Online Courses   

Have you wondered how crossword puzzles are created? This course will cover puzzle creation, and it may help you become a better solver, even if you don’t plan to become a crossword constructor yourself. The process includes the following steps: 1) know about conventions, tools, formats; 2) brainstorm and place theme entries; 3) arrange grid blocks (black squares); 4) fill in other words; 5) craft imaginative, challenging clues; 6) revise and submit for publication. After a brief intro to free-form style puzzles, the course will focus on US newspaper-style, symmetric, themed 15 x 15 puzzles, e.g., The New York Times— plus an OLLI-themed puzzle. The instructor will share experiences of his first NYT crossword and his first months as Ashland.news crossword editor. Depending on class interest, we’ll construct a new puzzle together. For more information: http://communicrossings.com/constructing-crosswords. The Zoom sessions will be recorded for later viewing.

This course comes within a place of mindful caregiving and culture of being present, kind, and real. Each of the four hourly sessions will be led by an expert on the different aspects of end-of-life preparation and palliative/hospice care. The course will use a lecture format with ample time for discussion and questions. Topics will include: 1) stages of dying and the process individuals and families go through; 2) use of facility care and tour of Celia’s House; 3) the role of spiritual care and self-care; and 4) bereavement support and the value of recognizing grief. This course is open to any student who wishes to gain an important understanding in preparing for this phase of life. This is the second of two courses on the subject of end-of-life care. One does not have to take the first course to enroll in this course.

NOTE: Students will receive resource information from the course. Students should be open to sharing their experiences, concerns, and worries about the subject.

NOTE: Two sections of this course are being offered at the same day/time as a hybrid: one on Zoom and one in-person. Please register for and attend either the online or in-person section.

Learn how to bring nature indoors through the wonder of mixed-media creation and spark a lifelong new hobby! If you are already proficient in acrylic, watercolor, and colored pencil techniques, this course will increase your nature-focused creativity in compositions of two or more techniques, including techniques unique to mixed media. Nature explorations will include mountains, water, forests, birds and other animals, as well as flowers, the night sky, our imaginations, and more. Learning occurs through watch-on-your-own-schedule online videos and text, with questions and discussion via email and optional Zooms. The content of the course is entirely online. Materials are inexpensive, and you can always just listen and learn without practicing. Work will not be critiqued or shared. This is not a skills-building art class, but instead is focused on building nature immersion and interaction through play and creativity. Mixed media takes the nature-enjoyment journey to an entirely new level! NOTE: The companion-class, Exploring Nature with Paint and Colored Pencils, provides instruction in the three media that are prerequisites to completing the projects in this class. Two optional Zooms allow discussion and socializing in a safe, no-recording environment. Zoomers must maintain live video throughout.

Most of us spend half our adult lives going through major life transitions—like retirement, marriage, loss of a loved one, divorce, inheritance, career change, empty nest, and big health challenges—yet we have never been trained in the vital skills needed to master (or even manage) these life passages. Change happens quickly, but major life transitions can take years. The transformation that results from working through them skillfully lasts a lifetime. This course explores how you have handled these significant “life-quakes” in the past, and how you can use them now and in the future as times of reimagining and reinvention. We will explore the four phases of major life transitions, both in the research and in your own experience. These challenging passages launch your life’s next chapter and hold great potential gifts of “post-traumatic growth” while allowing you to design your own ideal next chapter. Our emphasis will be on developing the creative skills to flow through major change.

NOTE: There is no class session on Memorial Day, Monday, May 27.

Several years ago a chaperone on a school field trip to SLAC (The Stanford Linear Accelerator Center) asked if there was any danger from radiation on the tour. The answer was “No more than background.” Citing that obvious danger, the chaperone got back on the bus and refused to go in. That’s about as extreme an example of misplaced fear coming from a misunderstanding of physics concepts as one can imagine, and not all misunderstandings of physics concepts lead to fear, of course. Nonetheless, the word ‘radiation’ seems to generate fear more than any other. Some is justified. Much is not. The instructor will show what physicists mean by the word radiation and attempt to alleviate misplaced fear regarding 5G and nuclear energy, and instead instill fear regarding tanning salons. After that he will talk about other misunderstood physics concepts as time permits such as entropy, Schrödinger's Cat, and The Uncertainty Principle. We'll decide based on what most interests the class.

