|
- 10905 Music from France for Voices and Organ
-
French music for voices and organ is regarded as being some of the most eloquent in history. Philip Brunelle will share his thoughts about this music and provide a demonstration on the pipe organ to show why a pipe organ makes it so special!
|
|
|
|
- 10906 Greco-Roman Women
-
Lectures and discussion of poets Sappho of Lesbos and Sulpicia of Rome, Greek tragic power-brokers, Ovidian victims, and their afterlife in the poetry of Rita Dove and the fiction of Toni Morrison.
|
|
|
|
- 10908 Favorite Sports Movies about Women & Men
-
Join us for discussions of favorite sports movies about women and men facilitated by Tom Rooney, George Dow, and Bonnie Nelson. Viewing parties will take place on Wednesday evening before each Thursday class discussion. The tentative lineup will include these movies: Nyad, Hoosiers, Chariots of Fire, Million Dollar Baby, Borg Vs. McEnroe, Changing the Game, and I, Tonya.
|
|
|
|
|
- 10909 Jim Croce: Singer, Songwriter, Storyteller
-
This course traces the music career of Jim Croce from his early years singing with wife Ingrid to his short but seminal career with Maury Muehleisen, his tragic death in an airplane crash, and the legacy carried on by the music of his son, A.J. Croce.
|
|
|
|
- 10911 The History of Theater
-
This survey of theater history will explore the stages, plays, and performing styles of theater past and present from Ancient Greek and Roman theatre to the medieval, Elizabethan, Restoration comedy and melodrama up through modern drama.
|
|
|
|
- 10912 Writing & Publishing Your Op-Ed
-
Dates: 4/2/2026 - 4/2/2026
Times: 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM
Day of Week: Th
Sessions: 1
Building: Online
Room: Zoom
Instructor: Julie Knopp
Fee: $0.00
Op-eds are a powerful way to share your voice and advocate for the issues you care about. In this class, you’ll develop the skills you need to craft a compelling op-ed and get it published in mainstream news. This class will cover: why op-eds are effective tools for change, tips and tricks for compelling readers to take action, and how to pitch your op-ed to editors and increase your chances of getting published. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned writer, this class will help you get your ideas in front of a wider audience and make an impact.
|
|
|
|
- 10914 I Pagliacci by Ruggero Leoncavallo
-
Dates: 5/7/2026 - 5/7/2026
Times: 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Day of Week: Th
Sessions: 1
Building: Online
Room: Zoom
Instructor: Daniel Freeman
Fee: $0.00
Ruggero Leoncavallo’s opera I Pagliacci of 1892 is the best-known representative of a trend in late 19th century opera known as verismo (“realism”). Whereas earlier operas in serious style typically depicted the emotional struggles of royals and aristocrats who lived in the distant past, there was suddenly a desire to craft operatic settings in contemporary times that explored the harsh living conditions of the underprivileged. In this case, the murder of the wife of a clown on suspicion of infidelity is the basis for a musical setting famed for its direct appeal and emotional intensity.
|
|
|
|
- 10917 Film Adaptation: The Short Story
-
This course will combine short fiction and film to examine some common questions of adaptation: how “faithful” to the literary source should a film be? What is gained or lost when moving from the written word to images? We will explore in depth three short stories by Canadian Nobel Prize winner Alice Munro from her collection Runaway, stories which were adapted into a film by the Spanish director Pedro Almodovar (Julieta, 2016). The instructor will provide PDF copies of the stories and we will view the film together in class. Required reading: Alice Munro, Runaway, Vintage, 2004.
|
|
|
|
- 10919 The Art of Seeing
-
Dates: 4/2/2026 - 4/30/2026
Times: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Day of Week: Th
Sessions: 5
Building: Amira-Minnetonka
Room: Community Room
Instructor: Carol Veldman Rudie
Fee: $0.00
This five-session class is designed to help nonartistic professionals see paintings more clearly through an understanding of the visual vocabulary that artists use. Each session focuses on a distinct aesthetic element: perspective, light, color, and composition. The capstone fifth session is done at TMORA to allow each participant an actual experience with an art piece. Attendance at all five sessions is required as content from each session builds on the previous.
