> OLLI Courses By Topic > Online Courses

Online Courses

The courses below meet online via the Zoom platform for the Fall 2021 term.

35 Poems in 35 Days
Members will read seven poems per week, one per day for five weeks, and in each class will read and dissect that week's seven poems. This class is a sequel to January's 28 Poems in 28 Days, with a new set of poems and additional poets. The 35 authors will include Herrick, Auden, Longfellow, Wyatt, Millay, and Sexton, along with titles recommended by members of the January class.
Show Description
Instructor: David Walton Fee: $0.00
Dates: 6/28/2023 - 7/26/2023 Days: W Times: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM Sessions: 5
THIS CLASS WILL MEET OVER ZOOM
This class will meet on June 28: July 5, 12, 19 and 26.

Members: To view ADD TO CART below a course, Registration must be open. You must be signed in to your account. Your membership must be active and paid up -OR- you have added a membership to your cart. If you are new to OLLI: you must create an account and be signed into it - AND- have a membership in your shopping cart in order to view "ADD TO CART" buttons below courses. How do you know if you are signed in? You will see "Welcome, YourFirstName" in the upper left side of the page, under the OLLI at Pitt logo.

Abstracting the Landscape - Painting Approaches
In this hands-on studio course, members will explore various approaches to simplifying and abstracting landscapes. Through a series of exercises using acrylic paint, composition, format, focus, value, and color palette will be addressed. Nature is extremely complex with numerous shapes, details, and colors. It is impossible to capture it all in a work of art! Rather, it is the task of the artist to simplify and interpret the view and to hone in on what will convey the essence of a scene. This course will give participants the tools to begin the journey!
Show Description
Instructor: Ann Rosenthal Fee: $0.00
Dates: 5/17/2023 - 7/26/2023 Days: W Times: 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM Sessions: 10
THIS IS A TEN-WEEK COURSE

THIS CLASS WILL MEET OVER ZOOM
This class meets on May 17, 24, 31; June 7, 14, 28; July 5, 12, 19 and 26.

Advanced Conversational Spanish
Members may take only one level of Spanish per term.

This course is appropriate for participants who are comfortable and successful at communicating in Spanish and want to further develop their reading and conversational skills. Participants are expected to be able to use present, past, and future tenses, and have significant vocabulary and understanding of syntax (or have successfully completed Intermediate Spanish). The course is taught in Spanish and focuses on analyzing and discussing reading material. Weekly class material is provided. Please note that this course is often taken several times and is a versatile course that includes different class material under the same goals and objectives every term.

Show Description
Instructor: Maria Franco de Gomez Fee: $0.00
Dates: 5/18/2023 - 7/27/2023 Days: Th Times: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM Sessions: 10
THIS IS A TEN-WEEK COURSE

THIS CLASS WILL MEET OVER ZOOM
This class will meet on May 18, 25; June 1, 8, 15, 29; July 6, 13, 20 and 27.

Advanced Intermediate French Exploration: Miscellaneous Topics
This course is designed for those who have taken several French courses and are interested in strengthening their comprehension skills. Each week’s lesson centers on a selected topic with the goal of building and recalling useful vocabulary. The class is conducted, for the most part, in French. No text is required.

Show Description
Instructor: Cathleen Sendek-Sapp Fee: $0.00
Dates: 5/16/2023 - 8/1/2023 Days: Tu Times: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM Sessions: 10
THIS IS A TEN-WEEK COURSE

THIS CLASS WILL MEET OVER ZOOM
This class will be held on May 16, 23, 30; June 6, 13, 27; July 11, 18, 25 and Aug 1.

American Civics 101 - "A Crash Course"
Just imagine if you now had to take a government civics test every year to remain a U.S. citizen… would you be able to pass? Could you identify the co-equal branches of government and what their functions and responsibilities are? What is the purpose of the electoral college? Do you know your Congressional representatives? American Civics 101 is a timely five-part discussion that provides a simple but comprehensive path to understanding what every person applying for U.S. citizenship today needs to know… how our U.S. government works!
Show Description
Instructor: Alan Perper Fee: $0.00
Dates: 5/8/2023 - 6/12/2023 Days: M Times: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM Sessions: 5
THIS CLASS WILL MEET OVER ZOOM
This class will meet on May 8, 15, 22; June 5 and 12.

At Home with Your Apple Macintosh Computer
This course will take advantage of Zoom to enable members to learn more about their Mac computers. This course will cover the operating systems currently being used by Macs that are 8 years old or newer (roughly OS X 10.13 through MacOS Big Sur 11). The object of the sessions will be to enable members to better understand their computers so they can be more productive. Participants will explore the intricacies of the Finder and many of the current Apple applications.

Show Description
Instructor: Richard Fitzgibbon Fee: $0.00
Dates: 6/27/2023 - 8/1/2023 Days: Tu Times: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Sessions: 5
THIS CLASS WILL MEET OVER ZOOM
This class will meet on June 27; July 11, 18, 25 and Aug 1.

Beginning Level French: Everyday Vocabulary
In this 10-week beginning level course, our focus will be on building up a bank of everyday vocabulary. Supporting grammar structures will also be presented to allow participants to learn how to apply those words to communicate across a variety of situations.

Show Description
Instructor: Cathleen Sendek-Sapp Fee: $0.00
Dates: 5/16/2023 - 8/1/2023 Days: Tu Times: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Sessions: 10
THIS IS A TEN WEEK COURSE

THIS CLASS WILL MEET OVER ZOOM
This class will be held on May 16, 23, 30; June 6, 13, 27; July 11, 18, 25 and Aug 1.

Beginning Spanish
Members may take only one level of Spanish per term.

This beginning course will introduce members to Spanish greetings, introductions, questions, answers, and basic vocabulary. Each class will also include a cultural element where holidays, festivals, food, sports, and dialects in different Spanish-speaking regions and countries are discussed. The course will include listening and speaking practice as well as some basic reading and writing.

