Course Offerings & Registration - Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

You MUST be a current member of Osher to enroll in a class or event. No exceptions.

The SCU Development office requires two business days to ensure that your payments have been processed and your profile shows that you have successfully paid for a particular course. If you miss the two-day cut-off, just send the OLLI office a copy of your email confirmation, showing payment has been made. We will forward the email link that grants you access to your class session.
Please be sure to register for each course at least two days prior to the start of the class session so that you can receive the email link that grants you access to it. You may register for a course that has already started any time, but you will pay the full price. Course fees are NOT prorated.
All class enrollments are online with a credit card on our secure server.
You will no longer need a login (username and password) to register for classes and events.
Membership is nonrefundable, regardless of whether you are able to enroll in your desired course.
If you register for any courses (s) that are ONLINE ONLY, you will receive an email link from the OLLI office 24 hours before the start of your first class session. The link will grant you access to your class via Zoom. If you do not receive the email, please email the OLLI office at olli@scu.edu and we will assist you.

Spring Quarter Announcements:

Spring 2026 Course Catalog
Courses Start Monday, March 30 - Wednesday, June 3
Click on the individual course links to view full course descriptions and to register your friend under the "Bring a Friend" program.

Mondays

Osher Online: Ghosts in the White House: The People Behind Presidential Speeches, with Diana Carlin - March 30, April 6, 13, 20, 27, and May 4 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
IN-PERSON ONLY: Plato's Republic: Philosopher-Kings at the Outset of Western Philosophy, with Barbara Clayton - March 30, April 6, 13, 20, and 27 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. THIS COURSE WILL BE RECORDED. Bring a Friend.
IN-PERSON ONLY: Taming Wildfires: Science, Technology, and Strategies for a Safer Future, with Bill Van Dalsem - April 13, 20, and 27 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. THIS COURSE WILL BE RECORDED.
IN-PERSON ONLY: Bioethics, Law, and Medical Aid in Dying (aka "The Right to Die"), with Lawrence Nelson - May 4, 11, and 18 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. THIS COURSE WILL BE RECORDED. Bring a Friend.

Tuesdays

Osher Online: The Scopes Monkey Trial: Then and Now, with Doug Mishkin - March 31, April 7, 14, 21, 28, and May 5 from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
HYBRID: The Golden Age of Soul, with Richie Unterberger - March 31, April 7, 14, 21, and 28 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. THIS COURSE WILL BE RECORDED. Bring a Friend.
Osher Online: Comic Book Literature, with Arnold Blumberg - March 31, April 7, 14, 21, 28, and May 5 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
IN-PERSON ONLY: More Magic, More Morrison, with Sarita Nyasha Cannon - March 31, April 7, 14, 21, and 28 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. THIS COURSE WILL BE RECORDED. Bring a Friend.
Osher Online: Frank Lloyd Wright and Modern Architecture, with Jennifer Gray - April 21, 28, May 5, 12, 19, and 26 from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
IN-PERSON ONLY: The Perfect Mother in U.S. History: From New Republic "Roman Matron" to TikTok "Trad Wife", with Michele Bertolone - May 5, 12, and 19 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. THIS COURSE WILL BE RECORDED. Bring a Friend.
IN-PERSON ONLY: Artificial Intelligence: Promise, Peril, and Purpose, with Theresa Conefrey - May 12, 19, and 26 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. THIS COURSE WILL BE RECORDED. Bring a Friend.

Wednesdays

Osher Online: A History of Street Art, with Heather Shirey - April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, and May 6 from 6:00 a.m. to 7:30 a.m.
IN-PERSON ONLY: Ruth Asawa: Art, Life, and Community, with Bridget Gilman - April 22, 29, and May 6 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. THIS COURSE WILL BE RECORDED. Bring a Friend.
IN-PERSON ONLY: The Painting of Raphael: Master Painter of the Italian Renaissance, with Christy Junkerman - May 13, 20, 27, and June 3 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. THIS COURSE WILL BE RECORDED. Bring a Friend.

Thursdays

ONLINE ONLY: Russia in the Early 20th Century (1894-1919): Belle Epoque or Revolutionary Crossroads?, with Asya Pereltsvaig - April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, and May 7 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. THIS COURSE WILL BE RECORDED.
Osher Online: Great Science Stories, with Johnnie Hendrickson - April 9, 16, 23, 30, May 7, and 14 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
IN-PERSON ONLY: Birding for Beginners: An Introduction to Birds and Becoming a Skilled Birdwatcher, with Ryan Phillips - April 23, 30, and May 7 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Field Trips: Thursday, May 14 and 21 from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. THIS COURSE WILL BE RECORDED.
IN-PERSON ONLY: Etta James & Ray Charles: Lives, Times & Music, with Pamela Rose - May 28, June 4, and 11 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. THIS COURSE WILL BE RECORDED. Bring a Friend.

Fridays

IN-PERSON ONLY: Exploring Our Brains: Stroke, Pain, Drugs, and the Brain, with Peter (Henry) Ralston - April 10, 17, and 24 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. THIS COURSE WILL BE RECORDED. Bring a Friend.
Osher Online: California Uncovered: A Journey Through Time, Place, and Identity, with Anthony Antonucci - April 10, 17, 24, May 1, 8, and 15 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
IN-PERSON ONLY: From Prunes to Computers: An Agricultural History of Silicon Valley, with Anne Marie Todd - April 10, 17, and 24 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. THIS COURSE WILL BE RECORDED. Bring a Friend.
IN-PERSON ONLY: Rachmaninoff, Stravinsky, and Prokofiev: Russian Composers in the Early 20th Century, with John Kendall Bailey - May 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. THIS COURSE WILL BE RECORDED. Bring a Friend.
IN-PERSON ONLY: Haydn's Creation: May Choral Concert, with Scot Hanna-Weir - May 15 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Performance: Saturday, May 16 at 7:30 p.m. THIS COURSE WILL BE RECORDED.

