Osher Lifelong Learning Institute courses

Alzheimer's Disease: A Physician-Scientist's Perspective of the Disease and Personal Research Journey

Alzheimer's disease, described over a century ago, disrupts the lives of millions of Americans. How physicians diagnose and manage Alzheimer's disease has evolved over this time, while research has provided insight into its causes and guided efforts to find treatments. We will review past and current definitions of Alzheimer's disease and explain current diagnostic and management approaches. To provide insight into the world of Alzheimer's research, the instructor will share his perspective from decades of studying the causes of Alzheimer's and trying to develop a cure.

Instructor Bio: Dr. Russell Swerdlow is a physician-scientist and director of the University of Kansas Alzheimer's Disease Research Center. He cares for Alzheimer's disease patients and performs research on its causes and treatment. He is a recent recipient of the Oskar Fischer Prize, an international award that recognizes innovative Alzheimer's disease research.

Tuesday, April 11, 2023, KU Edwards Campus, 163 Regnier Hall, In Person and Online

An Exploration of the Arts and Culture in Edo Era Japan (1603-1868)

Following a long and arduous warring states period, Japan entered a time of peace under the Tokugawa Shogunate which opened up opportunities for art and culture. The stunning theater arts of Bunraku (Puppet) and Kabuki delighted crowds while Samurai established schools and cultivated the arts of Zen meditation, tea ceremony, poetry and calligraphy. Woodblock prints, including those of the Ukiyo-e (Floating World) style promoted, reflected and preserved this exquisite period of artistic expression. Not just a history lesson and feast for the eyes and ears, the instructor will bring samples of kimono and other Japanese textiles, tea ceremony implements and allow you to experience Japanese calligraphy during this course.

Instructor Bio: Dianne Daugherty holds master's degrees in education and contemporary East Asian studies, with doctorate hours in public health and Gerontology. She lived and worked in Japan for three years, and taught Japanese to high school and college students for more than 20 years.

February 24, 2023 to March 10, 2023, KU Edwards Campus, 163 Regnier Hall, In Person and Online

An Invitation to Poetry

What makes a poem a poem? What differentiates a poem from all other forms of verbal expression? To answer these questions, we'll be discussing the technical aspects of poetry; not just how a poem "means," but also and no less importantly, how a poem embodies and dramatizes that meaning. We can better interpret and appreciate a poem by attending to its basic elements: the role of the speaker, the nature of metaphor, forms, and rhythms traditional and "free." Along the way, we'll be reading many great poems, old and new.

Instructor Bio: Max Westler earned his Bachelor of Arts from Boston University and his doctorate from Columbia University, where he worked with the poet Kenneth Koch. He has taught at Columbia College, Hunter College, and Northwestern University, where he taught both graduate and undergraduate courses. For 38years, he supervised the Creative Writing Program at Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, Indiana. His poems have appeared in numerous publications. His chapbook Civil Defense was published in 2011.

March 20, 2023 to April 3, 2023, Senior Resource Center for Douglas County In-Person

An Ocean of Grass: Prairie Writing, Past and Present

The Tallgrass Prairie has been sustaining, mystifying, plowed almost to disappearance, saved in small acreages, recreated, and much revered. Kansas writers have, since their first contact with what poet Kenneth Wiggins Porter called "an ocean of grass to the stirrups," tried to describe and celebrate the prairie landscape. Join us on a walking and reading tour through the grasslands and through history, from indigenous writing to contemporary appreciations.

Instructor Bio: Thomas Fox Averill is professor emeritus at Washburn University where he taught Kansas literature, folklore and film for more than 40 years. He is the author of three story collections and five novels, almost all of them set in Kansas. His most recent novel is Found Documents from the Life of Nell Johnson Doerr: A Novel.

February 7-21, 2023, Brewster Place In Person
February 7-21, 2023, Osher Institute, St. Andrews Office Facility, In Person and Online

Bond. James Bond: 70 Years of Weapons, Women and (foiled) World Domination

We'll review the best-known intelligence agent in the world. From the first novel (Casino Royale) in 1953 to the 25th "authorized" film (No Time to Die), many of us keep coming back to the exotic locales, the Bond women, the latest devices from Q Branch, the supervillains with plans to conquer the world and their formidable enforcers. We'll look at the changes to Bond over the years, his cultural impact, and his continuing appeal. Even if you know the make of Bond's first sidearm and the recipe for a Vesper martini, you may still learn a few things about this fictional character.

Instructor Bio: Karl Menninger retired from a legal career in federal and state government, mostly dealing with issues concerning persons with disabilities. He teaches courses on disabilities and the law and the insanity defense at the University of Missouri - Kansas City School of Law.

February 2-16, 2023, Osher Institute, St. Andrews Office Facility, In Person and Online

Cabaret

Willkommen to the Kit Kat Club. In this provocative, multiple Tony Award-winning musical, the euphoria of free expression, new relationships, and the seedy nightclub scene slowly fades away against the rise of Hitler and the Nazi Party. An ominous and violent situation begins to emerge; some remain oblivious or apathetic, while others sound the alarm or flee. With grit, dance, and a highly celebrated musical score, Cabaret ultimately proclaims "it can happen here." The University Theatre's unique staging allows for a more immersive experience for audience members. Join us for an exclusive presentation with show director, Markus Potter and the dramaturg/assistant director, Jonah Greene before the performance.

Sunday, April 23

1 p.m. - Pre-performance Presentation

2:30 p.m. - Performance Stage Too!, Crafton-Preyer Theatre in Murphy Hall 1530 Naismith Drive

Park in Lot 54 at 15th St. and Naismith Drive, directly across the street from Murphy Hall.

$25 fee includes pre-performance presentation and show. (Transportation on your own.)

Refunds will be honored on or before April 14 minus a $10 administrative fee.

Sunday, April 23, 2023

City and County Governments in Kansas. What Do They Do and How Are They Financed?

We will explore how Kansas counties are different from cities, what each does, and who pays for what. We'll learn the history of these local governments and study our own city and county, covering budgets, taxation, planning, zoning, economic development, public health, and other major policy issues.

Instructor Bio: Hannes Zacharias is the Robert A. Kipp Professor of Practice for the KU School of Public Affairs and Administration following a 35-year career in local city and county government administration. He has served as City Manager of Boonville, Mo., Hays, Kan., and County Manager for Johnson County, Kan.

February 1-15, 2023, Eudora Community Museum In Person

Climate Change: When Will Panic Ensue?

The Yangtze, the Rhine, the Colorado. Worldwide, some rivers are drying up, while other rivers are flooding. Commerce and industry are impacted. Food and water shortages are beginning. Hundreds of thousands of people are dying. Our plan to thwart climate change is scheduled to take 30 years. The platform for a panic is set. Will panic ensue in the next 5 years?

Instructor Bio: Charles "Chick" Keller is a retired senior executive and retired professor. He worked 15 years at each Sprint, and Black and Veatch in strategic planning and strategic marketing raising to the VP level both times. In 2000 Chick began a career as a professor at the University of Kansas, Master of Engineering Management program where he taught Finance and Strategic Planning.

Wednesday, March 8, 2023, KU Edwards Campus, 163 Regnier Hall, In-Person

Decades of the Dictators: The '20s and '30s

In Europe, the years between World Wars I and II seemed to be the decades of the dictator. Not only in Germany and the Soviet Union, but in Austria, Italy, Poland, Portugal and other countries, dictatorships replaced democracies. By 1940, they outnumbered constitutional democracies. What factors led from democracy to dictatorship? Could this happen again? This class will examine the process by which dictators replaced democracies in each of these major countries and suggest danger signs of this process.

