Catalog of Classes Winter 2017
OLLIWest Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Denver
For more information about OLLI West, please visit our website: http://portfolio.du.edu/olliwest Or contact: Susan Schmetzer susanolliwest@gmail.com (303) 503-3992
OLLI West classes are held at: Jefferson Unitarian Church (JUC) 14350 West 32nd Avenue Golden, CO 80401 And at: Shepherd of the Hills Presbyterian Church (SoH) 11500 West 20th Avenue Lakewood, CO 80215 Maps located at back of catalog and at http://portfolio.du.edu/olliwest Maps/Direction tab
OLLI at the University of Denver The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at the University of Denver is an adult learning membership program designed for men and women age 50 and "better" who wish to pursue lifelong learning in a relaxed, non-competitive atmosphere. For more than 20 years OLLI has been providing stimulating classes in the Metro Denver area.
About the Bernard Osher Foundation Thanks to the generosity of The Bernard Osher Foundation, OLLI at the University of Denver joins a network of more than 119 Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes across the United States that are meeting the needs of older learners who want to learn simply for the joy of learning and personal fulfillment.
Welcome to OLLI West at DU‌
Where curiosity never retires!
Go online to learn more about OLLI: http://universitycollege.du.edu/olli/ Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at DU (OLLI) 2211 South Josephine Street Denver, CO 80208 1
Dear Friends, I am continually amazed with the OLLI West member community who give so much of themselves for the benefit of others. In producing this catalog, I believed I would be remiss if I didn’t first acknowledge the people who work selflessly to bring us this amazing program. I extend my appreciation to: Members of the Curriculum Committee who find the amazing facilitators and develop a wonderful array of course offerings, Facilitators who create interesting and thought-provoking classes and then provide that information, insight and knowledge to us, Class assistants who support the facilitators and class participants, Greeters who help to make us all feel welcomed, The Social Committee members who seek out ways to bring us all together and engage us in the OLLI community, Our stalwart techie who makes sure the equipment runs well, sets up the rooms for classes and makes a great cup of coffee, The Advisory Council members who put in hours of time working through the challenges of ensuring the program meets our needs, An assistant who has wonderful skills and ideas that are helping to streamline the processes and improve communication, The facility staff who go out of their way at both locations to provide supportive and comfortable surroundings for all of us. So, here’s to all of you who make this program such an incredible experience! Thank you for your time, talent and continuing investment in our OLLI community of curious lifelong learners!
Susan Schmetzer OLLI West Manager 2
OLLI Policy Statement In the spirit of fostering understanding, each OLLI member is encouraged to share opinions and ideas. OLLI class participants do not attempt to “convert” others because there is a mutual respect for each member’s experiences, ideas, value systems and beliefs. The true focus of an OLLI class is the critical examination of issues and opinions. Each participant’s point of view carries equal weight. Consensus is not a goal. We encourage participants with all points of view to attend and become engaged through discussion and civil debate.
Membership Fee Information Membership in OLLI is based on per-term enrollment. Fee (Membership): $130 per term for unlimited classes (based on availability). BENEFITS
● Participation in as many classes as desired at any of the three OLLI sites – Central, West and South (contingent upon space availability) ● Opportunity to participate in InterActive Learning classes (extracurricular classes for additional per-class fee if applicable) ● Special member price for “The Summer Seminars of OLLI” ● OLLI Newsletter (one per term) ● Notice of unadvertised DU events (many at no cost because of DU affiliation) ● Invitations to social events ● Lamont School of Music – All OLLI members receive the senior/group rate. ● University of Denver Library (Anderson Academic Commons) borrowing privileges ● The Enrichment Program – Our sister organization offers classes at the University of Denver. The classes are led by professors and staff and are held during the evening hours. The members of OLLI at DU enjoy a 20% discount on most courses (some exclusions do apply) when they register with the code OLLIW17. To review the course offerings, please go to http://universitycollege.du.edu/enrichment or visit the 2211 South Josephine Street office and pick up a catalog in the front reception area. Registration for the Winter/Spring term opens on December 5. ● DU Athletics – Purchase 1 full price ticket and get 1 free ticket to any men’s or women’s basketball game, based on availability. ● Opportunity for full-year membership to the Coors Fitness Center at DU for $25/month with a DU16/17 sticker on the OLLI member card, available from the OLLI West Manager.
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OTHER FEES/COSTS There may be a materials fee or InterActive fee associated with the class. If there is, it will be noted with the course description. Fees, other than for Membership, must be provided in cash or by separate check. In some cases, the fee will be payable to the facilitator (such as tour fees, materials used during InterActive classes), and that information will be included with the class description. A class may indicate “Required Reading” or “Suggested Reading.” In those cases, you will need to, or may want to, purchase the book noted with the class description prior to the start of the class. To reduce costs, we suggest you consider purchasing used books. Used books can be found on the internet at such sites as Amazon.com or you may find them locally at used book stores, ARC or Goodwill. You may also want to see if the book is available at your local library.
Scholarships Partial or full scholarships are available. Please contact Susan Schmetzer, OLLI West Manager, for more information.
Refund Policy A full refund, per term, may be provided if requested no later than 10 days into the term. No refunds are provided for InterActive Learning classes.
We hope you will access future OLLI curriculum information and registration forms from the OLLI website, http://www.portfolio.du.edu/olliwest. Thank you for helping us reduce our printing and postage costs.
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How to Register 1)
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Complete the registration form that can be found in the center of this catalog or on the OLLI West website (go to the ‘Winter17’ tab) http://portfolio.du.edu/olliwest A check made out to OLLI West for the membership/registration fee of $130 should accompany the form. A separate check, also made out to OLLI West, should be included for any classes that require an additional fee. Mail completed registrations and checks to: OLLI West, 12081 West Alameda Pkwy, #436, Lakewood, CO 80228 Registrations will be processed only after the membership fee is paid. Courses have a limited number of seats, so list your classes in order of priority. We will make every effort to get you into your first three choices. Be sure to include the course code (only OLLI West classes have a course code) and course title for each class. DO NOT sign up for multiple courses in the same time slot. In-person registration will be available. Please check our website for the date(s) this will occur, http://www.portfolio.du.edu/olliwest. We will also send an email notification to all who have signed up online for OLLI West notifications with the date/time of in-person registration. Enrollment notifications will be sent to members beginning December 5th. Notifications of classes you are or are not enrolled in are sent by email, so it is critical for you to provide your current and accurate email address. Our notification to you will be in this format: DAY/ TIME M/AM T/PM
COURSE # WM01A WT01A
COURSE
DATES
ENROLLED
Course Name Another Course
1/9 – 3/3 1/9 – 3/3
YES NO
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OLLI West Classes by Topic
WW832 WT751 WT831 WTH811 WM832
Fine Arts/ Literature/ Writing NAME FACILITATOR Spain’s Most Distinctive Regions Jamie Cookinham An Exploration of Don Quixote, by Miguel de Carol Anthony Cervantes Glory of Venice Susan Elliott The Movies, Part I Bob Magnani Non-Fiction Writing: The Memoir Frank Kaplan Symphony 101 Leah Kovach
WTH831
Current Events/ Politics Great Decisions
WT811
Current Events A
