In-person Courses   

Welcome to a study of “100 Years of the Best American Short Stories” edited by Moore and Pitlor. This course provides a deep dive into some of the finest short stories ever published. Authors include Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Joyce Carol Oates, to name a few. Before each session, students will read three designated submissions from the short-story anthology and then discuss them in class. We will be covering the first 20 stories, which explore a wide variety of settings, characters and intentions — wrapped in fascinating topics. This is a highly interactive class. Be ready to speak up and engage in dialogue about all the stories so that students and teacher alike may enjoy and learn from this text and from each other. 

NOTE: A copy of “100 Years of the Best American Short Stories,” edited by Lorrie Moore and Heidi Pitlor, is required. It is available, new or used (for as low as $7). This is a new course and a new book. The same book will be used for subsequent courses through Fall 2027. 

Who will control the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate in the last two years of President Trump’s administration? That will be the major topic of this course. We’ll also discuss some major state governor races, certainly including Oregon and California. Election laws, campaign spending and developing issues will also be topics for classes. All viewpoints will be welcome. No background information is essential for participants, only an interest in our country.

Who will control the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate in the last two years of President Trump’s administration? That will be the major topic of this course. We’ll also discuss some major state governor races, certainly including Oregon and California. Election laws, campaign spending and developing issues will also be topics for classes. All viewpoints will be welcome. No background information is essential for participants, only an interest in our country.

This is a beginning course in 3D printing. Students will learn about the history of 3D printing, its uses and how it works. The many types of 3D printers and the wide range of materials that can be used for printing will be discussed. As part of the actual printing process, students will use 3D modeling software to access existing files of 3D models for printing 3D objects. Toward the end of the course, students will work on customizing and printing a 3D printed bobblehead or light box. Students will learn how to set up the 3D printer, change filaments and perform basic maintenance. No prior experience is required. Participants should be comfortable following directions to navigate computer software.

NOTE: Total cost to participate is $112 ($28 per session) and includes course materials. Payment should be made directly to Talent Maker City after registration is processed. Registration fees are nonrefundable, and a signed liability waiver is required to participate.

PowerPoint presentations that include stories and facts are shared with an emphasis on birding in the Rogue Valley and around the region. The members of the class are invited to share their stories and information. Topics are chosen that best fit the time of year and the interests of the folks who come to the class. No experience or prior knowledge is needed. Rather, it is a class that invites curiosity and engagement with nature and community. Poetry is interwoven throughout. Topics may include fall birding, connecting birding with poetry, mindful birding and learning about how birds get their common and Latin names. Generally, we focus on birds’ behaviors and how we can connect with them and all of nature and how we can take care of the nature that we love. 

Have you ever wondered how you might feel stable and more at ease in unstable and uncertain times? This six-week course, for the novice as well as for the seasoned meditator, is designed to be user-friendly and devoid of any ideological framework. It aims to integrate the practice of meditation seamlessly into ordinary life. It’s an invitation to quiet an overactive mind, regulate and calm your nervous system and follow your curiosity down the yellow brick road of your inner world, as well as to better understand how we all create our subjective experience. Each class will include discussion, guidance and lengthening periods of meditative practice. 

NOTE: Participants from previous classes are welcome to repeat this class. It is quite useful to deepen the meditation experience. 

Artificial Intelligence is shaping how we think, write and learn. This hands-on course explores how tools like ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini can serve as tutors, guides and personal learning companions. Participants will experiment with prompts, compare AI and Google searches, explore multiple perspectives and design a personal learning plan. Each session combines short presentations, live demonstrations and AI application exercises. Topics include how AI “learns,” effective prompt writing, creativity, research and everyday uses of AI. No experience with AI or technology is required beyond familiarity with computers — just curiosity and a willingness to explore how intelligent tools can enhance lifelong learning. 

NOTE: Students must bring a laptop or tablet computer to use during class. 

In this course participants will learn to draw and paint wild animals. Using photographs as references, students will first work with pencils, then complete their pictures in watercolor. Step- by-step instruction, including demonstrations, will be given, and the instructor will share samples of her own work. The instructor will provide chalk pastels, watercolors and brushes; students should bring their own watercolor paper and a sketchbook. A small donation for art supplies would be appreciated. Students are always encouraged to draw/paint at home and bring in their work to share with the class. All levels of drawing experience and expertise are welcome.

In this course participants will learn to draw and paint wild animals. Using photographs as references, students will first work with pencils, then complete their pictures in watercolor. Step- by-step instruction, including demonstrations, will be given, and the instructor will share samples of her own work. The instructor will provide chalk pastels, watercolors and brushes; students should bring their own watercolor paper and a sketchbook. A small donation for art supplies would be appreciated. Students are always encouraged to draw/paint at home and bring in their work to share with the class. All levels of drawing experience and expertise are welcome.

Ken Burns has been making documentary films for 50 years. Since the Academy Award-nominated “Brooklyn Bridge” in 1981, Burns has gone on to direct and produce some of the most acclaimed historical documentaries ever made. This course will explore recurring themes of Burns’ lifetime of work, rather than covering events chronologically. We will view film clips ranging from less than a minute in length to just over eight minutes. By showcasing how the legacies of individuals and events can ripple through time, the clips encourage all learners to consider context and the importance of knowing our history and to develop stronger critical thinking skills. The clips make connections across time and film, drawing attention to the bigger picture.

This course explores how unions, workers and collective action have been represented across mainstream cinema and network television. The recurring narratives that shape popular understandings of organized labor will be examined through screenings of films such as “On the Waterfront,” “Norma Rae,” “F.I.S.T.” and “Blue Collar,” along with selected television fare: episodes of “The Untouchables” and “The Simpsons.” Central to the course is “what Hollywood has done to unions” — how storytelling conventions have alternately dramatized, simplified, vilified or romanticized labor struggles. While this course will not emphasize literature or economics, some discussion of important books about unions will be featured, as well as a look at post-1945 labor history.

This course is a one-week introductory boot camp geared for absolute beginners who want to learn the basics of playing American Mah-Jongg. This boot camp is a one-week, five-day series of hands-on play and practice activities and is limited to two tables of four or five students at each table. Instruction will cover the game materials and the rules of play. This is not for people who have played before and want to get back into the game. Intermediate or advanced game play strategies are not part of this activity. At the conclusion of the boot camp, students will understand the game materials, objectives and rules of play, and be ready to form a group of beginners to continue their AMJ play. 

NOTE: The required reference text is provided by the instructor. The text fee is $10, payable at the first class, cash only. Please commit to the full week of classes. Missing one class can disrupt the learning experience for all participants. 

Relax, have fun, and enjoy heartfelt stories about animals — both domestic and wild. Through these tales, you’ll experience the unique love, wisdom and presence that animals offer, while possibly reconnecting with meaningful encounters from your own life. Intuitive messages from animals will be shared and you will be guided through gentle visualizations to help you access your inner connection with animals. Together, these experiences will be explored through group discussions and Q&A, creating a supportive space for reflection. You’ll also hear lighthearted instructor-written fairy stories that use animal characters as metaphors for life’s lessons. This class is designed to awaken the soul, spark curiosity and deepen your appreciation for the many ways animals touch our lives.

Three films. Three generations of outsiders. Three unforgettable soundtracks. In “Easy Rider” (1969), two free spirits hit the open road and discover how little America loves its dreamers. In “This Is Spinal Tap” (1984), a legendary rock band faces the cruel truth that the world stopped listening; they just haven’t noticed yet. In “The Big Chill” (1983), former idealists reunite and reckon with the compromises that turned outsiders into insiders. Together these films trace an arc from countercultural defiance to comic self-delusion to hard-won wisdom — each set to music that defined a generation. Every session will include a PowerPoint analysis of the film, a viewing of the film and then discussion. Come for the nostalgia. Stay for the conversation.

This course will track the earliest history of humans in Oregon by taking a closer look at the remarkable research and theories of anthropologist Luther Cressman. Cressman traveled to the University of Oregon in 1929, researching archaeological artifacts. He discovered the famous Fort Rock sandals in Eastern Oregon underneath ash deposited by Mount Mazama’s eruption 7,600 years earlier. Carbon-14 data testing later confirmed that the Fort Rock sandals were more than 9,000 years old and the oldest of similar artifacts in North America. This discovery proved that Oregon’s human occupation dated to 12,750 years ago, well before Mazama’s eruption. The significance of carbon-14 dating, as well as changes in both climate and sociological conditions, will be examined.

From history and herstory to heresy, Karen Tate discusses aspects of sacred feminine liberation theology that might be most crucial for humanity’s healing and evolution. How one comes to discover Goddess might determine what one learns — and does not learn — about the Great She. Discover the divine feminine as deity, archetype and ideal in this course that uses lecture, discussion, activities, slides and some meditations.

The Byzantine Empire, 330-1453 C.E., was centered in Constantinople (modern Istanbul) where religious and imperial themes were combined to reflect the “caesaropapism” of that culture. Byzantine art differs from earlier Greco-Roman art in that it is interested in depicting the unseen, spiritual world — the intangible world of heaven. Rather than the depth and naturalism of the classical world, Byzantine art portrayed flatness and mystery in shimmering gold. We will survey this world: from its beginning in Ravenna and Constantinople, through the development of central-planned cross-in-square churches in Greece, to ivory and gold luxury items, to St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice, and on to 14th-century frescoes in Constantinople that influenced the Italian Renaissance. This is a lecture course. 

Creating collages is a freeing, fresh way of creating compositions, whether they stand on their own or become sketches for other artwork. Working with recycled, purchased, found and hand-painted papers, students will learn to think outside the box to hone their art-making skills. We will start with the basics: cutting, gluing and exploring the elements of a composition. Demonstrations will be given on ways to select and combine papers and on working in multiples. Students will explore color, line, space, shape, texture and value and will start by creating small postcard-sized collage pieces. At the end of the workshop, participants will have images they can glue into their scrapbooks/sketchbooks. The course is geared to students of all experience levels.

NOTE: There is a $5 per student materials fee.

Sydney Banks, a Scottish welder working in Vancouver, B.C., had a profound mystical experience that transformed his life. Banks traveled the world teaching at universities, writing books and sharing about the principles he discovered. We will explore two novels of his, inspired by a Three Principles global community course: “Second Chance” and “In Quest of the Pearl.” Students are not required to read the books, because we will watch video excerpts of Three Principles teachers reading and discussing passages. These delightful, enchanting books follow Richard, a troubled man dealing with a terminal diagnosis, pain, grief and depression as he vacations on Maui. He meets a mentor, Jonathan, and their rich conversations evoke deep feelings of peace.

NOTE: This course is based upon two books by Sydney Banks, “Second Chance” and “In Quest of the Pearl.” Both books are available from the Jackson County Library Hoopla website as audiobooks. The instructor also has copies he can loan to students in the class.

Sydney Banks, a Scottish welder working in Vancouver, B.C., had a profound mystical experience that transformed his life. Banks traveled the world teaching at universities, writing books and sharing about the principles he discovered. We will explore two novels of his, inspired by a Three Principles global community course: “Second Chance” and “In Quest of the Pearl.” Students are not required to read the books, because we will watch video excerpts of Three Principles teachers reading and discussing passages. These delightful, enchanting books follow Richard, a troubled man dealing with a terminal diagnosis, pain, grief and depression as he vacations on Maui. He meets a mentor, Jonathan, and their rich conversations evoke deep feelings of peace.

