Lifelong Learning Experiences for the Curious Mind

Osher Online & OLLI Share Classes

Osher Online is a collaboration hosted by the the National Resource Center (NRC) for Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, a non-governing center of excellence hosted by Northwestern University, benefiting older adults through the national network of 120+ OLLIs.

Osher Online classes are hosted online, offering high-quality, synchronous courses to members of participating OLLIs.
This is a unique opportunity for members to learn with experts and peers nationwide.
The Zoom (created by Osher Online NRC) will be in your class list as well as in the Osher Online platform sent directly to your email.
Space is limited as we are only granted 11 spots per class.

OLLI Share is a collaboration program in which mutliple Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes partner to offer a wider range of online courses to their members. Through OLLI Share, ASU members can attend special online courses from partner OLLIs all with membership reciprocity and at a special discounted cost.

OLLI Share classes are FREE for active OLLI at ASU members.
The classes shared with us are planned and coordinated by the host university.
The Zoom (created by the host university) will be in your class list after you complete your registration.
All times listed on the OLLI website are in Arizona’s time zone. If a multi-session class overlaps with a change in DST, class times will be adjusted and listed accordingly.

025 | Threads of History: The World of Oriental Rugs - NRC | Zoom
Fee: $95.00
Day of Week: M
Dates: Jul. 6, 13, 20, 27 & Aug. 3, 10
Times: 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Sessions: 6
Building: Online
Room: Zoom
Instructor: Sumru Krody

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

026 | Children's Literature: The Development of a Genre - NRC | Zoom
Fee: $95.00
Day of Week: Tu
Dates: Jul. 7, 14, 21, 28 & Aug. 4, 11
Times: 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM
Sessions: 6
Building: Online
Room: Zoom
Instructor: Blake Regnier

In this course, we will trace the evolution of literature specifically written for children - from its earliest forms to the modern era. We will begin with the oral traditions that underpin all storytelling, then follow the shift toward published works created specifically with young readers in mind. We will survey key moments and turning points that shaped the growth of children’s literature as a distinct field. We will conclude by analyzing how a well-known children’s literature has evolved over time.

027 | Discovering Portugal - NRC | Zoom
Fee: $95.00
Day of Week: Tu
Dates: Jul. 7, 14, 21, 28 & Aug. 4, 11
Times: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Sessions: 6
Building: Online
Room: Zoom
Instructor: Alison Roberts

THIS CLASS IS FULL. Please click the "Add to Waitlist" button below.

In this course, we will explore how a tiny nation – Portugal – played an outsized role in world history. We will examine Portugal’s fifteenth and sixteenth century maritime expansion (once called the “Discoveries”), as well as its central role in the transatlantic trade in enslaved people. We will trace how Portugal, once a fringe region of the Roman Empire, emerged as the only independent kingdom on the Iberian Peninsula as Castile grew into Spain. We will follow Portugal’s rise as a global power, with outposts stretching from Brazil to Japan, and then its decline as rival empires overtook it – culminating in twentieth century poverty under Europe’s longest dictatorship. Finally, we will consider how this past continues to shape Portuguese identity and culture in the decades since a revolution ushered in democracy. As we survey Portugal’s landscapes, art and architecture, and food, we will see why record numbers of Americans are now visiting the country.

028 | Horticulture A-Z - NRC | Zoom
Fee: $95.00
Day of Week: Tu
Dates: Jul. 7, 14, 21, 28 & Aug. 4, 11
Times: 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Sessions: 6
Building: Online
Room: Zoom
Instructor: Chris Baker

In this course, we will explore a wide range of horticultural practices with something to offer no matter our experience level or where we live. We will cover container gardening, aquatic gardens, ornamental and fruiting plants, bonsai, landscape design, and pest management. Each week, we will focus on a theme and examine design ideas, plant choices, and long-term care practices for success. Whether we garden on 10 acres or in an apartment, we will find plenty to learn and enjoy in horticulture.

029 | Canals & the Making of the Modern World - NRC | Zoom
Fee: $95.00
Day of Week: W
Dates: Jul. 8, 15, 22, 29 & Aug. 5, 12
Times: 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM
Sessions: 6
Building: Online
Room: Zoom
Instructor: Bernie Carlson

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

030 | Endless Grounds: Coffee's Social, Economic, & Cultural Life - NRC | Zoom
Fee: $95.00
Day of Week: Th
Dates: Jul. 9, 16, 23, 30 & Aug. 6, 13
Times: 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM
Sessions: 6
Building: Online
Room: Zoom
Instructor: Dr. Robert Thurston

Coffee will provide a lively lens on major past and present issues, including climate change, social life, health, global North–South differences, social and economic justice, tourism, and slavery. We will begin “from the ground up,” tracing coffee from planting and processing through shipping and, ultimately, the beverage in our cups - part of nearly two billion cups consumed daily worldwide. We will explore coffee’s global history and its shift from an elite drink to an everyday staple. Drawing on current research, we will examine coffee and health, as well as practical questions such as how more income might reach farmers and how coffee production might adapt to a changing climate. The instructor will share firsthand experiences from coffee farms around the world, discuss a range of brewing methods, and demonstrate how coffee is brewed. Sessions will be interactive, with time for questions throughout.

031 | Revolutionary Echoes in Washington DC - NRC | Zoom
Fee: $95.00
Day of Week: Th
Dates: Jul. 9, 16, 23, 30 & Aug. 6, 13
Times: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Sessions: 6
Building: Online
Room: Zoom
Instructor: Dr. Kasey Sease

The Declaration of Independence is a pivotal American document, not just for eighteenth-century revolutionaries, but for people throughout US history. This course will explore how individuals in Washington, D.C. used the Declaration and its ideas after independence was won. From the capital city’s planners to Union soldiers who defended Washington amid civil war, many evoked the Declaration to support their causes and shape a capital city. Spotlighting museum artifacts from the Albert H. Small Washingtoniana Collection, this course will cover D.C.’s early history through 1876, the nation’s first centennial celebration.

