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-Session A Courses   

These courses are in alpha order by course title (courses with "" in the title are listed first)

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OSHER ONLINE COURSE

American History in Six Songs (Approximately)

  • Day of the week: Tu
  • Dates: 10/14/2025 to 11/18/2025
  • Time: 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM
  • Number of classes in this course: 6  
  • Fee: $72.00
  • Limit: 13

Course Description and Instructor Information: 

From Indigenous traditions to modern genres, this course explores how music reflects key moments in American history—from colonization and slavery to cultural shifts across three centuries. Discover how music helps us understand the evolving American experience. Dr. Matt Jennings, Professor of History at Middle Georgia State University, specializes in Native American and local history. He’s the author of several books and teaches widely on American music history—when not playing guitar, mandolin, or banjo.
 

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Constitutional Conversations: Should We Change the Founding Document? NEW!

Instructor: Margaret Heubeck

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Day of the Week: Tu

Times: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM   

Dates: 9/9/2025 - 10/7/2025 

Number of class sessions in this course: 5  

Fee: $50.00

Course Location: R.R. Smith Center for History and Art - Upstairs Lecture Room

Location Address: 22 South New St Staunton, VA 24401

Limit: 25

Course Description:

We will look at the Constitutional Convention and the issues facing the Founders in drafting the document and the extent to which discussion, debate and consensus were used to complete the document. We will follow the Constitution through history and discuss the amendments, the amendment process, and the possibility of holding another Constitutional Convention as Jefferson suggested. We will analyze current Constitutional challenges and look for possible solutions.

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OSHER ONLINE COURSE

Creative Conservation

  • Day of the week: W
  • Dates: 10/8/2025 to 11/12/2025
  • Time: 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM
  • Number of classes in this course: 6  
  • Fee: $72.00
  • Limit: 13

Course Description and Instructor Information: 

Discover how individuals and communities are making a difference in wildlife conservation. Through reallife stories—including the instructor’s experiences as host of Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom—this course highlights how diverse skills and collaboration can tackle environmental challenges. Learn practical ways to protect wildlife and ecosystems. Stephanie Arne is a global conservationist, expedition guide, and former host of Wild Kingdom. She has appeared on Animal Planet, The Weather Channel, and more, and serves on conservation committees for the AZA and IUCN.
 

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OSHER ONLINE COURSE

From Bauhaus to Brutalism: Modern and Contemporary Architecture

  • Day of the week: M
  • Dates: 10/6/2025 to 11/10/2025
  • Time: 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
  • Number of classes in this course: 6  
  • Fee: $72.00
  • Limit: 13

Course Description and Instructor Information: 

This course explores the evolution of architecture from the post–World War I era to the present, highlighting styles such as Bauhaus, International Style, Art Deco, Midcentury Modernism, and Postmodernism. Learn how these movements responded to social change and shaped the built environment through innovation and design. Eleanor Schrader is an award-winning educator and Professor Emerita of art and architectural history. She teaches globally on architecture and design, has studied at Sotheby’s Institute, and serves on the board of the John Lautner Foundation.
 

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OSHER ONLINE COURSE

Graceful Exits: Exploring the Economics, Ethics, & Ethos of Death with Dignity

  • Day of the week: M
  • Dates: 10/20/2025 to 12/1/2025
  • Time: 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM
  • Number of classes in this course: 6  
  • Fee: $72.00
  • Limit: 13

Course Description and Instructor Information: 

This course explores the complex issue of Death with Dignity, also known as assisted suicide, through its historical development, ethical debates, legal frameworks, and cultural perspectives. The movement gained national attention through the advocacy of Dr. Jack Kevorkian, sparking widespread discussion on end-of-life choices. Participants will critically examine evolving policies on physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia while engaging in thoughtful discussions on this sensitive and often controversial topic. Designed to educate and foster awareness, this course provides a comprehensive look at the ethical and legal dimensions of end-of-life decision-making. Aleen Bayard, PhD is an adjunct faculty member at Northwestern University, teaching leadership and change management. She played a key role in Northwestern’s partnership with the Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership, developing the curriculum for the Certificate in Jewish Leadership and teaching in the program for several years. Bayard holds degrees from Stanford University, Columbia University, and Northwestern University and earned her doctorate from Benedictine University. Through her consulting practice, she develops programs on leadership, culture, employee engagement, and team performance.
 