|
|
|
|
- 10922 OLLI Scholar: Writing the Life Story
-
Dates: 4/2/2026 - 5/14/2026
Times: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Day of Week: Th
Sessions: 7
Building: Online
Room: Zoom
Instructor: Rebecca Kilroy
Fee: $0.00
What are the stories we tell about ourselves? How do we craft our life stories into compelling narratives? In this workshop, we'll consider examples by published authors and generate our own pieces using guided prompts. The course will introduce students to multiple modes of creative nonfiction including the personal essay, memoir, braided essays, and hybrid forms. We'll cover craft elements including setting, dialogue, pacing, and voice to encourage students to unlock their creativity and share their stories. Recommended reading: Bluets by Maggie Nelson, Wave Books, 2009; Long Live The Tribe of Fatherless Girls by T Kira Madden, Bloomsbury, 2019.
|
|
|
|
- 10931 Free Your Writing
-
Dates: 4/2/2026 - 5/14/2026
Times: 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Day of Week: Th
Sessions: 7
Building: Online
Room: Zoom
Instructor: Mary Jo Robinson-Jamison
Fee: $0.00
This course provides participants with opportunities to engage in playful experiments with words on the page during free writing. By slowing down and paying attention to whatever turns up, participants can expect to hone their observational skills. Opportunities to share writing are provided but not required. The last three sessions will center on free writing done by participants between classes. Listeners will be asked to tell us exactly where in the piece they felt surprise, interest, wonder or the desire to ask the reader a question.
|
|
|
|
- 20620 CANCELLED Adapting to Climate Change CANCELLED
-
Dates: 4/9/2026 - 4/23/2026
Times: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Day of Week: Th
Sessions: 3
Building: Online
Room: Zoom
Instructor: Fred Rose
Fee: $0.00 (if any, due after allocation)
THIS COURSE WAS CANCELLED AFTER COURSE GUIDE WENT TO PRINT.
We all know the climate is changing. How much it will change depends on many factors globally. However, impacts are happening now and will only increase. How can we as individuals and communities adapt and build resilience in our life? This course will briefly cover climate change factors and mitigation strategies. The majority of the course will focus on projected impacts, community climate adaptation planning, and active steps we can take now as individuals and community members. This course is different from Fred Rose’s previous OLLI course about climate change and there is no prerequisite.
|
|
|
|
|
- 20621 Thinking Like a Hacker in the Age of AI
-
The accelerating evolution of technology, specifically AI, has created a meta-system so complex and intertwined with all domains of human life that it effectively operates on a meta-level, shaping our reality and exceeding our control. To operate effectively inside this machine intelligence-human intelligence symbiosis, we must learn to think differently. We must adopt a “hacker” mindset – thinking critically, creatively, and systematically – to navigate this new reality.
|
|
|
|
- 20624 OLLI Scholar: What’s in your lake? The Challenge of Aquatic Invasive Species
-
With over 100 aquatic invasive species (and counting!) in the Great Lakes region, there is a critical need to understand and address this growing crisis. From zebra mussels to common carp, this course will explore how aquatic invasive species spread, their ecological and economic impacts, and the challenges and decisions involved in managing them. Participants will also gain hands-on experience in identifying common invasive plants and animals found in Minnesota lakes and rivers, and explore practical steps that individuals and communities can take to help prevent their spread. Recommended reading: The Costs of Aquatic Invasive Species to Great Lakes States by PL Anderson et al, Anderson Economical Group, 2012.
