TV shows and films often glamourize the legal profession, but real law offers even more stimulation. This series delves into current, highly publicized legal and Constitutional issues in federal and state courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court. Topics include post-January 6th judicial decisions, legal challenges involving former President Trump and associates, and conflicts among federal judges. The increasingly polarized views of Supreme Court justices on critical issues like abortion and gun rights are also explored, as well as its most recent split decision assuring Presidential immunity in circumstances never before contemplated under the Constitution or all existing precedents to the contrary.  Expect a dynamic semester, not for the faint-hearted.  Returning participants are welcome

"Professor Labovitz is engaging, extremely erudite, knowledgeable and possesses great presentation skills." OLLI Patron

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

TV shows and films often glamourize the legal profession, but real law offers even more stimulation. This series delves into current, highly publicized legal and Constitutional issues in federal and state courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court. Topics include post-January 6th judicial decisions, legal challenges involving former President Trump and associates, and conflicts among federal judges. The increasingly polarized views of Supreme Court justices on critical issues like abortion and gun rights are also explored, as well as its most recent split decision assuring Presidential immunity in circumstances never before contemplated under the Constitution or all existing precedents to the contrary.  Expect a dynamic semester, not for the faint-hearted.  Returning participants are welcome

"Professor Labovitz is engaging, extremely erudite, knowledgeable and possesses great presentation skills." OLLI Patron

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

Since 1918, the Foreign Policy Association has served as a catalyst for an open, objective, and non-partisan public discourse on world affairs and American foreign policy. Great Decisions is an annual series that examines eight critical foreign policy issues. The topics for this course are selected by the Foreign Policy Association. Each lecture in this series includes background information, current American policy, and foreign policy options for the United States. An additional ninth lecture on March 12th, entitled "It's A Wrap," updates attendees on developments on each of the topics discussed since the beginning of the course. For more information about Great Decisions, please visit: https://www.fpa.org

"He's a Rockstar. I would probably attend any program he presents."- OLLI Patron

LECTURES:

1. American Foreign Policy at a Crossroads

2. U.S. Changing Leadership of the World Economy

3. U.S.-China Relations

4. International Cooperation on Climate Change

5. The Future of European Security

6. Artificial Intelligence and U.S. National Security

7. India: Between China, the U.S. & the Global South

8. After Gaza: American Foreign Policy in the Middle East

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

Since 1918, the Foreign Policy Association has served as a catalyst for an open, objective, and non-partisan public discourse on world affairs and American foreign policy. Great Decisions is an annual series that examines eight critical foreign policy issues. The topics for this course are selected by the Foreign Policy Association. Each lecture in this series includes background information, current American policy, and foreign policy options for the United States. An additional ninth lecture on March 12th, entitled "It's A Wrap," updates attendees on developments on each of the topics discussed since the beginning of the course. For more information about Great Decisions, please visit: https://www.fpa.org

"He's a Rockstar. I would probably attend any program he presents."- OLLI Patron

LECTURES:

1. American Foreign Policy at a Crossroads

2. U.S. Changing Leadership of the World Economy

3. U.S.-China Relations

4. International Cooperation on Climate Change

5. The Future of European Security

6. Artificial Intelligence and U.S. National Security

7. India: Between China, the U.S. & the Global South

8. After Gaza: American Foreign Policy in the Middle East

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

Since 1918, the Foreign Policy Association has served as a catalyst for an open, objective, and non-partisan public discourse on world affairs and American foreign policy. Great Decisions is an annual series that examines eight critical foreign policy issues. The topics for this course are selected by the Foreign Policy Association. Each lecture in this series includes background information, current American policy, and foreign policy options for the United States. An additional ninth lecture on March 12th, entitled "It's A Wrap," updates attendees on developments on each of the topics discussed since the beginning of the course. For more information about Great Decisions, please visit: https://www.fpa.org

"He's a Rockstar. I would probably attend any program he presents."- OLLI Patron

LECTURES:

1. American Foreign Policy at a Crossroads

2. U.S. Changing Leadership of the World Economy

3. U.S.-China Relations

4. International Cooperation on Climate Change

5. The Future of European Security

6. Artificial Intelligence and U.S. National Security

7. India: Between China, the U.S. & the Global South

8. After Gaza: American Foreign Policy in the Middle East

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

It seems the average South Floridian has been here about ten minutes. And most of what you think you know is wrong! Longtime journalist, author, and lecturer explores the history of Florida, South Florida, and Palm Beach County. All talks use PowerPoint and handouts.

“Excellent presenter, class. Looking forward to attending next semester.” – OLLI Patron

LECTURES:

1. Florida's amazing history and why you should care

2. Best of Florida's historical sites

3. Palm Beach County history

4. History of hurricanes in Florida

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

The Bill of Rights is 230 years old, but it continues to regularly impact our daily activities and fuel lively political and policy debates. This series will use constitutional/legal analysis, history, current events, logic/common sense, and a little humor to examine some key issues and landmark Supreme Court decisions.

" I will take any course Klein teaches Great combination of knowledge and wit"- OLLI Patron

LECTURES:

1. First Amendment: Freedom From and Freedom of Religion -The Very First Clauses of the Bill of Rights.

2. Second Amendment: Gun Rights and Regulations - What in the World Does the Amendment Mean?

3. Fourth and Fifth Amendments: Your Rights When Confronted by the Police.

4. Sixth through Eighth Amendments: The Rights of Criminal Defendants (Because no one is below the law).

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

 

Reversing its initial reservation, the Biden administration has provided Ukraine with advanced weapons and allowed their use for limited military targets inside Russia. French President Emmanuel Macron stated that a coalition of countries agreed to send military trainers to Ukraine, indicating a willingness to put NATO troops on Ukrainian soil. Russia responded swiftly, with President Vladimir Putin threatening to arm enemies of the West with precision weapons and hinting at nuclear weapon use. Peace talks have vanished from the discourse, risking escalation toward a world war. Dr. Rabil argues that continuing the Ukraine war is detrimental to U.S. and Ukraine interests and potentially catastrophic if it leads to a world war. In this lecture series, Dr. Rabil will discuss critical geostrategic, security, and military issues to prevent such a conflict.

"I consider Dr. Rabil  to be one of the best lecture series, if not the best, that I attend at FAU OLLI" - OLLI Patron

LECTURES:

1. Iran-Russia Relations: Implications for U.S. and Israel

2. The E.U. and the U.S.-China Rivalry in the Indo-Pacific

3. Pakistan and the rivalry between the U.S. and Russia-China

4. The Struggle for Central Asia: Implications for NATO

5. Iran-Venezuela Relations and US-China (and Russia) Rivalry: Implications for U.S.

6. The Arab Gulf, U.S. and Israel: Post October 7

7. North Africa, U.S. and Israel: Post October 7

8. The Ukraine Crisis: The Coming World War?

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

Ordinary men and women go about their lives thinking that things will never change. In places far removed from them, powerful people make decisions that will transform their lives, sometimes for better but very often for worse.

"Professor Berk as a lecturer and a scholar is as good as it gets. It is a privilege to attend his lectures." - OLLI Patron

LECTURES:

1. The Kaiser gives an ally a free hand, and the Great War begins. Lenin strikes for power and the world trembles.

2. Roosevelt creates the New Deal, and American Democracy is saved. Hitler makes the greatest mistake of his life, Barbarossa. Truman drops the bomb.

3. LBJ and MLK start the civil rights revolution. Fidel Castro brings communism to the Caribbean.

4. America goes to war in Asia, and Gorbachov destroys the Soviet Union.

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

TV shows and films often glamourize the legal profession, but real law offers even more stimulation. This series delves into current, highly publicized legal and Constitutional issues in federal and state courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court. Topics include post-January 6th judicial decisions, legal challenges involving former President Trump and associates, and conflicts among federal judges. The increasingly polarized views of Supreme Court justices on critical issues like abortion and gun rights are also explored, as well as its most recent split decision assuring Presidential immunity in circumstances never before contemplated under the Constitution or all existing precedents to the contrary.  Expect a dynamic semester, not for the faint-hearted.  Returning participants are welcome

"Professor Labovitz is engaging, extremely erudite, knowledgeable and possesses great presentation skills." OLLI Patron

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

"The Arabian Nights" is a timeless collection of stories narrated by the beautiful Scheherazade over 1001 nights to capture the imagination of her husband, the powerful Sultan, and save herself each dawn from execution. The tales were collected from many sources over hundreds of years, and old as they are, their brave heroes and cunning villains continue to influence fiction and film in the modern world. In this four-session seminar, we'll spend the first three sessions exploring famous and lesser-known tales and the fascinating times and rich cultures in which they evolved. In the final session, we'll examine some of the many works of later fiction and film that the stories have inspired. Handout listing books and films referenced. Seminar format with PowerPoint slides. This program is being presented as a seminar with limited enrollment to foster discussion.

