Insights
Winter 2013
Vol. 18 Number 2
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
Preserving Sacred Spaces
by Sylvia Johnson
The Basilica of St. Mary
OLLI COURSE TOURS HISTORIC
CHURCHES IN MINNEAPOLIS
Some of the best-known buildings in the
world are places of worship. Chartres
Cathedral in France, St. Paul’s Cathedral
in London, Istanbul’s Blue Mosque--these
are just a few of the sacred spaces famous
for their architecture and their enduring
beauty. The Twin Cities are also home to
impressive buildings designed to serve
religious congregations. Preserving
Sacred Spaces, an OLLI course offered in
Winter 2013, will introduce participants
to some of the sacred spaces located
right in our own backyard.
Course leaders Susan Mundale
and Iric Nathanson have selected
six churches in Minneapolis noted
for their architectural and historical
significance. Designed by prominent
architects of their day, some of these
buildings are more than 100 years old.
Redeemer Missionary Baptist Church
in south Minneapolis was designed by
Minneapolis architects William Gray
Purcell and George Feick in 1909. It is
one of the very few churches built in the
Prairie style of architecture. Originally
a Presbyterian church, the building
deteriorated during the 1960s but has
been restored and brought back to life by
a Baptist congregation.
The Basilica of St. Mary is another
church that class members will visit.
Built between 1907 and 1910 under the
direction of Archbishop John Ireland,
this Beaux Arts masterpiece was
designed by French architect Emanuel
Masqueray, who did not foresee the
effects of Minnesota’s harsh winters. Ice
damage over the years caused severe
problems, and the Basilica was in such
poor condition in the 1990s that it was
nearly closed. Continuing restoration is
returning this landmark building to its
former glory.
Christ Church Lutheran in south
Minneapolis has the distinction of being
created by a father-son team of renowned
architects. The church building itself was
designed by Finnish-American architect
Eliel Saarinen in 1949. Constructed
of brick, stone, and concrete, the lightfilled interior of the church is noted
for its simplicity and serenity. In 1962,
Eliel Saarinen’s son Eero designed an
educational wing for the church that
would compliment his father’s original
building. Designated a National Historic
Landmark in 2009, Christ Church
Lutheran has had a significant influence
on modern church design.
Participants in the Preserving
Sacred Spaces course will tour these
outstanding churches and learn about
their histories and the ways in which
they have changed over the years. Other
churches to be visited include St. Mark’s
Episcopal Cathedral and St. Peter’s
Lutheran Church in Edina, which was
designed by famous Minnesota architect
Ralph Rapson. In future OLLI sessions,
Preserving Sacred Spaces will take a
look at religious buildings in St. Paul
and other parts of the Twin Cities. This
fascinating course offers OLLI members
a unique opportunity to learn about
a little-known aspect of our region’s
cultural heritage.
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
Spring Course
Preview
The President’s Column
Socializing in OLLI
by Karl Willson
Executive Director
Steve Benson says
that “People come
for the learning
and the challenge,
but they really
stay for the friendships and the
relationships.” Yet a member survey
told us that while many people join
OLLI to meet new people, not so many
have made new friends. Many of those
folks are missing out on what they
want by not doing more within OLLI.
OLLI offers plenty of chances to meet
new people. Classes, of course, are filled
with people we don’t know; but simply
starting a conversation with whoever
is sitting next to you can change that.
If there seems to be more possibility
after a class or two, consider coffee or
lunch before or after class. Sometimes
several people go out together, furthering their class experience. It’s a safe,
comfortable way to explore, to see if
someone could be added to your circle.
If not, you still know someone new.
Conversation comes easily when
you’re sharing something you enjoy.
OLLI Special Interest Groups are a
great way to meet new people, perhaps
more appealing because you are doing
something together. The Ethnic Dining
group provides chances for leisurely
conversations with folks you have not
met before. Some couples expand their
horizons by sitting apart at those meals.
Working on a committee, or in
some other volunteer capacity, will
introduce you to still more good people. There’s something about doing a
task together that makes conversation easy. Course Assistants have a
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unique opportunity to match names
and faces as they check attendance.
Obviously, friends and acquaintances aren’t the same, but there’s room
for both in our lives. Friends and acquaintances come with different levels
of intensity. Our past friendships didn’t
suddenly appear already mature, but
started with acquaintances. And don’t
be afraid to cross the gender line in
conversation. Meeting an interesting
man or woman can later bring partners or spouses into the picture, to the
benefit of all. Not every guy I meet will
become a buddy, nor every gal a romance, but I value them all for what they
add to my life. I have found a number
of OLLI friends, and others who may
someday become closer, but all of them
are making my OLLI experiences more
interesting and more enjoyable now.
Whatever your choice, don’t pass up
the many opportunities that OLLI offers
to bring new people into your life. They’re
great replacements for those folks you
left behind when you retired or moved.
Proposed Spring Courses
Maps and Mapmakers
Ragtime: Past and Present
Astronomy
The Archaeology of Warfare
Midwest History
Legacy of Shakespeare
The Coptic Church
2nd Revolution: Civil War in the South
People and Culture of
Argentina and Chile
Bird Watching
Spring Wildflowers
Left: Cheese and wine sampling during OLLI course The Archaeology of Wine and Cheese
Right: OLLIs enjoying some great speakers during the Fall Info Fair at St. Mary’s Greek Orthodox Church
Insights Winter 2013
Give the Gift
of OLLI
OLLI In Community
by Steve Benson
As a part of the
University community, OLLI is also
a part of the wider
community. Since
the beginning of
ELI/OLLI, we have
nurtured collaborative relationships with community
organizations and resources. It is our firm
conviction that OLLI serves its members
best when we can offer courses and experiences that involve the rich resources of our
community from civic to theatrical, from
museums to parks, and from neighborhoods to landmarks. In the spring, OLLI
members explore the natural beauties of
the metro area with courses that follow
the migration of birds and the advent of
wild flowers. In the summer, we explore
unique international markets and relax at
seminars in the Lake Country. In the fall,
as they do at other seasons, Pat Wuest and
Connie Nelson lead docent tours of the
exhibits at the Minneapolis Art Institute;
Iric Nathanson explores the neighborhoods
of the Twin Cities; and Susan Mundale
guides us through the monumental art and
history of Lakewood Cemetery. The new
member event was held at the impressive
Paul and Sheila Wellstone Center in West
St Paul. An added bonus is that the Center
is just a block from El Burrito, an inviting
Latino grocery store, bakery, delicatessen
and restaurant!
During the winter session, Susan
Mondale and Iric Nathanson will be leading tours of some of the Twin Cities’ preeminent houses of worship. “Volunteering
Abroad: Receiving more than You Give”
will highlight a number of national and
Twin Cities’ organizations that provide opportunities to serve and learn abroad.
In this abbreviated column, there is
not enough space to highlight all of our cooperative ventures with local organizations
or the close relationship that OLLI has with
churches, temples, libraries, residences,
and community centers that provide space
for OLLI courses and activities in exchange
for allowing members, residents, patrons
and the general public to attend for free.
A signature course offering of OLLI,
“Bookends” are based on collaborations
with local theaters. For those of you who
have not tried them, these courses offer a
splendid way to be introduced to nationally acclaimed theaters, as well as the
opportunity to meet other OLLI members.
A “Bookend” begins with an initial meeting to discuss an upcoming production,
including its history, the playwright, and
other facts about the play or performance.
Members are then expected to attend a
performance. The third meeting completes
the Bookend by continuing the discussion in light of the performance. Other
Bookends involve movies and actual books.
Winter is a time of reflection—perhaps
taking a trip or just enjoying what nature
has to offer. Gil Ward, in collaboration with
the National Eagle Center in Wabasha, will
conduct a winter visit to the spectacular
wintering grounds of bald eagles along the
Mississippi. An added treat will be a stop at
a famous Wisconsin cheese shop.
“Driven to Discover” is the guiding
principle of the University of Minnesota.
A guiding principle for OLLI might be,
“Driven to discover the treasures of our
own community.”
Can’t decide what to give the lifelong learner
in your family or circle of friends?
Know someone who has been curious about
OLLI but hasn’t yet taken the plunge?
This holiday season, consider giving an
OLLI gift certificate to someone who will
appreciate a gift of learning. Certificates are
available in any amount, and can be mailed
to the purchaser or directly to the recipient.
You also can purchase a gift certificate for a guest membership for only $75 to
encourage friends and family to try out OLLI
without committing to full membership.
To purchase, contact the OLLI office at
612-624-7847 for more information.
Interested in
being a Course
Assistant?
Registration for course assistants will
open on the OLLIreg website, Wednesday
Jan. 2 at 9 a.m. Registration will remain
open until all courses have been confirmed
with a course assistant.
If you would like to register as a course
assistant please go to the OLLIreg site and
login. Once logged in please search for the
course you would like to help with. Place
that course in your shopping cart and proceed to checkout. Once you have checked
out you will be sent a confirmation via
email.
The Course Assistant Guidelines will be
emailed to you once you are confirmed to be
registered for as a course assistant.
There is only a need for one course
assistant per course. Members are not allowed to sign up for more than one course
assistant section. If a member signs up to be
a course assistant for more than one course
you will be removed from all but one at the
discretion of the OLLI office.
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Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
Member Dues Change
by Karl Willson, Emily Shapiro and Roger Meyer
OLLI Minnesota takes great pride in
its many achievements, including being
one of the best bargains in town. For the
last 12 years, at an annual fee of $195,
our members have had the opportunity
to take at least two limited-enrollment
courses during the fall, winter and spring
sessions, plus as many non-limited
courses as their schedules can hold. They
also can register for unclaimed spaces in
any number of limited courses after the
initial registration period has passed,
participate in Special Interest Groups,
and attend several parties and events per
year at no extra charge. In addition, for
the last several years, OLLI’s academic
year has expanded to include a free summer session, consisting of over 30 courses
and events. Quite the deal!
Many OLLI members may not know
that membership dues cover only about
two-thirds of OLLI’s annual budget.
Its remaining expenses are paid by a
withdrawal of funds from OLLI’s Osher
Foundation Endowment Fund. The fund
lost over 25 percent of its value in the
market crash of 2008. As our membership base and curriculum expand, OLLI
finds itself required to spend at a rate
in excess of the market returns, which
results in a diminution of the Osher
Endowment Fund’s value. OLLI will soon
need to seek out additional revenue in
order to stay financially viable in the long
term while continuing to offer superior
courses and services.
One partial solution is for OLLI to
increase its annual membership fee modestly. Such an increase will help OLLI
minimize the impact of the declining
endowment value. Therefore, your Board
of Directors has voted to raise member
page 4
dues by 7.7 percent, or $15 per year, effective with Fall 2013 registration.
The dues increase will not only
improve OLLI’s financial position but
also help our newly formed Development
Committee attract funding from institutional donors by showing that OLLI
already has acted to increase its members’ financial participation.
As a result, here’s what we intend to
do with help from the dues increase:
◆◆ Maintain and improve our online
registration system which costs
OLLI $6,000 per year
◆◆ Upgrade OLLI’s web sites
◆◆ Provide better technical equipment
and training for our course leaders
◆◆ Add more OLLI Scholars, who
receive a financial stipend for
teaching
◆◆ Continue summer classes without
additional payment
◆◆ Continue the availability of credit
card payments, which have significant processing costs to OLLI
The objective of this dues increase,
and upcoming development efforts, is to
maintain the high quality and quantity
of the member benefits you now enjoy.
