Osher Online with Northwestern University
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
Run by the National Resource Center (NRC) at Northwestern University, this special program allows members from various Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes to participate in shared online courses, thanks to the generosity of the Bernard Osher Foundation. These courses are not meant to replace our locally offered in-person or online courses but rather to supplement our own local offerings. The very high-quality courses feature popular instructors from some of the 125 Osher Institutes across the country. Osher Online allows Osher members from different states and institutions to learn with and connect to each other while maintaining membership at their own local Institutes. We hope you will enjoy being a part of the fun!
Questions? Call Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at 801-581-6461 or use our online form.
Class Sections For Osher Online with Northwestern University (OSHER 760)
Fall 2026 Section 3, Starting on: 09/28/2026
Art Detectives: Forgery, Provenance, and the Science of Authentication: The public often sees the art world as the domain of wealth, trendsetters, and high rollers, yet deception lurks behind the façade. After weapons and drugs, art is the third most lucrative illicit trade, with reports suggesting that more than half of artworks are fake or misattributed. In this course, we will ask: When is a copy simply a copy, and when is it a forgery? What techniques do master forgers use? Does a collector hold true title, and how important is provenance? What can science tell us about art authenticity? We will uncover riveting stories of criminal art activity, gallery closings, and master forgeries. Instructor: Christine Maasdam. Class Dates: Sept 28-Nov 2. REGISTRATION DEADLINE: September 9. An orientation will be held on September 22 at 12:00 PM (MT) for all enrolled attendees. Please note: Due to the special arrangement of this partnership, Osher Online courses are paid by a special fee (rather than regular tuition) which is non-refundable/transferable.
| Date(s) | Day | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 09/28/26 - 11/02/26 | M | 11:00 am -12:30 pm | Online |
Instructor: Staff
Registration for Fall 2026 starts at 9:00 a.m. on 08-21-2026.Fall 2026 Section 8, Starting on: 09/28/2026
Great Artists in American Roots Music: From its emergence amid rapid cultural change in the early 20th century, country music has resonated with people who feel left behind by a shifting world. A key genre of American roots music, it captures hardships of modern life while intentionally evoking emotional response. Whether facing troubled relationships, unemployment, homelessness, loneliness, or spiritual bereft, there is a country song for you. This course traces the history of country and American roots music through the stories and artistic developments of influential performers. Each session highlights key figures including the Carter Family, Bill Monroe, Hank Williams, and Dolly Parton. Instructor: Taylor Ackley. Class Dates: Sept 28-Nov 2. REGISTRATION DEADLINE: September 9. An orientation will be held on September 22 at 12:00 PM (MT) for all enrolled attendees. Please note: Due to the special arrangement of this partnership, Osher Online courses are paid by a special fee (rather than regular tuition) which is non-refundable/transferable.
| Date(s) | Day | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 09/28/26 - 11/02/26 | M | 9:00 am -10:30 am | Online |
Instructor: Staff
Registration for Fall 2026 starts at 9:00 a.m. on 08-21-2026.Fall 2026 Section 18, Starting on: 09/28/2026
The British Family in Film: Heavy is the Head That Wears the Crown: This course examines royal succession through acclaimed British films that explore power not as ceremony, but as moral and political crisis. We will trace the monarchy's evolution from personal rule to institutional authority, beginning with the Plantagenet struggles in Becket (1964) and The Lion in Winter (1968). We will then examine the moral costs of kingship and the performance of national leadership through two Shakespeare adaptations: Chimes at Midnight (1965) and Henry V (1989). The course will conclude with the Tudor rupture: A Man for All Seasons (1966) and the consolidation of legitimacy Elizabeth (1998). Instructor: Butch Epps. Class Dates: Sept 28-Nov 2. REGISTRATION DEADLINE: September 9. An orientation will be held on September 22 at 12:00 PM (MT) for all enrolled attendees. Please note: Due to the special arrangement of this partnership, Osher Online courses are paid by a special fee (rather than regular tuition) which is non-refundable/transferable.