032 | Deaf Culture & History - NRC | Zoom
Fee: $95.00
Day of Week: Th
Dates: Jul. 9, 16, 23, 30 & Aug. 6, 13
Times: 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Sessions: 6
Building: Online
Room: Zoom
Instructor: Matthew Cooper

This course introduces key aspects of Deaf Culture in the United States and the factors that define the Deaf community as a cultural minority. We will focus on awareness, cultural diversity, and the preservation of language. This course addresses the cultural identity, group norms, rules of social interaction, values, and traditions held by deaf members. Together we will explore the impact of modern technology, emerging issues, trends, and advocacy with the Deaf community. We will also address topics related to communication, terminology, educational alternatives, state and federal legislation, and community resources.

033 | The Indispensable Founder: George Washington - NRC | Zoom
Fee: $95.00
Day of Week: M
Dates: Jul. 13, 20, 27 & Aug. 3, 10, 17
Times: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Sessions: 6
Building: Online
Room: Zoom
Instructor: Dede Petri

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

034 | Women Architects & Designers - NRC | Zoom
Fee: $95.00
Day of Week: W
Dates: Jul. 15, 22, 29 & Aug. 5, 12, 19
Times: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Sessions: 6
Building: Online
Room: Zoom
Instructor: Eleanor Schrader

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

035 | Hindu Traditions: Ritual, Knowledge, Devotion - NRC | Zoom
Fee: $95.00
Day of Week: W
Dates: Jul. 15, 22, 29 & Aug. 5, 12, 19
Times: 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Sessions: 6
Building: Online
Room: Zoom
Instructor: Eileen Goddard

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

036 | The Digital Shift: How Computing Remade Media - NRC | Zoom
Fee: $95.00
Day of Week: M
Dates: Jul. 20, 27 & Aug. 3, 10, 17, 24
Times: 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM
Sessions: 6
Building: Online
Room: Zoom
Instructor: Rafael Davis Portela

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

037 | Protecting Yourself as a Patient - NRC | Zoom
Fee: $95.00
Day of Week: Tu
Dates: Jul. 21, 28 & Aug. 4, 11, 18, 25
Times: 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Sessions: 6
Building: Online
Room: Zoom
Instructor: Dr. Hardeep Singh

THIS CLASS IS FULL. Please click the "Add to Waitlist" button below.

This course will arm us with the knowledge we need to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe when engaging with the healthcare system. Health care today is more complex, technical, and volatile than ever. Medical harm (unintentional but often preventable) injures and kills hundreds of thousands of patients each year. In this course, we will learn how to prevent the most common types of medical harm including medication errors, patient care accidents, procedural and surgical complications, infections, and diagnostic mistakes. Patient safety experts and advocates will provide us with practical tips and insights to navigate the healthcare system confidently and safely. Through presentations, videos, and group discussions, we will come to understand the common sources of error and discover tactics, resources, and cautions to help protect ourselves and our loved ones.

038 | Broadway Musicals: A Fascinating History - NRC | Zoom
Fee: $95.00
Day of Week: Tu
Dates: Jul. 21, 28 & Aug. 4, 11, 18, 25
Times: 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Sessions: 6
Building: Online
Room: Zoom
Instructor: Emanuel Abramovits

THIS CLASS IS FULL. Please click the "Add to Waitlist" button below.

Musicals have been a major part of American theater, from the Tin Pan Alley-driven comedies of the early twentieth century to the integrated musicals that flourished in the heyday years of midcentury America. In this course, we will explore book musicals, concept musicals, and the arrival of European mega-productions late in the century. We will profile some of the theater world's leading composers, lyricists, writers, choreographers, directors, and performers. With the help of audiovisuals, we will study many of the most unforgettable shows including Oklahoma!, My Fair Lady, Show Boat, Guys and Dolls, Hair, Cabaret, Rent, Wicked, Hamilton, and more.

039 | History of Signs: How Signs Tell America’s Story - NRC | Zoom
Fee: $95.00
Day of Week: F
Dates: Jul. 24, 31 & Aug. 7, 14, 21, 28
Times: 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM
Sessions: 6
Building: Online
Room: Zoom
Instructor: Erin Holland

Explore 100 years of American history through objects often taken for granted in everyday life: signs. Led by the American Sign Museum (ASM) staff, this course introduces the Museum’s origins and features a conversation with ASM’s founder about why signs matter. We will examine how signs have evolved due to trends in commerce and technology. We will also explore case studies of three major food companies who used signage to shape their brands. In the final session, we will take a virtual visit to ASM’s neon shop to see how a neon sign is made.

OLLI Share 05: Taking and Editing Photos on Your iPhone | Zoom
Day of Week: Tu
Dates: Jun. 2, 9
Times: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Sessions: 2
Building: Online
Room: Zoom
Instructor: Chico State OLLI, Cris Guenter

REGISTRATION FOR THIS CLASS IS CLOSED. This class is already in session.

This class will introduce you to basic foundational skills in establishing a composition for a photo, using the rule of thirds, and considering the values in a photo. This content will be followed by an introduction to the many photo editing tools available on an iPhone and how to use them with the photos you have taken. If you have taken this class previously, you are welcome to take it as a refresher.

This class is brought to you by OLLI at Chico State University.

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