Online courses

107 Days at Sea: The Journey That Changed Everything

In this lecture, Jill Chalsty shares the story behind her memoir, 'Packets of Hope: A Journey of Healing and Rediscovery,' inviting participants to travel alongside her through the ports she visited, the people she met, and the reflections that transformed personal adversity into strength and global impact.

Monday, December 21, Synchronous Online

Art In Captivity: Japanese Incarceration Camps in WWII

Imagine being wrongfully imprisoned for nearly four years and turning to art to help you describe, remember, and cope with imprisonment for 'looking like the enemy.' Explore the artists and their works, including arts and crafts, photography, and sculpture, and delve into the vocational skills made available in the ten camps. Learn more about the artists who survived the camps and later became famous in their respective fields after the war. GAMAN: endure with dignity.

Wednesday, Nov 18, Synchronous Online

Behind the Letters: Exploring Typeface Design

Have you ever wondered who shapes the letters that fill our screens, books, and storefronts? Take a journey into the world of typeface design, where artistry meets functionality. In this class, we will explore both the art and science behind crafting typefaces, learn about some of the creative minds behind the fonts we use, and discuss how their work may influence our daily lives.

Friday, Dec 11, G62 Rare Book Room

Bounty of Boatwright

Learn how to find books, articles, and other resources that are of interest to you. This session provides an overview for beginners or those new to Osher and includes a virtual tour of the library.

Friday, Sept 11, Synchronous Online

Case Studies in Democracy

This interactive class will use case study methodology to study history via the book 'Democracy: A Case Study' by David Moss (2017). You will role-play the decision makers of the day as you analyze problems that eventually led to momentous decisions in our nation's history. Experience history in a more immersive way.

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Discover Your NeuroCreative Mind

Discover simple, science-informed tools to help improve mental clarity, creative thinking, and cognitive engagement at any age. Through practical exercises and real-world examples, participants will explore neuroplasticity, break repetitive thinking patterns, and learn ways to stay mentally active, adaptable, and inspired in everyday life.

Thursday, Oct 29, Synchronous Online

Five Revolutions That Changed the World

Thomas Jefferson once wrote to James Madison, 'I hold it that a little rebellion now and then is a good thing and is as necessary in the political world as storms in the physical.' The American Revolution changed the course of world history and was a model for others. However, other revolutions have had similar effects. We will examine five of them to answer why societies seek change, either through violent or non-violent means.

Thursdays, Sept 17, 24, Oct 1, 8, 15, Synchronous Online

Food As Art: What We Eat Manifests Who We Are

For centuries, artists have been fascinated by the aesthetic qualities of what we eat. Renaissance artists created masterful portraits out of assemblages of fruits and vegetables, while Andy Warhol painted majestic soup cans. In this session we will explore how artists use food images to communicate political views, comment on society, and make statements of values.

Monday, Dec 14, Synchronous Online

Frankenstein and Print Culture

Let's examine Mary Shelley's 1818 work 'Frankenstein' not as story but as book and object. Through the lens of print culture, we will explore the history of the book itself to understand Frankenstein as a living cultural object, asking how each form of the book changed and sometimes transformed itself across two hundred years of publishing history to become the cultural touchstone it is today.

Friday, Oct 16, Synchronous Online

Happy Halloween: Art that is Scary, Strange, or Just Plain Weird

Celebrate Halloween by viewing and discussing art that makes us uneasy. The artist may have intended to frighten the viewer or viewers may react to this unusual art because it touches a dissonant cord in them. Come join us in examining scary art to discover why certain artists want to shock and disturb us with their works. Costumes and masks are optional!

Friday, Oct 30, Synchronous Online

How to View, Understand and Appreciate Art

Learn the language of art to analyze, interpret, and critique artworks using art works from the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the VMFA. Build your visual vocabulary by examining the choices artists make in their works and why they make these choices. Learn how to be comfortable viewing art and to enjoy talking about art with others. This program has been offered before, but always with new artworks to expand your skills at viewing art!

