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From the empty promise of a mirage to giants that hold their breath whenever the sun is out, to polyandrous raptors, the Sonoran Desert holds many wonders—an extreme environment full of remarkable life. The Arizona Natural History course will introduce students to the geology, flora, fauna, and human history of Arizona. Drawing on information and theories from biology, ecology, geology, and archaeology, the class will explore the adaptations of desert animals, plants, and other life forms, the landscape that set the stage for their evolution, and the human cultures that have called this desert home.

From Red Scare-inspired alien invasion movies of the 1950s to more friendly and sophisticated encounters in later years, this course will explore meditations on science and technology, religion and faith, alien and artificial intelligence, and more. Led by Butch Epps, film studies instructor with an MFA from UCLA's School of Film and Television, we navigate this subject at warp speed with the aid of pre-class film viewing, in-class PowerPoint analysis, lectures, and discussions of the following case studies. On week one, we will cover "The Day the Earth Stood Still" (the 1951 version) and "Close Encounters of the Third Kind"; week two covers "2001: A Space Odyssey" and "Contact." Rental streaming sources for the above pre-class viewing will be provided one week before the first class.

Now entering their mid-twenties, many talented Gen Z authors are lifting their voices and carving out strong stances regarding their novel experiences and perspectives. As digital natives, they are acutely aware of how identity is negotiated between real circumstances and incomplete virtual performances. Gen Z authors often speak passionately about 21st-century crises, bringing their verve to issues like climate volatility and untenable social and economic systems. They have impressed audiences not only with what they say but also with how they say it: with clarity, conviction, freshness, and hypnotic beauty. In this two-week seminar, we will explore works by notable Gen Z authors—Amanda Gorman, Chloe Gong, Fatimah Asghar, among others—to examine the cultural provenance of this newest literary generation.

Charles Darwin's fame as a scientist began with the publication of The Voyage of the Beagle in 1839—twenty years before he published his theory of evolution by natural selection. This account was based on his travels as a young gentleman naturalist during a long voyage of exploration around the world from 1831 to 1836. In this class, Dr. Toby Harper, Associate Professor in the TCLAS School of Historical, Philosophical, and Religious Studies, examines the context and story of the voyage. What was the purpose of early nineteenth-century scientific expeditions like that of the Beagle? What did Darwin and other travelers see (and fail to see) about the natural and human worlds on these journeys? And how did seeing the world shape Darwin's scientific theories about life? We will explore the background, the voyage itself, and its aftermath and legacy.

Many birds of the desert-urban interface may be familiar to you, but they are often misidentified and misunderstood. This class focuses on a dozen of our most common species to help you learn more about them. We’ll cover the cactus wren (our state bird!), the whimsical and popular Gambel’s quail, the noisy mockingbird, and the ubiquitous Anna’s hummingbird and mourning dove. We’ll also discuss invasive species such as the city pigeon, European starling, great-tailed grackle, and house sparrow. Discover which bird is a medal-winner, which is a real estate developer, and which appears on the Audubon Watchlist for declining populations.

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.

Annual Member Event Only - Watts IDEA Office and the Osher Life Long Learning Institute (OLLI) invite you to join award winning Chef Sasha Raj for fresh plant based food and fellowship!

Chef Sasha will help us all discover how to make healthy, fresh meals that are easy and practical—no matter your lifestyle. Whether you're a student in the dorms, a busy professional with limited time, an empty nester adjusting to cooking for fewer people, or retired and looking for fresh inspiration in the kitchen, this workshop is for you. This event is for Watts staff, students, faculty, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute members who are interested in building community. This FREE Annual member event is limited to 30 registrants. Please register early. OLLI will cover the cost of parking at a designated parking location.

Create a successful painting every time! Art tells a story, expresses an emotion—or both. By using a variety of compositional elements, colors, and color schemes, you can express any feeling with any subject. In this class, taught by Allen Reamer, a longtime art history and art studio teacher, we will work with a variety of pieces of fruit. We'll take a step-by-step approach, exploring the options and decisions involved in planning and producing a successful work of art. You may use acrylics, watercolor, gouache, pastel, and/or colored pencils.

Join Jim Jindrick, a resident of Southern Arizona for over 40 years, for an engaging class presented by WhereAZ. Tucson and the broader Southern Arizona region offer a wealth of unique experiences to see, do, hear, touch, taste, and absorb—making it a truly special place in the world. This class provides a comprehensive pictorial overview that highlights the diverse cultural, natural, and historical attractions of the area. Participants will gain valuable insights into the region’s distinctive qualities and will be equipped with practical tools to explore it further.

In this course, participants will explore the social determinants of health, the physiological mechanisms of stress, and the effects of stress on health and well-being. They will also examine stress- and health-related theoretical frameworks. Through this course, participants will gain an understanding of the factors that influence health and engage in discussions on the importance of equitably promoting health and well-being across populations. Please note that you will need to create a free account with NRC to access the meeting link and any course materials.

