OLLI is back for 2019 with more of the world-class course offerings that members have come to expect, and the line-up this spring is no exception. With a variety of courses covering topics like art, film, philosophy, politics and more, there has never been a better time to be an OLLI member.
Senior Seminar courses run four to six weeks in length, meeting for two hours at a time, and are led by some of OU’s top professors. OLLI courses offer adult learners an open and welcoming environment in which they can explore new topics and concepts in an educational, fun and inspiring way with other participants of a similar age.
Please note that many of these courses have been known to sell out. Please contact OLLI directly at (405) 325-3488 for information on course availability, and be sure to sign up and save your seat before classes are full!
January Senior Seminars
Byzantine Icons
Taught by Dr. Rozmeri Basic, Professor of Art History
Mondays – Jan. 14 to Feb. 25
10 a.m. - Noon
The image occupies a principal position at the heart of the Eastern Church, and it is an organic part of daily services. The icon represents a vision of the invisible and, therefore, a vision founded on divine knowledge which transforms the created work into the miracle-working image. This class will examine the challenging process of producing holiness and divinity through visual works. Class will not meet Monday, Jan. 21.
Oklahoma’s Weather and Climate (2.0)
Taught by Amanda Kis, Meteorology
Wednesdays – Jan. 16 to Feb. 6
9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
This course will explore how Oklahoma’s diverse climate and often-hazardous weather are rooted in its unique physical geography and influenced by atmosphere and ocean dynamics at great distances. Participants will apply what they learn to high-profile hazardous weather events and, as time allows, see how Oklahoma’s climate is expected to change.
American Culture Through Film, Part 3: Global Influences on American Cinema
Taught by Betty Robbins, Retired Professor, Film and Media Studies
Tuesdays – Jan. 22 to Feb. 26
1 - 3:30 p.m.
As a nation of immigrants, America carries forth influences in the arts from all over the world, and notably so in film. This course will screen international films that have directly shaped the movies we see in American theaters. Students will sample films in German Expressionism, Italian Neo-Realism, French New Wave and from the great Japanese director Akira Kurosawa and relate those films to current and past films from Hollywood.
Gilbert and Sullivan: Their Genius and Genesis – Part 2
Taught by Marvin Beck
Wednesdays – Jan. 23 to Feb. 27
9:30 a.m. - Noon
In this course, OLLI participants will listen to, watch, read, discuss and enjoy the comic operas of Gilbert and Sullivan, including Princess Ida, The Mikado, Ruddigore, Yeoman of The Guard, The Gondoliers, The Grand Duke and Utopia Limited. These operettas have become, by far, the most-performed theatrical productions for almost 150 years. They introduced innovations in content and form in their operas that directly changed the development of musical theatre. They also influenced political discourse, literature, film and television. Students will learn about what was transpiring in the United Kingdom during the Victorian Era and the corresponding history in the United States. The operetta presentations will be shown with subtitles.
OLLI Discussion Group
Wednesdays – Jan. 23 to May 8
10 - 11:30 a.m.
A discussion group is forming to meet weekly on Wednesday mornings for OLLI members who would like to share their ideas, feelings and concerns about what’s going on in our world. The purpose is fellowship and learning together through sharing of concerns and ideas, while responding to others’ initiation of other ideas. This is not your typical OLLI course led by a faculty member. YOU become the leaders and decide what to talk about. The course will be led by one of Norman’s greatest conversationalists. Come grab a cup of coffee and settle in for stimulating conversation. Other than OLLI membership, there is no cost to attend this course. The sessions are limited to 21 OLLI members and registration is required to attend. This class will not meet Wednesday, March 20.
The Apostle Paul in Historical Context
Taught by Jill Hicks-Keeton, Religious Studies
Thursdays – Jan. 24 to Feb. 14
10 - 11:30 a.m.
