Main Campus/Coastal Science Center Courses   

The AARP Smart Driver™ Course is a refresher course specifically designed for drivers 50 years and better. This course features the most current state regulations and the latest driver safety and technology information. Your insurance company in South Carolina may provide a discount to those who complete this course. And you will learn something new along the way. In fact, an evaluation of the course found that 97% of participants changed at least one driving habit because of what they learned.

The AARP Smart Driver™ Course will help you: refresh your driving skills and your knowledge of the rules — and hazards — of the road, and reduce your chances of receiving a traffic violation or getting into an accident.

The AARP Smart Driver™ Course covers: • Research-based safe driving strategies. • Information on the effects of medication on driving. • Preventative measures to reduce driver distractions. • Proper use of safety belts, air bags, anti-lock brakes, and modern technology found in cars today. • Techniques for handling left turns, right-of-way, and roundabouts. • State-specific rules and regulations in nineteen key areas, including construction zones, child safety seats, school buses, cellphone use and more.

Required Materials: Bring your Driver’s License. In addition, bring your AARP membership card, and your AARP United HealthCare Medicare Supplement Card, if applicable. Also, due to the length of this course, please feel free to bring a drink and a snack, and perhaps a sweater, if needed.

Required Materials Fee: $20 (AARP member) or $25 (non-member) is due to the instructor on the day of class for the AARP Workbook. Payment should be made by check, payable to AARP.

In this fun and relaxing class, we will continue to explore basic watercolor principles and techniques in “Art for Relaxation” as we look to beautiful flowers for inspiration. This course was designed by artist and floral designer Roberta Vittoria—who has been teaching it since 2023 along the Grand Strand. As we further explore color theory principles, watercolor techniques and the beauty of flowers, each student artist will be individually guided along the way to create an illustration of their choice.

Please click here to see a sample of the instructor's work as inspiration for this course!

Special Note: This class is available to all skill levels and no prior art experience is required.

Required Materials Fee: $30 is payable to the instructor at the beginning of class.

This course builds upon the skills learned in Drawing I, which is a prerequisite. Using the same materials, students will explore more advanced concepts including perspective, portrait drawing, and completing a finished, frameable work. Having already challenged many of the common myths about drawing, students will continue developing their skills and confidence through more in-depth practice.

Required Materials: Bring the materials we used in Drawing I. Students will need access to email and a printer, as the instructor will be sending class materials that may need to be printed ahead of time.

Car Fit is designed to enhance older adult drivers' safety and increase mobility in the community. Check the "fit" of your personal vehicle including mirrors, lights, seating position, and steering wheel location. We will schedule a 20-minute appointment to go over your fit in your vehicle.

This class is designed to help older adults stay safe online and avoid common internet scams. Tailored specifically for individuals over the age of 50 who manage their own finances and regularly use the internet, the course provides essential tools for protecting personal information and financial well-being. Participants will learn practical tips and techniques for staying secure online, how to minimize unwanted spam, and best practices for creating strong, secure passwords. The course also covers common tactics used by scammers and introduces the concept of building a buddy system to provide mutual support in safeguarding personal finances.

Join longtime Ernest Hemingway specialist Dr. Ashley Oliphant for an engaging look at the author's iconic career as a big-game fisherman and his contributions to the formation of the International Game Fish Association as an original founder. Oliphant, a full professor of English with 20 years of teaching experience and the author of the book “Hemingway and Bimini: The Birth of Sport Fishing at ‘The End of the World,'” will take workshop participants back in time to examine the people, places, and events that made Hemingway fall in love with Bimini, the westernmost Bahamian island and the site of some of the most important fishing moments of the 1930s. Students will also learn about Hemingway’s big-game fishing education in Key West and how that transitioned to Cuba and then the Bahamas as the author worked to establish himself as one of the most accomplished big-game fishermen of his day. Come prepared to laugh and learn with Dr. Oliphant, a presenter who has gained a following on the national speaker circuit for her dynamic workshops.