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OSHER ONLINE COURSE

Impressionism: Color Light and Leisure

  • Day of the week: Th
  • Dates: 10/9/2025 to 11/13/2025
  • Time: 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM
  • Number of classes in this course: 6  
  • Fee: $72.00
  • Limit: 13

Course Description and Instructor Information: 

This course explores how Impressionist painters like Monet, Renoir, Degas, Cassatt, and Morisot revolutionized art with bold brushwork, vibrant color, and scenes of everyday life. From the 1860s to the 1910s, we’ll examine their innovations, personal stories, and the cultural shifts that shaped their work— enhancing your ability to see and feel the world through their eyes. Lauren Weingarden, Professor Emerita of Art History at Florida State University, is a scholar of 19th-century French art and literature. Her interdisciplinary work explores how viewers experience art through sensory and emotional engagement.
 

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OSHER ONLINE COURSE

In Darwin’s Footsteps: A Journey to the Galapagos

  • Day of the week: Th
  • Dates: 10/16/2025 to 11/20/2025
  • Time: 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM
  • Number of classes in this course: 6  
  • Fee: $72.00
  • Limit: 13

Course Description and Instructor Information: 

Follow Charles Darwin’s five-year journey aboard the HMS Beagle (1831–1836), where his observations—especially in the Galapagos—laid the groundwork for On the Origin of Species and modern biology. This course explores the historical context, key discoveries, and the development of Darwin’s theory, using original sources and the instructor’s photography. Dr. Eric Simon, professor of biology at New England College and author of bestselling biology textbooks, is also an award-winning nature photographer and international trip leader to destinations like the Galapagos, Amazon, and Patagonia.
 

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OSHER ONLINE COURSE

Inequality and Economic Policy

  • Day of the week: Tu
  • Dates: 10/14/2025 to 11/18/2025
  • Time: 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
  • Number of classes in this course: 6  
  • Fee: $72.00
  • Limit: 13

Course Description and Instructor Information: 

Explore the roots and remedies of inequality in the U.S. through an economic lens. This course covers topics such as healthcare, climate change, mobility, discrimination, and the wealth gap—each session led by a PhD economist. Learn to interpret data, understand policy tools, and engage with the evidence behind today’s most pressing issues. Dr. Geof Woglom is Professor Emeritus of Economics at Amherst College. He has held visiting roles at Harvard, Cambridge, and LSE, and served as a consultant for the IMF and Federal Reserve.
 

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OSHER ONLINE COURSE

Languages of the World

  • Day of the week: Th
  • Dates: 10/16/2025 to 11/20/2025
  • Time: 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
  • Number of classes in this course: 6  
  • Fee: $72.00
  • Limit: 13

Course Description and Instructor Information: 

With over 7,000 languages spoken today, this course explores how languages evolve, interact, and reflect human history. Each week, we’ll visit a different mystery location to uncover the linguistic and cultural forces that shape our world—revealing what language tells us about who we are. Dr. Asya Pereltsvaig, a linguist with degrees from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and McGill University, has taught at Yale and Stanford. She is the author of Languages of the World: An Introduction.
 

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OSHER ONLINE COURSE

Legendary Shipwrecks of the Great Lakes: Tales from the Inland Seas

  • Day of the week: Th
  • Dates: 10/9/2025 to 11/13/2025
  • Time: 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
  • Number of classes in this course: 6  
  • Fee: $72.00
  • Limit: 13

Course Description and Instructor Information: 

Explore the dramatic tales of shipwrecks hidden beneath the Great Lakes. This course dives into the tragic fates of vessels like the Lady Elgin, Eastland, Western Reserve, and the legendary Edmund Fitzgerald. Through vivid storytelling and historical insight, we’ll uncover the human stories, causes, and enduring myths behind these maritime disasters. Anna Lardinois is a historian, author of Shipwrecks of the Great Lakes (2021), and founder of an award-winning haunted history tour company. She’s hosted the radio show Haunted Heartland and currently leads a Wisconsin-based entrepreneurship publication.
 

