Rhonda Parker, Director rhonda.parker@duke.edu (919) 660-3824
Jenny Levine, Associate Program Director
jenny.levine@duke.edu (919) 613-5219
Betina Huntwork, Senior Program Coordinator betina.huntwork@duke.edu (919) 660-8509
Kathy Parrish, Staff Specialist & SIG Coordinator
kathy.parrish@duke.edu (919) 681-3476
Advisory Council, 2024–25
Ellen Luken, Chair
Frank Brown
Sue Dennison
Ben Edwards
Carol Hamilton
Diane Hundley
Greg Jacobs
Sylvia Robinson
Alan Teasley
Donna West
In Person & Online Hosts
Jonathan Bitner
Beth Bowling
Alease Davis
Annette Gooch
Jay Starks
Annie Taft
Mary Thompson
Beverly Thorpe
Welcome!
Welcome to the Summer 2025 Term at Duke! As the days grow longer and the pace of life shifts with the season, we’re excited to welcome you to another enriching term with OLLI at Duke. Whether you’re diving into a new subject or deepening a long-held passion, summer is a perfect time to learn, connect, and explore.
This catalog is filled with thought-provoking courses, engaging discussions and hands-on experiences designed to inspire and energize. From stimulating lectures to creative workshops, each offering reflects our commitment to lifelong learning and community.
As you browse the catalog, we hope you feel the same enthusiasm and anticipation that we do. Let’s embrace this season of growth, curiosity, and connection together. Keep on learning, and here’s to a fantastic Summer 2025!
Warm regards,
Rhonda Parker
Ellen Luken Director Advisory Council Chair
Becoming a Member
Membership: $60
Membership is a requirement for enrollment in all OLLI courses or events. Membership enables you to register for courses and activities as well as members-only special events.
To become an OLLI member and create an account, go to learnmore.duke.edu/olli and click “Join OLLI.” We recommend joining in advance of registration. This login information is also used to access your online class sessions.
Questions?
For general questions: olli@duke.edu, (919) 660-5882
Registration for Summer 2025 opens on Tuesday, April 15, at 9 a.m. ET for Monday and Tuesday courses and on Wednesday, April 16, at 9 a.m. ET for Wednesday and Thursday courses.
To register for a course, visit the course’s profile page and click “Add to Cart.” Click here for more information, tips on registration and a step-by-step video.
This helpful video provides tips and strategies for successful online registration.
In-Person Learning
Our in-person courses are hosted at the Education Building at Judea Reform Congregation (JRC), located at 1933 W. Cornwallis Road in Durham, and at a few off-site locations. These courses are marked with the school icon shown above. If you plan to enroll in an in-person course, please see the In-Person Guidelines before registering.
Online Learning
Taking courses online is both convenient and accessible. No need to worry about parking or traffic. With Zoom, you have a front-row seat for all your courses. These courses are marked with the online icon shown above. Check out our Online Guide for more information about online courses.
Many online courses are recorded for enrollees to watch later. You can even enroll in a course to only watch recordings. These are marked with the recording icon.
The Zoom links for your online courses can be found in your Student Portal. Go to learnmore.duke.edu/olli and click “Student Login.” You will need to log in to access your course every week for class.
Technology Needed for Zoom Courses
Here is the basic technology you’ll need to take an OLLI online course via Zoom:
• Laptop, desktop computer, tablet or smartphone
• Microphone (if speaking in class)
• Speakers or headphones
• Webcam (if showing your own video)
• Reliable internet connection (minimum 20 Mbps download speed recommended; connection speed can be checked at www.speedtest.net)
Join us for Zoom Basics & Refresher session on Thursday, April 17, at 10 a.m. ET. The link will be provided in a member newsletter closer to the event.
Contact Information
To join, learn more or register for a course: learnmore.duke.edu/olli
General and member support: olli@duke.edu or (919) 660-8552
Director: Rhonda.Parker@duke.edu
Curriculum: Jenny.Levine@duke.edu
In-person operations and administration: Kathy.Parrish@duke.edu
Virtual programs and instructor relations: Betina.Huntwork@duke.edu
Registration inquiries: learnmore@duke.edu
Join OLLI at Duke
Becoming a member is easy. Our annual membership fee of $60 entitles members to enroll in courses and workshops, participate in special interest groups and attend social events. To join, go to learnmore.duke.edu/olli
Access &
Accommodation
Duke University has policies in place to ensure people with a wide range of abilities have equal access to its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the access provided at any course location, please contact the OLLI office by email before your course begins at olli@duke.edu
Scholarship Support
We want OLLI at Duke courses to be accessible to all who have a passion for lifelong learning. For information, please email Kathy.Parrish@duke.edu and ask about our Community Membership. All requests are confidential.
Other Questions?
We have much more information about OLLI at Duke on our website! You can find out about our policies, FAQs, how to get involved and more. Visit learnmore.duke.edu/olli
OLLI on YouTube
Did you know OLLI at Duke has a YouTube Channel? We’ve captured numerous special speakers and events, Community Reads discussions and historical moments from over 45 years of OLLI at Duke. Check out the channel, and join the community by liking or commenting on a video. You can even subscribe to the channel and click the bell to be notified when the next video is released.
Get More Involved
OLLI at Duke is a cooperative venture. Dozens of volunteers are involved in making the magic happen for OLLI members. Getting involved is a great way to make new connections and build community. Members serve as course moderators or class assistants, lead small group discussions and serve on the Advisory Council to ensure the excellence of OLLI at Duke.
Academics
Instructors are passionate about their course topics and enjoy sharing their knowledge and experience with their peers.
Course Moderators support online courses and their instructors, and ensure a positive, inclusive and respectful online learning environment for all participants.
Class Assistants support in-person courses by helping instructors, taking attendance and making necessary announcements.
Members interested in getting more involved can reach out via email to olli@duke.edu.
Leadership
The Advisory Council consists of the chair, vice chair, immediate past chair, recording secretary, chairs of the standing committees and at-large advisors. This council provides guidance and insight to support program growth and development and ensure a positive member experience. See page 2.
Committees are made up of current and active OLLI members who provide guidance and support in specific program areas. Current committees are: Community Engagement, Curriculum, Instructor Relations, Member Engagement and Nominating Committee. Members interested in pursuing a leadership position can reach out via email to olli@duke.edu
Special Interest Groups
Special Interest Groups (SIGs) provide opportunities for members to connect with their peers outside the classroom based on their common interests. Members guide the SIGs, and new groups may start at any time. For the most up-to-date information and a complete list of OLLI’s SIGs, visit learnmore.duke.edu/olli/special-interest-groups
Important Dates
Tuesday & Wednesday, April 15 & 16
9 a.m. ET — Registration opens for summer courses
Wednesday, April 16
11 a.m. ET — Vivo Information Session
Thursday, April 17
10 a.m. ET — Zoom Basics & Refresher session
Thursday, May 1
10 a.m. ET — In-person new member Meet & Mingle event
Monday, May 5
Summer courses begin
Monday, May 26
Memorial Day — No classes; OLLI closed
Monday, June 16
Last day of summer term
Tuesday-Friday, June 17-20
Makeup week
Thursday, June 19
Juneteenth — No classes; OLLI closed
Wednesday, July 16
Last day to view summer course recordings
Special Events
Durham Walking Tour with Taste Carolina
IN PERSON: Taste Carolina will guide us through downtown Durham’s innovative cuisine! In addition to enjoying fantastic food, we’ll also explore the city’s cutting edge culture, historic roots, and renovated buildings. This social and fun walking tour will serve as lunch, so we will discover all of Durham’s flavors together.
Please meet at American Tobacco Warehouse in the area between Parker & Otis and Boricua Soul at the Durham overhang. Parking is available there, but it may be easier to park in the deck at Main and Corcoran and walk the few minutes down. We suggest arriving early to shop at Parker & Otis. It’s an awesome store! Dress for the weather and for walking. We will ask for your dietary restrictions and food allergies ahead of time.
Activity Level: Total walking distance is 1-2 miles, broken up in short, leisurely bursts. Tastings will be seated or standing. Be able to navigate sidewalks, stairs, and inclines successfully.
• Wednesday, May 14, 1-3:45
• In person in Durham (see above)
• Maximum: 25; Fee: $115; Course ID: 3999
Carrboro Walking Tour with Taste Carolina
IN PERSON: Go behind the scenes in Carrboro, where traditional and modern farm-to-table cuisine come to life. Taste Carolina will guide us on a walking tour through this charming town. In addition to enjoying fantastic food, we’ll also explore the city’s historic roots and the area’s love of locally sourced ingredients. This social and fun outing will serve as lunch, so we will discover all of Carrboro’s flavors together.
Please meet at 1:15 outside of Mercato, 408 W. Weaver Street, Carrboro, NC 27510. Parking can be found across Main Street in surface lots, or closer to the ending point in the deck adjacent to the Hampton Inn. Dress for the weather and for walking. We will ask for your dietary restrictions and food allergies ahead of time.
Activity Level: Total walking distance is 1-2 miles, broken up in short, leisurely bursts. Tastings will be seated or standing. Be able to navigate sidewalks, stairs, and inclines successfully.
• Friday, June 6, 1:30-4:15
• In person in Carrboro (see above)
• Maximum: 25; Fee: $115; Course ID: 4000
New Member Meet & Mingle
Thursday, May 1
In person at JRC, 10-11 a.m. ET
New to OLLI at Duke? We invite you to join us for an in-person Meet & Mingle event hosted by the OLLI leadership team. You will have an opportunity to meet other new members, OLLI Advisory Council members and OLLI staff. Details will be available in an upcoming member newsletter.
Special Events
Free Information Session
Wednesday, April 16 • 11 a.m. ET
Through a partnership between OLLI at Duke and Vivo, OLLI members have the opportunity to participate in interactive virtual exercise classes led by certified personal trainers who have extensive experience with older adults.
See the course description on page . Four sections are offered; each meets twice a week for eight weeks.
To learn more about Vivo, visit www.teamvivo.com.
Join us for the Vivo Information Session • Wednesday, April 16, 11 a.m. ET The Zoom link will be shared in the OLLI member newsletter.
OLLI Code of Conduct
Curiosity + Connection + Kindness + Compassion = Community
OLLI at Duke endeavors to create a positive and affirming environment that fosters learning and social connection. Members, instructors and staff are expected to demonstrate mutual respect, personal and academic integrity, kindness and a commitment to civil discourse. Ensuring OLLI at Duke is a welcoming, inclusive and affirming learning community is a responsibility we all share. These principles apply to all OLLI courses, whether they are in person or online.
We welcome a lively and passionate exchange of ideas and perspectives. Opposing viewpoints are welcomed and appreciated. Instructors are responsible for leading and moderating classroom discussions. Instructors have the prerogative of inviting/allowing questions throughout the class or asking members to hold their questions until the end of the class or another designated time.