NOTE: This course is based upon two books by Sydney Banks, “Second Chance” and “In Quest of the Pearl.” Both books are available from the Jackson County Library Hoopla website as audiobooks. The instructor also has copies he can loan to students in the class.

Are you interested in learning to crochet? Come join us! We will learn the easiest stitch in the crochet world — the single crochet — and the magic circle. We’ll then combine those to make what’s called an amigurumi, which is a small stuffed doll, creature, ball or cat toy. Join us for a fun afternoon of crafting for four weeks this fall and come away with a great holiday gift for your loved one (or kitty-cat)! Part of each class will be teaching via live video, followed by work on students’ projects.

NOTE: Enrolled students will receive a list of recommended materials and yarn options. There is no class on Oct. 6.

Do you return from a memorable trip only to find that your photos don’t capture what it was really like to be there? This practical three-session class explores how to create stronger, more engaging travel photographs with any camera, from smartphones to professional systems. From planning your trip to printing the final image, you’ll learn how to work with the best light, improve composition and recognize the moments that tell the story of a place. The class focuses on observation, timing and visual storytelling rather than technical camera settings, making it ideal for photographers of all experience levels who want to create images that preserve both the sights and the experience of travel.

The Brain Agility Lab is based on brain training developed by Ryann Glatt at the Pacific Neuroscience Institute in Southern California. Designed for a social rather than clinical setting, the challenging games and activities make it fun, and the benefits multiply. Dual-tasking in the form of partner and group games supports increased neuroplasticity, creating new neurons and synapses by using different parts of the brain at the same time. Think of bouncing a ball while counting backward from 100 by threes. The goal isn’t to do it correctly; it’s to struggle and have fun.

NOTE: Students should be able to walk without assistance, turn their head without getting dizzy and be able to do light activity consisting of standing and walking for an hour. Signed liability waiver required to participate.

Bridge is a rich card game that is challenging and fun. This course is for people who have never played bridge, people who are returning to the game after a long absence and beginners looking to improve their game. Using many prepared examples, students will learn how to bid and how to play, along with many tips for advancing beyond the basics of the game. Most class days will include playing some full hands of bridge with guidance from the instructor. 

You can truly learn something new about the game of bridge forever. This course is geared for people who know a little about the game — they have played before and are familiar with the basics of bidding — and now want to improve their game. The focus will be on the fundamentals of the Standard American Five Card bidding system, followed by some good strategies for both playing (i.e., how to “make” your contracts) and for defending (i.e., how to defeat the opponents’ contracts). 

This course will cover a number of tips for players already familiar with the basics of the game of bridge. The ideal student is familiar with the content of my first two courses: Learn How to Play Bridge and Beginning Bridge 2. That is, some knowledge of the basics of the Standard American Five Card Major bidding system are assumed — though they will be reviewed during the course. Examples of topics include special uses of doubling, slam conventions, competitive bidding situations, opening leads guidelines, and general declarer and defensive strategies. Each class session will include a minimum of 45 minutes of students playing bridge hands.

This course will review some Broadway musicals that were hits of their time that are rarely produced anymore or, conversely, were considered failures in their initial run but are now considered minor classics. Each session will feature a full-length video with a discussion following. When available, filmed productions of the original stage version will be used rather than less faithful Hollywood movie adaptations. Titles for this term will include: “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” “Bye Bye Birdie,” “Kismet,” “Barnum” and “On the Town.” Enrollment in the preceding Parts 1-3 of this course is not a prerequisite.

This nine-week course explores the chakra system and its relationship to emotional, mental, physical and spiritual well-being. Students will learn the function of each major chakra, common signs of balance and imbalance, and practical techniques for supporting overall well-being through greater self-awareness. Topics include the energetic body, the seven primary chakras, the aura, grounding practices, meditation, and the connection between thoughts, emotions and energy. Instruction will include lectures, group discussion, guided exercises and experiential activities designed to help participants better understand and apply the concepts presented. The course is presented from an energy-healing perspective while encouraging personal exploration. 

NOTE: No prior knowledge or experience is required. Participants are encouraged to bring a notebook or journal for personal reflection. All participation is voluntary and may be adapted to individual comfort levels. There is no class on Nov. 11.

Most people want peace in their lives but many do not even know how to define it or create it. The book “The Peace Ability Mindset: Your Ultimate Guide to Practical Peace and Personal Wellbeing” by Reba J. Parker describes what peace is and how to create it in one’s life. Participants will become familiar with the peace ability mindset as Parker writes about teaching it in various settings — including in a police academy. She shares how students most benefited from learning nonviolent communication (NVC). Because of the importance of creating the peace ability mindset, the instructor will focus the second half of each session on activities to develop NVC skills.

NOTE: Suggested book purchase: “The Peace Ability Mindset: Your Ultimate Guide to Practical Peace and Personal Wellbeing” by Reba J. Parker. If participants have NVC cards they are encouraged to bring them.

Are you living your life in color? Color Your World is a short lecture/discussion series designed to give you tools for using color to enhance mood and well-being, inside and out. Session 1, Eat The Rainbow, helps you tantalize your taste buds, boost nutrition and increase mealtime enjoyment. Session 2, Closet Creations, is all about capsules, collections and creating your personal style. Session 3, Room Redos, is about small tweaks or total transformations for home decor that reflect you. Bring your current color dilemmas, projects and successes so we can learn from one another. Bonus: Session 3 includes a home decor exchange.

This course is an introduction to practicing yoga with an emphasis on compassion. It is a therapeutic approach to yoga, which gives students insight and awareness into how they breathe, how their bodies move and where they compensate. Students are invited to listen to their bodies during warm-up movements and poses and to avoid discomfort or pain. Each body is unique, and each person has different areas of discomfort. With compassionate awareness and being gentle with oneself, movement can improve and compensation patterns can change. This often results in better function and feeling better overall. Participants need to bring a yoga mat and be able to get on and off the floor.

NOTE: Signed liability waiver required to participate.

What is cryptocurrency? Join us and find out. This course is primarily for those who know little to nothing about cryptocurrencies (of which bitcoin is the most well-known). Each session will include in-class instruction using PowerPoint slide presentations and video clips followed by group discussions. We will review the history of money and world economies. You can expect to gain a greater understanding of the role cryptocurrencies are now playing in the world’s geopolitical and monetary arenas, focusing particularly on the role the U.S. is and will be playing and how it might affect us. By the end of the course you can expect to have a basic understanding of cryptocurrencies, as well as to have enough knowledge to procure and manage your own bitcoin.

DISCLAIMER AND LIABILITY WAIVER: This course is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. By enrolling, you assume all investment risks and agree to hold Southern Oregon University and its representatives harmless from any financial losses, damages or claims. 

Students will learn and practice dances of England, France and Italy that date from the Renaissance and Baroque periods and the late 18th century. At each class, participants will actively engage in a physical warm-up and targeted dance techniques. They will have ample time to practice the dances’ movements as they are taught. The warm-up is to prepare the body to move and dance. The techniques will break down the steps and movements needed to perform each dance and note how those steps evolved over time. Different dances will be taught than in previous versions of this course. No partner or prior dance background is required to participate.

NOTE: This is an active, physical class and we will be on our feet 90 minutes. Know your limitations. Signed liability waiver required to participate.

Join us as we harvest from our community dye garden and fix living color onto natural fibers! Students will be harvesting natural botanicals from our dye garden that the previous OLLI participants helped grow from seed and plant. Projects will also use some dye materials that are purchased from a woman-owned dye supply company in Washington. In this five-week series, you will learn the basics of natural dyes while using indigo on napkins, bundle dye techniques on socks and marigold dyestuff on bandanas.

NOTE: Total cost to participate is $140 ($28 per session) and includes course materials. Payment should be made directly to Talent Maker City after registration is processed. Registration fees are nonrefundable, and a signed liability waiver is required to participate.

Dystopian literature makes us look at our world in a different, and usually dark, way and asks significant philosophical questions about ecological disaster, social control and dehumanization. We will explore three different dystopian universes in novels and compare them to their expression in films. The films we will watch in class are: “On the Beach,” “Blade Runner” and “Never Let Me Go.” Students will read a new book every other week and then see the film in class. The rest of the class will be discussion with some brief comments by the instructor. No prior knowledge is expected.

NOTE: Books required: “On the Beach” by Nevil Shute; “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?” by Philip K. Dick; and “Never Let Me Go” by Kazuo Ishiguro. Please read any edition of “On the Beach” before the second class. Books are available from Bloomsbury Books and online used bookstores.

Step inside a circle of calm where the softest things in the universe can overcome the hardest, and discover Taoism as both a living philosophy and a practical toolkit for well-being. In this two-session introduction the instructor, a Taoist priest and founder of the School of Tao Chi, will demonstrate the living, working knowledge and application of Taoism in modern life. Applying ancient knowledge to our modern world through living practice and drawing on Taoism’s core ideas of yield-and-overcome and non-action with purpose, students will be shown the usefulness of this philosophy in modern life. Questions will be encouraged at the end of each class.

The periodic table is one of the iconic symbols of our knowledge of the world around us. This course has three very general topics: how chemists think about elements (atoms), how the periodic table came about and what it means, and what are some of the significant chemical elements and how they are involved in our lives, locally and globally. This is primarily a lecture course and may include some simple demonstrations, if possible. No prior background is required. Those with at least some high school-level chemistry will find some of this a review. The material covered in the course will come from a variety of sources, but no textbook will be required. Students will be given handouts summarizing various aspects of each lecture, which will also be available to download. 

NOTE: The course, last taught in Spring 2025, will be updated with new information and will also spend more time on the role of some elements, such as rare earth elements, in global conflicts. This course will be given at the Jacksonville Library Naverson Room, which is easily accessible with ample parking. 

Have you wondered why our economy works very well for a tiny elite and is increasingly difficult for most of us? Did you know Canada had a very successful and very different economic system from 1938 to 1973? That success story was abruptly cut short. Many highly credentialed economists have contrarian views, including Jeffrey Sachs, Herman Daly, Michael Hudson and Richard Werner. And you may also be concerned about why we have war after war. Globally, we have as many as 100 conflicts at once! Many retired military leaders openly criticize the permanent war agendas, and yet our leaders do not listen. We will call upon retired military officers Scott Ritter, Karen Kwiatkowsky, Douglas Macgregor and others to explain why these endless wars happen. The class will use a lecture format, with the third session open.

This four-session course will focus on important services and support one can receive when providing end-of-life care to a loved one. The importance of self-care during this process will be reinforced during the course. There will be ample time for discussion and questions. Topics will include: 1) Importance of completing advance directives and having the discussion; 2) Importance of caregiver self-care and use of resources; 3) Stages of dying and the use of hospice, palliative and home care; and 4) Importance of recognizing grief and understanding the process of such. A tour of Celia’s House, a residential hospice facility in Medford, is included. The course is open to any student who wishes to gain an understanding in preparing for this phase of life.

This four-session course will focus on important services and support one can receive when providing end-of-life care to a loved one. The importance of self-care during this process will be reinforced during the course. There will be ample time for discussion and questions. Topics will include: 1) Importance of completing advance directives and having the discussion; 2) Importance of caregiver self-care and use of resources; 3) Stages of dying and the use of hospice, palliative and home care; and 4) Importance of recognizing grief and understanding the process of such. A tour of Celia’s House, a residential hospice facility in Medford, is included. The course is open to any student who wishes to gain an understanding in preparing for this phase of life.

