This class looks at the emergence and transformation of the American health care system as it faced challenges such as shifts in the nature of disease, unequal access to medicine, and escalating medical costs. We'll examine medical and scientific discoveries of the 19th century and study the challenges to organized medicine that began in the 1960s as well as discuss contemporary health care issues.

Instructor Bio: Shirley Hill holds a doctorate degree in sociology and was a professor at the University of Kansas until she retired in 2017. She has written several books and has taught classes in medical sociology, social inequality, and families.

The class will examine the first Congress to the present day on how productive they were in passing legislation to make America what it is today. How the Congress will work with the President and Supreme Court will be discussed. Sometimes the Congress was very productive in getting states added to the country, the expansion of civil rights, and fighting wars. Other times a stalemate over political ideas and conflicts with the President and Court. Deadlock versus full cooperation will be discussed. We will look at each President and Congress and see the progress and lack of progress as the country moves forward from 1791 to 2025. Join us for a trip to explore the Acts of Congress.

Instructor Bio: Russ Hutchins teaches U.S. history, Western civilization, economics, business, philosophy, and business management at Friends University. He is a retired public-school administrator and educator. 

J.R.R. Tolkien, the greatest fantasy writer of the 20th century, drew profound inspiration from medieval northwestern European literature for his works, "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy. This course explores the ancient literary influences on Tolkien, such as "Beowulf," the Icelandic "Njal's Saga," the legend of King Arthur and Merlin, the Irish epic "The Táin," and "The Romance of Tristan and Iseult." We'll also delve into Tolkien's life, his fascination with languages, his WWI experiences, and themes like riddles, runes, vows, curses, valkyries, and quests. Familiarity with "The Hobbit" or "The Lord of the Rings" is helpful but not required, as we'll use audio excerpts and videos to understand the legends that inspired Tolkien's work.

Instructor Bio: Vic Peterson is the author of "The Berserkers" (Hawkwood 2022/Recital 2023), set in a fictional Nordic country. He worked as a business executive and now divides his time between Lawrence, Kansas, and Northport, Michigan.

J.R.R. Tolkien, the greatest fantasy writer of the 20th century, drew profound inspiration from medieval northwestern European literature for his works, "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy. This course explores the ancient literary influences on Tolkien, such as "Beowulf," the Icelandic "Njal's Saga," the legend of King Arthur and Merlin, the Irish epic "The Táin," and "The Romance of Tristan and Iseult." We'll also delve into Tolkien's life, his fascination with languages, his WWI experiences, and themes like riddles, runes, vows, curses, valkyries, and quests. Familiarity with "The Hobbit" or "The Lord of the Rings" is helpful but not required, as we'll use audio excerpts and videos to understand the legends that inspired Tolkien's work.

Instructor Bio: Vic Peterson is the author of "The Berserkers" (Hawkwood 2022/Recital 2023), set in a fictional Nordic country. He worked as a business executive and now divides his time between Lawrence, Kansas, and Northport, Michigan.

This new event from Osher gives students a look at three of Kansas City's artistic crown jewels. The morning will start at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, with a special docent-led tour. After lunch on your own at the Nelson's Rozelle Court, we will head across the street to the Kemper Museum of Art for a taste of modern art curated and collected by the Kemper Family. We will end the day with some whimsy at the National Toy and Miniature Museum. Class fee includes docent-led tours at each museum and all ticketing fees.

Welcome to the 18th annual KU Mini College! This is an educational event for inquisitive adults offered in partnership with KU's Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. KU Mini College is a beloved program that has continued to bring adult community members, alumni, and non-alums from all over the world to the KU Lawrence campus to attend presentations from KU faculty and other professionals on current topics of interest. This year's event will be held on campus with most events being held at Slawson Hall in the Beren Conference Center. Our 3 day lecture series will feature many of KU's outstanding professors and faculty. Attendees will have time to explore the Lawrence campus and visit with friends old and new!

Existing Osher members pay a $165 fee and includes a light breakfast each morning, light snacks, three days of presentations and one lunch. Non-Osher members pay $190 fee and includes all the same benefits of an existing member plus access to sign up for additional Osher programming and includes access to numerous exclusive Osher Member benefits such as the KU Osher Speaker Series, the Artistic Exploration Club, the Book Club, and the Osher Outings.

For more information on membership opportunities go to: https://jayhawkglobal.ku.edu/membership-discounts

We'll explore the early 20th century world of adoption in Kansas City and share adoptees' and birth mothers' heartwarming and sometimes heart wrenching stories. Ranging from 1908 until 1969, these voices express the common need to know "Who am I" longing for medical history, fear of hurting adoptive parents, and guilt for being forced to give up a baby. One voice is of a Willows baby who grew up to be the governor of Kansas.

Osher members are invited to attend a special event at Brandon Woods about President Herbert Hoover and First Lady Lou Henry Hoover. This event is free to Osher members as a gift from our partner, Brandon Woods at Alvamar. Refreshments will be provided by Brandon Woods at Alvamar. Seating is limited. You can register for either a 10am or 2pm event.

Brandon Woods at Alvamar- 1501 Inverness Dr., Lawrence KS 66047

No admission fee, but reservations are required by completing the Osher registration form.

The first three industrial revolutions created 100 to 1 productivity increases and created new industries. The class will review the first three industrial revolutions and then examine how emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, robotics, and 6G wireless will likely form the foundation for the fourth Industrial Revolution. Potential changes in how life might change in this new environment will be examined. 

Instructor Bio: Charles "Chick" Keller is a retired senior executive and retired professor. He worked 15 years each at Sprint, and Black and Veatch in strategic planning and strategic marketing rising to VP level both times. In 2000, he began a career as a professor in KU's engineering management program where he taught finance and strategic planning.

This course will examine the political and social climate of the early 1960's and the circumstances involved in the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963. This course will discuss the major theories as to who was likely behind the assassination. Numerous photographs which were not available to the public in 1963 will be utilized during the course. The course will conclude with an in-depth examination of an eyewitness, who was ignored by the federal government, who observed a man shoot at the President from behind a picket fence.

This course will examine the political and social climate of the early 1960's and the circumstances involved in the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963. This course will discuss the major theories as to who was likely behind the assassination. Numerous photographs which were not available to the public in 1963 will be utilized during the course. The course will conclude with an in-depth examination of an eyewitness, who was ignored by the federal government, who observed a man shoot at the President from behind a picket fence.

It’s time for a relaxing feel-good musical journey. Tully is a beach bum living a carefree life at the Margaritaville Hotel. That is until hardworking Rachel arrives. Romance, a volcano, and a collection of Jimmy Buffett favorites including “Cheeseburger in Paradise,” and “Margaritaville” make for a perfect escape to the beach. This favorite Osher event includes dinner and pre-show talk with the director. This event will sell out!

The Historic Strawberry Hill Neighborhood in Kansas City, KS was established in the late 1800’s by a mostly Eastern European immigrants who worked in the nearby meat-packing plants in the West Bottoms. Today, Strawberry Hill is a mix of Serbian, Polish and Hispanic cultures. This event will feature a one-mile walk through the neighborhood, guided by Lisa Pena of Urban Hikes KC, and a tour of the Strawberry Hill Museum and Cultural Center, located in a Beaux-Arts mansion that was converted to an orphanage after the Spanish flu epidemic. Lunch will be at the St. John's Catholic Club, a bowling alley and pub in the basement of St. John's Church. Includes transportation, tours and lunch