OLLI at DU Central   

This class will survey the history of immigration to the United States. Beginning in the late 16th century, explorers sought out the North American continent and by the 17th century immigration, some voluntary, some forced, had begun. Over the next two centuries, immigration continued unabated, creating a much-needed workforce but also introducing questions about what kind of country we were going to be and what it meant to be an American. Questions of race, religion, and ethnicity, encouraged by the nativism and scientific racism of the early 20th century, continue to the present day. The book we will use, Roger Daniels, Coming to America (2nd edition) will tell this story. It was published in 2002 so for the past two plus decades of recent immigration we will use other readings.

This course will describe the eleven “nations” which make up the United States including: how they differ in origin, their founding philosophies, and their social and political organizations. We will explore the eleven nations’ interactions with one another and how their differences shaped not only our history but also continue to shape our culture, social, fabric, and politics to this very day.

Consumed with grief, driven by vengeance, John Chenneville undertakes an unrelenting odyssey across the lawless post–Civil War frontier, seeking redemption, in this fearless novel from the award-winning and New York Times bestselling author of News of the World. We approach reading as discovery in a reading community; therefore, some of the reading is done in class so that, together, we encounter the text as a group, allowing multiple insights from the class. PLEASE DO NOT START READING THE BOOK BEFORE CLASS BEGINS

The United States has held 59 presidential elections. A few of these contests concluded in extreme controversy. This course will examine 8 such elections, concluding with the 2024 election which will be held the day before the final class session.

Each week, we’ll scrutinize one election. We’ll first look at the 1800 election where it took 36 votes in the House to declare Jefferson the winner. We’ll then review the 1824 election where Andrew Jackson received 15 more electoral votes and a third more popular votes than John Quincy Adams, but Adams became president. Then, in turn, we’ll examine the 1860 election of Lincoln; the 1876 selection of Rutherford Hayes that ended Reconstruction; the 1912 contest where Wilson defeated both an incumbent and an ex-president; the “hanging chads” election of 2000; and the 2020 election where, for the first time, the losing candidate refused to concede defeat.

The course will not use a text. Before each class, the facilitator will distribute a short reading describing the election and why it resulted in such controversy.

Climate change dominates headlines with dire warnings, yet discussions often fragment into specific topics like electric vehicles, renewable energy, extreme weather events, and climate refugees. It’s hard to connect the dots to see the full picture. How do all these stories – all these pieces fit together?

This 8-week guest speaker series brings together leading researchers and subject matter experts to provide a fuller and clearer view of what is, perhaps, humanity's greatest and most consequential challenge.

Each presenter offers a nuanced perspective on a key aspect of climate change. Collectively they’ll provide an integrated up-to-date understanding of this complex issue already, and perhaps inexorably, impacting Colorado, the nation, and the world.

The series will help us understand: (1) what we’re likely facing, (2) what some of the realistic goals are, (3) some of the options to achieve these goals, (4) the keys and barriers to success that we should consider.

Were you fascinated by the recent eclipse and aurora borealis events? Ever wonder why we have seasons, or why there are spring tides in the summer, autumn and winter? Why do we have leap years and leap seconds? Why does earth have oceans? Using lectures, videos, Q&A and discussion we will answer these questions and more as we take a “big picture” look at our planet. No previous science experience is necessary, just curiosity about our planet and a willingness to participate in Lynn’s Zoom polls. Over the course of four weeks, we will look at Earth in the solar system, the relationship between Earth and the moon, the Earth’s gravitation and magnetic fields, and why the Earth has water and oceans. Relevant and interesting links and handouts will be provided throughout the class.

Great Decisions is a program of the Foreign Policy Association which is new each year. High quality educational materials are prepared and provided to discussion groups in cities and universities throughout the United States. On each topic there will be a chapter describing the current issues around the selected topic and a video of background information and relevant interviews with world leaders and scholars.

Required Book: Great Decisions 2024 Briefing Book, available from the Foreign Policy Association. Registered members please order.

Join us for our 4th in a series of most highly rated and enjoyed films of a decade. Having done the films of the 1960s, 70s and 80s, this term we look at the films of the 1990s. Examples are Shawshank Redemption, Forrest Gump, Good Will Hunting, and A League of Their Own. We will also select from 10 other excellent films of the decade using our 1980s film class for guidance. During the course you will see many great actors (Ben Affleck, Robin Williams, Tom Hanks, Matt Damon, Geena Davis, Brad Pitt, Edward Norton, Helen Hunt, Holly Hunter, Jodie Foster, Andie MacDowell, Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman, Minnie Driver) and the work of great directors and writers (Darabont, Zemeckis, Van Sant, Marshall, Fincher, Nichols, Ramis, Brooks, Hansson, Demme, Spielberg.).

