THE OSHER LIFELONG LEARNING INSTITUTE
RENE W YOUR ENTHUSIASM FOR LEARNING • EXPLORE NE W INTERESTS • MAKE NE W FRIENDS
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at California State University San Marcos (CSUSM) is an organization established to improve the quality of life for adults over 50 years of age through higher education and the arts. OLLI at CSUSM was established in 2004 and is one of 124 Lifelong Learning Institutes supported by the Bernard Osher Foundation.
Osher provides a wide array of courses taught by university professors and experts in their respective fields. The program aims to keep learners intellectually active and socially engaged with like-minded peers. If you’d like to renew your enthusiasm for learning, explore new interests and make new friends, Osher is for you!
MEMBERSHIP*
An Osher membership is required to participate in our program.
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP, PAY AS YOU GO
$35 membership fee. Valid 5/1/2026 - 6/30/2027. Pay for classes a la carte. When purchasing a la carte classes, if you do not have a current membership, a general membership fee will automatically be added to your shopping cart.
ANNUAL ALL-INCLUSIVE MEMBERSHIP
This membership will be available to purchase beginning 8/18/2026. Pay one fee of $565 and select an unlimited number of courses from 100+ offerings throughout the year. This annual membership is valid for Fall 2026, Spring 2027 and Summer 2027 terms. Some exclusions apply.*
FOR REFERENCE WHEN PURCHASING AN ALL-INCLUSIVE ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP:
• Purchase annual membership on our website at csusm.edu/el/olli before enrolling in classes.
• Allow 24-72 hours for account activation.
• After receiving an email notification from us, log in to your student portal to make class selections. Choose annual or lifetime member and the system will zero-out your balance. (Excludes pop-up lectures, special events and destination learning.)
*Pop-up lectures, destination learning excursions, special events, entrance fees, art supplies, etc., are not included in membership pack ages. $5 par k ing fee per day to par k on campus.
PROGRAM LINKS
Memberships and registration fees support the program. Sharing links with spouses and friends is prohibited and serves as a detriment to the longevity of the Osher program.
CREDIT CARD TRANSACTIONS
Please note that all Extended Learning credit card transactions will be charged a convenience fee of 2.65%. The convenience fee is subject to change.
OLLI STAFF
Sherie Cambra , Program Director scambra@csusm.edu
760-750-8716
Amy Sprout , Program Coordinator asprout@csusm.edu 760-750-8613
HOW TO REGISTER
BY PHONE
760-750-4020
Note: We can accept eCheck s by phone. No mail-in registrations.
ONLINE
csusm.edu/el/olli/howtoregister.html
See step-by-step instructions on our website.
Bernard Osher
PROTECT YOURSELF FROM YOUR COMPUTER
YOUR AGING BRAIN
ISLAMIC ART, HINDU PAINTING AND FOLK ARTS
YOUR AGING BRAIN
ISLAMIC ART, HINDU PAINTING AND FOLK ARTS
HOW DID HITLER ESCAPE MURDER?
AMERICA 250
YOUR AGING BRAIN SHAKESPEARE’S ROMEO AND JULIET
YOUR AGING BRAIN HOAXES AND HOMINIDS
SIPS OF CIVILIZATION TRAVEL PRESENTATION SISTERS OF CIRCUMSTANCE
SIPS OF CIVILIZATION STROKE PREVENTION
SIPS OF CIVILIZATION
JAWS : RUINING THE FOURTH OF JULY FOR 50 YEARS HOUSE OF DAVID: MYTH OR REALITY VILLAINS IN MUSICALS
ALTERNATIVE ONLINE COURSES OFFERED IN JULY AND AUGUST THROUGH OSHER ONLINE LEARNING (OOL). SEE BACK COVER
TASTE OF OSHER
Join us for a Taste of Osher! Explore our program, get a sneak peek at upcoming fall courses, meet our instructors and make new friends.