NOTE: Two sections of this course are being offered at the same day/time as a hybrid: one on Zoom and one in-person. Please register for and attend either the online or in-person section.

In this rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence that pushes us to do more, be more, and have more, discover the transformative power of slowing down and living with deep inner peace. This course, rooted in the profound insights from the book “Slowing Down to the Speed of Life,” written by Richard Carlson and Dr. Joseph Bailey, reveals the wisdom of luminaries Carlson, Bailey, and Sydney Banks and invites us to live a more meaningful, peaceful, and contented life. Revisit the timeless observation of Joseph Campbell about our human yearning not just for existence, but for the “rapture of being fully alive.” Engage in this transformative conversation, inspired by Syd Banks' mystical revelations which reveal our potential for profound joy and inner peace. Each class includes short videos, with discussions and questions that evoke our innate inner wisdom and guidance. Like the “Slowing Down” winter 2024 course, this exploration offers fresh content to further our discoveries about living a deeply meaningful life.

NOTE: Two sections of this course are being offered at the same day/time as a hybrid: one on Zoom and one in-person. Please register for and attend either the online or in-person section.

“Ancient science fiction, paleontology, free-thinkers, and eats” sums it up well. The course covers four distinct topics, knitted together by a common background in the Greco-Roman world. Did the Greeks and Romans have memes and stories that echo down into modern science fiction? What did they make of the giant bones that were cropping up all over the Mediterranean? Is it true that philosophical atheism in the West dates back not to the Enlightenment, but to the 5th century BCE? How did the ancients eat, drink, and party? These topics have been chosen not because they are important to the grand sweep of history, but because they are intrinsically interesting and lead us down byways of ancient history that we normally miss. Although they are not taught in “classic” Classics courses, they reveal a great deal about the depth and sophistication of ancient thought. This PowerPoint-assisted lecture course includes short videos, Q and A, and discussion. No previous experience or study is required.

Most Americans have heard of the “shot heard ‘round the world” in 1775 at Lexington, MA; the frozen 1777 winter camp of Valley Forge; the 1776 Christmas surprise attack on Trenton; and the set-piece siege of Yorktown in 1781. Without question these were high points in the American Revolutionary War. However, they’ve been placed in such high esteem in American history courses that there’s been little room left for other important battles. Many more are worthy of consideration, especially in the South. The massacre of Waxhaws, the disaster of Camden, the exquisite victory at the Cowpens, the destruction of a loyalist force at King’s Mountain, the narrow escape in the “Race to the Dan,” and the siege and capture of Charleston, to name a few. America’s second-most important battle commander, Nathanael Greene, came into his own in this period. This lecture course will present many of these consequential battles and events in the American Revolutionary War. Neither Part 1 nor prior knowledge is required.

Healthy breathing begets a healthy brain and its capacities. Breathing impacts all dimensions of one’s life, and every activity of the body and mind are dependent on this vital function. And yet, the general population does not place attention on the importance of healthy breathing. Learn to enhance its function and expand the potential instead of addressing the dysfunction or illness related to unhealthy breathing. Enhance the potential for physical and psychological health and fitness. Many different breathing practices are available, and this course will help you to know how the body and brain respond to the dimensions of the breath. Then you can make good use of your investment of time and breath. The foundations of breathing when cultivated in practice, which is the main focus of this course, provide a basis for the function of breathing in exercise, contemplative practices, and sleep, for everyone’s potential in self-regulation, self-organization, and self-healing. 

NOTE: Movement in this class will be similar to movement in daily life and will challenge habits that impact the breath and mind. Changing habits can trigger some discomfort; therefore, a waiver will be signed.

NOTE: Two sections of this course are being offered at the same day/time as a hybrid: one on Zoom and one in-person. Please register for and attend either the online or in-person section.

