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Mondays | September 29 - October 10 (4 weeks) |10 – 11:40 a.m. | Zoom, Recorded*

Sixteen years ago, during a global financial crisis a mysterious author sent a paper entitled “Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System” to a mailing list of cybersecurity enthusiasts. That single paper and the technological model that it described launched a financial revolution that has touched all elements of the global financial landscape and has led to the definition of numerous new and unique monetary instruments. The topic has attracted a new audience for discussion as a result of policies and proposals that have been proposed by the new administration of the US government.

Mondays | October 27 - November 10 (4 weeks) |10 – 11:40 a.m. | In-person, Not Recorded

Join us in-person on the beautiful Dominican campus to hear four excellent speakers Mick Chantler, Farhad Mansourian, Steve Harris and Brian Sobel) discuss a variety of current issues: The Biden Presidency, Politics in the 20th Century, The Middle East, and America’s First 250 Years.

Mondays | September 29 - October 27 (4 weeks) | 2 – 3:40 p.m. | Zoom, Recorded*

The leading artist of Italy’s reunification into a single country in the mid-Nineteenth Century was the great composer Giuseppe Verdi. His operatic masterworks brought to the stage the values and issues of the “Risorgimento” movement, giving vivid creative expression to the ideals of his time. We will explore Giuseppe Verdi’s life and art in their historical context and use video examples (with English subtitles) to examine in detail his magnificent music dramas, whose creative genius continues to thrill audiences everywhere.

Tuesdays | September 30 - November 10 (6 weeks) | 10 – 11:40 a.m. | Zoom, Recorded*

In this class we will explore the political landscapes of six different countries using a specific work of literature to spark our imagination and open a door to a new political journey. The countries and authors covered are: Nigeria (Wole Soyinka); Venezuela (Romulo Gallegos); Vietnam (Duong Thu Huong); Sri Lanka (Michael Ondaatje), South Korea (Han Kang), and Russia (Mikhail Bulgakov). 

Tuesdays | September 30 - November 4 (6 weeks) | 2 – 3:40 p.m. | Zoom, Not Recorded

During the late 19th century, a group of young French artists revolutionized the art world by starting to paint out of doors and focusing on the effects of natural light, daily, contemporary life and fashion, and societal changes in the growing metropolis, using a new dynamic style of painting and sculpting with loose brushstrokes, concepts of the unfinished, cropping and fragmentation. Their new approach mirrored the increasingly complex dynamic of modern life and celebrated an increasingly more democratic lifestyle.

Wednesdays | October 1 - October 22 (4 weeks) | 10 – 11:40 a.m. | In-person/Zoom, Recorded*

Join Deborah Meshel, RN, BSN, MSN, Clinical Nurse Instructor and Assistant Professor in the Nursing department at �Ӱ�ԭ��, for a transformative four-week class exploring the science of how everyday choices influence lifelong health. Through the lens of gut health, gene expression, and daily routines, participants will learn how nutrition, movement, stress, sleep, and social connection play a powerful role in preventing - and even reversing - chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, and dementia. This course blends the latest research in lifestyle medicine with practical tips to help you take control of your health from the inside out.

Wednesdays | October 1 - October 22 (4 weeks) | 2 – 3:40 p.m. | In-person/Zoom

The Beach Boys defined the sound of California rock with many classic songs evoking the ocean, beach, and the state's culture and lifestyle. Concentrating on their best work in the 1960s, this course follows their growth from their early surf and hot rod anthems through their lyrical maturation with symphonic masterpieces like "Good Vibrations" and the Pet Sounds album. 

Thursdays | October 9 - October 30 (4 weeks) | 10 – 11:40 a.m. | Zoom, Recorded*

In this four-part course, University of Maryland historian, Richard Bell, explores the tumultuous eight years of war between 1775 and 1783. These weekly sessions will examine four of the extraordinary groups of people who played central roles in the war for independence: patriot soldiers, non-combatants on the home front, Black Americans, and white loyalists.

Thursdays | October 9 - October 30 (4 weeks) | 2 – 3:40 p.m. | Zoom, Recorded*

Join retired attorney, Oak Dowling, and discover the world of espionage. Learn about the history of spying and hear about 21st century intelligence threats.

Thursdays | November 6 - November 20 (3 weeks) | 2 – 3:40 p.m. | Zoom, Recorded*

Irving Berlin is best known as the composer/lyricist of hit musicals like “Annie Get Your Gun” & “Call Me Madam”, plus songs like “Alexander’s Ragtime Band” and “God Bless America”.  Less well-known are those he wrote reflecting his Russian/Jewish heritage, like “Yiddish Nightingale”, “Russian Lullaby”, “Sadie Salome Go Home”, and “Cohen Owes Me $47”.  So, come and learn about his life and work and see delightful performances of those rarely heard numbers illustrating his heritage.

