Courses

Lifelong Learning Institute Membership

SIUE offers programs designed for a lifetime of learning and personal growth. Expert presenters provide insight on a range of topics covering history, culture, art, current events, health and nutrition.

September 2, 2026 to November 18, 2026, Morris University Center

A Journey to Creating a Wildlife-Friendly Habitat

Hear about the Conservation@Home Program, which promotes native habitat development, and some of the trials and triumphs on my journey to obtaining certification for a 5-acre property

Wednesday, September 2, 2026, Morris University Center, Oak/Redbud Room

Forest Park Owls: Hunting and Feeding

Mark H.X. Glenshaw is an award-winning naturalist who has closely observed and documented the lives of Great Horned Owls in Forest Park in St. Louis, Missouri since December 2005. Mark has learned many of the owls' hunting perches and observed and documented many predatory attempts as well as the owls feed themselves and their many owlets. His talk, "Forest Park Owls: Hunting and Feeding", will cover these hunting and feeding behaviors and uses many of his photos and videos to illustrate these amazing behaviors of these beautiful birds.

Wednesday, September 2, 2026, Morris University Center, Oak/Redbud Room

Overnight Warming Locations

The Overnight Warming Locations (OWLs) provide sanctuary for our unhoused neighbors on the coldest nights of the year. We operate our locations in Alton, Edwardsville, and Granite City. We are an adaptable, community-oriented organization that is made possible by more than 300 compassionate volunteers.

Wednesday, September 9, 2026, Morris University Mississippi Illinois Room

More Than a Trip: A Journey of Service in Tanzania, Africa

Learn about a volunteer trip to Arusha, Tanzania and the role individuals can play in global service efforts with service organizations. This presentation offers context about the region, the work involved, and the lasting effects of cross-cultural engagement. It also highlights the beautiful animals of the Serengeti region!

Wednesday, September 9, 2026, Morris University Mississippi Illinois Room

The Psychology of Happiness

This presentation will review the research on how we can increase happiness by changing thinking and behavior, even when presented with life's challenges.

Wednesday, September 16, 2026, Morris University Mississippi Illinois Room

Noir Film in the 1970s

When it developed in the 1940s, Noir cinema was all about the gray zones--who's the good guy and who's the bad? Since the social transformation of the 1970s was all about expanding the gradations in morality, it makes sense that this was the ideal decade for Noir movies. Join us as we look at a couple of examples of films of the period and delve deeper into how the '70s changed Noir, and how Noir changed the '70s.

Wednesday, September 16, 2026, Morris University Mississippi Illinois Room

Dr. Howard Ramsby Author

Dr. Howard Ramsby Author

Wednesday, September 30, 2026, International Room, Morris University Center

To Be Announced

To Be Announced

Wednesday, September 30, 2026, International Room, Morris University Center

I Bear Witness: The Untold Stories of American Race Riots

I Bear Witness: The Untold Stories of American Race Riots is a short documentary film examining five race riots through the eyes of witnesses and victims. By using historical documents citing witness and victim statements, I Bear Witness brings cultural awareness to the shared narratives of trauma experienced by Black victims of Race Riots throughout the country.

Wednesday, October 14, 2026, Morris University Mississippi Illinois Room

Steamboat Disasters of the Lower Missouri River

The Missouri River was known as a steamboat graveyard during the height of steamboat travel and commerce. The Erwin's presentations give the Who's, why's, and how's of that dubious distinction.

Wednesday, October 14, 2026, Morris University Mississippi Illinois Room

To Be Announced

To Be Announced

Wednesday, October 28, 2026, Morris University Mississippi Illinois Room

To Be Announced

To Be Announced

Wednesday, October 28, 2026, Morris University Mississippi Illinois Room

The Post-Dispatch Weatherbird and the Rich History of St. Louis Cartooning

This talk will explore the history of the Post-Dispatch Weatherbird. Hatched in 1901, it's the oldest continually running daily cartoon in American journalism. Also included in the talk will be all of the famous cartoonists connected to St. Louis, including Chic Young, Mike Peters, Mort Walker and many others.

Wednesday, November 4, 2026, Morris University Center, Oak/Redbud Room

To Be Announced

To Be Announced

Wednesday, November 4, 2026, Morris University Center, Oak/Redbud Room

Process Safety: Keep Your Plant from Blowing Up

Why do fires and explosions occur in plants handling hazardous materials? There are many causes and actions required to prevent them. Thispresentation will review process safety and discuss several events.

Wednesday, November 11, 2026, Morris University Mississippi Illinois Room

The Great St. Louis Fire of 1849

What started out as a beautiful May day in 1849 would, by dawn the next day, see half the City of St. Louis become a smoldering ruin. Relive this harrowing night and learn about the causes and effects of this devastating tragedy. You will also learn about the history and the bravery of the many volunteer Firemen who fought the blaze through the night and of the tragic yet heroic deed that finally saved the city from utter destruction.

Wednesday, November 11, 2026, Morris University Mississippi Illinois Room

Aprons Away: Women's Work on Route 66

Did you ever wonder about all the women who worked along the 2,448-mile length of the most famous highway in the world? At the Centennial of Route66, author Cheryl Eichar Jett takes a look at the women behind the scenes who have worked at a variety of jobs and businesses.

Wednesday, November 18, 2026, Morris University Mississippi Illinois Room

Cold War Orientalism

To Be Announced

Wednesday, November 18, 2026, Morris University Mississippi Illinois Room