Join us on the OU Norman campus for enriching learning opportunities and meaningful interactions with distinguished faculty. Our Senior Seminars and Mornings with Professors take place at the Thurman J. White Forum, located at 1704 Asp Ave., Norman, OK 73072. Convenient parking is available with a paid membership, so you can focus on enjoying the experience and connecting with fellow lifelong learners.
$60 Jeremy Hessman & Heather Arnett - August 5 through August 26, 2026 - Wednesdays from 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Friends of the Fred is a four-week guided exploration of the permanent collections at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art. From Impressionism and modernism to Native and Southwestern art, this course offers structured, in-depth engagement with the museum’s history and key collections. Each session combines focused gallery exploration with facilitated discussion, helping participants build confidence, gain context, and deepen their appreciation for the works on view. No prior art background required — just curiosity and a willingness to look closely.
$60 Trevor McMichael - August 5 through September 9, 2026 - Wednesdays from 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Two of the 19th century’s most famous novels—Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (1818) and Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights (1847)—continue not only to be read and admired by audiences near and far, but also to be reimagined on the silver screen. In this seminar, we will read these famous texts and examine the fascination that drives their continued retellings and remediations (especially since both novels feature complex narrative structures that are difficult to translate into film). While we will watch an array of clips and examples of how these novels have been transformed into films, we will mainly focus on the two most recent adaptations: Guillermo del Toro’s 2025 Frankenstein and Emerald Fennell’s 2026 Wuthering Heights. These films have been both beloved and panned by critics, and we will certainly discuss our individual reactions. Our seminar will not, however, question whether these adaptations are “good” or “bad” per se, but more compellingly, what about these narratives appeals to 21st-century audiences; why and in what ways these adaptations have changed the source texts (sometimes quite radically); and why our culture feels compelled to continue retelling, and refilming, these particular stories. Use whichever copies of the novels you prefer, but be sure to access the 1818 edition of Frankenstein; we will discuss how to watch the films in the seminar. By the start of our first meeting, please read Volume I (chapters 1-7) of Frankenstein, which we will discuss that day.
$60 Paul Bell & Dane McDowell - August 20 through October 1, 2026 - Thursdays from 10-11:30 a.m.
Throughout history, in China, France, and everywhere else, guileful women excelled at games of the throne. Using their intelligence and sex appeal, they seduced the emperor or the king to gain influence over his decisions and raise their own status, weighing heavily on the arts, industry, politics, and courtly life. For centuries, including to the present day, dreadful scandals were covered up at Chinese palatial and French royal courts. Historians have decrypted lurid stories where concubines and favorites conspired, murdered, or died in mysterious circumstances. Thus, it is our utmost pleasure to bring back to life historical episodes about outrageous, dangerous, and…delightful women. Cherchez la femme!
*Class will NOT meet on September 17
|$60 Chris Carter - August 21 through September 25, 2026 - Fridays from 1:30-3 p.m.
In this course, we will read three short stories by one of the greatest figures in modern world literature. Joseph Conrad achieved the remarkable feat of rising to literary prominence while writing in his third language. Proficient in Polish and French before he turned to English, Conrad nonetheless became a master of English prose—indeed, a writer of “paradox and riddle.” Through this achievement, he profoundly altered the course of modern fiction.
We will study two of his finest short stories, written at the height of his career: “Amy Foster” and “The Secret Sharer.” We will also read “An Outpost of Progress,” often regarded as a precursor to Conrad’s famous novella Heart of Darkness, notable for its early and incisive critique of European colonialism.
Our discussions will range from themes closely connected to Conrad’s own multilingual and expatriate life—such as modern isolation, alienation, and the challenges of communication—to the themes through which he made his greatest global impact, including colonial oppression, postcolonial resistance, and the moral ambiguities surrounding both.
The schedule for the course is as follows:
There are no prerequisites for this course. Although it is the seventeenth in my series on modern literature, this is a new course featuring mostly new material. At the beginning of the first class, each student will receive a packet of readings containing our first story, “Amy Foster,” along with supplementary background materials.