Please click here to see a resource for this course.

Please click here to see your instructor.

Suggested Reading: Students will gain more from the class if they arrive having read Hemingway's 1952 novella "The Old Man and the Sea."

This course pairs with the Famous Men course that will also be taught this term. It is important to note that it isn't required to take both courses. This course will feature a variety of women from history that made some sort of impact. It seems that women didn't always either get the chance to make history, or were excluded from the books, so let's try to make up for that. I will try to include women from more than one period of time; however, anyone who has taken classes from me before, knows that at press time, I have not finished choosing who to include.

Explore the fascinating world of artificial intelligence (AI) in this accessible, beginner-friendly class designed for curious minds. We will demystify AI by explaining how it works, where it shows up in daily life, and what it means for the future. Topics include machine learning, neural networks, and ethical considerations—presented in plain language with real-world examples.

Please click here for some course inspiration!

No Required Materials: This course will be demonstration only.

Have you wanted to try your hand at knitting but don't know where to start? Join a two-day workshop to make a basic beanie just in time for the holidays! This class is perfect for beginners. Session 1 will include how to cast your yarn, basic knit stitch, and how to increase/decrease rows. Session 2 will include finishing off your project/casting off, troubleshooting, and how to care for your finished piece.

Please click here for course inspiration!

Required Materials: 1 skein of yarn about 186 yards [medium weight 4, something like Red Heart or Lion Brand in a medium color (darker is harder to see for beginners) in cotton or an acrylic blend; choose a smooth yarn and not anything with fringe, extra fluff, or tassels] & 1 pair of knitting needles size 8.

Alternative: Supplies can be provided by the instructor at a cost of $20 per student, paid in cash day of class. Advance notice is required if you would like to have the instructor provide all supplies for you.

Learn how to grow an antioxidant rich Superfood in 8-10 days, ready to eat! This course enables you to grow your own Microgreens. Learn why Microgreens are a Superfood and may increase your health exponentially! You will become knowledgeable in the following areas:

• The mental and physical benefits

• Superfood, immune boosters and antioxidants in your Microgreens

• Why boosting your immune system is important

• Your gut health and the gut-brain connection

• Tasting the difference between your Microgreens

• Incorporating Microgreens into the foods you currently eat

• The vitamins, minerals and nutrients in your Microgreens

• Tray preparation and seeding of your own Microgreens tray.

You will take home a tray of Microgreens that you have seeded and be empowered to grow your own food in 10 days or less!

Please click here for course inspiration!

Required Materials Fee: $25 payable to the instructor (cash, check, Zelle or Venmo) at the beginning of class for all the supplies you will need.

Take the work out of Christmas prep and start early! Participants will paint their own Christmas Ball Ornament as a keepsake, or a personalized gift for family or friends. Make new friends at OLLI while chatting and painting, and take home an ornament ready to gift.

Please click here for course inspiration!

Required Materials Fee: $10 cash paid to instructor at the start of class, for these materials provided by the instructor: clear gifting box, ball ornament, templates to choose from (Christmas themed, state outlines, family trees), paintbrushes and a limited selection of acrylic paints.

Required Materials: The instructor will provide a limited set of paints. If you prefer, you may bring your own paints, or purchase 5 acrylic paint colors of your choice. Must-haves for Christmas are: red, gold, silver, green and blue.

Celebrate the season with a fun and relaxing holiday paint party! Students will create a festive coastal winter painting, while learning basic acrylic painting techniques, including: color mixing, brushwork, layering, blending, and adding seasonal details. No prior painting experience is necessary. Participants will leave with a completed holiday painting ready to display or give as a gift.

