Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

Osher Courses

Courses & Events

Osher Membership Fee

A required individual Osher membership fee of just $25 will be collected during the fall semester each year to grant participation in the Osher offerings for the next 12 months. Your paid membership allows you to attend Osher courses and special events. Membership in Osher helps to keep the cost of classes affordable for all. We're excited to nurture your ongoing quest to learn as you engage with and contribute greatly to the world around you.

July 6, 2026 to June 30, 2027

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 Osher at osher@ku.edu. Thank you.

August 1, 2026 to December 14, 2026

An Insider's NEW Guide to the Federal Reserve

The Federal Reserve is in the news daily, as the media speculate on the Fed's next policy moves. But there is more to the Fed than its current policy actions. We'll study the Fed's many functions in the financial system, as well as its role in macroeconomic policy. As the nation's Central Bank, the Federal Reserve plays an important role in the U.S. economy and financial markets. Instructor Bio: Gordon Sellon is an economist who spent 30 years at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, retiring as senior vice president and director of research. At the Fed, his research focused on monetary policy, banking regulation and payments systems. He also taught economics at KU and other universities. Gordon has degrees in economics from Harvard College and the University of Michigan.

November 5-19, 2026, Osher Institute, St. Andrews Office Facility and Online

Astro- & Geophysics in Antarctica I

This is the first of a series of presentations that discuss the scientific opportunities offered at the coldest, driestlocation on the planet, starting with some history of the continent and a description of its physical characteristics.This will be followed by consideration of what has been learned about the universe and its evolution based oncurrent and future experiments. Instructor Bio: Dave Besson, Ph.D., University of Kansas professor of physics and astronomy, is a failed rock-and-roller who migrated from Ithaca, New York, to Lawrence over 20 years ago and is currently ensconced on Mount Oread.

October 20, 2026 to November 3, 2026, Osher Institute, St. Andrews Office Facility and Online

Beyond the Trenches: World War I Fronts in Italy, Eastern Europe, Turkey and Africa

You may be familiar with the World War I battles on the Western Front, where France and Great Britain (and later the U.S.) fought Germany in the trenches. But there was a reason it was called a World War. We will explore battles that were fought on other fronts, involving Russia, the Ottoman Empire, Austria-Hungary and African colonies. We'll also discuss the Polar Bear Expedition: What were U.S. troops doing in Siberia? Instructor Bio: Karl Menninger is a retired government lawyer who has found an avocation teaching courses on disability law, citizenship, comedy and James Bond, among other topics.

November 10, 2026 to December 1, 2026, Osher Institute, St. Andrews Office Facility and Online

Difficult Stories of Women in the Bible

It's sometimes difficult for modern people to read texts from ancient patriarchal societies and see how women were treated. In this interactive online discussion class, we'll delve into some challenging stories found in the Bible. Women studied will include Hagar, Sarah, Dinah, Esther, and Lot's wife and daughters. Each week we'll also look at one or two paintings of these fascinating women. Instructor Bio: Sarah Rosenson holds a bachelor's degree from Georgetown University, a law degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a master's degree in Jewish studies from the Spertus Institute. She practiced law, then taught classes on ethics, philosophy and world religions at a private high school. She currently teaches adults both in person and on various online platforms, including several Osher classes.

December 3-17, 2026, Online

Ethics in Modern Life: Dilemmas in Law & Journalism

In this interactive online discussion class, we'll explore ethical issues that journalists and lawyers face. For instance, what are the ethical issues that come up when journalists report on mass shootings? Should journalists ever publish stories based only on anonymous sources? And what should a lawyer do if their client wants to testify falsely at their trial? Come join the conversation! Instructor Bio: Sarah Rosenson holds a bachelor's degree from Georgetown University, a law degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a master's degree in Jewish studies from the Spertus Institute. She practiced law, and then taught classes on ethics, philosophy and world religions at a private high school. She currently teaches adults both in person and on various online platforms, including several Osher classes.

