Winter 2024 1
Welcome! As we ring in the new year, we are reminded January is full of possibilities, fresh starts and new beginnings. Given the chilly temperatures, it can be tempting to just stay home. If you are eager to get out to meet new friends and share a cup of coffee at JRC before and after your class, we are offering more in person courses than we’ve offered in three years. Consider enrolling in an OLLI course that challenges your assumptions or stretches you—such as a drawing or yoga course. If you’ve tended to favor the Humanities, try signing up for one of our fascinating science courses. Remember, there are no prerequisites for any OLLI course. We are excited to continue to welcome many new members to the OLLI learning community. More than 260 new members joined OLLI for the first time this Fall. Last year, OLLI at Duke grew by 20% and welcomed 400+ new members; many are brand new to the Triangle and/or Duke Alumni. We believe our growth is due in part to the thousands of newcomers to the Triangle and collaboration with Duke Alumni Learning, in addition to the passionate testimonials many of you continue to share with your friends and neighbors. Check out our Special Interest Groups, like the OLLI Singles or one of our online book clubs. We encourage you to get connected and build your social networks!
Chris McLeod, J.D. Director, OLLI at Duke
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 members to as high as 2,570 members in 2019. The current membership is 1,913. Front cover: Clocktower luminaries. Photograph by Bill Snead / Duke University / www.duke.edu © Duke University, all rights reserved
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Winter 2024 Registration Registration for Winter 2024 opens on Tuesday, January 9, at 9 a.m. ET for Monday and Tuesday courses and on Wednesday, January 10, at 9 a.m. ET for Wednesday and Thursday courses. 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. • This helpful video provides tips and strategies for successful online registration.
Contents OLLI Advisory Council......4 About OLLI at Duke..........4 Access & Accommodation...............4 Other Questions?.............4 Join OLLI at Duke.............5 Special Interst Groups (SIGs)................................5
In-Person Learning
Contact Information.........5
For the Winter 2024 term, we will be hosting in-person courses in the Education Building at Judea Reform Congregation (JRC), located at 1933 W. Cornwallis Road in Durham, and at a few offsite locations. These courses are marked with the school icon shown above. If you plan to enroll in an in-person course, please see the guidelines at learnmore.duke.edu/olli/person-guidelines before registering.
Important Dates...............6
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 Zoom icon shown above. 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: Zoom Links Once you register for a course, the Zoom link will be in your Student Portal at learnmore.duke.edu/olli. For detailed directions, please visit www.olliatduke.online/studentlink.
OLLI at Duke Code of Conduct..............6 OLLI on YouTube..............6 Vivo Information Session.............................7 New Member Meet & Mingle..................7 Course Indexes By Day...........................8 By Location (or Online)... 10 By Instructor................ 11 Course Subjects............. 12 Planning Your Course Schedule............ 12
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 • Speakers, a headset or earbuds • Microphone, either internal or external (if speaking in class) • Webcam, either internal or external (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: Thursday, January 11, 10 a.m. ET. The link will be provided in a member newsletter closer to the event. 3
OLLI Advisory Council 2023-2024 Officers (one-year elected term) President: Bobbie Hendrix Vice President: Ellen Luken Past President: Marion Jervay Advisors at Large (two-year elected term) To 2025: Ben Edwards, Carol Hamilton To 2024: Ted Segal, Vacant Committee Chairs (one-year appointed term) Community Engagement: Diane Hundley Curriculum: Vacant Instructor Relations: Alan Teasley Legacy: Lisa Gabriel Leadership Development: Susan Dennison
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. 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.
Member Engagement: Vacant Social Activities & Hospitality: Vacant
Access & Accommodations
Ex Officio Board Members
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.
Board Recording Secretary: Donna West Director: Chris McLeod
Other Questions? We have lots 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. 4
Join OLLI at Duke
Contact Information
Becoming a member of OLLI at Duke is easy. Our annual membership fee of $60 entitles members to enroll in courses and workshops, participate in special interest groups, attend social events, and vote in elections. To join, go to learnmore.duke.edu/olli.
To join, learn more or register for a course: learnmore.duke.edu/olli General and technical questions and member support: olli@duke.edu
Scholarship Support We want OLLI at Duke courses to be accessible to all who have a passion for lifelong learning. Thanks to the generosity of Lynne Blake, a former OLLI president, scholarship support is available to those who may not otherwise be able to attend. For information, please email Kathy.Parrish@duke.edu and ask about our Community Membership. All requests are confidential.
Concerns and feedback: Director, OLLI at Duke— Chris.McLeod@duke.edu Curriculum and Volunteer Opportunities: Jenny.Levine@duke.edu
Special Interest Groups (SIGs)
In-Person Operations and Administration support: Kathy.Parrish@duke.edu Online Technical and Communications support: Betina.Huntwork@duke.edu
Special Interest Groups (SIGs) are an added bonus to membership with OLLI at Duke. These groups and clubs provide opportunities to connect outside the classroom. These cover a wide range of topics from book clubs to public policy. To learn more about SIGs, please visit: learnmore.duke.edu/olli/special-interest-groups.
Registration inquiries: learnmore@duke.edu
Photograph by Betina Huntwork / OLLI at Duke
OLLI Course Support Staff Jonathan Bitner, Beth Bowling, Alease Davis, Annette Gooch, Jay Starks, Annie Taft, Mary Thompson, Beverly Thorpe
Instructor Luncheon 2023 Attendees: (back row) Beverly Dowdy, Bobbie Hendrix, Alan Teasley, Steve Barrell; (middle row) Terri Strug, Nancy Capaccio, Ira Knight, Carol Hamilton, Frank Brown, Henry Meguid; (front row) Marion Jervay, Jenny Levine, John Robinson.
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Important Dates Tuesday & Wednesday, January 9 & 10 9 a.m. ET—Registration opens for Winter courses Thursday, January 11 10 a.m. ET—Zoom Basics & Refresher Thursday, January 25 10 a.m. ET in person and 2 p.m. ET online— New Member Meet & Mingle Monday, January 15 Martin Luther King Jr. Day, OLLI Closed Monday, January 29 Winter courses begin Monday, April 5 Last day for most Winter courses Monday-Friday, April 8-12 Makeup classes
OLLI at Duke 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 the director (Chris.McLeod@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, she will address it directly 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.
Sunday, May 5 Last day to view Winter course recordings
OLLI on YouTube Did you know OLLI at Duke has a new YouTube Channel? We’ve been collecting recordings from special speakers, community reads, special events, 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 gets released. www.youtube.com/@OLLIatDuke
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Free Information Session: Vivo Exercise Class Wednesday, January 17 • 11 a.m. ET Through a collaboration between OLLI at Duke and Vivo, OLLI members have the exclusive* opportunity to participate in interactive virtual exercise classes led by certified personal trainers who have extensive experience with older adults. Vivo is a breakthrough interactive online strength-training fitness program scientifically designed for adults 55 and older that you can join from the safety of your home. These small-group classes are taught by live certified trainers who are focused on building participants’ strength by integrating stretching, balance, cognitive and resistance exercises in a safe, engaging way. Vivo classes are small enough that you get the personal attention you need. And because the classes are taught virtually, you can access everything from the comfort and safety of your own home. The Vivo program is funded by a grant from the National Institutes of Health and was designed by Duke alum Eric Levitan (’92) and Kathryn Starr, an associate professor in the Duke School of Medicine. Participants improve their strength, balance and mobility by an average of 25% in just eight weeks. Eric Levitan started Vivo to help his parents build their strength and maintain their independence. Read more about his story in this Next Avenue column. Read about Vivo in The New York Times! See the course description on page 54. This course is only available to first-time registrants. If you participated during the Winter 2023 or Fall 2023 terms, you are not eligible to participate. 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 on Wednesday, January 17, at 11 a.m. ET Zoom link will be shared in the OLLI Newsletter. *OLLI at Duke is the first OLLI in the country to offer VIVO classes and at a significantly discounted rate.
New Member Meet & Mingle Thursday, January 25 In person at JRC 10-11 a.m. ET • Online via Zoom 2-3 p.m. ET New to OLLI at Duke? We invite you to join us for an in-person or a virtual Meet & Mingle hosted by the OLLI Leadership Team. New members will have an opportunity to meet other new members, OLLI board members and our director, Chris McLeod. Register here.
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Courses by Day ● Time [ET], Course Title (No. of Sessions), (Venue), Page [linked to course description] Mondays
In Person
Online (Zoom)
9-10:30.......Abstract Painting (8) (JRC).......................21 9-10:30.......Poetry as Windows to the Past (10) (JRC)............................28 9-12...........Stay Put or Move On (10) (JRC)...............17 11-12:30.....A Celebration of Soul Music (10) (JRC)........................32 11-12:30.....Chinese Brush Painting (10) (JRC)...........19 11-12:30.....Writing About Loss (7) (JRC)....................57 1:30-3........Psychology Refresher (10) (JRC).............47 1:30-3........Redefining American (10) (JRC)...............14 1:30-3........Symposia (10) (CV)...................................48 1:30-3........West Coast Wines, Sec 1 (4) (JRC)..........50 3:15-4:45....Modern and Contemporary Art (8) (NM)...................12 3:30-5........1939, Hollywood’s Greatest Year (6) (JRC).........................22 3:30-5........West Coast Wines, Sec 2 (4) (JRC)..........50
9-10...........Build Your Strength With Vivo, Sec 1 (10)..............................................54 9-10:15.......Organizing Your Visual Story (6)..............37 10-11..........Build Your Strength With Vivo, Sec 2 (10)..............................................54 11-12:15......Innovation in the Real World (10).............17 11-12:15......Nixon’s Resignation Reconsidered (4).....25 11-12:15......North Carolina Folk Music (10).................35 1:30-2:45...Classical Music (4)...................................32 1:30-2:45...Compelling Choreographers (8)..............36 1:30-3........Photo Composition (10)...........................37 3:30-4:45...Judaism and Christianity (6)....................40 3:30-4:45...Nobel Peace Prize Film Series (8)............46 3:30-4:45...Why Is the Grand Canyon “Grand”? (3)....22
In Person 9-10:30.......A Century of Medical Miracles (10) (JRC)..................42 11-12:30.....A History of Policing in America (10) (JRC)............................23 11-12:30.....Intro to iPhone Photography, Sec 1 (7) (JRC)......................................38 11-12:30.....Tax-Smart Retirement Strategies (6) (JRC)...............................16 1:30-3........About the Latin Language (6) (JRC).........30 1:30-3........Intro to iPhone Photography, Sec 2 (7) (JRC)......................................38 1:30-3........The Civil War (10) (JRC)............................24 3:30-5........Shaping Our Cities (10) (JRC)..................14
Tuesdays Online (Zoom) 9-10...........Build Your Strength With Vivo, Sec 3 (10)..............................................54 9-10:15.......Historical Geology Topics (10).................41 9-10:15.......Demystifying Neurology (6)......................42 9-10:15.......Israel’s Crisis of Democracy (5)...............45 10-11..........Build Your Strength With Vivo, Sec 4 (10)..............................................54 11-12:15......Discover My Purpose Equation (6)..........52 11-12:15......Inside the Artist’s Studio (5).....................13 11-12:15......Justice (10)...............................................39 11-12:15......Traditional Chinese Medicine (10)............51 11-1............Creating Colored Pencil Birds (10)...........21 1:30-2:45...Create a Mosaic “Painting” (6).................20 1:30-3........“Vertigo” to “The Truman Show” (6)........36
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Wednesdays Online (Zoom) 11-12:15......Empire of Tea (8)......................................23 11-12:15......Solving Genealogy Mysteries (6).............47 11-12:15......Tsars and Stars of Old Russia (9)............27 11-12:30.....The World Today (10)...............................18 1:30-2:30...Silver Strummers (10)...............................33 1:30-2:45...Planning for Caregiving (3).......................53 1:30-2:45...The Russian Federation (10)....................26 1:30-3........Gmail and Beyond!, Sec 1 (8)..................40 1:30-3........Gmail and Beyond!, Sec 2 (3)..................40
In Person 9-10:15.......Western Art History (10) (JRC).................15 9-10:30.......Fun & Games (8) (JRC).............................55 11-12:30.....A New Money Story (6) (JRC)..................56 11-12:30.....Reading Dante (10) (JRC).........................28 11-12:30.....The Mathematics of Voting (10) (JRC)......43 1:30-3........Old, New, Borrowed and Blue (8) (JRC)..................................33 1:30-3........The Early Works of James Joyce (6) (JRC)..........................29 1:30-3:30...Modern Bridge Bidding I (9) (BA).............55
Thursdays Online (Zoom) 9-10:15.......Classical Theory Reimagined (10)...........44 9-10:15.......Sondheim 102 (1981-2021) (10)................34
Page numbers link to course descriptions • All classes are Eastern Time
Courses by Day ● Time [ET], Course Title (No. of Sessions), Page [linked to course description] 9-10:15.......T’ai Chi (10)...............................................50 9-10:30.......Table Read (10)........................................31 11-12:15......A Liberal World Order? (8).......................26 11-12:15......Activate Purpose in Daily Life (4).............52 11-12:15......The End of Everything (6).........................43 11-12:15......Why the Jews? (10)..................................25 1:30-2:45...Ouvriers et bourgeois (10)........................30 1:30-2:45...Poetry (8)..................................................57 1:30-3........Exploring Narrative Photography (9)........38 3:30-4:45...Family History Discovery (10)...................45 3:30-4:45...What Might Have Been (10).....................27
11-12:30.....Promoting Equity Beyond Borders (8) (JRC).....................16 11-1............Painting Songbird Portraits (10) (JRC).....19 1:30-4:30...North Carolina on Film (10) (JRC).............35
Venue Abbreviations & Addresses BA
The Bridge Academy, 2634 DurhamChapel Hill Road, Suite 102, Durham
CV
Croasdaile Village Retirement Community, 2600 Croasdaile Farm Parkway, Durham
JRC
Judea Reform Congregation, Education Building, 1933 W Cornwallis Road, Durham
NM
Nasher Museum, 2001 Campus Drive, Duke University, Durham
Z
Online via Zoom
In Person 9-10:30.......Japan’s Impact on Western Art (10) (JRC)..........................15 9-10:30.......The Psychology of Grief (5) (JRC)............46 11-12:15......Philosophy & Practice of Yoga (10) (JRC).................................51 11-12:30.....Human Evolution and Migrations (8) (JRC)..............................24
See page 10 for index of courses by location
Short Courses ● Start Date (No. of Sessions), Time [ET], Course Title (Venue), Page [linked to description] Courses with 3-6 sessions
Mondays Jan 29 (4), 11-12:15..... Nixon’s Resignation Reconsidered (Z).................25 Jan 29 (6), 11-12:30..... Tax-Smart Retirement Strategies (JRC)...................16 Jan 29 (4), 1:30-2:45... Classical Music (Z).................32 Jan 29 (6), 1:30-3........ The Latin Language (JRC)......30 Jan 29 (6), 3:30-4:45... Judaism & Christianity (Z)......40 Jan 29 (3), 3:30-4:45... The Grand Canyon (Z)............22 Feb 12 (6), 9-10:15...... Organizing Your Visual Story (Z)....................37
Tuesdays Jan 30 (6), 9-10:15...... Demystifying Neurology (Z)....42 Jan 30 (5), 9-10:15...... Israel’s Crisis of Democracy (Z).................45 Jan 30 (6), 11-12:15..... Discover My Purpose Equation (Z).........................52 Jan 30 (5), 11-12:15..... The Artist’s Studio (Z).............13 Jan 30 (4), 1:30-3........ West Coast Wines, Sec 1 (JRC)..........................50 Jan 30 (6), 1:30-3........ “Vertigo” to “The Truman Show” (Z).......36
Jan 30 (4), 3:30-5........ West Coast Wines, Sec 2 (JRC)..........................50 Feb 13 (6), 1:30-2:45... Creating a Mosaic “Painting” (Z)...........20 Feb 13 (6), 3:30-5....... 1939, Hollywood’s Greatest Year (JRC).............22
Wednesdays Jan 31 (6), 11-12:15..... Genealogy Mysteries (Z).........47 Jan 31 (3), 1:30-2:45... Planning for Caregiving (Z).....53 Jan 31 (3), 1:30-3........ Gmail and Beyond!, Sec 2 (Z)..............................40 Jan 31 (6), 1:30-3........ The Early Works of James Joyce (JRC)..........29 Feb 14 (6), 11-12:30..... A New Money Story (JRC)......56
Thursdays Feb 1 (5), 9-10:30........ Psychology of Grief (JRC).......46 Feb 1 (6), 11-12:15....... The End of Everything (Z).......43 Feb 15 (4), 11-12:15..... Activate Purpose in Daily Life (Z).....................52
Page numbers link to course descriptions • All classes are Eastern Time
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Courses by Location ● Course Title, Day, Time [ET] (No. of Sessions), Page [linked to description] The Bridge Academy (BA) Modern Bridge Bidding I............. W, 1:30-3:30 (9).... 55 Croasdaile Village Ret. Comm. (CV) Symposia.................................... T, 1:30-3 (10)......... 48 Judea Reform Congregation (JRC) Medical Miracles......................... M, 9-10:30 (10)...... 42 Policing in America..................... M, 11-12:30 (10)..... 23 iPhone Photography, Sec 1......... M, 11-12:30 (7)...... 38 Tax-Smart Retirement Strategies............. M, 11-12:30 (6)...... 16 About the Latin Language........... M, 1:30-3 (6)......... 30 iPhone Photography, Sec 2......... M, 1:30-3 (7)......... 38 The Civil War............................... M, 1:30-3 (10)........ 24 Shaping Our Cities...................... M, 3:30-5 (10)....... 14 Abstract Painting......................... T, 9-10:30 (8)......... 21 Poetry as Windows to the Past... T, 9-10:30 (10)....... 28 Stay Put or Move On................... T, 9-12 (10).............17 A Celebration of Soul Music....... T, 11-12:30 (10)...... 32 Chinese Brush Painting............... T, 11-12:30 (10)...... 19 Writing About Loss...................... T, 11-12:30 (7)........ 57 Psychology Refresher................. T, 1:30-3 (10)......... 47 Redefining American................... T, 1:30-3 (10)......... 14 West Coast Wines, Sec 1........... T, 1:30-3 (4)........... 50 1939, Hollywood’s Greatest Year.......................... T, 3:30-5 (6)........... 22 West Coast Wines, Sec 2........... T, 3:30-5 (4)........... 50 Western Art History..................... W, 9-10:15 (10)...... 15 Fun & Games............................... W, 9-10:30 (8)........ 55 A New Money Story.................... W, 11-12:30 (6)...... 56 Reading Dante............................. W, 11-12:30 (10)..... 28 The Mathematics of Voting......... W, 11-12:30 (10)..... 43 Old, New, Borrowed and Blue..... W, 1:30-3 (8)......... 33 The Early Works of James Joyce....................... W, 1:30-3 (6)......... 29 Japan’s Impact on Western Art.... Th, 9-10:30 (10)..... 15 The Psychology of Grief.............. Th, 9-10:30 (5)....... 46 Philosophy & Practice of Yoga.... Th, 11-12:15 (10).... 51 Human Evolution & Migrations.... Th, 11-12:30 (8)..... 24 Promoting Equity Beyond Borders...................... Th, 11-12:30 (8)..... 16 Painting Songbird Portraits......... Th, 11-1 (10).......... 19 North Carolina on Film................ Th, 1:30-4:30 (10)... 35
