History & Current Events   

THIS CLASS IS FULL.

Students will explore the historical aspects, aesthetic compositions, and the lives of influential artists and architects representing the Italian Mannerism and Baroque periods and the Italian and French Rococo period (1520-1790).

THIS CLASS IS FULL.

This course will explore the significant role that the City of Long Beach played in aviation history. From the early days of airplanes using the beach for take offs and landings to Long Beach’s new moniker, Space Beach, the course will cover the many developments of aviation. It will also focus on the individuals who contributed to aviation’s evolution. There will be two 90 minutes long field trips that include touring the historical Long Beach Airport terminal and visiting Rosie the Riveter Park.

Note: This class is a continuation of this topic. Prior attendance is not required.

Clash of Wings is a wide-ranging survey of the great air campaigns of World War II extending from the first bombs dropped in Poland to the atomic weapons exploded in Japan. It covers all theaters from the frozen steps of the Soviet Union to the heat of Pacific jungle fighting. In each theater, the principal focus is on the people doing the fighting, and it is important to note that the ordinary soldiers, sailors, and airmen fought with dignity and courage irrespective of their country or their cause. We will note the technical developments of each campaign time—new aircraft, new weapons, new tactics--and the leadership.

Stay informed and have your say on the news of the day. Instructors will choose a few current event topics each week, give a brief presentation for each and then ask for thoughtful comments and questions from the class. Discussions are very much valued and are the core of the class. Class members are also encouraged to choose a topic of their own and present it for discussion. 

Combining history and art history, we’ll cover six of the most significant dynasties and empires of India. We’ll span almost 5,00 0 years of history from the Indus Valley civilization of 3,000 bc up to the advent of the British Raj in the mid-19th century. We’ll study the Maur yans, Kushans, Guptans, Cholas and Mughals. Within that time frame we’ll weave in various threads of art history, architecture, sculpture, painting, religion and philosophy. For example: the origins of yoga, the great Sanskrit epics, the birth of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism, and more. Overarching themes will be the cultural contributions of India as well as its importance in ancient and pre-modern world trade routes. 

SPECIAL EVENT - FREE FOR OLLI MEMBERS

This talk draws from first-person accounts of people and families who fled Hitler and ended up in a country they never knew existed. In Ecuador, a Jewish community of over 3,000 Jews blossomed for over 25 years and still exists today. The contributions of this small Jewish community in Ecuador cannot be ignored, and several examples of their current impact are summarized and celebrated.

SPECIAL EVENT - FREE TO OLLI MEMBERS

The Cypress College Holocaust Survivor’s Portrait Gallery will help to preserve stories and to ensure the world never forgets what the survivors experienced. The portraits go beyond likenesses and capture the essence of the survivor’s character and their resilience in the face of unspeakable horror and loss. Join a docent narrated tour of the Holocaust Portrait Gallery, meet the photographer, see the portraits which will spark empathy and admiration as you hear their stories. Students will provide own transportation.

Presentor: Karen Lynn Cant

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This is a romp through Brooklyn, NY, from its beginnings to present day, with videos that epitomize Brooklyn life. The course will highlight many famous people that grew up in Brooklyn and their achievements. It will cover neighborhoods, landmarks and Brooklyn’s impact on the world as well as describing how life in Brooklyn today is different from how it was when many OLLI people grew up there. 

This course takes you on a journey through the stories of resistance and rebellion among enslaved people in the Americas. We’ll dive into famous uprisings like the Haitian Revolution, the Amistad Rebellion, and Nat Turner’s Uprising, as well as some lesser-known fights for freedom in places like Brazil, Cuba, and the Guianas. You’ll get to look at firsthand accounts and expert research to figure out what drove these movements, how they were organized, and what they accomplished.

Human innovation and trial and error created fabrics and dyes on every continent. From spinning to weaving, textiles spurred innovation and industrialization. For 3,000 years India dominated cotton production and the art of dying and monopolized trade on the Indian Ocean. We’ll look at how textiles spurred global trade and impacted the environment today.