This course is designed to provide an opportunity to speak and listen to Spanish in a comfortable non-judgmental atmosphere. It is meant for those who already speak Spanish with some fluency but who don’t have all the opportunities to converse that they would like. Each week, students will be provided with materials to stimulate conversation on a particular theme, including poems, readings, song lyrics, and discussion questions. During each class, we’ll talk in a whole group and in breakout rooms. Themes include games and sports, the five senses, and more, but it will be all right to stray from the theme. Grammar and vocabulary questions that arise will be answered, but the class is about enjoying conversation in Spanish. Any learning that occurs arises from that. It will enhance our conversation if students spend some time with the materials posted on LearnerNotes before each class. Translations are provided for readings and song lyrics.

NOTE: This is not a grammar course or even a Spanish course per se. Rather it is a chance for those who already comprehend and speak Spanish with some fluency to listen to others, converse freely, and encounter readings and songs that reflect Hispanic culture. Those who have been in previous Conversaciones courses will find new themes, readings, and music.

Many consider Steinbeck’s “East of Eden” to be his most ambitious novel. Steinbeck himself thought it to be his magnum opus, stating “East of Eden” “…has everything in it I have been able to learn about my craft or profession in all these years.” He later said, “I think everything else I have written has been, in a sense, practice for this.” The book explores themes of depravity, beneficence, love, the struggle for acceptance and greatness, the capacity for self-destruction, and issues of guilt and freedom. It ties these themes together with references to and many parallels with the biblical story of Cain and Abel. As we accompany the Trask and Hamilton families through several generations of struggle and triumph, we will consider the sources of evil in our own lives and evaluate the opportunities for redemption. In our first session we will take a close look at the Biblical story of Cain and Abel (Genesis, chapter 4, verses 1-16), on which much of “East of Eden” is based. NOTE: Students will need to read Steinbeck’s “East of Eden” in any format and should have read at least the first six chapters before the first class.

This course comes within a place of mindful caregiving and culture of being present, kind, and real. Each of the four hourly sessions will be led by an expert on the different aspects of end-of-life preparation and palliative/hospice care. This course will use a lecture format with ample time for discussion and questions. Topics will include: 1) the importance of planning for end-of-life and communicating with people important in your life; 2) differences between hospice and palliative care; 3) importance of caregiver health, support, and use of resources during this difficult time; and 4) the definition of hospice care and what is provided by a hospice agency. This course is open to any student who wishes to gain an important understanding in preparing for this phase of life. This is the first of two courses on the subject of end-of-life care.

NOTE: Students will receive resource information from the course. Students should be open to sharing their experiences, concerns, and worries about the subject.

 

NOTE: Two sections of this course are being offered at the same day/time as a hybrid: one on Zoom and one in-person. Please register for and attend either the online or in-person section.

Explore the complexity and significance of women’s lives in contemporary Ukraine through stories of Ukrainian women writers, scientists, social activists, leaders, and artists whose work changed their culture and the world. The values of the matriarchal cultures that sourced Ukraine continue to be transmitted through her folk arts, music, and dance. Ukrainian women continue to bring forth from within themselves individually, and as a diverse community, new expressions of the values and beliefs of their culture. Discover the meaning of Ukrainian goddesses in Ukrainian women’s spirituality and the impact of Russian colonization on Ukrainian identity then and now. This course can be repeated because it will combine lecture, new guest speakers, discussion on current events that impact Ukrainians, and ritual circle-sharing as well as out-of-class readings and reflective writing.

NOTE: Required text: “Your Ad Could Go Here: Stories by Oksana Zabuzhko,” edited by Nina Murray.

Let’s complete our exploration of Louise Penny’s ongoing mystery series about Armand Gamache, Chief Inspector of the Sûreté du Quebec, and the villagers of Three Pines. 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/titles to be read in advance are as follows: 1. April 11: “A Better Man” and “All the Devils Are Here” 2. May 9: “The Madness of Crowds” 3. June 6: “A World of Curiosities” 4. June 13: a look back at the whole series. NOTE: This is Part 3 of a year-long, 12-session course and is open to students who did not take Parts 1 or 2. Participants should read the specific titles before each lecture/discussion session. The sessions are NOT on consecutive weeks, and the last session is after the end of the OLLI term.