|
|
|
|
- 20625 OLLI Scholars: The Power of the Invisible: Viruses and Cold-Climate Microbes
-
Are viruses alive? Why should melting glaciers matter to me? This course explores the invisible life shaping our planet. Sessions 1–3 cover what viruses are, how they differ from other microorganisms, how they spread, and how vaccines and antivirals help us fight them. Sessions 4–6 shift to polar and alpine microbes, revealing their hidden roles in Earth’s climate, their mysterious traits, and how global change threatens these fragile ecosystems. Real-life examples, audiovisual material, and hands-on activities will be included in this amazing course. Recommended reading: Virus: An Illustrated Guide to 101 Incredible Microbes by Marilyn J. Roossinck; Spillover: Animal Infections and the Next Human Pandemic by David Quammen.
|
|
|
|
- 31207 Times v. Sullivan: Past, Present, and Future of a Landmark Libel Ruling
-
A look at the impact of and modern-day challenges to the granddaddy of U.S. libel law, the 1964 Times vs. Sullivan ruling. Rooted in the American Civil Rights Movement and responsible for protecting those who criticize public officials, the actual-malice standard established in this landmark Supreme Court case has more recently been criticized by Clarence Thomas and other conservative judges who say it goes too far and should be scaled back or thrown out.
|
|
|
|
|
- 31208 OLLI After Hours - The Cuban Revolution in Its Own Words
-
In spite of all the challenges Cuba continues to face, what explains why the Cuban Revolution is still in place after six decades? How was the revolution made and consolidated—from 1953 until about 1969—and, second, how has it been able to survive and advance since the collapse of the Soviet Union?
|
|
|
|
- 40293 Anticipatory Grief
-
Dates: 5/14/2026 - 5/14/2026
Times: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Day of Week: Th
Sessions: 1
Building: Online
Room: Zoom
Instructor: Allison Breininger
Fee: $0.00
As we move through life and all its challenges, it can be hard to not think about the future and what it may or may not hold. In doing so, it is common to experience anticipatory grief, in which we mourn the loss of loved ones while they are still here, grieve the future that is no longer available to us, and even have feelings of grief about our own end of life. In this interactive session, we will dig into this term, discuss how and when these feelings emerge for us, and how we can cope when they do.
|
|
|
|
- 40297 Cutting the Cable/Satellite TV Cord: The Basics
-
Dates: 5/7/2026 - 5/14/2026
Times: 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Day of Week: Th
Sessions: 2
Building: Amira-Minnetonka
Room: Community Room
Instructor: Bill Jackson
Fee: $0.00
TV viewing is rapidly migrating from traditional satellite/cable TV services to an increasing reliance on internet TV streaming options. This two-session class will candidly overview the issues, opportunities, and best options for tailoring your personal TV streaming setup. Session 1 will overview streaming pros and cons, equipment and content options, costs, and specific decisions and actions required. Session 2 includes a demo of a typical streaming setup and will discuss several different best practice strategies to tailor your setup to your budget and viewing priorities.
|
|
|
|
- 40300 Starting in your Backyard: How Your Actions Can Improve Minnesota’s Outdoors
-
In this course, we will explore the critical topic of how actions in our own backyards support clean water, migratory birds, pollinators, and resilient ecosystems. Great River Greening is Minnesota's leader in nature-based climate solutions through land restoration. In an engaging panel discussion focusing on native plants and gardening, our expert ecologists will connect your everyday actions to conservation efforts throughout Minnesota. No matter your experience level, you will learn tangible steps - both big and small – to make a positive impact on the environment in your community and beyond!
|
|
|
|
- 40304 At-the-U Spring Lecture Series
-
Dates: 4/2/2026 - 5/14/2026
Times: 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM
Day of Week: Th
Sessions: 7
Building: Online
Room: Zoom
Instructor: Laura Peterson
Fee: $0.00
April 2: Where Science Meets The Sky: The Evolution of Raptor Care and Conservation at the World Renowned Raptor Center of the University of Minnesota
Lori Arent, M.S., is the Assistant Director of The Raptor Center in the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Minnesota.
April 9: The Power of Ordinary Magic: How Do Children Overcome Adversity?