Required Materials: 11" × 14" canvas; Acrylic paints: White, Blue, Red, Yellow, Black; Large flat brush; Medium flat brush; Small round brush; Detail brush; Water container; Paper towels; Palette; Table cover

Optional Materials: Easel and additional paint colors

Learn how to make a beautiful oyster shell ornament for your own tree or as a holiday gift! The instructor will bring the oyster shells cleaned, painted and drilled. Students will apply Modge Podge and napkin. Once this is dry, students may embellish the shell to their liking, and complete the ornament by painting the edge in a gold or silver paint.

Required Materials Fee: $20 cash payable to instructor at the beginning of class for: oyster shell, napkins, Modge Podge, embellishments, beads, string and gold or silver paint to outline the shell. Also included will be the use of heat dryers to speed up the drying process.

This course explores ideas about the relationship between religion and government in the United States. Anchored in a disagreement between James Madison and Patrick Henry of Virginia, we also consider the views of fellow Virginians George Washington and Thomas Jefferson by reading selections of their own writing. Lectures look backwards to contextualize the legacy of post-Reformation Europe on the religious landscape of the American colonies and forwards to consider the concept of ‘civil religion’ and its relationship to the primary sources we discuss. Class discussion may include serious consideration of faith and doubt, power and responsibility, democracy, human nature, and how humans manage to live together amid difference and disagreement.

Please click here for course inspiration.

Please click here to see an image of an early printing of one of the key texts that you will study.

Course materials will be available for free online.

Technology does not have to feel overwhelming. This fun, supportive, and in-depth discussion/demonstration-based session is designed specifically for seniors who want to become more comfortable using everyday technology. Participants will learn basic technology terms, understand the differences between devices, discuss how the internet works, and review basic steps you can replicate at home on your own device to conduct simple skills you can use in daily life.

This workshop focuses on building confidence in a relaxed environment where questions are encouraged, and learning happens. No prior technology experience is required. We look forward to you joining in the fun!

Please click here for course inspiration!

Special Note: This is an instructional demonstration only. No personal devices are required.

This guided tea tasting workshop invites participants to explore the art, flavor, and wellness traditions of herbal tea. Students will sample a curated selection of blends featuring roots, leaves, flowers, fruits and spices while learning how each ingredient contributes to taste, aroma, and well-being. Through sensory exploration and guided discussion, participants discover how to identify flavor notes, understand herbal benefits, and appreciate the craft of blending.

Required Materials: Students need to bring pen and paper. The instructor will supply all items for the tasting.

Students will choose from assorted offered centerpieces to start and complete a long-leaf pine needle basket. Centerpieces to choose from will include: Tree of Life, Sea Turtles, Sea Shells, Ceramic Palmetto Tree, Sunflower and others.

Please click here for course inspiration!

Special Note: Students will need to commit to the entire scheduled class time on both days in order to finish their project.

Required Materials Fee: $20 payable to instructor at the beginning of class will cover all necessary supplies.

You will learn how to master your Digital Camera and understand what each function is, and more importantly, what it does. Not only will we explore the buttons and dials, we will cover proper exposure using ISO, F-stops, shutter speeds, depth of field, lenses, flash and composition. At the end, we will go outdoors on a local field trip to try out all your new skills, with Kathy instructing each student so it all “clicks” together.

Course includes 5 weeks of classroom instruction, plus a field trip. Also included are written instructions, along with small assignments given each week. You are guaranteed to learn!

Sessions 1 - 4: Coastal Science Center

Session 5: Off Campus field trip

Session 6: Coastal Science Center

Please click here for course inspiration!

Required Materials: Make sure to charge up your battery for each class as we will be using your camera, learning settings and practice shooting. DSLR or Mirrorless is required for class.

Have you ever wondered why some areas of your life seem to flow effortlessly while others feel stuck? In this interactive workshop, we will explore the chakra system as a tool for self-awareness, personal growth, and energetic balance. Each week, we will focus on a different energy center, examining its connection to our physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being through discussion, hands-on activities, guided exercises, color exploration, and reflection. Participants will learn how the chakras influence everyday life, discover practical techniques to support balance, and create a personalized roadmap for greater harmony and self-understanding. Whether you are completely new to chakras or looking to deepen your knowledge, this engaging and experiential course offers a fun and meaningful journey into the colorful world of energy and conscious living.