This course will examine and allow for discussion of end-of-life healthcare options including palliative care, hospice, medical aid in dying (MAID), the Oregon Death With Dignity Act (DWDA), Voluntarily Stopping Eating & Drinking (VSED), POLST and advance directives. Two 90-minute sessions will allow for lectures and case presentations on these topics as well as adequate time for discussion and questions. The primary presenter is an Oregon physician with experience in family and emergency medicine, EMS medical direction and end-of-life care. Some topics may be covered in presentations from other experienced and knowledgeable local healthcare providers.

NOTE: This is an educational course, and no specific medical advice, services, care or prescriptions will be provided to attendees.

From lyrical to lively, silly to sublime, English country dance dates from the 1600s. Discover dances of Jane Austen’s time as well as newly composed dances. Learn about the cultural aspects and history of this joyful living tradition as you enjoy moving to beautiful music. This is an on- your-feet and social class. No partner is necessary. 

NOTE: Signed liability waiver required to participate.

This is a previously taught course with new content that aims to broaden a student’s vocabulary and understanding of today’s spoken German. The class reads, checks for understanding and comments on selected readings. This term we will read and discuss the instructor’s memoirs from 1992 and later. The etymology of certain words will be discussed as well, and the rules of grammar will be explained on request. Occasionally, we will read and analyze German poetry or other culturally appropriate material. 

NOTE: There is no class on Nov. 11.

This course introduces the fundamentals of Oregon estate planning, which includes wills, trusts, durable powers of attorney, incapacity planning, guardianships, conservatorships, POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) and advance healthcare directives. Students will learn how assets are transferred, how incapacity is managed, and the basics of probate, trust administration and the Oregon estate tax. Instruction includes lectures, discussion and practical examples. Topics include fiduciary roles, decision-making authority and planning strategies. No prior legal knowledge is required. This course presents a general legal perspective and is structured as lectures followed by guided discussion and real-world scenarios. 

This course introduces the fundamentals of Oregon estate planning, which includes wills, trusts, durable powers of attorney, incapacity planning, guardianships, conservatorships, POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) and advance healthcare directives. Students will learn how assets are transferred, how incapacity is managed, and the basics of probate, trust administration and the Oregon estate tax. Instruction includes lectures, discussion and practical examples. Topics include fiduciary roles, decision-making authority and planning strategies. No prior legal knowledge is required. This course presents a general legal perspective and is structured as lectures followed by guided discussion and real-world scenarios. 

Every family carries secrets. This course explores family secrets from psychological and sociological perspectives. In our tell-all era, what secrets are kept and which are exposed? As we age, what do we do with secrets we have kept our whole lives? Ancestry explorations through DNA provide us with evidence of our origins and paternity/maternity. What do we do with those results? How do secrets interfere with relational closeness or distance? How are cultural secrets surrounding sexuality, immigration and war trauma steeped in shame and protected by shame? These are the areas of exploration for this class. Our core textbook walks us step by step through an exploration of whether to expose a secret and asks, “Whose secret is it?” 

NOTE: The textbook, Evan Imber-Black’s “The Secret Life of Families” (Bantam Books 1999), is still timely today and available through online sources for less than $20. Additional books in the bibliography are optional. 

Ready to feel more at home in the cloud? We will explore Google Workspace through demonstrations and hands-on activities, turning digital “how-to” into “I’ve got this.” Bring your laptop (essential) and phone. Apple, Windows and Android devices are welcome. Learn how Google applications seamlessly connect across devices. We will explore the essentials from securing your Google account and mastering Gmail to organizing your files in Drive and digital memories in Photos. We will also examine how to build clean, well-formatted documents, organize data in spreadsheets and craft engaging presentations. Our final topic includes time-management tips using Google Calendar. You are invited to explore the possibilities and gain the confidence to stay connected in today’s fast-paced digital world.

NOTE: Students must have an active, accessible Google account to participate in class. Those without an account or who cannot access their account or need assistance to ensure their account is set up properly (secure) must attend class Session 1. Those who can confidently access their Google account need not attend Session 1. Formal instruction will begin in Session 2.

Where does government money come from — and where does it go? This six-class course challenges the most common myth in economic life: that the federal government runs like a household budget. Starting from first principles, we will explore what fiat currency actually is, how money is created, and what separates a currency issuer (the federal government) from a currency user (everyone else). We will unpack the national “debt,” inflation, sectoral balances and the role of taxes in funding federal spending. Along the way we’ll screen “Finding the Money,” Stephanie Kelton’s documentary on modern monetary theory. No economics background is required — just curiosity and a willingness to question what you’ve been told. 

Come to this class ready to move your feet to a swing beat! We will have fun exploring East Coast Swing and Lindy Hop with music by Count Basie and other swing musicians. These are partner dances, but you do not need a partner to attend. We will all be partners for one another. Solo jazz dance and styling will be sprinkled in as class warm-ups. Join us for all the benefits that social dance has to offer — mental and physical exercise, socializing and fun! No prior dance experience is needed.

NOTE: Signed liability waiver required to participate.

This course explores the structure and primary movements of the shoulders, arms and hands, and how they are connected to the entire skeletal system. Each class features a lesson involving gentle movements, done slowly with minimal effort while paying attention to one’s own personal experience. Students will be guided through easy, novel movement sequences, exploring and discovering ways of moving that activate the neuroplasticity of the brain. The lessons are safe, fun puzzles for the nervous system and brain, and are designed to create new patterns of behavior. Benefits may include less neck and shoulder pain and enhanced rib and spine mobility for ease in turning, reaching and breathing. It is beneficial to repeat this course. 

NOTE: Signed liability waiver required to participate.

This course is all about singing Christmas Carols in French, with most selections having the exact same melodies familiar in many languages. “Silent Night” becomes “Douce Nuit,” “O Holy Night” becomes “Minuit Chretiens,” “Little Drummer Boy” becomes “Enfant au Tambour,” “Winter Wonderland” becomes “Bonhomme Hiver,” “Little Toy Trains” becomes “Petit Garcon/Petite Fille,” “Bring a Torch” becomes “Un Flambeau.” Usually, we end up with eight or 10, including some very simple rounds, which are good warm-ups to help get beginners started. Strong interest and willingness to practice are more important than French background. There are no requirements beyond the joy of singing in a group with familiar tunes in a group setting.

This course will provide an understanding of the founders of modern psychology and a historical context of how modern psychology came about. Each founder had a valid and practical approach to appreciating human psychological health. The perspective that will be used is historical, seeing each founder as a practical observer of the human condition from their own perspective and the conditions that drove their search for meaning and health. The course format will be lecture with questions but not excessive debate. The aim is to have students appreciate how the three different approaches are complementary, not exclusive — rather like three brothers whose work complements one another’s.

NOTE: Students should have some basic information about Jung and Freud. Jung’s autobiography, “Memories, Dreams and Reflections” and “The Basic Writings of Sigmund Freud” are helpful, but not necessary.

The Ashland New Plays Festival receives about 350 scripts annually in its quest to discover, develop and promote new plays. Through a community-based reading process, the festival selects four plays for professional staged readings. Course participants will read aloud and evaluate the first act of each of the four to explore character development, themes, structure and cultural foundations shaping each work. They will gain insight into how dramatic worlds and meaning are created and prepare for talkbacks with the playwrights. The four first acts will be sent to students prior to the first session. Two sessions will be held prior to the festival, with one session post-festival, for students to compare the experience of reading the plays versus hearing them read by professional actors.

NOTE: Festival tickets can be purchased at ashlandnewplays.org. Individual plays are $25, or $100 for all four.

We won’t actually be playing on our front porches, but we WILL be playing the kind of music that’s fun to perform at parties or informal gatherings with like-minded musicians. Students are asked to bring song charts with chord markings and lyrics to teach to the group, and everybody will play and sing. Songs should be easily accessible, easy to learn and fun to play! Instruments will typically be guitar, banjo, keyboard, mandolin, ukulele, harmonica, bass and fiddle. Students should be able to play basic chords in the keys of C, A, G, and D and have a tuner for their instrument. No music-reading ability is required. New and former students are welcome.

This is a survey course in the natural history of hawks, eagles and falcons. We will discuss the taxonomy, anatomy and behavior of these charismatic animals. Students will become familiar with the raptor “lifestyle” (hunting, courtship, interaction with other species), thereby gaining an appreciation for these birds of prey. Lectures will be augmented by a couple of brief videos. Prerequisite: A curiosity about our natural world. This course is being offered just prior to the arrival of Southern Oregon’s wintering raptors. Students will learn how and where to find these beautiful creatures. 

In this highly interactive wisdom-sharing course, you will be introduced to personal growth techniques that can help you to relieve the emotional pain you carry from feeling guilty, shameful or embarrassed about yourself. The backbone of the course will be discussions of the academic understandings of how guilt, shame and embarrassment originate and persist in our minds. We’ll examine specific issues (body shame, deceit, low self-esteem) that participants want to resolve. Powerful “ah-ha!” moments will help everyone to transform negative self-judgment into self-compassion and to remain on your path of authenticity guiding you to a shame-free future of expanded clarity and freedom. Sensitive subjects will be discussed, but participation in discussion is always voluntary.

This course is designed for those with little or no knowledge of maintaining and repairing a home. You’ll learn how water, gas and electricity enter a home and how to shut them off; how to change the filter in your furnace; and how to clean the coils on your refrigerator. We’ll talk about how to replace a light switch and outlet, fix door problems, plumbing and electricity, and what tools to have. You’ll learn what to watch out for outside the home, such as clogged gutters, water leaks, siding damage and invasive vegetation. We’ll discuss the advantages and disadvantages of buying through big-box stores versus independent merchants, how to choose a contractor and not get cheated, and other issues in maintenance and repair. Class members will have a chance to raise issues specific to their homes.

NOTE: There is no class on Nov. 11.

Hot News & Cool Views is an open discussion forum to explore and discuss each week’s breaking news, from Oregon to around the globe. All views and opinions are not only welcome but essential for lively discussion in the group. We cover a wide range of topics, including politics, climate change, technology and medicine. An agenda with articles to read will be sent to you prior to each class. Students are encouraged to send in topics and news articles to add to each week’s agenda. Please join us for a sizzling hot journey around the world with our fast, fun and sometimes controversial class, whose success is largely a product of the wisdom, knowledge and experience of our great group. Many people take our class again because it’s better than a strong cup of coffee to get your week going! 

Hot News & Cool Views is an open discussion forum to explore and discuss each week’s breaking news, from Oregon to around the globe. All views and opinions are not only welcome but essential for lively discussion in the group. We cover a wide range of topics, including politics, climate change, technology and medicine. An agenda with articles to read will be sent to you prior to each class. Students are encouraged to send in topics and news articles to add to each week’s agenda. Please join us for a sizzling hot journey around the world with our fast, fun and sometimes controversial class, whose success is largely a product of the wisdom, knowledge and experience of our great group. Many people take our class again because it’s better than a strong cup of coffee to get your week going! 