Nasher Museum (NM) Modern & Contemporary Art...... T, 3:15-4:45 (8)...... 12 10
Online (Zoom) Build Strength w/ Vivo, Sec 1..... M, 9-10 (10)........... 54 Organizing Your Visual Story...... M, 9-10:15 (6)........ 37 Build Strength w/ Vivo, Sec 2..... M, 10-11 (10)......... 54 Innovation in the Real World....... M, 11-12:15 (10)......17 Nixon’s Resignation Reconsidered.......................... M, 11-12:15 (4)....... 25 North Carolina Folk Music.......... M, 11-12:15 (10)..... 35 Classical Music........................... M, 1:30-2:45 (4)..... 32 Compelling Choreographers....... M, 1:30-2:45 (8)..... 36 Photo Composition..................... M, 1:30-3 (10)........ 37 Judaism and Christianity............ M, 3:30-4:45 (6).... 40 Nobel Peace Prize Film Series.... M, 3:30-4:45 (8).... 46 The Grand Canyon...................... M, 3:30-4:45 (3).... 22 Build Strength w/ Vivo, Sec 3..... T, 9-10 (10)............ 54 Historical Geology Topics........... T, 9-10:15 (10)........ 41 Demystifying Neurology.............. T, 9-10:15 (6)......... 42 Israel’s Crisis of Democracy....... T, 9-10:15 (5)......... 45 Build Strength w/ Vivo, Sec 4..... T, 10-11 (10)........... 54 Discover My Purpose Equation... T, 11-12:15 (6)........ 52 Inside the Artist’s Studio............. T, 11-12:15 (5)........ 13 Justice......................................... T, 11-12:15 (10)...... 39 Traditional Chinese Medicine...... T, 11-12:15 (10)...... 51 Creating Colored Pencil Birds..... T, 11-1 (10)............. 21 Create a Mosaic “Painting”......... T, 1:30-2:45 (6)...... 20 “Vertigo” to “The Truman Show”. T, 1:30-3 (6)........... 36 Empire of Tea.............................. W, 11-12:15 (8)....... 23 Solving Genealogy Mysteries..... W, 11-12:15 (6)....... 47 Tsars and Stars of Old Russia.... W, 11-12:15 (9)....... 27 The World Today......................... W, 11-12:30 (10)..... 18 Silver Strummers......................... W, 1:30-2:30 (10)... 33 Planning for Caregiving............... W, 1:30-2:45 (3)..... 53 The Russian Federation.............. W, 1:30-2:45 (10)... 26 Gmail and Beyond!, Sec 1.......... W, 1:30-3 (8)......... 40 Gmail and Beyond!, Sec 2.......... W, 1:30-3 (3)......... 40 Classical Theory Reimagined..... Th, 9-10:15 (10)..... 44 Sondheim 102 (1981-2021).......... Th, 9-10:15 (10)..... 34 T’ai Chi........................................ Th, 9-10:15 (10)..... 50 Table Read.................................. Th, 9-10:30 (10)..... 31 A Liberal World Order?............... Th, 11-12:15 (8)...... 26 Activate Purpose in Daily Life..... Th, 11-12:15 (4)...... 52 The End of Everything................. Th, 11-12:15 (6)...... 43 Why the Jews?............................ Th, 11-12:15 (10).... 25 Ouvriers et bourgeois................. Th, 1:30-2:45 (10)... 30 Poetry.......................................... Th, 1:30-2:45 (8).... 57 Narrative Photography................ Th, 1:30-3 (9)........ 38 Family History Discovery............ Th, 3:30-4:45 (10)... 45 What Might Have Been............... Th, 3:30-4:45 (10)... 27
See page 9 for location addresses • All classes are Eastern Time
Courses by Instructor ● Instructor Name, Course Title, Page [linked to course description] Abramovits, Emanuel.................“Vertigo” to “The Truman Show”.............36 Adams, Lavonne.......Poetry as Windows to the Past............28 Anderson, Margaret...Writing About Loss..................57 Balkite, Elizabeth.......Genealogy Mysteries............... 47 Bauernfeind, Rob......Human Evolution and Migrations.....................24 Bleiweiss, Sheldon....Why the Jews?.........................25 Blinder, Henry...........The World Today...................... 18 Block, Dean...............The World Today...................... 18 Bowen, Sterling.........Abstract Painting.....................21 Boyles, James...........Redefining American............... 14 Boytos, Cathy............Colored Pencil Birds................21 Brems, Susan............Promoting Equity Beyond Borders................... 16 Brill, Margaret............Empire of Tea...........................23 Brown, Frank.............Mathematics of Voting.............43 Caccavale, Ruth........Modern & Contemp. Art.......... 12 Cantor, Owen............Classical Music........................32 * Chafe, William...........What Might Have Been............27 * Charles, Sarah..........A New Money Story.................56 Cobley, Julia..............Silver Strummers.....................33 Courtland, William.....Chinese Medicine.................... 51 Cox, Edwin................Symposia.................................48 Darer, Nadine............1939, Hollywood’s Greatest Year.......................22 Darer, Stanley............1939, Hollywood’s Greatest Year.......................22 Davidshofer, Claire.....Ouvriers et bourgeois..............30 Davidshofer, William...The Russian Federation...........26 Dawson, Rae.............Stay Put or Move On................ 17 Dickinson, Barbara....Compelling Choreographers....36 Dunbar, Jay...............T’ai Chi.....................................50 * Felder, Alonzo...........Family History Discovery.........45 * Fenner Brown, Cheryl.....................Philosophy & Practice of Yoga................................. 51 Fetscher, Suzanne....Inside the Artist’s Studio.......... 13 * Flaharty, Ellen............Japan’s Impact on Western Art..................... 15 Fortner, Brand...........The End of Everything.............43 Freedman, Steven Mitchell......Demystifying Neurology..........42 Fynn, Carol................Fun & Games...........................55 Gabriel, Lisa..............Tax-Smart Retirement Strategies.......... 16 Goldsweig, Howard...Medical Miracles......................42 Gray, Virginia.............The World Today...................... 18 Gruendel, Ginnie.......The World Today...................... 18
* Hall, Anna..................Activate Purpose in Daily Life...52 Discover My Purpose Equation...............................52 Hamilton, Carol.........Medical Miracles......................42 * Hamilton, Sarah........Nobel Peace Prize Film Series............................46 Hensley, Jason..........Judaism and Christianity.........40 Jackson, Sam...........A Celebration of Soul Music.....32 Johnson, David.........Policing in America..................23 * Kaczvinsky, Donald...Early James Joyce...................29 Klein, Steven.............Israel’s Crisis of Democracy.....45 Koslow, Howard........Gmail and Beyond!..................40 Longman, Douglas....The World Today...................... 18 Marriott, Bill...............Narrative Photography.............38 McIntyre, Edison.......North Carolina on Film.............35 McKnight, Scott........Innovation in the Real World..... 17 McLeod, Melissa.......Symposia.................................48 Meguid, Henry..........Modern Bridge Bidding I.........55 Melanson, Richard....A Liberal World Order?............26 Melton, Kimberly.......Organizing Your Visual Story....37 Meyer, Marvin............Old, New, Borrowed & Blue.....33 Morris, Sara...............About the Latin Language.......30 * Norstrand, Julie.........Planning for Caregiving............53 Palmer, Christopher...Historical Geology Topics........ 41 * Peterson, Brian.........Shaping Our Cities................... 14 * Phillips, Bill................North Carolina Folk Music.......35 Powers, John............Nixon’s Resignation Reconsidered.......................25 Prust, Richard...........Justice......................................39 Purath, Sally..............Tsars & Stars of Old Russia.....27 Reiner, Helen.............The Psychology of Grief..........46 Rousso, Gabrielle......Create a Mosaic “Painting”......20 Scheft, Tom...............Psychology Refresher.............. 47 Sehon, John..............Photo Composition..................37 Seitel, Jane................Poetry.......................................57 Shapiro, Marc............A Celebration of Soul Music...32 Shaw, Robert............Reading Dante.........................28 * Slahor, Stephenie......The Grand Canyon...................22 Smith, Mike...............Symposia.................................48 Snodgrass, Kevin......Build Strength With Vivo..........54 Straubel, Madeleine...Classical Theory Reimagined...44 Szerszen, Dennis......Intro to iPhone Photography.....38 Teasley, Alan.............Sondheim 102 (1981-2021)......34 Thorne, Thomas........West Coast Wines...................50 Tierney, Karen...........Table Read...............................31 VanDewoestine, Rob ........................Western Art History................. 15 Wilbur-Brooks, Dot....Painting Songbird Portraits..... 19 Yeargin, Billy..............The Civil War............................24 Zhao, Jinxiu...............Chinese Brush Painting........... 19
Page numbers link to course descriptions
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Art & Architecture OLLI Winter 2024 Courses by Subject
Modern and Contemporary Art: Art Through the Lens of the Nasher
Art & Architecture..................... 12 Economics & Public Policy....... 16 Hands-On Art........................... 19 History: Past & Present.............22 Literature & Languages............28 Performing Arts........................32 Photography.............................37 Religion & Philosophy...............39 Science & Technology..............40 Society & Culture......................44 Wellness Activities....................50 Writing......................................57
IN PERSON: In this discussion-based course, we will look at modern and contemporary art on view at the Nasher Museum of Art. We will also spend time in the classroom considering relevant art movements and creating a context for the art in the galleries. Our topics will include Early American modernism, surrealism and abstraction, along with African-American figuration. Classes will meet in the university classroom and in the museum galleries. • Facilitated discussion.
Planning Your Course Schedule
Ruth Caccavale has a passion for discussing art with people. She has worked in education positions at a number of museums. Since her move to North Carolina in 2011, Ruth has taught over two dozen OLLI courses. She also works in the education department at 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.
This catalog is organized by course subject, with helpful indexes on pages 8-11. 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.”
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Please note: OLLI requires all participants in this course to have a Nasher membership. These memberships are offered to enrolled students at half-price. Required supplies/fee: The Nasher parking lot is metered; the current fee is $2 per hour.
• 8 Tue, Jan 30 - Mar 26 (no class Feb 20), 3:15-4:45 p.m. • In person at Nasher Museum of Art • Maximum: 14; Fee: $110; Course ID: 3707
If enrolling in a course that meets In Person, please see the guidelines at learnmore.duke.edu/olli/person-guidelines before registering.
Art & Architecture Inside the Artist’s Studio: International, National & Local ONLINE: With a format inspired by James Lipton’s “Inside the Actors Studio,” the course will feature interviews and discussions with five important contemporary artists. This diverse group of artists ranges in ethnicity, geographic representation, age and approaches to creative expression. The format of the course will be an interview between the instructor and the artist, with class members encouraged to participate in active dialogue with the artist. Class members will be introduced to artwork that includes public art, socially and politically informed art, painting, sculpture and environmental art. The interviews may probe family and educational backgrounds, artistic influences, choice of medium, technical proficiency, philosophical underpinnings, aesthetics, creative processes and the role of the artist in society. • Facilitated discussion. Guest Speakers: Jan 30 • Orit Hofshi (Tel Aviv, Israel) Orit Hofshi is an internationally known artist who has won many awards, and whose works have been shown in the National Gallery of Art (Washington), Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York), Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (Philadelphia), as well as in Israel and Hong Kong. www.orithofshi.com Feb 6 • Sam Van Aken (Syracuse, NY) Sam Van Aken was raised on a Pennsylvania farm and received his MFA from UNC. With an Andy Warhol Foundation grant, he lived for a time in Poland working with dissident artists. www.samvanaken.com
Feb 13 • Charles Edward Williams (Greensboro, NC) Charles Edward Williams, who currently holds an endowed faculty chair and associate professorship in drawing and painting at NC Central University, works in a variety of media, setting out to capture the human emotive responses to the natural environment. www.charlesedwardwilliams.com Feb 20 • Xenobia Bailey (New York) A master fiber artist, Xenobia Bailey studied ethnomusicology at the University of Washington, became fascinated by the craftsmanship and sounds of the cultures of Africa and Asia, which led to designing costumes for a local African American theater group, then earned a BFA in industrial design at Pratt Institute. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XenobiaBailey Feb 27 • Joseph Herscher (London) Having grown up in New Zealand and now living in London, Joseph Herscher is a kinetic artist and YouTube personality, best known for his channel Joseph’s Machines. www.josephherscher.com Suzanne Fetscher, with a BFA and MFA in studio art, taught at several universities in Florida before going into arts administration. She moved to Charlotte in 1998 to establish McColl Center for Art + Innovation in a retrofitted Gothic Revival church. After serving as its director for nearly 20 years, she retired. She now works as a consultant and an artist, and has recently enjoyed bringing her broad knowledge and relationships with many regionally and nationally known artists to OLLI members.
• 5 Tue, Jan 30 - Feb 27, 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. • Online via Zoom; Sessions are recorded • Maximum: 200; Fee: $75; Course ID: 3191
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Art & Architecture Redefining American: Art and Identity in America Since 1960
Shaping Our Cities: Concepts of Urban Design
IN PERSON: How does the history of American art reveal the changing character of this country? After World War II, the nation and its art became the standards around the world. Yet, for all of its international prestige, the American art world still had to face domestic challenges, as stifled voices within this country grew louder in their demands for recognition. This course will focus primarily, but not exclusively, on art by female, LGBTQ+, Black and Native American artists since 1960. We will look at the many strategies that these artists employed to challenge longstanding paradigms set by straight white male artists. These will include abstraction, conceptualism, performance, body art and text-based art. Some of this art is intentionally offensive in order to provoke new ways of thinking. • Lecture + Q&A.
IN PERSON: In this lecture-based course, students will learn how our built environment is shaped through the lens of urban design, which is where architecture, planning and landscape architecture intersect. A central question will be, what makes a good city? Examples of both historical and contemporary urbanism will serve as case studies. The goal of the course is for students to develop their own “critical eye” toward city design, and, with it, a deeper awareness and understanding of our everyday built environment. The course may include one or possibly two field trips with guest speakers. • Lecture + Q&A.
Please note: While this course is part of a series on American art, it stands alone. The other courses in the series are not prerequisites. James Boyles is a retired professor from NC State University, where he taught the history of art. He has an M.A. and a Ph.D. in art history. His teaching and research have focused on American, modern and contemporary art, with the occasional venture into the medieval period and the 18th century.
• 10 Tue, Jan 30 - Apr 2, 1:30-3 p.m. • In person at Judea Reform Congregation • Maximum: 50; Fee: $110; Course ID: 3719
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Brian Peterson is a licensed architect with over 30 years of experience as a consulting design firm principal, project manager and design architect. He received a Master of Architecture degree at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Architecture and has taught as an adjunct professor of architecture and landscape architecture at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He currently serves as urban designer for the Town of Chapel Hill.
• 10 Mon, Jan 29 - Apr 1, 3:30-5 p.m. • In person at Judea Reform Congregation • Maximum: 30; Fee: $110; Course ID: 3720
Winter 2024 Registration Registration opens on Tuesday, January 9, at 9 a.m. ET for Monday and Tuesday courses and on Wednesday, January 10, at 9 a.m. ET for Wednesday and Thursday courses.
Art & Architecture Japan’s Impact on Western Art: The Wind From the East
Western Art History: The Renaissance to Post WW II
IN PERSON: Here’s a disturbing perspective that some Western art aficionados may not want to consider: Without “the wind from the east”—the creative energy from Japan that swept into the West in the 19th century—we might not have had the great works of Monet, Degas, Van Gogh, Gauguin, Whistler, ToulouseLautrec and others. In sum, we would have missed out on the groundbreaking masterpieces that ushered in so-called “modern art” in the West. Could these Japanese-inspired elements have profoundly and irrevocably revolutionized Western art? Or were the similarities merely coincidental? This lecturebased course will examine the connections between the themes, techniques and aesthetics of Japanese art and their influence on the West. It’s a complex and fascinating part of art history. Let’s explore this together. • Lecture + Q&A.
IN PERSON: In this survey course, students will gain a broad understanding of Western art from the Renaissance to after World War II. The course aims to create familiarity with the works of major artists since 1300, and how they fit into historical art movements such as the Renaissance, Baroque and Impressionist movements. We’ll discuss how to experience an artwork to better understand what the artist was trying to convey. Over 200 artworks will be examined, focusing on the features along with symbols used in art of the various periods. For example, the symbols in art from the Renaissance and Baroque periods are largely religious, while those in art from later periods are more varied. We will touch on innovations in media and technique and how this influenced various artists’ work. For example, how did color theory influence painters in the Impressionist period? This course provides a framework for considering individual works of art within the broader context of how Western art has evolved. • Lecture + Q&A.
