OLLI@DU / 2023 FALL / COURSE DESCRIPTIONS Countering Hate, Fear, and Greed: What Can We Do to Promote a Better Future? PRPC 1001
Monday Dates: 9/18 to 11/6 (8 weeks) Time: 1–3 PM Facilitator: Terry Ortlieb, Diamond Facilitator Location: Online Class Limit: Unlimited Sponsoring Site: South This course will focus on techniques that we can use to build and deploy ideas for social media, meetings, discussion groups, etc. We can then use these ideas to reframe and recapture the narrative around the major topics of the 21st century. We can become part of the conversation without invoking venom. This course is also based on the premise that we don’t need to embrace or adopt meta values (like the cardinal virtues) to overcome our “failings”; we just need to stop promoting and advantaging false narratives. Starting with these premises, we will investigate how to promote the necessary changes to usher in systems and institutions that welcome what we have learned. Since the topics require forethought, this will be our approach: • discuss the topic that was introduced the previous week • following the break, the next week’s topic will be introduced Focus will be on these current and future issues: • Relationship between woke, multiculturalism, nationalism, globalism • Ramifications of long-life spans, unemployment and purpose • Taking advantage of the AI revolution • Accommodating speed of change without physical violence • Taking advantage of harmony when governing in a complex world • How to combat disinformation, misinformation, malinformation, and dis-interpretation 48 // OLLI at the University of Denver
Living a Life of Meaning PRPC 1002
Tuesday Dates: 9/19 to 10/24 (6 weeks) Time: 1–3 PM Facilitator: Thomas Shugrue Location: Online Class Limit: 15 Participants Sponsoring Site: Regis This course includes reflections on living a meaningful life and discovering sources of purpose and identity. Topics will include significance of activities, looking at our primary sources of identity, living a balanced life, re-discovering our talents, listening to voices of influence, and telling the story of our life. Our process will include reflection on our journey, visiting and anticipating the different seasons of our lives, and looking forward with hope and expectation as to our future activity and engagement with others. The course will be a celebration of who we are and who we can become in living a life of fullness and meaning in our future.
The Perils and Pearls of Aging PRPC 1010
Wednesday Dates: 10/18 to 11/8 (4 weeks) Time: 9:30–11:30 AM Facilitator: Donna VanDusen Location: Online Class Limit: 30 Participants Sponsoring Site: Regis With age comes the opportunity for extended personal growth. Participants will explore the social, cultural, physical, and psychological challenges of aging as well as practices for enhancing creativity and well-being in later life. Topics include identity, life transitions, ageism, wisdom, and the aging brain.