This course reframes the American Revolution as a global event shaped by imperial rivalries and geopolitical forces. Each session focuses on a different group—Germans, French, Spaniards, South Asians, and others—revealing how their experiences intersected with the collapse of British rule in North America. By viewing the Revolution through a global lens, participants will uncover new perspectives on its causes, course, and consequences.

OSHER ONLINE INSTRUCTOR: Richard Bell, PhD, is Professor of History at the University of Maryland and author of Stolen, a finalist for the George Washington and Harriet Tubman Prizes. A National Endowment for the Humanities Public Scholar and Carnegie Fellow, he has held fellowships at Yale and Cambridge. His latest book, The American Revolution and the Fate of the World, was published in 2025

Osher Online courses are offered fully online through Zoom – classes are not recorded. The Osher National Resource Center manages these courses and all communication to registered students.

You must be an OLLI member to register. This program is currently offered to a select few OLLIs. Space is limited per university. Be sure to register early.

Osher Online is a complement to OLLI programs offered by the Osher National Resource Center. The National Resource Center for Osher Institutes (Osher NRC) is a non-governing center of excellence, hosted by Northwestern University, benefiting older adults through the national network of 124 Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes (OLLIs).

Explore the fascinating world of Albert Einstein’s theories—no math or science background required. This course introduces key ideas like time travel, warped space, black holes, and gravitational waves, all in accessible terms. We will discover how modern science continues to confirm Einstein’s predictions and why his work remains a source of wonder for both scientists and science fiction fans.

OSHER ONLINE INSTRUCTOR: Andrew Fraknoi, MS Andrew Fraknoi is the former chair of the astronomy department at Foothill College and now teaches noncredit astronomy courses at San Francisco State and the University of San Francisco. He is lead author of OpenStax Astronomy, the most widely used free introductory astronomy textbook in North America. Named California Professor of the Year in 2007, he frequently explains astronomy in everyday language on national radio programs. The International Astronomical Union named Asteroid 4859 Fraknoi in his honor as a recognition of his contributions to the public understanding of science. Learn more at http://fraknoi.com.

Osher Online courses are offered fully online through Zoom – classes are not recorded. The Osher National Resource Center manages these courses and all communication to registered students.

You must be an OLLI member to register. This program is currently offered to a select few OLLIs. Space is limited per university. Be sure to register early.

Osher Online is a complement to OLLI programs offered by the Osher National Resource Center. The National Resource Center for Osher Institutes (Osher NRC) is a non-governing center of excellence, hosted by Northwestern University, benefiting older adults through the national network of 124 Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes (OLLIs).

This course, presented in partnership with the Osher Collaborative for Integrative Health, features expert speakers from their upcoming national conference, Navigating Chronic Illness in a Complex Healthcare System. Through engaging presentations and discussions, participants will explore how integrative health approaches can address the challenges of living with chronic conditions and help individuals make informed choices within today’s increasingly complex healthcare environment. Topics will focus on whole-person care, patient empowerment, and practical strategies for managing long-term health concerns.

OSHER ONLINE INSTRUCTOR: Osher Centers for Integrative Health The Osher Collaborative for Integrative Health is a national network of academic health centers dedicated to advancing whole-person care. Through clinical innovation, research, and education, the Collaborative promotes evidence-based approaches that combine conventional and complementary therapies to support physical, emotional, and social well-being.

Osher Online courses are offered fully online through Zoom – classes are not recorded. The Osher National Resource Center manages these courses and all communication to registered students.

You must be an OLLI member to register. This program is currently offered to a select few OLLIs. Space is limited per university. Be sure to register early.

Osher Online is a complement to OLLI programs offered by the Osher National Resource Center. The National Resource Center for Osher Institutes (Osher NRC) is a non-governing center of excellence, hosted by Northwestern University, benefiting older adults through the national network of 124 Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes (OLLIs).