We appear to be as polarized as ever. According to David Brooks, author of “How to Know a Person,” it doesn’t take much to connect with a stranger. The best attitude is to be open, confident and curious. Listen closely for a vulnerability that they share. Try sharing a similar vulnerability to develop a deeper connection with them. During classes, we will learn how to handle tough conversations. Get into the “zone” with anyone, whether a stranger or acquaintance. Make new friends! The course will use “How to Know a Person” by David Brooks along with books by Charles Duhigg (“Supercommunicators”) and Emily Kasriel (“Deep Listening”). The course will be taught over five lectures. Discussions will be guided by PowerPoint presentations. Optional conversational exercises will be provided

We are awash in information, and a growing share of it is engineered to deceive, distract or inflame. This eight-week course offers a practical tool kit for recognizing flawed reasoning, identifying disinformation and thinking more clearly in daily life. We will work through the cognitive biases that make all of us vulnerable, the logical fallacies that appear in news and political speech, the tactics behind modern disinformation campaigns and the new challenge of AI-generated content. Each 60- to 90-minute session blends short lectures with group discussion and hands-on analysis of real examples drawn from across the political spectrum. No prior background is required — bring curiosity, examples from your own week and a willingness to examine your own thinking alongside others.

This five-session course introduces students to the core principles of improvisational theater in a friendly, low-pressure environment designed specifically for older adults. Students will learn foundational improv skills; active listening; “yes, and” collaboration; simple character choices; emotional expression; and basic storytelling. Instructions will be delivered through short demonstrations, guided group activities, partner exercises and supportive discussion. Activities will include warm-ups, ensemble games, simple scene work and structured storytelling exercises that emphasize connection, creativity and play. No prior theater or improv experience is expected.

NOTE: This is the same course as “Improv for Beginners: Yes, And …With Friends” that was offered in the 2026 Spring Term. Signed liability waiver required to participate.

This course expands participants’ improvisational skills through structured activities, guided scene work and supportive ensemble practice. Students will explore character development, emotional point of view, status interactions, story structure and multi-person scenes while strengthening listening, collaboration and spontaneity. Instruction includes demonstrations, warm-ups, partner and group exercises, and short scenes that encourage creative risk taking without performance pressure. No theater background is required; however, comfort with basic improv concepts is required. The course emphasizes relationship-centered, narrative-driven improv rather than comedy technique. Each session follows a consistent structure of warm-up, focused skill exploration, applied activities and reflection.

NOTE: Students should have mastered beginning improv skills prior to taking this class. Signed liability waiver required to participate.

In this course you will learn about the art of serigraphy, aka screen printing. Students will practice three different techniques for making screen prints and look at the work of screen printing legend Corita Kent. Learn about the screen filler/drawing fluid technique, Grafix Dura-lar drawing technique and screen stencil making. You will come away with your own unique prints on paper and fabric!

NOTE: Total cost to participate is $112 ($28 per session) and includes course materials. Payment should be made directly to Talent Maker City after registration is processed. Registration fees are nonrefundable, and a signed liability waiver is required to participate.

Me? Teach an OLLI course? Yes, you have unique life experiences to share, just as other instructors who teach courses throughout a term do. In this course, the instructor will share her life experiences in detail, including travel, hobbies, and social and political activities with the hope that students will share theirs. Together we will talk about our interests and histories of courses taken at OLLI at SOU. OLLI courses come from an individual’s experience, knowledge and passion for a topic. Hopefully, this time together will lead students to a desire to teach an OLLI course in the future.

If you can already play basic guitar chords and would like to learn new techniques to make your guitar playing more interesting, this course may be for you. It will introduce the fundamentals of rhythmic playing, moving bass lines, various strumming and picking techniques, bar chords, chords used in jazz, understanding blues, music theory for guitar players, pentatonic scales, blues scales and melodic playing. One goal will be to help you become more comfortable playing with other guitar players and to even consider performing at an open mic!

NOTE: A study guide will be mailed before the first session and posted on the Raider Moodle communications platform. Students should provide their own guitar, guitar tuner and capo. A music stand may also be useful in class and at home.

Explore the fundamentals of clay and handbuilding in this beginner-friendly clay class. During the four weeks, students will learn pinch, coil and slab construction techniques. Surface decoration methods, glazing and an introduction to the firing process will also be covered. No previous experience in clay is needed, just a desire to play and explore.

NOTE: Total cost to participate is $112 ($28 per session) and includes course materials. Payment should be made directly to Talent Maker City after registration is processed. Registration fees are nonrefundable, and a signed liability waiver is required to participate.

If you have ever watched a solid lump of clay take form on a potter’s wheel, it looks like magic, but really it is just a skill that can be practiced and learned. Over four weeks, students will learn the fundamental steps of throwing: preparing the clay, centering, opening, pulling the clay into a cylinder and shaping. We will also cover trimming and glazing. This course is designed for students with no experience or those who want to refine their skills.

NOTE: The total cost to participate is $112 ($28 per session) and includes course materials. Payment should be made directly to Talent Maker City after registration is processed. Registration fees are nonrefundable, and a signed liability waiver is required to participate.

The International Image Interoperability Framework (IIIF) might be just what you have been looking for, if you appreciate looking very closely at images and sharing them with others. IIIF, a set of open standards for delivering high-quality, attributed digital objects online at scale, has been adopted by hundreds of institutions. From photos of cell structures in the Wellcome Collection to details of manuscripts in the British Library, IIIF can provide excellent zoomable images, facilitate sharing and annotating details while preserving connections to the original images. Students will explore how to access the vast variety of images accessible in IIIF, share them with viewers like Mirador, annotate them and include the results in presentations (like teaching at OLLI).

NOTE: All the materials used in the course are available at no cost online.

Learn a complete tai chi form for health and longevity that can be done anywhere and is adaptable for all ages, body types and abilities. No previous experience is necessary. Reduce pain and stress, improve balance, increase focus and find comfortable ways to move while gaining benefits from a 3,000-year-old Chinese movement form. When students finish the course, they will have three tools for dealing with change, transition and life in general. These tools include the Tai Chi 17 Form (movements from a Yang short form), a martial arts sequence called Finished the Form, and a basic knowledge of tai chi and the martial arts. Each time students repeat this course, a deeper understanding of this lifelong practice can be gained. 

NOTE: Signed liability waiver required to participate.

Discover the joy of shaping wood on the lathe in this hands-on introductory course. You’ll learn the fundamentals of safe lathe operation and tool selection, the principles of spindle and face plate turning, and essential turning techniques while practicing on a variety of small projects. This is a project-directed class. Students will leave with projects reflecting their learned skills. No prior experience is required — just curiosity and a willingness to try something new.

NOTE: The total cost to participate is $100 ($25 per session) and includes course materials. Payment should be made directly to Talent Maker City after registration is processed. Registration fees are nonrefundable, and a signed liability waiver is required to participate.

Facing a major life change? Retirement? Empty nest? Divorce? New job? During big transitions, having a framework for self-reflection can help us increase satisfaction, provide a forum for exploring feelings, maintain equilibrium and reduce overall stress. Ruth Halpern will introduce processes for identifying values, goals and activities that will help make your transition, with all its challenges, into an opportunity to live more expansively. We’ll use an assortment of techniques, including journaling, doodling, improv games, group discussion, and brief stories and lectures. 

NOTE: Ruth Halpern’s Transitions Workbook will be available for optional purchase for $25.

This class is a review of the herstory of the feminist movement from the 1970s to the present. It will include readings by authors who were founding mothers and current theorists, along with legal material. Topics are: women’s economic and professional participation and equality; family rights for heterosexual and LGB partners and parents; the Take Back the Night movement; and changes in proof of sexual violence against women and girls. The life of female artists in print, music, film and paintings will also be explored. Are their varied sex/race/class and sexuality perspectives represented in the arts? Has the decline in women’s bookstores affected female writers and readers? And do current legislation, policies and cases protect the legal class of women and girls? Come learn more and join the dialogue!

NOTE: There will be required readings, but most will be scanned or copied and circulated.

Retirement brings a new set of financial decisions — and opportunities. This course explores practical strategies for managing money in retirement with greater confidence and clarity. Through lectures and discussion, we will cover topics such as retirement income planning, investment management, Social Security claiming strategies, Roth conversions, required minimum distributions, tax planning, charitable giving and insurance considerations. How to evaluate financial advisers and common retirement risks will also be discussed. The course is designed for those who want a better understanding of how the various pieces of retirement finance fit together. No prior financial background is required. Participants are encouraged to ask questions, share experiences and learn from one another.

DISCLAIMER AND LIABILITY WAIVER: This course is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. By enrolling, you assume all investment risks and agree to hold Southern Oregon University and its representatives harmless from any financial losses, damages or claims.

Whether students are at the beginning of their singing journeys or rediscovering the joys of singing, participants will learn healthy and sustainable vocal techniques that will keep them singing for a lifetime! Each class begins with a lesson on the “Four Pillars of Singing” — breathing, support, resonance and vowel production — based on voice science research. Singers learn exercises that build these skills and then how to apply them in song. The course is designed for beginning vocalists or those refreshing their knowledge. This is a highly interactive class, and students will start working on songs in the first session. Participants will need to practice daily outside class to make progress.

NOTE: Students will need an iPhone or iPad to play songs.

Want to use up stashed yarn? Want to get a start on knitting presents for the holidays? Need something to snuggle in your life? This class will teach knitters tips and techniques such as short rows, various increases and mattress stitch while creating a small fun project — an Emotional Support Chicken! This is a great course for using up bits of yarn you have on hand and learning knitting skills applicable to other projects. Students need to know how to cast on, knit, purl and bind off comfortably. Beginning knitting will not be taught.

NOTE: Students will need to purchase the pattern ($6.50) and view the final product at theknittingtreela.com; select Emotional Support Chicken kit. Stuffing, eyes, and red and yellow yarn (for the wattle, crown and beak) will be provided for a materials fee of $3 to $5.

Broaden your knitting skills by joining this knit-along and create a pair of wrist warmers and a pair of fingerless gloves. Participants will knit in class and on their own between classes as they learn techniques and tips for modifying simple patterns with some of the many options for the cast on, bind off, ribbing, charted stitch patterns and duplicate stitch. This is an advanced beginner/intermediate level course. Since we will not be going over the basics of knitting, participants must already know how to knit, purl, cast on and bind off. 

NOTE: Instructions for a gauge swatch to be completed before the first class, as well as yarn, needles and other material requirements will be sent by email. 

What is kumihimo? The word means “gathered threads” and involves using a multistrand cord or string known as the “koma.” Originally used for practical purposes such as securing armor and clothing, kumihimo now serves many decorative functions like jewelry making and home decor. Participants will learn the craft by making a friendship bracelet. After that is mastered, they will move on to more advanced designs and projects. Both new and returning students are welcome. We will try both simple and advanced designs to keep everyone engaged. 

NOTE: This is round, not square, kumihimo. A supply list will be sent to registered students prior to the first class. The cost of supplies may range from $15 to $40, depending on the project. 

Go is an ancient strategy game where two players alternate placing black and white stones on the board to control territory. Positioning, spatial relations and imagination are core elements of the game. Although it is simple in rules, it is complex in dynamics and interactions. By learning to play the game, you learn a bit about yourself and have fun along the way! The course will start at the beginner level, introducing the rules of the game, key concepts, ways to play, how to learn more and, finally, reviewing a master’s game. 

NOTE: Go equipment will be provided but you may bring a personal set if you wish. There is no class on Oct. 2 and Oct. 9.

In this course you will learn the basics of relief printmaking. Students will learn design tips and tricks to make a dynamic print, proper tool usage and cleanup, and how to successfully transfer a design. Instructor Amy Godard will guide you through the process of creating your own one- color relief prints that can be made into cards or limited-edition prints.

NOTE: Total cost to participate is $112 ($28 per session) and includes course materials. Payment should be made directly to Talent Maker City after registration is processed. Registration fees are nonrefundable, and a signed liability waiver is required to participate.

