COURSE SCHEDULE   

Delve into the history of magicians of the late 1800s. By the start of the 20th century, as early cinema promised action and adventure, audiences were eager for new marvels. Learn how magicians of the day competed for the entertainment dollar with the introduction of blades, chains, bullets, and fire into their death-defying performances. Let professional magician Tony Blake be your guide through this exciting era of magic with actual magic demonstrations from that time – sans the bullets!

There are two types of violence we face in the world; social and anti-social violence. There is a myriad of differences between them. The most critical one is social violence can always be de-escalated. The act of social aggression in question isn’t personal, but the individual, regardless of how profane, threatening and disrespectful they may be, they still have an issue they want resolving. This course provides a brief introduction to both types of violence, introduces the idea that the de-escalation of others requires a deconstruction of one's own ego, and finally verbal do/don'ts for successful de-escalation.

In considering the great technological advancements of the twentieth century, among the most heralded was the achievements  of three men: Wilbur and Orville Wright and Charles Lindbergh.  Fulfilling the dreams of millennia, on December 17, 1903 two bicycle-building brothers from Dayton, Ohio stunned the world by demonstrating that man could actually fly, forever changing humanity's relationship with the skies.  Their achievement was crowned on May 21, 1927 when  a  25 year old Detroit native  landed his single engines plane called "The Spirit of St. Louis" in Paris after a daring trans-oceanic flight, demonstrating that not even the seven seas could defeat the pioneering dreams of  mankind.  Our session will celebrate the lengthy and laborious quest to conquer the skies with the historic firsts of these now renowned individuals.

In considering the great technological advancements of the twentieth century, among the most heralded was the achievements  of three men: Wilbur and Orville Wright and Charles Lindbergh.  Fulfilling the dreams of millennia, on December 17, 1903 two bicycle-building brothers from Dayton, Ohio stunned the world by demonstrating that man could actually fly, forever changing humanity's relationship with the skies.  Their achievement was crowned on May 21, 1927 when  a  25 year old Detroit native  landed his single engines plane called "The Spirit of St. Louis" in Paris after a daring trans-oceanic flight, demonstrating that not even the seven seas could defeat the pioneering dreams of  mankind.  Our session will celebrate the lengthy and laborious quest to conquer the skies with the historic firsts of these now renowned individuals.

This short course will trace the history of the Central Intelligence Agency and the Soviet Committee for State Security (KGB) from the 1960s to the present time. Mr. Hofer, drawing from his knowledge of KGB and CIA operations will highlight the intelligence successes and failures of both government intelligence services. He will describe in detail the creation of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) in the early 1990s, its activities and structure. Mr. Hofer will also describe the evolution of CIA as it pivoted from its Cold War activities to Counterterrorism. Mr Hofer does not reveal any true names, locations or events. No classified information is discussed or revealed. Nevertheless, you will come away with a new appreciation of both the Russian and American intelligence services.

This short course will trace the history of the Central Intelligence Agency and the Soviet Committee for State Security (KGB) from the 1960s to the present time. Mr. Hofer, drawing from his knowledge of KGB and CIA operations will highlight the intelligence successes and failures of both government intelligence services. He will describe in detail the creation of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) in the early 1990s, its activities and structure. Mr. Hofer will also describe the evolution of CIA as it pivoted from its Cold War activities to Counterterrorism. Mr Hofer does not reveal any true names, locations or events. No classified information is discussed or revealed. Nevertheless, you will come away with a new appreciation of both the Russian and American intelligence services.

The world of 1914 was a fundamentally different place than we know it today. The world was controlled by a series of empires based in Europe. These empires on July 28th,1914 would go to war. This conflict would rewrite the maps of the world. The weapons of this war shocked the world and killed millions. Submarine warfare would almost bring the greatest empire in human history to its knees. Armies ground to a halt in the war of the trenches on the Western Front. This course will examine the weapons and the aftermath of WW 1 which ended November 1918.

The world of 1914 was a fundamentally different place than we know it today. The world was controlled by a series of empires based in Europe. These empires on July 28th,1914 would go to war. This conflict would rewrite the maps of the world. The weapons of this war shocked the world and killed millions. Submarine warfare would almost bring the greatest empire in human history to its knees. Armies ground to a halt in the war of the trenches on the Western Front. This course will examine the weapons and the aftermath of WW 1 which ended November 1918.

