Jonathan Bitner, Beth Bowling, Alease Davis, Annette Gooch, Jay Starks, Annie Taft, Mary Thompson, Beverly Thorpe
Advisory Council, 2025–26
Ellen Luken, Chair
Frank Brown, Sue Dennison, Ben Edwards, Sandi Fitts, Carol Hamilton, Diane Hundley, Greg Jacobs, Howard Koslow, Andree Reeves, Sylvia Robinson, Marc Shapiro, Alan Teasley, Donna West
Area Chairs
Joyce Blackwell, Margaret Brill, Cheryl Fenner Brown, Frank Brown, Doug Dickerson, Beverly Dowdy, Lu Howard, Susan Simone, Mark Spano, Richard Weintraub
Welcome!
As the air turns crisp and the energy of a new academic year fills the campus, we’re delighted to welcome you to another vibrant term with OLLI at Duke. Fall is a season of reflection and renewal—a perfect time to stretch your mind, discover new interests, and reconnect with the community.
In these pages, you’ll find a wide range of courses designed to spark curiosity, foster connection, and deepen your understanding of the world. Whether you’re returning to a favorite subject or exploring something entirely new, we hope you’ll find inspiration in what lies ahead.
As always, our offerings are rooted in a shared love of learning and a belief that education is a lifelong journey. We’re so glad you’re part of it.
Here’s to a season of insight, engagement, and discovery. Welcome to Fall 2025!
Warm regards,
Rhonda Parker Ellen Luken Director Advisory Council Chair
Becoming a Member
Membership: $60
Membership is a requirement for enrollment in all OLLI courses or events. Membership enables you to register for courses and activities as well as members-only special events.
To become an OLLI member and create an account, go to learnmore.duke.edu/olli and click “Join OLLI.” We recommend joining in advance of registration. This login information is also used to access your online class sessions.
Questions?
For general questions: olli@duke.edu, (919) 660-5882
Registration for Fall 2025 opens on Tuesday, August 19, at 9 a.m. ET for Monday and Tuesday courses and on Wednesday, August 20, at 9 a.m. ET for Wednesday and Thursday courses.
To register for a course, visit the course’s profile page and click “Add to Cart.” Click here for more information, tips on registration and a step-by-step video.
This helpful video provides tips and strategies for successful online registration.
In-Person Learning
Our in-person courses are hosted at the Education Building at Judea Reform Congregation (JRC), located at 1933 W. Cornwallis Road in Durham; Erwin Mill (EM), located at 2024 W. Main Street in Durham; and at a few off-site locations. These courses are marked with the school icon shown above. If you plan to enroll in an in-person course, please see the In-Person Guidelines before registering.
Online Learning
Taking courses online is both convenient and accessible. No need to worry about parking or traffic. With Zoom, you have a front-row seat for all your courses. These courses are marked with the online icon shown above. Check out our Online Guide for more information about online courses.
Many online courses are recorded for enrollees to watch later. You can even enroll in a course to only watch recordings. These are marked with the recording icon.
Find Your Course Links
The Zoom links for your online courses can be found in your Student Portal. Go to learnmore.duke.edu/olli and click “Student Login.” You will need to log in to access your course every week for class.
Technology Needed for Zoom Courses
Here is the basic technology you’ll need to take an OLLI online course via Zoom:
• Laptop, desktop computer, tablet or smartphone
• Microphone (if speaking in class)
• Speakers or headphones
• Webcam (if showing your own video)
• Reliable internet connection (minimum 20 Mbps download speed recommended; connection speed can be checked at www.speedtest.net)
Join us for Zoom Basics & Refresher session on Thursday, August 21, at 10 a.m. ET. The link will be provided in a member newsletter closer to the event.
Contact Information
To join, learn more or register for a course: learnmore.duke.edu/olli
General and member support: olli@duke.edu or (919) 660-8552
Director: Rhonda.Parker@duke.edu
Curriculum: Jenny.Levine@duke.edu
In-person operations and administration: Kathy.Parrish@duke.edu
Virtual programs and instructor relations: Betina.Huntwork@duke.edu
Registration inquiries: learnmore@duke.edu
Join OLLI at Duke
Becoming a member is easy. Our annual membership fee of $60 entitles members to enroll in courses and workshops, participate in special interest groups and attend social events. To join, go to learnmore.duke.edu/olli
Access &
Accommodation
Duke University has policies in place to ensure people with a wide range of abilities have equal access to its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the access provided at any course location, please contact the OLLI office by email before your course begins at olli@duke.edu
Scholarship Support
We want OLLI at Duke courses to be accessible to all who have a passion for lifelong learning. For information, please email olli@duke.edu and ask about our Community Membership. All requests are confidential.
Other Questions?
We have much more information about OLLI at Duke on our website! You can find out about our policies, FAQs, how to get involved and more. Visit learnmore.duke.edu/olli
OLLI on YouTube
Did you know OLLI at Duke has a YouTube Channel? We’ve captured numerous special speakers and events, Community Reads discussions and historical moments from over 45 years of OLLI at Duke. Check out the channel, and join the community by liking or commenting on a video. You can even subscribe to the channel and click the bell to be notified when the next video is released.
Get More Involved
OLLI at Duke is a cooperative venture. Dozens of volunteers are involved in making the magic happen for OLLI members. Getting involved is a great way to make new connections and build community. Members serve as course moderators or class assistants, lead small group discussions and serve on the Advisory Council to ensure the excellence of OLLI at Duke.
Academics
Instructors are passionate about their course topics and enjoy sharing their knowledge and experience with their peers.
Course Moderators support online courses and their instructors, and ensure a positive, inclusive and respectful online learning environment for all participants.
Class Assistants support in-person courses by helping instructors, taking attendance and making necessary announcements.
Members interested in getting more involved can reach out via email to olli@duke.edu.
Leadership
The Advisory Council consists of the chair, vice chair, immediate past chair, recording secretary, chairs of the standing committees and at-large advisors. This council provides guidance and insight to support program growth and development and ensure a positive member experience. See page 2.
Committees are made up of current and active OLLI members who provide guidance and support in specific program areas. Current committees are: Community Engagement, Curriculum, Instructor Relations, Member Engagement and Nominating Committee. Members interested in pursuing a leadership position can reach out via email to olli@duke.edu
Special Interest Groups
Special Interest Groups (SIGs) provide opportunities for members to connect with their peers outside the classroom based on their common interests. Members guide the SIGs, and new groups may start at any time. For the most up-to-date information and a complete list of OLLI’s SIGs, visit learnmore.duke.edu/olli/special-interest-groups.