Place is sometimes described as an additional character in novels, especially when an author develops a collection of characters in a specific location throughout a continuing series. "Mysterious Places" encourages armchair travel while exploring various mystery series - in this case, with a weather theme. Hurricanes, snowstorms, drought, gloomy or sunny days have all been used to establish atmosphere in a story and are sometimes the means, motive, or opportunity. In addition to our usual book club discussions of mysteries featuring weather, meteorologist Tom Corona will explain various weather phenomena that appear in our stories. A little science, some fun mysteries, lots of great discussion - another fine "Mysterious Places" class coming up!

What happens to human “consciousness” when we die? In 1978 Dr. Raymond Moody's landmark book “Life After Life” reported on Moody’s investigation of 150 people who died “clinically,” were subsequently revived, and reported similar extraordinary experiences. His book started a revolution in popular attitudes regarding an “afterlife” and forever changed how we understand both death and life.

Since then, with vastly improved resuscitation techniques, five decades of scientific research on thousands of NDEs has brought us powerful evidence that yes, Virginia, there is “life" after physical death and, as frosting on the cake, what awaits us is both heart-warming and extremely comforting. Physicians and professors at prominent universities, medical schools and hospitals world-wide continue to study this phenomenon with seriously "mind-blowing" results. This course brings you up to speed on these findings as well as what we now know about other exceptional “paranormal” phenomena.

This class begins by explaining the mysteries of the brain, common neurological diseases, evaluation of healthy lifestyles and a guide to navigating one’s way through today’s complicated and fragmented healthcare system.

Recommended reading: A Migraine in Room 3, A Stroke in Room 4; A Physician Examines His Profession by Paul M. Schanfield, MD [amigraineinroom3.com]

Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science (DMNS)? This course goes backstage into the Science Division, revealing some of the significant and fascinating scientific work being conducted right in our own community.

Each week you'll meet a different expert including a scientist, a curator, a conservator, and the museum’s fossil preparation and field expeditions specialist.

These sessions will delve into the captivating research, (literally) groundbreaking scientific work, intricate preservation techniques, and the art and science of curation and discovery at the DMNS.

Create magazine-worthy images from smart phone travel, event, and everyday photos. The free Snapseed in-phone app offers fun and flexible tools for effective, professional edits and polish in post-production. Snapseed is great for making memory books, inspiring slide shows, and eye-catching Internet posts. The class will include detailed instruction and examples to correct, optimize, and artistically interpret photos, as well as hints for improving photo capture. A PDF presentation of more than 100 slides can be downloaded to follow along during the class and be retained for later reference.

The Focus

• We will focus on the history and evolution of the economic, legal, theological, and philosophical systems embedded in our country’s laws and systems. We will follow the four roots as they become ever more intertwined and grow ever more deeply each decade to produce the racial disparities that we experience today.
• While there are many stories of minorities that could and need to be told, given eight weeks, these conversations will focus on those systems and structures that have resulted in wealth disparities, mass incarceration, and the unchecked killing of Black people.

Why Participate

• “Whites created slavery, segregation, and racial discrimination. Whites have most of the political and social power to change racial discrimination and inequality now. We cannot have a truly free and democratic society until we do that.” MLK
• Our desire to be good can prevent us from doing good if we do not see the historical systems and structures we created. If we don’t see them, we cannot act to change them.

The Surveillance State Big Data, Freedom, and You is a 2016 Great Courses video series presented by Paul Rosenzweig, JD.

Over 24 lectures (12 in Fall 2024 and 12 in Winter 2025), you will:

• Learn some of the history of surveillance.
• Gain understanding of how intelligence collection works in the US and why 9/11 was so transformative.
• Explore new technologies and their ramifications.
• Examine big data.
• Learn why the Internet is a treasure trove for spies and commercial companies.
• Explore how people are trying to get off the grid or secure their communications.
• Discover how Europe is answering some of these difficult questions.

We will watch two 30-minute lectures with discussion of related material after each. Knowledgeable class members are encouraged to present brief updates on material covered in the lectures or discussions.

This course will take participants on a meaningful survey of the 5000+ women composers documented throughout history, beginning with Medieval ‘rock star’ Hildegard von Bingen and finishing with Pulitzer Prize winners and innovative newcomers of our time. No prior knowledge of music is necessary to ignite your curiosity and engage in this material. We will do a lot of listening for discovery and comparison, and we will engage in discussion from time to time. Prepare to be amazed at the richness of genius in these women!