Dolphins are fascinating, streamlined and lively creatures, for sure! And they have mystified and tantalized humans for centuries. Join us as we explore all things dolphin in their possible origination as land mammals, their "move" to the sea, their anatomy, characteristics and behaviors, and why we feel a kinship with them even though we are land dwellers. And, yes, we'll include a bit about the nearly look-alike porpoises, and their distinctive characteristics that separate them from dolphins.

Forty years ago, in 1984, Frances McDormand made her film and stage debut. That same year, she married Joel Coen. The rest is history. This course will look at the style of the Coen Brothers, Joel and Ethan. Participants will consider the Coen films through the lens of the traditional genres they use, manipulate, and update—like tragedy, comedy, film noir, westerns, and farce. Please note class schedule.

Explore the intricate journey of Vladimir Putin, delving into his formative years in the KGB and beyond, his extensive 24-year tenure as the President of Russia, and the complex landscape of contemporary geopolitics. Uncover the accomplishments and challenges of his presidency, while examining the real and perceived threats to US, NATO interests, territorial integrity, and global peace. Please note class schedule.

So you're interested in exploring fascinating and diverse Latin American communities in St. Pete, Tampa, Orlando, Palmetto, Bradenton, and Sarasota. Well, let's learn essential Spanish vocabulary and phrases for ordering food in Latin American restaurants, bakeries, ice cream shops, etc. Besides learning and practicing pronunciation of essential Spanish vocabulary and phrases, you will gain insights into Latin American culture and communication style. This introductory 4-session course is FUN, practical and requires no previous knowledge of Spanish.

ChatGPT is 1 of 5 Generative AI apps in healthcare that are promising. For clinicians, it can create initial progress notes and care plans. In medical education, it serves as an interactive encyclopedia. In research, GPT aids scientists in formulating questions, study protocols and data summaries. Despite concerns about risks and regulation, an informative overview will enable participants to make educated decisions about this emerging technology.

Explore Tampa's transformative journey from the visionary influence of Henry Plant to the resilience shown during the Great Depression. Discover how Plant's innovations shaped the city's landscape, and how Tampa overcame economic hardships, reinventing itself as a beacon of hope and progress.

Join Ron Weaver as he shares intriguing stories about scandals that have captured the public's curiosity. Delve into the question of whether lawyer Frank Ragano fabricated Santo Trafficante Jr.'s involvement in the JFK Assassination. Explore the scandals linked to Saddam Hussein that prompted responses from Tampa's Norman Schwarzkopf and Tommy Franks. Reflect on the convictions of Area Commissioners Bruce Tyndal and Jerry Bowmer for bribery or drug trafficking. Examine the fallout of Operation Dirty Ink, which led to the arrest of twenty-four alleged drug traffickers. Finally, hear about the  notorious Charlie Wall, Tampa's crime boss. This lecture promises to provide you with intriguing perspectives.

Celebrate the legacy of the Master of Cinema Suspense, from his humble beginnings to a worldwide legacy. From his catalogue of films and television series, to his colorful life and memorable cameos, we'll explore the world of Hitch!

Celebrate the legacy of the Master of Cinema Suspense, from his humble beginnings to a worldwide legacy. From his catalogue of films and television series, to his colorful life and memorable cameos, we'll explore the world of Hitch!

Step back in time and relive the magic of Woodstock as we commemorate the 55th anniversary of this iconic music festival and cultural phenomenon. Through music, stories, and images, Joy Katzen-Guthrie will revisit the legendary performances, the countercultural movement, and the enduring legacy of Woodstock.

Step back in time and relive the magic of Woodstock as we commemorate the 55th anniversary of this iconic music festival and cultural phenomenon. Through music, stories, and images, Joy Katzen-Guthrie will revisit the legendary performances, the countercultural movement, and the enduring legacy of Woodstock.

Discover the illustrious history, forgotten stories and new discoveries of Tampa Bay's oldest hotel. The home of Gilded Age wealth on Florida's Gulf Coast for over a century, the Belleview Biltmore hosted presidents, celebrities - even royalty during its original 112 years of operation. Joey Vars merges history, culture and preservation in a memorable lecture that honors the legacy of the "Queen of the Gulf."

