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NEW! The Crisis in the Sahel and the Collapse of Francafrique
Instructor: David Throup
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Day of the Week: F
Times: 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Dates: 4/10/2026 - 5/22/2026
Number of class sessions in this course: 7
Fee: $91.00
Course Location: OLLI at UVA (opens in new tab) - Terrace Level
Location Address: 1 Morton Drive, Terrace Level Charlottesville, VA 22903
Limit: 35
Course Description:
The course will examine the crisis in Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Chad, tracing the growth of jihadi strength from the defeat of Islamist forces in Algeria in the 2000s and the impact of the overthrow of the Gaddafi regime in Libya in 2011 on the Tuareg regions of the Sahel. It will trace the development of jihadist sentiment in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, the growth of anti-French sentiment, the decline of Francafrique, and the turn to the Wagner Group and other Russian forces. It will also discuss the impact of Boko Haram on southeastern Niger, northern Cameroon and southwestern Chad.
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A Sisterhood of Spies has reached 18 enrolled, maximum enrollment.
This is full, please add yourself to the WAIT LIST.
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OLLI staff monitor enrollment and work to open seats before 4/23/2026. We will contact those on the wait list to invite them to enroll when seats become available. Joining the wait list is free; if you are invited and choose to enroll, the $52.00 fee will be collected at that time.
- Date: 4/23/2026
- Day of the Week: Th
- Fees: $52.00
- Location: OLLI at UVA (opens in new tab) 1 Morton Drive, Terrace Level Charlottesville, VA 22903
“...The casual reader, or even a close student of history, would be forgiven for thinking that for most of its existence, only men worked at the Central Intelligence Agency. Not only that: very manly heterosexual men...” Liza Mundy, The Sisterhood This class will focus on women’s services in the CIA as spies at the end of WWII,during the Cold War, and as terrorist groups formed and acted after the breakup of the Soviet Union. What talents and skills did women have, and how did they use them? Are women more tactically geared to expose male vulnerability? What tensions were there among intelligence agencies and within the agency itself during these times? Come learn what roles women have played in the operation of the CIA and how important their service has been. There are interesting tales to tell.
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NEW! Another Time to Listen, Another Time to Speak
Instructor: John Bates
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Day of the Week: Th
Times: 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Dates: 4/9/2026 - 5/7/2026
Number of class sessions in this course: 5
Fee: $65.00
Course Location: OLLI at UVA (opens in new tab) - Terrace Level
Location Address: 1 Morton Drive, Terrace Level Charlottesville, VA 22903
Limit: 12
Course Description:
This advanced discussion group is designed for individuals who have completed the initial course, A Time to Listen, A Time to Speak. Conversations will engage with more complex and rigorous themes.
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Demystifying Dementia Basics, Resources, and Brain Health
Instructor: George Worthington
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Day of the Week: M
Times: 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Dates: 4/6/2026 - 4/27/2026
*One-Hour Class Sessions
Number of class sessions in this course: 4
Fee: $52.00
Course Location: OLLI at UVA (opens in new tab) - Terrace Level
Location Address: 1 Morton Drive, Terrace Level Charlottesville, VA 22903
Limit: 25
Course Description:
This course, taught by the Dementia Services Director from the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services, examines the latest knowledge around brain health and dementia risk reduction and prevention. Based on scientific evidence, you will learn about several pillars of brain health and practical ways to incorporate small changes into your lifestyle. You will learn about Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia and become a Dementia Friend. The instructor will share resources and programs that can support caregivers and people living with dementia, and you will be introduced to innovative caregiving strategies that can support improved dementia care.
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This is full, please add yourself to the WAIT LIST.
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OLLI staff monitor enrollment and work to open seats before 4/27/2026. We will contact those on the wait list to invite them to enroll when seats become available. Joining the wait list is free; if you are invited and choose to enroll, the $65.00 fee will be collected at that time.
- Date: 4/27/2026
- Day of the Week: M
- Fees: $65.00
- Location: OLLI at UVA (opens in new tab) 1 Morton Drive, Terrace Level Charlottesville, VA 22903
Drawing is a way to discover an entire new world. Before modern techniques about learning to draw were developed, many of us thought we couldn't draw or had no talent. Now we can learn to ""see"" like never before and give up saying things like, ""I can't even draw a straight line."" (After all, maybe that's what rulers are for!)
Required Materials:
ESSENTIAL - Bring a ""can-do"" attitude, the willingness to practice, and an eagerness to do something you didn't think you could do! These are the things to bring.
Paper: Look for paper that is 60-90 lb. and smooth to the touch. Sketchbooks with this weight of paper are found in the art section of department and craft stores.
Pencils: Bring any that you like to make marks with or even a fine-tip pen. Pencils come in many options, from very light to very dark. You can achieve a variety of effects depending on how hard you press on the pencil. There is no need to buy a set of pencils, unless you just want to.
Erasers: Try to find a "kneaded" eraser, great for erasing mistakes. They are grey, wrapped in plastic, less than 2" square, and can be held in your hand to warm them up and become malleable for a spot you might want to erase. These erasers don't damage the surface of the paper as much as other kinds.
Suggested Reading: Edwards, Betty. Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain, 1999. Dodson, Bert. Keys to Drawing, 1990. Garcia, Claire Watson. Drawing for the Absolute and Utter Beginner, 2003.
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NEW! Emma, A Novel by Jane Austen
Instructor: Evelyn Edson
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Day of the Week: Th
Times: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Dates: 4/9/2026 - 4/30/2026
Number of class sessions in this course: 4
Fee: $52.00
Course Location: Christ Church Glendower, St. Anne’s Parish, Glendo (opens in new tab) - Meeting Room
Location Address: 900 Glendower Rd Scottsville, VA 24590
Limit: 15
Course Description:
The novel, a work of prose fiction in an unheroic setting, came to maturity in the 19th century. Not only were many of the most outstanding works written by women, but majority of their audience was also female. Jane Austen, one of these novelists, is still widely read and admired today. “Emma,” her last major work, centers on the title character about whom Austen remarked,” I am going to take a heroine whom no one but myself will much like.” The opening sentence of the novel: “Emma Woodhouse, handsome, clever, and rich with a comfortable home and a happy disposition... had lived nearly twenty-one years in the world with little to distress or vex her.” The reader can imagine that this is about to change.