Show Description
Instructor: Jacklyn Prepelka Fee: $0.00
Dates: 5/18/2023 - 7/27/2023 Days: Th Times: 4:15 PM - 5:45 PM Sessions: 10
THIS IS A TEN-WEEK COURSE

THIS CLASS WILL MEET OVER ZOOM
This class will meet on May 18, 25; June 1, 8, 15, 29; July 6, 13, 20 and 27.

Better Balance! Steady and Strong
Are you looking for an exercise program designed to improve your everyday life? This course, led by a physical therapist, will focus on balance and core strengthening exercises. Come join the fun and learn a program designed to improve your posture and daily function, while also decreasing your risk of falls and injury.

No special equipment is needed, and most of the exercises are completed standing. No part of the program involves getting up and down from the floor. This program is suitable for beginners yet appropriate for those with more exercise experience as it can be adapted to fit individual needs.

Show Description
Instructor: Diane Markovitz Fee: $0.00
Dates: 5/18/2023 - 7/27/2023 Days: Th Times: 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Sessions: 10
THIS IS A TEN-WEEK CLASS

THIS CLASS WILL MEET OVER ZOOM
This class will meet on May 18, 25; June 1, 8, 15, 29; July 6, 13, 20 and 27.

Chair Yoga
This gentle form of yoga is practiced using a chair as a prop/stabilizer for support during standing poses or adapted for sitting on a chair. It is especially beneficial for people concerned with balance or coordination issues or those who have felt they are unable to participate in other yoga experiences. The class includes poses for strength training, mobility in the joints, and more relaxing poses to help steady the mind. Opportunities to intensify, with modifications to make the poses more accessible, will be offered throughout the course so that participants learn to adapt to their personal situations and comfort as well as challenge themselves. The course is appropriate for all levels.

Show Description
Instructor: Susan Gillis Kruman Fee: $0.00
Dates: 5/8/2023 - 7/31/2023 Days: M Times: 12:00 PM - 12:55 PM Sessions: 10
THIS IS A TEN-WEEK COURSE

THIS CLASS WILL MEET OVER ZOOM
This class will meet on May 8, 15, 22; June 5, 12, 26; July 10, 17, 24 and 31.

Chakra Yoga: All Levels
This course moves through traditional yoga poses (or asanas) that align each individual chakra, moving up the spine from the root chakra to the crown chakra. Chakras are energy centers located across different points on our spinal column. When energy becomes blocked in a chakra, it triggers physical, mental, or emotional imbalances that manifest in symptoms such as anxiety, lethargy, or poor digestion. This class is for members who like fluid, mindful practice that links alignment, movement, and breath. Participants should wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing and have a yoga mat.

Show Description
Instructor: Jill Clary Fee: $0.00
Dates: 5/17/2023 - 7/26/2023 Days: W Times: 10:15 AM - 11:15 AM Sessions: 10
THIS IS A TEN-WEEK COURSE

THIS CLASS WILL MEET OVER ZOOM
This class meets on May 17, 24, 31; June 7, 14, 28; July 5, 12, 19 and 26.

Coming Darkness: The Rise of the Third Reich
This course will explore the origins of the Nazi Party in the aftermath of World War I and how Adolph Hitler rose to power in Germany and created a totalitarian state dedicated to racial purity, regional dominance, and deeply ingrained social control. Members will examine diverse topics such as the 1923 Beer Hall Putsch, the burning of the Reichstag, the night of the long knives, the emergence of concentration camps, Nazi art and architecture, the night of broken glass, and many other topics.
Show Description
Instructor: Jared Day Fee: $0.00
Dates: 5/17/2023 - 6/7/2023 Days: W Times: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Sessions: 4
THIS IS A FOUR WEEK COURSE

THIS CLASS WILL MEET OVER ZOOM
This class will meet on May 17, 24, 31 and June 7.

Contemporary Asian Architecture: Japan
This is the second of three courses exploring the contemporary architects of Asia. In this course, members will explore the rich variety of work by Japanese architects, beginning with Pritzker Award-winning architect, Tadeo Ando. Whereas China offers architects land to build on in an under-developed countryside, Japanese architects must deal with densely populated cites and a highly developed countryside. Unlike the architects working in China, many Japanese architects have a much more international practice. Class discussion will bring important points of view to the class. Members need not have taken the first part to take this course.
Show Description
Instructor: Jeffrey Swoger Fee: $0.00
Dates: 6/27/2023 - 8/1/2023 Days: Tu Times: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM Sessions: 5
THIS CLASS WILL MEET OVER ZOOM
This class will meet on June 27; July 11, 18, 25 and Aug 1.

Contemporary Economic Policy Issues
Economics plays a vital role in the functioning of every aspect of society. This course will address a set of prominent policy issues where economics is at its core. Members will explore their origins as policy matters, the underlying data and evidence, and what policy levers are available to deal with them. Lectures will be standalone, taught by subject matter experts, all of whom have a PhD in Economics. Potential topics include climate change, healthcare economics, economic inequality, and more. The topics presented will address the most current events at the time of the course.

Show Description
Instructor: Jon Haveman Fee: $0.00
Dates: 5/17/2023 - 6/14/2023 Days: W Times: 3:15 PM - 4:45 PM Sessions: 5
THIS CLASS WILL MEET OVER ZOOM
This class will meet on May 17, 24, 31; June 7 and 14.

Creating the City of Champions: Pittsburgh's Sports History
Pittsburgh bleeds black and gold—the city's colors are reflected in the uniforms worn by their professional athletes. Sports is part of the identity of the region and the story Pittsburgh residents project to the world. This course unpacks that history, telling the stories of the legends and unsung heroes, the almost forgotten and the unforgettable. But the region’s sports history is about more than just wins and losses; it is interwoven with stories of immigration, industry, business, and touches on issues as varied as integration, civil rights, politics, and urban renewal. Relive the great moments and memories, but also learn about the lesser-known chapters of this story and the relevance of sports to understanding the history of the Pittsburgh region.
Show Description
Instructor: Anne Madarasz Fee: $0.00
Dates: 5/18/2023 - 6/15/2023 Days: Th Times: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Sessions: 5
THIS CLASS WILL MEET OVER ZOOM
This class will meet on May 18, 25; June 1, 8 and 15.

