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We will be reading A Yellow Raft in Blue Water by Michael Dorris, a contemporary novel of the American West that tells the story of three generations of Native American women caught between their Indian traditions and the pressures of the modern world.

We approach reading as discovery in a reading community; therefore, some of the reading is done in class so that 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.

Required Reading: A Yellow Raft in Blue Water by Michael Dorris.

Bygone Badass Broads by MacKenzi Lee features 54 remarkable and forgotten trailblazing women from all over the world. With tales of heroism and cunning, in-depth bios, and witty storytelling, Bygone Badass Broads gives new life to these historic female pioneers. Starting in the fifth century BC and continuing to the present, the book takes a closer look at bold and inspiring women who dared to step outside the traditional gender roles of their time. Coupled with Lee's humorous and conversational storytelling style, this book is an outright celebration of the badass women who paved the way for the rest of us.

Required Reading: Bygone Badass Broads by MacKenzi Lee

As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary, this course highlights more of the diverse voices that have shaped American art, music, film, and literature. We will read Nella Larsen's Passing, a groundbreaking novel exploring race and identity as matters of perception, and view the film adaptation. We will also examine excerpts from Ann Petry's The Street, the first novel by a Black American woman to sell more than one million copies. In art, we will study both contemporary painters and pioneering artists of color. In music, we will explore Show Boat by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II, works by Florence Price, William Grant Still, Davóne Tines, and Angel Blue in Porgy and Bess. We will also read more of Langston Hughes and other influential American poets. Please join me with an open mind and heart.

Required Reading: Passing by Nella Larsen, Penguin Books, ISBN 9780142437278

What really changes when we read beyond the abstract? In this interactive course, we will open real research papers (many in health and nutrition) and explore what scientists actually look for. We will explore how small design choices can dramatically shape a study’s meaning, and why headlines rarely tell the full story. No technical background is required – just curiosity. By the end of the course, we will never read “studies show…” the same way again.

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.

We will explore Shida Bazyar's powerful and accessible novel (288 pages), shortlisted for the 2026 International Booker Prize. It follows one Iranian family across four decades through four narrators: a young communist gripped by the euphoria of revolution in 1979, a mother adrift in German exile, a teenager returning to a Tehran she barely remembers, and a son watching the 2009 Green Movement erupt on his laptop. Insisting that revolution is not the end but the beginning, the book brings history to life through characters who experienced its aftermath.

Excerpts from the film adaptations of two famous works, Persepolis, based on Marjane Satrapi’s award-winning graphic novel, and Reading Lolita in Tehran, Afar Nafisi’s bestseller, provide historical context that enriches understanding. Join us for a conversation about family and the effects of revolution.

Required Novel: The Nights are Quiet in Tehran by Shida Bazyar, short-listed for 2026 International Booker

Venturing back to Europe in 1947, Martin Buber delivered six lectures to a group of Dutch religious socialists. As we closely read and discuss The Way of Humanity According to Chasidic Teaching, we may discern Buber's profound need to offer a spiritual, existential, and moral anchor to a European humanity shattered by the Holocaust, the devastation of World War II, and the alienation of modern life. Is the advice from a breakaway 18th-century Jewish movement applicable to us today? Martin Buber (1878–1965) was a renowned Austrian-Israeli philosopher, theologian, and educator, best known for his philosophy of dialogue and the "I-Thou" relationship, developed in his 1923 masterpiece I and Thou. A proponent of cultural Zionism, he advocated for a binational Arab-Jewish state before moving from Nazi Germany to Mandatory Palestine in 1938, where he became a professor of anthropology and sociology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

The Way of Humanity will be on a shared screen during class discussions. If you wish a copy of your own, see: https://www.amazon.com/Way-Humanity-According-Chasidic-Teaching/dp/0881236373.

