Friday   

Russia shocked the world when Putin invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022. What followed has become one of the most consequential geopolitical crises of our time. In this class, we will examine the history of Ukraine and Russia’s complex relationship, how the war has unfolded, what sanctions have achieved, how the global balance of power is shifting in response, Europe’s profound transformation since the fall of the Soviet Union, Sweden and Finland joining NATO, Germany rearming, Europe severing decades of energy dependence on Russia, and the evolving U.S. role, and what possible outcomes may lie ahead.

How did women move from the economic and political margins to become one of the most influential voting blocs in the United States? A panel of experts will examine the long arc of women's participation in public life, from suffrage and civic organizing to economic agency, voting power, and public office. With the 2026 midterm elections approaching, this session provides timely context for understanding women's role in today's electorate, including why women are politically powerful yet do not vote as a single bloc. Join us to better understand how women's history continues to shape elections, leadership, and public life today.

In today's media landscape, knowing who to trust has never been more important. While traditional outlets strive for balance and accuracy, social media algorithms serve us content that reinforces what we already believe — creating an incomplete information diet for making important life decisions. Meanwhile, legacy media faces growing financial pressures as search engines dominate the flow of online news. Join veteran journalist and journalism instructor Mark Scarp to learn how to distinguish reliable from unreliable sources, spot hidden agendas, and navigate a complex media world with confidence.

Dr. Carlson, Chairman Emeritus at District Medical Group, leads this single-session class through one of the most dramatic turning points in American history. Together we'll examine America's journey from the Great Depression and deep isolationism to its decisive role in World War II — as Germany and Japan built formidable war machines abroad. Explore how Franklin D. Roosevelt's call for the "Arsenal of Democracy" ignited national mobilization, and discover the remarkable contributions of women, the surprising influence of show business, and the profound sacrifices made on both the home front and the battlefield.

With more than 123,000 libraries across the United States, including over 17,000 municipal, county, and state facilities, public libraries represent one of democracy's most enduring and successful institutions. Their mission is simple and radical: free, open access to information for all. And while that mission hasn't changed, libraries themselves have transformed into modern civic centers, delivering critical public services and embracing the digital age. Join returning OLLI instructor and ASU School of Public Affairs Professor Mary Feeney to explore the essential role libraries play in civic life, the remarkable commitment librarians bring to public service, and what this model of democratic governance can teach us about excellence in local government.

Nature has had millions of years to solve some of the toughest engineering problems on Earth and it's come up with remarkable solutions. Join ASU Professor and History Channel contributor Dr. Hamid Marvi as we explore how animals and biological systems are inspiring the next generation of robots. From snake-inspired machines that navigate sand and rubble to medical robots designed for minimally invasive surgery, bio-inspired robotics combines engineering, biology, and AI to create machines capable of extraordinary feats. We'll explore how studying animal movement and behavior is leading to breakthroughs in search and rescue, healthcare, and environmental exploration.

Three signatories of the Declaration of Independence shared an unlikely distinction: they had all been educated at the University of Cambridge in England. This talk traces their lives on both sides of the Atlantic, examining what drove them to join the rebellion against Britain and what their Cambridge connections reveal about the intellectual and political ties between the University and the American colonies. We'll explore how those transatlantic links shaped the early history of the United States, and how Cambridge itself grappled with the loss of the colonies in the late 18th century.

We are excited to host the very first OLLI at ASU Curiosity Fair! This new event is designed to bring together many of the people, programs, and opportunities that make OLLI at ASU such a vibrant learning community. Whether you are a long-time member or newer to OLLI at ASU, the Curiosity Fair will offer a fun and engaging way to explore all that your membership includes. Discover new classes, activities, and member benefits you may not yet have explored. Enjoy giveaways, treats, and interactive tables throughout the event.

One of the things that makes OLLI at ASU so unique is the incredible community of faculty, experts, and partners who contribute to the lifelong learning experience. The Curiosity Fair is an opportunity to celebrate those connections while giving members and their guests a welcoming place to discover what OLLI at ASU is all about.

During the event, you will have the opportunity to:

• Meet OLLI instructors and learn more about their classes and areas of expertise.
• Attend a special instructor panel where members can ask questions and share ideas for future topics.
• Connect with community partners who provide behind-the-scenes experiences, discounts, and special opportunities for OLLI members.
• Discover new classes, activities, and member benefits you may not yet have explored.
• Enjoy giveaways, treats, and interactive tables throughout the event.

 

Artificial intelligence is transforming healthcare faster than our legal and ethical frameworks can keep up and the stakes couldn't be higher. In this timely presentation, Dr. Gary Marchant, Regents Professor of Law and Director of the Center for Law, Science and Innovation, examines how AI is reshaping medicine while raising urgent questions about safety, accuracy, bias, accountability, liability, and data privacy. Drawing on his extensive work in the legal and ethical challenges of emerging technologies, Dr. Marchant will discuss real-world examples and explore what it will take to ensure AI-driven medicine remains ethical, trustworthy, and patient-centered. You'll leave with a clearer understanding of both the extraordinary promise and the serious risks ahead.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art holds one of the world's greatest collections of medieval art and much of it tells a story that may surprise you. These objects traveled from across the globe, revealing the international trade and cultural networks that shaped beliefs, artistic practices, and daily life far beyond Europe. We'll explore some of the most spectacular examples of this global contact: a seventh-century Chinese vase shaped like a Greco-Roman amphora, Chinese lions carved into a 12th-century capital in a Catalonian monastery, and a Chinese sword on the 13th-century tomb of a French knight. Through these and other works, we will explore the long-distance contacts of the Middle Ages, and how they shaped art and history.

This class is the same as class 114

This lecture will examine the errors in planning and decision-making committed by General Robert E. Lee and Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, leading up to and during their respective defining battles. I used these case studies to teach planning and decision-making to students at the U.S. Naval War College because error yields more lessons than success. The recurrence of these errors, as well as an interesting series of parallels that the respective campaigns exhibit, gives credence to Mark Twain's remark that "It is not worthwhile to try and keep history from repeating itself, for man's character will always make the preventing of the repetitions impossible."