Special event- day discounts:
• Opportunity drawings for classes valued from $18 to $80
• Save $25 on the annual membership fee or receive 10% off class fees when you register onsite during the event
Seats are limited, and registration is required to attend and receive complimentary parking. Lunch will be provided!
Don’t miss out on this unique event!
TUESDAY, AUG. 18
10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Doors open at 9:30 a.m.
Open to the Public CSUSM ELB 404
MEET OUR INSTRUCTORS
CSUSM Osher instructors are leading educators and subject-matter experts in many fascinating fields of study. For a full list of our instructors and their areas of expertise, please visit csusm.edu/el/osher-instructors
JASON HENSLEY, PhD, teaches religious studies at a private school in Los Angeles. He is a fellow of the Michael LaPrade Holocaust Education Institute of the Anti-Defamation League, a member of Civic Spirit’s teacher education cohort, and the award-winning author of 10 books. His work has been featured in The Huffington Post as well as the BBC, and he has served as the historical advisor for a recent Holocaust documentary.
HOWARD KERNER is a retired English professor who taught at the high school, college and university levels during his 47-year career. His passion project has been discovering unknown stories about inspiring people who performed brave acts of kindness even during the Holocaust. He has presented his uplifting programs at OLLIs, temples, churches and civic organizations across the country and in Canada.
STEPHENIE SLAHOR, PhD, JD, is retired from her law practice and university teaching, and she now focuses on writing, lecturing and creating innovative, informational and fun courses for OLLI programs around the nation. She is a life member of the Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society and past president of her local chapter of the American Business Women’s Association.
PROGRAM LINKS
We appreciate all of our members! Memberships and registration fees support our program. As we continue online access, please keep our program links private. Sharing links with family and friends is a detriment to the longevity of our Osher program.
| MONDAY COURSES
How to Protect Yourself From Your Computer
The vast majority of headaches, security issues, expenditures and e-waste are preventable. In this course, I’ll demystify the IT industry in plain English. (Especially the Windows 11 cash grab!) This is the only self-defense class offered where you won’t break a sweat!
Topics are:
• Why antivirus is obsolete
• Why software is getting more complicated
• The four new threats
• The support treadmill
• How to save money on printing
• How to slash your internet bill
• Fake rental WiFi
MONDAY, JUNE 8
9:30 - 11:30 a.m. Online via Zoom Free for Members Marc-Anthony Arena
History of Juneteenth
On June 17, 2021, Juneteenth became a federal holiday. Many recognize that this day celebrates the end of slavery, but don’t know where the date originates or much about its significance other than slavery ending. This lecture will look at the history of Juneteenth, both the original date from the 1800s, and the specific timing of Juneteenth becoming a federal holiday. In doing so, it will create a deeper appreciation for the history of this country, develop an understanding of racism in the United States, and consider how to celebrate what has been accomplished so far (and how to make further progress).
MONDAY, JUNE 15
1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Online via Zoom 1 day $18
Jason Hensley, PhD
The Devil’s Luck: How Did Hitler Escape Murder?
Many of us have wondered how the world’s most infamous madman and evildoer, Adolf Hitler, could have possibly survived as long as he did without being killed by his many enemies. The answer is, not for a lack of trying. Actually, more than 40 different assassination attempts were made over a period of about 25 years. In this course, we will examine those who planned each scheme and the reasons for failure.
MONDAY, JUNE 22
9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Online via Zoom 1 day $18
Howard Kerner
America 250
It’s the 250th anniversary of our Declaration of Independence. This forged our colonies and settlements into our own nation and freed us from the rule of King George III and Britain’s Parliament. But the roots of the Declaration of Independence go far back in history, so we’ll explore the charters, compacts and declarations of rights down through the years, and we’ll learn the stories of how our people chose to be free and safe in our rights and liberties.
