Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

Courses

Literature

Courses & Events

Based on the new biography of Charles Curtis, historian Deb Goodrich shares the first remarkable story of the first person of color to serve as Vice President of the United States. As a mixed blood man in the 19th century, his life was filled with challenges and compromises. His Kaw and Osage ancestors had met with presidents and signed significant treaties; how would he respond to the issues facing his Native American cousins? 


Instructor Bio: Deb Goodrich, the host of the TV show "Around Kansas," and the Garvey (Texas) Foundation Historian in Residence at the Fort Wallace Museum, chairs the Santa Fe Trail 200. She has appeared in many documentaries including "The Road to Valhalla," "Aftershock," and "American Experience" on Jesse James, and the series, "Gunslingers" on AHC. She wrote and produced the docudrama, "Thof's Dragon."



October 8-22, 2024, Zoom Facilitated Sessions

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


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



September 19-26, 2024, Osher Institute, St. Andrews Office Facility In Person

Before appearing in Disney movies and "The Lord of the Rings," trolls, dragons, elves, and dwarves were part of Norse folklore from medieval Scandinavia, a diverse region from present-day western Russia to Greenland. This rich tradition inspired memorable figures in children's literature and contemporary fantasy. Topics include runes, symbols, divination, mythical beings, wandering magicians, classic fairytales, and modern adaptations by Disney and Marvel. No prior knowledge is needed; we'll use audio excerpts and videos in class. 


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.



November 20, 2024 to December 4, 2024, KU Edwards Campus, 163 Regnier Hall, In Person and Online

The poets in question are Emily Dickinson, Marianne Moore, and Elizabeth Bishop (with maybe a few "guest appearances" by others). We will be setting a larger context for each of these poets, dealing with their biographies and the critical reception each of them received. But mostly we'll be looking closely at the texts, discussing the very individual ways these artists celebrate the art of poetry. 


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 38 years, he supervised the Creative Writing Program at Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, Indiana. His poems have appeared in The Minnesota Review, Poetry East, The Sycamore Review, Artful Dodge, The Greensboro Review, Religion and Literature, among others. His chapter book "Civil Defense" was published in 2011.



October 7-28, 2024, Senior Resource Center for Douglas County In-Person
Three generations of Spencers led Kansas to the forefront of coal mining and chemical manufacturing. John, his son, Charles, and the grandson, Kenneth, developed a coal/chemical empire from 1867 to Kenneth's death in 1960. During that century they became the world's leaders in mechanized mining and agricultural fertilizer. We'll also examine the Spencer Foundation's contributions to the arts and culture.

Instructor Bio: Ken Crockett was born into a second-generation family of coal miners. He was educated at Central Missouri State University (BA degree) and Washburn University of Law (Juris Doctor). He is the author of two books relative to Kansas mining (Missouri Coal Miners Strike and Kenneth and Helen Spencer, Champions of Culture & Commerce In The Sunflower State).


October 30, 2024 to November 13, 2024, KU Edwards Campus, 163 Regnier Hall, In Person and Online
The war was the subject of several books and movies. Some stories were told while the war was going on, and others years after the last troops left Saigon. How well did they reflect that time? We'll discuss the conduct of war, the soldiers who fought and how it affected the nation.

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.


November 20, 2024 to December 11, 2024, KU Edwards Campus, 163 Regnier Hall, In Person and Online