Important Dates
Tuesday & Wednesday, August 19 & 20
9 a.m. ET — Registration opens for fall courses
Wednesday, August 20
11 a.m. ET — Vivo Information Session
Thursday, August 21
10 a.m. ET — Zoom Basics & Refresher
Thursday, September 4
10 a.m. ET — In-person New Member Welcome Event
Monday, September 8
Fall courses begin
Tuesday, September 23
Rosh Hashanah — No classes; OLLI closed
Thursday, October 2
Yom Kippur — No classes; OLLI closed
Friday, November 14
Last day of fall term
Monday-Friday, December 1-5
Makeup week
Sunday, December 14
Last day to view fall course recordings
Courses by Day ● Time [ET], Course Title (No. of Sessions) (Location/Online), Page [linked ]
Mondays
Online (Zoom)
9-10:15 Exploring Forest Ethics (6) 57
9-10:15 ....... Sapiens, A Geologic Perspective (10) ....55
11-12:15 ..... American Spiritualities (5) .......................49
11-12:15 ..... Humanities of the Middle East (8).......... 60
11-12:15 ..... Planning for Caregiving (3) .....................65
9-10:30 ...... Inspired by Women Artists (5) (JRC).......26
9-10:30 ...... Modern European Drama (10) (JRC) .......35
9-10:30 Tarot Art & Craft (6) (OTH) 50
9-10:30 Wisdom of the Enneagram (6) (JRC) 64
9-10:30 Think, Move, Play (9) (JRC) 66
11-12:30 Your Life as a Hero's Journey (8) (JRC) 63 11-12:30 Grappling With “Gatsby” (8) (JRC) 36
11-12:30 The Body Keeps Score (6) (JRC) 62
1:30-3 Jamestown, Virginia (6) (JRC) 29
1:30-3 Robert E. Lee (10) (JRC) 28 1:30-3 Yoga Nidra (10) (JRC) 68
3:30-5 Women, Wealth and Wisdom (6) (JRC) 22
Tuesdays
Online (Zoom) 11-12:15 Hannah Arendt (10) 51 11-12:15 ..... The Folk Revival (10) ...............................46 11-1 ............ Intro to Colored Pencils (10) ................... 24 11-1 ............ The Short Braided Essay (8) ................... 71 1:30-2:45.... All About Comedy (3)..............................39 1:30-2:45.... At Home in the Universe (6) ....................52 1:30-3:30 ... Create Your Children’s Book (10)............ 71 6-7:15......... Boundaries & Well-Being (4) .................. 64
In Person
9-10:30 ...... Creativity for Divided Nation (8) (JRC) .... 61 9-10:30 ...... Digging Up the Ancestors (10) (JRC) ...... 57
9-10:30 ...... Music Genres (6) (JRC) ...........................44 9-10:30 ...... Writings of Natasha Trethewey (8) (JRC).. 37 9-12 ........... Stay Put or Move On (SPOMO) (10) (EM) . 20 11-12:30 Chinese Brush Painting (10) (JRC) 23 11-12:30 London (8) (JRC) 32 11-12:30 Meet New Musical Artists (8) (JRC) 44 11-12:30 Yoga (10) (JRC) 67 1:30-3 Bread, Beer & World History (5) (JRC) 27 1:30-3 Chinese Callig. & Painting (10) (JRC) 24 1:30-3 NC Rocks! (10) (JRC) 45 1:30-3 Symposia (10) (CV) 58 1:30-3 The Barbarians Are Coming (9) (EM) 22 3:30-5 Tasting Tour of California (4) (JRC) 63 3:30-5 ........ Tech Skills 101 (10) (EM) .........................53 3:30-5 ........ Power of the Personal Essay (8) (JRC) ... 72
Looking for a Short Course?
Courses with 2-6 sessions are marked with
Other course indexes: By location, see page 8 , and by instructor, see page 9
Fall 2025 Registration
Registration opens on Tuesday, August 19, at 9 a.m. ET for Monday and Tuesday courses and on Wednesday, August 20, at 9 a.m. ET for Wednesday and Thursday courses.
Page numbers link to course descriptions • All classes are Eastern Time
9-12 ........... Watercolor Cards (5) (JRC) ..................... 25 11-12:15 Thomas Jefferson (8) (CV) 28
11-12:30 Cryptography (10) (JRC) 54 11-12:30 British to U.S. Hegemony (8) (JRC) 33
1:30-3 Computer Security/Privacy (10) (JRC) 54
1:30-3 Intro to Sashiko (10) (JRC) 27
1:30-3 Supply Chains (8) (JRC) 20
1:30-3:30 NC Symphony Live! (2) (JRC) 42
3:15-4:45 20 Years of the Nasher (9) (NM) 19
3:30-5 Tasting Tour of California (4) (JRC) 63
Courses by Day ● Time [ET], Course Title (No. of Sessions) (Location/Online), Page [linked ] Page numbers link to course descriptions • All classes are Eastern Time
Venue Abbreviations & Addresses
EM Erwin Mill, 2024 W. Main Street, Durham
CV Croasdaile Village, 2600 Croasdaile Farm Parkway, Durham
NCMA North Carolina Museum of Art, 2110 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh
NM Nasher Museum, 2001 Campus Drive, Duke University, Durham
OTH Other; see course description
Thursdays
Online (Zoom)
9-10:15 Classical T’ai Chi (9) 69 9-10:15 ....... Musicals 101 (10) .................................... 41 11-12:30 ..... Stories of Migration (4) ........................... 17 11-1 ............ A Poetry Practice (8) ...............................69 11-1 ............ Botanical Drawing for Beginners (10) .....26
1:30-2:45 ... Le château de ma mère (10) ...................38
1:30-3 ........ European Art / Avant-Garde (10) ............. 18 3:30-5 ........ John Donne and William Blake (10) ........34 6-7:15 Empowered Voices (10) 30
In Person
9-10:30 ...... The Orchestra of Life (10) (JRC)..............65
..... Music of the Circle (9) (JRC) ...................40
..... Opera Unmasked (6) (JRC) .....................43 11-12:30 ..... Red, Purple and Blue (10) (JRC)
the Family Album (6) (JRC)
(10) (JRC)
(9) (JRC)
Variety of Days & Times
Courses by Location
Croasdaile Village (CV)
2600 Croasdaile Farm Parkway, Durham
Symposia T, 1:30-3 (10) 58
Thomas Jefferson ....................... W, 11-12:15 (8) ...... 28
Vivo (various times) ..................... M/W or T/Th (16) ... 66
Davidshofer, William Philosophy/Political Rule 33
Dawson, Rae ............ Stay Put or Move On .............. 20
Del Dotto, Charles Modern European Drama 35
Dickerson, Douglas The Barbarians Are Coming 22 Dickinson, Barbara .. Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes ...... 41 Door, Kristine
Brown, Harry John Donne / William Blake 34 Caccavale, Ruth 20 Years of the Nasher 19 * Castillo, Jefferson .... iPhone Videography ............... 47 Choi, Dani Boundaries & Well-Being 64 Coleman, Charisse Power of the Personal Essay 72 Cox, Edwin ............... Symposia ................................ 58 Cross Tsintzos, Catherine............... Inspired by Women Artists ..... 26 Darer, Stan ............... Music Genres ......................... 44 Davidshofer, Claire Le château de ma mère 38
Courses by Instructor ●
Yoga Nidra .............................. 68
* Finley, Ian Much Ado About Nothing 37
Fortner, Brand At Home in the Universe 52
Fynn, Carol ............... Watercolor Cards.................... 25
* Goldberg, Steve Exploring the Holocaust 31
Gray, Virginia The World Today 21
* Hill, John .................. The History of Rock ................ 45
Hipps, Elizabeth Intro to Sashiko 27
Ingebretsen, Edward .................. American Spiritualities ............ 49
Johnson, Sara Exploring Mysteries 34
Klein, Steven Israel’s Crisis of Democracy 60
Lancaster, Marjorie .. Grappling With “Gatsby” ........ 36
Maytan, Margaret ..... Opera Unmasked ................... 43
McLeod, Melissa Symposia 58
Melanson, Richard From British to U.S. Hegemony 33
Miglarese, Sam Mary’s Journey 49
Misch, David ............ All About Comedy .................. 39
* Mitzner, Susan Yoga 67
Nordgren, Carl Creativity for Divided Nation 61
Norstrand, Julie ........ Planning for Caregiving .......... 65
* Oliphant, Ashley Shelling and Shark Tooth Hunting .......... 52
Overgaard, Wade ..... The World Today..................... 21
Parker, Beatrice Charla en Español 38 Parker, Carey Computer Security & Privacy 54
Phillips, Bill ............... The Folk Revival...................... 46
Prust, Richard Hannah Arendt 51
Purath, Sally Humanities of the Middle East 60
Reeves, Andrée Stay Put or Move On (SPOMO) 20
Reid, Arch Sapiens, A Geologic Perspective...... 55
Reiner, Helen The Body Keeps Score 62
* Robins, Kori .............. The Wisdom of Enneagram .... 64
Rousso, Suzanne ..... Mallarmé Music ...................... 42 Scheft, Tom NC Rocks! 45
* Scott, Carly Life in the Blue 51
Seitel, Jane ............... A Poetry Practice .................... 69 The Short Braided Essay 71 Shad, Samantha Your Life as a Hero's Journey 63 Shamlin, David ......... Tech Skills 101 ........................ 53
Shapiro, Marc Meet the New Musical Artists 44 Simone, Susan Introduction to Photoshop 46 * Sinclair, Tom ............. Bread, Beer & World History ... 27 Slahor,
Special Events
Fall 2025 Kickoff Speaker & Social: A Morning with Frank Bruni
Friday, September 5 • 9:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. (ET)
The Great Hall, Karsh Alumni Center, 2080 Duke University Road, Durham
Join us for one of OLLI at Duke’s signature events — our Fall Speaker & Social — featuring celebrated journalist, bestselling author, and Duke professor Frank Bruni.
