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Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
Courses
History
Courses & Events
1865: The Union Restored
It's 1865, and the American Civil War has raged for four long years. We'll continue examining the military history of the war, including how the North and South each approached what would culminate in the war's end. We'll look at the evaluation of the ends, ways and means of both sides' strategy in 1865, and the course, conduct and outcomes of major operations. We'll also address strategic and political contexts that shaped military operations in Virginia, Tennessee and elsewhere, as well as the leaders, such as Abraham Lincoln, Jefferson Davis, Joseph Johnston, Robert E. Lee, William T. Sherman and Ulysses S. Grant, whose decision and leadership influenced their handling of the war and its end results. * Please note: this class will be offered as a hybrid class but will not be recorded, at the request of the instructor.*
Instructor Bio: Ethan S. Rafuse received his doctorate at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and is professor of military history at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. His publications include "Robert E. Lee and the Fall of the Confederacy 1863 - 1865," essays in "The Chattanooga Campaign" and "The Chickamauga Campaign," and "U.S. Presidents During Wartime."
June 10-24, 2026, KU Edwards Campus, Regnier Hall & Online
Instructor Bio: Ethan S. Rafuse received his doctorate at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and is professor of military history at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. His publications include "Robert E. Lee and the Fall of the Confederacy 1863 - 1865," essays in "The Chattanooga Campaign" and "The Chickamauga Campaign," and "U.S. Presidents During Wartime."
June 10-24, 2026, KU Edwards Campus, Regnier Hall & Online
A History of Music in the White House From 1948 - 2016
Join us for a survey history of music in the White House from the Truman administration through the Obama years. Fun facts: President Truman was an accomplished pianist who started piano lessons at age seven! Yo-Yo Ma was seven when he performed at the White House for Presidents Kennedy and Eisenhower. Paul McCartney was approaching age 70 when he rocked the building performing "Hey Jude" for President and Mrs. Obama and their guests. Want to learn more?
Instructor Bio: 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.
June 9-23, 2026, St Andrews Classroom
Instructor Bio: 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.
June 9-23, 2026, St Andrews Classroom
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.
May 20, 2026 to June 3, 2026, Beacon Mental Health (Clay County)
Immortalized: Sports Museums and Halls of Fame
Why do sports mean so much to so many in our society? Sports museums and halls of fame help build these emotional connections by remembering, celebrating and commemorating iconic athletes, coaches and events. We'll learn about the field of sports heritage, discover the different types of sports museums and reflect on how legends are remembered.
Instructor Bio: Andrew Stockmann is curator of exhibitions at the Watkins Museum of History in Lawrence. He grew up visiting baseball stadiums and museums with his family, which sparked his love for history. Andrew is from Liberty, Missouri, and is a 2024 graduate of the museum studies master's program at the University of Kansas and holds a bachelor's degree in sport management from Wichita State University.
June 10-24, 2026, St Andrews Classroom
Instructor Bio: Andrew Stockmann is curator of exhibitions at the Watkins Museum of History in Lawrence. He grew up visiting baseball stadiums and museums with his family, which sparked his love for history. Andrew is from Liberty, Missouri, and is a 2024 graduate of the museum studies master's program at the University of Kansas and holds a bachelor's degree in sport management from Wichita State University.
June 10-24, 2026, St Andrews Classroom
The Development & Evolution of the United States Army: The Cold War Years 1947 - 1995
This class picks up where "The Growth and Evolution of the United States Army, 1775 - 1945" left off. Over three weeks we'll examine the changes of the U.S. Army during the Cold War years that focused on a doctrine of containing and limiting Communist expansion. In the first class we'll look at the Korean War and the planned deterrence of the Soviet-led Warsaw Pact forces in Eastern Europe. Next, we'll focus on the Army's plans for continental defense in the nuclear/missile age and the restructuring of the Army's tactical organization from the 1950s Pentomic Division to the ROAD Division of the early 1960s. Lastly, we'll delve into the Army's operations during the Vietnam Conflict, its rebuilding and reequipping in the 1970s and its Land, Sea and Air doctrine of the Desert Storm era.