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NEW! Great Decisions in US Foreign Policy.
Instructor: Richard Kilroy Jr.
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Day of the Week: Tu
Times: 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Dates: 4/7/2026 - 4/28/2026
*LOCATION CHANGE
Number of class sessions in this course: 4
Fee: $52.00
Course Location: Homewood Suites (opens in new tab) - Albemarle Room
Location Address: 2036 India Road Charlottesville, VA 22901
Limit: 35
Course Description:
Great Decisions in US Foreign Policy is a program of the Foreign Policy Association which chooses 8 topics of current interest for each year’s program. The course will explore four of these topics and solicit guest speakers from UVA and elsewhere to enhance discussions. These will be different topics from those offered in the spring OLLI 2025 course.
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This is full, please add yourself to the WAIT LIST.
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OLLI staff monitor enrollment and work to open seats before 4/14/2026. We will contact those on the wait list to invite them to enroll when seats become available. Joining the wait list is free; if you are invited and choose to enroll, the $39.00 fee will be collected at that time.
- Date: 4/14/2026
- Day of the Week: Tu
- Fees: $39.00
- Location: Ivy Creek Natural Area (opens in new tab) 1708 Earlysville Rd Charlottesville, VA 22903
Discover the native trees, shrubs, and vines that make up our local landscape. This class will help beginning botanists build their identification skills.
Note: There are two books required for this course. Please bring $8 to the first class, either a check or exact change. Hand lenses will be available to borrow during class or bring your own. Weather permitting, much of the class time will be spent outdoors, so dress accordingly. There will not be any strenuous walking.
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NEW! Immigration Updates 2026
Instructor: Alyson Ball
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Day of the Week: Tu
Times: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Dates: 3/31/2026 - 3/31/2026
Number of class sessions in this course: 1
Fee: $13.00
Course Location: OLLI at UVA (opens in new tab) - Terrace Level
Location Address: 1 Morton Drive, Terrace Level Charlottesville, VA 22903
Limit: 35
Course Description:
As the immigration landscape continues to unfold, are you confused about what’s happened and how to make sense of it? Come learn about the basics of US immigration, hear about the recent policy and procedural changes, and discuss how these changes are affecting immigrants as well as non-immigrants throughout the country.
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NEW! Inflammation Revealed: Disruption of the Mind-Body-Gut Synergy and Its Impact on Your Health
Instructor: P.J. Rooney
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Day of the Week: M
Times: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Dates: 4/6/2026 - 5/4/2026
Number of class sessions in this course: 5
Fee: $55.00
Course Location: R.R. Smith Center for History and Art (opens in new tab) - Upstairs Lecture Room
Location Address: 22 South New St Staunton, VA 24401
Limit: 25
Course Description:
"Mind-Body-Gut Synergy" refers to the harmonious interaction and interconnectedness between the mental / emotional mind, the physiological body, and the gastrointestinal system (gut). When this synchronized system is affected by inflammation, it can have a major impact on our overall health and well-being. Join us on this journey of discovery to uncover the hidden effects of inflammation on this Synergy and empower yourself with the knowledge to foster a healthier mindbody-gut connection. This interactive course is designed for those seeking to increase their understanding of the multifaceted role of inflammation in the intricate collaboration between the mind, body, and gut.
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NEW! Kind Kin: Gandhi’s Gift
Instructor: Shelley Bryant
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Day of the Week: W
Times: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Dates: 4/8/2026 - 5/13/2026
Number of class sessions in this course: 6
Fee: $78.00
Course Location: OLLI at UVA (opens in new tab) - Terrace Level
Location Address: 1 Morton Drive, Terrace Level Charlottesville, VA 22903
Limit: 12
Course Description:
Before the term “influencer” applied to social media stars, Howard Gardner coined the term “Influencer” to describe a person who has accomplished positive and significant change by affecting the “thoughts, feelings, or behaviors of others.” To do this, Gardner says, the Influencers possess extraordinary skill as communicators who employ the concept of “Story” as their principal vehicle of influence. The most successful twentieth century Influencer, of course, is Gandhi who in turn inspired many others who have also peacefully fought against and prevailed over tyranny and injustice. This class will examine three of these Influencers–Cesar Chavez, Vaclav Havel, and Alexi Navalny–to show how they also used Story to achieve profound societal change.
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Labyrinth: A Practice of History, Mystery, Beauty, and Wellness
Instructor: Mary Ann Wamhoff
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Day of the Week: Tu
Times: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Dates: 4/21/2026 - 5/12/2026
Number of class sessions in this course: 4
Fee: $52.00
Course Location: Unity of Charlottesville (opens in new tab) - Sanctuary
Location Address: 2825 Hydraulic Road Charlottesville, VA 22901
Limit: 20
Course Description:
Have you ever wondered why some folks walk in circles and seem to love it? Do you know the difference between a labyrinth and a maze? Have you ever wanted to build a labyrinth in your yard or on a beach? Are you interested in exploring moving meditation? Would you like some inspiration? Are you in a process of discernment? Would you like to think more metaphorically? Come, explore with us! We’ll learn about the varieties and history of what is constructed using sacred geometry and why it works! We’ll practice on various labyrinths in each session.