MONDAY, JUNE 29
1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Online via Zoom 1 day $18
Stephenie Slahor, PhD, JD
| TUESDAY COURSES
Your Aging Brain: What’s Normal, What’s Not and What You Can Do
Which changes in the mind and brain are a normal part of aging — and which are not? In this five-week course, we will explore memory, thinking and emotional changes across adulthood, including how to distinguish typical aging from conditions such as dementia. We will also examine research on brain health, resilience, successful aging and even super aging. Together, we will separate myth from fact and explore what truly supports brain health across the later years.
TUESDAYS, JUNE 9 - 30
9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
CSUSM ELB 470: Hybrid* 4 weeks $65
Karen Eso, MA
India: Islamic Art, Hindu Painting and Folk Arts
Are you thrilled by the immortal Taj Mahal in Agra? What about the Red Fort in Delhi, with its magnificent Peacock Throne and Akbar the Great’s fabled city of Fatehpur Sikri. We will explore these, along with the fabulous palaces of the Rajput kings, Hindu paintings — many of which depict Krishna and his beloved Radha — fascinating Indian folk arts, craft items connected with itinerant storytellers, hand-painted playing cards, jewelry and saris. Join art historian Douglas Barker for a look at the beautiful and exotic arts of India.
TUESDAYS, JUNE 9 - 16
1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
CSUSM ELB 470: Hybrid* 2 weeks $35
Douglas Barker, MA
Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet : Love Story or Teenage Stupidity?
Romeo and Juliet is often taught in high schools and lauded as a great romance. Take a closer look and you may wonder about two very young people who race into a relationship that ends up killing multiple people, including themselves. We will examine the play, looking at its sources, language, themes and characters. Why does the love story of two teenagers from feuding families have such long-lasting appeal?
TUESDAY, JUNE 23
1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
CSUSM ELB 470: Hybrid* 1 day $18
Kim Keeline, PhD
Hoaxes and Hominids: A History of the Tool-Using Ape
Darwin’s The Descent of Man tied human evolution with that of all other creatures. But just how did humanity come to be and who, or what, were our direct ancestors? It took more than a century for that hotly debated question to be definitively settled — and we’re still refining the answer! Join historian and science fiction author Gideon Marcus for a quick tour of hominid evolution, how we came to understand it and what took us so long.
TUESDAY, JUNE 30
1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
CSUSM ELB 470: Hybrid* 1 day $18
Gideon Marcus
KAREN ESO, MA, has been a professor at Cal State San Marcos since 2004. Her undergraduate studies were in biology and chemistry and she studied clinical neuropsychology as a graduate student at the University of Victoria.
DOUGLAS R. BARKER, MA, is an art historian, a professional metaphysical worker and an avid world traveler. He holds a master’s degree in art history from the University of Chicago. Barker has traveled extensively in nearly 40 countries, and much of his expertise derives from spiritual experiences in sacred sites around the globe.
KIM KEELINE, PhD, fell in love with Shakespeare’s plays when she was 12 years old. Her PhD in English literature is from the University of Southern California and she has lectured extensively on Shakespeare. She writes mysteries and published two short stories in 2020. A book collector, steam train operator and freelance website and graphic designer, Keeline geeks out about history, technology and books.
GIDEON MARCUS is the founder of Journey Press, an independent publisher focused on unusual and diverse speculative fiction. He is a professional space historian and has just finished Hyvilma, the third book in The Kitra Saga. His short fiction can be found in Dark Matter, Utopia, Simultaneous Times and more. Marcus lives in San Diego County with his writer/editor wife and their polymath artist daughter.
*Hybrid courses are offered live in the classroom and via Zoom simultaneously (interactive).
ELENA ROMINE, PhD, received her PhD from Moscow State University and her Diploma in Education from Moscow Linguistic University. She is a published author, fluent in three languages and was a senior lecturer for the Institute of Advanced Training in Publishing in Moscow. Romine has been a cross-cultural communication instructor and consultant at UC Riverside Extension for over 26 years.