Mark Twain on opera: "I enjoyed it in spite of the singing." Join this lively class and discover the universal appeal of opera—no musical background required. Through engaging stories, videos, and guided listening, we will explore operas from the 18th to the 21st centuries that can be seen locally during this term or shortly thereafter, helping participants deepen their understanding, appreciation, and enjoyment of this remarkable art form. Learn how music, staging, and voice combine to create powerful theatrical experiences while uncovering the history, culture, and humanity that give these works their timeless resonance. Each session offers behind-the-curtain insights that make opera approachable, entertaining, and meaningful. Whether you are a first-time attendee or a seasoned opera enthusiast, this class welcomes you. 

This film series explores human survival in many forms: against nature, against circumstance, and sometimes against oneself. Consider the deadly heights of Mount Everest in Everest (2015), to the devastating tsunami at the center of The Impossible (2012), to the solitary search for meaning in Into the Wild (2007), and the struggle of a woman and her child during a years-long secret captivity in Room (2015).

These films—and more—place ordinary and extraordinary people in situations where survival becomes both physical and emotional tests. Along the way, we will explore the deeper questions these films raise about courage, isolation, hope, community and the human instinct to persevere. Join us for a cinematic journey into some of the most compelling stories of endurance ever brought to the screen.

All films will be shown in their entirety with English captions/subtitles.

The lives and campaigns of four of America's most persistent presidential hopefuls—John C. Calhoun, Henry Clay, Stephen Douglas, and William Jennings Bryan—take center stage in this four-week course. Each man sought the presidency multiple times, shaping national debates despite never securing the office. Through their campaigns, class members will examine key issues, such as states' rights, economic policy, expansion, and political realignment in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The course highlights how ambition, ideology, and circumstance intersected in an evolving democratic system. By the end, participants will better understand how these "perennial candidates" influenced American politics even in defeat, and why their repeated bids still matter today.

This course traces Apple’s fifty-year history and its massive impact on personal computing, design, product culture, platforms and ecosystems, and daily life. Each session focuses on a different decade in Apple’s history, from the birth of the PC in the late 1970s to the latest Apple silicon, VR headsets, and future iPhones. We will learn how Apple reshaped not just technology, but how people live, work, and communicate.

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.

Archaeology fascinates many people, especially when there are structural ruins to visit. Most fans, including Americans, have focused on the Old World, primarily at sites around the Mediterranean—but we have equally fascinating cultures to study in the Americas. In this course, we will "visit" sites in North, Central, and South America to learn about human migration and settlement patterns, along with facets of their respective ancient cultures. We will also look at new research methods that have made this knowledge more accessible.

More familiar sites and cultures to be studied include the Ancestral Puebloans, the Maya, and Machu Picchu. Some less well-known cultures include the Nazca Lines, Mississippian, Iroquois, Woodland, and Pacific Coast settlements. Our "visits" will be made via lectures from The Great Courses, supplemented by handouts and guided discussions.

August Wilson was the first African American playwright to have a Broadway theater bear his name, honoring his powerful portrayal of African American culture. In this course, we will read, watch, and examine plays from Wilson’s American Cycle, which represents each decade of the 20th century. We will explore his life and influences while focusing on Gem of the Ocean, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, and Seven Guitars, tracing his interpretation and celebration of African American culture.

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.

Elite athletes, business leaders, musicians, and performers often rely on coaches to help them reach their goals, overcome obstacles, and perform at their best. Why should coaching stop at retirement or with performance-related goals?

This engaging one-hour seminar explores how personal coaching can help older adults navigate life's transitions, clarify priorities, pursue meaningful goals, and create greater satisfaction in retirement. Whether you're adjusting to retirement, considering new opportunities, strengthening relationships, improving well-being, or simply seeking greater purpose and fulfillment, coaching provides a structured, supportive partnership focused on your growth and success.

Participants will learn what coaching is—and what it is not—how the coaching process works, and the research-backed benefits of having a trusted thinking partner. Real-life examples will illustrate how coaching can help individuals move from feeling stuck or uncertain to taking purposeful action.

