Winter Session Courses, Workshops and Discussion Groups

MONDAYS

The Kennedy Dynasty, Mick Chantler, MA Jan. 10 - Mar. 14 (Eight weeks – No class Jan. 17; Feb. 21) | 10 - 11:40 a.m. Zoom — Recorded*

America has had a number of prominent family political dynasties over its 250 year history, but none was more influential—or glamorous—over a prolonged stretch of time than Joseph Kennedy and his progeny. For over seven decades, a Kennedy served on government commissions, in the diplomatic corps, in the halls of Congress and the Senate, and for a brief one thousand days, in the White House. In this course, we will examine the personal lives and political careers of these remarkable men and women.

Iran and the Biden Administration, Farhad Mansourian Jan. 10 - Mar. 14 (Eight weeks – No class Jan. 17; Feb. 21) | 2 - 3:40 p.m. Zoom — Not Recorded

For the past 40 years, despite all attempts by every American administration to reason with, negotiate with, contain, and change the behavior of the Islamic Republic of Iran Regime, the Ayatollahs have continued to be the world’s number one sponsors of terror worldwide, and the greatest threat to regional security and stability. The goal of this course is to provide a comprehensive look at the decision-making process in Iran and what they want to accomplish. We will study the DNA of the Islamic Republic and their decision-making process. We will examine their “Election” process. Who is in charge? Where are the corridors of power? What do they want? What are their red lines? What are some of the most significant conflicts between the system of the Islamic Republic in Iran and western democracies?

TUESDAYS

Understanding the Balkans: A Political and Cultural Tour, Darren Zook, PhD Jan. 25 - Mar. 1 (Six weeks) | 10 - 11:40 a.m. | Zoom — Recorded*

The Balkans have always been at the crossroads of European history, existing simultaneously on the eastern edge of Europe and the western edge of Eurasia and the Middle East. This course will explore and explain the Balkans on their own terms, and will cover Greece, Albania, and all of the countries that composed the former Yugoslavia.

TUESDAYS cont.

21st Century Threats, Michael Baker, MD Jan. 11 - Feb.1 (Four weeks) 2 - 3:40 p.m. | Zoom — Recorded*

Threats to our safety and security are in the news and certainly seem to be multiplying. In these four lectures I will review personal and family disaster preparedness, explain biological threats, discuss the dangerous hotspots around the world that could ignite a global conflict, and finish with a look at how future wars are likely to be fought. Disasters, biological warfare, pandemics, rising nationalism, cyber war, robots, and artificial intelligence seem to be coming out of Pandora’s box and although somewhat scary, they demand our attention and best efforts to prepare and defeat them.

Impressionism to Modernism: Four Iconic Artists, Linda Loveland Reid Feb. 8 - Mar. 1 (Four weeks) 2 - 3:40 p.m. | ZOOM — Recorded*

Week 1: John Singer Sargent: By 1856, Sargent was wildly famous. His “sitters” included the rich and famous. An expatriate, Paris was home until a scandalous painting drove him to England. Week 2: Barnes Collection: Dr Albert C. Barnes had 180 Reniors in his massive collection of Impressionists, including Cezanne, Monet, Gauguin, Picasso, and Matisse. Later, the tenets of his will blocked access to this art, sparking a 70-year legal battle. Week 3: Gauguin: Gauguin’s art speaks of love but has roots in the darker side. His modern style pitted him against the norms of society. Let’s explore this enigmatic artist. Week 4: Judy Chicago: In the 1970s, Judy Chicago was leading the pack for women’s TUESDAYS rights. Her iconic art piece is The Dinner Party. We will review her life and many works. The Economist Discussion Group, Robert Garb and Lynn Sieben, moderators Jan. 11 - March 1 (Eight weeks) | 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. | Zoom — Not Recorded

The Economist magazine provides unbiased reporting and thought-provoking articles on global political and economic developments. Each week we will review 5-6 articles from the current week’s issue. Class participants are expected to volunteer to lead a discussion on at least one article. Participants must subscribe or have access to current editions of The Economist (on-line or paper copies, also available at most libraries) and be familiar with Zoom. Information on subscriptions, student rates and special rates is available at 1-800-456-6086 or economistsubscriptions.com. Note: A Zoom tutorial will be held for new participants on equipment and etiquette prior to the first group meeting.