Frank Bruni has been a prominent journalist for more than three decades, principally at The New York Times. He is a best-selling author and in 2021 became a full professor at Duke University, teaching media-oriented classes in the Sanford School of Public Policy. In November 2024, he was honored by North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper with the North Carolina Award, the state’s highest civilian honor, in the category of literature. The conversation will be facilitated by Mike Woodard, longtime Durham civic leader and former North Carolina State Senator.
Come early to enjoy refreshments and connection with fellow OLLI members before the conversation with Frank at 10:30 a.m.
This event is open to all OLLI at Duke members; Fee: $15; Course ID: 4003
New to OLLI at Duke? We invite you to join us for an in-person New Member Welcome Event hosted by OLLI leadership and volunteers. New members will have an opportunity to meet other new members, OLLI Advisory Council members and the OLLI team. More information will be available in an upcoming member newsletter. New members can register here: duke.is/NewMemberWelcomeF25
OLLI Member Social
Tuesday, October 21 • 4 - 6 p.m. (ET) • Hilton Garden Inn Durham
Join us for a late afternoon of connection and conversation at our OLLI Member Social at the Hilton Garden Inn Durham (2102 W Main Street, just down the block from Parizade). This is a great opportunity to meet fellow OLLI members, unwind at the end of the day, and enjoy engaging conversations. A menu will be available for those who wish to order drinks or appetizers.
Maximum: 100; No fee; Registration link will be shared in the OLLI newsletter
Photo courtesy of Frank Bruni
Special Events
Evening at The Lemur Center
IN PERSON: Join us for an educational evening at the Duke Lemur Center exploring the evolutionary origins of lemurs across the globe! The program will begin with a leisurely walk viewing the lemurs, followed by an engaging lecture from Duke Lemur Center Museum of Natural History Curator Dr. Matt Borths, and concluding with plenty of interactive Q&A and discussion time.
Please note: This event will take place entirely outdoors, with the lecture and Q&A portions on a covered patio, and light refreshments will be provided.
• Mon, Aug 25, 6 - 8:30 p.m.
• In person at The Duke Lemur Center, 3705 Erwin Road, Durham
Join your fellow members, instructors, and OLLI staff for food and fellowship at our annual OLLIday luncheon at Parizade, 2200 W. Main Street, Suite B100, Durham. Renew friendships, make new connections and embrace the holiday spirit. The menu will include a choice of soup or salad, one of five entrees, and three desserts. Cash bar. Guests are welcome. Deadline to register is November 26.
Maximum: 100; Fee: $45; Registration link will be shared in the OLLI newsletter
Hands-On Workshops at the Duke Campus Farm
IN PERSON: Join OLLI at the Duke Campus Farm — a one-acre working farm that provides sustainably grown produce for organizations around Duke and Durham — for two hands-on workshops and experience the growing of food, farming, and community. Additional activities may include seed keeping, preservation, storytelling and/or artistic experimentation with crops. At Duke Campus Farm, 4934 Friends School Road, Durham; Registration link will be in the OLLI newsletter.
Pepper Jelly Workshop
• Fri, Sep 12, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
• In person at Duke Campus Farm
• Maximum: 30; Fee: $35; Course ID: 4092
Birdhouse Gourd Painting Workshop
• Wed, Nov 12, 3 - 5 p.m.
• In person at Duke Campus Farm
• Maximum: 30; Fee: $35; Course ID: 4096
Special Events
“Once” at Burning Coal Theatre in Raleigh
IN PERSON: Join fellow OLLI members for a special outing to see “Once” at Burning Coal Theatre in Raleigh. This Tony Awardwinning musical tells the moving story of a Dublin street musician and a young Czech woman whose shared passion for music sparks an unexpected connection. Set in an intimate space where the actors play their own instruments, “Once” is a celebration of love, longing, and the power of song.
Please note: Registration closes Sep 26.
• Sun, Oct 12, 2 p.m.
• In Person at Burning Coal Theatre, 224 Polk Street, Raleigh
• Maximum: 40; Fee: $25; Course ID: 4094
Walking Tours with Taste Carolina
Walking Tour of Durham
IN PERSON: Taste Carolina will guide us through downtown Dunham's innovative cuisine! In addition to enjoying fantastic food, we’ll also explore the city’s cutting edge culture, historic roots, and renovated buildings. This social and fun walking tour will serve as dinner and drinks, so we will discover all of Durham’s flavors together. Dress for the weather and for walking.
Please note: Participants will meet at 2:45 p.m. at the Durham Visitors’ Center, 212 W. Main Street. Parking can be found in the deck at Main and Corcoran.
• Fri, Oct 10, 3 - 5:30 p.m.
• In person in Durham
• Maximum: 16; Fee: $130; Course ID: 4093
Walking Tour of Raleigh
IN PERSON: Known for effortlessly blending modern architecture with historic buildings and monuments, downtown Raleigh also showcases delicious eclectic eateries. We’ll visit a number of locally owned restaurants on this guided tour with Taste Carolina! There will be plenty of food to serve as brunch/ lunch on this roving adventure. Although walks aren’t long, please dress comfortably for the weather and for walking.
Start your day with great conversation, a warm cup of coffee, and delicious treats from Monuts. During this drop-in period, connect with fellow OLLI members, share stories, and make new friends in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. We can’t wait to see you there!
Maximum: 60; No fee; Course ID: 3957
OLLI Town Hall
Friday, September 19 • 10 - 11 a.m. (ET) • Online via Zoom
Join us for a community-wide Town Hall where we’ll share highlights from the 2024 member survey and how your feedback is shaping our work. You’ll also meet the 2025-26 Advisory Council and learn how they’re helping guide the future of OLLI at Duke. We look forward to connecting with you!
Zoom link will be shared in the OLLI newsletter; the session will be recorded
OLLI Code of Conduct
Curiosity + Connection + Kindness + Compassion = Community
OLLI at Duke endeavors to create a positive and affirming environment that fosters learning and social connection. Members, instructors and staff are expected to demonstrate mutual respect, personal and academic integrity, kindness and a commitment to civil discourse. Ensuring OLLI at Duke is a welcoming, inclusive and affirming learning community is a responsibility we all share. These principles apply to all OLLI courses, whether they are in person or online.
We welcome a lively and passionate exchange of ideas and perspectives. Opposing viewpoints are welcomed and appreciated. Instructors are responsible for leading and moderating classroom discussions. Instructors have the prerogative of inviting/allowing questions throughout the class or asking members to hold their questions until the end of the class or another designated time.
Members, instructors and staff of the OLLI at Duke community are encouraged to contact OLLI staff (olli@duke.edu) if they observe behavior that is a significant violation of this code of conduct. The director will investigate, and, if there is a problem, the director will address it with the alleged violator and determine the consequences. Violations of the code of conduct may result in the suspension or termination of membership/teaching privileges for a member or instructor, or a disciplinary warning/termination of employment for a staff member.
Community Engagement
Literacy in Action: Tutoring for Community Impact
IN PERSON: Join us for a 10-week journey that blends learning, service and community engagement. In Literacy in Action, you will explore proven strategies for supporting young readers, then apply them directly by tutoring in a local school or center. Over the first four weeks, we’ll dive into core literacy approaches, including phonics, fluency, vocabulary development and reading comprehension. We’ll also examine the broader context: how poverty, language, trauma and race intersect with literacy development. Sessions will include hands-on activities, guest speakers and opportunities to observe lessons in action. Weeks 5 through 10 shift the focus from theory to practice. You'll be placed in a small tutoring team and work in a public school, charter school or community-based program. You’ll have the option to partner partner with a Duke America Reads America Counts or Leap 2 School student tutor for a cross-generational teaching experience that supports both you and your learners. • Lecture + Q&A, Facilitated discussion.