Bridge Basics I is a course for individuals new to bridge or those who have been away from the game for a while. Further, this course would work for anyone currently playing bridge who would like a refresher. This course is taught on Wednesdays, online, for eight weeks. The class starts at 9:30 a.m. and finishes at 11:30 a.m. The classes are two hours long and consist of direct instruction and play of bridge hands via the Shark Bridge app.

There is a $20.00 non refundable fee for this course, paid to the teacher. The fee must be received by the instruction by the 2nd class. The fee covers the cost of the book for this class, Bidding in the 21st Century. The book is provided by the American Contract Bridge League.

This course will cover six key economic issues: the current slowdown in economic growth, economic inequality, the United States' mounting national debt, the United States' inefficient health care system, soaring prescription drug prices, and immigration. Here are some of the questions that will be addressed: Is the current slowdown in U.S. economic growth a temporary lull or the beginning of prolonged economic stagnation? What is driving the United States' widening income inequality? What's wrong with big government deficits and a growing national debt? Why does the United States spend so much more on health care than other high-income countries, and is it getting its money's worth? Why do prescription drugs cost so much more in the United States than in other industrialized countries? What are the benefits and costs of immigration to U.S. citizens, and does one exceed the other?

Magic, mystery, shipwreck, betrayal, forgiveness — some of Shakespeare's most astonishing theater. Before attending the DCPA's fall production of The Tempest (October 2–November 1, 2026), join me for an engaging exploration of the play, considered Shakespeare's final masterpiece and perhaps his most innovative work. More than a plot summary, this course will uncover the historical, literary, and theatrical questions that actors and directors wrestle with when bringing The Tempest to life. We'll examine competing interpretations, surprising themes, and the creative choices that shape every production. In five instructional class sessions — plus independent attendance at your expense at the DCPA performance and a final discussion session to analyze and critique the production together — this 6-week course will deepen your appreciation and heighten your anticipation for an unforgettable theatrical experience. Participants will experience a closed-captioned video performance during class, and they may choose to read any full text copy freely available online.

For those attending the DCPA performance, class 6 will take place on Nov. 3 instead of Oct. 27. For those not attending the performance, class will be held on Oct. 27 to view a different video production of The Tempest.

This course explores a series of imagined future societies and what they can teach us about the world we live in today. Through structured discussions, participants will examine several thought-provoking models, including Rationalia (inspired by Neil deGrasse Tyson), Symphonia (a society based on cooperation rather than competition), Aethel (a world without money), Equinox (a world without politics), Aura (a world without either politics or money), and Autonomized State (a society without formal social systems).

The discussions are organized around historian Yuval Noah Harari's idea that human societies are built on three shared systems: belief systems, political systems, and economic systems. Together, we will consider how changing these foundations might reshape human life.

When the word "God" is mentioned, most people in the West automatically assume a particular idea of God. The Asian religions challenge that idea. In this class we will look at the Hindu concept of Brahman, the Buddhist concept of Nirvana, the Taoist concept of Nature, and the Confucian idea of how our actions relate to the "Way of the Gods." But the class will not be limited to the concept of God. We will cover other central ideas like the nature of knowledge and what it means to be human. It is also inevitable, especially in the Asian religions, that many practices are connected to their philosophical ideas — their rituals and lifestyles. The ethical perspective of each religion will be central, as will the concept of an afterlife. Personally, I have found the Asian religions a rich challenge to the beliefs with which I grew up, and they have opened the door to other ways of seeing the world.

Curious about your family’s past? This engaging course provides a comprehensive introduction to genealogy, exploring its growing popularity, and offering guidance on researching and documenting your family lineage. Explore the various categories of genealogy, discover key historical records and where to find them, and gain insight into major online databases. You'll also learn how to organize your findings and connect with genealogy societies, including those in Northern Colorado. Whether you’re just beginning or looking to refine your research skills, this course will help you uncover and preserve your family’s unique story.

This two hour class is for beginners (1-3 generations) or intermediate genalogists (4 to 8 generations)! Handouts will be sent the evening before or at the class.

