Online courses
OLLI membership and semester course package registration is required.
Summer 2023
Registration is required. Before the start of the class, students will receive a Zoom link and a class summary. To access, click the link emailed, and prepare to listen and participate in the online OLLI community.
New to Zoom? Contact the OLLI Office at (205) 348-6482 for Zoom tutorials and tips.
MONDAY
OL 101 Talking about Revolution: Operas Related to Political Conflict (OLLI Shares)
June 5, 12, 19, 26
3 – 4:15 p.m.
Dr. Elizabeth Aversa
Class participants will investigate and listen to operas that have to do with political unrest, intrigue, and even revolution. No previous opera exposure is required – we will take care of the basics and listen to beautiful music!
TUESDAY
OL 102 Unwrapping Christmas Spirit in July: Past, Present, and Future!
July 11, 18, 25; Aug. 1
10:30 – 11:45 a.m.
Bob Coulson
Christmas is a blessing and/or a burden to people…why? Whoville channels like Hallmark and Lifetime unwrap the Christmas Spirit. This course is about the origins of the Christmas Spirit’s secular and sacred traditions and yours too! Where does it come from, go? Why is it enjoyed and/or dreaded? What hoping and/or coping is helpful? We will gain insights as we unwrap the Christmas Spirit to reflect, refine, and refresh your “Christmas Story.”
OL 103 Talking About Books
June 6, 13, 20
Noon – 1:15 p.m.
Carol Prickett
Whether in-person or through zoom, if you love to read and talk about books, this class hits the spot.
June 6 – “Extravaganza”, members are invited to recommend books they think other class members would enjoy. It’s a big book, “swap meet”.
June 13 – Lessons in Chemistry: A Novel, Bonnie Garmus
June 20 – The Extraordinary Life of an Ordinary Man: A Memoir, Paul Newman
OL 104 Using AI to Improve Your Life (OLLI Shares)
July 18
1:15 – 2:45 p.m.
Tess Olten
Gain an overview of the tools of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how they can be used to improve physical and mental health, provide timely information, and help build bridges between generations.
OL 105 Two Presidents; Two Generals (OLLI Shares)
June 6, 13, 20, 27
1:30 – 2:45 p.m.
Dr. Richard Rhone
Other than the American revolution, no period is more significant and controversial in our American history other than the War Between the States. We shall discuss the lives, personalities, and contributions of the two national presidents (Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis) and the two leading generals (U.S. Grant and Robert E. Lee.)
OL 106 Desperado Brothers (OLLI Shares)
July 11, 18, 25; Aug 1
1:30 – 2:45 p.m.
Dr. Richard Rhone
The American West had its share of famous families of colorful characters and lawless individuals. This class will study four sets of notorious brothers that chose to live their daring lives outside the law in the economic and politically desperate times after the War Between the States. These fraternal desperados are the infamous Burrow, Dalton, James, and Young brothers.
OL 107 Royal Family Feuds
June 6, 13, 20, 27; July 11, 18
1:30 – 2:45 p.m.
Keith Robinson
Murder, war, plots for the throne, exile, imprisonment, and other family drama! Join this course to learn about a few royal family feuds and sibling rivalries. Those who say history is boring missed these stories: Edward IV, the Duke of Clarence (Wars of the Roses); Mary I almost executing her half-sister, Elizabeth I; Mary, Anne, James, and the Glorious Revolution; George VI, and Edward VIII; George V, Kaiser Wilhelm II, and Tsar Nicholas I; and Charles III, William, and Harry.
OL 108 Exploring New Discoveries in Science
June 6, 13, 20, 27; July 11, 18, 25; Aug. 1
3 – 4:15 p.m.
Philip Malone
We will explore the latest news in science based on several periodicals and online sources. Using
articles and papers from these sources, we will examine what discoveries are happening in science. Subjects are presented on a fundamental level.
OL 109 Around the States in 30 Capitals
June 6, 13, 20, 27; July 11, 18, 25; Aug. 1
3 – 4:15 p.m.
Dr. Derrick Griffey
It’s Summertime, the weather is good, and adventure awaits. Let’s “travel” to 30 U.S. capitals, and I will share unique details about each one. Which ones do you ask? You will have to take the course to see. No need to make travel plans, relax and enjoy the ride.