Please note: Each group will be guided by a site coordinator and receive regular support and reflection time during class meetings. Whether you’re new to tutoring or returning to the classroom in a new role, this course provides you with the tools, confidence and community you need to make a real difference, one reader at a time.
David Stein partners with eight public schools to mobilize Duke’s ed tech resources and co-leads projects through the PepsiCo-endowed Duke ed tech fellows program. He also directs outreach efforts like School Days and the John Hope Franklin Young Scholars program. A licensed social studies teacher, David joined Duke in 2000 after roles at North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics, at Harvard University and in urban planning. He holds a degree from Antioch College and studied city planning at UC Berkeley.
Andrea Underwood Petifer (B.A., M.S.A., NC Central University; M.Ed., Meredith) is a Durham educator, author and advocate for care in learning. With over 15 years of experience, she’s served as a teacher, administrator and president of the Durham Association of Educators. She was named Durham Public Schools’ Assistant Principal of the Year in 2018 and is now assistant director of education outreach at Duke. Her debut children’s book, “The Juneteenth Alphabet,” was released this spring.
• 10 Mon, Sep 8 - Nov 10, 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
• In person at NC Mutual Life, 411 W. Chapel Hill Street, Durham
• Maximum: 12; Fee: $40; Course ID: 4050
Information Session
Wednesday, August 20, 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. (ET)
Through a partnership between OLLI at Duke and Vivo, OLLI members can participate in interactive virtual exercise classes led by certified personal trainers who have extensive experience with older adults. See the course description on page 66.
A wide variety of times and days are available to choose from after enrollment; Vivo meets twice a week for eight weeks. To learn more about Vivo, visit www.teamvivo.com
The Zoom link will be shared in the OLLI member newsletter. Session is recorded.
Planning Your Course Schedule
This catalog is organized by course subject, with helpful indexes on pages 6-10. Throughout the catalog, each page number in the text or in an index is a link to that page. All course description pages include a “Return to Course
link at the bottom.
Course ID numbers make registering easy. Refer to them while registering online and when tracking course confirmations or the waitlist status of a course. Find a course even faster by typing the course ID number into “Advanced Search.”
Art & Architecture
Stories of Migration: Esther in Amsterdam & the Harlem Renaissance
IN PERSON: What do 17th-century Amsterdam and 1920s Harlem have in common?
Join us to explore the parallel stories of Jewish life in Rembrandt’s Amsterdam and African American culture during the Harlem Renaissance as people in both times sought identity, freedom and belonging in a new urban world. Inspired by two major art exhibitions, one at the North Carolina Museum of Art and one at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, this course will examine how people in each era used artistic expression to shape the cultural legacy of the era and find resilience in the face of displacement and change. • Lecture + Q&A, Facilitated discussion.
Please note: You can sign up for the entire course, which includes the lectures and your choice of available gallery sections (sections 3-6), or you can sign up for lectures only, sections 1 (in person) and 2 (online via Zoom). All in-person classes will be held at the North Carolina Museum of Art, 2110 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh.
Required supplies/fee: Gallery session attendees must obtain a ticket for the Esther exhibition session.
About nonmembers: In partnership with the North Carolina Museum of Art, a limited number of seats in Sections 1 and 2 of this course are available to nonmembers.
Kristine Door, Ph.D., taught art history at the University of North Dakota for over a decade before moving to Raleigh in 1995. Until her retirement, she lectured at the North Carolina Museum of Art and directed the docent program. Kris has offered an OLLI art history course each year since 2007.
Section 1 • Lectures Only
• Lecture Sessions: 4 Thu, Sep 25, Oct 9 & 23, Nov 6, 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
• In person at NC Museum of Art; Recorded, available from instructor
• Max.: 200; Fee: $80; Course ID: 4067-001
Section 2 • Lectures Only (livestream)
• Lecture sessions: See section 1
• Online via Zoom; Recorded, available in student portal
• Max.: 200; Fee: $80; Course ID: 4067-002
Section 3 • Lectures + Gallery Tours
• Lecture Sessions: See section 1
• Gallery Tours: 3 Wed, Oct 15 & 29, Nov 12, 10:30 - 11:40 a.m.
• In person at NC Museum of Art
• Max.: 12; Fee: $140; Course ID: 4067-003
Section 4 • Lectures + Gallery Tours
• Lecture Sessions: See section 1
• Gallery Tours: 3 Wed, Oct 15 & 29, Nov 12, 12 - 1:10 p.m.
• In person at NC Museum of Art
• Max.: 12; Fee: $140; Course ID: 4067-004
Section 5 • Lectures + Gallery Tours
• Lecture Sessions: See section 1
• Gallery Tours: 3 Thu, Oct 16 & 30, Nov 13, 10:30 - 11:40 a.m.
• In person at NC Museum of Art
• Max.: 12; Fee: $140; Course ID: 4067-005
Section 6 • Lectures + Gallery Tours
• Lecture Sessions: See section 1
• Gallery Tours: 3 Thu, Oct 16 & 30, Nov 13, 12 - 1:10 p.m.
• In person at NC Museum of Art
• Max.: 12; Fee: $140; Course ID: 4067-006
Art & Architecture
European Art and the Avant-Garde: Picasso, Matisse, Kandinsky & Co.
IN PERSON: In the first decades of the 20th century, three artists — Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse and Wassily Kandinsky — set the course for the century’s ongoing investigation of visual abstraction. Their masterpieces have become the hallmarks of radical imagery, but they were also great experimenters, shifting styles, media and subject matter over their long careers. Furthermore, they did not work in isolation; their inventiveness was the product of collaboration. While focusing on the iconic works of these three men, we will also look at the variety of their art and the related work of their colleagues. In addition to aesthetic concerns, we will consider the impact of social, scientific and political issues (most notably World War I) on this art. • Lecture + Q&A.
James Boyles is a retired professor from NC State University, where he taught the history of art. He has an M.A. and a Ph.D. in art history. His teaching and research have focused on American, modern and contemporary art, with the occasional venture into the medieval period and the 18th century.
Section 1
• 10 Thu, Sep 11 - Nov 20 (no class Oct 2), 1:30 - 3 p.m.
• In person at Erwin Mill; Sessions are recorded
• Max.: 50; Fee: $125; Course ID: 4033-001
Section 2 • Livestream
• 10 Thu, Sep 11 - Nov 20 (no class Oct 2), 1:30 - 3 p.m.
• Online via Zoom; Sessions are recorded
• Max.: 50; Fee: $125; Course ID: 4033-002
Frank Lloyd Wright: The Man, The Architecture
ONLINE: Frank Lloyd Wright has been called the greatest American architect of all time. He often said so himself. He compared himself to Michelangelo. He was a romantic intellectual who was opinionated, eccentric and arrogant. He was an author, philosopher, teacher and lover of fast cars, custom-made clothes and intelligent women. His legacy, beyond architecture, includes films, plays and books. His designs grace toys, clothing, neckties and tableware. Movies, commercials and music videos are filmed in his buildings. This course will focus on Wright’s colorful life and his philosophy of organic architecture. We will review how his architecture connects us to nature. We will learn how to focus on our own experience of the built environment and how to appreciate innovative architecture and its connection to our life and to our communities. Slides, videos and discussions will highlight his designs of homes, churches and civic buildings, including Fallingwater and the Guggenheim Museum. • Lecture + Q&A.