Curious about your family's past? Part 2 explores how easy it is to search historical record collections in the top three online genealogy databases: Ancestry.com, MyHeritage.com, and FamilySearch.org. Bob will review these top three genealogy databases in more detail, covering the special features of each. In addition to showing how to create a family tree or add ancestors, Bob shows how to attach records and sources to each ancestor. Join us to uncover your ancestors and preserve your family's unique history.

This is a two-hour class meant for beginners or intermediate genealogists!

This PowerPoint presentation, comprising three sessions, will briefly touch on the origins of the countries surrounding Israel and the issues of water, natural resources, religion, and regional alliances. It will then examine Israel's relations with its neighbors, along with threats to and opportunities for peaceful coexistence. It will address the Abraham Accords, what is evolving from them, and which countries might be next to join. It will discuss in some detail Iran and its proxies and how Israel broke through the "Iranian noose," bringing matters up to the current moment.

This course is a history class with a laugh track. We will analyze the 20th and 21st centuries against their historic context, using humor as the platform. We will discuss how comedy was shaped by and responsive to American society, and how comedians influenced and shaped American life. We will cover Silent Films, Vaudeville, Radio, Screwball and Romantic Comedies, and the Golden Age of Television. We will study how each generation’s identity influenced what (and whom) they laughed at.

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.

Blake Edwards — the name brings up memories of famous comedies, but he is also known for Academy Award–nominated dramas. We start with his only pairing with Cary Grant in a WWII comedy. We move on to a crime drama and then two Hollywood greats: Breakfast at Tiffany's and Days of Wine and Roses. We then have Edwards's breakout movie, The Pink Panther, followed by other great Edwards comedies about an around-the-world car race, a composer obsessed with a beautiful woman, and finally a musical comedy about a female impersonator (or is she?). Again, we will have a short discussion before and after each 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. except week 6, which will start at 12:20 p.m.

Classical music goes back several centuries. During the modern era, however, there was a dichotomy in which many classical composers launched into contemporary styles — also known as abstract or atonal music — while others developed skills in writing movie scores. Many European classical composers, such as Max Steiner, Maurice Jarre, Miklós Rózsa, and Franz Waxman, made the move to California and created what is now recognized as the traditional film score. Filmmakers immediately saw the value of having these scores accompany the action and dialogue. The focus here is on dramatic film music and the various terms and styles that have developed. You will learn about many famous composers and the film scores they are known for. Please note that this does not include scores created for Hollywood musicals, which I have covered in several previous courses.

My Favorite Bridge Conventions is a course for individuals who have played bridge before or are currently playing on a regular basis. This course is taught on Wednesdays, online, for eight weeks. The class starts at 1:00 p.m. and finishes at 3:00 p.m. The classes are two hours long and consist of direct instruction and play of bridge hands via the Shark Bridge app. If you have questions about this course or are unsure if this is the right course for you, please contact the instructor, Mike Holmes, at mdholmes8@yahoo.com.

There is a $20.00 non-negotiable or refundable fee for this course, paid to the teacher. Note: The fee must be received by the instructor by the 2nd class. The fee covers the app fees for using our virtual bridge table "Shark."

Book club and armchair travel! We focus on mysteries with a powerful sense of place, this time exploring the "West" through the eyes of women — both authors and protagonists. A different author and series each week gives us stories to explore “place” as a character and how that location plays into the plot. Choose a couple of books or read one a week from the forthcoming syllabus — but plan to join the wide-ranging discussions every week.

Expectations: You are NOT required to read a book each week but are welcome to do so if you like! Everyone can join the discussion as we start with the book(s) and quickly go off in unexpected directions. Ask questions, share your relevant experiences, suggest additional books that fit and/or illuminate the themes we discover.

The American Experiment began with the Declaration of Independence and led to the creation of the federal judiciary, one of the country’s greatest experiments. In this course, we will trace the evolution of the courts from their English roots to their formal establishment in the Constitution. We will explore how the Supreme Court, lacking the power of the purse or military, derives its authority from its ability to connect with the people of the US and protect democracy. We will examine creation of the federal judiciary and the power of the Marshall Court, the Court’s evolution through the New Deal, the Vinson Court, the Warren Court’s “Rights Revolution,” and the role of today’s US Supreme Court.