For the second and third stories, students will be asked to purchase The Secret Sharer and Other Stories (Penguin Classics; ISBN 978-0-141-39700-9) from any bookstore of their choice or online at Amazon.
Class will not meet on Friday, September 4
$60 Emanuela Pecchioli - August 21 through September 18, 2026 - Fridays from 4:30-6:00 p.m.
Florence is one of the most celebrated cities in the world. Known as the birthplace of the Renaissance, it is where we can trace the artistic and cultural developments that led to masterpieces such as Michelangelo’s David and Botticelli’s Birth of Venus. These works were not the product of chance. For about two centuries, Florence experienced an extraordinary concentration of artists, thinkers, and writers—an energy that remains unique in history. The Renaissance was a broad cultural movement that touched every part of society, from art and architecture to philosophy, science, and daily life. But Florence is far more than its Renaissance treasures. It is a vibrant, modern city visited by millions each year, not only for its museums and monuments, but also for its fashion, cuisine, festivals, and long-standing traditions. For example, did you know that Italian fashion was born in Florence? And while many people have heard of Bistecca alla Fiorentina (the Florentine-style T-bone steak), how many know what Lampre Dotto is? In this course, we will explore Florence together through lectures, audiovisual materials, and interactive activities. Whether your interests lie in art, history, food, fashion, or simply discovering a beautiful city, Florence has something to offer you.
Class will not meet on Friday, September 4
$60 Cal Hobson - August 24 through September 21, 2026 - Mondays from 1-3:30 p.m.
Not yet. Artificial intelligence may change that, too. Federal tax policy, weighted heavily in favor of the top 10th of 1% of all taxpayers (almost entirely men), has delivered on a gold platter the annual streams of disposable tax return revenue to the Bill Gates of America. They then reinvest the bonanza in the markets, buy more land with a castle, temporarily rent the third trophy wife, or pursue a new venture that is even more intriguing and promising than the others mentioned: Artificial Intelligence (AI). It appears to be the new heavyweight factor in the world of economics, education, certainly national defense, including ever more deadly and effective drones, the environment, health initiatives, and now, long overdue, the subject of a fall 2026 OLLI course. Frankly, that’s because the letters a and I, when combined and implemented, will soon be more dominant and domineering in our lives than anything or anyone I can think of, with the possible exception of grandchildren. The two best things about this seminar are, first, enrollees will hear from a raft of new guests steeped in the world of AI, which I readily admit is a complete mystery to me. Second, like OLLI’s IOS course, what is learned in the confines of our forum building conference room could and should be of significant help to each of us as we conduct both the routine and complex activities life throws our way. I may even learn to turn on my own computer without Eva’s help.
*Class will NOT meet on September 7
$60 David Anderson - August 31, September 28, October 26, November 30, 2026 January 25, February 22, March 29, April 26, 2027 - Mondays from 5-6:30 p.m.
The Poetry Club will specialize in the close analysis of English verse. Each month, we will discuss a specific poem from English literary history, focusing on one or more short poems. We will begin with a brief discussion of the poet in question and will guide the group through an analysis of the work.
$60 Carla Pratt - September 1 through September 22, 2026 - Tuesdays from 10 a.m. -12 p.m.
This course provides an outline of selected U.S. Constitutional rights, including their development over time and their current treatment by the courts. Each class presents a distinct constitutional right, situating it in the country’s history and highlighting the core contours of its protection. From there, the class turns to key U.S. Supreme Court decisions in the Court’s prior term that affect these rights. The course explains these complex disputes and how they impact existing rights protections. Along the way, we clarify oversimplified or inaccurate coverage of the cases and predict how the Court and other political actors might treat these rights in the future. The rights covered in this course include First Amendment free expression rights, Second Amendment rights to keep and bear arms, Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable searches and seizures, and the Fourteenth Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause.
$60 Dan Snell - September 1 through September 29, 2026 - Tuesdays from 1-3 p.m.
This course explores Mark Twain’s disruptive tendencies in both his writing and public speaking. Focusing especially on his outspoken opposition to imperialism, we will examine how Twain challenged war, empire, and moral complacency through satire, essays, and lectures.