Thursdays | October 9 - November 6 (6 weeks) | 4 – 5:30 p.m. | Zoom, Not Recorded

Join Rachel Miller and a lively group of OLLI members every Thursday afternoon as they discuss the most interesting articles in The Atlantic magazine. Everyone in the group chooses an article and everyone gets a chance to lead the discussion. This is a workshop limited to 18 members, so that everyone has a chance to share their opinion.

Fridays | October 3 - November 14 (8 weeks) | 10 – 11:40 a.m. | Zoom, Not Recorded

This workshop gives you an opportunity to write and share your travel stories. Or you can travel back in time to the place where you grew up, a place where you once lived, or a year of your history. All writers are welcome, regardless of experience. Each session includes an inspiring writing exercise, the Writer's Toolbox to help your writing become more expressive, and a reading/feedback circle. Diane's teaching style is joyful, loving, and intuitive.

Fridays | October 3 October 24 (4 weeks) | 10 – 11:40 a.m. | In-person/Zoom, Recorded*

Why do we behave in certain ways instead of others? This course will overview various psychological approaches to the study of human motivation – the science of why we do what we do. Different faculty from the Psychology Department will consider motivation from their own areas of expertise. We will investigate questions about the social, emotional, and evolutionary factors that affect motivation. We will also consider how motivation changes across the lifespan. Each class meeting will consider motivation from a different psychological perspective and discuss classic findings and recent developments in the field.

Fridays | October 31 - November 21 (4 weeks) | 10 – 11:40 a.m. | Zoom

What do we know about our nearest neighbors in our solar system, the rocky planets, Mercury, Venus, and Mars?  And what about all the other rocks in space that orbit our Sun, like asteroids and comets? Come join recently retired astronomer Dr Linda Shore and find out!

Fridays | October 10 - October 24 (4 weeks) | 2 – 3:40 p.m. | Zoom

Queen Victoria, Charles Dickens, Charles Darwin, Oscar Wilde, and Jack the Ripper—all of them were “Victorian”, yet just what did that word mean and what values did it encompass? This course will examine the social and cultural life of England from 1830 to 1900, from the worlds of the elite upper classes to the slums of London’s East End. We will pay particular attention to the various meanings of Victorianism and the myths and practices of progress, morality, and reform that defined the era. 

Osher Online is a set of online-only (on Zoom, not recorded) courses provided by the National OLLI network, based at Northwestern University in Chicago. Dominican OLLI members may select any number of these for a fee of $90 per course. Premium and Session members pay $50. All Osher Online Courses are 6 weeks, on Zoom, and not recorded.

To participate:

1. Become a Dominican OLLI member.
2. Review the course/seminar listing below.  

Questions? Contact us at olli@dominican.edu or call at (415) 458-3763.

Course Listing

The Life and Times of Nikola Tesla

Mondays | October 6 - November 10 | noon | Marc Seifer, PhD

This course traces the life and innovations of Nikola Tesla, from his early years and university studies in Graz and Prague to his groundbreaking work in electricity and wireless technology. We will explore his collaborations and rivalries, including his work with Thomas Edison, the “War of the Currents” between AC and DC power, and his partnership with George Westinghouse, which led to the lighting of the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. Key topics include Tesla’s telautomaton invention, his wireless experiments, and his race against Marconi in the development of radio. We will examine the Wardenclyffe—Tesla’s ambitious wireless transmission tower, his work during World War I with Telefunken, and his interactions with Franklin Roosevelt. We will conclude with Tesla’s later-life invention of the particle beam weapon, his negotiations to sell it to the Allies during World War II, and the mystery surrounding his secret papers after his death.

From Bauhaus to Brutalism: Modern Architecture

Mondays | October 6 - November 10 | 4 p.m. | Eleanor Schrader

The post–World War I era saw a dramatic shift away fromtraditional 19th century architecture, as architects, designers, and social thinkers embraced modern aesthetics, new materials, and evolving societal needs. Each architectural movement responded to social and political changes, influencing both residential and commercial structures. This course explores the inspirations and innovations behind major architectural styles, including the Bauhaus, the International Style, Art Deco, Midcentury Modernism, and Postmodernism. Through these movements, we will examine how architecture has continually adapted to shape and reflect the built environment.

Inequality and Economic Policy

Tuesdays | October 14 - November 18 | 10 a.m. | Geof Woglom, PhD 

Economics plays a central role in every aspect of society. This course examines the causes and potential solutions to inequality in the US from an economic perspective. We will explore the history of different types of inequality, the underlying data and evidence, and the policy levers available to address these issues. Each lecture, led by a subject matter expert with a PhD in economics, will stand alone. Topics may include climate change, healthcare economics, economic inequality, economic mobility, discrimination in public policy, and the wealth gap.