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Monticello During the Civil War and Researching the Free and Enslaved People at Monticello During the Levy Ownership
Instructor: Sam Towler
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Day of the Week: M
Times: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Dates: 4/13/2026 - 5/11/2026
Number of class sessions in this course: 5
Fee: $55.00
Course Location: VPAS-Valley Program for Aging Services. (opens in new tab) -
Location Address: 325 Pine Ave Waynesboro, VA 22980
Limit: 15
Course Description:
Explore original research on topics such as the development from Rockfish Gap to Waynesboro, the role of surveyors in Augusta County, and Albemarle’s intriguing mysteries— including the lost town of New York, missing Civil War gold, and Swiss artist Frank Buchser’s visit. Learn about Monticello during the Civil War, the Levy family’s ownership, and the lives of free and enslaved people. The series concludes with the ten largest emancipations in Albemarle. This course offers a rare opportunity to uncover stories that shaped our region between 1790 and 1900.
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NEW! Preserving Memory at the Internet Archive
Instructor: Mark Edwin Peterson
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Day of the Week: W
Times: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Dates: 4/8/2026 - 4/29/2026
Number of class sessions in this course: 4
Fee: $44.00
Course Location: R.R. Smith Center for History and Art (opens in new tab) - Upstairs Lecture Room
Location Address: 22 South New St Staunton, VA 24401
Limit: 10
Course Description:
A great deal of the material available at the Internet Archive (archive.org) has been assembled by people with an interest in a certain topic. So, UFO records and community television can be found, along with institutional files. This class shows how to establish a presence at the Internet Archive and create a digital collection of materials significant for a particular group. This could be the Red Wing Music Festival or a Staunton Knitting Club. We will discuss how all communities deserve to be remembered and how adding material to the Internet Archive can be part of making that happen.
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NEW! Seeking Joy
Instructor: Anna Askounis
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Day of the Week: F
Times: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Dates: 4/10/2026 - 4/10/2026
Number of class sessions in this course: 1
Fee: $13.00
Course Location: OLLI at UVA (opens in new tab) - Terrace Level
Location Address: 1 Morton Drive, Terrace Level Charlottesville, VA 22903
Limit: 12
Course Description:
In these turbulent, troubling times in our country, it is important to learn how to change perspective and not allow ourselves to be consumed by the daily chaos.
In this class we will discuss ways in which we can seek joy , both in intentional and unintentional ways, to provide the balance we need.
Please join me in this hands on, discussion driven class and bring a small journal and pen. Let’s seek joy together!
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This is full, please add yourself to the WAIT LIST.
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OLLI staff monitor enrollment and work to open seats before 4/3/2026. We will contact those on the wait list to invite them to enroll when seats become available. Joining the wait list is free; if you are invited and choose to enroll, the $91.00 fee will be collected at that time.
- Date: 4/3/2026
- Day of the Week: F
- Fees: $91.00
- Location: OLLI at UVA (opens in new tab) 1 Morton Drive, Terrace Level Charlottesville, VA 22903
Tai Chi for Health is a gentle, easy to learn form of Tai Chi. The course will emphasize slow, continuous movement to help with balance and maintenance of strength. Please wear comfortable, loose clothing and flat shoes.
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NEW! The Sisters of Nathaniel Hawthorne
Instructor: Kris Hansen
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Day of the Week: Th
Times: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Dates: 5/7/2026 - 5/21/2026
Number of class sessions in this course: 3
Fee: $52.00
Course Location: OLLI at UVA (opens in new tab) - Terrace Level
Location Address: 1 Morton Drive, Terrace Level Charlottesville, VA 22903
Limit: 12
Course Description:
This course takes participants back to early 19th century Massachusetts to introduce two fatherless girls, Elizabeth and Maria Louisa Hathorne, who had a profound impact on their brother, Nathaniel. Excerpts from personal letters illustrate their opposing personalities and their changing relationship with their brother as childhood expectations were forced to cede to a new order in adulthood. Class participants will learn of the most painful event in Hawthorne’s life. Finally, participants will discover in some of Hawthorne’s writings, how he, intentionally or not, infused certain personality traits of his sisters into those of his fictional characters.
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Trump: Year Two NEW! has reached 21 enrolled, maximum enrollment.
This is full, please add yourself to the WAIT LIST.
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OLLI staff monitor enrollment and work to open seats before 4/14/2026. We will contact those on the wait list to invite them to enroll when seats become available. Joining the wait list is free; if you are invited and choose to enroll, the $78.00 fee will be collected at that time.
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Walking Reimagined!
Instructor: Daniel Kulund
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Day of the Week: M
Times: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Dates: 4/20/2026 - 5/18/2026
Number of class sessions in this course: 5
Fee: $65.00
Course Location: OLLI at UVA (opens in new tab) - Terrace Level
Location Address: 1 Morton Drive, Terrace Level Charlottesville, VA 22903
Limit: 12
Course Description:
Join Walkman Dan to reimagine walking. Each class offers a short talk and a set of simple satisfying skills to turn your everyday walks into memorable events. We’ll explore a new theme every week: the world of walking, walking with MOTOS, walking and props, thinking on your feet, and walking into the future. Whether you’re a casual stroller or a seasoned walker, you’ll quickly discover there’s much more to walking than walking.
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This opportunity begins 4/1/2026.
Online registration for this program is currently closed.
- Online registration closes one week before the start date to allow time for preparation, and/or
- Registration remains closed once the program has begun.
You may still be able to participate.
Call the OLLI Office at 434‑923‑3600 to register. Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
There are 10 seats available.
- Dates: 4/1/2026 - 4/22/2026
- Times: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
- Days: W
- Fee: $52.00
- Course Location: OLLI at UVA (opens in new tab) - Terrace Level
- Location Address: 1 Morton Drive, Terrace Level Charlottesville, VA 22903
Description: The American Dream—defined as the pursuit of a better, richer, and happier life—has long served as a marker of progress and a source of national identity. While 92% of Americans born in the early 1940s would earn more than their parents, fewer than half of those born in the 1980s achieved that same upward mobility. This four-week course explores the economic forces driving this decline and their impact on personal well-being and social norms. Drawing on lessons from modern US history, we will consider strategies that offer a path to reviving the Dream today
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Thanks for your interest in A Beautiful Brain with !
