Government and Politics   

Using important decisions made by U.S. presidents and landmark Supreme Court rulings, we will apply a series of ethical criteria to some of these historic decisions. Ethical thinking not only involves making judgements of right and wrong, good and bad, but also the motivations and intentions of the decision makers. Using ethical criteria developed by psychologists Maslow, Kohlberg, and Glasser, we will build a broader view of the potential factors that affected these decisions and that can be applied to our modern times. This course will encourage class participation discussing these decisions.

"They say you don't choose your times, but I was drafted into the Soviet Army just as the Soviet Union was choosing to fall apart. I went in as a young man with a life dictated by the state, and I emerged during a chaotic collapse that erased the USSR. This is a story about the brutal physical and mental forging of character, the chilling paranoia of KGB surveillance, and navigating the profound instability of a failing superpower. It was a time when the world was falling down around us, and I want to share where we found the strength to carry on."

"They say you don't choose your times, but I was drafted into the Soviet Army just as the Soviet Union was choosing to fall apart. I went in as a young man with a life dictated by the state, and I emerged during a chaotic collapse that erased the USSR. This is a story about the brutal physical and mental forging of character, the chilling paranoia of KGB surveillance, and navigating the profound instability of a failing superpower. It was a time when the world was falling down around us, and I want to share where we found the strength to carry on."

It's that time again to get involved with local, state and national elections. Terry McAteer will host this "everything you need to know about the midterms" from polling data to financial expense reports to insider thoughts. Various candidates will also join the conversations. Come be a part of this election conversation!

This is a chance to sit in a circle with fellow OLLI students and discuss a variety of foreign affairs issues related to Latin America such as the future of Cuba, China's Aggressive Influence, the Panama Canal, the Trump-alike in Argentina, Columbia and the drug trade, the Monroe Doctrine in Venezuela. Readings will be provided to assist the conversation.

This is a chance to sit in a circle with fellow OLLI students and discuss a variety of foreign affairs issues related to Latin America such as the future of Cuba, China's Aggressive Influence, the Panama Canal, the Trump-alike in Argentina, Columbia and the drug trade, the Monroe Doctrine in Venezuela. Readings will be provided to assist the conversation.

The Constitution of the United States was created during the summer of 1787 in the Assembly Room of Independence Hall four years after the Treaty of Paris secured American independence. What happened at these epic meetings? Learn about George Washington’s role at the convention, Alexander Hamilton’s 5-hour speech, the tension between the large and small states, and the dramatic moments when the convention came close to failure. Thankfully, James Madison kept articulate notes of each day, and we will learn what unfolded at this convention that will lead to a deeper understanding of our Constitution.

This course will explore the origins of the presidency, including what the Framers of the Constitution expected from the office. We will look at various theories that presidents have developed about the office. The class will then review our first president, George Washington.

As the war in Ukraine enters its fifth year in March 2026, the conflict has moved beyond a battlefield struggle into a profound, long-term global transformation. Today, we will provide a necessary update on the current state of the frontlines, where intense attacks on energy infrastructure and shifting territorial control have created a war of attrition. We will explore how both nations have fundamentally changed Ukraine through resilience and technological adaptation, and Russia through deepening societal changes and pivot towards new alliances. Finally, we will look ahead to the long-anticipated question of peace: examining how international negotiations begin, the historical precedents for ending such deep-seated conflicts, and how a potential truce will restructure the economic, political, and daily lives of both Ukrainians and Russians for decades to come.

As the war in Ukraine enters its fifth year in March 2026, the conflict has moved beyond a battlefield struggle into a profound, long-term global transformation. Today, we will provide a necessary update on the current state of the frontlines, where intense attacks on energy infrastructure and shifting territorial control have created a war of attrition. We will explore how both nations have fundamentally changed Ukraine through resilience and technological adaptation, and Russia through deepening societal changes and pivot towards new alliances. Finally, we will look ahead to the long-anticipated question of peace: examining how international negotiations begin, the historical precedents for ending such deep-seated conflicts, and how a potential truce will restructure the economic, political, and daily lives of both Ukrainians and Russians for decades to come.

Let's understand how the U.S. Supreme Court has defined our 1st Amendment Rights to Freedoms of Speech, Press, Religion, Assembly and Petition. This is an interactive course as the students will become the Court to help decide cases. Participants will understand the limits of our rights--why you can't yell "Fire" in a theatre or bible readings on a school campus or how a Jewish community can keep out a KKK rally or Boy Scouts banning gay leaders. Come prepare to think and rethink our rights. 

Let's understand how the U.S. Supreme Court has defined our 1st Amendment Rights to Freedoms of Speech, Press, Religion, Assembly and Petition. This is an interactive course as the students will become the Court to help decide cases. Participants will understand the limits of our rights--why you can't yell "Fire" in a theatre or bible readings on a school campus or how a Jewish community can keep out a KKK rally or Boy Scouts banning gay leaders. Come prepare to think and rethink our rights. 

Educational documentarian Catherine Busch developed a series of films and classroom lessons about the Japanese Internment in the United States.  Along with Tim Ogburn they have turned to the question, "Could it ever happen again?"  Are the conditions in the USA now similar to those that caused this black mark on American history? This short film examines the state of our nation and asks this pertinent question.  Come and meet the filmmakers and contribute to the discussion.

Educational documentarian Catherine Busch developed a series of films and classroom lessons about the Japanese Internment in the United States.  Along with Tim Ogburn they have turned to the question, "Could it ever happen again?"  Are the conditions in the USA now similar to those that caused this black mark on American history? This short film examines the state of our nation and asks this pertinent question.  Come and meet the filmmakers and contribute to the discussion.

This course explores why the founding generation framed a new constitution. The course will examine the myriad problems caused by the first American Constitution (the Articles of Confederation) during and after the revolution. We will then discuss the Constitutional Convention, the major compromises that were reached, and the organization of the government contained in the Constitution.