Osher (OLLI) Winter 2025 Schedule of Courses & Events

Winter 2025

Schedule of Courses & Events

UCLA EXTENSION GAYLEY CENTER 1145 Gayley Avenue

In Westwood, a variety of public parking lots and metered parking is available throughout the village. Please expect daily parking costs to range from $3–$22 depending on time and day. For additional parking options in Westwood, go to www.uclaextension.edu/oshermap. H

Los Angeles, CA 90024

OLLI Office: Suite 120

OLLI lounge & classrooms located on the first floor.

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at UCLA

No tests. No grades. Just learning for the sheer joy of learning.

OLLI at UCLA provides a unique opportunity for individuals age 50+ to engage in an extensive program of noncredit courses and special programs amongst a dynamic community of lifelong learners.

OLLI at UCLA membership gives you access to:

• A dynamic offering of non-credit courses

• Free events exclusively for members

• Leadership & volunteer opportunities

• Discounts to select UCLA events

• Discounts with select retailers in Westwood

• OLLI member lounge in Westwood

Renew or join OLLI at UCLA today!

OLLI at UCLA membership begins the quarter you join and lasts for one full year.

Choose from two tiers of membership:

Basic Membership – $50/year

Basic members enroll at regular course fees.

Plus Membership – $295/year

Plus members enroll at significantly reduced course fees.

To enroll in courses and become a member, visit uclaextension.edu/olli.

Table of Contents

TASTE OF OSHER, page 6

SPECIAL PROGRAMS, page 10

LECTURE COURSES, page 12

DISCUSSION GROUPS, page 22

FOREIGN LANGUAGES, page 26

CREATIVITY, GAMES & MOVEMENT, page 28

LEADERSHIP & VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES, page 34

GIVING, page 35

INSTRUCTORS, page 37

GENERAL INFORMATION AND POLICIES, page 42

OLLI MEMBERSHIP & ENROLLMENT FORM, page 43

Taste of Osher

WINTER 2025 SCHEDULE

No membership is required. These two-hour seminars provide a "taste" of the programming we offer throughout the year. Taste of Osher courses are open to non-members and members alike, and are just $15 each, unless otherwise noted. OLLI Plus members can enroll at no cost. No refunds are allowed.

Ancient Bagua meets Quantum Physics, Epigenetics & Neuroscience {New Course}

Monday, January 13, 1–3 p.m.

Monks and nuns of the high-mountain Chinese monasteries used the practice of walking in circles to assist them in their devotional practices. Over several thousand years, these practices led to the development of Baguazhang or Bagua, an internal martial art that is uniquely healing and balancing for the body and mind. In this course, we learn what quantum physics, neuroscience, and epigenetic therapeutic practices have to do with the powerful and ancient healing practices of Bagua. We also experience time-proven and effective techniques to reduce stress, build the immune system response, improve our balance and much more.

REG# 400134 | INSTRUCTOR: Samuel Barnes

IN-PERSON: UCLA Extension Gayley Center, 1145 Gayley Ave, Room 112

The Conversion of Constantine to Christianity {New Course}

Friday, January 17, 10 a.m.–12 p.m.

The conversion of the Emperor Constantine to Christianity is one of the most consequential but misunderstood events in Roman history. Scholars have struggled to reconstruct the circumstances of the conversion, questioned its sincerity and even argued about its implications. In this course, we look at why we should take Constantine's conversion seriously as both a deeply personal individual experience and as one that changed the way Romans thought about the divine.

This course will be recorded. Enrolled students will have access to the video for 30 days.

REG# 400111 | INSTRUCTOR: Ed Watts

REMOTE: Zoom information is emailed to students two days before the course begins.

Torn from the Flag: A Film about

the 1956 Hungarian Revolution {New Course}

Friday, January 24, 1–4 p.m.

In this course, film director, Klaudia Kovács, presents her Oscar contender and multi-awardwinning, international documentary, Torn from the Flag (2007), about the decline of communism and the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. The following notables appear in the documentary: Mikhail Gorbachev, Ronald Reagan, Henry Kissinger, and Otto von Habsburg. The movie was made in collaboration with Mark Kramer, the director of Harvard University’s Cold War Studies Project; William Taubman, Pulitzer Prize-winning Political Scientist and Khrushchev expert; Vilmos Zsigmond, Academy Award-winning cinematographer; and Laszlo Kovacs, cinematography legend. After the screening, students take part in a discussion on the history and culture of Eastern Europe, the sociopolitical dynamics of the 20th century, and the filmmaking process itself.

REG# 401502 | INSTRUCTOR: Klaudia Kovacs

IN-PERSON: UCLA Extension Gayley Center, 1145 Gayley Ave, Room 114

Chocolate in the Americas {New Course}

Saturday, February 1, 10 a.m.–12 p.m.

Chocolate consumption began over 5000 years ago in South America as a fermented beverage made from the pulp surrounding the cacao beans. By 1757 it was being manufactured in New York, and as its popularity grew, craft chocolate developed in the 20th and 21st centuries. In this course, we explore the history, culture and economics of cacao and chocolate in the Americas. Tastings include chocolate made in the Americas from cacao beans of the Americas including Pacari (Peru), Cacao Hunters (Ecuador), Soma (Canada) and companies around the world that use beans from the Americas such as Friis-Holm (Denmark).

This course will be recorded. Enrolled students will have access to the video for 30 days.

REG# 400189 | INSTRUCTOR: Lee Theisen

IN-PERSON: UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center, 10920 Lindbrook Dr., Room 214

Introduction to Mindfulness

Thursday, February 6, 1–3 p.m.

Mindfulness training allows us to cultivate our natural capacity for greeting life with a wise and open heart, enhancing our ability to live with more joy, purpose and satisfaction. With mindfulness, it’s easier to deal with life’s challenges and surprises with less fear, anger and disappointment. Integrating Buddhist and Western approaches with current science, we are introduced to methods for calming the inner storms of thoughts and emotions. Paradoxically, by learning how to remain curious and emotionally open to all our experiences, positive and negative, our mind and body can quiet. This supports states of clarity, deeper awareness of our authentic core and creative choices and possibilities in our life. This course uses the Hybrid format which allows students to participate remotely and/or in the classroom. This course will be recorded. Students will have access to the video for 30 days.

REG# 400535 | INSTRUCTOR: Jeffrey Hutter

REMOTE: Zoom information is emailed to students two days before the course begins.

IN-PERSON: UCLA Extension Gayley Center, 1145 Gayley Ave, Room 119B

American Romanticism: The Hudson River School

Monday, March 3, 1–3 p.m.

As America transformed from its colonial period to a fully-fledged nation, the paintings of the Hudson River School of artists in the 19th century depicted the Hudson River Valley and the surrounding area, including the Catskill, Adirondack and White Mountains. Their work reflected a belief that nature in the form of the American landscape reflected God, as well as an interest in discovery and exploration as the country expanded westward. In this course, we look at how the Hudson River School artists influenced other artists to explore the American wilderness and paint the luminous skies of the Eastern Seaboard to the coppery colors of the Southwest. Artists include Thomas Cole, Asher Brown Durand, Frederic Edwin Church, Sanford Gifford, Albert Bierstadt, Thomas Moran and others.

This course will be recorded. Students will have access to the video for 30 days.

REG# 400430 | INSTRUCTOR: Eleanor Schrader

REMOTE: Zoom information is emailed to students two days before the course begins.

The Detroit Institute of Arts: History and Collection

{New Course}

Thursday, March 6, 10 a.m.–12 p.m.

In 2023, readers of USA Today voted the Detroit Institute of Arts the number one art museum in the United States. Founded in 1885 by prominent Detroit citizens, it has changed locations, undergone several expansions and grown to house over 65,000 works. In this course, we take a virtual tour of this world-renowned art museum, affectionately known as the DIA, and explore its art collection from all over the world spanning centuries, including an extensive American art collection, the first Van Gogh work in the United States and a Diego Rivera mural.

This course will be recorded. Students will have access to the video for 30 days.

REG# 400545 | INSTRUCTOR: Katherine Zoraster

REMOTE: Zoom information is emailed to students two days before the course begins.

Look Up: In Celebration of Ceilings {New Course}

Monday, March 10, 1–3 p.m.

From tile to trompe l'oeil, artists have created some of the most breathtaking images in telling the stories of mythology, religion and history in their decorative work. In this course, we look at how artists embellished ceilings in a variety of settings, from the Sistine Chapel to government office buildings to Gilded Age mansions, and how these grand, elaborately decorated spaces were intricately crafted to impress wealth, status and position. We also discuss the various techniques and motifs of the historical eras in which these works of art were created.

This course will be recorded. Students will have access to the video for 30 days.

REG# 400384 | INSTRUCTOR: Eleanor Schrader

REMOTE: Zoom information is emailed to students two days before the course begins.

Notable Jewish Musicians of Swing {New Course}

Tuesday, March 11, 10 a.m.–12 p.m.

In this course, we explore popular Jewish music stars from the 1930s, including bandleaders Benny Goodman and Artie Shaw, drummer Buddy Rich, trumpeter Ziggy Elman and singer Sophie Tucker. Included are swing-era hit songs adapted from Yiddish music: “And the Angels Sing” and “Bei Mir Bist du Schoen.”

This course will be recorded. Students will have access to the video for 30 days.

REG# 400095 | INSTRUCTOR: Dave Radlauer

REMOTE: Zoom information is emailed to students two days before the course begins.

Rebels in Frock Coats: Impressionism to Fauvism

{New Course} {UCLAxOpen}

Monday, March 17, 1–3 p.m.

The artists of the late 19th and early 20th centuries redefined the significance of the painted surface in the rapidly changing Parisian art world, pitting traditionalists against newcomers who would turn the art world upside down. Challenging time-honored traditions of classic painting genres, artists such as Édouard Manet, Claude Monet, Vincent van Gogh, Suzanne Valadon, Georges Seurat, Henri Matisse and others created a path for a new canon of modern art. In this course, we explore the lives and works of artists of the Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, Symbolist and Fauvist periods within the context of the changing social and political environments surrounding them.