Hot News & Cool Views is an open discussion forum to explore and discuss breaking news from Oregon to “around the globe” each week. All differing views and opinions are not only welcome but essential to create lively discussion. The course will cover a wide range of topics, from politics to climate change to technology, medicine, and more. An agenda with articles will be sent to you a couple of days prior to each class. Students are encouraged to send in topics and news articles to add to each week’s agenda and our discussion. Please join us for a sizzling hot journey around the world with our fast, fun, and sometimes controversial class! Better than a strong cup of coffee to get your week going!

NOTE: Two sections of this course are being offered at the same day/time as a hybrid: one on Zoom and one in-person. Please register for and attend either the online or in-person section.

In these chaotic times, we hear about situations happening all over the world and may feel disconnected from the people and communities impacted. This course offers a first-hand look into how humanitarian work, while challenging, offers so many opportunities for joy in helping to bring about comfort for our most vulnerable populations. The instructor offers decades of experience working and volunteering all over the globe. Follow along with her through the sharing of personal experiences living with remote indigenous tribes in the rain forests of Madagascar (Peace Corps) to the front lines of Afghanistan (Doctors Without Borders) and into refugee camps of over a million inhabitants within Bangladesh and Lebanon. The instructor’s hope and objective of the course is a deeper understanding of the resilience of these populations, along with empathy and respect for their courage against extreme odds. Course content will include open discussion and ample time for questions during each session.

 

NOTE: Two sections of this course are being offered at the same day/time as a hybrid: one on Zoom and one in-person. Please register for and attend either the online or in-person section.

Mary Reed was an agnostic, successful healthcare executive in Washington, DC. Quite unexpectedly, in the summer of 2000, she began to experience a deep resonant voice in her consciousness that told her that she would be doing something very important. The voice was persistent and unpredictable, but seemingly could not be eliminated. It was so “invasive” that it began to unnerve her, and she sought counseling from a variety of therapists, shamans, and other various practitioners. Most were not helpful and were often skeptical. She sank into deep confusion and despair, and in 2011 took a carefully calculated lethal dose of medications. Recovering from this inauspicious beginning, she experienced her odyssey into an awakened state that took her to a nunnery in the Himalayas for further refinement that eventually resulted in a complete realization of divine consciousness. For the last two decades, she has been a teacher to the world through a profound but very human mystical lens. NOTE: This is not about religion and no dogmatic assertions will be given concerning the ultimate meaning of Mary Reed’s teachings. They, ultimately, speak for themselves. The books that may be most helpful if more information is desired is “Unwitting Mystic” and “Humanity's Epic Awakening” by Mary Reed.

This course is an introduction to Qigong and simple stretching patterns. Movements will be taught both as physical and energetic exercises and as methods for improving present moment awareness and mindfulness of subtle perceptions. No special clothing or experience is required: come as you are, ready to have fun with others! Although Qigong can be studied for a lifetime, this brief series will give you a taste of the practices. Over the course of the classes you will learn a set of simple movements you can integrate into your daily routine. We will be meeting over Zoom, and the class will include social time with other students. Students will also have access to videos on YouTube and an optional DVD. This is an active class, and students need to be able to move about comfortably in a home space. Some movements will involve getting up and down from the floor. The exercises will challenge and enhance your flexibility, balance, and coordination. Classes consist mostly of active movement.

NOTE: Students will sign a liability waiver prior to the first class.

Perhaps you’re curious how mindfulness could make a difference in your life. Or you’ve tried meditating but thought it’s not for you because your mind is too busy. Maybe you already have a meditation practice but you’re looking for new inspiration. In this course you’ll learn more than a half-dozen mindfulness practices. Some practices enhance concentration while others utilize effortless meditation. You will find out that there are as many ways of practicing mindfulness as there are people who practice—you are the expert of your own life and mind! We’ll do each practice together, and you’ll have a chance to ask questions and share reports. Strategies will be presented for developing a regular formal practice as well as for applying mindfulness in daily life. No previous experience with mindfulness or meditation is expected. This is a secular presentation that is intended for people of any cultural, religious, or non-religious background.