After careers in education and the securities business, Ellen “Mif” Flaharty retired to Hawaii in 2000 where her interest in Asian art evolved as a docent at the Honolulu Museum of Art. During those 15 years, she developed a keen interest in Japanese art. She has taught OLLI courses focused on Japanese aesthetics and woodblock prints. Additionally, Mif is a docent at the Ackland Art Museum.
• 10 Thu, Feb 1 - Apr 4, 9-10:30 a.m. • In person at Judea Reform Congregation • Maximum: 25; Fee: $110; Course ID: 3704
Online •
In Person •
Rob VanDewoestine has a Ph.D. in engineering and had a long career at Corning. Since moving to the Triangle area, he has pursued his interests in art as well as classic cars. Most recently, he taught the OLLI course Artistry in Glass. He has also offered a version of this well-received Western Art History survey course several times.
• 10 Wed, Jan 31 - Apr 3, 9-10:15 a.m. • In person at Judea Reform Congregation • Maximum: 30; Fee: $110; Course ID: 3732
Recorded
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Economics & Public Policy Promoting Equity Beyond Borders: U.S. Development Assistance IN PERSON: The U.S. national security strategy is based on defense, diplomacy and development. Development assistance— foreign aid—refers to how the U.S. partners with developing countries to fuel economic prosperity and improve citizens’ quality of life. We will learn about the foundations of development assistance and its management by Foreign Service Officers of the U.S. Agency for International Development. The instructor will demonstrate how taxpayer dollars promote equity and inclusion to achieve results also beneficial to the U.S. Lectures and visuals will draw on real-world examples from the instructor’s experiences in Latin America, Africa, Asia and the Pacific. Interactive sessions will emphasize how empowering women and focusing attention on youth and marginalized groups can help achieve major results in the program areas of humanitarian assistance, economic development, family health (e.g., reduced infant mortality), infectious diseases, democracy, education and the environment. • Lecture + Q&A. Please note: Sources for additional information are offered for those interested. The course content overlaps somewhat with material presented in Understanding Foreign Assistance, offered in the Winter 2023 term. Susan Brems draws on a 40-year career in development assistance, 25 of them in foreign service with the U.S. Agency for International Development. She retired as a member of the Senior Foreign Service. Brems lived and worked in multiple developing countries, spending 10 years as a health officer, followed by 15 years in senior management. She earned a Ph.D. in social change and development and a Ph.D. in sociocultural anthropology from Johns Hopkins University.
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• 8 Thu, Feb 1 - Mar 21, 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. • In person at Judea Reform Congregation • Maximum: 24; Fee: $110; Course ID: 3716
Tax-Smart Retirement Strategies IN PERSON: Are you making the most of your resources in retirement? Are taxes cramping your retirement lifestyle? Is a Roth IRA conversion “tax smart” for you? Are you paying unnecessary taxes? Are you aware that individual tax rates are set to increase on January 1, 2026, and the estate exemption amount is set to decrease? Are you prepared? Do you know how to position your money, structure your income flow and minimize your taxes to stretch your financial resources? Are you using qualified charitable distributions to your advantage? Are you prepared for the “widow’s tax”? In this lecture-based course, you will learn: ways to lessen “tax drag” on your investments and gain tax efficiency by managing your income flow; how your income impacts your Medicare premiums; and why positioning investments strategically, managing required minimum distributions and using tax smart ways to withdraw money from your investment accounts can increase the years that your money will last in retirement. • Lecture + Q&A. Lisa Gabriel has over 35 years of investment experience designing integrated, strategic wealth management solutions for high-net-worth individuals and families, as well as institutional investors such as Duke Management Company. Lisa is a certified financial planner and also holds the chartered financial consultant (ChFC) designation.
• 6 Mon, Jan 29 - Mar 4, 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. • In person at Judea Reform Congregation • Maximum: 30; Fee: $90; Course ID: 1057
Economics & Public Policy Innovation in the Real World: Looking at the U.S., China, Taiwan, Israel and Elsewhere
• 10 Mon, Jan 29 - Apr 1, 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. • Online via Zoom; Sessions are recorded • Maximum: 35; Fee: $110; Course ID: 3702
ONLINE: Did you know innovation has its own politics? This lecture-based course will present a sweeping overview of what innovation is, how it happens and why it succeeds in certain places and at certain times but fails in others. Students will learn about broad theories of innovation to help structure our understanding and discussions. But we will also look closely at various country-case studies, including examining innovation in the United States, China, Canada and Israel—places that we all consider “innovative” but for different reasons. We’ll also look at Germany, South Korea and Japan, as well as certain cities and their surrounding areas, such as Silicon Valley, Boston, Atlanta, Detroit and Cleveland, among others. Assigned readings will inform the lectures and our structured discussions. From all of this, we’ll see that innovation is a diverse as well as dynamic and everchanging process. • Facilitated discussion.
Stay Put or Move On
Please note: Various assigned readings, as well as Breznitz’s book, will be provided as PDFs.
Please note: The course operates under two different schedules. Weeks one to four, we meet from 9 a.m. to noon at the JRC. Weeks five to 10, we meet from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., as we visit CCRCs. Visits to CCRCs include lunch.
Required Text: • Dan Breznitz, “Innovation in Real Places” (9780197508114) Scott McKnight received his Ph.D. in political science from the University of Toronto. Prior to this, he earned a master’s degree in international relations (in Chinese) at Renmin University in Beijing. He is currently a research associate and adjunct professor at the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy at the University of Toronto, where he teaches courses on the political economy of innovation and the energy transition. He is fluent in five languages.
IN PERSON: Did you know that Triangle continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) have waitlists that span from four to 15 years? With the influx of older people into the Triangle, the demand for CCRC spots has grown, leading to long wait times. Likewise, competition to hire competent in-home care for those who choose to age in place is fierce. Through expert speakers and class lectures, we will explore options for continued independence as aging progresses and life-care needs change. We’ll consider the suitability of your home and your community for aging in place, and various options for home care services. Finally, we’ll visit a number of CCRCs to learn about the services they provide, their contract models, their entrance and monthly fees, and the nature of their waiting lists. Our focus will be on aging in place and retirement communities. • Lecture + Q&A.
Rae Dawson relocated from Silicon Valley to the Triangle in 2005. She retired from Cisco Systems Inc. in 2017. During her career, she held a variety of information technology management positions at several Fortune 500 companies, including IBM, Apple, Xerox and Cisco Systems Inc. She holds a B.A. in business administration from the University of North Texas. She has been teaching the Stay Put or Move On course since 2018.
• 10 Tue, Jan 30 - Apr 2, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. • In person at Judea Reform Congregation • Maximum: 25; Fee: $160; Course ID: 0997 Return to Course Indexes
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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 class 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.
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. Gray is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Ginnie Gruendel held senior level positions in Fortune 100 companies as well as biotech startups as a human resource professional and change management leader. Later, she started a career coaching practice to continue doing the work she loved, helping individuals find their best-fit career. Originally from Philadelphia, she came to Wake Forest 13 years ago. Doug Longman spent 25 years in marketing management for Fortune 100 firms. He holds a doctorate in business administration and taught at the University of Texas, UNC-Chapel Hill and the University of Chicago. Over the past 15 years, he has taught more than 30 OLLI courses in international political economy, public policy, economics and politics/political science.
• 10 Wed, Jan 31 - Apr 3, 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. • Online via Zoom • Maximum: 35; Fee: $110; Course ID: 0393
Please note: We recommend students use the largest screen they can for optimal Zoom participation results.
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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. degree from Duke University School of Law, and has lived in Durham for more than 35 years.
Visit our Online Learning website for helpful hints and tips for Zoom: www.olliatduke.online
Dean Block has served in municipal government in three cities, as budget director, deputy city manager and public works director, prior to retirement. He began his career as an officer in the U.S. Navy. Dean holds a master’s degree and has lived in the Triangle since 2009.
Winter 2024 Registration
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Registration opens on Tuesday, January 9, at 9 a.m. ET for Monday and Tuesday courses and on Wednesday, January 10, at 9 a.m. ET for Wednesday and Thursday courses.
Hands-On Art Chinese Brush Painting: Landscape IN PERSON: Chinese brush painting attempts to capture the essence or spirit of a subject. In this hands-on art course, students will learn how to paint landscapes, including mountains, rivers, trees and figures. These are popular brush painting subjects. Each person will complete a beautiful painting in one or two classes while practicing basic brush painting techniques. The instructor will provide a step-by-step demonstration of brush painting. 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 various brush strokes. Each student will complete a nice brush painting. This course is for both experienced and beginning students. • Active Skill Learning. Required supplies/fee: Students will purchase materials from the instructor and/or independently for a total estimated cost of $45. For additional information on supplies, please see the course details at learnmore.duke.edu/olli. Jinxiu Zhao (Alice) is a professional artist who specializes in the teaching of Chinese brush painting and calligraphy to both children and adults. She has been teaching in North Carolina for 28 years at all levels of the public schools, in teacher training programs and in private classes.
• 10 Tue, Jan 30 - Apr 2, 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. • In person at Judea Reform Congregation • Maximum: 12; Fee: $120; Course ID: 0440
Painting Songbird Portraits: Watercolor for Beginners IN PERSON: In this hands-on course, we will proceed step-by-step to create a watercolor illustration of a songbird using local photographs. Students will learn the basics of watercolor illustration in this manner: We will begin by rendering the bird and its environment in pencil. Then, with color combinations using just six primary colors (cool and warm), we will learn methods for applying the colors to the bird and its surroundings. Finally, we will look at a variety of brush techniques for details and finishing touches. During the 10 weeks of the course, participants will be able to try out several different birds, with the number depending on each individual’s rate of progress. This course is designed for students at the beginner level. • Active Skill Learning. Required supplies/fee: There is a $35 fee, payable to the instructor at the first class, to cover the cost of paint, palette, paper and brushes. In addition, upon registration, students will be given a list of household items to bring to class. Following a 31-year career at the North Carolina Botanical Garden, Dot Wilbur-Brooks has been teaching nature art and illustration for over 25 years and with OLLI since 2006.
• 10 Thu, Feb 1 - Apr 4, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. • In person at Judea Reform Congregation • Maximum: 12; Fee: $120; Course ID: 3711
If enrolling in a course that meets In Person, please see the guidelines at learnmore.duke.edu/olli/person-guidelines before registering.
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Hands-On Art Create a Mosaic “Painting” ONLINE: This hands-on art course will teach the skills needed to complete a beautiful piece of mosaic art using the most straightforward laying technique in mosaics, the direct method. The process involves building a mosaic directly on a rectangular finished piece of wood. Students will choose from a selection of flower and fruit images provided by the instructor. The instructor will then provide each student with an outlined drawn pattern of their chosen image to mosaic upon. Tools, mosaic material options, adhesives and basic cutting techniques will be taught during this course. Students will be able to view a step-by-step process for their chosen design. Classes will be recorded so that students can go back to review the steps each week. Many finished examples will be shown during class. Students will have a completed piece of mosaic art by the last class. This course is for students at all levels, with no experience necessary. • Active Skill Learning. Required supplies/fee: Students will need a table or space to work where they can also view their computer (or other device).
There is a $38 fee, payable to the instructor, for a supply kit. They will also need a wheeled tile nipper. These are available for purchase in any big box home improvement store. The instructor can also add a tile nipper to the student’s required supply kit for an additional $16 if requested. 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 the Harrington Institute of Interior Design, she is the chairman of the board of Frank Gallery, and is an educator, artist, philanthropist and avid art collector.
• 6 Tue, Feb 13 - Mar 19, 1:30-2:45 p.m. • Online via Zoom; Sessions are recorded • Maximum: 20; Fee: $100; Course ID: 3690
Visit our Online Learning website for helpful hints and tips for Zoom: www.olliatduke.online
New Member Meet & Mingle Thursday, January 25 In person at JRC 10-11 a.m. ET • Online via Zoom 2-3 p.m. ET New to OLLI at Duke? We invite you to join us for an in-person or a virtual Meet & Mingle hosted by the OLLI Leadership Team. New members will have an opportunity to meet other new members, OLLI board members and our director, Chris McLeod. Register here.
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Hands-On Art Abstract Painting: Theory and Practice
When not working, making art or traveling, he spends time playing basketball, watching science fiction or working on his community.
IN PERSON: If asked to talk about abstract painting—even works we know well—many of us would struggle to put what we’d likely describe as our feelings into words. How does an art form, which owes part of its place in history to the efforts of so many American artists, find such an odd place in our culture? Through a combination of lecture and discussion, we will gain a historical basis for looking at abstract painting by examining several stages of its development in the 20th century. As we develop a vocabulary to discuss both conventional and newly canonical works, we will also explore more contemporary modalities and the state of the art form today. We will use class time for demonstrations and for making nonfigurative art work as well. Students will have the opportunity to try out this new vocabulary during in-class critiques of the work we make. There will be an end-of-course writing assignment. A set of structured activities will be completed outside of the class. • Lecture + Q&A, Facilitated discussion, Active Skill Learning.
• 8 Tue, Feb 13 - Apr 2, 9-10:30 a.m. • In person at Judea Reform Congregation • Maximum: 14; Fee: $120; Course ID: 3044
Recommended reading: Upon registration, course web page will be provided and will include links to a weekly reading list. This course is open to students at any level.
Required supplies/fee: Students will purchase materials independently for an estimated cost of $40. For additional information on supplies, please see the course details at learnmore.duke.edu/olli.
Required supplies/fee: Students will purchase materials independently for an estimated cost of $100. For additional information, please see the course details at learnmore.duke.edu/olli. Sterling Bowen studied art at UNC-Charlotte. His practice includes painting and installation work, as well as teaching, curating and writing. He maintains a blog about his practice and other artists he finds interesting (www.sterlingbowen.com). During the day, Sterling works in clean energy. He is also a father of two who lives in Raleigh with his spouse.
Creating Colored Pencil Birds ONLINE: Have you wanted to test your skills with colored pencils by capturing wildlife on the page? In this online hands-on art course, students will learn some basic colored pencil techniques to bring two different birds to life on paper. The course will be split into two sessions, with five classes focused on each bird. The first bird will be a hummingbird and the second will be a bluebird. Students will use Prismacolor Premier pencils along with Pastelmat surfaces. Although some basic principles and techniques will be taught, this course is best suited for students who have had some prior experience with colored pencils. • Active Skill Learning.
Cathy Boytos has spent years drawing botanical images with pen and ink as well as colored pencils. She also 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.
• 10 Tue, Jan 30 - Apr 2, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. • Online via Zoom; Sessions are recorded • Maximum: 50; Fee: $120; Course ID: 3691 Return to Course Indexes
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History: Past & Present 1939, Hollywood’s Greatest Year
Why Is the Grand Canyon “Grand”?
IN PERSON: This course will examine why 1939 is recognized by many as Hollywood’s greatest year. We will cover 19 films from that year, both blockbusters, like “Gone With the Wind,” “The Wizard of Oz,” “Stagecoach” and “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,” and other great films, such as “Goodbye, Mr. Chips,” “Dark Victory” and “Ninotchka.” The course will include some film clips and discussion about the actors and the people behind the camera who created this amazing run of films. We will also discover some interesting facts about those involved in these films. Students will walk away with a greater understanding of why 1939 is known as Hollywood’s greatest year. • Lecture + Q&A, Facilitated discussion.
ONLINE: As one of the major natural wonders of the world, the Grand Canyon has fascinated people for centuries. In this lecture-based course, we will explore: 1) the geology and trails of the Grand Canyon; 2) ancient and modern human history at the Grand Canyon; and 3) wildlife, preservation and conservation of the Grand Canyon and its resources. Topics will include modern history and people who have lived in or near the canyon, such as prospectors, miners, guides and first hoteliers. Students will learn about Native American tribal history as well as modern concerns about the canyon. Did you know 11 Native tribes have close associations with this iconic place? We will cover biology, including animals and plants common or unique to the canyon, and, of course, the famous mules of the Grand Canyon. • Lecture + Q&A.
Please note: Students may choose to watch the films independently, but it is not required. Stan Darer earned a degree in economics from Lehman College in New York. He spent the first 18 summers of his life in the Catskills. Stan serves on the board of trustees as vice president of membership at Temple Beth Or. Stan has been an active member, volunteer and instructor at OLLI at NC State for many years. In 2017, Stan was the recipient of the Betty Poulton Volunteer of the Year Award at OLLI at NC State. Stan has made presentations at communities in the Triangle.
• 6 Tue, Feb 13 - Mar 19, 3:30-5 p.m. • In person at Judea Reform Congregation • Maximum: 20; Fee: $90; Course ID: 3681
Stephenie Slahor holds a Ph.D. degree and a J.D. degree and is retired from her law practice and university and law school teaching. She now creates informative and enjoyable courses for OLLI programs around the nation. She is a member of the Grand Canyon Conservancy, and has studied and visited the area multiple times for its unique and fascinating history, geology and biology.