Members, instructors and staff of the OLLI at Duke community are encouraged to contact OLLI staff (olli@duke.edu) if they observe behavior that is a significant violation of this code of conduct. The director will investigate, and, if there is a problem, the director will address it with the alleged violator and determine the consequences. Violations of the code of conduct may result in the suspension or termination of membership/teaching privileges for a member or instructor, or a disciplinary warning/termination of employment for a staff member.
Courses by Location
● Course Title, Day, Time [ET] (No. of Sessions), Page [linked to description]
Judea Reform Congregation (JRC)
The Plays of Oscar Wilde ............ M, 9-10:30 (6) ....... 19
Artificial Intelligence and Art T, 1:30-2:45 (6) 30
Reflective Writing T, 1:30-2:45 (3) 38
Create a Mosaic Painting T, 1:30-3 (6) 16
Build Your Strength With Vivo, Sec 3 T/Th, 9-9:45 (16) 35
Build Your Strength With Vivo, Sec 4 .................................... T/Th, 10-10:45 (16)..... 35
Euripides’ Alcestis W, 11-12:15 (6) 20
The Smedley Butler Saga W, 11-12:15 (6) 18
Historic Carnegie Hall Concerts W, 11-12:15 (6) 21
The World Today ......................... W, 11-12:30 (6) ..... 14
The Best of Alfred Hitchcock ...... W, 1:30-2:45 (6) .... 22
Mastering Monochrome W, 1:30-2:45 (6) 24
Musicals 101 Th, 9-10:15 (6) 23
Qigong Th, 9-10:15 (6) 33
Mass Incarceration in America ... Th, 11-12:15 (6) ..... 30
Persona Poems Live! .................. Th, 11-12:30 (6) .... 37
Tropical Marvels Th, 1:30-2:45 (6) 28
Summer 2025 Registration
Registration opens on Tuesday, April 15, at 9 a.m. ET for Monday and Tuesday courses and on Wednesday, April 16, at 9 a.m. ET for Wednesday and Thursday courses.
classes are Eastern Time • Tip: Page numbers link to course descriptions
Courses by Instructor
Experiential Learning
Experiential learning is the process of learning through experience, and is more narrowly defined as “learning through reflection on doing.” To augment our offerings, we are adding trips, excursions and other hands-on experiences beyond the classroom.
Grief: A Container Garden
IN PERSON: Is it possible to engage with grief in improvisational ways? Is it possible to live in peaceful proximity to sorrow? In this course, we will explore these and other questions through the lens of poetry, song and story. This course is open to all who are curious about exploring an improvisational relationship with grief. Nnenna Freelon is a seven-time Grammy-nominated jazz singer. The death of her husband Phil in 2019, thrust her into the “palm of grief.” There, she discovered that the improvisational tools she learned as a jazz musician were healing ones. She is passionate about co-creating with grief and believes that we all have this innate capacity to be creative grievers. There will be time for class reflection and participation. We will assemble a unique container garden of hope and healing to carry into the world. There are no special requirements for this course. We are all grief sojourners in one way or another. Bring an open, human heart. • Experiential Learning, Lecture + Q&A, Facilitated Discussion.
Please note: Classes will meet at NorthStar Church of the Arts, 220 W. Geer Street, Durham, NC 27701.
Nnenna Freelon, seven-time Grammy-nominated jazz singer, songwriter, storyteller, and selfproclaimed improvisational human, is a proud Durham-based artist. She’s enjoyed an over 40year career as a live performer and arts educator. The loss of her husband renowned architect Phil Freelon, in 2019 to ALS, reshaped her artistic focus. Freelon states that her placement in the “palm of grief” led her to the discovery of improvisational tools as a part of her healing process.
• 6 Wed, May 7, 14, 28, Jun 4, 11 & 18 (no class May 21), 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
• In person at NorthStar Church of the Arts, Durham (see address above)
• Maximum: 40; Fee: $175; Course ID: 3973
Art Around Town: Visiting Durham Art Venues
IN PERSON: This course will offer an opportunity to visit some of the art venues in Durham that make our city a vibrant, creative place. We will have a tour at each of the four different locations on Thursday mornings in May, beginning May 8. Students will then enjoy lunch (optional and not included in the course fee) at a local restaurant. We will meet at each of the Durham venues. Carpooling is encouraged.
• Experiential Learning, Facilitated Discussion.
Dates and Venues:
• May 8 — 21c Museum Hotel
• May 15 — Hayti Heritage Center
• May 22 — Liberty Arts Studio and Foundry
• May 29 — Durham Arts Guild
Ruth Caccavale has a passion for discussing art with people. She has worked in a number of muse -
Image courtesy of Nneena Freelon
Experiential Learning 2
ums and art education positions. Since her move to NC in 2011, she has taught over two dozen OLLI courses and led OLLI cultural arts trips. She also works in the education department of Duke’s Nasher Museum of Art. For 10 years prior to this, she taught a variety of art history courses at Rutgers University in New Jersey. Ruth graduated from Duke in 1981 and received an M.A. from Rutgers in 1985.
• 4 Thu, May 8-29, 11 a.m. -12:30 p.m.
• In person at various venues (see above)
• Maximum: 15; Fee: $90; Course ID: 3960
Build Your Strength With Vivo
ONLINE: Muscle strength and balance are critical to maintaining health and independence as we age. Without additional strength training, most older adults will suffer a loss of muscle tone that can negatively impact their balance and mobility. Vivo, a live, online, interactive strength-building course customized to your fitness level, helps you attain physical fitness. Vivo’s focus is on cognitive, balance, and strength exercises. Classes are small and instruction is individualized. Certified personal trainers, skilled at working with older adults, provide modified exercises to meet each student’s fitness needs. Classes meet twice a week for 45 minutes. You receive personal, one-on-one assessments before exercise classes begin to establish a baseline for your abilities. Following the conclusion of the exercise classes, a final assessment will be provided to measure your results. Whether you are new to exercise or exercise regularly, Vivo will help you meet your exercise goals. • Experiential Learning, Active Skill Learning.
Scheduling Notes:
Registration for this course will close on April 28. Upon registration, you will receive an email with steps to schedule your personal assessment and complete your Vivo registration.
Personal assessments: May 5-9
Exercise classes: May 12 - July 3, two classes weekly (45 minutes, 16 sessions)
Final personal assessments: July 7-10
Certified personal trainers, skilled in working with older adults, provide modified exercises to meet each student’s fitness needs.
Art Museums Today: Tradition, Innovation, and Adaptation
IN PERSON: Go behind the scenes with North Carolina Museum of Art Chief Registrar Maggie Gregory to learn more about the day-to-day workings of the modern museum. Balancing the mission of preservation and interpretation, museums face interesting challenges as they seek to enlarge their core audiences and to create dynamic, diverse presentations in the face of our fast-paced, digitally-stoked world. Through the practical lens of the registrar, this lecture-based course will explore the daily workings of the museum and will include discussion of how objects are cared for, how collections grow, and the process by which exhibitions are developed. The course will examine the roles played by multiple museum departments, emphasizing the collaborative effort that lies behind curating the visitor’s experience. • Lecture + Q&A.
This catalog is organized by course subject, with helpful indexes on pages 8-9. Throughout the catalog, each page number in the text or in an index is a link to that page. All course description pages include a “Return to Course Indexes” link at the bottom.
Tip: Course ID numbers make registering easy. Refer to them while registering online and when tracking course confirmations or the waitlist status of a course. Find a course even faster by typing the course ID number into “Advanced Search.”
Maggie Gregory has been the Chief Registrar at the North Carolina Museum of Art since 2008. Educated at Wellesley College (A.B.) and the University of Michigan (M.A.), she discovered a love of museums as a child during family visits to the Art Institute of Chicago. Prior to her role at the NCMA, she was Head Registrar at the Weatherspoon Art Museum. Additionally, she has taught adjunct art history courses at Wake Forest University, UNC-G, and for OLLI at NC State.
• 3 Tue, May 6-20, 1:30-3 p.m.
• In person at Judea Reform Congregation
• Maximum: 50; Fee: $45; Course ID: 3961
Art & Architecture
Art Around Town: Visiting Durham Art Venues
IN PERSON: This course will offer an opportunity to visit some of the art venues in Durham that make our city a vibrant, creative place. We will have a tour at each of the four different locations on Thursday mornings in May, beginning May 8. Students will then enjoy lunch (optional and not included in the course fee) at a local restaurant. We will meet at each of the Durham venues. Carpooling is encouraged. • Experiential Learning, Facilitated Discussion.
Dates and Venues:
• May 8 — 21c Museum Hotel
• May 15 — Hayti Heritage Center
• May 22 — Liberty Arts Studio and Foundry
• May 29 — Durham Arts Guild
Ruth Caccavale has a passion for discussing art with people. She has worked in a number of museums and art education positions. Since her move to NC in 2011, she has taught over two dozen OLLI courses and led OLLI cultural arts trips. She also works in the education department of Duke’s Nasher Museum of Art. For 10 years prior to this, she taught a variety of art history courses at Rutgers University in New Jersey. Ruth graduated from Duke in 1981 and received an M.A. from Rutgers in 1985.
• 4 Thu, May 8-29, 11 a.m. -12:30 p.m.
• In person at various venues (see above)
• Maximum: 15; Fee: $90; Course ID: 3960
Summer 2025 Registration
Registration opens on Tuesday, April 15, at 9 a.m. ET for Monday and Tuesday courses and on Wednesday, April 16, at 9 a.m. ET for Wednesday and Thursday courses.
Economics & Public Policy
Limits of Presidential Power?
IN PERSON: Explore the evolving power of the presidency and the checks designed to restrain it. Why did the Founders structure government as they did? How has executive power expanded, and at what cost? This course examines key mechanisms of redress, including separation of powers, federalism, and the role of the military in domestic affairs. We’ll discuss the free press amid growing challenges, the influence of parties and interest groups, and the president’s control over the bureaucracy. Additional topics will include immigration, regulation, intelligence agencies, and the Federal Reserve. Students will gain a deeper understanding of the Constitution’s safeguards as well as the ongoing struggle to maintain balance in government. • Lecture + Q&A, Facilitated Discussion.
Andrée Reeves holds a Ph.D. in political science from Rice University. She was an analyst at the U.S. Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations and faculty at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. She taught courses on: American government; the presidency; Congress; political parties; state and local governments; federalism; and intergovernmental relations. She wrote “Congressional Committee Chairmen: Three Who Made an Evolution” (The University Press of Kentucky, 1993).
• 6 Tue, May 6 - Jun 10, 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
• In person at Judea Reform Congregation
• Maximum: 24; Fee: $90; Course ID: 3977
If enrolling in a course that meets In person, please review the In-Person Guidelines before registering.
Economics & Public Policy
The World Today
ONLINE: Do you enjoy following and discussing current events? Each week, we will look at news and issues from around the world and at home. The instructor will provide an agenda with notes and links, and members of the course are encouraged to propose additional discussion topics. Active participation is encouraged, but not mandatory. Discussions are enriched by the diversity of class members’ backgrounds, expertise and viewpoints. Topics are discussed knowledgeably, respectfully and sometimes with passion, but we always end with humor. Students will gain a better understanding of the social and political issues of the world today. Each instructor is an avid news and politics junkie and has experience leading these types of discussions. Each brings his or her own distinctive style and background to the course, and, most importantly, each will encourage a wide selection of views from class members. Students who bring unique or underrepresented points of view are especially welcome. • Facilitated Discussion.
