OSHER LIFELONG LEARNING INSTITUTE
PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS 50 AND BETTER
|
| Fall 2009 Courses |
Mondays
• Travel Writing 101 for Fun (and Profit)
• Images of Latin America in Cinema
• Appalachia’s Ancestors: The Folk and Traditional Music of England,
Scotland, Ireland, and Wales |
Tuesdays
• The Historical Archaeology of Legend
• Contemporary Moral Problems II
• Dancing with the Stars: Astaire, Kelly, and Fosse
• Great Minds of the Western Intellectual Tradition |
Wednesdays
• Perspectives on Sainthood and Disobedience: The Lives of Women
Saints
• Catch Me If You Can: Understanding Fraudulent Behavior |
Thursdays
• Religion and Politics in American History
• Universal Spiritual Wisdom |
Fridays
• Art History: The Symbolism, Iconography, and Implications of
Ancient Greece, Etruria,and Rome
• An Illustrated History of World War II
• Geographic Pilgrimage to the Lands of the Bible
• Greek Mythology: From Chaos to Culture
• The Politics of Human Rights in a Global Era |
- Special Events (Osher members only)
- An Evening at The Old Globe
- Green Building Tour
- Lectures
- Personalizing the Tune: Jazz Musicians and the Great American Song Book
- The 2010 U.S. Census: Important Policy Decisions Depend on the Nuts and Bolts
- Muhammad and the Rise of Islam
- Osher Book Club (Osher members only)
- Them, Nathan McCall
- Netherland, Joseph O'Neill
- The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Mark Haddon
Courses are offered in the spring and fall and start throughout the semester.
To be added to our mailing list please contact: osher@mail.sdsu.edu
|
 Art History: The Symbolism, Iconography, and Implications of Ancient Greece, Etruria, and Rome |
"Art completes what nature cannot bring to finish…" ~Aristotle (384-322 BC)
What does the art of the Greeks, Etruscans (of Tuscany), and the Romans reveal about their views on life? Increase your awareness of symbols and visual metaphors from the classical era. Learn about the Greeks’ rich legacy in philosophy, government, science, and architecture; the Etruscan concepts of religion and government that would greatly influence Rome; and Ancient Rome's ability to govern with strength and ingenuity. Discover new connections between modern western culture and these ancient civilizations, as you increase your visual literacy and sophistication. There will also be an opportunity in this course for students to share information with each other about current art resources, events, and exhibitions of interest.
|
Instructor: Damon Hitchcock, MA; instructor, San Diego Museum of Art, Education Department; adjunct instructor, Miramar and Southwestern Colleges.
Noncredit Schedule No. 09FAOF 99814 OF
Dates:
Fridays, August 28-Oct. 2, 9-10:50 am
Location: Gateway Center, room 1504
Fee:
Member Fee: $59 | Non-Member Fee: $79
Schedule Number 09FAOF 99814 OF is Closed
|
|
|
|
The Historical Archaeology of Legend |
|
Some stories are larger than life. Yet we embrace them because they just may hold some truth. Drawing on his personal research across the United States, Professor Mallios uses archaeological evidence to investigate famous historical events, places, and people. Examining recent archaeological discoveries at Jamestown, Virginia, Palomar Mountain, and even San Diego State University, this course will evaluate the veracity of various American legends and discuss why many tall tales continue to be told.
|
Instructor: Seth Mallios, Ph.D., professor and chair in the Department of Anthropology, San Diego State University; founder and director of the San Diego Gravestone Project, an endeavor that has included two books (Cemeteries of San Diego [2007] Arcadia Press; and Cemeteries of San Diego County [2008] Arcadia Press) and multiple scholarly articles. He continues to work on some of the most important archaeological sites in the county including the Nate Harrison Site atop Palomar Mountain and the historic Whaley House in Old Town San Diego.
Noncredit Schedule No. 09FAOF 99806 OF
Dates:
Tuesdays, Sept. 1-Oct. 6, 9-10:50 am
Location: Extended Studies Center, room 201.
Fee:
Member Fee: $59 | Non Member Fee: $79
Schedule Number 09FAOF 99806 OF is Closed
|
|
|
|
Contemporary Moral Problems II |
|
Anyone is welcome to enroll in part two of Professor Atterton's popular spring course, where additional thought-provoking topics will be explored. Issues such as abortion, business ethics, pornography, hate speech, censorship, gun control, environmentalism, and inheritance taxation, are the subjects of intense national debates in America. This course is designed to help you think more deeply and effectively about these highly controversial matters and the prospects for resolving them. Professor Atterton will guide you through these discussions as a philosophy student so expect to disagree with your neighbor – but be ready to use careful argument and reason to defend your viewpoint!
|
Instructor: Peter Atterton, Ph.D. associate professor of philosophy, San Diego State University.