$0 Chris Elliott & Tina Henderson - September 9 through December 9, 2026 - Wednesdays from 10-11:30 a.m.
Join us on Wednesday mornings for a relaxed, weekly Discussion Group just for OLLI members who want to talk about what’s happening in the world. It’s a space to share ideas, feelings, and concerns—and to learn from each other through open conversation. This isn’t a typical OLLI class with a set curriculum or a faculty leader. Instead, you and your fellow members guide the discussion and choose the topics. Come for the fellowship, stay for the thoughtful exchange!
This class is hybrid, so you can join via Zoom or in person!
$60 Matt Branstetter - September 15 through October 6, 2026 - Tuesdays from 2-4 p.m.
Investing can feel complicated, especially when planning for or living in retirement. This four-part seminar series is designed to make important financial topics easier to understand in a clear, comfortable learning environment. Matt Branstetter will lead four two-hour sessions covering:
Matt Branstetter has been an independent investment advisor for 35 years. He presents complex topics in straightforward language, using real-world examples and an engaging, interactive style. Questions are encouraged, and participants can expect an open and respectful discussion throughout the series. Matt is not a CPA or an attorney. While tax and estate concepts will be discussed for educational purposes, no specific tax or legal advice will be provided. Matt remains an active advisor; however, no specific investments will be discussed or offered for sale during this seminar series.
$60 Giuseppe Grispino - September 23 through October 14, 2026 - Wednesdays from 4-5:30 p.m.
This course examines the global tradition of fables as brief narrative forms that convey moral, political, and philosophical ideas across various cultures. Students will explore how fables travel, transform, and adapt through different languages, religions, and historical periods. The course will focus on key themes such as animal symbolism, power and politics, pedagogy, satire, and the relationship between oral and written traditions. Through close reading, comparative analysis, and discussion, students will gain insight into how this seemingly simple narrative form has influenced ethical thought and cultural exchange worldwide.
$60 Paul Chambers - September 24 through October 29, 2026 - Thursdays from 1:30-3:00 p.m.
Thailand is a country with a rich culture, enormous beauty, varied geography, ethnic diversity, and colorful history, which has remained one of the most relatively stable countries of Asia. This course is a survey of Thailand: its people, traditions, past and present, monarchy and military, relations with other countries, and poverty. The course also looks at traveling in Thailand and living there. Who are the Thai people, and why are there so many migrants in Thailand? Why is Buddhism so prevalent among Thais? Why was Thailand never colonized? Who is Thailand’s king today, how powerful is he, and what about the military? What are some of the country’s most beautiful beaches and mountains? This course examines these and other questions. It is structured as follows: Session 1—People and Culture of Thailand; Session 2—History of Thailand; Session 3— Foreign Relations of Thailand; Session 4—Monarchy and Military in Thailand; Session 5—Traveling and Living in Thailand; Session 6—Thailand’s Future?
$60 Luann Waters - September 24 through October 22, 2026 - Thursdays from 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Over its five-year run, The Twilight Zone became one of the most influential television series of all time, largely because of creator and head writer Rod Serling, who wrote 92 of the show’s 156 episodes. This seminar examines Serling’s creative vision alongside that of other notable writers through close viewing and discussion of 10 selected episodes. Members will watch and analyze seven episodes written by Serling, as well as one episode each by Montgomery Pittman, Earl Hamner Jr., and Robert Enrico. Discussions will focus on storytelling, themes, casting choices, and behind-the-scenes production insights, providing a deeper understanding of how the series was created and why it continues to resonate. Each two-hour class session will include screening two 30-minute episodes, followed by guided discussion, questions, and commentary.
$60 Ken Johnson - September 28 through October 19, 2026 - Mondays from 10-11:30 a.m.