Cuban Art: Expression of the Collective
Cuban art is the genuine expression of the condition of life for the people who live in Cuba. It is impossible to talk about Cuban art without mentioning the socio-political environment in which it was created. In this course, members will learn about Cuban visual arts in various stages of the country’s history and a range of styles and ways it approaches the reality of life in such a complicated environment. Members will explore the works of different artists, watch short interviews, read articles about Cuban art, and explore fragments of cinema, literature, and music to approach the culture in a holistic way.
Show Description
Instructor: Darwin Estacio Martinez Fee: $0.00
Dates: 5/8/2023 - 6/12/2023 Days: M Times: 3:15 PM - 4:45 PM Sessions: 5
THIS CLASS WILL MEET OVER ZOOM
This class will meet on May 8, 15, 22: June 5 and 12.

Cultural History of NYC, Part I: From Mannahatta to the Gilded Age
Starting out as “Mannahatta,” a bountiful Native American hunting and fishing ground, the island at the mouth of the Hudson has gone from the small commercial venture of Dutch New Amsterdam to the rough and tumble of British colonial New York, to a brief stint as Federal capital of the United States, to its more enduring role as cultural and economic engine of “the capital of capitalism.” The course will explore the great public and private projects that define its character: the grid plan of the city streets, the Erie Canal, Central Park, Brooklyn Bridge, the Statue of Liberty, and Ellis Island. Members will encounter the notorious Five Points slum and reflect on the tensions and contradictions of the Civil War Draft Riots, concluding with an overview of the splendid arts of New York's "Gilded Age" and the sobering story of How the Other Half Lived.
Show Description
Instructor: George Scheper Fee: $0.00
Dates: 5/17/2023 - 6/14/2023 Days: W Times: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM Sessions: 5
THIS CLASS WILL MEET OVER ZOOM
This class will meet on May 17, 24, 31; June 7 and 14.

Cures, Contagions, Curses: Ancient Mediterranean Medicine
This course will explore medicine of the ancient Mediterranean world, spanning from Egypt and Babylon to the empires of Greece and Rome. Members will examine diagnosis, pragmatics of treatments, theories of the body and disease, and the lives of many mythical and historical medical professionals. Then, members will study the alternative forms of treatment available to the ailing of the ancient Mediterranean—which most frequently included licit religious interventions, or even illicit magical ones. The class will also assess modern scholarship on ancient plagues and their effect on society, both then and now.
Show Description
Instructor: Marcie Persyn Fee: $0.00
Dates: 6/26/2023 - 7/31/2023 Days: M Times: 3:15 PM - 4:45 PM Sessions: 5
THIS CLASS WILL MEET OVER ZOOM
This class will meet on June 26; July 10, 17, 24 and 31.

Dance and Be Fit
This course engages all age groups and all ability levels with fun and easy dance and fitness routines. Learning basic dance and fitness moves will help participants take more steps toward a healthier lifestyle and to get moving. No experience or specific skills are needed. The course is great for beginners as well as veteran dancers. It can be adapted to anyone’s unique needs.

Show Description
Instructor: Roland Ford Fee: $0.00
Dates: 5/19/2023 - 7/28/2023 Days: F Times: 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Sessions: 10
THIS IS A TEN WEEK COURSE

THIS CLASS WILL MEET OVER ZOOM
This class will meet on May 19, 26; June 2, 9, 16, 30; July 7, 14, 21 and 28.

Demystifying Common Medical Conditions II: Laypersons’ Guide
Have you ever wanted to understand how diseases affect the body but thought you needed a medical degree to do so? Not anymore! This course will explain the science of common medical conditions in an easy-to-understand format. The presentation will include how the disease alters the normal function of the body and how the disease is diagnosed and treated. This course is geared to the person with little or no medical experience or knowledge. Members will understand how the body works and appreciate the complexity of its systems, empowering them to advocate for themselves and their loved ones. This is the second course in this series, and it will cover different conditions than those presented in the first course (e.g., eye and lung conditions). Taking the first course is not a requirement and is not necessary to enjoy this second course.
Show Description
Instructor: Dolores Gonthier Fee: $0.00
Dates: 6/27/2023 - 8/1/2023 Days: Tu Times: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM Sessions: 5
THIS CLASS WILL MEET OVER ZOOM
This class will meet on June 27; July 11, 18, 25 and Aug 1.

Developing Your Emotional Intelligence
Do you know someone who excels in people skills? It is likely that they have an elevated level of emotional intelligence. However, emotional intelligence is not just about excelling in relationships with others but also awareness of one’s own emotions. This session guides members in learning to recognize their emotions and ways to control them. These insights will build members' awareness about why they act the way they do in certain instances. Members will gain the skills to unlock the key to better relationships with family, friends, colleagues, and new contacts.
Show Description
Instructor: Esther Jackson Fee: $0.00
Dates: 6/26/2023 - 7/31/2023 Days: M Times: 3:15 PM - 4:45 PM Sessions: 5
THIS CLASS WILL MEET OVER ZOOM
This class will meet on June 26; July 10, 17, 24 and 31.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Prison Poems: Hope and Courage
“Who am I?” is a question Dietrich Bonhoeffer asked in a poem written from a Nazi prison in Berlin. Born in 1906, Bonhoeffer was a German Lutheran pastor and theologian. A fierce opponent of the Nazis, he was imprisoned in 1943 for participation in attempts to assassinate and overthrow Hitler. He was executed by hanging in 1945, just weeks before the Allies liberated his prison. A prolific writer, he wrote only ten poems—all composed during his imprisonment. This course will explore Bonhoeffer’s poetry as a window into Nazi Germany, and the courage and hope portrayed by Bonhoeffer and other Nazi resisters.
Show Description
Instructor: David Fetterman Fee: $0.00
Dates: 6/27/2023 - 8/1/2023 Days: Tu Times: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Sessions: 5
THIS CLASS WILL MEET OVER ZOOM
This class will meet on June 27; July 11, 18, 25 and Aug 1.