Further, they will help ensure the longterm ability of OLLI to provide these
benefits for succeeding generations.
Insights is a publication of the Osher Lifelong
Learning Institute of the University of Minnesota,
providing learning opportunities under the
guidance of its members.
Editor: John Cardle
Managing Editor: Taki Andrianakos
Photo Editor: Charles Turpin
Copyeditors: Cathy Coult, Sylvia Johnson,
Ginny Morse
Contributors: Karl Willson, Roger Meyer, Emily
Shapiro, Sylvia Johnson, Steve Benson
Photos: Charles Turpin
Design: S. Johnson Creative
Layout: Visoins, Inc.
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
250 McNamara Alumni Center
200 Oak Street SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
612-624-7847
[email protected]
[email protected]
This publication is also available online at
www.cce.umn.edu/
Osher-Lifelong-Learning-Institute
Insights Winter 2013
Courses By Topic Winter 2013
Art and Architecture
10018 Contemporary Latin American Jewish Art (pg. 12)
15050 Chartres Cathedral (pg. 13)
10001 MIA Tours (pg. 15)
10019 Art on the Edges (pg. 8)
19023 Sacred Spaces (pg. 12)
Economics/ Business/Finance
20019 Is Economics a Science? (pg. 19)
15047
15006
15046
15044
15048
22018
15051
15045
15041
Coffee, Tea and Scotch (pg. 15)
The Great Depression and Conservation (pg. 15)
How Humans Preserved Wisdom (pg. 16)
Mindplay: Deception During WW II (pg. 16)
Charles Darwin (pg. 16)
Troy and Noah’s Ark (pg. 17)
Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln (pg. 18)
Minnesota Railroads (pg. 18)
Pres: Calvin Coolidge (pg. 14)
18006 VocalEssence (pg. 9)
Religion/Spirituality/Philosophy
19020 Suffering and Hope in the Bible (pg. 20)
19000 Film and Spirituality (pg. 19)
19019 Minerva’s Owl (pg. 17)
13025 Non-Believer Nation: The Rise of Secular America (pg. 8)
19022 Religion and the Rise of Capitalism (pg. 8)
Science/Technology/Computers
20021 Astrology for Beginners (pg. 12)
20020 iPad Ins and Outs (pg. 18)
Literature
20022 Electronic Library of MN (pg. 13)
16026 The Sonnet (pg. 12)
20016 Niels Bohr: The Quantum and 16028 Reading Lacan (pg. 11)
the Meaning of it All (pg. 17)
18053 Wrestling with O’Neill’s 20017 Inside the Human Body (pg. 18)
Dramaturgy (pg. 20)
20023 Practical Computing (pg. 19)
16025 Three Comic Writers (pg. 13)
Government/Current Affairs
16027 Humor and Sentiment in 13024 MN State Government (pg. 20)
20018t the Center- At the U (pg. 20)
Dickens II (pg. 14)
22027 China’s Global Challenges (pg. 12) 11001 Current Economic Issues (pg. 12) 16024 The Sound and the Fury (pg. 14)
Social Studies
13026 American GLBT Politics (pg. 20)
21011 Progress??? (pg. 19)
13023 Understanding Criminal Justice Nature and Environment
21001 Anti- Intellectualism in America 17007 Wildlife History (pg. 9)
in America (pg. 15)
(pg. 19)
17006 National Eagle Center (pg. 9)
11005 Crisis and Opposition (pg. 16)
9101 Tuesday with a Scholar (pg. 13)
13027 At Your Service: Minnesota State 9102 Afternoons with the Liberal Arts Performing Arts and Media
Agencies (pg. 17)
(pg. 14)
18050 Bookend: The Tiger Among Us (pg. 11)
Health and Wellness
World Cultures
18040 Bookend: Venus in Fur (pg. 11)
19021 Spirituality in the Second Half
22001 Bookend: A Glimpse Into the 18042 Latin American Music (pg. 15)
of Life (pg. 8)
Czech World (pg. 10)
18057 Bookend: Doubt (pg. 11)
15049 AARP Driver (pg. 9)
22019 People and Cultures of Iran
18051 Bookend: Cabaret (pg. 10)
14015 Living Life to the Hilt (pg. 9)
(pg. 11)
14008 Our Pursuit of Happiness (pg. 10) 18052 The Late Violin Concerto and Its 22025 Exploring Portugal: Culture & Artists (pg. 12)
Cuisine (pg. 14)
18037 Tap Dancing (pg. 20)
History
22028 Exotic Armchair Travels (pg. 16)
18055 Symphony in America (pg. 15)
22024 All About Iceland (pg. 19)
9100 Voices From Around the World 18054 Introduction to Chopin (pg. 16)
15005 African History (pg. 13)
(pg. 13)
18049 Handel’s Messiah (pg. 17)
22023 Impact of WW II on Norway: 9000 Ethnic Dining (pg. 9)
18047 Market Music (pg. 10)
1940-1945 (pg. 14)
Film
18056
18048
22021
18058
18046
Sunday Films (pg. 10)
Panic Cinema (pg. 14)
The Eyes of a Child (pg. 18)
Flicks on Wednesdays (pg. 18)
Family Flicks (pg. 10)
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Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
Special Interest
Groups
OLLI Special Interest Groups (SIGs) meet
regularly year around (except where noted) to provide enriching opportunities
beyond the OLLI classroom. Members
are encouraged to start new SIGs as a
way to meet others who share a similar
interest. For additional information,
contact the co-chairs for guidelines:
Cora Wortman, 763-493-4810,
[email protected] or
Florence Ostrom, 612-920-0589,
[email protected].
Contact the group coordinator(s)
listed below to join or for more details
on a specific SIG.
BOOK CLUBS:
Fiction/Mpls: 3rd Friday, 10:30 a.m., The
Kenwood, 825 Summit Ave., Mpls.
Lesley Rylander, 952-431-7181,
[email protected].
Fiction/St. Paul: 3rd Friday, 10:30 a.m.,
St. Paul Jewish Community Center,
1375 St. Paul Ave.
Marghe Tabar, 651-690-0604,
[email protected].
Fiction/St. Paul East: 3rd Monday, 2
p.m., Common Good Books,
Snelling Ave at Grand Ave, St. Paul.
Janice Walsh, 651-483-4425,
[email protected].
Nonfiction/St. Paul: 3rd Thursday, 2:30
p.m., St. Paul Jewish Community Center,
1375 St. Paul Ave., St. Paul.
Connie Waterous, 651-291-1610,
[email protected].
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American History Book Club: 1st
Thursday, 1:30 p.m., Black Bear Crossings,
1360 N Lexington Pkwy, St. Paul.
Chuck Nelson, [email protected];
Jack Christianson, [email protected].
Nature and Environment Book Club:
Environmental-related reading, 4th
Monday, 7 p.m., Edina. Jeannie Hanson,
952-913-1245, [email protected].
Mortimer Adler Great Books Discussion:
Fridays, 1:30 p.m., Southdale Library,
7001 York Ave. S, Edina. David
Mesenbourg, 952-831-0768, dabajome@
msn.com.
Women’s Topics Book Club: Fiction and
nonfiction related to women’s history
and concerns, 2nd Tuesday, 1:30 p.m.,
St. Paul Jewish Community Center,
1375 St. Paul Ave., St.Paul. Linda Feist,
651-457-5121, [email protected];
Deborah Tabert, 952-831-1703,
[email protected].
DISCUSSION ROUNDTABLE/East Metro;
Topics from local to global issues. All positions are open for discussion. 2nd and
4th Monday, 12:30 p.m. St. Paul Jewish
Community Center, 1375 St. Paul Ave.,
St.Paul. Vince Trotta, 952-688-7216,
[email protected].
EDUCATIONAL DISCUSSION GROUP/
Bloomington: This is an assembly of
thinkers—an open discussion on various
topics. Last Monday of the month, 1 p.m.,
Creekside Community Center, 9801 Penn
Ave. S. Osman Elhadary, 952-831-0511,
[email protected].
JAZZ APPRECIATION/The OLLI Cats:
4th Friday, 1:15p.m. (3rd Friday in May
and Nov.; no meeting in Dec.), University
Lutheran Church of Hope, 601 13th Ave.
SE, Mpls. Joan Delich, 763-574-0409,
[email protected].
BRIDGE/West Metro: 1st and 3rd
Monday, 2:30 p.m., Perkins, Hwy 394 at
Louisiana Ave., St. Louis Park.
Dennis West, 612-377-5985,
[email protected]; Fran Felix,
612-378-5214, [email protected].
KNITTING/East Metro: 4th Wednesday,
1:30 p.m., St. Paul. Jeanette Sobania, 651-295-0825, [email protected];
Ginny Mahlum, 651-489-7750, [email protected].
KNITTING/West Metro: 2nd Wednesday
1:00 p.m., Shir Tikvah Congregation,
1360 West Minnehaha Pkwy, Mpls.
(Occasional meeting in yarn shops.)
Marian Eisner, 952-884-3282,
[email protected]; Nancy Garland,
612-850-1495, [email protected]
DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY; 1st and
3rd Mondays, 2 p.m., Loretta Gagnon
Room at Black Bear Crossings, 1360 N
Lexington Pkwy, St. Paul. Phil Dahlen,
612-210-8734, [email protected].
MEMOIR WRITING: 3rd Thursday, 1
p.m., Franklin Avenue Library, 1314 E.
Franklin Ave. Mpls.
Knowles Dougherty, 612-874-9357,
[email protected].
BRIDGE/East Metro: 2nd and 4th
Tuesday, 6 p.m., Coffee Grounds, Falcon
Heights. Kate Anderson, 651-488-9061,
[email protected].
Insights Winter 2013
SIGs cont’d
NEW YORKER DISCUSSION GROUP:
Thursdays, 2 p.m., Washburn Library,
5244 Lyndale Ave S, Mpls.
Florence Ostrom, 612-920-0589,
[email protected]
NORSK FJORDS, FOLKLORE, and FOOD:
Norwegian Fiskeboiler Luncheon open to
all interested in Norway, its food, customs and cultural history. Thursdays—
four times a year. Mindekirein
Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church.
To be placed on mailing list, contact
Odell Bjerkness, 612-866-3699,
[email protected] or Karen Boyum,
952-920-3042, [email protected].
OLLI ARTISTS: There will be a one person exhibit by Marjorie Carr during the
Winter Session in the McNamara
classroom. Ed Ferlauto, 612-929-1004,
[email protected].
OLLI QWESTERS Biking/Hiking/
Snowshoeing: Biking, Wednesdays,
May-Sept., Nita Lussenhop,
612-968-0398, [email protected].
Hiking and snowshoeing, Wednesdays,
Oct.-April, Judy Remington,
612-377-4491, [email protected].
OPERA: Listen and discuss a full opera at
every session with high-class audio and
video. 2nd Monday, 9:30 a.m. Mpls.
Jim Dunn, 612-333-2384,
[email protected].
PADDLING Kayaking/Canoeing:
April-Sept., Nell Bean, 612-432-6457,
[email protected].
PLAY READING: 2nd Friday, 10:30 a.m.,
Sept.-June. Franklin Avenue Library,
1314 E. Franklin Ave., Mpls.
Margaret Nelson, 952-938-4203,
[email protected]; Sue Zuriff,
612-332-2011, [email protected].