Please click here for course inspiration!

We will meet weekly to discuss current events, topical subjects and political and social issues of interest to the Group. We will invite CCU (and other universities') professors as well as Professionals and Experts to share with us their expertise and views on a variety of subjects. We will also call on the expertise of our own Group members to discuss topics in their areas of expertise.

This club meets weekly on Thursdays.

This class focuses on helping students learn and practice the core performance techniques and musical styles used in steel band. It is structured in part like an applied ensemble, meaning each student will play a different instrument and together we’ll be playing calypso, soca, and other styles of Caribbean popular music. But this course is also a music “lab," since our in-class playing will be supplemented by instructor-led discussion and curated listening activities relating to the repertoire we study together. The goal of this course is not to prepare students for a specific public performance, but instead to guide students to discover through practice the rich musical, cultural, and commercial dimensions of steel band.

This course traces the Crusades from the world that produced them to the legacies that still shape our world. We begin with the pressures facing Byzantium, the Islamic Golden Age, and the rivalries of medieval Europe. We explore the religious, political, and economic forces that launched the First Crusade and led to the fall of Jerusalem in 1099. We then follow the Muslim resurgence under Saladin, his famous rivalry with Richard the Lionheart, and the decline of the Crusader movement through the fall of Acre in 1291. We conclude by examining the long afterlife of the Crusades—the cultural exchanges they sparked, the rise of military orders such as the Templars, and the memories and myths that endured. We also look at how these events are still invoked in modern politics and media, sometimes as symbols of conflict and sometimes as calls for dialogue, reminding us that history continues to influence today’s debates.

Please click here for course inspiration.

Please click here to see another image related to this course.

The problem of evil is one of the most important topics in philosophy of religion. Briefly, the problem is that the existence of God—understood as an all-powerful and perfectly good creator—appears to conflict with the seemingly obvious fact that the world contains a great deal of evil. The problem is quite old; the ancient philosopher Epicurus (341-270 BC) is reputed to have said: “Is he [God] willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then is he impotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then is he malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Whence then is evil?”

Contemporary philosophers of religion commonly refer to the problem of evil as the greatest challenge to the rationality of theistic belief. This class will provide a systematic review of the problem, possible replies, and its relevance for assessing theistic or atheistic belief.

We will begin by looking at a few answers to the question, "Why do good people do bad things?" Then we will cover traditional answers to the problem of evil (e.g., the appeal to free will, the importance of developing a virtuous character, appealing to justice and the need for punishment, the idea that evil is a mere privation), less familiar responses (e.g., suffering as providing divine insight), the distinction between "logical" and "inductive" versions of the problem of evil, the distinction between pastoral and philosophical approaches to the problem, and the "skeptical theist" response to the problem of evil.

Please click here for course inspiration.

Level up your skills by weaving a ‘cat head’ shaped basket. Layout a base and weave the sides using a continuous weave technique. The result will be a round basket that sits on pointed ‘feet.’ Finish with a plain rim or add a swing handle.

Please click here to see an example of the basket you will be making.

Required Materials: Please bring an apron or old towel, a pair of small pruners or sharp scissors, and a short flat head screwdriver, if you have them, to class. All other materials will be provided.

Materials fee: $25 (cash, Venmo or Zelle) or $30 if you want a handle, payable to instructor at the beginning of class.

Do you ever wonder how lifestyle, movement, and even the coastal environment influence how well your brain ages? In this course, we’ll explore the fascinating connection between brain health, balance, and everyday living—explained in plain, practical language. You’ll learn how memory, attention, and coordination evolve over time and discover simple, evidence-based ways to strengthen them through daily habits.

