OLLI Winter 2027_pageturn - Flipbook - Page 20
January Online Classes
Classes Meet:
Wednesdays, January 6, 13, and 20, 2027
● 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. _____________________________
The Die Is Cast: The Causes of the End of the
Roman Republic
Before Rome and its emperors ruled the
Mediterranean World and most of Western Europe,
Rome was a Republic for almost 500 years. The
assassination of Julius Caesar on the Ides of March
in 44 B.C. historically is considered the final blow
to the Republic. But what led to his assassination?
And what started the demise of one of the most
powerful and longest lasting republics of all
time? What can we learn from the Romans’
mistakes? This class will address these questions
by discussing the civil wars of the first century BCE,
the conspiracy of Catiline, the gang wars of Clodius
and Milo, and the political corruption, based on the
writings of the people of that time.
$15 – Class instructor is Janene Mattingly, a retired
Latin teacher and frequent OLLI instructor.
U.S.– Iran Relations, Part I: From Early Contact
to the 1979 Revolution
Explore how nearly 150 years of political, economic,
and cultural developments shaped the relationship
between the United States and Iran, beginning
with the arrival of American missionaries in 1833
and the Qajar dynasty’s early efforts to build ties
with the United States. We’ll examine how the
World Wars, the Pahlavi era, the 1953 coup, Cold
War politics, oil, and growing economic and
military cooperation influenced the relationship
between the two countries. The course concludes
by exploring the political and social forces that led
to the 1979 Iranian Revolution and the collapse of
the U.S.- Iran strategic partnership.
$15 – Class instructor is Moe Bidgoli, Emeritus
Professor of Computer Science and Information
Systems at Saginaw Valley State University. He
has taught numerous OLLI classes at various
universities.
● 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. ________________________
Native Gardening 101 and Your Indoor
Houseplants
Discover how native plants support pollinators,
strengthen the local food web, and contribute
to a healthier landscape. We’ll explore the
relationships between plants and insect
pollinators, consider ways to incorporate beneficial
native plant communities into your own yard, and
learn how thoughtful plant choices can support
greater biodiversity. The course concludes with
a look at houseplants, including winter care and
propagation techniques.
$15 – Class instructor is Ella Maxwell, a
horticulturist and a Tazewell County Master
Gardener with many years of gardening
experience.
Spies, Secrets, and Spycraft
Step into the secret world of espionage through
the International Spy Museum in Washington,
D.C., and the German Spy Museum in Berlin.
Using fascinating artifacts and real-life stories,
explore famous spies, ingenious gadgets, codes,
surveillance, Cold War operations, and Berlin’s
unique role as a center of espionage. From secret
messages and double agents to cyber espionage
and disinformation, discover how intelligence
has shaped history—and why espionage remains
relevant today.
$15 – Class instructor is Don Samford, retired social
studies teacher, program chair for Peoria Area
World Affairs Council, podcast host, and frequent
OLLI instructor and facilitator.
Joe Emanuel, at right, speaks
with OLLI presenter Carl Cannon
after a recent program.
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JANUARY ONLINE CLASSES