WW811
Current Events B
WTH881
What’s Up Doc(umentary)
# WM741
WTH842 WM812 WTH862 WF811 WW382 WW651 WW471 WTH492 WTH821 WT842
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History/ Economics The Gilded Age: A Turning Point in US History The Sixties: Film, Reading and Lots of Conversation Medieval England: From the Conqueror Through Richard III When More is Never Enough: The Story of Contemporary Economics Knock-Out Punches Against Thomas Jefferson That Don’t Land WWI: My Father’s War – Its Hopes, Its Horrors, Its Shattered Dreams The Big Short Personal Investing Part I: Are You Smarter Than a Monkey? America as Seen Through the Eyes of Its Film Makers, Part 2 100 Years of America's National Parks-- From Hidden Jewels to the Iconic
Sherma Erholm Colleen Jorgensen Jeff Pederson Blu Wagner Maggie Wohlberg Blu Wagner Steve Nelson Tom Hughes Anne Christner Jerry Henderson Joe Clements Alec Tsoucatos Jack Van Ens Bill Richardson Jack Dais Mark Teter Barry Bley Larry Walling
WTH4102 WT462 WTH872 OLLI CENTRAL
Interactive Learning* Composition Techniques for Improving Your Photography Principles of Design: Paper Arts Chess: The Game OLLI Chorale—see page 37 for details Fridays: January 13th – March 3rd Fee: $55 member, $65 guest
Barbara Gal Patricia Gaffney-Kindig Bob Magnani
*Interactive classes give members an opportunity to participate in a variety of hands-on learning activities. WM822 WW662 WTH852
Philosophy/ Religion/ Psychology Black Elk Speaks: Understanding the Spiritual Roger Collins Legacy of the American Indian Anyone Can Think Like a Genius Existentialism: Thoughts on the Benign Indifference of the Universe and More
Pat Emery Joe Woodson
Science/ Technology/ Environment/Engineering/ Math (STEM) WT821 How the Earth Works Warren Hamilton WF621 Who Are You? Discover Your DNA and Deena Countant Preserve Your Family History WW842 Medical and Scientific Breakthroughs Barb Adams WW821 The World’s Greatest Geologic Wonders Jim Elliott WT110
Special Presentation The Importance of Being a Local Habitat Hero
Don Ireland
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OLLI West Classes by Day and Number of Sessions
EIGHT SESSIONS MONDAY TIME PM
# WM812
PM
WM822
PM
WM832
TUESDAY AM AM AM PM
WT811 WT821 WT831 WT842
WEDNESDAY AM WW811 AM WW821 PM WW832
NAME The Sixties: Film, Reading and Lots of Conversation Black Elk Speaks: Understanding the Spiritual Legacy of the American Indian Symphony 101
START/END Jan 9--Mar 6 No class Jan 16 Jan 9--Mar 6 No class Jan 16 Jan 9--Mar 6 No class Jan 16
Current Events A How the Earth Works The Movies, Part I 100 Years of America's National Parks-From Hidden Jewels to the Iconic
Jan10—Feb 28 Jan10—Feb 28 Jan10—Feb 28 Jan10—Feb 28
Current Events B The World’s Greatest Geologic Wonders An Exploration of Don Quixote, by Miguel de Cervantes Medical and Scientific Breakthroughs
Jan11—Mar 1 Jan11—Mar 1 Jan11—Mar 8 NO class Jan 18 Jan11—Mar 1
PM WW842 THURSDAY AM WTH811 Non-Fiction Writing: The Memoir AM WTH821 America as Seen Through the Eyes of Its Film Makers, Part 2 AM WTH831 Great Decisions AM WTH881 What’s Up Doc(umentary) PM WTH842 The Gilded Age: A Turning Point in U.S. History PM WTH852 Existentialism: Thoughts on the Benign Indifference of the Universe and More PM WTH862 Medieval England: From the Conqueror Through Richard III PM WTH872 Chess: The Game FRIDAY AM WF811 When More is Never Enough: The Story of Contemporary Economics
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Jan 12—Mar 2 Jan 12—Mar 2 Jan 12—Mar 2 Jan 12—Mar 2 Jan 12—Mar 2 Jan 12—Mar 2 Jan 12—Mar 2 Jan 12—Mar 2 Jan 13—Mar 3
SEVEN SESSIONS MONDAY AM TUESDAY AM
WM741
Spain’s Most Distinctive Regions
Jan 9--Feb 27
WT751
Glory of Venice
Jan 10—Feb 21
SIX SESSIONS WEDNESDAY AM WW651 PM FRIDAY AM
WW662 WF621
WWI: My Father’s War – Its Hopes, Its Horrors, Its Shattered Dreams Anyone Can Think Like Genius
Jan 11—Feb 15
Who Are You? Discover Your DNA and Preserve Your Family History
Jan 13—Mar 3 No class: Jan 27, Feb 10
Jan 11—Feb 15
FOUR SESSIONS TUESDAY PM WT462 Principles of Design: Paper Arts WEDNESDAY AM WW471 The Big Short THURSDAY WTH4102 Composition Techniques for Improving Your PM Photography PM WTH492 Personal Investing Part I: Are You Smarter Than a Monkey?
Jan 10—Jan 31 Jan 11—Feb 1 Jan 12—Feb 2 Jan 12—Feb 2
THREE SESSIONS WEDNESDAY PM WW382
Knock-Out Punches Against Thomas Jefferson That Don’t Land
Jan 25—Feb 8
ONE SESSION TUESDAY MID-DAY 11:4512:45
WT110
The Importance of Being a Local Habitat Hero
Jan 24
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OLLI West Weekly Class Overview - Morning Classes – Winter 2017 Begins week of Monday Jan 9 and ends Friday March 3 (unless otherwise noted) Morning Classes - 9:30 - 11:30 AM (unless otherwise noted) Locations: JUC - Jefferson Unitarian Church, 14350 West 32nd Avenue
SoH - Shepherd of the Hills, 11500 West 20th Avenue
MONDAY AM
TUESDAY AM
WEDNESDAY AM
THURSDAY AM
FRIDAY AM
JUC
JUC
JUC
JUC
JUC
WM741 – SPAIN’S MOST DISTINCTIVE REGIONS (7 weeks – Jan 9-Feb 27) ** no class Jan 16 for MLK holiday
WT811 - CURRENT EVENTS A
WW811 – CURRENT EVENTS B
WTH811 – NON-FICTION WRITING: THE MEMOIR
WF811- WHEN MORE IS NEVER ENOUGH: THE STORY OF CONTEMPORARY ECONOMICS
WT821 – HOW THE EARTH WORKS WT831 – THE MOVIES WT751 - GLORY OF VENICE (7 weeks – Jan 10-Feb 21)
WW471 – THE BIG SHORT (4 weeks – Jan 11-Feb 1) WW821 – THE WORLD’S GREATEST GEOLOGICAL WONDERS WW651 - WWI: MY FATHER’S WAR-ITS HOPES, ITS HORRORS, ITS SHATTERED DREAMS (6 weeks – Jan 11-Feb 15)
WTH831 – GREAT DECISIONS WTH881 – WHAT’S UP DOC(UMENTARY)? WTH821 - AMERICA AS SEEN THROUGH THE EYES OF ITS FILM MAKERS (2 ½ hour class)
WF621 – WHO ARE YOU? DISCOVER YOUR DNA AND PRESERVE YOUR FAMILY HISTORY (6 weeks – No class Jan 27 and Feb 10)
OLLI West Weekly Class Overview - Afternoon Classes - Winter 2017 Begins week of Monday Jan 9 and ends Friday March 3 (unless otherwise noted) Afternoon Classes - 1:00 - 3:00 AM (unless otherwise noted) Locations: JUC - Jefferson Unitarian Church, 14350 West 32nd Avenue SoH - Shepherd of the Hills, 11500 West 20th Avenue
MONDAY PM
TUESDAY PM
WEDNESDAY PM
THURSDAY PM
FRIDAY PM
JUC
JUC
JUC
JUC
JUC
WT842 – 100 YEARS OF AMERICA’S NATIONAL PARKS – FROM HIDDEN JEWELS TO THE ICONIC
WW662 – ANYONE CAN THINK LIKE A GENIUS (6 weeks – Jan 11-Feb 15)
WTH4102 – COMPOSITION TECHNIQUES FOR IMPROVING YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY (4 weeks – Jan 12-Feb 2)
No Classes
WW832 – AN EXPLORATION OF DON QUIXOTE BY MIGUEL DE CERVANTES
WTH852 – EXISTENTIALISM: THOUGHTS ON THE BENIGN INDIFFERENCE OF THE UNIVERSE AND MORE
WW842 - MEDICAL & SCIENTIFIC BREAKTHROUGHS
WTH842 - THE GILDED AGE: A TURNING POINT IN U.S. HISTORY
WW382 – KNOCK-OUT PUNCHES AGAINST THOMAS JEFFERSON THAT DON’T LAND (3 sessions – Jan 25, Feb 1 & 8)
SoH
* All Monday PM classes are extended 1 week, Jan 9 – March 6, due to MLK holiday Jan 16th (no class) WM812 – THE SIXTIES: FILM, READING AND LOTS OF CONVERSATION WM832 – SYMPHONY 101 WM822 – BLACK ELK SPEAKS: UNDERSTANDING THE SPIRITUAL LEGACY OF THE AMERICAN INDIAN
WT462 – PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN: PAPER ARTS (4 weeks – Jan 10 - Jan 31) WT110 – THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING A LOCAL HABITAT HERO (Single Event Jan. 24th from 11:45 – 12:45)
WTH862 – MEDIEVAL ENGLAND: FROM THE CONQUEROR THROUGH RICHARD III WTH482 - PERSONAL INVESTING, PART 1: ARE YOU SMARTER THAN A MONKEY? (4 weeks – Jan 12-Feb 2) WTH872 - CHESS: THE GAME
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⇒YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS⇐ Providing your email address is extremely important: We provide class confirmations and evaluations via email. Your facilitator provides class information via email. In some cases, being able to receive email is a class requirement. We can contact you quickly with any class changes via email.
Give the gift of learning for the holidays. Order an OLLI Gift Certificate!
Contact Dara Hughes daraolliwest@gmail.com
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In response to OLLI at DU members’ strong desire for internationally focused classes and educational travel, WorldView was designed to bring both to OLLI. Each year we focus on a different country, providing classes and InterActive activities throughout the academic year. We top off the year with an adventure relating to that country. The 2016-2017 Academic year will highlight Spain. Throughout the year each site will offer classes and programs designed to bring an up-close and personal look at this intriguing country, from its history and politics to its culture and beauty. The year will culminate with a custom-designed trip to Southern Spain. If you have Spain connections or ideas, let the Curriculum Committee (CC) know. The CC members are listed in the back of this publication.