Noncredit Schedule No. 09FAOF 99807 OF
Dates:
Tuesdays, Sept. 1-Oct. 6, 4-5:50 pm
Location: Extended Studies Center, room 210.
Fee:
Member Fee: $59 | Non-Member Fee: $79
Schedule Number 09FAOF 99807 OF is Closed
|
|
|
|
Perspectives on Sainthood and Disobedience: The Lives of Women Saints |
|
What do you think of when you hear the word saint? The usual trite perspective presents saints as obedient and unquestioning of authority, particularly women saints. But a careful reading of their lives and writings reveals a different reality. This course focuses on selected Latin American, North American, and European female saints, particularly their resistance and accommodation to authority and to normative women's roles. Joan of Arc, Teresa of Avila, Rosa of Lima, Edith Stein, and others, were involved in the political and sociocultural realities of their times. Explore how these women have influenced the development of national and cultural identities. Returning students will discover lots of fascinating new material not previously covered!
|
Instructor: Oliva Espin; Ph.D., counseling psychology, Latin American studies; post-doctoral fellow, Harvard University; professor emerita, women's studies, SDSU.
Noncredit Schedule No. 09FAOF 99810 OF
Dates:
Wednesdays, Sept. 2-Oct. 7, 9-10:50 am
Location: Extended Studies Center, room 201.
Fee:
Member Fee: $59 | Non-Member Fee: $79
Schedule Number 09FAOF 99810 OF is Closed
|
|
|
|
Religion and Politics in American History |
|
The First Amendment of the United States Constitution prohibits our government from making any law "respecting an establishment of religion." However, even though there is no officially designated national church, religion has played a significant role in the development of this country. Looking at leading religious leaders and movements, this course will examine how religion has influenced broad themes in American history such as colonization, the American Revolution, slavery, the Civil War, Reconstruction, and the Civil Rights movement. Fascinating examples will be drawn from music and visual imagery. This course is sure to have you pondering the concept of the separation between church and state over the past few centuries.
|
Noncredit Schedule No. 09FAOF 99812 OF
Dates:
Thursdays, Sept. 3-24, 4-5:50 pm
Location: Extended Studies Center, room 201.
Fee:
Member Fee: $45 | Non-Member Fee: $65
Schedule Number 09FAOF 99812 OF is Closed
|
|
|
|
Travel Writing 101 for Fun (and Profit) |
|
Turn your love of travel into something even more rewarding! Whether you are documenting your trip for yourself, your family, or even for publication, go beyond the customary vacation pictures and journals. Learn how to document your journeys the way a travel writer does. Conduct valuable research before you leave, use guidebooks and online resources to build your story, write in a format that suits your audience, locate resources you never thought of, and learn about the art of travel photography. This course will draw on the works of well-known travel writers worth emulating, as well as the instructor's own experiences. It will also include strategies for publication, either online or in print, as a way to offset your travel costs.
|
Noncredit Schedule No. 09FAOF 99803 OF
Dates:
Mondays, Sept. 14-Oct. 19, 9-10:50 am
Location: Extended Studies Center, room 201.
Fee:
Member Fee: $59 | Non-Member Fee: $79
Schedule Number 09FAOF 99803 OF is Closed
|
|
|
|
Universal Spiritual Wisdom |
|
Are you living life to its fullest? Learn about the Hindu philosophies of the Upanishads. What do these historic scriptures teach us about the opportunity for celebration, self-discovery, and spiritual fulfillment? What solutions do they offer for facing life's challenges, both large and small? This course will explore the universal spiritual wisdom of the Upanishads for knowledge about how to strive for a life of balance, freedom, peace, joy, and fullness. Written over the course of thousands of years, learn why these documents are considered to be some of the most influential in the world.
|
Instructor: Mohan Sood, Ph.D., dean emeritus, Northeastern Illinois University, contributing editor and bureau chief, Indian Reporter & World News.
Noncredit Schedule No. 09FAOF 99813 OF
Dates:
Thursdays, Oct. 1-Nov. 5, 1-2:50 pm
Location: Extended Studies Center, room 201.
Fee:
Member Fee: $59 | Non-Member Fee: $79
Schedule Number 09FAOF 99813 OF is Closed
|
|
|
|
Geographic Pilgrimage to the Lands of the Bible |
|
Lands to the East of the Mediterranean Sea are considered "holy" by more people than any other place. Instructor Kaylor, a geographer who specializes in historical geography, studied archaeology at Hebrew University in Jerusalem and has completed a number of personal pilgrimages in search of authentic biblical sites in today's Israel, West Bank, Jordan, Egypt, and Turkey. This course will encourage appreciation of the role of geography in Holy Land history, examine authentic and symbolic sites and buildings considered by many to be "holy," and look at how Christians, Jews, Muslims, and outside invaders have altered the landscape over time.
|
Instructor: Richard "Rick" Kaylor, M.A.T., geography, Ed.D. curriculum and instruction; retired world geography, U.S. history, and social studies instructor; Osher Lifelong Learning Institute member.