Dr. Ann Masten is the Regents Professor Emerita at the University of Minnesota’s Institute of Child Development and author of Ordinary Magic: Resilience in Development (2025, Guilford Press.)
April 16: Immunotherapy: A Game-Changer for Cancer Patients
Dr. Christopher Pennell is the Associate Director of Education for The Masonic Cancer Center at the University of Minnesota and Professor of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology for the UMN Medical School.
April: 23: Exploring Antarctica’s Future and World Sea Level Rise by Ice Coring into the Past
Dr. Peter Neff is an Assistant Professor with the Department of Soil, Water and Climate at the University of Minnesota
April 30: How Your Favorite Childhood Stories Came to Life
Dr. Lisa von Drasek is the Mirankanter Family Curatorial Chair of the Kerlin Collection, Children’s Literature Research Collections at the University of Minnesota Libraries.
May 7: The Internationally Recognized Institute of Community Integration, Celebrating 40 Years
Dr. Amy Hewitt is the Director of The Institute of Community Integration and Professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Minnesota.
May 14: Encore Adulthood: Opportunities and Challenges
Dr. Phyllis Moen is a Professor Emerita in the Department of Sociology at the University of Minnesota & Cornell University. She is also a McKnight Endowed Presidential Chair.
Kate Schaefers, PhD, LP, is the Director of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute and The Midlife Academy in the College of Continuing and Professional Studies at the University of Minnesota.
|
|
|
|
- 50149 Lunch Around the World III
-
Dates: 4/9/2026 - 5/7/2026
Times: 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Day of Week: Th
Sessions: 5
Building: Various Locations
Room: Field based - Multiple locations
Instructor: Karen Koepp
Fee: $0.00
In-Person
If you love tasting and learning about the foods of other countries and continents, this one’s for you. Explore five world cuisines, one lunch at a time, starting with a lunch meeting at which we choose four more ethnic restaurants to visit. Participants all do a bit of homework: looking into at least one of our chosen cuisines and cultures and reporting their findings to the others.
Course Full and Waitlist Closed.
|
|
|
|
|
- 50153 Minnesota Museum of American Art's Queering Indigeneity
-
Queering Indigeneity (QI) is a new exhibit at the Minnesota Museum of American Art. This exhibit celebrates the vision and diversity of 2-Spirit, Native Queer, gender expansive artists in the Upper Midwest. QI is the result of a multi-year partnership with Penny Kagigebi (White Earth Ojibwe) and the Minnesota Museum of American Art. The goal of this partnership is Kagigebi’s hope to influence the types of artists who are supported, seen, and centered at the museum, and to show both Indigenous and non-Indigenous visitors a more comprehensive and complex story of this region’s art and artists.
|
|
|
|
- 50153 Minnesota Museum of American Art's Queering Indigeneity
-
Queering Indigeneity (QI) is a new exhibit at the Minnesota Museum of American Art. This exhibit celebrates the vision and diversity of 2-Spirit, Native Queer, gender expansive artists in the Upper Midwest. QI is the result of a multi-year partnership with Penny Kagigebi (White Earth Ojibwe) and the Minnesota Museum of American Art. The goal of this partnership is Kagigebi’s hope to influence the types of artists who are supported, seen, and centered at the museum, and to show both Indigenous and non-Indigenous visitors a more comprehensive and complex story of this region’s art and artists.
|
|
|
|
- 50153 Minnesota Museum of American Art's Queering Indigeneity
-
Queering Indigeneity (QI) is a new exhibit at the Minnesota Museum of American Art. This exhibit celebrates the vision and diversity of 2-Spirit, Native Queer, gender expansive artists in the Upper Midwest. QI is the result of a multi-year partnership with Penny Kagigebi (White Earth Ojibwe) and the Minnesota Museum of American Art. The goal of this partnership is Kagigebi’s hope to influence the types of artists who are supported, seen, and centered at the museum, and to show both Indigenous and non-Indigenous visitors a more comprehensive and complex story of this region’s art and artists.
|
|
|
|