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.

Puerto Rico sits at the convergence of the United States, Latin America, and the Caribbean, and their intersecting influences make it unlike anywhere else. This four-session course takes curious learners on a lively journey through the island's layered history: from the ancient Taíno to the complexities of its unique political relationship with the United States, from the rhythms of bomba and salsa to the global phenomenon of Bad Bunny, from the economic upheavals of the 20th century to the hard-won resilience that followed Hurricane María and the mass protests of 2019. Participants will leave with a richer understanding of Puerto Rico's past and present, and a clearer sense of how the island's story connects to broader questions of identity, colonialism, and resilience. No tests, no homework, no pressure — just fascinating stories, lively conversation, and a few surprises along the way.

During retirement, many of us seek greater meaning in health, work, relationships, community, or spirituality, yet the path forward feels uncertain. This workshop series helps you reflect on what matters most and create a focused, realistic plan for the next chapter of your life. Drawing on behavioral science, we will explore meaning, purpose, resilience, mindset, and habits, and apply these ideas directly to your own life. Through guided reflection, creative exercises, peer collaboration, and a simple online interactive workbook, you will design a focused plan with achievable goals. You will leave with practical strategies to overcome barriers, along with an accountability group to support continued progress.

Across cultures and throughout history, mountains have held powerful symbolic meaning. In this course, we will explore how the Buddhists of the Himalayas, the Inca of the Andes, the Inuit of the far north, and European Romantics understood and approached these landscapes. Through an interdisciplinary lens, we will examine the beliefs, traditions, and mythologies inspired by the world’s mountains, using illustrated lectures, short readings, and discussion to deepen our connection to these high and wild places.

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.

At the heart of science fiction are big questions. Are we in control of the science and technology we create? What is the next step in human evolution? Are we alone in the universe, and what would happen if we made first contact with other intelligences? Science fiction is also a way of creating profound allegories about the societies we live in and the ones we hope or fear we will create. These are movies that make you think. In this class, we'll explore these questions and more through the medium of science fiction film. Aside from watching and discussing individual movies, the facilitator will provide background on each film and on science fiction in general.

Let’s go to the movies and see some Science Fiction classics. We will expose class members to many of the basic themes within the science fiction genre. Each week we will view a film and discuss various aspects of science and the story. Because of the varying length of the movies, we will start the class (and films) at 1:00 pm and end between 3:30 and 4. We will take a short break at the end of the film and then launch into our discussion.

Some of the varied movies we will show are the ground breaking first Star Wars IV movie, the adventure comedy Galaxy Quest, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, the terrific 2009 reboot of the Star Trek series, and The Martian with Matt Damon. 

There 1960s is a decade wrapped in myth and misunderstanding. In this course, we will cut through that haze by turning to something powerful and concrete: the speeches of the era. The times and the conditions demanded these significant speeches. Together, we will listen to the voices that moved a nation and shaped history. With recordings preserved through television, video, and YouTube, we will discover what these speeches still have to teach us today.

In 1763, the British gained dominance in North America following their victory over the French in the French and Indian War. Despite these victories, Britain ended the war close to bankruptcy. To raise revenue, Parliament passed the Stamp and Townshend Acts. Tensions and disputes began escalating between the British and the Thirteen Colonies. The British Army responded by seeking to occupy Boston militarily. In mid-1774, tensions escalated even further when the British Parliament imposed the Intolerable Acts to punish Massachusetts for the Boston Tea Party and assert control over the colonies. In an attempt to disarm colonial militias, the Battles of Lexington and Concord occurred. During the course, we will view 24 Great Courses lectures in a comprehensive overview of the conflict. There will be ample time for input and discussion.