This opportunity begins 4/9/2026.
Online registration for this program is currently closed.
- Online registration closes one week before the start date to allow time for preparation, and/or
- Registration remains closed once the program has begun.
You may still be able to participate.
Call the OLLI Office at 434‑923‑3600 to register. Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
There are 2 seats available.
- Dates: 4/9/2026 - 5/14/2026
- Times: 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
- Days: Th
- Fee: $72.00
- Course Location: OSHER ONLINE - OSHER ONLINE
- Location Address: , VA
Description: Most conversations about aging focus on lifespan, but brainspan (how long our mind stays sharp) matters more. In this course, we will explore how the brain ages and what science reveals about protecting memory, balance, and clarity. Topics include normal changes versus early dementia, neuroplasticity, nutrition, sleep, stress, social ties, and purpose. Each session blends accessible science with self-tests and take-home practices. We will also build a personalized Cognitive Health Scorecard to track habits and strengthen resilience.
Scott Fulton, an internationally recognized leader in positive aging, teaches Lifestyle Medicine and Aging and serves on the True Health Initiative Council. Author of WHEALTHSPAN, he created the MEDAC system for optimal aging. A former National Aging in Place Council president, Fulton is also a multiple Ironman triathlete and innovator in aging design.
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This opportunity begins 3/17/2026.
Online registration for this program is currently closed.
- Online registration closes one week before the start date to allow time for preparation, and/or
- Registration remains closed once the program has begun.
You may still be able to participate.
Call the OLLI Office at 434‑923‑3600 to register. Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
There are 3 seats available.
- Dates: 3/17/2026 - 4/21/2026
- Times: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
- Days: Tu
- Fee: $78.00
- Course Location: Homewood Suites (opens in new tab) - Albemarle Room
- Location Address: 2036 India Road Charlottesville, VA 22901
- LOCATION CHANGE.
Description: Brainspan — extending how long our mind stays sharp, steady, and capable. Participants will build a personalized Cognitive Health Scorecard to guide long-term resilience. This six-week course explores how the brain ages and what the latest science shows about protecting memory, function, balance, and clarity. We’ll distinguish normal vs abnormal cognitive changes and focus on practical, hands-on, evidence-based prevention strategies. Each session includes fun, active, self-assessments, and take-home activities.
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This opportunity begins 4/1/2026.
Online registration for this program is currently closed.
- Online registration closes one week before the start date to allow time for preparation, and/or
- Registration remains closed once the program has begun.
You may still be able to participate.
Call the OLLI Office at 434‑923‑3600 to register. Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
There are 12 seats available.
- Dates: 4/1/2026 - 5/6/2026
- Times: 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
- Days: W
- Fee: $72.00
- Course Location: OSHER ONLINE - OSHER ONLINE
- Location Address: , VA
Description: Art in the streets (including graffiti, murals, stickers, and paste-ups) gives voice to marginalized communities, shapes urban environments, and challenges institutional norms. This course explores graffiti and street art in the U.S. and around the world, examining their histories, motivations, and social impact. Participants will consider the rise of global mural movements, efforts to preserve and present street art, and its evolving role in activism, community identity, and social change.
Heather Shirey, PhD, is Professor of Art History at the University of St. Thomas. Her research examines race, identity, migration, and the role of monuments and street art in shaping public space. She co-created the George Floyd and Anti-Racist Street Art Database, exploring street art as activism, healing, and critical engagement
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This opportunity begins 4/2/2026.
Online registration for this program is currently closed.
- Online registration closes one week before the start date to allow time for preparation, and/or
- Registration remains closed once the program has begun.
You may still be able to participate.
Call the OLLI Office at 434‑923‑3600 to register. Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
There are -5 seats available.
- Dates: 4/2/2026 - 5/7/2026
- Times: 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
- Days: Th
- Fee: $72.00
- Course Location: OSHER ONLINE - OSHER ONLINE
- Location Address: , VA
Description: Back by popular demand, this updated course offers a clear, engaging introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how it’s rapidly transforming our world. From self-driving cars to chatbots and precision medicine, we will explore how AI works, where it’s headed, and what it means for society. No tech experience needed— just curiosity! With fresh examples and timely updates, participants will gain a solid understanding of the opportunities and challenges AI presents today.
Hod Lipson, PhD, directs Columbia University’s Creative Machines Lab, pioneering AI and robotics research featured in major media. Melba Kurman, a technology analyst and author, has worked at Microsoft and Cornell. Together, they co-authored Driverless and Fabricated and speak widely on AI’s impact on innovation and society.
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This opportunity begins 4/10/2026.
Online registration for this program is currently closed.
- Online registration closes one week before the start date to allow time for preparation, and/or
- Registration remains closed once the program has begun.
You may still be able to participate.
Call the OLLI Office at 434‑923‑3600 to register. Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
There are 11 seats available.
- Dates: 4/10/2026 - 5/15/2026
- Times: 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
- Days: F
- Fee: $72.00
- Course Location: OSHER ONLINE - OSHER ONLINE
- Location Address: , VA
Description: California is more than a state—it is an idea, a dream, and a contradiction. In this course, we will journey from its earliest Indigenous cultures through Spanish, Mexican, and American rule, exploring missions, the Gold Rush, the railroad, Hollywood, and Silicon Valley. We will challenge myths, highlight overlooked voices, and examine how migration, innovation, and cultural change shaped the Golden State. We will discover what it has meant, and still means, to be Californian.
Anthony Antonucci, PhD, is a historian specializing in U.S. history since 1750, focusing on foreign relations, nationalism, race, and immigration. A Fulbright fellow, he has held research appointments at major historical institutions and teaches U.S., world, and California history, as well as ethnic and gender studies, at Southern California colleges.
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This opportunity begins 3/31/2026.