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Monday 9:30-11:30 AM Class #: #Sessions: Dates: Location: WM741 7 Jan 9 – Feb 27 JUC Title: Spain’s Most Distinctive Regions Facilitator: Jamie Cookinham Class Description: In each class one region will be presented and discussed. The following items will be covered for each region: History, Geography, Language, Reputation, Music, Food, Pictures, Paradores and Quirks. The class will be presentation, videos and discussion. The regions which will be covered are: Balearic Islands, Andalucía, Barcelona (Cataluña), Galicia, Extremadura, Basque Country (País Vasco), Castilla and Madrid. The purpose of the class is to open the door of insight into the strange, interesting and complex history of Spain. After participating in this class, the interested student should understand some of the ingredients that have made Spain capture the interest and devotion of many people. Class Size: 25 Books/Materials: Handouts Class Type: Lecture/ Discussion/ Hands-On Activities Materials Fee: None
SUPPORT OLLI AND VOLUNTEER! There are many ways you can help ~ contact Dara at daraolliwest@gmail.com to find out how!
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Monday 1:00-3:00 PM Class #: WM812
#Sessions: 8
Dates: Jan 9 – Mar 6
Location: JUC
No class Jan 16
Title: The Sixties: Film, Reading and Lots of Conversation Facilitator: Jerry Henderson Class Description: This course explores the landmark era of cultural, political and technological change during the 1960s. We will seek to understand the changes to our culture and technologies and how and why the world was permanently changed. Do you remember “flower power,” entertainers and plane crashes, the Bay of Pigs, satellite TV, Vietnam, The Beatles, Neil Armstrong, Martin, Bobby and John, and female activism? How about the best of all, 1968? We use no text, simply the CNN TV series, discussion and handouts. We will look at each of the years from 1960-1969 If nothing else we promise you fun, memories and maybe a few tears. Class Size: 25 Books/Materials: Handouts Class Type: Lecture/ Discussion Materials Fee: None Class #: WM822
#Sessions: 8
Dates: Jan 9 – Mar 6
Location: JUC
No class Jan 16
Title: Black Elk Speaks: Understanding the Spiritual Legacy of the American Indian Facilitator: Roger Collins Class Description: This class will discuss "What is American Indian Spirituality?" It will include American Indian Creation Stories, the 12 Commandments of the American Indian, American Indian ceremonies and beliefs which will include smudging, sweat lodges, peyote, vision quests, totem poles, masks, Navajo "May You Walk in Beauty" beliefs, sand paintings, kachinas, potlach ceremonies, and a host of other facets of the American Indian 15
beliefs related to spirituality. Lectures, discussions and DVD's of special events will be given throughout the sessions. Also a book written by the class leader, Roger Collins, about Spirituality will be given to the class members at no charge. Special articles related to the subject will be given to the members through handouts. Class Size: Unlimited Books/Materials: Handouts Class Type: Lecture/ Discussion/ Hands-On Activities Materials Fee: None Class #: WM832
#Sessions: 8
Dates: Jan 9 – Mar 6
Location: JUC
No class Jan 16
Title: Symphony 101 Facilitator: Leah Kovach Class Description: Explore and learn about the history and music of the symphony orchestra with a Colorado Symphony musician educator. Discover, explore and compare music-making techniques of the great symphonic masters (Brahms, Mozart and more). We will listen to, discuss, and make observations about different symphonic instruments and compositions. This class will enhance the understanding and appreciation of classical music and the symphony experience. OLLI students will learn the basic history of the symphony orchestra, listen to and compare/contrast examples of music from all major historical periods of classical music, and learn about composers from each of those periods. Whether you're a novice or a classical music aficionado, get ready to enhance your knowledge and learn all sorts of new cool info about your Colorado Symphony! Class Size: Unlimited Books/Materials: None Class Type: Music, Lecture, Discussion, Guest Musicians Materials Fee: None
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Tuesday 9:30-11:30 AM Class #: #Sessions: Dates: Location: WT831 8 Jan 10 – Feb 28 JUC Title: The Movies, Part I Facilitator: Bob Magnani Class Description: Back by popular demand, this is a repeat of the class provided during the Fall 2016 Term. Ah, movies!! We are going to explore together some of the greatest films of our lifetime, 40 years of Academy Award winners, spanning the early years from 1936 to 1975, when we were kids to young adults. If it’s successful, there will be a follow-on course to tackle the most recent four decades, 1976 to 2016. We will do about five films a week, using “clip notes” (approximately 15 minute versions of each film). This course pulls together videos of important scenes and the full plot line; in some cases, there will be critical reviews as well so that we have a basis for the discussion of each film. Our intent is to evoke, in you, the feelings you had about these major films and to share those thoughts with each other. What makes a great film? Was this the best of its year? Has it survived the test of time? Class Size: 25 Books/Materials: None Class Type: Lecture/ Discussion/ Video Materials Fee: None Class #: #Sessions: Dates: Location: WT821 8 Jan 10 – Feb 28 JUC Title: How the Earth Works Facilitator: Warren Hamilton Class Description: This class will examine how geologic processes at and near the surface interact with Earth’s inner workings to produce the rocks and landscapes that make our planet habitable, varied and beautiful. How did the Earth form, how has it evolved over its 41⁄2 billion years, and why does it so differ from other planets? Plate 17
tectonics - the inches-per-year motions of parts of Earth’s outer shell toward, away from and past one another – control the broad features we see at the surface. What evidence proves the motions, defines interactions and constrains mechanisms? Settings, internal and surface geologic processes, and landscapes will be tied together with hundreds of color slides that emphasize the geology of western North America but that include all continents and types of islands. We will look at the causes for the great contrasts between Venus, Mars and Earth. Class Size: 25 Books/Materials: Slide shows and optional reading materials will be posted on the How the Earth Works Portfolio website Class Type: Illustrated Lectures/ Discussion. Materials Fee: None Class #: #Sessions: WT751 7 Title: Glory of Venice Facilitator: Susan Elliott
Dates: Jan 10 – Feb 21
Location: JUC
Class Description: Why is the art of the Italian Renaissance important? How did it develop? Are Venetian painting and architecture different from that of Siena, Florence and Rome? Come and learn why it is considered glorious and sublime. This course will focus not only on the artistic quality, iconography, subject matter and composition of Venetian works of art, but how they compare to works of previous generations. The course will also cover Venetian history and daily life in this exotic city from the 15th to the 16th century. The class will visit the exhibition, "Glory of Venice," at the Denver Art Museum on Tuesday, February 7th, where 50 works of art by Titian, Bellini, Crivelli and many other Venetian painters will be on view. Class Size: 45 Books/Materials: Handouts Class Type: Lecture/ Discussion Museum Fee: $8.00 (includes general admission) for docent-led tour Tuesday, February 7th. The fee is payable (in advance of the tour date) to the facilitator, Susan Elliott, who will then purchase tickets for the group. 18
Class #: #Sessions: Dates: Location: WT811 8 Jan 10 – Feb 28 JUC Title: Current Events A (A second offering of the same class is Wednesday morning.) Facilitator: Blu Wagner and Maggie Wohlberg NOTE: Participants must have the ability to receive email. Class Description: New and engaging topics for this class are continually emerging, as our city, state, country and world are constantly in flux.... economy, politics, environment, gender and racial divides, wars and aggressions, health care issues, ... take your pick! To this end, class participants will receive two or three emailed articles per week in advance of class, one from each co-facilitator, drawing from sources such as the Washington Post, The Economist, The Nation, The Consortium of Independent Journalists, The New York Times and others. The first half of class time will be devoted to lively discussions regarding these topics. If students have information which bolsters or disputes the articles sent, they are invited to bring it to class. The guiding principle here is dialogue rather than dogmatism! After break, the class is open to news items presented by the participants themselves, who are encouraged to bring timely topics of interest to the table. The objective of the class is an informative, engaging sharing of ideas, experiences and viewpoints on current topics. Please bring an open mind, tolerance of differences, and a good sense of humor! Class Size: 20 Books/Materials: Articles will be selected and sent by email from the facilitators. Class Requirement: Participants must have the ability to receive email. Class Type: Discussion Materials Fee: None
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ONE DAY ONLY—JANUARY 24 Tuesday 9:30-11:30 AM Tuesday 11:45 – 12:45 Class #: #Sessions: Dates: Location: WT110 1 Jan 24 JUC Title: The Importance of Being a Local Habitat Hero Facilitator: Don Ireland Class Description: Preserving the local eco-system and helping pollinators one little garden at a time is the message of the Habitat Hero program, sponsored by Audubon Rockies, Plant Select, Denver Botanic Gardens, Terra Foundation and more. Speaker Don Ireland, a multiple-award winner, will give a presentation intended to inspire you to change the way you think about where you live and what you plant. Class Size: Unlimited Books/Materials: Handouts Class Type: Lecture/ Discussion Fee: None
