Online Courses

Courses offered online through the Osher Institute. Includes both partner-provided and Richmond-created classes.

Courses

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.


Thursdays, July 24 and 31, Aug 7, 14, 21, Synchronous Online
June is Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month. How we live each and every day plays a role in our overall health. Join us as we take a look a healthy lifestyle choices that you can make to help reduce your risk of developing dementia and many other health conditions. All of the healthy habits we will talk about have been supported by research.


Wednesday, June 25, Synchronous Online
Plato said, 'The unexamined life is not worth living.' We will explore the philosophical life examinations in the lyrics of Bob Dylan, the Indigo Girls, Johnny Mercer, and many others. We will also touch on some of the songs Bob Dylan analyzes in his book 'The Philosophy of Modern Song.'


Wednesdays; June 25 and July 2, Synchronous Online
How did Walt Disney's life and vision shape the creation of an entertainment empire? How did early challenges influence the company's identity and creative output? And how did Disney grow into a global powerhouse? This course explores these questions and more as we delve into the 100-year history of the Walt Disney Company, tracing its evolution from humble beginnings to a global entertainment giant.


Thursdays; July 10, 17, 24, 31, Aug 7, 14 , Synchronous Online
Architectural history follows a canon of both traditional and eclectic styles from ancient to contemporary times. Let's explore the myriad structures set against the backdrop of the societies in which they existed, the construction methods used, the patrons for whom these structures were constructed, and the notions of the builders and architects who created them.


Thursdays; July 10, 17, 24, 31, Aug 7, 14 , Synchronous Online
Paul Newman, the embodiment of charisma, captivated movie audiences with his iconic baby-blue eyes, striking features, and powerful screen presence. Known for his multiple Academy Award-nominated performances, Newman ultimately won an Oscar for 'The Color of Money,' the sequel to 'The Hustler.' This course will trace the timeline of Newman's remarkable career.


Tuesdays; July 8, 15, 22, 29, Aug 5, 12 , Synchronous Online
Energy is essential for both national and economic security, underpinning all aspects of life. Yet discussions of energy security often reduce complex issues to simplistic narratives like 'Green is Good' or 'Oil is Evil,' which provide little actionable insight. Let's engage in a comprehensive examination of energy's role in human development.


Wednesdays; July 9, 16, 23, 30, Aug 6, 13 , Synchronous Online
This course will explore the history of Manhattan, emphasizing the unique traits that drew into its harbor millions of immigrants and millions more tourists seeking to enjoy its many resources, rich culture, and complex history. Together, we will trace the history of New York City's parks, city shopping, entertainment venues, museums, and concerts. We will also discuss the social and arts movements that grew out of the city.


Wednesdays; July 9, 16, 23, 30, Aug 6, 13 , Synchronous Online
Historians, beer enthusiasts, and curious minds alike will enjoy this exploration of the history of brewing. We will begin in the distant past with the invention of beer around 4000 BCE. Then we will journey through time to the modern rise of craft brewing.


Tuesdays; July 8, 15, 22, 29, Aug 5, 12 , Synchronous Online
Join us for a comprehensive overview of key public health topics across the human lifespan, from prenatal health to aging care. Through readings and case studies, we will examine major health challenges, interventions, and policies that impact individuals at each life stage.


Wednesdays; July 9, 16, 23, 30, Aug 6, 13 , Synchronous Online
Are you interested in stories rich with murder, intrigue, and sharp wit? We will explore the Norse sagas, which are medieval tales rooted in Old Norse mythology, written in Iceland centuries after the Viking era. These stories range from realistic travel chronicles to epic sword-and-sorcery adventures, and they offer a fascinating glimpse into 'Dark Age' swashbuckling. In this course we will also discuss how these stories continue to profoundly influence modern culture.


Wednesdays, July 16, 23, 30, Aug 6, 13, 20, Synchronous Online
Economics plays a central role in shaping every aspect of society. This course examines a series of prominent policy issues with economics at their core. We will explore the origins of these issues, the underlying data and evidence, and the policy tools available to address them.


Tuesdays; July 8, 15, 22, 29, Aug 5, 12, Synchronous Online
Chief Justice William Rehnquist led the US Supreme Court for nearly 19 years (1986-2005), overseeing cases on privacy, civil rights, the environment, the First Amendment, and states' rights. Under his leadership, the Court actively struck down federal statutes and precedent, often with conservative outcomes. However, as its composition shifted, some conservative rulings diminished.


July 14, 21, 28, Aug 4, 11, 18, Synchronous Online
The Osher Institute at Dartmouth is offering its summer lecture via livestream to Osher colleagues across the nation. Lecture 1 is The Four Freedoms: History and Relevance to Today. The session begins with the lecture followed by a half-hour break, then Q&A.


Wednesday, July 9, Synchronous Online
The Osher Institute at Dartmouth is offering its summer lecture via livestream to Osher colleagues across the nation. Lecture 2 is Immigration in 2025. The session begins with the lecture followed by a half-hour break, then Q&A.


Wednesday, July 16, Synchronous Online
The Osher Institute at Dartmouth is offering its summer lecture via livestream to Osher colleagues across the nation. Lecture 3 is Religion and Politics in 2025. The session begins with the lecture followed by a half-hour break, then Q&A.


Wednesday, July 23, Synchronous Online
The Osher Institute at Dartmouth is offering its summer lecture via livestream to Osher colleagues across the nation. Lecture 4 is The Implications of Trump's Economic Policies. The session begins with the lecture followed by a half-hour break, then Q&A.


Wednesday, July 30, Synchronous Online
The Osher Institute at Dartmouth is offering its summer lecture via livestream to Osher colleagues across the nation. Lecture 5 is The Press and Politics in 2025. The session begins with the lecture followed by a half-hour break, then Q&A.


Wednesday, Aug 6, Synchronous Online
The Osher Institute at Dartmouth is offering its summer lecture via livestream to Osher colleagues across the nation. Lecture 6 is The Way Forward. The session begins with the lecture followed by a half-hour break, then Q&A.


Wednesday, Aug 13, Synchronous Online
Keeping your data secure is always a top priority. Let's delve into the do's and don'ts of creating and storing passwords, as well as saving your data safely.


Tuesday, July 29, Synchronous Online
The Great Depression of the early 20th Century was a time of hardship and deprivation countered by one of the greatest government supports for the arts in US history. The Works Progress Administration (WPA), through the Federal Arts Project (FAP) funded the creation of 2,566 murals and 17,744 pieces of sculpture that decorated public buildings nationwide, bringing more art to Americans than ever before or since.


Tuesday, June 24, Synchronous Online
The US military has fought in over a hundred campaigns. One, the Second Indochina War, lasted from 1955 to 1975. Public support for the war peaked in the mid-1960s but collapsed after the Tet Offensive in early 1968. This course will examine how Hollywood's treatment of the war and its participants changed over time, reflecting America's gradual disillusionment with a conflict nearly 9,000 miles from its shores.


Wednesdays; July 9, 16, 23, 30 , Synchronous Online
The UR Computer/Technology Help Desk is available to Osher members, but do you really know what services it provides? Join this session to find out how to take full advantage of this great benefit of Osher membership.


Thursday, July 24, Synchronous Online
Words of Veterans is a platform that helps US Veterans write down their military stories with the help of AI technology. AI provides a unique opportunity to help younger and older generations sharpen their writing, technical, and storytelling skills. Come learn how it's done!


Monday, Aug 18, Synchronous Online