Online registration for this program is currently closed.
- Online registration closes one week before the start date to allow time for preparation, and/or
- Registration remains closed once the program has begun.
You may still be able to participate.
Call the OLLI Office at 434‑923‑3600 to register. Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
There are 11 seats available.
- Dates: 3/31/2026 - 5/5/2026
- Times: 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
- Days: Tu
- Fee: $72.00
- Course Location: OSHER ONLINE - OSHER ONLINE
- Location Address: , VA
Description: Comics (blending words and pictures to tell stories) stretch from cave paintings and the Bayeux Tapestry to today’s Batman and Spider-Man. Far more than superhero tales, comics are a versatile literary artform, capturing intimate and epic stories, social issues, and cultural moments through panels and word balloons. In this course, we will trace their history, explore their power, and read and discuss works including Understanding Comics, Watchmen, Maus, Fun Home, and Persepolis.
Arnold Blumberg, PhD, is a publisher, author, artist, and pop culture historian. He’s taught courses in media literacy and other cultural topics at several Baltimore area colleges. Blumberg spent 15 years in the comic book industry, curated a pop culture museum, and runs his own publishing company, ATB Publishing.
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This opportunity begins 3/12/2026.
Online registration for this program is currently closed.
- Online registration closes one week before the start date to allow time for preparation, and/or
- Registration remains closed once the program has begun.
You may still be able to participate.
Call the OLLI Office at 434‑923‑3600 to register. Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
There are -9 seats available.
- Dates: 3/12/2026 - 4/2/2026
- Times: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
- Days: Th
- Fee: $52.00
- Course Location: WTJU-UVA's Community Radio Station (opens in new tab) - WTJU Radio Station
- Location Address: 2244 Ivy Road , VA 22903
- *WTJU is the University of Virginia's radio station. It is a working radio station. Please know the seats are wood, you may wish to bring a seat cushion with you.
Description: At the time of the death of the Apostle Paul sometime in the first century of the Christian Era, there was no Christian church. Instead, there were small, isolated congregations scattered throughout the ancient world. Not all believers accepted the same faith, and indeed there was one school that viewed the new faith as little more than a sect of Judaism. In this series of lectures, we will explore how these diffuse groupings of believers evolved into what became the Christian church, with millions of adherents.
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This opportunity begins 4/2/2026.
Online registration for this program is currently closed.
- Online registration closes one week before the start date to allow time for preparation, and/or
- Registration remains closed once the program has begun.
You may still be able to participate.
Call the OLLI Office at 434‑923‑3600 to register. Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
There are 22 seats available.
- Dates: 4/2/2026 - 5/14/2026
- Times: 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
- Days: Th
- Fee: $91.00
- Course Location: OLLI at UVA (opens in new tab) - Terrace Level
- Location Address: 1 Morton Drive, Terrace Level Charlottesville, VA 22903
Description: Much of 20th century literary criticism insisted that the speaker of a poem is always a “persona” and must never be confused with the poet. A codicil to this dogma held that information about the poet’s life from any source – memoirs, biographies, letters including even those of the poet – should never be admitted to a discussion of the meaning of any poem. This course offers a contrarian view. We will examine the strongly autobiographical currents in Shakespeare’s sonnets and the most famous poems of Keats, Emily Dickinson, and Gerard Manley Hopkins.
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This opportunity begins 4/21/2026.
Online registration for this program is currently closed.
- Online registration closes one week before the start date to allow time for preparation, and/or
- Registration remains closed once the program has begun.
You may still be able to participate.
Call the OLLI Office at 434‑923‑3600 to register. Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
There are 2 seats available.
- Dates: 4/21/2026 - 5/26/2026
- Times: 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
- Days: Tu
- Fee: $72.00
- Course Location: OSHER ONLINE - OSHER ONLINE
- Location Address: , VA
Description: Frank Lloyd Wright designed nearly 1,000 buildings and helped define modern architecture. This course explores highlights of his practice, from Prairie houses to Fallingwater and the Guggenheim Museum, alongside lesser-known projects like affordable housing and city planning. We’ll examine how Wright’s work reflected cultural shifts in technology, science, and politics, offering a deeper understanding of his lasting influence on architecture and modern design.
Jennifer Gray, PhD, is vice president of the Taliesin Institute at the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation. She researches how modern architects used design for social change and has curated major exhibitions, including Frank Lloyd Wright at 150 at MoMA. Gray has taught at Columbia, Cornell, and MoMA and served as Curator at Avery Library.
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This opportunity begins 4/7/2026.
Online registration for this program is currently closed.
- Online registration closes one week before the start date to allow time for preparation, and/or
- Registration remains closed once the program has begun.
You may still be able to participate.
Call the OLLI Office at 434‑923‑3600 to register. Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
There are 11 seats available.
- Dates: 4/7/2026 - 5/12/2026
- Times: 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
- Days: Tu
- Fee: $72.00
- Course Location: OSHER ONLINE - OSHER ONLINE
- Location Address: , VA
Description: The death of Pope Francis and the election of the first US born Pope have been in the news repeatedly in the last few months, capturing the imagination of many people, including non-Catholics. Who are these men? What are their life stories? How were they similar to and different from each other? In this course, we will discuss the lives and dominant perspectives of the last ten Popes, exploring their most significant positions and their influence on world affairs.
Oliva Espín, PhD, Professor Emerita at San Diego State University, pioneered feminist therapy for women from diverse cultures. She completed postdoctoral work at Harvard and authored Women, Sainthood, and Power and My Native Land is Memory (2021 San Diego Book Award). She received APA’s Outstanding Lifetime Contributions to Psychology Award.
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This opportunity begins 3/25/2026.
Online registration for this program is currently closed.
- Online registration closes one week before the start date to allow time for preparation, and/or
- Registration remains closed once the program has begun.
You may still be able to participate.
Call the OLLI Office at 434‑923‑3600 to register. Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
There are 6 seats available.