| Date(s) | Day | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 09/28/26 - 11/02/26 | M | 11:00 am -12:30 pm | Online |
Instructor: Staff
Registration for Fall 2026 starts at 9:00 a.m. on 08-21-2026.Fall 2026 Section 1, Starting on: 09/29/2026
A Cosmic Grand Tour: The Realms of the Universe: In this course, we will explore the three fascinating realms of the cosmos: nearby planets and moons; the stars; and the galaxies (the great island of stars that turn out to be the building blocks of the universe.) Our discussion will be in everyday language, without any math, and will be accompanied by remarkable color images from the latest space probes and the world's largest telescopes, including the latest breathtaking images from the James Webb Space Telescope. Instructor: Andrew Fraknoi. Class Dates: Sept 29-Nov 3. REGISTRATION DEADLINE: September 9. An orientation will be held on September 22 at 12:00 PM (MT) for all enrolled attendees. Please note: Due to the special arrangement of this partnership, Osher Online courses are paid by a special fee (rather than regular tuition) which is non-refundable/transferable.
| Date(s) | Day | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 09/29/26 - 11/03/26 | T | 3:00 pm -4:30 pm | Online |
Instructor: Staff
Registration for Fall 2026 starts at 9:00 a.m. on 08-21-2026.Fall 2026 Section 2, Starting on: 09/29/2026
Apple at 50: How it Revolutionized Computing and Transformed Daily Life: This course traces Apple's fifty-year history and its massive impact on personal computing, design, product culture, platforms and ecosystems, and daily life. Each session focuses on a different decade in Apple's history, from the birth of the PC in the late 1970s to the latest Apple silicon, VR headsets, and future iPhones. We will learn how Apple reshaped not just technology, but how people live, work, and communicate. Instructor: Leander Kahney. Class Dates: Sept 29-Nov 3. REGISTRATION DEADLINE: September 9. An orientation will be held on September 22 at 12:00 PM (MT) for all enrolled attendees. Please note: Due to the special arrangement of this partnership, Osher Online courses are paid by a special fee (rather than regular tuition) which is non-refundable/transferable.
| Date(s) | Day | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 09/29/26 - 11/03/26 | T | 5:00 pm -6:30 pm | Online |
Instructor: Staff
Registration for Fall 2026 starts at 9:00 a.m. on 08-21-2026.Fall 2026 Section 10, Starting on: 09/29/2026
Mexico City: Empires, Revolutions, and Everyday Life: Mexicans celebrate a remarkable diversity of peoples, music, food, festivals, and historical traditions, expressed through fiestas that bring communities together across the calendar year. In this course, we will explore Mexico City as a cultural and historical crossroads shaped by centuries of continuity and change. We will trace the legacies of Indigenous civilizations, the transformations of Spanish colonial rule, the struggles for independence and revolution, and the emergence of modern democratic politics, culminating in the 2024 election of Mexico's first woman president. We will see how culture, power, and celebration remain deeply intertwined in the life of this extraordinary city. Instructor: William (Bill) Beezley. Class Dates: Sept 29-Nov 3. REGISTRATION DEADLINE: September 9. An orientation will be held on September 22 at 12:00 PM (MT) for all enrolled attendees. Please note: Due to the special arrangement of this partnership, Osher Online courses are paid by a special fee (rather than regular tuition) which is non-refundable/transferable.
| Date(s) | Day | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 09/29/26 - 11/03/26 | T | 11:00 am -12:30 pm | Online |
Instructor: Staff
Registration for Fall 2026 starts at 9:00 a.m. on 08-21-2026.Fall 2026 Section 17, Starting on: 09/29/2026
The Birth of the Beat Generation: In this course, we will examine the dramatic circumstances that gave rise to the Beat Generation in the 1940s. Together, we will examine three famous Beat works: Howl and Other Poems by Allen Ginsberg, On the Road by Jack Kerouac, and Naked Lunch by William S. Burroughs. We will focus on historical events involving Beat writers, important passages of Beat literature, and the literary movement that spawned the 1960s counterculture Instructor: Kurt Hemmer. Class Dates: Sept 29-Nov 3. REGISTRATION DEADLINE: September 9. An orientation will be held on September 22 at 12:00 PM (MT) for all enrolled attendees. Please note: Due to the special arrangement of this partnership, Osher Online courses are paid by a special fee (rather than regular tuition) which is non-refundable/transferable.