This course will be recorded. Students will have access to the video for 30 days.

REG# 400385 | INSTRUCTOR: Eleanor Schrader

BASIC MEMBER FEE: $0 | PLUS MEMBER FEE: $0

REMOTE: Zoom information is emailed to students two days before the course begins.

A Taste of Hummus {New Course}

Friday, March 21, 10 a.m.–12 p.m.

Traditionally made with ground chickpeas and sesame paste, hummus has been a delicious staple in the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East going back to Biblical times. The Jordanians, Syrians, Greeks, Israelis, Lebanese, Egyptians and Palestinians argue about who made hummus first and who makes it better. Today in Los Angeles, hummus is edging out guacamole as everyone’s favorite spread/snack/dish/food. In this course, former food writer Sharon Boorstin welcomes UCLA grad and current food writer (Food & Wine, LA Eater) Tanooz Sassooni, to explore the joys of hummus. They demonstrate how to make hummus in a variety of ways—using canned or dried chickpeas; and adding black beans, olives and more. Instead of show and tell, this class promises to be a show-and-taste experience.

REG# 400553 | INSTRUCTOR: Sharon Boorstin

IN-PERSON: UCLA Extension Gayley Center, 1145 Gayley Ave., Room 119B

Special Programs

WINTER 2025 SCHEDULE

These events, courses and other unique offerings are available exclusively to OLLI at UCLA members as part of their membership benefits. Special programs are offered at no cost to members. Registration is required.

Special programs are scheduled on an ongoing basis. Please check our website, uclaextension.edu/olli, and then click on “See All Upcoming Courses” for any updates.

OLLI Video Library {Winter 2025 Access}

OLLI at UCLA members who enroll in this course receive access to a selection of past program recordings in their Canvas student portal. Enjoy more than 50 recordings of 1-day lectures, virtual tours, guest speaker interviews, previous Beyond the Headlines speaker presentations and more. Re-enroll each quarter to continue your access and take advantage of this valuable membership perk. New videos are added every quarter.

REG# 400255 | Once enrolled, wait 24 hours, then log into Canvas: my.uclaextension.edu

OLLI Movie Club

3 Wednesdays, January 8, February 5, March 5, 3:30–4:30 p.m.

In this course, we watch quality modern films at home and have a discussion afterward on Zoom. The facilitator selects films that are available on Netflix, and members should screen the film at home before meeting with the group on Zoom. Discussions center around story, symbolism, cinematography, presentation and our personal reactions to the films. Films are announced one week before each meeting. Enroll anytime throughout the quarter to join in on the fun.

REG# 400254 | INSTRUCTOR: Sharon Boorstin

REMOTE: Zoom information is emailed to students seven days before each class meeting with the assigned movie title.

Book Talk with Joan Moran: Once A Homecoming Queen {New

Course}

Friday, January 10, 10 a.m.–12 p.m.

One of the most unrecognized and undiagnosed medical issues is senior addiction— either alcohol or drugs. Joan Moran is a former drug and alcohol counselor as well as a former instructor at OLLI@UCLA whose recent novel, Once a Homecoming Queen, is about addiction, redemption and self-determination. In this course, she shares excerpts and talks about her protagonist (who was also her lifelong best friend): a rebellious, resistant and darkly humorous seventy-five-year-old, Francine Freeman, whose extreme alcoholism leads to a bevy of problems, including a broken neck from her second fall. Rescued by her daughter and chief enabler, Francine is sent to rehab where she can make peace with her past and reimagine her future even though she is slowly facing her death. Her recovery takes her in an unexpected direction, which offers a renewed relationship with her daughter, surprising friendships, a bittersweet love and a chance to volunteer in a women's minimum-security prison where she ironically meets a man who intuits her struggle and gives her a chance at redemption.

REG# 400552 | INSTRUCTOR: Joan Moran

REMOTE: Zoom information is emailed to students two days before the course begins.

IN-PERSON: UCLA Extension Gayley Center, 1145 Gayley Ave., Room 119A

And the Winner is… OLLI Picks the Oscars {New Course}

Monday, February 24, 1–3:30 p.m.

Join OLLI Film Club moderator Sharon Boorstin for a fun look at the ten films nominated for Best Picture at the 2025 Academy Awards. Special guests, including Ken Turan, former film critic of The Los Angeles Times and National Public Radio’s Morning Edition, Pete Hammond, host of the PBS SoCal Cinema Series and film critic for Deadline and Anne Thompson, Editor of IndieWire, tell us their favorites and guess which one will win. OLLI members are invited to wear Oscar-festive attire for a red carpet entrance and bring friends. Enjoy popcorn while voting for the film you want to win.

REG# 400310 | INSTRUCTOR: Sharon Boorstin

IN-PERSON: UCLA Extension Gayley Center, 1145 Gayley Ave., Room 121CDE

Lecture Courses

WINTER 2025 SCHEDULE

Lecture courses are taught by high-caliber instructors and guest speakers for which UCLA is world-renowned. OLLI membership is required to enroll in these courses.

Coming to Terms with the Holocaust, Part 7: Europe in Flames Continued

6 Mondays, January 6–February 24 (no meetings January 20 & February 17), 10 a.m.–12 p.m.

Though the Nazis’ objective was the same everywhere they conquered—the utter annihilation of the Jews—the Holocaust followed many different paths because of each captive nation’s unique history and culture. Through the eyewitness accounts of perpetrators, victims, bystanders and survivors, we follow the progress of The Holocaust in Germany, Ukraine, the Netherlands and Hungary.

This course will be recorded. Students will have access to videos for the duration of the course.

REG# 400130 | INSTRUCTOR: Steve Sohmer

BASIC MEMBER FEE: $115 | PLUS MEMBER FEE: $34

REMOTE: Zoom information is emailed to students two days before the course begins.

History of Sculpture, Part 2 {New Course}

5 Mondays, January 6–February 10 (no meeting January 20), 10 a.m.–11:30 a.m.

Humans have made three-dimensional art ever since they were able to use tools. As civilization evolved, the look of this sculpture changed dramatically in size, materials and use. In this course, we explore the evolving forms of sculpture beginning with the High Renaissance and move through the Baroque, Classical, Modern and Contemporary periods. It is not necessary to have taken part one to enjoy part two.

This course will be recorded. Students will have access to videos for the duration of the course.

REG# 400129 | INSTRUCTOR: Nancy McAfee

BASIC MEMBER FEE: $100 | PLUS MEMBER FEE: $30

REMOTE: Zoom information is emailed to students two days before the course begins.

Pre-code Movies, Part 2: Crime and Punishment During Prohibition

6 Mondays, January 6–February 24 (no meetings January 20 & February 17), 1–3:30 p.m.

In 1934, the Motion Picture Production Code of 1930, also known as the Hays Code, was finally enforced, dramatically altering the content of U.S. motion pictures by putting an end to the depiction of behavior considered unethical and immoral. That year also saw the end of Prohibition. This course screens crime films made during the pre-code era, 1930-1934, when criminal activities, adultery, alcohol consumption, prostitution, pre-marital sex and other behaviors were boldly depicted in film, often without consequences. Movies include The Big House (1930), The Public Enemy (1931), Little Caesar (1931), Scarface (1932), I am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang (1932) and M (1931). Watch the action with Jimmy Cagney, Paul Muni, Edward G. Robinson, Peter Lorre and others. It is not necessary to have taken part one to enjoy part two.

REG# 400188 | INSTRUCTOR: Maria Siciliano

BASIC MEMBER FEE: $130 | PLUS MEMBER FEE: $39

IN-PERSON: UCLA Extension Gayley Center, 1145 Gayley Ave., Room 114

Exotic Revival Architecture {New Course}

6 Mondays, January 6–February 24 (no meetings January 20 & February 17), 1–3 p.m.

In the history of architecture, inspirations gleaned from travel, archeological discoveries and interest in non-Western design generated a desire to incorporate other cultures’ visual elements into imaginative and fanciful structures. In this course, we explore the various characterizations and origins of Exotic Revival architectural styles in Europe and the United States, beginning with the 18th century but mostly during the 19th through 20th centuries. We look at how architects and designers incorporated elements from the Middle East, Asia, Egypt and Central America into their building styles and how architects used these cultural influences to express their heritage or create a sense of community, embrace new aesthetics and push the boundaries of architectural creativity and exuberance.

This course will be recorded. Students will have access to videos for the duration of the course.

REG# 400465 | INSTRUCTOR : Eleanor Schrader

BASIC MEMBER FEE: $115 | PLUS MEMBER FEE: $34

REMOTE: Zoom information is emailed to students two days before the course begins.

Jazz in Los Angeles: The 1960s {New Course}

8 Mondays, January 6–March 10 (no meetings January 20 & February 17), 6:30–8:30 p.m.

During the 1950s, Los Angeles received worldwide attention as the birthplace of the new and exciting West Coast jazz movement. Both the music and the musicians gained a tremendous amount of publicity and notoriety, but by the end of the decade, West Coast jazz had become controversial and, for increasingly political reasons, considered passé. Though the new artists and styles of the 1960s didn’t receive the national attention of their predecessors, their impact on future generations would be just as significant. In this course, we explore artists including The Jazz Crusaders, Les McCann, Joe Pass, Gerald Wilson, Paul Horn, Oscar Brown Jr., Cutis Amy, Dupree Bolton and many more. We discuss how the music fit in and around the tumultuous political, social and cultural challenges which included the Kennedy assassinations and the Civil Rights Movement, the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, the arrival of The Beatles and the British Invasion, the Vietnam War and the Watts Riots. The course is richly illustrated utilizing rare recordings, film footage, photographs and memorabilia drawn from the vast archive of the Los Angeles Jazz Institute.