“Cora is smart, interesting and a great presenter.” – OLLI Patron

LECTURES:

1: Deceit and Trickery: Tales of tricksters, liars, con artists, and other untrustworthy folk.

2: Adventure and Revenge: Sword-wielding, rollicking adventurers and their deeds and misdeeds.

3: Love and Longing: Endings both happy and sad for lovers both loyal and star-crossed.

4: A Million and One Inspirations: Stories and films that took the tales as their guide to thrill and delight us.

Modern China is a fascinating and unique place with a history and culture that is not well-known or understood by the West. Chinese civilization dates back thousands of years but is now also shaped by 19th and 20th-century ideas, including Marxism. This course will look at the factors that have shaped China today, from the long wave of history to the tumultuous period of civil war through the evolution of communist control. Today under Xi Jinping, China is claiming its place on the global stage as a major power. What this means and how the Western government responds to this emerging challenge is one of the major themes of the course. Without understanding China's evolution, policy mistakes can lead to conflict.

"Great Professor! Great and engaging lectures!"- OLLI Patron

LECTURES:

1. China's Long Imperial History

2. The Century of Humiliation

3. Sun Yat-sen's Failed Vision: An American Revolution with Chinese Characteristics?

4. The Mao Years

5. Deng Xiaoping and the Modernization of China

6. Xi Jinping, the Belt and Road, and China's Global Ambitions

5. Deng Xiaoping and the Modernization of China

6. Xi Jinping, the Belt and Road, and China's Global Ambitions

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

 

Remember the “Bull” sessions in college, fortified by beer and other libations? In this program, we recreate that heady experience with heavenly discourse on baseball, basketball, football, tennis and golf. We ponder many questions. Does Babe Ruth still rule the roost in baseball folklore despite the advent of Japanese import Shohei Otani? Will Bill Russell’s 11 championships in 13 years of Boston Celtic supremacy stand? Is Tom Brady the best QB in football? Or will Patrick Mahomes eclipse Brady’s bunch of NFL titles? Our subject offers a bountiful feast of food for thought and talk. Join us for a blast from the past, game for the present, and a ball (crystal?) for the future. This program is being presented as a seminar with limited enrollment to foster discussion.

LECTURES:

1. Baseball: Babe Ruth, Rogers Hornsby, Walter Johnson, Joe DiMaggio. Stan Musial, Ted Williams. Warren Spahn, Josh Gibson, Satchel Paige. Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Mickey Mantle.

2. Football: Red Grange, Jim Thorpe, Bronco Nagurski, Don Hutson, Sammy Baugh, Sid Luckman, Marion Motley, Otto Graham, Dick Lane, Jim Brown, Johnny Unitas, Emlen Tunnell, Walter Payton, Joe Montana, and Lawrence Taylor.

3. Basketball: Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bill Russell, Jerry West, Oscar Robertson, Magic Johnson, Wilt Chamberlain, Larry Bird, and Kobe Bryant.

4. Golf & Tennis: Bobby Jones, Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Arnold Palmer, Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus. Tennis: Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams, Roger Federer, Margaret Court, Bjorn Borg, Rod Laver.

TV shows and films often glamourize the legal profession, but real law offers even more stimulation. This series delves into current, highly publicized legal and Constitutional issues in federal and state courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court. Topics include post-January 6th judicial decisions, legal challenges involving former President Trump and associates, and conflicts among federal judges. The increasingly polarized views of Supreme Court justices on critical issues like abortion and gun rights are also explored, as well as its most recent split decision assuring Presidential immunity in circumstances never before contemplated under the Constitution or all existing precedents to the contrary.  Expect a dynamic semester, not for the faint-hearted.  Returning participants are welcome

"Professor Labovitz is engaging, extremely erudite, knowledgeable and possesses great presentation skills." OLLI Patron

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

The Gilded Age was a glittering era in the United States in the wake of the Civil War when financial heft brought the nation to the world stage. It was also a time of increasingly rapid change. In this edition of the Book Club series, we will be reading and discussing short fiction by a selection of writers from the Gilded Age: Henry James, Edith Wharton, Kate Chopin, and Charlotte Perkins Gilman. This program is being presented with limited enrollment to foster discussion.

"Dr. Hagood initiates interesting discussions about the material and is respectful of opinions that differ from his own. I would sign up for any class he taught."- OLLI Patron

LECTURES:

1. Henry James, "Daisy Miller"

2. Edith Wharton, "Roman Fever"

3. Kate Chopin, "The Awakening"

4. Charlotte Perkins Gilman, "The Yellow Wallpaper"

 

 

 

Let Us Sing! Invites one and all! If you love to sing, this is the class for you! Reading music is not required. Enjoy singing in an ensemble while learning vocal and choral techniques through each score and bringing the music to life one note at a time! Each session will include vocal warm-ups, choral singing, and vocal techniques through repertoire. This 9 week series culminates with a performance for your OLLI friends and family!

The American Film Institute released a list of the best film scores that includes many well-known classics and some surprises. The composers of those scores had fascinating lives and solid careers. With the help of plenty of audiovisuals, stories, and anecdotes, let’s enjoy the ride through the process of creating those historical pieces that convey what the movie is trying to say without words and evoke an emotional response even the most brilliant bit of dialogue cannot. With the participation of the participants, we'll build our alternative top 25 film scores of all time!

LECTURES:

1. The American Film Institute List. The First European Invasion. The amazing generation that became The Fathers of Film Scores: “The Adventures of Robin Hood” (Erich Korngold), “Gone with the Wind” (Max Steiner). “Sunset Boulevard” (Franz Waxman), “ High Noon” (Dimitri Tiomkin).

2. American Composers bring Innovations, new styles, and new ideas for new realities: “How the West Was Won” (Alfred Newman), “Psycho” (Bernard Herrmann, “A Streetcar Named Desire” (Alex North), “To Kill a Mockingbird” (Elmer Bernstein), “Planet of the Apes” (Jerry Goldsmith).

3. The Second European Invasion. A new flexible scheme is open to new standards of creativity and sound: “Lawrence of Arabia” (Maurice Jarre), “Out of Africa” (John Barry), “The Godfather” (Nino Rota), “The Mission” (Ennio Morricone).

4. Consolidation and Versatility:  “On the Waterfront” (Leonard Bernstein), “The Pink Panther” (Henry Mancini), “On Golden Pond” (Dave Grusin), and “Star War” (John Williams). The alternative lists, and let's build our own Top 25.

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

The Gilded Age was a glittering era in the United States in the wake of the Civil War when financial heft brought the nation to the world stage. It was also a time of increasingly rapid change. In this edition of the Book Club series, we will be reading and discussing short fiction by a selection of writers from the Gilded Age: Henry James, Edith Wharton, Kate Chopin, and Charlotte Perkins Gilman. This program is being presented with limited enrollment to foster discussion.

"Dr. Hagood initiates interesting discussions about the material and is respectful of opinions that differ from his own. I would sign up for any class he taught."- OLLI Patron

LECTURES:

1. Henry James, "Daisy Miller"

2. Edith Wharton, "Roman Fever"

3. Kate Chopin, "The Awakening"

4. Charlotte Perkins Gilman, "The Yellow Wallpaper"

 

Though many artists have their biggest successes in their early careers, the greatest artists continue creating and presenting better work as the years go by. From Fred Astaire, whose movies still appear regularly in best-of listings and television, to Bob Dylan and Wille Nelson, who continue to win accolades well into their 80s, to the blues of Ma Rainey and the jive of Louis Jordan, to Oscar Hammerstein II and Stephen Sondheim's award-winning revivals, to Reba McIntire and Bonnie Raitt's stellar performances decades after their initial hits, the music of great artists remains timeless. This course will examine these musical artists' work, lives, and legacies and attempt to sort myth from reality with videos, live performances, and research materials.

"Rod is fantastic! His love of music is exhilarating! The classes are wonderful"- OLLIPaton

LECTURES:

1. The Lady Stands Alone: Ma Rainey, Reba McIntire

2. Keepin’ It Cool: Fred Astaire, Louie Jordan

3. Lyrics On Broadway: Oscar Hammerstein II, Merrily We Roll Along

4. Other Voices: Antonio Carlos Jobim, Jacques Brel

5. The Great American Sound: The Eagles, Bonnie Raitt

6. The New Classical Music: John Williams, Pinchas & Natalia Zukerman

7. Dance With Somebody: Donna Summer, Whitney Houston

8. Into the Sun: Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

Though many artists have their biggest successes in their early careers, the greatest artists continue creating and presenting better work as the years go by. From Fred Astaire, whose movies still appear regularly in best-of listings and television, to Bob Dylan and Wille Nelson, who continue to win accolades well into their 80s, to the blues of Ma Rainey and the jive of Louis Jordan, to Oscar Hammerstein II and Stephen Sondheim's award-winning revivals, to Reba McIntire and Bonnie Raitt's stellar performances decades after their initial hits, the music of great artists remains timeless. This course will examine these musical artists' work, lives, and legacies and attempt to sort myth from reality with videos, live performances, and research materials.