Instructor Bio: Vincent Clark holds a doctorate in modern European history. His graduate work included a Fulbright Graduate Fellowship at Germany's University of Heidelberg. He was history professor and chair of the history department at Johnson County Community College and has published articles and books in his field.

February 27, 2023 to March 13, 2023, Osher Institute, St. Andrews Office Facility, In Person and Online

Donation to the Osher Institute

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at KU was established in 2004 by a grant for the Bernard Osher Foundation as an outreach program of the University of Kansas. Its mission is to offer noncredit enrichment courses and events to folks over 50 years of age, although we welcome learners of all ages. We rely on financial support from our members and the community to create a sustainable program. If you would like to support the Osher Institute, please click the link below. If you have questions, please contact Linda Kehres at 785-864-1373 or linda.k@ku.edu. Thank you.

December 1, 2022 to May 5, 2023

Eleanor Roosevelt: Her Private Struggles and Public Triumphs

Recognized among the most admired people of the 20th Century, Anna Eleanor Roosevelt first had to overcome an affluent-but-unhappy childhood when both parents and a younger brother died before she was 10 years old. Sent to school in London, she returned in 1905 to marry her distant cousin, Franklin Roosevelt, and was given in marriage by her uncle, President Theodore Roosevelt. Her marriage combined a complicated personal life--involving a controlling mother-in-law, six children and FDR's affair--with an extraordinarily successful political role as FDR's surrogate, the nation's longest-serving First Lady, an ardent civil rights activist and respected international diplomat.

Instructor Bio: Jim Peters, J.D., is director emeritus of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at KU and author of "Arlington National Cemetery: Shrine to America's Heroes". He also teaches a course on the Underground Railroad in Northeast Kansas.

February 23, 2023 to March 9, 2023, Aberdeen Village In Person
February 28, 2023 to March 14, 2023, Mission Chateau In Person
March 20, 2023 to April 3, 2023, Village Shalom in Person

Ethical and Effective Advocacy

Media commentators focus on style and delivery as the key elements of effective oral advocacy. In fact, substance is much more important. In this class, we'll examine the dominant strategies that have made figures from Franklin Roosevelt to Ronald Reagan, Barack Obama, and even Donald Trump so effective in leading mass movements. We'll review the system that ordinary citizens can use to present effective and ethical persuasive messages in any context and use several case studies to illustrate the system.

Instructor Bio: Robert C. (Robin) Rowland, Professor of Communication Studies at KU, has won four university-wide awards for teaching, a national teaching award, and several national awards for his research. He presented the keynote on rhetoric at the Reagan Centennial. He has taught advocacy to generations of students at KU.

April 10-24, 2023, Osher Institute, St. Andrews Office Facility, In Person and Online

Experience the Renovated Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum

It's time to visit the renovated 25,000 square feet of museum exhibit space at the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum in Abilene and see Ike again for the first time. The most recent innovations in technological components and interactives bring Ike and Mamie to life and are guaranteed to pique your interest.

In addition to seeing historically significant artifacts and hearing stories from the archives, visitors will come away with a better understanding of Ike and Mamie's life stories. Using newly digitized and never-before-seen footage from the National Archives, new minitheaters offer visitors the opportunity to hear Ike's words firsthand on a variety of events and issues from D-Day to world peace.

There will also be time to visit the Eisenhower boyhood home, Place of Meditation (where the Eisenhower's are buried) and gift shop. For lunch, we'll enjoy the famous family-style dinner and elegant ambiance of Legacy Kansas: Munson's Prime & Brookville Hotel. Before heading home, we'll take a guided bus tour of historic Abilene. On the bus ride to and from Abilene, Anita Tebbe will share stories from her Osher course, "Exploration Time: Discover the Thirteen United States Presidential Libraries and Museums."

Friday, April 14

7:40 a.m. - Coach departs the Osher Institute, 1515 St. Andrews Dr., Lawrence

9 a.m. - Coach picks up travelers at the Manhattan Junction (I-70 & KS-177)

3:35 p.m. - Arrive back at Manhattan Junction (I-70 & KS-177)

5 p.m. - Arrive Osher Institute

$140 fee includes coach transportation, museum admission, guided historic tour around town, lunch and Anita Tebbe's presentation.

Refunds will be honored on or before March 31 minus a $20 administrative fee.

Friday, April 14, 2023

Explore Omaha: The Gateway to the West

Join us as we explore Omaha, a stop on the Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail. We'll enjoy lunch at Gorat's, a favorite of Warren Buffett, then stop and smell the roses at the Omaha Botanical Center. We'll stroll through Lauritzen Gardens at Omaha Botanical Center and explore the 100-acre oasis on a tram.

Next is a guided tour of Joslyn Castle, built in 1903 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. We'll stop by St. Cecilia Cathedral to view stained-glass windows from the 16th century and drive by the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge. Dinner is on your own in the Historic Downtown Old Market District as you stroll along cobbled streets.

Arbor Day begins at the Henry Doorly Zoo where you'll choose from the following experiences and enjoy free time to explore at your leisure. The first 42 registrants also get a private tram tour.

A Golf Cart Tour to see popular exhibits from the comfort of the cart as you journey behind-the-scenes from a private service road. Limit 20.

Go behind the scenes to explore the aquarium from the other side of the glass. Limit 30.

Get up close and personal with the giraffes with a tour of the Herd Rooms. Limit 10.

Self-guided time with unlimited rides to include tram, carousel, train, skyfari, and the sting ray beach.

We'll enjoy Spaghetti Works for lunch before our docent-guided tour at Durham Museum inside Union Station. You'll get to explore the Byron Reed Section, the 3rd largest collection in the world, to view an 1804-coin worth more than 7 million, as well as see a circa 1200AC collection of Gregorian chants. Be sure to make the soda fountain your last stop to enjoy a delicious treat!

Thursday, April 27, and Friday, April 28

7 a.m. - Coach departs the Osher Institute, 1515 St. Andrews Dr., Lawrence on Thursday and returns Friday by 7:45 p.m.

8 a.m. - Coach departs the Edwards Campus, 12600 Quivira Rd., Overland Park on Thursday and returns Friday by 6:45 p.m.

$495 per person for single occupancy

$435 per person for double occupancy

Fee includes coach transportation, lodging, museum and admission fees, guided tours, exclusive presentations, one breakfast, two lunches and snacks.

Refunds will be honored on or before April 10 minus an $80 administrative fee.

April 27-28, 2023

Exploring the Wonders of Kansas

Join us in Osawatomie for a guided tour of the John Brown Museum and the historic Adair cabin, once used by John Brown. We'll enjoy lunch at Memorial Hall and hear from Osher instructor Jim Peters and the great-great niece of John Brown, May Bester. We'll drive by the Old Stone Church and the Soldiers' Monument where John Brown's son Frederick is buried.

Next, we'll visit the Chanute- Wright Brothers Memorial with our Chamber step-on guide. We'll end the day at the Martin and Osa Johnson Safari Museum for guided tours of the gallery and exhibits, and an exclusive Archives Show & Tell. Ranked the No. 1 Museum in Kan., explore it through the lens of these "Kansans with Kodaks."