If you can hold a pencil, you can do this. Zentangle comes from the words “Zen” and “tangle” (entangled, interwoven) and combines creativity with meditation. Zentangle is an easy method to learn because it consists of structured patterns. Stroke by stroke, simple lines are repeated onto paper. With every line, you can dive further into the world of tangles. In a short time, tangles turn into amazing 3D, graphic, elaborate and beautiful tiles. They are unplanned, abstract, black and white. Zentangle calms, relaxes, and is fun. 

NOTE: Students should be prepared with pens, other drawing supplies and Zentangle tiles. A complete materials list will be sent to registered students. Depending on personal preferences and supplies already owned, the cost could range from $20 to $45. 

Students will be introduced to the art of juggling two, three or more balls. Everyone is welcome; whether you have never touched a juggling ball or you can juggle already, you will make progress on your juggling journey. We will start each class with warm-up activities to prepare our bodies and minds for learning, progress to instructor’s demonstrations of new skills and spend lots of time on coached practice. Skills will be scaffolded as appropriate, with various activities to help your learning. If you wish to make quicker progress, suggestions for outside practice will be given. Students will actively participate during class, which includes bending over to retrieve dropped balls. Tables will be available to juggle over to reduce the effort of picking up.

NOTE: Equipment will be provided for use during class. Students are encouraged to bring their own juggling balls, if they have them. If you would like to take home one of the sets we use in class, they will be $15-$20. Recommended: 120- to 135-gram, 65-70 mm thuds or beanbags, from a quality company like Renegade or Firetoys. Signed liability waiver required to participate.

While many Oregonians have advance directives for healthcare, there are other documents they can use to help shape the kinds and extent of healthcare they want as they age. This course explores directives, healthcare representation, HIPAA rules, Physician’s Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) and Oregon’s Death With Dignity law to help students guide their own decision-making and care. There will be four in-class discussions with PowerPoint slides and handouts and some recommended reading (none required).

This four-week course of three-hour classes each week is for music appreciators and musicians alike. The instructor will lead the class through Western music from the 11th through the 15th centuries with an eye to historic performance practice. Subjects covered will include medieval modes, neumes and notational systems, instruments and repertoire from known and anonymous composers. Reading music is not a prerequisite to this course, as we’ll learn the music together by rote. Each class will have time at the end for the lab, an instructor-led hands-on demonstration and workshop using special medieval instruments from the instructor’s collection. This course is aimed at all levels of musical proficiency.

Memorizing long passages of verse is an ancient bardic art, engaging multiple brain processes and exercising neural circuits involved in heightened attention and cognitive flow. Introspection of thought during memory creation and recall improves memorization skill. This course explores cognitive neuroscience and metacognition of long-term memory formation via lectures and disciplined practice in memorizing verse or playscript. Students develop practice routines and record progress in journals to prepare for in-class performance of selected verse. Skilled practice integrates multiple components of memory as recitation is animated with voice, gesture, mental images, emotion, story and meaning. Lectures cover brain function and cognitive neurosciences of learning, memory and metacognition. 

NOTE: The only prerequisites are interest in neuroscience of memory and intention to develop skill in memorizing verse or playscript. The course is fundamentally participatory. Every class meeting includes memory practice activities. The course is designed for and welcomes students of all abilities and experience with memorization. The first meeting is essential orientation for work in the course. 

Transform nature into metal clay jewelry! Discover the magic of turning leaves, flowers and found treasures into stunning jewelry. In this hands-on course, participants will learn how to capture botanical textures and natural forms using Art Clay bronze, copper and silver — all versatile metal clays. Create your own one-of-a-kind pendant, earrings or charms inspired by the beauty of the world around you. No prior experience is needed — just your curiosity and a love of nature and wearable art. Let your creativity take root and blossom into timeless jewelry you’ll be proud to wear.

NOTE: The total cost to participate is $120 ($30 per session) and includes course materials. Payment should be made directly to Talent Maker City after registration is processed. Registration fees are nonrefundable, and a signed liability waiver is required to participate.

Word is a powerful word processing program, but many users are either unfamiliar with or reluctant to use the wide range of features it offers. The course will start with a quick review of basic features, then move on to more advanced techniques. Topics covered will be: page layouts and advanced spacing options; types of tabs and indents; bullets and numbering; footnotes, endnotes, headers/footers and page numbering; how to insert shapes, pictures and symbols; and how to create an index. Additional topics will include using find and replace; creating styles and templates; creating and using columns versus tables; and using bookmarks and splitting windows. This course is for those who already have some familiarity using the Microsoft Word program. It is not for beginners. 

NOTE: This course uses Microsoft Word for PCs. It is not for Chromebook or Apple users. Students must have a PC with Windows 11. They should be comfortable using the Windows 11 environment, including downloading and saving files from emails. Students will use a mouse during class. Those without a mouse may borrow one from the instructor. 

This course presents films that are widely considered to be inspirational and have been well received by the general public as well as by movie critics. These films are from the 1980s onward, with most having been produced within the last 10 to 15 years. There are no overtly religious themes, but all could be loosely labeled spiritual in the broadest sense. The following films will be shown in class: “Departures,” “Cast Away,” “Billy Elliot,” “Searching for Sugar Man,” “Queen of Katwe,” “Ghostlight” (2024), “Dead Poets Society,” “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?,” “Coda” and “Chariots of Fire.” Discussion will follow. There is no requirement to take this class other than a love for movies that have depth and emotional appeal.

This class will provide an overview of the various choices in natural deathcare and why natural and conservation burials are the only sustainable solution based on scientific data. The class will discuss the public health and environmental concerns raised by cremation, alkaline hydrolysis, human composting and ocean/sky burials. Students will be encouraged to document their deathcare wishes and will be introduced to the Advance Natural Deathcare Directive, the four available regional choices and the four tasks of natural deathcare.

NOTE: This course is being offered in partnership with the Rogue Valley Manor. Seating will be shared equally with 20 seats for OLLI at SOU members and 20 for Manor residents.

Slow down, tune in, be amazed: Join us to experience the magic of nature journaling using a simple flexible framework that you can use anywhere, any time. Whether you are art-phobic or you are a plein-air painter, whether you are a scientist or a poet or both or neither, this course is for you — this approach to journaling is adaptable and accessible for everyone. All you need is a pencil and your curiosity! The course includes three two-hour sessions. The first session will be indoors on the SOU campus, with a short trip outside. The second session will be primarily outdoors on the SOU campus. The third session will visit Pompadour Bluff, a preserve near Ashland owned by the Southern Oregon Land Conservancy, for journaling on the land. Each session will include a mix of instruction, journaling time and group discussion. 

NOTE: Participants will need to bring a journal or notebook and a pencil or pen to each session. This course will include short, slow walks on the SOU campus (on sidewalks) and at a nature preserve (on a rustic unpaved road). Participants must be able to sit on a bench, in a camping chair or on the ground for journaling. Signed liability waiver required to participate.

If you have ever tried to draw, and said, “I can’t make my hand do what’s in my head,” then you are not alone. No matter how often art teachers tell students that drawing is not the only gateway to art making, that powerful “gateway” belief persists. So to create an accurate representation of what you see, our strategy will be to slow down and learn to see what is there — searching out lines, shapes, textures, shade, shadow and color variations that create the illusion of depth on a flat surface. Through short lecture/discussions, demonstrations, drawing activities and practice, the instructor will be your “guide on the side,” asking and answering questions in a positive, supportive learning environment. Fun is also allowed.

NOTE: It is imperative to attend the first class. Please do not register if you are unable to do this. There will be a $10 materials fee. All materials will be provided.

This course is based on the AARP Smart Driver course, which has been shown to significantly reduce older drivers’ risk of collision. It will help you become more proficient in the current rules of the road, improve your defensive driving techniques and help you with safe vehicle operation in today’s demanding driving environment. The course will focus on the vital relationship between the driver, vehicle and road, and look at how factors such as aging, medications and alcohol can impact driving. You’ll also learn about the latest vehicle safety features and technological advancements. Importantly, you will learn how to identify when it’s no longer safe to drive and how to find alternative travel options. This course may qualify you for a multiyear discount on your auto insurance.

NOTE: A required materials fee of $20 to $25 (discount for AARP members) includes a comprehensive 120-page Participant Guide. Both days are required for course completion and insurance discount. The fee will be collected on the first day by cash or check made out to AARP. Credit cards will not be accepted. 

How do we know what we know about our universe with all its galaxies, stars, planets? How did it form following the Big Bang? How do all these old and new telescopes work? How do we measure time and distance? How do stars form and evolve? What are gravity waves and black holes? This course will examine these topics that have no practical use for most but are fun to learn about anyway. The course will be taught using PowerPoint presentations and other visual and audio material. As much time as necessary will be devoted to your questions. Not included in the course: space exploration, planetary geology, extraterrestrial life, astrology, constellations and star positions, or exoplanets.

This course is designed for those who want to learn the fundamentals of the fastest growing sport in America. It is played by all age groups and physical abilities in recreational or tournament play. Join the fun, led by experienced instructors from the Ashland Oregon Pickleball Club. We will meet for 1½ hours for five consecutive afternoons. Beginning players will learn the basics: choosing a paddle, paddle position, serving, return of serve, dinking, drills, scoring and calling “out balls.” You might meet “Nasty Nelson!” An emphasis will be placed on safety, court etiquette and sportsmanship. AOPC will provide paddles, balls and instruction. Information on courts in the Rogue Valley will be included. 

NOTE: Please wear court shoes and a hat or visor and bring a hydrating drink. Protective eyewear is recommended. In the event of inclement weather, the class will be canceled. Signed liability waiver required to participate.

This course is designed for students who have taken the Absolute Beginners Pickleball course or have a rudimentary knowledge of the game. It will be taught by seasoned instructors who are experienced players and members of the Ashland Oregon Pickleball Club. Expect to build on the basic game to include advanced strategy in play. We will meet at Lithia Park pickleball courts for 1½ hours a day for five consecutive days. The emphasis will be on safety, playing by USA pickleball rules and sportsmanship. This skills-building course will focus on serves, third-shot drops (drop shots), drives, lobs, partner communication and types of scoring, and on understanding Bert, Ernie and Nasty Nelson. The last day will be a fun and fast-paced round-robin, in which all players will rotate. 

NOTE: Please bring your favorite paddle, wear court shoes and a hat or visor and bring a hydrating drink. Eye protection is recommended. If we have inclement weather, the class will be canceled. Signed liability waiver required to participate.

This fun and active course is for pickleball players who understand the game and want to meet players through a rotation/competitive type of play. All levels of players are welcome. There will be three classes during the term, each with 3½ hours of play. Players will learn format, partnering, stacking, hand signals, types of scoring, byes, types of pickleballs and when to utilize them. Timing and numbering of rotations will be taught with an emphasis on safety. Six games will be played in each class, with frequent rest breaks. You will be an active participant and connect with your partner in strategizing your game plan. This course is taught by experienced local players from the Ashland Oregon Pickleball Club. 

NOTE: This course will be at Lithia Park pickleball courts; court numbers 1-4 have been reserved from 8 a.m. to noon. Bring your favorite paddle and a hydrating drink and wear court shoes and a hat or visor. Eye protection is recommended. In the event of inclement weather, we will cancel. There is a $3 fee for pickleballs, payable to the instructor. Signed liability waiver required to participate. Class dates are 10/15, 10/29 and 11/19. 

