Friday   

In recent years, many authors have reimagined Pride and Prejudice (P & P) and written engaging alternatives. There are likely well over 2000 such novels. In this course, we shall use P & P as the base to examine the amazing varieties of alternative scenarios that have emerged, just in novels about the regency period. (No zombies or more unusual variations.) Recommended reading: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, any edition.

The little yellow house on Chute Square at University and Central Aves in Northeast Minneapolis has the unique history of being the first frame house built in what is now the city of Minneapolis. How did this all come about? What can this house teach us about the city's origins?

Join us to explore the fascinating genre of literature that is the novel in verse! Novels written in verse are engaging and accessible. The poetry format allows readers to immerse themselves in a special way in the story, feeling - not just reading - each word. We'll read 3-5 novels in verse over the course of our time together, specific numbers and titles dependent on group interest and hopes for the session. This course will focus primarily on young adult novels in verse written by authors of color with protagonists of color. Remember, YA Lit is NOT just for young adults! Required reading: Mascot by Charles Waters and Traci Sorell, Charlesbridge, 2023; The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo, Quill Tree Books, 2018; The Leaving Room by Amber McBride, Feiwel & Friends, 2025.

Join the OLLI community for a literature reading and panel discussion featuring OLLI Scholars, Course Leaders, and current members who write. Hear them read from their recent works of poetry, fiction, and memoir and discuss their writing process, sources of inspiration, and any other questions from the audience. The Liberal Arts Engagement Hub is located at 120 Pillsbury Hall, 310 Pillsbury Dr. S.E., Mpls, MN 55455. Parking information will be shared with participants ahead of the event. Option to meet for coffee and cake afterwards at Northrup. 

Expand on your knowledge or start from the beginning as we create art from our environment by creating a sketchbook journal. You will learn a sampling of watercolor and layout techniques to apply to your own art practice. Course materials fee: $15. Participants need to provide their own watercolor paints. 

This course presents a history of the city of Saint Paul centered around the people, places, and processes that conventional narratives have too often relegated to the margins of Minnesota’s history. All talks will be presented from St. Paul’s historic C.S.P.S. Hall at 383 Michigan Ave. St. Paul. Parking in lot off Michigan Ave. and free street parking. Take the elevator to the second floor.

April 3: History of Origins, the book (Joe Landsberger)

April 10: The French Connection: Selkirk migration/ metis settlement; Early Saint Paul (Mark Labine)

April 17: Streetscapes of the 19th and 20th Century April 24: River views: the Mississippi, Shepard Road neighborhoods, Navy code breakers to Sperry Univac

May 1: St. Paul Underground: caves, tunnels and geology (Greg Brick)

May 8: 19th Century brewing and derivative industries along West Seventh Street

May 15th: Volunteers: The City as Adversary; the City as Advocate

Recommended reading: Origin Story of Fort Road, West Seventh Street, the Township, City of Saint Paul, the Territory, State of Minnesota, Glacial Age Forward by Joe Landesberger, 2024.

Both the Allies and the Axis Powers made tremendous advances in technology during World War II. Scientists and engineers were called on to develop new technologies, solve emerging problems, and address the technology needs of the military. This course examines how technology changed the face and dynamics of war, including the development of radar, codebreaking, synthetic rubber, mass-produced penicillin and many more.

In this course, you will learn programming fundamentals to become a data science detective! We will be using a free programming software called R to produce insights about our lives through datasets. Beginning with collecting our own data, we will review key data science concepts including data reading, data wrangling, and various visualization strategies. Any background in programming is welcome in this course (including none!). By the end of the course, you will be able to answer the question: What can data tell me about my life? Recommended reading: Hands-On Programming with R (First edition) by G. Grolemund, G, O’Reilly Media, 2024; R for Data Science (2nd edition.) H. Wickham et al., O’Reilly, 2023.

Join us as we partner again with the Ramsey County Library, Global Minnesota, and the Foreign Policy Association for our annual Great Decisions series on the most critical international issues facing America. Study the issues and join the discussions led by expert speakers. Ten copies of the Briefing Book for this series are available for checkout through the generosity of Global Minnesota.

April 24 Ukraine and the Future of European Security With reduced U.S. support for NATO and Ukraine, Europe faces strategic uncertainty. What are America’s stakes in NATO and Europe’s strategic dilemmas, and how might Europe respond? Norma Noonan, PhD, is Professor Emerita of Political Science and Leadership Studies at Augsburg College.

May 8 U.S.-China Relations Relations with China remain tense, with tariffs, military modernization, and pressure on Taiwan. Does the US have a coherent China policy, and will tariffs on rare earth minerals be effective? What are America’s strategic options? Dr. Richard Leitch earned his BA in East Asian Studies from Colby College in 1985, an MA in Asian Studies from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign and a Ph.D. in Political Science from Illinois in 1995. He has been a member of the Political Science Department at Gustavus since 1996.

When Europeans entered the upper regions of the Mississippi Valley, they found immense forests. They started to cut them, first for personal and local use, then for the commercial industry that drove the economics of this area for several decades. How it was done, who was involved, what they were used for, and where and how they were shipped are all part of an amazing story. This course will deal with much of this era in photos, maps, stories, and the communities involved.

The Plato dialogue "The Lysis" is relatively short. It explores the differences and similarities between "friendship" and other forms of association, including “companionship,” “kinship,” and “erotic attachment.” It further explores the tension between self-love and “other-regarding” beneficence. The last session will compare the Lysis with Aristotle's discussion of friendship in the Nicomachean Ethics. Required reading: Plato's Dialogue on Friendship by David Bolotin, Cornell University

Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, a noted 20th-century paleontologist and Jesuit priest, spent his life trying to surmount the conflict between science and religion. His vision was of an evolving unity of matter and mind, worked out most completely in his book: The Phenomenon of Man. With its publication, he received worldwide acclaim for his challenge to traditional church teaching and for his call for spiritual renewal, soon to be reflected in documents from the Second Vatican Council. Required reading: The Phenomenon of Man by Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, 2008, Harper Perennial paperback.

This course provides an overview of how technological and social changes have shaped sports media with a focus on the present complicated digital environment. We will discuss the role of streaming services, the ethics of AI in sports journalism, the role of sports journalists in reporting on politics, and coverage of international events, as well as timely insights on the 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Games and local Minnesota examples! The course will combine active participation from the audience with lectures based on industry data and the latest research.

Cutting the cable or satellite TV cord and adopting internet-based TV streaming can be frustrating and confusing. There are so many options related to Wi-Fi services, equipment options, and literally thousands of potential apps and services. This course discusses how to improve and tailor your existing TV streaming setup to better meet your personal viewing and budget preferences. For students still primarily dependent on cable or satellite TV services, consider first enrolling in OLLI's two-session introductory class, "Cutting the TV Cord Basics: Pros & Cons and Best Options."

The Minnesota Museum of American Art’s exhibit Here Now showcases 150 selected works from the Museum’s permanent collection that explores the expanse of American identities and complexities. These tours, led by the Museum’s guides will investigate the lived experiences and creativity of the artists from many communities and cultures that have contributed to what we call American Art.

The Minnesota Museum of American Art’s exhibit Here Now showcases 150 selected works from the Museum’s permanent collection that explores the expanse of American identities and complexities. These tours, led by the Museum’s guides will investigate the lived experiences and creativity of the artists from many communities and cultures that have contributed to what we call American Art.