November 5-19, 2026, Online

Faces of the Third Reich: Soldiers, Women and the Dictator Himself

Explore the human dimension of Nazi Germany through the stories of those who lived, shaped and were shaped by this totalitarian system. Historian Anette Isaacs illuminates the complexities of ideology, power and personal choices through exploration of the following topics: Hitler's soldiers in America, the hidden history of German POWs; the anatomy of a dictator, the private life, illnesses and early years of Adolf Hitler; and the women of the Third Reich.Instructor Bio: German born and raised, Anette Isaacs is a historian and public educator who has presented hundreds of programs on more than 40 topics (all pertaining to her native country's history, politics and culture) all over the United States. She holds master's degrees in American studies, political science and history, and recently served as the director of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Florida International University in Miami.

November 10-24, 2026, Online

Geography of the British Northern Isles: Orkney, Shetland & Outer Hebrides

Have you ever wanted to play the game of Ba', walk the Ring of Broghdar, sit in a Black House, smell a peat fire, speak Orcadian or sail Scapa Flow? If the answer is yes, come aboard the ferry departing from the Scottish mainland on Nov. 3 for Shetland, Orkney and the Outer Hebrides. We will explore the physical, economic and cultural geography of these fantastic islands. After an introduction to the geography of Highland Scotland, we will discuss topics such as archaeology (why Orkney is the "Egypt of the North"), land tenure (clans, crofts and clearances), ecology (the machair) and economies (sheep and oil) of each of the three island groups. Instructor Bio: Tom Schmiedeler, Ph.D., is professor emeritus of geography at Washburn University.

November 3-17, 2026, Osher Institute, St. Andrews Office Facility and Online

"Hamilton" and the Last Two Decades on Broadway

"Hamilton" (2015) by Lin-Manuel Miranda is remarkable for its score, statement about race, appeal to people from both sides of the political spectrum, and its ability to tell us about history and how we perceive it. We'll explore "Hamilton" and discuss other recent Broadway shows, including "Wicked," "Come from Away" and "Dear Evan Hansen." Instructor Bio: Paul Laird is professor emeritus of musicology who taught at the University of Kansas for 30 years. He is has published widely on the American musical theater and taught dozens of Osher courses over the last three decades.

December 1-15, 2026, Tallgrass Creek Retirement Community In Person

Hidden Influences: Lost Literary Gems of the 20th Century

This class will survey three works of fiction from the 20th century that are pivotal and enduring in the literary lexicon and the culture at large, but that are largely unread by modern audiences. We'll discuss these books in the context of their time, and consider their relevance to our current era. Books for discussion: "The Jungle" by Upton Sinclair, "Babbitt" by Sinclair Lewis and "Peyton Place" by Grace Metalious. Instructor Bio: Richard Klin is the author of the novel "Petroleum Transfer Engineer" (Underground Voices). His writing has appeared in The Millions, the Atlantic, Cultural Daily, the Brooklyn Rail and many others.

October 14, 2026 to November 4, 2026, Online

Jon Batiste: A "Genuine National Treasure"

We're celebrating the talents of Jon Batiste, a phenomenal multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, bandleader, dancer, actor and television personality. Influenced by his New Orleans roots, Batiste creates genre-defying music by combining styles of classical, jazz, funk, R & B, gospel and soul. Experience the positive inclusivity and boundless joy of this electric-energy performer, whom Andrew Bruss (Boston Symphony Orchestra) recently described as "a genuine national treasure. Instructor Bio: Baroque recorder player Jean Hein is a retired clarinetist and arts administrator who teaches Osher classes and recorder classes for lifelong learners. Hein served on the board of directors for Early Music America and as director of Columbia Baroque. She holds music degrees from Oberlin Conservatory and Northwestern University.