Islands range in size from Greenland, the largest island (823,000 miles²), to small, unmapped rocky islets that barely jut out of the water. Islands can be parts of continents that have been rifted or raised up by tectonic activity (such as Greenland and Spitsbergen), can result from volcanic activity (Galapagos and Hawaii), can be built up from reefs (Bermuda and atolls), can result from glacial activity (Long Island and Martha’s Vineyard), or can be barrier islands (Cape Hatteras and Padre Island). Always critical to the formation or disappearance of islands is the rise or fall of sea level: islands appear or enlarge as sea level drops, and they become smaller or even disappear as sea level rises. Following a very brief discussion of the origin of islands, we will explore in depth the origin, history, and culture of four fascinating islands: Spitsbergen (Svalbard) (“Land of the Midnight Sun”), South Georgia (“Land of Rock, Ice, Penguins, and Shackleton”), New Zealand (“Land of the Māori and Southern Alps”), and the Galapagos Islands (“Land of Darwin and Giant Tortoises”).
$60 Art Mansky - September 30 through October 28, 2026 - Wednesdays from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Remember when we would learn about a new topic by either looking it up in the encyclopedia on our bookshelf or driving to a library to get a book or two on the subject? We would receive mortgage, utility, and department store bills in the mail, then write paper checks and send them back. Preparing for a multi-state car trip included buying paper maps for each state and planning the route that looked best. Just within our lifetimes, computers have drastically changed our everyday experiences and profoundly impacted society worldwide. This course explores the history of computing – the people and the devices – including the 5,000-year-old abacus, the slide rule and other mechanical calculators of the 1600-1800’s, the room-sized computers of the 1950’s, the minicomputers of the 1960-1970’s, the personal computer of the 1980’s, and the more recent developments of the laptop, cell phone, internet, and artificial intelligence (AI). No technical knowledge is necessary or expected.
$60 Betty Robbins - October 6 through November 10, 2026 - Tuesdays from 1-4 p.m.
In a New York Times interview with Larry McMurtry dated September 28, 1996, the famed storyteller said, “The Code of the West is dead.” McMurtry was wrong. Blood relations, cattle, land, and oil money still ruled. Culture wars hadn’t filled the vast expanses of the West or altered central values — or prejudices. Today, however, with B&Bs, space camps, and celebrity and billionaire fetishistic ownership of the West, McMurtry’s remarks prove to have been prophetic. The West of John Ford and George Stevens is, indeed, dead. Its appeal, however, lives on. The fraught and Fashionable Frontier of Taylor Sheridan may bear little resemblance to the Old West, but we still thrill at the suspense of Gary Cooper watching the clock tick off the minutes to the showdown with Frank Miller’s gang and wince with guilty pleasure as Barbara Stanwyck takes down power dynasties. This course will screen six westerns, four from 70s Hollywood productions that reflect America’s changing socio/political scene and two from our most recent postmodern filmmakers. We will compare the Code of the West with the values it preserves, rejects, and revises in the work of innovative new filmmakers. Character, setting, and conflict will be key topics of discussion. Running before class will be a classic western to consider in contrast to the feature for the day.
$60 Dave Boeck - October 6 through October 27, 2026 - Tuesdays from 9:30-11:00 a.m.
This course explores the architectural traditions of ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome, emphasizing their foundational role in the development of Western architecture. Students will examine major architectural styles, construction materials, and the social, political, and functional purposes of buildings within these civilizations. Through visual analysis and multimedia resources, the course highlights the enduring influence of Mediterranean architecture on Western cultural and historical development. Learning Outcomes Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
$60 Eugene Enrico - October 14 through November 6, 2026 - Wednesdays & Fridays from 1-3:00 p.m.
This seminar traces the emergence and early development of opera from its humanist origins to its international spread in the seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries. Through close study of representative works, members will examine four pivotal moments in operatic history: Italian Humanism and the early Florentine experiments culminating in Monteverdi’s Orfeo; the rise of commercial opera in Venice and its expansion to European capitals, explored through The Coronation of Poppea; new stylistic currents in France and Restoration London, with special attention to Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas; and the flourishing of Italian opera in London as exemplified by Handel’s Giulio Cesare. The unit emphasizes musical style, dramatic structure, historical context, and performance practice, offering students a foundational understanding of how opera emerged as a major European art form.
$60 Thomas Conner - October 16 through November 13, 2026 - Fridays from 2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m.