This course explores the life and letters of the apostle Paul, a Jew living in the first-century Roman empire whose writings are now the oldest texts in the New Testament. We will examine Paul’s letters in their first-century historical context, attempting to reconstruct the circumstances that gave rise to his authorship and to discover what his letters reveal about the origins of Christianity.
Enjoying the Cinemas of New Zealand and Australia
Taught by Andrew Horton, Jeanne H. Smith Professor of Film and Media Studies, Professor Emeritus
Thursdays – Jan. 24 to Feb. 28
1 - 3:15 p.m.
Yes, the cinemas of “Down-Under”—New Zealand and Australia—have been so captivating for years! This six-week class takes on memorable films from each country for viewing and discussion. The selected films include, from New Zealand, Peter Jackson’s Heavenly Creatures (1994), Niki Caro’s Whale Rider (2002) and Harry Sinclair’s The Price of Milk (2001), and from Australia, Phillip Noyce’s Rabbit Proof Fence (2003), Stephan Elliott’s Priscilla Queen of the Desert(1994) and Scott Hicks’ Shine(1997). These films embrace humor and drama, the indigenous populations of Maoris in New Zealand and aborigines in Australia, as well the incredible landscapes that really do become characters as well.
Living in a Digital Age – The Power of Technology and Internet
Taught by J.P. Morgan, Information Technology
Thursdays – Jan. 24 to Feb. 28
9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
We are living in the digital age, where access to information is only a small part of what we use the internet for. In this class, Olli participants will talk about what the internet means for us today, the things we can accomplish, and most importantly, how to stay safe and secure in these digital times.
Country Music and the Rhetoric of Nostalgia
Taught by Kalyn Prince
Fridays – Jan. 25 to Feb. 15
3:30 - 5 p.m.
This seminar will investigate the deep connections between country music—its songs, artists and history—and nostalgia. Country music offers a unique case study for exploring how nostalgia is used to create meaning in our lives and motivate us to certain actions. Participants will examine important figures in country music’s history in order to see what their works reveal about the persuasive power of nostalgia. Prepare to analyze Merle Haggard, Loretta Lynn, Garth Brooks and many more. Cowboy boots are optional but encouraged.
Midterms in the Rearview Mirror
Taught by Kim Gaddie
Fridays – Jan. 25 to Feb. 15
10 - 11:30 a.m.
The midterm elections are behind us, and now it is on to 2020. Did the balance of power shift in Congress? Which Governor now takes the helm of Oklahoma? What new challenges lie ahead? We will look at these topics and more, as we review midterm outcomes and the pathway to 2020.
Governor-Elect Kevin Stitt: Who Is This Guy, And What Are His Plans for Oklahoma?
Taught by Cal Hobson
Mondays – Jan. 28 to Feb. 18
1 - 3:30 p.m.
Kevin Stitt, Oklahoma’s 28th Governor, will take office in January 2019, and this seminar starts the same month. Together, participants will watch his State of the State speech, track early legislative initiatives and hear from guest speakers who know him best. Of course, pollsters, reporters, partisan party promoters and Cal Hobson will also offer opinions and commentary.
Principles of Drug Action
Taught by Thomas Pento, Professor Emeritus
Wednesdays – Jan. 30 to Feb. 20
10 - 11:30 a.m.
This course will present an overview of the principles of drug action in the body and discuss factors such as drug absorption, distribution, uptake and storage in body tissue, drug metabolism, major routes of drug excretion, drug interactions and antagonism. In addition, the action of drugs producing biological or therapeutic activity within end organ tissue at specific receptor sites and other common mechanisms of drug action will be reviewed. A presentation of the action of several drug classes commonly used for pain and inflammation, such as the non-steroidal anti-inflammation drugs (NSAIDS) and steroids will be reviewed to further illustrate these principles of drug action within the body.
Contact OLLI at (405) 325-3488 for information about registering for OLLI courses or becoming an OLLI member, and be sure to check back for more information about courses that will be offered in the coming months.