- Dates: 3/25/2026 - 4/15/2026
- Times: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
- Days: W
- Fee: $52.00
- Course Location: OLLI at UVA (opens in new tab) - Terrace Level
- Location Address: 1 Morton Drive, Terrace Level Charlottesville, VA 22903
Description: Can poetry really console us? Here we are together, not young anymore. We have all experienced losses, and we all wonder about what’s ahead. This is not a course in grief therapy, only in listening to the voices of poets. Sad or angry, peaceful, curious, or triumphant, these voices give expression to a great range of responses to the ida of death, and the thoughts that have comforted humankind. Each week we’ll begin with a poem that expresses some form of grief, followed by poems in a long tradition of consolation. I will provide some interpretation and background but leave much to class discussion.
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This opportunity begins 3/30/2026.
Online registration for this program is currently closed.
- Online registration closes one week before the start date to allow time for preparation, and/or
- Registration remains closed once the program has begun.
You may still be able to participate.
Call the OLLI Office at 434‑923‑3600 to register. Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
There are 9 seats available.
- Dates: 3/30/2026 - 5/4/2026
- Times: 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
- Days: M
- Fee: $72.00
- Course Location: OSHER ONLINE - OSHER ONLINE
- Location Address: , VA
Description: Have you ever wondered who writes presidential speeches? This course traces the evolution of speechwriting from George Washington’s administration to today. Yes, Hamilton helped draft Washington’s Farewell Address, but no, Lincoln did not scribble the Gettysburg Address on an envelope. We will study the writing process presidents used and examine drafts from FDR, Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Carter, and George H.W. Bush. We will view clips from speeches and from former White House speechwriters describing the process.
Diana Carlin, PhD, Professor Emerita of Communication at Saint Louis University, has spent 30 years teaching and writing about First Ladies. She co-authored U.S. First Ladies: Making History and Leaving Legacies and Remember the First Ladies, and publishes widely on women in politics, presidential communication, and political debate.
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This opportunity begins 4/9/2026.
Online registration for this program is currently closed.
- Online registration closes one week before the start date to allow time for preparation, and/or
- Registration remains closed once the program has begun.
You may still be able to participate.
Call the OLLI Office at 434‑923‑3600 to register. Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
There are 7 seats available.
- Dates: 4/9/2026 - 5/14/2026
- Times: 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
- Days: Th
- Fee: $72.00
- Course Location: OSHER ONLINE - OSHER ONLINE
- Location Address: , VA
Description: Science is full of surprises. Dyes, accidentally discovered, launched the modern pharmaceutical industry. A failed experiment opened the door to new physics. Discoveries are never just facts. They are moments of creativity, struggle, and chance with far- reaching consequences. In this course, we will explore the human side of science, tracing breakthroughs in biology, chemistry, physics, and more. We will ask not only what was found, but how and why it matters.
Dr. Johnnie Hendrickson is a Teaching Professor in the School of Molecular Sciences at Arizona State University; he holds a PhD in chemistry and is the author of the textbook “Chemistry in the World.” His academic work focuses on science communication, the reciprocal relationship between science and society.
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This opportunity begins 2/13/2026.
Online registration for this program is currently closed.
- Online registration closes one week before the start date to allow time for preparation, and/or
- Registration remains closed once the program has begun.
You may still be able to participate.
Call the OLLI Office at 434‑923‑3600 to register. Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
There are 1 seats available.
- Dates: 2/13/2026 - 4/24/2026
- Times: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
- Days: F
- Fee: $78.00
- Course Location: OLLI at UVA (opens in new tab) - Terrace Level
- Location Address: 1 Morton Drive, Terrace Level Charlottesville, VA 22903
- *Meets Every Other Week
Description: This course is an introduction to how and why nation states behave toward each other the way they do. We will look at the four drivers of international relations—need, greed, gumption, and guns—and how they compel nations to vie for, challenge, and give in to power. We will also look at how the impact of modern technology—in weaponry, transportation, communications and now intelligent machines—affect the struggle for power. Finally, we will examine the conditions under which it might be possible to have a world ‘at peace’.
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This opportunity begins 4/2/2026.
Online registration for this program is currently closed.
- Online registration closes one week before the start date to allow time for preparation, and/or
- Registration remains closed once the program has begun.
You may still be able to participate.
Call the OLLI Office at 434‑923‑3600 to register. Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
There are 11 seats available.
- Dates: 4/2/2026 - 5/7/2026
- Times: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
- Days: Th
- Fee: $72.00
- Course Location: OSHER ONLINE - OSHER ONLINE
- Location Address: , VA
Description: Throughout his 1000-day presidency, John Kennedy pursued peace through a broad spectrum of initiatives. He saw a connection between learning and leadership and sought to use military deterrence, diplomacy, and soft power in novel ways. In this course, we will explore how his character and life experiences were the origins of those efforts. We will evaluate his powers of persuasion by listening to key speeches, and we will assess his successes and failures and their relevance to today’s world.
Charles Blum served as a U.S. diplomat and trade policy official for 17 years before founding a consulting firm in Washington, D.C., and Central Europe. He has developed over 40 courses on global politics, war, peace, and international cooperation, and holds degrees in history and international relations from Eastern University and the University of Pennsylvania.
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This opportunity begins 4/15/2026.
Online registration for this program is currently closed.
- Online registration closes one week before the start date to allow time for preparation, and/or
- Registration remains closed once the program has begun.
You may still be able to participate.
Call the OLLI Office at 434‑923‑3600 to register. Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
There are 13 seats available.
