Online Learning   

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.

This class will help you understand what math is and not how to do math. It presents the development of math from an historical perspective, from the Enlightenment to the present. No tests or homework!

This class will examine the art and architecture of later South Asia (India and Pakistan) from the time of the introduction of Islam in 711 CE to the present. We will consider the social, religious, and political context for the various monuments. Special focus will be given to the Mughal Dynasty and the culture that influenced the creation of Taj Mahal.

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.

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.

Chico State's tradition of academic excellence goes back more than 130 years. With over 850 faculty members and 13,000 students, the University's teaching and learning community is thriving. Discover the imagination, cutting-edge research, and expertise that flourishes in our own backyard!

Economics plays a central role in the functioning of every aspect of society. It plays this role primarily through the actions of governments at the federal, state, and local levels. Given the centrality of its role, this class will address a set of prominent policy issues where economics is at their core. We will explore these issues in detail, including their origins as policy matters, the underlying data and evidence, and what policy levers are available to deal with them. The focus will be on what the economics profession collectively understands to be true about the issue. The structure of the class will be an initial lecture on the US economy. Subsequent lectures will be standalone, taught by a subject matter expert – all of whom have a PhD in economics. Potential topics include climate change economics, healthcare economics, economic inequality, autonomous vehicles, and many more. The topics presented will be determined by what is most topical at the time of the class.

A scintillating review of current themes in the media will be discussed in each class. Class members present a topic, discuss it, then open the floor for discussion and debate. Poetry, literature, scientific discovery, and educational progress are examples of the issues addressed. Special guests are welcome to present.

Have you ever heard radio hosts say, "I hate annuities," "Annuities are bad," or "Annuities have lots of fees"? In this class Miste Cliadakis from OLLI sponsor Altum Wealth Advisors will demystify what you may have heard about annuities. For example, you may not know that there are four main types of annuities, that some annuities have zero fees, that some annuities are liquid, or that some annuities act much like a CD. Annuities can be complex investment products, and they may not be suitable for everyone. Learn the pros and cons of the various annuities.

Industrial growth, soaring immigration, westward expansion, and technological innovation – all of these were characteristics of the period in US history known as the Gilded Age. American artists such as Winslow Homer, John Singer Sargent, and Mary Cassatt flourished during this time. Wealthy industrialists invested in European and Asian art and brought it to their private collections and American museums. This class will pull these elements together to portray the American art scene as the US entered the 20th century.

Have fun exploring the many possibilities for creating your own unique characters. Learn to draw cartoon heads and bodies, along with all their features. Learn how to bring your characters to life and give each their own unique personality. You will learn how to make them talk and think. Enjoy exploring single- and multi-panel comic strips. Absolutely no drawing ability required. All that's needed is a pencil and some inexpensive paper.

Join this four-week session where we will delve into the fascinating world of earthquakes. We'll take a journey through the seismic history of our planet, from ancient tremors to modern-day earthquakes, including the legendary San Francisco quake of 1906. Another notable example we will look at is much older. Scientists recently reported on an ancient earthquake that occurred roughly 4,000 years ago in northern Chile that may be the biggest earthquake in human history. It is thought that it resulted in the human population abandoning the coastline for a thousand years. We'll also uncover the basic mechanics of earthquakes, exploring their causes, effects, and the science behind them. Lastly, we'll look at the techniques scientists use to try to forecast these natural phenomena, as we explore the question of whether earthquake prediction is possible.

This class is for people who have studied some French in the past. We study basic French grammar, usage, pronunciation, and vocabulary. The focus is communicating with others in written and spoken French. If you are new to French, consider instead "French for Travelers" for an introduction to the sounds and expressions of French.

Each week we will read from George Simenon's Le Chien Jaune, featuring Inspector Maigret. By dissecting grammar and usage, we further our facility with the French language. Plus, we expand our vocabulary!

