Osher Online   

Instructor: Blake Regnier

We will trace the evolution of literature specifically written for children, from its earliest forms to the modern era. We will begin with the oral traditions that underpin all storytelling, then follow the shift toward published works created specifically with young readers in mind.

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Instructor: Rafael Davis Portela

The music we stream, the photos we swipe, the real time news we consume, the books we read: all have been radically reshaped by digital technology. We will explore how media is created, stored and experienced in a digitized world and unpack fundamentals like text files, encoding and decoding, pixels, and algorithms in clear, easy-to-understand ways; no prior computer knowledge needed.

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Instructor: Alison Roberts

We will explore how the tiny nation of Portugal played an outsized role in world history. We will follow its rise as a global power, decline as rival empires overtook it, 20th-century poverty under Europe’s longest dictatorship and how its past continues to shape identity and culture in the decades since a revolution ushered in democracy.

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Instructor: Chris Baker

We will explore a wide range of horticultural practices with something to offer no matter our experience level or where we live. We will cover container gardening, aquatic gardens, ornamental and fruiting plants, bonsai, landscape design and pest management.

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Instructor: Bernie Carlson

We will trace the development of French, British and Irish canals in the 17th and 18th centuries, then turn to American canals, especially in New York and Pennsylvania. Along the way, we will explore how canals reflect the politics and aspirations of different nations and why they still matter for global shipping today.

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Instructor: Robert Thurston

Coffee will provide a lively lens on major past and present issues including climate change, social life, health, global North-South differences, social and economic justice, tourism and slavery. We will explore coffee’s global history and trace coffee from planting and processing through shipping and, ultimately, the beverage in our cups.

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Instructor: Kasey Sease

From the capital city’s planners to Union soldiers who defended Washington amid civil war, many evoked the Declaration of Independence to support their causes and shape a capital city. Spotlighting artifacts from the Albert H. Small Washingtoniana Collection, we will cover the district’s early history through 1876, the nation’s first centennial celebration.

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Instructor: Matthew Cooper

We will explore key aspects of deaf culture in the United States and the factors that define the deaf community as a cultural minority. We will focus on awareness, cultural diversity and the preservation of language.

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Instructor: Dede Petri

We will examine founder George Washington's life and political leadership as well as his work as a farmer, entrepreneur and architect. We will also review the groundbreaking work of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, which has owned and managed Mount Vernon since 1858.

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Instructor: Eleanor Schrader

Often overlooked, 20th-century women designers profoundly shaped the way we perceive, experience and enjoy our built environments, interiors and decorative objects. We will explore the work, influence and social and political context of important women designers and architects.

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Instructor: Eileen Goddard

We will explore Hindu traditions, emphasizing the importance of ritual, knowledge and devotion across Hindu traditions from classical to contemporary times. We will introduce Hinduism’s South Asian roots, consider early and classical expressions of Hindu thought and religious life and see sacred space and places.

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Instructor: Emanuel Abramovits

We will explore book musicals, concept musicals and the arrival of European mega-productions late in the 20th century. We will profile some of the theater world's leading composers, lyricists, writers, choreographers, directors and performers in unforgettable shows including Oklahoma!, My Fair Lady, Show Boat, Guys and Dolls, Hair, Cabaret, Rent, Wicked, Hamilton and more.

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Instructor: Erin Holland

We will explore 100 years of American history through objects often taken for granted in everyday life: signs. We will examine how signs have evolved due to trends in commerce and technology and take a virtual visit to the American Sign Museum’s neon shop to see how a neon sign is made.

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Instructor: Diana Carlin

Have you ever wondered who writes presidential speeches? We will study the writing process presidents have used, examine drafts from the 20th century and view clips from speeches and from former White House speechwriters describing the process.

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Instructor: Douglas Mishkin

In July 1925, the Scopes Monkey Trial—an eight-day clash over religion, science, public education, free speech and textbooks—was broadcast nationwide. We will explore what occurred in the courtroom, who won and lost, and why it still matters today.

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Instructor: Arnold Blumberg

Far more than superhero tales, comics are a versatile literary artform that capture intimate and epic stories, social issues and cultural moments through pictures and words. We will trace their history, explore their power, and read and discuss well-known comics in various media.

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Instructor: Heather Shirey

We will explore graffiti and street art in the U.S. and around the world, examining their histories, motivations and social impact. We will consider the rise of global mural movements, efforts to preserve and present street art, and its evolving role in activism, community identity and social change.

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Instructor: Asya Pereltsvaig

Siberia covers three quarters of Russia’s territory, yet its role in shaping Russia as a vast and wealthy empire is profound. We will explore Siberia’s economic significance, indigenous cultures, history as a penal colony and its importance for climate change, environmental issues and Sino-Russian relations.

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Instructor: Charles Blum

Throughout his presidency, John F. Kennedy pursued peace through a broad spectrum of initiatives. We will explore how his character and life experiences were the origins of those efforts; evaluate his powers of persuasion; and assess his successes and failures and their relevance to today’s world.

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Instructors: Hod Lipson and Melba Kurman

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming our world. With fresh examples and timely updates, we will explore how AI works, where it is headed, what it means for society, and the opportunities and challenges it presents.

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Instructor: Ilana Zaks

We will explore the fascinating legacy of violinist-composers including Baroque virtuosos, Romantic legends and 20th century innovators. Through listening and discussing, we will examine how these artists wrote music tailored to their instruments and themselves.

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Instructor: Fernanda Blanco Vidal

Drawing on psychology, geography, architecture and design, we will reflect on the psychological and emotional relationships between people and their environments, and how physical environments shape behavior, cognition, identity and memory.

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Instructor: Oliva Espín

The death of Francis and the election of the first U.S.-born pope have captured the headlines and the imagination of many people, including non-Catholics. We will explore the lives, dominant perspectives, most significant positions and influence on world affairs of the most recent 10 popes.

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Instructor: Scott Fulton

Most conversations about aging focus on lifespan, but brainspan (how long our mind stays sharp) matters more. We will explore how the brain ages and what science reveals about protecting memory, balance and clarity.

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Instructor: Johnnie Hendrickson

Science is full of surprises and moments of creativity, struggle and chance with far-reaching consequences. We will explore the human side of science—tracing breakthroughs in biology, chemistry, physics and more—and why it matters.

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Instructor: Anthony Antonucci

California is more than a state—it is an idea, a dream and a contradiction. We will challenge myths, highlight overlooked voices and examine how migration, innovation and cultural change shaped the Golden State.

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Instructor: Ferdâ Asya

We will examine the cultural transformations in thinking and living that reshaped America and Western Europe between World War I and the Great Depression. We will explore the vibrant world of F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway and Gertrude Stein through their works and considering the legacy of the era.

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Instructor: Emanuel Abramovits

Music has long provoked debate, now revisited through modern concerns about race, consent and gender. We will also examine political correctness, cultural heritage and plagiarism through audiovisuals, anecdotes and humor.

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