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Tuesday 1:00 – 3:00 PM Class #: #Sessions: Dates: WT462 4 Jan 10 – Jan 31 Title: Principles of Design: Paper Art Facilitator: Patricia Gaffney-Kindig
Location: JUC
Class Description: Exploring the elements of design with colorful papers in a 2D format, the goal is to develop a level of comfort in the design process and to hone your skills of observation. You may just discover a creative side of yourself you didn’t know existed. Participants will be encouraged to create a design to be framed in the final class. Class size: 20 Books/Materials: Handouts. Dye saturated paper and glue sticks provided. Participants are asked to bring scissors. Class Type: Interactive/ Hands-On Activities Materials Fee: $20 - Fee payable to the facilitator the first day of class. Class #: #Sessions: Dates: Location: WT842 8 Jan 10 – Feb 28 JUC Title: 100 Years of America's National Parks-- From Hidden Jewels to the Iconic Facilitator: Larry Walling Class Description: The class will explore American national parks in the context of the 100th anniversary of the creation of the National Park System. First, a brief introduction and history of the National Park Service will be presented, along with definitions of the different types of units. Next, each week the class will examine National Park Service units by focusing on a region of the United States. The significance of the unit, a brief history and outstanding features will be discussed. Class Size: Unlimited Books/Materials: Handouts Class Type: Lecture Materials Fee: None
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Wednesday 9:30 – 11:30 AM Class #: #Sessions: WW471 4 Title: The Big Short Facilitator: Jack Dais
Dates: Jan 11 – Feb 1
Location: JUC
Class Description: This four-session course is about the Great Recession of 20072009 and is based on the book “The Big Short,” written by Michael Lewis. We will explore the role played by Wall Street firms including Lehman, Bear Stearns, Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, Merrill Lynch, HSBC, UBS, Deutsche Bank, Citigroup and Bank of America. How involved were the rating agencies Moody’s and S&P, the insurer AIG and loan originators such as Countrywide? Were the Treasury Secretary and Federal Reserve Chairs in denial and asleep at the switch? We’ll learn about the complex and opaque derivatives that Warren Buffett called “Financial Weapons of Mass Destruction.” After watching the movie, “The Big Short,” we’ll discuss how well it depicts the book and the events of that era. Class Size: 25 Required Reading: The Big Short, 2010, First Edition, Michael Lewis (Please purchase in advance.) Class Type: Lecture/ Discussion/ Movie Materials Fee: None Class #: #Sessions: Dates: Location: Jan 11 – Feb 15 WW651 6 JUC Title: World War I, My Father's War - Its Hopes, Its Horrors, Its Shattered Dreams Facilitator: William Richardson Class Description: The six sessions will involve review of the years 1914 through 1919 of the war, with readings from my father's diaries and other historical sources. The facilitator will also provide his own observations on the war itself, based on extensive readings. Group discussions will be encouraged following the more formal presentations each week. The facilitator’s father was a volunteer ambulance driver with the French in Flanders in 1915, served as a 22
Lieutenant with the American Army in a machine gun battalion in 1917 and 1918 and in the army of occupation in 1919. His experiences offer an insight into how, for at least part of his generation, the war was a seminal experience, and they offer a window into his own complex and personally revealing responses to those experiences. The hope is that the course will provide an appropriate memorialization of the "Great War" on what is still its 100th anniversary. Class Size: 45 Books/Materials: Handouts Class Type: Lecture Materials Fee: $10.00 Class #: #Sessions: Dates: WW821 8 Jan 11 – Mar 1 Title: The World’s Greatest Geologic Wonders Facilitator: Jim Elliott
Location: JUC
Class Description: The earth has at least several hundred sites that qualify as scenic geologic wonders. This course will take you to many of the world’s most spectacular sites and explain the forces that have formed them. These wonders have been shaped by agents of erosion, plate tectonics, volcanic eruptions and other processes over the course of billions of years. Many are still being formed and modified at present. Volcanos, continental and oceanic rifts and ridges, great canyons and mountain ranges, exquisite caves and karst landscapes, immense deserts and other features will be illustrated, and the geological processes responsible for their formation will be examined and discussed. The goal of the course is to heighten your senses of wonder, awe and respect for our planet. The more you know and understand the natural world, the greater will be your appreciation for it. You may want to put some of these sites on your “bucket list” to visit if you haven’t already. Class Size: 25 Books/Materials: Handouts Class Type: Lecture/ Discussion/ DVDs Materials Fee: None
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Class #: #Sessions: Dates: Location: WW811 8 Jan 11 – Mar 1 JUC Title: Current Events B (A second offering of this same class is Tuesday morning.) Facilitators: Blu Wagner and Steve Nelson NOTE: Participants must have the ability to receive email. Class Description: New and engaging topics for this class are continually emerging, as our city, state, country and world are constantly in flux.... economy, politics, environment, gender and racial divides, wars and aggressions, health care issues, ... take your pick! To this end, class participants will receive two or three emailed articles per week in advance of class, one from each co-facilitator, drawing from sources such as the Washington Post, The Economist, The Nation, The Consortium of Independent Journalists, The New York Times and others. The first half of class time will be devoted to lively discussions regarding these topics. If students have information which bolsters or disputes the articles sent, they are invited to bring it to class. The guiding principle here is dialogue rather than dogmatism! After break, the class is open to news items presented by the participants themselves, who are encouraged to bring timely topics of interest to the table. The objective of the class is an informative, engaging sharing of ideas, experiences and viewpoints on current topics. Please bring an open mind, tolerance of differences, and a good sense of humor! Class Size: 20 Books/Materials: Articles will be selected and sent by email from the facilitators. Class Requirement: Participants must have the ability to receive email. Class Type: Discussion Materials Fee: None
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Wednesday 1:00 – 3:00 PM Class #: WW832
#Sessions: 8
Dates: Jan 11 – Mar 8
Location: JUC
No class Jan 18
Title: An Exploration of Don Quixote, by Miguel de Cervantes Facilitator: Carol Anthony Class Description: Frankly, I can’t say it any better than Wikipedia: “Don Quixote is considered one of the most influential works of literature from the Spanish Golden Age and the entire Spanish literary canon. As a founding work of modern Western Literature…it regularly appears high on the lists of the greatest works of fiction ever published.” The story follows the adventures of a hidalgo named Don Alonso Quixano who reads so many chivalric romances that he loses his mind and decides to set out to revive chivalry, undo wrongs, and bring justice to the world. If you’ve seen Man of La Mancha, you still don’t know Don Quixote. The novel both establishes and utilizes so many important genres of Western literature: the novel, satire, chivalric romance, burlesque, and the picaresque hero to mention some, that its stature on the list of the founding works of this literature is unassailable. Any appreciation of Spanish culture, particularly literature, must include Don Quixote. So come along on our enlightening and amusing journey in an exploration of this classic tome. Warning: This book is approximately 970 pages, so the reading assignments could be punishing, although this could be mitigated if you start reading the book early (before the course starts??). On the other hand, it’s pretty easy reading (really!) and seriously funny. To finish we will need to survey about 120 pages a week. Also, if you haven’t read the “assigned” readings for each week, there will be nothing to talk about. Hmmmmmm. It will really be boring then. Class Size: 25 Required Text: (Please purchase in advance.) Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra. The Ingenious Hidalgo Don Quixote de la Mancha. Translated by John Rutherford. Introduction by Roberto Gonzalez Echevarria. New York: Penguin, 2000. (Note: This is a paperback edition.) Class Type: Discussion Materials Fee: None
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Class #: #Sessions: Dates: WW842 8 Jan 11 – Mar 1 Title: Medical and Scientific Breakthroughs Facilitator: Barb Adams
Location: JUC
Class Description: Advances today in medicine and science are producing gamechanging breakthroughs that shape healthcare and improve peoples’ lives. So much to learn, so little time! Weekly Topics: 1. Cancer, The Big C: Advances for treatment and prevention. 2. Heart Health - You Take My Heart Away: The latest treatments for cardiovascular or heart disease--how can you keep from getting a heart attack? 3. Steps Toward a Cure for Alzheimer’s Disease: I forget - what was I talking about? How do you know if you have Alzheimer's Disease, the scientific steps forward to a cure, and what you can do about it today? 4. Zzzzzzzzz…The Importance of Sleep & How to Improve It: Is sleep important? How much should you get? The effects of lack of sleep and how to get better sleep. 5. Breakthroughs in Mental Illness: Am I just crazy, or crazy crazy? Explaining the why's of mental illness, its effects and modern breakthroughs in treating it. 6. Memory and Sleep – Sleep On It: How does memory work, what happens to your memory when you sleep, or more importantly, when you don't sleep? 7. The Brain: New findings and understanding of what’s going on up there, and mapping of how it works. 8. Stem Cell Therapy: Where it all begins, how it works and what’s at the end. Class Size: Unlimited Books/Materials: None Class Type: Lecture/ Discussion Materials Fee: None