Recommended texts:
• Bruce Brooks Pfeiffer, “Frank Lloyd Wright” (9783836599672)
• Brendan Gill, “Many Masks” (9780306808722)
Peter Blaufeux is an emeritus member of the American Institute of Architects with a BFA in design from Temple University and a B.Arch. from City University. He was a licensed architect in multiple states, the principal of his own architectural firm for 20 years and the director of health care design for the New York region of a multinational architecture, engineering and construction
Art & Architecture
corporation. He has taught OLLI courses and was a committee chair of the OLLI Board of Advisors.
• 6 Wed, Sep 10 - Oct 15, 1:30 - 2:45 p.m.
• Online via Zoom; Sessions are recorded
• Maximum: 80; Fee: $90; Course ID: 2357
20 Years of the Nasher
IN PERSON: In October, the Nasher Museum of Art will celebrate its 20th anniversary. This course will show how the museum has exhibited a broad range of artistic voices, fostered dialogue and creativity, and served as a laboratory for interdisciplinary teaching and learning. We will explore the presentation of works from the museum’s contemporary collection, including highlights from a gift of iconic photographs, as well as look into the work of multidisciplinary artist Sherman Fleming and an exhibition of Indigenous pop art. We will spend time in the anniversary exhibition, “Everything Now All at Once,” which will highlight groundbreaking works from the contemporary collection. We will delve into several works each week. Sitting comfortably in the galleries, we will have conversations on the context, history, style and impact of the artwork. We will explore connections between works in the galleries, considering how the juxtapositions of works enhance our understanding of each piece. • Facilitated discussion.
Please note: The Nasher parking lot is metered (parking is controlled by Duke, not by the Nasher), so have your license plate number handy to pay for parking ($2 per hour). A Nasher Museum of Art membership is required for this course and is being offered at half price for OLLI members.
Ruth Caccavale has a passion for discussing art with people. She has worked in a number of museums and education positions. Since her move to North Carolina in 2011, she has taught over 30 OLLI courses. Ruth also works in the education department of Duke’s Nasher Museum of Art. For 10 years prior to this, she taught a variety of art history classes at Rutgers University in New Jersey.
• 9 Wed, Sep 10 - Nov 12 (no class Oct 1), 3:15 - 4:45 p.m.
• In person at Nasher Museum of Art
• Maximum: 15; Fee: $135; Course ID: 4011
If enrolling in a course that meets In person, please review the In-Person Guidelines before registering.
Fall 2025 Registration
Registration opens on Tuesday, August 19, at 9 a.m. ET for Monday and Tuesday courses and on Wednesday, August 20, at 9 a.m. ET for Wednesday and Thursday courses.
Finding Course Links in the Student Portal
OLLI members who register for online courses will find the Zoom links for their courses in their Student Portal at learnmore.duke.edu/olli
See Finding Course Links for step-by-step instructions and a demonstration video.
Economics & Public Policy
Stay Put or Move On (SPOMO)
IN PERSON: Did you know that Triangle continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) have waitlists that span from four to 15 years? With the influx of retired people into the Triangle, the demand for CCRC spots has grown, leading to long wait times. Likewise, competition to hire competent in-home care for those who choose to age in place is fierce. Through expert speakers and class lectures, we will explore options for continued independence as aging progresses and life-care needs change. We’ll consider the suitability of your home and your community for aging in place, and various options for home care services. Finally, we’ll visit a number of CCRCs to learn about the services they provide, their contract models, their entrance and monthly fees, and the nature of their waiting lists. Our focus will be on aging in place and retirement communities. • Lecture + Q&A.
Please note: The class schedule changes after class 4. Classes 5 to 10 meet from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Additionally, due to no classes on September 23, the last class will be held on November 18.
Rae Dawson held a variety of technology management positions at several Fortune 500 companies, including IBM, Apple, Xerox and Cisco Systems Inc. She holds a B.A. in business administration from the University of North Texas. She retired from Cisco Systems Inc. in 2017 and became involved with OLLI. She has taught the Stay Put or Move On course since the Fall 2018 term.
After growing up in Washington, D.C., graduating from UNC and earning an M.A. and Ph.D. from Rice University, Andrée Reeves worked for the federal government at the now defunct U.S. Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations (ACIR). She spent most of her career as a faculty member
in the Political Science Department at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, teaching many courses on American government. She retired in 2019 and came back to the Triangle area in 2020. She has been happily taking, and now teaching, OLLI courses ever since, including SPOMO.
• 10 Tue, Sep 9 - Nov 18 (no class Sep 23), 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
• In person at Erwin Mill
• Maximum: 25; Fee: $175; Course ID: 0997
Supply Chains: How Stuff Gets From There to Here
IN PERSON: Supply chains, a foundation of the global economy, are front page news. We are seeing disruptions that undermine them — increasingly viewed as unfair dealing — and widespread efforts to reorganize them. This course will help us understand the transformation of our economies over past decades and why the performance of supply chains affects us so fundamentally. We’ll examine the supply chain-structured global economy, how supply chains mutate, and the vitality and fragility of this new global system. The course takes a broad sweep, from Henry Ford’s determination to control all the supply chains in his new industry and the rise of multinational corporations to the transformation of the international trade and financial environments that led to the new phenomenon of outsourcing and the globalization of supply chains. Using cases of automobiles and semiconductors, we will look in detail at how this system works, including its benefits, its costs and the efforts to unwind it. • Facilitated discussion.
Economics & Public Policy
Recommended text:
• Chris Miller, “Chip War: The Fight for the World’s Most Critical Technology” (9781982172008)
Stephen Blank taught at the Lubin School of Business and at universities in Japan, Germany, Mexico, Canada and the U.S. He directed the American Transportation Research Institute and The Conference Board’s research on relations between multinational companies and host countries. He was a member of Columbia University’s Center for Energy, Marine Transportation and Public Policy. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and was educated at Dartmouth, Cambridge and Harvard Universities.
• 8 Wed, Sep 10 - Nov 12 (no class Oct 1 or 8), 1:30 - 3 p.m.
• In person at Judea Reform Congregation
• Maximum: 35; Fee: $120; Course ID: 4068
The World Today
ONLINE: Do you enjoy following and discussing current events? Each week, we will look at news and issues from around the world and at home. The instructor will provide an agenda with notes and links, and members of the class are encouraged to propose additional discussion topics. Active participation is encouraged, but not mandatory. Discussions are enriched by the diversity of class members’ backgrounds, expertise and viewpoints. Topics are discussed knowledgeably, respectfully and sometimes with passion, but we always end with humor. Class members will gain a better understanding of the social and political issues of the world today. Each instructor is an avid news and politics junkie and has experience leading these types of discussions. Each brings his or her own distinctive style and background to the course, and, most importantly, each
will encourage a wide selection of views from class members. Individuals who bring unique or underrepresented points of view are especially welcome. • Facilitated discussion.
Henry Blinder served as city attorney for the City of Durham for many years prior to retirement. He is past president of the North Carolina Association of Municipal Attorneys and a former deputy attorney general for the State of New Jersey. He has a J.D. from Duke University Law School, and lived in Durham for more than 35 years. He now resides near Washington.
Doug Longman spent 25 years in marketing management at Fortune 100 firms. He holds a Ph.D. in business administration and taught at the University of Texas and the University of Chicago. Over the past 25 years, he has taught more than 50 OLLI courses in international political economy, public policy, economics and politics/political science. Doug has led this course for over 20 years.
Virginia Gray, Ph.D., taught political science at the universities of Kentucky, Minnesota and North Carolina. She participated in election night survey analysis for NBC News in the 1980s. She is an expert on state politics; public policy, including health care reform and criminal justice; and interest groups. Gray has published widely on these and other topics and is a fellow of the National Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Wade Overgaard worked as a senior-level actuary for a Fortune 500 insurer. He received a B.A. in economics and mathematics from Duke. A native Chicagoan, he has lived in the Hartford, Connecticut, area since the early 1980s.
Bruce Stevens is a native Texan who spent his teen years abroad and returned to get his bachelor’s at Duke, majoring in economics, then his MBA from Harvard University. He worked for 12 years with the Boston Consulting Group in Boston and Chicago, then moved into private equity investing and independent consulting. He lived in the Chicago area for 40 years before moving to Virginia in 2020.
