Bruce Springsteen: America's Rock and Roll Laureate
Pete Elman
Mondays, September 13 - October 18, 1 pm - 3 pm
Location: Online/Zoom
Online registration deadline: Thursday, September 9, 5 pm
Phone registration deadline: Friday, September 10, 5 pm
“…Last Thursday, at the Harvard Square Theater, I saw my rock n' roll past flash before my eyes. And I saw something else: I saw rock and roll future and its name is Bruce Springsteen. And on a night when I needed to feel young, he made me feel like I was hearing music for the very first time…” Jon Landau, 1974. Course description: This is a six-week course. The instructor will break the course up chronologically into six distinct periods in the life and career of Bruce Springsteen, now 71, from his birth in 1949 to the present, celebrating 50 years—and counting--in what may be the most remarkable career in rock and roll.
The Anthropolgy of Food & Wine
Carlos D. Torres
Mondays, September 13 - October 18, 3 pm - 5 pm
Location: Online/Zoom
Online registration deadline: Thursday, September 9, 5 pm
Phone registration deadline: Friday, September 10, 5 pm
The Anthropology of Food and Wine course will explore the cultural dimensions of global food and wine production, first looking at the early prehistory development of food production; extending into the modern age and the great diversity of global food production strategies, dining protocols, and commensality rituals. We will also look at food origins, the making of class and taste associated with food and culture, and current research in food and nutrition.
Exploring Opera: The Divos
James Sokol
Tuesdays, September 14 - October 19, 10 am - 12 pm
Location: Online/Zoom
Online registration deadline: Friday, September 10, 5 pm
Phone registration deadline: Monday, September 13, 5 pm
Some have altered the term “diva” to “divo” to express the adoration of male opera singers with exceptional voices. Some are legendary; others almost forgotten. Join James Sokol to discover or re-discover some of the great men of opera. Learn about their backgrounds and experience their brilliance through performance videos. Hear the variations among the male vocal ranges – countertenor, tenor, baritone and bass. Bask in the glory of gorgeous voices and repertoire. Don’t miss this series, terrific for opera newcomers and long-time fans!
Our Changing Oceans
Renate Eberl
Tuesdays, September 14 - October 19, 1 pm - 3 pm
Location: Online/Zoom
Online registration deadline: Friday, September 10, 5 pm
Phone registration deadline: Monday, September 13, 5 pm
Oceans cover 70 percent of the earth’s surface and play an important role in climate regulation and biodiversity. Marine systems are facing many human induced challenges and are changing as a result, yet many people are unaware of these changes. In this class we will learn about the importance of the oceans for climate regulation and as a source of food and biodiversity. We will discuss shifts in the oceans that are already occurring largely hidden from our view, and learn about shifting ocean currents, rising sea- levels, disappearing underwater forests and spreading diseases and how scientists are trying to understand these changes that are occurring faster than predicted. The class will also discuss ongoing efforts to slow and reverse changes to protect functioning ecosystems.
Contemporary Comedic Genius Series: Monty Python
Martin Marshall
Wednesdays, September 15 - October 20, 10 am - 12 pm
Location: Online/Zoom
Online registration deadline: Monday, September 13, 5 pm
Phone registration deadline: Tuesday, September 14, 5 pm
Martin has had a love affair with comedy since the early 1950’s, when kids in his L.A. neighborhood were given vouchers for free Saturday morning matinees by the local merchants. He grew up on cartoons, Charlie Chaplin, Stan Laurel and the Marx Brothers, then graduated to Mad Magazine, Lenny Bruce, the Smothers Brothers, and the Firesign Theater in the 1960’s. He has performed on stage in SF and at UC Berkeley, then went to Silicon Valley to create films as a director and producer. He hasn’t stopped yet – he performs with the comedy group the Paper Hat Boys. Martin has taught 36 OLLI courses at 11 universities in the past 8 years and has taught classes through the National Resource Center of OLLI.
Geology of National Parks: Evolution of North America
Nicole Myers
Wednesdays, September 15 - October 20, 3 pm - 5 pm
Location: Online/Zoom
Online registration deadline: Monday, September 13, 5 pm
Phone registration deadline: Tuesday, September 14, 5 pm
The most beautiful landscapes in the United States have been preserved as National Parks, but what makes them unique is their geologic & climactic history. Geologists have investigated these geologic wonders to help us understand the timeline of their formation over millions of years, the forces that have morphed them into their present expression, and the processes that will continue to change them in the future. We will explore Yosemite, Yellowstone, Zion, Grand Canyon, Death Valley, Carlsbad Caverns, Lassen Volcanic, Crater Lake, Rocky Mountains, and Great Smokey Mountains National Parks, and much more. Learn how these natural wonders came to be & how they will continue to change.
The Promiscuous World of Jewish Music
Joshua Horowitz
Thursdays, September 16 - October 21, 10 am - 12 pm
Location: Online/Zoom
Online registration deadline: Tuesday, September 14, 5 pm
Phone registration deadline: Wednesday, September 15, 5 pm
"The Promiscuous World of Jewish Music" is a lecture series that leads the audience through a fascinating array of themes of Jewish music in the world, including East-European vocal and instrumental music (Yiddish song and Klezmer music), Mediterranean, North African and Middle Eastern Jewish popular and classical traditions as well as music in Israel. The series explores in depth the implications of what is Jewish and uncovers misleading definitions of Jewish Music. It consider the “outsiders’” view (satires, parodies), syncretism and cultural signifiers as well as music as the symbol of the diaspora, music archetypes and the Illusion of cultural ownership, blackface and the internalization of stereotypes. Lively discussions always follow.
Ethnomathematics - Cancelled
Rick Luttmann
Thursdays, September 16 - October 21, 1 pm - 3 pm
Location: Online/Zoom
Online registration deadline: Tuesday, September 14, 5 pm
Phone registration deadline: Wednesday, September 15, 5 pm
An examination of the mathematical achievements of indigenous cultures around the world, particularly Africa, the Americas, and the South Pacific, including number systems, data management, calendars, games of chance and games of strategy, social structures; geometry, and symmetry.
Aging with Grace - Cancelled
Andy Wallace
Fridays, September 17 - October 22, 1 pm - 3 pm
Location: Online/Zoom
Online registration deadline: Wednesday, September 15, 5 pm
Phone registration deadline: Thursday, September 16, 5 pm
The course applies insights from the biology and psychology of human emotion to enhance the quality of life for mature adults whose developmental needs center around integrating service to others with care for self. Recent research shows that these needs are mutually supportive: the more we authentically care for the good of others the happier we are. Fortunately, we can voluntarily develop our caregiving capacities. This course uses concepts, exercises and activities from the science of mindfulness and compassion to teach students how to bring greater meaning, purpose and joy to their lives. Students learn how to train their minds with kindness. All exercises are simple, fun and engaging.