- Dates: 4/15/2026 - 5/20/2026
- Times: 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
- Days: W
- Fee: $72.00
- Course Location: OSHER ONLINE - OSHER ONLINE
- Location Address: , VA
Description: Music has always sparked controversy— through bold originality or scandal. Classical composers like Beethoven, Stravinsky, and Smetana shocked audiences, while Broadway and Hollywood works such as Annie Get Your Gun and South Pacific face modern scrutiny over race, gender,and consent. This course asks whether political correctness enriches art or erases cultural heritage and if works with outdated views should be altered or preserved. We’ll also examine plagiarism and musical borrowing in pop and film music, including disputes involving The Beatles, Pink Floyd, and Peter Frampton. With audiovisual examples and anecdotes, this lively course explores music’s most provocative debates.
Emanuel Abramovits, MBA, is a mechanical engineer and veteran concert promoter. He has worked with world-class artists like Itzhak Perlman, Gustavo Dudamel, and Sarah Brightman, producing awardwinning orchestral events and premieres. Former cultural director at Union Israelita De Caracas, he now teaches and lectures widely across the U.S.
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This opportunity begins 4/7/2026.
Online registration for this program is currently closed.
- Online registration closes one week before the start date to allow time for preparation, and/or
- Registration remains closed once the program has begun.
You may still be able to participate.
Call the OLLI Office at 434‑923‑3600 to register. Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
There are 9 seats available.
- Dates: 4/7/2026 - 5/12/2026
- Times: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
- Days: Tu
- Fee: $72.00
- Course Location: OSHER ONLINE - OSHER ONLINE
- Location Address: , VA
Description: How much of who we are is shaped by the places we live and experience? This course invites reflection on the psychological and emotional relationships between people and their environments. Drawing on psychology, geography, architecture, and design, we will explore environmental psychology and how physical environments shape behavior, cognition, identity, and memory. Using place-based methods, we will discuss concepts such as place attachment, identity, and cognitive maps. We will reflect on memory, home, trauma, displacement, and nature’s role in well-being.
Fernanda Blanco Vidal, a PhD candidate in Environmental Psychology at CUNY, researches how environments shape identity and memory. She holds degrees in Psychology and Sociology, published on displacement and nostalgia, and explores place-based methodologies. Her dissertation examines shifts in sense of place during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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This opportunity begins 2/16/2026.
Online registration for this program is currently closed.
- Online registration closes one week before the start date to allow time for preparation, and/or
- Registration remains closed once the program has begun.
You may still be able to participate.
Call the OLLI Office at 434‑923‑3600 to register. Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
There are 3 seats available.
- Dates: 2/16/2026 - 4/6/2026
- Times: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
- Days: M
- Fee: $91.00
- Course Location: OLLI at UVA (opens in new tab) - Terrace Level
- Location Address: 1 Morton Drive, Terrace Level Charlottesville, VA 22903
Description: Time travel? Nope! We are talking about failed civilizations in the past and the likely fate of today’s global civilization, if we do not mend our ways. In the past, regional civilizations were founded when groups of people settled in regions of the planet favorable for agriculture and rich in other natural resources. Time after time, each civilization collapsed when their population grew sufficiently to exceed the carrying capacity of their environment, deplete their resources, and alter the local climate. Sound familiar? We’re following a similar pattern that gives scholars reason to believe our global civilization is headed for collapse, which will prove to be cruel and might become everlasting, unless we mend our ways. We will review indicators that this is happening and discuss why it is happening and the cooperative actions we need to take on a global scale and the urgency we need to take them, if we are to move onto a path of sustainability and preserve our planet as a welcoming home for future generations.
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This opportunity begins 4/1/2026.
Online registration for this program is currently closed.
- Online registration closes one week before the start date to allow time for preparation, and/or
- Registration remains closed once the program has begun.
You may still be able to participate.
Call the OLLI Office at 434‑923‑3600 to register. Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
There are 9 seats available.
- Dates: 4/1/2026 - 5/6/2026
- Times: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
- Days: W
- Fee: $72.00
- Course Location: OSHER ONLINE - OSHER ONLINE
- Location Address: , VA
Description: Siberia covers three quarters of Russia’s territory but is home to only a quarter of its population. Yet its role in shaping Russia as a vast and wealthy empire is profound. In this course, we will explore Siberia’s economic significance, indigenous cultures, and history as a penal colony, along with its importance for climate change, environmental issues, and RussianChinese relations. We will also consider Siberia’s role in both the rise and possible fragmentation of Russia.
Asya Pereltsvaig holds degrees in English and History from Hebrew University and a PhD in Linguistics from McGill. She taught at Yale and Stanford and specializes in language and history. Author of Languages of the World (2023), she has led OLLI programs nationwide and hosted the Baltic trip in 2017.
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This opportunity begins 3/30/2026.
Online registration for this program is currently closed.
- Online registration closes one week before the start date to allow time for preparation, and/or
- Registration remains closed once the program has begun.
You may still be able to participate.
Call the OLLI Office at 434‑923‑3600 to register. Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
There are 8 seats available.
- Dates: 3/30/2026 - 4/20/2026
- Times: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
- Days: M
- Fee: $52.00
- Course Location: OLLI at UVA (opens in new tab) - Terrace Level
- Location Address: 1 Morton Drive, Terrace Level Charlottesville, VA 22903
Description: How would you like to bike through a cactus garden, the Painted Desert, and the Petrified Forest - all from the comfort of our OLLI classroom! Have you ever chased a roadrunner? The most recent research points to the health benefits of awe experiences. Join us for this epic adventure!
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This opportunity begins 3/18/2026.
Online registration for this program is currently closed.
- Online registration closes one week before the start date to allow time for preparation, and/or
- Registration remains closed once the program has begun.
You may still be able to participate.
Call the OLLI Office at 434‑923‑3600 to register. Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
There are 28 seats available.
- Dates: 3/18/2026 - 4/8/2026
- Times: 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
- Days: W
- Fee: $44.00
- Course Location: OLLI at UVA Online - Zoom
- Location Address: ZOOM , VA
Description: The world in which we live has been shaped by countless decisions over millenniums by figures both familiar and forgotten. This course describes decisions, seemingly trivial at the time, made by a conquistador in the early sixteenth century to that of the wife of a still unfamiliar television producer in the mid-twentieth century that likely changed the course of humanity’s history in profound ways.
