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Please Note: Osher Online courses may run later than the OLLI at UConn semester end-date. Osher Online courses are not recorded.

The music we stream, the photos we swipe through, the real-time news we consume, the books we read or listen to – all have been radically reshaped by digital technology. This course will explore how media is created, stored, and experienced in a digitized world. We will unpack fundamentals like text files, encoding and decoding, pixels, and algorithms in clear, easy-to-understand ways – no prior computer knowledge needed. Each session will focus on a different medium, comparing its analog origins with its contemporary digital version. We will also consider the impact of Generative AI and speculate on future trends. Topics will include text (books, e-books, news portals), images (photography and movies), music, video games, social media, and media ownership (physical media, streaming, and copyrights).

Here is an introductory video by the course instructor: https://vimeo.com/1148695835?fl=ml&fe=ec

The deadline to register for this course is June 22, 2026!

Please Note: Osher Online courses may run later than the OLLI at UConn semester end-date. Osher Online courses are not recorded.

As America celebrates 250 years of independence, this course will examine the indispensable founder, George Washington. We will explore Washington's life and political leadership as well as his work as a farmer, entrepreneur, and architect. We will also review the groundbreaking work of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association (MVLA) which has owned and managed George Washington's Mount Vernon since 1858. In that year, an intrepid group of women (who had no right to vote or own property) came together to save George Washington's home, after both the Federal Government and Commonwealth of Virginia had refused to help. MVLA formation marked the birth of the historic preservation movement.

Here is an introductory video by the course instructor: https://vimeo.com/1148135458?fl=ml&fe=ec

The deadline to register for this course is June 22, 2026!

Please Note: Osher Online courses may run later than the OLLI at UConn semester end-date. Osher Online courses are not recorded.

What makes an Oriental rug so captivating—its elegant design, intricate patterns, or the mystery of its origins? In this richly illustrated course, we will discover the stories woven into these remarkable textiles. We will travel through the history and artistry of rug and carpet weaving, a tradition rooted in Asia and North Africa, with examples dating back to the 4th century BCE. Using stunning visuals and expert insights, we will explore major carpet-making cultures and regions including Anatolia, Iran, Transcaucasia, North Africa, and Central Asia. We will learn to recognize defining features of Oriental rugs: weaving traditions (nomadic and settled), key historical periods (from the Early Modern era through the nineteenth-century), purposes (from prayer to decoration), and production contexts (from royal courts to bustling markets). We will also be introduced to basic methods for identifying weave structures and deepen our appreciation of these remarkable works of art.

Here is an introductory video by the course instructor: https://vimeo.com/1138960957?fl=ml&fe=ec

The deadline to register for this course is June 22, 2026!