Peeking Inside the Black Box: Science behind the Scenes

Tuesdays | October 14 - November 18 | noon | Johnnie Hendrickson, PhD

Have you ever felt like scientists are constantly changing their minds? Do you wonder when research can be trusted to guide decisions about health, behavior, or the environment? This course offers a behind-the-scenes look at the scientific process, exploring how modern science developed, what scientists actually do, and what makes research reliable. We will examine the strengths and weaknesses of scientific methodology, uncover common pitfalls, and identify red flags for pseudoscience and untrustworthy findings. Rather than relying on blind faith in science, we will learn how to evaluate research critically—and find trust in the process.

American History in Six Song

Tuesdays | October 14 - November 18 | 2 p.m. | Matt Jennings, PhD

Whether you’re in Macon, Memphis, Muscle Shoals, or Massapequa, music matters, and our varied musical heritage is one of the best ways to understand crucial moments in American history. This course will explore Indigenous expressions,colonial invasion, forced African migration, and the cultural shifts of the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries. Through the interplay of genres and traditions, we’ll examine how music captures the evolving American Experience.

The African American Military Experience

Thursdays | October 7 - November 11 | 4 p.m. | John Langellier

African Americans have served in every US military conflict, fighting for both their  country and their own rights. From Black patriots in the Revolutionary War to the 180,000 African Americans who fought for the Union in the Civil War, their contributions have shaped American history. After the war, Black soldiers gained congressional approval to enlist in the peacetimeArmy, leading to the formation of the “Buffalo Soldiers.” This course traces their service from the War of 1812 to WorldWar II, highlighting their valor in conflicts abroad and their struggle against segregation and discrimination at home. It is the story of their resilience, sacrifice, and fight for equality in a nation that often failed to recognize their service.

Alexander Graham Bell and the Telephone, 150 Years Later

Wednesdays | October 15 - November 19 | 8 a.m. | Bernie Carlson

More than any other invention of the past 150 years, the telephone has transformed how we communicate and conduct business. But how was it invented, and why did it have such a profound impact? This course explores Alexander Graham Bell’s groundbreaking 1875 concept for transmitting sound over an electric wire, his struggles to commercialize the telephone with his father-in-law, Gardiner Hubbard, and his rivalry with inventors Elisha Gray and Thomas Edison. We will also examine the rise and fall of AT&T as a corporate giant and the evolution from wired networks to today’s cellular and smartphone technologies.

Creative Conversation

Wednesdays | October 8 - November 12 | 2 p.m. | Stephanie Arne

Become educated, entertained, and empowered to become more effective stewards of the natural world. Through real-life conservation stories—drawn from the instructor's personal experiences and her time as host of Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom—we will highlight the impact of passionate individuals working together to address complex environmental challenges. This course explores how diverse perspectives and unique skills contribute to conservation efforts, offering participants practical ways to take meaningful action in protecting wildlife and ecosystems.

Public Health in Action

Wednesdays | October 15 - November 19 | 2 p.m. | Faith Ogungbe

In this course, participants will explore the social determinants of health, the physiological mechanisms of stress, and the effects of stress on health and well-being. They will also examine stress- and health-related theoretical frameworks. Through this course, participants will gain an understanding of the factors that influence health and engage in discussions on the importance of equitably promoting health and well-being across Populations.

Impressionism: Color, Light and Leisure

Thursdays | October 9 - November 13 | noon | Lauren Weingarden, PhD

Impressionist painters revolutionized art with a new style that emphasized changing atmospheric effects and luminous color harmonies. Their unblended brushstrokes of pure color and simple compositions broke dramatically with traditional pictorial techniques. Rejecting historical, mythological, and religious themes, they instead focused on the rapidly shifting aspects of modern life—capturing scenes from the countryside, the home, and the city. This course examines the work of Monet, Renoir, Degas, Cassatt, and Morisot from the 1860s to the 1910s, exploring their stylistic and technical innovations, personal lives, and the cultural forces shaping their artistry. Participants will gain an enhanced ability to experience nature and artistic depictions of it with a newly developed sensory, coloristic, and immersive aware.

The Films of John Cassavetes and Gena Rowland

Fridays | October 10 - November 14 | 8 a.m. | Heather Brown, PhD

This course explores the groundbreaking collaborations between John Cassavetes and Gena Rowlands, two of the most influential figures in independent cinema. Cassavetes revolutionized American filmmaking with his raw, character-driven storytelling, while Rowlands’ deeply expressive performances are among the most mesmerizing in film history. We will examine Cassavetes’ unconventional filmmaking methods, including handheld cinematography, long takes, overlapping dialogue, and spontaneous performances. Rowlands’ emotionally intense acting style will be analyzed through her landmark roles in A Woman Under the Influence (1974), Opening Night (1977), and Gloria (1980). We'll also explore the collaborative nature of Cassavetes’ productions, his rejection of Hollywood conventions, and his lasting impact on contemporary filmmaking. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how Cassavetes and Rowlands redefined cinematic storytelling with emotional depth and authenticity.