its relationship with democracy. The course will also cover the Rule of Law and individual rights, concluding with a focus on the Rule of Law as a promise. This topic is as important now as ever.

Gardening in hot, arid regions presents unique challenges that differ significantly from those in other climates. This class – taught by horticulturist Noelle Johnson (“AZ Plant Lady”) – provides practical guidance on creating and maintaining a vibrant, sustainable desert landscape. Topics include avoiding common design and maintenance mistakes, selecting appropriate plant species, and implementing effective strategies to ensure a thriving garden in hot, dry environments.