| Date(s) | Day | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 09/29/26 - 11/03/26 | T | 7:00 pm -8:30 pm | Online |
Instructor: Staff
Registration for Fall 2026 starts at 9:00 a.m. on 08-21-2026.Fall 2026 Section 24, Starting on: 09/29/2026
Winning the White House: The Evolution of the Presidency: Harry S. Truman once described the presidency as "the most peculiar office in the world." In this course, we will explore how the Founding Fathers left the office for future presidents to define, creating conditions for a dramatic expansion of executive power. We will examine how the presidency has come to dominate the three co-equal branches, with Congress and the Supreme Court at times ceding authority. We will consider how and why this shift occurred, how This peculiar office is won or lost, how they have exercised power, and how the rise of the administrative state has reshaped the balance envisioned by the framers. Instructor: John White. Class Dates: Sept 29-Nov 3. REGISTRATION DEADLINE: September 9. An orientation will be held on September 22 at 12:00 PM (MT) for all enrolled attendees. Please note: Due to the special arrangement of this partnership, Osher Online courses are paid by a special fee (rather than regular tuition) which is non-refundable/transferable.
| Date(s) | Day | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 09/29/26 - 11/03/26 | T | 9:00 am -10:30 am | Online |
Instructor: Staff
Registration for Fall 2026 starts at 9:00 a.m. on 08-21-2026.Fall 2026 Section 14, Starting on: 09/30/2026
Some Assembly Required: The Story of the North American Kit Home: In this course, we will step inside the fascinating world of kit homes and explore their history and cultural impact across North America, especially during their peak from 1905 to 1945. We will learn how to identify these mail-order houses and understand their cultural impact. We will dig into the industry's rise and decline, industrial developments of kit homes, and their connections to race and gender in the early 20th century. By examining both the kit home industry and the people who lived in them, we will uncover why they remain an important part of the architectural and cultural landscape. Instructor: Nigel Tate. Class Dates: Sept 30-Nov 4. REGISTRATION DEADLINE: September 9. An orientation will be held on September 22 at 12:00 PM (MT) for all enrolled attendees. Please note: Due to the special arrangement of this partnership, Osher Online courses are paid by a special fee (rather than regular tuition) which is non-refundable/transferable.
| Date(s) | Day | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 09/30/26 - 11/04/26 | W | 9:00 am -10:30 am | Online |
Instructor: Staff
Registration for Fall 2026 starts at 9:00 a.m. on 08-21-2026.Fall 2026 Section 21, Starting on: 09/30/2026
The Magic Behind Film Scores: The Role of Music in Great Movies-Part II: This course continues our journey into how music becomes the emotional engine of film. This is not film school--it is a celebration for film lovers who want to experience how music shapes story, character, and unforgettable moments. We will explore how instrumental scores and songs with lyrics work together to drive narrative, define identity, and capture cultural shifts. We will focus on films where songs take center stage, from iconic franchise themes to pop- and rock-driven storytelling. Spanning genres and eras, we will see how composers, songwriters, and performers expanded the language of film music. Instructor: Mike Agron. Class Dates: Sept 30-Nov 11 Skipping Oct 28. REGISTRATION DEADLINE: September 9. An orientation will be held on September 22 at 12:00 PM (MT) for all enrolled attendees. Please note: Due to the special arrangement of this partnership, Osher Online courses are paid by a special fee (rather than regular tuition) which is non-refundable/transferable.