Discover the illustrious history, forgotten stories and new discoveries of Tampa Bay's oldest hotel. The home of Gilded Age wealth on Florida's Gulf Coast for over a century, the Belleview Biltmore hosted presidents, celebrities - even royalty during its original 112 years of operation. Joey Vars merges history, culture and preservation in a memorable lecture that honors the legacy of the "Queen of the Gulf."

Continue the virtual road trip across the Sunshine State as Cathy takes you to more Florida counties. This course will include photos of Florida places then — and now, and Cathy will share the environmental, cultural, and historic significance of these places.

The ancient Greeks held fascinating beliefs in the afterlife. A dark, dreary place for most, but a glimmer of sanctuary for some. Why did Sisyphus have to push that rock uphill? Could Orpheus really bring back his beloved wife from the dead? Travel with Heracles and Odysseus as they meet the souls in Hades during their own arduous journeys. This is an exploration of the ancient Greeks view of what goes on after the living is gone.

Did John Adams listen to Abigail? Was Mary Todd Lincoln depressed? Did Eleanor advise Franklin? Did Edith Wilson really take over for the president? Was Hillary really a co-president? These are questions frequently asked about the first lady. She has no job description, and her position is unpaid. There is nothing she is required to do, but much that we expect. From the birth of our country through the present, this course will explore the evolution of the role and the Office of the First Lady. In addition to biographical information, we will explore topics and themes related to the women behind the men. We will examine how they helped shape history and how they left lasting legacies that impact many of us today.

Your instructors: Diana Carlin, PhD and Myra Gutin, PhD

Myra G. Gutin, PhD is Professor Emerita of communication at Rider University. For the past 40 years, her research has focused on American First Ladies. She is the author of The President's Partner: The First Lady in the Twentieth Century and Barbara Bush: Presidential Matriarch. She has authored book chapters, articles, and op-eds about first ladies and is currently at work on a biography of Betty Ford. A frequent media commentator, she is the immediate past president and one of the founders of FLARE, the First Ladies Association for Research and Education.

Diana Carlin, PhD is Professor Emerita of communication at Saint Louis University. She teaches courses on and written about First Ladies for 30 years and is the co-author of U.S. First Ladies: Making History and Leaving Legacies and Remember the First Ladies: America's History-Making Women. Carlin has also published articles and book chapters on a variety of First Ladies and researches and writes on the topics of women in politics, presidential communication, and political debate.

This course provides a comprehensive exploration of medieval scientific thought, encompassing various disciplines such as medicine, astronomy, and geography. We will delve into the groundbreaking insights and theories proposed by influential figures like Alhazen and Hildegard of Bingen. Through in-depth analysis and interactive discussions, we will uncover the complex network of scientific inquiry that defined the medieval era. This journey into medieval science promises intellectual enrichment. Additionally, it offers a unique opportunity to engage with historical methodologies and scientific concepts, fostering a deeper understanding of the medieval worldview. Join this enlightening exploration, as we discover the wonders of medieval science.

Your instructor: Ilya Dines, PhD

Ilya Dines, PhD a native of St. Petersburg, Russia, completed his doctorate on the topic of medieval bestiaries at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Dines pursued postdoctoral research in Cologne and Cambridge, where he focused on the production of medieval pigments, stained glass, and bells. Dines has authored three books and 20 articles on medieval animals, cartography, and medieval manuscripts.

“Introverts are hermits. Introverts don’t like people. Introverts can’t hold a conversation.” These are some of the myths associated with introversion, the highly misunderstood personality type. In a society where the most extroverted are celebrated and rewarded, how do introverts fit in? For those who acknowledge and embrace their introversion, they know how to create a space for themselves. For those who are masquerading as extroverts, they are exhausted because they haven’t mastered how to be their true, authentic selves. For others, they don’t even realize they are introverts because of the stigma attached to the word - - who wants to be associated with such negative descriptions? In this course we will unpack this together and discuss the power of introverts, the beautiful balance of relationships with extroverts, how we support and honor both personality types, and much more.