The goal of this course is to foster an appreciation for the importance of plants in our daily lives. We will examine how plants contribute to our lives and well-being beyond the basics such as oxygen to breathe, food, shelter and clothing. The course will introduce some scientific concepts and terminology relating to plant structures and functions as well as economic and historical aspects of plant use. The format will be interactive lectures; plant material will be brought in periodically to demonstrate particular concepts. This course is a continuation of Plants and People, Part 1, and will cover topics not included in the first part such as medicinal and psychoactive plants, spices, fermentation and stimulating beverages. Students do not need to have taken Part 1

Think you don’t have artistic talent? We are all artists! Come play, explore and discover your own unique creativity. Surprise yourself with our fun, playful art exercises. Make a maze; express yourself through painting, drawing, collage and words on 4-by-4-inch wooden boards. Challenge yourself to try geometric drawing and use Paul Klee’s saying, “A line is a dot that went for a walk” — to complete three-line drawings. Bring your enthusiasm and willingness to allow your inner child/artist to emerge. Playful Art 3 encourages you to experience the mystery of imagination and being open to curiosity with exercises, media and techniques that are different from what was taught in Playful Art 1 and 2. We will provide ideas and suggestions as you work. No art experience is required. 

NOTE: A materials fee of $10 is due at the first class. A materials list, a brief description of class content and list of materials provided will be sent to registered students. 

This course provides a calm and supportive introduction for older adults who are curious about psilocybin. Participants will learn about safety, preparation and what to consider when exploring psilocybin. Through open discussion and reflection, participants are welcome to ask questions and to follow their curiosity in a respectful and comfortable environment. This course is educational in nature and is not intended as therapy or medical guidance. Participants are encouraged to seek licensed professional support for personal or clinical concerns.

Shen Yun Lung Qigong, “spirit of the eternal dragon,” is a nine-posture Yin form composed of slow, soft movements designed to increase the body’s flow of energy. Qigong is a combination of breath, movement and meditation. It is a gentle practice that helps tonify the nervous system, tranquilize the mind and enhance blood flow. This introductory course will include Taoist warm- ups and breath work techniques to relieve tension in the mind and body. These are longevity practices that can be done occasionally or daily, if desired, and are designed for a lifetime. There will be handouts and visual aids to facilitate independent practice.

NOTE: Signed liability waiver required to participate.

This course will ask participants a question: “For the sake of democracy, do unions matter?” Notable events, from the inception of the American union movement to the present time, will be examined to help participants answer the question. All events will be studied in the historical context in which they occurred, including how unions started as local alliances that brought different trades and working communities together for their collective interests; unions’ role during Reconstruction, the Gilded Age, the Great Depression, Civil Rights and Neoliberal America. Despite the instructor’s pro-union bias, every attempt will be made to provide different perspectives about the historical events described. Suggested reading: “A History of America in Ten Strikes” by Erik Loomis.

This course will provide an understanding of how watersheds affect our rivers and how we can restore them to help plants, animals and humans. The first three class sessions will be lectures and discussions, starting with an explanation of how watersheds affect our rivers and their water quality. This will be followed by an explanation of how streams behave and change over time and how those changes affect habitats. A focused discussion on the life cycles and needs of salmonids and other aquatic organisms will be followed by techniques for improving stream habitats. The fourth session will be an optional, but strongly encouraged, half-day field trip to Bear Creek to see restoration in action. No prior knowledge or expertise is required, and no homework is expected.

NOTE: The field trip will take four hours, including travel time and visits to two different sites to provide a unique opportunity to view stream reaches before and after restoration. Participants must provide their own transportation and may arrange to carpool. Participants need to be able to walk safely on uneven ground, for no more than a mile. Signed liability waiver required to participate.

"I'm worried about running out of money.” “I need to get my finances organized.” “I want to make sure I’m making good financial decisions.” If you have made any of these statements recently, this class may help you feel more secure. We will cover the basics in each of the six main areas of financial planning including: financial position (preparing a net worth statement); insurance (including long-term care); taxes (how to minimize them); retirement planning (Social Security, taking withdrawals and how to know how long your money will last); investments (basics of asset allocation) and estate planning (wills, trusts, etc.). 

DISCLAIMER AND LIABILITY WAIVER: This course is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. By enrolling, you assume all investment risks and agree to hold Southern Oregon University and its representatives harmless from any financial losses, damages or claims. 

The Constitution is the supreme law of the land. All courts, states and people are bound by it. The Declaration of Independence is our fundamental ethical document. It contains our aspirations as a nation. Both the Constitution and the Declaration are flawed documents. How are they functioning today? The fundamentals of both are being challenged today. What role do “we the people” have in understanding and dealing with these seminal pieces of our lives as citizens? No prior knowledge is required, although it would be helpful to have read the body of the Constitution (it is short — only about seven pages) with the Bill of Rights (the first 10 amendments) and the Declaration, beforehand. Participants of all political, ethical and societal viewpoints are welcome to this discussion.

This course will introduce students to the concept of political theology using the Gospel of Mark as an example of standing in the breach between temple and court collusion while exercising nonviolent resistance toward authoritarian power. Americans have been taught that church and state should be separate, but religion and politics have experienced a lover’s quarrel throughout history. We will look at Pope Leo XIV as an example. While the course has a Christian biblical slant, it will be of general interest. All viewpoints are welcome. The instructor will facilitate class discussion of five or six pages of assigned readings from his unpublished manuscript during each class. Students are encouraged to bring personal experience to bear. Seating will model a class oval.

Anyone who knows the Cyrillic alphabet can enjoy Russian poetry. Join in reading aloud from poets such as Aleksander Pushkin, Mikhail Lermontov and Aleksander Blok. All poems will be online as text and audio. In each class, we will translate a poem, touching on the vocabulary and grammar necessary for understanding how it means what it means. We will then read he poems aloud together and discuss them. We will sing some of the poems that have been set to music or were written as songs, including favorites from earlier OLLI classes. This is not a deep literature class. The point is to enjoy making the sounds of Russian and appreciate how they interact with its meaning. Students who enjoyed “The Cyrillic Alphabet” or “Russian: Focus on Pronunciation” in the Spring 2026 Term are encouraged to enroll.

NOTE: Students at all levels are welcome. “The Poetry Reader for Russian Learners,” free at russianpoetry.yale.edu, will provide many of the poems. The free online “Introduction to the Russian Language” at Mezhdunami.org will help with grammar.

This course is the first of a two-part account of the civilization of ancient Rome. We will begin by viewing Rome within the context of the Mediterranean world and explore how and why the Romans became dominant on the Italian peninsula. We will consider the daily life of the Romans at work and play and how Rome functioned as a city. Next, we will examine the structure of Roman politics and the forces that led to the destruction of the Roman Republic and the rise of the autocracy that ruled Rome for 500 years. We will consider the Romans’ accomplishments in building projects, from temples to aqueducts to the road network that spanned the empire. We will conclude with an understanding of how Rome conquered the Mediterranean world and beyond.

For one of Shakespeare’s closest friends and rivals Ben Jonson, most men were basically crooks, con men or cuckolds; and most women were bawds, backbiters or social climbers. He knew of what he wrote. He was a jailbird. He was a convicted murderer and a suspected traitor. Unlike Shakespeare, Jonson believed the purpose of comedy was to “make men better.” So Jonson, to shame Londoners, reveled in rubbing their noses in the iniquities of their contemporary life. And they enjoyed this rubbing no less! From 1598 to 1616, he regaled London with some of the greatest comedies ever written in English: “Volpone,” “The Alchemist,” “The Silent Woman” and “Bartholomew Fair,” among others. If you believe that scoundrels rule our world, you already have a leg up to appreciate Jonson.

NOTE: No text is required, but there will be a field trip to Hannon Library to view the first editions of Jonson’s two collected “workes” (1616 and 1641). Signed liability waiver required to participate.

Did you know, when two people play, winning at Scrabble over time is roughly 80% skill and 20% luck? Strategy and logical thought matter as much as vocabulary. Each class session will start out with tips on strategy and some useful words, then you will get a chance to play Scrabble with another student. Both beginners and expert players are welcome.

NOTE: There will be no class session on Oct. 14. Students who have “The Official Scrabble Players Dictionary” (7th edition) and a Scrabble set should bring them to class.

You remember what a real conversation feels like — the kind where someone looks you in the eye, loses track of time and says something they couldn’t have texted. You’ve felt that disappearing. So have the people you love. This six-week course uses MIT researcher Dr. Sherry Turkle’s landmark book “Reclaiming Conversation” to name what’s being lost and to practice getting it back. Not by giving up your phone. By understanding what screens can and can’t give us and learning small, specific moves that restore depth to the relationships that matter most. Each session combines brief readings, paired conversation practice and private reflection. No preaching. No technology shaming. Just six weeks of honest, skilled, senior-to-senior exploration of the most human thing we do: talk to each other.

NOTE: Required reading: “Reclaiming Conversation” by Sherry Turkle; any edition is acceptable. Participants’ basic knowledge and use of digital communication tools and devices is required. Expect weekly readings and discussions. 

Northern Spain is a geologic wonderland that is easily explored because of its accessible coastline and mountain exposures. This course will focus on three areas, how they formed and how to visit them: 1) Los Picos de Europa, a National Park in Cantabria Province, where limestone peaks were formed during the Paleozoic Era and uplifted during the collision between Africa and Europe that also created the Alps. This province also contains an abundance of Paleolithic rock art. 2) The Dinosaur Coast in Asturias Province, where many types of dinosaurs roamed during the Jurassic Period. 3) The Basque Geopark in the Basque Country, where 60 million years of geologic history, including the end-of-Cretaceous mass extinction, are exposed along 20 km of spectacular coastline. 

Northern Spain is a geologic wonderland that is easily explored because of its accessible coastline and mountain exposures. This course will focus on three areas, how they formed and how to visit them: 1) Los Picos de Europa, a National Park in Cantabria Province, where limestone peaks were formed during the Paleozoic Era and uplifted during the collision between Africa and Europe that also created the Alps. This province also contains an abundance of Paleolithic rock art. 2) The Dinosaur Coast in Asturias Province, where many types of dinosaurs roamed during the Jurassic Period. 3) The Basque Geopark in the Basque Country, where 60 million years of geologic history, including the end-of-Cretaceous mass extinction, are exposed along 20 km of spectacular coastline. 

If you haven’t planned for care that 70% of us over age 65 will need, this course is for you. It explores the key decisions and conversations that arise as we age and as we provide support for aging loved ones. Learn about aging in place and community-based options, financial and legal considerations, downsizing kindly and having hard conversations. Experience engaging interactions, discussions, hear about real-life examples and get the practical tools needed for evaluating options and planning ahead. A field trip to a senior living community provides an opportunity to observe and apply what is learned in class. Guest speakers include a home care professional, an estate planning attorney, a downsizing specialist and others who will provide critical information and enlightening perspectives.

NOTE: Suggested reading prior to class: “Being Mortal” by Atul Gawande. We will be mining the lessons of “Being Mortal,” as it is so relatable to our course conversations. A signed liability waiver is required to participate.

This course will introduce practices of mindfulness while running/walking that will encourage students to look not just at speed and toward the end of the run, but more importantly, to enjoy the journey — each component of it, sensing how you feel and your joy and pleasure in the routine. These principles are based on martial arts and the Feldenkrais Method. Students will be guided to explore novel, unusual movement sequences done slowly with minimal effort and with the intention to activate the neuroplasticity of the brain. Slow Down to Run Fast steers individuals to understand their own movement patterns/habits and introduces new options for moving. The course is adaptable for those who are aware of their limitations and will feel confident on the beautiful SOU asphalt track.