• 3 Mon, Jan 29 - Feb 12, 3:30-4:45 p.m. • Online via Zoom • Maximum: 200; Fee: $45; Course ID: 3734
Zoom Links in Online 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. For details, refer to www.olliatduke.online/studentlink. 22
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History: Past & Present A History of Policing in America IN PERSON: Current controversies over the role of policing in urban America are only the latest in a long history of such conflicts. This course will offer a long view of policing, beginning in the late 18th century and concluding with a discussion of contemporary concerns from the perspective of that history. Topics will include the social and political contexts that shaped the development of policing, the creation of police departments in antebellum cities, various types of criminal behavior that affected policing, the evolution of a distinct police culture and the long tradition of various attempts to reform the police. The course is designed to propel “conversational lectures” during which students are encouraged to ask questions that will allow the instructor to incorporate what students are most interested in. • Lecture + Q&A, Facilitated discussion. Recommended Texts: • James Q. Wilson, “Thinking About Crime” (9780465048830) • James Q. Wilson, “Varieties of Police Behavior” (9780674932111)
Empire of Tea: History of the World’s Favorite Beverage ONLINE: In this lecture-based course, we will trace the story of tea from its earliest use in China to the place it holds today as the world’s most popular beverage, using lectures, slides and videos. We’ll discuss how tea was brought to England by a 17th-century queen, and how important the tea trade was to the British East India Company, one of the most powerful commercial organizations in history. We’ll consider how the demand for tea led to the Boston Tea Party, the use of enslaved people from Africa to grow sugar in the Caribbean, and the widespread smuggling and adulteration of tea in the 18th century. And we’ll examine the Opium Wars with China in the 19th century, and the rivalry between American and British traders that led to the Clipper sailing races. We’ll also explore tea’s social history in Britain, from the early debates about its health-giving properties to the rise of the tea bag, and learn about the traditions surrounding the consumption of tea around the world. • Lecture + Q&A.
David Johnson received his Ph.D. in American urban history from the University of Chicago; taught university level courses for 42 years; and published five books, three of which deal with aspects of the history of policing. He was a consultant to the National Law Enforcement Museum in Washington during its planning phase, in particular regarding exhibits illustrating the evolution of law enforcement.
Margaret Brill was the British history librarian at Duke. She was also head of reference, maps librarian and librarian for medieval and Renaissance studies. She grew up just outside London, and has a B.A. in history from the University of London, a master’s in library science from North Carolina Central University and a master’s in liberal studies from Duke. Her primary interest is social history, especially women’s history. This is the 10th course she has taught for OLLI.
• 10 Mon, Jan 29 - Apr 1, 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. • In person at Judea Reform Congregation • Maximum: 30; Fee: $110; Course ID: 3327
• 8 Wed, Jan 31 - Mar 20, 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. • Online via Zoom; Sessions are recorded • Maximum: 200; Fee: $110; Course ID: 3695
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History: Past & Present Human Evolution and Migrations
The Civil War: Heroes of a Divided Culture
IN PERSON: In this lecture-based course, we study the evolution of Homo sapiens in Africa, and their subsequent migrations that populated the major continents of our planet. The course was inspired by the first several chapters of Yuval Noah Harari’s book “Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind.” We cover the following topics: 1) Evolution and Its Mechanisms, 2) Early Hominins, 3) Evolution of Homo Sapiens, 4) Early Out of Africa— A Failed Expansion?, 5) Migrations Across Southern Asia, 6) Migrations to the Americas, 7) Migrations to Europe and 8) The Lives of Hunter-Gatherers. Students will gain a better understanding of and appreciation for the early history of our species. • Lecture + Q&A.
IN PERSON: Did the Civil War in America—the most divisive in our short history—ultimately prove to serve as a culturally bonding phenomenon? From the post-war period to modern times, the leadership and supportive participants together made us a different and stronger nation. This course will cite those who made an impact on the atmosphere of war, as well as the bravery and determination of those leaders who committed themselves to their cause. The course will address the personalities, roles and leadership of both Union and Confederate participants in all phases of the Civil War, including the political, social and military leaders. We will look not just at Lincoln and Grant or Davis and Lee, but also at those whose supportive efforts brought the war to the conclusion recorded by history. The course will feature guest speakers, Civil War documentary videos and an optional class trip to the site of Johnston’s surrender to Sherman: Bennett Place in West Durham. • Lecture + Q&A, Facilitated discussion.
Please note: The purchase of Yuval Noah Harari’s book “Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind” is not necessary. The instructor will discuss other reading options in class. Rob Bauernfeind is a retired cardiologist, with lifelong interests in biology and history. Rob has taught previous OLLI courses about the Ottoman Empire and the Republic of Turkey. He will be teaching this course for the second time.
• 8 Thu, Feb 1 - Mar 28 (no class Feb 29), 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. • In person at Judea Reform Congregation • Maximum: 30; Fee: $110; Course ID: 3543
If enrolling in a course that meets In Person, please see the guidelines at learnmore.duke.edu/olli/person-guidelines before registering.
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Please note: The instructor may plan an optional trip to Appomattox, Virginia, to visit the location of the surrender of Lee to Grant. This will be discussed in the first class. Required Text: • Geoffrey C. Ward and Ric Burns and Ken Burns, “The Civil War” (9780679742777) Billy Yeargin holds an M.A. in graduate liberal studies from Duke. Additionally, he has earned four degrees in European history, politics and society from Exeter College (University of Oxford, UK). He has taught courses related to Southern culture for DILR and OLLI since September 1995.
• 10 Mon, Jan 29 - Apr 1, 1:30-3 p.m. • In person at Judea Reform Congregation • Maximum: 30; Fee: $110; Course ID: 3724
History: Past & Present Nixon’s Resignation Reconsidered ONLINE: Who is really in charge of our nation? On the 50th anniversary of the resignation of President Richard M. Nixon, perhaps it’s time to admit that many people were duped. The events that began with the breakin at the Democratic National Committee’s headquarters in the Watergate complex may seem familiar. But much of what we think we know is wrong. Following the scholarship of Jim Hougan and other researchers, we will discover what really happened during the time leading up to the alleged “burglary” and the events that followed, climaxing with Nixon’s flight from the White House. This lecture-based course will use many historical images along with class discussion to expose the real President Nixon—both his good traits and his worst. Class participants will be surprised to discover what actually occurred prior to and during the break-ins by the socalled “plumbers.” We will see that it was actually a coup that removed Nixon from office. • Lecture + Q&A. Recommended Texts: • Jim Hougan, “Secret Agenda” (9781504075282) • Lee Colodney and Robert Gettlin, “Silent Coup” (9780312051563) • Garrett M. Graff, “Watergate: A New History” (9781982139179) John Powers, MFA, is a writer and director with experience in theater and film. Drawing on U.S. history as source material for several of his productions, he has also developed this material into provocative courses, such as Profiles in Deceit: JFK and LBJ in Vietnam and Hitler’s A-Team. He has taught for OLLI since 2013.
• 4 Mon, Jan 29 - Feb 19, 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. • Online via Zoom • Maximum: 30; Fee: $60; Course ID: 3708
Why the Jews? Antisemitism, the Holocaust & Israel ONLINE: Antisemitic behavior is increasing and becoming more widespread. Jews are blamed for the Israeli-Palestinian Arab conflict. Political/social debates are replete with Holocaust misappropriations. And 87% of American Jews feel less safe today. What’s behind this? Why are Jews the most targeted religious community in the U.S.? What is antisemitism, and how can we recognize it? How does this hatred of Jews factor into the Holocaust and the Israeli-Arab conflict? Why do we need to keep learning about the Holocaust? Through videos/slides, lectures and discussion, students will gain a better awareness of: 1) the deep-rooted historical myths behind the centuries-long hatred of Jews that led to the Holocaust, but didn’t end there; 2) the events of the Holocaust; 3) some facts behind Israel’s continuous fight for its survival; 4) some current manifestations of antisemitism across the political spectrum; 5) the impact of our own attitudes and behaviors; 6) what we can do to make a difference. • Lecture + Q&A. A Holocaust educator for over 23 years, Shelly Bleiweiss is a child of two Polish Jewish Holocaust survivors. He is an experienced instructor for OLLI at Duke, NC State University and the University of Pittsburgh, and of similar courses at Triangle area senior community centers. Shelly has spoken to teachers, hundreds of public school students and numerous community, church and civic organizations. He’s a member of the North Carolina Council on the Holocaust and the NC Holocaust Speakers Bureau.
• 10 Thu, Feb 1 - Apr 4, 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. • Online via Zoom; Sessions are recorded • Maximum: 50; Fee: $110; Course ID: 3735
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History: Past & Present The Russian Federation: Yeltsin Through Putin ONLINE: This lecture-based course covers the development of the Russian Federation after the demise of the Soviet Union under Boris Yeltsin, from 1991 to late 1999, and Vladimir Putin, from late 1999 to the present. Emphasis is on a contextual examination of the unstable political functioning of a quasi-democratic presidential system of government, from the rise of “oligarch” economic power following Soviet economic rule to the consolidation of supreme political power under Putin in his United Russia political party. Coverage includes Putin’s foreign policy in the occupation of South Ossetia in Georgia in 2008, the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the occupation of four eastern Ukrainian provinces in 2022. Foreign policy treatment will also focus on Russian-American relations with respect to nuclear arms limitation under the New Start treaty. Students will gain an in-depth political understanding of the current Russian polity not covered in popular media. • Lecture + Q&A. William Davidshofer holds a Ph.D. in political science with a specialization in Russian and East European studies from the University of Notre Dame. Since finishing a 42-year career at the University of Maine at Presque Isle, where he was nominated for the Teacher of the Year Award four times, Davidshofer has taught many courses for the OLLI program and received excellent evaluations. He has recently published a work entitled “Marxism and the Leninist Revolutionary Model.”
• 10 Wed, Jan 31 - Apr 3, 1:30-2:45 p.m. • Online via Zoom; Sessions are recorded • Maximum: 30; Fee: $110; Course ID: 3729
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A Liberal World Order? ONLINE: Political “realists” contend that U.S. foreign policymakers invoke the supposed requirements of a rules-based liberal international order to justify excessive defense spending and military interventions to promote democracy and human rights. Realists claim, however, that we actually live in an illiberal world of competitive power politics, and the best America can do is to avoid overreach abroad while strengthening democratic institutions at home. This course will analyze and evaluate the realist critique of liberal internationalism. Students will be expected to read approximately 25 pages a week and actively participate in class discussions. • Facilitated discussion. Required Text: • Patrick Porter, “The False Promise of Liberal Order” (9781509538683) 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 U.S. foreign policy. He has been an instructor at OLLI since 2016.
• 8 Thu, Feb 15 - Apr 4, 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. • Online via Zoom • Maximum: 15; Fee: $110; Course ID: 3684
Winter 2024 Registration Registration opens on Tuesday, January 9, at 9 a.m. ET for Monday and Tuesday courses and on Wednesday, January 10, at 9 a.m. ET for Wednesday and Thursday courses.
History: Past & Present Tsars and Stars of Old Russia: Tales of Woe and Excess ONLINE: Never having to say you’re sorry could be the motto of the czars of Russia. From Vladimir who shopped for a religion and the greats—Ivan, Peter and Catherine— to the Alexander who beat Napoleon and the last tsar, Nicholas, who threw it all away, Russian rulers had too much power and no self-control. This course will be an overview of Russian history to 1917, concentrating on the absolute rulers absolutely no one would want to be ruled by. We will make many comparisons of Russian and U.S. history, especially how geography affected both. While primarily a lecture-based course, we will pause frequently for Q&As. A website will provide a course outline of dates, names and events. Students will learn how Russian history was different from U.S. history in terms of violence and how that influences what Russian President Vladimir Putin does today. • Lecture + Q&A. Sally Purath earned her B.A. in social sciences and M.Ed. at Colorado State University. She taught history, world humanities and language arts to 12th graders for 26 years, as well as many teacher workshops. Sally has extensive training in history and humanities, especially of the U.S., Russia, India, China, Japan, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America. Sally has been teaching courses for OLLI since 2009 at Colorado State and Duke.
• 9 Wed, Jan 31 - Apr 3 (no class Feb 21), 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. • Online via Zoom • Maximum: 200; Fee: $110; Course ID: 3692
What Might Have Been ONLINE: The course will examine 10 different moments since World War II when a critical choice was made. We will consider what might have been if a different choice had been made. Examples include: What if President Franklin D. Roosevelt had stuck with Henry Wallace as his vice president in 1944, given the fact that Wallace opposed the Cold War with Russia? What if President John F. Kennedy had lived, given the fact that one month before his assassination he signed an executive order to withdraw all American troops from Vietnam after the 1964 presidential election? And what if Robert F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. had not been assassinated in 1968, given that each focused on ending poverty in America? The course will emphasize group discussion, with students gaining a new appreciation for how our history could have been very different. • Facilitated discussion. Recommended Text: • William Chafe, “The Unfinished Journey” (9780199347995) William Chafe grew up in a white working-class neighborhood in Cambridge, MA, with playmates who were Black and Latino. He attended a Baptist church whose youth group leader talked about what Jesus would have done if confronted with social inequality. At Harvard, he wrote his senior thesis on W.E.B. Du Bois; as a graduate student in history at Columbia University, he focused on women’s history and civil rights history. He is Duke’s Alice Mary Baldwin Distinguished Professor Emeritus of History.
• 10 Thu, Feb 1 - Apr 4, 3:30-4:45 p.m. • Online via Zoom • Maximum: 25; Fee: $110; Course ID: 3733
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Literature & Languages Reading Dante IN PERSON: Everyone has heard of Dante’s “Comedy” (popularly known as “The Divine Comedy”), but few have read it. Fewer still have read the troubadour poets from whom Dante drew. Some scholars have described “Comedy” as the greatest achievement of the human intellect—an encyclopedia of ethics, culture and history expressed through great poetry. We will read this great work and discuss its meaning and place in Western cultural history. Students will learn of its debts to ancient classic writers (Homer, Virgil), medieval church scholarship and troubadour poetry. Most important, we will experience and discuss the poem itself—a work with no rival. Our goals are: an understanding of the flow of thought about human destinies, awareness of the links from Dante back through the Middle Ages to antiquity, and appreciation of a monumental work of art. We will seek to become better readers, able to enjoy enriched experiences with all great literature. This discussion-based course will be in English. • Facilitated discussion. Please note: Students should choose an English translation with line numbers (important) and all three sections of “Comedy.” Used copies are widely available online. The instructor will use Robert and Jean Hollander’s “The Inferno” and John Sinclair’s “Purgatorio” and “Paradiso.” Recommended Texts: • Maurice Valency, “In Praise of Love” (9780805207156) • C. S. Lewis, “The Allegory of Love” (9781107659438) • Erich Auerbach, “Dante: Poet of the Secular World” (9780226032078)
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Bob Shaw graduated from Williams College where he nearly majored in literature and began reading Dante’s “Comedy” and the troubadour poets. He has continued ever since. He has taught five different literature courses for OLLI and the forerunner of this course in 2014.
• 10 Wed, Jan 31 - Apr 3, 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. • In person at Judea Reform Congregation • Maximum: 15; Fee: $110; Course ID: 3718
Poetry as Windows to the Past IN PERSON: Are you a poet or a lover of literature? In this discussion-based course, we will turn our attention to poems that focus on historical topics. Known as documentary poetry, like documentary film and creative nonfiction, poems in this genre capture a time and place in history. We will primarily read work by this diverse set of award-winning poets: Elizabeth Bradfield, Rita Dove, Diane Gilliam Fisher, Patricia Smith and Natasha Trethewey. Subjects for these documentary poems follow the history of polar exploration, familial relationships, the West Virginia coal mining wars, Hurricane Katrina and the red-light district of New Orleans in the early 1900s. We will consider the unique ways that poets broach subject matter, as well as the distinctions between documentary poetry and poetry of witness. Discussions will address topics, themes, craft and the social value/relevance of the genre. • Facilitated discussion. Please note: Students will need to acquire the books listed for class. We will discuss the first half of “Approaching Ice” before the first class.
Literature & Languages Required Texts: • Elizabeth Bradfield, “Approaching Ice: Poems” (9780892553556) • Rita Dove, “Thomas and Beulah” (9780887480218) • Diane Fisher, “Kettle Bottom” (9780966045970) • Patricia Smith, “Blood Dazzler” (9781566892186) • Natasha Trethewey, “Bellocq's Ophelia” (9781555973599)
novel, “A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man,” in which his main character and alter ego struggles against restrictions imposed by his family, nation, language and faith. The course will give students a basis to comprehend and enjoy Joyce’s later novel “Ulysses” on their own or later in a classroom setting. Students need no prior knowledge of Joyce’s fiction, but the course will be at the advanced undergraduate level. Students of all backgrounds are welcome. • Lecture + Q&A, Facilitated discussion.
Lavonne J. Adams has an M.A. in English and an MFA in creative writing. Her publications include a documentary poetry collection and chapbook, and more than 40 individual publications in national venues in the documentary genre. She was granted residencies at the Vermont Studio Center, the Harwood Museum of Art and The Helene Wurlitzer Foundation. Adams, an award-winning educator, taught at the university level for more than 20 years. This will be her second OLLI teaching adventure.
Please note: Students may acquire any edition of the required books.
• 10 Tue, Jan 30 - Apr 2, 9-10:30 a.m. • In person at Judea Reform Congregation • Maximum: 12; Fee: $110; Course ID: 3714
The Early Works of James Joyce IN PERSON: James Joyce wrote some of the most important literature of the 20th century. While his themes are traditional—love, death, parent-child relationships, the creative imagination—his stylistic and narrative innovations make his work challenging and rewarding. Through lectures and discussion, this course will provide an introduction to Joyce’s world. We will read from his short story collection, “Dubliners,” which offers a slice of life of turn-of-the-century Dublin. Then, through a close reading, we will consider Joyce’s first
Required Texts: • James Joyce, “Dubliners” (9780140247749) • James Joyce, “A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man” (9780142437346) Recommended Text: • Richard Ellmann, “James Joyce” (9780195033816) Donald P. Kaczvinsky is emeritus dean of the College of Liberal Arts and emeritus professor of English at Louisiana Tech University. In 2007, he received the University Foundation Professorship Award for excellence in teaching, research and service, and, in 2011, was named the George E. Pankey Endowed Chair in English. He has written extensively on 20th-century British literature, with books and articles on such writers as James Joyce, Lawrence Durrell, Alasdair Gray and Graham Swift.