| Date(s) | Day | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 09/30/26 - 11/11/26 | W | 3:00 pm -4:30 pm | Online |
Instructor: Staff
Registration for Fall 2026 starts at 9:00 a.m. on 08-21-2026.Fall 2026 Section 23, Starting on: 09/30/2026
Tracing Our Roots: DNA, Family History, and the Politics of Identity: How does DNA reshape our understanding of ancestry, colonial society, and identity in the Americas? In this course, we will explore the science and methodology of genetic genealogy through the lens of first contact between European and Indigenous peoples. Using the New Mexico DNA Project as a central case study, we will examine how Y-DNA and mitochondrial DNA can confirm, complicate, and challenge traditional research. Topics include Y-DNA Adam, Indigenous maternal haplogroups, the Spanish castas system, and colonial identity. We will consider the ethical and political implications of DNA testing and the limits of what genetic evidence can, and cannot, reveal about race and belonging. Instructor: Angel Cervantes. Class Dates: Sept 30-Nov 4. REGISTRATION DEADLINE: September 9. An orientation will be held on September 22 at 12:00 PM (MT) for all enrolled attendees. Please note: Due to the special arrangement of this partnership, Osher Online courses are paid by a special fee (rather than regular tuition) which is non-refundable/transferable.
| Date(s) | Day | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 09/30/26 - 11/04/26 | W | 5:00 pm -6:30 pm | Online |
Instructor: Staff
Registration for Fall 2026 starts at 9:00 a.m. on 08-21-2026.Fall 2026 Section 5, Starting on: 10/01/2026
Biology & Society: This course introduces the scientific study of life, with an emphasis on real-world applications and the societal, social, ethical, and legal consequences of biological advances. We will place key biological principles within the context of issues that affect individuals and society, highlighting the connection between biology and everyday life. Designed for non-scientists with little or no recent college-level science experience, the course encourages discussion and reflection. Many topics are at the leading edge of scientific discovery, and we will examine the ongoing ethical and legal debates surrounding how and whether these advances should be applied. Instructor: Eric Simon. Class Dates: Oct 1-Nov 5. REGISTRATION DEADLINE: September 9. An orientation will be held on September 22 at 12:00 PM (MT) for all enrolled attendees. Please note: Due to the special arrangement of this partnership, Osher Online courses are paid by a special fee (rather than regular tuition) which is non-refundable/transferable.
| Date(s) | Day | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10/01/26 - 11/05/26 | Th | 9:00 am -10:30 am | Online |
Instructor: Staff
Registration for Fall 2026 starts at 9:00 a.m. on 08-21-2026.Fall 2026 Section 15, Starting on: 10/01/2026
Studies Show... (Or Do They?): Under the Hood of a Scientific Study: What really changes when we read beyond the abstract? In this interactive course, we will open real research papers (many in health and nutrition) and explore what scientists actually look for. We will explore how small design choices can dramatically shape a study's meaning, and why headlines rarely tell the full story. No technical background is required -- just curiosity. By the end of the course, we will never read "studies show…" the same way again. Instructor: John Hendrickson. Class Dates: Oct 1-Nov 5. REGISTRATION DEADLINE: September 9. An orientation will be held on September 22 at 12:00 PM (MT) for all enrolled attendees. Please note: Due to the special arrangement of this partnership, Osher Online courses are paid by a special fee (rather than regular tuition) which is non-refundable/transferable.
| Date(s) | Day | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10/01/26 - 11/05/26 | Th | 1:00 pm -2:30 pm | Online |
Instructor: Staff
Registration for Fall 2026 starts at 9:00 a.m. on 08-21-2026.Fall 2026 Section 13, Starting on: 10/05/2026
Sacred Mountains of the World: People throughout time and across cultures have looked to the mountains as powerful symbols. The Buddhists of the Himalayas, the Inca of the Andes, the Inuit of the far north, and the Romantics of Europe all created unique stories of what mountains mean and how they are to be approached. This course will provide an interdisciplinary exploration of the beliefs, traditions, and mythologies that have been inspired by the world's mountains. Through richly illustrated lectures, short readings, and open discussion, this course will open a window into the world's sacred mountains and encourage exploration of our relationship with the Earth's high and wild places. Instructor: Jonathan Duncan. Class Dates: Oct 5-Nov 9. REGISTRATION DEADLINE: September 9. An orientation will be held on September 22 at 12:00 PM (MT) for all enrolled attendees. Please note: Due to the special arrangement of this partnership, Osher Online courses are paid by a special fee (rather than regular tuition) which is non-refundable/transferable.