NOTE: Signed liability waiver required to participate.

Singing together is one of the more joyful things in life. Come sing in an informal session, no matter your experience or skill. We’ll sing traditional songs with fine choruses and refrains — sea songs, works songs, drinking songs, love songs, shanties, silly songs and easy rounds from the U.S., Canada and England. Some songs from previous terms may repeat and some will be new. Chorus tunes will be taught by ear, and all singing will be done a cappella. Most chorus words will be provided.

This class will explore and discuss four famous spiritual teachers: Ram Dass, Thich Nhat Hanh, Rumi and Jane Goodall. Each class will include a short meditation, teachings, Q&A, class discussion, and time for tea and cookies. There will be several documentary films. Breakout groups will be held on weeks 3, 5, 7 and 9. We will be studying and discussing the life and core teachings of each figure, his or her place in history, and their lasting impact on the world. This is designed to be a course in comparative religion, spirituality and philosophy. Therefore, a diverse range of ideas, understandings and responses — positive, negative and neutral — will be examined and considered in a safe space. There will be optional reading assignments and suggested homework. All are welcome!

Explore the timeless art of stained glass in this beginner-friendly, hands-on class. Over four weeks, you will learn the essentials of the copper foil method, including choosing patterns, cutting glass, foiling, soldering and finishing your piece. Guided step-by-step, you will create your own stained-glass artwork to take home while gaining confidence with the tools, materials and techniques of the craft. No prior experience is necessary.

NOTE: The total cost to participate is $132 ($33 per session) and includes course materials. Payment should be made directly to Talent Maker City after registration is processed. Registration fees are nonrefundable, and a signed liability waiver is required to participate.

If making modest changes to your home could prevent a life-altering fall, would you do it? Nearly 90% of older adults want to age in place, yet most houses aren’t built to support that. Falling is the primary reason people lose their independence. This two-part course bridges the gaps between your personal health, your preferences and your home’s design. Session 1 explores clinical and personal realities: how medications, vision changes and chronic conditions can increase fall risk. Session 2 focuses on the physical environment: identifying safety hazards and implementing a range of solutions. Co-taught by a certified aging life-care manager and a certified aging-in-place engineer, this class provides a practical road map to help you “stay vertical” and age in place safely.

Come and enjoy stress melting away with the deep relaxation of Lisa’s guidance that will be integrated with recordings of great contemporary spiritual teachers such as Alan Watts, Ram Dass, Eckhart Tolle and Shinzen Young. The focus will be on cultivating equanimity with challenging circumstances, both personal and collective, and connecting to your own inner resources for letting go when holding on is too difficult. This focus also greatly helps with accessing and trusting your inner wisdom and intuition for healing and peace of body and mind. No previous experience with meditation is necessary. No specific belief system is necessary. 

What would you do if an emergency happened right now? Preparing for that emergency is vital. The bug-out bag has long since evolved from a backpack with water and granola bars to a comprehensive plan for caring for yourself and your family. This course is evolving with it. The goal of this course is twofold: to help you prepare to be self-sufficient until help arrives, even if that is weeks away, and to provide the knowledge and foundation to use your supplies successfully both during and after the emergency. We will look beyond prepping to topics such as situational awareness and conflict avoidance. This course specifically focuses on children and seniors. This is not a quick fix — it is a long-term undertaking that will require your time and planning. 

What would you do if an emergency happened right now? Preparing for that emergency is vital. The bug-out bag has long since evolved from a backpack with water and granola bars to a comprehensive plan for caring for yourself and your family. This course is evolving with it. The goal of this course is twofold: to help you prepare to be self-sufficient until help arrives, even if that is weeks away, and to provide the knowledge and foundation to use your supplies successfully both during and after the emergency. We will look beyond prepping to topics such as situational awareness and conflict avoidance. This course specifically focuses on children and seniors. This is not a quick fix — it is a long-term undertaking that will require your time and planning. 

What does it mean to think on the page? The personal essay — one of literature’s most intimate and flexible forms — has been shaping minds since Montaigne confessed his way through 16th- century France. From Bacon’s crisp observations to Baldwin’s searing witness to modern editorial pages and posts on Substack, the essay has always been used by writers to figure things out in public. In this course, we’ll trace that rich tradition while immersing ourselves in “The Best American Essays 2025,” the freshest voices grappling with memory, identity, science, grief and wonder. We’ll ask what the essay does that no other form can: how it earns digression, wears research lightly and turns uncertainty into art. The course will include lectures, discussion and recommended reading.

NOTE: The course will include readings from “The Best American Essays 2025,” edited by Jia Tolentino, as well as online readings. Each class will have one required reading and two more recommended.

As organized religion has rapidly declined in the last 50 years, the Baha’i community has experienced an 800% increase in growth. We will explore the dramatic shifts in the under- reported contemporary story of the decline in organized religion and what insights the Baha’i faith is offering and modeling as a catalyst for religion to become a cooperative, constructive agent for social change and global community. Reasons for the decline in organized religion will be examined from the perspective of former congregants, members, academics and the Baha’i community model. There will be ample time for discussion prompted by a sequence of sequential framing questions. The class will use a Keynote format and recorded guest lectures by pundits, such as David Brooks.

This class will explore the war in Asia, the Burma Road, FDR, Truman, Chiang Kai-shek and his missionary-surgeon wife, Dr. Seagraves, the Japanese Empire — and why the China Burma India theater was created. All these people, places and events will be woven into a story that will deepen your knowledge and interest in this part of the world and in this time in history. Several love stories of real people who witnessed and lived through this chaotic era will be told. A newly published book brings many of these events to life. Old newsreels and newly found photographs will enhance the telling of these stories and show the sacrifice these people made to make the world a better place. Drama and questioning are also useful tools to keep one’s attention. All will be used in this class, along with audiovisual presentations.

Delight in the Marx Brothers’ zany anarchic comedy as they subvert authority, challenge social hierarchies and expose the absurdity of established institutions (government, high society, academia). The course will meet for seven sessions, viewing one Marx Brothers film per class. The films will be: “Duck Soup,” “A Night at the Opera,” “Horse Feathers,” “Animal Crackers,” “Monkey Business,” “A Day at the Races” and “The Cocoanuts.” Each film will be followed by a class discussion.

If you’ve been wanting to dive into a rainbow of color, this class is for you! No prior art experience is necessary. We will work with tempera/gouache paint on large-scale art paper in a welcoming studio environment, one that is free of judgment and critique. Process painting invites artists and nonartists alike to step toward the blank canvas and discover the richness that emerges from within. Imagination, intuition and creativity flow as we follow the energy of the creative process.

NOTE: Total cost to participate is $112 ($28 per session) and includes course materials. Payment should be made directly to Talent Maker City after registration is processed. Registration fees are nonrefundable, and a signed liability waiver is required to participate. There is no class on Nov. 3. 

Come join fellow OLLI members and friendly local guides for relaxed weekly walks through some of Ashland’s most beautiful places. Each 90-minute outing follows easy routes that have little elevation gain, leaving plenty of time to enjoy the scenery, take photos, watch birds, notice the changing seasons and get to know one another. A different guide will lead each walk, sharing stories and insights about the area’s history, plants, wildlife and other local treasures. Afterward, those who wish can continue the conversation over coffee or tea at a nearby cafe. Possible destinations include Lithia Park, Hargadine Cemetery, Ashland Pond and North Mountain Park. Participants will receive weekly directions and meeting details by email. Come explore Ashland with us!

NOTE: The walks are not intended to be aerobic; however, it is important that participants be reasonably fit and have good balance. Signed liability waiver required to participate.

Join the Godfather for an offer you can’t refuse on improving your communication skills! About 45 minutes of “The Godfather” will be shown in the first session and referenced in the following sessions. Vito Corleone is the world’s foremost expert on clear messaging. The resulting discussion will center on managing the principles of people, place, perspective, power, peerage and preparation. The instructor has experience in using these principles to improve communication, and he will use them to direct discussions. There will be some directed homework.

This is neither a current events class nor a place to debate politics. The course is an attempt to present a history of Jewish anti-Zionism since its origins in the late 19th century. What anti-Zionism is will be explored and discussed, as well as whether its current growth represents a schism or merely a dissenting political ideological current within the American Jewish community. (Only future historians will be able to reach any conclusions.) The relative merits of Zionism and anti-Zionism will not be debated, and whether anti-Zionism is antisemitism will not be discussed. (It isn’t!) The history and nature of Jewish anti-Zionism will be analyzed and discussed as an intellectual, religious and social movement.

NOTE: Short readings of material that can be found online will be assigned.

Students will gain insight into the importance of the maritime world in our modern civilization. Maritime affairs are at the foundation of our economy and national security. Any disruption of that service by conflict, piracy, blockades or environmental regulations affects the stability of our economy. Maritime security is important for protecting supply chains, energy flows and national resilience. Students will learn about today’s maritime choke points and how nations use maritime presence to project power. The course will also examine the lighter side of maritime history, from the songs of the sea to the peculiar maritime-based phrases that illuminate our language. The instructor will regretfully be unable to comply with any student requests for course material due to copyrights.

Béla Bartók (1881-1945) was a leading composer of the first half of the 20th century whose symphonic and chamber music is still widely performed. A convinced modernist, his musical inspiration nonetheless stems equally from the vanishing world of traditional Balkan folk music, which he was among the first to document for the wider world. In the five sessions of this course, we’ll explore his lyrical and original voice as expressed in works such as Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta, his piano concertos and his six masterful string quartets. In addition, as Bartók’s Concerto for Orchestra is to be performed by the Rogue Valley Symphony in October, we’ll devote particular attention to this piece, one of his best known and best liked works.

Theodore Roosevelt is anything but boring. A man of many hats, he was a naturalist, cowboy, soldier, governor, president, trust-breaker, big game hunter and explorer. He was made vice president because party officials thought that he would drift into obscurity and never be heard from again. As president, he would challenge visitors to a boxing match. He once was shot by a potential assassin yet continued his campaign speech for an hour before seeking medical care. He went camping with John Muir and then reunited Yosemite Valley with the surrounding national park. He also dabbled in eugenics and held racist views. This course looks at the story of this American: from the streets of New York City to the jungles of the Amazon. Classes will include lectures, slides and videos.

Theodore Roosevelt is anything but boring. A man of many hats, he was a naturalist, cowboy, soldier, governor, president, trust-breaker, big game hunter and explorer. He was made vice president because party officials thought that he would drift into obscurity and never be heard from again. As president, he would challenge visitors to a boxing match. He once was shot by a potential assassin yet continued his campaign speech for an hour before seeking medical care. He went camping with John Muir and then reunited Yosemite Valley with the surrounding national park. He also dabbled in eugenics and held racist views. This course looks at the story of this American: from the streets of New York City to the jungles of the Amazon. Classes will include lectures, slides and videos.

We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing! This class offers an opportunity to reawaken your inner child, reduce your stress level, exercise your body, sharpen your mental and physical reflexes and laugh a lot! Drawing on games from childhood, theater, new games and movement game sources, this is a time to have fun through interactive playful movement. Use your creativity, wit and voice; stimulate your brain with quick-thinking mind challenges; and sharpen your ability to respond quickly. All this helps to keep our brains sharp. Time for improvisation through skits, mime and comedy will be included — with no competition and no judgment — just taking time to laugh, play and have fun, knowing that play and laughter are healing. It’s recess again! 