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Class #: #Sessions: Dates: Location: WW382 3 Jan 25 – Feb 8 JUC Title: Knock-out Punches against Thomas Jefferson that Don't Land Facilitator: Jack Van Ens Class Description: Thomas Jefferson's life is a maze of contradictions. He was an advocate of liberty who owned slaves. He championed limited government but circumvented congressional approval to buy the Louisiana Purchase. He started the first American secular university, the University of Virginia, but demanded its moral base shape all teaching. This class will investigate these contradictions. Class Size: Unlimited Books/Materials: Handouts Class Type: Lecture/ Discussion Materials Fee: None Class #: #Sessions: Dates: WW662 6 Jan 11 – Feb 15 Title: Anyone Can Think Like a Genius Facilitator: Pat Emery
Location: JUC
Class Description: This six-session class is based on the PBS series “Genius,” with Stephen Hawking. Each of the six one-hour episodes poses a “big question,” such as “What Are We,” “Where Did the Universe Begin?” and “Can We Travel in Time?” Hawking’s premise is that “anyone can think like a genius.” Each episode features three non-scientists who are given appropriate tools and are led through a series of “challenges" to help them figure out what we have learned (and how scientists learned it) about the answers to these big questions. Each of the six sessions of the class will begin by watching an episode. We'll spend the second hour discussing each of the “challenges” the three volunteers faced and the concepts involved. Class Size: 25 Books/Materials: None Class Type: Discussion/ DVD Materials Fee: None 27
Thursday 9:30 – 11:30 AM Class #: #Sessions: Dates: Location: WTH881 8 Jan 12 – Mar 2 JUC Title: What’s Up Doc(umentary)? Facilitator: Tom Hughes Course Description: Documentaries can be informative, persuasive, entertaining, disturbing and sometimes just propaganda. In this class, we will view documentaries on selected subjects, then discuss what we have seen and heard. The subjects will cover a number of current topics of interest, such as those involving government, science, technology and social issues. The class members can decide whether they were informed, persuaded, entertained, disturbed or propagandized by the documentary. No advance preparation is necessary, just bring an open mind. A willingness to share your thoughts with others and a sense of humor are welcome, too! Class size: Maximum 35 Books/materials: Occasional handouts Class type: Video, Discussion Materials fee: None Class #: #Sessions: Dates: Location: WTH831 8 Jan 12 –Mar 2 JUC Title: Great Decisions Facilitators: Sherma Erholm, Colleen Jorgensen, Jeff Pederson Course Description: The Winter Term brings with it Great Decisions 2017! Every January an updated Great Decision text is available with new, current world topics for discussion. The class encourages continued participation by its members in the form of prepreparation, personal knowledge, and willingness to share experiences with the group. The facilitator sends out additional material prior to the classes to enhance timeliness of the subject and to stimulate dialog.
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This year’s topics are: ◦ The Future of Europe: What will post-Brexit Europe look like, and how can U.S. foreign policy adapt? ◦ Trade and Politics: What is the U.S. political mood toward trade and economic stature? ◦ Conflict in the South China Sea: The South China Sea is a locus of competing territorial claims, and China its most vocal claimant. Preventing tensions from boiling over is a matter of careful diplomacy. ◦ Saudi Arabia in Transition: As Saudi Arabia struggles to adjust to the drastic decline in oil revenue, Deputy Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman attempts to boldly transform the country and shift more power to the younger generation, while many countries point out injustices. ◦ U.S. Foreign Policy and Petroleum: What is the effect of U.S. petroleum security on foreign policy? ◦ Latin America’s Political Pendulum: The pendulum of Latin American politics is swinging rightward once again. The forces of change have more to do with socioeconomics than ideology. ◦ Prospects for Afghanistan and Pakistan: The incoming administration has a choice: Will it maintain the status quo, completely reverse the Obama administration drawdown or withdraw completely? Does the U.S. face a no-win situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan? ◦ Nuclear Security: Nuclear nonproliferation was a top priority for the Obama administration. While the Iran Deal was a diplomatic victory toward this end, major threats persist from both state and non-state actors. In a fractious world, what is the way forward for U.S. nuclear security policy? Class Size: 25 Books/Materials: Great Decisions 2017 Edition; (You will receive the first chapter by email prior to the first class. The text will be available to you at the first class.) Class Type: Reading/ Discussion Materials Fee: $25 for Great Decisions booklet (Please issue separate check for the text, payable to OLLI West.)
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Class #: #Sessions: Dates: WTH811 8 Jan 12 – Mar 2 Title: Non-Fiction Writing: The Memoir Facilitator: Frank Kaplan
Location: JUC
Class Description: The focus of this course is for participants to write memoir articles and share them with the class. Sharing stories is an effective way of improving one's writing style. Writing is not easy, nor is the commitment to writing seven memoir pieces during the quarter. I will suggest weekly writing assignments. If you find my suggestions unworkable, you may choose your own. Depending on time, brief discussion may follow each reading. Class Size: 15 Books/Materials: Handouts Class Type: Discussion/ Hands-On Activities to include writing Materials Fee: None
Thursday 9:30 – NOON Class #: #Sessions: Dates: Location: WTH821 8 Jan 12 – Mar 2 JUC Title: America as Seen Through the Eyes of Its Film Makers, Part 2 Facilitator: Barry Bley Class Description:
We will look at and examine films basically from the end of WWII up to the late 1970's. Our twin foci will be: 1. The film as a piece of film and 2. What picture(s) of our country is /are being portrayed by this particular film? This class will run for two and a half hours to give us time to reflect on how the movies have looked at our nation and perhaps at ourselves. Class Size: 35 Books/Materials: Class Type: Videos/ Discussion Materials Materials Fee: None
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Thursday 1:00 – 3:00 PM Class #: #Sessions: Dates: Location: WTH4102 4 Jan 12 – Feb 2 JUC Title: Composition Techniques for Improving Your Photography Facilitator: Barbara Gal Class Description: In this class you will be introduced to some basic rules of composition that will improve your photography, no matter what level you presently are at. Each week you will be introduced to a few of these rules and sent home to practice them. At the following session, we will critique a few of your photos and discuss how the rules were used. Then we will learn a few more rules, go home to shoot, and critique again until our time is over. If you are using a digital camera, you will bring in your photos on a jump drive. If using film, you will bring in the actual photos. Class Size: 15 Books/Materials: Handouts Class Type: Lecture/ Discussion/ Hands-On Activities Materials Fee: None Class #: #Sessions: Dates: Location: WTH842 8 Jan 12 – Mar 2 JUC Title: The Gilded Age: A Turning Point in U.S. History Facilitator: Anne Christner Class Description: Severe income inequality. Powerful corporations that want no regulations but expect government support for bailouts and infrastructure. Immigrants filling low-wage jobs. Calls for education reform. Think these are only recent issues? Take a look at the Gilded Age for a baseline. The “Gilded Age” refers to the amazing boom in industrial output and prosperity in the United States between 1870 and 1900. It witnessed the rise of self-made men and captains of industry, powerful corporations, unimaginable wealth and opulence, and a sizable middle class. This late 19th century phenomenon, which primarily affected the North and West, including Colorado, was characterized by get-rich schemes and laissez-faire attitudes and policies that clearly enriched the 31
few. But was it beneficial for everyone and for the country as a whole? Higher productivity did lead to higher wages, which attracted workers to our urban areas and immigrants to the country. But rapid urbanization and industrialization led to a number of new social problems largely ignored by those in power. These detrimental effects of the economic boom produced many reform movements that sought to level the playing field or at least lessen the inequalities. The term “Gilded Age” was introduced by Mark Twain in 1873, but was not adopted as an “official” label for the period until the 1920s and 1930s. During that later period, social commentators and historians used "Gilded Age" as a pejorative term to describe a time of materialistic excesses combined with extreme poverty. “Captains of Industry” were renamed “Robber Barons.” Hindsight can be a powerful vantage point! This course will consider questions about why historians believe that the Gilded Age witnessed the birth of modern America, including American ideas and ideals that continue to be held and debated today. Class Size: 25 Books/Materials: None Class Type: Lecture/ Discussion with use of video/ PowerPoint Materials Fee: None Class #: #Sessions: Dates: Location: WTH862 8 Jan 12 – Mar 2 SoH Title: Medieval England: From the Conqueror through Richard III Facilitator: Joe Clements Course Description: NOTE: This course is very similar to one offered at OLLI South in Spring 2013 titled Medieval England: From Richard I through Henry VII. Those who attended that course will find this one to be redundant.
