Newly Added Classes   

This study group is designed to be a journey through what neuroscientists have learned so far as to the how of human brain function, i.e., how neural pathways guide us to be functional living beings and how such pathways develop. The study group is based on the book Brainscapes by Rebecca Schwarzlose. Schwarzlose uses the term "brainscapes" to describe the various maps in the brain (made of neurons), how they develop, and how they allow us to respond to our environment and to "remember, imagine, learn, and think the way we do. " We will work our way through the book with recommended reading assignments and use our meeting times to try to embellish upon and/or add to the themes of each reading, to hear your comments, and do our best to respond to your questions. Extensive science background is not necessary. Any expertise you wish to contribute will be a welcome addition.

The continent we call home, North America, has a complex heritage of physical landscapes and human cultures. In this class, we will examine the geology of this continent, and then we'll relate it to human geography. We will look at the different regions of the United States and Canada and try to explain the challenges of holding them together as just two nations.

Our exploration of the Earth, Solar System, and Universe continues. As always, we will discuss ongoing discoveries in astronomy, planetary sciences, and Earth sciences. Information will be conveyed using short videos, awesome photos, understandable/fun graphics, and class discussions. We will have several guest speakers from the University of Arizona's Astronomy, Planetary Sciences, and Geosciences Departments. Science Fiction Theatre continues, with short clips highlighting a century of sci fi movies and TV shows. And of course, there will be Geo-feature of the Week, What's for Launch?, and Books of the Week. Please join us for this continuing journey of discovery and adventure. Being in an earlier Astronomy/Geosciences class is neither a prerequisite nor necessary to understand and enjoy this class.

Using a BBC biography and Robert Greenberg's lectures as core materials, we will explore the life and the music of this revolutionary composer who changed forever how music is written and performed. Despite deafness becoming almost total, Beethoven wrote music which was groundbreaking, amazingly profound, and supremely beautiful. A live performance of a chamber work by University of Rochester's Eastman School of Music students will be part of the class.

Join North State Symphony Music Director Scott Seaton for an exclusive look at the creative process behind the monumental work Symphonie Fantastique by Hector Berlioz, a work that expanded the orchestra, revolutionized musical form, and redefined the possibilities of program music. Begin with a pre-rehearsal lecture, followed by an open rehearsal, and wrap up with a Q&A. Witness the artistry, collaboration, and passion that bring music to life in this unique and immersive experience.

Everyone has heard about Captain Hook and Long John Silver, but what happened when a real pirate lost a limb at sea? Learn about maritime prosthetics for real Golden Age sailors, the relationship of able seamen towards the disabled, and whether Lord Nelson wore an eye patch. Pirates may have been remorseless criminals, but they were also forward thinking in that they offered accidental death and dismemberment insurance to their brethren. Come for stories about life at sea and the perils of battle, scurvy, and alcoholism – and what they can teach us about today's attitudes toward disability.

Join us for an 8-week musical odyssey that not only celebrates the profound ability of music to whisk us away on global adventures without leaving our seats, but also delves into the rich history of various modes of transportation such as planes, trains, boats, automobiles, and more. Explore timeless classics with over 100 tracks and videos from Bing to Beyoncé, spanning the Great American Songbook (including Broadway, film, jazz, and standards), rock, folk, country, soul (including R&B and Motown), and hip hop. From literal travels to metaphorical journeys, this series promises to inspire, educate, and entertain, leaving you with lasting tunes of travel, adventure, and romance. Each session offers a dual exploration: uncovering the stories behind these tracks and providing a historical overview of how our fascination and love of travel is so intricately connected with music.

No previous Tai Chi experience is necessary. All the movements are slow and gentle, and no martial arts applications will be taught or practiced in this study group. These methods may help lessen body pain, correct spinal misalignment, cultivate a sense of internal energy, and rest the mind. Participants can wear comfortable roomy or stretchy clothing and some soft tai chi shoes or socks to wear on their feet.

In his legendary career as a director, Alfred Hitchcock created dense, suspenseful films filled with flawed heroes, charming villains, and moral ambiguity. In this four-week online class, we'll consider some of Hitchcock's very best films, focusing on two films each week that share a common theme. Students should watch the films on their own; in class, we'll look at brief film clips and discuss key elements. Whether you've enjoyed Hitchcock films for many years or you're just discovering them, this is a chance to go deeper into the mind of a brilliant, complicated man and the surprising, confounding, entertaining world he created on film.

When Franz Schubert died at age 31, he had completed well over 1,000 works. But very few of his instrumental compositions had received even a single performance during his lifetime. Many were only discovered decades after his death. This class looks primarily at music he wrote in his last two years. This is one of the greatest bodies of work written over a similar interval by any composer, even though his health was rapidly failing. We will watch and discuss videos of solo piano works, trios, a quartet, a quintet, symphonies, choral music, and some of his last songs.