Please note: We recommend that attendees use a device with the largest screen available in order to see everyone.
Henry Blinder served as city attorney for the City of Durham for many years prior to retirement. He is past president of the North Carolina Association of Municipal Attorneys and a former deputy
attorney general for the State of New Jersey. He has a J.D. from Duke University Law School, and lived in Durham for more than 35 years. He now resides near Washington.
Virginia Gray, Ph.D., taught political science at the universities of Kentucky, Minnesota and North Carolina. She participated in election night survey analysis for NBC News in the 1980s. She is an expert on state politics: public policy, including health care reform and criminal justice; and interest groups. Gray has published widely on these and other topics and is a fellow of the National Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Stuart Kaplan performed agricultural research for over 40 years. He earned his M.S. and Ph.D. in crop physiology from Purdue University. Since retiring, Stuart typically volunteers weekly at Red Cross blood drives throughout the Triangle. He has taken over 30 OLLI courses, covering a wide range of subjects, and lectured on GMO crops.
Doug Longman spent 25 years in marketing management at Fortune 100 firms. He holds a Ph.D. in business administration and taught at the University of Texas and the University of Chicago. Over the past 20 years, he has taught more than 40 OLLI courses in international political economy, public policy, economics and politics/political science. Doug has led this course for over 20 years.
Wade Overgaard worked as a senior-level actuary for a Fortune 500 insurer. He received a B.A. in economics and mathematics from Duke. A native Chicagoan, he has lived in the Hartford, CT, area since the early 1980s.
• 6 Wed, May 7- Jun 11, 11 a.m. -12:30 p.m.
• Online via Zoom
• Maximum: 24; Fee: $90; Course ID: 0393
Staying in Touch
When you join the OLLI at Duke mailing list, you’ll receive the OLLI Newsletter with up-to-date information on upcoming events, special activities and course registration details.
Sign up here; you can unsubscribe at any time.
Hands-On Art
Chinese Brush Painting: Vegetables and Fruits
IN PERSON: Chinese brush painting attempts to capture the essence or spirit of its subject. In this hands-on art course, students will learn how to paint various vegetables and fruits, which are popular brush-painting subjects. Each person will complete a beautiful painting within one or two classes while practicing basic brush painting techniques. The instructor will provide a step-by-step demonstration of the subject. Then, students will practice painting with the instructor’s help. While practicing, students will learn: how to use ink, how to control the brush, and how to paint brush strokes. Every participant will complete a nice brush painting. This course is designed for both experienced and beginning students — all are welcome! • Active Skill Learning.
Required supplies/fee: Students will purchase materials from the instructor and/ or independently for a total estimated cost of $30-40. For additional information on supplies, please see the course details at learnmore.duke.edu/olli
Jinxiu Zhao (Alice) is a professional brush painting artist who specializes in the teaching of Chinese brush painting and calligraphy to both children and adults. She has taught brush painting and calligraphy in North Carolina for 28 years to all levels of the public schools, to teacher training programs, and in private classes.
• 6 Tue, May 6 - Jun 10, 11 a.m. -12:30 p.m.
• In person at Judea Reform Congregation
• Maximum: 12; Fee: $120; Course ID: 3592
Colored Pencil Creations: Still Life Composition
ONLINE: In this online course, students will use colored pencils and pastel pencils to create a still life composition. To capture the texture and shine of the threaded spools and thimbles, we will focus on the use of colored pencils, as these allow for a fine gradation of color and precise control. Techniques such as layering and burnishing are essential. Starting with light, broad strokes and gradually building intensity allows the depth of colors to emerge using various pencil techniques. Careful study of the thread’s twisting patterns and the reflective surfaces of thimbles can inspire a detailed approach to rendering these details. Join us for this intensive course — geared toward intermediate/advanced participants. • Active Skill Learning.
Required supplies/fee: For additional information on supplies, please see the course details at learnmore.duke.edu/olli.
Cathy Boytos has spent years drawing botanical images and pet portraits with pen and ink as well as colored pencils. She has an extensive portfolio of colored pencil animal and floral illustrations and has won many awards for her colored pencil artwork. An award-winning graphic designer, a CZT (certified Zentangle teacher) and a very popular OLLI instructor, Cathy has spent her life in the art field.
• 6 Tue, May 6 - Jun 10, 11 a.m. -1 p.m.
• Online via Zoom; Sessions are recorded
• Maximum: 50; Fee: $120; Course ID: 3965
Visit our Online Learning website for helpful hints and tips for Zoom.
Hands-On Art
Create a Mosaic Painting
ONLINE: In this hands-on course, you will learn how to create a beautiful mosaic artwork that has the appearance of a painting. Students will work with a variety of materials including vibrant stained glass, ceramic pieces, metal/Czech glass beads, slate, pebbles, and found objects. You’ll learn to use color, shape, and texture to create movement and shading through the cutting and application of mosaic materials employing the “direct method” laying technique. Students will select a floral or fruit image provided by the instructor, which will serve as a template for their piece. Each week the instructor will share works from various mosaic artists to inspire students. Sessions will be recorded, allowing you to review steps at your own pace between classes. By the end of the course, you will have completed a stunning mosaic artwork. All materials, including stained glass, ceramics, beads, slate, found objects, form, adhesive, and grout, will be provided in supply kits. All levels are welcome! • Lecture + Q&A, Facilitated Discussion, Active Skill Learning.
Please note: Students will need a table or space to work where they can also view their computer (or other device). They will also need a wheeled tile nipper. These are available for purchase in big box home stores
or on Amazon. The instructor can also add a wheeled tile nipper to the student’s required supply kit ($44) for an additional $20 if requested. Notify instructor up to five days before class begins if you would like a wheeled tile nipper included with your supply kit materials.
Required supplies/fee: There is a fee of $44 payable to the instructor at the first class. For additional information on supplies, please see the course details at learnmore.duke.edu/olli
Gabrielle Rousso was the executive director of The Art Center Highland Park, a community art center and fine art school in Illinois. Prior to that, she was the CEO and lead designer for Designs Within, Chicago, completing over 100 commercial and residential interior design projects. A graduate of the State College of New Jersey and Harrington Institute of Interior Design, she is a member of the Board of Frank Gallery, Carrboro, and is an educator, artist, philanthropist, and avid art collector.
• 6 Tue, May 6 - Jun 10, 1:30-3 p.m.
• Online via Zoom; Sessions are recorded
• Maximum: 15; Fee: $120; Course ID: 3967
Summer 2025 Registration
Registration opens on Tuesday, April 15, at 9 a.m. ET for Monday and Tuesday courses and on Wednesday, April 16, at 9 a.m. ET for Wednesday and Thursday courses.
Registration FAQs
To make your registration experience as smooth as possible, we have put together a frequently asked questions guide. At OLLI at Duke FAQs you will find answers to questions on membership, courses, Zoom and technology and registration.
History: Past & Present
Atlantic Piracy: The “Golden Age”
ONLINE: Most people today know of pirates from movies, novels, and plays, which tend to portray them as swashbuckling adventurers. Although pirates have been romanticized over the years, they were in fact real — dangerous men (and a few women) who sailed the seas in search of plunder. They were active from the late 16th to the 18th century, preying on the lucrative trade of Europe’s colonizing powers, and they were a serious problem in the colonial Caribbean. Opinions differ as to whether they were radicals who rebelled against the rising power of the state and the emergence of capitalism, or just greedy maritime bandits, who frequently abused enslaved Africans. In this online course, we will learn who they were, what they did, how they lived, how they related to the current political and economic systems, how authorities responded, and why and when piracy declined. Lastly, we will compare the actual history of Caribbean pirates with their representation in popular culture.
• Lecture + Q&A.
Margaret Brill was the British history librarian at Duke University for two decades. She was also head of reference, maps librarian, and librarian for medieval and Renaissance studies at different times. Margaret has a bachelor’s in history from London University, a master’s in library science from NCCU, and a master’s in liberal studies from Duke, with a focus on social history.
• 6 Tue, May 6 - Jun 10, 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
• Online via Zoom; Sessions are recorded
• Maximum: 200; Fee: $90; Course ID: 3963
Creation of The European Union
IN PERSON: Have you ever wondered how the European Union began? This course will explore the creation and evolution of the EU from its origins in 1945 to its current structure. It examines the reasons behind the formation of the EU, initially as a trade union, and its transformation into a political and economic union. We will cover the key developments in post-WWII Europe and debates surrounding the various changes — some very dramatic — in how European countries interact and support one another. Students will gain insights into the challenges and shifts in EU integration throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. Class sessions will be lecture-based, with opportunity for engaging discussion. • Lecture + Q&A, Facilitated Discussion.
Eric Johnson is a retired high school history teacher and has taught in the OLLI at Duke program since 2017. He taught in two international schools and lived in Italy and Belgium from 1988-2007. Eric experienced many of the changes created by the formation of The European Union first hand. He hopes to share many of these with the OLLI community.
• 6 Tue, May 6 - Jun 10, 9-10:30 a.m.
• In person at Judea Reform Congregation
• Maximum: 24; Fee: $90; Course ID: 3968
History: Past & Present
George F. Kennan: Diplomat/Strategist/ Scholar
IN PERSON: George F. Kennan (1904-2005) was the architect of the anti-Soviet containment strategy (1946), a U.S. ambassador to Moscow (1952) and Yugoslavia (1961-63), a scholar at the Institute for Advanced Study, and a prominent critic of his own policy. In this discussion-based course, we will explore Kennan’s intellectual evolution by reading key essays and lectures from the 1940s, ’50s and ’80s. Students will gain insight into his shifting views on U.S. foreign policy. Weekly readings of about 25 pages are required, with active participation in class discussions expected. • Facilitated Discussion.
Required Text:
• George F. Kennan, “American Diplomacy: Sixtieth-Anniversary Expanded Edition” (9780226431482)
Richard Melanson enjoyed a 38-year academic career at UCLA, Kenyon College, Brown University, and the National War College. He holds a Ph.D. in international relations from Johns Hopkins University and is the author of several books on post-World War II American foreign policy. He has taught for OLLI at Duke since 2016.
• 6 Wed, May 7- Jun 11, 11 a.m. -12:30 p.m.
• In person at Judea Reform Congregation
• Maximum: 15; Fee: $90; Course ID: 3972
The Smedley Butler Saga: Gangster of Capitalism
ONLINE: Smedley Butler (USMC) was one of the most decorated warfighters of his time, participating in nearly every U.S. conflict from 1898 to WWI. He played a key role in expanding American influence, from annexing The Philippines to leading military actions in Cuba, Nicaragua, Haiti, and China. After retiring, Butler became a vocal critic of war and corporate interests, famously stating, “I was a racketeer for capitalism.” In 1933, he was even implicated in a plot to overthrow Franklin Roosevelt’s administration. This lecture-based course explores Butler’s complex legacy through the works of historians Jonathan M. Katz and Jules Archer. • Lecture + Q&A.