Looking to vicariously escape the 100+ degree Arizona temperatures? Let’s take a trip through the eyes of a travel writer to four chilly, off-the-beaten-path destinations—Greenland, Spitsbergen, Iceland, and the White Continent of Antarctica. Learn about the indigenous cultures and wildlife living in these territories and see some of the most spectacular scenery on the planet. You might even get some inspiration for your next vacation. Our presenter, Dan Fellner, has written about and photographed all four destinations for the Arizona Republic’s Travel section and will share his recommendations on how best to experience these fascinating places.

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.

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.

Imprisoned Minds tells the stories of men in prison—stories few people ever hear. Authors Erik Maloney and Kevin Wright, through personal narratives and expert analysis, reveal how unimaginable childhood trauma and neglect can set young men on a path toward prison or even death. Erik is currently incarcerated, serving a life sentence, and Kevin is a criminologist at Arizona State University. Together, their goal in writing this book is to humanize people behind bars, offer practical solutions, and show that a more effective approach to criminal justice is possible. Join them as they lead this class virtually—from prison—and explore the thought-provoking question: might there be an imprisoned mind in all of us?

Explore the vibrant life and sudden destruction of Pompeii, the Roman city frozen in time by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE. Through vivid images, historical accounts, and recent archaeological discoveries, we’ll uncover daily life in Pompeii—from bustling markets and lavish villas to graffiti and gladiators. Then, fate suddenly struck on August 24, 79 CE. This session also considers how the city’s rediscovery in the 18th century shaped modern understandings of Roman culture, class, and catastrophe.

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.

This lecture will explore the history of the French language from its Latin origins to the present, with a focus on the relationship between French and English. We will examine maps, monuments, manuscript illuminations, and paintings to establish the historical context of each era of linguistic development. Next, we will discuss the major phenomena that shaped both spoken and written French. Much of our discussion will focus on the French influence on English in the late Middle Ages, as well as the influence of English on French since the nineteenth century. Other topics include the transition from Latin to French, the reasons people began writing in French, how French dialects were replaced by a standard language, and the future of the French language.

Through lectures, videos, and discussions, we will focus on four women artists who challenged expectations of their time about their behavior and approach to subjects: Artemisia Gentileschi, Rosa Bonheur, Kathe Kollwitz, and Frida Kahlo. Additional artists will be included. Participants will receive emails with something to read, something to watch, and something to do in advance of each class meeting.

Chico State's tradition of academic excellence goes back more than 130 years. With over 850 faculty members and 13,000 students, the University's teaching and learning community is thriving. Discover the imagination, cutting-edge research, and expertise that flourishes in our own backyard! Please take care of time zone changes towards the end of this course due to shifts in Daylight Saving time as this class meets from 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. in PST.

For Locke, competitive economic acquisitiveness is the core of justice and civic morality. For Marx, the moral society is "an association, in which the free development of each is the condition for the free development of all." We will address these, and more, questions: Are all human beings naturally equal? Can liberal government combine individual freedom and political authority? By what right does the majority govern? Can the rule of law and separation of powers secure individual rights? Can socialism be democratic? Required Text: Second Treatise of Government by John Locke, Ed. C.B. Macpherson, ISBN 091514493X and The Marx-Engels Reader, Second Edition, Ed. Robert C. Tucker, ISBN 039309040X. Please take care of time zone changes due to Daylight Saving.

The Great Financial Crisis of 2008 revealed significant problems with the orthodox economic theory (neo-liberalism). This course will examine the economic history leading up to the crisis, the causes and effects of the crisis and the after effects of the crisis on economic, social and political discourse. Short readings will be provided. Please take care of time zone changes due to Daylight Saving.

In this course we will look at what research in neuroscience is teaching us about how the brain and mind work. We will also learn about using that knowledge to provide better care for patients. The role of AI, brain imaging, immunology, and genetics will be included. Please take care of time zone changes due to Daylight Saving.

This class will build on my popular American Education class that was offered in the spring semester. We will tackle some of the most pressing issues facing our education system. The class will also include a field trip to PIMA JTED’s spectacular new health care campus in Tucson. The field trip will only be open to students enrolled in this class. The class will begin with an overview of the current state of American Education, including how we lost our world leadership. We will then examine ideas for improving K-12 education; take a careful look at the unprecedented challenges facing higher education, from Harvard to the University of Arizona; and invite outside leaders to offer their perspective. This will be a 5-session course, with one session devoted to the field trip.

Join a dynamic and supportive group focused on personal investing. We will uncover the fundamentals of investment vehicles, the types of investment choices, tools available to evaluate investments, and the relevant metrics used to assess investments. We'll explore real-world topics such as portfolio diversification, risk & return, different types of investment accounts, and break down common investment vehicles such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs, preferred stocks, CEFs, and options trading. Expect open conversations, practical tips, and different perspectives. Whether you're brand-new or looking to refine your strategy, this group is a chance to build confidence, learn collaboratively, and grow your financial knowledge in a judgment-free zone. Meetings will be held at the Ariabian library in Scottsdale.

One-time FEE: $4 per member, paid directly to Facilitator at first meeting, to rent library room for the semester.