On parle français dans cette classe, sans traduction (si nous avons de la chance). On doit avoir l'envie d'entendre et de parler mieux le français, et peut-être un jour le parler couramment. Il n’y a pas de textes.

Let go of stress and come home to yourself. Over millennia, the sages of the Himalayan Yoga Tradition developed highly effective methods of movement, relaxation, and meditation. In this study group you will learn foundational practices from the Himalayan Yoga Tradition. Each session will have three phases: gentle movement and breathing, deep relaxation, and meditation. Members can expect to leave this class refreshed. Please note that the movements taught in this study group are not acrobatics. They are suitable for people with no yoga experience. If you've attended yoga classes and found them to be too strenuous or otherwise challenging, this study group is for you.

"Great Decisions" is the Foreign Policy Association's public education program about US foreign policy and global affairs issues. We will cover four of the Foreign Policy Association's topics and add some additional topics that are of interest to the class.

History is full of events that seem unbelievable except they are completely true. This course will visit a baker's dozen of these oddities. You'll be appalled, amused, and astounded. Do you know about the dancing plague of 1518? Did you know that a bushel of oysters almost destroyed the British Fleet in WWI? Learn some of the history you were never taught.

People have fashioned 3-D figures out of clay since the beginning of time: sculpture! This series will explore the evolution of sculpture from the earliest figures to those made during the fifteenth-century Renaissance. We will look at cultural incentives, materials, patrons, and artists. We will follow the thread as artists use sculpture to express ideas about life.

Cathryn has made and given away holiday cookies for fifty years. In this class, she will share three cookie recipes that are refrigerated before baking and then baked in a few minutes any time you desire. She will make one of the doughs during class and show how to prep all three for baking. You can optionally make the dough ahead of time and bake along with Cathryn.

The darkness of the arctic winters gives Russian holidays special meaning. From Christmas festivities to New Year celebrations, from palaces to peasant villages, these holidays feature folk customs, family traditions, foods, fairs, and religious rituals. Join us to explore these traditions and their changes that occurred during the Soviet Union.

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.

Knitting with others is a wonderful learning environment. This class is designed to give knitters who have mastered the basic stitches of knit and purl a chance to work on a project of their choosing while we chat and share ideas online with other knitters. All levels of ability are welcome! Gale contributes to the class by offering tips and suggestions for patterns, yarn, and tools based on her years of knitting experience.

This class delves into Motown's golden era from the 1960s to the 1970s, highlighting its breakthrough songwriting, iconic artists, and profound social influence. Learn about Motown's innovative processes that crafted timeless sounds and how it navigated racial barriers, adapting to cultural shifts to achieve global acclaim. Over eight weeks, we'll spotlight over two dozen artists and groups, featuring more than ninety seminal tracks and videos spanning from 1957 to 1983. Discover the stories behind legendary songwriters and the development of unique talents that defined Motown's new sound. We'll examine how Motown's strategies in artist development and music production helped it transcend its era and leave a lasting legacy. The series concludes by reflecting on the end of Motown's golden era and celebrating its first twenty-five transformative years. Join us to appreciate the magic of Motown and its enduring impact on music and culture worldwide.

My Neighbor's Voice (MNV) is committed to encouraging respectful conversations about the things that matter most. Using MNV Listening Cards, we focus on universal community questions ranging from American culture to civic rights and responsibilities, spiritual thought to health and environment, and more. During class, we have a moderated listening practice with our cards. Each participant takes turns answering questions and listening to their neighbor answer a related question. At the end of several listening rounds, we open the forum up for free discussion on the topic of the day.

W.B. Yeats, in his essay "The Celtic Element In Literature," spoke of visions of a world expressed by people who "believed that trees were divine, and could take a human or grotesque shape and dance among the shadows." Once a powerful people who dominated much of Europe, the Celts were reduced to a few small groups after the Roman invasions. However, their mythology survived, thanks largely to the efforts of medieval Irish and Welsh monks who wrote down the stories.