REG# 400467 | INSTRUCTOR: Ken Poston

BASIC MEMBER FEE: $135 | PLUS MEMBER FEE: $40

IN-PERSON: UCLA Extension Gayley Center, 1145 Gayley Ave., Room 119A

Beyond the Headlines

8 Tuesdays, January 7– February 25, 10:30 a.m.–12 p.m.

Pulled from today’s headlines, this exclusive speaker series offers an in-depth analysis of significant contemporary issues. Each week, an expert from the political, social, technological or economic spectrum provides a 1-hour lecture focused on a major global, national or local issue. Afterward, students participate in a 30-minute Q&A session with the speaker. A list of speakers for this term will be available online approximately one month before the course begins.

This course uses the Hybrid (Flexible) format which allows students to participate remotely and/or in the classroom. Speakers will be in the classroom. This course will be recorded. Students will have access to videos for the duration of the course.

REG# 400132 | INSTRUCTOR: Jim Aldinger

FEE: $150 for all members

REMOTE: Zoom information is emailed to students two days before the course begins.

IN-PERSON: UCLA Extension Gayley Center, 1145 Gayley Ave., Room 121ABC

The Artists of the Bloomsbury Group and the Rise of Modernism in England {New Course}

6 Tuesdays, January 7– February 11, 1–3 p.m.

The English art world was dominated by the constraints of the British Royal Academy and Victorian mores at the start of the 20th century. That ended abruptly in 1910 when Roger Fry introduced London to the European avant-garde with his exhibition, Manet and the Post-Impressionists. It was a public and critical shock, ushering in a drastic shift in artistic production. Beginning with the art of Bloomsbury members Vanessa Bell, Duncan Grant and Fry himself, this course covers the rise of modernism in England. We also explore the development of expressionist and independent movements, when artists such as Stanley Spencer, Lucian Freud and Francis Bacon offered their own viewpoints and became some of the most famous British painters of modern art.

This course uses the Hybrid format which allows students to participate remotely and/ or in the classroom. This course will be recorded. Students will have access to videos for the duration of the course.

REG# 400500 | INSTRUCTOR: Katherine Zoraster

BASIC MEMBER FEE: $115 | PLUS MEMBER FEE: $34

REMOTE: Zoom information is emailed to students two days before the course begins.

IN-PERSON: UCLA Extension Gayley Center, 1145 Gayley Ave., Room 121ABC

The Jazz Age, 1902-1932 {New Course}

6 Wednesdays, January 8–February 12, 10 a.m.–12 p.m.

Launching during an era of radical change and dynamic upheaval, Jazz became America’s most original art form. Drawing from rich American roots, it developed from the blues, spirituals, hymns, marches, ragtime and dance music, triggering rapid innovations in rhythm, harmony, melody, timbre and improvisation. In this course, we explore the key developments and earliest stars of jazz and classic blues, the emergence of jazz saxophone, the creation of jazz forms and the impact of the Harlem Renaissance on musical theater, the visual arts and literature.

This course will be recorded. Students will have access to videos for the duration of the course.

REG# 400093 | INSTRUCTOR: Dave Radlauer

BASIC MEMBER FEE: $115 | PLUS MEMBER FEE : $34

REMOTE: Zoom information is emailed to students two days before the course begins.

Women and Religion

8 Wednesdays, January 8–February 26, 10 a.m.–12 p.m.

In the late twentieth century, the rise of the feminist movement and women’s studies engendered a deeper look into the impact of various religious traditions on women’s lives. Scholarship founded on this knowledge has since become an imperative in the study of religions. Using current studies of archaeology and anthropology, our historical review begins in prehistory with cultures that worshipped the sacred as feminine. From there, we describe the gradual change to male-oriented institutions, chronicling the Judeo-Christian-Islamic traditions. Finally, we discuss women who affected the practice and study of religion, and the feminine sacred in the contemporary world and in other major world religions.

This course uses the Hybrid format which allows students to participate remotely and/or in the classroom. This course will be recorded. Students will have access to videos for the duration of the course.

REG# 400303 | INSTRUCTOR: Phyllis Herman

BASIC MEMBER FEE: $135 | PLUS MEMBER FEE: $40

REMOTE: Zoom information is emailed to students two days before the course begins.

IN-PERSON: UCLA Extension Gayley Center, 1145 Gayley Ave., Room 113

Europe in the Age of Absolute Monarchs, 1648-1783 {New Course}

4 Wednesdays, January 8–29, 1–3 p.m.

The absolutist system of government was widespread in Western Europe in the 17th and 18th centuries. Exemplified by the likes of France's Louis XIV, these monarchs sought to govern without any constraints, declaring that they ruled by divine right. Absolutism was the order of the day as rulers sought to expand their empires, their palaces, and even remake nature itself to impose order and civilization in the chaotic wake left by the Thirty Years' War. In this course, we showcase figures such as Louis XIV, Russia’s Peter the Great, Austria’s Empress Maria Theresa and Prussia’s Frederick the Great, among others.

This course will be recorded. Students will have access to videos for the duration of the course.

REG# 400109 | INSTRUCTOR: Jared Day

BASIC MEMBER FEE: $100 | PLUS MEMBER FEE: $30

REMOTE: Zoom information is emailed to students two days before the course begins.

The Changing TV Sitcom in the 21st Century {New Course}

7 Thursdays, January 9–February 20, 10 a.m.–12 p.m.

In this course, we look at the current state of primetime sitcoms and of comedy itself, tracking the evolution of TV comedy from its earlier simpler forms to the more recent complete revision of its writing, structure, pacing and timing, rules and expectations. We begin by showing video clips from scripted comedy sitcoms, (I Love Lucy, All in the Family, The Cosby Show, Seinfeld and Friends). We then explore how the genre has expanded to include improv shows (The Office), star-making shows (Fleabag); out-ofthe-box innovative (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Atlanta, Mr. and Mrs. Smith); and emotionally dramatic shows (Ted Lasso, Hacks).

This course will be recorded. Students will have access to videos for the duration of the course.

REG# 400098 | INSTRUCTOR: Jim McKairnes

BASIC MEMBER FEE: $125 | PLUS MEMBER FEE: $37

REMOTE: Zoom information is emailed to students two days before the course begins.

European Musical Capitals: A Classical Journey {New Course}

8 Thursdays, January 9–February 27, 10 a.m.–12 p.m.

Explore the rich heritage and profound influence of Europe's classical music capitals and journey through the cities that have shaped the landscape of classical music. From the innovative music of Venice to the opulent opera houses of Vienna, from the rich musical heritage of Leipzig to the historic concert halls of Paris and more, we delve into the cultural, historical and musical significance of these iconic locations. In this course, we introduce and examine the historical context, architectural and cultural landmarks, as well as the lives and works of key composers who have contributed to the classical music tradition.

REG# 400143 | INSTRUCTOR: Anahit Rostomyan

BASIC MEMBER FEE: $135 | PLUS MEMBER FEE: $40

REMOTE: Zoom information is emailed to students two days before the course begins.

Art in Post-War Europe and America

6 Thursdays, January 9–February 13, 1–3 p.m.

The impact of the two world wars led to a paradigm shift affecting all aspects of life, including how art was produced and appreciated. At the same time, the art movements of the second half of the 20th century were varied and diverse, sometimes overlapping and often in direct response to each other. This course explores the diverse forms of post-war art—from abstract expressionism, developed by artists such as Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko and Willem de Kooning—to pop art, led by Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein. We also follow the development of individualized and conceptual styles, such as the rise of earth art, feminist art, minimalism and kinetic art. Other artists we cover include Robert Smithson, Judy Chicago, Claus Oldenburg, Alan Kaprow, Christo, Audrey Flack and many more.

This course will be recorded. Students will have access to videos for the duration of the course.

REG# 400499 | INSTRUCTOR: Katherine Zorasteri

BASIC MEMBER FEE: $115 | PLUS MEMBER FEE: $34

REMOTE: Zoom information is emailed to students two days before the course begins.

The Dilemmas of a Modernizing China, 1976-2020

{New Course}

3 Fridays, January 10–24, 1–3 p.m.

In this course, we examine the history of modern China from the death of Mao Zedong to the ascent of Xi Jinping in 2013 and later. We explore the challenges and fateful decisions leaders have faced as they have tried to navigate economic restructuring, greater openness and disastrous demographic problems—even as China has emerged as one of the most dynamic and consequential countries in the 21st century.

This course will be recorded. Students will have access to videos for the duration of the course.

REG# 400108 | INSTRUCTOR: Jared Day

BASIC MEMBER FEE: $95 | PLUS MEMBER FEE: $28

REMOTE: Zoom information is emailed to students two days before the course begins.

The Blues: How Three Chords Became Rock 'n' Roll

8 Tuesdays, January 28–March 18, 1–3 p.m.

Rock ‘n’ roll exists because of the blues. Songs sung by enslaved Africans in the southern U.S. became gospel music, the acoustic blues of the Mississippi Delta, the electrified sounds of Chicago and the rhythm and blues associated with Memphis. When this music became mainstream in the fifties, rock ‘n’ roll was born, creating careers for artists like Aretha Franklin, The Drifters and a guy named Elvis. The blues-inspired rock groups on both sides of the ocean, the soulful sounds of Motown and Philadelphia and hip hop/rap music. In this course, we listen to music clips to understand the evolution of rock ‘n’ roll, and how it produced social change and technological advancement worldwide. Historic recordings are presented, including the Georgia Sea Island Singers recorded by Alan Lomax, Delta blues artists, Chicago blues and Memphis R&B. This course will be recorded. Students will have access to videos for the duration of the course.

REG# 400131 | INSTRUCTOR: Andrew Muson

BASIC MEMBER FEE: $135 | PLUS MEMBER FEE: $40

REMOTE: Zoom information is emailed to students two days before the course begins.

Cosmology, Astronomy, and Space Exploration in the News

8 Wednesdays, January 29–March 19, 6:30–8:30 p.m.

Due to advances in technology, what we thought we knew about the fundamentals of cosmology, astronomy and space exploration is evolving almost daily. In this course, we explore the latest concepts, news and discoveries regarding multiverses, gravitational waves, black holes, neutron stars, exoplanets and the beginning of our universe. We also follow the progress of NASA's and ESA's missions to the moon, Mars, and Europa— Jupiter's ice-covered moon and more.

