THIS IS THE FULL SERIES REGISTRATION OPTION FOR THIS COURSE! To register for one or more individual sessions, click the session titles below.
Engage your curiosity this spring as the tulips and daffodils emerge and the weather warms.
Join fellow learners for a sampler of what Osher has to offer. In this special course, we’ve gathered some of our finest Study Leaders from across the fields of science, religion, culture, literature, music, and hands-on crafting.
If you’ve never taken an Osher class, try us out and discover what makes the Osher experience so rewarding. If you’re already a member, this is a perfect opportunity to explore new ideas, reconnect with friends, and continue to challenge and delight your mind.
We look forward to seeing you this spring.
April 18: Iain Sim
Inside the Human Genome Revolution
The complete sequencing of the human genome some 20 years ago has unleashed a wealth of information and new technologies that have revolutionized healthcare as well as our understanding of the history of the human race. But with new knowledge comes both opportunity and risks. Together, we will survey the benefits and discuss the ethical issues that have arisen from this great enterprise.
April 25: Susan McCaslin
Reconsidering David
Of all the figures in the Bible, David is arguably the most complicated and enigmatic. A warrior, a king, a poet, a servant of God, he is also a schemer, a deceiver, and an adulterer. His life and place in the Bible have inspired multiple and sometimes contradictory interpretations. In this class we will begin with an overview of David’s rise to power and then read closely sections of 2 Samuel (chapters11-19) that describe his fall from power and finally observe some of the Biblical authors’ own perplexities about David as a leader of Israel.
No Bibles are necessary. The relevant text from 2 Samuel will be provided in class.
May 2: Christiana Whittington
Folk Traditions in Classical Music
We will explore how composers drew on the songs, stories, and rhythms of their homelands to shape a distinct musical identity. We’ll trace the sweep of national style — from Grieg’s Hall of the Mountain King to Smetana’s Moldau to Sibelius’ Finlandia — in its yearning for freedom. We’ll look at Mussorgsky’s bold portrayal of Russian character and Bartók’s groundbreaking work with true village music. Finally, we’ll come to understand how Copland transformed American folk materials into an unmistakable musical voice. There will be listening examples, lively historical context, and a fresh understanding of how folk traditions continue to pulse through the classical repertoire.
May 9: Beverly Marshall
Beyond the Fringe: Flappers and the Jazz Age
This class examines the flapper as a bold cultural figure of the 1920s, emerging in the wake of World War I and after the enactment of the 19th Amendment. In many ways, flappers symbolized women’ s expanding freedoms, flaunting their disdain for what was considered “acceptable behavior.” Through narrative and videos, we will explore how flappers redefined fashion, gender roles, and social norms. We will also consider shifts in music and literature and reflect on both the glamour and contradictions of this transformative era.
May 16 Course updated!
Study Leader: David Grant
Truth Seekers: Henry David Thoreau & Emily Dickinson
It is fun to picture Henry Thoreau and Emily Dickinson both sitting at their desks in Concord and Amherst, MA, just seventy miles apart from one another, writing for themselves and, ultimately, for the ages. On the surface, they were so different. Thoreau could spend pages describing a leaf or a woodchuck, while Dickinson could, in just seven lines, tackle Art or Death or God. Yet they both had a genius for seeking the Truth and their words richly reward our attention.
May 23: Gael Clauson & Patti Warren
Tear It Up! with Gael and Patti
In this 90-minute workshop, we create a series of mixed-media collages using pages of old books, sheets of music, garden catalogs, and decorative papers. Taking you through the process, step-by-step, we’ll enhance our designs with some meaningful words or a lovely quote and then sew our collages into a six-page book.
This class is for anyone — beginner or experienced mixed media artist — who wants to learn or continue the art of paper collage. Come and “tear it up” with us. This is going to be so much fun!