WEDNESDAYS

Imperial China: Chinese History from 221 BC to 1900 CE, Douglas Lee, PhD Jan. 12 - March 2 (Eight weeks) | 10:20 - noon IN PERSON, Guzman Lecture Hall, Not Recorded**

This course is a cultural history of Imperial China, starting with the Qin (Ch'in) Dynasty in 221 BCE and ending with the Qing (Ch'ing) Dynasty in 1911 CE. Because there are so many dynasties, which span more than two millennia, the course will focus primarily on the major ones, such as the Qin, Han, Tang, Song (Sung), Ming and Qing dynasties. Consideration will be given to discussing the broad constructs of art, architecture, science/technology, philosophy, literature, society/ culture, language, religion, and popular culture, as contextualized by the political narrative and China's evolving foreign relations.

Exploring Broadway: Game Changers, James Sokol, MBA Jan. 12 - Feb. 16 (Six weeks) | 2 - 3:40 p.m. | Zoom — Not Recorded

As our culture has changed over the years, so too have Broadway musicals shifted to reflect our altering tastes, interests, priorities, lives. The artform itself has changed reflecting innovations in writing, scoring, production, publicity and more. Join popular San Francisco Bay Area instructor James Sokol to explore some of the Broadway musicals that broke new ground and shaped the evolution of this popular and indigenous art form. Video performance clips bring the magic & excitement of musical theater into our discussion.

Global Issues Discussion Group, Michael Bremer, moderator Jan. 12 - March 2 (Eight weeks) | 4 - 5:30 p.m. | Zoom — Not Recorded

We are an interactive group with a healthy exchange of ideas. Our aim is to develop a deeper understanding of global problems and world issues while having fun learning. For the Winter Semester, we plan to use topics from the “Great Decisions” program, developed by the Foreign Policy Association. Participants would need to purchase their booklet ($32) from the FPA website Foreign Policy Asso.. The Fall group had a great time discussing Organized Crime, US Foreign Policy, Disinformation and other interesting subjects. Classes will respectfully tolerate and encourage a wide range of opinions. Note: A Zoom tutorial will be held for new participants on equipment and etiquette prior to the first group meeting.

THURSDAYS

The Economy: Where Are We? Where Are We Going?

Mike Arnold, PhD Jan. 13 - Feb. 3 (Four weeks) | 10 - 11:40 a.m. | Zoom – Not Recorded

Imagine what we’ll know by the end of this year. Is the pandemic over? It’s left a long trail of challenges, but one of them (hopefully) will not be economic growth. Is the economy growing robustly as we now expect? Did the Rescue Plan work, and what is to become of all of that debt that was created? What are the coming challenges and what are the prospects? How employers are changing the workplace? Are people still working from home?

Dutch Art, Avril Angevine, MA Feb. 10 - Mar. 3 (Four weeks) 10 - 11:40 a.m. | ZOOM – Recorded*

Early Netherlandish artists achieved an unmatched level of reality and fantasy in the works of Jan van Eyck, Hieronymous Bosch and Pieter Breughel. By the 17th century, the first real art market saw the development of specialized genres: landscapes, seascapes, church interiors, tavern scenes, and still lifes, and the mastery of Rembrandt, Rubens, and Vermeer. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, van Gogh, Mondrian, and Magritte helped create modern art, and the tradition of innovation continues today.

Van Morrison and the Music of the Belfast Cowboy, Pete Elman, MA Jan. 13 - Mar. 3 (Eight weeks) 2 - 3:40 p.m. | ZOOM – Recorded*

Van Morrison’s career has spanned 57 years, ranging from the early R&B of his band Them to his masterpieces, Astral Weeks and Moondance, into the 1970’s when he achieved superstardom. Morrison has gone from one genre to another, yet always staying true to the themes of jazzy rhythm and blues and Celtic folk of his ancestors. We will break down that extraordinary catalog into eight periods, chronicling his evolution as a man and a musician.

The Socratic Circus: A Salon, Mitch Grunat, moderator Jan. 13 - March 3 (Eight weeks) | 4 - 5:30 p.m. | Zoom – Not Recorded

The Socratic Circus is a salon where you will find intelligent and thoughtful discussion on myriad topics. Each week the group selects challenging, and at times controversial, subjects to discuss. Our goal is not to change anyone’s mind, rather, we look at each issue from a big picture perspective and attempt to understand its essence, as well as engage in intellectually stimulating conversation. Prerequisites: Must have opinions and be willing to share, listen, and maintain civility at all times.