November 7-14, 2026, Osher Institute, St. Andrews Office Facility and Online

Madeleine Albright: Her Personal and Professional Lives

Madeleine Albright blazed a path as a career diplomat. Over three weeks, we'll delve into Albright's personal life, from her 1937 birth in Prague, Czechoslovakia, to living in Great Britain during World War II and relocating to the United States afterward. We'll track her diplomatic rise, culminating in serving as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and U.S. Secretary of State. Lastly, we'll scrutinize Albright's unique diplomatic tactic of using jewelry to convey messages - either subtly or explicitly. We'll look at one of the 200 brooches she wore to important meetings. Instructor Bio: Anita Tebbe is a retired professor in the legal studies department at Johnson County Community College. She earned an undergraduate degree in history, a graduate degree in education and a law degree. Anita is a Kansas-licensed attorney and has more than 40 years of teaching experience at the high school and college levels.

November 6-20, 2026, Osher Institute, St. Andrews Office Facility and Online

New Carols for Christmas

Carols for Christmas was a well-enjoyed Osher class. Join us for our exploration of a new selection of carols. We'll begin with songs from the collection of "Carols for Christmas" by Sir David Willcocks, including gorgeous, digitized photos from the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Additionally, the class will include carols from around the world and popular Christmas songs. Join us for the musical wonders and delights of the Christmas season! Instructor Bio: Baroque recorder player Jean Hein is a retired clarinetist and arts administrator who teaches Osher classes and recorder classes for lifelong learners. Hein served on the board of directors for Early Music America and as director of Columbia Baroque. She holds music degrees from Oberlin Conservatory and Northwestern University.

Wednesday, December 2, 2026, St Andrews Classroom

Nordic Noir Book Discussion: Crime, Culture and the Scandinavian Imagination

Nordic noir - crime fiction from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Iceland and Finland - has become a globally influential literary phenomenon in the past 50 years. Most readers encounter it without any sense of the rich cultural and historical tradition behind it: the Marxist origins of the genre, the Viking literary heritage, the peculiar social codes of Scandinavian egalitarianism, and the welfare state and its discontents. In four sessions we cover six interlocking themes through four landmark novels and 45 minutes of open, book-club-style conversation each week. The four books we will read are "The Laughing Policeman," "Don't Look Back," "Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow" and "Jar City." 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.

October 19, 2026 to November 9, 2026, Osher Institute, St. Andrews Office Facility In Person

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 in the legal studies department at Johnson County Community College. She earned an undergraduate degree in history, a graduate degree in education and a degree in law. Anita is a Kansas-licensed attorney and has more than 40 years of teaching experience at the high school and college levels.

November 17, 2026 to December 1, 2026, Santa Marta Retirement Community

The American Civil War West of the Mississippi: 1861-1865

Most histories of the American Civil War concentrate primarily on the campaigns and battles that took place east of the Mississippi. However, the Civil War raged on in the states located west of the Mississippi such as Arkansas, Texas, Kansas, Missouri, and in the New Mexico and Oklahoma territories. This class will focus on those lesser-known campaigns and battles that were nonetheless critical to the preservation of the Union and the eventual defeat of the Confederacy. Instructor Bio: Robert Smith, Ph.D., is the recently retired director of the Fort Riley Museum. He has a doctorate in history from Kansas State University and has published numerous articles on military history.

November 12, 2026 to December 3, 2026, Brewster Place Cultural Arts Center

The Reformations of Europe From 1350-1661

The reformations of Europe are among the most turbulent, fascinating and impactful events in Western history. Rather than a single event, they represent a series of movements occurring at different times and places. This course will explore key moments and ideas in these reformations, starting with the proto-reformers John Wycliffeand Jan Hus. We will then discuss the reformations led by Martin Luther, John Calvin and Ulrich Zwingli, followed by the Catholic Church's response, known as the Catholic Reformation. Finally, we will examine the tumultuous English Reformation in a more case-study approach. Along the way, we will attempt to uncover how these watershed moments in history affected the lives of everyday people. Instructor Bio: Cameron C. Engelbrecht holds a master's degree in early modern history from Trinity College Dublin and a bachelor's degree in history from the University of Central Missouri. He currently serves as director of faith formation at two Catholic churches in the Kansas City area and lives in Independence, Missouri, with his wife and daughter.