Also included is Russ Hutchins' online class, "Martin and Osa Johnson: Life Is a Safari."

Course Description: Between 1917 and 1936, Martin and Osa Johnson of Chanute, Kan., travelled throughout the South Pacific and Africa documenting their adventures with reels of black and white film. In Borneo they encountered headhunters and cannibals, and in Africa Martin filmed close-ups of lions, elephants, rhinos, and zebras while Osa stood close by with a gun at the ready.

We'll recount their adventures starting in Chanute before heading to more exotic places. We'll review the many books, still photos and documentaries they produced to wide acclaim around the world. Today, the Martin & Osa Johnson Safari Museum in Chanute stands in testament to their work.

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 of 40 years.

Friday, March 31

7 a.m. - Coach departs Edwards Campus, 12600 Quivira Rd., Overland Park to return at 7:45 p.m.

8 a.m. - Coach departs the Osher Institute, 1515 St. Andrews Dr., Lawrence to return at 6:45 p.m.

$155 fee includes coach transportation, admission fees, guided tours, presentations, lunch, and Russ Hutchins class on Martin and Osa Johnson.

Refunds will be honored on or before March 17 minus a $30 administrative fee.

Friday, March 31, 2023

Flashback to the Birth of Rock 'n' Roll

Come relive the excitement, energy, and thrills from December 4, 1956, when four young musicians gathered at Sun Records for one of the greatest jam sessions ever! This thrilling, smash-hit Broadway musical, Million Dollar Quartet, takes you inside the Sun recording studio for an unforgettable night of Rock 'n' Roll bringing together icons Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins for the first and only time. Enjoy "Blue Suede Shoes," "Fever," "That's All Right, Mama," "Sixteen Tons," "Great Balls of Fire," "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On," "Who Do You Love," "Hound Dog" and more! When the live band kicks in, you'll want to get up and boogie. Enjoy lunch and an exclusive Outreach Post- Show Talkback presented by a New Theatre professional.

Wednesday, May 3

11 a.m. - Arrive at New Theatre & Restaurant 9229 Foster St., Overland Park 3:45 p.m. - Depart

$75 fee includes lunch, show and exclusive presentation (Transportation on your own.)

Refunds will be honored on or before April 12 minus a $20 administrative fee.

Wednesday, May 3, 2023, New Theatre and Restaurant

From the Right to Vote to Running for President: Women's Struggle for Political Equality

We'll review the long struggle for women's participation in the public sphere from the early suffrage leaders to the historic 2016 presidential race. Participants will be introduced to some lesser-known leaders for women's suffrage and political rights, especially those in Kansas, and will learn more about famous figures such as Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Lucretia Mott, Alice Paul and Carrie Chapman Catt. We'll look at famous speeches and petitions. Videos from documentaries and Hollywood productions will be used to bring the women to life.

Instructor Bio: Diana Carlin, Ph.D., is Professor Emerita of Communication at Saint Louis University and a retired professor of Communication Studies at KU. She has co-authored a book on gender and politics and taught courses on women as political leaders, the rhetoric of women's rights and communication and gender.

April 13-27, 2023, Zoom Facilitated Sessions

German Settlements and Culture in Kansas

German is the most prevalent language after English and Spanish spoken at home in 77 counties in Kansas. Since 1854, thousands of German-speaking immigrants have sought better lives here, including Pennsylvania Dutch, Volga Germans, Mennonites, Austrians and Swiss. German churches dot the prairie, and some rural Kansans still speak a dialect of German.

Instructor Bio: William Keel, Ph.D., is a professor emeritus of German at KU, having taught the history and culture of German settlements in Kansas and Missouri.

February 23, 2023 to March 9, 2023, Fairfield Inn and Suites - In Person

Grant, the General: The Civil War Campaigns of Ulysses S. Grant

Historians cite Grant as the first modern general who understood the concept of Total War. We'll review the Civil War military campaigns of Grant and follow him from field commander in his early battles, to master campaigner, and then moving into the Total War strategist. Come learn about his maneuvers.

Instructor Bio: Robert Smith, Ph.D., is the Director of the Fort Riley Museum. He has a doctorate in history from KSU and has published numerous articles on military history.

April 12-26, 2023, Jayhawk Area Agency on Aging In Person

Historic Fort Riley Tour and Visit to Lindsborg, known as Little Sweden U.S.A

Dates have been changed to Thursday, December 15 & Friday, December 16. Fort Riley, established in 1853, is one of the Army's oldest posts. Our visit will consist of a guided tour of the U.S. Cavalry Museum, which chronicles the history of the horse-mounted branch of the service from 1775 to 1950; a guided tour of the newly renovated 1st Infantry Division Museum, the army's oldest and most storied Division; and a tour of the historic Custer House restored to its original 1870s look. We'll see St. Mary's Chapel, the historic Calvary Parade Field, and the gravesite of "Chief," the last cavalry horse of the army, and eat lunch on post.

We'll spend the night in Salina and enjoy dinner at Martinelli's Little Italy before departing for Lindsborg on Friday. We'll start the day with a Community Tour as our step-on-guide shares facts about Bethany College, the Old Mill and Swedish Heritage Museum, and the 1904 World's Fair Swedish Pavilion. Next, we'll be treated to a docent-guided tour at Birger Sandzen Memorial Art Gallery. Weather permitting, a traditional Swedish buffet will be served at Coronado Heights, the southern-most bluff in the Smoky Hills. We'll visit Small World Gallery, home of National Geographic Photographer, Jim Richardson. Then enjoy a guided tour of the Red Barn Studio of folk artist Lester Raymer. We'll end at 350 Degrees to learn more about Swedish holiday foods and purchase tasty treats for the trip home!

Thursday, December 15 and Friday, December 16

7:30 a.m. - Coach departs the Edwards Campus, 12600 Quivira Rd., Overland Park on Thursday and returns Friday by 7:45 p.m.

8:30 a.m. - Coach departs the Osher Institute, 1515 Saint Andrews Drive, Lawrence on Thursday and returns Friday by 6:45 p.m.

9:35 a.m. - Arrive Manhattan Junction (I-70 & KS-177) on Thursday and return Friday by 5:35 p.m.

$310 per person for single occupancy

$245 per person for double occupancy

Fee includes coach transportation, lodging, museum and gallery fees, guided tours, presentations, one breakfast, two lunches, and one dinner.

Refunds will be honored on or before November 30 minus an $80 administrative fee.

All participants must present a government issued ID.

December 15-16, 2022

Historic Kansas City Bus Tour

This guided tour takes us by scores of Historic Sites with photo stops. You'll be treated to a first-person account by Octave Chanute, the civil engineer who designed and built the 1869 Hannibal Railroad Bridge. Learn about the man who mentored the Wright Brothers and has a town in Kansas named in his honor. Explore sites like the Santa Fe Trail Ruts, Satchel Paige's Grave, Case Overlook Park, the Missouri River Boardwalk, Lewis and Clark campsite, and others. Learn the stories behind KC's 8th Street cable car tunnel, Quantrill, Union Station Massacre, KC's first skyscraper, Thomas Swope and his murder, Nell Donnelly Reed's company and her kidnapping, the Battle of Westport, Political Boss Tom Pendergast, the NFL's longest game, and KC as the BBQ Capital of the World. We'll enjoy lunch at Minsky's pizza located in the historic downtown City Market.

