Thursday Courses   

Who will the political parties nominate for president in 2024? In this course, we will follow the primaries and caucuses from January through mid-March as voters choose the candidates. Interesting Senate, House, and governors’ races will also be covered. Each class will begin with a national update on campaign trends and how issues are being debated, leading to a general class discussion. This will be a discussion class with all viewpoints welcome. Both those who follow politics intensely and those who are tuning in for the first time will have an opportunity to express their views. 

Want to go vicariously to places you may never visit? In this lecture course, speakers will take you to Africa. On February 8, Maria Geigel will talk about her tour of Morocco; on February 19, Marianne Werner will show us Madagascar; on February 22, Art and Carolee Buck will share their experiences in Senegal; on February 29, Natalie Mettler will introduce us to Mali; and on March 9, Joan Lamont and Kris Davis will show us Egypt, including a seven-day cruise on the Nile. All presenters have personally visited the areas discussed and prepared pictures for viewing. There will be opportunities for questions and discussion.

Let’s explore Louise Penny’s ongoing mystery series about Armand Gamache, Chief Inspector of the Sûreté du Quebec and the villagers of Three Pines. Through lectures and discussion, we will focus on overarching themes, character development, and literary devices in the books, with attention to the arts, cultural elements, history, humor, philosophy and even food in these award-winning novels. The class sessions are as follows: 1) January 11: “A Trick of the Light” (2011) and ”The Beautiful Mystery” (2012), 2) February 1: “How the Light Gets In” (2013) and “The Long Way Home” (2014), 3) February 29: “The Nature of the Beast” (2015) and “A Great Reckoning” (2016), 4) March 21: “Glass Houses” (2017) and “Kingdom of the Blind” (2018).

NOTE: This is Part 2 of a year-long 12-session course. Students need not have participated in Part 1. Participants should read the specific titles before each lecture/discussion session. The sessions are not consecutive weeks. This course meets three times on Thursday, 1/11, 2/1, and 2/29, with an optional fourth session that meets after the end of the OLLI term on 3/21.

“Going viral” implies explosive growth and spread—like bad news on social media… or Covid-19. Safe to say, viruses have been around way longer than people. They’re everywhere! But what ARE viruses? Are they mini-cells? Are they even alive? We naturally focus on those that infect humans, but they have ramifications far beyond us. They DO indeed infect us and can cause diseases, but we humans make use of viruses as well in basic research and even clinical practice. In this class we’ll look into the many ways viruses work in the biosphere—extending even to the “calling cards” of viral DNA that make up a significant fraction of our human genome. No previous science background is required. (Basic background on cells and microbes will be included.) The class is primarily lecture with directed discussions.

In his 2016 book, “American Character,” Colin Woodard builds on his work in “American Nations” (2011) to examine the “key American political dilemma: how do we best reconcile individual liberty with the good of the community?” Tracing our struggle with this existential conflict through American history, Woodard concludes with some recommendations for moving forward together. In this discussion course, we will explore both Woodard’s descriptions and his prescriptions in the light of our post-2016 experiences.?Because the format of the course will be hybrid, with both “roomies” and “zoomies” encouraged to participate in class conversation, enrollment will be limited. Students are asked to have completed the book before the first class session.??

NOTE: There will be an optional “class zero” a week before the first class session to familiarize all of us with the technological challenges of a hybrid discussion. Two sections of this course are being offered at the same day/time as a hybrid: one on Zoom and one in-person.

In his 2016 book, “American Character,” Colin Woodard builds on his work in “American Nations” (2011) to examine the “key American political dilemma: how do we best reconcile individual liberty with the good of the community?” Tracing our struggle with this existential conflict through American history, Woodard concludes with some recommendations for moving forward together. In this discussion course, we will explore both Woodard’s descriptions and his prescriptions in the light of our post-2016 experiences.?Because the format of the course will be hybrid, with both “roomies” and “zoomies” encouraged to participate in class conversation, enrollment will be limited. Students are asked to have completed the book before the first class session.??

NOTE: There will be an optional “class zero” a week before the first class session to familiarize all of us with the technological challenges of a hybrid discussion. Two sections of this course are being offered at the same day/time as a hybrid: one on Zoom and one in-person.

Do you want to personally navigate the current ever-changing health care environment in a meaningful way? How can you get what you need from your interactions with your health care provider and staff? How do you fit your questions into a 15-minute visit? How do you remember what the provider said after you go home? This course will give you the tools you need to have a better experience for improved communication and health. Whether you are at a clinic or in the hospital, your communication will improve. There will be video clips, interactive discussion, resources, and case studies. Time will be made for your questions.

Independent filmmakers are known for their unique and inspiring stories. Their films explore complex themes, provide a more intimate look at human experiences, and offer a deeper and more immersive journey than the more conventional “This happened and then that happened” movie. The six films chosen for this course include both international and American filmmakers. The discussion will focus on the effectiveness of the film and explore the social, political, and cultural dynamics that shape the women characters. Two films will be discussed in each class, and class members will view the films at home before each session. All films are available to rent without needing a subscription service. Each week students will be emailed a PDF document with director interviews for the coming discussion. The interviews offer the directors’ perspectives on the film, what inspired them, what was challenging, and particulars about the production aspects of the film. 

NOTE: Two separate sections of this course are offered: one is online, and one is held at the Campbell Center. The total cost for renting all the films should be about $25. 

