Fall 2025 Osher Online Learning Courses
Registration for Fall 2025 Osher Online Learning classes will open on August 14, 2025.
For questions pertaining to Osher Online classes, please contact [email protected].
MONDAYS
The Life and Times of Nikola Tesla
Instructor: Marc Seifer, PhD
When: October 6-November 10 | 12:00-1:30 p.m.
This course traces the life and innovations of Nikola Tesla, from his early years and university studies in Graz and Prague to his groundbreaking work in electricity and wireless technology. We will explore his collaborations and rivalries, including his work with Thomas Edison, the “War of the Currents” between AC and DC power, and his partnership with George Westinghouse, which led to the lighting of the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. Key topics include Tesla’s teleautomaton invention, his wireless experiments, and his race against Marconi in the development of radio. We will examine the Wardenclyffe—Tesla’s ambitious wireless transmission tower, his work during World War I with Telefunken, and his interactions with Franklin Roosevelt. We will conclude with Tesla’s later-life invention of the particle beam weapon, his negotiations to sell it to the Allies during World War II, and the mystery surrounding his secret papers after his death.
From Bauhaus to Brutalism: Modern & Contemporary Architecture
Instructor: Eleanor Schrader
When: October 6-November 10 | 4:00-5:30 pm
The post–World War I era saw a dramatic shift away from traditional 19th century architecture, as architects, designers, and social thinkers embraced modern aesthetics, new materials, and evolving societal needs. Each architectural movement responded to social and political changes, influencing both residential and commercial structures. This course explores the inspirations and innovations behind major architectural styles, including the Bauhaus, the International Style, Art Deco, Mid-Century Modernism, and Postmodernism. Through these movements, we will examine how architecture has continually adapted to shape and reflect the built environment.
TUESDAYS
Peeking Inside the Black Box
Instructor: Johnnie Hendrickron, PhD
When: October 14-November 18 | 12:00-1:30 p.m.
Have you ever felt like scientists are constantly changing their minds? Do you wonder when research can be trusted to guide decisions about health, behavior, or the environment? This course offers a behind-the-scenes look at the scientific process, exploring how modern science developed, what scientists actually do, and what makes research reliable. We will examine the strengths and weaknesses of scientific methodology, uncover common pitfalls, and identify red flags for pseudoscience and untrustworthy findings. Rather than relying on blind faith in science, we will learn how to evaluate research critically—and find trust in the process.
WEDNESDAYS
Creative Conservation
Instructor: Stephanie Arne
When: October 8-November 12 | 2:00-3:30 p.m.
Become educated, entertained, and empowered to become more effective stewards of the natural world. Through real-life conservation stories—drawn from the instructor's personal experiences and her time as host of Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom—we will highlight the impact of passionate individuals working together to address complex environmental challenges. This course explores how diverse perspectives and unique skills contribute to conservation efforts, offering participants practical ways to take meaningful action in protecting wildlife and ecosystems.
THURSDAYS
Legendary Shipwrecks of the Great Lakes
Instructor: Anna Lardinois
When: October 9-November 13 | 4:00-5:30 p.m.
Beneath the surface of the Great Lakes lie thousands of shipwrecks, each with a story to tell. This course brings these lost vessels back to life through vivid storytelling and historical exploration. We’ll examine the tragic sinking of the Lady Elgin, the haunting legacy of the Eastland, the mystery of the Western Reserve, and the enduring legend of Edmund Fitzgerald, along with other unforgettable wrecks that shaped Great Lakes history. More than just maritime history, this course uncovers the human stories behind these disasters, the forces that doomed them, and the myths that linger today.