Friday, February 17

8 a.m. - Coach departs the Osher Institute, 1515 St. Andrews Dr., Lawrence and returns by 4 p.m.

9 a.m. - Coach departs Edwards Campus, 12600 Quivira Rd., Overland Park and returns by 3 p.m.

$125 fee includes coach transportation, tour guide, and lunch.

Refunds will be honored on or before February 1 minus a $20 administrative fee.

Friday, February 17, 2023

Hollywood Scores: A Fertile Land for Immigrants

As doors were closing in Europe in the '30s, they were opening in America, despite the Great Depression. Together we will discover how immigrants, some of them escaping the Nazis, created the Hollywood music that we all love. We'll explore how that migration changed the landscape of American culture and with strong audiovisual support, we'll learn how the famous scores of Gone with the Wind, Casablanca, The Bride of Frankenstein, or Ben-Hur, were written, performed, and recorded. Anecdotes and stories, combined with musical examples will show how some composers analyzed the protagonists' psyche, the director's intentions and then enhanced the final product and the filmgoing experience.

Instructor Bio: Emanuel Abramovits has been a concert promoter since 2000, directly involved in many concerts by international artists, like Itzhak Perlman, Sarah Brightman, ASIA, Kenny G and many more. He served as the cultural director at UNION ISRAELITA DE CARACAS from 2008 to 2019, releasing books, organizing film cycles, concerts, and art exhibits.

March 20, 2023 to April 3, 2023, Zoom Facilitated Sessions

How does this pill know where to find the place that hurts? Dennis the Menace

The purpose of this course is to help participants understand how their medications work, are administered, dosed and the frequency needed to meet their health concerns. We'll answer questions the following questions. How are drugs absorbed after oral dosing? Why do I need to take one of my medications once a day and another three times per day? Why do I have to take some of my medications with food and in other cases, not? How might my medication dose need to be adjusted as I age?

Instructor Bio: Valentino J. Stella, PhD, KU Distinguished Professor Emeritus. Val taught at KU for 45 years in the School of Pharmacy and is the inventor or coinventor of six approved drug products. He is also the coinventor of a novel solubilizer/stabilizer now in 15 approved products.

February 2-16, 2023, Osher Institute, St. Andrews Office Facility, In Person and Online

How Hitler Came to Power

Amidst the frequent fears today for democracy's survival, this course shows how Adolph Hitler was able to transform Germany's Weimar Republic into a world-threatening dictatorship. It describes his rise, his use of propaganda, the world-wide depression, and the machinations of politicians that enabled him to turn a democratic country into the Nazi dictatorship.

Instructor Bio: Vincent Clark holds a doctorate in modern European history. His graduate work included a Fulbright Graduate Fellowship at Germany's University of Heidelberg. He was history professor and chair of the history department at Johnson County Community College and has published articles and books in his field.

February 7-21, 2023, Tallgrass Creek Retirement Community In Person

How Hitler Came to Power - Tallgrass Creek Residents

Amidst the frequent fears today for democracy's survival, this course shows how Adolph Hitler was able to transform Germany's Weimar Republic into a world-threatening dictatorship. It describes his rise, his use of propaganda, the world-wide depression, and the machinations of politicians that enabled him to turn a democratic country into the Nazi dictatorship.

Instructor Bio: Vincent Clark holds a doctorate in modern European history. His graduate work included a Fulbright Graduate Fellowship at Germany's University of Heidelberg. He was history professor and chair of the history department at Johnson County Community College and has published articles and books in his field.

February 7-21, 2023, Tallgrass Creek Retirement Community In Person

How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be

Jack Canfield, the originator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, has designed The Success Principles for reaching your personal and professional goals, live your dreams and create more joy in your everyday life. This course offers the actual methods, strategies, activities, and exercises to help participants achieve what they want. This engaging, thought-provoking program will leave you energized and excited about the material you have just learned.

Instructor Bio: Don Booz is widely recognized for his coaching expertise in the Kansas City area and his ability for helping people increase their Emotional Intelligence. He is a professional certified coach who teaches people how to develop their emotional intelligence with increased self-awareness.

March 20, 2023 to April 3, 2023, KU Edwards Campus, 163 Regnier Hall, In Person and Online

I Am Malala: The Young Lady Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban

We'll study the history of Afghanistan and Pakistan through the voice of Malala Yousafzai, who overcame the Taliban assassin's challenge regarding education for girls. She single-handedly turned the issue of a girl's right to education and then the right of all children, into headline news despite being shot in the head by the Taliban. She is the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. Her voice changed the world.

Instructor Bio: Marlene Katz, a graduate from the University of Missouri was an adjunct professor at UMKC where she taught English and literature. Marlene has a 28-year teaching career and has been involved in storytelling for 20 years. Women in History is her specialty and Marlene has performed in a five-state area and has lectured at various groups, often in costume and speech of the character she is portraying.

Monday, February 13, 2023, KU Edwards Campus, 163 Regnier Hall, In Person and Online

Inside the Kansas Biological Survey: Scope and Applications of Research and State Programs

The Kansas Biological Survey is a non-regulatory state agency and designated research center at the University of Kansas. This course will reveal how researchers acquire data to map distributions of rare species, identify unique plants and ecological communities, and monitor lakes to understand factors influencing harmful algal blooms.

Instructor Bio: Sara Baer is Director of the Kansas Biological Survey and Center for Ecological Research. She has also studied factors influencing diversity and functioning of restored prairies for 25 years.

Instructor Bio: Craig Freeman is a Senior Scientist in the Kansas Biological Survey, serving as coordinator and botanist for the Kansas Natural Heritage Inventory, and Senior Curator in the McGregor Herbarium. He has 40 years of field experience in the Great Plains and conducts research in plant systematics, floristics, and prairie conservation.

Instructor Bio: Jennifer Delisle has served as Information Manager for the Kansas Natural Heritage Inventory for 25 years, merging her interests in geography and wildlife biology to map the distribution of the state's rarest plants and animals. She works with partners on a wide variety of projects to facilitate conservation of our most imperiled species and natural communities.

Instructor Bio: Ted Harris is an Assistant Research Professor at the Kansas Biological Survey who focuses on lake water quality, especially with respect to harmful blue-green algae blooms. He studies water quality dynamics on long-term (decades) and short-term(hours) timescales.

April 12-26, 2023, Osher Institute, St. Andrews Office Facility, In Person and Online

International Travel

This course will take you on a journey of learning about travel -- how to choose what trips are right for you and how to prepare for those trips. We'll explore the diverse ways to travel and whether you should travel alone or with a group. Should you go on a river boat, a freighter or a cruise ship? We'll review travel insurance, money and how to pack light. Even if you aren't planning to travel right now, we'll share stories about places that have fascinated tourist for years.

Instructor Bio: Georgia Klein is a retired secondary educator from the Shawnee Mission School District. She has been to Europe 26 times and has presented workshops on travel to other continents. She has also been a guide for Road Scholars on a walking tour of the Country Club Plaza in Kansas City, MO.

March 22, 2023 to April 5, 2023, KU Edwards Campus, 163 Regnier Hall, In Person and Online

It's Not Easy Being Green

Explore 'greens' from around the world and learn what "going green" means. Combined with grains and beans, greens are the perfect color and taste to add to your plate. Enjoy Asian greens, Italian greens and good, ole American greens with recipes, cooking tips and delicious samples. Study the 'greening' of our society and learn how you can make a difference.

