OLLI Winter 2026_pageturn - Flipbook - Page 25
Pharmaceuticals and Poisons:
Chemistry at the Edge
Thursdays, January 22 -–February 26
2:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Some substances heal, others harm—and
some do both. This chemistry-rich (but nontechnical) course explores the 昀椀ne line between
pharmaceuticals and poisons. We will examine
drug development, venom-inspired medicine, and
the history of FDA regulation shaped by scandal
and reform. From aspirin’s industrial roots to Gila
monster hormones, participants will uncover
the fascinating, sometimes unsettling chemistry
behind what we choose to swallow.
$65 – Johnnie Hendrickson, PhD, a Professor in
the School of Molecular Sciences at Arizona State
University.
Seats available: 13
History of Sicily
Mondays, January 26 – March 2
12:00 – 1:30 p.m.
Sicily has been a mythic crossroads of heroes,
conquerors, and culture for over 3,000 years. From
Odysseus and the Arabo-Norman Golden Age to
the Ma昀椀a and modern mythmakers like Garibaldi
and Coppola, Sicily’s story is rich, complex, and
central to Western history. This course explores its
pivotal role in shaping civilization.
$65 – Douglas Kenning, PhD (University of
Edinburgh), has taught world wide and offers
dynamic lectures on Mediterranean civilizations
and leads small-group tours exploring history,
myth, and culture.
Seats available: 13
Japanese History through the Lens of Shōgun
Tuesdays, January 20 – February 24
6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Inspired by the 2024 FX mini-series Shōgun, this
course explores Japan’s transition from civil war to
peace between the 15th and 18th centuries. We will
examine the rise of key uni昀椀ers, the roles of diverse
social groups (like merchants, peasants, women,
and outcasts), and the era’s political, cultural, and
artistic shifts. For fans of the series or those new to
Japanese history, this course offers a rich, accessible
introduction.
$65 – Megan McClory is a doctoral candidate in
history at the University of North Carolina at Chapel
Hill. A Global Research Fellow at Kokugakuin
University, she has spent years living and studying
in Japan and holds a BA from Brandeis University.
Seats available: 13
How the US Immigration System (Usually) Works
Fridays, January 16 – February 20
10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Immigration has always been a complex and
emotional issue in US history. This course explores
how the immigration system has evolved
and how it works today. We will examine key
questions about identity, belonging, and national
responsibility while engaging in thoughtful,
constructive conversations about the future of
immigration policy in the United States.
$65 – Michele Waslin, PhD, is Assistant Director of
the Immigration History Research Center at the
University of Minnesota–Twin Cities.
Seats available: 13
Post Impressionism and the Birth of Abstraction
Mondays, January 26 – March 2
4:00 – 5:30 p.m.
This course explores Post-Impressionism’s bold
departure from naturalistic light and color,
focusing on the expressive use of form, symbolism,
and vivid, often unnatural color. Through the
work of Cézanne, van Gogh, Gauguin, Seurat, and
Matisse, we will trace the movement’s challenge to
artistic norms and social value.
$65 – Lauren Weingarden is Professor Emerita of
Art History at Florida State University. Her work
explores the intersections of literature and visual art
in 19th-century culture.
Seats available: 13
Osher Integrative Health: Navigating Chronic
Illness in a Complex Healthcare System
Fridays, January 30 – March 6
2:00 – 3:30 p.m.
This course, presented in partnership with
the Osher Collaborative for Integrative Health,
features expert speakers from their upcoming
national conference, Navigating Chronic Illness
in a Complex Healthcare System. Participants
will explore how integrative health approaches
can address the challenges of living with chronic
conditions and help individuals make informed
choices within today’s increasingly complex
healthcare environment. Topics will focus on
whole-person care, patient empowerment, and
practical strategies for managing long-term health
concerns.
$65 – The Osher Collaborative for Integrative Health
is a national network of academic health centers
dedicated to advancing whole-person care.
Seats available: 13
OSHER ONLINE
25