REG# 400308 | INSTRUCTOR: Shelley Bonus

BASIC MEMBER FEE: $135 | PLUS MEMBER FEE: $40

REMOTE: Zoom information is emailed to students two days before the course begins.

The Music of Sergei Rachmaninoff {UCLAxOpen}

6 Fridays, January 31–March 7, 10 a.m.–12 p.m.

Whether it’s his famous piano concertos, his demanding Études-tableaux or the ubiquitous Prelude in C-sharp Minor, the music of Sergei Rachmaninoff remains a staple of concerts and piano competitions today. Born in Russia in 1873, Rachmaninoff can be seen as probably one of the most important pianist-composers since Frédéric Chopin and Franz Liszt. Although most of his music was written during the twentieth century, his compositional style was firmly within the world of nineteenth-century Romanticism. In this course, we study the piano pieces, songs and symphonic works of Rachmaninoff, as well as his wide-ranging recorded legacy as a pianist and conductor.

This course will be recorded. Students will have access to videos for the duration of the course.

REG# 400172 | INSTRUCTOR: Ryan Shiotsuki

BASIC MEMBER FEE: $0 | PLUS MEMBER FEE: $0

REMOTE: Zoom information is emailed to students two days before the course begins.

The Music of Tchaikovsky

8 Fridays, January 31–March 21, 1–3 p.m.

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky is one of the most recognizable and famous composers in classical music today. From the ballet to the concert hall, his music is celebrated around the globe for its beautiful melodies. Born in 1840, Tchaikovsky was the first important music student to graduate from the newly founded Moscow Conservatory, which now bears his name. In this course, we listen to important ballets, symphonies, concerti and other famous instrumental works, and discuss his works within the context of his time. While his music was often described as cosmopolitan, his compositions played an important role in further establishing a distinct Russian musical idiom.

This course will be recorded. Students will have access to videos for the duration of the course.

REG# 400514 | INSTRUCTOR: Ryan Shiotsuki

BASIC MEMBER FEE: $135 | PLUS MEMBER FEE: $40

REMOTE: Zoom information is emailed to students two days before the course begins.

The Beat Goes On: The '70s {New Course}

7 Wednesdays, February 5–March 19, 1–3 p.m.

In the decade of the seventies, the ever-expanding music business was earning more money than the movie industry. The singer-songwriters were selling millions of records, but that was just a part of what was happening. In this course, we explore the highlights from the soft rock music of The Carpenters to the punk rock music of The Talking Heads, and from the disco sounds of The Bee Gees to the great soul music from Philadelphia. While there may be too much music to pack into seven weeks, we’ll get to hear most of the soundtrack of the 1970s.

This course uses the Hybrid format which allows students to participate remotely and/or in the classroom. This course will be recorded. Students will have access to videos for the duration of the course.

REG# 400186 | INSTRUCTOR: Steve Barri

BASIC MEMBER FEE: $125 | PLUS MEMBER FEE: $37

REMOTE: Zoom information is emailed to students two days before the course begins.

IN-PERSON: UCLA Extension Gayley Center, 1145 Gayley Ave., Room 121

Fantastic Voyages: Strange and Forbidden Worlds {New Course}

5 Fridays, February 7–March 7, 1–3:30 p.m.

Since the beginning of cinematic history, Hollywood has transported us to strange and forbidden worlds. Some of those films have launched us into the future, while others have led us to isolated realms hidden from us in our own time. A few have survived as classics, not only because they deliver irresistible entertainment, but because of what they have to say about us in our own world in the here and now. In this course, we screen five films, each an adventure in its own way: Things to Come (1936), written by H.G. Wells, a startling glimpse into the future that foretold WWII and imagined an apocalyptic aftermath; Lost Horizon (1937), the unforgettable story of those who discover Shangri-La and are forever changed by it; Forbidden Planet (1956), a sci-fi classic about a voyage to a mysterious planet with a deadly secret; The Man Who Would Be King (1975), a Rudyard Kipling saga about two friends who discover a lost civilization that is oddly linked to their own destiny; and Blade Runner (1982), a visionary look at a dystopian world threatened by AI replicants. Throughout, we analyze the art and craft of the visionary filmmakers who bring these worlds to life, as well as discuss the lasting resonance of these films.

This course will be recorded. Students will have access to videos for the duration of the course.

REG# 401805 | INSTRUCTOR: Paul Boorstin

BASIC MEMBER FEE: $115 | PLUS MEMBER FEE: $34

IN-PERSON: UCLA Extension Gayley Center, 1145 Gayley Ave., Room 114

Postwar Paris: The Rebirth

6 Tuesdays, February 11–March 18, 1–3 p.m.

Four years of Nazi occupation dampened but never extinguished the creative spirit of Paris. When Paris was liberated in 1944, that spirit exploded in many directions, making the city once again a cultural mecca. Existentialism and feminism influenced literature, film and music. After the gloom and shortages of wartime, the fashion industry came back to life and Parisian playwrights reinvented theatre. Popular music incorporated biting social criticism and the words of great poets, and jazz became the music of the young. In this course, we explore this amazingly vital cultural milieu that flourished amid enormous political tensions.

REG# 400133 | INSTRUCTOR: Mort Kamins

BASIC MEMBER FEE: $115 | PLUS MEMBER FEE: $34

IN-PERSON: UCLA Extension Gayley Center, 1145 Gayley Ave., Room 114

The Thrill Comedies of Harold Lloyd {New Course}

6 Thursdays, February 13–March 20 / February 13–March 6, 1–3:30 p.m.; March 13–20, 1–4 p.m.

Like the fictional character he played in more than 200 films, Harold Lloyd was the quintessential American go-getter of the 1920s—a man who combined his many talents with the hard work and determination that propelled his career to stardom. As an actor, producer, screenwriter and director, Lloyd's hilarious and fast-paced comedies pioneered the boy-meets-girl type of story that would later become a staple of romantic comedy. In the process, he founded his own film studio, experimented with 3D photography, color film, microscopy and built a spectacular fairy-tale mansion where he stored his personal film archive and shot experimental and home movies. In this course, we watch and analyze Lloyd's short movies, his photographic and experimental work, his first talkie Movie Crazy (1932), and five fully restored silent features. These include Dr. Jack (1922), Girl Shy (1924), The Kid Brother (1927), Speedy (1928) and Safety Last (1923)—the film that inscribed the iconic image of Lloyd dangling from the clock of a building into the collective memory of generations of filmgoers, where it still stands a century later.

REG# 400261 | INSTRUCTOR: Alessandro Pirolini

BASIC MEMBER FEE: $135 | PLUS MEMBER FEE: $40

IN-PERSON: UCLA Extension Gayley Center, 1145 Gayley Ave., Room 114

Looking at Contemporary Art

6 Thursdays, February 13– March 20, 1–3:30 p.m.

This course offers students the opportunity to engage with contemporary art, as well as with each other. Our conversations include the discussion of materials, perception and interpretation of abstract, figurative and performative projects while considering the time and place of its making. The schedule includes four field trips as well as two classroom meetings that revisit the explorations and deliberations discovered and discussed on the field trips.

Students must sign a waiver before participation. Field trips are within Los Angeles County.

REG# 400432 | INSTRUCTOR: Deborah Cohen

BASIC MEMBER FEE: $130 | PLUS MEMBER FEE: $39

IN-PERSON: UCLA Extension Gayley Center, 1145 Gayley Ave., Room 119A

Discussion Groups

WINTER 2025 SCHEDULE

Discussion groups allow members to explore subjects in an atmosphere of intellectual stimulation, creative self-expression, and socializing without the expectation of tests or grades. Members enrolled in literature courses are expected to complete reading assignments according to the syllabus to participate fully. OLLI membership is required to enroll in these courses.

Short Story Collections, Part 1: James Joyce’s Dubliners {New Course}

8 Mondays, Jan. 6–March 10 (no meetings January 20; February 17), 1–3 p.m.

James Joyce’s Dubliners is a vivid and unflinching portrait of “dear dirty Dublin” at the turn of the twentieth century. In this course, we read its fifteen stories that together are a themed short story collection that includes such stories as “Araby,” “Grace,” and “The Dead,” —all of which take readers into the heart of the city of Joyce’s birth, capturing the cadences of Dubliners’ speech and portraying their outer and inner lives. As a work of literary realism, Joyce’s intentionally themed collection grounds its realism in sudden recognitions—epiphanies— through which protagonists experience a change in their view of themselves, their social conditions and their spiritual awareness. Suggested book: Dubliners.

REG# 400581 | INSTRUCTOR: Leonard Koff

BASIC MEMBER FEE: $80 | PLUS MEMBER FEE: $40

REMOTE: Zoom information is emailed to students two days before the course begins.

Salem Possessed {New Course}

8 Wednesdays, January 8–February 26, 10 a.m.–12 p.m.

The Salem Witchcraft Trials are still one of the most studied episodes in early American history. Several dozen books and articles attest to continuing efforts to explain how a belief in the existence of witches could overwhelm an entire town, leading to the hangings of a number of citizens. In this course, we look at the trials from the perspective of one of the most influential books, Salem Possessed, by Paul Boyer and Stephen Nissenbaum. Exploring their interpretation gives us the opportunity to think about how historians do history. By focusing on the town of Salem itself, the book shows how early settlement patterns may have led to the complications and chaos of 1692. We also read a collection of short articles published twenty-five years later, written by other historians of early America who assessed the value of the work Boyer and Nissenbaum did. Hopefully, these articles will give us the opportunity to evaluate the work ourselves. Suggested book: Salem Possessed, Harvard University Press (1974).

REG# 400085 | INSTRUCTOR: Myra Rich

BASIC MEMBER FEE: $80 | PLUS MEMBER FEE: $40

REMOTE: Zoom information is emailed to students two days before the course begins.