For many years on other campuses, within Communication and Media Studies departments, I taught a popular course called Music as Social Action; this would be a distilled version of that. The course surveys American popular music as a medium for ideological and political communication — essentially a history of American protest songs. Students first sift through basic scholarship on “propaganda songs,” learn to recognize “socially conscious” music across genres, and evaluate its effects as both a means of transmitting information and a meaning-making ritual. We then listen to and examine a variety of music genres — folk, rock and roll, blues, soul, hip-hop, glam, disco, punk, and more — in order to explore the contested relationships with changing social and political contexts during the post-WWII era of recorded popular music, namely political identity, race relations, gender and sexuality, and neoliberal commoditization. This exploration is rooted not only in my own cultural studies-related research but also in a previous career as an arts journalist and music critic (thomashconner.info), in which I wrote a great deal about native Oklahoma songwriter Woody Guthrie and his legacy, the result of a yearlong fellowship at Columbia University during which I read the contents of the Woody Guthrie Archives (then located in Manhattan).
$5 Chris Elliott & Josh Tassinari - October 19 through October 26, 2026 - Mondays from 10-11:30 a.m.
Would you like access to over 100 million songs at your fingertips—or to create the perfect playlist for a road trip, dinner party, or just everyday listening? This special OLLI course shows you how.
In this two-week class, instructors Josh and Chris will guide you through the two most popular music streaming platforms in the world: Spotify and Apple Music. In week one, Josh covers Spotify—how it works, how to find your favorite songs, albums, and artists, how to create playlists, and tips for improving sound quality. In week two, Chris walks you through the same process using Apple Music. No prior experience with streaming services is required. Whether you’re brand new or looking to use these apps more confidently, you’ll learn how easy it is to enjoy music from virtually any generation on your phone or computer. This course also serves as a perfect lead into the Oklahoma House of Music class, where you’ll put your new skills to use by creating (with Josh’s and Chris’s help) a playlist of GRAMMY® songs discussed in Eric Walschap’s course.
$60 Eric Walschap - November 9 through December 14, 2026 - Mondays from 10-11:30 a.m.
The GRAMMY® Awards are widely regarded as the highest honor in music—but why? This course offers a behind-the-scenes look at The Recording Academy and the GRAMMY® Awards, exploring how they began, how nominations and voting really work, and why the award holds such unique prestige compared to other national and international music honors. Led by an active GRAMMY® voting member, professional musician, and music professor, participants will gain insider insight into the submission process, the competitive path to nomination, the realities of Academy voting, and the cultural and professional impact of winning. The course also addresses frequently asked questions, including industry politics, evolving definitions of “good music,” surprising wins (including the Beatles’ 2025 award), and the mechanics behind the three phases of GRAMMY® voting. When possible, the course will highlight GRAMMY® winners and nominees appearing at OLLI through the Oklahoma House of Music partnership series, sharing firsthand stories of working with or alongside legendary artists such as Michael Jackson, Prince, Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, and Paul McCartney. Participants will also have the rare opportunity to see—and hold—an authentic GRAMMY® trophy.
$60 Jay Casey - October 19 through November 30, 2026 - Mondays from 1:15-2:45 p.m
The OLLI Vietnam War Era course will explore the origins of the Vietnam War, how the United States waged the war, the impact of the war on American society and culture, and the meaning of the United States defeat in Vietnam. The course will also examine some of the legacies of the Vietnam War, including both historical and public memory in the ensuing decades, as well as messaging regarding the war since the withdrawal of U.S. forces in 1973. Artifacts in the form of both interwar and postwar media, music, film, first-person accounts, and material culture will be part of the course.
$60 Susan Sharp - October 20 through November 10, 2026 - Tuesdays from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
In a prior course, we examined some of the reasons why women kill their partners, based on the role of intimate partner violence. In 2024, Oklahoma passed the Oklahoma Survivors Act, allowing the court to consider a history of abuse as a mitigating factor in these cases, potentially reducing sentences. The law also allowed women currently serving sentences to possibly have their sentences reduced. By the end of the class, only one woman had been resentenced. This course will examine cases that have unfolded since that time, analyze how the law has been applied in practice, and consider potential legal developments and current challenges. We will also explore how other states are addressing similar issues and evaluate areas where Oklahoma’s approach—and, more broadly, survivor-centered legislation—may need improvement.