| Date(s) | Day | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10/05/26 - 11/09/26 | M | 1:00 pm -2:30 pm | Online |
Instructor: Staff
Registration for Fall 2026 starts at 9:00 a.m. on 08-21-2026.Fall 2026 Section 19, Starting on: 10/05/2026
The History and Experience of Route 66: Route 66 is as much an idea as it is a place. Since its creation in 1926, America's most famous highway has evolved from a 2,400-mile transportation corridor into a powerful symbol of nostalgia, travel, and the American road. Today, it functions as a kind of pilgrimage route, marked by neon signs, roadside attractions, and preserved motels, cafés, and gas stations. In this course, we will explore the history, cultural meaning, and enduring appeal of Route 66. Together, we will examine its origins, rise and decline, late-20th century revival, the role of nostalgia and car culture, preservation efforts, and the possible futures of this iconic highway. Instructor: Peter Dedek. Class Dates: Oct 5-Nov 9. REGISTRATION DEADLINE: September 9. An orientation will be held on September 22 at 12:00 PM (MT) for all enrolled attendees. Please note: Due to the special arrangement of this partnership, Osher Online courses are paid by a special fee (rather than regular tuition) which is non-refundable/transferable.
| Date(s) | Day | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10/05/26 - 11/09/26 | M | 5:00 pm -6:30 pm | Online |
Instructor: Staff
Registration for Fall 2026 starts at 9:00 a.m. on 08-21-2026.Fall 2026 Section 6, Starting on: 10/06/2026
Cults and New Religious Movements in America: America has provided fertile ground for new and alternative religions to sprout and grow. Some prosper and eventually become accepted as part of the normal religious landscape, some wither away and are forgotten, and some detonate, creating public scandal and in the worst cases, national tragedy. This course will examine New Religious Movements, popularly known as "cults" , within the US context. We will examine these religious movements both from insider perspectives and outsider perceptions. We will analyze the history, practices, and beliefs of these organizations to better understand them and deconstruct misconceptions. This course covers the 18th and 19th centuries. Instructor: Kathryn (Kate) Davis. Class Dates: Oct 6-Nov 10. REGISTRATION DEADLINE: September 9. An orientation will be held on September 22 at 12:00 PM (MT) for all enrolled attendees. Please note: Due to the special arrangement of this partnership, Osher Online courses are paid by a special fee (rather than regular tuition) which is non-refundable/transferable.
| Date(s) | Day | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10/06/26 - 11/10/26 | T | 1:00 pm -2:30 pm | Online |
Instructor: Staff
Registration for Fall 2026 starts at 9:00 a.m. on 08-21-2026.Fall 2026 Section 4, Starting on: 10/07/2026
August Wilson and His American Cycle-The First Five: 1904-1957: August Wilson was the first African American playwright to have a Broadway theater bear his name, a fitting tribute to a dramatist who brought African American culture and lived experience to the stage. In this course, we will read, watch, and examine the first five plays in Wilson's American Cycle, a ten-play series representing each decade of the African American culture's 20th century. We will explore Wilson's life and the influences behind his work while focusing on Gem of the Ocean, Joe Turner's Come and Gone, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, and Seven Guitars, tracing his powerful interpretation, celebration, and perseveration of African American culture. Instructor: Ladrica Menson-Furr. Class Dates: Oct 7-Nov 11. REGISTRATION DEADLINE: September 9. An orientation will be held on September 22 at 12:00 PM (MT) for all enrolled attendees. Please note: Due to the special arrangement of this partnership, Osher Online courses are paid by a special fee (rather than regular tuition) which is non-refundable/transferable.