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New Developments in Outer Space Activities NEW!

Instructor: Valnora Leister

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Day of the Week: Tu

Times: 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM   

Dates: 10/14/2025 - 11/4/2025 

Number of class sessions in this course: 4  

Fee: $40.00

Course Location: R.R. Smith Center for History and Art - Upstairs Lecture Room

Location Address: 22 South New St Staunton, VA 24401

Limit: 10

Course Description:

This course will examine the boundaries of outer space, its present regulations (national and international), the nature of the activities taking place, and the countries involved. It will focus on suborbital activities and space tourism.

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OSHER ONLINE COURSE

Peeking Inside the Black Box

  • Day of the week: Tu
  • Dates: 10/14/2025 to 11/18/2025
  • Time: 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM
  • Number of classes in this course: 6  
  • Fee: $72.00
  • Limit: 13

Course Description and Instructor Information: 

This course offers a clear look at how science works—its methods, strengths, and limitations. Learn how to evaluate research, spot pseudoscience, and understand what makes findings trustworthy. Rather than blind faith, gain the tools to think critically and confidently about scientific claims. Dr. Johnnie Hendrickson, a chemistry PhD and Teaching Professor at Arizona State University, focuses on science communication and the relationship between science and society. He is the author of Chemistry in the World.
 

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OSHER ONLINE COURSE

Public Health in Action: Addressing Stress, Equity, and Solutions

  • Day of the week: W
  • Dates: 10/15/2025 to 11/19/2025
  • Time: 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
  • Number of classes in this course: 6  
  • Fee: $72.00
  • Limit: 13

Course Description and Instructor Information: 

This course explores how social factors and stress impact health and wellbeing. Participants will examine key theories, the biology of stress, and the importance of promoting health equity across populations. Faith Ogungbe is a Public Health doctoral candidate at the University of WisconsinMilwaukee, with degrees in anthropology and biotechnology from Northwestern. Her research focuses on maternal and child health, reproductive health, and advancing health equity.
 

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Terror in the Soul: A Cultural History of the Soviet Union NEW!

Instructor: John Mason

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Day of the Week: W

Times: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM   

Dates: 9/10/2025 - 9/10/2025 

Number of class sessions in this course: 1  

Fee: $60.00

Course Location: R.R. Smith Center for History and Art - Upstairs Lecture Room

Location Address: 22 South New St Staunton, VA 24401

Limit: 25

Course Description:

The Bolshevik Revolution of 1917 was rooted in a ‘scientific’ Marxist- Leninist doctrine but also infused with a religious pathos. The Communist Party under Lenin and Stalin went on to produce one of the most devastating utopian experiments in the history of mankind. Under Stalin alone more than 20 million innocent people were murdered in forced famines and the Gulag labor camps. The cornerstone of this Soviet Civilization was the attempt to create a ‘new man’. In this course we shall focus on the personal testimonies of both the victims and true believers of this Soviet ideology.

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OSHER ONLINE COURSE

The African American Military Experience: From Revolution to Civil Rights

  • Day of the week: Tu
  • Dates: 10/7/2025 to 11/11/2025
  • Time: 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
  • Number of classes in this course: 6  
  • Fee: $72.00
  • Limit: 13

Course Description and Instructor Information: 

This course traces the vital role of African Americans in U.S. military history—from the Revolutionary War to World War II. Explore their bravery in battle, the formation of the Buffalo Soldiers, and their ongoing fight against segregation and discrimination. It’s a story of resilience, sacrifice, and the pursuit of equality in a nation slow to recognize their service. John Langellier is a historian and author specializing in African American military history. His work includes More Work Than Glory and Buffalo Soldiers in Arizona, as well as documentaries, museum exhibits, and educational programs across the U.S. and Europe.
 

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The Brain Explained: Neurology in a Nutshell NEW!