"Rod is fantastic! His love of music is exhilarating! The classes are wonderful"- OLLIPaton

LECTURES:

1. The Lady Stands Alone: Ma Rainey, Reba McIntire

2. Keepin’ It Cool: Fred Astaire, Louie Jordan

3. Lyrics On Broadway: Oscar Hammerstein II, Merrily We Roll Along

4. Other Voices: Antonio Carlos Jobim, Jacques Brel

5. The Great American Sound: The Eagles, Bonnie Raitt

6. The New Classical Music: John Williams, Pinchas & Natalia Zukerman

7. Dance With Somebody: Donna Summer, Whitney Houston

8. Into the Sun: Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

Ordinary men and women go about their lives thinking that things will never change. In places far removed from them, powerful people make decisions that will transform their lives, sometimes for better but very often for worse.

"Professor Berk as a lecturer and a scholar is as good as it gets. It is a privilege to attend his lectures." - OLLI Patron

LECTURES:

1. The Kaiser gives an ally a free hand, and the Great War begins. Lenin strikes for power and the world trembles.

2. Roosevelt creates the New Deal, and American Democracy is saved. Hitler makes the greatest mistake of his life, Barbarossa. Truman drops the bomb.

3. LBJ and MLK start the civil rights revolution. Fidel Castro brings communism to the Caribbean.

4. America goes to war in Asia, and Gorbachov destroys the Soviet Union.

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

Reversing its initial reservation, the Biden administration has provided Ukraine with advanced weapons and allowed their use for limited military targets inside Russia. French President Emmanuel Macron stated that a coalition of countries agreed to send military trainers to Ukraine, indicating a willingness to put NATO troops on Ukrainian soil. Russia responded swiftly, with President Vladimir Putin threatening to arm enemies of the West with precision weapons and hinting at nuclear weapon use. Peace talks have vanished from the discourse, risking escalation toward a world war. Dr. Rabil argues that continuing the Ukraine war is detrimental to U.S. and Ukraine interests and potentially catastrophic if it leads to a world war. In this lecture series, Dr. Rabil will discuss critical geostrategic, security, and military issues to prevent such a conflict.

"I consider Dr. Rabil  to be one of the best lecture series, if not the best, that I attend at FAU OLLI" - OLLI Patron

LECTURES:

1. Iran-Russia Relations: Implications for U.S. and Israel

2. The E.U. and the U.S.-China Rivalry in the Indo-Pacific

3. Pakistan and the rivalry between the U.S. and Russia-China

4. The Struggle for Central Asia: Implications for NATO

5. Iran-Venezuela Relations and US-China (and Russia) Rivalry: Implications for U.S.

6. The Arab Gulf, U.S. and Israel: Post October 7

7. North Africa, U.S. and Israel: Post October 7

8. The Ukraine Crisis: The Coming World War?

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

In this session, as we continue our exploration of world cinema, we’ll encounter a diverse range of voices and stories from across the globe.

"Shelly Isaacs truly brings the magic of movies to life. I’ve been seeing films with his various programs for almost ten years now and always look forward to a new semester of film"- OLLI Patron

LECTURES:

1. "Kidnapped: The Abduction of Edgardo Mortara" - Italy, 2023: Edgardo Mortara, a young Jewish boy living in Bologna, Italy, who in 1858, after being secretly baptized, was forcibly taken from his family to be raised as a Christian. His parents' struggle to free their son became part of a larger political battle that pitted the papacy against forces of democracy and Italian unification. Running time 2hr 14min.

2. "All Your Faces" - France, 2023: Restorative justice programs offer a safe space for dialogue between offenders and victims -- supported by professionals and volunteers. In this emotional and difficult journey, they must overcome resentment to find solace and forgiveness. And perhaps, at the end of the road, some of them might even find healing. Running time 118 min.

3. "Monster" - Japan, 2023: When her young son Minato starts to behave strangely, his mother feels that there is something wrong. Discovering that a teacher is responsible, she storms into the school, demanding to know what's going on. But as the story unfolds through the eyes of mother, teacher, and child, the truth gradually emerges. Running time 2hr 7min.

4. "La Chimera" - Italy, 2024: Everyone has their own Chimera, something they try to achieve but never manage to find. For the band of tombaroli, thieves of ancient grave goods and archaeological wonders, the Chimera means redemption from work and the dream of easy wealth. In an adventurous journey between the living and the dead, between forests and cities, between celebrations and solitudes, the intertwined destinies of these characters unfold, all in search of the Chimera.  Running time 2 hr 13m.

Weekly titles subject to change.

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

 

 

The Bill of Rights is 230 years old, but it continues to regularly impact our daily activities and fuel lively political and policy debates. This series will use constitutional/legal analysis, history, current events, logic/common sense, and a little humor to examine some key issues and landmark Supreme Court decisions.

" I will take any course Klein teaches Great combination of knowledge and wit"- OLLI Patron

LECTURES:

1. First Amendment: Freedom From and Freedom of Religion -The Very First Clauses of the Bill of Rights.

2. Second Amendment: Gun Rights and Regulations - What in the World Does the Amendment Mean?

3. Fourth and Fifth Amendments: Your Rights When Confronted by the Police.

4. Sixth through Eighth Amendments: The Rights of Criminal Defendants (Because no one is below the law).

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

 

The stories of the settlement of Jews in Medieval England and in Argentina after the Spanish Inquisition are two fascinating and contrasting communities. In England, from Norman times to blood libel and expulsion, only to return in the 17th century and gradually become leaders of world Jewry. The Argentine community, part Sephardic, part Ashkenazi: from politics to cowboys to prostitutes, a colorful history of one of the largest Jewish communities in the world. Lectures with PowerPoint presentation.

"She is knowledgeable, clever, very well spoken and has a great sense of humor!"- Olli Patron

LECTURES:

1. A look at early Jewish settlement in England, beginning in 1066. Who were these Jews? Blood libels and the expulsion of the Jews from England. The portrayal of the Jew in early English literature from Chaucer to Shakespeare.

2. After the return of the Jews, their changing legal status. Sephardic and Ashenazi Jewish communities in Victorian England. 20th century developments. Treatment of the Jew in modern English literature.

3. The early history of Argentina and its Jews beginning in the 16th century. Later Sephardic and Ashkenazi migrations.

4. Modern history of the Jews of Argentina. Development of the Jewish community. Jewish gauchos and Jewish prostitutes. Dealing with antisemitism. Recent political issues.

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

In this series, Dr. Taylor Hagood will explore the American Civil War through the perspectives of literary writers. From Mary Boykin Chesnut's behind-the-scenes political insights to Ambrose Bierce's first-hand battle accounts and Stephen Crane's vivid imaginings, this program delves into the minds of those most affected by the war. It also revisits later interpretations by Evelyn Scott, William Faulkner, Michael Shaara, and Natasha Tretheway. Major causes, battles, and weaponry will be discussed, bringing this transformative moment in American history to life. Blending history and fiction, Dr. Hagood will highlight how the Civil War tested democracy, unity, and human rights. This program is being presented as a seminar with limited enrollment to foster discussion.

"Dr. Hagood is one of the most knowledgeable, versatile, clever, upbeat, and attention-holding professors I have ever had.” - OLLI Patron

LECTURES:

1. The Eyewitnesses: Mary Boykin Chesnut recorded her personal war experience from the home front in her famous diary, while Ambrose Bierce wrote tales based on his service in the Federal Army.

2. The War Belongs to All: The Civil War profoundly affected the generation immediately after it, and Stephen Crane famously captured that perspective on the conflict.

3. The War Continues: A forgotten but major Civil War book is Evelyn Scott's "The Wave"; she played a role in introducing Nobel Prize winner William Faulkner, who wrote powerfully of the war from a grandchild's viewpoint.

4. Latter-Day Perspectives: Michael Shaara's "The Killer Angels" breathes new life into a classic battle, and Natasha Tretheway considers race and combat from an often-ignored angle.

This program tells the fascinating story of Jewish immigration to America, beginning with Jewish life in Europe during the Late Middle Ages, the Spanish Inquisition, and the expulsion from various European countries. The lectures will explore the earliest Jewish settlers in the Western Hemisphere, their role in the English colonies, and how they made a living while maintaining their identity. Topics include Jewish involvement in the Revolutionary War, the Westward expansion, and the Civil War, along with the influx of Central and Eastern European Jews in the 19th century. The program will also examine U.S. immigration policy, including the 1920s restrictions, FDR’s policies, Soviet Jews’ immigration, and today’s political context.