SAINT PAUL CHAMBER ORCHESTRA:
Friday morning concerts, pre-concert
fanfare, and lunch at a St. Paul restaurant. David Ferrens, 612-720-8006,
[email protected].
SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN DISCUSSION
GROUP: 4th Friday, 2 p.m., Southdale
Library Public Conference Room, 7001
York Ave. S., Edina.
Jerry and Lois Edwards, 952-942-7232,
[email protected].
SCRABBLE TM: Thursdays, 1 p.m., Edina
Senior Center, 528 Grandview Square,
Edina. Marlyce Helm, 612-926-8178,
[email protected].
SOCIAL DANCE: Members are emailed a
weekly calendar of local dances and special events, exchange interests, and attend dance venues together. Yeun Chou,
651-738-1506, [email protected].
SPANISH CONVERSATION/ East: 2nd
and 4th Wednesday, 1 p.m., Roseville.
Kathy Ball, 651-636-3973,
[email protected].
TRAVEL EXCHANGE: OLLI members
exchange travel experiences and recommendations, and find travel partners by
email. Ron Tabar, 651-690-0604,
[email protected].
WHEN MEMORIES SPEAK: As participants answer randomly-chosen questions that focus on memories, their life
stories deepen with understanding
and meaning. Alternate Wednesdays,
1:30p.m., St. Louis Park. Jeanne Bearmon,
952-920-6388, [email protected].
The following groups are FULL and not
accepting new members at this time:
BOOK CLUBS:
◆◆ Fiction/Nonfiction/Arden Hills
◆◆ Nonfiction/Mpls
Also:
◆◆ SPANISH LANGUAGE
CONVERSATION/West
If any of these full SIGs represent your
interest, we encourage you to start a new
group. For help or more information,
contact Cora Wortman, 763-493-4810,
[email protected] or
Florence Ostrom, 612-920-5089,
[email protected].
OLLI Artist SIG member Vivian Stablay, helps
decorate the OLLI classroom with member artwork
TWIN CITIES CHAMBER MUSIC: Attend
a concert (usually on Sundays) and
enjoy a light meal at a nearby restaurant. Knowles Dougherty, 612-874-9357,
[email protected].
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Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
Winter 2013 Course Guide
January 22–March 1, 2013
Register online starting at 9 a.m. on January 8 at www.cce.umn.edu/Osher-Lifelong-Learning-Institute
All information in this catalog is subject to change. Please check the OLLI website for course closures and cancellations.
Courses are listed by category:
Course are listed as follows: Special, Bookend, Limited/Open, in
order by day of week then by time of day. Classes will start on
Tuesday, January 22, this year. *Please Note: No classes will be
held Monday, January 21, due to Martin Luther King Day.
All Monday classes will start on January 28 and will run for 5
weeks unless otherwise noted under the course description.
See how to register on page 22.
Special (SP) DO NOT count toward LIMITED
selections, though they may have size limits. Courses are
listed by start date.
10019 Special: Art on the Edges: Soviet Nonconformist Art
The Museum of Russian Art (TMORA) will present an original
exhibition organized by the Kolodzei Art Foundation, Inc., a
U.S.-based not-for-profit public foundation that brings together a selection of artworks exploring aspects of spiritual
expression in the Soviet Union and Russia by nonconformist
artists. Featuring 60 works by 25 artists, including Anatolii
Slepyshev, Francisco Infante, Valeri Pianov, Petr Pushkarev,
Valentina Lebedeva, and more, this exhibition explores the
way many Russian artists transcended official rules and the
anti-religious stance of the government by basing their art
upon forbidden religious themes. Touching on aspects of cultural tolerance and coexistence, as well as artistic and religious consciousness, this exhibition covers religious themes in
nonconformist art. The title for the exhibition is derived from
Wassily Kandinsky’s Concerning the Spiritual in Art of 1911.
1 session Lecture: Monday, Feb. 25, 10:00-11:30 a.m; 2 Tour
dates: Feb. 28 & Mar. 1, 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Limit: 20
Mayflower Church, 106 E Diamond Lk Rd, Mpls.
Carol Rudie, Docent Trainer, Museum of Russian Art
19021 Special: Spirituality in the Second Half of Life
In the “first half of life” (Carl Jung’s phrase), we do the “outer”
work of creating an identity, establishing a career, raising a family, etc. That is all we once had time for. Today, however we can
choose the adventure of the second half and do the “inner” work
of increased consciousness—growing into our authentic selves,
becoming more comfortable with paradox and uncertainty,
learning not to judge the world through a duality lens (good vs.
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bad, right vs. wrong), and so much more. I hope you’ll choose to
explore the second half with us. Short readings and discussion.
Wednesday, Jan. 23 - Feb. 27 12:30-2:00 p.m.
Limit: 20
Becketwood, 4300 W River Pkwy, Mpls.
Karen West, passionate educator and career counselor
19022 Special: Religion and the Rise of Capitalism
This three part series will examine the ideas and conclusion of R.H. Tawny in his classic book Religion and the Rise of
Capitalism, 1926. The course will trace the evolution from the
Christian imperative to be our Brother’s Keeper, through the
tumult of the Reformation period, to modern-day emphasis on
personal responsibility. There will be ample opportunity to
explore the relationship between personal responsibility and
social obligation, between the role of government and the primacy of individual rights. The book is available in paperback.
3 sessions Thursday, Jan 24 - Feb 7, 10:00-11:30 a.m., Limit: 50
Mayflower Church, 106 E Diamond Lk Rd, Mpls.
Earl Johnson, religion scholar, OLLI member
13025 Special: Non-Believer Nation: The Rise of
Secular America
This is the name of the course text, written by David Niose,
President of American Humanist Association, available from
Amazon.com new or used. Why are increasing numbers of
Americans identifying themselves with no religion? Some call
themselves “freethinkers,” “agnostics,” “atheists,” “humanists,”
“unitarians,” or “universalists.” For the first of three sessions,
participants are asked to read the first third of the book.
3 sessions Thursday, Feb. 14 - Feb. 28 10:00-11:30 a.m. OPEN
Unity Church-Unitarian, 732 Holly Ave, St. Paul.
Bill Weir, retired Unitarian Universalist minister, OLLI member &
leader of several previous courses. Bob Tapp, retired University of
Minnesota professor, leader of several previous OLLI courses.
Courses meet once a week for 6 weeks beginning the week of January 22 unless otherwise indicated.
Course Guide Winter 2013 Jan. 22–Mar. 1
17006 Special: National Eagle Center
We will visit the National Eagle Center in Wabasha, where
we will see live eagles and learn about their migration, their
recovery from near extinction and their mating, nesting and
feeding behavior. We will use scopes and binoculars to spot
eagles and other wildlife along the way to Wabasha and on the
return trip. Trip fee includes lunch at Nelson Cheese (more
details on the lunch will follow registration). We will depart by bus at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 1 from Rosedale Park
and Ride located at the east end of Rosedale Mall and travel
to Wabasha, Minnesota. Participants can bring their own
telescopes, binoculars, cameras and warm clothing. We will
arrive back at Rosedale Mall around 5:00 p.m. We will be accompanied on this trip by eagle expert, Chase Davies.
1 session Friday, Feb 1, 8:00 a.m. -5:00 p.m., Limit: 38
Course Fee: $40.00 due at registration
National Eagle Center, 50 Pembroke Ave., Wabasha.
Gil Ward, Professor Emeritus of Veterinary Medicine,
University of Minnesota, OLLI member
18006 Special: VocalEssence
Witness features the life of Marian Anderson, the great African-American singer. From her astounding performance on
the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in 1939, her debut at the
Metropolitan Opera, and her appearance with Martin Luther
King, Jr. when he made his famous “I have a dream” speech her life and her singing have been an inspiration to millions.
Philip Brunelle, Director of VocalEssence, presents a look at
Marian Anderson along with soprano Marlissa Hudson, who
will sing some of the arias and spirituals that were part of
Marian’s legacy. Performance date of Witness: Marian Anderson, Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013 at 4 p.m. Ordway Center for the
Performing Arts, 345 Washington Street, St Paul.
1 session Thursday, Feb. 14, 2:15-3:45 p.m. Concert: Feb. 17, 4:30
p.m., Limit: 50
Plymouth Congregational Church, 1900 Nicollet Ave. S, Mpls
Ann Buran, convener & OLLI member
14015 Special: Living Life to the Hilt
Are there parts of you that went undeveloped or unfulfilled
when your job and/or family respsibilities took most of your
time? In this workshop, we will help you look at your satisfaction with various parts of your life-emphasizing the non-work/
non-volunteering parts. Through individual and group exercises, you will identify your basic values and judge for yourself
how your present life measures up to those values.
1 sessions Friday, Feb. 8, 12:30-2:30 p.m., Limit: 20
Sholom East, 740 Kay Ave. E, St. Paul.
Gerald Semmler, psychologist
15049 Special: AARP Driver
As a service to members, OLLI and the Kenwood will cosponsor a one-day, four-hour refresher course for mature drivers.
55-Alive has been designed to provide motorists aged 55 and
older with the information to prevent accidents, retain mobility,
and live independently. This four-hour course updates the eighthour training session that is required to initiate automobile
insurance discounts. This refresher course must be taken within
three years of the initial eight-hour series. Fee: $14 ($12 for AARP
members–must present membership card) collected by the
instructor, Delores Wade 1 session Friday, Jan. 25, 12:00-4:00
p.m., Limit: 35
The Kenwood, 825 Summit Ave., Mpls.
Delores Wade, instructor
9000 Special: Ethnic Dining
This group wanders near and far seeking interesting cuisine.
Join them for lunch or dinner and good conversation. Group
members take turns hosting events at local ethnic restaurants,
usually on weekdays. Dining schedules are emailed or mailed
to participants one week before the first event. Ron and Marghe
Tabar, 651-690-0604, [email protected] .
OPEN. Ron Tabar
17007 Special: Western Nebraska and Eastern Wyoming
Wildlife History
The course leader’s photographs, will be used as a backdrop for
a discussion of wildlife at the following locations: Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge (charging bison & elk); Valentine
National Wildlife Refuge (sandhill prairie, prairie chicken, and
sharp-tailed grouse photographed from blinds at leks); Rowe
Sanctuary at Kearney, Nebraska (500,000 migrating sandhill
cranes photographed in an overnight blind on the Platte River,
migrating swans, geese, ducks and shorebirds); sage grouse
in a lek in Western Wyoming; Mammoth Site of Hot Springs,
South Dakota; and, finally, black-footed ferrets among prairie
dogs in South Dakota.
1 session Friday, Jan 18 10:00-11:30 a.m., Limit: 25
Falcon Heights City Hall, 2077 W Larpenteur Ave, W, St. Paul.
Gil Ward, professor Emeritus of Veterinary Medicine,
University of Minnesota, OLLI member
Courses meet once a week for 6 weeks beginning the week of January 22 unless otherwise indicated.
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Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
18047 Special: Market Music
In collaboration with the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute,
The Baroque Room presents Market Music, a free series of
concerts and lecture recitals. Did you know that the St. Paul
Farmers’ Market is open in the winter? The winter Market is located in Golden’s Deli, found just under The Baroque Room on
the ground floor of The Northwestern Building in downtown
St Paul. The Deli offers daily specials during the winter Market, so grab a drink or snack and then come up to enjoy some
Market Music! 14 free concerts and lecture recitals during the
winter and summer Market, Saturdays between February and
June, 2013. Lecture recitals from 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. All events
are free and open to the public. For more information visit,
www.thebaroqueroom.com.