Willa

6 Wednesdays, January 8, 22; February 5, 19; March 5, 19, 10 a.m. –12 p.m.

Willa Cather's unique literary voice took on the experience of American settlers in a new land with a passion and diversity no other writer has shown. In this course, we explore a variety of landscapes and histories, starting with her ground-breaking story of settlers in prairie Nebraska, My Ántonia. From there we move to what is arguably her masterpiece, Death Comes for the Archbishop, a culturally complex and beautiful novel of the American Southwest, and end by joining French settlers in Quebec in Shadows on the Rock, going backward in time as we read. Our discussions involve close reading (including readings by local actors) and historical context. Suggested books: My Ántonia, Death Comes for the Archbishop and Shadows on the Rock Students are expected to have read Book 1 of My Ántonia for the first class meeting.

REG# 400727 | INSTRUCTOR: Peter Cipkowski

BASIC MEMBER FEE: $80 | PLUS MEMBER FEE: $40

IN-PERSON: UCLA Extension Gayley Center, 1145 Gayley Ave., Room 119B

Gilgamesh: The Oldest Piece of Literature Known

8 Wednesdays, January 8– February 26, 1–3 p.m.

Gilgamesh is a remarkable work that has influenced the whole of the ancient Mediterranean world, including the Hebrew bible. In this course, we look at the original text along with the best translations of those texts, delving into the human mind of 4200 years ago. As Sophocles wrote, “Many are the wonders of the world, but none more wonderful than man.” No doubt he read Gilgamesh! And we will too, discussing it as we go.

This course uses the Hybrid format which allows students to participate remotely and/or in the classroom.

REG# 400190 | INSTRUCTOR: Vincent Coppola

BASIC MEMBER FEE: $80 | PLUS MEMBER FEE: $40

REMOTE: Zoom information is emailed to students two days before the course begins.

IN-PERSON: UCLA Extension Gayley Center, 1145 Gayley Ave., Room 119B

Great Italian American Cinema

5 Thursdays, January 9– February 6 / January 16, 23, 30, 1–4 p.m.; January 9 & February 6, 1-4:30 p.m.

The cinema of Italy has given the world great films and has influenced film movements worldwide. From the ground-breaking works of the Italian neorealist movement to the stylized crime dramas and spaghetti westerns that inspired generations of American filmmakers, Italian cinema has left an indelible mark on the art form. Italian American films also play a major role in shaping perceptions and sometimes misperceptions of Italian American identity and explore themes such as family, community, immigration and assimilation. In this swing through the big screen, we watch and discuss five Italian American films and their filmmakers. These include Goodfellas (1990), directed by Martin Scorsese; Miller’s Crossing (1990), directed by the Coen brothers; Moonstruck (1987), directed by Norman Jewison; Big Night (1996), co-directed by Campbell Scott and Stanley Tucci; and The Godfather II (1974), directed by Francis Ford Coppola. At the end of this course, we gather at an Italian restaurant for lunch.

REG# 400099 | INSTRUCTOR: Vincent Coppola

BASIC MEMBER FEE: $80 | PLUS MEMBER FEE: $40

IN-PERSON: UCLA Extension Gayley Center, 1145 Gayley Ave., Room 114

Current Events: Understanding Our World

8 Thursdays, January 9–March 6 (no meeting February 20), 10 a.m.–12 p.m.

This unique discussion group focuses on exploring the news of the week. Participants share articles and opinions that pertain to what's happening both in the United States and internationally, particularly to introduce diverse views. Many of the pundits we analyze write for The New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post and the Los Angeles Times. These include such political writers as David Brooks, Thomas Friedman, Paul Krugman, Ross Douthat, Fareed Zakaria, John Bolton, Peggy Noonan, Maureen Dowd and many more that the class may wish to cover. We also examine such magazines as The New Yorker, The Atlantic, The New Republic and other journals that give in-depth coverage of current topics. This is your chance to listen and to be heard on the events of today.

This course uses the Hybrid format which allows students to participate remotely and/or in the classroom.

REG# 400146 | INSTRUCTOR: Myrna Hant

BASIC MEMBER FEE: $80 | PLUS MEMBER FEE: $40

REMOTE: Zoom information is emailed to students two days before the course begins.

IN-PERSON: UCLA Extension Gayley Center, 1145 Gayley Ave., Room 121ABC

Latin American Short Stories {New Course}

8 Sundays, January 12–March 23 (no meetings January 26; February 16; March 16), 12 p.m.–2 p.m.

The short stories we read in this course span the history of Latin American literature marked by a luxuriousness of language, metaphoric leaps and uncanny conjunctions of the ordinary with the fantastic. These stories range from Fray Bartolome de las Casas’ narrative protests against the Spanish Conquistadors’ abuses of Indians to Machado de Assis’ “Midnight Mass” from the nineteenth century to Jorge Luis Borges’ “The Garden of Forking Paths” in the twentieth. We also include stories by such literary masters as Carlos Fuentes, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Julio Cortazar and Rosario Ferre, as well as haunting reveries that characterize Maria Luisa Bombal’s “The Tree” and a striking inventiveness that marks Alejo Carpentier’s “Journey Back to the Source,” which is told backward because a sorcerer waved his wand and time flows in reverse. Suggested book: The Oxford Book of Latin American Short Stories.

REG# 400572 | INSTRUCTOR: Leonard Koff

BASIC MEMBER FEE: $80 | PLUS MEMBER FEE: $40

REMOTE: Zoom information is emailed to students two days before the course begins.

Politics and Polemics:

The Supreme Court in the 21st Century {New Course}

February 21, 28; March 7, 13, 14, 17, 10 a.m.–12 p.m.

The Supreme Court is the only branch of government whose members enjoy lifetime tenure and broad freedom from ethical restraints. While these protections intended to preserve the apolitical nature of the body, they now appear to insulate the court from democratic accountability. In this course, we discuss the recent history of the Supreme Court in context with prior periods of contentious political controversy and assess the apparent partisan shift that purportedly makes the judicial branch a threat to American democracy.

The first three meetings are on Zoom and the last three meetings use the Hybrid format which allows students to participate remotely and/or in the classroom.

REG# 400661 | INSTRUCTOR: Kurt Hohenstein

BASIC MEMBER FEE: $80 | PLUS MEMBER FEE: $40

REMOTE: Zoom information is emailed to students two days before the course begins.

IN-PERSON: UCLA Extension Gayley Center, 1145 Gayley Ave., Room 114

Foreign Languages

WINTER 2025 SCHEDULE

OLLI at UCLA offers courses in French and Spanish at several levels. Language courses are discussion-heavy, and members should be ready to participate. OLLI membership is required to enroll in these courses.

Spanish 3 for Everyday Life

8 Tuesdays, January 7–February 25, 10 a.m.–12 p.m.

A continuation of Spanish 2, this is an immersion-style course that offers an easy, nostress way to build on what was learned in the first two courses and is great for those with intermediate knowledge of Spanish. After the first session in English, instruction is conducted entirely in Spanish. Discussion centers on current events. Our Spanish I-4 courses teach you the grammar and vocabulary foundation needed to read and write in Spanish. Students will receive some lectures as well as be assigned short readings in Spanish. We offer these courses on an annual cycle: Spanish 1 is offered in the summer; Spanish 2 is offered in the fall; Spanish 3 is offered in the winter; and Spanish 4 or Literary Spanish is offered in the spring.

REG# 400149 | INSTRUCTOR: Emilia Chuquin

BASIC MEMBER FEE: $135 | PLUS MEMBER FEE: $40

REMOTE: Zoom information is emailed to students two days before the course begins.

High-Level Spanish Conversation

8 Tuesdays, January 7– February 25, 1–3 p.m.

This conversation course is a continuation of either Spanish 4 for Everyday Life or Literary Spanish course and is for those who want to continue improving their oral Spanish skills. Using authentic sources from Latin America, students learn to speak Spanish through interpretation, imagination and critical reading. Stories are read and retold in small groups and before the class to improve vocabulary, pronunciation and idiomatic expressions.

REG# 400150 | INSTRUCTOR: Emilia Chuquin

BASIC MEMBER FEE: $80 | PLUS MEMBER FEE: $40

REMOTE: Zoom information is emailed to students two days before the course begins.

French Conversation 2: High Intermediate

8 Tuesdays, January 7–February 25, 6:30–8:30 p.m.

Designed for students who have taken two or more years of French or who have lived in a French-speaking country, this class prepares you to have a conversation with native speakers of French. Real-life dialogues include engaging topics such as meeting people, making plans, discussing leisure activities and just having fun. Homework assignments are oral exercises on specified topics that students prepare during the week and then share with the whole class.

REG# 400153 | INSTRUCTOR: Ruth Gooley

BASIC MEMBER FEE: $80 | PLUS MEMBER FEE: $80

REMOTE: Zoom information is emailed to students two days before the course begins.

French Conversation 1: Low Intermediate

8 Wednesdays, January 8–February 26, 6:30–8:30 p.m.

Designed for students who have had one year of French. This course prepares you to have a conversation with native speakers of French. Real-life dialogues include engaging topics such as meeting people, making plans, discussing leisure activities and just having fun. Homework assignments include oral exercises on specified topics; students prepare their discussion points during the week and share them with the whole class.

REG# 400156 | INSTRUCTOR: Ruth Gooley

BASIC MEMBER FEE: $80 | PLUS MEMBER FEE: $80

REMOTE: Zoom information is emailed to students two days before the course begins.

Real Life Spanish Conversation 1

8 Thursdays, January 9–February 27, 10 a.m. –12 p.m.

This course provides a comfortable space for members with a basic knowledge of Spanish to practice their conversation skills under an instructor's guidance. Members respond to prompts provided by the instructor, while their peers ask follow-up questions or make comments, all in Spanish. The instructor facilitates the conversations and corrects vocabulary or grammar as needed. Please note: This is not a beginner’s class; some Spanish is required.