Monday, Sept 14, Synchronous Online

Life of a Revolutionary War Soldier

We will examine primary sources and replica artifacts to learn more about the daily life of a soldier during the American Revolution, including reasons for joining the conflict, what they would have worn and eaten, and even their illnesses. To end the program, attendees will read excerpts from the diary of a soldier who was present at the Battle of Yorktown.

Monday, Sept 14, Synchronous Online

National Osher Online - 'Studies Show...' (Or Do They?): Under the Hood of a Scientific Study

What really changes when we read beyond the abstract? In this interactive course, we will open real research papers (many in health and nutrition) and explore what scientists actually look for. We will explore how small design choices can dramatically shape a study's meaning, and why headlines rarely tell the full story. No technical background is required, just curiosity. By the end of the course, we will never read 'studies show' the same way again. Note: The new refund policy applies.

Thursdays; Oct 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, Nov 11, Synchronous Online

National Osher Online - A Cosmic Grand Tour: The Realms of the Universe

Let's explore the three fascinating realms of the cosmos: nearby planets and moons, the stars, and the galaxies (the great island of stars that turn out to be the building blocks of the universe.) Our discussion will be in everyday language, without any math, and will be accompanied by remarkable color images from the latest space probes and the world's largest telescopes, including the latest breathtaking images from the James Webb Space Telescope. Note: The new refund policy applies.

Tuesdays; Sept 29, Oct 6, 13, 20, 27, Nov 3, Synchronous Online

National Osher Online - Apple at 50: How it Revolutionized Computing and Transformed Daily Life

This course traces Apple's fifty-year history and its massive impact on personal computing, design, product culture, platforms and ecosystems, and daily life. Each session focuses on a different decade in Apple's history, from the birth of the PC in the late 1970s to the latest Apple silicon, VR headsets, and future iPhones. We will learn how Apple reshaped not just technology, but how people live, work, and communicate. Note: The new refund policy applies.

Tuesdays; Sept 29, Oct 6, 13, 20, 27, Nov 3, Synchronous Online

National Osher Online - Art Detectives: Forgery, Provenance, and the Science of Authentication

The art world may appear glamorous, but deception often lies beneath the surface. After weapons and drugs, art is the third-most lucrative illicit trade, with reports suggesting that more than half of artworks are fake or misattributed. When is a copy simply a copy, and when is it a forgery? What techniques do master forgers use? What can science reveal about art authenticity? We will uncover riveting stories of criminal art activity and master forgeries. Note: The new refund policy applies.

Mondays; Sept 28, Oct 5, 12, 19, 26, Nov 2, Synchronous Online

National Osher Online - August Wilson and His American Cycle - The First Five: 1904-1957

August Wilson was the first African American playwright to have a Broadway theater bear his name, honoring his powerful portrayal of African American culture. We will read, watch, and examine plays from Wilson's American Cycle, which represents each decade of the 20th century. We will explore his life and influences while focusing on 'Gem of the Ocean,' 'Joe Turner's Come and Gone,' 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom,' and 'Seven Guitars.' Note: The new refund policy applies.

Wednesdays; Oct 7, 14, 21, 28, Nov 4, 11, Synchronous Online

National Osher Online - Biology & Society

This course introduces the scientific study of life, emphasizing real-world applications and the societal, ethical, and legal consequences of biological advances. We will place key principles within the context of issues that affect society. Designed for non-scientists with little or no recent science experience, the course encourages discussion and reflection. Many topics are at the leading edge of discovery, and we will consider the ongoing ethical and legal debates surrounding their application. Note: The new refund policy applies.

Thursdays; Oct 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, Nov 5, Synchronous Online

National Osher Online - Cults and New Religious Movements in America

America has long been fertile ground for new and alternative religions. We'll examine New Religious Movements (often labeled 'cults') within the US, explore why some became accepted, others faded, and some led to controversy or tragedy, and consider both insider perspectives and outsider views while analyzing their history, beliefs, and practices. Note: The new refund policy applies.