Lecture Recitals: Saturday, Feb. 16, & Mar. 16, 11:30 a.m. -1:00 p.m.
Concerts: Mar. 2, & Mar. 23, OPEN
The Baroque Room, 275 E 4th St., Ste. 280, St. Paul
18046 Special: Family Flicks: Exploring Family Dynamics
through Films
Cinema, with a relentless focus on conflicts, may not give
a realistic picture of families. Come each week to view and
discuss a major motion picture’s depiction of family life. We’ll
begin with an Academy Award winner in Session 1. Then, class
members will select the four films for the remaining four sessions. Examples of films about families: Ordinary People, East
of Eden, Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, Kramer vs Kramer, The
Descendents, and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.
4 sessions Saturday, Jan. 26 - Feb. 23 (no class Feb. 2)
1:00-3:30 p.m., Limit: 50
Wilder Square Hi-Rise, 750 Milton St., St. Paul.
Marty Rossmann, Professor Emerita of Family Education,
University of Minnesota; Jack Rossmann, professor emeritus of
psychology, Macalester College; OLLI members.
18056 Special: Sunday Films, Behind the Headlines, Growing
Up in Israel
Come to laugh, to shed a tear, or to be scared and to be moved,
through Israeli films that tell a story through the viewpoint
of children growing up in Israel. During the semester, we will
view movies that talk about adolescence, fears and loves. We
will investigate the differences between growing up in Israel
and other places in the world.
Sunday, Jan. 27 - Feb. 24 1:00-4:00 p.m., Limit: 25
St. Paul JCC, 1375 St. Paul Ave., St. Paul.
Roni Levin, instructor
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14008 Special: Our Pursuit of Happiness
What is happiness? We will use Shawn Acher’s Happiness
Advantage and Thrive by Dan Buettner to inspire discussion.
No need to read books ahead of time. Course will be interactive with a goal of adding ways to expand personal happiness,
including keeping a gratitude journal. Participants will share
stories about their own paths to happiness. It is exciting to see
how making small changes in our lives can make a difference.
For full benefit, attendance at all four sessions is strongly
recommended.
4 sessions Jan. 27, Feb. 3, Feb. 10 and Feb. 24
4 sessions Sunday, Jan 27 - Feb 24 1:00-3:00 (no Class Feb 17th),
Limit: 40
Sabes JCC, 4330 Cedar Lake Rd S, St. Louis Park
Deborah Dora, counselor, motivational speaker,
and workshop trainer
Bookend (BE) promote local performances and exhibits
with pre- and post-show discussions. Participants are expected to see the show (or read the text) before the last class.
These DO NOT count toward LIMITED selections.
18051 Bookend; Cabaret
Join Director Joe Chavala and Music Director Anita Ruth for an
inside perspective of the originally produced Broadway version
of Cabaret, set in 1920s Berlin. Cabaret depicts the interlocking stories of a cabaret singer, a writer from America, and the
citizens of Berlin, all caught up in the swirling maelstrom of
a changing society. Play runs Jan. 18 – Feb. 17. For tickets, call
the box office at 952-563-8588.
Wednesday, Jan. 30 & Feb. 13, 10:00-11:30 a.m., Limit: 50
Bloomington Theater and Art Center, 1800 W Old Shakopee Rd.,
Bloomington.
Bonnie Erickson, Director, Performing Arts Program
22001 Bookend: A Glimpse Into the Czech World
Hear about the intriguing cultural differences the speaker
experienced during the three years she taught at a university
in Prague. Learn about the history of Bohemia that influenced
the Czech national character, and how modern Czechs live in
their stunning capital city. Beautiful photos will enhance the
presentations at the first and third class sessions, and there will
be plenty of time for discussion. During the second session, we
will view Kolya, the 1996 Czech film that won Best Foreign Film
at the Golden Globes and the Academy Awards. This fascinating drama is set in 1988, one year before the Velvet Revolution.
2 sections will be offerred.
Courses meet once a week for 6 weeks beginning the week of January 22 unless otherwise indicated.
Course Guide Winter 2013 Jan. 22–Mar. 1
Section 1: 3 sessions, Friday, Feb. 1, 8, and 15, 10:00-11:30 a.m.
Section 2: 3 Sessions, Friday, Feb. 1, 8 and 15, 12:30-2:00 p.m.
Limit: 50
Calvary Co-Op, 7600 Golden Valley Rd., Golden Valley
Pat Deckas Becerra, retired French teacher, OLLI member
18040 Bookend: Venus in Fur
A beleaguered playwright/director is desperate to find an
actress to play Vanda, the female lead in his adaptation of the
classic sadomasochistic tale, Venus in Fur. Into his empty audition room walks a vulgar and equally desperate actress—oddly
enough, named Vanda. As the two work through the script,
they blur the line between play and reality, entering into an
increasingly serious game of submission and domination that
only one of them can win. A mysterious, funny, erotic drama
that represents yet another departure for the multifaceted
David Ives. Join Director Joel Sass for an in-depth discussion
about the production, the theater, and then chat with the cast
during the second bookend.
Venus in Fur runs Feb. 1 – Mar. 10, 2013, at the Jungle Theater.
Call the box office at 612-822-7063.
Thursday, Feb. 7, and Feb. 28, 10:00-11:30 a.m., Limit: 50
Jungle Theater, 2951 Lyndale Ave. S, Mpls.
18050 Bookend: The Tiger Among Us
The Tiger Among Us by awarding winning playwrite Lauren Lee
is a modern-day, midwestern tale about a Hmong-American
family and the bonds that tie us together. The Tiger Among Us
explores the cultural disconnect felt by an isolated HmongAmerican family living in rural Minnesota as two siblings seek
to blend traditional Hmong family values with modern life. The
Tiger Among Us at Mixed Blood Theatre, 1501 South 4th St, Mpls
runs Jan. 25-Feb. 10. Purchase tickets online at Mu Performing
Arts or Mixed Blood Theatre, (612) 338-6131.
2 sessions Monday, Jan. 28, and Feb. 25, 12:30-2:00 p.m., Limit: 30
Mount Zion, 1300 Summit Ave., St. Paul.
Rick Shiomo, Artistic Director, Mu Performing Arts
18057 Bookend: Doubt
Come for a bookend course detailing the world premier with the
Minnesota Opera of Douglas J. Cuomo’s Doubt. Moral certainty
requires no proof. Suspicion ignites a battle of wills at a Catholic
school in the Bronx in 1964. Sister Aloysius embarks on a personal crusade to ruin Father Flynn, whom she accuses of abusing the school’s only black student. Based on the Pulitzer Prize
and Tony Award-winning play and popular film with libretto
by creator John Patrick Shanley, this riveting new opera poses
questions to ponder long after the curtain goes down.
2 Sessions Tuesday, Jan. 22, and Feb. 5, 12:30-2:00 p.m., Limit: 100
Walker Place, 3701 Bryant Ave. S, Mpls. Zachary Colby, doctoral
candidate in voice, University of Minnesota
LIMITED and OPEN COURSES LIMITED courses are
identified by the word “Limit:” followed by a number
(ex: Limit: 50); you may register for two (2) of them per session
Choose as many courses marked “OPEN” as you wish. Some
OPEN courses have size limits.
Monday
22019 People and Cultures of Iran
Iran, at first glance, is a country of contradictions. Although a
culturally restrictive government runs the country, Iran is home
to a large film industry. Although a conservative Islamic government is in charge, Iran has a very successful family planning
program. Even though women play an active role in Iranian
life, Iran is considered a patriarchal society. In this course, as
we talk about Iranian customs, arts, literature, cuisine, education, and everyday life, we will see a more realistic portrayal of
Iran—a portrayal that does not reduce it to either a threat to
global peace or a great civilization birthplace of the first charter
of human rights! After the final class we will meet for lunch at
Caspian Restaurant, 2418 SE University Ave., Mpls, MN 55414.
5 sessions Monday, Jan. 28, - Feb. 25, 10:00-11:30 a.m.
Limit: 25
Becketwood/Kensington Square, 4300 W River Pkwy, Mpls
Amir-Pouyan Shiva, PhD student, Department of Anthropology,
University of Minnesota
16028 Reading Lacan Reading Literature
The challenging writings of the French thinker Jacques Lacan
continue to fascinate many concerned with the study of
literature, philosophy, and analysis. One strong way to approach Lacan and his work is to focus on his own readings of
literature. We’ll read Lacan’s essays in interpretation of Poe’s
“The Purloined Letter,” Shakespeare’s Hamlet, and Sophocles’
Antigone. We’ll use these to disentangle some of Lacan’s ideas
about analysis, truth, desire and power – while making our
own judgments about how Lacan both reveals and distorts
these works of literature.
Monday, Jan. 28 – Mar. 4 10:00-11:30 a.m. (last class is a week
after normal winter session is over), Limit: 20
Hope Lutheran, 601 13th Ave. SE, Mpls
Larry Crawford, OLLI member with interest in literature and
philosophy.
Courses meet once a week for 6 weeks beginning the week of January 22 unless otherwise indicated.
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Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
22027 China’s Global Challenges
This course will consider China’s recent rise, as global economic and political power challenges existing political and
economic arrangements. It will also consider how increased
global connections are putting stress on China’s internal social
and political institutions. Some documents will be distributed
for background and discussion, but there is no assigned text.
5 Sessions Monday, Jan. 28 - Mar. 4
(no class on Feb. 18) 10:00-11:30 a.m., Limit: 30
Lenox, 6715 Minnetonka Blvd., St. Louis Park
Ted Famer, Emeritus Professor of History and Global Studies
16026 The Sonnet – Past and Present
The course considers the sonnet in all its astonishing variety.
This demanding, fixed-form genre has been popular for over
five centuries with poets as diverse as Petrarch, Shakespeare,
Keats, Hopkins and Yeats. Students will read copies of sonnets, present their favorites to the class (read or recited), write
their own sonnets, and delve into poems (in translation) by
French, Spanish, German and Italian sonneteers. Suggested
text: The Making of a Sonnet: Norton Anthology 2008
5 sessions Monday, Jan. 28 - Feb. 25 10:00-11:30 a.m., Limit: 20
Sholom East, 740 Kay Ave. E, St. Paul.
Walter Blue, Emeritus Professor of Romance Languages,
Hamline University
19023 Preserving Sacred Spaces
The Twin Cities are home to many places of worship designed
by prominent architects of their time. Some are now more than
a century old. We will visit six Minneapolis churches to learn
of their history, what is being done to restore or preserve them,
and how their uses have changed over the years.
The first session (Jan. 28) will be held at the Basilica of St.
Mary. A complete schedule with maps and parking information will be sent the week before the winter term.
Monday, Jan. 28 - Mar. 4 (last class is a week after normal winter
session is over) 10:00-11:30 a.m., Limit: 20
Various Sites
Susan Mundale and Iric Nathanson
18052 The Late Violin Concerto and Its Artists
This course will survey violin concertos from the late Romantic
period through contemporary times. Last winter I foolishly
hoped to cover the concerto’s entire history, but ended mid19th century. We will examine not only the most popular, but
also rarely performed and complicated works that deserve our
appreciation and understanding. A comparison of renditions
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by different violinists will be featured. Opportunities to attend
performances will enhance our discussions.