This course blends approachable neuroscience with real-world strategies to support cognitive sharpness and reduce fall risk. We’ll begin with how the brain changes with age, then move into how learning and movement promote neuroplasticity. Next, we’ll explore how the coastal environment supports relaxation, focus, and resilience before finishing with a personalized brain-care toolkit you can use for life. No science background is needed—just curiosity and a desire to stay sharp, steady, and confident at any age.

This course is designed to initially re-introduce the participants to the qualities of Chinese brushes and pigments. Students will be given practice cards before producing two finished cards, one showing a snowy bamboo forest and the second one, a fir tree.

Please click here to see a previous exhibit by your instructor.

Please click here to see a sample of holiday greeting cards.

Required Materials: Bring your enthusiasm, and an apron if you would like.

Required Materials Fee: $10 payable in check made out to Renee Vickery, due at the beginning of class.

December 7 was to be "a date which will live in infamy." Well, let's help it stay that way. For many years, I taught high school students about the day. Now, I have adapted my lecture to share with a new audience at OLLI. Between my 30+ years of teaching, my military experience, and years of study, my presentation promises to be informative as well as entertaining. Join me as I take you back to that horrible day that changed history.

Special Note: There will be references to the Jerry Bruckheimer production of "Pearl Harbor." It would be helpful to see the movie beforehand. If not, I'm hoping that you will want to run out and see it again as soon as I am finished.

In this workshop you will create an original piece of art using authentic sea glass. Learn how sea glass is created, how it's found and why it's there. We'll create one 4 x 6 framed art piece. You may bring shells, beads, dried flowers, shark teeth, stones, and other goodies to add to your picture. These make great gifts!

Please click here to see example: Beach Scene

Please click here to see example: Sea Shell Flower Bouquet

Please click here to see example: Girls with Flowers

Please click here to see example: Mermaid

Please click here to see example: Hummingbird

Please click here to see example: Turtles

Required Materials Fee: $25 payable to the instructor on the first day of class. If you would like to upgrade to a larger 5 x 7 frame, please add an additional $5. You may make more than one art piece at the cost of $25 each.

This beginner-friendly workshop introduces participants to the basics of melt and pour soap crafting. Students will learn how to choose a soap base, incorporate color, fragrance and botanicals, then safely melt, mix and pour their own custom bar. Students will make 2 bars of soap.

Please click here to see an example of a finished student project.

Please click here to see a world of possibilities with various soap molds.

Required Materials: Students need pen and paper for note-taking.

Required Materials Fee: $10 payable to the instructor at the beginning of class for all materials required to make custom soaps.

Do you ever wonder why the shrub you pruned died 3 months later? “Think Twice – Prune Once” is a 2 ½ hour workshop designed to help you learn the “ins & outs” of pruning in South Carolina. Specifically, you will learn: why, when, what, and how to prune, as well as which pruner to use on different plants. In addition to a pre-test and demonstration, you will practice on live shrubs. Research-based information handouts will be provided.

Optional Materials: You will have the option of bringing in your own plant that needs to be pruned; preferably, in a pot. If you have pruning shears, bring those as well.

This beginner-friendly acrylic painting course introduces students to the fundamentals of painting with acrylics. Participants will learn color theory, color mixing, brush control, painting techniques, composition, and layering while creating practice exercises and a completed painting. By the end of the course, students will have the confidence to mix colors, use a variety of brushstrokes, and complete a landscape painting using the skills learned throughout the course.

Supply List:

Acrylic paints: Red, Blue, Yellow, Black, White

Palette

Water container

Paper towels

Canvas paper

Brushes: Large Flat, Medium Flat, Round Brush, Small Detail Brush

Table cover

Optional: Additional paint colors and Easel

Brain health refers to how well a person’s brain functions across many areas, like motor, emotional, and sensory functions. Importantly, it also includes cognitive health, or how well you think, remember, and learn. As we age, changes in the brain can affect cognitive health. Exercising your brain may help delay the cognitive decline that naturally comes with healthy aging. Finding ways to stimulate your brain can help it stay sharper for longer. Any activity that requires attention, focus and engagement challenges the brain. We will engage in fun brain games each week to help stimulate your brain. Prepare to find your inner child and to have fun while engaging your brain.