Noncredit Schedule No. 09FAOF 99816 OF
Dates:
Fridays, Oct. 2-23, 1-2:50 pm
Location: Extended Studies Center, room 201.
Fee:
Member Fee: $45 | Non-Member Fee: $65
Schedule Number 09FAOF 99816 OF is Closed
|
|
|
|
Dancing with the Stars: Astaire, Kelly, and Fosse |
"The history of dance on film begins with Astaire." ~ Gene Kelly
"Don't dance for the audience; dance for yourself." ~ Bob Fosse
This course will explore, in detail, the life and careers of these three important and influential dancers from the musical stage and films. Over the course of four weeks, we will look at Fred Astaire with Ginger Rogers; Fred Astaire after Ginger Rogers; Gene Kelly, a true Renaissance Man in the entertainment industry; and Bob Fosse, who in a relatively short and turbulent life, went from dancer/actor to choreographer, to director, to Triple Crown winner of the Oscar, the Tony, and an Emmy.
|
Noncredit Schedule No. 09FAOF 99808 OF
Dates:
Tuesdays, Oct. 6-27, 1-2:50 pm
Location: Extended Studies Center, room 201.
Fee:
Member Fee: $45 | Non-Member Fee: $65
Schedule Number 09FAOF 99808 OF is Closed
|
|
|
|
An Illustrated History of World War II |
|
Travel back in time to a defining era in our nation's history. Rosie the Riveter was hard at work in the factories, supplies were being rationed, families were planting victory gardens, and President Roosevelt's fireside chats were broadcasting through crackling radios. Millions of Americans were serving their country in a conflict that involved virtually every part of the world. Through an impressive collection of images, this course will examine the events and the scale of World War II, its implications on the United States home front and beyond, and its impact on art. For instance, how did the suppression of modern art in Germany during this time influence modern art in the United States? There will be time to share your own stories and photographs at designated times throughout these six weeks.
|
Instructor: Damon Hitchcock (see previous biography)
Noncredit Schedule No. 09FAOF 99815 OF
Dates:
Fridays, Oct. 9-Nov. 13, 9-10:50 am
Location: Gateway Center, room 1504
Fee:
Member Fee: $59 | Non-Member Fee: $79
Schedule Number 09FAOF 99815 OF is Closed
|
|
|
|
Great Minds of the Western Intellectual Tradition |
|
What is the meaning of life? Investigate profound philosophical ideas of some of the most original thinkers of the Western intellectual tradition: Epicurus, Shakespeare, Kierkegaard, Marx, Darwin, and Freud. For instance, why did Epicurus think that the meaning of life is pleasure? Who wrote the works traditionally attributed to Shakespeare? Was it Christopher Marlowe, known in Elizabethan England as the "greatest atheist of the day?" And why did Freud believe in the existence of an unconscious mind that contains homicidal instincts, erotic impulses, and incestuous desires? No prior experience in philosophy is required to delve into this engaging course!
|
Instructor: Peter Atterton (see previous biography)
Section 1
Noncredit Schedule No. 09FAOF 99809 OF
Dates:
Tuesdays, Oct. 13-Nov. 17, 4-5:50 pm
Location: Extended Studies Center, room 210.
Fee:
Member Fee: $59 | Non-Member Fee: $79
Schedule Number 09FAOF 99809 OF is Closed
or
Section 2
Noncredit Schedule No. 09FAOF 99827 OF
Dates:
Tuesdays, Oct. 20-Dec. 1, 10-11:50am
Location: Extended Studies Center, room 210
Fee:
$79
Schedule Number 09FAOF 99827 OF is Closed
|
|
|
|
Catch Me If You Can: Understanding Fraudulent Behavior |
|
From snake oil salesmen to land swindlers, robber barons to Ponzi schemers, American history is littered with con artists. Modern-day cases of fraud continue to make headlines. What is it about our society that presents these opportunities for deception? What are the perceived pressures that lead people down this path, and how do they rationalize their activities? Specific cases of fraud will be examined, many of them from the local news. Learn about the investigational tools being used to detect fraudulent behavior, including revealing lies. A truly eye-opening course!
|
Instructor: Martha Doran is an assistant professor in the School of Accountancy who joined the SDSU faculty in 1996. Before coming to SDSU, she served on the faculties of Stephens College in Missouri and Arizona State University.