"She is knowledgeable, clever, very well spoken and has a great sense of humor!” - OLLI Patron

LECTURES:

1. The Age of Discovery and the Colonization of America. The earliest years of migration.  Jews in Colonial America.

2. From the Revolutionary War to the Civil War. The growth of the Jewish population in America. The spread of Jewish communities. Who was coming, and how did they fit in?

3. Post-Civil War America. The great immigration of the second half of the 19th century and how this changed the composition of the Jewish population. Experiments in utopian communities and religious diversity.

4. The 20th Century and Beyond. The closing of the gates. A review of American immigration policies, up to the present.  American policy towards Jews fleeing Europe during the rise of Hitler.  U.S. policy on Soviet Jews.

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

Between 1934 and 1947, actors Wm. Powell and Myrna Loy made a total of 6 movies in which they starred as “Nick & Nora Charles,” a madcap, gin-swilling husband-and-wife team who solved murder mysteries. Originally based on crime writer Dashiell Hammett’s 1934 novel “The Thin Man,” the movie-going public found them so ideally paired that a huge chunk of them actually believed they were married to one another in their off-screen life. In matter of fact, off screen they were just the best of friends. All in all, Myrna and Bill starred in a total of 14 films together. In this first part of the this two-part series, we will watch the first picture they made together, and the first three films in the "Thin Man" series. All films will be shown in their entirety, to be followed by questions and Dr. Stone’s “ well-known “behind the silver screen tales from Hollywood and Vine.”

Lectures:

1. “Manhattan Melodrama” (1934) In their first pairing, Myrna and Bill join Clark Gable and the then 14-year-old Mickey Rooney in a story about two childhood friends who go in opposite directions, one a D.A., the other a crook.

2. “The Thin Man” (1934) Newly-married Nick and Nora drink their way through a case involving the disappearance of an inventor. Costarring Maureen O’Sullivan and Cesar Romero.

3.” After the Thin Man” (1936) Back home in San Francisco for New Year’s, Nick and Nora (along with Asta and “Mrs.” Asta) reluctantly hunt for the murderer of Nora’s cousin’s husband. Co-starring James Stewart in his earliest films.

4. “Another Thin Man” (1939): Returned to New York with Asta and son Nickie, Jr., the couple seeks to find out who killed Nora’s late father’s business partner. With C. Aubrey Smith.

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

Medical Science in the modern era has achieved major breakthroughs, yielding vastly improved health and longevity for most people. Last year, Part I of this series traced these accomplishments in history to the successes and failures of medical practitioners from ancient Egypt through the European Middle Ages. Part II will further explore medical triumphs and tragedies from the Muslim €œGolden Era€ to the dawn of modernity. Numerous PowerPoint slides will be projected to illustrate the evolution of disease diagnosis, treatment, and prevention from their earliest roots to the present time. Prior attendance at Part I is not required. This program is being presented as a seminar with limited enrollment to foster discussion.

"Best course I have ever taken. Dr Bloch is knowledgeable, well prepared engaging speaker." - OLLI Patron

LECTURES:

1. Medicine in the Muslim “Golden Age,”ca. 750 -1250 AD

2. The Renaissance: Background in history, culture, science, and technology, ca. 1400 - 1700 AD.

3. The Renaissance: Revolutionary thinking and discoveries in medicine and surgery.

4. Medicine in the Dawn of Modernity, ca. 18th to early 20th century.

Modern China is a fascinating and unique place with a history and culture that is not well-known or understood by the West. Chinese civilization dates back thousands of years but is now also shaped by 19th and 20th-century ideas, including Marxism. This course will look at the factors that have shaped China today, from the long wave of history to the tumultuous period of civil war through the evolution of communist control. Today under Xi Jinping, China is claiming its place on the global stage as a major power. What this means and how the Western government responds to this emerging challenge is one of the major themes of the course. Without understanding China's evolution, policy mistakes can lead to conflict.

"Great Professor! Great and engaging lectures!"- OLLI Patron

LECTURES:

1. China's Long Imperial History

2. The Century of Humiliation

3. Sun Yat-sen's Failed Vision: An American Revolution with Chinese Characteristics?

4. The Mao Years

5. Deng Xiaoping and the Modernization of China

6. Xi Jinping, the Belt and Road, and China's Global Ambitions

5. Deng Xiaoping and the Modernization of China

6. Xi Jinping, the Belt and Road, and China's Global Ambitions

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

 

Join Jeffrey Morgan, Ph.D., on a journey into nineteenth-century Civil War America through the poetry of Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson. Morgan will reveal new insights into their work, offering a fresh perspective on these titans of American poetry. Through close readings and formal analysis, you'll discover why their writing, often overshadowed by their iconic lives, is foundational to modern American poetry. Classics and lesser-known pieces will be explored, with Morgan bringing them to life through readings and discussions. Each session features their work projected on a screen, allowing you to experience these poems in a whole new way. Don't miss this opportunity to deepen your appreciation of Whitman and Dickinson!! This program is being presented as a seminar with limited enrollment to foster discussion.

"Great teacher - kept me interested and engaged!"- OLLI Patron

LECTURES:

1. Whitman: Letter from Emerson; excerpts from Preface to Leaves of Grass; selections from Song of Myself and When I Heard the Learn'd Astronomer.

2. Whitman: Beat, Beat, Drums!; When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom'd; O Captain! My Captain!; A Noiseless Patient Spider, and I Hear America Singing.

3. Dickinson: This is my letter to the World; Tell all the truth but tell it slant; There is no Frigate like a book; I taste a liquor never brewed; Much Madness is divinest Sense; Success is counted Sweetest, and The Soul selects her own Society.

4. Dickinson: Hope is the thing with feathers; A Narrow Fellow in the Grass; It sifts from Leaden Sieves; Some keep the Sabbath going to Church; Faith is a fine invention; I heard a fly buzz; The Bustle in a House, and Because I could not stop for Death.

This series explores pivotal Supreme Court cases that shaped American history. From Marbury v. Madison to the Nixon Tapes, these cases illustrate the evolving balance of power among the branches of the U.S. government.

"Each session was very interesting and informative. I thoroughly enjoyed attending and look forward to his next series of lectures."- OLLI Patron

LECTURES:

1. Marbury v Madison: This first showdown between Chief Justice John Marshall and incoming President Thomas Jefferson defined the role of the Court in American politics for the next 200 years. Before this case, being a Supreme Court Justice was so unimportant that a man left it to become the treasurer of Maryland. After, they were a co-equal branch in our three-branch system.

2. Lincoln and the Post-War Court: During the Civil War, President Lincoln used executive powers in some questionable constitutional ways to win the war and free the slaves.  Once the war was won and Lincoln was dead, the Court had to decide how much of the power Lincoln grabbed during wartime was constitutionally appropriate.

3. Roosevelt Packs the Court: The conservative Supreme Court of the 1930s knocked down nearly all of FDR’s New Deal legislation, much to the President’s ire.  His solution? To get Congress to raise the number of Justices to 15 and pack the Court with loyal New Dealers. This fight was for the institutional integrity of the Court.

4. Nixon and His Tapes: Of the things President Nixon regretted during his time in office, perhaps his biggest was the decision to have his office wired for sound and recording.  When the special prosecutor subpoenaed the recordings that were made around the time of the Watergate break-ins, the President claimed that he had prosecutorial immunity and didn’t need to give them up.  This fight and decision loomed large recently as another President made a similar legal claim.

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

Does taking a break feel impossible right now? The simple idea of taking a break seems out of reach; let's talk about how to rest and feel renewed! Join us for an empowering and enlightening series dedicated to building awareness of the importance of Rest and how to incorporate it into our lives. We will change our mindset on what Rest is; Rest is not simply about stopping. It's about restoration. It's about pouring back into our deficits to serve the people we love and the areas where we felt called to impact. It will be about evaluating where you can begin to bring a sense of healing and restoration within your physical body. This program is being presented as a seminar with limited enrollment to foster discussion.

LECTURES:

1. Stress Reduction: We need to Rest and Reduce production activities.

2. Self-Care: Rest and engage in Relaxing activities.

3. Restore our being through Mindfulness self awareness activities.

4. Rest and Relax our minds and bodies through sleep.

Between 1934 and 1947, actors Wm. Powell and Myrna Loy made a total of 6 movies in which they starred as “Nick & Nora Charles,” a madcap, gin-swilling husband-and-wife team who solved murder mysteries. Originally based on crime writer Dashiell Hammett’s 1934 novel “The Thin Man,” the movie-going public found them so ideally paired that a huge chunk of them actually believed they were married to one another in their off-screen life. As a matter of fact, off-screen, they were just the best of friends. All in all, Myrna and Bill starred in a total of 14 films together. In this 8-week course, we will watch the first and the last pictures they made together, sandwiching all 6 “Thin Man” films in order, from “The Thin Man” (1934) to “Song of the Thin Man” (1947). All films will be shown in their entirety, to be followed by questions and Dr. Stone’s well-known “behind the silver screen tales from Hollywood and Vine.”