• 6 Wed, Jan 31 - Mar 6, 1:30-3 p.m. • In person at Judea Reform Congregation • Maximum: 15; Fee: $90; Course ID: 3725
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Literature & Languages About the Latin Language IN PERSON: Experience an intriguing method of examining the Latin language. By centering this course around the unique textbook “Cambridge Latin Course, Unit 1,” students will experience classical Latin within the historical setting of Pompeii. Students will learn how authentic Latin from the classical period was spoken, read and heard. By gradually progressing through some of the textbook, students will acquire enough vocabulary and grammar to enjoy stories created to educate modern students about the ancient Roman world. Lectures will also briefly delve into cultural topics including: daily life in Italy 2,000 years ago, prose and poetry, multiculturalism in antiquity, the Holy Roman Empire, Romanization of Gallia and Britannia, and Pliny the Younger and his nephew. The course is suitable for students with or without prior knowledge of Latin. Those who are curious about any aspects of Latin or topics on Rome are encouraged to join us. • Lecture + Q&A. Please note: Students who have taken any of the instructor’s previous OLLI courses will fully benefit from this course. The content from any previous course will overlap with that of this course by no more than 20%. The instructor will lend the required textbook to students at no cost. It also can be purchased from the instructor for $5. The recommended book is a top-notch reference. Required Text: • North American Cambridge Classics Project, “Cambridge Latin Course, Unit 1, 3rd edition” (9780521343794) Recommended Text: • Chris Scarre, “The Penguin Historical Atlas of Ancient Rome” (9780140513295) 30
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Sara Morris originally taught Latin in Kent, England, to students ages 10 to 18 for five years, and then in a Connecticut day school for 37 years. She has become an active participant in OLLI as a student and has taught five courses since she and her husband retired to North Carolina eight years ago. She has degrees from Franklin & Marshall College and the University of London. She has traveled widely across the Roman Empire.
• 6 Mon, Jan 29 - Mar 4, 1:30-3 p.m. • In person at Judea Reform Congregation • Maximum: 12; Fee: $90; Course ID: 3625
Ouvriers et Bourgeois: au 1 9e siècle en France ONLINE: This course is taught entirely in French, and will explore the following topics: the industrial revolution from the late 19thto the early 20th-century in France, the rise of the bourgeoisie, the formation of the working class and the clash between the two classes. Living in overcrowded slums and working long hours, many workers, who often organized strikes, found socialism and Marxism appealing. These workers were brutally repressed by the owning class, who feared being overrun and losing their fortunes. Historical events will be studied through the lens of works by authors such as Balzac and Zola, as well as paintings by artists such as Degas, Manet and Cézanne. Each week, students will be asked to read or watch videos. This should take approximately 60 to 90 minutes of their time depending on their abilities in French. These supplements will enhance class discussions. By the end of the course, students will have a better understanding of life in France during that time. • Lecture + Q&A, Facilitated discussion. Please note: Prerequisites for this course: high-intermediate or above French compe-
Literature & Languages tency, a reliable internet connection, knowledge of how to access websites and videos. Claire Davidshofer, a native of France, holds a master’s degree from the Université d’Aix-enProvence in American and English literature. After moving to Maine, she taught courses at the high school level and at the University of Maine at Presque Isle. There she taught courses in the French language, French history and literature, using a multidisciplinary approach. She has taught over 20 different courses at OLLI.
• 10 Thu, Feb 1 - Apr 4, 1:30-2:45 p.m. • Online via Zoom; Sessions are recorded • Maximum: 15; Fee: $110; Course ID: 3710
Table Read: Plays From the American Stage ONLINE: A table read is a gathering of people to enjoy a play by reading the script aloud. It’s fun to give your voice to a wonderful role. You begin to understand, admire and sympathize with strong, memorable characters. They offer us unique perspectives on life. This online course is not an acting class. Reading the dialogue and stage directions in a group setting will take students into the story and the characters’ lives. We will read the Pulitzer Prize-winning classic “Our Town,” by Thornton Wilder, and “By the Way, Meet Vera Stark,” a screwball comedy with a message by twotime Pulitzer winner Lynn Nottage. Our third play will be “Murder on the Orient Express,” adapted from the Agatha Christie mystery by
Ken Ludwig, who is known for his comedic writing. No acting experience is necessary. Students must read each play in its entirety before the first class in which it will be read aloud. Roles will be assigned randomly. Each class meeting will include a Q&A and discussion. • Facilitated discussion. Please note: A week before the first class, the instructor will distribute the three plays in person to students at Judea Reform Congregation in Durham. Students will receive an email containing the date and time. For students who wish to attend, the class will see PlayMakers Repertory Company’s production of “Murder on the Orient Express” on March 17 in Chapel Hill, with behind-the-scenes extras. The group rate tickets will cost $14. Required supplies/fee: There is a $30 fee to cover the cost of all three scripts, payable to the instructor at the first class. Karen Tierney’s career was in local and nationally syndicated television, working in all aspects of production. She was an executive producer on “PM Magazine,” a nationally syndicated program based in Los Angeles. She also worked as a stage manager and assistant director for a small professional theater in the San Francisco Bay Area. A lifelong love of story and the joy of working on creative teams combine to bring her back to OLLI to teach this course a second time.
• 10 Thu, Feb 1 - Apr 4, 9-10:30 a.m. • Online via Zoom • Maximum: 12; Fee: $110; Course ID: 3723
Zoom Links in Online 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. For details, refer to www.olliatduke.online/studentlink. Return to Course Indexes
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Performing Arts A Celebration of Soul Music IN PERSON: This lively in-person course will explore the classic American soul music of the 1960s, 1970s and beyond. Without leaving town, we will visit a number of key sites— in Chicago, Memphis, Muscle Shoals, Detroit, New York, California and Philadelphia—to discover how the music was created and the context in which it developed, and to consider why it became so popular. We will watch performances and listen to songs from some of the genre’s greatest soloists and groups, from James Brown and Sam Cooke to Otis Redding and many lesser-known but also great artists. In addition to watching videos and listening to music, students will be encouraged to share their opinions and experiences, and should plan to be part of the conversation. The goal of the course is for students to gain a richer appreciation of this music, which has proven so resonant over the decades and throughout the world. Dancing is optional. • Facilitated discussion. Please note: It is recommended, but not required, that students subscribe to Apple Music. Much of the curriculum consists of playlists curated for the course on Apple Music. Students who wish to listen to these playlists on their own outside of class will need to have a subscription to Apple Music. Recommended Text: • Peter Guralnick, “Sweet Soul Music” (9780316206754) Marc Shapiro’s passion for soul music dates from his teenage years when he listened to the local Richmond, Virginia, soul stations and attended soul music concerts, including James Brown and Otis Redding concerts. His interest in soul music has never waned, and he continues to enjoy it and read about it. He has taught this course before as well as twice taught an OLLI course on the music of Van Morrison.
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Sam Jackson is also a native of Richmond, Virginia, and is an enthusiastic fan of soul and jazz music. He currently teaches at UNC School of Law and taught for many years at Georgetown University Law Center.
• 10 Tue, Jan 30 - Apr 2, 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. • In person at Judea Reform Congregation • Maximum: 30; Fee: $110; Course ID: 3682
Classical Music: Simplicity vs. Complexity ONLINE: The soundtrack of American and European classical music continues to swing like a pendulum between two poles: simplicity and complexity. The intricate musical mathematics of Bach’s Baroque era was followed by the cerebral simplicity and balance of Haydn’s classicism, quickly moving forward to Beethoven’s wild, expressive romanticism. How do simplicity or complexity influence the way we communicate, dress and live? In class, our audible examination of classical music’s perpetual swing between these two poles will be enhanced by viewing architecture, fashion and art. Let’s travel classical music history’s winding road, stopping to see the sights along the way. • Lecture + Q&A. In addition to being a practicing dentist, Owen Cantor is a freelance French horn player. Formerly an artist-lecturer at Carnegie Mellon University’s College of Fine Arts, Cantor now teaches lifelong learning courses, researching the diverse geography of classical music in European and American cultures. Cantor says, “Music history is more than a procession of names and faces. It’s a multifaceted stream of ideas in sound within an ever-shifting social and political context.”
• 4 Mon, Jan 29 - Feb 19, 1:30-2:45 p.m. • Online via Zoom • Maximum: 55; Fee: $60; Course ID: 3687
Performing Arts Old, New, Borrowed and Blue: It Can Rock Too!
Silver Strummers: Ukulele for Absolute Beginners
IN PERSON: You know the old saying that brides should wear “something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue”? During the 1970s on WNEW-FM in New York, the morning program featured a musical version of this tradition: four songs connected by some sort of common thread and suggested by a listener. One “old” song (recorded several years—or decades—in the past), a recently released “new” song, one “borrowed” (a cover of a song released or composed by another artist) and one “blue” (a blues or bluesy tune). These gems reappeared on satellite radio in the early 2000s. When the pandemic kept him at home in 2021 and 2022, the instructor created new four-song sets each Saturday for a WNEWFM Facebook page. Each week, we’ll revisit some of these sets, and students will have the chance to create their own old-newborrowed-blue song sets to share with our class. This will be a fun and creative way to both recall old songs and discover new music to enjoy together. • Lecture + Q&A, Facilitated discussion, Active Skill Learning.
ONLINE: Have you always wanted to play a musical instrument? Then this online course is for you! Silver Strummers is ukulele for absolute beginners. The ukulele is a fun, affordable and accessible instrument for all. You will learn a little of the history of the ukulele and how to tune, hold and play it. You will also learn six to eight chords and several common strumming patterns. You will be singing and playing from the first lesson to the last and beyond. At the end of the course, you will be able to play hundreds of songs and will have enough knowledge to study further on your own. The emphasis in this course will be on demystifying the ukulele and having fun while singing and strumming along. • Active Skill Learning.
Marv Meyer majored in chemical engineering in the 1960s while he minored in Fillmore East. That legendary concert venue was just a few blocks from Cooper Union, his alma mater, as was Greenwich Village. He’s since continued to attend many concerts and amassed a vast collection of vinyl and CDs in a relentless search for the lost chord.
• 8 Wed, Jan 31 - Mar 20, 1:30-3 p.m. • In person at Judea Reform Congregation • Maximum: 24; Fee: $110; Course ID: 3680
All OLLI at Duke classes and events are in Eastern Time
Please note: Students will need to have a tuned ukulele for the first session. The instructor will provide recommendations for students who are considering purchasing one. Students should have the required book, “Essential Elements for Ukulele,” by the second session. Required Text: • Marty Gross, “Essential Elements for Ukulele” (9781480321694) Julia Cobley, a native Scot, is a musician who has dedicated herself for over 30 years to bringing the joy of music to children, their families and now adults. She is recognized for her ability to combine music, fun and learning in the classroom and online. Julia has a B.A. from the University of Strathclyde, Scotland, and has studied voice at The Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. Julia was recently awarded The Order of the Long Leaf Pine for her work in music education.
• 10 Wed, Jan 31 - Apr 3, 1:30-2:30 p.m. • Online via Zoom; Sessions are recorded • Maximum: 15; Fee: $110; Course ID: 3205 Return to Course Indexes
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Performing Arts Sondheim 102 (1981-2021) ONLINE: After the failure of “Merrily We Roll Along” in 1981, composer/lyricist Stephen Sondheim considered leaving musical theater altogether; however, new collaborators rekindled his desire to work. In 1982, he met James Lapine, an avant-garde playwright and director. Their first collaboration, “Sunday in the Park With George,” won the Pulitzer Prize for drama. They followed this with “Into the Woods” and “Passion.” With John Weidman, Sondheim wrote “Assassins” and “Road Show.” At the time of his death in 2021, he was working with playwright David Ives on an adaptation of Luis Bunuel films, which opened off-Broadway in 2023. In this course, we’ll explore these works and others by listening to and watching excerpts. We will observe how Sondheim applied his principles for writing lyrics: “Content dictates form. Less is more. God is in the details.” The course is primarily lecture with video clips and recommended readings; students will be able to ask questions and make comments in each class. • Lecture + Q&A.
Please note: Although this course is a follow-up to Sondheim 101, offered in the recent fall term, students do not need to have taken that course to understand and enjoy this one. Recommended Texts: • Stephen Sondheim, “Look, I Made a Hat: Collected Lyrics (1981-2011)” (9780307593412) • Michael Kantor & Laurence Maslon, “Broadway: The American Musical” (9781493047673) Alan Teasley began his career as a high school English and drama teacher. After retiring from the Durham Public Schools in 2006, he directed and taught in Duke’s Master of Arts in Teaching program. A member of the OLLI Advisory Board, he is an avid theatergoer with a particular fondness for American musicals. He has previously taught 12 courses on musical theater for OLLI.
• 10 Thu, Feb 1 - Apr 4, 9-10:15 a.m. • Online via Zoom; Sessions are recorded • Maximum: 200; Fee: $110; Course ID: 3722
Gothic details on Duke’s West Campus, winter. Photograph by Bill Snead / Duke University / www.duke.edu © Duke University, all rights reserved
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Performing Arts North Carolina Folk Music: A History ONLINE: Listen, watch and learn about North Carolina folk musicians, from 19th century ballad singers to 20th century performers. Discover the North Carolina origins of folk music classics like Freight Train, Tom Dooley, Foggy Mt. Breakdown, and Orange Blossom Special. The North Carolina folk musicians of the early 20th century included fiddlers, banjo pickers, bluegrass bands, gospel singers, and blues musicians. Learn their names and hear their music, men and women, Black and white. Though these folk performers are deceased, there is a wealth of remaining video and audio recording. As a young man, the teacher met and worked with many of them and formed friendships with a few of them. There is a thin line between the old authentic “folk” music and the emerging popular commercial music. Please be aware that a course on folk music inevitably includes some “cornball” silliness, and much of the course explains how eager some traditional folk musicians were to get into commercial music. • Lecture + Q&A. After graduating from Duke with a B.A., Bill Phillips taught high school and administered a federal grant related to school integration in Orange County, North Carolina. He later promoted folk music in North Carolina schools under a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, and at the same time did field research and folk music recordings now archived in the Southern Historical Collection at UNC. He also built guitars, banjos and dulcimers. Eventually, he became a licensed homebuilder.
• 10 Mon, Jan 29 - Apr 1, 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. • Online via Zoom; Sessions are recorded • Maximum: 60; Fee: $110; Course ID: 3612
North Carolina on Film IN PERSON: This is a fun course that presents films about North Carolina and its people, history and culture. We’ll be looking at certain Hollywood movies set in our state as well as a few nonfiction films. They range from silent rarities and Appalachian romances to tobacco documentaries and films about true crime, stock car racin’ and everyday people. This course should be especially interesting to those who either are new to North Carolina or haven’t had the opportunity to explore the state outside the Triangle. Each week we will focus on a specific topic or filmmaker, with some introductory material followed by a live group showing of a film (and, occasionally, more than one film) and subsequent discussion. Class sessions will last up to three hours to allow ample time to watch and express opinions about the feature films. No outside reading is required, but students may need to learn the difference between eastern and western North Carolina barbecue. • Lecture + Q&A, Facilitated discussion. Please note: Class sessions will take up to three hours each, including viewing time. We may have guest speakers join us. Edison McIntyre is a former newspaper reporter and public broadcaster with extensive knowledge of film and cinema history. He migrated to North Carolina in the 1970s, and has lived in Durham for over 35 years. During that time, he’s made a point of visiting all 100 counties of his adopted state. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in history from the University of Florida and UNC. He prefers eastern North Carolina barbecue.
• 10 Thu, Feb 1 - Apr 4, 1:30-4:30 p.m. • In person at Judea Reform Congregation • Maximum: 30; Fee: $110; Course ID: 3554
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Performing Arts Compelling Choreographers ONLINE: For this course, we will closely examine the lives and work of several choreographers and dancers. Some are seminal artists who influenced future developments in dance; others possess uniquely individual visions that have had remarkable outcomes. We will learn what influences shaped the vision of their choreographic work, and what stylistic elements and values are evident in that work. Among those studied will be: ballet choreographer George Balanchine; the partnership of Merce Cunningham and John Cage and their legacy that led to the Judson Dance Theater; solo artist Margie Gillis; famous tap dance artists the Nicholas Brothers, Savion Glover and Michelle Dorrance; Twyla Tharp; German choreographer Pina Bausch; and one other. Students will gain insights into the many facets of life and experience that result in a dance creator’s work. This lecture-based course will be accompanied by PowerPoint slides and videos with time for Q&A. • Lecture + Q&A. Please note: No homework will be required, though the instructor will post links to videos and articles for those who want to delve deeper.
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“Vertigo” to “The Truman Show”: The Best Film Music From the ’50s to the ’90s ONLINE: Have you ever paid attention to the music when you are watching a movie? How did the top composers write many of the best film scores ever, along with unforgettable songs? In this lecture-based course, we will follow the history of film entertainment in America. We will learn about composers’ struggles, their secrets and how they found their groove to write music for all kinds of films, from Westerns and action films to comedies and romances. We will explore the musical lives of composers like Elmer Bernstein (“The Magnificent Seven”), Jerry Goldsmith (“Alien”), Leonard Bernstein (“On the Waterfront”), Ernest Gold (“Exodus”), Aaron Copland (“Our Town”), the Sherman Brothers (“Mary Poppins”) and Philip Glass (“The Truman Show”). Audiovisuals and anecdotes will explain how their music evolved in a world of changing trends. • Lecture + Q&A. Recommended Text: • Larry M. Timm, “The Soul of Cinema: An Appreciation of Film Music” (9780536601902)
Barbara Dickinson, professor emerita of the practice of dance at Duke, served as dance program director for 18 years and faculty member for 34 years. A modern dancer and choreographer, she has taught courses in ballet, modern dance history and dance in society. Her research in age and the dance artist produced a chapter in “Staging Age” (Palgrave Macmillan, 2010) and the article “Margie Gillis: The Indelible Art of an Integrated Artist” (Dance Chronicle, 2018).