$60 Dan Kirchhefer - October 21 through November 11, 2026 - Wednesdays from 1-3 p.m.
The life and works of three noted painters of American realism from the 19th century, Mary Cassatt, Thomas Eakins, and Winslow Homer, will be discussed. We will study their paintings, along with their revolutionary use of printmaking, pastels, watercolor, and photography.
$60 Marvin Beck - October 22 through November 12, 2026 - Thursdays from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Thomas “Fats” Waller was a legend in his own time—an unforgettable performer, a gifted composer, and one of the true originals of American music. A pioneer of Swing Jazz in the 1930s and 1940s, Waller was the first jazz musician to gain international fame. Classically trained, he moved effortlessly between piano and pipe organs, blending remarkable musicianship with humor, joy, and an unmistakable personal style. His songs hold their own alongside those of George Gershwin, Cole Porter, and Irving Berlin, and his influence can be heard in the work of Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Erroll Garner, and many others. This four-week seminar invites participants to explore the life, music, and legacy of Fats Waller within the rich cultural backdrop of the Harlem Renaissance. Through guided listening, film clips, and lively discussion, members will experience Waller’s recordings, performances, and major contributions to the early history of jazz. The course will feature plenty of music, rare film footage, and historical context, and will conclude with a viewing of the original cast production of Ain’t Misbehavin’, the Tony Award–winning 1978 musical built around Waller’s songs. By the end of the seminar, members will have a deeper appreciation for Fats Waller’s creativity, influence, and enduring place in American music and culture.
$60 Cal Hobson - October 26 through November 16, 2026 - Mondays from 1-3:30 p.m.
In previous classes, forgive me for my verbosity, especially about my political advisers who hang out at Ruby’s Cafe in Purcell. I’ll try to be more circumspect (which is a fancy word meaning less jabber) from me and more wise wisdom uttered by our guests. As I pen this course material to you, hoping you’ll participate this fall in what will be my 75th OLLI seminar, be aware that today’s date is March 10th, 2026. The United States and Israel have just attacked Iran. The price of oil has shot up to $119 dollars a barrel. President Donald Trump’s polling approval is 38%. And, perhaps most importantly to some, OU’s 2027 football recruiting class is ranked #1 by two sports publications. Conversely, and most sadly, Governor Kevin Stitt, in his eighth and final year in office, never quite delivered on his top ten promises for Oklahoma. Turns out they truly were just aspirational. Anything but aspirational will be the contents of this seminar. Candidates for office, pollsters, pundits, provocateurs, incumbents, former winners, and some losers will all drop by the forum building to be heard, quizzed, congratulated, and even consoled. If you enroll, you’ll get all this and more, including a four-session, ten-hour tour de force of talk and thought, for just $60 bucks.
$60 Chris Sartorius - October 29 through November 19, 2026 - Thursdays from 1:30-3:30 p.m.
This course will explore modern Germany to gain an appreciation of how it has developed into Europe’s leading power. We will investigate the country’s modern history (post- World War II), its government, economy, foreign policy, and current/emerging internal and external security challenges. We will also journey to several of Germany’s many cities and small villages to gain insights into the country’s natural beauty and the dynamism of its people. Please join us for a fun, informative look at Germany, its prospects, and how you can make the most of a future visit to this amazing country.
$60 Dave Boeck - October 30 through November 20, 2026 - Fridays from 9:30-11 a.m.
Bruce Goff often compared architecture to frozen music. In his design studios, he would play various musical styles to encourage his students to incorporate them into the design outcomes of their drawings. Many people saw this process as helping him encourage his students to “design outside the box.” In this class, we will incorporate various artistic media such as pencil, pen, crayon, color pencil, and possibly watercolor, into the drawing process, using form and texture, and color and sound, with two people working together to create abstract art incorporating all these into the final solution. By working with abstraction, we will avoid the stress of trying to draw realistic images and focus on enjoyable interactive learning.