The latter part of the Middle Ages in England was a period of rebellions, wars, increased prosperity for many, and an early death for up to one-third of the population due to the mysterious spread of the Black Death. This course will explore the period from the Battle of Hastings through the Magna Carta, the Hundred Years War and the Wars of the Roses, to the death of the last Plantagenet, Richard III. More than the names, dates and battles of our high school history courses, we will examine the economy, 32
religion, politics and other developments and their impact on ordinary men and women of the time. The course will be based on a lecture series, The Story of Medieval England: From King Arthur to the Tudor Conquest. Using the second half of this Teaching Company course, two 30-minute lectures will be shown during each class with additional explanation and discussion following each lecture. For those wishing to learn more about the daily life of the times, assignments in the optional text will be provided each week. During class, there will be limited time to discuss the text reading. Class Size: Unlimited Recommended Reading: The Time Traveler’s Guide to Medieval England: A Handbook for Visitors to the Fourteenth Century by Ian Mortimer (2008 or 2011) Class Type: Lecture/ Discussion Materials Fee: None Class #: #Sessions: WTH872 8 Title: Chess: The Game Facilitator: Bob Magnani
Dates: Jan 12 – Mar 2
Location: SoH
Class Description: Chess is challenging and fun to play at any level – from beginner to Grand Master. Come with us and learn how the pieces move, how the game is played, some major openings (Ruy-Lopez, Four Knights, Sicilian, Queens Gambit, etc.), principles of end-game play, and exciting bar-room traps like the Fried Liver Attack, the Danish Opening, the Fischer and the Kings Gambits. The course will consist of short videos on important aspects of the game, live play and discussion of what we have seen, (voluntary) occasional reports on a particular opening or Master game, and a lot of inhouse play of what we are learning. We will close with a final session “speed” tournament within the class. Depending on the interest of the class participants, there may be a visit to Denver Chess Club on a Tuesday evening. Class Size: 15 Books/Materials: Handouts Class Type: Lecture/ Hands-On Activities Materials Fee: $10.00 33
Class #: #Sessions: Dates: Location: WTH492 4 Jan 12 – Feb 2 SoH Title: Personal Investing, Part I: Are You Smarter Than a Monkey? Facilitator: Mark Teter Class Description: Learning to invest during retirement is challenging. Attending this four-week beginner’s class, you will better understand how to invest during retirement, how to use simple short- and long-term investing strategies, and how to better manage portfolio risks and financial market uncertainties. Class Size: 25 Books/Materials: None Class Type: Lecture/ Discussion Materials Fee: None Class #: #Sessions: Dates: Location: WTH852 8 Jan 12 – Mar 2 JUC Title: Existentialism: Thoughts on the Benign Indifference of the Universe and More Facilitator: Joseph Woodson Class Description: Is there an ultimate meaning to life and the human journey? Existentialism’s themes and directions come from throughout the history of philosophy and came to a growing fruition in the lives of Kierkegaard and Nietzsche. Then came World War II and the world's recovery from the devastation. A street bar in Paris and a room upstairs for writing and off we go, with names like Sartre, Camus, and deBeauvoir emerging. At stake is nothing less than the meaning of life itself when all quest for easy and palliative answers appears to be absent. Existentialism is born, and so is a vocabulary of deep thought and challenge. These words and themes have a continued relevance and meaning for our times. Come, let’s explore this and our own lives and times together. Class Size: 35 Books/Materials: Handouts Required Reading: At the Existentialist Café: Freedom, Being, and Apricot Cocktails, Author: Sarah Bakewell, ISBN 9781590514887 – please purchase in advance Class Type: Lecture/ Discussion Materials Fee: $15.00 34
Friday 9:30 – 11:30 AM Class#: #Sessions: Dates: WF811 8 Jan 13 – Mar 3 Title: When More is Never Enough: The Story of Contemporary Economics Facilitator: Alec Tsoucatos Class Description:
Location: JUC
We will consider the achievements of both economics as a discipline and as practical application in its principal manifestation as Capitalism. We will review contradictions, limitations and crises that Capitalism is prone to, as we have become aware of them. Here is a preliminary list of difficulties we face: the impossibility of further growth with the attendant exhaustion of physical resources and pollution, the extreme inequality of income and wealth, the economic power of the transnational corporations and the usurpation of influence over work and governance, the dysfunctional financial and monetary systems, both domestic and global, the emergence of robotics and the loss of jobs to "intelligent" machines, consumerism and the decline of wellbeing, the deterioration of the quality of food and any other items suggested by the class members. We will also propose and assess actual and possible solutions to the above and ways of putting such solutions to practice in our own communities. I hope to address the conundrums we face as a species from a scientific, philosophical, psychological and spiritual perspective and will depend on class members to fill in the considerable gaps as necessary. The facilitator will provide materials and bibliography for members to consult at their leisure and convenience. We are limiting the class size to allow for good dialogue following a one-hour presentation at the beginning of each class to set the tone.
Class Size: 15 Books/Materials: Handouts Required Reading: Laudato Si Pope Francis’ Encyclical, Pope Francis (free downloadable version: http://w2.vatican.va/content/dam/francesco/pdf/encyclicals/docum ents/papa-francesco_20150524_enciclica-laudato-si_en.pdf) Class Type: Lecture/Discussion Materials Fee: $5.00
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Class #: WF621
Dates: Location: Jan 13 – Mar 3 JUC No class Jan 27 or Feb 10 Title: Who Are You? Discover Your DNA and Preserve Your Family History Facilitator: Deena Countant Class Description: Have all the popular genealogy TV shows and ads intrigued you to learn more about how to dig into your DNA or family history? This course covers the gamut of how you can discover and preserve your own family’s genealogy: • Understand your motivations for getting started so that your actions, money and time spent align with your goals and final intended outcomes; • Discover how DNA testing (genetic genealogy) has become a major puzzle piece to help solve family mysteries, including learning about the three main DNA test types, the testing labs and tools, the type of results to expect, the ethics of DNA testing; • Walk through the traditional research process, including methods, records and resources to build a solid foundation in your paper trail or online family tree; • Put it all together to create a preservation plan so that your genealogy, DNA results and photos can be enjoyed by future generations. The facilitator will provide many real-world examples and scenarios from her client work to give students ideas of how they may be able to craft their own interesting family history, learning more about who they are in the process. Optional homework assignments are provided to reinforce the learning process and stretch the imagination. Come and learn how to get started in the fun and meaningful hobby of all things genealogy! Class Size: Unlimited Books/Materials: None Class Type: Lecture Materials Fee: None (Optional DNA testing will be available; there is a fee for that.)
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#Sessions: 6
INTERACTIVE LEARNING OPPORTUNITY
OLLI CHORALE Here is your opportunity to sing in a choir year round, in an ongoing chorale group that meets weekly. Taught by singing teacher, choir and musical theatre expert Robyn Yamada, this fun-filled OLLI Chorale welcomes people of all ability who love to sing and who would prefer to do it with many voices together! We will focus on favorites and show tunes, all for the joy of singing. Members of the OLLI Chorale also may perform at other events. 8 weeks – Fridays: January 13th – March 3rd Location – B’nai Havurah, 6445 E. Ohio Ave., Rm 3. Denver. Enter from parking lot on east side. Time: 10 am to noon Cost: $55 members - $65 guests Checks are payable to OLLI Central.