Your instructor: Jeri Bingham

Jeri Bingham is an introvert advocate and strategist, and the founder of HushLoudly: Introverts Redefined, an award-winning WGN Radio podcast and brand. Dedicated to amplifying the voices of introverts in a world that celebrates and rewards the most extroverted, Bingham is on a mission to empower, through education and understanding, the most ill-defined, misunderstood personality type. Bingham is an adjunct lecturer for Northwestern University and speaks frequently on the topic of introversion at universities and companies. She has been featured in The Chicago Tribune, Cosmo UK, Color Magazine, WGN Radio Chicago, and the Myers-Briggs Company Podcast. She is a contributing writer for the Myers-Briggs Magazine and Rolling Out magazine. Her Myers-Briggs articles include "Inclusivity Includes Black Introverts" and "Be a Champion for All, Including Your Introverts." Bingham is a higher education administrator and marketing communications executive who has served in leading accountability positions in academia and non-profits for more than 25 years.

This course will explore the legal history of gender and the law, understanding gender in its broadest sense including sex, sexuality, and gender identity. We will discuss sex discrimination doctrines under the Equal Protection Clause of the United States Constitution as well as under federal laws such as Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972.

By focusing on US Supreme Court decisions and gender equality advocates, we will explore the relationship between law and justice in many areas that affect gender minority lives, including employment, schools, health care, family, and beyond. The work of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Brenda Feigen, Sandra Day O’Connor, and Pauli Murray will be discussed. Some film clips will be used in class.

Your instructor: Lauren Andersen, JD

Lauren Andersen is the director of the Utah Judicial Institute. Andersen practiced appellate law in the state of California and presented arguments to the California Supreme Court and the US Supreme Court. During this time, Andersen closely studied the Roberts Court. She has lectured about the Supreme Court and the death penalty. Her opinions were quoted by The New York Times and the ABA Journal. She was previously the director of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Utah.

As the world watches the best athletes on the planet at a veracious rate during the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, learn what it is like to cover those competitors from the proverbial press box. What research do sports reporters need to have at the ready to understand the psychology and business of the best teams in the NFL, MLB, or NHL? Where do journalists get it right or wrong when writing or editing features in a rapidly changing gender dynamic of college athletics as Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Women's Basketball team proved? How do we understand from outside the ropes the familial and financial dynamics at play when talking about controversies like the PGA vs. LIV saga which is lighting the world of golf on fire? Answer these questions and more with Professor Annie Krall, a sports and news broadcaster. This course is for those who are regularly glued to their sports channels and those who simply like knowing who to root for during the big games. Yes, in the world of heroes and villains there is always more at play on and off the court.

Your instructor: Annie Krall

Annie Krall is an adjunct faculty member at Northwestern University Medill School of Journalism. She is a former radio news anchor for WLS-Radio (890AM) in Chicago and has taken her storytelling abilities on-air as a TV news and sports reporter to NBC in St. Louis, MO (KSDK-TV) and ABC in Green Bay, WI (WBAY-TV).

After earning her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Northwestern University, Krall covered breaking news in Green Bay, the Ryder Cup international golf tournament, and the Green Bay Packers. Host of her own weekly medical investigative series “Your Health Matters,” Krall has written and produced for ABC NEWS in New York City on the medical and business units for shows like Good Morning America, World News Tonight with David Muir, and 20/20.

Sharpening her golf skills as a competitive golfer starting at the age of six, Krall was the first entertainment golf correspondent for the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA). She has helped spotlight celebrity women who either play or have had their lives changed by the sport.

The 20th century was a time of social and political changes that brought about varied responses in the art world. The social changes manifested during World War I and its aftermath were felt in the cutting-edge art movements that questioned the existing world order. Through the broken planes of Cubism to the jazzy images of the Harlem Renaissance, artists found their voices through varying degrees of despair in an attempt to capture the awaking spirit of the 20th century. In the aftermath of World War II, artists rallied to make sense of the changes brought about through post-war shifts in society to a new prosperity in consumerism. Through the confusing images of the Abstract Expressionists to the playfulness of Pop Art, we will explore how artists challenged and knocked down the walls of not only traditional art but the heretofore avant-garde art forms of the earlier 20th century.

Your instructor: Eleanor Schrader

Eleanor Schrader is an award-winning educator, lecturer, and author. She lectures and leads tours worldwide on art and architectural history. She has been named a distinguished instructor at UCLA Extension, where she teaches history of architecture, interior design, furniture, and decorative arts. Schrader is a Professor Emerita of art and architectural history at Santa Monica College. She has completed graduate work in fine and decorative arts at Sotheby's Institute in London and New York. She has served as a design review commissioner for the City of Beverly Hills and currently serves on the board of directors of the John Lautner Foundation.

