History & Current Affairs   

Over the years OLLI has purchased many titles from Great Courses. We have access to over 250 titles that can be streamed from your home. If you sign up for this class, you will be given access to the Prescott OLLI account, and can stream at will for the session. Learn about music, history, mindfulness, science and travel.

By presenting relevant concepts and data, this on-going course aims to equip each participant to be an educated consumer of news on a wide range of economic topics. Discussions will be fact-driven and nontechnical. No formal economics training is required. Please Note: This class skips a week for Labor Day 9/7.

Participants are invited to give short (10–20 min) presentations on a key issue shaping American democracy—covering such aspects as governing principles, current challenges and global comparisons. Each presentation will be followed by open discussion aimed at fostering civic awareness, critical thinking, careful listening and respectful dialogue. Together we will deepen understanding of community values and engage in meaningful conversation about America’s changing role in a changing world.

The scope and complexity of history invites efforts to simplify and explain its patterns and outcomes. Why do some societies last, and others don't? What effects stability, economic growth, the degree of political power, etc? Let's explore some of the major theories addressing these issues.

David McCullough’s 1776 is the 3rd and final in our series celebrating the 250th anniversary of the courage and genius of those who laid the foundation for an American Republic & Democracy. Having previously reviewed McCullough’s John Adams and George Washington, our focus will now be the year 1776. Each week will include interviews & speeches by McCullough on this year and the Founding Fathers, as well as clips from various historic documentaries and the HBO Miniseries, John Adams.

We begin with a brief overview of Prescott and Sharlot Hall Museum history, followed by a tour of its century-old gardens. Explore more than 30 tree species, the Territorial Women’s Rose Garden with 270 heirloom roses and historic irises, the Yavpe Ethnobotanical Garden featuring native plants used by Indigenous peoples, a petroglyph garden showcasing local artifacts and a pioneer garden with heirloom vegetables. Discover beautiful landscapes and ideas for plants that thrive locally.