Tuesdays, Oct 6, 13, 20, 27, Nov 3, 10, Synchronous Online

National Osher Online - Early 20th Century Avant-Garde: From Rebellion to Abstraction

Journey into the vibrant world of early 20th century art and witness the birth of abstraction. This transformative period reshaped the cultural landscape, from the bold colors of Fauvism, through the fractured forms of Cubism, to the dreamlike realms of Surrealism. We'll feature leading artists including Matisse, Kandinsky, Picasso, Mondrian, Duchamp, and Dali. We will explore their aesthetic goals and the social and cultural currents that influenced them. Note: The new refund policy applies.

Thursdays; Oct 8, 15, 22, 29, Nov 5, 12, Synchronous Online

National Osher Online - Great Artists in American Roots Music

From its emergence in the early 20th century, country music has resonated with those navigating a rapidly changing world. A key genre of American roots music, it expresses hardship while evoking emotion. Let's explore the history of country and American roots music through the stories and artistic developments of key figures including the Carter Family, Bill Monroe, Hank Williams, and Dolly Parton. Note: The new refund policy applies.

Mondays; Sept 28, Oct 5, 12, 19, 26, Nov 2, Synchronous Online

National Osher Online - Living off The Laughter: History of Comedy in America

This course is a history class with a laugh track. We'll analyze the 20th and 21st centuries against their historic context, using humor as the platform. We'll discuss how comedy was shaped by and responsive to American society, and how comedians influenced and shaped American life. We'll cover Silent Films, Vaudeville, Radio, Screwball and Romantic Comedies, and the Golden Age of Television. We'll study how each generation's identity influenced what (and whom) they laughed at. Note: The new refund policy applies.

Wednesdays; Oct 14, 21, 28, Nov 4, 11, 18, Synchronous Online

National Osher Online - Mexico City: Empires, Revolutions, and Everyday Life

Mexicans celebrate a remarkable diversity of peoples, music, food, festivals, and historical traditions, expressed through fiestas that bring communities together throughout the year. Let's explore Mexico City as a cultural and historical crossroads shaped by centuries of continuity and change. We'll trace the legacies of Indigenous civilizations, the transformations of Spanish colonial rule, the struggles for independence and revolution, and the rise of modern democratic politics, culminating in the election of Mexico's first woman president. Note: The new refund policy applies.

Tuesdays; Sept 29, Oct 6, 13, 20, 27, Nov 3, Synchronous Online

National Osher Online - Post-War Architecture: The Innovative Architects of the Midcentury Modern Period

From new industrial materials to innovations in housing, mid-20th-century designers worked to shape an aesthetic that reflected post-World War II ideals. Let's explore the optimism linking design and lifestyle, especially through open living spaces. We will examine the Case Study Program and the work of designers such as Charles and Ray Eames, John Lautner, Eero Saarinen, E. Fay Jones, and Donald Wexler, within the context of rapid social change. Note: The new refund policy applies.

Wednesdays; Oct 7, 14, 21, 28, Nov 4, 11, Synchronous Online

National Osher Online - Power and the People: The Evolution of the US Federal Judiciary

The American Experiment began with the Declaration of Independence and led to the creation of the federal judiciary, one of the country's greatest experiments. We will trace the evolution of the courts from their English roots to their formal establishment, explore how the Supreme Court derives its authority from its ability to connect with the people and protect democracy, and examine the creation of the federal judiciary and the power of the Marshall Court. Note: The new refund policy applies.

Thursdays; Oct 15, 22, 29, Nov 5, 12, 19, Synchronous Online

National Osher Online - Sacred Mountains of the World

Across cultures and throughout history, mountains have held powerful symbolic meaning. We'll explore how the Buddhists of the Himalayas, the Inca of the Andes, the Inuit of the far north, and European Romantics understood and approached these landscapes. We will examine the beliefs, traditions, and mythologies inspired by the world's mountains. Note: The new refund policy applies.

Mondays; Oct 5, 12, 19, 26, Nov 2, 9, Synchronous Online

National Osher Online - Some Assembly Required: The Story of the North American Kit Home

Let's discuss the history and cultural impact of kit homes in North America, focusing on their peak from 1905 to 1945. We will learn how to identify mail-order houses, examine their rise, decline, and industrial innovations, and consider how kit homes intersected with issues of race and gender. Looking at the industry and the people who lived in these homes, we will discover why they remain an important part of the cultural landscape. Note: The new refund policy applies.

