The following video programs are previously recorded OLLI courses. Learn at your own pace, on your own time and at your convenience. Over 40 hours of programming is available for a single cost of $30. After registration, you will receive an email with a “Join Code” and instructions on how to access programming.
All programming originates from OLLI at UNL.
Edith Wilson: The First Lady Who REALLY Ran the Country – 3 sessions
Instructor: Lynn Roper
Was she an unconstitutional usurper or a devoted wife? President Woodrow Wilson’s second wife, Edith, was a wealthy, beautiful and brilliant D.C. businesswoman. In October 1919, President Wilson suffered a near-fatal stroke which was enveloped in secrecy. Fed misleading information, the press and the cabinet were shut out for the next 18 months. Who was running the country? All visitors, paperwork, personnel decisions went to Edith who said
her top priority “was first my beloved husband whose life I was trying to save” and “after that he was President of the United States.” Edith, one of American history’s most influential and complicated women, wielded unauthorized power as the first unelected woman to govern the country.
The Vietnam War: Origins, Impact and Legacy – 6 sessions
Instructor: Roger Lempke
In July 2023, Governor Pillen visited Vietnam to pursue trade opportunities. Fifty years prior, the last American soldier left Vietnam. This course discusses the origins of the Cold War in the 1950’s, the traumatic 1960’s, and the American withdrawal in 1973. Our memories paint pictures of this unique period of history; these discussions help clarify those memories and present new facts that further explain our involvement and withdrawal.
Fascism: A Warning from History – 4 sessions
Instructor: Anthony Foreman
The word "fascism" has been increasingly used to describe some modern political movements across the world. It is a loose, incoherent, and conflicted collection of ideologies, myths and hatreds that is difficult to define. To understand
the concept, you must understand its history. Explore its origins in Benito Mussolini's Italy, its zenith in Nazi Germany, its continued influence in Cold War-era Spain and other manifestations throughout history. Discussions regarding today's political movements are also addressed.
The Role of Science: Exploring Acceptance and Denial in American Society – 2 sessions
Instructors: Bill Latenser & Clay Farris Naff
Science denial is the rejection or doubt of scientific facts or consensus, often motivated by personal, social, or political reasons. Science denial can have serious consequences for public health, environmental protection, and social justice. Learn about the psychological and historical factors that contribute to science denial, and the strategies and skills that can help individuals overcome it. The instructors also explore the ethical and civic implications of embracing science as a way of understanding and improving our world.
Podcasts: Free, Fun and Customized for You – 2 sessions
Instructor: Kelli Boling
Podcasts are on-demand user-selected audio content that allows listeners to go beyond radio's geographic and temporal restrictions and listen to content at their leisure. Learn from an avid fan of podcasts (specifically true crime) about how this new information source came to be, how to get started enjoying podcasts, and recommendations for a few to try.
Education of African American Children following Slavery – 1 session
Instructor: Jeannette Jones
Approximately 5,357 schools were built, a century ago, in the American South with funds from a wealthy Jewish philanthropist for Black children who had largely been ignored by Whites in power. These schools became known as Rosenwald Schools in honor of philanthropist Julius Rosenwald who partnered with African American educator and activist Booker T. Washington to erect schools in 15 states to educate thousands of Black boys and girls across the Jim Crow South. This session discusses the impact of these schools and contextualizes their mission in the histories of American progressivism, racial segregation, education, and philanthropy.
Healthy Watersheds, Thriving Community – 1 session
Instructors: Elizabeth Elliott & Tim Zach
We all live in a watershed, and the health of our watersheds is essential for our thriving community. Healthy watersheds provide clean water, flood control, habitat for wildlife, recreation opportunities, economic benefits, and improved quality of life. The Antelope Valley project is a great example of this, providing significant flood reduction, transportation improvements, recreational uses, and an entertainment hub for our community. Learn how the City of Lincoln manages our local watersheds to protect homes, businesses, and infrastructure from flooding and stream erosion, improve water quality and other natural resources, and increase our communities’ resilience to a changing climate.
Dear Judy: A Memoir from the Inside Out – 1 session
Instructor: Michael James
Michael James, author of Dear Judy – A Love Story Rewritten by Alzheimer’s offers a “back- of-house” exploration of the writing of his recently published memoir. Learn about his day-to-day approach to making time to write, his decision-making as the book developed and evolved, and his interface with his first readers and editors. He reads a few excerpts to illustrate key points and addresses questions both about the book’s creation and about the experiences it details.
The First Amendment: Is It Always First? – 6 sessions
Instructor: Charlyne Berens
Americans value their First Amendment right to free expression – as well as other rights, and sometimes those rights clash with each other. What about a person’s right to privacy versus the right to free speech? What about taking a knee during the Pledge of Allegiance versus displaying grateful patriotism? And how much freedom of expression should college students and faculty be able to exercise? What about protesting government restrictions during a pandemic? Should we be able to regulate speech on social media platforms?
Learning from Nebraska’s “Never Event” – 1 session
Instructors: Evelyn McKnight & Travis Bennington
History unexamined may become history repeated. This simple premise and a desire to save lives led to the true story of one of America’s largest outbreaks of Hepatitis C resulting from healthcare transmission in the book “A Never Event: Exposing the Largest Outbreak of Hepatitis C in American Healthcare History.” The event took place in Nebraska in 2002. A “Never Event” is a term used to describe a preventable medical tragedy. Presenters lead a discussion about lessons learned from the many tragedies that resulted.