FRIDAYS

Republics: Their Rise and Fall, Doug Kenning, PhD Jan. 21 - Mar. 11 (Eight weeks. No class Jan. 14) 10:20 - noon | IN PERSON:

Guzman Lecture Hall**, Not Recorded All Republics after Rome look back to Romulus’ village of refugees and migrants that threw off tyranny to become the Roman Republic. In time the free poor of Rome achieved political equality with the upper classes, but the class struggle never ceased. We'll look at ancient, medieval, Renaissance, and modern republics, consulting Aristotle, Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Montesquieu, Rousseau, Adams, and Hannah Arendt. We will watch republics fall into factionalism, and finally collapse gratefully into dictatorship, as Plato predicted they must.

Flash Fiction and Short Short Stories: A Writing Workshop, Diane Frank, MA Jan. 14 - Mar. 11(Eight weeks. No class Feb. 18) 10 - 11:40 a.m. | Zoom – Not Recorded

Flash fiction presents a glimpse into a door that opens, shines and closes – on one sheet of paper. It’s a short short story. Micro fiction is a universe that shines in one elegantly crafted paragraph – a journey that begins, travels, twists and resolves in a brief moment of time. This workshop introduces the cutting edge of a new genre – with minimal use of language for maximum impact. Flash fiction can be memoir-based, dream-based, or totally invented. Diane's teaching style is joyful, loving, and intuitive.

Swing and the Big Bands: How They Helped Shape America, Dave Radlauer Jan. 21 - Mar. 11 (Eight weeks. No class Jan. 14) 2:20 - 4 p.m. IN PERSON: Guzman Lecture Hall**, Not Recorded

Every generation wants its own music. This course offers a lively overview of the Swing and Big Band music that swept across America engaging a generation whose courtship rites focused on dancing the Foxtrot and that sustained them through a global conflict. Novel dance rhythms, precision horn sections and growing musical complexity offered unparalleled impact in popular music. In this hothouse Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Count Basie and Billie Holiday shaped a new musical idiom, launching a second flowering of America’s most original art form, Jazz. *Recorded courses are available only to OLLI members enrolled in the specific course. Access to the recorded content will be available through the end of the Winter 2022 Session, March 18, 2022. **These courses will be held in person, subject to confirmation by the Dominican University Registrar’s Office.

Winter Session 2022 OLLI Registration: Frequently Asked Questions

When does registration begin?

Registration for the Winter 2022 Session opens Wed., December 1, for Premium Members and Mon., December 6, for Basic and Session Members. Visit dominican.edu/olli.

How do I register?

There are two ways to register. Visit dominican.edu/olli and click the Register Online button on our website,

or complete and mail the paper form on the opposite page to OLLI, Dominican University, 50 Acacia Avenue, San Rafael, CA 94901.

REGISTER ONLINE

May I register by phone?

What is the OLLI guest policy?

Guests are welcome — the more, the merrier! You may invite a friend, or friends, to visit a course once; however, guests must register for the course in order to continue beyond a first visit.

BRING A FRIEND!

Are discounts offered on courses?

Yes. Individuals who have never taken a Dominican OLLI course are eligible for a NEW TO OLLI discount on their first course. Also, Dominican University faculty, staff, and alumni are eligible for discounts. Please note: discounts are not extended to family members. Discounts must be applied by office personnel. Contact the office for assistance.

If you are having trouble registering online, we can help. Contact our office for assistance: email olli@dominican.edu or call (415) 458-3763.

How do I know my enrollment is confirmed?

You will receive your confirmation via email. Are the OLLI offices open on the Dominican campus?

As of the time of this printing, the OLLI oncampus offices are open on Mondays and Wednesdays, but please call first, since we are often in class. During business hours, we are available to assist OLLI members via phone: (415) 458-3763.

What is the OLLI refund policy?

Members are eligible for a refund of all fees minus an administrative fee of $25, if a written request is received via email, at least one week before the first class of the session.

Does OLLI offer scholarships?

Yes. If you wish to be considered for a scholarship, please send an email with the subject line SCHOLARSHIP. Include your contact information and most recent tax statement (the page with the taxable income). We recommend that you send your request before December 6. If you are selected for a scholarship, you pay only the membership fee of $20 each session and may attend two courses per session. For the courses on Zoom, if two of us live in the same household, are we obliged to register and pay as individual OLLI members?

On this issue we would like to appeal to your sense of honesty. The pandemic reduced enrollments, and OLLI’s ability to function depends on member tuition. If you are able to register and pay as individuals, we ask you to do so.

Contact Info: (415) 458-3763 olli@dominican.edu dominican.edu/olli