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OLLI West Facilitators At the heart of OLLI are our facilitators and curriculum. OLLI is successful because every term we have an intriguing curriculum and a “faculty” of dedicated people volunteering their time to make it happen. They all find many different ways to organize a class based on the topic and their style – some prepare discussion questions from the text they have chosen; some prefer using lecture tapes and building a discussion around them; others have members of the class give reports; and many invite guest lecturers. These are our Winter Term Facilitators: Barbara Adams, PhD obtained her PhD in Neuroscience/Psychology and went into research science at the University of Arizona. She was active in the fields of research in oncology, gastrointestinal, women’s health, HIV, and cardiovascular, as well as an active investigator in Alzheimer’s Disease. As her own practice grew over 20 years, she became known as a primary Principal Investigator for sleep disorders and psychiatry. It was due to her efforts that Zolpidem CR (Ambien) was approved by the FDA and marketed. She was also a principal in the development of Namenda for Alzheimer’s, Seroquel for psychiatric disorders, and Remerol for sleep problems. As a CEO, she oversaw ten offices worldwide with a staff of over 100, including substantial work in China. Some awards include the Congressional Medal of Distinction, Business Woman of the year for 2006 and 2007, and Senatorial Inner Circle Commission. Retired now, she lives in Denver and is still active in stem cell therapy. She is the scientific speaker for Royal Caribbean Cruise lines, speaking on medical breakthroughs in cancer, cardiovascular, Alzheimer’s, sleep, memory, psychiatry/brain, and stem cell therapy. Carol Anthony received her BS in English Education and MA in English Literature from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, IL. She migrated to Denver and taught English at Westminster High School for 32 years. She has pursued postgraduate studies in Old and Medieval English at CU, and, being a big believer in the adage that “one can never know too much,” 38
has developed an extensive background in Classical and NorseGermanic mythology, Ancient Middle Eastern civilization and culture, and the history of language. For fun, she also sings and dances with a performing arts group: The Northland Chorale. Barry Bley, BA, MA, JD was born and raised in upstate New York. He studied American History and government at Columbia University and obtained his law degree from Rutgers. He taught in the public schools of Suffern, NY from 1965 to 1998. He moved to Colorado in 1998, taught in the Denver Public Schools for 10 years and retired in 2008. Barry and his life partner have six children and seven grandkids. He enjoys watching stock car races and operating his antique model trains. Anne Marshall Christner, PhD, OLLI Master Facilitator, has a long interest in social and economic change -- how it comes about, who benefits, and what are the outcomes. She earned a PhD in Sociology from the University of Massachusetts – Amherst, and her BS and MS from the University of Oklahoma. Anne has facilitated many courses at OLLI. Joe Clements has facilitated many courses at OLLI, primarily history. Joe enjoys travel, golf and a variety of other activities. A professed Anglophile, he enjoys reading and discussing British history. Roger Collins is a graduate of the University of Denver with a degree in marketing. He retired after 25 years of managing a number of Sears Roebuck retail stores in Colorado and Wyoming. Following that career, he and his wife became involved with the early days of the Signal Graphics Printing franchise. After creating and operating for 15 years the largest printing operation of the franchise's 50 + businesses worldwide, he and his wife retired for a second time. He then became immersed in a hobby concerning American Indians. The last 16 years have involved studying the history, cultures, lifestyles and religions of American Indians. He has traveled extensively, spending from one day to one week with various tribes throughout the United States as well as Alaska, Canada, Mexico and Peru (Machu Picchu), to learn of their Indian civilizations. His library of 1400 books about American Indians has been used to help his understanding of these "First People." He has 39
over 100 DVDs reviewing different events in Indian history of which some of the information will be shared with various groups. Roger's collection of Native American artifacts and Indian art and crafts are shared and explained during classes that he presents. History, stories and dancing are weaved into his discussion concerning the American Indian. Previous classes have been given to school age children from preschool to high school, boy scout groups, church groups, special clubs and organizations as well as teaching classes to retired and elderly groups including OLLI and the Academy. Roger has written four books about American Indians about history, powwows, ceremonies and spirituality. The book information will be shared with his groups. Currently he is treasurer of his church, board member of the "Friends of Native Arts" of the Denver Art Museum as well as the Stronghold Society. Jamie Cookinham, was born in Topeka, KS, and raised in Spain. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1968 and served on nuclear submarines. He worked for Westinghouse in Spain where he and his wife, Cindy, lived in Caceres. Jamie considers Spain his second country after living there for more than 11 years. Many of his best friends are Spanish, and Jamie and his wife return to Spain frequently. He has lived in Golden for almost four years. Deena Countant is a full-time professional researcher and genetic genealogist. She is passionate about connecting the past, present and future generations through stories, photos or by uncovering the DNA of those ancestors who were previously lost to history. She provides strategies to help her clients successfully discover, celebrate, share and properly preserve their families’ legacies, through both traditional genealogical research and DNA testing. Deena offers a unique blend of DNA and genealogy services through her company, DigiDeena Family Heritage Solutions. Jack Dais grew up on a farm and has maintained lifelong interests in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Now retired for nearly 20 years, he is the fourth person to have climbed all 1,313 Colorado peaks higher than 12,000 feet. In earlier days, he taught aerospace engineering at the University of Minnesota and developed communications 40
technologies at Bell Labs. Jack has facilitated OLLI courses on Corporate Collapses, Nuclear Energy, Meteorology and Mt. Everest Expeditions. He now serves as past President of the Advisory Council for OLLI West. Jim Elliott, OLLI Master Facilitator, retired in 2000 after 34 years with the U.S. Geological Survey. His education includes degrees in geology from the University of Washington and Stanford University. As a geologist his principal fields of studies were in Nevada and Montana. International work included seven years in Saudi Arabia and short trips to several countries. Susan Elliott holds a M.A. degree from Stanford University in Art Education, has taught studio art for 20 years at the college level and has previously worked at the Denver Art Museum. She is a practicing artist and considers herself an art history "junkie." She has facilitated OLLI courses on Van Gogh, O'Keeffe, Matisse and most recently Andrew and Jamie Wyeth. Sherma Erholm, OLLI Master Facilitator, is a retired educator with a Bachelor’s degree in Speech and Music and a Master’s in Communication Theory and Psychology. She now enjoys researching in order to facilitate OLLI discussion classes and speakers’ series in widely varying areas of interest in and out of her field of expertise. These include such subjects as: China Rising, Mid-East in Turmoil, Iran/Persia, post- WWII Egypt, Genghis Khan, the U.N., evolution, futurism, persuasion and others. For fun she likes to sing, garden, hike, ski and snowshoe. Sherma loves traveling to meet other people while learning of their cultures, and has recently become involved with service projects in developing countries. Pat Emery is a long time member of Jefferson Unitarian Church (JUC). She has used her B.S. in Physics (UC Irvine, 1979) as a foundation for exploring the results of modern cosmological research. She has facilitated classes and discussions on the topic at JUC and other Denver area locations for over 20 years, with the goal of making the concepts involved accessible to nonscientists.
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Patricia Gaffney-Kindig has a Bachelor’s Degree in Studio Arts with a major in figure drawing from Connecticut State University, a Master’s Degree in Education, and a second Master’s Degree in Supervision and Administration. She had four fellowships at Yale University’s School of Art & Architecture where was she was accepted to the Master’s Degree Program in Environmental Design. Patricia also held a Pimms fellowship at Wesleyan University focusing on the relationship between mathematics and art. Patricia painted murals in schools in New Haven, CT; Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, and in the pediatric emergency room at Yale-New Haven Hospital. She also developed a workplace art gallery in New Haven. Patricia has studied art history and architecture extensively. She’s inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright and Louise Nevelson, among others. Barbara Gal is a retired teacher, teaching high school art and photography for 31 years. After her first retirement she taught art education courses at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design and the University of Denver. Now she is fully retired and concentrating on her own art and photography. She is a member of NEXT Gallery and a founding member of 40 West Arts. Warren Hamilton, PhD, OLLI Senior Facilitator, is a Distinguished Senior Scientist in the Department of Geophysics at the Colorado School of Mines after a long research career in North American and global geology and geophysics with the U.S. Geological Survey. His A.B. and Ph.D. degrees were earned at UCLA, and his M.S. at USC. He has received honors for his research in many broad topics of geoscience. Jerry Henderson, OLLI Master Facilitator, has facilitated various literature classes at OLLI for many years. He attended the Missouri School of Mines, earning BS and MS degrees in Petroleum Engineering and Computer Science, and worked throughout the domestic and international oil industry, specializing in investment and portfolio optimization. He is currently employed as an instructor in Petroleum Finance, Economics, and Acquisition with classes in London, Calgary and Houston several times annually. He also acts as Chairman of a Canadian Junior Oil Company. Jerry’s OLLI work has specialized in Southern and Western fiction with sidebar efforts 42
in the experiences of the 1950’s. He currently has an ongoing facilitation of the New Yorker magazine as an eight-part class. His interest in literature was largely derived by the reading of a Carnegie Library “front-to-back” as a child in a very small Missouri town on-the-Mississippi River. Tom Hughes is a veteran OLLI West student who has enjoyed every one of his classes. He is a lifelong learner who loves to join with others in discussing the issues of the day. His background includes a varied career in the financial services industry, as well as significant experience as a volunteer in a number of not-for-profit organizations. Tom has a B.A. from CUBoulder and an MBA from Washington University in St. Louis. Don Ireland is an ambassador for the Habitat Hero program. As a volunteer HOA president at Cherry Creek 3 in Denver, he started a water-conservation and landscape make-over program that yielded a more beautiful campus and saved 15 million gallons of water in a year. These days, he talks about the importance of saving water through planting native species, which helps pollinating species locally and helps sustain our eco-system. Don has won several awards for his work and has been featured in two environmental documentaries. His colorful power point program tells all he meets, "If we can do it, you can, too!" Audubon Rockies, Plant Select, Denver Botanic Gardens, Terra Foundation and other local garden centers sponsor Don's ongoing message throughout Colorado and beyond. He will try to inspire you to become a Habitat Hero award winner in your neighborhood during his presentation. Colleen Jorgensen is a retired college administrator who has never met a field of science she didn’t love. Her undergraduate degree is in chemistry with a minor in biology, and her Master’s is in applied mathematics. She is a member of the Colorado Mycology Society and is having great fun with her new hobby: finding and identifying fungi.