“Really enjoyed Kurt's vast cinematic knowledge and his openness in discussions.” – OLLI Patron

LECTURES:

1. The Thin Man (1934) Newly married Nick and Nora drink their way through a case involving the disappearance of an inventor. Costarring Maureen O’Sullivan and Cesar Romero.

2. After the Thin Man (1936) Back home in San Francisco for New Year’s, Nick and Nora (along with Asta and “Mrs.” Asta) reluctantly hunt for the murderer of Nora’s cousin’s husband. Co-starring James Stewart in his earliest films.

3. Another Thin Man (1939): Returned to New York with Asta and son Nickie, Jr., the couple seeks to find out who killed Nora’s late father’s business partner. With C. Aubrey Smith.

4. Shadow of the Thin Man (1941) While at a local race track hoping for a pleasant afternoon, a jockey is killed. Nick and Nora are enlisted to look for the murderer by their friend, police Lt. Abrams (Same Levene).

5. The Thin Man Goes Home (1945) While on a visit to Nick’s home town, the local criminals assume he’s there on a case. When a corpse shows up on Nick’s father’s doorstep, Nick Nora’s vacation turns into yet another case.

6. The Song of the Thin Man (1947): Nick and Nora are on a gambling ship where a murder occurs. 2 leading suspects come to them for help. The couple turns them over to the police and then looks for the real murderer.

7. The Senator Was Indiscreet (1948): The 14th and last Powell/Loy film. A bumbling, long-winded, crooked Southern senator, considered by some as a dark horse for the Presidency, panics his party when his tell-all diary is stolen.

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

Antisemitism is a very peculiar category of hostility or hate. It appeared for the first time in the ancient world, then in Christendom and Muslim countries. As enlightenment broke with religion and traditional life, a new antisemitism emerged due to nationalism and liberalism. It later evolved into racism and genocide. The victorious Soviet Union and the rule of Stalin brought a new antisemitism associated with hostility to the State of Israel, which affected the Western left. Anti-Zionism gained significant intensity and hostility in the Arab world. Antisemitism in the Western world has reappeared, particularly in academia and sectors of the Western left, primarily associated with the State of Israel and aggravated with the current war in Gaza. Likewise, there is currently an awakening of right-wing antisemitism. The course will analyze, in general terms, antisemitism from ancient times to these days. This program is being presented as a seminar with limited enrollment to foster discussion.

LECTURES:

1. What is Antisemitism? The Historical Roots of Antisemitism: Early Christianity and the Middle Ages.

2. Antisemitism after Jewish Emancipation during the French Revolution.

3. The 19th-Century Rise of Conspiracy and Racial Theories: From religious anti-Judaism to racist and nationalist antisemitism in late 19th-century Germany and Russia.

4. Antisemitism in the Arab and Muslim World: From Arab nationalism to Radical Islam.

5. Left-wing Antisemitism and anti-Zionism: The Soviet tradition.

6. Contemporary Antisemitism: The Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) campaign against Israel: Western apathy to the Jewish plea; and the rise of anti-Semitic right-wing groups in the United States.

This course delves into the history and evolution of social media, exploring its economic, political, cultural, and psychological impacts through recent research and theorizing. Participants will gain enhanced media literacy and a deeper understanding of the shift from analog to digital media and its implications for individuals, businesses, and society. They will learn to differentiate between interpersonal, mass, and social media and theorize its effects on politics, education, family, and economics. Upon completion, attendees will be equipped to navigate the dynamic landscape of social media with insight and discernment. This program is being presented as a seminar with limited enrollment to foster discussion.

"There should be more classes like this and a sequel." - OLLI Patron

LECTURES:

1. Introduction to social media and the history of social media.

2. How mass media and social media have been theorized and researched by sociologists.

3. The technological and economic aspects of social media.

4. Social-psychological aspects of social media.

5. Cultural and political issues surrounding social media.

6. Considering the future of news, art, entertainment, and social media.

In the ancient homeland, the Jewish people worked in the land. The Exile transformed them into an urban people. In the modern period, European cities became great centers of Jewish life and creativity. In the aftermath of the Second World War, Israel and the United States became the centers of Jewish gravity.

"Berk is a dynamic brilliant man. His presentations are outstanding." OLLI Patron

LECTURES:

1. The Polish Center: Warsaw, Krakow and Vilna

2. Central Europe: Prague, Budapest, and Berlin

3. Russia and Ukraine: St. Petersburg, Moscow and Odessa

4. Two New Pillars: New York and Tel Aviv

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

Four unique stories of contemporary women overcoming the obstacles that work, society, and family throw at them.

"Shelly, thank you for presenting such thought-provoking, meaningful and touching films. They really resonate with a Capital R."- OLLI Patron

LECTURES:

1. "Full Time" - France, 2021: Julie, divorced, lives outside Paris with her two children. Receiving no maintenance from her ex, she commutes to the city, working as a chambermaid in a luxury hotel. On the day she gets an interview for a better-paying job, she runs into a national transit strike and must get across a city dead in its tracks. Running time 1h 27m.

2. "Marguerite's Theorem" - France, 2023: Marguerite is a brilliant mathematics student at France's top university, the Ecole Normale Supérieure. On the day of her thesis presentation, a mistake shakes up all the certainty in her planned-out life; she decides to quit everything and start over. Running time 113 min.

3. "Writing with Fire" - India, 2021: Armed with smartphones and tenacity, a fearless group of journalists from India's only women-led news outlet confronts social injustice while fighting for marginalized voices in the world's largest democracy. Running time 93 min.

4. "Toni" - France, 2023: Toni is raising her five children alone. A full-time job. She also sings at bars and had a hit single 20 years ago. Today, as her two eldest prepare to go to college, Toni wonders: what will she do when all of her offspring have left home? Running time 96 min.

Weekly titles subject to change.

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

Who doesn’t take pictures using a smartphone? Let’s make our pictures as good as possible! We will discuss smartphone photography, image editing, color adjustment, sizing, use, and distribution. Lecture with PowerPoint with image examples, hands-on demonstration. Participants must have a smartphone with a camera. The course will lead participants through capture and image editing choices, with the pros & cons of each in discussion. This program is being presented as a seminar with limited enrollment to foster discussion.

LECTURES:

1. Intro to smartphone possibilities, proper orientation, steady hands, attention to light, and after-image adjustments using your smartphone software. Homework for those interested, three images to share that have been adjusted as demonstrated. Most importantly, experiment and have fun!

2. Flower Photography! What’s more beautiful than flowers? And who doesn’t like flowers? Discuss natural lighting, what to look for, and how to use sunlight to your advantage. Homework:   Three flower pictures. Expect to explain what you did to get the picture.

3.  People in the landscape: Discussion on design and natural lighting with people, interiors or exteriors. Everyone takes pictures of family and friends... let’s make them better! Homework: Three images of people, your choice of location.

4.  Final Show & Tell: Bring a few images you have created during the course to show the techniques learned. Final opportunity for a Q & A.

Are criminals crazy? Do mentally ill people have the right to vote or make a will? How do courts use mental health testimony? This program explores and clarifies the intersection of psychology and law, offering insights from a practicing clinical and forensic psychologist who serves as an expert witness. Through real-world examples, it demystifies complex issues related to mental health and the legal system, providing a comprehensive understanding of how psychological evaluations impact legal decisions. The program sheds light on the crucial role of mental health in determining legal outcomes.PowerPoint exhibits and audience Q&A will enhance this series. This program is being presented as a seminar with limited enrollment to foster discussion.

LECTURES:

1. History of law and psychology: The civil and criminal justice systems. Trial procedure. Roles of criminal justice personnel and the forensic psychology expert witness.

2. Jury psychology. Eyewitness identification. Competency to stand trial. Insanity defense. Lawsuits and compensation cases. Police psychology.

3. Homicide, mass murder, and serial killers. Criminal profiling. Sex crimes. Family violence and child abuse.

4. Stalking and hate crimes. Juvenile crime and gang violence. Crime and punishment. Care and treatment of crime victims. Psychological intervention with criminal offenders.

This series explores pivotal Supreme Court cases that shaped American history. From Marbury v. Madison to the Nixon Tapes, these cases illustrate the evolving balance of power among the branches of the U.S. government.