OL 110 The History, Science, and Art of Fountain Pens (OLLI Shares)
June 6 and 13
3 – 4:15 p.m.
Dr. Russ Timkovich
This will cover the development of the fountain pen from the reed/quill ancient days to the practical modern pen. It will examine scientific principles (metallurgy, surface tension, capillary action, and air pressure) to determine a successful pen. It will examine the ingredients of ink from ancient to modern. What makes an ink bulletproof? What types of paper are most suitable for writing with a pen and why? After the last class, participants are encouraged to bring their favorite pen(s) to share with the class.
WEDNESDAY
OL115 AU Brown Bag Series (OLLI Shares)
June 7, 21; July 12, 26
11:30 – 1:00 p.m.
June 7 Robert Sember
Robert Sember is trained in cultural studies, medical anthropology, and art. He is a member of the international sound-art collective, Ultra-red, which contributes sound-based practices to community organizing initiatives. Ultra-red’s collective listening practices, based on the principles of popular education, are used in anti-racist, anti-gentrification, and migrant rights struggles in the U.S. and Europe.
June 21 Jim Barber
Jim Barber will lead a discussion on “The New Drought Age: Focusing on the USA.” He will examine how the water resources in many parts of the USA are being squandered, misspent, and polluted with very little or no long-range planning for replenishment or conservation.
July 12 Loretta Bennett Pettway
Loretta Pettway Bennett is a fifth-generation quilter from Gee’s Bend, Alabama, and one of about 50 Gee’s Bend quilters to continue hand quilting in the renowned Gee’s Bend style.
July 26 Stuart Lock
Description coming soon
OL 111 Fourteenth Colony: The Forgotten Story of the Gulf South During America’s Revolutionary Era (OLLI Shares)
June 14
1:15 – 2:45 pm
Mike Bunn
The British colony of West Florida—which once stretched from the mighty Mississippi to the Apalachicola River, comprising portions of what are now the states of Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana—is the forgotten fourteenth colony of America’s Revolutionary era. The course offers the first comprehensive history of the colony, introducing readers to the Gulf Coast’s remarkable British period, the foremost military campaigns waged there during the Revolutionary War, and putting West Florida back in its rightful place on the map of Colonial America.
OL 112 World War II as Seen by Hollywood
June 7, 14, 21, 28: July 12, 19, 26; Aug 2
1:30 – 2:45 p.m.
Dr. Robert Kane
We will look at the historical context and significance of specific World War II battles portrayed in eight well-known movies. We will examine: They Were Expendable (Japanese invasion of Philippines), Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo (Doolittle Raid), Tora, Tora, Tora (Pearl Harbor), Midway (Battle of Midway), Twelve O’clock High (Bombing of Germany), Battleground (Battle of the Bulge), The Longest Day, and Saving Private Ryan (D-Day), and The Best Years of Our Lives (readjustments of servicemen returning from the war).
OL114 I’m Retired – Now What? Being Prepared as You Age (OLLI Shares)
July 12, 19, 26
2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Leisa Askew
Each session will take a dive into the multiple ways to prepare for retirement. Topics include: Documents needed/updated as you age (POA, Living Will); the difference between Medicare and Medicaid, benefits and open enrollments; differences in residential care (senior independent housing, assisted living, specialty care assisted living, long-term care placement); the difference between home health, in-home services, and private pay assistance in the home; getting home/business affairs in order; VA benefits; Long-Term Care policies; community services available as you age; nutrition programs (Home Delivered meals); and staying active both mentally and physically as you age.
THURSDAY
OL 113 Overcoming Frailty
June 22
1:30 – 2:45 p.m.
Dr. Milady Murphy
This lecture takes a multi-dimensional approach to overcoming frailty: medical intervention, resistance and balance activities, and nutrition. Dr. Murphy will discuss in her presentation how these interventions can help to reverse or slow down the fragility process and improve quality of life and independence as we age.
OL 501 Pre-recorded Lectures
Members may search the library for selected lectures from the past. The current library includes 35+ courses. Once registered, members will receive an email with a link to access the courses. Courses are available on-demand from the comfort of your home through your computer or mobile device.