John Powers is a writer and director of narrative and documentary stories. He is a graduate of the University of Southern California with an MFA and BFA in drama. He began his career as a screenwriter. Later, he returned to performing arts as a producer and presenter of theater and other cultural events. He has taught for several universities and colleges in their life-long learning programs.
• 6 Wed, May 7- Jun 11, 11 a.m. -12:15 p.m.
• Online via Zoom; Sessions are recorded
• Maximum: 40; Fee: $90; Course ID: 3993
Finding Course Links in the Student Portal
OLLI members who register for online courses will find the Zoom links for their courses in their Student Portal at learnmore.duke.edu/olli.
See Finding Course Links for step-by-step instructions and a demonstration video.
History: Past & Present
Western Encounters in China: 400 Years of Engagement
IN PERSON: This course explores the experiences of nine Western advisers in China, spanning several centuries. The individuals include: two 17th century Jesuit astronomers (one German, one Belgian); a 19th century Protestant missionary-physician and a soldier-for-hire from New England; an English sinologist-missionary; a Russian Jewish Communist sent by Lenin in the 1920s; and three influential WWII-era military officers (Chennault, Stillwell, and Wedemeyer). We will examine their motivations, expectations, and the outcomes of their missions, with a focus on how their Chinese counterparts responded to Western attempts to engage with China. Key aspects of Chinese culture and history will be discussed. Students will read an average of 28 pages per session and will be expected to actively participate in facilitated class discussions. • Lecture + Q&A, Facilitated Discussion.
Required Text:
• Jonathan D. Spence, “To Change China: Western Advisers in China” (9780140055283)
Steve Valentin served in the U.S. State Department for 20 years, and was an instructor in the federal government for 3.5 of those years. As a foreign service officer, he completed overseas assignments in U.S. missions in China and Taiwan. He holds a master’s in international affairs (American University School of International Service) and a bachelor’s in history/Chinese language and literature (University of Massachusetts Amherst). This is his first time teaching an OLLI at Duke course.
• 6 Thu, May 8 - Jun 12, 11 a.m. -12:30 p.m.
• In person at Judea Reform Congregation
• Maximum: 20; Fee: $90; Course ID: 3995
Literature & Languages
The
Plays of Oscar Wilde: Critique, Wisdom, and Wit from “Salome” to “The Importance of Being Earnest”
IN PERSON: One of the most beloved playwrights in English theater, Oscar Wilde (18541900) is best remembered for “The Importance of Being Earnest” (1895). This brilliant comedy of manners is subtitled “A Trivial Comedy for Serious People,” which belies the profound subversiveness underlying the epigrammatic wit of Wilde’s play and his comedic sensibility in general. Students in this course will read the five masterpieces of Wilde’s maturity, starting with the Symbolist experiment “Salome,” then moving to the comedies of society “Lady Windermere’s Fan,” “A Woman of No Importance,” and “An Ideal Husband,” and ending with “Earnest.” While historical, theatrical, and biographical (e.g., sexual) contexts and Wilde’s myriad afterlives in contemporary culture will be discussed, like serious people, we will focus on the wisdom at the heart of the plays and the penetrating social, aesthetic, and moral critique that they pose, not to blunt but to better appreciate the razor-sharp edge of Wilde’s wit. • Lecture + Q&A, Facilitated Discussion.
Required Text:
• Oscar Wilde, “The Importance of Being Earnest and Other Plays” (9780140436068)
Charles Joseph Del Dotto received his undergraduate education at Princeton University and holds masters’ and doctoral degrees in English from Duke University, having specialized in modern British drama and theater. He has taught over 20 courses for OLLI at Duke since 2014.
• 6 Mon, May 5 - Jun 16 (no class May 26), 9-10:30 a.m.
• In person at Judea Reform Congregation
• Maximum: 16; Fee: $90; Course ID: 1725
Literature & Languages
Euripides’ Alcestis: A Pioneering Literary Psychology
ONLINE: “Alcestis” rivets our attention with the theme of surrogacy — the trading of a dutiful wife’s life to preserve that of her self-absorbed husband. As a craftsman of the unexpected, the Greek dramatist Euripides maneuvers this theme via absorbing and controversial roles given to gods, demigods, and mortals in a layering of high-test, confrontational perspectives. Euripides challenges the Greeks’ own moral and ethical choices, and in so doing demands that the audience weigh for which, for whom, and under what circumstances they would die for another. And just as deliberately discomforting, the dramatist springs his “modernism” by leaving unsettling questions unanswered, placing them in the audience’s lap without benefit of mortal or immortal solutions. We’ll put the play into its mythic and moral setting as prelude to engaging with Euripides’ minefields. We’ll do it in the way a Greek audience did — by directly confronting the issues as they emerge: in our case, from the printed stage.
• Lecture + Q&A, Facilitated Discussion.
Please note: Students should acquire the specified edition and read the entire play before the first class meeting.
Required Text:
• Euripides, “Ten Plays by Euripides,” Bantam Classics ed. (9780553213638)
Craig Miller holds a Ph.D. in theology, specializing in biblical/classical languages. He has taught for over 40 years, and in adult education programs and other OLLIs for 25 years. He has taught on classical/biblical literature, and themes such as magic and fate. He has been an appointed member of scholarly projects, such as STOA that
made a major Byzantine encyclopedia available in English online. His mantra is that any subject can be made accessible and enjoyable through student-centered teaching.
• 6 Wed, May 7- Jun 11, 11 a.m. -12:15 p.m.
• Online via Zoom
• Maximum: 20; Fee: $90; Course ID: 3971
Shakespeare’s “The Tempest”: Theater, Magic, and Art
IN PERSON: Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” is set on a remote island. Prospero, the exiled Duke of Milan having occult powers, lives there with his daughter Miranda, the spirit Ariel, and the native Caliban. When he conjures a storm bringing members of his former court to the island, we are whirled into a maelstrom where themes of power, betrayal, civilization, illusion, family, and forgiveness are explored. Its portrayal of Prospero as an avatar of Shakespeare provides a complex portrait of a man embedded in his artful practices who seeks to shape the lives of those around him, much as a playwright might do. We will examine these ideas in a close reading of the play. Students will also consider the effects of colonial power that situate Prospero’s island as less a “brave new world” than as a metaphor for the damage visited on native peoples and the power of art itself. Class sessions will consist of lecture and discussion. No previous experience with Shakespeare is necessary, and all are welcome.
• Lecture + Q&A.
Please note: Most class sessions will include selected scenes on film. Any copy of the play with act, scene, and line numbers is fine to use. Any edition of the play with
Literature & Languages
notes will help the student understand obscure words and concepts.
Required Text:
• William Shakespeare, “The Tempest” (9780743482837)
Sheila Walsh received her B.A. in English from Regis College and her M.A. in English from Georgetown University. She holds a Ph.D. in English & American Literature from New York University. She has taught at Northeastern University, Emerson College, and Harvard Extension School. She also taught English at the secondary and community college levels. Her particular areas of interest include Shakespeare and British literature, Irish studies, and poetry. She taught Shakespeare’s “Othello” for OLLI.
• 6 Wed, May 7- Jun 11, 11 a.m. -12:30 p.m.
• In person at Judea Reform Congregation
• Maximum: 20; Fee: $90; Course ID: 3988
Performing Arts
Historic Carnegie Hall Concerts: Spirituals to Swing, 1938-1939
If enrolling in a course that meets In person, please review the In-Person Guidelines before registering.
For courses that are Online, visit our Online Learning website for helpful hints and tips for Zoom.
Summer 2025 Registration
Registration opens on Tuesday, April 15, at 9 a.m. ET for Monday and Tuesday courses and on Wednesday, April 16, at 9 a.m. ET for Wednesday and Thursday courses.
ONLINE: Near Christmas in the winters of 1938 and 1939, two historic concerts were held at Carnegie Hall in New York City. These concerts were significant for three reasons. One, they were among the first instances of racially integrated audiences in the city. Second, they were among the first recordings of live concerts. So, we still know today what they sounded like. Third, the concerts traced the history of African American music from the days of slavery up to the big band sound of Count Basie. The second concert in 1939 included Benny Goodman’s racially integrated combo, an unusual event at that time. This course will explain the background and news reviews of these historic concerts, play excerpts from the performances, and describe the performers as well as trace the history of the many releases of recordings up to the 1999 Vanguard issue of three CDs. • Lecture + Q&A.
Recommended Text:
• John Hammond, “John Hammond On Record” (9780671400033)
After graduating from Duke (BA ’67) most of Bill Phillips’ time was spent on the history of people playing music. With an NEA grant he presented concerts in North Carolina public schools, recruiting folk performers, large gospel choirs, and jazz bands. Then he collected recordings of the Carnegie Hall Spirituals to Swing concerts. In the mid-1970s he met one of the concert performers, Sonny Terry. At the same time, he heard John Hammond Jr., son of the producer of the Carnegie Hall concerts, play.
• 6 Wed, May 7- Jun 11, 11 a.m. -12:15 p.m.
• Online via Zoom; Sessions are recorded
• Maximum: 40; Fee: $90; Course ID: 3974
Performing Arts
Music History: Immersion & Adventure
IN PERSON: This course, which requires no previous music experience, will immerse students in the history of Western classical music from its beginnings into the 21st century. There will be an overview of the history, with an emphasis on listening. It is the instructor’s plan to generate both fun and excitement as we listen interactively, with guidance, feedback and discussion. We will dive deeply into selected music and composers from different periods and begin to understand music’s evolution through the centuries. Students will also learn to recognize some distinguishing characteristics of each period and composer. We will become acquainted with different musical forms, including the concerto, string quartet and symphony. Students will undoubtedly hear pieces, many of which they have never heard before, that will excite and move them. Since we will be a small group, there will be opportunities for everyone’s engagement. Bring a notebook for notetaking and logistics information. • Facilitated Discussion.
Please note: In order to share music, the instructor recommends the music playlist service TIDAL. There is a 30-day free trial to use the service. This is not required, but will allow sharing of music lists with students. Masks are required if symptomatic.
Margaret Maytan is passionate about classical music and has a strong background in studying, teaching, and performing. Her background includes: a combined B.A. in music and M.A. in musicology; lecturing in music history at high school and university levels; training and experience in guiding learning in a small group setting; strong performance experience both professionally and at an amateur level: voice, piano, viola. Margaret is a graduate of a four-year Duke medical specialty residency.
• 6 Thu, May 8 - Jun 12, 11 a.m. -12:30 p.m.
• In person at Judea Reform Congregation
• Maximum: 12; Fee: $90; Course ID: 3982
The Best of Alfred Hitchcock: Danger, Suspense and Deception
ONLINE: In his legendary career as a director, Alfred Hitchcock created suspenseful films filled with flawed heroes, charming villains, and moral ambiguity. In this six-week online course, we will discuss ten of Hitchcock’s best films — focusing on two or three each week that share a common theme. The instructor will distribute a list of the films and themes in advance, and encourage students to watch them independently. The course is designed to be interesting and engaging even for those who do not watch the films. Students will be able to recognize Hitchcock’s genius as a visual storyteller, as well as his ability to convey danger and sustain suspense. Participants may be inspired to watch a wider array of classic films with a deeper appreciation for their artistry. • Lecture + Q&A.