Instructor: Paul Schanfield

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Day of the Week: Th

Times: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM   

Dates: 9/11/2025 - 10/23/2025 

Number of class sessions in this course: 7  

Fee: $84.00

Course Location: OLLI at UVA Online - Zoom

Location Address: ZOOM , VA

Limit: 35

Course Description:

This course begins by explaining the mysteries of the brain. We’ll address how you can navigate our complicated and fragmented health care system, then suggest how to demand personalized care from our healthcare system. Besides simplifying common neurological conditions, such as headache, dizziness, stroke, Parkinson’s Disease and memory loss, the course will examine testing and imaging of the nervous system. It will also delve into prevention of illness, focusing on healthy lifestyles, and intimately address end-of-life issues. Recommended Reading: A Migraine in Room 3; A Stroke in Room 4; A Physician Examines His Profession, by Paul M. Schanfield, MD.

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OSHER ONLINE COURSE

The Films of John Cassavetes and Gena Rowlands: Innovation in Filmmaking and Performance

  • Day of the week: F
  • Dates: 10/10/2025 to 11/14/2025
  • Time: 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM
  • Number of classes in this course: 6  
  • Fee: $72.00
  • Limit: 13

Course Description and Instructor Information: 

This course explores the powerful creative partnership between John Cassavetes and Gena Rowlands, pioneers of independent film. We’ll examine Cassavetes’ raw, improvisational style and Rowlands’ emotionally charged performances in A Woman Under the Influence, Opening Night, and Gloria. Learn how their collaborative approach and rejection of Hollywood norms reshaped cinematic storytelling. Dr. Heather Brown holds a PhD in English with a focus on rhetoric and composition. She teaches writing, literature, and film, and works as a learning designer for graduate programs, including at Northwestern University.
 

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OSHER ONLINE COURSE

The Life and Times of Nikola Tesla

  • Day of the week: M
  • Dates: 10/6/2025 to 11/10/2025
  • Time: 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM
  • Number of classes in this course: 6  
  • Fee: $72.00
  • Limit: 13

Course Description and Instructor Information: 

This course explores the life and innovations of Nikola Tesla—from his early studies in Europe to his revolutionary work in electricity and wireless technology. Key topics include: The “War of the Currents” with Edison, Partnership with Westinghouse and the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, Wireless experiments and the race with Marconi, The Wardenclyffe Tower and World War I work, His particle beam weapon and WWII negotiations, The mystery of his secret papers after death. Dr. Marc Seifer is a Tesla expert and author of Wizard: The Life & Times of Nikola Tesla and Tesla: Wizard at War. A frequent speaker at Tesla conferences, he has presented at institutions like West Point, the UN, and Lucasfilm, and appeared on the BBC, NPR, and the History Channel’s The Tesla Files.
 

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OSHER ONLINE COURSE

The Power of One in Steven Spielberg Films

  • Day of the week: M
  • Dates: 10/20/2025 to 12/1/2025
  • Time: 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
  • Number of classes in this course: 6  
  • Fee: $72.00
  • Limit: 13

Course Description and Instructor Information: 

This course offers a scene-by-scene analysis of select Spielberg films, exploring how characters’ actions and beliefs reflect the theme: “He who saves a life saves the world entire.” Films include Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Lincoln, Bridge of Spies, Saving Private Ryan, Munich, and Schindler’s List. Bernard “Butch” Epps holds an MFA from UCLA’s School of Film and Television and a BA from Loyola Marymount. A specialist in story development, he has taught film appreciation with a focus on narrative and character analysis.
 

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World War II: The Pacific Air War

Instructor: Edward Dillingham

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Day of the Week: W

Times: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM   

Dates: 9/10/2025 - 10/15/2025 

Number of class sessions in this course: 6  

Fee: $60.00

Course Location: R.R. Smith Center for History and Art - Upstairs Lecture Room

Location Address: 22 South New St Staunton, VA 24401

Limit: 35

Course Description:

“Remember Pearl Harbor!!” was the battle cry, and the resulting Pacific air war was unlike any battle before or since.  Fought over millions of square miles of land and sea by the United States and Empire of Japan, the air campaign in the Pacific was a hard-fought struggle to the bitter end. Using pictures, videos and firsthand accounts, this course will examine the Men, Women, aircraft, and missions that ultimately crushed the Japanese empire during World War II.

*Recommended reading will be shared with those enrolled in this course. 

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