Saturdays

IN-PERSON ONLY: Secrets in Our Lives, with Dale Larson - May 30 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. THIS COURSE WILL BE RECORDED.

Summer Quarter Announcements:

Summer 2026 Course Catalog - Coming Soon!
Courses Start Tuesday, June 23 - Friday, August 28
Click on the individual course links to view full course descriptions and to register your friend under the "Bring a Friend" program.

Mondays

IN-PERSON ONLY: Playful Connections: Keeping Your Mind Sharp Through Theatre Games, with Kimberly Mohne Hill - Monday and Wednesday, June 29 and July 1, July 6 and 8 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. THIS COURSE WILL NOT BE RECORDED.
IN-PERSON ONLY: Muslims in Russia, with Asya Pereltsvaig - June 29, July 6, 13, and 20 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. THIS COURSE WILL BE RECORDED.
IN-PERSON ONLY: Climate Change – Where We Are, How We Got Here, and What Do We Do?, with Steve Flowers - Monday, July 13, and Wednesday, July 15 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. THIS COURSE WILL BE RECORDED.

Tuesdays

IN-PERSON ONLY: Iran in the Last Century: How We Got to Where We Are Today, with Marwan D. Hanania - June 23, 30, July 7, and 14 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. THIS COURSE WILL BE RECORDED.
IN-PERSON ONLY: Birds, Islands, and Evolution: The Importance of Islands to Avian Evolution, with Bob Lewis- June 30, July 7, and 14 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. THIS COURSE WILL BE RECORDED.
OSHER ONLINE ONLY: Children's Literature: The Development of a Genre, with Blake Regnier - July 7, 14, 21, 28, August 4, and 11 from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
OSHER ONLINE ONLY: Discovering Portugal, with Alison Roberts - July 7, 14, 21, 28, August 4, and 11 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
IN-PERSON ONLY: Mussolini: The Rise, Fall and Legacy of a Fascist Regime, 1922-1943, with Greg Tomlinson - July 21, 28, August 4, and 11 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. THIS COURSE WILL BE RECORDED.
OSHER ONLINE ONLY: Protecting Yourself as a Patient, with Hardeep Singh - July 21, 28, August 4, 11, 18, and 25 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
OSHER ONLINE ONLY: Broadway Musicals: A Fascinating History, with Emanuel Abramovits - July 21, 28, August 4, 11, 18, and 25 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
IN-PERSON ONLY: From the Printing Press to Chatbots: A History of Communication Revolutions, with Jennifer Braddock - July 28, August 4, 11, and 18 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. THIS COURSE WILL BE RECORDED.

Wednesdays

IN-PERSON ONLY: Playful Connections: Keeping Your Mind Sharp Through Theatre Games, with Kimberly Mohne Hill - Monday and Wednesday, June 29 and July 1, July 6 and 8 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. THIS COURSE WILL NOT BE RECORDED.
IN-PERSON ONLY: Santa Clara County Water Supply, with Greer Stone - July 1, 8, and 15 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. THIS COURSE WILL BE RECORDED.
OSHER ONLINE ONLY: Canals and the Making of the Modern World, with Bernard (Bernie) Carlson - July 8, 15, 22, 29, August 5, and 12 from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
IN-PERSON ONLY: Climate Change – Where We Are, How We Got Here, and What Do We Do?, with Steve Flowers - Monday, July 13, and Wednesday, July 15 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. THIS COURSE WILL BE RECORDED.
OSHER ONLINE ONLY: Women Architects and Designers, with Eleanor Schrader - July 15, 22, 29, August 5, 12, and 19 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
OSHER ONLINE ONLY: Hindu Traditions: Ritual, Knowledge, Devotion, with Eileen Goddard - July 15, 22, 29, August 5, 12, and 19 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
HYBRID: Twentieth Century Rox: Rock and Soul Music on Film (The First 30 Years), with Richie Unterberger - July 22, 29, August 5, 12, 19, and 26 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. THIS COURSE WILL BE RECORDED.
IN-PERSON ONLY: "Lovers, Madmen, and Poets": A Midsummer Night's Dream and the Transformative Power of Imagination, with Adrienne Eastwood - July 22, 29, and August 5 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. THIS COURSE WILL BE RECORDED.

Thursdays

IN-PERSON ONLY: The History of Espionage and Intelligence, with Bruce Thompson - June 25, July 2, 9, and 16 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. THIS COURSE WILL BE RECORDED.
OSHER ONLINE ONLY: Endless Grounds: Coffee's Social, Economic, and Cultural Life, with Robert Thurston - July 9, 16, 23, 30, August 6m and 13 from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
OSHER ONLINE ONLY: Deaf Culture and History, with Matthew Cooper - July 9, 16, 23, 30, August 6, and 13 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
IN-PERSON ONLY: The Bible and Migration, with Robert Lassalle-Klein - July 16, 23, 30, and August 6 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. THIS COURSE WILL BE RECORDED.

Fridays

IN-PERSON ONLY: The Etruscans – A Well-Kept Secret in Roman History, with Gaius Stern - July 10, 17, 24, and 31 from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. THIS COURSE WILL BE RECORDED.
IN-PERSON ONLY: JKB's Classical Favorites, with John Kendall Bailey - August 14, 21, and 28 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. THIS COURSE WILL BE RECORDED.