The existential crisis we face due to global climate change has brought renewed interest in nuclear energy as a means of reducing and/or eliminating carbon emissions (net zero CO2 emission goals). Recent advances in fission reactor technology such as small modular reactors (SMRs) and in plasma and fusion reactor science (the “breakeven” experiment at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory) hold promise for achieving these goals. In this course students will learn 1) an historical and contextual perspective for nuclear energy; 2) fundamental physics of radioactivity, fission, and fusion; 3) how nuclear reactors work; 4) safety and risk of nuclear power; 5) recycling, radioactive waste disposal, and life cycle considerations; and 6) current developments regarding advanced systems. We’ll also discuss the socio-economic and socio-political issues that have confronted, and will confront, future development of nuclear energy.

NOTE: This course is intended for anyone interested in the subject matter. A background in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics is not necessary or required. 

In the year 750 AD, there was a revolution which, over the next five centuries, profoundly transformed the Islamic world in such diverse areas as politics, theology, law, philosophy, and more. The leaders of this far-reaching transformation were a ruling dynasty called the Abbasids. This lecture course on Zoom will introduce you to them, their history, and some of the amazing people and events that occurred under their rule. Along the way we will investigate the early history of Islam and a number of related issues, including the Sunni-Shi’a division, the rise of Shari’a and the schools of the law, and the surprising role of Western philosophy in the development of Islamic thought. No prior background in this subject is needed. Detailed lecture notes will be provided, and questions are always welcome.

Probably every choral singer in this country, as well as in many others, knows the choral music of the contemporary English composer, John Rutter. We will examine some of his most popular carols and sacred anthems, as well as listen to his “Gloria,” “Requiem,” and “Magnificat.” We’ll take a peek at his music in other genres as well. This will primarily be a lecture course, using PowerPoint and YouTube. No previous experience is necessary.

Electric Vehicles (EVs) promise to be the foundation for future transportation needs, helping to address the climate change imperative. However, the transition to EVs challenge many of our fundamental assumptions regarding how vehicles are fueled, maintained and driven, and present serious technological challenges to advance battery chemistry and technology toward the cost and energy density levels required for mass EV adoption. This course goes beyond the “EV overview” stage to focus more deeply into the scientific and technological aspects that will make the EV the “next big thing” in the transportation sector. Topics covered include a comparison with gas-powered vehicles in terms of maintenance, fuel cost, efficiency, and driving experience. In addition, we will explore EV battery attributes, chemistry and technology, providing a look forward toward new much cheaper and longer-range battery technologies. The course will be lecture-based and is intended for anyone interested in EVs.

The eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD was a disaster for the region, burying towns including Pompeii and Herculaneum. It was also a gift for those who came later and sought to understand how Roman cities functioned. This course differs from the one taught in 2020 in format and focus, as well as in presenting more recent archaeology and scholarship. In the lectures and discussions, we will explore materials recovered from areas covered by Vesuvius’ lava and ash. Our goal will be to understand how architectural remains, ranging from temples to brothels, lavishly frescoed walls to graffiti, can inform our understanding of how people from all social classes lived in the early Roman empire. No previous knowledge of Roman culture is required. The contributions of all students are valued, including those who took this course in 2020.

A legacy letter (also called an “ethical will”) is a written document that allows people to share their life lessons, express their values, and transmit their blessings to future generations. A legacy letter is shorter than a memoir, typically just a few pages. Writing one is a rewarding experience that creates an enduring gift for family, friends, and loved ones. This four-session online course includes discussion and brief writing exercises to help you examine your life history, explore your values, and capture important insights. It offers advice, encouragement, and a model structure to help you draft and complete your own legacy letter. Students are strongly encouraged to attend all four meetings, as each session builds on the previous ones.