• 10 Wed, Sep 10 - Nov 12, 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
• Online via Zoom
• Maximum: 30; Fee: $125; Course ID: 0393
Economics & Public Policy
Women, Wealth and Wisdom: Taking Control of Your Financial Future
IN PERSON: Women represent a major socioeconomic force with growing influence in politics, education, finance and business. Yet, many of us feel anxious or unprepared when it comes to navigating our own wealth journey. This course will first highlight the strengthening economic power and influence of women in our society and how many women are uncertain about how to strategically plan for their life events. We will then discuss real-life scenarios including widowhood, divorce, caring for a spouse or aging parents, retirement, estate planning and leaving a legacy. Finally, we’ll bring it all together by addressing the role of financial planning in helping to achieve positive outcomes. Attendees will receive case studies, worksheets and checklists that will help support them on their wealth journey. The ultimate goal is to empower women to take control of their financial future by providing them with trustworthy information, helping them build confidence and reducing their anxiety. • Lecture + Q&A, Facilitated discussion, Active Skill Learning.
Guest Speakers:
• Holly Daniels, Ph.D., LMFT, Life Optimization Coach and Therapist
• Sophia Munson, Estate Planning Attorney
Jessica Villagrana is a 16-year veteran in financial services who has helped numerous individuals and families navigate uncertain times. She is the first in her family to attend college, earning a B.S./B.A. in business and marketing, then an MBA from Thunderbird School of Global Management. She is a certified financial planner, and holds various securities and insurance licenses. Jessica contributes her own subject matter expertise and life experience to her work.
• 6 Mon, Oct 6 - Nov 10, 3:30 - 5 p.m.
• In person at Judea Reform Congregation
• Maximum: 15; Fee: $90; Course ID: 4085
The Barbarians Are Coming: Threats to a Peaceful World
IN PERSON: In an increasingly unstable world, the threat of war is no longer theoretical. Many of today’s powers feel besieged, surrounded, or unjustly restrained — and are responding with aggression, militarization,
Registration FAQs
To make your registration experience as smooth as possible, we have put together a frequently asked questions guide. At OLLI at Duke FAQs you will find answers to questions on membership, courses, Zoom and technology and registration.
Fall 2025 Registration
Registration opens on Tuesday, August 19, at 9 a.m. ET for Monday and Tuesday courses and on Wednesday, August 20, at 9 a.m. ET for Wednesday and Thursday courses.
Economics & Public Policy
and bold rhetoric. In this discussion-based course, we will analyze the root causes of global tension through the lens of culture, history, economics, ideology, and security. By examining the perspectives of the world’s most powerful and volatile nations — including China, Russia, Iran, and the U.S. — we will explore how conflicts begin, how they might escalate, and what the West can and should do to promote long-term peace and security. • Lecture + Q&A.
Doug Dickerson is a retired Air Force officer, former commander of the U.S.’s largest logistics squadron, director of strategy for USAF in Japan, defense policy adviser to the U.S. ambassador to NATO and senior adviser to the Afghan minister of interior. He was the HQ Air Force director for central European countries and a Bronze Star recipient. He holds an M.A. in international relations from Boston University (Brussels) and an MBA from Duke. He is the father of a Duke ’26 student.
John Matheny served as military assistant to two Vice Presidents during his six years in the White House, later serving as a senior Pentagon official, arms control negotiator, and psychological operations warrior. He was “in the room” with Kissinger, Scowcroft, Baker and Rumsfeld, as they discussed national security crises and American options. He taught at the National Defense University with a focus on strategic communications.
• 9 Tue, Sep 9 - Nov 11 (no class Sep 23), 1:30 - 3 p.m.
• In person at Erwin Mill
• Maximum: 50; Fee: $125; Course ID: 4072
Hands-On Art
Chinese Brush Painting: Flowers and Birds
IN PERSON: Students will learn how to paint flowers and birds, such as the peony (the Chinese national flower) or seasonal flowers and birds, which are popular brush painting subjects. Each person will complete a beautiful painting within one or two classes while practicing basic brush painting techniques. The instructor will provide a step-by-step demonstration of the process, then students will practice painting with the instructor’s help. While practicing, the students will learn how to use ink, control the brush and paint various brush strokes, and will complete a nice brush painting. This course is for both experienced and beginning students. • Active Skill Learning.
Required supplies/fee: Students will purchase materials from the instructor and/or independently for an estimated cost of $40. For additional information on supplies, please see the course details at learnmore@duke.edu/olli.
Jinxiu Zhao (Alice) is a professional artist who specializes in the teaching of Chinese brush painting and calligraphy to both children and adults. She has been teaching in North Carolina for 28 years at all levels of the public schools, at teacher training programs and in private classes.
• 10 Tue, Sep 9 - Nov 18 (no class Sep 23), 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
• In person at Judea Reform Congregation
• Maximum: 12; Fee: $150; Course ID: 0502
If enrolling in a course that meets In person, please review the In-Person Guidelines before registering.
Hands-On Art
Chinese Calligraphy & Painting: An Introduction to Traditional Techniques
IN PERSON: Explore the beauty and tradition of Chinese calligraphy and its close connection to brush painting. In this course, you’ll learn the fundamental brush strokes and basic characters commonly used in painting titles, poems and inscriptions. You’ll also have the opportunity to practice Chinese brush painting techniques, or you can focus solely on calligraphy if you prefer. No prior experience is needed, just a curiosity about these timeless art forms. • Active Skill Learning.
Required supplies/fee: Students will purchase materials from the instructor and/or independently for an estimated cost of $30. For additional information on supplies, please see the course details at learnmore@duke.edu/olli
Jinxiu Zhao (Alice) is a professional brush painting artist who specializes in the teaching of Chinese brush painting and calligraphy to both children and adults. She has taught brush painting and calligraphy in North Carolina for 28 years at all levels of the public schools, at teacher training programs and in private classes.
• 10 Tue, Sep 9 - Nov 18 (no class Sep 23), 1:30 - 3 p.m.
• In person at Judea Reform Congregation
• Maximum: 12; Fee: $150; Course ID: 4023
Introduction to Colored Pencils
ONLINE: This 10-week course is designed for beginners looking to build confidence and foundational skills in realistic colored pencil drawing. Focusing on two flower subjects — carefully selected for their beginnerfriendly forms — students will spend five weeks on each, learning how to observe, blend and layer colors to bring images to life. Emphasis will be placed on using high-quality colored pencils on hot press watercolor paper, an ideal surface for smooth layering and subtle blending. No prior experience with colored pencils is needed, just curiosity, patience and a willingness to explore a new medium. • Active Skill Learning.
Required supplies/fee: Students will purchase materials independently for an estimated cost of $75. For additional information on supplies, please see the course details at learnmore@duke.edu/olli.
Cathy Boytos has spent years drawing botanical images and pet portraits with pen and ink as well as colored pencils. She has an extensive portfolio of colored pencil animal and floral illustrations and has won many awards for her colored pencil artwork. An award-winning graphic designer, a CZT (certified Zentangle teacher) and a very popular OLLI instructor, Cathy has spent her life in the art field.
• 10 Tue, Sep 9 - Nov 18 (no class Sep 23), 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
• Online via Zoom; Sessions are recorded
• Maximum: 50; Fee: $150; Course ID: 4044
Finding Course Links in the Student Portal
OLLI members who register for online courses will find the Zoom links for their courses in their Student Portal at learnmore.duke.edu/olli.
See Finding Course Links for step-by-step instructions and a demonstration video.
Hands-On Art
Nature in Multimedia: Watercolor and Colored Pencil
IN PERSON: In this hands-on course, each class is divided into two parts. The first hour explores a different watercolor technique for creating dynamic backgrounds; the second hour is devoted to illustrating a natural subject of your choice using colored pencil. Subjects may include plants, animals, birds or insects. Reference materials will be provided if you don’t have one in mind. This course is intended for students with prior experience in both watercolor and colored pencil who can bring their own materials. Plan to bring to class: watercolors, colored pencils, paper and necessary tools. A complete list of materials will be available to those who register.