Jay Sherwin is a writer and consultant who has been watching, studying and enjoying Hitchcock films for decades. He created a walking tour of Alfred Hitchcock’s San Francisco that attracts Hitchcock fans from around the world, and he loves to share his Hitchcock obsession with fellow film lovers everywhere. He has taught this online course for OLLI programs nationwide.
• 6 Wed, May 7- Jun 11, 1:30-2:45 p.m.
• Online via Zoom
• Maximum: 200; Fee: $90; Course ID: 3991
Performing Arts
Improv & Playback Theater
IN PERSON: Discover the joy of improv theater through fun, interactive exercises— no scripts required! This course builds intuition, spontaneity, listening, and collaboration skills using creative drama techniques. Participants will craft original monologues and dialogues, blending storytelling, music, and movement to express humor and imagination. Students will explore Playback Theater: transforming our own true stories into dynamic scenes. Each class invites personal storytelling, reenacted in meaningful and creative ways. Expect laughter, reflection, and connection through the art of improv. No experience needed — just life experience! Participants must be able to move unassisted.
• Facilitated Discussion, Active Skill Learning.
Please note: Wear comfortable clothing and bring a water bottle.
Noa Roth is a performance artist who has acted in a variety of improv ensembles for two decades. Noa is the founder and artistic director of several theater groups specializing in Playback Theater — improvisational drama based on personal stories. She performs and facilitates workshops in a variety of settings, including in Triangle Playback Theater. She is also an award-winning documentary filmmaker, with work screened around the world. Noa holds an MFA in film directing and a BA in Theater.
• 6 Tue, May 6 - Jun 10, 11 a.m. -12:30 p.m.
• In person at Judea Reform Congregation
• Maximum: 15; Fee: $90; Course ID: 3976
The Plays of Oscar Wilde: Critique, Wisdom, and Wit from “Salome” to “The
Importance of Being Earnest”
See listing on page 19.
Musicals 101: Six Singular Sensations
ONLINE: Most courses on Broadway musicals focus on the works of a certain period or those by a certain team of creators. However, some shows resist such categories: either they’re not typical of their era or their creative teams didn’t create many shows. This course will explore six Broadway musicals — all critical and popular successes — that meet the criteria of both “singular” and “sensational”: “The Music Man,” “Damn Yankees,” “A Chorus Line,” “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” “Dreamgirls,” and “The Wiz.” The course is primarily lecture with video and audio clips; students will be able to ask questions and make comments during each class. • Lecture + Q&A.
Recommended Text:
• Michael Kantor and Laurence Maslon, “Broadway: The American Musical” (9781493047673)
Alan Teasley began his career as a high school English and drama teacher and served as an administrator in the Durham public schools for over twenty years. He also directed Duke’s Master of Arts in Teaching program for three years. He is an avid theatergoer with a particular interest in American musicals. This will be his seventeenth course on musicals for OLLI.
• 6 Thu, May 8 - Jun 12, 9-10:15 a.m.
• Online via Zoom; Sessions are recorded
• Maximum: 200; Fee: $90; Course ID: 3983
Photography
Mastering Monochrome: Unlocking the Art and Value of Black-and-White Photography
ONLINE: Embark on a journey beyond color imagery to discover the art of creating evocative images in black-and-white. Learn the what, why, when, and how of making black-and-white photographs through brief, focused presentations, facilitated discussion, hands-on assignments, and weekly reviews of your photos. Students will learn how to create black-and-white images with their own cameras (digital or smartphone), or by converting color images with techniques using suggested post-processing software. We will explore how the light, shadow, and texture of the black-and-white medium can be used to convey strong emotional and narrative content. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced photographer, join us and come away with a deeper appreciation for the timeless beauty and emotional depth of black-and-white photography. • Facilitated Discussion, Active Skill Learning.
Please note: Adobe Lightroom will be used by the instructor and is recommended for participants, but other post-processing software can be used. Any digital camera can be used, including phone cameras.
Recommended Texts:
• John Szarkowski, “The Photographer’s Eye” (9780870705274)
• Rick Rubin, “The Creative Act: A Way of Being” (9780593652886)
• Torsten Andreas Hoffmann, “The Art of Black and White Photography” (9781933952963)
Fran DeRespinis is a photographer and teacher of photographic aesthetics. He has exhibited in the Hudson Valley of NY, Providence RI, Vienna VA, Key West FL, Brooklyn NY, Kokomo IN, and in NC. His work can be found in private coIlections in Miami FL, Brooklyn NY, and Vienna Austria. A Harvard Graduate School of Education graduate, he also studied at the School of Visual Arts in NYC and the Woodstock NY Center for Photography. Fran taught the OLLI course Five Ways To Improve Your Photos.
• 6 Wed, May 7- Jun 11, 1:30-2:45 p.m.
• Online via Zoom; Sessions are recorded
• Maximum: 12; Fee: $90; Course ID: 3981
Experiential Learning
Experiential learning is the process of learning through experience, and is more narrowly defined as “learning through reflection on doing.” Join us for learning experiences beyond the classroom.
Summer 2025
Build Your Strength With Vivo
A live, online, interactive strength-building course customized to your fitness level.
Grief: A Container Garden
Explore questions of grief through the lens of poetry, song and story.
Art Around Town: Visiting Durham Art Venues
Visit four art venues in Durham that make our city a vibrant, creative place. See pages 10 -11.
Religion & Philosophy
I Ching Divination
IN PERSON: The 3,000 year-old I Ching ( Yìjīng 易經) or Book of Changes is a core text of Chinese culture. Daoists, Confucianists, and Buddhists have provided commentary through the centuries, but it predates them all. It appears to be a book, but I Ching is traditionally seen as the embodiment of a living oracle: “the little sage in the yellow robe.” Approach it as you would a counselor who sees the energetic fabric of the present leading to possible futures, and who cares that in our actions we “get it right.” Divination, after all, is simply the art of knowing where we are, what might come next, and how to get there. We will study how to ask questions, how to use tools of divination (e.g., coins, beads, dice, and yarrow stalks) to receive responses, and how to interpret the enigmatic, dream-like imagery and 64 patterns of vibration (hexagrams) the sage uses to speak to us. Meditation, mantra, drumming, and qigong exercises will deepen our experience and personalize our connection to the Yi. • Lecture + Q&A, Facilitated Discussion, Active Skill Learning.
Please note: Participants should bring a notebook, a placemat, and at least one version of the I Ching. The Wilhelm Baynes is preferable but not mandatory.
Recommended Text:
• Richard Wilhelm and Cary F. Baynes, “The I Ching or Book of Changes” (9781399597661)
Jay Dunbar (M.A. Duke, English Lit, Ph.D. UNCCH, education) has been a student of the Book of Changes for over 50 years, and has taught its practical use at Duke, the Southern Dharma Retreat Center, the New York Open Center, T’ai Chi Farm, and the Omega Institute. His teacher, Master Jou Tsung Hwa, is the author of “The Dao of Yi Jing: Way to Divination.” Jay is director of the Magic Tortoise Taijiquan School, and has offered courses through OLLI each term since 2003.
• 6 Wed, May 7- Jun 11, 1:30-3 p.m.
• In person at Judea Reform Congregation
• Maximum: 15; Fee: $90; Course ID: 3975
Registration FAQs
To make your registration experience as smooth as possible, we have put together a frequently asked questions guide. At OLLI at Duke FAQs you will find answers to questions on membership, courses, Zoom and technology and registration.
New Member Meet & Mingle
Thursday, May 1
In person at JRC, 10-11 a.m. ET
New to OLLI at Duke? We invite you to join us for an in-person Meet & Mingle event hosted by the OLLI leadership team. You will have an opportunity to meet other new members, OLLI Advisory Council members and OLLI staff. Details will be available in an upcoming member newsletter.
Science & Technology
Bird Watching: Who’s At Your Feeder?
IN PERSON: Do you love birds, and wish you knew more about what you were seeing, or hearing in your own backyard? If yes, then this course is for you! We will start with the basics of what experienced bird watchers look for to recognize and identify birds. We will introduce the New Hope Bird Alliance, the local Audubon chapter, its resources for bird watchers, and why we removed Audubon’s name from our chapter. Each class will include about 45 minutes of didactic instruction followed by 45 minutes of outdoor bird identification on nearby trails. The instructor and other experienced bird watchers from the New Hope Bird Alliance will teach students how to use binoculars and modern tools such as phone apps, while demonstrating how we go about identifying birds in the field. Activities will be flexible to accommodate inclement weather. We hope to have an optional bird walk at a local park for class members. By the end of the course, students should be able to identify common backyard birds. • Experiential Learning, Facilitated Discussion, Active Skill Learning.
Please note: Students are encouraged to bring binoculars if they have them, though the instructor will bring loaners as well. Students will be given instructions for downloading bird identification and tracking apps for mobile phones prior to class. Clothing appropriate to outdoor walks is necessary to take advantage of that part of class, though not necessary for individuals who prefer to watch from their own perch.
Recommended Texts:
• Jennifer Ackerman, “The Genius of Birds” (9780399563126)
• Douglas W. Tallamy, “Nature’s Best Hope: A New Approach to Conservation that Starts in Your Yard” (9781604699005)
Carol Hamilton, M.D., M.H.S., is a three-time course leader for OLLI, and teaches her retirement avocation: bird watching. She has experience across NC, the SE U.S. coast, Mozambique, St. Martin, and Spain. She is President of the New Hope Bird Alliance and volunteers with the Bird Friendly Habitat team, which helps homeowners learn about native vs. invasive plants, and how habitat is key to local birds, insects and other wildlife. Carol is a Duke Emeritus Professor of Medicine & Infectious Diseases.
• 5 Tue, May 6 - Jun 3, 9-10:30 a.m.
• In person at Judea Reform Congregation
• Maximum: 25; Fee: $75; Course ID: 3964
Drug Design and Discovery: A Digital Exploration
IN PERSON: One of modern science’s greatest accomplishments has been its ability to design drugs to target specific diseases including tuberculosis, Type II diabetes, and, more recently, COVID-19. The pharmaceutical industry is listed as a $1.7T market, with new drug development estimated to be between $800M to $1.5B. In this course, participants will use researchgrade software to explore how new drugs are designed. The course consists of two parts: pharmacokinetics (what the body does to the drug) and pharmacodynamics (what the drug does to the body). In the first part, we’ll consider topics such as ADME: absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion, along with scoring profiles such as Lipinski’s Rule. In the second part, we’ll explore target proteins for new drugs, conduct basic bioinformatics studies using
Science & Technology
tools such as DrugBank, and conduct basic protein-ligand docking to measure binding affinities. Discussion of clinical aspects of drug design will be included as appropriate. • Lecture + Q&A, Active Skill Learning.
