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Talk to an OLLI member, and they will be quick to tell you that OLLI at OU offers top-notch courses for adult learners each semester. If you missed out on some of the Senior Seminars that were offered this September, you’ll definitely want to take note of what we have in store for next month.

October Senior Seminars

Running four to six weeks in length, each Senior Seminar offers an educational, fun and inspiring way for adult learners to gain insight into a specific topic and discuss their life experiences with other participants of a similar age. The courses are led by some of OU’s top professors and meet for two hours at a time.

Please note that many of these courses have been known to sell out. Please contact OLLI directly for information on course availability, and be sure to sign up and save your seat before classes are full!  

How Banking Affects the Economy

Taught by Mary Carter, Retired Banker and Federal Reserve Bank Examiner
Wednesdays October 4-25, 2017
10:00-11:30 a.m.

How Banking Affects the Economy will focus on the role of banking in the United States, so students will have a better understanding of the interdependency of banking activity and a functioning economy. It will explain the functions of banking throughout the history of the U.S., including how GDP is calculated, how the Federal Reserve Bank sets interest rates, how those interest rates affect inflation and deflation, how banks create money, how banking affects consumers and how banks are examined for safety and soundness.

The Chisholm Trail’s 150^th Anniversary – Its History and Impact

Taught by Luann Sewell Waters, History Educator
Mondays September 25-October 30, 2017
1:00-3:00 p.m.

The Chisholm Trail was the longest commercial land route in American history. To paraphrase J. Frank Doyle, it made possible the greatest and most extraordinary migration of animals controlled by man that the world has ever known. Learn about the museums and historical sites along the trail and discover its profound cultural importance from videos, review of reference materials and class discussion.
 

Lessons from the Middle East

Taught by Gershon Lewental, International and Area Studies and History
Wednesdays October 4-November 29, 2017
1:30-3:15 p.m.

For Gershon Lewental, teaching on the Middle East at the University of Oklahoma over the last six years has been a privilege and a challenge. In his final OLLI course, Lewental will explore five episodes from Middle Eastern history and the lessons we can learn from them in order to understand better the Middle East today. Topics will be drawn from Islamic history, Israeli history, Iranian history and Ottoman history, with a focus on religion, nationalism and identity.
 

The Brontë Sisters

Taught by Lisa Seale
Wednesdays October 4-November 8, 2017
10:00-11:30 a.m.

Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, The Tenant of Wildfell Hall. These are books about strong women, written by stronger authors: Charlotte Brontë, Emily Brontë, Anne Brontë. The class will read Jane Eyreand Wuthering Heights and watch selections from film adaptations of each. Then, OLLI members will connect these with discussion of the authors’ lives by looking at recent films and documentaries, as well as reading selections from the letters of and biographies about the three sisters who wrote their way into our own collective imagination.
 

Classical Music of France

Taught by Clive Mander
Fridays October 6-November 10, 2017
10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

France has produced many prominent composers of classical music. This course will focus on popular works from a variety of French composers from the classical era through the 20th century, including Berlioz, Bizet, Debussy, Ravel and Messian. The class will trace the story of French classical music and feature listening to music together with some analysis. No prior musical knowledge is required.
 

Yoga, Meditation, Philosophy and Healthy Living Skills (Level II - Continuing)

Taught by Anita Mann
Wednesdays October 11-November 8, 2017
1:30-3:15 p.m.

Want to feel better? Learning and practicing a few of these skills will not only help improve your vitality but also will help reduce stress, restore calm and inner peace, improve fitness and aid in managing symptoms of chronic health conditions. This gentle class is for those with some exposure to or experience with yoga. It will begin with information and skills taught in the Level I course and build on that foundation, adding depth and breadth of knowledge and experiences. Class size will be limited.
 

Yang Family Tai Chi: Breathing for Health and Longevity

Taught by Phil Joy, Fifth Generation Yang Family (Michuan) Teacher
Thursdays October 5-November 9, 2017
1:00-3:00 p.m.

This course is a continuation of the Yang Family Hidden Style Tai Chi Chuan. It is an outdoors “practice” course designed to accommodate new students while deepening the understanding of more advanced players. Half the period will be an indoor lecture on tai chi principles with special emphasis on reviewing the special techniques of breathing that have been handed down in the tai chi traditions. Various auxiliary techniques from yoga and Western athletics will also be analyzed. Following a break, the class will reconvene outside to integrate what was learned into actual tai chi practice.
 

Introduction to Buddhism

Taught by Ralph Doty, Emeritus Professor, Classics and Letters
Wednesdays October 25-November 15, 2017
10:00-11:30 a.m.

Although it may be the fastest-growing spiritual movement in this country, Buddhism remains a mystery to most Americans. Not entirely a religion, a philosophy or a form of therapy, it is in some sense all three. In this course, OLLI members will examine the basic teachings of Buddhism, the differences between the main types of Buddhism—including a brief look at Zen—and how it is adapting itself to life in America.
 

The Sooner Scandals - Not the Play, Just Politics as Usual in Oklahoma

Taught by Cal Hobson
Tuesdays October 31-November 21, 2017
1:00-3:30 p.m.

This seminar will examine the well-known, oft-repeated and much-despised practice of lawbreaking by lawmakers, which seems to be on the upswing here in the buckle of the bible belt. In the very recent past, two state senators have been sent to federal prison, two other members of the upper body have resigned and are facing criminal charges, several former house members pled guilty to charges that triggered their early departures from office, another member of the lower body resigned not once, but twice, only months ago for unethical behavior and at least one more is currently under sanctions from his colleagues.

This class will explore the lives of those who violated their oaths of office, usually just for money, but also for sex, illegal drugs, abuse of their legislative power or some other behavior specifically prohibited by state or federal statutes. The free-flowing setting offers an environment for seasoned, experienced, democracy-loving denizens to seriously collaborate on how to fix this problem—one that if left to fester longer can only eat away at our already distrusted, disliked and too often dysfunctional democracy.

Visit the OLLI at OU web page 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.