• Active Skill Learning.
Following a 31-year career at the North Carolina Botanical Garden, Dot Wilbur-Brooks has taught many popular hands-on illustration courses at OLLI since 2006. She has been teaching for over 25 years and drawing illustrations of plants for 50 years.
• 10 Thu, Sep 11 - Nov 20 (no class Oct 2), 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
• In person at Judea Reform Congregation
• Maximum: 12; Fee: $150; Course ID: 4059
Archiving the Family Album: Storytelling and Memories Through Photography
See listing on page 48.
Watercolor Cards: NC Birds
IN PERSON: If you have always thought it would be wonderful to paint in watercolors, but you have never tried it or never had great success, this course provides the opportunity to learn. This active, hands-on course offers highly individualized instruction. Every step will be demonstrated, as we work together to complete a series of greeting cards featuring birds of North Carolina. We will paint six to eight different watercolor cards suitable for mailing, framing or duplicating. We will not only paint a variety of birds, we will also use a variety of techniques to maximize your learning experience. No drawing skills are required because the drawings are provided to you. If you do not have your own materials, the instructor can provide the use of them for a fee (for in-class use only). Relax, it’s going to be fun! This course welcomes absolute beginners as well as accomplished painters. No experience is required. • Active Skill Learning.
Required supplies/fee: Students can access/rent the instructor’s for $35 (in class use only). The total cost of buying all your own supplies is about $400. If you are new to watercolor, we recommend renting from the instructor rather than investing immediately in your own set of supplies. For a detailed list of supplies used in class, and where to purchase, see learnmore@duke.edu/olli.
Carol Fynn is a certified master teacher and a professional watercolor artist who conducts demonstrations, sells paintings and teaches workshops across the U.S. and Europe. Known for her clear instruction and encouraging humor, she will guide you step by step, to ensure your success.
• 5 Wed, Sep 17 - Oct 15, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
• In person at Judea Reform Congregation
• Maximum: 10; Fee: $100; Course ID: 4084
Hands-On Art
Botanical Drawing for Beginners
ONLINE: Learn to draw plants with scientific accuracy and artistic sensitivity. In this beginner-friendly course, you will work from real botanical subjects (or photos) to create detailed, true-to-life illustrations. You’ll develop essential measuring skills using rulers and calipers to capture accurate proportions and dimensions, then translate the three-dimensional world onto paper. Instruction covers pencil sketching and pen-and-ink techniques, focusing on hatching, line weight, and tonal shading to create depth and texture. You’ll practice how to vary line pressure and thickness to suggest light and form. While technical precision is key, you will also train your eyes to observe subtle relationships — how petals, stems, and leaves relate in size and position — to build both your visual awareness and your confidence in drawing.
• Active Skill Learning.
Required supplies/fee: Registered students will receive recommendations from the instructor on where to purchase materials. Students will purchase materials independently for an estimated cost of $45. For additional information on supplies, please see the course details at learnmore@duke.edu/olli.
Cathy Boytos has spent years drawing botanical images and has taught many botanical drawing classes. She offers an easy-to-follow, step-by-step process that allows even the beginning artist to feel accomplished. She is an award-winning graphic designer and a CZT (certified Zentangle teacher), and has spent her life in the art field. She is also an accomplished colored pencil artist and instructor.
• 10 Thu, Sep 11 - Nov 20 (no class Oct 2), 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
• Online via Zoom; Sessions are recorded
• Maximum: 50; Fee: $150; Course ID: 3334
Inspired by Women Artists
IN PERSON: Discover a new female artist each week through engaging visuals and instructor demonstrations. In this hands-on course, you’ll explore the materials and techniques used by these artists — such as paint, collage, drawing, ink and printmaking — while creating your own mixed-media art journal. Along the way, you’ll learn about art history, experiment with various mediums and gain skills in assembling and binding a simple book structure. Artists featured are Frida Kahlo, Alma Thomas, Anni Albers, Louise Bourgeois and Hannah Höch.
• Facilitated discussion, Active Skill Learning.
Please note: Cellphones might come in handy for this course. Dress for an art experience or bring an apron.
Required supplies/fee: A $10 fee, payable to the instructor, will cover expendable art materials.
Catherine Cross Tsintzos is a retired museum educator. She has returned to North Carolina after living for 20 years in central Florida, where she provided educational programs with the Orlando Museum of Art and the former Rollins College STARS program.
• 5 Mon, Oct 13 - Nov 10, 9 - 10:30 a.m.
• In person at Judea Reform Congregation
• Maximum: 12; Fee: $75; Course ID: 4043
Introduction to Photoshop
See listing on page 46.
Hands-On Art
Intro to Sashiko
IN PERSON: Hana fukin are beautiful and functional traditional Japanese cloths meant for use in the kitchen. Using sashiko, a form of decorative embroidery, we will stitch our double-sided hana fukin samplers during class. Along the way, the instructor will share some of the history of this special handwork. Students will learn how to draw traditional patterns using a preprinted grid. Students may sample several sashiko threads to learn how thread weight and color affect the patterns. Students will also learn knotless techniques and how to choose the best technique for the pattern. Any stitching not finished during class time can be completed in between sessions. Later in the course, prep work will be assigned to make the most of our in-person class. Returning students can work with the instructor to create their own sampler or piece. • Active Skill Learning. Please note: Bring a pair of small scissors or snips to class.
Required supplies/fee: Students will purchase materials from the instructor for $50. See learnmore@duke.edu/olli for a list of supplies.
Recommended text:
• Susan Briscoe, “The Ultimate Sashiko Sourcebook” (9780896891869)
Elizabeth Hipps has been studying sashiko for 20 years. Initially, she was self-taught from several books. However, she has spent time learning from an instructor in Kyoto online and from Japanese sashiko masters in the U.S., when possible. Beyond sashiko, she deeply loves and appreciates Japanese textile techniques, including dyeing, weaving and traditional embroidery.
• 10 Wed, Sep 10 - Nov 12, 1:30 - 3 p.m.
• In person at Judea Reform Congregation
• Maximum: 15; Fee: $150; Course ID: 3868
History: Past & Present
Bread, Beer & World History: Agriculture’s Imprint on the Rise and Fall of Societies
IN PERSON: For most of human history, the daily caloric needs of nearly all populations were met through two cereal grain products: bread and beer. Rich in carbohydrates and ideal for fermentation, these staples played a foundational role in shaping early civilizations. This course examines the centrality of grainbased agriculture to the development, expansion and eventual decline of 10 major societies, from ancient Sumer to the modern era. We will explore how the management of soil nutrients and water influenced agricultural productivity and, by extension, societal power. Conversely, we will consider how environmental degradation and reduced crop yields contributed to political and economic collapse. Historical analysis will be complemented with optional tastings of bread and beer to illuminate their enduring cultural significance. • Facilitated discussion.
Please note: Optional bread and beer tastings will be offered in class.
Recommended text:
• Thomas R. Sinclair and Carol Janas Sinclair, “Bread, Beer, & The Seeds of Change” (9781845937041)
Tom Sinclair grew up on a farm and has been involved in field crop research for more than 50 years at locations around the world. He is a member of the faculty of NC State University. His wife, Carol, also grew up in a rural area and was a “foodie.” Their combined interests led them to explore the historic impact of human sustenance on world history. Tom will lead the course.
• 5 Tue, Oct 14 - Nov 11, 1:30 - 3 p.m.
• In person at Judea Reform Congregation
• Maximum: 12; Fee: $75; Course ID: 4020
History: Past & Present
Robert E. Lee: The Marble Man in Full
IN PERSON: This course explores the full arc of Robert E. Lee’s life — beyond the battlefield — through the lens of his family legacy, public service and personal convictions. One of the most prominent figures in American history, Lee descended from a distinguished line of Virginia aristocrats whose leadership helped shape the Colonial and Revolutionary War eras. While his role in the Civil War will be discussed, greater emphasis will be placed on Lee’s work as a civil engineer, prewar military officer and, later, educator and symbol of reconciliation in the postwar South. The course also offers a close look at Lee’s domestic life, including his marriage to Mary Custis (a great-granddaughter of Martha Washington), his children and the family’s connections to the early republic. Through lectures, documentary footage and live appearances by historical reenactors portraying members of the Lee family, participants will gain a fuller understanding of this complex and often mythologized figure. • Lecture + Q&A, Facilitated discussion.