Instructor Bio: Chef Larry Canepa is a Certified Culinary Educator with over 40 years of food and beverage experience and 20 years of teaching cooking, food and culture, and STEAM-focused classes. He has taught culinary classes at Le Cordon Bleu, the International Culinary School at the Art Institute, corporate wellness events, libraries, community centers and other venues.

March 22, 2023 to April 5, 2023, Zoom Facilitated Sessions

Lowlands, Highlands, Islands and a Wee Dram: the Geography of Scotland

This course explores several aspects of Scotland's physicaland human geography. It is roughly divided into sections on its astoundingphysiography, Precambrian geology and natural resources, followed bycontributions of key ethnic groups (Picts, Scots and Norse) to its culturalhistory. We'll discuss "the true inventors of the social sciences,"Adam Smith, James Watt, David Hume, James Hutton and Sir Walter Scott. We'llalso compare two great cities, Edinburgh and Glasgow, with quite differentorigins and cultural characters. Finally, we'll explore the country's (is it acountry?) dynamic political geography, including political parties and thehighly charged, contentious issue of independence.

Instructor Bio: Tom Schmiedeler, Ph.D., is Professor Emeritus of geography at Washburn University.

April 13-27, 2023, Osher Institute, St. Andrews Office Facility, In Person and Online

Making Tracks: American Railroads Then and Now

This course examines the economic, political, and cultural impact of U.S. railroad corporations, passenger, and freight trains, as well as workers who built, ran and maintained them. Focusing on years from the Civil War to the present, the class emphasizes not only the Union Pacific-Central Pacific transcontinental route, but also lines in Kansas and Kansas City like the Santa Fe and the Rock Island. The nation's first big business, railroads still matter today. We'll view film clips, read book and magazine excerpts, listen to railroad songs, and see photos from the instructor's own collection.

Instructor Bio: Carl Graves, Ph.D., holds a U.S. history master's degree, and his Harvard Ph.D. dissertation was on Topeka's Santa Fe shop workers. He taught university and community college classes, was a high school history instructor at Pembroke Hill School in Kansas City and published many railroad articles and photographs.

February 22, 2023 to March 8, 2023, New Century Fieldhouse In Person

Martin and Osa Johnson: Life Is a Safari

Between 1917 and 1936, Martin and Osa Johnson of Chanute, Kan., travelled throughout the South Pacific and Africa documenting their adventures with reels of black and white film. In Borneo they encountered headhunters and cannibals, and in Africa Martin filmed close-ups of lions, elephants, rhinos, and zebras while Osa stood close by with a gun at the ready. We'll recount their adventures starting in Chanute before heading to more exotic places. We'll review the many books, still photos and documentaries they produced to wide acclaim around the world. Today, the Martin & Osa Johnson Safari Museum in Chanute stands in testament to their work.

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 of40 years.

Friday, March 17, 2023, Zoom Facilitated Sessions

Mobile Storytelling and Social Marketing

Students will learn to produce creative and targeted social media that will build a community around any creative or entrepreneurial endeavor. From promoting a business, to espousing a cause, marketing a non-profit, jump-starting a start-up, and showcasing art and design, we'll learn o create social media that develops and delivers a dedicated audience and customer base.

Instructor Bio: Stephen Knifton is an Emmy-winning TV news producer, creating and producing engaging and highly rated news programming. Steve also created work for museums, engineers, architects, designers, hospitality + tourism, and business development clients. He has taught (remotely) video storytelling and smartphone filmmaking at several colleges and has lived and worked in New York and Toronto, distance-teaching in Canada and the U.S.

February 22, 2023 to March 8, 2023, Zoom Facilitated Sessions

Mountains of True Peace - a Guatemalan Journey

The author of the new book Mountains of True Peace shares the experience of a lifetime. KelLee spent three years right after college living and working in a remote village in the mountains of Guatemala as a volunteer agricultural missionary with Mennonite Central Committee. He will share the culture, food, and living conditions he experienced throughout his adventure with the K'ekchi' people. The presentation will also delve into the political situation of Guatemala in the 1950s through his time in Guatemala that have ramifications in our world today.

Instructor Bio: KelLee Parr holds bachelor's degrees in agriculture and education plus a master's degree in adult and occupational education from Kansas State University. He has taught elementary school many years in Topeka and now writes science curriculum for Nancy Larson Publishers.

April 10-24, 2023, Riley County Seniors' Service Center In-Person

Music Inspired by the Natural World

Classical music composers have found inspiration in many places. In this course you will explore classical music inspired by works of nature. The first class will focus on music inspired by the wonders of the earth, such as mountains, valleys, oceans and nature occurrences. The second class will explore music inspired by the plant kingdom such as trees, flowers and forests. The third class will be devoted to music representing the animal kingdom, such as birds, swans, fish, bears, elephants, monkeys and even whales. Come prepared to look at classical music from a whole new perspective.

Instructor Bio: Don Dagenais has been a preview speaker for the Lyric Opera for more than 20 years and he teaches classical music and opera courses for local organizations. Among other pursuits, he enjoys studying American political history and has compiled an extensive collection of memorabilia from presidential political campaigns from 1840 - the present. He recently retired as a real estate attorney.

February 14-28, 2023, Northland Innovation Center In-Person
February 23, 2023 to March 9, 2023, KU Edwards Campus, 163 Regnier Hall, In Person and Online

Only Hope: My Mother and the Holocaust Brought to Light

Before she died in 1974, Felicia Bornstein Lubliner wrote about her internment in ghettos and concentration camps in Nazi-occupied Poland, powerful stories published by her son. Irving Lubliner will share excerpts from Only Hope: A Survivor's Stories of the Holocaust, shedding light on his mother's fortitude and indomitable spirit, as well as his own experience as a child of Holocaust survivors.

Instructor Bio: Irving Lubliner teaches math, music, and literature classes for Osher at Southern Oregon University. He taught for 40 years, led teaching seminars in 39 states, and gave 350 conference presentations, including several keynote addresses. In 2019, he created Felabra Press and published his mother's Holocaust-themed writings.

Monday, February 6, 2023, Zoom Facilitated Sessions

Osher Institute Gift Certificate

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Kansas offers noncredit short courses and special events developed especially for folks over 50. Give the gift of learning through an Osher Gift Certificate which enables the recipient to attend one Osher course for free! Our courses are taught two hours each week for three weeks. To give someone an Osher Gift Certificate, please click the link below. If you have questions, please contact Linda Kehres at 785-864-1373 or linda.k@ku.edu.

December 1, 2022 to May 5, 2023

Pioneering Stories from the Settling of Emporia and Lyon County, Kansas

Emporia, Kansas, was founded as an anti-slavery, free-state town in 1857, and was drawn into guerilla warfare known as "Bleeding Kansas." The class documents pioneers who settled Lyon County in three timelines: 1) up to1865; 2) 1866-1900 3) 1901-1945. We'll study Emporia and surrounding Lyon County's interest in culture and music. While technology physically improved farming results, the cultural refinement of music and plays was just as important in advancing the quality of farm life. The transformation of rural life to a more educated and cultured world validates the migration of settlers from the Old World's famines, religious persecution and commoner exploitation.

