In this program, instructors choose a favorite subject and volunteer their time to participate in a successful series at the University of Oklahoma campus. Join us for a cup of coffee and enjoy an entertaining and educational experience. For OLLI members residing in the Oklahoma City area, we offer courses at the PHF Conference Center, situated on OU’s Health Sciences Center campus at 655 Research Parkway, Oklahoma City, OK.
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President Donald J. Trump 2.0. Just Right? Too Much? Not Enough? | $50 - Cal Hobson
September 25-October 16, 2025 | Thursdays | 12:30-3:00pm
Has Congress decided to assert itself in its main responsibility of writing this country’s annual budget? If not, why not? Finally, what, if anything, has the Supreme Court had to say about the balance of power between the three legs of our constitutional and statutory system of governance? We will invite scholars, partisans, pollsters, the 4th estate, and camp followers to share their views, information, exaggerations, inaccuracies, and accusations both for and against the 47th president of these occasionally united but more often than not divided states.
Exploring the Lives of 20th-Century Statesmen (and Women!) | $50 - Christopher M. Sartorius
October 20-November 17, 2025 | Mondays | 1:30-3:30pm
This course examines how statesmen (and women) utilize the tools of statecraft to devise comprehensive strategies for achieving national and international objectives. We will concentrate our study on 20th-century international leaders who used their knowledge of the past, combined with their sense of the values and aspirations of their fellow countrymen, to devise national and international strategies. We will examine the key leadership traits and values that these leaders embodied, in conjunction with the challenges they faced, to gain a deeper understanding of the foreign policy options and constraints each faced when making critical decisions. With this knowledge, we will take a case study approach to evaluate the problems, policy options, successes, and failures of these key, modern, 20th-century leaders. The overall course goal is to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges, risks, and accomplishments of these leaders, and to learn the importance of effective leadership in addressing the numerous complex issues facing the global community in our contemporary world.
*Class will not meet on Monday, 11/10*
OKC Town Talk – Discovering Downtown Oklahoma City: An Urban Exploration | $5 - Mike Adams
October 31, 2025 | Friday | 2:00-4:30pm
**This will require a lot of walking, so wear comfortable shoes! **
Join us for an enlightening and immersive downtown tour of Oklahoma City via streetcar. This course explores urban development, city growth, and community engagement. Participants will have the unique opportunity to visit both public projects and private developments to gain insight into the factors driving Oklahoma City’s transformation. We will engage with city leaders and place makers, hearing firsthand about their vision, strategies, and the collaborative efforts driving the city’s development. Join us for this exciting journey through the heart of Oklahoma City and witness firsthand the city's ongoing evolution. Space is limited, so enroll now to secure your spot!
Why has America gone gambling crazy? | $50 - Cal Hobson
November 6-December 4, 2025 | Thursdays | 12:30-3:00pm
If this is true, how does name, image, and likeness (NIL) fit into that reality? Additionally, did the sports wagering bill become law during the last session? If so, how does it work? Who does most of the sports betting, and what programs receive the revenue collected? For context and background, please note that from the 1980s to the 1990s and from 2002 to 2004, this OLLI class leader, Cal Hobson, authored most of the legislation related to horse racing, the lottery, and tribal casinos in Oklahoma. Who has this helped or hurt? If applicable, what is the status of compacts with Oklahoma tribes authorizing them? Finally, what improvements could be made going forward?
*Class will not meet on Thursday, 11/27*