RUSSELL N. LOW is a physician with a passion for discovery and storytelling. His discovery of a 1903 Hong family photograph sparked a search for the stories behind the photograph, which became his book Three Coins. Low is also the author of Avengers, Wildcats and Crickets and The All-American Crew, and he is working on a sequel to Three Coins. He frequently lectures on Chinese American history, and his family’s story has been featured on National Public Radio, in the Smithsonian Museum of American History and more.
BRANDON CESMAT, MFA, has taught cinema at Palomar College and CSUSM since 1992. He earned an MFA in Creative Writing with correlative study in screenwriting from San Diego State University. He has curated the Cinema Series for Carlsbad Library and received several San Diego Press Club awards for best critical writing about movies. He is the author of several books of poems and fiction. His concept album of original music, Califor-Noir, is widely available online. He can be followed @cesmatmusic.
| WEDNESDAY COURSES
Sips of Civilization: A History in Six Drinks
Explore human history through the beverages that defined it. Based on Tom Standage’s work, this course examines how six drinks — beer, wine, spirits, coffee, tea and cola — acted as catalysts for social and political change. From the grain-fed origins of agriculture to the caffeinefueled Age of Reason and the rise of globalization, you will discover how liquid technologies built empires and sparked revolutions. Join us for a fascinating journey through time, one glass at a time.
WEDNESDAYS, JUNE 10 - 24
9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
CSUSM ELB 470: Hybrid* 3 weeks $50
Elena Romine, PhD
Travel With Collette/OLLI in 2027!
See description under Travel Presentation on page 8.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10
12:00 - 12:45 p.m.
CSUSM ELB 470: Hybrid* Open to the Public Ghythe Haddad
Sisters of Circumstance: Three Women Who Changed History
America. Their courage and intellect helped blaze a trail for generations who would follow, reshaping both medicine and the meaning of possibility for women of color.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10
1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
CSUSM ELB 470: Hybrid* Free for Members Russell Low
Stroke Prevention
This two-hour stroke prevention class provides practical, evidencebased strategies to reduce stroke risk and recognize warning signs early. Participants will review risk factors, blood pressure management, lifestyle modifications, medication adherence and the importance of rapid response using BE FAST. This session empowers attendees with actionable tools to improve outcomes and protect brain health.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17
1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
CSUSM ELB 470: Hybrid* 1 day $18
Diana Tai
Jaws: Ruining the Fourth of July for Over 50 Years
*Hybrid courses are offered live in the classroom and via Zoom simultaneously (interactive).
More than a century ago, three young Chinese women arrived at a Mission Home under circumstances not of their choosing. What began as rescue became resolve. From confinement and cultural barriers, they rose to become champions of human dignity and women’s rights — and among the earliest Asian women physicians in
“You yell, ‘Shark!’ We’ve got a panic on our hands on the Fourth of July,” says Mayor Vaughn in Jaws. Well then, “Shark!” This class considers Steven Spielberg’s audacious blockbuster not only as a disaster movie but as a psychological thriller raising anxieties and earning a place in the National Film Registry.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24
1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
CSUSM ELB 470: Hybrid* 1 day $18
Brandon Cesmat, MFA
| THURSDAY COURSES
Tour of Carlsbad Police and Fire Facilities
No refunds or discounts on Destination Learning trips.
The Carlsbad Fire Department welcomes all members of the community to tour our stations. Visitors will be able to meet members of the Carlsbad Fire Department and learn about firefighters’ daily activities, equipment and emergency vehicles and see where they sleep, study and train. Station tours may also include hands-on demonstrations and messaging on various safety topics.
THURSDAY, JUNE 4
1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Carlsbad Police Department
2560 Orion Way, Carlsbad 92010
1 day $18
The House of David: Myth or Reality
Did King David really exist? Was he as great a king as the Bible makes him out to be? Did he found a dynasty that lasted almost 500 years? The purpose of this course is to review the evidence from the biblical account, archaeology, Assyriology and Egyptology. Then we will assess it for
authenticity and accuracy, and see where it leads.