Drawing: The First Step
Members will practice drawing as their own art form and as a first step to painting or other 2D art forms. In addition to drawing, members will concentrate on universal art concepts such as value, composition, perspective, and what makes a strong work of art. Each class will start with a demonstration or discussion, then members will work on their own projects. Members must bring their own items and/or photos for reference.

Show Description
Instructor: Melissa Tai Fee: $0.00
Dates: 5/17/2023 - 7/26/2023 Days: W Times: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Sessions: 10
THIS IS A TEN-WEEK COURSE

THIS CLASS WILL MEET OVER ZOOM
This class meets on May 17, 24, 31; June 7, 14, 28; July 5, 12, 19 and 26.

Dynamic Watercolors and Gouache
Members can pop their paintings with transparent watercolors and opaque gouache (watercolors) on toned paper. Many well-known artists use this combination of paint to enhance their work: Turner, Sargent, and Homer. Members will learn how to layer transparency and opaque color, feel the freedom of using opaque white and being able to go back and forth from light to dark or dark to light. Bergstrom’s six tubes of paint will be used with the addition of gouache colors or just white gouache paint to mix with to create opaque colors.
Show Description
Instructor: Elaine Bergstrom Fee: $0.00
Dates: 5/8/2023 - 7/31/2023 Days: M Times: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Sessions: 10
THIS IS A TEN-WEEK COURSE

THIS CLASS WILL MEET OVER ZOOM
This class will meet on May 8, 15, 22; June 5, 12, 26; July 10, 17, 24 and 31.

Film and The Other Arts
In this course, members will examine the relationship between the medium of film and the other arts. Thus, classes will focus on such topics as the intersection of film and literature, painting, opera, theater, design, and dance. For each class, a feature film will be assigned (to stream prior to class) and supplemented by excerpts from experimental and documentary films shown during the class session. Cinema will be emphasized as an interdisciplinary/intermedial form that easily draws on many artistic sources (will they be generally available or netflix only?).
Show Description
Instructor: Lucy Fischer Fee: $0.00
Dates: 6/27/2023 - 8/1/2023 Days: Tu Times: 3:15 PM - 4:45 PM Sessions: 5
THIS CLASS WILL MEET OVER ZOOM
This class will meet on June 27; July 11, 18, 25 and Aug 1.

Forward to the Past: Social and Political Impact of 60’s Popular Music
This course will explore how the sociology and politics of the revolutionary 1960’s decade shaped popular music, and how music may have altered history. Guest lecturers with expertise in various subjects are included. Attendees will follow the evolution of 1960’s music as a unique art form and a social force. The subject matter will be explored through lectures, Powerpoint presentations and selected YouTube videos with discussion. A handout will be provided each week outlining the material for the day.

Show Description
Instructor: David Crippen Fee: $0.00
Dates: 6/26/2023 - 7/31/2023 Days: M Times: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM Sessions: 5
THIS CLASS WILL MEET OVER ZOOM
This class will meet on June 26; July 10, 17, 24 and 31.

Frederick Douglass and the Long Road to Freedom
In 1845, the fugitive slave, acclaimed orator, and abolitionist activist Frederick Douglass published his bestselling memoir, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, Written by Himself. In this class, members will analyze the text as an aesthetic reconstruction of a remarkable life that draws on the genres of sentimental fiction, bildungsroman (coming-of-age novel), and biblical epic to present a hero’s flight from bondage to freedom and self-possession. Members will approach Douglass’ graphic account of slavery as a rhetorical strategy intended to build and galvanize the international slave abolition movement. Finally, the class discussions will explore what Douglass’ Narrative has to offer philosophically and ethically about the nature and meaning of freedom for an individual life.
Show Description
Instructor: Agnes Malinowska Fee: $0.00
Dates: 5/8/2023 - 6/12/2023 Days: M Times: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM Sessions: 5
THIS CLASS WILL MEET OVER ZOOM
This class will meet on May 8, 15, 22: June 5 and 12.

Gentle Yoga
This course is geared for those new to yoga or those who are interested in a gentle practice. It includes a combination of meditation, breath work, and flowing movement intended for all abilities. This course offers nurturing, kindness, and compassion for the body, regardless of a participant’s physical abilities, age, or experience. You will experiment with balance, strength, flexibility, and stillness while practicing mindfulness and meditation techniques.

Show Description
Instructor: Jill Clary Fee: $0.00
Dates: 5/17/2023 - 7/26/2023 Days: W Times: 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Sessions: 10
THIS IS A TEN WEEK COURSE

THIS CLASS WILL MEET OVER ZOOM
This class meets on May 17, 24, 31; June 7, 14, 28; July 5, 12, 19 and 26.

Geology of America's National Parks
The National Parks of the United States are protected areas as designated by Congress. Each National Park is unique for its beauty, ecosystems, recreational opportunities, and geology. Explore the history and geology of our nation's National Parks. Each week the course will cover two different National Parks that will include Yellowstone, Great Smoky Mountains, Crater Lake, The Badlands, Arches, Acadia, Petrified Forest, Gettysburg (National Military Park), and many others!
Show Description
Instructor: Stephen Lindberg Fee: $0.00
Dates: 5/8/2023 - 6/12/2023 Days: M Times: 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM Sessions: 5
THIS CLASS WILL MEET OVER ZOOM
This class will meet on May 8, 15, 22: June 5 and 12.

Get Organized for Good!
Tired of too much stuff? Want to live a clutter-free, simpler lifestyle? Weekly interactive step-by-step decluttering and organizing instruction will be shared. Learn how NOT to accumulate, how to deal with current overflow, and identify unwanted items. Suggestions will be provided on how to create a lasting home, time organizational systems, and conquer paper piles. Finally, members will learn how to sort and organize all their photos (printed and digital) and memorabilia.
Show Description
Instructor: Jill Yesko Fee: $0.00
Dates: 6/26/2023 - 7/31/2023 Days: M Times: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Sessions: 5
THIS CLASS WILL MEET OVER ZOOM
This class will meet on June 26; July 10, 17, 24 and 31.