Instructor Bio: Rich Hughes received a bachelor's degree from KU and a master's in computer science from KSU. Hughes worked in various information technology and data analytic jobs and is an avid history buff after retirement. He has written three books rooted in Kansas and American history: Netting Out Basketball, 1936, Hitler's Olympic Festival, and If the Shoe Fits

March 21, 2023 to April 4, 2023, Osher Institute, St. Andrews Office Facility, In Person and Online

Rollin' Down the River - Exploring the Entire Missouri River

This course grows out of a Summer 2016 seven-week exploration/adventure "trip of a lifetime" along the Missouri River, from its official source in Three Forks, Mont., to its confluence with the Mississippi River near St. Louis. It will interest everyone from armchair travelers to history buffs, especially Lewis and Clark enthusiasts. We'll explore scenery, geography, culture, fascinating people, and all the magic along the 2,341-mile route of arguably the most unique river in the world! And discover why Atchison, Kan., was the most unique stop of the trip.

Instructor Bio: Larry Campbell spent 35 years teaching mathematics and mathematics education at two institutions in southwest Missouri. He won several college, university and state-wide teaching and service awards during his career. Since his retirement he has been running AfterMath Enterprises, LLC, an umbrella organization of his various activities.

February 22, 2023 to March 8, 2023, KU Edwards Campus, 163 Regnier Hall, In Person and Online

Significant United States First Ladies of the Modern Era

We will look at eight U.S. first ladies who lived in the 20th and 21st centuries. They are not as well-known as some of the other first ladies, but they made impressive contributions to the United States. We will study Lou Hoover, Bess Truman, Mamie Eisenhower, Lady Bird Johnson, Pat Nixon, Rosalynn Carter, Barbara Bush, and Laura Bush.

Instructor Bio: Anita Tebbe is a retired professor of the Legal Studies Department at Johnson County Community College. She earned an undergraduate degree in history, a graduate degree in education and a juris doctor degree in law. Anita is a Kansas licensed attorney and has more than 40 years at the high school and college levels.

April 12-26, 2023, Meadowbrook Park Clubhouse In Person

Stargazing 2: Beyond the Valley with Dr. John C. Tibbetts

By popular demand, and in the tradition of the Hollywood sequel, Dr. John C. Tibbetts further explores his more than 40 years of interviews and conversations with celebrities in film, theater, literature, and music. We will meet movie stars like Harrison Ford, Drew Barrymore, Sophia Loren, Mel Gibson, Woody Allen; composers and performers like Joan Baez and John Cage; and local greats. We'll even share a "Blast from the Past" with glimpses of Channel 41's "A.M. Live," television show, which John and Lisa Valenti hosted in the early 1980s.

Instructor Bio: John Tibbetts is emeritus professor at KU, where he taught courses in film history, media studies, and theory and aesthetics. He is an author, educator, broadcaster, artist, and pianist. He holds a Ph.D. from KU in multi-disciplinary studies and was awarded the Kansas Governor's Arts in Education Award in 2008. In class he draws upon his book, Composers in the Movies (Yale, 2005).

February 2-16, 2023, KU Edwards Campus, 163 Regnier Hall, In-Person

Texas: A Revolution and A Republic?

We'll explore the history of Texas from the initial call for Mexican Independence to forming the Republic of Texas. We'll examine forces leading to American settlement in Texas after 1821 and the Texas Revolution which formed the Republic of Texas. Learn about the mythology of the Alamo and the Battle of San Jacinto along with leaders of the time.

Instructor Bio: Lindy Eakin has his doctorate in history from the University of Kansas. He has taught classes in Native American history, the Spanish Frontier in North American and U.S. history. He has published on native peoples in Spanish Texas.

November 29, 2022 to December 13, 2022, Osher Institute, St. Andrews Office Facility and Online

The 1950s: A Decade of Prosperity and Change

In the'50s, American led the free world as we witnessed the move to the suburbs, the birth of Rock' n' Roll, the space race, a baby boom, hot rods, and drive-in movies. We'll examine the rebuilding of Europe, its division into the free West and the Soviet-dominated East, and the end of colonialism in the Far East.

Instructor Bio: Robert Smith, PhD, is the Director of the Fort Riley Museum. He has a doctorate in history from KSU and has published numerous articles on military history.

March 21, 2023 to April 4, 2023, Washburn University, Henderson Learning Center, In-Person and Online

The Art of Stephen Sondheim

Stephen Sondheim has pursued an individualistic course on Broadway, writing shows that consistently defy the genre's commercial expectations and that show distinctive variety as a group. This course will be a look at Sondheim's musical theater career and output in terms of his fascinating collaborations and unusual approaches to the composition of music and lyrics. A number of his shows will be covered, but emphasis will be placed on Company, A Little Night Music, Sweeney Todd, and Sunday in the Park with George.

Instructor Bio: Paul Laird is professor of musicology at the University of Kansas. He has published widely on musical history topics including four books on Leonard Bernstein. The most recent is the biography Leonard Bernstein in the "Critical Lives" series from Reaktion Books(University of Chicago Press).

February 14-28, 2023, Osher Institute, St. Andrews Office Facility, In Person and Online

The Delights of Baroque Dance Music

Join us as we explore the fascinating world of Baroque dance through the lens of a chamber musician and videos of Baroque dancers. Our goal is to enhance your appreciation of Baroque music by gaining a familiarity with the musical characteristics of 17^th- and 18^th-century dance forms and their multi-cultural popularity in Baroque chamber music, opera, and the theater.

Jean Hein recently moved to Kansas from South Carolina where she was director and recorder performer with Columbia Baroque as well as a clarinetist. She currently teaches online recorder classes for seniors. Hein has served on the Board of Early Music America. She holds music degrees from Oberlin Conservatory and Northwestern University.

February 27, 2023 to March 13, 2023, Osher Institute, St. Andrews Office Facility, In Person and Online

The Federalist Papers: a Blueprint for the American Government

The Federalist Papers were written to promote ratification of the Constitution. Jefferson described them as "the best commentary on the principles of government, which ever was written." Supreme Court decisions have quoted them at least 291 times. We'll review some of the most important decisions in which they are cited.

Instructor Bio: Tom Coleman holds a bachelor's degree in business and economics from Washburn University and is a retired Federal Contracting Officer.

December 2-16, 2022, Jayhawk Area Agency on Aging In Person

The Golden Age of Chinese Archaeology

Since 1949, archaeology in China has flourished on a scale and with a productivity unmatched anywhere in the world. This class will review the history of archaeology in China-from "foreign devils on the Silk Road" and the discovery of Peking Man before 1949, to the remarkable discoveries shown in "The Chinese Exhibition" of the 1970s. We will then focus on major developments of the last 40 years as professionalization, generous government support, modern practices and UNESCO recognition have yielded a significant reinvention of our understanding of the Chinese past.

Instructor Bio: Robert Thorp taught at Princeton and Washington University in St. Louis for 25 years followed by a second career as tour lecturer in China and Japan. His publications include Chinese Art and Culture (2001), China in the Early Bronze Age (2006), and Visiting Historic Beijing (2008). He has visited China more than 50 times.

February 7-21, 2023, Osher Institute, St. Andrews Office Facility, In Person and Online

The Grand Canyon

Here, the geology, archaeology, ancient and modern human history, flora, fauna, and people of the Grand Canyon are described to yield a "grand" look at one of America's most famous natural wonders. There are many aspects of Grand Canyon that are fascinating and amazing, and this course explores the facts, trivia, and fun about one of America's most visited National Parks. And, yes, there is a portion dedicated to the famous Grand Canyon mules!