Please note: Drug design software will be provided by the North Carolina School of Science and Math free of charge. Participants will need to bring a laptop computer onto which software can be installed. Installation is a simple process involving: downloading, running the installer, and entering a license number. Assistance can be provided as needed. No programming skills are required, as the software uses a very simple point-and-click interface. Basic computer skills such as saving and opening files are required.
Robert Gotwals has been a computational chemist since 1986 and had the opportunity to work in military medicine, including anesthesia, for 11 years. At the North Carolina School of Science and Math in Durham, he developed the most extensive program in the computational sciences at the high school level in the country, including coursework in computational chemistry, computational biology, and computational medicinal chemistry, materials from which are repackaged for this course.
• 6 Wed, May 7- Jun 11, 9-10:30 a.m.
• In person at Judea Reform Congregation
• Maximum: 15; Fee: $90; Course ID: 3970
Mastering Gmail
IN PERSON: Master Gmail with confidence in this hands-on course! Whether you’re new to Gmail or a longtime user, you’ll gain the skills to manage your inbox effectively. After a refresher on viewing, sending, and replying to emails, we’ll explore powerful features to search and organize messages as well as handle unwanted email. The course also covers Google Contacts and Calendar, helping you streamline communication and scheduling. Each session combines instructor-led lectures, demonstrations, and handson practice on your own computer. Since lessons build on each other, attending all sessions is strongly encouraged. Take control of your email and boost your productivity! • Lecture + Q&A, Active Skill Learning.
Please note: Students should bring a Windows or Mac computer to class and be familiar with using any popular web browser, such as Chrome. Participants must have a Google account and already use Gmail on a regular basis.
Please note: This course meets at Erwin Mill, 2024 W. Main Street, Bay A, A103, Durham, 27705.
Howard Koslow has over 30 years’ experience as a software engineer at IBM. Now retired, he continues to explore technology for creative and productive uses and to teach others to embrace it.
• 4 Tue, May 6 - May 27, 11 a.m. -12:30 p.m.
• In person at Erwin Mill, Durham (see address above)
• Maximum: 20; Fee: $60; Course ID: 3980
If enrolling in a course that meets In person, please review the In-Person Guidelines before registering.
Science & Technology
New AI Technology: Behind the Scenes
IN PERSON: AI is advancing so rapidly that it’s hard to predict exactly what we’ll cover. Chatbots are now so powerful that, in just 30 minutes, we created a way to “talk with Pauli Murray.” Recently, Sora released direct text-to-video generation, allowing us to recreate scenes of African American beaches in 1950s NC. With Tripo’s 2D-to-3D tech, we can transform ChatGPT creations into objects for 3D printing or augmented reality. We’re even designing climate-resilient plants and “planting” them in school gardens. AI can generate complex songs, complete with lyrics, in under a minute. The best part? These tools require no coding experience — English majors often make some of the most creative AI users! We’ll showcase these technologies and guide you in using them to create. • Facilitated Discussion, Active Skill Learning.
Please note: All you need are basic computer skills, a Gmail account, a laptop, and a good sense of humor!
For 24 years at Duke, David Stein has taught hundreds of courses on topics ranging from AI and augmented reality to stop-motion animation. His students have spanned all ages, from preschoolers to individuals in their 80s, though he especially enjoys teaching through OLLI. In addition to leading workshops across North Carolina, he has also taught at the Chautauqua Institution in New York. Warning: David likes to laugh a lot so come prepared to have a lot of fun while learning.
• 4 Thu, May 15 - Jun 5, 9-10:30 a.m.
• In person at Judea Reform Congregation
• Maximum: 12; Fee: $60; Course ID: 3985
Tropical Marvels: Exploring Coastal and Terrestrial Ecosystems
ONLINE: Journey into the vibrant world of tropical ecosystems, where coastal mangroves meet lush rainforests. This course delves into the biodiversity and ecological significance of these regions, highlighting the intricate relationships between species and their environments. Participants will explore topics such as coral reef dynamics, the role of tropical rainforests in climate regulation, and the impacts of human activity on these vital ecosystems. This six-part course explores the diverse tropical ecosystems found in coastal and terrestrial regions. Students will learn about key biomes like coral reefs, rainforests, tropical dry forests and cloud forests, and how species have evolved to survive in these environments.
• Lecture + Q&A.
Neeti Bathala, Ph.D., is an experienced professor with a focus on ecology and environmental sciences. At Duke, she studied conservation biology in Costa Rica and completed postdoctoral training in Belize, Hawaii, and the Galapagos Islands. Outside of academia, she writes children’s books centered on citizen science and coastal conservation. A Duke alumna with a master’s from the Nicholas School of the Environment, Neeti also serves on the Board of Advisors for the Sarah P. Duke Gardens.
• 6 Thu, May 8 - Jun 12, 1:30-2:45 p.m.
• Online via Zoom; Sessions are recorded
• Maximum: 40; Fee: $90; Course ID: 3994
All OLLI at Duke classes and events are in Eastern Time
Society & Culture
Culture, Ethics and Animals
ONLINE: This four-session program examines the vexed interchange between humans and animals in commodity culture. We encounter animals daily, although likely we pay little attention to, or don’t recognize, these encounters for what they really are. We eat animals, we wear them. Our beauty, health and home products are tested on them. Animals perform for us and satisfy our need for intimacy, entertainment, and novelty. Human action and indifference removes animals from their natural lives, and displays them for a variety of human pleasures. Western culture — and its mix of theologies generally — positions animals as subservient to humans. Laws subjugate their bodies in the same discursive frame that prompted Harriet Beecher Stowe to sub-title Uncle Tom’s Cabin: “The Man That Was a Thing.” Course sessions will include: Anthropocene: The Sense of an Ending; Dominion: What History Teaches; Commodity: Some Animals we eat, some we hate, some we wear; The Moral Circle: Sentience and animal rights. • Lecture + Q&A.
The Rev. Edward Ingebretsen, Ph.D. (Duke, ’86), holds advanced degrees in theology and ethics and a doctorate in American studies; his publications (books and journals) consider the intersection of gender, race, theology and popular cultures. At present, he concentrates in animal ethics, and the histories of enslavement. His books include: “Maps of Heaven, Maps of Hell: Religious Terror
as Memory from the Puritans to Stephen King” (1996), “At Stake: Monsters and the Rhetoric of Fear in Public Culture” (2001).
• 4 Tue, May 13 - Jun 3, 9-10:15 a.m.
• Online via Zoom
• Maximum: 40; Fee: $60; Course ID: 3969
Conflicting Visions of Israel
ONLINE: When the State of Israel was established in 1948, its founders envisioned a democratic, pluralistic society that would develop “for the benefit of all its inhabitants.” Yet, as with many visions, there is often a gap between the dream and reality. This course reviews the various visions that have shaped Israel’s socioeconomic, religious and political reality, as well as the ongoing debate over the visions that conflict with one another. • Lecture + Q&A.
Steven Klein is an educator and journalist with a Ph.D. in conflict management from Bar-Ilan U, as well as a B.A. from Duke (’90). An instructor at Tel Aviv U, and a senior editor at Haaretz English Edition, he has contributed numerous articles on issues regarding Israeli society and social or political conflict. He has also taught for the lifelong learning programs at Brandeis OLLI, the Scolnic Adult Institute, and CRWU’s Siegal program. He lives with his beloved family in Israel.
• 6 Tue, May 6 - Jun 10, 11 a.m. -12:15 p.m.
• Online via Zoom; Sessions are recorded
• Maximum: 26; Fee: $90; Course ID: 3966
Finding Course Links in the Student Portal
OLLI members who register for online courses will find the Zoom links for their courses in their Student Portal at learnmore.duke.edu/olli
See Finding Course Links for step-by-step instructions and a demonstration video.
Society & Culture
Artificial Intelligence and Art
ONLINE: This course is about the intersection of art and technology, focusing on how artificial intelligence is reshaping creativity. The course will be taught through lectures on today’s leading artists using AI to highlight social justice issues. Students will learn about historical developments and technological advancements in AI by analyzing world-class artworks that ask their audiences to consider the ethical and philosophical questions surrounding AI’s role in the arts and its potential to redefine creativity and expression in the 21st century. Students will learn that AI is hardly a brand-new technology and that artists have been using it for decades in an attempt to draw attention to social justice issues that are just beginning to manifest. We will be guided by the idea that “Art is a Distant Early Warning system that can always be relied on to tell the old culture what is beginning to happen to it.” — Marshall McLuhan • Lecture + Q&A.
Hugh Leeman is an artist and lecturer engaging social challenges through art and community collaboration. His first project used Near Field Communication and the first iPhone to create business platforms for unhoused individuals. He co-founded Aetatribes.org and works with diverse communities, using storytelling, AI, and art-making to preserve cultural knowledge. Leeman’s art has been exhibited in U.S. and Mexican museums. He lectures in English and Spanish at Johns Hopkins and Colorado State.
• 6 Tue, May 6 - Jun 10, 1:30-2:45 p.m.
• Online via Zoom
• Maximum: 200; Fee: $90; Course ID: 3962
Mass Incarceration in America: Confronting the Persistence of
“The
New Jim Crow”
ONLINE: Fifteen years after publication of Michelle Alexander’s “The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness,” the U.S. still has exponentially the highest incarceration rate of any independent democracy on Earth, and the national incarceration rate of Black people is six times that of white people. Alexander’s searing analysis created shockwaves in the civil rights and prison reform movements, exposing the roots and mechanics of how mass incarceration has created a permanent “undercaste” in America, an ever-increasing population of disproportionately poor people of color with subordinate and marginal status. In this course, we will carefully study Alexander’s seminal work while investigating how the outcomes for those most impacted may (or may not) have changed since its publication. We will also explore the growing movements for Transformative Justice (TJ) and prison abolition, approaches for responding to violence, harm, and abuse without creating more violence. • Facilitated Discussion.
Please note: Students will be assigned chapters from the required text to read prior to each class session, with additional (optional) recommended resources posted on the course website. Some class sessions will feature small group discussions in breakout rooms.
Required Text:
• Michelle Alexander, “The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness,” 10th Anniversary ed. (9781620971932)
Society & Culture
Cathy Rimer-Surles, J.D., M.L.S. (she/they), a graduate of Duke University and NCCU School of Law, is an attorney, educator and passionate community advocate. A longtime resident of Durham deeply influenced by her experiences growing up as a queer, gender nonconforming white woman in the South, she organizes, educates, and agitates for equity, justice, and liberation in this city she loves with multiple community and faith-based organizations.
• 6 Thu, May 8 - Jun 12, 11 a.m. -12:15 p.m.
• Online via Zoom
• Maximum: 30; Fee: $90; Course ID: 3979
20th-century Europe and Mexico. In classes one, three, and five, we will screen these films: “Un Chien Andalou” (1929) and “Simon of the Desert” (1965) (short films); “Viridiana” (1961); “The Milky Way” (1969). In classes two, four, and six, we will discuss in cinematic terms how the narrative of each film succeeds or fails. We will also discuss the social and cultural impact of each film. And, especially with Buñuel, we will look closely at the political landscape during the time the film was released.