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This opportunity begins 4/15/2026.
Online registration for this program is currently closed.
- Online registration closes one week before the start date to allow time for preparation, and/or
- Registration remains closed once the program has begun.
You may still be able to participate.
Call the OLLI Office at 434‑923‑3600 to register. Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
There are 11 seats available.
- Dates: 4/15/2026 - 5/20/2026
- Times: 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
- Days: W
- Fee: $72.00
- Course Location: OSHER ONLINE - OSHER ONLINE
- Location Address: , VA
Description: This course will examine the cultural transformations in thinking and living that reshaped America and Western Europe between World War I and the Great Depression. Known as the Roaring Twenties, the Jazz Age, and the Lost Generation, this period redefined values and norms. We will explore the vibrant world of 1920s Paris through F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Babylon Revisited and Bernice Bobs Her Hair, Ernest Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises, and Gertrude Stein’s The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas, considering the lasting legacy of the era.
Ferdâ Asya, PhD, Professor of English and author, has taught at universities worldwide and lived in Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, and the Middle East. Specializing in 19th–20th century American literature with a focus on Edith Wharton, her interests include international literature and American expatriate writing in Europe.
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This opportunity begins 3/31/2026.
Online registration for this program is currently closed.
- Online registration closes one week before the start date to allow time for preparation, and/or
- Registration remains closed once the program has begun.
You may still be able to participate.
Call the OLLI Office at 434‑923‑3600 to register. Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
There are 8 seats available.
- Dates: 3/31/2026 - 5/5/2026
- Times: 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
- Days: Tu
- Fee: $72.00
- Course Location: OSHER ONLINE - OSHER ONLINE
- Location Address: , VA
Description: In July 1925, Clarence Darrow, William Jennings Bryan, and others converged on Dayton, Tennessee, for the Scopes Monkey Trial—an eight-day clash over religion, science, public education, free speech, and textbooks broadcast nationwide. One hundred years later, these debates continue. This course explores why the trial happened in Dayton, how Bryan and Darrow became involved, what occurred in the courtroom, whether Inherit the Wind reflects reality, who won and lost, and why it still matters today.
Doug Mishkin, a seasoned trial lawyer, collaborated with Americans United for Separation of Church and State to promote dialogue in Dayton, Tennessee, home of the Scopes Trial. He has interviewed leading experts, including Pulitzer Prize winner Edward J. Larson, civil rights attorney Fred Gray, and constitutional scholar Jeffrey Rosen, on law and history
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This opportunity begins 3/19/2026.
Online registration for this program is currently closed.
- Online registration closes one week before the start date to allow time for preparation, and/or
- Registration remains closed once the program has begun.
You may still be able to participate.
Call the OLLI Office at 434‑923‑3600 to register. Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
There are 22 seats available.
Description: As a citizen of the Renaissance Shakespeare copies Aristotle in the belief that humans fulfill their potential only within a civilized society. With this, human error often results from an excess in either eros—the sensual appetites—or thumos, the noble anger that manifests as arrogance. Within this worldview, Shakespeare likes to remind us that age and wisdom are often not the best of friends. We will examine this idea with three older characters: Sir John Falstaff (from Henry IV Parts One and Two), King Lear, and Prospero (from The Tempest). Though reading the plays will enhance understanding and discussion, it is not required, as the instructor will provide thorough background and many excerpts during class time.
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This opportunity begins 4/6/2026.
Online registration for this program is currently closed.
- Online registration closes one week before the start date to allow time for preparation, and/or
- Registration remains closed once the program has begun.
You may still be able to participate.
Call the OLLI Office at 434‑923‑3600 to register. Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
There are 12 seats available.
- Dates: 4/6/2026 - 5/11/2026
- Times: 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
- Days: M
- Fee: $72.00
- Course Location: OSHER ONLINE - OSHER ONLINE
- Location Address: , VA
Description: Why do so many great violinists also become composers? This course will explore the fascinating legacy of violinist-composers, including Baroque virtuosos like Heinrich Biber, Romantic legends like Niccolò Paganini, and 20th century innovators like George Enescu and Grazyna Bacewicz. Through listening and discussing, we will examine how these artists wrote music tailored to their instruments and themselves. Taught by a professional violinist, this course offers a behindthe-strings look at how performance and composition intertwine.
Ilana Zaks, First Violin with the Seattle Symphony and Seattle Opera, trained at the New England Conservatory and Yale School of Music under Donald Weilerstein and Ani Kavafian. She worked with Itzhak Perlman for nearly a decade and now teaches at Boston University Tanglewood Institute, connecting audiences through music and storytelling.
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This opportunity begins 4/18/2026.
Online registration for this program is currently closed.
- Online registration closes one week before the start date to allow time for preparation, and/or
- Registration remains closed once the program has begun.
You may still be able to participate.
Call the OLLI Office at 434‑923‑3600 to register. Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
There are 10 seats available.
- Dates: 4/18/2026 - 5/23/2026
- Times: 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
- Days: Sa
- Fee: $72.00
- Course Location: OSHER ONLINE - OSHER ONLINE
- Location Address: , VA
Description: The personal essay, one of the oldest forms of creative nonfiction, blends storytelling, reflection, and analysis to give voice to lived experience. In this course, we will explore the personal essay as both art and self-expression. Through readings, discussion, and writing exercises, we will study elements such as narrative arc, scenesetting, and reflection. We will draft our own essays, discovering how this enduring form helps us find our voices and tell our stories with clarity
Lisa Stolley, professor of English at UIC and Northwestern, is an award-winning fiction and nonfiction author. Her stories have appeared in leading journals, earning honors like the Illinois Arts Council Award and a Pushcart Prize nomination. She also teaches scientific writing and works as a legal writer for immigration attorneys.
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