This set of three lectures examines America's relationship with guns and gun violence from colonial times to the present with special focus on the emergence of a uniquely American gun culture, a powerful gun lobby, and the social and political challenges states, communities, and lawmakers have faced over time. We will also look at how gun technology and gun accessibility have emerged as deeply polarizing issues in twenty-first century America. The class will also look at the issues of crime statistics and gun control using international comparisons as points of reference.

Alfred Hitchcock was always fascinated with voyeurism and the interplay between voyeurism, filmmaking, and film watching. In this class, we'll consider four of Hitchcock's best films and explore his obsession with people watching other people. Participants should watch the films on their own; in class, we'll look at brief film clips and discuss key themes. Expect another lively trip into the mind of a brilliant, complicated man and the strange, disturbing world he created on film.

This class will begin with the high Renaissance sculpture, baroque, and classical all the way through modern and contemporary sculpture. We will consider why sculpture was made, its purpose, and who paid for it, as well as the influence of culture on this important evolution.

This class explores the emergence of tyrants in European history. It examines how Western political philosophy has played out in the real world of ancient Greece and Rome, the Middle Ages and the twentieth century. History does not repeat, but it drops hints. Just now a good number of historians are saying if America turns into an autocracy we should have seen it coming. We will be looking at historical indicators.

Anti-Asian violence: A modern-day occurrence? Not at all. Fear, hatred, and racism toward the Chinese and Japanese began in the mid 1800's culminating with the incarceration of over 125,000 Japanese at the beginning of WWII, two-thirds of whom were US citizens. Join Denny Kato, a third-generation Japanese American (Sansei) and former US Army military intelligence, and discuss the how, when and why racism landed Americans in what is more accurately described as prison camps,and what we can do to countermand the effect of anti-Asian violence and racism in America today. With the continuing immigration and border crisis, we will see how the incarceration of the Japanese in WWII can repeat itself today and why we should be ever vigilant that this never happens again.

Have you been yearning to know all about Japanese sake? Please join John Hornick, who holds several sake certifications and interned in the Daimon brewery near Osaka, Japan, to learn the types of premium sakes and what makes them "premium." In addition, you will learn how premium sake ingredients affect taste, aroma, and regionality. We will go over the three main brewing methods and how they affect taste, the importance of rice polishing ratio, and sake terms you need to know. A list of recommended sakes will be provided to registered participants. John will lead a tasting of any sakes purchased by the course participants, but no purchase is necessary.

In 1803 the appointed US Supreme Court justices claimed the power to make judgements binding elected officials based on judicial review, and their authority to apply constitutional mandates as the supreme law of the land. The current challenges to judicial activist policymaking by the court and proposed reforms are only the latest of many such power struggles between the court, Congress, the President and the states. University of Cincinnati Professor Emeritus Howard Tolley will provide a historical overview of how those struggles have evolved as the balance of power has shifted.

The course will cover events in the 1920s leading up to the start of the Great Depression, including ominous parallels between the 1920s and the 2020s. We will discuss political and economic conditions during the 1930s and the early years of WWII with a detailed examination of the lives of a diverse group of Americans who provided first-hand accounts of their lives during this tumultuous period of American life. There will be a discussion of lessons learned with questions and comments solicited.

Linguaphile by Julie Sedivy, linguist, cognitive scientist, prose writer, and poet, follows the path language takes through life from infancy, childhood, maturity, aging, and loss. A memoir of a life steeped in love and exploration of language, and an accessible overview of the science of language, Linguaphile elucidates the mysteries of language and will deepen your appreciation of language and how it permeates our lives. Whether you are interested in the sciences or the humanities, reading the book will be a revelatory experience. Michael will lead the discussion, providing suggested discussion questions and occasionally supplementary scientific background.

This is an introduction to understanding LGBTQ+ identities, experiences, and culture. We will explore key terms such as sex, gender identity, and sexual orientation, as well as common abbreviations (LGBTQIA+, etc.). We will also discuss significant events, important figures, and cultural milestones of LGBTQ+ history. This class will also discuss common misconceptions, addressing discrimination and bias as well as how to foster inclusive and supportive environments in your communities. If you're new to these topics, this session offers a welcoming space to learn and ask questions.

This class will focus on DNA. We will discuss how DNA is structured, replicated, error corrected, transcribed, and translated. More specifically, we will discuss how information is stored in the sequence of the DNA and how memories are retrieved. The DNA sequence can tell us about inheritance, genetic traits, and genetic disease. The DNA sequence can also tell us who our ancestors mated with, where ethnic groups of people originated from, and where ethnic groups migrated. Environmental DNA analysis can tell us about mass genetic surveillance of plants, animals, and humans. Lastly, we will also discuss how genetic traits and diseases can be changed or corrected by gene editing. A background in the biological sciences is advantageous, but not required.