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.

Each week the class will read poems by an individual poet, a collection of poems on a specific subject, or a collection of poems in a specific style. A wide range of poets and poetry will be presented, from classic to contemporary. We will discuss poetry from the perspective that the poet creates the work but the reader activates it.

This class will discuss favorite science fiction authors, their books, and the human, political, and scientific issues they raise. The books and authors will be chosen by Sydney from suggestions by participants. This is a fun, free-flowing gathering of science fiction enthusiasts. Please join us and bring your ideas, insights, and suspension of disbelief.

Join us for a collaborative read of Shakespeare's The Tempest, a play about colonialism and the dispossessed. You'll be encouraged, but not required, to join in the discussion. This class is for beginners and Shakespeare veterans alike. You will want your own copy of the play, but any good standard edition will do. E-mail Jack (jdayer@ucdavis.edu) for guidance.

This Civil War class will meet at the crossroads of political ideology, military history, military strategy and tactics, literature, oratory, journalism, photography, song, and poetry – all contributing elements in our attempts to better understand The War of the Rebellion, the effects of which continue to the present and shape our Union. We will humbly study the military actions of Grant, Meade, Lee, and Longstreet and also peruse the words of Lincoln and Whitman, Emily Dickinson and Frances Watkins Harper, William Seward and William Tecumseh Sherman, Ambrose Bierce and Stephen Vincent Benét, and others.

Because the Sun is now near the peak of its 11-year cycle, sunspots are in the news these days. The Chinese observed sunspots with the naked eye around the tenth century. In 1611 Galileo and Harriot employed telescopes to study them. Their existence, proving that celestial bodies are imperfect, was not welcomed by the Catholic Church. Sunspots, huge storms on the Sun's surface, eject clouds of energetic ions that, if they reach Earth, create auroral phenomena. Such storms routinely disable communication satellites and can disrupt electric power systems. A repeat of the Carrington Event of 1859, the largest known solar storm, could seriously damage electric power transmission equipment and require costly repairs.

Around 2-2.5 billion years ago, one prokaryotic cell engulfed another, forming a symbiotic, mutually beneficial partnership. Almost every living thing we see today is directly descended from that chimeric couple, as they gave rise to eukaryotes. We will explore the environmental conditions that favored this symbiosis, why the presence of the engulfed cell required a complete remodeling of the host cell's organization, and the many important biological consequences of the symbiosis. We will also briefly discuss the only other known examples of engulfed endosymbionts evolving into organelles.

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

The experience of loneliness is a profoundly personal and nuanced, yet undeniably social phenomenon. Participants will begin by exploring the essence of loneliness and its role as a call to action, urging us to forge deeper connection with ourselves and others. We will examine our vulnerabilities and how embracing them strengthens our resilience and shared humanity. The class emphasizes practical mindful self-compassion practices to transform our relationship with solitude and loneliness, enhancing our connections with others. Through reflective exercises and guided practices, participants will learn to transform loneliness by nurturing compassion for themselves and forging meaningful relationships in their communities.

Start your Tuesday with music and songs. Join us in a fun, informal sing-along. Bring your voices and/or musical instruments. The operative word is "fun." If you like music, you will like this class. All levels welcome!

Grab your sketchbook and assorted art materials! The goal of this class is to complete a piece of art each week during class time. For each session we will look at a photo, video clip, or artwork, briefly discuss it, and then create our own piece. Prior to each session, specific art materials that will be used by the instructor for that week will be shared. Participants are welcome to follow along with the instructor or take off in a direction of their own.

Whodunnit? This is a question every society asks when faced with a murder, and the Greeks and Romans were no different. In this class we will examine two famous cold cases from the ancient world: the assassinations of the Greek king Philip of Macedon and the Roman Germanicus, the Emperor Tiberius's heir. Who was blamed at the time? Who actually committed the crime? These are some of the ultimate cold cases in history; come join us and be a detective!