Movies are magic — entertaining, emotionally moving, sometimes with awesome effects; they create and spread unifying visions of our world. But they don't just "happen." Join us as we step behind the camera and take a journey through the eyes of the movie's creators: studio executives, producers, casting directors, actors, writers, cinematographers, editors, composers, technicians, and directors. You will understand what it takes to create the story, finance it, assemble the team, and produce the movies we all enjoy in this most collaborative of all arts. This course combines informative videos and group discussion and is appropriate for all levels of film fans.

The title of this course, The Desecration of Mt. Rushmore: Crime, Corruption and Conspiracy, is a metaphor for the actions many consider that "47," our current president, and his co-conspirators in Congress and the Supreme Court, have undertaken to destroy our democracy. The alleged odious activities include violations by 47 of the Constitution's Emoluments Clause, the enrichment of him and his family through self-dealing and corrupt deals, the discontinuation of research grants to medical and educational institutions that infringe upon their freedom of speech, the unwillingness of Congress to rein in 47's conduct, and the unbridled expansion of his executive power sanctioned by Supreme Court decisions. The four presidents sculpted into the face of Mount Rushmore—George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt—have symbolized this country's heralded form of democracy, adherence to the rule of law, and protection of its Bill of Rights. That variegated symbol, many assert, has been eviscerated by 47 and his accomplices. This course will explore the circumstances that have led to this perceived destruction of democracy, the actions that have contributed to its desecration, the arguments in favor of the actions, the ramifications of certain actions, and recommended solutions to stymie the completion of its demise. The course will cover six sessions and be taught in a hybrid format to allow individuals to attend in person or online.

We will focus on the history and evolution of the economic, legal, theological, and philosophical systems embedded in our country's laws and institutions. We will follow the four roots as they become ever more intertwined and grow ever more deeply each decade to produce the racial disparities we experience today. While there are many stories of minorities that could, and need to be, told, given the eight-week timeframe, these conversations will focus on the systems and structures that have resulted in wealth disparities, mass incarceration, and the unchecked killing of Black people. "Whites created slavery, segregation, and racial discrimination. Whites have most of the political and social power to change racial discrimination and inequality now. We cannot have a truly free and democratic society until we do that." — MLK. Our desire to be good can prevent us from doing good if we do not see the historical systems and structures we created. If we don't see them, we cannot act to change them.

Route 66 is as much an idea as it is a place. Since 1926, it has evolved from a busy highway into a symbol of nostalgia, travel, and the American road. Today, it serves as a kind of pilgrimage route, marked by neon signs and preserved roadside landmarks. In this course, we will explore its history, cultural meaning, rise and decline, revival, and preservation, while considering the future of this iconic American highway.

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.

The Framers of the Constitution detested factions and political parties. They believed self-interested political divisions were incompatible with republicanism, destructive of civic virtue, and dangerous to the stability of a nation. Organized political opposition, they feared, would poison the republic. Yet by the end of the 1790s, the United States had developed its first party system. What happened to cause such a dramatic change?

This course examines the events and personalities of the 1790s that triggered opposition, faction, and party. Debates over finance, constitutional power, regional interests, and America's relationship with Britain and revolutionary France divided the nation's leaders into rival camps with competing visions of what kind of republic the new nation should become. Americans were forced to ask if political opposition could exist without destroying republican government itself. What emerged was something new in the history of the world: the acceptance of a legitimate political opposition.

Required Reading: Gordon S. Wood, Empire of Liberty: A History of the Early Republic, 1789 - 1815. Oxford University Press, 2009. Chapters 1 - 8

We often only notice the global supply chain when it breaks. Yet, for millennia, the movement of goods has been the silent engine of civilization. In this course, we will track the evolution of trade from an executive’s perspective. From the sunken treasures of Bronze Age merchant ships to the high-tech intermodal systems of today, we will explore the vessels that carried the world’s wealth and the complex networks that keep our modern shelves stocked.

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.