Microplastics have been making the headlines recently. Identified in the Great Lakes in 2013, microplastics have since been detected in freshwater, oceans, and municipal water supplies around the world. This class will describe the nature of microplastics, the prevalence of microplastics in the food chain, and the detection of microplastics in our bodies.

This class addresses the unique communication challenges that arise in today's diverse and fast-paced environments where misunderstandings can happen quickly. You'll learn how to approach important conversations with empathy, understand different viewpoints, and improve your listening skills. The class will cover practical strategies for navigating difficult discussions, whether in personal relationships, community involvement, or other areas of life. We discuss these strategies specially in the context of intergenerational conversations and other challenging communication moments that are specifically relevant to older adults.

Each week we'll watch a favorite movie available on Netflix or Prime. The instructor will choose and present the first film. In the five weeks that follow, class members will have an opportunity to choose and present a favorite film. The presenter must have seen their suggested film. The class will vote on which film to watch for the following week. If no one volunteers, the instructor will choose the film to discuss and may or may not introduce the film. Class members are welcome to attend the discussion whether they have seen the film. This is a chance to share and revisit old favorites or new. There may be a charge to watch some of the films.

This class will explore the lives and legacies of Ancient Egypt's most remarkable pharaohs. From the unification of Egypt under Narmer to the grandeur of Ramses II, participants will delve into the pivotal moments that shaped Ancient Egypt's political, religious, and cultural landscapes. Each session will focus on the reigns of rulers such as Hatshepsut, Akhenaten, and Ramses II, offering insights into their enduring influence on world history. Join the class to uncover the stories behind Egypt's most powerful leaders and the lasting impact of their reigns.

Did Middle Eastern terrorism start with the 9/11 attack, or did it start in 1972 with the Munich Olympic attack? Was Al-Qaeda a passing phenomenon? Did the US succeed in "degrading and destroying" ISIS? Was Hamas's October 7 attack to be expected? Did killing bin Laden and al-Baghdadi put an end to future terrorism from the Middle East? These and many other questions will be examined by exploring the causes, the circumstances and the major factors in play now and then.

The largest park in the nation outside of Alaska is the Adirondack Park in New York, which comprises 6 million acres (9,375 square miles – the size of Vermont), nearly half of which is protected by state constitution to remain "forever wild" forest preserve. Although the mountains are formed from ancient rocks more than 1 billion years old, geologically, the mountains are relatively young and were created during recent periods of glaciation. We'll discuss the park's long geologic history and its fascinating culture and past, including the conflicts that led to its creation.

In 1066, the army of William of Normandy defeated the forces of the English king, Harold, at the battle of Hastings. You probably remember this from a history class at some point in your life. But, did you know that, within a few years of William’s conquest, the campaign was commemorated in a tapestry that still exists today? This class will examine the creation of the tapestry and the scenes it portrays and discuss how it has managed to survive for 950 years.

Put some music fans in the same room and sooner or later, they will ask each other, "What's your favorite song?" If we talk about rock fans, there will be some choosing "Smoke on the Water," others "Bohemian Rhapsody," some "Stairway to Heaven," and many will have other choices. With audiovisuals, stories and anecdotes, let's discuss what makes these songs great, the context when they became classics, the songwriters, the performers, their cultural significance, and if they will keep resonating across time. From the '50s until today, there's plenty of great music to talk about. Let's build our own top 100.

We will continue to explore the new developments in medicine and biotechnology and how they impact our health and well-being.

We will continue to explore the new developments in medicine and biotechnology and how they impact our health and well-being.

The majority of us do most of our research online. Fortunately for us, thousands of digitized documents are being uploaded daily. The problem can be finding them. This presentation is geared to provide you with suggestions on how to make the most of your online research. Also discussed are tips on how the internet can make you a better genealogist.

Sierra Rescue International will lead OLLI members in a one-day, 8-hour wilderness first aid and CPR training course. The training will be geared towards the hikes and walks that we do at OLLI. All OLLI members are welcome to join in and brush up on their skills. Participants will receive an American CPR and first aid card that is valid for 2 years and a Sierra Rescue International Wilderness First Aid Workshop card that is valid for 2 years.

Many people living in the West are very comfortable buying and ordering California wines, especially those from Napa Valley and Sonoma. However, there are more than 150 different officially recognized growing regions in California. In fact, the oldest grapevine in the state is in Los Angeles. In this class, we will explore some of the state's less well-known wine growing regions, especially those of Southern California, with the same curiosity and excitement as we do some of the more famous northern appellations. An optional recommended wine list will be sent out 24 hours before each class for any participants who wish to purchase any of the wines, grapes, or styles we will be discussing that week.