Great American Orations
Before social media, Americans found inspiration and challenges from such talented public speakers as Susan B. Anthony, Lucy Stone, Eleanor Roosevelt, Frederick Douglass, Eugene V. Debs, and Clarence Darrow. These speakers and their speeches will be considered in historical context.
Show Description
Instructor: John Burt Fee: $0.00
Dates: 5/16/2023 - 6/13/2023 Days: Tu Times: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Sessions: 5
THIS CLASS WILL MEET OVER ZOOM
This class will meet on May 16, 23, 30; June 6 and 13.

Great Great Musicals: Part I
Join us to view and reflect on five topics that explore the greatest in American musicals. We promise that members will leave the course with toes tapping and a song in their hearts. In this course, members will enjoy magical moments in non-musicals, Oscar winning musicals, American musicals set in foreign countries, jukebox musicals, and animated musicals.
Show Description
Instructor: Sam Caponegro Fee: $0.00
Dates: 5/19/2023 - 6/16/2023 Days: F Times: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Sessions: 5
THIS CLASS WILL MEET OVER ZOOM
This class will meet on May 19, 26; June 2, 9 and 16.

Great Great Musicals: Part II
Join us to view and reflect on five topics that explore the greatest in American musicals. We promise that members will leave the course with toes tapping and a song in their hearts. In this course, members will enjoy magical moments in non-musicals, Oscar winning musicals, American musicals set in foreign countries, jukebox musicals, and animated musicals.

Part I is not a prerequisite for this course.

Show Description
Instructor: Sam Caponegro Fee: $0.00
Dates: 6/30/2023 - 7/28/2023 Days: F Times: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Sessions: 5
THIS CLASS WILL MEET OVER ZOOM
This class will meet on June 30; July 7, 14, 21 and 28.

Great Summer Gardening Begins Now!
Pittsburgh's garden guru Doug Oster is back to help members have their best garden ever this summer. Doug will cover soil preparation, composting, planting, and garden tips and tricks he has picked up over 40 years of playing in the dirt. "Gardening should be fun," he says, and that is what he strives to share in every class.
Show Description
Instructor: Doug Oster Fee: $0.00
Dates: 5/16/2023 - 6/13/2023 Days: Tu Times: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM Sessions: 5
THIS CLASS WILL MEET OVER ZOOM
This class will meet on May 16, 23, 30; June 6 and 13.

Gustave Flaubert’s Madame Bovary, or the Scandals of the First “Desperate Housewife”
When traditional social and religious morals were reinforced by literature, Flaubert wrote a literary masterpiece that did the opposite. Madame Bovary originally earned notoriety because of its challenges to cultural platitudes and its subversion of the edifying role of literature. Members will take a deeper look into this realist account of the banal existence of a French housewife in 1850s Normandy and uncover the scandalous aspects that make this work an essential cultural and literary reference. These include Flaubert’s distinction between social success and personal fulfillment, his separation of beauty and esthetics from virtue and goodness, his innovative narrative style that signals the psychological novel of the 20th and 21st centuries, and his refusal to judge Emma Bovary for believing the stories she reads.
Show Description
Instructor: Hollie Harder Fee: $0.00
Dates: 5/17/2023 - 6/14/2023 Days: W Times: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM Sessions: 5
THIS CLASS WILL MEET OVER ZOOM
This class will meet on May 17, 24, 31; June 7 and 14.

Hearing: Elegant Biology Underlies Incredible Behaviors
Hearing is vital for the behaviors of many species, from human speech to songbird courtship. Biology inherent to audition is supremely elegant, and this course will explore how the biology of auditory systems underlies many behavioral feats. This course is technical (diving into biology!) and involves a mixture of lectures, discussion, and optional out-of-class reading. The course will begin with a neuroscience crash course and discussion of how biology defines our perceptions. Next, a brief overview of sound will be presented before focusing on the immaculate anatomy of the human ear and how incredible it is that we as a species hear anything. The course will then shift emphasis to the brain, auditory diseases, and novel treatments. The course will conclude with a survey of the impressive diversity of hearing across the animal kingdom from flies to bats.
Show Description
Instructor: Shawn Willett Fee: $0.00
Dates: 5/18/2023 - 6/15/2023 Days: Th Times: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM Sessions: 5
THIS CLASS WILL MEET OVER ZOOM
This class will meet on May 18, 25; June 1, 8 and 15.

History of Italian Cuisine: Traditions and Origins
This course is an introduction to Italian history and culture through the lens of Italian cuisine and its role in literature, historical texts, visual arts, and film. Members will examine the history of food culture and its sociocultural and socioeconomic impacts from antiquity to contemporary Italy.

Show Description
Instructor: Cinzia Delfini Fee: $0.00
Dates: 5/16/2023 - 6/6/2023 Days: Tu Times: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Sessions: 4
THIS IS A FOUR-WEEK COURSE

THIS CLASS WILL MEET OVER ZOOM
This class will meet on May 16, 23, 30 and June 6.

Intermediate Level French Exploration: Hypothetically Speaking
This course explores some of the verb tenses not covered in the past and present tense classes, and then applies them in various classroom activities. Class time may also include working with passages from selected secondary sources. This course is geared to students who are working to gain more ease in constructing sentences in French. Some prior knowledge of French is expected. Advanced speaking skills are not required.

Show Description
Instructor: Cathleen Sendek-Sapp Fee: $0.00
Dates: 5/19/2023 - 7/28/2023 Days: F Times: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Sessions: 10
THIS IS A TEN-WEEK COURSE

THIS CLASS WILL MEET OVER ZOOM
This class will meet on May 19, 26; June 2, 9, 16, 30; July 7, 14, 21 and 28.