Wednesdays; Sept 30, Oct 7, 14, 21, 28, Nov 4, Synchronous Online

National Osher Online - The 60s Through the Great Speeches

The 1960s is a decade wrapped in myth and misunderstanding. Let's cut through that haze by turning to something powerful and concrete: the significant speeches of the era. We will listen to the voices that moved a nation and shaped history. With preserved recordings, we will discover what these speeches still have in them to teach us today. Note: The new refund policy applies.

Fridays; Oct 9, 16, 23, 30, Nov 6, 13, Synchronous Online

National Osher Online - The Birth of the Beat Generation

Let's examine the dramatic circumstances that gave rise to the Beat Generation in the 1940s. We'll look at three famous Beat works: 'Howl and Other Poems' by Allen Ginsberg, 'On the Road' by Jack Kerouac, and 'Naked Lunch' by William S. Burroughs. We will include historical events involving Beat writers, important passages of Beat literature, and the literary movement that spawned the 1960s counterculture. Note: The new refund policy applies.

Tuesdays; Sept 29, Oct 6, 13, 20, 27, Nov 3, Synchronous Online

National Osher Online - The British Family in Film: Heavy is the Head That Wears the Crown

Let's examine royal succession through acclaimed British films that explore power as a moral and political crisis, tracing the monarchy's evolution from personal rule to institutional authority. We will cover the Plantagenet struggles in 'Becket' and 'The Lion in Winter,' the moral costs of kingship and the performance of national leadership through 'Chimes at Midnight' and 'Henry V,' the Tudor rupture through 'A Man for All Seasons,' and the consolidation of legitimacy in 'Elizabeth.' Note: The new refund policy applies.

Mondays; Sept 28, Oct 5, 12, 19, 26, Nov 2, Synchronous Online

National Osher Online - The History and Experience of Route 66

Route 66 is as much an idea as it is a place. Since 1926, it has evolved from a busy highway into a symbol of nostalgia, travel, and the American road. Today, it serves as a kind of pilgrimage route, marked by neon signs and preserved roadside landmarks. Let's explore its history, cultural meaning, rise and decline, revival, and preservation, while considering the future of this iconic American highway. Note: The new refund policy applies.

Mondays; Oct 5, 12, 19, 26, Nov 2, 9, Synchronous Online

National Osher Online - The Invisible Thread: 3,500 Years of Global Supply Chain

We often only notice the global supply chain when it breaks. Yet for millennia, the movement of goods has been the silent engine of civilization. Let's track the evolution of trade from an executive's perspective. From the sunken treasures of Bronze Age merchant ships to the high-tech intermodal systems of today, we will explore the vessels that carried the world's wealth and the complex networks that keep our modern shelves stocked. Note: The new refund policy applies.

Mondays; Oct 19, 26, Nov 2, 9, 16, 23, Synchronous Online

National Osher Online - The Magic Behind Film Scores: The Role of Music in Great Movies - Part II

Continue the journey into how music drives the emotional power of film. Explore how scores and songs shape story, character, and memorable moments. We will focus on films in which songs take center stage, from iconic themes to pop- and rock-driven storytelling. Spanning genres and eras, we will see how composers, songwriters, and performers expanded the language of film music: from Westerns and global cinema to the pop-cultural impact of James Bond and the Beatles. Note: The new refund policy applies.

Wednesdays; September 30, October 7, 14, 21, (SKIP Oct. 28) November 4, 11, Synchronous Online

National Osher Online - The Search for an American Sound

Since the 1890s, when Americans were beginning to develop their own traditions in classical music, composers have recognized the dilemma of creating the American sound. We will explore how classical musicians, and Broadway and Hollywood composers, most of them Jewish, followed parallel paths in creating sounds that reflect these lands and its people. Aaron Copland, George Gershwin, William Grant Still, Florence Price, Alex North, Elmer Bernstein and others will be the protagonists of this lecture. Note: The new refund policy applies.

