OSHER Online

Instructor: Diana Carlin
6 weeks | Mondays, March 30 through May 4
1 P.M. MT (90 minutes)
Course Fee: $60 

Course Description:

Have you ever wondered who writes presidential speeches? This course traces the evolution of speechwriting from George Washington’s administration to today. Yes, Hamilton helped draft Washington’s Farewell Address, but no, Lincoln did not scribble the Gettysburg Address on an envelope. We will study the writing process presidents used and examine drafts from FDR, Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Carter and George H.W. Bush. We will view clips from speeches and from former White House speechwriters describing the process.

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Instructor: Douglas Mishkin
6 weeks | Tuesdays, March 31 through May 5
9 A.M.  (90 minutes)
Course Fee: $60 

Course Description:

In July 1925, Clarence Darrow, William Jennings Bryan and others converged on Dayton, Tennessee, for the Scopes Monkey Trial—an eight-day clash over religion, science, public education, free speech and textbooks broadcast nationwide. One hundred years later, these debates continue. This course explores why the trial happened in Dayton, how Bryan and Darrow became involved, what occurred in the courtroom, whether "Inherit the Wind" reflects reality, who won and lost, and why it still matters today.

Instructor: Arnold Blumberg
6 weeks | Tuesdays, March 31 through May
1 P.M. MT (90 minutes)
Course Fee: $60 

Course Description:

Comics (blending words and pictures to tell stories) stretch from cave paintings and the Bayeux Tapestry to today’s Batman and Spider-Man. Far more than superhero tales, comics are a versatile literary artform, capturing intimate and epic stories, social issues, and cultural moments through panels and word balloons. In this course, we will trace their history, explore their power, and read and discuss works including "Understanding Comics," "Watchmen," "Maus," "Fun Home" and "Persepolis."

Instructor: Heather Shirey
6 weeks | Wednesdays, April 1 through May 6
9 A.M. MT (90 minutes)
Course Fee: $60 

Course Description:

Art in the streets (including graffiti, murals, stickers, and paste-ups) gives voice to marginalized communities, shapes urban environments, and challenges institutional norms. This course explores graffiti and street art in the U.S. and around the world, examining their histories, motivations, and social impact. Participants will consider the rise of global mural movements, efforts to preserve and present street art, and its evolving role in activism, community identity, and social change.

Instructor: Asya Pereltsvaig
6 weeks | Wednesdays, April 1 through May 6
11 A.M. MT (90 minutes)
Course Fee: $60 

Course Description:

Siberia covers three quarters of Russia’s territory but is home to only a quarter of its population. Yet its role in shaping Russia as a vast and wealthy empire is profound. In this course, we will explore Siberia’s economic significance, indigenous cultures, and history as a penal colony, along with its importance for climate change, environmental issues, and Russian-Chinese relations. We will also consider Siberia’s role in both the rise and possible fragmentation of Russia.

Instructor: Charles Blum
6 weeks | Thursdays, April 2 through May 7
11 A.M. MT (90 minutes)
Course Fee: $60 

Course Description:

Throughout his 1000-day presidency, John Kennedy pursued peace through a broad spectrum of initiatives. He saw a connection between learning and leadership and sought to use military deterrence, diplomacy and soft power in novel ways. In this course, we will explore how his character and life experiences were the origins of those efforts. We will evaluate his powers of persuasion by listening to key speeches, and we will assess his successes and failures and their relevance to today’s world.

Instructor: Melba and Hod Kurman and Lipson
6 weeks | Thursdays, April 2 through May 7
5 P.M. MT (90 minutes)
Course Fee: $60 

Course Description:

Back by popular demand, this updated course offers a clear, engaging introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how it’s rapidly transforming our world. From self-driving cars to chatbots and precision medicine, we will explore how AI works, where it’s headed and what it means for society. No tech experience needed—just curiosity! With fresh examples and timely updates, participants will gain a solid understanding of the opportunities and challenges AI presents today.

Instructor: Ilana Zaks
6 weeks | Mondays, April 6 through May 11
9 A.M. MT (90 minutes)
Course Fee: $60 

Course Description:

Why do so many great violinists also become composers? This course will explore the fascinating legacy of violinist-composers, including Baroque virtuosos like Heinrich Biber, Romantic legends like Niccolò Paganini, and 20th century innovators like George Enescu and Grazyna Bacewicz. Through listening and discussing, we will examine how these artists wrote music tailored to their instruments and themselves. Taught by a professional violinist, this course offers a behind-the-strings look at how performance and composition intertwine.

Instructor: Fernanda Blanco Vidal
6 weeks | Tuesdays, April 7 through May 12
11 A.M. MT (90 minutes)
Course Fee: $60 

Course Description:

How much of who we are is shaped by the places we live and experience? This course invites reflection on the psychological and emotional relationships between people and their environments. Drawing on psychology, geography, architecture and design, we will explore environmental psychology and how physical environments shape behavior, cognition, identity and memory. Using place-based methods, we will discuss concepts such as place attachment, identity and cognitive maps. We will reflect on memory, home, trauma, displacement and nature’s role in well-being.