Intermediate Spanish
Members may take only one level of Spanish during a term.
This course is appropriate for participants who are comfortable with basic Spanish conversation using the present tense (or students who had successfully completed several cycles of the “Beginner Spanish” course). The course focuses on the use of the past and future tense, more extensive vocabulary, and structures and syntax. At the end of the course, students are expected to feel comfortable with standard Spanish conversation. Please note that this course is often taken several times and is a versatile course that includes different class material under the same goals and objectives every term.
Show Description
Instructor: Maria Franco de Gomez Fee: $0.00
Dates: 5/18/2023 - 7/27/2023 Days: Th Times: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Sessions: 10
THIS IS A TEN-WEEK COURSE

THIS CLASS WILL MEET OVER ZOOM
This class will meet on May 18, 25; June 1, 8, 15, 29; July 6, 13, 20 and 27.

Landscape Photography
In this highly interactive course, members will learn landscape composition, exposure, lenses, depth-of-field, lighting, timing, HDR, photo editing, photographing different seasons, dealing with flare, shooting in snow, and much more.
Show Description
Instructor: Eli Vega Fee: $0.00
Dates: 5/16/2023 - 6/13/2023 Days: Tu Times: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Sessions: 5
THIS CLASS WILL MEET OVER ZOOM
This class will meet on May 16, 23, 30; June 6 and 13.

Listening to the Hebrew Prophets
Can you quote a prophet? In this age of fast-paced media and an inundation of voices, becoming more familiar with the ancient Hebrew prophets, who they were and what they preached as well as modern prophet-like voices, promises to inspire us to repair our world, focus on self-care, and seek holiness. While focused on the way that the Jewish community interfaces with the prophets, other religious voices are welcome as this class seeks to define just what makes a prophet.

Show Description
Instructor: Barbara Symons Fee: $0.00
Dates: 5/8/2023 - 6/5/2023 Days: M Times: 3:15 PM - 4:15 PM Sessions: 4
THIS IS A FOUR-WEEK COURSE

THIS CLASS WILL MEET OVER ZOOM
This class will meet on May 8, 15, 22 and June 5.

Music, Media, and the Counterculture in America 1950-1980
This class examines music, media, and culture at a time of profound social upheaval. The intersection where they met in post-WWII America was pivotal. The effect they had on each other was unprecedented and altered them in ways that still impact society today. At the core is a classic struggle between art and commerce, innovation and orthodoxy, freedom, and control. With a mix of lectures, audio-visual elements, music, and discussion, this course will study why it is a story worth remembering and retelling through our personal narrative of the time.
Show Description
Instructor: James Pagliasotti Fee: $0.00
Dates: 6/29/2023 - 7/27/2023 Days: Th Times: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM Sessions: 5
THIS CLASS WILL MEET OVER ZOOM
This class will meet on June 29; July 6, 13, 20 and 27.

Opera in Depth: The Barber of Seville
Participants will take a deep dive into The Barber of Seville, a comic opera of unbelievable energy, especially during the first act, in which nine of the most popular moments in all opera are packed into less than forty minutes of music. Why was Gioachino Rossini called "Signor Crescendo" and how could he write an opera in a few weeks? Why were some of the solo pieces in The Barber of Seville termed cavatinas and some arias? Explore the bel canto music in depth to appreciate the overture, the coloratura, the stretta, and the patter. Learn about the astonishing amount of history surrounding The Barber of Seville and the near fiasco opening night. Meet Rosina, the count, Dr. Bartolo, and the barber Figaro. Explore Figaro’s famous music and what a barber pole symbolizes. This course will even include some Rossini-inspired recipes.
Show Description
Instructor: Marilyn Egan Fee: $0.00
Dates: 6/28/2023 - 7/19/2023 Days: W Times: 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM Sessions: 4
THIS IS A FOUR-WEEK COURSE

THIS CLASS WILL MEET OVER ZOOM
This class will meet on June 28: July 5, 12 and 19.

Ovid’s Metamorphoses and Art
Note: This course has two sections: one online (Tuesdays) and one in-person (Thursdays). The course content is identical. Members may only sign up and only attend one version.

Ovid’s Metamorphoses has long been the most popular source of classical mythology – the stories of Pygmalion, Pyramus and Thisbe, Jupiter and Europa, Apollo and Daphne, Vulcan, Venus, Mars, and many more. Members will be reading the Metamorphoses during the semester – not all the stories, but enough of them to give a sense of the whole followed by discussion about the ways in which the stories have been interpreted through the years. Then, the course will discuss medieval and Renaissance art based on the stories: Veronese’s “Mars and Venus,” Titian’s “Two Venuses,” Pietro Perugino’s, “Apollo and Marsyas,” Titian’s “Rape of Europa,” paintings by Botticelli and Cranach, sculptures by Bernini – and even some Pre-Raphaelite things. Each week members will be notified in advance as to what stories will be discussed, so that they can read the relevant portions of the Metamorphoses. This reading will be helpful and rewarding, but not necessary.

Show Description
Instructor: H. David Brumble Fee: $0.00
Dates: 6/27/2023 - 8/1/2023 Days: Tu Times: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Sessions: 5
THIS CLASS WILL MEET OVER ZOOM
This class will meet on June 27; July 11, 18, 25 and Aug 1.

Ovid’s Metamorphoses and Art
Note: This course has two sections: one online (Tuesdays) and one in-person (Thursdays). The course content is identical. Members may only sign up and only attend one version.

Ovid’s Metamorphoses has long been the most popular source of classical mythology – the stories of Pygmalion, Pyramus and Thisbe, Jupiter and Europa, Apollo and Daphne, Vulcan, Venus, Mars, and many more. Members will be reading the Metamorphoses during the semester – not all the stories, but enough of them to give a sense of the whole followed by discussion about the ways in which the stories have been interpreted through the years. Then, the course will discuss medieval and Renaissance art based on the stories: Veronese’s “Mars and Venus,” Titian’s “Two Venuses,” Pietro Perugino’s, “Apollo and Marsyas,” Titian’s “Rape of Europa,” paintings by Botticelli and Cranach, sculptures by Bernini – and even some Pre-Raphaelite things. Each week members will be notified in advance as to what stories will be discussed, so that they can read the relevant portions of the Metamorphoses. This reading will be helpful and rewarding, but not necessary.