Monday, Jan. 28 - Mar. 4, 10:00-11:30 a.m., Limit: 30
McNamara, 200 Oak St. SE, Room 235, Mpls
Alan Kagan, retired Professor of Ethnomusicology, University of
Minnesota, professional violinist and fiddler
10018 OLLI Scholar: Contemporary Jewish Culture and Art in
Latin America
This series of classes will engage students in historical and
cultural aspects of the Jewish community in Argentina through
the arts produced by contemporary Jewish/Argentinean artists.
We will analyze and discuss literary texts, films and visual arts.
There will be some reading done in class, but the lessons will
mostly consist of lecture with the use of power point presentations, video clips, and the participation of the students.
5 sessions, Monday, Jan 28 - Feb 25, 12:30-2:00 p.m. Limit: 20
McNamara, 200 Oak St SE, Room 235, Mlps
Daniela Goldfine, OLLI Scholar, P.h.D student in Hispanic and
Lusophone Literatures
11001 Current Economic Issues 2.0
No need for any particular background, just a curiosity on how
the economy works and how economists believe it works. The
course will update the first course, but also stand on its own.
There will be some review, but there are many current economic events that can be explored. We will be looking at the
big picture and the global marketplace, as well as local markets and what makes them work or fail. We will also utilize
some of the insights from behavioral economics.
Monday, Jan. 28 - Mar. 4, 12:30-2:00 p.m. Limit: 50
Mayflower Church, 106 E Diamond Lk Rd, Mpls.
Don Renner, Emeritus Professor of Economics, Minnesota State
University, Mankato
20021 Astrology for Beginners
This course covers basics of astrology: learning how to do an
astrological chart; what the planets and their positions mean
in the chart placement; what is the research in support of
astrology; how astrology is used in chart interpretation, including a brief explanation of compatibility analyses between
partners, learning about one’s differences in personality, and
how it is derived by chart interpretation.
4 sessions Monday, Jan. 28-Feb. 25
(no class on Feb. 18) 4:30-6:00 p.m., Limit: 25
Lenox, 6715 Minnetonka Blvd, St. Louis Park.
Renae Ludwig, licensed professional clinical counselor
Courses meet once a week for 6 weeks beginning the week of January 22 unless otherwise indicated.
Course Guide Winter 2013 Jan. 22–Mar. 1
9100 Voices From Around the World
Engage in dialogue with scholars, students, and professionals
from around the world. Speakers present overviews of the history, government, and culture of their respective home countries, and share their impressions of the U.S.
Seongdok Kim, 612-805-3511, [email protected]
Monday, Jan. 28 - Feb. 25, 2:15-3:45 p.m. OPEN
McNamara, 200 Oak St. SE, Room 235, Mpls.
Seongdok Kim, OLLI Scholar
Tuesday
15005 African History from Human Origins to
European Occupation
This course offers an original overview of African history during the long period sparsely covered in most general histories
of Africa. We will examine African cultures from about 16,000
years ago to about 200 years ago from south of the Sahara to
the Cape of Good Hope.
Tuesday, Jan. 22 - Feb. 26, 10:00-11:30 a.m., Limit: 30
Sabathani Community Center, 310 E 38th St., Mpls
Thomas O’Toole, Professor Emeritus of Anthropology, African
Studies, and Global Studies at St. Cloud State University
15050 The Magnificent Chartres Cathedral
After the fire of 1194, Chartres Cathedral, a pilgrimage site
dedicated to Notre Dame, was constructed in only 30 years. It is
acclaimed for its gothic architecture. Referred to as an “encyclopedia of knowledge,” the Cathedral tells stories through its
12th and 13th century stained-glass windows and sculpture.
This course will explore medieval concepts foundational to its
design. Our studies will include the Cathedral’s Romanesque
crypt, Royal Portal, North Porch, and South Porch. Renovation
is currently restoring the interior to how pilgrims encountered
the Cathedral in its original splendor 800 years ago.
4 sessions Tuesday, Jan. 22 - Feb. 12, 10:00-11:30 a.m., Limit: 50
Plymouth Congregational Church, 1900 Nicollet Ave. S, Mpls
MJ McGregor, Ph.D., pilgrimage guide and seasonal resident of
Chartres
had great success, and each had works translated to stage and
screen. Texts: The Most of the Most of S. J. Perelman (Introduction by Steve Martin), $24.37; The Code of the Woosters by P. G.
Wodehouse (Norton Pub.), $11.16; A selection of funny short
stories. We’ll also see portions of films related to these works.
Tuesday, Jan. 22 - Feb. 26, 10:00-11:30 a.m., Limit: 30
Calhoun Isles, 3151 Dean Ct, Mpls
Jack Miller, English Faculty, Normandale Community College.
20000 Locate Full-Text Magazine and Newspaper Articles
Online through the Electronic Library for Minnesota
The Electronic Library for Minnesota (ELM) contains 48
electronic databases offered at no cost to Minnesota residents.
This course will take you in-depth into three of those resources
to locate consumer health information, news information
(from 250+ full-text newspapers including the StarTribune),
and consumer information such as product reviews and
buyers’ guides. This course will cover some of the advanced
features of the databases such as advanced searching and
creating search and journal alerts.
Tuesday, Jan. 22 - Feb. 26, 10:00-11:30 a.m. Limit: 18
U of MN, Wilson Library 222 21st Avenue South Room S30C West Bank
Beth Staats, Reference Outreach & Instruction Librarian,
Minitex, University of Minnesota
9101 Tuesday with a Scholar
Join local scholars for lecture and discussion in this on-going
series. Topics include “Driving out Shame with Bruce Springsteen”; “Honoring Minnesota’s Native American Legacy”; “The
Real Cost of Fuel in America”; The series opener will be “Minnesota’s Miracle: Learning from the Government that Worked”
with Tom Berg, author, attorney and former Minnesota State
representative. Tuesday with a Scholar is co-sponsored by
Hennepin County Library – Southdale.
Tuesday, Jan. 22 - Feb. 26 10:00-11:30 a.m. OPEN
Hennepin Library, Southdale, 7001 York Ave. S., Edina
Dorothy Lamberton, convener, former University of Minnesota
English instructor, OLLI member
16025 Three Comic Writers
This course looks at three twentieth-century comic writers
and samples of their works. Each had a distinctive style, each
Courses meet once a week for 6 weeks beginning the week of January 22 unless otherwise indicated.
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Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
15041 Presidents: Calvin Coolidge
This course will cover a variety of topics concerning our 30th
president, Calvin Coolidge. Among them will be: Coolidge
and Reagan comparison; Seven Pines Lodge in Wisconsin;
Coolidge’s political philosophy; the Boston Police Strike—
Coolidge and Gompers; the oil lantern inauguration; major
legislation; Grace and Calvin Coolidge evaluated. Humorous
stories abound. JB Andersen cell 651-246-0710. Take with you
in case you get lost.
Tuesday, Jan. 22 - Feb. 26, 10:00-11:30 a.m. OPEN
Lakeview Lutheran, 1194 County Road C East, Maplewood
JB Andersen, educator, curator, writer
18048 Panic Cinema – Apocalyptic Films in 1950s America
In a culture haunted by new post-war anxieties, a fascinating
series of Hollywood films began appearing in the late 1940s
that represent an unsettling, apocalyptic world in ways never
before depicted in American film. We’ll screen these notable
and exciting films, and consider how their themes, worldview,
storylines, and filmic styles cue us onto the social unease
and conflicts lying on the reverse of the post-WWII American Dream scene. Showings of films and excerpts include He
Walked by Night; Invasion of the Body Snatchers; Phenix City
Story; Panic in Year Zero; The World; the Flesh and the Devil;
Five; On the Beach, and other films.
Tuesday, Jan. 22 - Feb. 26, 10:00 a.m. -12:30 p.m., Limit: 30
Sabes JCC, 4330 Cedar Lk Rd. S, St. Louis Park
Larry Crawford, OLLI member and film buff
16024 The Sound and the Fury
The Sound and the Fury reveals the disintegration of the Compson family, doomed inhabitants of Faulkner’s Yoknapatawpha
County. The novel unfolds through the interior monologues of
the idiot Benjy and his brothers, Quentin (who also narrates
Absalom! Absalom!) and Jason. Preferred text: The Norton
Critical Edition (Second Edition). Participants will receive discussion leader assignments by email before the first meeting.
Tuesday, Jan. 22 - Feb. 26, 12:30-2:00 p.m., Limit: 20
The Kenwood, 825 Summit Ave., Mpls.
Bonnie Nelson, retired teacher, OLLI member
16027 Humor and Sentiment in Dickens II: The Pickwick Papers
In celebration of the 200th anniversary of the author’s birth,
the class will examine Victorian culture and mores, holiday
traditions, celebratory food, travel, and relationships. Text: The
Pickwick Papers should be available at libraries.
Tuesday, Jan. 22 - Feb. 26, 12:30-2:00 p.m., Limit: 25
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Ebenezer Apartments, 2700 Park Ave. S, Mpls.
Elizabeth Young, former Assistant Professor of English at the
University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point, and Instructor of Communications at St. Cloud State University. Former member of the
worldwide Dickensian society.
22023 Impact of WW II on Norway: 1940-1945
In this course, we will discuss the book: Alt for Norway: The Resistance Movement in Norway, which was editetd by the course
leade. Topics will include the Nazi’s planning and invasion
of Norway, role of Vidkum Quisling, positions of Sweden and
Denmark, King Haakon VII as symbol of free Norway, end of
the war and its aftermath.
Tuesday, Jan. 22 - Feb. 26, 12:30-2:00 p.m., Limit: 50
Edina Senior Center, 5280 Grandview Sqm, Edina.
Odell Bjerkness, author, Emeritus Professor at Concordia College
22025 Exploring Portugal: Culture & Cuisine
Examine the history, culture and cuisine of Portugal and the
influences, both domestic and international, that have resulted
in what is known as traditional Portuguese food. Also learn
how Portuguese explorations have influenced the food we eat
today. Sample dishes from the 11 regions of Portugal. Optional: May 2013 trip to the Iberian Penninsula (open to members
who took the Fall 2012 course on Spain). Please note that this
course is only for members who plan on going on the trip to
Spain/Portugal in Spring 2013.
Materials fee: $25 Paid to instructor at the first class
Tuesday, Jan. 22 - Feb. 26, 12:30-2:00 p.m. Limit: 25
Calhoun Isles, 3151 Dean Ct., Mpls.
Cherie Hamilton, Author of Cuisines of Portuguese Encounters,
OLLI member
9102 Afternoons with the Liberal Arts
The Liberal Arts star faculty from the University of Minnesota
share their expertise and enthusiasm for topics that include:
“The Perennial Sherlock Holmes”; “Leadership in Technology”;
“Rabies in Fact”, “Folklore and Fiction.” Mark Pedelty of the
School of Journalism will discuss his new book Eco-musicology:
Rock, Folk and the Environment.
Tuesday, Jan. 22 - Feb. 26, 12:30-2:00 p.m. OPEN
McNamara, 200 Oak St. SE, Room 235, Mpls.
Marie Goblirscht, convener, OLLI member
Courses meet once a week for 6 weeks beginning the week of January 22 unless otherwise indicated.