Emanuel Abramovits is a mechanical engineer with an MBA who has been a concert promoter since 2000, involved in many events with international artists. He designed and staged original orchestral events, including Event of the Year winners and world premieres. He served as the cultural director at Union Israelita de Caracas from 2008 to 2019, releasing books and organizing film cycles, concerts and art exhibits. He has been consistently teaching online and in person across the U.S. since 2020.
• 8 Mon, Jan 29 - Mar 18, 1:30-2:45 p.m. • Online via Zoom; Sessions are recorded • Maximum: 50; Fee: $110; Course ID: 3689
• 6 Tue, Jan 30 - Mar 5, 1:30-3 p.m. • Online via Zoom; Sessions are recorded • Maximum: 200; Fee: $90; Course ID: 3698
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Photography Organizing Your Visual Story: How to Organize Your Digital Photos, Photographs and Old Media ONLINE: Join our online photo organizing course to master the art of preserving your memories. With seven flexible steps tailored to your time, energy and budget, you’ll learn to secure and safeguard your files. The instructor will guide you as you define your project goals, explore print-to-digital conversion methods and navigate online storage options, differentiating between syncing and saving. We will discuss digitization techniques and master the art of using keywords for easy retrieval. The instructor will present visuals and examples that will demystify the process. Throughout the course, you will have ample opportunity to ask questions and learn collaboratively. By the end, you’ll possess the knowledge to protect your files, clarify your goals, organize your media and make informed choices for digitizing, preserving and sharing your precious memories. Don’t let your memories gather dust—take control of your photo organization journey today. • Lecture + Q&A, Facilitated discussion. Recommended Text: • Cathi Nelson, “Photo Organizing Made Easy: Going from Overwhelmed to Overjoyed” (9781946384225) Kimberly Melton loves helping people get organized so they can share their own visual story. Her company, Visual Story Media, helps people and businesses organize their digital images, printed photos and old media. She is a certified photo organizer and privacy advocate with The Photo Managers, an international organization that promotes photo organizing. She has taught photo organizing classes via Zoom and in person.
• 6 Mon, Feb 12 - Mar 18, 9-10:15 a.m. • Online via Zoom • Maximum: 30; Fee: $90; Course ID: 3555
Photo Composition: Color and Black-and-White Photos ONLINE: How do your ordinary snapshots become striking images worthy of framing? Simple: by applying the concepts of photographic composition. Students will explore an array of concepts from basics like the “rule of thirds” to subtler ideas like the way the eye travels through a photo. This discussion-based course is for those using either digital cameras or smartphone cameras who want to elevate their photography skills. Topics include balance and point of view, the importance of geometry, light and color in composition, and how composition can be improved with photo-editing software. A portion of the course will focus on using black-and-white images to help students improve their composition skills and understand when and why some images can be more compelling as black-and-white prints. Students will have an opportunity to share their photographs and participate in critiquing each other’s images. • Facilitated discussion. Please note: This course is open to students with either digital cameras or smartphone cameras. John Sehon has been teaching photography courses for OLLI for the past 20 years. Before the pandemic he taught in the classroom and for the past four years online using Zoom. His teaching style encourages sharing and class participation.
• 10 Mon, Jan 29 - Apr 1, 1:30-3 p.m. • Online via Zoom • Maximum: 12; Fee: $110; Course ID: 3652 Return to Course Indexes
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Photography Intro to iPhone Photography IN PERSON: The best camera is the one you have with you. Perhaps that’s why the iPhone has become the predominant camera in use today. It may also have a lot do with the image quality and flexibility that the iPhone offers. This course will help iPhone users understand and master the use of their feature-rich iPhone camera and its associated apps. Course topics will include: accessing and using the built-in camera app; editing to improve images using Apple and third-party apps; storing image files through Apple and other cloud providers; sharing images on social media, including Instagram, email and messaging; and in-class practice using the iPhone for travel, portrait and abstract photography. In this course, students will have opportunities to make and share images in an open, noncritical environment. Whether you are new to iPhone photography or have attended a previous class, there will be lots to learn. • Lecture + Q&A, Facilitated discussion, Active Skill Learning. Please note: Students should have an iPhone 12 or later with adequate storage available to add one or two apps. Familiarity with the use of the internet and email is required. Image sharing in class is not required but strongly encouraged as a way of developing skills and community. Students of all skill levels are welcome. Dennis Szerszen is a self-taught photographer in digital and analog photo media. He retired from a career in the software industry to focus on photography and volunteering. He recently moved to Hillsborough and is expanding his work through traditional photographic processes, including silver, cyanotype and platinum/palladium printing. His work has been displayed nationally. Dennis exhibits locally and is a member of the Orange County Artists Guild.
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Section 1 • 7 Mon, Jan 29 - Mar 11, 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. • In person at Judea Reform Congregation • Maximum: 12; Fee: $100; Course ID: 2478-014 Section 2 • 7 Mon, Jan 29 - Mar 11, 1:30-3 p.m. • In person at Judea Reform Congregation • Maximum: 12; Fee: $100; Course ID: 2478-015
Exploring Narrative Photography ONLINE: Are you creating documentary photos, telling a family story or organizing photos from a wedding or family gathering? This highly interactive course will teach you how to improve your photos by adding narrative elements. The storytelling techniques can add a compelling snap to the photosharing experience. We will explore how narrative photography techniques have been used in photo genres such as documentary, photo essays and photojournalism. Then you can apply these techniques to organizing travel photos, event photos or even nature photos to make sharing them more exciting. By engaging in taking photos, doing group critiques and possibly going on an optional group field trip, we can have fun and improve our photography. Students will take photographs after each session using a particular storytelling technique either on their own or with the instructor and other students. In the following session, we will share the work and talk about what sequencing adds to a set of images. • Facilitated discussion, Active Skill Learning.
Photography
Religion & Philosophy
Please note: Participants must have a digital or mirrorless camera (an iPhone or other smartphone is fine) and basic knowledge of how to take pictures with their camera. In addition, a basic ability to edit their own photographs using their own editing software is desirable. Participants will also be expected to upload their photographs to a Dropbox location (provided by the instructor) on a regular basis. Instructions on how to access Dropbox will be provided by email before the first class. The instructor will recommend books from time to time, but none will be required reading.
Justice: What’s the Right Thing to Do?
Bill Marriott is no stranger to OLLI, having participated in photography courses and seminars. He was the primary instructor for several photography courses and co-taught others. He also has experience as a seminar leader and online facilitator in his professional role. Bill has a B.A. from the State University of New York at Buffalo and an MEd in educational media and instructional design from UNC-Chapel Hill. A lifelong photographer, he has a passion for storytelling and visual communication.
• 9 Thu, Feb 15 - Apr 11, 1:30-3 p.m. • Online via Zoom • Maximum: 15; Fee: $110; Course ID: 3696
ONLINE: What goes through your mind when you are trying to do “what’s right”? How can you tell when “justice has been served”? What makes a “good citizen”? In this discussion-based course, we are concerned with how we reason when we decide which course of action we can justify morally. Philosophers through the ages have proposed a variety of methods to account for moral value, such as utilitarian, duty-based, social contract and virtue-based methods. We will read Harvard philosopher Michael Sandel’s book “Justice: What’s the Right Thing to Do?,” covering one of its 10 chapters each week. Sandel’s book is accessible, filled with case studies and examples, and genuinely fun to read. Students can expect to become more discerning about the complexity of moral reasoning and know what questions to raise when approaching difficult issues. • Facilitated discussion. Please note: Students will read one of 10 chapters per class session. Required Text: • Michael J. Sandel, “Justice: What’s the Right Thing to Do?” (9780374532505)
Winter 2024 Registration Registration opens on Tuesday, January 9, at 9 a.m. ET for Monday and Tuesday courses and on Wednesday, January 10, at 9 a.m. ET for Wednesday and Thursday courses.
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In Person •
Recorded
Richard Prust (Ph.D., Duke, 1970) is a professor of philosophy, emeritus, at St. Andrews University. His areas of concentration include philosophy of law and 20th-century European philosophy. Prust is co-author of “Personal Identity in Moral and Legal Reasoning.” He is currently writing a book, “Personal Meaning,” that distinguishes the meaning we give to our own actions, meaning that gets missed by social and behavioral scientists who objectify behavior.
• 10 Tue, Jan 30 - Apr 2, 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. • Online via Zoom • Maximum: 24; Fee: $110; Course ID: 3706
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Religion & Philosophy
Science & Technology
Judaism and Christianity
Gmail and Beyond! Master Google Email and Explore Google Apps
ONLINE: Judaism and Christianity are two of the world’s major religions. Many of us are familiar with one or the other—but we don’t often consider the relationship that exists between them. In the first century, Christianity developed out of Judaism. For many years, Christians saw themselves as Jews. Because of this shared heritage, in which Judaism serves as the root of Christianity, the two religions have much in common. This course will seek to go back in time to look at the foundations of Judaism and the foundations of Christianity, acknowledging what these two faiths have in common and how they can learn from one another. This lecture-based course will address: 1) Judaism’s early stories, 2) the kings, 3) exile to the Maccabees, 4) the first century, 5) Jesus and Judaism and 6) the development of Christianity. • Lecture + Q&A. Jason Hensley is an award-winning author who specializes in sacred religious texts. He teaches biblical Hebrew and biblical Greek, and lectures regularly throughout the world on Judaism, Christianity and the relationship between them. He holds an M.A. in biblical languages, a DMin in biblical studies and a Ph.D. in Holocaust studies.
• 6 Mon, Jan 29 - Mar 4, 3:30-4:45 p.m. • Online via Zoom; Sessions are recorded • Maximum: 200; Fee: $90; Course ID: 3705
Classical Theory Reimagined: A Du Boisian Perspective for the 21st Century See listing on page 44.
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ONLINE: Gmail is one of the most popular email services currently in use. But did you know there are many other Google apps available for free through Google Workspace? The first portion of the course covers Gmail basics along with advanced features to help keep your email organized. The second portion provides a practical introduction to several of the most useful Google apps: Google Drive (to organize and share files), the office apps Google Docs and Google Sheets (similar to Word and Excel) and Google Forms (handy for creating simple surveys). It also covers how to get the most out of Google Maps. Each class will be a mix of instructor lecture and demonstrations along with hands-on practice by students on their own computer. Students are encouraged to bring real-life tasks to class to which these apps could be applied. The course will especially benefit those who collaborate with family members, friends or volunteer organizations that do (or could) make use of these free Google tools. • Lecture + Q&A, Active Skill Learning. Please note: Participants can register for Gmail only (Section 2, weeks 1-3) or for Gmail and Workspace apps (Sections 1, weeks 1-8). There is no option to only attend sessions on Workspace apps. It is highly recommended that students join Zoom either on two devices or on a device with a very large screen, in order to be able to view the instructor’s shared screen while they follow along or practice using Gmail and other apps on their own computer. Students should have a Windows or Mac computer and be familiar with using any
Science & Technology popular web browser, though Chrome is preferred. Students must have a Google account and already use Gmail on a regular basis. It would be helpful if students also have experience using at least one office app: Microsoft Word or Excel, Apple Pages or Numbers. Each class session builds on prior sessions, so please plan to attend all sessions. Howard Koslow has over 30 years’ experience as a software developer at IBM. Now retired, he continues to exploretechnology for creative and productive uses and to teach others to embrace it. He has been using Gmail and Google Workspace apps for over five years.
Section 1: Gmail and Workspace • 8 Wed, Jan 31 - Mar 20, 1:30-3 p.m. • Online via Zoom; Sessions are recorded • Maximum: 20; Fee: $110; Course ID: 3700-001 Section 2: Gmail Only • 3 Wed, Jan 31 - Feb 14, 1:30-3 p.m. • Online via Zoom; Sessions are recorded • Maximum: 20; Fee: $45; Course ID: 3700-002
Historical Geology Topics: An Introduction ONLINE: Earth is the product of billions of years of geological change. This lecturebased course presents an overview of Earth’s history from 4.56 billion years ago to the present. Topics will include: continental formation and movement, the evolution of life as revealed through fossil study and sedimentary environments, and ecologies. We will learn the basics of tectonics and how to recognize ancient environments, plant and animal fossils, and the previous ecologies in
which they lived. Students will learn how geologists collect data to date and reconstruct geologic event sequences. We will explore extraterrestrial influences affecting Earth, such as climate variations and meteor strikes. One course goal is a basic understanding of the “deep time” of our planetary geological history. This course will outline the relevant geologic concepts using a PowerPoint lecture format and conceptual examples. Links will be provided to lecture-cited references, videos and agency information sources. • Lecture + Q&A. Please note: Knowledge of geology and historical geology is helpful but not required, relevant concepts will be explained in lectures. The two required books are freely available online and will be linked in the instructor’s website along with other recommended readings. Recommended Texts: • Reed Wicander and James S. Monroe, “Historical Geology Evolution of Earth and Life Through Time” (9781111987299) • John McPhee, “Annals of the Former World” (9780374105204) Christopher Palmer has 40 years of professional geological consulting practice experience in the Western U.S. He performed or supervised numerous engineering geology and hydrogeology subsurface exploration investigations. His geohazards studies include soil, groundwater and hazardous materials contaminant assessments. He is the author of “Principles of Contaminant Hydrogeology” (2019) and “Outline of Chatham County Geology” (2021). Chris retired from professional geology practice May 2017.
• 10 Tue, Jan 30 - Apr 2, 9-10:15 a.m. • Online via Zoom • Maximum: 50; Fee: $110; Course ID: 3701
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Science & Technology Demystifying Neurology: Disorders of Consciousness ONLINE: Consciousness requires both wakefulness and awareness. A disorder of consciousness, or impaired consciousness, is a state where one’s consciousness has been affected by damage to the brain. Disorders of conscious awareness are among the most frightening we all face. In this lecture-based course, we will examine these disorders from the perspective of health care consumers. The topics to be covered are: coma, epilepsy, nonepileptic episodes of loss of awareness, the neurobiology of sleep, and disorders of sleep such as sleep apnea, insomnia and narcolepsy. Students will be guided through examples of these disorders based on the instructor’s 40 years of experience as a clinical neurologist. We will explore these issues using case vignettes, MRIs and medical video clips. • Lecture + Q&A. Mitch Freedman was born and raised in Philadelphia. He earned a B.A. from Haverford College, earned an M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania and did his neurology training at Duke. He served in the U.S. Army at Fort Bragg. He then practiced neurology in Raleigh. As an adjunct professor of neurology at UNC-Chapel Hill, he has taught medical students and physicians for 40 years. His wife and he have two sons and three grandchildren. They enjoy art and classical music.
• 6 Tue, Jan 30 - Mar 5, 9-10:15 a.m. • Online via Zoom; Sessions are recorded • Maximum: 50; Fee: $90; Course ID: 3693
A Century of Medical Miracles IN PERSON: Students will learn about how far we’ve come since a century ago when scourges like smallpox, typhoid fever, polio and diphtheria were common. Experts will discuss the 42
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interventions that made some diseases rare, and made others like Type 1 diabetes, epilepsy and mental illnesses manageable. History will meet modern times, as we delve into new technologies such as molecular genetics and artificial intelligence used in the discovery and development of drugs and medical devices. The course will be led by Carol Hamilton who will interview local experts about the chosen topics, with ample time for questions and discussion. The interview classes will be punctuated by power lectures by Howard Goldsweig, who will discuss the latest medical breakthroughs in treating diseases such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes and stroke, and their journeys from the laboratory to the patient’s bedside. Both physician instructors will explain complex topics in a jargon-free and straightforward manner. • Lecture + Q&A, Facilitated discussion. Recommended Texts: • Irwin W. Sherman, “Twelve Diseases that Changed Our World” (9781555814663) • Carol Hamilton, “Hitchhiking to Madness: A Memoir” (9798350910308) Carol Hamilton is an infectious diseases doctor, on the faculty at Duke School of Medicine since 1991. From 2008 to 2018, she worked with FHI 360 on tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS in Zambia, Mozambique and Nigeria, as well as in China, Myanmar, Indonesia and Cambodia. She has 100-plus peerreviewed publications and numerous awards including the 2020 Infectious Diseases Society of America’s lifetime achievement award, the D.A. Henderson Award for Outstanding Contributions to Public Health. She is now professor emeritus at Duke. Howard Goldsweig is a board-certified doctor in internal medicine and medical oncology. His work experience includes academic positions at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and clinical research in immunology at Amgen, a large biopharmaceutical company.
• 10 Mon, Jan 29 - Apr 1, 9-10:30 a.m. • In person at Judea Reform Congregation • Maximum: 30; Fee: $110; Course ID: 3683
Science & Technology The End of Everything: (Astrophysically Speaking) ONLINE: This course will closely follow Katie Mack’s bestseller of the same name. The universe had a beginning. With the big bang, it expanded from a state of unimaginable density to an all-encompassing cosmic fireball to a simmering fluid of matter and energy, laying down the seeds for everything from black holes to one planet orbiting a star near the edge of a galaxy that developed life. But what happens to the universe at the end of the story? Here we take a mind-bending tour through five possible finales of the cosmos: the Big Crunch, Heat Death, the Big Rip, Vacuum Decay and the Bounce. We will guide you through cutting-edge science and major concepts in quantum mechanics, cosmology, string theory and more as we examine the fate of the universe as currently foreseen by the astrophysics community. • Lecture + Q&A. Guest Speaker: Katie Mack, Hawking Chair in Cosmology and Science Communication, Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics. Details of Katie’s participation are TBD. Required Text: • Katie Mack, “The End of Everything: (Astrophysically Speaking)” (9781982103545) Brand Fortner is a teaching professor at NC State University where he teaches astronomy, astrophysics and physics, and is adjunct professor of physics at UNC. He earned a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois in high energy astrophysics. Brand founded two scientific software companies, and previously held positions at NASA and Johns Hopkins University. Brand has written books on color vision and technical data, and is in high demand for his public lectures on all things astronomical.