NOTE: Good health and the ability to move well and to get up and down are requirements for this class, which will involve a lot of movement and some spurts of running. No experience is necessary. To build class connection, full attendance is appreciated for the seven weeks. Signed liability waiver required to participate.

This course explores a practical model of the human spirit through three knowing centers: the Ego Center (sense of self and identity), the Heart Center (compassion and connection) and the Control Center (awareness, decision-making and action). Students will examine how life experiences shape these centers and influence behavior. The course also introduces the God-Soul as a source of wisdom and explores how its interaction with the human spirit can foster transformation. Participants will identify patterns of alignment and imbalance through discussion, reflection and small breakout groups. Class members may well leave with a clearer internal map of how they function and insight into how to live with greater empathy and intention.

Share ideas, make new friends and celebrate women in an updated answer to the salons of the French Enlightenment. Find common ground and camaraderie with other women via conversation and intellectual stimulation using modern pop culture as the catalyst for discussion— like a book club, but with films. At the first meeting, students will jointly select themes, which can range from angels to zeitgeist, diving deep into topics that touch women across ages, cultures, communities and circumstances. Weekly emails will include film titles and links to quotes, articles, visual artistic works and music that will become touchstones to recall personal stories and insights to share in discussions at the following sessions. Classes may include a short meditation. 

NOTE: Students will watch one to two films weekly at home before class, chosen from current selections on Netflix, Amazon Prime and/or other popular streaming services available via free trials. 

“This Vast Enterprise,” by Craig Fehrman, is a recently published work that examines the Lewis and Clark expedition in the light of some new discoveries with a focus on historical detail that is unprecedented. We learn a great deal about the lives and characters of many of the members of the expedition and the innumerable trials and crises they endured. We also delve into the politics of the Jeffersonian period, read of the differences among Native American tribes, and get a deeper understanding of Lewis, Clark, Sacajawea and many leaders of the tribes they met. The class will be a group discussion, and students are encouraged to bring their own questions and issues to the group.

NOTE: The required text is “This Vast Enterprise,” by Craig Fehrman, from Avid Reader Press, April 2026. It is $35 in hardcover and is available at Bloomsbury Books at a 20% discount. Audio and e-book editions are acceptable. No previous knowledge of the subject is required.

This course presents three mini-histories of science, each centering on a question that has intrigued humanity for millennia: 1) How old is the Earth? 2) Are there beings on the heavenly bodies? 3) How do we find our way? (Mapmaking and direction-finding.) In each session we trace the history of answers to one of these questions from the Classical period to our present-day understandings. The trail leads to some fascinating nooks and crannies of both science and history. (Thomas Jefferson’s obsession with mammoths, for one.) We also explore how scientific thought was shaped by nonscientific beliefs that answered these questions with radically different assumptions and logic. Class sessions will consist of lectures with PowerPoint presentations and time for discussion and Q&A. 

NOTE: The online section of this course will not meet on Nov. 11.

This course presents three mini-histories of science, each centering on a question that has intrigued humanity for millennia: 1) How old is the Earth? 2) Are there beings on the heavenly bodies? 3) How do we find our way? (Mapmaking and direction-finding.) In each session we trace the history of answers to one of these questions from the Classical period to our present-day understandings. The trail leads to some fascinating nooks and crannies of both science and history. (Thomas Jefferson’s obsession with mammoths, for one.) We also explore how scientific thought was shaped by nonscientific beliefs that answered these questions with radically different assumptions and logic. Class sessions will consist of lectures with PowerPoint presentations and time for discussion and Q&A. 

NOTE: The online section of this course will not meet on Nov. 11.

How often do you automatically say yes when you really want to say no? This course is an invitation to people-pleasers who are ready to slow down and explore what’s true for them. Through somatic and grounding practices, nervous system education, journaling, playful exploration and circle discussion, everyone will have the opportunity to develop self-awareness tools, deepen understanding of their own patterns, and begin to reconnect with what they actually feel and need. Weather permitting, some sessions will meet outdoors in nature. No prior experience or knowledge required — only a willingness to show up. Topics include understanding people-pleasing patterns, nervous system basics, body-based regulation tools, self- compassion and play. Bring a notebook for time to journal.

NOTE: Between sessions, participants will be offered an optional reflection prompt to carry into their week. These prompts are invitations to notice and observe — not assignments. Students will share thoughts and experiences as they are comfortable.

Each of us goes through important major changes in our lives, requiring us to adapt and accept the new realities that life presents. Because of the nature of our individual lives, no blueprint is available. Instead, we need to see what we are facing and make the necessary adaptations to what life presents to us. Each class will start with watching a short video to set the theme, after which there will be questions and discussion. The purpose is to encourage attendees to ask their own questions of themselves and direct their own ongoing resolutions. 

NOTE: This course will be based on the book “Transitions” by William Bridges, which is required reading. Read the first two chapters before class and continue reading throughout the course to maximize the use of time in class. 

Travel sketching can be for your next trip to Rome or for looking out your kitchen window on a snowy winter’s day. Your sketches will give you immediate connection with scenes and everlasting memories. The course will teach members how to find hidden artistic selves and to apply knowledge gained to drawing and sketching scenes found while traveling or at home.  Students will learn basic art concepts and apply them using simple tools such as pencil, pen and watercolor. Instruction will focus on the importance of using a small array of colors to yield vast arrays of colorful paintings. No prior drawing experience is required. Each student should come to the first class ready to work and have fun! 

NOTE: Students will be provided with a materials list and suggested reference material. 

Are the Tucks blessed or cursed by eternal life? In this course we will delve into the interesting questions that have made Natalie Babbitt’s novel “Tuck Everlasting” an enduring favorite of both children and adults. First, we will get an overview of magical realism for children, then look at Babbitt’s biography and bibliography. Session 2 will be an in-depth discussion of the novel and the themes that especially resonate with adults. For Session 3, students will have an opportunity to read and report on another title by Babbitt or by another children’s fantasy author. The course will appeal most to students who enjoy informal learning and lively book discussions.

NOTE: Students are encouraged to read the entire novel before the second session.

This course will cover U.S. history from 1877 to 1929. White men and women, African Americans, Chicanx, Native Americans, immigrants and workers organized to reform the chaos created by unregulated capitalism. How the different political forces responded, both to the chaos and to the reform movements, will be examined. The rapid acceleration of unregulated industrial and finance capital after the Civil War created wealth for a very few and poverty and misery for many. The American advances westward under the banner of “Manifest Destiny” expanded opportunity for some and genocide for First Nations. There were 18 major recessions and depressions from 1865 to 1929. The requirement for the course is interest in the intersection of history and today.

This course will inform students on the basics of Medicare as well as specific and locally relevant current Medicare topics. Through lecture and interactive discussion, the instructor, a highly trained Medicare counselor, will provide valuable information to ensure that attendees and their loved ones are getting the most out of their Medicare coverage. Topics include Medicare Parts A and B, Medicare Advantage versus Medigap, the prescription drug plan (Part D), annual reevaluation of plans, tips for finding a provider, coverage limitations or exclusions, and local resources for assistance. The course will help prepare soon-to-be eligible or current beneficiaries for the Medicare open-enrollment period that begins every Oct. 15. 

This course helps participants use iCloud to sync, organize and share information across Apple devices. Students will learn the benefits of cloud-based apps, how to set up and sync applications, ways to share information while controlling access and important privacy and security practices. Apps introduced include: Mail for managing multiple email accounts, Calendar, Notes, Reminders, Photos, Find My, iCloud Drive and Files, and Passwords. We’ll also explore shared features across apps and provide a practical foundation for using them together effectively. Students should have basic familiarity with the iPhone or other Apple devices. 

Step away from tech and text. This is old school Instagram — with Intention. Learn to harness the power of visualization to create positive change in your life as we peruse concepts found in “The Secret” by Rhonda Byrne and “Notes From the Universe” by Mike Dooley, with more on his website tut.com. Discover the many ways to make a vision board that is your perfectly personal Pinterest on paper. Create a unique, tangible visual reference for your future life using resources such as old magazines, junk mail, package wrappings and greeting cards. (Hint: Start collecting now). Add bling or keep it simple. Gather, share and cut paper materials in Session 1. Glue at home and come back to share your creations in Session 2. It’s up to you to design your future!

NOTE: Supplies will be explained in the precourse email. There is no class on Nov. 13.

Students will explore the short-lived political and cultural flowering of Germany’s Weimar Republic, 1919-1933. View cinema masterpieces that inspired the best of Hollywood and the world for more than a century. From murder to horror, farseeing science fiction to steamy romance and tragedy — these films that straddle the silent-to-sound technology divide remain superbly entertaining. Do they have anything to teach us in still-troubled times? In the brief space between two devastating world wars, a fragile experiment in democracy that produced these treasures was crushed. Around the world in the 21st century, emerging and older democracies are threatened. Come simply for superb entertainment. Linger a little longer to discuss troubling questions, or not!

NOTE: There is no required text for this class, but “Weimar Cinema: An Essential Guide to Classic Films of the Era,” edited by Noah Issenberg, is highly recommended.

This course will focus on writing creative, nonfiction short essays with an emphasis on memoir writing. Throughout six weeks, students will delve into their pasts and write their own stories. Students should expect to learn how to transform their memories and experiences into written essays that others can understand and enjoy. Students will also learn how to brainstorm topics, organize ideas, create meaningful dialogue, write clear characters, describe experiences, develop settings and revise their work within a supportive setting. Class time will be devoted to discussions of published and student essays and lessons related to the craft of writing. Students will write a two-page essay at home each week. Beginning and experienced writers are welcome.

NOTE: There is no class on Nov. 11.

Wild writing is about coming home to ourselves, a loose and freeing technique to write about what is authentic in our lives. It’s a safe harbor where members will write to prompts from three easily understood poems. The instructor will read a poem, offer a few jump-off lines, read the poem again, and ask students to write as freely as possible with the pen never leaving the page — just say yes to whatever arises. Participants will write for up to 15 minutes per poem, and then they will read what they have written. Students will listen to one another without any comment, critique or cross talk. What’s written in the room will stay in the room. It’s a come-as-you-are party, whether one has lots of creative writing experience or none, a place where perfectionism is left at the door. 

NOTE: New poems and prompts will be offered this term, so previous students are welcome to take the course again. 

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to plant and develop your own vineyard in the Rogue Valley? This course will give you an idea of what is involved, from the science of choosing a site and varieties to plant to the financial ramifications of the current wine market. You will hear about the heartbreak of early frost and vine viruses as well as the joys of making wine from grapes you have grown and sharing it with friends. If you enjoy wine tasting, every class will include a tasting of wine made from fruit grown in the instructor’s vineyard. The final class will involve a field trip to the vineyard.

NOTE: The field trip to the vineyard will occur during the regular class time. Students will provide their own transportation or carpool and meet at the vineyard. Those who choose to walk around in the vineyard must be able to walk safely over uneven ground. However, walking in the vineyard is not required. There is no class on Oct. 12. Signed liability waiver required to participate.

Do you have a person or topic you think children might be interested in reading about? Writing a book could be the way to share an interesting subject. In this course, we will explore the wonderful world of “faction” — a portmanteau of fact and fiction, a genre that uses real documented historical events or figures as a foundation for a fictional narrative. Books will be written with the 8- to 12-year-old age group in mind. Participants will conceive and develop their words into a manuscript for a 32-page picture book. Art will not be required. Our small writing community will encourage, support and provide feedback. Writing will be done outside class; class sessions will be spent collaborating. This class is appropriate for both experienced and inexperienced writers.