Instructor Bio: Stephenie Slahor, lecturer, and writer, enjoys travel, hiking, kayaking, horsemanship, and the natural sciences. She is a member of the Grand Canyon Conservancy, Southwest Marine Educators' Association, Coachella Valley Archaeological Society, Astronomical Society of the Desert, Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society, and the Shadow Mountain Gem & Mineral Society.

March 17-31, 2023, Zoom Facilitated Sessions

The History of the Kansas City Athletics, 1955-1967

The Kansas City Athletics (1955 - 1967) were a product of the post-World War II geographical shift that changed the face of Major League Baseball. Formerly the Philadelphia A's, the franchise's new owner moved it to Kansas City in 1955. This course will explore the details surrounding the franchise's move, the impact of the move on Kansas City, the team's 1950s controversial relationship with the New York Yankees, the era of the new 1961 owner Charlie Finley, and the team's acrimonious departure from the city.

Instructor Bio: Kevin L. Mitchell is the baseball history blogger of The Baseball Scroll (www.thebaseballscroll.blogspot.com) and author of Last Train to Cooperstown: The2006 Baseball Hall of Fame Inductees from the Negro League Era. The Kansas City, Kan. native earned bachelors and master's degrees from the University of Kansas.

April 13-27, 2023, Osher Institute, St. Andrews Office Facility, In Person and Online

The History of the World: From the Cold War (1979) to Covid-19 (2021)

The History of the World: From the Cold War (1979) to Covid-19 (2021)This course will examine many important world events occurring 20 years before and 20 years after the turn of the millennium through the experience and camera eye of noted photographer Gary Mark Smith. Smith reaches out and touches some of the most extraordinary events of our time, from the deadly Cold War hot spots of Central America and exploding Caribbean volcanos to post-9/11 Taliban Afghanistan, and from drug-lord-occupied slums in Rio de Janeiro to the ongoing misery of the Congo, and many other important global events occurring between 1979 and 2021.

Instructor Bio: Gary Mark Smith, the pioneer of global street photography, is a noted Mount Oread artist and journalist who expanded the range of street photography by taking his cameras to more than 85 countries (many during alarming historical circumstances) to photograph people in the wild on all the streets of the world - - not just the safe ones.

April 10-24, 2023, Osher Institute, St. Andrews Office Facility, In Person and Online

The Journey from Coffee Bean to Coffee Cup

Join us at the Roasterie Coffee Company in Kansas City for an experience you won't soon forget. Take a behind-the-scenes tour to learn the history of coffee brewing and see a live demonstration. Watch as your coffee is roasted, blended, and packaged. Witness the craft cold brew process as it goes from brewing to canning. Sample the coffee as you chat with the baristas. And don't forget to use your ten percent-off coupon in the gift shop as you take home a piece of Kansas City! After the tour you'll be treated to an exclusive presentation" Coffee: Origins and Evolutions of a Cup of Joe," by Tom Schmiedeler. It's all things coffee. And it's just for you!

Tuesday, March 7

9:45 a.m. - Arrive at The Roasterie Coffee Company, 1204 W. 27th St., Kansas City, Mo.

11:45 a.m. - Depart (Lunch on your own)

3:30 p.m. - Exclusive presentation at the Osher Institute, 1515 St. Andrews Dr., Lawrence, or online via Zoom.

$55 fee includes guided tour, tasting and exclusive presentation. (Transportation on your own.)

Refunds will be honored on or before February 27 minus a $15 administrative fee.

Tuesday, March 7, 2023

The Kansas Entrepreneurs: Beech, Chrysler, and Coleman

We'll discuss how Walter Beech and later his wife, Olive, made aircraft for both civilian and military use in Wichita. Next, we'll review Walter Chrysler of Wamego, Kan., who initially worked on the railroad, but went on to build an empire in manufacturing cars. Lastly, we will discuss William C. Coleman, founder of the Coleman Company, who sold gasoline pressure lamps in 1905,demonstrating their use during a night football game at Sterling College. He later made a variety of camping equipment. Join us for review of these men and women who helped Kansas grow.

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 of 40 years.

February 22, 2023 to March 8, 2023, Zoom Facilitated Sessions

The Life and Times of Harry Truman

During this course, we'll examine the early life of Harry Truman and his family in western Missouri and how those experiences shaped his future. Then we'll look at his rise through the political ranks and his career in the U.S. Senate. Finally, we'll explore Truman's selection as Franklin Roosevelt's vice president and how he was thrust into the presidency during our nation's most troubled times.

Instructor Bio: Jim Peters, J.D., is director emeritus of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at KU and author of "Arlington National Cemetery: Shrine to America's Heroes. He also teaches a course on the Underground Railroad in Northeast Kansas.

March 23, 2023 to April 6, 2023, KU Edwards Campus, 163 Regnier Hall, In Person and Online

The Literary Resistance to Nazism, Part 2: Inside the Third Reich

This class will focus on the life and works of Victor Klemperer. Jewish by birth and a scholar of Romance languages, Klemperer survived the Nazi period inside Germany. He kept diaries-published as I Will Bear Witness-that are indispensable for understanding daily life in the Third Reich. Klemperer also wrote an account of Nazi propaganda, Lingua Tertii Imperii, which shows how the regime's control was rooted in a corruption of German language and culture. Attendance in Part I is not required.

Instructor Bio: Eliah Bures holds a Ph.D. in history from UC Berkeley. He is a fellow at Berkeley's Center for Right-Wing Studies and the author of multiple essays and scholarly articles on far-right politics.

February 1-15, 2023, Zoom Facilitated Sessions

The Renaissance, a Global Phenomenon

This class examines an ancient pagan past that meets with the expanding influence of Islam to propel Christian societies of Renaissance Europe towards new artistic heights. From the Americas to Asia and Africa, we look at early global exchange connecting creative expression with innovation and desperation. Images of our present emerge as the pioneering technologies of warfare and capitalism meet at the confluence of a public health crisis, setting in motion human ingenuity that continues to influence the cutting-edge technology of our world today, from NFTs and cryptocurrency to top-secret microbes.

Instructor Bio: Hugh Leeman is an artist and lecturer at San Francisco State University. His artworks exhibit at the de Young Museum, the Museum of Mexico City, and the Masur Museum of Art. Leeman's courses have been part of the Contemporary Jewish Museum, the Huntington Museum, and Crocker Museum of Art curriculums.

March 22, 2023 to April 5, 2023, Zoom Facilitated Sessions

The Witch Trials of Early Modern Europe (c. 1450-1750)

This course will examine the infamous witch trials of early modern Europe. Together we'll explore what early modern people believed about witches and the devil, how these beliefs led to the persecution of thousands across Europe and its colonies, and what these trials tell us about life in early modern Europe. We will explore the origins of belief in witchcraft and the devil in Judeo-Christian texts and the development of these beliefs through the medieval period. Then we will examine specific cases and the laws regarding witchcraft in the major European nations and the American colonies. Content Warning: Some material discussed may be disturbing or explicit in nature.

Instructor Bio: Cameron C. Engelbrecht holds an M.Phil. in Early Modern History from Trinity College Dublin and a B.A. in History from the University of Central Missouri. He currently works at the Missouri State Archives and plans to pursue a Ph.D. soon.