• 6 Thu, Feb 1 - Mar 7, 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. • Online via Zoom; Sessions are recorded • Maximum: 200; Fee: $90; Course ID: 3726
The Mathematics of Voting IN PERSON: Have you ever wondered if your vote counts? Elections and voting are crucial to the proper functioning of a democracy, and underpinning them is mathematics. In this lecture-based course, we explore various voting systems from the perspective of mathematicians. We investigate the origins and histories of various systems, as we look to understand whether there is a “perfect” voting system. History and mathematics undergird two election issues of vital importance to our time: apportionment and the electoral college. We consider the history and mathematics behind these issues, why they exist, how they have evolved over time and how we might consider reforming them. We examine how mathematics is used to gerrymander voting districts and how mathematics can be used to quantify gerrymandering. Through all these topics, we consider how our voting and election systems impact our choice of leaders in our political systems. • Lecture + Q&A. Please note: Some facility with high-schoollevel algebra and basic number skills is required. Some knowledge of spreadsheets is especially useful. Recommended Text: • Jonathan K. Hodge and Richard E. Klima, “The Mathematics of Voting and Elections: A Hands-On Approach” (9781470442873) Frank Brown celebrated his retirement by earning an M.A. in mathematics from East Carolina University. He has been teaching mathematics courses for OLLI since 2016. His previous OLLI course topics included the Fibonacci numbers, the history of calculus and cryptography. Frank is a graduate of Duke with a B.S. in chemistry.
• 10 Wed, Jan 31 - Apr 3, 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. • In person at Judea Reform Congregation • Maximum: 30; Fee: $110; Course ID: 3727 Return to Course Indexes
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Society & Culture Classical Theory Reimagined: A Du Boisian Perspective for the 21st Century ONLINE: What is classical theory? What is Du Boisian theory? And why does it matter? Classical theory takes the perspective of 19th- and 20th-century theorists—most of them male, most of them white—to understand social life. In contrast, Du Boisian theory takes the perspective of W.E.B. Du Bois and others who understand the modern era as “racialized modernity,” fundamentally shaped by white Europeans’ and Americans’ violent displacement and enslavement of Black African peoples and the genocide and dispossession of Indigenous peoples and lands. These scholars also take into account the social identities and histories of the people experiencing and analyzing different social forces. In this course, we will reimagine classical theory from a Du Boisian perspective by reading, evaluating, contrasting and applying these works. In doing so, we will develop effective explanations for how and why societies work (or don’t work), and the extent to which individuals control the terms of their lives. • Facilitated discussion. Please note: The course will consist entirely of active student participation in instructorfacilitated class discussions.
Recommended Texts: • José Itzigsohn and Karida L. Brown, “The Sociology of W. E. B. Du Bois: Racialized Modernity and the Global Color Line” (9781479804177) • Eduardo Bonilla-Silva, “White Supremacy and Racism in the Post-Civil Rights Era” (9781588260048) • Moon-Kie Jung, “Beneath the Surface of White Supremacy: Denaturalizing U.S. Racisms Past and Present” (9780804789387) • Julian Go, “Postcolonial Thought and Social Theory” (9780190625139) Madeleine G. Straubel (she/her) is a white Ph.D. candidate in sociology at UNC-Chapel Hill who studies race and racism. She earned a B.A .in English from Guilford College and an M.A. in sociology from UNC-CH. Durham born and raised, she researches how Durham residents experience and explain gentrification, racial inequality and themselves. She taught her first OLLI course in fall 2023, building on prior experience teaching undergraduate sociology courses in race, gender and theory at UNC-CH.
• 10 Thu, Feb 1 - Apr 4, 9-10:15 a.m. • Online via Zoom • Maximum: 24; Fee: $110; Course ID: 3688
The Mathematics of Voting See listing on page 43.
Zoom Links in Online 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. For details, refer to www.olliatduke.online/studentlink.
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Society & Culture Family History Discovery ONLINE: Have you considered digging into your family’s past but don’t know where to begin? This lecture-based course is for new to somewhat experienced family history detectives. Some general knowledge of your family story is beneficial but not required. Participants will learn where and how to look for clues and make new discoveries about the lives of their ancestors. Lectures on family history discovery will be followed by opportunities to participate in discussions and activities using the presented research tools. Participants will also learn and explore genealogy vocabulary terms and concepts to help them on their journey. This course will focus on the basics of finding and understanding genealogical data. Skills developed will include how to: conduct an oral history interview, find and utilize public documents, find and read old newspapers, care for archival documents and use the internet to gather information on ancestors. • Lecture + Q&A. Please note: Basic computer skills are needed along with an understanding of how to search using search engines such as Google, Yahoo! and Dogpile. Recommended Text: • Alonzo Felder, “Discovering A. S. J. Allen: A Story of Skinfolk, Kinfolk, and Village Folk” (9781949810110) Alonzo Felder is an author, historian, storyteller and retired information technology analyst, versed in legal, historical and investigative research methods, who has performed historical research and presented at numerous workshops/presentations. He is an online participant/contributor on a number of public genealogy-oriented forums, and has produced historical art exhibits. His research work has been referenced in a number of genealogy books as well as articles related to family history.
• 10 Thu, Feb 1 - Apr 4, 3:30-4:45 p.m. • Online via Zoom; Sessions are recorded • Maximum: 14; Fee: $110; Course ID: 3697
Israel’s Crisis of Democracy: Past, Present and Future ONLINE: When the state of Israel was established in 1948, its founders declared that it would “be based on freedom, justice and peace as envisaged by the prophets of Israel,” ensuring “complete equality of social and political rights” and guaranteeing basic freedoms. These statements have been the basis for the ongoing commitment to making Israel both a democratic state and a Jewish state. Yet the balance between these values has increasingly been challenged, culminating in the crisis of democracy facing the country in 2023. This online course reviews the various approaches to Israeli democracy, surveys the evolution of the Israeli judiciary, which has become the center of the ideological battle over the future of Israel’s democracy, and provides tools for understanding the current crisis. • Lecture + Q&A. Steven Klein is an educator and journalist with a Ph.D. in conflict management from Bar-Ilan University and a B.A. from Duke (1990). An instructor at Tel Aviv University 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 taught for the Brandeis OLLI, the Scolnic Adult Institute and Case Western Reserve’s Siegal Lifelong Learning program. He lives with his beloved family in Israel.
• 5 Tue, Jan 30 - Feb 27, 9-10:15 a.m. • Online via Zoom; Sessions are recorded • Maximum: 20; Fee: $75; Course ID: 3703
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Society & Culture Nobel Peace Prize Film Series ONLINE: Dive into the world of film biography, focusing on the lives and achievements of Nobel Peace Prize laureates. Through an exploration of seven biographical documentaries, we will examine the laureates’ significant roles in promoting and being advocates for peace. Students can develop a deeper understanding of the possibilities and limitations of peace building, while also critically reflecting on their own roles as catalysts for positive change in the world. The guest speaker, including a Q&A, is award-winning Nobel Legacy Film Series director Dawn Gifford Engle. Students will also have an optional opportunity to engage in their own call to action for peace. The films featured in this course are: “Children of the Light” (about Desmond Tutu), “Adolfo Perez Esquivel: Rivers of Hope,” “Rigoberta Menchu: Daughter of the Maya,” “Oscar Arias: Without a Shot Fired,” “Betty Williams: Contagious Courage” and “The Dalai Lama: Scientist.” • Facilitated discussion. Guest Speaker: Dawn Gifford Engle is an award-winning activist and filmmaker. Along with her husband, she is the founder of PeaceJam, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate-led nonprofit working to mentor and teach youth the art of peace. Dawn has directed and produced eight documentaries about Nobel Peace Prize laureates. Please note: Access to the internet with internet speed sufficient for online streaming of one film per week, prior to class, is required. The instructor will give guidance on how to access the films prior to the beginning of the course.
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Sarah Hamilton is an Emmy-winning social impact consultant and producer. She is a former delegate to the United Nations, appointed to the U.S. Department of State’s Fulbright Specialist Program as an expert on social impact. Sarah has advised on multiple Nobel Peace Prize laureate-led initiatives, including for the Dalai Lama, Shirin Ebadi and Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
• 8 Mon, Feb 12 - Apr 1, 3:30-4:45 p.m. • Online via Zoom • Maximum: 40; Fee: $110; Course ID: 3709
The Psychology of Grief IN PERSON: Have you thought about the physical as well as the emotional impacts of grief? In this lecture-based course, we will turn our attention to the process of grieving. Topics will include the exploration of models and cycles of grief as well as how grief affects the brain and body. We will also explore how grief affects children and families. Students will learn about the difference between grief, complicated grief and post-traumatic stress. Along the way, we will address the healing process and the variables that impact healing and recovery. While this is not intended to be a grief support group, there will be opportunities for facilitated discussions. • Lecture + Q&A. Helen Reiner is a licensed psychologist in North Carolina with a doctorate in clinical psychology from Columbia University. Helen was in private practice for over 35 years as well as being the director of the Psychology Clinic at Wichita State University. Previously, Helen was the director of a center for grieving children and their families in Wichita and has been a frequent speaker on the topic of grief and loss. Helen has taught four courses for OLLI.
• 5 Thu, Feb 1 - Feb 29, 9-10:30 a.m. • In person at Judea Reform Congregation • Maximum: 20; Fee: $75; Course ID: 3728
Society & Culture Solving Genealogy Mysteries ONLINE: What is the best DNA “tool” for solving a genealogy mystery? It depends on the mystery and your understanding of how to use the tool, of course. There are several tools that the genealogy community finds especially helpful. The goal of this online course is to develop skills in using two of them: 1) mapping DNA chromosome segments and 2) using artificial intelligence in genealogy. Both tools can help with analyzing matches, identifying relationships and solving unknowns. Mapping chromosome segments also can help identify which ancestral line a person belongs in and how much DNA one has inherited from a specific ancestor. Now AI can be used to translate documents from a variety of languages and to analyze family trees. Examples will be presented in class and exercises will be assigned to develop skills outside of class. Attendees will be encouraged to submit their personal genealogy cases/mysteries for class discussion. • Lecture + Q&A, Facilitated discussion. Elizabeth Balkite is a retired genetic counselor with over 35 years of experience in clinical human genetics and education. She is a graduate of Connecticut College and has an M.S. in human genetics from Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, New York. She has studied genealogy and her family tree for over eight years. She has taught more than six courses in genetic genealogy for OLLI.
• 6 Wed, Jan 31 - Mar 20 (no class Feb 21, Mar 13), 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. • Online via Zoom; Sessions are recorded • Maximum: 40; Fee: $90; Course ID: 3721
Online •
In Person •
Recorded
Psychology Refresher: Reexamining Our Lives and Times IN PERSON: Has it been a while since you considered the theories of B.F. Skinner, Albert Bandura, Jerome Bruner, David Ausubel and other psychologists? Meanwhile, you’ve undoubtedly affected the lives of others. What were the psychological guidelines for your actions? Do you have strategies to share? How have you motivated yourself and others? How have your expectations enhanced or, perhaps, limited you? Do you have questions to share? We will review prominent psychological theories and discuss their impact on our lives in terms of our roles as siblings, peers, parents and/or grandparents. We will talk about the impact of poverty, racism, sexism, diversity, gender, family, social class and schooling. This course is not about molding you or “fixing” something. The instructor’s role is to encourage discussion and establish a responsive community of dialogue, illustrations and questions. Along the way, we will engage in activities and simulations. Ultimately, we will teach and learn from each other. • Lecture + Q&A, Facilitated discussion. Tom Scheft has been a teacher since 1971. Now retired from NC Central University after 43 years, he taught in the English Department and the School of Education. Among the subjects he taught, psychology was a favorite. However, often when he told someone he taught psychology, they would look like they swallowed something bitter. One time, someone responded, “Booooring!” Scheft replied, “Really? You find people and the things they do boring? I find people fascinating and highly intriguing.”
• 10 Tue, Jan 30 - Apr 2, 1:30-3 p.m. • In person at Judea Reform Congregation • Maximum: 15; Fee: $110; Course ID: 3717
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Society & Culture Symposia: Mind-Expanding Excursions and Diversions IN PERSON: Symposia returns with in-person presentations from people making a positive impact on contemporary life. Each week, a different speaker will introduce you to valuable new insights into an important subject that may not have caught your attention otherwise. The opportunity to pose questions to these experts is a key feature of Symposia. • Lecture + Q&A. Guest Speakers: Jan 30 • Jay Williams, MSW, Ph.D. History of the Eno River, Geographically and Politically The Eno River occupies a central place in the environment and life of Durham. Jay Williams will share vignettes from his knowledge of the fascinating history of the Eno. Feb 6 • Jeb Saunders Scams and How to Avoid Them Scammers have become more sophisticated in how they approach their potential targets. Jeb Saunders, the special deputy attorney general for consumer protection at the North Carolina Department of Justice, will prepare us to recognize the worst scams, and then tell us how to guard against becoming a victim.
Feb 13 • Jullia Rosdahl, M.D., Ph.D. Your Eyes as You Age As we age, our eyes are subject to myriad issues, and these issues are the most common causes of vision loss in older Americans. Jullia Rosdahl, an associate professor of ophthalmology at the Duke Eye Center, will tell us how these eye diseases can affect our eyes, and then tell us what may be done for them. Feb 20 • Allison O’Shea Are You Prepared for Confident Aging? Aging is a universal experience, but everyone’s specific journey is unique. Allison O’Shea has over 20 years of direct handson experience working with aging individuals and their families to help them take a proactive approach on their journey. Feb 27 • Brooks Rainey Pearson, J.D., M.S., and Mary Maclean Asbill, J.D. How SELC Protects the South’s Environment For over 35 years, Southern Environmental Law Center has worked to secure landmark environmental victories for the beautiful, complex region we call home. Brooks Rainey Pearson and Mary Maclean Asbill will give us an inside look at how they go about shaping legislation and pursuing court cases to accomplish these goals.
In-Person Courses If enrolling in a course that meets in person, please see the guidelines at learnmore.duke.edu/olli/person-guidelines before registering.
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Society & Culture Mar 5 • Phil Baer, Ph.D. The Insect Apocalypse? Over the past 30 years, some insect populations have decreased by as much as 80%, with profound adverse impacts on higher species that depend on them. Phil Baer will discuss his findings, including the effects and direct causes of decreasing insect populations, such as habitat loss, pollution, industrial agricultural practices and climate change. Mar 12 • Dennis Blair, Adm., U.S. Navy (Retired) America’s Challenges on the World Stage The world has become a more dangerous place over the past decade. Join Dennis Blair, who served as commander of U.S. forces in the Pacific region and director of national intelligence, when he returns to update us on the greatest current threats to the U.S. based on his first-hand knowledge of geopolitics. Mar 19 • Scott Selig, MBA Managing Duke University’s Assets Duke and its medical center have grown to prominence on the world stage from the fertile social, economic and cultural soil of Durham, North Carolina. Join us to hear more about the development and implementation of the Durham Innovation District, American Tobacco Campus and other real estate and economic development missions. Mar 26 • Janet O’Keeffe Preparation for the End of Life: Options and Decisions The end of life is inevitable for us all, but how many of us have prepared adequately
for its arrival on our doorstep? Janet O’Keeffe’s talk will touch on areas that you may not have considered, and provides a blueprint for us to follow in making our own plans. Apr 2 • Kathryn Porter Starr, Ph.D., R.D. The Role of Protein in Combating Aging-related Muscle Loss Aging-related muscle loss is a major issue for older adults, with associated loss of mobility and susceptibility to falls. Nutritional intervention to optimize dietary protein intake is a key strategy in preventing muscle loss. Kathryn Porter Starr will review the current expert guidelines and recommendations for protein intake and share examples of effective methods of improving the quality and quantity of protein that aging adults consume. Facilitators: Ed Cox (M.D., Duke) is a retired oncologist. His current interests include ecology, climate change, renewable energy and the influence of food on health and longevity. He has taught OLLI courses on these subjects. Mike Smith is a retired marketing executive. He organized the OLLI at Duke Wine Society and has been an OLLI instructor. He serves on the Duke Medical Institutional Review Board. Melissa McLeod is a retired pediatric anesthesiologist.
• 10 Tue, Jan 30 - Apr 2, 1:30-3 p.m. • In person at Croasdaile Village Retirement Community • Maximum: 200; Fee: $110; Course ID: 3661
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In Person •
Recorded
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Society & Culture
Wellness Activities
West Coast Wines
T’ai Chi: Mindfulness in Motion
IN PERSON: Join us on a journey through Oregon, Washington and California as we explore some of the most famous wine regions in our country. Each week, we will taste four wines from these states 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 in the region. If you love West Coast 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 $32 tasting fee for 16 wines over four weeks. Please be prepared to pay the instructor’s assistant on the first day of class; cash or check is accepted. Thomas Thorne has been a professional sommelier for 20 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 an owner at Hope Valley Bottle Shop. He is a certified sommelier, accredited through the Court of Master Sommeliers.
Section 1 • 4 Tue, Jan 30 - Feb 20, 1:30-3 p.m. • In person at Judea Reform Congregation • Maximum: 24; Fee: $60; Course ID: 3731-001 Section 2 • 4 Tue, Jan 30 - Feb 20, 3:30-5 p.m. • In person at Judea Reform Congregation • Maximum: 24; Fee: $60; Course ID: 3731-002
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ONLINE: T’ai chi (taijiquan/t’ai chi ch’uan) is a Chinese moving meditation, martial art and health exercise. Based on slow, relaxed, whole-body movement, it results in increased energy, well-being and mental, emotional and physical balance. Research has verified its benefits, and medical professionals endorse it for many conditions, including arthritis, balance difficulties, Parkinson’s disease and fibromyalgia. It requires no special space or equipment and encourages a joyful, reflective approach to daily life. In this experiential course, you will gain proficiency with principles and movements through the Starlight routine from the traditional Wu Hao style. Both beginners and experienced participants are welcome. The instructor teaches with playful humor, clear description, demonstration using front and rear views, and handouts. He focuses on the big picture and on details such as footwork, and answers questions during breaks. Video recordings allow for independent practice between classes. • Active Skill Learning. Recommended Text: • Tsung Hwa Jou, “The Dao of Taijiquan: Way to Rejuvenation” (9780692034057) Jay Dunbar (M.A. English literature, Duke; Ph.D. education, UNC-Chapel Hill) is director of the Magic Tortoise Taijiquan School (magictortoise. com). An “indoor” student of Grandmaster Jou Tsung Hwa, he has studied taijiquan and qigong since 1975 and has taught in the Triangle since 1979. He has offered courses through OLLI each year since 2003, and in the Fall 2020 term he successfully transitioned to Zoom.
