Fall Registration
Online Registration for Fee-Based Lectures
Fall 2024
Online & Phone Registration
- Register online starting Thursday, August 8 at the registration page.
- Register by phone starting Thursday, August 8: 707-664-2691 (8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.).
- Registered students will receive an email with class Zoom link the day before class starts with information on attending in person and remotely. The Zoom link is the same link for each class. Please save the email and link for the duration of your class.
- In Person classes: Registered students will receive an email the day before class starts with course location, directions, and parking information. There is a $5 daily parking fee at the SSU campus.
- If you do not receive an email please let us know promptly by emailing olli@sonoma.edu.
- Course materials are available at the course materials page.
If you were not able to register before your class begins, do not worry! Registration is available in person at all classes.
Please register by Tuesday, September 10.
OLLI Fall 2024 Courses
Registration opens Thursday, August 8
OLLI Fall 2024: Six-Week Classes
Registration opens Thursday, August 8!
Gustav Klimt and the Vienna Secession
Maureen O’Brien DeGeller
Tuesdays, September 17 – October 22, 10:00am – 12:00pm
Stevenson Hall 1102
In 1897, Gustav Klimt co-founded the Viennese Secession, pioneering modern art. This course explores how Klimt and peers reshaped Vienna, notably through the iconic Secession Building, and delves into his renowned works like The Kiss and Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer.
Election 2024: A Preview of Stranger Things in the Most Important Election EVER
David McCuan
Wednesdays, September 18 – October 23, 10:00am – 12:00pm
Stevenson Hall 1300
The 2024 Elections are pivotal in U.S. history. Explore electorate shifts, party dynamics, and evolving norms. This course offers a thorough analysis, with California's perspective. Join us for insights into this close, exciting election season.
Democracy in Peril: England Between the World Wars
Mick Chantler
Wednesdays, September 18 – October 23, 1:30 – 3:30pm
Stevenson Hall 1400
The interwar years (1918-1939) were a deeply disturbing time for the British upper crust. Radical change was in the air— everything from the rise of the common man in politics to the imminent decline of The Empire seemed to threaten their stranglehold on English society.
Sports Business and Society
Rich Campbell
Thursdays, September 19 – October 24, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Stevenson Hall 1301
This course explores the sports industry's deep integration into American life, covering fan engagement, marketing, global expansion, women's sports, and collegiate athletics, providing a comprehensive cultural understanding.
Paint it Black: A Deep Dive into Black Art
Charlie Goldberg
Thursdays, September 19 – October 24, 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Stevenson Hall 1300
Many know ten Impressionists, but few can name ten Black artists. This course covers early Black depictions in Western art, Black American artists, and their evolution, including the Harlem Renaissance and key art institutions.
OLLI Fall 2024: Three-Week Classes
Registration opens Thursday, August 8!
Epidemics, Pandemics & Plagues: A History of Infectious Diseases
Phil Madvig
Fridays, September 20, 27 & October 4, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Stevenson Hall 1301
Historically, infections limited life expectancy to under 40 years. The pivotal breakthrough was discovering "germs." This course explores germ discovery's impact on water safety, vaccines, and antibiotics, and addresses modern infection risks like climate change and vaccine hesitancy.
Natural History of Hawaii
Nicole Myers
Fridays, September 20, 27 & October 4, 1:30 – 3:30 pm
Stevenson Hall 1300
The Hawaiian Islands, shaped by volcanoes and oceanic forces, showcase a unique geologic history. Explore their formation, national parks, ongoing volcanic activity, and diverse ecosystems. Discover the impact of lava, storms, rivers, snow, waves, and human presence on these remarkable Pacific islands.
Etta James and Ray Charles
Pamela Rose
Tuesdays, October 1, 8 & 15, 1:30 – 3:30 pm
Stevenson Hall 1300
Discover the soulful essence of Etta James and Ray Charles, transcending genres with music spanning jazz, blues, country, R&B, and gospel. Despite adversity, their unique sound resonates with emotional truth. Discover their lives through biographies, footage, and sing-alongs
Exploring Generative AI: Ethical Practices and Practical Applications for Retired Adults
John P. Sullins
Fridays, October 11, 18 & 25, 1:30 – 3:30 pm
Stevenson Hall 1300
Explore Generative AI's potential for retired adults in this hybrid course. Discover its principles, applications, and ethical considerations without homework. Delve into practical uses like digital art, storytelling, and personalized content creation. Learn strategies to empower retirement with AI's tools for memory preservation, hobbies, and connections. Join us for an informative and enjoyable journey into the world of Generative AI, tailored for your retirement adventure.
OLLI Fall 2024: OLLI à la Carte Classes
Registration opens Thursday, August 8!
Financial Manias, Panics and Crashes Throughout History
Dr. Puspa Amri
Friday, October 18, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Stevenson Hall 1301
This lecture examines the cyclical nature of financial panics, exploring historical examples like the Dutch Tulip Mania, the Dot-Com bubble, and the 2007 U.S. housing bubble. It also addresses the ongoing real estate crisis in China, triggered by Evergrande's 2021 collapse, highlighting potential vulnerabilities in China's economy.
Forecasting, Big Data, and Elections
Chong-Uk Kim
Friday, October 11, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Stevenson Hall 1301
This lecture focuses on discussing the gap that occurs between data-based predictions and actual results. It examines how economists use and utilize data for predictions, and also discusses the issues of data-based prediction models. Additionally, it covers the recently active discussions on big data and cases where election predictions based on big data differ from the actual election outcomes.