Course Guide Winter 2013 Jan. 22–Mar. 1
10001 MIA Tours: Fabulous Favorites
Tour in the footsteps of Fabulous Favorites. Follow Connie and
Pat as we choose our personal preferences, meditate on the
Middle Ages, relish the Renaissance, delight in the Dutch Domain, cultivate the Classics, and explore the Exotic. Come join
us as we examine the exciting collections at the Minneapolis
Institute of Arts.
Tuesday, Jan. 22 - Feb. 26, 2:15-3:45 p.m., Limit: 40
Minneapolis Institute of Art, 2400 3rd Ave. S, Mpls.
Pat Wuest and Connie Nelson, Docents
young men serving as CCC enrollees, we will examine the work
of WWI veterans (the VCC) and of the CCC-Indian Division.
We also will explore Minnesota’s story of African-American
enrollees in the state’s segregated and mixed camps. We will
refer to the text: Hard Work and a Good Deal: The Civilian Conservation Corps in Minnesota, $27.95.
Wedneday, Jan. 23 - Feb. 27, 10:00-11:30 a.m., Limit: 25
Sholom East, 740 Kay Ave E., St. Paul.
Barbara W. Sommer, public and oral historian, author,Coleader
of the CCC Oral History Project.
15047 Coffee, Tea and Scotch in History
The story of coffee, tea, and scotch. How did the three most
popular beverages of the British Isles develop throughout
history? We will explore the social and economic background
of each of their distinct histories, and taste varieties of each
drink as well. Participants may bring their own teacup to class
for tea and coffee sampling. Cosponsored by the University of
Minnesota Campus Club. There may be a fee for some food and
beverages sampled in class.
Tuesday, Jan. 22 - Feb. 26, 2:15-3:45 p.m., Limit: 20
Campus Club, 4th Fl. Coffman Union, University of Minnesota
Campus Harriet Mednick, MBA, MPA, lived in England and
Scotland for 10 years.
13023 Understanding Criminal Justice in America
Most people understand the criminal justice system on an
anecdotal basis and from what they see and read in the media.
This limited contact causes confusion and raises questions.
This course presents an overview of the components of the system, and examines the issues within system decision-making
and their consequences. We will discuss the weaknesses in the
criminal justice system and how they can be improved. Suggested text: Criminal Justice, by Joel Samaha.
Wednesday, Jan. 23 - Feb. 27, 10:00-11:30 a.m., Limit: 40
Falcon Heights City Hall, 2077 W Larpenteur Ave. W, St. Paul.
Manuel Guerrero, retired defense lawyer, state trial judge
18055 OLLI Scholar: The Symphony in America
This course will focus on the contributions of American
composers to the genre of the symphony from the nineteenth
century to the present. Classes will include lectures providing
historical background and commentary on selected composers and works, listening to music, and discussion. There will be
no required reading, although out-of-class listening is encouraged. Handouts designed to enrich the participants’ listening
experience will often be provided. No prior musical experience
is necessary. Tuesday, Jan. 22 - Feb. 26, 2:15-3:45 p.m. Limit: 30
McNamara, 200 Oak St. SE, Room 235, Mpls.
Brian Schmidt, Master’s Degree in Music Theory from the University of Minnesota, and is currently a Ph.D. candidate in Musicology
Wednesday
15006 The Great Depression and Conservation
Using the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in Minnesota
as a case study, this course will review the organization and
history of the CCC, a Great Depression work-relief program
now recognized as the greatest conservation program in U.S.
history. In addition to discussing the conservation work of the
18042 Latin-American Influences on American Popular Music:
Colonial Times to the 1930s
Reflecting the rich mix of influences from West Africa, Spain,
Portugal, and indigenous peoples, Latin-American musical
styles have played an essential role in shaping the sound of
American popular music. Jelly Roll Morton summed this up
around 1900, saying “If you can’t manage to put tinges of Spanish in your music, you’ll never get the right seasoning, I call
it, for jazz.” But how did Latin-American musicians develop
such an amazing array of musical language, and how did these
musics come to influence American popular music so greatly?
We will explore these topics in this course, from the beginnings of key Latin-American musical styles through their first
waves of popularity in the U.S., through the 1930s. No musical
background needed for this course.
Wednesday, Jan. 23 - Feb. 27, 10:00-11:30 a.m., Limit: 50
Walker Place, 3701 Bryant Ave. S, Mpls
Jenzi Silverman, PhD, Educational Psychology, University of Minnesota, ATCL, OLLI member
Courses meet once a week for 6 weeks beginning the week of January 22 unless otherwise indicated.
page 15
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
15044 Mindplay: Deception During WW II
Witness the emergence, formation, and evolution of the dark
underworld of Allied deception during World War II. Meet the
agents who disguised their identities and successfully beguiled
Axis believers with international subterfuge, espionage, and
deception not previously seen in the modern world. Trace from
the emergence and formation of basic intelligence gathering
seen in the first few years of the War, come to understand that
England and the U.S. had to overcome differences in expertise,
culture, and leadership personalities in order to learn to work
as an effective unit, and appreciate why Allied operatives and
the stories they told were so believable and resulted in such
positive outcomes.
Wednesday, Jan. 23 - Mar. 6, 10:00-11:30 a.m.,
(NO class on Feb. 20) Limit: 50
Richfield Community Center, 7000 Nicollet Ave. S, Mpls.
Dennis Kane is a retired Bloomington english and business high
school teacher and public library administrator
15046 How Humans Preserved Wisdom
This course will examine the probable events in Europe and
in the Middle East that enabled early humans to transfer their
wisdom into the future or inhibited that transfer (e.g, fire,
food, shelter, health, tools, art and music, natural science, civil
law, paganism, philosophy, and religion, etc.). 1) Humanoids,
Fire & Humans; 2) Earliest Civilization (10,000-5000 BC); 3)
Early Civilizations (5,000-1000 BC); 4) The Greeks, Romans
and Barbarions (1000 BC-500 AD); 5) The Celts and the United
Kingdom (to 1000 AD).
5 sessions Wednesday, Jan. 30 - Feb. 27, 10:00-11:30 a.m.
Limit: 30, 1666 Coffman St., Falcon Heights
Emil Staba, Emeritus Professor of Pharmacognosy and
Medicinal Chemistry
18054 Introduction to Chopin
Chopin wrote some of the most glorious melodies and magnificent harmonies ever conceived, but he composed almost
all his music for one instrument—the piano. We will review
the traditions that he inherited, and then survey the types of
works he wrote, concentrating on the ground-breaking etudes
that he wrote as a young man and the mazurkas, preludes and
ballades that he wrote as a mature composer. We will look at
his rather unusual life, and how his upbringing in Poland and
subsequent career in Paris complemented each other to produce his distinctive musical style.
5 sessions Wednesday, Jan. 23 - Feb. 20, 10:00-11:30 a.m.
Limit: 30
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Plymouth Congregational Church, 1900 Nicollet Ave. S, Mpls.
Woody Andrews, music lover, OLLI member
22028 Exotic Armchair Travels
Participants will “travel” to other continents while sitting in an
OLLI classroom in the Twin Cities! Our first trip will take us to
Iceland. We will then vote for our other destinations. The possibilities are Antarctica, Australia, China, Easter Island, Egypt,
Ethiopia, Galapagos Islands, Bolivia, Japan, Kenya, Madagascar,
Nepal, Norway and Peru. The shows will be narrated live (i.e.,
no canned talks). We can talk about photography and travel in
addition to viewing the slide shows, but the emphasis will be on
the slide shows.
Wednesday, Jan. 23 - Feb. 27, 10:00-11:30 a.m., Limit: 30
Sabathani Community Center, 310 E 38th St., Mlps.
Richard Kain, Emeritus Professor of Engineering,
University of Minnesota, world traveler
The course below has been postponed until Spring 2013
11005 OLLI Scholar: Crisis and Opposition
This course allows students to turn a critical lens on one of the
most pressing issues of our time: the Great Recession. We will
put the current economic recession into historical perspective,
examining the policies, logics, and shifts of the past 50 years
that contributed to this current crisis. Additionally, we will
trace opposition to these changes over that same time period,
looking at voices as diverse as sixties revolutionaries and Wall
Street whistleblowers. Using readings, films and discussion,
we will examine issues such as the increasing gap between the
rich and poor, the decline of organized labor, the racial wealth
gap, de-industrialization and globalization, and the credit
crunch. What can these issues tell us about global economic
policy, education, health care, race and racism, gender politics,
and the future of capitalism the U.S.? There will be approximately 20 pages of suggested reading each week.
Wednesday, Jan. 23 - Feb. 27, 12:30-2:00 p.m., Limit: 25
McNamara, 200 Oak St. SE, Room 235, Mpls.
Myrl Beam, PhD candidate in
15048 Charles Darwin: The Man, the Naturalist
Participants will learn about Darwin’s personal life, relationships with family and scientific colleagues, how he coped with
illness and controversy, and his religious views. Choose one
to read: Charles Darwin: Voyaging; E. Janet Brown; Darwin, the
Tormented Evolutionist, Adrian Desmond and James Moore; or
Charles Darwin, A New Life, John Bowlby. Used copies of text
will be available for purchase at the first class. Books are also
Courses meet once a week for 6 weeks beginning the week of January 22 unless otherwise indicated.
Course Guide Winter 2013 Jan. 22–Mar. 1
text is available at most libraries. Wednesday, Jan. 23 - Feb. 27,
12:30-2:00 p.m., Limit: 25
Mount Zion, 1300 Summit Ave., St. Paul.
Ted Greenfield, historian of science
18049 Masterpieces of Music: Handel’s Messiah
An in-depth examination of Handel’s Messiah. This monumental composition consists of 53 recitatives, arias and choruses.
We will discuss the structure of the libretto, Handel’s operatic
background, compositional techniques, borrowings, alternate
versions, and the instruments in his orchestra. A copy of the
libretto will be provided at the first class. Students are encouraged, but not required, to bring a vocal score, preferably
Novello edition. Used copies are available on the internet at
very reasonable prices.
Wednesday, Jan. 23 - Feb. 27, 12:30-2:00 p.m., Limit: 25
Lake Harriett United Methodist, 4901 Chowen Ave. S, Mpls.
James E. Hart, Choral conductor, organist and harpsicordist.
Founder of Gilbert and Sullivan Very Light Opera Company
19019 Minerva’s Owl: Wisdom in Theory and Practice
Traditions of Western and Eastern wisdom will be presented,
including personifications of wisdom in art and examples of
common wisdom in proverbs, fables, parables, etc. The “olderand-wiser hypothesis” will be examined from the perspective
of psychology. Other topics will include wise leadership and
decision-making, earth wisdom, and the possibility of a global
wisdom. Recommended background reading accessible on the
internet.
5 sessions Wednesday, Jan. 23 - Feb. 20, 12:30-2:00 p.m.
Limit: 30
Plymouth Congregational Church, 1900 Nicollet Ave. S, Mpls.
Stephen Daniel,PhD, Adjunct Faculty, Liberal Studies, University
of Minnesota; ordained minister and retired hospital chaplain
20016 Niels Bohr: The Quantum and the Meaning of It All
Niels Bohr became the “fearless leader” of a group of young
physicists that became the creative minds that discovered and
created quantum physics at Bohr’s Institute of Atomic Physics
in Copenhagen, Denmark. This course will tell the story of this
group of physicists and the amazing physics they created.