Instructor Bio: Robert Smith, Ph.D., is the recently retired director of the Fort Riley Museum. He has a doctorate in history from KSU and has published numerous articles on military history.
May 14-28, 2026, Brewster Place In Person
Instructor Bio: Robert Smith, Ph.D., is the recently retired director of the Fort Riley Museum. He has a doctorate in history from KSU and has published numerous articles on military history.
May 14-28, 2026, Brewster Place In Person
The History of John Brown
In life and death John Brown was called many things: hero, terrorist, martyr and criminal. This class puts his life and legacy in the context of the times, exploring Brown as an individual and a determined actor that could only have existed in the Antebellum United States. A life full of contradictions, a supporter of civil rights and freedom, yet able to justify murder, Brown's actions were part of a uniquely American life whose legacy still echoes to this day.
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.
June 8-22, 2026, KU Edwards Campus, Regnier Hall & Online
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.
June 8-22, 2026, KU Edwards Campus, Regnier Hall & Online
The Life and Wars of Robert E. Lee
Robert E. Lee was the son of fabled Revolutionary War general "Light Horse" Harry Lee. In this course, we'll examine how this general's son became one of the most respected officers in the U.S. Army, only to forge a record in the Confederacy that made him one of the most respected commanders in history. We'll look at the great maneuvers that carried him to triumph at Chancellorsville in 1863, and then to complete defeat in 1865. We will consider the factors that shaped Lee's generalship both in victory and defeat, then look at how Lee dealt with the aftermath of defeat in his postwar endeavors. Please note this class will be presented in hybrid format but will not be recorded at the request of the instructor.
Instructor Bio: Ethan S. Rafuse has many published works include Robert E. Lee and the Fall of the Confederacy, 1863-1865. He received his doctorate at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and teaches military history at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth.
July 13-27, 2026, KU Edwards Campus, Regnier Hall & Online
Instructor Bio: Ethan S. Rafuse has many published works include Robert E. Lee and the Fall of the Confederacy, 1863-1865. He received his doctorate at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and teaches military history at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth.
July 13-27, 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.
May 7-21, 2026, Santa Marta Retirement Community
What Really Happened? Quantrill's Raid on Lawrence, Kansas-Revisiting the Evidence
Join James C. 'Chris' Edwards as he discusses and reads from his new book, "What Really Happened? Quantrill's Raid on Lawrence, Kansas; Revisiting the Evidence." He will provide firsthand survivor accounts of Quantrill's raid that are at odds with each other. Topics include access to weapons, fortifications, troop strength, town preparedness, and conspiracy theories. The class juxtaposes popular survivor testimony of the attack with conflicting accounts from other witnesses.
Instructor Bio: Chris Edwards earned his master's degree in history from the University of Missouri-Columbia where his focus of study was the Border War between Missouri and Kansas (1854-1865).
Monday, May 18, 2026, St Andrews Classroom
Tuesday, May 19, 2026, KU Edwards Campus, Regnier Hall & Online
Instructor Bio: Chris Edwards earned his master's degree in history from the University of Missouri-Columbia where his focus of study was the Border War between Missouri and Kansas (1854-1865).
Monday, May 18, 2026, St Andrews Classroom
Tuesday, May 19, 2026, KU Edwards Campus, Regnier Hall & Online
Winston Churchill (1874 - 1965)
Prime Minister Winston Churchill is well-regarded across the world for his long-reigning influence in British Parliament, but did you know he had ties to Missouri and the Kansas City area? Delve into the professional and personal life of Churchill and discover this famous Brit's unique impact in the Midwest.
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.
May 14-28, 2026, Tallgrass Creek Retirement Community In Person
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.
May 14-28, 2026, Tallgrass Creek Retirement Community In Person