"Each session was very interesting and informative. I thoroughly enjoyed attending and look forward to his next series of lectures."- OLLI Patron

LECTURES:

1. Marbury v Madison: This first showdown between Chief Justice John Marshall and incoming President Thomas Jefferson defined the role of the Court in American politics for the next 200 years. Before this case, being a Supreme Court Justice was so unimportant that a man left it to become the treasurer of Maryland. After, they were a co-equal branch in our three-branch system.

2. Lincoln and the Post-War Court: During the Civil War, President Lincoln used executive powers in some questionable constitutional ways to win the war and free the slaves.  Once the war was won and Lincoln was dead, the Court had to decide how much of the power Lincoln grabbed during wartime was constitutionally appropriate.

3. Roosevelt Packs the Court: The conservative Supreme Court of the 1930s knocked down nearly all of FDR’s New Deal legislation, much to the President’s ire.  His solution? To get Congress to raise the number of Justices to 15 and pack the Court with loyal New Dealers. This fight was for the institutional integrity of the Court.

4. Nixon and His Tapes: Of the things President Nixon regretted during his time in office, perhaps his biggest was the decision to have his office wired for sound and recording.  When the special prosecutor subpoenaed the recordings that were made around the time of the Watergate break-ins, the President claimed that he had prosecutorial immunity and didn’t need to give them up.  This fight and decision loomed large recently as another President made a similar legal claim.

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

This series continues the exploration of the Diaspora, focusing on the history and culture of Jews in four European countries or regions. All are part of the saga of European Jewish prosperity, achievement, persecution, exile, destruction, and return. Many American Jews have Russian roots, as it once had the world’s largest Jewish population, including imperialistic holdings in Ukraine, Lithuania, Latvia, and Belarus. Germany was the home of Ashkenazi Judaism and today has a surprisingly growing Jewish community. The Jewish presence in Italy dates to pre-Christian Rome and has continued, despite periods of extreme Papal persecution and expulsions and with the help of Mussolini! From the 16th C diaspora fleeing Iberian expulsion until the Holocaust, the Netherlands was mostly a bastion of tolerance and a center of Jewish life when Amsterdam was known as “Dutch Jerusalem.”

"Excellent presentations, well researched, interesting and clear documentation, loved the graphics"- OLLI Patron

LECTURES:

1. Russia: Beyond the Pale- Medieval, Imperial and Soviet Empires

2. Germany: Prosperity, Integration, Destruction and Rebirth

3. Italy: Surviving Emperors, Popes, and Mussolini

4. The Netherlands: Conversos, Commerce, Occupation and Remembrance

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

Is there any dance form more joyous than tap? It's the only kind of dance that is aural as well as visual, the only one in which the artist is dancer and musician. Tap dance is an indigenous art form developed from the dance traditions of enslaved African Americans and European immigrants, particularly those from Ireland. Dance historian Sally Sommer has said, "If you want to know about the history of America, maybe you should study the history of tap." This series will showcase close to 100 dancers from past to present. In spotlighting a range of artists who have made major contributions to this ever-evolving form, both the history of tap and the history of America come into sharper focus.

LECTURES:

1.    1800s through the early 1930s

2.    1930s through the early 1940s (timeline approximate)

3.    1940s (timeline approximate)

4.    1950s through tap’s waning popularity (timeline approximate)

5.    Resurgence, 1970s and Beyond

6.    Contemporary Tap Dancers

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

The best way to understand where we are going is to examine where we’ve been. In this four week book discussion group, we will read four stories of our past. In addition to discussing the readings, we will also discuss strategies and prompts for writing our own stories of the past.

LECTURES:

1. Night Watch by Jayne Anne Phillips

2. The Wonder by Emma Donoghue

3. The Complete Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi

4. Anthony Doerr’s Pushcart Prize-wining essay Two Nights

We are at a pivotal moment in cognitive brain health. In this four-part lecture series, we'll delve into the groundbreaking advancements in this field. Beginning with an introductory lecture on neuroscience basics and historical context, we'll progress to the latest in diagnosis and treatments, including groundbreaking disease-modifying medications for Alzheimer’s Disease. This series provides a thorough exploration of cognitive brain health, exploring recent discoveries reshaping our understanding of cognitive decline and leading to innovative interventions. Together, we'll address whether we're witnessing the beginning of the end of Alzheimer’s Disease. Join us as we navigate this transformative journey towards improved brain health and a brighter future. This program is being presented as a seminar with limited enrollment to foster discussion.

1. Foundations of Cognitive Brain Health: An Introduction to the History, the Science, and the Varying Schools of Thought

2. Neuro Assessment and Diagnostic Innovation: Precision Tools for Understanding Cognitive Health and Unraveling Neurological Conditions with Precision

3. Therapeutic Frontiers: Advancements in Cognitive Brain Health Treatments

4. Lifestyle Interventions: Optimizing Cognitive Resilience and Well-being and Uncovering the Power of Cognitive Reserve

Explore the Florida coast's history and Floridians' relationships with the sea over the past 2,000 years or so (when the modern shoreline came into being). This program is organized around four of Florida's coasts to consider the current problems confronting coastal communities in light of history. While all of Florida's coasts face similar problems, each lecture will use one coastal space to explore the impact of an issue in detail. Each discussion, enhanced through images and video, will begin with a description of the modern problem and then move back in time to contextualize it. Attendees will gain a strong understanding of the problems with Florida's coasts while gaining an appreciation of how these coasts have changed over time. Space is limited.

"He was lively and engaged, very well done!" - OLLI Patron

LECTURES:

1. The First Coast: Development and the Northern Atlantic Coast

2. The Emerald Coast: Saving History Along the Northern Gulf

3. The Sun Coast: The Problem of Pollution on the Southern Gulf

4. The Gold Coast: Sea Level Rise and South Florida

"One World: A Global Anthology of Short Stories" transcends geographic boundaries, featuring stories from renowned authors from around the world. Their experiences and perspectives are shared in themes of identity, displacement, love, and human nature, addressing issues of race, language, economy, gender, and ethnicity. Join us weekly as we read and discuss a few stories, exploring diverse cultures and perspectives. Together, we'll reflect on these beautiful and sometimes chaotic renditions of the human experience, fostering a deeper understanding of our interconnected world. Welcome to our book club journey! Participants will receive a pdf copy of the book prior to the start of the first week’s session. This program is being presented with limited enrollment to foster discussion.

“I really enjoyed this class. The selected short stories were all excellent, and the instructor does a great job leading the discussion"- OLLI Patron

LECTURES:

Week 1: "Leng Lui is for Pretty Lady" (Elaine Chiew); "Ishwari’s Children" (Shabnam Nadiya); "The Volunteer" (Lucinda Nelson Dhavan)

Week 2: "Porcelain" (Henrietta Rose-Innes), "Cow-Hearted" (Wadzanai Mhute), "Rich People’s School" (Lauri Kubuitsile)

Week 3: "Kettle on the Boat" (Vanessa Gebbie), "A Boy and His Kite" (Konstantinos Tzikas), "Retrenched" (Ken N Kamoche)

Week 4: "The Albino" (Adetokunbo Gbenga Abiola)," Kelemo’s Woman" (Molara Wood); and "Honor of a Woman" (Dipita Kwa)

Technology was not created to intimidate you, but to empower you! As technology advances, it's important for you to be knowledgeable, familiar with and aware of all the advantages it can provide to you. In this series we will explore the ways technology can help with our finances and make our lives easier with aps. We will also learn how to protect ourselves online and explore a variety of ways AI is already changing the way we live and work. This program is being presented as a seminar with limited enrollment to foster discussion.

LECTURES:

1. Digital Finance Management: Saving You Time and Stress

2. Stay Ahead of the Scams: How To Stay Safe Online

3.There’s An App For That!: Most Helpful Apps For Older Adults

4. All About AI: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer the future; It's Already Here!

The terms "Populist" and "Progressive" are used a lot in today's political parlance to describe some politicians, but what do these terms truly mean historically? Dr. Borucki will address the decades from the 1870s through the 1920s when those terms originated to describe very significant movements in American politics. The Populists captured a large following as a third-party movement in the 1880s and 1890s across the Midwest and South, and the growth of "Jim Crow" segregation in the South was largely a reaction to their challenge to one-party control of that section. With Populism came the emergence of several colorful characters in Southern politics. Some other interesting figures rose to prominence in the Progressive Era, a time around the turn of the century in which there was an optimistic attitude for reform in both the North and South. That optimism would be largely shattered by the international disaster that was World War I.

"Excellent and informative lecture! The instructor’s passion for the subject matter was evident. I thoroughly enjoyed this presentation!" - OLLI Patron

LECTURES:

1. Populism's Origins:  What were the post-Civil War economic conditions that paved the way for the rise of Populism in the South and Midwest, particularly in the 1870s and 1880s?