November 30, 2026 to December 14, 2026, Online

The Russian Revolution

This class will explore the historical circumstances leading to the tumultuous decline and fall of the Tsarist Regime, and the eventual seizure of the Russian government by the Bolsheviks under Vladmir Lenin. Situating the revolution in historical context, classes will explore the politics and circumstances of the Russian state, the revolutionary ideas of Lenin, and finally, how the first communist state emerged amidst a world in conflict. Instructor Bio: Aaron Margolis received his doctorate in history from the University of Texas at El Paso where he concentrated on Latin American and borderlands history. He is currently an associate professor of history at Kansas City Kansas Community College.

November 5-19, 2026, KU Edwards Campus, Regnier Hall & Online

"The Twilight Zone," "Bewitched" & "All in the Family"

Twitch your nose to join this course, which explores how classic television used entertainment to engage social issues. Focusing on "The Twilight Zone," "Bewitched" and "All in the Family," we'll examine how allegory, fantasy and realism each offered ways to address gender roles, politics, race and cultural change in the mid-century. Through guided discussion and close viewing, we'll consider how these shows helped audiences make sense of their world and why their social commentary still resonates today. Instructor Bio: Taylor Cole Miller is an associate professor of media studies at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and co-editor of the academic collection, "The Golden Girls: Tales from the Lanai." He also makes TikToks about TV history under the handle @tvdoc.

October 26, 2026 to November 16, 2026, Online

The World Comes to Kansas: U.S. Immigration and Refugee Stories

The course presents a history of immigration in the U.S. with emphasis on efforts in the Lawrence community to support immigrants and refugees in the resettlement process. We'll share case studies of immigrant stories, discuss how changes to current immigration laws impact the resettlement efforts in Lawrence today and get a chance to meet new refugee immigrants to the U.S. to hear their personal journey stories. Instructor Bio: Chuck Olcese is co-founder and president of Assistance for Immigrants and Refugees, a nonprofit organization in Lawrence, Kansas, dedicated to the resettlement of refugees and other immigrants in the area. He has trained in intercultural communication and presented workshops on these skills at numerous institutions. Before his retirement from the University of Kansas, Chuck founded Lawrence Interfaith Refugee and Immigrant Ministry (LIRIM), a communication network to facilitate assistance, advocacy and awareness of immigrants and immigrant issues in the area.

October 19, 2026 to November 2, 2026, KU Edwards Campus, Regnier Hall

Thomas Edison: An American Genius

How did a boy from a small town in Ohio, having very little formal education and attending school for only a few months, become the most prolific inventor of the 19th and early 20th centuries? We'll seek the answer to this question and study the impact that this genius continues to exert on our lives today. Instructor Bio: Paul Post, a native Kansan, received a bachelor's degree in history from Kansas State University and a law degree in 1974 from the University of Kansas. Now retired from practicing law, he is a member of the Shawnee County Historical Society and an amateur beekeeper. He has authored essays on the history of SBA Hill/former Menninger Campus in Topeka, Topeka's Bates Family, The Fred Harvey Company and Duke Ellington.

December 1-15, 2026, KU Edwards Campus, Regnier Hall & Online

The Willows Maternity Sanitarium and Kansas City: The Adoption Hub of America


This course will share the reunion of a mother and daughter 66 years after being separated at birth at The Willows Maternity Sanitarium. We will delve into the history of The Willows and dozens of other maternity homes that brought more than 100,000 young women shrouded in secrecy to Kansas City.


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 for many years in Topeka and now writes science curriculum for Nancy Larson Publishers.