REG# 400157 | INSTRUCTOR: Susan McMillen Villar

BASIC MEMBER FEE: $80 | PLUS MEMBER FEE: $40

REMOTE: Zoom information is emailed to students two days before the course begins.

Real Life Spanish Conversation 2

8 Thursdays, January 9–February 27, 1–3 p.m.

This course provides a comfortable space for members with an intermediate knowledge of Spanish to practice their conversation skills under an instructor's guidance. Members respond to prompts provided by the instructor, while their peers ask follow-up questions or make comments, all in Spanish. The instructor facilitates the conversations and corrects language as needed while also introducing more advanced grammar and vocabulary skills. Please note: This course is intended for intermediate Spanish speakers; students approaching fluency are encouraged to take our High-Level Spanish Conversation course.

REG# 400163 | INSTRUCTOR: Susan McMillen Villar

BASIC MEMBER FEE: $80 | PLUS MEMBER FEE: $40

REMOTE: Zoom information is emailed to students two days before the course begins.

Creativity, Games & Movement

WINTER 2025 SCHEDULE

These courses are interactive. Members can practice or apply what they learn in class. OLLI membership is required to enroll in these courses.

iPhone Photography Workshop: Creating Works of Art

8 Mondays, January 6–March 10 (no meetings January 20 & February 17), 10 a.m.–12 p.m

In this course, we review how to take an in-focus, well-exposed picture and how to crop and edit it. We work with elements of composition, color and lighting, so your photo has an impact. We discuss different apps to give your photos uniqueness and a type of artistry. Posing, photo books, matting and displaying your photos will also be discussed. This is an interactive class; each week you are given an assignment which is critiqued the following week.

REG# 400602 | INSTRUCTOR: Ellen Demsky

BASIC MEMBER FEE: $80 | PLUS MEMBER FEE: $40

IN-PERSON: UCLA Extension Gayley Center, 1145 Gayley Ave., Room 119B

Gentle Chair Pilates

8 Mondays, January 6–March 10 (no meetings January 20 & February 17), 1–2 p.m.

Pilates is a low-impact exercise that focuses on strengthening muscles while improving flexibility, mobility and posture. However, it can be intimidating, especially if one has been inactive or never exercised. In this course, we learn modified Pilates movements while seated in a chair, using a TheraBand (or a towel, belt, strap, or scarf), 1-2 lbs. weights (or water bottle, soup cans), and your amazing body.

Always consult a doctor about any pain or injury before engaging in any exercise. Students must sign a waiver before participation.

REG# 400173 | INSTRUCTOR: Bonnie Cahoon

BASIC MEMBER FEE: $80 | PLUS MEMBER FEE: $40

REMOTE: Zoom information is emailed to students two days before the course begins.

Poker Fundamentals 2

6 Mondays, January 6–February 24 (no meetings Jan. 20 & Feb 17). 1–3 p.m.

Poker (and No-Limit Texas Hold 'Em in particular) has been gaining a lot of publicity lately through media such as ESPN. In this intermediate (non-beginners) class, we expect prior knowledge of the basic rules and concentrate on expanding from there. More specifically, we work on various strategy topics, such as opening charts, bet sizing, hand reading, odds, popular misconceptions and others. We also dedicate at least an hour each week to playing the game and applying the concepts in real time. The course is designed for retaking, provided you have knowledge of the basics (rules, structure, betting, etc.).

REG# 400174 | INSTRUCTOR: Duncan Palamourdas

BASIC MEMBER FEE: $80 | PLUS MEMBER FEE: $80

REMOTE: Zoom information is emailed to students two days before the course begins.

Gentle Yoga

8 Mondays, January 6 – March 10 (no meetings Jan. 20 & February 17) 6:30–8 p.m.

A gentle and slow approach to a flowing Iyengar yoga course. We move into a position slowly, holding the pose for a minute, and then relax for a few breaths before stretching into another posture. Because all bodies have different weaknesses and strengths, Iyengar yoga may apply the use of props (wooden blocks, chairs, blankets, or belts) to help the body into the correct positions so that one can work in a range of motion that is both safe and effective. Mindful stretches are designed to make you feel good in your body, connect with your soul, and create space for more openness and well-being. Students are encouraged to turn on their videos so the instructor can correct their postures. Students must sign a waiver before participation.

REG# 401771 | INSTRUCTOR: Douglas Dee

BASIC MEMBER FEE: $80 | PLUS MEMBER FEE: $40

REMOTE: Zoom information is emailed to students two days before the course begins.

Beginning Canasta

6 Tuesdays, January 7–February 11, 10 a.m. –12 p.m.

The game of Canasta was devised by attorney Segundo Sanchez Santos and his bridge partner, architect Alberto Serrato in Montevideo, Uruguay. They combined parts of bridge, rummy and conquian (or coon can); made it quicker than bridge and made it rely less on chance than rummy. In this course, we learn the basics of the game—point value of cards, melding, how to create a canasta and scoring. After the first two weeks, we begin to learn the strategy of the game. Although strategy is a continuous learning experience, this course imparts enough knowledge to play the game.

REG# 400246 | INSTRUCTOR: Caroline Dann

BASIC MEMBER FEE: $80 | PLUS MEMBER FEE: $80

IN-PERSON: UCLA Extension Gayley Center, 1145 Gayley Ave., Room 113

Drawing Is a Feeling, Part I:

Introduction to Line, Space and Shape

6 Tuesdays, January 7–February 11, 1–3:30 p.m.

In this course, we present line, space and shape through elemental drawing techniques such as contour and gesture drawing. Exercises introduce the relationships between mark-making and seeing. Each meeting is interactive; students draw together, discuss their individual processes and share their drawings. Additionally, a guest artist, when available, discusses and shares their drawing practices in a virtual studio visit. Drawing materials are minimal and include: 9 in. x 12 in. drawing pad, 18 in. x 24 in. newsprint pad, a set of drawing pencils, HB to 6B, a micron 01 black pen and a micron 01 red pen

REG# 400249 | INSTRUCTOR: Deborah Cohen

BASIC MEMBER FEE: $80 | PLUS MEMBER FEE: $40

REMOTE: Zoom information is emailed to students two days before the course begins.

Intermediate Canasta {New Course}

6 Wednesdays, January 8–February 12, 10 a.m.–12 p.m.

This course is designed for those who have taken the beginner class or already have a full grasp of the game. We focus on strategy and special hands, as well as sevens and aces. We also review scoring and allow plenty of time for supervised play. Join us to take your game to the next level.

REG# 400247 | INSTRUCTOR: Caroline Dann

BASIC MEMBER FEE: $80 | PLUS MEMBER FEE: $80

IN-PERSON: UCLA Extension Gayley Center, 1145 Gayley Ave., Room 113

The Art of Magic, Part 2 {New Course}

6 Wednesdays, January 8–February 12, 10 a.m.–12 p.m.

Delve into the captivating world of magic and mesmerize family members, grandchildren and friends with spellbinding feats using everyday items such as playing cards, coins, scarves, ropes, cups and balls. In this course, we continue with the theory, performance and history of magic. Through hands-on practice and in-depth discussions, participants master the art of illusion while gaining a deep understanding of its underlying principles and techniques. It is not necessary to have taken part one to enjoy part two.

Magic Tricks will be recorded.

REG# 400585 | INSTRUCTOR: Garret Camilleri

BASIC MEMBER FEE: $80 | PLUS MEMBER FEE: $40

REMOTE: Zoom information is emailed to students two days before the course begins.

Tai Chi for Wellness: Part 1 {New Course}

10 Wednesdays, January 8–March 12, 10–11:30 a.m.

Tai Chi, an ancient martial art, is utilized today as a therapeutic form of moving meditation and rehabilitation that promotes physical health, mental clarity and overall well-being. In this course, we progressively learn the first 11 movements of the Tai Chi 24 Yang Style, along with gentle stretches, balance exercises and six simple Qigong movements. We also learn meditation techniques, as well as the ancient history, philosophy and basic principles of Tai Chi Chuan.

Students are required to turn on their videos to allow for proper guidance and feedback from the instructor. Students must sign a waiver before participation.

REG# 400176 | INSTRUCTOR: Angie Sierra

BASIC MEMBER FEE: $80 | PLUS MEMBER FEE: $40

REMOTE: Zoom information is emailed to students two days before the course begins.

Beginning Mah-Jongg

6 Mondays, January 13–March 10 (no meetings January 20, 27 & February 17), 9:30 a.m. –12 p.m.

Mah-Jongg is a game of both skill and luck that originated in China many centuries ago. It was brought to the West in the 1920s and is played with four players seated around a table. Tiles are shuffled, die are cast, and rituals involving the allocation and exchange of tiles begin. The first person to match a hand of 14 tiles and thus call “Mah-Jongg" ends the game, whereupon tiles are scored and a winner is declared. This course introduces the beginner to the basic rules and simple strategies. Learn to play this enjoyable, social and thought-provoking game.

The first two meetings are mandatory. Every student must purchase the current MahJongg card from the National Mah-Jongg League at www.nationalmahjonggleague.org. The large card is preferred.

REG# 400181 | INSTRUCTOR: Ronni Rice

BASIC MEMBER FEE: $80 | PLUS MEMBER FEE: $80

IN-PERSON: UCLA Extension Gayley Center, 1145 Gayley Ave., Room 119A

Intermediate Mah-Jongg

6 Wednesdays, January 13–March 10

(no meetings January 20, 27 & February 17), 1–3:30 p.m.

Intermediate Mah-Jongg is designed for players who already understand the basic rules of play and have had some experience playing the game and wish to further develop their skills. The goals of the class include a better understanding of reading the MahJongg card, developing strategies for choosing the hand of play, strategies for defensive play and increasing the speed of play. There is plenty of time to practice all these skills and have a great time.

Every student will need to purchase the current Mah-Jongg card from the National MahJongg League at: www.nationalmahjonggleague.org. The large card is preferred.