2. From Farmers' Alliances to Political Party:  Populism morphed into a full-fledged third-party movement in 1888, but it fizzled after the presidential election of 1896.  Why was the movement so short-lived?

3. Continuities between Populism and Progressivism in the South:  as the 19th century passed and the 20th century began, several southern firebrands stood for reform and gained popular appeal among poor whites. Progressivism had a pronounced southern rural strand.

4. Progressivism in the North:  Meanwhile, in quickly growing northern industrial and commercial centers, several political leaders emerged to call for reform at the local and state level, and as presidents, Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson represented the apex of Progressivism at the federal level.

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

Jimmy Van Heusen wrote the music for the string of Bob Hope-Bing Crosby road pictures and many novelty tunes for singer Frank Sinatra. He also composed tunes of such harmonic substance that hundreds of recordings by jazz instrumentalists resulted. His chord progressions in these were inviting for improvisers, and their melodies were endearing. In this course, we will delve into his best compositions, which were tapped for renditions by the most historically significant jazz musicians. Excerpts of movies using his tunes will be interspersed with analyses of historic recordings by jazz giants. Space is limited.

LECTURES:

1. "Here's That Rainy Day;" renditions by Bill Evans, June Christy, Oscar Peterson, Paul Desmond

2. "Polka Dots and Moonbeams;" renditions by Lee Konitz, Bill Evans, Wes Montgomery, Sarah Vaughan

3. "But Beautiful;" renditions by Johnny Hartman, Ben Webster, Bill Evans

4. "Darn That Dream;" renditions by Miles Davis, Tony Bennett, Stan Getz, George Shearing

Join Dr. Edward Shapiro's series focusing on films that tackle the economic, social, and diplomatic challenges faced by America in the 1920s. These cinematic classics serve as invaluable historical documents, offering insights into the prevailing thoughts and concerns of the American people during this era. Through discussions and screenings, we will explore how these films reflect the zeitgeist of the time and shed light on the complex issues shaping American society. This is a journey through the cinematic landscape of the 1920s, where these films serve as poignant reflections of the challenges and aspirations of the nation during a transformative period in its history.

"Third series in a row I've attended. I am a big fan"- OLLI Patron

LECTURES:

1. "Birth of a Nation": Racism

2. "All Quiet on the Western Front": The Revulsion of War

3. "The Jazz Singer": Immigration and Acculturation

4. "Modern Times": Industrialization

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

"The Arabian Nights" is a timeless collection of stories narrated by the beautiful Scheherazade over 1001 nights to capture the imagination of her husband, the powerful Sultan, and save herself each dawn from execution. The tales were collected from many sources over hundreds of years, and old as they are, their brave heroes and cunning villains continue to influence fiction and film in the modern world. In this four-session seminar, we'll spend the first three sessions exploring famous and lesser-known tales and the fascinating times and rich cultures in which they evolved. In the final session, we'll examine some of the many works of later fiction and film that the stories have inspired. Handout listing books and films referenced. Seminar format with PowerPoint slides. This program is being presented as a seminar with limited enrollment to foster discussion.

“Cora is smart, interesting and a great presenter.” – OLLI Patron

LECTURES:

1: Deceit and Trickery: Tales of tricksters, liars, con artists, and other untrustworthy folk.

2: Adventure and Revenge: Sword-wielding, rollicking adventurers and their deeds and misdeeds.

3: Love and Longing: Endings both happy and sad for lovers both loyal and star-crossed.

4: A Million and One Inspirations: Stories and films that took the tales as their guide to thrill and delight us.

OLLI is thrilled to welcome Judge Cymonie S. Rowe back for an in-depth exploration of the 45 words of the First Amendment. This series will introduce participants to the Amendment's text and the landmark Supreme Court cases that have shaped freedom of expression in the U.S. Each session will examine the history, content, and judicial rulings that frame government restrictions on speech. Each week, special guest speakers will be featured in person or via Zoom to enhance the experience as we delve into pivotal cases. This program is being presented as a seminar with limited enrollment to foster discussion.

"Fantastic class! Very informative about the judicial process, local and national. I learned a lot about the decision-making process for judges and gained a new respect for their difficult job."- OLLI Patron

 

Populations forced from their homelands have occurred since the beginning of recorded time. Today, people are scattered throughout the world for a variety of reasons; economic, political, racial, and ethnic oppression among them. In these four films, you’ll meet people seeking a better life for themselves and their families, where crossing borders and hoping to be accepted can be a redeeming or unimaginable experience.

"Been taking Shelley’s class for many years. A great class and have learned a lot about film” - OLLI Patron

LECTURES:

1. "Worlds Apart" - Greece, 2015: In this film from modern Greece, while socioeconomic turmoil ravages Southern Europe, three distinct stories unfold, each representing a different generation of Greeks becoming involved with a foreigner. Through circumstances and destinies, they link together in the end. Running time 113 min.

2. "Citizens of the World" - Italy, 2019: Three retired best friends conspire to leave Rome to find a better standard of living in a country where their meager pensions will stretch much further. As they formulate an escape plan and the pages fly off the calendar towards the departure date, each man must reassess what they are leaving behind. Running time 92 min.

3. "Io Capitano" - Italy, 2023: In this epic, cinematically magnificent odyssey from West Africa to Italy, the story is told through the mind’s eye and experiences of two Senegalese teenagers living in Dakar who yearn for a brighter future in Europe, where between their dreams and reality lies a treacherous journey. Running time 121 min.

4. "Tazzeka" - Morocco, 2017: Growing up in the Moroccan village of Tazzeka, Elias learned the secrets of delicious traditional Moroccan cuisine from his grandmother, who raised him. As he grew, he also became infatuated with French cuisine. As a young man, impressing a top Paris chef and meeting a young woman named Salma inspired him to leave home. Running time 95 min.

Weekly titles subject to change.

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

 

In this interactive seminar, we will explore and discuss the pivotal events, ideas, and debates that shaped the creation of the U.S. Constitution. Through analysis of key historical documents, including the Articles of Confederation and the Federalist Papers, students will gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by the Founding Fathers. The course will examine the compromises, conflicts, and philosophies that influenced the drafting process, providing a comprehensive view of the road to the Constitution. This program is being presented as a seminar with limited enrollment to foster discussion.

LECTURES:

1. The Early Government of the United States under the Articles of Confederation:  What they were and why they failed.

2. The Competing Proposals to Write a New Constitution.

3. The Debates that Resulted in the Federalist Papers and Opposition.

4. The development of the Constitution and the men and women who were Involved.

Explore the enduring popularity of George Gershwin's music throughout the twentieth century, particularly its profound influence on jazz musicians. This course showcases exceptional examples of jazz inspired by Gershwin's compositions, offering participants the chance to revel in the remarkable melodies crafted by America's preeminent tunesmith. Delve into the dynamic swing and creative interpretations of jazz masters while experiencing historic recordings, videos, and firsthand anecdotes from Gridley's performances alongside show business legends like Steve Lawrence, Edie Gorme, Sammy Davis Jr., and more. Don't miss the opportunity to immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Gershwin's music and its impact on the jazz landscape. 

"We would take any and all classes he gives. He is a treasure!" OLLI Patron

Lectures:

1. "I Got Rhythm": Ethel Merman video and Duke Ellington, Don Byas, Sonny Rollins audio.

2. "Porgy and Bess": Opera footage, Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, Bill Evans audio classics

3. "Lady Be Good": Ella Fitzgerald video, Django Reinhardt, Lester Young audio

4. "Someone to Watch Over Me": Ella Fitzgerald video, Johnny Hodges, Ben Webster audio

 

Tai Chi, short for T'ai Chuan or Tai ji quan, is an internal Chinese martial art practiced for both its defense training and its health benefits. The term Taiji refers to a philosophy of the forces of yin and yang, which are related to the moves. If you're looking for a way to reduce stress, consider Tai Chi, as it combines both spirituality and healthy movement meditation. All poses are slow and steady movements with unstoppable Qi - the internal energy. This class will both strengthen your body and calm your mind. Space is limited.

"I would love to take this course again. So glad you offered a program that involved movement."- OLLI Patron

We do not choose to fall in love. "Love chooses its own Mark." This is demonstrated by Cupid's arrow. Shakespeare treated falling in love as part bliss, part affliction. In two of these films, a beautiful Jewish girl of amazing spiritual strength falls in love with a Nazi official or agent. What occurs is utterly selfless devotion. In two of the films, the encroachment of Nazi rule is so gradual that we understand how hope is necessary even when things are hopeless.

