ASU Health Futures Center   

CLASS DATES HAVE CHANGED! PRINTED CATALOG IS INCORRECT. DATES ONLINE ARE CORRECT

The Grand Canyon is one of the most awe-inspiring landscapes in the natural world. However, nearby mining operations and local coal-fired power plants contribute to air pollution that can obscure its majestic views and leave a lasting legacy of toxic contamination. This course will examine the sources of heavy metal pollution found in the canyon and explore how scientists study its impacts.

There is heroism and tragedy at Earth’s extremes — the quest for the poles and the Northwest Passage: Shackleton, Amundsen, Scott’s tragedy—plus fraud and false claims. Bundle up for an exploration of the top and bottom of the globe during the age of exploration. Join Dr. Richard Carlson as we navigate a journey of ambition, endurance, and the harsh truths hidden in the ice.

From "Jaws" to "The Graduate," "James Bond" to "The Birds," "Midnight Express" to "Breaking Bad," take a journey with a leading travel journalist to explore the places around the world where some of the most iconic movies and TV series were filmed. We’ll also visit the childhood haunts of Elvis Presley, The Beatles, and Buddy Holly, and learn about a British pop star’s surprising connection to the Alamo.

There have been many high-profile news stories about women reported missing by their husbands, when the cases are actually homicides—and the perpetrator is often the husband. Scott Peterson, Josh Powell, Chris Watts, and Robert Durst are just a few examples. Often complex and challenging, these cases involve intelligent suspects who anticipate traditional investigative techniques. This presentation, led by Stuart Somershoe—a City of Phoenix Police Department detective with the Missing and Unidentified Persons Unit—uses an in-depth case study to outline a profile of this type of offender and explore strategies for dealing with them.

Emerging in Brazil in the 1950s and garnering worldwide fame in the 1960s, bossa nova combined samba and American jazz to become a style all its own. Replete with poetic lyrics, memorable melodies, rich harmonies, and quiet intimacy, bossa nova songs possess both beauty and depth. Come learn about the music of Luiz Bonfá, Antônio Carlos Jobim, Astrud and João Gilberto, and more. This class, taught by ASU's Dr. Jeffrey Libman, is intended for jazz aficionados as well as those who simply want to learn more about jazz—no instruments required! The class will consist primarily of active listening to exemplary recordings, with guided discussion interspersed throughout.

An understanding and appreciation of the religions of our neighbors is essential to a civil society. In this two-session class, Chris O’Brien—MIM docent, Fulbright winner, and extensively traveled world history teacher—will guide participants on a basic and practical journey through the religions of Islam and Sikhism. Chris will focus on the beliefs, practices, and social aspects of each religion, covering how each has evolved both historically and spiritually. We will also explore some of the interactions that have taken place between these religions. Class materials will be emailed to each participant and posted on the course website prior to the first session. This allows participants the option to preview the materials, print them, and bring notes to class. Session two will include a guided tour of an Islamic mosque and a Sikh temple. Transportation is not provided by OLLI; Chris will meet members at a predetermined location.

This class will explore the Dutch ‘Golden Age’ of painting, spanning from 1585 to 1717. We will examine how Rembrandt, Vermeer, Hals, Steen, and other Dutch painters portrayed their land and society with a strong concern for realism. OLLI at ASU Legacy instructor Allen Reamer will highlight how artists and buyers preferred specific themes or subjects, and how these choices reflect the values of the Dutch Republic and its people.

Black men picking up muskets to fight for their own freedom laid the foundation for the Fifteenth Amendment. This amendment prohibits the federal government and each state from denying a citizen the right to vote based on “race, color, or previous condition of servitude.” Its purpose was to counter official efforts to prevent African Americans from voting—a purpose as relevant today as ever. America’s greatness lies in its perseverance in the slow fight to fulfill its promise. Join award-winning speaker and author Robert McWhirter for an exploration of the history and lasting impact of this most significant amendment.

Discover the story of trailblazer General George Stoneman and the creation of the military road that bears his name. This historic road ran through what is now the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Carefree, Cave Creek, and the Black Canyon. Learn what life was like for the soldiers and civilian men and women who traveled from Fort McDowell to Fort Whipple under nearly unbearable conditions. Session two will include a short, 90-minute, one-mile walk on the Camino Campana interpretive trail loop at the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy’s Fraesfield trailhead in North Scottsdale. This walk explores the history of the area prior to the construction of the Stoneman military road and discusses life in Arizona during the 1870s. At the conclusion of the walk, participants will open a soldier’s haversack and learn about its contents. Please bring water and snacks for the trail. Restrooms are available at the trailhead. No pets allowed. Participants are asked to arrive 15 minutes before the walk begins.

As one of the world’s most beloved cuisines, it might be surprising to learn that a single, unified Italian cuisine hardly exists. The truth is that Italian food is still largely defined by its regions—each region in Italy has created its own unique culinary tradition. These cooking traditions shape people’s identities just as much as their dialects and traditional costumes do. Local cooking preferences and customs are influenced by geographic, historical, and climatic differences: some regions are landlocked and mountainous, while others hug the sea and are hilly; some have absorbed Arab or Greek influences, while others bear the marks of French or Austrian rule. Additionally, some regions enjoy the dazzling Mediterranean sun most of the year, whereas others experience cold winters, snow, fog, and harsh winds.

The Trump administration, guided by Project 2025, is making sweeping changes to the federal bureaucracy. Do you have questions about how this system operates—and what these reforms mean for public service delivery? This class explores theories and research that explain the balance between politics and administration, as well as the implications of presidential influence on bureaucratic action. We’ll examine key frameworks—including bureaucratic politics, administrative burdens, representative bureaucracy, and the submerged state—and analyze how shifts in science investments, social services, and executive initiatives impact our communities. Dr. Feeney will provide an overview of core concepts and lead a town hall-style Q&A to deepen our understanding of these timely issues.

In a recent congressional hearing, the nominee for NASA Administrator stated, "We don't have to make a binary decision when it comes to U.S. aspirations to land astronauts on both the Moon and Mars." This statement has sparked widespread discussion—and some confusion—within the space community regarding the United States' strategic direction in space exploration. Dr. Peter Swan, a distinguished expert in space systems engineering with decades of experience in both governmental and private aerospace sectors, will examine the complexities of current U.S. space policy. He will focus on the nation's plans for lunar and Martian exploration, analyzing NASA's Artemis program—which aims to return humans to the Moon and establish a sustainable presence—as well as the ambitions of private industry, particularly SpaceX’s progress toward Mars missions.

Join Penny Friedberg, MBA, MS, on December 1st and 3rd for a two-session course designed for those cooking for one or two. In week one, the focus is on breakfast, highlighting the benefits of home cooking and offering practical techniques to make it more manageable. Participants will explore essential tools and cookware for a healthier kitchen and watch a live demo featuring granola, vegetables, and eggs. Week two shifts to dinner, featuring a thoughtful discussion on sugar, artificial sweeteners, fats, and oils, followed by a live cooking demonstration of stir-fry and other healthy dinner recipes.

Dutch still-life painters were renowned for showcasing their skill in rendering textures and surfaces with detailed, realistic light effects. Their still-life paintings often featured various types of food artfully arranged on tables alongside silverware, pots, and dishes. They employed specific paints, pigments, and techniques to achieve these effects. In this class, we will explore these techniques and study the work of notable Dutch Baroque still-life painters. You will also have the opportunity to create one or more paintings reflecting the style and characteristics of these artists. This is a studio art class. A materials list will be provided before the start of class.