This class offers sustenance and support for healing our species’ existential crisis of BELONGING. We live in a time when the fabric that weaves us together with each other, with nature, and with the planet itself, is badly torn. However, despite how badly we have lost our way, we are children of nature, and we are a social species, and we walk the Earth today because our long evolutionary history has bequeathed us the yearning and the instinctual guidance to belong to each other and the planet. The planet is calling on us to make a great transition away from living as though life were a desperate contest of opposing interests, and instead towards finding our proper place within the web of mutual accommodations and inter-dependencies upon which all of life depends—to become good citizens of creation. Through lectures, discussion, and personal exploration, this course hopes to support students in finding their own unique place within this transition.

This course is designed to help participants take, organize, store, edit, and share digital photos and videos. Emphasis will be on using Apple Photos on the iPhone, Mac, and iCloud. Participants will learn to manage iCloud settings; store and share photos and videos; perform basic edits; play and modify memories; set up albums and slideshows; search and organize photos by person, location, and activities; trim live photos, bursts, and videos; and remove duplicate photos. Privacy and security issues will also be discussed. Participants should be able to use Zoom for video conferencing and have a basic comfort taking digital photos, accessing the Web, and using online applications. 

Icons of The Jazz Age, Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald both wrote novels based on their time together on the French Riviera. Though known only for her glamorous lifestyle, Zelda was an artist and a writer. She composed “Save Me the Waltz” (1932), a novel about a woman trying to become a dancer, during a two-month stay in a psychiatric clinic in Baltimore, Maryland. Scott wrote “Tender Is the Night” (1933) over an eight-year period. In it, he portrays the expat life, the movie industry, and the burgeoning field of psychology. We will read and discuss both these novels in the context of the Fitzgeralds’ lives and of the 1920s. Please be prepared to read up to 150 pages per session.

NOTE: There will be no class on January 18. Recommended editions: F. Scott Fitzgerald, “Tender Is the Night,” introduction by Amor Towles, Scribner, 2019; and Zelda Fitzgerald, “Save Me the Waltz,” Handheld Press, 2019. There will be no class meeting on Thursday, January 18.

Expand your knitting repertoire with a fun and easy pattern and technique for knitted felt nesting bowls. Knitted felt is created by shrinking a loosely knit 100% wool piece with agitation and warm water to make a thicker and more durable fabric. Students must know how to knit using double pointed needles before taking this course. Students will knit in class and at home between classes and then learn how to use a manual agitation method for creating knitted felt as they shrink their oversized project to completion.

NOTE: Required materials include 400 yards/200 grams of worsted weight 100% wool yarn (not superwash and not white, ecru or black), a set of five double pointed needles size 10 or 10.5, a new plunger (dollar store or equivalent), and a four to five gallon plastic bucket.

It’s not the destination—it’s the journey. In these contemporary times, some people struggle with making a big transition in life, securing a real accomplishment, or simply getting in touch with their true selves. One way people take up the challenge is to literally head for the wilderness and “hit the trail” by hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, a 2,650-mile-long footpath along the mountainous spine of the west coast. This course looks at the development and history of a trail that goes from the border with Mexico, north to the border with Canada. This national scenic trail has recently become popular after the publication of the book “Wild” by Cheryl Strayed, and a movie of the same name. The trail beckons hikers from around the world to begin a hike in the searing desert heat and complete it in the freezing snows of the north. What motivates them and keeps them going? Classes will include lectures, slides, videos, and plenty of time for discussions.

Ever struggle from time to time with internal negativity, self-criticism, or perfectionism? Most people do. This course is an opportunity to kick habits of self-directed negativity and criticism and develop new habits of self-compassion. Understanding the dynamics of your inner critic will help you replace it with an inner coach. Warning: these changes can result in becoming happier and more productive as well as becoming a better friend, romantic partner, and parent. The classes, all held on Zoom, will utilize lecture, discussion and experiential exercises, and will make use of breakout rooms. Students will also be asked to do journaling exercises and practice activities done in class. A workbook of the same title by the instructor is optional, recommended, and available for purchase.

Communities in the Rogue Valley rank high in assessments of state and regional wildfire risk. The 2020 Almeda Fire, which started in Ashland, burned more than 2,800 structures! This course will address mostly simple things you can do to make your home and other buildings wildfire resistant. Through a combination of lectures and discussion, we will explore construction materials and design considerations as well as landscaping best practices in an urban environment. Invited fire professionals will present on some topics. (A portion of this course was taught in the Winter 2023 course, Fire Reluctant Landscaping Best Practices.) If a student is interested in learning how to create customizable plant lists for their garden, they are encouraged to bring a PC laptop that can run an MS Excel file containing macros to the last class. If such a computer is not available, alternatives will be discussed. Don’t let this keep you from attending!

Communities in the Rogue Valley rank high in assessments of state and regional wildfire risk. The 2020 Almeda Fire, which started in Ashland, burned more than 2,800 structures! This course will address mostly simple things you can do to make your home and other buildings wildfire resistant. Through a combination of lectures and discussion, we will explore construction materials and design considerations as well as landscaping best practices in an urban environment. Invited fire professionals will present on some topics. (A portion of this course was taught in the Winter 2023 course, Fire Reluctant Landscaping Best Practices.) If a student is interested in learning how to create customizable plant lists for their garden, they are encouraged to bring a PC laptop that can run an MS Excel file containing macros to the last class. If such a computer is not available, alternatives will be discussed. Don’t let this keep you from attending!