Thursday Courses   

Everyone has the ability to access their inner guidance with appropriate training and practice. This course is open to anyone who has had an experience of inner guidance, as well as anyone who has taken (or is currently taking) the “Accessing Inner Guidance” course. If you would like to refine your ability to receive guidance, this class is for you! We will do lots of practicing using various focusing techniques, as well as sharing of our experiences of guidance. This class will be fun and experiential, with lots of discussion, coaching, and feedback.

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.

In this mostly lecture course, we’ll cover the basics of stocks, bonds, real estate, and alternative investments before moving on to address how to combine various asset classes into a diversified portfolio. Investment vehicles such as mutual funds and exchange traded funds will also be discussed, as well as passive versus active investing, market timing, investor behavior, socially responsible investing, and tax considerations. While no specific stocks, bonds, funds, or other means to invest will be recommended, by the end of the course students will have the tools to either do their own investing or to be able to evaluate what their advisor is doing. No prior investing experience is required; there will be some class discussion and home assignments.

Play between mammals can incorporate movement, facial expressions, sound—and with humans—music. Play is based on shared mutually delightful agreements and if set to rhythm, you get dance. In this course we’ll play a wide variety of movement games. Some will look like dance, and others more like martial arts. Might your life be more fun with a little more play and laughter in it? This class will challenge your balance and coordination, your perceptions of and sensitivity to others, and tendencies you may have to be dour or handicapped by self-consciousness. It will also teach you how to dance to any music with anyone, even if you’re clueless about the steps! Sounds a little edgy...and intriguing, doesn’t it? Join us if you’re ready to not take yourself too seriously, make some discoveries, and have fun with other human primates! Partner exercises will be presented as a metaphor of relationship issues. Great for life-long dancers as well as those with two left feet!

NOTE: Students will be asked to sign a waiver before the first class. You will be moving the whole time in this class, and some of it will be energetic, some to music, some not. You will be asked to partner with a variety of people. 

Our home, the Klamath-Siskiyou Bioregion, has been designated an Area of Global Biological Significance. President Clinton’s Proclamation establishing the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument begins with this paragraph: “With towering fir forests, sunlit oak groves, wildflower-strewn meadows, and steep canyons, the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument is an ecological wonder, with biological diversity unmatched in the Cascade Range. This rich enclave of natural resources is a biological crossroads—the interface of the Cascade, Klamath, and Siskiyou ecoregions, in an area of unique geology, biology, climate, and topography.” This course will focus on rare endemic wildflower species as the ecological wonders of our bioregion are discussed. The geologic history of our area will be examined, as well as other factors that contribute to the rich biodiversity of the Klamath-Siskiyou Bioregion. Students will learn about Adopt a Rare Plant, a Southern Oregon community (citizen) science project.

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.

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.

This course proposes to examine the Gettysburg Campaign of June and July of 1863. Gettysburg was the largest battle ever fought in North America and occupies a prominent place in the popular view of the Civil War. The overarching goal of the course is to show how several rapid and critical battlefield decisions likely made the difference between victory and defeat for the Union Army. The course will be divided into four sessions. The first will discuss the status of the Civil War in the summer of 1863 and the historical context of the Civil War. Each of the other sessions will deal with one different day of the three-day Gettysburg battle and the critical decisions made that day that set the stage for the next day’s fighting. There is no required reading but any of the following are recommended prior to class: the Ken Burns PBS documentary “The Civil War,” the movie “Gettysburg” (1993), and/or the historical novel “The Killer Angels” by Michael Shaara.

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.

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.

Does a lot of what you read about in the news concern you—and maybe make you feel a bit overwhelmed? Do you wish you had a bigger picture—a deeper understanding—to help you make sense of it all? Do you wish you could share your concerns about the world with others? This eight-week interactive course will discuss eight global issues contained in the Foreign Policy Association’s “Great Decisions 2024” booklet: 1) technology, global trade, and sanctions; 2) the global climate technology race; 3) US and China rivalry; 4) the future for NATO, Russia, and Ukraine; 5) the Middle East and the Israel-Gaza conflict; 6) multilateral diplomacy at work: High Seas Treaty Case Study; 7) US and world readiness for the next pandemic; and 8) Indonesia and Southeast Asia in global trade. Attendees are expected to read about 20 pages of material before each class. Most of the actual time in class will be spent discussing this material.

