Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

Courses

Geography

Courses & Events

Antarctica

According to historians Antarctica was officially discovered in 1829 by Captain von Bellingshausen, a German sailing under the flag of the Russian empire. Among the seven continents it is fifth in size but is the highest, driest, and coldest of all continents. It is of interest for economic, scientific research and exploration. We will discuss what life is like there, its beauty, and dangers as well as scientific allure.


Instructor Bios:
Gisela A.M. Dreschhoff has spent a total of 20 field seasons in both polar regions, Antarctic, and Greenland, studying the effects of solar particles on the polar atmosphere which leaves a signature in the ice to be studied in ice cores. Some of her honors include a mountain peak in Antarctic named the Dreschhoff Peak. She has been named Fellow of The Explorers Club and currently she has an adjunct appointment in geology and physics/astronomy at KU.

Ernest Angino is a retired professor of geology and civil engineering at the University of Kansas. He has spent more than 45 years studying energy resources and Antarctic geochemistry. Among his honors is the Angino Buttress, a mountain range in Antarctic. He has also worked in radiation science that led to the development of the Lithium Fluoride Dosimeter.

Randy Van Schmus is a retired KU geology professor (1967-2007). His specialty is measuring ages of old rocks, and he has done research in Africa, Antarctica, Brazil, Canada as well as the U.S.A. He also did research on meteorites while in the USAF.

Friday, August 2, 2024

Bones and Stones

From Monument Rocks to Little Jerusalem, Historic Scott Lake, the Arikaree Breaks, Castle Rock, Mount Sunflower, the Cimarron Grasslands--the geography of western Kansas includes landscapes, skyscapes, and amazing rock formations. Expert interpreters from paleontology and geology will join in the conversation as we explore the why and how this unique landscape was formed.


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."

June 26, 2024 to July 10, 2024, Zoom Facilitated Sessions

Energy

Energy has been an essential need of mankind from ancient times to the present, from the use of peat to nuclear power. However, we must deal with the fact that sources are where nature put them. Each type of energy has its positives and negatives and its use as economic and political impact worldwide. Many of these facts are inseparable. We will discuss each type from past or present in their ramifications.


Instructor Bio: Ernest Angino is a retired professor of geology and civil engineering at the University of Kansas. He has spent more than 45 years studying energy resources and Antarctic geochemistry. Among his honors is the Angino Buttress, a mountain range in Antarctic. He has also worked in radiation science that led to the development of the Lithium Fluoride Dosimeter.

Thursday, July 11, 2024

From Trails to Rails: the Historical Geography of Urbanization in Kansas

Our first segment will examine the early trails of Territorial Kansas and how they gave way to the development of cattle towns at the railheads of Ellsworth, Hays, Wichita and Dodge City. Then we will evaluate how the two most valuable resources in Kansas-oil and natural gas-helped urbanize southeast Kansas and the "oil patch" towns of western Kansas. Our final segment focuses on how early promotional efforts led to the rise of Wichita; how Topeka "captured" the state capital; and how Lawrence became the classic college town.

Instructor Bio: Tom Schmiedeler, Ph.D., is professor emeritus of geography at Washburn University.

April 10-24, 2024, Northland Innovation Center In-Person

From Trails to Rails: the Historical Geography of Urbanization in Kansas - Clay County Residents

Our first segment will examine the early trails of Territorial Kansas and how they gave way to the development of cattle towns at the railheads of Ellsworth, Hays, Wichita and Dodge City. Then we will evaluate how the two most valuable resources in Kansas-oil and natural gas-helped urbanize southeast Kansas and the "oil patch" towns of western Kansas. Our final segment focuses on how early promotional efforts led to the rise of Wichita; how Topeka "captured" the state capital; and how Lawrence became the classic college town.

Instructor Bio: Tom Schmiedeler, Ph.D., is professor emeritus of geography at Washburn University.

April 10-24, 2024, Northland Innovation Center In-Person

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.

July 16-30, 2024

Irish, German and Italian Immigrants in 19th- and 20th-century America

What caused massive numbers of Irish, Germans and Italians to come to our shores in the 19th and early 20th centuries? What was the reaction of the native-born to these strangers? To what extent did the newcomers try to stick together, blend in, advance or return to their old country? What contributions did these immigrants, and their offspring make to this country?


Instructor Bio: Carl Graves, Ph.D., holds a master's degree in U.S. history from KU and a doctorate from Harvard. He taught at the university and community college levels, and at Kansas City's Pembroke Hill School.

July 12-26, 2024

Making Tracks: American Railroads Then and Now

We'll explore 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.


Instructor Bio: Carl Graves, Ph.D., holds a master's degree in U.S. history from KU and a doctorate from Harvard. He taught at the university and community college levels, and at Kansas City's Pembroke Hill School.

June 4-18, 2024, Eudora Community Museum In Person

The 1930s, Depression, and Change

The 1930s were an important decade in U.S. history, with activities overshadowed by the Great Depression. We'll examine the causes and effects of the Depression and study the New Deal programs that re-shaped our nation. Next, we'll explore advances in cars, roads, agriculture, film, airplanes, and view some of the great corpus of the FSA photographs.

Instructor Bio: James Showalterhas seven years of experience with historic preservation and 31 years of teaching history at the university level. One of several areas of expertise he has developed is the history of religion worldwide, and particularly the history of religion in the area that is now the United States.

April 11-25, 2024, Zoom Facilitated Sessions

The Spencers of Kansas: Champions of Culture and Commerce

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).

April 10-24, 2024, Claridge Court In Person

Travel to Hawaii

We will begin with the history of Hawaii from its Polynesian roots as far back as the 8th century. Westerners came to Hawaii for the first time a thousand years later in the 18th century. On January 18, 1778, Captain James Cook went ashore at Waimea on Kauai. He called his new discovery the Sandwich Islands, after the First Lord of the Admiralty. We will explore some of the first kings and queens of Hawaii and how Hawaii evolved to a U.S. Territory and then statehood in 1959. We will look at Oahu's past and present the highlights of things to see and do on this island, including Pearl Harbor and the changes there for touring the last few years. We will focus on Honolulu, the state capital. We'll then delve into the islands of Maui and Kauai and if there is time, Molokai and Lanai. Lastly, we discuss the Big Island, Hawaii. Since all the other islands would fit in the Big Island, there is much to talk about from history to places to see and many activities unique to this island. Volcano National Park will be highlighted. 

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.

June 25, 2024 to July 9, 2024, KU Edwards Campus, 163 Regnier Hall, In Person and Online