February 1-15, 2023, Zoom Facilitated Sessions

The World of Versailles

Works of art tell fascinating stories about 18th-century France-the century of Versailles, the Enlightenment and the French Revolution. We'll learn about the people who shaped the history of this very important period, including the kings of France and their loves, Americans Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson-both of whom lived in France-and many others. We'll explore fashion, economics, philosophy, ballet, interior design, landscape gardening and much more, and we'll discuss how they are related and how they play a part in our lives today.

Instructor Bio: Janice Stuerzl has a lifelong passion for art history. After retiring from a 20-year career in social work, she became a docent at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. She has contributed research on French decorative arts for interior design books and has been field editor for interior design articles in national magazines.

April 12-26, 2023, KU Edwards Campus, 163 Regnier Hall, In Person and Online

Three Ship Disasters of the 20th Century: The Titanic, the Lusitania, and the Andre Doria

Ocean liners were the primary mode of intercontinental travel from the mid-19th century until they began to be supplanted by airliners. Advances in design and technology resulted in steamship companies proclaiming their ships to be "unsinkable," a claim proved false by the sinking of these three ships. We'll study the ships and the hubris underlying these claims.

Instructor Bio: Paul Post, a native Kansan, received a B.A. in History from KSU and a law degree from the KU Law School in 1974. Now retired he is a member of the Topeka Landmarks Commission and was Commission Vice Chair in 2018. He has authored essays on the history of SBA Hill/ former Menninger Campus in Topeka; Topeka's Bates Family; The Fred Harvey Company; and on Duke Ellington.

January 10-24, 2023, Brewster Place In Person
February 20, 2023 to March 6, 2023, Claridge Court In Person

Why Are We Here? A Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy

We humans have often wondered about the nature of the universe and our place in it. Religion, philosophy, art, and science have emerged from this wondering. Human wonder can be summed up in the question, why are we here? The ambiguous meaning of that question suggests most questions that philosophy has attempted to answer. We'll explore rational attempts to arrive at satisfactory answers to questions such as Where did everything come from? What does it all mean? What are we? What is our purpose? How can we live a good life? and how can we know the truth about it all?

Instructor Bio: James Gaither, Th.D., holds a master's degree in philosophy from the University of Kansas and Th.D. from Holos University Graduate Seminary. For over 25 years he has taught courses in history of Western thought, world religions, metaphysics, and ethics and is currently a "semi-retired.

March 22, 2023 to April 5, 2023, Northland Innovation Center In-Person
April 10-24, 2023, KU Edwards Campus, 163 Regnier Hall, In Person and Online

Why Beekeeping Matters - It's More Than Just the Honey

Humans, like honeybees, are social creatures by nature! That may be a reason we have been keeping bees for thousands of years. We'll learn how bees benefit our way of life by examining the world's many pollinators and their symbiotic relationship with plants. We'll focus on the honeybee and the extensive pollination services this little insect provides. We'll look at its physiology and morphology and study the bee caste system, where the queen rules. Or does she? Finally, we'll track the evolution of the beehive across history, and learn why we depend on the honeybee for the food we eat.

Instructor Bio: Paul Post is a native Kansan and retired lawyer. He lives in Topeka and now pursues several hobbies, including beekeeping. Paul's interest in beekeeping began in 2013, when he saw a demonstration hive at the Mother Earth News Fair in Lawrence. He joined the Northeast Kansas Beekeepers Association, and after attending beekeeping classes, began keeping bees in backyard hives.

April 11-25, 2023, Osher Institute, St. Andrews Office Facility, In Person and Online

Wichita Will Wow You!

We begin our trip to the state's largest city with a stop at Keeper of the Plains, a 44-foot-tall steel sculpture overlooking the point where the Big and Little Arkansas rivers join. We'll visit the Mid-America All-Indian Museum, home to Blackbear Bosin's largest public collection.

Next up is Botanica Wichita to enjoy lunch and an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the 1949 Joyland Carousel restoration project. We'll take a guided walking tour to see what's blooming and explore the history and unique aspects of the gardens, and ride on the Khicha Family carousel!

Our visit to the Museum of World Treasures includes a docent-led tour exploring everything from dinosaurs to ancient civilizations to American history and wars. A chamber step-on-guide will join us as we explore some of the 100 murals keeping urban art alive and well in Wichita. We end the day with a walking guided tour downtown for a close-up view of the whimsical and playful Georgia Gerber's bronze sculptures that dot the Wichita landscape. We'll stay at Hotel at Old Town and enjoy dinner on your own as you explore the pulse of Wichita.

Friday we'll begin with a guided tour of our hotel, once the largest warehouse in the world, and a former warehouse for Keen Kutter, an early 20th-century distributor of hardware, tools, dishes, and sporting goods. Next, we'll stop at the Wichita Art Museum for a docent-led tour to view collections spanning three centuries. You'll have time to explore on your own and enjoy 20% off in the gift shop!

After lunch at the Museum, we'll explore the Frank Lloyd Wright Allen House accompanied by our tour guide. We end the day at the Kansas Aviation Museum for a guided tour including a view from the control tower, one of the highest points in Wichita before enjoying dinner on the bus.

Thursday, March 23, and Friday, March 24

6 a.m. - Coach departs the Edwards Campus, 12600 Quivira Rd., Overland Park on Thursday and returns Friday by 8:50 p.m.

7 a.m. - Coach departs the Osher Institute, 1515 Saint Andrews Dr., Lawrence on Thursday and returns Friday by 7:50 p.m.

$465 per person for single occupancy; $410 per person for double occupancy

Fee includes coach transportation, lodging, museum, gallery and admission fees, guided tours, exclusive presentations, carousel ride, one dinner, two lunches, and one breakfast.

Refunds will be honored on or before March 8 minus an $80 administrative fee.

March 23-24, 2023

Women's Fast Pitch Softball in Topeka Before Title IX

Learn the evolution of a highly successful Topeka women's fast-pitch softball team, competitive state-wide in the 1950s, to becoming the dominant team of the region & achieving national prominence in the 1960s. Learn how loss of veteran players and a change in sponsorship affected the team, and how several players successfully pursued opportunities provided by Title IX. We'll explore the process of building a nationally ranked women's fast-pitch softball team in Topeka, and the success in bringing national powerhouses such as Orlando, Salt Lake City, and perennial champion Stratford's Raybestos Brakettes. The team never had a losing season despite retirements and loss of players to other teams.

Instructor Bio: Phyllis Fast has a degree in architecture. During the 1960s, she played ASA fast-pitch softball for 5 years in Wichita and 5 years for Topeka's nationally ranked team, prior to Title IX. She has written a history of the Topeka team and helped produce a six-hour video of still pictures, including player interviews.

Monday, April 17, 2023, Jayhawk Area Agency on Aging In Person

Your Space-Enabled Life

Imagine a day without space-based capabilities. What would happen to your television? How do you forecast the weather? Space-based capabilities touch your everyday life in so many unperceived ways. This course will examine the American and global dependency realized through space-based capabilities and how your daily life depends on those systems. We will look at the answers about satellite locations and their orbits, solar flares, and their effects on earth, how GPS works, and satellites' role in national security and commerce. And in all those movies, what is reality and what is director's license, fact versus fiction?

Instructor Bio: Thomas Gray, one of the Army's first 9 Space Operations Officers, is a retired educator and training specialist who served in the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command teaching at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth as well as other institutions across the country.

March 20, 2023 to April 3, 2023, Osher Institute, St. Andrews Office Facility, In Person and Online
April 13-27, 2023, Northland Innovation Center In-Person

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