NOTE: The “Great Decisions 2024” booklet is required reading and will be distributed at the first class. Cost: $35. Also required is the ability to respectfully discuss viewpoints different from your own. 

Here is your chance to improve your beginning Russian in a highly interactive, informal class that will cater to the needs of its participants. We will use a minimum of English, and repeat and contextualize Russian so that you can understand! Understanding what is being said and responding in Russian are the key goals. Grammar will be discussed only when needed, as our focus will be on speaking Russian. We will use email to provide notes for classes, vocabulary, as well as texts of poems and songs to experience in class. Unless Russian students materialize suddenly, this will be a small class, and it will certainly be low-pressure, supportive, and fun. NOTE: We don’t expect students with fluent Russian. Experience shows that some students struggle with pronunciation, some with the Cyrillic alphabet, and some with both. Please come to the first class to see how it suits you.

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.

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.

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.

This is an introduction to the wonderful game of poker. This course is appropriate for someone with no knowledge of poker to the casual amateur looking for some new information about modern poker strategy. No previous knowledge about poker is required, but those with experience will learn something new and enjoy the class. Students will learn poker basics from the beginning: rank of hands, order of play, how to shuffle and deal, rules, procedures, etiquette, and terminology of poker. You will learn the most popular poker games with a focus on Texas Hold’em. You will learn basic and advanced poker strategies. You will understand when to bet, fold, or bluff. The goal is for students to feel comfortable and capable in any poker game, whether it is a home game with friends or in a casino poker room. Students are encouraged to participate in classroom discussion and debate. Though poker language can be colorful, all discussion will be respectful and kind. We will play poker! NOTE Chips will be used so no money will be exchanged.

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.

Do you know that you can be more creative with your camera if you move beyond the automatic mode? This course is for anyone who wants to learn about the fundamentals of photography. We’ll cover the “rules” of composition and the three sides of the exposure triangle: shutter speed, aperture, and ISO, learning how to apply them to open the door to more creative photography. Each week we’ll learn about one concept and get an assignment to create a photograph outside of class that demonstrates use of that concept. Photos will be emailed to the instructor before the next class and then viewed and discussed the following week. 

NOTE: Students must have a manually adjustable, digital camera (not a phone camera), be familiar with its basic operations, and be willing to read the manual.

Let me tell you the story about the CBI (China Burma India) Theater of operation in WWII, often called the forgotten theater. It is a story of ingenuity, bravery, suffering, and finally success in the jungles and mountains of Burma. Lecture and discussion will include the beginnings of WWII, what was happening in China and Burma, the Japanese takeover, why it was important to supply the Chinese, stories about the Flying Tigers, General Stillwell, Flying the Hump, Merrills’ Marauders, the supply chain and the difficulty in keeping it going, details in building the Ledo Road from India to link up to the Burma Road in northern Burma, getting over large rivers, and surviving Japanese bombing attacks. Many personal experiences will be shared from letters and stories told to the instructor by his father, as well as material from his father’s collection of over 1,000 photographs taken during the war. Curiosity about the history of WWII is the only requirement for this course.

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.

The Korean War (or Conflict) encompassed the collision of post-WWII China, the Soviet Union, North Korea, and the US. The war was waged against a background of fear in the US over the rise of Communism. New technology was pitted against a massive force of battle-hardened Chinese soldiers. An aged Douglas MacArthur ignored Harry Truman, General Walton Walker, and his own intelligence corps to send US soldiers to the Korea/China border, and into a deadly trap. Korea was this country’s reckoning with its own exceptionalism. Were lessons learned? We shall see. While this course has been previously taught, new information will be added. Prior to each class, a lecture outline will be sent via email; after each class, a printed version of the lecture will be distributed (minus the interesting in-class discussion), also via email. Each class will include time for questions and discussion, and a full range of viewpoints will be covered. No background, knowledge, or outside reading will be required.

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.