| Date(s) | Day | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10/07/26 - 11/11/26 | W | 3:00 pm -4:30 pm | Online |
Instructor: Staff
Registration for Fall 2026 starts at 9:00 a.m. on 08-21-2026.Fall 2026 Section 11, Starting on: 10/07/2026
Post-War Architecture: The Innovative Architects of the Midcentury Modern Period: From sleek new industrial materials to innovations in housing, mid-20th-century designers faced the challenge of shaping an aesthetic that reflected the ideals of post-World War II America. In this course, we will explore the optimism that defined the relationship between design and lifestyle during this period, particularly through the emergence of open living spaces in architecture. We will examine the influence of the Case Study Program and the work of leading designers, including Charles and Ray Eames, John Lautner, Eero Saarinen, E. Fay Jones, and Donald Wexler, while considering these developments within the broader context of rapid social and cultural change. Instructor: Eleanor Schrader. Class Dates: Oct 7-Nov 11. REGISTRATION DEADLINE: September 9. An orientation will be held on September 22 at 12:00 PM (MT) for all enrolled attendees. Please note: Due to the special arrangement of this partnership, Osher Online courses are paid by a special fee (rather than regular tuition) which is non-refundable/transferable.
| Date(s) | Day | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10/07/26 - 11/11/26 | W | 11:00 am -12:30 pm | Online |
Instructor: Staff
Registration for Fall 2026 starts at 9:00 a.m. on 08-21-2026.Fall 2026 Section 7, Starting on: 10/08/2026
Early 20th Century Avant-Garde: From Rebellion to Abstraction: Journey into the vibrant world of early 20th century art and witness the birth of abstraction. This transformative period reshaped the cultural landscape, from the bold colors of Fauvism, the fractured forms of Cubism, to the dreamlike realms of Surrealism. Each session focuses on the movements' leading artists including Matisse, Kandinsky, Picasso, Mondrian, Duchamp, and Dali. We will explore their aesthetic goals and the social and cultural currents that influenced them. Instructor: Lauren Weingarden. Class Dates: Oct 8-Nov 12. REGISTRATION DEADLINE: September 9. An orientation will be held on September 22 at 12:00 PM (MT) for all enrolled attendees. Please note: Due to the special arrangement of this partnership, Osher Online courses are paid by a special fee (rather than regular tuition) which is non-refundable/transferable.
| Date(s) | Day | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10/08/26 - 11/12/26 | Th | 3:00 pm -4:30 pm | Online |
Instructor: Staff
Registration for Fall 2026 starts at 9:00 a.m. on 08-21-2026.Fall 2026 Section 16, Starting on: 10/09/2026
The 60s Through the Great Speeches: There 1960s is a decade wrapped in myth and misunderstanding. In this course, we will cut through that haze by turning to something powerful and concrete: the speeches of the era. The times and the conditions demanded these significant speeches. Together, we will listen to the voices that moved a nation and shaped history. With recordings preserved through television, video, and YouTube, we will discover what these speeches still have to teach us today. Instructor: Arthur (Buck) Benedict. Class Dates: Oct 9-Nov 13. REGISTRATION DEADLINE: September 9. An orientation will be held on September 22 at 12:00 PM (MT) for all enrolled attendees. Please note: Due to the special arrangement of this partnership, Osher Online courses are paid by a special fee (rather than regular tuition) which is non-refundable/transferable.
| Date(s) | Day | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10/09/26 - 11/13/26 | F | 9:00 am -10:30 am | Online |
Instructor: Staff
Registration for Fall 2026 starts at 9:00 a.m. on 08-21-2026.Fall 2026 Section 22, Starting on: 10/12/2026
The Search for an American Sound: Since the 1890s, when Americans were beginning to develop their own traditions in classical music, composers have recognized the dilemma of creating the American sound. We will explore how classical musicians, and Broadway and Hollywood composers, most of them Jewish, followed parallel paths in creating sounds that have been defined as evocative of these lands and its people. Aaron Copland, George Gershwin, William Grant Steel, Florence Price, Alex North, Elmer Bernstein and others will be the protagonists of this lecture, supported with audiovisuals and anecdotes. Instructor: Emanuel Abramovits. Class Dates: Oct 12-Nov 16. REGISTRATION DEADLINE: September 9. An orientation will be held on September 22 at 12:00 PM (MT) for all enrolled attendees. Please note: Due to the special arrangement of this partnership, Osher Online courses are paid by a special fee (rather than regular tuition) which is non-refundable/transferable.