THURSDAYS, JUNE 11 - JUNE 25
9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Online via Zoom
3 weeks $50
David Meir-Levi, MA
Villains in Musicals
What can be better than a villain in a musical? Why? Because almost always they have at least one great song. It can be a funny song, a sad song, a scary song or a production number. Sometimes they are the lead or sometimes a supporting character, but their dastardly acts add tension to the plot. And by the end of the play they usually have their comeuppance, but not always. Let’s have a great time and explore some of our favorite villains including Gaston, King Herod and Sweeney Todd.
THURSDAYS, JUNE 11 - JUNE 25
1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Online via Zoom
3 weeks $50
Sam and Candy Caponegro
DAVID MEIR-LEVI, MA, is an American-born Israeli currently living in Palo Alto, California. He holds a BA from Johns Hopkins University and an MA in Near Eastern Studies from Brandeis University. He taught archaeology and Near Eastern history at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem and at the University of Tel Aviv in the 1960s and 1970s, during which time he completed his service in the Israeli military. Most recently, he lectured on the Middle East and Israel in the Department of History at San Jose State University and on Biblical studies and archaeology at Santa Clara University.
SAM AND CANDY CAPONEGRO have worked in all aspects of theater for over 40 years. They hope to keep the classic movie musical and the golden age of Broadway alive through their lectures.
PROGRAM LINKS
We appreciate all of our members! Memberships and registration fees support our program. As we continue online access, please keep our program links private. Sharing links with family and friends is a detriment to the longevity of our Osher program.
Become An Osher Volunteer!
We would not be able to provide our exceptional programming and services without the work and support of our dedicated volunteers. Please consider joining a committee, supporting special projects, assisting as a classroom ambassador or distributing catalogs in the community. We welcome your participation!
For more information on how to participate, please contact:
Sherie Cambra at scambra@csusm.edu or 760-750-8716
New Online Course Collaboration!
To supplement our local offerings, especially during off-season, be sure to check out Osher Online Learning (OOL), a program offered in collaboration with Northwestern University. These six-week courses meet once a week for 90 minutes.
Summer courses start in July and feature topics such as Discovering Portugal, How Signs Tell America’s Story and more.
Register for courses today at: https://bit.ly/CSUSM-OOL
| DESTINATION LEARNING
No refunds or discounts on Destination Learning trips.
Tour of Carlsbad Police and Fire Facilities
See description on page 7.
THURSDAY, JUNE 4
1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Carlsbad Police Department
2560 Orion Way, Carlsbad 92010
1 day $18
| FREE LECTURES
How to Protect Yourself From Your Computer
See description on page 4.
MONDAY, JUNE 8
9:30 - 11:30 a.m. Online via Zoom Free for Members
Marc-Anthony Arena
Sisters of Circumstance: Three Women Who Changed History
See description on page 6.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10
1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
CSUSM ELB 470: Hybrid* Free for Members
Russell Low
| TRAVEL PRESENTATION
Travel With Collette and Olli in 2027!
Discover Spain’s Classics and Portugal:
April 24 – May 8, 2027
Our first excursion begins in Barcelona, where you will experience the city’s highlights on foot with a local expert, then venture on to Peñiscola, Valencia, Albufera, Granada and Seville. See the hidden gems in the City in the Sea. Visit one of the most important wetlands in Spain. Enjoy paella in the area where it originated. Always, free time is included so you can choose your own adventure.
Spotlight on South Dakota:
Aug. 25 – 31, 2027
The second trip starts in Rapid City, South Dakota, the gateway to the Black Hills. Explore the vast beauty and history of this region, including Mt. Rushmore, Badlands National Park, Deadwood, Custer State Park, Crazy Horse and the Devils Tower National Monument. Learn from the Oglala Lakota tribe and venture into the wildlands on a buffalo excursion.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10
*Hybrid courses are offered live in the classroom and via Zoom simultaneously (interactive).
12:00 - 12:45 p.m.
CSUSM ELB 470: Hybrid* Open to the Public Ghythe Haddad
