Osher Online Courses   

This course teaches how to critically read scientific studies by examining research design, interpretation, and the gap between findings and headlines.

Johnnie Hendrickson, PhD, is a chemistry professor at Arizona State University focused on science communication and author of Chemistry in the World.

This course offers a nontechnical exploration of planets, stars, and galaxies using vivid imagery from modern telescopes and space missions.

Andrew Fraknoi is a former astronomy department chair, award-winning educator, textbook author, and science communicator known for making astronomy accessible.

This course traces Apple’s 50-year evolution and its transformative impact on technology, design, and everyday life.

Leander Kahney is a longtime Apple journalist, author of six books, and editor of Cult of Mac

This course investigates art forgery 
and authentication through stories, 
scientific methods, and the hidden 
criminal side of the art world.

Christine Maasdam is an art crime-trained 
humanities scholar with experience in art 
law, appraisal, and museum education.

This course examines key plays from August Wilson’s American Cycle to explore African American culture and history across decades.

Ladrica Menson-Furr, PhD, is an African American literature scholar, author, and academic leader with expertise in Wilson’s work.

This course introduces core biological concepts while examining their societal, ethical, and real-world implications for non-scientists.

Eric Simon, PhD, is a biology professor, textbook author, and educator who integrates science with global travel and photography.

This course explores the history, beliefs, and social dynamics of new religious movements in America, challenging common misconceptions.

Kate Davis, PhD, is a scholar of religion, gender, and digital humanities and a professor specializing in North American religious movements.

This course examines early 20th century avant-garde movements and artists that led to the rise of abstraction in modern art.

This course explores the history of 
American roots and country music 
through influential artists and cultural 
developments.
Taylor Ackley, PhD, is a composer, 
ethnomusicologist, performer, and scholar of 
American roots music.

This course surveys American history through comedy, examining how humor reflects and shapes cultural and social change.

Eddy Friedfeld is a film historian, author, and professor who has collaborated with major entertainment figures and taught at leading institutions.

This course explores Mexico City’s cultural and historical evolution from Indigenous roots to modern political life.

William Beezley is a professor emeritus and acclaimed historian of Mexican culture, recognized for promoting it internationally.

This course examines midcentury modern architecture and design innovations shaped by postwar social change.

Eleanor Schrader is an award-winning educator, lecturer, and architectural historian with global teaching and consulting experience.

This course traces the development of the U.S. federal judiciary and the evolving power of the Supreme Court.

Lauren Andersen is a legal expert, former appellate attorney, and director of the Utah Judicial Institute.

This course explores the cultural, spiritual, 
and symbolic meanings of mountains 
across global societies and histories.

Jonathan Duncan is an experienced 
photojournalist, writer, and educator 
focused on human connections to nature.

This course examines the history, design, and cultural significance of North American kit homes.

Nigel Tate is an architectural historian and preservationist specializing in kit homes and their documentation.

This course analyzes the 1960s through influential speeches to better understand the decade’s historical impact.

Buck Benedict is a longtime public speaking instructor and award-winning educator formerly at the University of Pennsylvania.

This course explores the origins of the Beat Generation through key texts, figures, and historical context.

Kurt Hemmer is a professor, editor, and leading scholar of Beat literature and history.

This course examines British monarchy 
and political power through films that 
portray historical leadership and moral 
conflict.
Bernard “Butch” Epps is a film educator and 
producer trained at UCLA with expertise in 
story development and film analysis.

This course explores the history, cultural 
meaning, and preservation of Route 66 
as an iconic American symbol.

Peter Dedek, PhD, is a historian and author 
specializing in cultural landscapes and the 
built environment.

This course traces 3,500 years of global trade and supply chains from ancient shipping to modern logistics systems.

Scott Jones is a retired Navy captain and executive with extensive leadership in maritime, defense, and global trade sectors.

This course examines how music and songs shape storytelling and emotional impact in films across genres and eras.

Mike Agron is a former executive turned seminar leader specializing in music and entertainment storytelling.

This course explores how composers developed a distinct American sound across classical, Broadway, and film music traditions.

Emanuel Abramovits is a concert promoter and cultural programmer with extensive experience producing major musical events.

This course examines how DNA and genealogy influence identity, history, and politics in the Americas.

Angelo Cervantes is a genetic genealogist and researcher who founded the New Mexico DNA Project.

This course explores the evolution of presidential power and the changing role of the U.S. presidency.

John Kenneth White is a political scientist and author specializing in American politics and the presidency.