*Members will be required to purchase art supplies for class.
$60 Allen Hertzke - November 10 through December 1, 2026 - Tuesdays from 1-2:30 p.m.
Hear from great minds as they discuss timeless ideas. Greek and Roman thinkers of antiquity profoundly shaped Western civilization and remain influential today, not only in the United States but around the world. In this class, the instructor will provide crucial historical context on each featured thinker, then will allow them to speak for themselves in conversation with class members (but class members can just listen if they wish). Here are the thinkers featured for each week:
$60 Clive Mander - November 24 through December 15, 2026 - Tuesdays from 10-11:30 a.m.
The British Invasion was a cultural and musical phenomenon in the mid-1960s when British rock and pop artists dominated the American charts and reshaped American music and fashion. In 1964, the Beatles crossed the Atlantic, opening the door for a host of other British bands and artists, as well as aspects of British culture, that transformed the American music scene, influenced fashion, and reshaped youth identity.
Classes will trace the origins and impact of the phenomenon and will include many musical examples from videos of the time to illustrate the influence of British popular music and culture during the 1960s and beyond.
$5 Allison Palmer - September 8, 2026 - Tuesday from 9:30-11 a.m.
Rembrandt van Rijn (1606-1669) was a prolific Dutch Baroque painter and printmaker who maintained one of the most important workshops in Amsterdam in the mid-1600s. His artistic output was large and varied, and his influence was profound. We will examine key examples from throughout Rembrandt’s life to trace his artistic development and influence.
$5 Betty Robbins -September 9, 2026 - Wednesday from 9:30-11 a.m.
In 1599, at the gates to the Castel de San Angelo, the Vatican beheaded the twenty-two-year-old daughter of Francesco Cenci. Treasurer to the Vatican, Cenci owned a vast fortune in art, palazzos, vineyards, and other landed estates. While the Vatican archives preserved Beatrice’s last words, the tragedy of Beatrice Cenci was basically lost to history. Today, however, the drama of the young woman’s life echoes through the arts, and the Cenci Palazzo in Rome has become a museum. Some of our greatest authors did know the story. Hawthorne based a short story on the tragedy, and Shelley wrote a play titled “Beatrice Cenci,” which later became an opera. In various works, Shakespeare, Melville, Dickens, Edith Wharton, and filmmaker David Lynch drew on the tragedy, either directly or indirectly. Dr. Robbins will share her research on the Cenci family, its association with the Vatican, and how details of the tragedy have fluctuated over time. The story of brave, near fearless Beatrice Cenci deserves to be remembered.
$5 Michael Hartman - September 10, 2026 - Thursday from 9:30-11 a.m.
Maintaining muscle and staying active often feels more challenging after middle age. This is largely due to a natural process called sarcopenia, where sedentary adults can lose 4 to 6 pounds of vital muscle mass every decade. This loss represents a significant threat to your independence, balance, and long-term vitality. In this seminar, you will learn why your body requires more protein now than it did in your 30s to trigger essential muscle repair and growth. We will explore research showing that nearly 50% of adults over 50 miss their daily protein targets, making it increasingly difficult to remain resilient. You will discover how to calculate your specific needs to maximize benefits while avoiding overconsumption and why spreading your intake throughout the day is far more effective than consuming one large protein-heavy meal. By making small, intentional lifestyle and dietary choices, you can ensure you meet your goals and build a stronger future.
$5 Ken Johnson - September 15, 2026 - Tuesday from 9:30-11 a.m.