This course explores the dramatic shifts in political culture and the fierce social reforms that laid the groundwork for our modern social security and welfare systems. By the early 20th century, a diverse coalition of men and women were actively—and often disruptively—pushing for systemic change. Central to our exploration is Kathryn Kish Sklar’s acclaimed biography, Florence Kelley and the Nation's Work: The Rise of Women's Political Culture, 1830–1900. Through this lens, we will examine how women’s emerging political consciousness found a powerful ally in the Progressive Party. Together, these activists tackled the massive challenges of industrialization and immigration head-on—fighting for everything from workers' rights and anti-trust laws to critical support for women and children living in poverty. Join us to discover how these historic battles continue to shape our world today.

Required Reading: Florence Kelley and the Nation's Work by Kathryn K. Sklar

There will be no class on Oct. 13th.

Will China Overtake the United States as the World’s Leading Superpower? China’s extraordinary economic growth and military modernization have made it the principal challenger to American global leadership. This course examines China’s rise from Deng Xiaoping’s market reforms in 1978 to Xi Jinping’s drive for national rejuvenation and expanded global influence. We will also explore the 3,000-year cultural and historical traditions that continue to shape China’s political values and worldview. Topics include the tension between individual rights and the common good, China’s ambitions toward Taiwan and the South China Sea, the difficulties facing minorities such as Tibetans and Uyghurs, and the implications of China’s rise for the United States and the world. Classes will include lectures, videos, and discussion.

Vietnam - the name brings back memories for many of us. It was a decisive conflict - the first war the United States lost in its history. Why? How did the U.S. enter the conflict? What did our leaders believe at the time? How did President Kennedy's assassination change things? The Gulf of Tonkin Incident led Congress to authorize military action. President Johnson continued the military buildup until 569,000 troops were in country. Would they be enough? How did Johnson's orders hinder our military and aid the North Vietnamese? Popular belief held that air power could stop the communists. Did it work? What about the South Vietnamese Army? We will end the class at Christmas 1967 - when our strategy appeared to have a chance of success and support at home was still strong. Part 2 follows in the Winter Quarter.

How does DNA reshape our understanding of ancestry and identity in the Americas? In this course, we will explore genetic genealogy through early contact between European and Indigenous peoples, using the New Mexico DNA Project as a case study. We will examine Y-DNA, mitochondrial DNA, Indigenous haplogroups, and the Spanish castas system. We will consider the ethical and political implications of DNA testing and the limits of what genetic evidence can, and cannot, tell us about race and belonging.

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.

This course covers the biographies of Leonard Nimoy, Alan Rickman, and Madeline Kahn, along with lesser-known information about each—including high-interest trivia, such as Leonard Nimoy, who once drove a taxi for Senator Jack Kennedy. Nimoy drove at night, so that he could audition during the day. Additionally, videos of their work will be shown, followed by discussion.

What happens to human consciousness when we die? In 1975, Dr. Raymond Moody's landmark book Life After Life reported on 150 people who died clinically, but were subsequently revived. Because they 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. Now five+ decades of research conducted on thousands of NDEs by physicians and professors at prominent universities, medical schools, and hospitals have brought us powerful evidence that there is indeed "life" after physical death—and what awaits us is both heart-warming and comforting. 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.”

Around the mid-seventies, a quiet question often arrives: Am I spending this last stage of life the best way I can? This class examines what 37 cultural and philosophical traditions have said about living well in the final arc. Insights gathered across recorded history are presented as findings to explore together, not doctrine to accept. No religious belief is required or assumed; the tools work without any metaphysical system. Together we'll work through five frameworks - each a practical tool - and close with the Annual Lighthouse Review: a structured five-part reflection you can use every year on your own. No background in philosophy is needed; personal experience counts as much as academic study. If that question sounds familiar, this course is for you.

Readings:

• A Quiet Reckoning - Ancient Tools for a Life Well Lived and Why It’s Never Too Late (Required reading)
• What Is a Life Well Lived? A Global Cross-Cultural Historical Synthesis (for reference if/as needed)
• Both no charge, provided as e-books (pdf and epub formats)