Show Description
Instructor: H. David Brumble Fee: $0.00
Dates: 6/29/2023 - 7/27/2023 Days: Th Times: 10:00 AM - 11:50 AM Sessions: 5
THIS CLASS WILL MEET IN-PERSON
This class will meet on June 29; July 6, 13, 20 and 27.

Racial and Cultural History of Math from Antiquity to 1500
Many Americans are unaware of critical innovations by non-Western and non-white societies in the development of mathematics from antiquity to the start of Western colonialism (~1500). This course will examine the role and advancement of math in ancient central and southern Africa, Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece, Rome, China, India, Arabia, and Mayan and Inca civilizations. The class will consist of lectures by the instructors and discussion. Class members are encouraged before the first class to watch the BBC documentary, “The History of Maths,” on Netflix, YouTube, or Prime Video.
Show Description
Instructor: Ralph Bangs, Juan Manfredi Fee: $0.00
Dates: 6/29/2023 - 7/27/2023 Days: Th Times: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Sessions: 5
THIS CLASS WILL MEET OVER ZOOM
This class will meet on June 29; July 6, 13, 20 and 27.

Reading Pearl Buck: The Good Earth and More
Winner of the 1932 Pulitzer Prize for Best Novel and the 1938 Nobel Prize for Literature, Pearl S. Buck was one of the most widely read and celebrated authors of the 20th century. During this course, we will read and discuss two of her novels to gain insight into her writing style and to learn more about Buck’s literary and personal legacies. Please join us for an in-depth exploration of two completely different works of fiction, The Good Earth and Command the Morning by this remarkable writer and global citizen.
Show Description
Instructor: Jay Cole Fee: $0.00
Dates: 5/8/2023 - 6/12/2023 Days: M Times: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Sessions: 5
THIS CLASS WILL MEET OVER ZOOM
This class will meet on May 8, 15, 22; June 5 and 12.

Reckoning in Berlin: The Fall of the Third Reich
This course tracks the fall of Hitler's Germany from 1939 to 1945 with its primary focus on Hitler's domestic political and foreign policy and military decisions. Members will explore the development of the so-called "final solution to the Jewish question" and the creation of the German empire as a series of differently organized vassal states with an equally diverse network of camps involving foreign workers, POWs, Jews and many other so-called "asocials." Participants will also follow the course of World War II with special focus on the war in Russia and Hitler's vision of what he planned to do with "living space" in the east.
Show Description
Instructor: Jared Day Fee: $0.00
Dates: 6/28/2023 - 7/19/2023 Days: W Times: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Sessions: 4
THIS IS A FOUR-WEEK COURSE

THIS CLASS WILL MEET OVER ZOOM
This class will meet on June 28; July 5, 12 and 19.

Redeeming Adam and Eve: Genesis 1-4 for the Modern Mind
Genesis 1-4, or the stories of creation, often serve as metaphors for sin, hubris, and conclusions regarding all that is wrong with rigid, puritanical approaches to the Bible. This class hopes to redeem these narratives from their stilted, often narrow interpretations through a slow and careful process of close readings. This approach leads to a deeper understanding regarding the biblical notions of creation, stewardship versus dominion, disobedience, original sin, divine cursing, the male-female dynamic, fratricide, and the nature of sin and mercy. Consideration of Jewish and Islamic beliefs alongside ancient Near Eastern analogs furthers appreciation for the narrative elegance of this ancient cosmological vision of the divine and humanity's role within that created order.
Show Description
Instructor: Sandra Collins Fee: $0.00
Dates: 5/8/2023 - 6/12/2023 Days: M Times: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Sessions: 5
THIS CLASS WILL MEET OVER ZOOM
TThis class will meet on May 8, 15, 22: June 5 and 12.

Roaming with a Sketchbook
Summertime observations are the perfect time of year to roam with a sketchbook around vacation spots, gardens, zoos, parks, and backyards. When it heats up, though, where can the artist sketch nature? Members will learn sketching techniques in class and explore inside and outside locations on their own.
Show Description
Instructor: Elaine Bergstrom Fee: $0.00
Dates: 6/29/2023 - 7/27/2023 Days: Th Times: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Sessions: 5
THIS CLASS WILL MEET OVER ZOOM
This class meets on June 29; July 6, 13, 20 and 27.

Russian Short Story
This course will provide a survey of the short story form in Russian literary history and a look at the development of Russian history and cultural movements. There will also be a special focus on the continuing importance of folkloric elements in Russian literature up to the present day as well as a focus on women’s writing.
Show Description
Instructor: Sabrina Robinson Fee: $0.00
Dates: 5/17/2023 - 6/14/2023 Days: W Times: 3:15 PM - 4:45 PM Sessions: 5
THIS CLASS WILL MEET OVER ZOOM
This class will meet on May 17, 24, 31; June 7 and 14.

Shipwrecks of Lake Erie
Lake Erie lives up to its mysterious name when it comes to historic shipwrecks. Diver Ric Mixter explores the largest ship lost, the worst storms to hit the lake, and a search for a shipwreck by one of Amelia Earhart's best friends. Members will also investigate ships lost carrying Onondaga salt, and “the most famous lumber port in the world,” Tonawanda.
Show Description
Instructor: Ric Mixter Fee: $0.00
Dates: 5/8/2023 - 6/12/2023 Days: M Times: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Sessions: 5
THIS CLASS WILL MEET OVER ZOOM
This class will meet on May 8, 15, 22: June 5 and 12.