LECTURES:

1. "Lacombe, Lucien" - France: An ignorant but fearless peasant boy is recruited by the Milice to find and execute partisans. A Jewish tailor in hiding with his mother and daughter is forced to make a stylish suit for him. He sees the daughter...

2. "Black Book" - Netherlands: A Jewish girl joins the underground and learns it too harbors anti-Semitic feelings. She is assigned to kill a Gestapo chief. Instead, she falls in love with him.

3. "Mr. Klein" - France: A Christian man with the name Klein is mistaken for being Jewish and tries to explain. A realistic depiction of a nightmare situation.

4. “The Garden of the Finzi-Continis”: - Italy: One of the most beautiful films ever made about an Italian aristocratic family that just happens to be Jewish and practice it without ceasing to be Italian, blond, and blue-eyed.

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

The Church Father Tertullian taught, "What has Athens to do with Jerusalem?" What does philosophy have to do with religion? But Judaism has never agreed. From Philo to Judah HaLevi, from Maimonides to Spinoza, and from Martin Buber to Jacques Derrida, there is a long philosophical tradition in Judaism. This eight-week course will present an overview of the major Jewish philosophical thinkers, from Biblical times to modernity. Among the topics we will cover are Ibn Gabirol's Neoplatonism, Maimonides' Aristotelianism, Spinoza's pantheism, Rosenzweig's existentialism, and Derrida's deconstruction. This class does not require any background in philosophy. This program is being presented as a seminar with limited enrollment to foster discussion.

"He is informative, entertaining and inclusive. We enjoyed his class immensely." - OLLI Patron

LECTURES: 1. Plato: from Philo to Judah HaLevi

2. Aristotle: from Saadia to Maimonides

3. The Enlightenment: from Spinoza to Mendelssohn

4. Contemporary Philosophy: from Buber to Derrida

In this interactive seminar, we will explore and discuss the pivotal events, ideas, and debates that shaped the creation of the U.S. Constitution. Through analysis of key historical documents, including the Articles of Confederation and the Federalist Papers, students will gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by the Founding Fathers. The course will examine the compromises, conflicts, and philosophies that influenced the drafting process, providing a comprehensive view of the road to the Constitution. This program is being presented as a seminar with limited enrollment to foster discussion.

LECTURES:

1. The Early Government of the United States under the Articles of Confederation:  What they were and why they failed.

2. The Competing Proposals to Write a New Constitution.

3. The Debates that Resulted in the Federalist Papers and Opposition.

4. The development of the Constitution and the men and women who were Involved.

Tai Chi, short for T'ai Chuan or Tai ji quan, is an internal Chinese martial art practiced for both its defense training and its health benefits. The term Taiji refers to a philosophy of the forces of yin and yang, which are related to the moves. If you're looking for a way to reduce stress, consider Tai Chi, as it combines both spirituality and healthy movement meditation. All poses are slow and steady movements with unstoppable Qi - the internal energy. This class will both strengthen your body and calm your mind. Space is limited.

"I would love to take this course again. So glad you offered a program that involved movement."- OLLI Patron

To mobilize is to set in motion, to marshal, to deploy, to rally. Art history activates the work of artists while engaging with culture, nature, politics, and power. Through four lectures with slides, we will consider some of the most relevant topics for art history, the humanities, and democracy today. The Humanities encompass human belief, knowledge, expression, and experience. The visual arts provide deeply historical, cross-cultural, spiritual, and political artifacts of human struggle and thriving. They provide beauty but also pain, joy, and sorrow. Art is not simply a document, a reflection of its time. Artists intervene, and art does things in the world. It is the job of art history to keep it alive. This course seeks to do just that. This program is being presented as a seminar with limited enrollment to foster discussion.

LECTURES:

1. Collective Memory and the Work of Memorials: Public spaces are sites of contention, but also shared places of memory and healing. The "co" in commemoration means we must decide together.

2. Looking With So We Don't Look Away: How can a shared collection of images allow us to confront trauma with courage, or violence with empathy?

3. Curatorial Complexity and Works of Art in Conversation: Art history in museums is often unnoticed. But good curators put famous works in tension, and introduce us to new narratives and contexts.

4. Mobilizing Art History for the Future of Democracy: An informed citizenry in the 21st century needs visual discernment and cultural literacy to thrive.

Join us as we visit four more museums of the world!  Most visitors to some of the world’s greatest and largest museums experience only a whirlwind tour of an hour or two. But if time permits, an on-your-own tour can be a marvelous journey, especially if you plan for what you’d most like to see.  This series surveys some of the highlights of each of these incredible museums. Jonson will be joining via Zoom in with commentary and Q&A.

"I attend many programs at FAU. This was by far the finest program I have attended. I hope you will be able to bring another program by Ms Jonson. Fabulous. Thank you."- OLLI Patron

LECTURES:

1. The British Museum, London: The British Museum holds an astonishing eight million works in its collection. This class will concentrate on museum highlights from Ancient Egypt, including the Rosetta Stone, the Ancient Near East, and Ancient Greece, as well as the controversial and beautiful Elgin Marbles and early British history.

2. Berlin's Museum Island: Berlin, Germany, is a city of wonders, but one of its true treasures is Museum Island.  Five museums situated on this island in the Spree River in the heart of Berlin cover more than 6,000 years of history. 

3. The Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam: Following a decade of renovations, the Rijksmuseum reopened with great festivities in April 2013.  Its priceless collections include works by all the Dutch and Flemish masters of the 17th century, called the Dutch Golden Age. 

4. Musée d'Orsay, Paris: From its beginnings as a Beaux-Arts railway station inaugurated in 1900, the Musee d’Orsay has grown into a wonderful museum featuring paintings, sculptures, photography, furniture, decorative and industrial art from the 1850s to 1914.

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

Join us as we visit four more museums of the world!  Most visitors to some of the world’s greatest and largest museums experience only a whirlwind tour of an hour or two. But if time permits, an on-your-own tour can be a marvelous journey, especially if you plan for what you’d most like to see.  This series surveys some of the highlights of each of these incredible museums. Jonson will be joining via Zoom in with commentary and Q&A.

"I attend many programs at FAU. This was by far the finest program I have attended. I hope you will be able to bring another program by Ms Jonson. Fabulous. Thank you."- OLLI Patron

LECTURES:

1. The British Museum, London: The British Museum holds an astonishing eight million works in its collection. This class will concentrate on museum highlights from Ancient Egypt, including the Rosetta Stone, the Ancient Near East, and Ancient Greece, as well as the controversial and beautiful Elgin Marbles and early British history.

2. Berlin's Museum Island: Berlin, Germany, is a city of wonders, but one of its true treasures is Museum Island.  Five museums situated on this island in the Spree River in the heart of Berlin cover more than 6,000 years of history. 

3. The Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam: Following a decade of renovations, the Rijksmuseum reopened with great festivities in April 2013.  Its priceless collections include works by all the Dutch and Flemish masters of the 17th century, called the Dutch Golden Age. 

4. Musée d'Orsay, Paris: From its beginnings as a Beaux-Arts railway station inaugurated in 1900, the Musee d’Orsay has grown into a wonderful museum featuring paintings, sculptures, photography, furniture, decorative and industrial art from the 1850s to 1914.

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

Between 1934 and 1947, actors William Powell and Myrna Loy made six movies in which they starred as “Nick & Nora Charles,” a madcap, gin-swilling husband-and-wife team who solved murder mysteries. Originally based on crime writer Dashiell Hammett’s 1934 novel “The Thin Man,” the movie-going public found them so ideally paired that a huge chunk of them actually believed they were married to one another in their off-screen life. As a matter of fact, off-screen, they were just the best of friends. All in all, Myrna and Bill starred in a total of 14 films together. In this seond part of the series, we will watch the last three films in the "Thin Man" series and the last picture they made together. All films will be shown in their entirety, followed by questions and Dr. Stone’s well-known “behind-the-silver-screen tales from Hollywood and Vine.”

LECTURES:

1. “Shadow of the Thin Man” (1941): While at a local race track, hoping for a pleasant afternoon, a jockey is killed. Nick and Nora are enlisted to look for the murderer by their friend, police Lt. Abrams (Sam Levene).

2. “The Thin Man Goes Home” (1945) While on a visit to Nick’s hometown, the local criminals assume he’s there on a case. When a corpse shows up on Nick’s father’s doorstep, Nick and Nora’s vacation turns into yet another case.

3. “The Song of the Thin Man “(1947): Nick and Nora are on a gambling ship when a murder occurs. Two leading suspects come to them for help. The couple turns them over to the police and then looks for the real murderer.

4. “The Senator Was Indiscreet” (1948): The 14th and last Powell/Loy film. A bumbling, long-winded, crooked Southern senator, considered by some as a dark horse for the Presidency, panics his party when his tell-all diary is stolen.

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.