REG# 400386 | INSTRUCTOR: Ronni Rice

BASIC MEMBER FEE: $80 | PLUS MEMBER FEE: $80

IN-PERSON: UCLA Extension Gayley Center, 1145 Gayley Ave., Room 119A

Beginning Watercolor Painting

6 Tuesdays, January 14–February 18, 10 a.m.–12 p.m.

Watercolor painting is an opportunity to embrace qualities such as curiosity, creativity, playfulness and a sense of wonder. In this course designed for beginners, we approach sketching and painting as a process and practice, rather than as a performance or attempt at perfection. We learn the materials, techniques and vocabulary of watercolor painting, and draw and paint daily in our sketchbook which hopefully becomes our lifelong hobby. Exercises include observational study with props, still-life, photos and perhaps landscapes emphasizing shape, form, value and color. Painting materials: Windsor & Newton watercolor 10 or 12 tube set, a portable palette, round brush size 12, a cold press water lock, a cup for water, masking tape and a dry cloth. These are recommended, but you may use what you already have. Details regarding these items will be sent to students one week before class begins.

REG# 401351 | INSTRUCTOR: Shanna Lim

BASIC MEMBER FEE: $80 | PLUS MEMBER FEE: $80

IN-PERSON: UCLA Extension Gayley Center, 1145 Gayley Ave., Room 119B

Bagua, Tai Chi's Ancient Cousin for Healing the Body and Balancing the Mind

6 Tuesdays, January 21–February 25, 1:30–3 p.m.

Bagua is an ancient internal martial art and healing practice that uses circle walking, or turning the circle, as its characteristic method of stance and movement. Although like tai chi, bagua is distinct in nature. The practice of bagua develops core strength and supple and strong muscles and tendons as it balances the body and harmonizes the mind. In this course, we learn and practice common features of bagua training, including continuous motion, circular footwork and circular or spiraling body motion. Our practice also includes qigong, tai chi warm-up practices and breath work.

Students must sign a waiver before participation.

REG# 400178 | INSTRUCTOR: Samuel Barnes

BASIC MEMBER FEE: $80 | PLUS MEMBER FEE: $40

IN-PERSON: UCLA Extension Gayley Center, 1145 Gayley Ave., Room 119B

Tai Chi for Anxiety and Better Balance

6 Thursdays, January 23–February 27, 1:30–3 p.m.

Tai chi is well known for bringing the mind, body and spirit together to improve balance, prevent injury and promote good health. This peaceful art helps to clear the mind, reduce stress and enhance flexibility while promoting overall wellness. The steps are light, and the slow movements are flowing. The postures and movements harmonize with the principles of yin and yang and build an intimate awareness of one’s natural internal and external energy, building a great sense of inner peace. In this course, a new tai chi posture is introduced each week after a warm-up tai chi flow sequence. In the process, we learn how to open and cultivate the body’s energy pathways and prepare for proper tai chi form training, while focusing on improving our balance and cultivating better health.

Students must sign a waiver before participation.

REG# 400179 | INSTRUCTOR: Samuel Barnes

BASIC MEMBER FEE: $80 | PLUS MEMBER FEE: $40

IN-PERSON: UCLA Extension Gayley Center, 1145 Gayley Ave., Room 112

Life Stories that Stir the Soul

8 Wednesdays, January 29– March 19, 1–3 p.m.

As we travel along life's path, our stories are the most precious gifts we can pass on. In this course, students are encouraged to write stories that have affected their hearts. Be they funny or sad, about good times or bad, each student has an opportunity to share a new short story every week. Write a story about the one that got away, or the one you decided to stay with. Write about the lessons you learned, the dinners you burned, or what you did when you came to a particular fork in your road.

This course requires weekly writing assignments. Students must meet weekly deadlines in order to receive instructor feedback and participate in group storytelling sessions.

REG# 400257 | INSTRUCTOR: Shelley Bonus

BASIC MEMBER FEE: $80 | PLUS MEMBER FEE: $80

REMOTE: Zoom information is emailed to students two days before the course begins.

Leadership & Volunteer Opportunities

OLLI at UCLA members have access to a selection of unique leadership & volunteer opportunities within UCLA. New opportunities are shared via email as they arise.

Leadership Opportunities

OLLI Advisory Board – Led by the OLLI Director, the Advisory Board is dedicated to supporting the mission and values of the OLLI program as outlined by the Osher Foundation. Advisory Board members meet throughout the year to provide feedback on strategic initiatives and to review scholarship applications. Appointment to the Advisory Board is by invitation only, but requests to join will be considered for any member who has been in the program over 5 years.

Curriculum Committee – Curriculum Committee members support program development by identifying new potential instructors and topics, sharing highlights from OLLI courses and promoting the OLLI program. To be eligible for the Curriculum Committee, you must be a currently active OLLI member and have been a member for at least two years, and complete a brief interview.

To learn more about serving on a committee, please email osher@uclaextension.edu.

Volunteer Opportunities (remote & in-person options)

Friends of Extension – OLLI members are eligible to join the Friends of Extension volunteer program. These volunteers provide services to UCLA Extension such as checking in students for courses, being a virtual teacher's assistant for OLLI Zoom courses and helping with any special events. For more information about the Friends of Extension, please contact Jan Woo at jwoo@unex.ucla.edu or call (310) 825-1024.

Generation Xchange Program (GenX) – GenX is a partnership between the UCLA Department of Medicine and the L.A. Unified School District that brings retired adults into K-5 classrooms to help children achieve academic success. The mission is to promote greater health and wellness outcomes in at-risk older adults, while simultaneously supporting greater academic and behavioral outcomes for children in grades kindergarten through 5th grade. For more information, contact D'Ann Morris, Associate Director at dmmorris@mednet.ucla.edu or leave a voicemail for the UCLA Division of Geriatrics (310) 267-5114 and a team member will contact you.

OLLI at UCLA Giving

SUPPORT THE OLLI PROGRAM WITH A GIFT TODAY.

Thank you to all the donors and friends of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UCLA, without whom the OLLI program would not be possible. We extend our sincerest thanks and appreciation for your continued support.

OLLI at UCLA depends on private contributions from caring individuals like you to keep our program running and thriving. Your investment in OLLI at UCLA ensures that our high quality courses continue to enrich the lives of adults throughout Los Angeles.

As we prepare for the future, we rely on individual donations from members and non-members who believe in the transformative work of lifelong learning. You can help support the continuation and growth of the OLLI at UCLA program by making a tax-deductible donation of any size to our scholarship fund or support fund.

Michael Williams Memorial Scholarship Fund

The Michael Williams Memorial Scholarship provides members who demonstrate financial need and a commitment to lifelong learning a free year of Plus OLLI membership. A donation to the OLLI scholarship fund means we can award a greater number of scholarships every quarter.

OLLI Support Fund

Membership dues and course fees only cover a percentage of program costs. A donation to the OLLI support fund ensures that we can continue to provide excellence in programming, instruction, and service.

Help us reach our $30,000 annual fundraising goal.

Gifts can be made online at: giving.ucla.edu/SupportOsher

For questions about giving to OLLI at UCLA or to send a gift by mail, contact UCLA Extension’s Office of Development by email at deansoffice@uclaextension.edu.

Through our new collaboration with Geffen Playhouse, OLLI members and friends are invited to the world premiere of The Reservoir on Wednesday, July 16 at 8 pm. The play is about a troubled Gen Z college student who enlists the help of his four grandparents to get his life together.

Geffen Playhouse is offering us tickets at $48— nearly half price— along with a private pre-show talk outside the theater by the Geffen’s Literary Manager, Olivia O’Connor and a 30-minute post show Talk Back held at the Geffen immediately following the performance inside the theater with Olivia moderating with cast members. Stay tuned for details on the pre-talk and where OLLI@UCLA members and friends will meet for dinner before showtime.

Order your $48 tickets by scanning the QR code or call Geffen Playhouse at (310) 208-5454, Monday-Sunday, 12 noon – 6pm, and quote the promotion code: OLLI48GP. You may purchase up to four tickets per order. (Code expires 7/1/25 or while supplies last.) Tickets are limited to 4 per person.

Instructors

WINTER 2025

James Aldinger, former two-term mayor of Manhattan Beach; designed and built satellites for 30+ years for Hughes Aircraft Company (later Boeing).

Samuel Barnes, Director of Tai Chi Works Studio and the Qigong Healing Institute; a master teacher of Tai Chi, Qigong, Hsing I, Bagua and meditation for over 42 years.

Steve Barri, composer; lyricist; producer of many hit records; former vice president of ABC Dunhill, Warner Bros., and Motown Records

Shelley R. Bonus, writer, astronomical historian, content creator for the Caltech Infrared Astronomy website, CoolCosmos, and telescope coordinator for the Mt. Wilson Observatory.

Paul Boorstin, author of three novels of terror: The Glory Hand, Savage, and The Accursed. Mr. Boorstin is also a screenwriter whose films include Angel of Death and Fire with Fire. He has written numerous TV specials as well, including the recent Inside the KGB (NBC), and has received an Emmy and an Academy Award nomination

Sharon Boorstin, former contributing writer for the Los Angeles Times, specializing in lifestyle and travel; has written for Bon Appetit, Smithsonian and Town & Country Travel; author of the memoir/ cookbook Let Us Eat Cake: Adventures in Food & Friendship

Bonnie Cahoon, certified in the Pilates Method for twenty years; third-generation Classical Pilates Instructor. Her master teacher was trained by Joseph Pilates protégé Romana Kryzanowska. Certification included Kinesiology, Anatomy and 900 hours of apprenticeship.

Garret Camilleri, MFA in Performance/ Theater Education; educator, actor, director, and arts advocate

Emilia Chuquin, PhD, Spanish, UNM, Albuquerque, UCLA Extension Spanish Instructor

Peter Cipkowski, Ed.D., literary historian, publishing executive, and author of Revolution in Eastern Europe: The Collapse of Communism. He serves on the Willa Cather Foundation Board of Governors.