• 10 Thu, Feb 1 - Apr 4, 9-10:15 a.m. • Online via Zoom; Sessions are recorded • Maximum: 200; Fee: $110; Course ID: 0420
Wellness Activities Philosophy & Practice of Yoga IN PERSON: This active learning course on yoga’s ancient philosophy sheds light on the struggles of modern living. Discover how a dedicated yoga practice can transform the mind-body connection to bring ease to the body, calm to the mind, a more positive outlook and deeper self-awareness. Each week we focus on a different yoga practice from Patanjali’s eight limbs and Vedanta philosophy. These include: posture (asana), gesture (mudra), breath (pranayama), sense withdrawal (pratyahara), focus (dharana), meditation (dhyana) and yoga nidra (samadhi). Students will experience how the practices cultivate a compassionate connection between the body, mind and emotions. Each class will combine lecture, handout, homework, audio meditations and practice time. • Lecture + Q&A, Active Skill Learning. Required supplies: Students will need to bring their own 1/8- to 1/4-inch yoga mat, two 4-inch foam yoga blocks, an 8-foot yoga strap, and at least one wool or woven yoga blanket. Students should wear clothing that they can move in comfortably. Cheryl Fenner Brown found yoga in 2001 to ease chronic back pain and became instantly enchanted by the subtle connections between the breath, body, mind and emotions. Students appreciate her deeply educational approach. Her classes weave anatomy, philosophy, asana, mudra, chanting, pranayama and yoga nidra together for a well-rounded experience delivered with compassion and humor. She specializes in helping cancer patients, those with structural injuries and those in midlife (and beyond) thrive.
• 10 Thu, Feb 1 - Apr 4, 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. • In person at Judea Reform Congregation • Maximum: 25; Fee: $110; Course ID: 3712
Traditional Chinese Medicine: Principles for Maintaining Health ONLINE: This lecture-based course will be an introduction to the principles of the ancient and evolving practice of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Students will learn to use these principles to improve and maintain their mental, emotional and physical health. Two handouts will be emailed to students for use in class. One will be a diagram of the five phases of life, sometimes called the five elements. These elements are water, wood, fire, earth and metal. The other handout will show how the internal organs of the body relate to these elements. This course will not focus on Chinese herbs. We will, however, cover information on how TCM sees the internal organs of the body. Students will discover how these organs are affected by the food we eat and the harmony of our mental, emotional and physical energies, which the discussed principles address. • Lecture + Q&A. William Courtland has taught the principles of traditional Chinese medicine for 15 years at the Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy at Newington and Westport, Connecticut. He is also currently teaching at the OLLI program at the University of Connecticut.
• 10 Tue, Jan 30 - Apr 2, 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. • Online via Zoom • Maximum: 30; Fee: $110; Course ID: 3730
All OLLI at Duke classes and events are in Eastern Time
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Wellness Activities Discover My Purpose Equation ONLINE: People who have a clear sense of their purpose tend to live longer, healthier and happier lives. Students will learn what purpose is, and how to activate their unique purpose in daily life. Through an evidenceinformed lens, we will examine the building blocks of purpose: joy, motivation, values and self-determination. We will participate in interactive experiences to help students adopt tangible “purpose tools” that can improve their quality of life, retirement and relationships. Students will work on: 1) developing self-awareness and appreciation for their core strengths and values; 2) identifying and igniting their intrinsic motivation, to consistently stay connected and learn; 3) linking their personal values with their interests, to remain engaged in meaning-making throughout retirement; 4) learning how to build resilience and maintain a growth mindset in retirement; 5) activating joy every day to improve their overall wellness; and 6) sparking their curiosity and creativity. • Facilitated discussion. Please note: This is a highly interactive course. Students will have cameras on and engage in discussions throughout each class. Handouts are provided. Students should be prepared with a notebook and pencil for taking notes. This course uses breakout rooms. Anna Hall is a founder and chief purpose officer with over 25 years of experience in employee and team engagement, program development and technology management in the senior living space. She is also a certified life coach and has a bachelor’s degree in political science. She has created and conducted trainings and programs in the realm of wellness engagement throughout her career. Her mission is to help people discover and activate their purpose in life, work and retirement.
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• 6 Tue, Jan 30 - Mar 5, 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. • Online via Zoom • Maximum: 6; Fee: $300; Course ID: 3694
Activate Purpose in Daily Life ONLINE: This course will compel you to explore your purpose and guide you to define and activate elements of it to improve your adaptability. This highly interactive course will engage you with activities and purpose-driven perspectives that can help you grow and adapt to changes and transitions in life. You’ll learn how you are creative, and how creativity helps you understand and connect with purpose. Finally, we will explore theories of aging and how you can use the knowledge to update your mindset and increase your happiness. People who live with a strong sense of their unique purpose in retirement are healthier, happier and more engaged with life. The topics we will explore include the following: tools to examine and more deeply understand yourself, how to grow in alignment with your purpose, how to reframe life lessons from a purpose perspective, how to stay connected and engaged with life in retirement, and how to adapt to change based on theories of aging that inform purpose. • Facilitated discussion. Please note: This is a highly interactive course. Students will have cameras on and engage in discussions throughout each class. Handouts are provided. Students can print them out at home and/or use a notebook to take notes. Homework is assigned following each class session. Please be prepared with a notebook and pencil for taking notes. This class uses breakout rooms.
Wellness Activities Anna Hall is a founder and chief purpose officer with over 25 years of experience in employee and team engagement, program development and technology management in the senior living space. She is also a certified life coach and has a bachelor’s degree in political science and English. She has created and conducted trainings and programs in the realm of wellness engagement throughout her career. Her mission is to help people discover and activate their purpose in life, work and retirement.
• 4 Thu, Feb 15 - Mar 7, 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. • Online via Zoom • Maximum: 12; Fee: $200; Course ID: 3686
Writing About Loss See listing on page 57.
Planning for Caregiving: Practical and Emotional Dimensions ONLINE: Are you starting to worry about how to step in as the caregiver for a loved one? This interactive course is designed for anyone who is noticing aging-related physical, mental and/or cognitive deterioration in an older relative. Session 1 will cover practical step-by-step approaches to planning for care-
giving. Students will learn about: 1) evaluating the situation, and knowing when to step in to offer support; 2) what the conversation should consist of, as well as topics to cover; 3) setting up a care plan collaboratively; and 4) services and resources specifically for older adults. Session 2 will cover the emotional challenges that many caregivers experience, specifically: 1) what it means to be a caregiver, 2) caregiver stress syndrome, 3) emotional stressors, 4) how to manage stress and 5) services and resources for caregivers. In session 3, we will review material from the first two sessions and address barriers to caregiving. There will be time for Q&A and discussion. • Facilitated discussion. Julie Norstrand has her doctorate (May, 2014) and MSW from the Boston College School of Social Work and an M.S. in clinical psychology from Drexel University. She is the owner of Help My Aging Parents and serves on the Council on Aging of Newton, Massachusetts. Previously, Julie taught at Regis College and conducted gerontological research and clinical work within the community. Julie is committed to maximizing the quality of life for older adults in our communities.
• 3 Wed, Jan 31 - Feb 28 (no class Feb 7, 21), 1:30-2:45 p.m. • Online via Zoom • Maximum: 14; Fee: $45; Course ID: 3713
Zoom Links in Online 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. For details, refer to www.olliatduke.online/studentlink.
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Wellness Activities 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 exercise sessions consist of cognitive, balance and strength exercises. Classes are small and instruction is individualized. Certified personal trainers, skilled in working with older adults, provide modified exercises to meet each student’s fitness needs. Classes meet twice a week for 45 minutes. Participants receive personal assessments at the beginning and end of the course that measure their strength, balance and mobility—a critical health strategy for people over 55. Whether you are new to exercise or exercise regularly, Vivo will help you meet your exercise goals. This class is for anyone new to Vivo. • Active Skill Learning. Please note: Each session is limited to 10 students. No exercise equipment is required. Exercise bands will be mailed to all participants to use in class. Participants will receive an email with a link to schedule their assessment and a waiver. Final assessments will be completed during the last week of class. Registration note: Registration for this course will close January 25 to allow for scheduling of assessments. This class is only available to OLLI members who did not participate in Vivo during previous terms.
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Kevin Snodgrass, NASM – CPT, CES, FNS, SFS, ACE, is the head trainer for Vivo. He is a corrective exercise specialist helping individuals with chronic health issues and injuries improve their strength and mobility, with the goal of returning to their normal activities. In his current role, he is responsible for designing the signature Vivo strength training fitness program, including exercise levels and variations for participants of all ages and abilities.
Section 1 • 10 Mon/Wed, Jan 29 - April 3, 9-10 a.m. • 20 sessions total; Online via Zoom • Maximum: 100; Fee: $175; Course ID: 3634-005 Section 2 • 10 Mon/Wed, Jan 29 - April 3, 10-11 a.m. • 20 sessions total; Online via Zoom • Maximum: 100; Fee: $175; Course ID: 3634-006 Section 3 • 10 Tue/Thu, Jan 30 - April 4, 9-10 a.m. • 20 sessions total; Online via Zoom • Maximum: 100; Fee: $175; Course ID: 3634-007 Section 4 • 10 Tue/Thu, Jan 30 - April 4, 10-11 a.m. • 20 sessions total; Online via Zoom • Maximum: 100; Fee: $175; Course ID: 3634-008
Free Information Session: Build Your Strength with Vivo Wednesday, January 17, 11 a.m. ET See page 7.
Wellness Activities Modern Bridge Bidding I IN PERSON: This course is designed to help you improve your bidding skills and enjoyment of the game of bridge. It is only suitable for people who have completed the Introduction to Bridge course or have previously played bridge, whether in college or socially. It is not for newcomers with no knowledge of bidding or playing. In this interactive in-person course, participants will learn how the partnership communicates their hand strength and shape to reach an optimum contract. This includes hand reevaluation, types of bids, opening and responding to no-trump, and major and minor suits. It will also cover ways to enter the auction using modern competitive bidding tools such as doubles and overcalls as well as other conventional tools. Each class consists of a mini-lecture followed by playing and discussing practice hands to apply the concepts learned. Participants will also receive a link to practice at home using Shark Bridge, a state-of-the-art web-based bridge platform. • Facilitated discussion, Active Skill Learning. Please note: Participants must have attended the Introduction to Bridge course or have experience with the game’s mechanics and basic card-playing techniques. This course is not suitable for players with no knowledge of the game. Required supplies/fee: There is a $20 fee payable to the instructor to cover the cost of course materials. Henry Meguid is the past president of the American Bridge Teachers’ Association (ABTA) and the 2018 ABTA Teacher of the Year Award recipient. He is a certified master teacher, North America’s highest bridge teacher certification. He has been an OLLI instructor for the past five years.
Fun & Games: Building Group Cohesion IN PERSON: As you may have heard, stress relief from laughter is no joke! Fun, laughter and joyful group interactions have the biological effect of increasing endorphins, the neurotransmitters that help us cope with pain and stress. Participants will engage in group games, interactions and “hands-on” challenges that are designed to prompt cooperation, compromise, communication and laughter. Every meeting will be different from the last. Everyone is encouraged to participate in all the experiences, but participants can play the role of observer if they want a timeout. Some games may be familiar, but most are unique, creative situations designed to amuse participants and build friendships within the class. Sometimes we will be out of our seats and on our feet, so it’s a requirement that participants can walk unassisted. An additional requirement is a sense of humor. Although this course cannot promise a joyful, pain-free life, it can guarantee a good time. Let’s roll up our sleeves and go play. • Active Skill Learning. Please note: Participants must be able to walk and move around unassisted. For 30 years, Carol Fynn was a consultant conducting adult workshops designed to build group cohesion. A master teacher, she has taught kindergarten through university students. Known for her humor and creativity, she was recognized by the Ashland Foundation as one of the 10 best teachers in a three-state area.
• 8 Wed, Jan 31 - Mar 20, 9-10:30 a.m. • In person at Judea Reform Congregation • Maximum: 24; Fee: $110; Course ID: 3699
• 9 Wed, Feb 14 - Apr 10, 1:30-3:30 p.m. • In person at Bridge Academy • Maximum: 32; Fee: $110; Course ID: 2820 Return to Course Indexes
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Wellness Activities A New Money Story: Prepare for Your Financial Future With Confidence IN PERSON: At some point, many women will become their family’s sole financial decision maker. And while they may be comfortable with basics like budgeting, a lot of women lack the know-how and the confidence to take on the responsibilities of investing— even though study after study shows that women make better investors than men. What drives the confidence gap, and how do we overcome it? Combining the technical with the philosophical, and incorporating small group discussions, storytelling and journaling (plus a dash of Taylor Swift), this unique course begins by examining our own money stories and what shapes our beliefs, thoughts and feelings about money. We will explore a wide array of subjects that touch on both the art and the science of investing. These include: asset allocation, choosing an adviser, the financial media, investment fads, behavior, bias and biology. At the end of six weeks, participants will have newfound knowledge to step into their financial future with confidence. • Lecture + Q&A, Facilitated discussion.
Please note: Journals will be provided for all participants to use during the six-week course. Two of the classes will be held as conversation circles, which are purposeful opportunities for participants to gather and talk about topics that are important and meaningful to them in an intentional manner. Required supplies/fee: The instructor will provide journals for all participants. Recommended Text: • Morgan Housel, “The Psychology of Money” (9780857197689) Sarah Charles (Duke, B.A. economics, ’97) teaches women of all ages, stages and wages how to embrace their financial power and prepare for their financial future. A champion of women’s financial independence, she’s worked in financial services for 20-plus years, and in 2023 she launched an hourly only planning practice with her husband. She is a passionate storyteller known for connecting authentically with stakeholders, a missiondriven thought leader on developing female leaders and a Swiftie.
• 6 Wed, Feb 14 - Mar 20, 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. • In person at Judea Reform Congregation • Maximum: 15; Fee: $90; Course ID: 3685
Registration FAQs Registration FAQs have moved! To make your registration experience as smooth as possible, we have put together a frequently asked questions guide. There you will find answers to questions on membership, courses, Zoom and technology and registration. To read all the FAQs, please visit learnmore.duke.edu/olli/faq. Winter 2024 Registration Registration opens on Tuesday, January 9, at 9 a.m. ET for Monday and Tuesday courses and on Wednesday, January 10, at 9 a.m. ET for Wednesday and Thursday courses. 56
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Writing Poetry: Images of Abundance ONLINE: Imagine a totally literal world, in which a cloud didn’t suggest a bird, a symphony didn’t conjure a storm and a love song didn’t contain the face of a beloved or the scene of a tryst. In this discussion-based course, we explore figurative language. This is the core of poetry: rich and imaginative figures of speech, including similes, metaphors, symbols and allusions. We look to poetry for references filled with rich associations and unusual images, not worn out expressions. Poetry grabs the reader with intrigue, uniqueness, freshness and detail. We will focus on different types of figuration, learning from examples and using prompts to generate the writing of new poems. In the final two weeks, students will be invited to draw on all these imagistic skills, presenting their own poems with abundant figures of speech. We will share our work in class discussions, in an atmosphere of curiosity and respect. • Facilitated discussion. Please note: Some poetry writing experience would make the course more meaningful, but aspiring poets are welcome to join. Students will be asked to send the instructor the poem(s) they have written the day before class. Jane Seitel is an expressive arts therapist, writer and teacher. She received her MEd from Lesley University and her MFA in poetry from Drew University. She has taught over 20 literature and writing courses at OLLI, and publishes poetry and creative nonfiction. She founded a press for women over 50.
• 8 Thu, Feb 1 - Mar 21, 1:30-2:45 p.m. • Online via Zoom • Maximum: 12; Fee: $120; Course ID: 3715
Writing About Loss IN PERSON: Everyone experiences loss in their lifetime. You may be grieving the loss of a loved one or feel sad about losing an object of sentimental value. Sometimes loss is about missed opportunities in life or having grown up in a difficult family situation. Writing about the experience can be a source of healing. Your own story may surprise you with elements of joy and humor in addition to sadness and anger. Writing provides the opportunity to explore and create one’s own narrative. Classes will include some in-class writing prompts, though the focus will be on students’ stories. Students will also provide suggestions for strengthening one another’s writing; focusing on imagery and storytelling. Also, we will strive to simply listen and provide a caring environment. The written stories, when possible, will be shared via email. This allows time for students to prepare helpful and considerate comments about each other’s work. The instructor will also offer comments and send them to students. • Facilitated discussion. Margaret Anderson has a degree in creative writing from Hollins University. She has taught writing classes at NC State University, Durham County Library and OLLI. She has had poems published in the Heron Clan literary magazine and Flying South, the Winston-Salem Writers’ journal. Both poems are on the topic of loss. She is a retired librarian and enjoys spending her time writing, gardening and hiking.
• 7 Tue, Jan 30 - Mar 12, 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. • In person at Judea Reform Congregation • Maximum: 10; Fee: $110; Course ID: 3736
Back cover: FDOC 2022 (first day of classes) on Duke’s West Campus. Photograph by Bill Snead / Duke University / www.duke.edu © Duke University, all rights reserved
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