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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.

When the Erie Canal opened in 1825, it revolutionized American travel and transportation, but its inspiration came from Europe’s earlier canal networks. In this course, we will trace the development of French, British, and Irish canals in the 17th and 18th centuries. We will follow the story into the 19th century as we turn to American canals, especially in New York and Pennsylvania. Along the way, we will explore how canals reflect the politics and aspirations of different nations and why they still matter for global shipping today. Whether we are drawn to engineering marvels, the people who built them, or the pleasure of drifting along a canal or hiking a towpath, we will deepen our appreciation of canals’ importance and beauty.

Here is an introductory video by the course instructor: https://vimeo.com/1143922822?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.

In this course, we will gain a comprehensive introduction to Hindu traditions, emphasizing the importance of ritual, knowledge, and devotion across Hindu traditions from classical to contemporary times. We will introduce Hinduism’s South Asian roots, that can be traced to the Vedic tradition, which provides key conceptual and religious foundations. We will consider early and classical expressions of Hindu thought and religious life through the complex term dharma. Major Hindu deities are then introduced alongside associated narratives, practices, and iconography. We will examine the six major schools of Hindu philosophy using both secondary and primary sources. We will then consider bhakti (devotion) that has characterized diverse Hindu traditions across centuries. Finally, we will consider sacred space and places including temples and tīrthas, as well as the interrelationship of the concept of divine presence and pilgramage practices that relate to these holy sites.

Here is an introductory video by the course instructor: https://vimeo.com/1137712232?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.

Often overlooked in traditional design and architecture courses, twentieth century women designers profoundly shaped the way we perceive, experience, and enjoy our built environments, interiors, and decorative objects. In this course, we will explore the work and influence of such designers and architects as Elsie de Wolfe, Eileen Gray, Lilly Reich, Charlotte Perriand, Dorothy Draper, Ray Eames, Zaha Hadid, and others. Their lives and the beauty of their enduring designs are documented within the context of the social and political issues they faced, as they left their unmistakable imprints upon twentieth century design.

Here is an introductory video by the course instructor: https://vimeo.com/1145289503?fl=ml&fe=ec

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