This course contains no sessions

Understanding the Religions of the World

The diversity of human peoples, languages and religious beliefs often leads to misunderstandings that cause interpersonal and international conflicts. Some understanding of the major religions can help reduce and defuse conflicts related to differing religious beliefs. The study of different religions can also enrich one's personal spirituality, stimulate new insights and reduce prejudice. This course will explore major themes, histories and practices of the major religions based on numbers of adherents and historical influence. The religions chosen are Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Judaism, Zoroastrianism, Christianity, Confucianism, Taoism and Yoruba. Equal time will not necessarily be given to each, but each will be viewed with an eye to unprejudiced objectivity and emphasis on positive contribution to human experience. Instructor Bio: James Gaither, Th.D., holds a master's degree in philosophy from the University of Kansas and a doctorate from Holos University Graduate Seminary. For over 25 years he has taught courses on the history of Western thought, world religions, metaphysics and ethics. He is currently "semi-retired."

December 1-15, 2026, Osher Institute, St. Andrews Office Facility and Online

What Makes Mozart Great?

Some of Western civilization's greatest musical figures are household names. Everyone knows them - by name, at least - and acclaims them as "great." But what makes them great? In any era, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of good composers. But only a few are great. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart undeniably was great. Can Mozart's greatness, or at least some of it, be explained to a person interested in knowing how he was great? Of course. Mozart's genius was astonishing, but not supernatural. His music is right there on paper. One can see, surprisingly clearly, a near-perfect unification of profound expressiveness and impeccable craftsmanship. We'll explore several representative instances from Mozart's oeuvre. The question we'll attempt to answer is, "What makes Mozart great?"Instructor Bio: Martin J. Bergee is a professor emeritus of music education at the University of Kansas. Prior to his appointment at KU, he taught at the University of Missouri. Before his years at MU, Dr. Bergee taught high school and middle school band in St. Joseph, Missouri. In higher education, he has taught undergraduate courses in instructional methods and graduate courses in educational foundations and research techniques. Dr. Bergee's research interests include the history of instrumental music in schools and music performance assessment.

November 2-16, 2026, KU Edwards Campus, 163 Regnier Hall, In-Person

Frederick Douglass: From Enslaved Man to Statesman

Frederick Douglass was an American social reformer, abolitionist, orator, writer and statesman. After escaping enslavement in Maryland, he became a national leader of the abolitionist movement in Massachusetts and New York. We'll explore his life in enslavement, look at his autobiographies and other writings, and conclude with his life in Washington, D.C. as an elder statesman.


Instructor bio: Paul Post, a native Kansan, received a bachelor's degree in history from Kansas State University and a law degree in 1974 from the University of Kansas Law School. Now retired from practicing law, he is a member of the Shawnee County Historical Society and an amateur beekeeper. He has authored essays on the history of SBA Hill/former Menninger Campus in Topeka, Topeka's Bates Family, The Fred Harvey Company and Duke Ellington.


November 6-20, 2026, Maple Woods Community College Campus Center Building Classroom 103

Summers of Love: 1967 - 1969, Monterey, Woodstock, Altamont

Rock music during the 1967 - 1969 countercultural era started with the Summer of Love and ended tragically just two years later. We'll explore cultural and political events of the time from the Monterey International Pop Music Festival, through the Woodstock Music and Art Fair, and ending at the Altamont Speedway Festival. While Monterey introduced the world to many soon-to-be famous performers, Woodstock gave its name to a generation, and Altamont brought the era of love and trust to a sad end. Join the conversation as we recall this seminal time in American history.


Instructor bio: Steve Lopes, A.E., B.A., M.A., M. Ed., was an educator for 15 years prior to 30 years of advocating for teachers as a Kansas-NEA organizer. He enjoys researching rock 'n' roll history and sharing it with KU Osher participants.


November 3-17, 2026, Village Shalom in Person
November 5-19, 2026, Lawrence Presbyterian Manor - In Person