• Facilitated Discussion.
Recommended Text:
• Luis Buñuel, “My Last Sigh: The Autobiography of Luis Buñuel” (9780345803702)
Luis Buñuel’s Surrealist Films: Sex, Religion, and Fascism
IN PERSON: This six-session course explores the provocative and groundbreaking surrealist films of Spanish director Luis Buñuel, focusing on his treatment of sex, religion, and fascism. Through in-depth analysis of four key films spanning his career, students will examine Buñuel’s unique cinematic style, his critique of societal norms, and his lasting influence on surrealist and avant-garde cinema. The course will contextualize Buñuel’s work within the broader surrealist movement and the political landscape of
Mark Spano is a writer, filmmaker, television producer and lecturer. His documentary “Sicily: Land of Love and Strife” was released in the U.S. and Canada, was presented at the Toronto Italian Film Festival and aired in the U.S. and Europe. Mark has produced documentaries and television series for public television. Mark has been a visiting lecturer at East Carolina University and NC State. He has lectured around the U.S. and Canada and for several OLLIs.
• 6 Thu, May 8 - Jun 12, 11 a.m. -12:30 p.m.
• In person at Judea Reform Congregation
• Maximum: 40; Fee: $90; Course ID: 3978
Special Events
Durham Walking Tour with Taste Carolina
Wednesday, May 14, 1-3:45
Carrboro Walking Tour with Taste Carolina
Friday, June 6, 1:30-4:15
See details, including activity level, on page 6
Society & Culture
The Death Positivity Movement
IN PERSON: It’s not easy to grow old and face death in 21st century America. Factors such as medical overtreatment at the end of life, the rapidly growing “warehousing” of the elderly and demented, and the “epidemic” of loneliness and isolation have all emerged to render our lives and deaths increasingly hazardous and complicated. The Death Positivity Movement is the grassroots response to these developments. It ranges from Green Burial to Death Cafes, from home funerals to various forms of assisted dying. Death Positivity is an intergenerational endeavor to redefine our lives in the frame of death; rather than turn away from thoughts and conversations about aging and dying, it embraces new and creative ways of thinking about how our deaths can make our lives — and the stories we leave behind — more meaningful. Through case studies and conversation, this in-person course will explore the possibility that death can be a superior life coach. • Facilitated Discussion.
Recommended Texts:
• Katy Butler, “Knocking on Heaven’s Door” (9781451641981)
• Caitlin Doughty, “From Here to Eternity: Traveling the World to Find the Good Death” (9780393356281)
• Amy Bloom, “In Love” (9780593243954)
Kathy Rudy holds an M.Div. and Ph.D. in theological ethics from Duke, and was a faculty member in Duke’s Women’s Studies/Gender, Sexuality, and Feminist Studies department for 30 years. Her courses and academic writing revolve around a wide range of ethical problems, including abortion, IVF and reproductive technologies, AIDS, sexual ethics, ethical use of non-human animals, and ethics at the end-of-life. She has been facilitating Southwest Durham Library’s Death Café since 2023.
• 6 Tue, May 6 - Jun 10, 1:30-3 p.m.
• In person at Judea Reform Congregation
• Maximum: 12; Fee: $90; Course ID: 3992
Telling Our Stories: Reflecting On Our Lives, Times & Impact
IN PERSON: Our lives are shaped by our stories...of triumph and loss, joy and regret, love and pain, resilience and struggle. We are also shaped by the stories of others. These experiences define us in our varied roles — as siblings, friends, spouses/partners, workers/colleagues, parents, and grandparents — while helping us succeed in a complicated society. In this interactive course, we will explore personal narratives alongside broader themes like motivation, inequality, diversity, acceptance, and change. Through stories, short films, activities (some unconventional), and touches of humor, we will examine theories of human behavior, generational differences, and creating engaging environments. Everyone will be both teacher and student, contributing to a dynamic, thought-provoking dialogue. Join us in building a community of shared experiences, insights, and discovery.
• Facilitated Discussion.
Tom Scheft, a teacher since 1971, retired from NCCU after 43 years. He was a professor in the English Department and the School of Education. Among the subjects he taught, a favorite was psychology. “For some, there is an immediate problem with the term,” Scheft said. “Some people react with agonized faces and appear to have swallowed something bitter. Some utter ‘Boring!!’ But exploring the behaviors and thoughts of ourselves and others is fascinating and highly intriguing.”
• 6 Tue, May 6 - Jun 10, 1:30-3 p.m.
• In person at Judea Reform Congregation
• Maximum: 15; Fee: $90; Course ID: 3990
Society & Culture Wellness Activities
Wines of South America
IN PERSON: Join us on a journey through the vineyards of South America. We will explore some of the most famous wine regions of Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay. We will taste four to five wines from the areas and discuss foods that pair well with each. We will get to know each region through an examination of the historical events that have impacted its wine production, how its climate affects the grapes, the styles of wine most common to the region, and the varieties that are most frequently produced there. If you love South American wine and want to deepen your knowledge, this is a great way to do it. Please join us! • Lecture + Q&A.
Required supplies/fee: There is a fee of $32 payable to the instructor at the first class. Thomas Thorne has been a professional sommelier for 30 years. He owns Wine Fifty Five, a local wine consulting company focused on education, sales, and sommelier services. He has headed wine programs at the Fearrington House, Carolina Inn, and Siena Hotel. He was the owner of Hope Valley Bottle Shop. He is accredited through the Court of Master Sommeliers.
Section 1
• 4 Tue, May 6-27, 1:30-3 p.m.
• In person at Judea Reform Congregation
• Max.: 24; Fee: $80; Course ID: 3996-001
Section 2
• 4 Wed, May 7-28, 1:30-3 p.m.
• In person at Judea Reform Congregation
• Max.: 24; Fee: $80; Course ID: 3996-002
Section 3
• 4 Wed, May 7-28, 3:30-5 p.m.
• In person at Judea Reform Congregation
• Max.: 24; Fee: $80; Course ID: 3996-003
Qigong: Caring for Self & Others
ONLINE: Qigong (chee-goong, energy training) refers to exercises designed to enhance personal vitality for healing, wellness, resilience, emotional balance, and spiritual progress. During this short course, we will focus on easy-to-follow movements matched to breathing and visualizations to assist in sensing and cultivating Qi (life energy). We will strengthen the flow of energy through the organ channels of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and study Golden Ball Qigong, Rising Lotus Medical Qigong, and selections from the ancient Five Animal Frolics and Primordial Qigong. These practices foster a brighter outlook and a sense of peace and purpose in daily living. Each class begins with warm-ups for limbering, relaxing, and deepening the breath, and simple methods to sense energy within and around us. We will practice stationary and walking exercises, and focus on two or three sets in each class, building expertise in gathering, storing, protecting, and sharing Qi, “life essence.” • Active Skill Learning. Recommended Text:
• Kenneth S. Cohen, “The Way of Qigong” (9780345395290)
Jay Dunbar (M.A. Duke, English Lit; Ph.D., UNCCH, Education) has studied qigong since 1975 with Masters Liang Shouyu, Yang Jwingming, Shi Zhengzhong, Paul Gallagher, and Lisa O’Shea, among others. He has produced a DVD on the rare “18 Immortals Qigong” set, and has taught in the Triangle since 1979 and for OLLI since 2003. Dr. Jay is director of the Magic Tortoise Taijiquan School.
• 6 Thu, May 8 - Jun 12, 9-10:15 a.m.
• Online via Zoom; Sessions are recorded
• Maximum: 200; Fee: $90; Course ID: 2151
Wellness Activities
Navigating Dietary Supplements:
Truths vs. Myths
ONLINE: Are dietary supplements a healthful boon or just hype? With pharmacy shelves brimming with vitamins, minerals, botanicals, and bioactives, the world of dietary supplements can be as overwhelming as it is intriguing. In this engaging lecture series designed specifically for curious and healthconscious learners, we’ll cut through the noise to critically examine the scientific evidence behind the most popular supplements. From the potential benefits of omega-3s to the controversies surrounding herbal remedies, we’ll explore what works, what doesn’t, and what might even be harmful. Using clear, jargon-free explanations and vivid slide presentations, this course will empower you to make informed decisions about your health while satisfying your intellectual curiosity. Whether you take supplements regularly or are simply intrigued by the science behind the headlines, this course offers a thoughtprovoking journey into the fascinating — and often surprising — world of dietary supplementation. • Lecture + Q&A.
Recommended Texts:
• Peter Attia, M.D., “Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity” (9780593236598)
• David A. Sinclair, Ph.D., “Lifespan: Why We Age-and Why We Don’t Have To” (9781501191978)
Howard Goldsweig, M.D., is a board-certified medical oncologist whose career journey included academic faculty at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University and biotechnology research at Amgen Corporation. Since medical school, he has had a deep interest in health promotion. He has critically studied and rationally used certain dietary supplements as adjuncts to a healthy lifestyle. He wants to share his knowledge with others interested in pursuing their own health goals.
• 4 Tue, May 6-27, 9-10:15 a.m.
• Online via Zoom; Sessions are recorded
• Maximum: 200; Fee: $60; Course ID: 3984
The Orchestra of Life: Expanding Awareness Through Listening
IN PERSON: This course is an immersive exploration of the masterpieces of the symphony orchestra and the artists who perform them. Not your usual music appreciation course, students are led through a series of activities designed to enhance their awareness of what they hear and how they experience music. Each class session will focus on one major orchestral work and one minor work — 20 pieces in all. Students will discover how to develop their own music library and how to create playlists. This journey will help students create a connection to music that can release stress, restore balance, enhance creativity, and promote productivity. Class activities will include lectures, visualizations, discussions, and journaling. Students will be “conducted” as they sit in the places of orchestral musicians! Previous attendees of this course have described it as “life changing.” Each class is a unique listening experience. Previous students will benefit as much as those who have not. All are welcome. • Lecture + Q&A, Facilitated Discussion, Active Skill Learning.
Please note: Students should wear comfortable clothing and expect to move about during class. Plan to bring a notebook for journaling.
Ben Wechsler studied horn, piano, and pipe organ from an early age. He served as choir director and pipe organist for 22 congregations over 47 years. Ben holds three degrees: a B.S. in music education
Wellness Activities
from the University of Illinois, Master of Music Education from Indiana University, and Master of Music in Opera and Musical Theater Accompanying from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. He has a horn studio in Chapel Hill and is an active member of the Duke University Chapel Choir.
• 6 Tue, May 6 - Jun 10, 11 a.m. -12:30 p.m.