Noncredit Schedule No. 09FAOF 99811 OF
Dates:
Wednesdays, Oct. 14-Nov. 4, 9-10:50 am
Location: Extended Studies Center, room 201.
Fee:
Member Fee: $45 | Non-Member Fee: $65
Schedule Number 09FAOF 99811 OF is Closed
|
|
|
|
Images of Latin America in Cinema |
|
Mexican films such as Pan's Labyrinth in 2006, and Like Water for Chocolate in 1992 have gained international attention. However, Latin American filmmaking has a much richer history than perhaps many Hollywood fans in the United States are familiar with. This course surveys films from and about Latin America. It investigates the development of film technique and film language in the context of social, political and cultural developments. How did the 1959 Cuban revolution impact Latin American filmmaking? How did filmmakers respond to the 1970s military dictatorships in Argentina and Chile? And how are stories of Latin American immigrants depicted by Hispanic- American filmmakers? This is your opportunity to expand your perspective on this diverse cinematic genre.
|
Noncredit Schedule No. 09FAOF 99804 OF
Dates:
Mondays, Oct. 19-Nov. 30, 2-4:30 (No class November 23) Please note new course end date.
Location: Extended Studies Center, room 201.
Fee:
Member Fee: $59 | Non Member Fee: $79
Schedule Number 09FAOF 99804 OF is Closed
|
|
|
|
Appalachia's Ancestors: The Folk and Traditional Music of England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales |
|
From the mountain cabins of Appalachia in the Eastern United States come the old-time tunes of fiddles, banjos, fretted dulcimers, and guitars that would evolve into bluegrass, country, and folk music. But many of these American sounds actually have roots in Great Britain. With June Goldenberg as your guide, travel to the four countries that comprise the British Isles. Listen to music samples and stories as you learn about the distinctive histories, cultures, and musical styles of each country. This course will examine the similarities and differences that shaped the music of England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales and their relationship to American folk and traditional music.
|
Instructor: June Goldenberg, M.A., ethnomusicologist and professor emeritus, Queensborough Community College.
Noncredit Schedule No. 09FAOF 99805 OF
Dates:
Mondays, Nov. 2-30, 9-10:50 am (No class on Nov. 23)
Location: Extended Studies Center, room 201.
Fee:
Member Fee: $45 | Non Member Fee: $65
Schedule Number 09FAOF 99805 OF is Closed
|
|
|
|
Greek Mythology: From Chaos to Culture |
|
Are the Greek gods still with us? In this course we will examine the stories of the gods, goddesses, and heroes of Ancient Greece. How did they explain the trials of human existence and how have these tales been interpreted in modern times? Explore the varied meanings of myth through the theories of Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung, and Joseph Campbell. Gain a higher understanding of complex and often contradictory information about the human relationship to the divine and the ways that this understanding can be applied to our own world today.
|
Noncredit Schedule No. 09FAOF 99817 OF
Dates:
Fridays, Nov. 6-Dec. 4, 1-2:50 pm (No class Nov. 27)
Location: Extended Studies Center, room 201.
Fee:
Member Fee: $45 | Non-Member Fee: $65
Schedule Number 09FAOF 99817 OF is Closed
|
|
|
|
The Politics of Human Rights in a Global Era |
|
Is every human being on earth entitled to certain rights? Or does that depend on politics? What kinds of challenges and issues arise when international human rights law is put into practice? States and international organizations, being political entities, hardly disregard their political interests when recognizing or applying international human rights law. This course examines the origins, evolution, contents, and monitoring mechanisms of international human rights law, and the mandates and activities of international organizations in this field. Many situations will be examined. For example, why was the United Nations late in responding to the genocide in Rwanda, Bosnia, and Darfur? Why is the situation in Tibet still unresolved? Is the right to life inconsistent with abortion, assisted suicide, or embryonic stem cell research? Does the right to privacy include freedom to choose sexual orientation and protection from government email surveillance? Join us to find out whether or not, in this era of globalization, it is possible for human rights and politics to coexist.
|
Instructor: Eyassu Gayim, JD; adjunct faculty, SDSU political science department; former human rights instructor, University of Helsinki; former visiting scholar at UCSD, UCLA, USD, and CWSL.
Noncredit Schedule No. 09FAOF 99818 OF
Dates:
Fridays, Nov. 20-Dec. 18, 10-11:50 am (No class Nov. 27)
Location: Extended Studies Center, room 201.
Fee:
Member Fee: $45 | Non-Member Fee: $65
Register online for 09FAOF 99818 OF
|
|
|
| Last update
July 14, 2009
|
|
|