This course is designed to support ease of movement, breath awareness, and gentle strength. Using a chair for support, we’ll stretch, strengthen, and breathe our way toward improved mobility, balance, and relaxation. Each session includes seated postures, optional standing movements, breathwork, and guided relaxation—all offered with clear instruction and adaptable options to meet a wide range of physical abilities. Whether you’re new to yoga or returning after a break, this practice invites you to move at your own pace and discover a sense of flow and steadiness.

Please click here for course inspiration!

Required Materials: A yoga mat (optional for standing poses), and a water bottle. Wear comfortable clothing that allows free movement. 

We all have a story to tell! Join us and start telling yours. Whether you have been writing all your life or want to start now, this class is for you. Come experience an intimate workshop setting where you will share your stories with others, who also have stories to tell. You will be given weekly assignments incorporating specific writing strategies to help you get started. As you write and share your stories, you will receive feedback that will hopefully inspire you further. You may want to write a book or just compile written memories to pass on to your children or grandchildren. No matter the reason, come and write with us! Find your voice and share your story.

Please click here for course inspiration!

Required Materials: All you really need for this class is your memories, a pen, some paper, and if you choose, a laptop.

Students will work with nationally recognized fossil expert Dr. Ashley Oliphant, the author of "Shark Tooth Hunting on the Carolina Coast," as they embark on this unusual engaged learning experience. This course will use classroom instruction and field trips to local beaches to teach participants about shark tooth hunting on the Grand Strand. Course content will include shark tooth identification by species as well as tips for which beaches to search, how to search them, and how to know when conditions are best for fossil collecting.

Please click here to see a selection of found shark teeth!

Please click here to see your instructor.

Important Notes: The first session will take place at the Coastal Science Center, and the 2nd and 3rd sessions will take place at an area beach, to be determined. The beachcombing sessions will be combined with another of Dr. Oliphant’s classes to offer extended time (2 hours and 45 minutes) at the beach. Students will be responsible for their own transportation and parking fees for the field trips, and some driving will be involved to make sure students have the best opportunity to shell in prime locations. The course may also include some variable meeting times to make sure the tides are favorable for hunting.

Join Dr. Ashley Oliphant, a nationally recognized shark tooth hunter and sheller, to learn her strategy for successful beachcombing. The course will include one classroom lecture to learn about shelling strategies and the identification of local shell species. Dr. Oliphant will bring specimens from her personal collection for interactive show-and-tell. The other two class meetings will consist of exciting field trips to local beaches to hunt as a group with Dr. Oliphant as your guide. The best way to improve your shelling game is to interact with a really experienced sheller on the beach. You do not want to miss this exciting class.

Please click here for course inspiration!

Important Notes: The first class session will take place at the Coastal Science Center, and the 2nd and 3rd class sessions will take place at an area beach. The beachcombing sessions will be combined with another of Dr. Oliphant’s classes to offer extended time (2 hours and 45 minutes) at the beach. Students will be responsible for their own transportation and parking fees for the field trips, and some driving will be involved to make sure students have the best opportunity to shell in prime locations. The course may also include some variable meeting times to make sure the tides are favorable for hunting.

Cyber threats are no longer a matter of science fiction—they shape the world we live in every day. This course offers a clear, accessible introduction to the “invisible war” unfolding in the digital domain—who is targeting us, what they want, and how they operate. Without requiring any technical background, participants will explore nation-states, criminal networks, and other non-state actors, along with the methods they use to gather information and exploit vulnerabilities. Engaging and practical, this course demystifies a complex and increasingly important subject.