Deborah Beth Cohen PhD in Culture and Performance, UCLA; artist; designer; educator at the Museum of Contemporary Art Los Angeles (MOCA) for 21 years

Carlo Coppola, PhD in Comparative Literature, University of Chicago; published author, editor, critic, world literature teacher and translator of poetry and fiction from South Asian literatures.

Vincent Coppola, PhD in Philosophy, Pontifical Gregorian University; MFA in Film and Theater Arts, UCLA

Jared Day, PhD; taught American history at Carnegie Mellon University; expertise in US political, urban, and cultural history, and world history from the 15th century to the present.

Douglas Dee, Lyengar Yoga teacher in Los Angeles and Santa Monica for more than 20 years.

Ellen Demsky award-winning event and portrait photographer & photography instructor; current National Duathlon (bike & run) champion and winner of the LA Marathon for her age group.

Ruth Anne Gooley PhD in French Language and Literature, UCLA

Myrna Hant, PhD; Former Research Scholar, Center for the Study of Women, UCLA

Phyllis K. Herman PhD in History of Religion, UCLA; professor of religious studies at CSUN with a focus on South Asia; coeditor of The Constant and Changing Face of the Goddess: Goddess Traditions in Asia.

Kurt Hohenstein, PhD, MA, JD, former associate professor of History at Winona State University; independent historian for the SEC Historical Society; author of Coining Corruption: The Making of the American Campaign Finance System and The Rules of the Game: Simple Truths Learned from Little League

Jeffrey Hutter, PhD; Psychologist; former assistant clinical professor, School of Medicine, UCLA; past president, Gestalt Therapy Institute of Los Angeles; former clinical consultant at the Institute for Meditation and Psychotherapy.

Mort Kamins, attorney; freelance writer on American cultural history, contemporary literature, jazz, classical music, sports, business, and law, including articles for Esquire, Sports Illustrated, Billboard, Los Angeles, Texas Monthly, Writer's Digest, and Los Angeles Times

Klaudia Kovács, multi-award-winning film and theater director based in Hollywood, CA

Leonard Koff, PhD, UC Berkeley; associate, UCLA Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies

Shanna Lim, illustrator who is currently working as a background painter for Disney consumer products, which includes Cars 3 and other Disney princess books. She was also a 3D artist/lighter on Lord of the Rings, Shrek and How to Train Your Dragon for Dreamworks and Weta

Nancy McAfee, MA in Art History, art historian who spent 18 years at the Cleveland Museum of Art as an educator and community outreach director. She also taught AP Art History for 10 years to high school students.

Jim McKairnes, MA, media veteran of 30+ years including 15 years at CBS Television, author, TV historian. He has taught at DePaul University, Temple University, and Middle Tennessee State University outside Nashville.

Joan Moran, MS in Education; MA in Theater Arts; Producing Fellow, AFI; CoFounder and Artistic Director, The Meadows Playhouse UNLV; author, 60, Sex & Tango, Confessions of a Beatnik Boomer

Andrew Muson, Juilliard-trained, musician, composer, and producer who has recorded gold and platinum albums, TV themes, and film scores. He’s appeared on stages from Carnegie Hall to Montreux with artists including James Taylor, The Manhattan Transfer, Bette Midler, Yoko Ono, and Albert King

Konstantinos (Duncan) Palamourdas, PhD, Mathematical Logic, UCLA Ph.D., author, Why Alex Beats Bobbie at Poker: Developing a Fundamentally Sound Approach to Poker

Alex Pirolini, PhD in American film history, University of London; author of Rouben Mamoulian and The Cinema of Preston Sturges and has written numerous articles, essays, and film reviews for various publications.

Ken Poston, international jazz festival producer, teacher, and director of the Los Angeles Jazz Institute, program director of Jazz 88.3 in San Diego.

Dave Radlauer, host of the radio show, Jazz Rhythm, has won six broadcast awards and authored 200 articles for online and print publications. He has donated a large jazz collection to, and wrote interpretive articles for, the Stanford Libraries.

Ronni Rice, Certified instructor, American Mah-Jongg Instructors Association who has taught hundreds of new players how to play

Myra Rich, Ph.D. in History from Yale University. Her primary field is American History from the settlements to the Civil War, with a particular focus on the 17th and 18th centuries. Her second, but no less important, field is the history of women in America

Anahit Rostomyan, MMus in organ performance, MA in musicology. She is pursuing dual DMA and PhD degrees in these two fields of study at UCLA and is an avid performer of period keyboard instruments.

Eleanor Schrader, MBA, Loyola Marymount University; graduate work in fine and decorative arts at Sotheby’s Institute in London and New York, and graduate studies in architectural history at USC

Ryan Shiotsuki, PhD in musicology; lecturer in Musicology, UCLA and Chapman University

Maria Siciliano, MPA, Harvard University; MS in Gerontology, USC; principal and founder, Gerontology in Action

Angie Sierra, Tai Chi Instructor and Reiki Master, more than ten years in Tai Chi curriculum development, founder and director of Sierra Holistic Collective

Steve Sohmer, PhD; student of the Holocaust for the past 17 years. His research has taken him to Nuremberg , Berlin, Dachau, Auschwitz, Ravensbruck, Bergen-Belsen, Buchenwald, and the Deutsche Kinemathek

Lee Scott Theisen, PhD, American history, Latin American History and Art at University of Arizona; lecturer on film and food culture with expertise on chocolate.

Susan McMillen Villar, PhD in Hispanic and Luso literatures, languages, cultures, and linguistics; retired director of Spanish and Portuguese language instruction, University of Minnesota Twin Cities.

Edward Watts, PhD, American history, Latin American History and Art at University of Arizona; lecturer on film and food culture with expertise on chocolate.

Katherine E. Zoraster, MA; adjunct professor of art history at Moorpark College, CSU Northridge, and the Los Angeles Academy of Figurative Arts.

General Information & Policies

OLLI membership is required to enroll in courses.

• Guests must receive permission to attend classes.

• Auditing is not allowed.

• Membership is not transferable to a family member or friend.

• UCLA Extension’s Senior Citizen Discount does not apply to OLLI courses or OLLI membership.

• Many OLLI courses have limited enrollment, so early enrollment is advised.

• Students must be age 50 or greater to become OLLI members.

OLLI Scholarship Program

OLLI at UCLA offers a limited amount of scholarships each year to current and prospective members who demonstrate financial need. Please visit uclaextension.edu/olli-membership to download a scholarship application or email osher@uclaextension.edu to request a copy.

Refund Policy

Refund requests will be accepted through the close of business on the final refund date, which is printed on your enrollment receipt. A $30 administrative fee is withheld from each refund request (this fee is waived for Plus members).

OLLI membership dues are nonrefundable and nontransferable. Taste of Osher course fees are non-refundable.

Contact the OLLI office: Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.

Phone: (310) 206-2693

Email: osher@uclaextension.edu

Course information is sent to students two days before the start date. Students who enroll into a course on or after the first day should contact the OLLI office to request a copy of the course information.

Remote courses can be accessed by logging into my.uclaextension.edu (Canvas).

To contact registration: (310) 825-9971

To request a refund:

Email: refunds@uclaextension.edu

Parking Options

In Westwood, a variety of public parking lots and metered parking is available throughout the village. Please expect daily parking costs to range from $3–$22 depending on time and day.

Mass Transit Information

For detailed information on bus service to Westwood Village, visit metro.net, bigbluebus.com, or culvercity.org.

In accordance with UCLA Extension policy, service dogs will need to be registered with UCLA Extension’s Services for Students with Disabilities Office. You are allowed to attend your first class meeting with your service dog, but will not be able to attend any future meetings until you are registered with the UCLA Extension Disabilities Office.

“Under ADA Revised Requirements of September 2010, only dogs can serve as service animals. Further, a service animal is a dog that is trained to perform special tasks for a person with a disability They are working animals, not pets. A dog whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support will not qualify as a service animal under the ADA.”

Please contact Pam Head, the coordinator of Services for Students with Disabilities Office, at (310) 825-0183 to begin and complete the process to have your service dog registered.

UCLA Extension is the continuing education division of the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). We offer courses evenings and weekends in Westwood and Downtown L.A., plus online classes available around the globe. Courses range from business, arts, engineering and IT, to entertainment studies, public policy, public health, the humanities and more. Explore UCLA Extension at uclaextension.edu

The Bernard Osher Foundation

With an endowment from the Bernard Osher Foundation, UCLA Extension joins universities across the United States at the forefront of a national initiative to provide learning opportunities to serve the intellectual and cultural needs of older adults.

OLLI Membership & Enrollment Form

Joining

OLLI is easy. Choose one of the options below.

1. OLLI Basic Membership: Basic members enroll at regular course fees.

2. OLLI Plus Membership: Plus members enroll at significantly reduced course fees.

To Enroll

Online: uclaextension.edu/osher By Phone: (310) 825-9971

By Mail: UCLA Extension, Dept. K, Box 24901, Los Angeles, CA 90024-0901

Name

Mailing Address

Daytime Phone Number

Email Address

Birth Date (mo/day/yr)**

CHECK enclosed payable to: The Regents of UC

Note: There is a $30 charge for returned checks. For Basic Membership holders, a $30 administrative fee is withheld from each course for which you request a refund unless the course is canceled, discontinued, rescheduled, or has a special refund policy. Memberships are nonrefundable.

**You must be 50 years or above to join OLLI. UCLA Extension’s Senior Citizen Discount does not apply to OLLI courses or membership. Date of birth is used to verify eligibility.

In accordance with applicable federal laws and University policy, the University of California does not discriminate in any of its policies, procedures, or practices on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, or disability. Inquiries regarding the University’s equal opportunity policies may be directed to Office of Registrar, UCLA Extension, Dept. K, Box 24901, Los Angeles, CA 90024-0901; Voice/TDD: (310) 825-8845. For information on services for students with disabilities, or questions about accessibility, please call (310) 825-7851 (voice or TTY).

† Discount code available on most classes at least 30 days before course start date.