American writer Patricia Highsmith first published The Talented Mr. Ripley in 1955. The story is told from the point of view of Tom Ripley, a man who is young, clever, and has a knack for fraud. A case of mistaken identity earns him a ticket abroad to a scenic coastal village in Italy, a far cry from his hardscrabble life in New York City. He soon becomes obsessed with Dickie Greenleaf, heir to a shipbuilding fortune and embarks on a series of deceitful and sinister acts that beget more of the same. Highsmith’s story builds its suspense as the reader traverses Tom’s physical and psychological journey through an affluent world too obtuse to recognize the extent to which he is a threat.

The Talented Mr. Ripley has been adapted from book to screen multiple times, with the most notable being the 1999 film directed by Anthony Minghella, starring Matt Damon and Jude Law. Such is the influence of the story that it has invited comparison to the 2023 film Saltburn, whose main character commits a similar subterfuge on a wealthy British family over the course of a summer in their country castle. As stories of frauds and scammers endure across popular media, Tom Ripley’s is one that confronts the reader to examine how far they would go to gain access into a world whose entry requires reinventing oneself to the point of moral collapse.

In this course, we will study the Highsmith novel as well as the 1999 film adaptation. We will close out the course with a discussion of Saltburn, which is indebted to the novel.

Your instructor: Heather Brown, PhD

Heather Brown has a PhD in English with a concentration in rhetoric and composition from the University of Maryland, a master of arts in English from the University of North Carolina-Wilmington, and a bachelor of arts in English with a concentration in creative writing from Hollins University. She has taught courses in academic writing, English literature, language and linguistics, women’s literature, feminist theory and criticism, rhetorical theory and criticism, and more. Brown began working as a learning designer primarily serving graduate and professional studies programs in not-for-profit higher education institutions and library training organizations, and most recently the Northwestern University School of Professional Studies.

Brown is also an adjunct associate professor of academic writing at the University of Maryland Global Campus, one of the largest distance-learning institutions in the world, where over a third of the students are Black and African-American and the University serves more than 55,000 military-affiliated students worldwide.

Chinese Mahjong is played like a game of gin rummy. A "game" consists of 4 rounds (hands) of play. Each round ends when one player can build a "completed" hand consisting of 4 multiple-tile melds plus 1 pair of tiles. The game ends after four rounds and the player with the highest total of points wins the game.  No previous experience necessary! Join other OLLI members to learn a new skill.

“Eskimos have many words for snow.” “A language is a dialect with an army and a navy.” “Aborigines speak primitive languages.” “English has the world’s richest vocabulary.” “Children learn languages more easily than adults.” “Languages die because they are not fit enough for the modern world.” “Animals speak their own language.” You may hear many of these statements, but are they actually true? In this course, we will examine these and related beliefs about language. We will investigate what aspects of these statements are true and what aspects are false or even nonsensical. In doing so, we will explore topics including language diversity, language history, children’s language acquisition, adult language learning, animal and human communication, and much more. We will also consider where language myths come from and why they persist despite all the scientific evidence to the contrary.

Your instructor: Asya Pereltsvaig, PhD

Asya Pereltsvaig, PhD received a degree in English and History from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and a PhD in Linguistics from McGill University. She taught at Yale and Stanford, and has been teaching in lifelong education programs since 2010. Her expertise is in language and history, and the relationship between them. Her most recent book is Languages of the World: An Introduction, 4th edition. Pereltsvaig is a popular instructor for several OLLI programs around the country.

Would you like to better understand crosswords, have greater success in completing them, increase your enjoyment of the process, and impress your friends as a cruciverbalist? Besides being fun, crosswords have been shown to improve cognitive reserve and mental flexibility. We will introduce other benefits of solving puzzles and explore the highlights of crossword history and culture. We will learn about different types of crosswords, discuss solving strategies and techniques, explore online sources and applications, and introduce the process of constructing crosswords. During each session, we will also solve and discuss crosswords as a group to improve our skills.

Your instructor: Steve Weyer

Steve Weyer has been a cruciverbalist (crossword aficionado) since the 1990s. In 2002, he developed CrozzWord, a mobile app for crossword solving. Since 2010, he has been teaching crossword and other courses at the OLLI at Southern Oregon University. He also constructs crosswords for Jackson County Libraries and other organizations and publications. His first New York Times crossword debuted in November 2023. Weyer's crosswords appear weekly in Ashland.news and on his web site.