Instructor: Oliva Espin
6 weeks | Tuesdays, April 7 through May 12
3 P.M. MT (90 minutes)
Course Fee: $60 

Course Description:

The death of Pope Francis and the election of the first U.S. born Pope have been in the news repeatedly in the last few months, capturing the imagination of many people, including non-Catholics. Who are these men? What are their life stories? How were they similar to and different from each other? In this course, we will discuss the lives and dominant perspectives of the last ten Popes, exploring their most significant positions and their influence on world affairs.

Instructor: Scott Fulton
6 weeks | Thursdays, April 9 through May 14
9 A.M. MT (90 minutes)
Course Fee: $60 

Course Description:

Most conversations about aging focus on lifespan, but brainspan (how long our mind stays sharp) matters more. In this course, we will explore how the brain ages and what science reveals about protecting memory, balance and clarity. Topics include normal changes versus early dementia, neuroplasticity, nutrition, sleep, stress, social ties and purpose. Each session blends accessible science with self-tests and take-home practices. We will also build a personalized Cognitive Health Scorecard to track habits and strengthen resilience.

Instructor: Johnnie Hendrickson
6 weeks | Thursdays, April 9 through May 14
1 P.M. MT (90 minutes)
Course Fee: $60 

Course Description:

Science is full of surprises. Dyes, accidentally discovered, launched the modern pharmaceutical industry. A failed experiment opened the door to new physics. Discoveries are never just facts. They are moments of creativity, struggle and chance with far-reaching consequences. In this course, we will explore the human side of science, tracing breakthroughs in biology, chemistry, physics, and more. We will ask not only what was found, but how and why it matters.

Instructor: Anthony Antonucci
6 weeks | Fridays, April 10 through May 15
1 P.M. MT (90 minutes)
Course Fee: $60 

Course Description:

California is more than a state—it is an idea, a dream and a contradiction. In this course, we will journey from its earliest Indigenous cultures through Spanish, Mexica, and American rule, exploring missions, the Gold Rush, the railroad, Hollywood and Silicon Valley. We will challenge myths, highlight overlooked voices, and examine how migration, innovation and cultural change shaped the Golden State. We will discover what it has meant, and still means, to be Californian.

Instructor: Ferdâ  Asya
6 weeks | Wednesdays, April 15 through May 20
1 P.M. MT (90 minutes)
Course Fee: $60 

Course Description:

This course will examine the cultural transformations in thinking and living that reshaped America and Western Europe between World War I and the Great Depression. Known as the Roaring Twenties, the Jazz Age and the Lost Generation, this period redefined values and norms. We will explore the vibrant world of 1920s Paris through F. Scott Fitzgerald’s "Babylon Revisited" and "Bernice Bobs Her Hair," Ernest Hemingway’s "The Sun Also Rises," and Gertrude Stein’s "The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas," considering the lasting legacy of the era.

Instructor: Emanuel Abramovits
6 weeks | Wednesdays, April 15 through May 20
3 P.M. MT (90 minutes)
Course Fee: $60 

Course Description:

Music has long provoked debate, from Beethoven and Stravinsky’s bold innovations to Broadway works like "Annie Get Your Gun" and "South Pacific," now revisited through modern concerns about race, consent and gender. Is political correctness enriching art or erasing cultural heritage? We will also examine plagiarism and borrowing in pop and film music, with cases involving The Beatles, Pink Floyd, and Peter Frampton. This course blends audiovisuals, anecdotes and humor to explore music’s most controversial moments.

Instructor: Lisa Stolley
6 weeks | Saturdays, April 18 through May 23
12 Noon MT (90 minutes)
Course Fee: $60 

Course Description:

The personal essay, one of the oldest forms of creative nonfiction, blends storytelling, reflection, and analysis to give voice to lived experience. In this course, we will explore the personal essay as both art and self-expression. Through readings, discussion, and writing exercises, we will study elements such as narrative arc, scene-setting, and reflection. We will draft our own essays, discovering how this enduring form helps us find our voices and tell our stories with clarity.

Instructor: Jennifer Gray
6 weeks | Tuesdays, April 21 through May 26
5 P.M. MT (90 minutes)
Course Fee: $60 

Course Description:

Frank Lloyd Wright designed nearly 1,000 buildings and helped define modern architecture. This course explores highlights of his practice, from Prairie houses to Fallingwater and the Guggenheim Museum, alongside lesser-known projects like affordable housing and city planning. We’ll examine how Wright’s work reflected cultural shifts in technology, science and politics, offering a deeper understanding of his lasting influence on architecture and modern design.