• In person at Judea Reform Congregation
• Maximum: 40; Fee: $90; Course ID: 3871
Build Your Strength With Vivo
ONLINE: Muscle strength and balance are critical to maintaining health and independence as we age. Without additional strength training, most older adults will suffer a loss of muscle tone that can negatively impact their balance and mobility. Vivo, a live, online, interactive strength-building course customized to your fitness level, helps you attain physical fitness. Vivo’s focus is on cognitive, balance, and strength exercises. Classes are small and instruction is individualized. Certified personal trainers, skilled at working with older adults, provide modified exercises to meet each student’s fitness needs. Classes meet twice a week for 45 minutes. You receive personal, one-on-one assessments before exercise classes begin to establish a baseline for your abilities. Following the conclusion of the exercise classes, a final assessment will be provided to measure your results. Whether you are new to exercise or exercise regularly, Vivo will help you meet your exercise goals. • Experiential Learning, Active Skill Learning.
Scheduling Notes:
Registration for this course will close on April 28. Upon registration, you will receive
an email with steps to schedule your personal assessment and complete your Vivo registration.
Personal assessments: May 5-9
Exercise classes: May 12 - July 3, two classes weekly (45 minutes, 16 sessions)
Final personal assessments: July 7-10
Certified personal trainers, skilled in working with older adults, provide modified exercises to meet each student’s fitness needs.
ONLINE: Would you like to learn natural ways to boost your immunity as we move into allergy season? Are you looking for ways to recharge your internal batteries while staying calm, cool, and collected during the busy spring and summer? Join me in this five-week online course for a guided journey through immunity-boosting, allergy-busting, joybringing, and stress-relieving yoga self-care practices. These include: gently active and restorative poses, immunity-stimulating mudras, pranayama, sound practices, and a bonus set of four Moon Phase Yoga Nidra meditations. A course website and recordings will be made available. This will be a practice-focused course: all participants must be able to safely move from standing to kneeling to lying on the floor. • Active Skill Learning.
Please note: Participants should be able to get down to the floor and back up again independently. Please wear comfortable clothing and have a yoga mat, two four-inch yoga blocks, an eight-foot yoga strap, and a blanket.
Cheryl Fenner Brown is an integrative yoga therapist and master yoga teacher who discovered yoga in 2001 and became enchanted by its focus on the subtle connections between breath, body, mind, and emotion. Students appreciate her educational approach and knowledge of anatomy, philosophy, asana, mudra, chanting, pranayama, and yoga nidra, delivered with compassion and humor. She specializes in working with people over 50, cancer patients, and those with structural injuries and ailments.
• 5 Mon, May 12 - Jun 16 (no class May 26), 1:30-3 p.m.
• Online via Zoom; Sessions are recorded
• Maximum: 15; Fee: $75; Course ID: 3989
Grief: A Container Garden
IN PERSON: Is it possible to engage with grief in improvisational ways? Is it possible to live in peaceful proximity to sorrow? In this course, we will explore these and other questions through the lens of poetry, song, and story. This course is open to all who are curious about exploring an improvisational relationship with grief. Nnenna Freelon is a seven-time Grammy-nominated jazz singer. The death of her husband Phil in 2019 thrust her into the “palm of grief.” There, she discovered that the improvisational tools she learned as a jazz musician were healing ones. She is passionate about co-creating with grief and believes that we all have this innate capacity to be creative grievers. There will be time for class reflection and participation. We will assemble a unique container garden of hope and healing to carry into the world. There are no special requirements for this course. We are all grief sojourners in one way or another. Bring an open, human heart.
Please note: Classes will meet at NorthStar Church of the Arts, 220 W. Geer Street, Durham, NC 27701.
Nnenna Freelon, seven-time Grammy-nominated jazz singer, songwriter, storyteller, and selfproclaimed improvisational human, is a proud Durham-based artist. She’s enjoyed an over 40-year career as a live performer and arts educator. The loss of her husband renowned architect Phil Freelon, in 2019 to ALS, reshaped her artistic focus. Freelon states that her placement in the “palm of grief” led her to the discovery of improvisational tools as a part of her healing process.
• 6 Wed, May 7, 14, 28, Jun 4, 11 & 18 (no class May 21), 11 a.m. -12:30 p.m.
• In person at NorthStar Church of the Arts, Durham (see address above)
• Maximum: 40; Fee: $175; Course ID: 3973
Writing
A Potpourri of Prose: Imaginative Jaunts
ONLINE: Let your creative birds fly during this summer fling! This will be a seriously fun time to enhance your writing repertoire. Participants will be given a choice of prompts to try their hand at different types of writing. Prompts help jumpstart all kinds of pieces. Focusing on the one you fancy, you will write a short piece of one to two pages. One week you may try your hand at writing a soliloquy, the next an “advice” column in the spirit of Dear Abby. You will practice the art of persuasion: for example, what candy bar is the best? Participants will email their essays to the instructor a day and a half before class, and will receive the collected essays the day before class. Class time will be spent discussing, appreciating and responding to your essays with an eye towards honing them. All that is necessary is an adventurous spirit! • Facilitated Discussion.
Please note: A computer is required and a printer would be helpful to read and take notes on the collected essays.
Jane Seitel has taught over 25 courses at OLLI. She is an expressive arts therapist, writer and teacher, and award winning writer. She received a Masters of Education From Lesley University and her MFA from Drew University. Jane teaches poetry, prose craft and literature. She encourages curiosity and creativity and delights in the diversity of expressive voices.
• 6 Tue, May 6 - Jun 10, 11 a.m. -12:30 p.m.
• Online via Zoom
• Maximum: 9; Fee: $120; Course ID: 3959
Persona Poems Live! A Panoply of Voices
ONLINE: A persona poem has the potential to transport both writer and reader. Speaking in the voice of Uncle Ed or Albert Einstein, a flamingo or Florence Nightingale involves active imagination coupled with using poetic skills such as personification, creative diction, and figuration — making a character’s voice believable. Persona poems appropriate the identities of celebrities and historical figures. Persona allows hurricanes to rant and a dog to speak his mind. Poetic monologues offer great freedom — a man can take a woman’s voice and vice versa. A Greek goddess might ride a Harley or Napoleon may find himself in basic training at Fort Liberty. You will receive weekly craft pages with examples of persona poems and prompts for your work. Submitting your poems a day and a half before class, the instructor will send out the collected poems each week. Discussions will focus on appreciating your poems, with an eye towards possible edits. The instructor will provide a weekly note to each student. • Facilitated Discussion.
Please note: A computer is required, and a printer is helpful to print out and read the collected poems.
Jane Seitel has taught over 25 courses at OLLI. She is an expressive arts therapist, writer and teacher, and award winning writer. She received a Masters of Education From Lesley University and her MFA from Drew University. Jane teaches poetry, prose craft and literature. She encourages curiosity and creativity and delights in the diversity of expressive voices.
• 6 Thu, May 8 - Jun 12, 11 a.m. -12:30 p.m.
• Online via Zoom
• Maximum: 11; Fee: $120; Course ID: 3986
Writing
Reflective Writing: Putting Your Journey on the Page
ONLINE: This course introduces a way to recover from the weariness and overwhelm of the pandemic, politics, and/or social media. Students will rediscover a sense of playfulness, meaning, and connection as they adventure in the real world with a friend. They will draw on these experiences to launch reflective writing, embarking on inner journeys that they will share with classmates. The course will meet every other week. There will be a week of writing, sharing writing, and preparation for the week’s activity between class. During the week between classes, participants will explore in the world and return ready to write about their exploits! The participants will learn much of what occurs when freewheeling adventure is a focus — connections to place and people being just two outcomes. During writing experiences, participants will remark on what is working within peers’ essays and delight in the adventures taken by classmates. • Active Skill Learning.
Please note: This course meets every other week. Participants will receive some coaching about how to prepare for adventuring and return to write about their exploits and share those with fellow travelers.
Susie Wilde bases this course on her personal experience of escaping a midlife meltdown by asking friends to invite her out on escapades into the unknown. Classes will contain brief bits of her writing and plenty of advice about how to prepare for adventures and fun. Currently, Susie is editing her many adventures into a book, “Extraordinary Outings: How Girlfriends Changed My Life One Adventure at a Time.”
• 3 Tue, May 6, May 20 & Jun 3, 1:30-2:45 p.m.
• Online via Zoom; Sessions are recorded
• Maximum: 12; Fee: $60; Course ID: 3987
Writing Fiction Like a Pro
IN PERSON: Are you ready to take the leap with your writing? Wondering whether that story has what it takes? This course aims to show you how to bring your efforts to the professional level. We’ll discuss audience point of view, story structure, character arcs, and necessary elements. We’ll also share tricks of the trade such as surprise versus suspense, laying in the red herrings, and the secret joys of rewriting. Learn what the professionals know but (usually) won’t tell you. Students will spend some time writing in class — bring a paper and pen or your preferred writing medium! • Facilitated Discussion.
Recommended Text:
• Samantha Shad, “The Write To Happiness” (9781733865227)
Samantha Shad was a Hollywood screenwriter for 25 years before she became an award-winning author. She is the author of books: “The Write to Happiness” and “Write Through the Crisis.” She is a produced writer in feature films and network television (“Class Action,” 20th Century Fox; “Vanished Without a Trace,” Universal), has worked with such luminaries as Ridley Scott and Steven Bochco, and taught writing at UCLA, the American Film Institute, and other colleges and conferences.
• 6 Tue, May 6 - Jun 10, 9-10:30 a.m.
• In person at Judea Reform Congregation
• Maximum: 12; Fee: $120; Course ID: 3997
If enrolling in a course that meets In person, please review the In-Person Guidelines before registering.
For courses that are Online, visit our Online Learning website for helpful hints and tips for Zoom.
About OLLI at Duke
We are a learning community. OLLI members have wide ranging interests in history, literature, the natural and social sciences, wellness, the fine arts and current events. Most of our course offerings are based on members’ requests and the expertise and interests of our instructors. Our curriculum is developed by the Curriculum Committee, which is composed of 12 member volunteers who recruit instructors and carefully curate courses. We embrace “learning for the love of it.” Both our members and our instructors appreciate that OLLI courses have no tests or grades. While our courses rarely require homework, active participation is encouraged.
Our instructors teach for the love of learning. No tests or grades means that instructors can focus on what is most important to them — teaching. If you find a course inspiring or meaningful, please share your gratitude directly with the instructor.
Our Mission
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Duke University seeks to engage the minds, elevate the spirits and foster the well-being of its members through numerous educational programs and opportunities for volunteer service and social activity.
Our Vision
We seek to provide a premier, quality, cost-effective noncredit curriculum with courses that cover a wide range of interests in history, literature, the natural and social sciences, the fine arts and current events.
Our History
OLLI at Duke is one of the oldest and largest institutes within the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute network. Established in 1977 as the Duke Institute for Learning in Retirement (DILR), the program was renamed the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Duke in 2006 in honor of the Bernard Osher Foundation. Membership has grown from the original 42 to one of the largest OLLI programs in the country. Current membership is 1,913 and growing.
Summer 2025 Registration
Registration opens on Tuesday, April 15, at 9 a.m. ET for Monday and Tuesday courses and on Wednesday, April 16, at 9 a.m. ET for Wednesday and Thursday courses.
Registration FAQs
To make your registration experience as smooth as possible, we have put together a frequently asked questions guide. At OLLI at Duke FAQs you will find answers to questions on membership, courses, Zoom and technology and registration.