Mondays; Oct 12, 19, 26, Nov 2, 9, 16, Synchronous Online

National Osher Online - Tracing Our Roots: DNA, Family History, and the Politics of Identity

How does DNA reshape our understanding of ancestry and identity in the Americas? Let's explore genetic genealogy through early contact between European and Indigenous peoples, using the New Mexico DNA Project as a case study. We will examine Y-DNA, mitochondrial DNA, Indigenous haplogroups, and the Spanish castas system. We will consider the ethical and political implications of DNA testing and the limits of what genetic evidence can, and cannot, tell us about race and belonging. Note: The new refund policy applies.

Wednesdays, Sept 30, Oct 7, 14, 21, 28, Nov 4, Synchronous Online

National Osher Online - Winning the White House: The Evolution of the Presidency

Harry S. Truman called the presidency 'the most peculiar office in the world.' Let's explore how the framers left the office open to interpretation, allowing presidential power to expand over time. We will examine how the presidency has come to dominate the three branches, how presidents gain and use power, and how the rise of the administrative state has altered the balance the framers intended. Note: The new refund policy applies.

Tuesdays; Sept 29, Oct 6, 13, 20, 27, Nov 3, Synchronous Online

Pundits, Poll, and Politics! The 2026 Mid-Term Election!

On November 3, all 435 seats in the US House of Representatives and 35 in the Senate will be up for re-election. Turnout in POTUS elections approximates 60%, but mid-terms barely reach 40%. This mid-term may be more consequential than any recent election. So, let's dig into all the national issues, by party affiliation, generation, and region. We'll look at some of the better forecasts of results, and we'll conduct our own polls of issues/results.

Thursday, Oct 15, Synchronous Online

The Life and Times of Elvis Presley

This class will focus on sociological and economic aspects of the decades in which Elvis was born and lived, 'twinless-twin' syndrome, health and wellness, and the cost of fame. A spotlight will be cast on Elvis's musical career, his skill and propensity for art and design, his Jewish roots and connections, and his religious and spiritual leanings.

Friday, Sept 11, Synchronous Online

Twentieth Century Song Hunters and Collectors

Song hunters and collectors contributed songs to the rich cultural heritage of American music, including folk, gospel, country, and blues. We will explore the songs found by A. P. Carter and Alan Lomax, leading directly to the folk revival. The song collector featured will be Harry Smith, who collected American folk music from the 20s-40s. Singers include the Carter Family, Lead Belly, Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Bob Dylan, and others.

Mondays, Nov 16, 23, 30, Dec 7, Synchronous Online

Virginia Military Veterans - Some Stories Are Too Important To Lose

US veterans living in Virginia: don't let your story fade away. The Virginia Department of Veterans Services has awarded Words of Veterans grants to help Veterans like you keep your story alive! Let's talk about how you can contribute.

Monday, Sept 14, Synchronous Online

Virginia's Road to Revolution: A 'Conventional' History

Let's analyze Virginia's final two years as a royal colony and the actions and preparations her leadership engaged in, attempting to reconcile differences with the British government. We will review a series of five meetings/conventions convened by the colony's leaders to deal with the mounting crisis. The class will rely heavily on a close reading of primary documents from the period (letters, newspapers, legislation, and proclamations), many rarely read by the general public today.

Fridays; Oct 30, Nov 6, 13, 20, Dec 4, 11, Synchronous Online

Water in Art

Why and in what ways might an artist include water in an artwork? Is it tangential or is it central to the composition? In this session we will explore how artists have used water to convey their messages, meanings and their intentions: or simply to fill up a section of their artwork.

Monday, Nov 16, Synchronous Online

Why Not AI?

Hear a UR professor and author's recent research on consequences of AI use in education, media, and environmental management. She will discuss water and energy impacts on residents in the area due to the cumulative pressures of the more than 100 data centers that have been developed or are in the pipeline. Finley-Brook draws from experience as a resident of Chesterfield County, where dozens of hyperscale AI data centers are existing, under construction, or proposed.

Friday, Oct 23, Synchronous Online

Wonders and Blunders of Modern Medicine

Join this review of the recent history of Modern Medicine, highlighting how medicine has progressed during last 200 years. We'll provide a lighter touch on how it blundered but corrected its trajectory.

Wednesdays; Nov 11 and 18, Synchronous Online

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