| Date(s) | Day | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10/12/26 - 11/16/26 | M | 3:00 pm -4:30 pm | Online |
Instructor: Staff
Registration for Fall 2026 starts at 9:00 a.m. on 08-21-2026.Fall 2026 Section 9, Starting on: 10/14/2026
Living off The Laughter: History of Comedy in America: This course is a history class with a laugh track. We will analyze the significant periods and players of the 20th and 21st Centuries against their historic context and legacy, using humor as the platform. We will discuss how comedy was shaped by and responsive to American society, and how comedians influenced and shaped American life. We will cover Silent Films, Vaudeville, Radio, Screwball and Romantic Comedies, Comedy Teams, and the Golden Age of Television. We will study how America laughed in each generation, and how the change in American character and persona shaped how they laughed and what (and whom) they laughed at. Instructor: Eddy Friedfeld. Class Dates: Oct 14-Nov 18. REGISTRATION DEADLINE: September 9. An orientation will be held on September 22 at 12:00 PM (MT) for all enrolled attendees. Please note: Due to the special arrangement of this partnership, Osher Online courses are paid by a special fee (rather than regular tuition) which is non-refundable/transferable.
| Date(s) | Day | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10/14/26 - 11/18/26 | W | 1:00 pm -2:30 pm | Online |
Instructor: Staff
Registration for Fall 2026 starts at 9:00 a.m. on 08-21-2026.Fall 2026 Section 12, Starting on: 10/15/2026
Power and the People: The Evolution of the U.S. Federal Judiciary: The American Experiment began with the Declaration of Independence and led to the creation of the federal judiciary, one of the country's greatest experiments. In this course, we will trace the evolution of the courts from their English roots to their formal establishment in the Constitution. We will explore how the Supreme Court, lacking the power of the purse or military, derives its authority from its ability to connect with the people of the US and protect democracy. We will examine creation of the federal judiciary and the power of the Marshall Court, the Court's evolution through the New Deal, the Vinson Court, the Warren Court's "Rights Revolution," and the role of today's US Supreme Court. Instructor: Lauren Andersen. Class Dates: Oct 15-Nov 19. REGISTRATION DEADLINE: September 9. An orientation will be held on September 22 at 12:00 PM (MT) for all enrolled attendees. Please note: Due to the special arrangement of this partnership, Osher Online courses are paid by a special fee (rather than regular tuition) which is non-refundable/transferable.
| Date(s) | Day | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10/15/26 - 11/19/26 | Th | 11:00 am -12:30 pm | Online |
Instructor: Staff
Registration for Fall 2026 starts at 9:00 a.m. on 08-21-2026.Fall 2026 Section 20, Starting on: 10/19/2026
The Invisible Thread: 3,500 Years of Global Supply Chain: We often only notice the global supply chain when it breaks. Yet, for millennia, the movement of goods has been the silent engine of civilization. In this course, we will track the evolution of trade from an executive's perspective. From the sunken treasures of Bronze Age merchant ships to the high-tech intermodal systems of today, we will explore the vessels that carried the world's wealth and the complex networks that keep our modern shelves stocked. Instructor: Scott Jones. Class Dates: Oct 19-Nov 23. REGISTRATION DEADLINE: September 9. An orientation will be held on September 22 at 12:00 PM (MT) for all enrolled attendees. Please note: Due to the special arrangement of this partnership, Osher Online courses are paid by a special fee (rather than regular tuition) which is non-refundable/transferable.
| Date(s) | Day | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10/19/26 - 11/23/26 | M | 9:00 am -10:30 am | Online |
Instructor: Staff
Registration for Fall 2026 starts at 9:00 a.m. on 08-21-2026.Is money a barrier to you taking classes? Call our office and ask about scholarships or learn the details here. Want to donate to the scholarship fund? You can make this gift online.
Questions? Call Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at 801-581-6461 or use our online form.
