History & Current Events   

The words "travel" and "vacation" are often used interchangeably, but careful examination indicates subtle differences between the two. Vacation implies an escape, while travel may offer the opportunity for total immersion in a different culture. Both are relevant and explored in depth by OLLI members whose pictures, stories, and information will leave you aching to go – and return with your own adventure to tell.

The words "travel" and "vacation" are often used interchangeably, but careful examination indicates subtle differences between the two. Vacation implies an escape, while travel may offer the opportunity for total immersion in a different culture. Both are relevant and explored in depth by OLLI members whose pictures, stories, and information will leave you aching to go – and return with your own adventure to tell.

This class examines the precepts of Buddhism in general and of the Chan/Zen branch of Buddhism specifically. We will explore major examples of art and architecture related to Zen. A primary goal of the class is to examine the historical context for the development of the Zen arts; therefore, an examination of the social, religious, political, and cultural influences on the production of art and architecture will be important. In addition, we will consider the fundamental teachings of Buddhism and meditation as a means for developing thoughtful and humane interactions in contemporary life.

This class covers the American victory at Guadalcanal, the island hopping and stepping stones across the Pacific, and America's gains in airpower supremacy over the Japanese.

Chico State's tradition of academic excellence goes back more than 130 years. With over 900 faculty members and 14,200 students, the University's teaching and learning community is thriving. Discover the imagination, cutting-edge research, and expertise that flourishes in our own backyard!

Chico State's tradition of academic excellence goes back more than 130 years. With over 900 faculty members and 14,200 students, the University's teaching and learning community is thriving. Discover the imagination, cutting-edge research, and expertise that flourishes in our own backyard!

The University Farm serves as the center for agricultural education, literacy, and research for a significant portion of Northern California. We welcome opportunities to show off our "living laboratory" to students, youth, farmers and ranchers, and the public. Please join us for a guided tour!

The University Farm serves as the center for agricultural education, literacy, and research for a significant portion of Northern California. We welcome opportunities to show off our "living laboratory" to students, youth, farmers and ranchers, and the public. Please join us for a guided tour!

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.

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.

Join us on a journey of discovery along Oroville's Museum Mile! The City of Oroville owns and operates five city museums including The Oroville Chinese Temple, The C.F. Lott Historic Home, The Pioneer History Museum, The Feather River Nature Center & Native Plant Park, and the Bolt's Antique Tool Museum. Each museum tells a part of the story of this region's rich heritage. Enjoy docent-led tours each class and dig deeper into the stories, artifacts, and lives of this unique Northern California town.

This course examines the various aspects that face gardeners on the West Coast: our warming climate, drought, and fire, and how we apply those challenges to a real garden.

"Great Decisions" is the Foreign Policy Association's public education program about U.S. foreign policy and global affairs. Topics include energy geopolitics, war crimes, China and the US, economic warfare, politics in Latin America, global famine, Iran and the US, and climate migration. We will select four topics each term, plus additional topics of interest to the class.

"Great Decisions" is the Foreign Policy Association's public education program about U.S. foreign policy and global affairs. Topics include energy geopolitics, war crimes, China and the US, economic warfare, politics in Latin America, global famine, Iran and the US, and climate migration. We will select four topics each term, plus additional topics of interest to the class.

During the English Glorious Revolution of 1688, John Locke articulated principles of constitutional government. We will examine excerpts of his writing. Then we will discuss five short founding documents of our constitutional system, dated 1776 to 1793. Topics will include the rule of law, innate rights, equality, and religious toleration. We will create thoughtful conversations about the meaning and significance of these principles. Participants should plan to spend an hour preparing for each week's conversation.

This course will provide participants with the tools necessary to appeal denials of care or coverage for those with Medicare. Whether you're covered by regular Medicare or by a Medicare Advantage plan, including prescription drug coverage, you have certain protections and rights to appeal denials. This includes those who have retiree coverage as secondary to Medicare.

In human speech we can locate signs of our deep past and evidence of how we think now. In many respects, names are special: they are our addresses in the universe. This course considers the history of human language and some of its special effects, like poems, curses, predictions, and riddles as they pertain to names.

This class will offer a description of the 17 intelligence agencies that comprise the US intelligence community. It will include the five basic intelligence sources and a description of the six steps of the intelligence cycle. We will drill down into several of the intelligence agencies, such as the DIA (Defense Intelligence Agency). Relevant books and periodicals will be recommended. Time permitting we will examine the polygraph examination, detection dogs, and contemporary spies and traitors.

Participants in this class can deepen their understanding of the role of the board and the board's relationship to the executive director. We will look at nonprofit basics, board member roles and responsibilities, and board structures in the context of the nonprofit life cycle. There will also be opportunities to explore specific questions and concerns raised by participants.

TED Conferences, LLC is a media organization that posts talks online for free distribution under the slogan "ideas worth spreading." TED's early emphasis was on technology and design, consistent with its Silicon Valley origins, but it has since broadened its repertoire to include talks on many scientific, cultural, and academic topics. Join us for the opportunity to view and discuss various TED Talks and get to know fellow OLLI members better.

A brief summary of the Vietnam War, the build-up to Tet, overview of the attack at Long Binh Post, including a contemporary narrated recording of the attack, and the effect of Tet on the outcome of the war.

We will look at the art, culture, and history of the British Isles. Vikings, monks, illiterate peasants, myths, and legends. The class will look at awesome art and decide how dark these years were!

The Repair Shop is a British series that features expert restorers bringing cherished antiques back to life. Restoration experts in art conservation, carpentry, metalwork, watchmaking, and many other specialized skills demonstrate techniques that can be applied in everyday life. The individual stories of the customers of the Repair Shop often offer historical perspectives of general interest. Examples include repair of running shoes worn at the 1936 Berlin Olympics and the restoration of a seventeenth-century painting of Queen Henrietta Marie, the wife of Charles I.