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Frank Kaplan taught non-fiction writing classes at the University of Colorado, Boulder, for 30 years. He has published journal articles, commentaries, opinion pieces, monographs and book reviews in various publications here and abroad. Prior to joining the CU faculty, he was a staff writer for community newspapers in the Los Angeles area. Leah Kovach is a Colorado Symphony violist and holds a Master of Music degree from Rice University. Leah has extensive professional experience as a performer and educator, and a friendly and welcoming delivery style. She is excited to bring her insider knowledge of the symphony world to a class of curious adult learners. Bob Magnani has been an OLLI member for six years, attending classes at all three Denver locations. His background includes both Arts and Engineering degrees, telecommunications design work, and management at Bell Laboratories and at US West Advanced Technologies and Product Management at AT&T. Bob has a lifelong interest in film, theater and acting, and is delighted to be able to pursue these interests at OLLI. Bob’s interests also include chess. He has played chess, on and off, since age 10 and once belonged to the New York Chess Club in Manhattan. Steve Nelson was born in Texas but raised in Oregon. Steve graduated from Oregon State University with a degree in Political Science. He then served for three years as a Marine Corps Officer before joining Electronic Data Systems in 1973. He spent the next 30 years developing and maintaining computer systems to support Health Insurance and Financial Information Systems in the United States and the Asia-Pacific region. He spent 11 years with Cognosante, LLC, as a project manager and consultant. Currently Steve serves on the board of AT HOME in Evergreen, a non-profit organization promoting affordable workforce housing in the greater Evergreen area. Jeff Pederson has a BA in political science/Asian studies, and a Master's in public administration. He was a community college instructor years ago and has retired from the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. He and his wife live in Golden. 44
William Richardson is a retired Executive Director of a community action agency in Berks County, PA. He is a graduate of American University, with graduate work at Penn State. He has had extensive involvement in community and civic organizations in Reading, PA, such as the school board, World Affairs Council and Parking Authority. Old family records uncovered several diaries about his father’s extensive World War I experiences and form the basis for his presentation on World War I. He has presented this program to groups in Michigan, where he summers, and in Pennsylvania. Mark Teter was the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) for 18 years with the Advanced Systems Group. He now helps institutional investors, investment bankers, private equity firms and venture capital firms learn about market trends, technologies and legal issues affecting the companies they are researching. He is currently ranked in the top 2% of Wall Street advisers working for Gerson Lehrman Group based in NYC. Mr. Teter was a Faculty Staff Member at Colorado State University, writing over 50 white papers as well publishing Paradigm Shift, a book on emerging technologies. Alec Tsoucatos, PhD was born to Greek parents in Alexandria, Egypt, a day before Pearl Harbor in 1941. He attended a primary British school in Alexandria and finished Junior High and High School in Athens, Greece. He has lived in Egypt, Greece, England and America. He received his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Economics from UC Berkeley and his PhD from CU Boulder under the tutelage of Kenneth Boulding. His main interests are in new economics, integrative medicine, positive psychology and progressive mystical Christianity. Jack R. Van Ens, PhD is a dramatist who makes history come alive by portraying Thomas Jefferson and the Puritan preacher Jonathan Edwards. He writes weekly commentaries for newspapers. Van Ens is a Presbyterian minister. Princeton Theological Seminary, combined with occasional studies at Princeton University, conferred on Van Ens two Master degrees in colonial history and American religious history. He also earned a Princeton doctorate in communications.
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Blu Wagner, PhD joined OLLI West after taking classes through The Academy. She has worked in several fields including journalism, art and psychology. She holds a PhD in psychology, and has practiced in public mental health clinics, the university setting, and in private practice. A lifetime learner, she greatly enjoys the intellectual stimulation and camaraderie of OLLI classes with the added bonus of not being required to write papers or pass tests. Larry Walling’s professional career spanned more than 31 years with the National Park Service’s Denver Service Center. This office, located in Lakewood, CO, provides planning, design and construction services to the 413 units of the National Park System. More than 240 professional designers and engineers protect and preserve cultural and natural resources while providing infrastructure facilities at all scales in sensitive locations of national and international significance. In retirement, Larry has assisted the U.S. Department of the Interior – International Technical Assistance Program and USAID, by leading teams of professionals to Tanzania and the Republic of Georgia. In Tanzania, he worked with the Tanzania National Parks on several Wildlife Management Areas adjacent to well-known parks and, during a subsequent trip, in Gombe National Park with the Jane Goodall Institute. On four trips to the Republic of Georgia, with multidisciplinary teams, he produced schematic designs for park facilities, lectured, and taught classes on best practices of sustainable infrastructure and facility management. Maggie Wohlberg is a fairly recent transplant to Colorado, moving from St Louis in 2011. She began her career as a high school English and Biology teacher and later started working in her father’s insurance agency, which she eventually took over and ran for nearly 30 years. She decided years ago that seeing her Colorado kids and grandkids only once or twice a year was not nearly enough, so she packed up and moved. Maggie started volunteering as a way to become a part of her new community, and then she was introduced to the OLLI program. It was a lifeline for her – opening new areas of interest and forging new friendships. She is grateful to have such a vibrant program in her life. These days she tells people that she is from Missouri by the accident of birth but lives in Colorado by choice! 46
Joe Woodson, PhD, OLLI Master Facilitator, is a retired Presbyterian Minister with a Doctor of Ministry Degree from the Iliff School of Theology. He has been Adjunct Faculty with the College of St Francis in Joliet, IL, teaching World Religion and Religion in America courses. He has centered his courses in philosophy and non-religious spirituality with courses such as Existentialism, Philosophical Meandering, Spirituality for the Skeptic, and Spirituality for the Atheist. He calls philosophy his post-doctoral work without having to report to anyone! Fortythree years married to Arlene have been both a love and philosophical adventure!
How can you find out about becoming a facilitator? It is quite easy. You begin by simply indicating your interest to anyone on the Curriculum Committee. They will be delighted to answer your questions and offer suggestions
OLLI West 2016 – 2017 Advisory Council Nick Muller, President Malcom Tarkanian, Vice President Joan Sample
Sherma Erholm
Tom Hughes
Peter Lohaus
Jim Keller
Judy Allison
Maggie Wohlberg
Susan Schmetzer, Manager
Jack Dais, Past President
Al White, Budget Coordinator
Mamie Thompson, Curriculum Nancy White, Past Curriculum Committee Chair Chair
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OLLI West Curriculum Committee Curriculum Committee Chair: Mamie Thompson 303-422-0950
mamie6318@gmail.com
Subcommittee Chairs: Arts/Literature/Writing 303-202-3669 Karen Lush 303-279-9522 LaVonne Angus
karenklush@msn.com vonangus@gmail.com
Current Events Tom Hughes
eth5530@cs.com
303-278-2823
History/Economics 303-238-7123 Hille Dais
daishl1247@gmail.com
InterActive Learning and Special Presentations Sandra Morgan
303-284-7203
skiwithsandra@comcast.net
Philosophy/Religion/Psychology Acting Co-Chairs: 303-279-6258 crichtonsr@aol.com Sue Crichton 720-328-9556 carlson_wendy@yahoo.com Wendy Carlson Science/Technology/Environmental/Engineering/Math (STEM) 303-642-3622 b.adamsphd@gmail.com Barb Adams WellAware Jim Halderman
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303-989-2284
jimspeaker@comcast.net
OLLI West Locations Classes are held at two locations – Jefferson Unitarian Church (JUC) 14350 West 32nd Ave Golden, CO 80401
Shepherd of the Hill Presbyterian Church (SoH) 11500 West 20th Ave Lakewood, CO 80215
Directions can be found on our website: https://portfolio.du.edu/olliwest 49
OLLI Administration OLLI at the University of Denver 2211 South Josephine Street Denver, CO 80208 Barbe Ratcliffe, OLLI Executive Director (303) 871-3090 barbara.ratcliffe@du.edu Paul Simon, OLLI Central Manager (303) 300-9940 Paul.simon@du.edu Darcey Van Wagner, OLLI Central Operations Manager (303) 871-3090 Darcey.vanwagner@du.edu Debbie Loftin, OLLI Administrative Assistant (303) 871-3090 Debra.loftin@du.edu Jenny Fortenberry, OLLI South Manager (720) 339-1379 ollisouth@gmail.com Faye Hastings, OLLI South Assistant (720) 339-1379 fayehast@comcast.net Susan Schmetzer, OLLI West Manager (303) 503-3992 susanolliwest@gmail.com Dara Hughes, OLLI West Assistant (303) 912-9389 daraolliwest@gmail.com
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For information about classes at: OLLI Central http://portfolio.du.edu/olli or contact Paul Simon (303) 871-3090
OLLI South http://portfolio.du.edu/ollisouth or contact Jenny Fortenberry (720) 339-1379 or access the main OLLI DU web site www.universitycollege.du.edu/olli
Non-Profit Org U.S. Bulk Postage PAID Denver, CO Permit No. 321 at the University of Denver
2211 South Josephine Phone 303-871-3090 Fax 303-871-3303 www.universitycollege.du.edu/olli