Wednesday, Jan. 23 - Feb. 27, 12:30-2:00 p.m., Limit: 30
1666 Coffman St., Falcon Heights
Richard Fuller, Instructor
13027 At Your Service: Minnesota State Agencies
This four-part series in collaboration with the St Paul Jewish Community Center will look at perspectives and actions
performed by state agencies on behalf of Minnesota citizens:
Jan.23: “Office of the Attorney General-Fraud and Scams”; Jan.
30: “State Patrol - Public Safety and Older Adults”; Feb. 13: “The
Minnesota Board on Aging -Helping Older Adults Age Well
and Live Well”; Feb. 26: “Agriculture Department- Food Safety:
From Farm to the Table”; Free and Open to the public.
Wednesday, Jan. 23, Jan. 30, Feb. 13, Feb. 26 12:30-2:00 p.m.
OPEN
St. Paul JCC, 1375 St.Paul Ave., St. Paul.
Vince Trotta, OLLI course convener
22018 OLLI Scholar: In Search of Troy and Noah’s Ark
At the crossroad of civilizations, Asia Minor, modern Turkey,
has attracted the attention of historians of antiquity, archeologists and theologians. In this course, through a serious of lectures and discussion sessions, we will examine the importance
of archaeological sites, such as recently excavated Göbekli Tepe,
which is arguably the first temple; mythological places ranging
from Mount Ararat to numerous locations of Mount Olympus;
and ancient history of the city-states such as Troy and Lycia.
Wednesday, Jan. 23 - Fe.b 27, 2:15-3:45 p.m., Limit: 40
McNamara, 200 Oak St. SE, Room 235, Mpls
Murat Altun, PhD Candidate, Department of Anthropology,
University of Minnesota
OLLI is committed to providing
equal access to its programs. If
you have vision, hearing, or
mobility problems that may
interfere with your full
participation in our courses and/
or activities, please call the OLLI
office at 612-624-7847 to request
accommodations.
Courses meet once a week for 6 weeks beginning the week of January 22 unless otherwise indicated.
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Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
22021 Through the Eyes of a Child
This series will feature films from different Scandinavian
countries that see the world through experiences of children.
Films include the Norwegian film Upperdog, about two adopted children who grow up in very different circumstances;
the Danish Oscar–winning film In a Better World, in which
the family of an idealistic doctor who divides his time between
an African refugee and an idyllic town in Denmark copes
with challenges. The award-winning Swedish film The Best of
Mothers includes an introduction by John Tammi, Professor of
Theater Arts at Hope College, Holland, Michigan, whose own
childhood experience of being evacuated with his siblings
from war-torn Finland are echoed in the film. OPEN. Limit 50
Wednesday, Jan, 23 - Feb, 27, 9:30 a.m. -12:00 p.m., Limit: 50
McNamara, 200 Oak St. SE, Room 235, Mpls.
Steve Benson, film buff and OLLI Executive Director
18058 Flicks on Wednesdays: Films of Spain
During the past half century, Spanish cinema has developed
from an art mainly of national interest to one of great interest to an international audience. Its roots lay in the Franco
period, when filmmakers had to work around the demands of
the dictatorship. Spanish cinema fully blossomed in the postFranco era—as exemplified by the emergence of the awardwinning director Pedro Almodóvar. We shall see such films
as Viridiana, The Spirit of the Beehive, All About My Mother and
Pan’s Labyrinth.
Wednesday, Jan. 23 - Feb. 27, 9:30 a.m. -12:00 p.m., OPEN
The Woman’s Club of Minneapolis, 410 Oak Grove St., Mpls.
Jack Stuart, Emeritus Professor of History, California State
University-Long Beach
15051 Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln:
A Dialog and A Vision - Past, Present and Future
David Jones as Frederick Douglass and Peter Blewett as Abraham Lincoln will engage in imaginary discussions about society, government and human nature in America from 1848 to
the present. The purpose of these discussions is to reveal and
explore the two men’s inner struggles and personal evolutions
as mirrors of the new society being born in the U.S. and to
speculate on how their experiences and ideas can inform our
ideas and actions today. Participants will engage in the discussion during the last 30 minutes of each class session.
Wednesday, Jan. 23 - Feb. 27, 10:00-11:30 a.m., Limit: 50
Wilder Square Hi-Rise, 750 Milton St., St. Paul.
Peter Blewett, retired Associate Professor of History, University
page 18
of Alaska, OLLI member; David Jones, community activist, OLLI
member
20017 Looking Inside the Human Body
The principles of modern medical imaging — xray, computerized tomography (CT), nuclear medicine, ultrasound and
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) — will be discussed. In
addition, some basic principles of light, the physics of seeing,
and such devices as lasers and the digital TV will be covered.
Finally, the safety of each modality and what each sees best
will be discussed. Notes will be provided by email.
Wednesday, Jan. 23 - Feb. 27, 12:30-2:00 p.m., Limit: 50
Falcon Heights City Hall, 2077 W Larpenteur Ave. W, St. Paul.
Tom O’Dea, Adjunct Professor of Medical Physics, University of
Minnesota
15045 Minnesota Railroads: 1850s-Present Day
In the past, Minnesota had hundreds of railroads. Some were
incorporated, while others were only hoped for and projected.
Some got so far as grading a line but did not operate. These
railroads represented the hopes of immigrants, local communities, and the state as a whole. They provided a means of longdistance travel and carried goods and freight as well. Participants in the course will visit the Jackson Street Roundhouse of
the Minnesota Transportation Museum, where they will see a
series of presentations featuring thousands of photos, maps,
and other graphics, many in full color. Minnesota-related railroad computer research files will also be on view.
www.mtmuseum.org
John Wickre, railroad historian and museum vlounteer
Wednesday, Jan. 23 - Feb. 27, 2:15-3:45 p.m., Limit: 30
Falcon Heights City Hall, 2077 W Larpenteur Ave. W, St. Paul.
Thursday
20020 iPad Ins and Outs
Put stuff in and get stuff out of your iPad. Setup, internet usage,
video, music, photos, movies, notes, calendars, email, contacts,
and other apps are topics which will be taught, discussed, and
practiced. (Participants must have their own iPad to participate). Instruction will be directed toward new and middle
level users with exercises done in class on your own iPad. Some
of the class material is also applicable to iPhone and iTouch and
students with these devices may take the class with the realization that the focus is on the iPad.
Thursday, Jan 24 - Feb 28, 9:30-11:00, Limit: 10
Mount Zion, 1300 Summit Ave, St. Paul
Courses meet once a week for 6 weeks beginning the week of January 22 unless otherwise indicated.
Course Guide Winter 2013 Jan. 22–Mar. 1
Gene Bard, PC Instructor, masters of Social Work University of
Washington, avid iPad user.
19000 Film and Spirituality
The best directors explore life’s challenges refracted through
film stories. This course will use film scenes that deal with finding ourselves, caretaking/caregiving, family turmoil, feeding
hope and those who have left their marks on us. These themes
will be examined using short film clips, small group discussions,
and lecture. Participants should plan on renting/viewing these
DVDs: True Grit, A Separation, Secrets and Lies, Babette’s Feast,
Chocolat, Fisher King, Howards End, Midnight in Paris, Nell. True
Grit should be viewed before the first class session.
Thursday, Jan 24 - Feb 28, 10:00-11:30, Limit: 50
Plymouth, 1900 Nicollet Ave S, Mlps
Doug Wallace
21001 Anti- Intellectualism in America
This course will examine the recurring phenomenon of antiintellectualism in American culture. We will begin by exploring the definition of “intellectual,” “intelligence,” and “anti-intellectualism,” and the role of the “public intellectual.” We will
read and discuss Richard Hofstader’s Pulitzer Prize winning
book Anti-Intellectualism in America to understand the roots of
this phenomenon. It is recommend to purchasing the book in
advance. As libraries have limited copies. The book is available
online through most book dealers (Amazon, paperback, new:
about $12, used copies available also)
Thursday, Jan. 24 - Feb. 28, 10:00-11:30 a.m., Limit: 35
Episcopal Homes Carty Heights , 412 N Dunlap St., St. Paul
Neala Schleuning, American studies writer, educator
21011 Progress???
Progress is a controversial, multilayered topic that we will
discuss from many perspectives including scientific, environmental, medical, spiritual, artistic, economic, violence, and
equality. Steven Pinker’s recent book The Better Angels of Our
Nature will often be referred to.
5 sessions, Thursday, Jan. 31 - Feb. 28, 10:00-11:30 a.m.
Limit: 25
1666 Coffman St., Falcon Heights
Edward J. Bardon, MD, Emeritus Professor of Psychiatry
economy quite in line with predictions of solar eclipses? No! The
mathematics of econometrics, the calculating arm of economy,
is of course correct, but the models of the real world that are
used for calculations are quite inadequate. None of the illusionary model systems such as Socialism, Marxism or Free Markets
has been successful in predicting the behavior of the world
economy. Why? The problem, I think, lies with the “Muppet”
model of humanity used. Read any book or article about the
recent economic crash, and come prove that I am wrong!
Thursday, Jan. 24 - Feb. 28, 10:00-11:30 a.m., Limit: 30
Walker Place, 3701 Bryant Ave. S, Mpls.
Andreas Rosenberg, OLLI Member
22024 All About Iceland
The size of Kentucky and home to 320,000 people, Iceland is
known for its volcanoes, glaciers, and fish. (These are entertaining, shrinking, and tasty, respectively.) In this class, we’ll hear
about more. The first class: geography, geology, landforms, and
nature. The second: nature (more), environment, economy, and
history. The third: daily life, language, and the arts. The last class
will be a double-feature film fest on Saturday, with treats. Trip to
follow: June 18-28. Feb 9 class is a Saturday where 2 movies will
be shown between 12-4:30 p.m.
Thursday, Jan. 24, Jan. 31, and Feb. 7, 12:30-2:00 p.m.
Last class Saturday, Feb. 9, 12:00-4:30 p.m, Limit: 50
McNamara, 200 Oak St. SE, Room 235, Mpls.
Jeannie Hanson, convener, OLLI member
20023 PRACTICAL Basic Uses of Computing
What’s best for you? A desktop, laptop, tablet, iPad or smart
device? What are your needs? How do you use these devices for
practical everyday uses such as email, internet searches, photo
processing, creating CDs, typing letters, reading digital books
and other tasks? How do you deal with security - viruses, passwords, etc? A computer lab will allow hands-on practice. Other
topics will be covered as requested.
Thursday, Jan. 24 - Feb. 28, 12:30-2:00 p.m., Limit: 10
Richfield Community Center, 7000 Nicollet Ave. S, Mpls.
Wayne LeBlanc, software development at Unisys, author
20019 Is Economics a Science?
There have been 43 Nobel Prizes in economy awarded since
1969. So is Economics now one of the natural sciences allowing
mathematical predictions of the future behavior of the world
Courses meet once a week for 6 weeks beginning the week of January 22 unless otherwise indicated.
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Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
18053 Wrestling with O’Neill’s Dramaturgy
Beyond the wide admiration for Eugene O’Neill’s legacy, how
well do we actually know it? The script of Long Day’s Journey
into Night was set aside by the author to be opened only after his
death. It is a posthumous cry from the writer’s heart. His personal anguish emerges from and transcends the dramaturgical
conventions of its time. The participants in the class will read
and discuss the play, and explore its background and dramaturgy in the context of O’Neill’s canon.