Although there were earlier minor attempts at organizing a fleet of English ships to defend the island nation, Henry VIII greatly increased both the size and number of ships (from 5 to 80) in England’s standing navy. With the defeat of Spain’s Great Armada in 1588, England became one of the dominant sea powers in Europe, and by the mid- 1700s, England had the most powerful navy; it remained so until the United States Navy became supreme in World War II. This long period of naval supremacy during the “Age of Exploration” enabled England to establish and maintain a worldwide network of colonies, making it a true superpower. Great sea captains aided in England’s domination of the seas. Francis Drake (1540–1596), the first Englishman to circumnavigate the globe, was an adept privateer who raided Spanish ships and ports in the New World and a leader in routing the Spanish Armada (1588). James Cook (1728–1799) was a famed explorer, navigator, and cartographer in the Royal Navy. During three voyages to the Pacific Ocean, he mapped and explored Australia, New Zealand, the Hawaiian Islands, and many of the smaller islands. Horatio Nelson (1758–1805) rose to national attention in several early sea battles but became internationally famous with his victories over the French in the Battle of the Nile (1798) and over the French and Spanish in the Battle of Trafalgar (1805).
$5 Susan Sharp - September 22, 2026 - Tuesday from 9:30-11 a.m.
In 2013, Netflix debuted one of its most popular series ever, Orange Is the New Black. Based on Piper Kerman’s book, it depicts life in a woman’s prison. This lecture explores what day-to-day life is really like for women prisoners. There will be a guest speaker.
$5 Ralph Doty - September 29, 2026 - Tuesday from 9:30-11 a.m.
History books have traditionally been written by, for, and about men: they tend to focus on masculine words, thoughts, and deeds. But if we look back farther -- to the time before written history -- and trace the way our species has evolved, as witnessed by our fossil bones and our present-day bodies (and minds), we find quite a different picture. This talk will focus on the ways in which changes in women’s bodies – and behaviors – have influenced the evolution of our species.
$5 Bruno Uchoa - October 6, 2026 - Tuesday from 9:30-11 a.m.
In this lecture, I will discuss the fascinating properties of quantum mechanics and the historical disputes between the Copenhagen interpretation, led by Niels Bohr, Heisenberg, and others, and competing theories. At the heart of quantum mechanics is the principle of quantum entanglement, the notion that two experiments can influence each other even when separated by an infinite distance. I will discuss the experiments that, not long ago, confirmed the existence of quantum entanglement in nature and address its far-reaching implications.
$5 Andy Rieger - November 10, 2026 - Tuesday from 9:30-11 a.m.
Route 66, dubbed America’s Mother Road by John Steinbeck, turns 100 years old in 2026. The road stretches nearly 2,400 miles from Chicago to Los Angeles and was built about the time that average Americans became enamored with automobiles. Oklahoma has over 400 miles of the original route, the most of any of the eight states traversed by the highway. The road connected cities with small towns, it gave birth to roadside motels, all-night diners, drive-ins, quirky gas stations, and cultural attractions. It even inspired a song and a television show. Interstate highways, built mostly in the 1960s and 1970s, reduced travel on Route 66 and decimated the small towns that depended on motorists for their livelihoods. Fascination with the highway will peak this year with centennial celebrations planned throughout the country. Visitors, including many from other countries, are expected to cruise the highway seeking to see what’s left of the nostalgia in the small towns that are called Route 66, their Main Street. Three Oklahomans — two retired professors and a journalist — began celebrating early by cycling all remaining navigable miles on the Mother Road. Dr. Dave Sabatini, Engineering, and Dr. Robert Dauffenbach, Business and Economics, teamed with journalist and educator Andy Rieger in cycling Route 66 one state at a time. They will share their travelogue, photos, and impressions of a bygone era in American travel.
$5 Max Weitzenhoffer - November 17, 2026 - Tuesday from 9:30-11 a.m.
Broadway—and theatre as a whole—stands among life’s most electrifying experiences. When everything comes together just right, a performance doesn’t just entertain—it stirs something deeper, lifting audiences to their feet and etching itself into history. Few have shaped that magic more profoundly than Max Weitzenhoffer. A towering force behind both New York’s Broadway and London’s West End, Max has left an indelible mark on the world of theatre. From producing acclaimed hits like Dracula and The Will Rogers Follies to working across every facet of production, his influence reaches far beyond the stage. A Tony Award-winning producer, collaborator, and University of Oklahoma alum, Max brings a wealth of experience and unforgettable stories. In this special session, OLLI members will step behind the curtain to discover what it truly takes to create a hit show, hear captivating behind-the-scenes moments, and explore the rich past—and exciting future—of theatre.