Short Stories of the First World War
Scholars often describe the First World War as a “literary war,” remembered and described by a generation of educated, literate participants. However, the focus of these discussions often stops at novels and poetry. This class will look at some of the many magnificent short stories inspired by the Great War. Together, the class will read a selection of stories that negotiate the feelings of increased haste and uncertainty instilled by modern warfare, as well as the feelings of fear, grief, and dark humor that are all part of war. Each week, members will discuss the author of the story, examining how their unique wartime experiences inspired their writing and impacted their lives. The course will also consider the various aspects of the war that each story addresses, including changing gender and family roles, injury and trauma, wartime politics, and the work of remembering. This class will cover a range of genres and voices, providing a look at the diversity of voices and stories to emerge from this period.
Show Description
Instructor: Bridget Keown Fee: $0.00
Dates: 5/18/2023 - 6/15/2023 Days: Th Times: 3:15 PM - 4:45 PM Sessions: 5
THIS CLASS WILL MEET OVER ZOOM
This class will meet on May 18, 25; June 1, 8 and 15.

Singer-Songwriters
When singers perform music by other songwriters, they provide a particular interpretation of the circumstances and emotions expressed in the song. By contrast, songwriters who perform their own music can give a direct and authentic expression of that music as intended. Moreover, we are often impressed by these musicians who share their gifts as both composers and performers. In this course, members will examine the singer-songwriter's history and examples from various geographical regions.
Show Description
Instructor: Raymond Uy Fee: $0.00
Dates: 6/28/2023 - 7/26/2023 Days: W Times: 3:15 PM - 4:45 PM Sessions: 5
THIS CLASS WILL MEET OVER ZOOM
This class will meet on June 28: July 5, 12, 19 and 26.

Surviving and Thriving in A Volatile Stock Market
Given the difficulties of the economy and the stock market over the past few years, this course will focus on successful investing and personal finance strategies for navigating both booms and busts. The course will cover how investors can structure their portfolios to play either offense or defense (or both), ways to arrange the rest of their financial universe to best protect themselves from volatility, and best practices for seeking information and performing investment research. People can never know what the market will do next, but they CAN know how to react properly no matter what it does.
Show Description
Instructor: Aaron Leaman Fee: $0.00
Dates: 5/18/2023 - 6/15/2023 Days: Th Times: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM Sessions: 5
THIS CLASS WILL MEET OVER ZOOM
This class will meet on May 18, 25; June 1, 8 and 15.

The Book of Genesis in the Eyes of Great Artists
From the eleventh century doors of Hildesheim to the prints of Jacob Lawrence in the late 20th century, the artists of the Western tradition (and some from the Islamic world) have illustrated the stories of the Book of Genesis. Just think of Michelangelo's Sistine ceiling or Ghiberti's "Gates of Paradise" in Florence; the storytelling geniuses of the 17th century Rembrandt, Velazquez, and Poussin; or the incomparable depiction of the Tower of Babel by Pieter Brueghel. This class will match up the biblical texts in translation with the ever-evolving interpretations by these artists and others, both famous and less-known.
Show Description
Instructor: Nora Hamerman Fee: $0.00
Dates: 6/26/2023 - 7/31/2023 Days: M Times: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Sessions: 5
THIS CLASS WILL MEET OVER ZOOM
This class will meet on June 26; July 10, 17, 24 and 31.

Those Plucky Women of World War II
During World War II, 350,000 American women joined the Army, Navy, Coast Guard, and Army Air Corps. Many people disapproved of women in uniform, but the women persevered and outshone everyone’s expectations. From towing targets for live ammunition practice to nursing wounded men in France, these women responded wholeheartedly during their country’s time of need and helped to win the war. Kayleen Reusser, author of books on World War II, has compiled an assortment of stories from interviews with women who served in various branches. She will share these & photos taken from her book Born to Be Soldiers: Those Plucky Women of WWII.
Show Description
Instructor: Kayleen Reusser Fee: $0.00
Dates: 6/27/2023 - 8/1/2023 Days: Tu Times: 12:00 PM - 12:55 PM Sessions: 5
THIS CLASS WILL MEET OVER ZOOM
This class will meet on June 27; July 11, 18, 25 and Aug 1.

Understanding Andrew Carnegie
Andrew Carnegie may be the best-known name in Pittsburgh’s history, but the man and his legacy defy easy description. That is partly by design: Carnegie worked hard to define his legacy and control its complexities. Who was he, really? The immigrant workingman or the fabulously wealthy and successful industrialist? The merciless driver of workers or the builder of libraries? This course will explore the many Carnegies and the meaning of this complex individual’s life and work.
Show Description
Instructor: Peter Gilmore Fee: $0.00
Dates: 6/26/2023 - 7/31/2023 Days: M Times: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM Sessions: 5
THIS CLASS WILL MEET OVER ZOOM
This class will meet on June 26; July 10, 17, 24 and 31.

Woolf's Mrs. Dalloway and the Rise of Modernism
In response to new theories of the human mind, early twentieth-century writers developed stream-of-consciousness techniques revealing the thoughts and experiences of characters without the consistent direction of a conventional narrator. We will study Virginia Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway (1925) as an influential work in this literary movement termed Modernism. Taking place on one day in post-World War I London, the novel examines the thoughts and responses of Clarissa Dalloway and other characters. The novel invites readers to explore how one ordinary day can embody the whole of an individual's life—its possibilities as well as its disappointments and terrors. With a refrain from Shakespeare's play Cymbeline, the novel urges us to "fear no more" as we live our lives.
Show Description
Instructor: Norma Greco Fee: $0.00
Dates: 5/8/2023 - 6/12/2023 Days: M Times: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM Sessions: 5
THIS CLASS WILL MEET OVER ZOOM
This class will meet on May 8, 15, 22: June 5 and 12.

Zentangle (R): Tangled up in Nature
Using the meditative drawing practice of Zentangle (R), this course will explore designs in nature: backyards, gardens, parks, and wilderness. Abstract flowers, plants, insects, and critters will be drawn in various formats and media. While we primarily work with pen and pencil, some images will add color using watercolors or colored pencils. No previous experience or drawing skill is required—just a willingness to play and experiment.
Show Description
Instructor: Sue Schneider Fee: $0.00
Dates: 5/17/2023 - 7/26/2023 Days: W Times: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM Sessions: 10
THIS IS A TEN-WEEK COURSE

THIS CLASS WILL MEET OVER ZOOM
This class meets on May 17, 24, 31; June 7, 14, 28; July 5, 12, 19 and 26.

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