Thursday, Jan. 24 - Feb. 28, 12:30-2:00 p.m., Limit: 20
The Kenwood, 825 Summit. Ave, Mpls .
Michael Lupu, Senior Dramaturg, The Guthrie Theater
13026 OLLI Scholar: American GLBT Politics
In this course, we will explore the progression of GLBT politics
in the U.S. from the end of the Second World War to the the
contemporary push for same-sex marriage. In particular, we
will note the cultural, economic, social, and political factors
undergirding the development of a GLBT political consciousness in the U.S. We will read A Queer History of the United States
by Michael Bronski (purchase of book is reccommended). In our
discussions, we will also analyze archival clips from documentaries, films, and news reports.
Thursday, Jan. 31 - Feb. 28, 2:15-3:45 p.m., Limit: 15
McNamara, 200 Oak St. SE, Room 235, Mpls.
René Esparza is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of American Studies at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
18037 Tap Dancing
Learn or improve your practice of tap dance in a supportive,
non-threatening environment. Review basic steps and combinations, and learn new dance routines. Bring tap shoes and an
adventurous spirit.
Joan Davies, retired teacher, OLLI member
Thursday, Jan. 24 - Feb. 28, 1:00-2:00 p.m., Limit: 20
Edina Senior Center, 5280 Grandview Sq, Edina.
Joan Davies, retired teacher, OLLI member
Friday
13024 Minnesota State Government
This class features guests from the legislative, executive and
judicial branches, as well as lobbyists, journalists and others
involved in Minnesota state government. A special focus will
be on the budgetary problems facing the state. Class partici-
page 20
pants should regularly read the articles on the Minnesota
government in the Minneapolis Star Tribune, St. Paul Pioneer
Press, or other sources.
Friday, Jan. 25 - Mar. ,1 10:00-11:30 a.m., Limit: 50
State Office Building 10080 Martin Lurther King Blvd. Rm 500
S, St. Paul. Don Ostrom, Emeritus Professor of Political Science,
Gustavus Adolphus College, former Minnesota State Legislator,
OLLI member
19020 Suffering and Hope in the Bible
The Bible offers many examples of people struggling to find
meaning in their suffering. We will look at their efforts to
make sense of their experience. We will also examine the insights of the biblical writers about the ways in which hope may
be renewed.
Friday, Jan. 25 - Mar. 1, 10:00-11:30 p.m., Limit: 30
Falcon Heights City Hall, 2077 W Larpenteur Ave W, St. Paul
Dani Daniel Simundson, Emeritus Professor of Old Testament,
Luther Seminary
20018 At the Center- At the U
This series, co-sponsored by the University of Minnesota Campus Club, will highlight cutting edge research at the University
of Minnesota. Topics include the latest advances in obesity
research, using space-age technology to explore ancient lives,
advances in genetics and cell biology studies. Lee Frelich,
Director of the University of Minnesota Center for Forest Ecology, will discuss climate change and forests in Minnesota. All
sessions are open. Participants can eat in the Campus Club
and stay for discussion.
Friday, Jan. 25 - Mar. 1 10:00-11:30 a.m., OPEN
Campus Club, 4th Fl. Coffman Union, Uniersity of Minnesota Campus
Convener, Dave Ferrens, retired educator and OLLI member
The course below has been postponed until Spring 2013
22026 Volunteering Abroad
Have it both ways! Travel to a new and interesting part of the
world and do good at the same time. Volunteers and/or organization representatives will share information about some
of the numerous opportunities for satisfying your wanderlust
while volunteering for a humanitarian cause.
5 sessions Friday, Feb. 1 - Mar. 1, 12:30-2:00 p.m., Limit: 40
Falcon Heights City Hall, 2077 W Larpenteur Ave. W, St. Paul.
Jane Bardon, retired information technology professional
Courses meet once a week for 6 weeks beginning the week of January 22 unless otherwise indicated.
Insights Winter 2013
My Confirmed Class Schedule
____________________________________________
Name
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Winter 2013
Season
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
10:00
11:30
12:30
2:00
2:15
3:45
SIG
SIG
Notes ____________________________________________________________________________________________________
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Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
How to Register for OLLI
Courses
How to Join OLLI or Renew
your Membership
Online (starts Jan. 8 for Winter 2013 session)
OLLI is a membership organization. Your membership must
be current to register for courses.
Online (you may pay your membership fee at any time)
To join or renew online:
▶ Go to the OLLI home page:
http://cce.umn.edu/Osher-Lifelong-Learning-Institute/
(OR Google search: OLLI Minnesota)
▶ Read the instructions in the column/box labeled “Join or
Renew Membership” and follow the step-by-step directions on
how to join or renew.
To register using the OLLIreg system:
▶ Go to the OLLI home page:
http://cce.umn.edu/Osher-Lifelong-Learning-Institute/
(OR Google search: OLLI Minnesota)
▶ Click on the OLLIreg link in the box on the far, right side of
the screen.
▶ Follow the step-by-step directions on how to register.
▶ If you do not receive a confirmation email within one
hour of completing registration, please contact the OLLI
office at [email protected].
By mail: Mail your credit card number and expiration date
By mail: Provide the information listed below on an 8.5 x
11 sheet of paper, and mail it, along with payment for any
course fees, to: Osher Lifelong Learning Institute,
200 Oak St. SE, Suite 250, Minneapolis, MN 55455.
▶ PRINT OR TYPE on an 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper:
 First and last name
 Mailing address
 Daytime phone
 Email address
 Course number and title of up to two (2) LIMITED courses,
and/or as many OPEN/Special/Bookend courses as you like
 Course number and title of up to two (2) alternative courses
you would take, in order of preference, should your first
choices not be available.
 Course number and title of course(s) you would assist.
(Contact the OLLI office for Course Assistant Guidelines.)
Mail-in registrations are processed in the order received.
Failure to follow any of these directions could result in a
delay in processing your registration. You will receive
course rosters by email for each of your courses; a limited
number of paper copies will be available in class.
Waiting Lists: Click on “Add to Waiting List” in the online
registration system. When registering by mail, the office will
add you to the waiting list of any course you don’t get into.
Check your confirmation form for this designation.
Additions/Corrections: If you have already registered, you
may drop courses by email to [email protected]. You may add
courses yourself online at OLLIreg (follow the instructions for
online registration) or call the office at 612-624-7847.
page 22
or a check for $195, made out to the University of Minnesota,
to: Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, 200 Oak St. SE, Suite 250,
Minneapolis, MN 55455.
▶ Please include your full name (as you wish to be called),
address, daytime phone number, and email address.
▶ You will receive confirmation by mail within one week.
New members will receive a welcome packet including a name
badge. Please allow up to 3 weeks to receive your New Member
Packet.
When am I due to renew? You are due to renew with
registration if the mailing label on this newsletter says
“Due to Renew Now.”
To Request Scholarship: Please call the OLLI office at
612-624-7847 for information.
Alumni Association/UMRA/Campus Club Members:
Never been an OLLI member, but are an active U of M
Alumni Association member? You may join OLLI at a special
introductory rate of $120. Please visit the Alumni Association
website for information on how to take advantage of this offer.
UMRA and Campus Club members may also take advantage
of this one-time offer. Call OLLI at 612-624-7847 for details.
$75 Guest Membership: Never been a member, but
considering joining? Try out OLLI during our winter session
for only $75. If you join as a full member before Sept. 1, we will
deduct $75 from the annual membership fee of $195.
Gift certificates are available. Call 612-624-7847 for more
information.
Courses meet once a week for 6 weeks beginning the week of January 22 unless otherwise indicated.
Course Guide Winter 2013 Jan. 22–Mar. 1
OLLI Course Calendar: Winter 2013
10am
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
22019 People and
15005 African
History
15050 Magnificent
Chartres Cathedral
16025 Three
Comic Writers
20000 Locate
Full-Text
9101 Tuesday
with a Scholar
15041 Calvin
Coolidge
18048 Panic Cinema
22021 Through the
20020 iPad 9:30
19000 Film &
13024 MN State Gov
19020 Suffering &
Cultures of Iran
16028 Reading
Lacan Reading
Literature
22027 China’s
Global Challenges
16026 The Sonnet
19023 Preserving
Sacred Spaces
18052 The Late
Violin Concerto
10019S Art
of the Edges
18050BE The
Tiger Among Us
18057BE Doubt
Eyes of a Child 9:30
Films of Spain 9:30
15006 Great
Depression
13023 Criminal
Justice
18042 Latin
American Influences
15044 Mindplay
15046 How Humans
Preserved Wisdom
18054 Intro to Chopin
22028 Exotic
Armchair Travels
16024 Sound
and the Fury
16027 Humor
and Sentiment
22023 Impact
of WWII
22025 Exploring
Portugal
9102 Afternoons
with Liberal Arts
11005Crisis
and Opposition
15048 Charles
Darwin
18049 Handel’s
Messiah
19019 Minerva’s Owl
20016 Niels Bohr
13027 At Your
Service
20017 Looking
Inside the Human Body
2:15pm
10001 MIA Tours
15047 Coffee,
22018 In Search of
Around the World
20021 Astrology
for Beginners 4:30
19022S Religion
and Capitalism
13025S NonBeliever Nation
18040BE Venus in Fur
Hope in the Bible
20018 At the Center
17006S National
Eagle Center 8:00
17007S Western
NE & Eastern WY
22001BE Czech World
18051BE Cabaret
12:30pm 10018 Jewish Latin
American Culture
11001 Current
Economic Issues 2.0
9100 Voices from
Spirituality
21001
Anti-Intellectuallism
21011 Progress???
20019 Is Economics
a Science
Tea and Scotch
18055 Symphony
in America
22024 All
About Iceland
20023 Basic Uses
of Computing
18053 O’Neill’s
Dramaturgy
22026 Volunteering
Abroad
14015S Living Life
15049S AARP 12:00
13026 GLBT Politics
Troy and Noah’s Ark 18037 Tap
15045 MN Railroads Dancing 1:00
9000S Ethnic Dining
18047S Market Music –Saturday, Feb. 16 and Mar. 16, 11:30 a.m.
18046S Family Flicks – Saturday, Jan. 26, 1:00 p.m.
18056S Sunday Films –Sunday, Jan. 27, 1:00 p.m.
14008S Our Pursuit of Happiness – Sunday, Jan. 27, 1:00 p.m.
18006S Vocal
Essence
Keep track of your OLLI schedule. Check off the
courses for which you have registered and post this
calendar someplace handy. Refer back to this issue
of Insights for classroom locations. Find maps on
OLLIreg: just search for your course in ‘Find Classes’
and click on the location name for a Google map.
Courses meet once a week for 6 weeks beginning the week of January 22 unless otherwise indicated.
page 23
University of Minnesota
250 McNamara Alumni Center, Ste 250
200 Oak Street SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Insights
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
Important dates Winter 2013
Winter Party: Dec. 3, Church of St. Patrick, Edina
Winter Session 2013: January 22–March 1 [Registration begins Jan. 8]
Spring Session 2013: March 25–May 17
With Minnesota winters like this its probably best
to freshen up on your driving skills!
AARP Driving Course, pg. 9.
www.cce.umn.edu/Osher-Lifelong-Learning-Institute