Guest Speakers:
• Nora Brooks, impersonator of Mildred Lee, daughter of Robert E. Lee
• Marty Thompson, Civil War reenactor
Recommended texts:
• Charles B. Flood, “Lee. The Last Years” (9781111922191)
• Elizabeth Brown Pryor, “Reading the Man” (9780143113904)
• Captain Robert E. Lee Jr, “Recollections and Letters of Robert E. Lee” (9781434619266)
Billy Yeargin holds a Master of Arts and Liberal Studies from Duke and two certificates from the
University of Oxford, U.K., in European history, politics and society. He has taught OLLI courses since 1996, the first few years when it was DILR. He also has taught various courses related to culture, humanities and history as well as courses related to theology, history, humanities and public speaking in the North Carolina Community College system since 2004.
• 10 Mon, Sep 8 - Nov 10, 1:30 - 3 p.m.
• In person at Judea Reform Congregation
• Maximum: 25; Fee: $125; Course ID: 2731
Thomas Jefferson: The World That Made Him and the World He Made
IN PERSON: This course explores the complex life and legacy of Thomas Jefferson — Founding Father, revolutionary thinker and man of contradictions. We will place Jefferson within the world of 18th-century Virginia, in a society built on a slave-based economy, even as he embraced Enlightenment ideals of liberty, reason and human potential. Jefferson’s life spanned the Colonial era, the American Revolution and the early years of the republic, and his influence — as the principal author of the Declaration of Independence — still echoes every July 4th. Yet Jefferson’s legacy s not without controversy. His views on race and slavery and his role as a slaveholder have prompted renewed scrutiny, revealing both the limits of his time and the complexities of his character. Participants will examine how Jefferson shaped the young nation through his vision of republicanism, belief in civic virtue, religious tolerance and enduring curiosity across fields as varied as architecture, science and education. • Lecture + Q&A.
Ginger Wilson received her A.B., M.A.T. and Ph.D. degrees from Duke, where she taught courses for
History: Past & Present
students planning to enter the teaching profession. Ginger served as dean of humanities and instructor of history at the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics. While at NCSSM, she received a number of excellence in teaching awards.
• 8 Wed, Sep 10 - Oct 29, 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
• In person at Few Chapel, Croasdaile Village
• Maximum: 35; Fee: $110; Course ID: 4082
Jamestown, Virginia: A Struggling English Colony in a New Light
IN PERSON: From 1526 to 1607, 11 European colonies in North America failed. The colony in Jamestown, Virginia, nearly failed at least seven times. If it had, the United States as we know it would not exist. This lecture-based course will focus on the forces that drove England to attempt colonization in the New World and the pressures that both the English and Native Americans were under as Jamestown was settled. We will examine how various English narratives differed from the Native American narrative about what happened, including the tale of Pocahontas and Captain John Smith. We will look at how tobacco and the labor required to grow and export it on a commercial scale set the stage
for the indentured servitude of thousands of poor English people, as well as Atlantic Creoles from the Caribbean, and how that segued into the importation of enslaved labor from Africa. • Lecture + Q&A.
Please note: This course was originally offered in 2023, and has been updated with additional material.
Recommended texts:
• James Horn, “A Land as God Made It: Jamestown and the Birth of America” (9780465030958)
• Dr. Linwood Custalow, “The True Story of Pocahontas: the Other Side of History” (9781555916329)
• Captain John Smith, “Captain John Smith: Writings with Other Narratives of Roanoke, Jamestown, and the First English Settlement of America” (9781598530018)
Beverly Dowdy earned her master’s degree from Duke’s Graduate Liberal Studies program in 2019. Her thesis concerned 17th-century English promotional literature published to convince poor English people to immigrate to the Chesapeake. She taught a previous course on Jamestown in 2023, and the course Robinson Crusoe as Propaganda in 2024 for OLLI.
• 6 Mon, Sep 8 - Oct 13, 1:30 - 3 p.m.
• In person at Judea Reform Congregation
• Maximum: 40; Fee: $90; Course ID: 3648
Staying in Touch
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History: Past & Present
Empowered Voices: The Role of African American Women in Transforming Peace Movements
ONLINE: This course explores the vital but often overlooked role of African American women in shaping peace and justice movements through their involvement with the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) from 1915 to 1975. We will examine how the intersection of race, gender and activism informed their contributions and challenged dominant narratives within the organization. Students will study WILPF’s origins and mission, analyze how women of color confronted racism and sexism within peace work, and consider how their efforts expanded the scope of feminist and anti-war discourse. Through historical documents, case studies and discussion, the course will highlight how these activists not only advanced WILPF’s mission but also laid important groundwork for contemporary social justice movements. Participants will gain deeper insight into the complex relationships among feminism, anti-racism and global peace efforts. • Lecture + Q&A, Facilitated discussion.
Please note: A course pack with excerpts from the instructor’s book, “No Peace Without Freedom: Race and the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, 19151975,” along with many related articles will be shared with students.
Recommended text:
• Wilmette Brown, “Black Women and the Peace Movement” (9780905046266)
Joyce Blackwell earned B.A. and M.A. degrees in history from North Carolina Central University and a Ph.D. in women’s history with a concentration in African American female peace activism from the
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She was a tenured professor of history (teaching African American women’s history, U.S. women’s history, peace history) at UNC-Charlotte and NC Central University. She has authored a book and several articles on African American peace activism.
• 10 Thu, Sep 11 - Nov 20 (no class Oct 2), 6 - 7:15 p.m.
• Online via Zoom; Sessions are recorded
• Maximum: 24; Fee: $125; Course ID: 4032
Red, Purple and Blue: North Carolina’s
Confounding Politics
IN PERSON: How can a state be represented by Jesse Helms and John Edwards at the same time? How can that state elect Donald Trump and Josh Stein in the same year? How does it rank 43rd in K-12 education and first as a place to do business? And why is one street a city-maintained road while the next street over belongs to the state? In this course, we will address questions like these by delving into North Carolina’s political and governmental history. We will look at how the state’s political DNA makes it one of the nation’s foremost purple swing states. And we’ll look into our crystal balls to see where this growing, changing state is headed, especially after the historic 2024 election. The course will be presented in 10 lecture-style sessions, with plenty of opportunity for discussion and questions. • Lecture + Q&A.
Recommended texts:
• Rob Christensen, “The Paradox of Tar Heel Politics” (9780807871515)
• Christopher A. Cooper, “Anatomy of a Purple State” (9781469681719)
• Paul Luebke, “Tar Heel Politics 2000” (9780807847565)
History: Past & Present
Mike Woodard has been a student of and participant in North Carolina politics and government for 50 years, working for campaigns before he was a teenager. He served in the state Senate for 12 years and on the Durham City Council for seven years. He has held leadership roles on issues related to health care, transportation, energy and the environment, and was honored with Legislator of the Year awards by 19 different organizations. He holds degrees from Duke in economics and political science.
• 10 Thu, Sep 11 - Nov 20 (no class Oct 2), 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
• In person at Judea Reform Congregation
• Maximum: 50; Fee: $125; Course ID: 3922
Turning Point: The Origins of Modern U.S.-China Relations
IN PERSON: This course explores the pivotal year of 1949 and the key figures who shaped the modern relationship between the United States and China. As the Chinese Civil War ended in a Communist victory, American leaders faced difficult choices, and deep internal conflicts developed over how to respond. We’ll examine the roles and motivations of central players, including Harry Truman, Mao Zedong, Joseph Stalin, Chiang Kai-shek and Soong Mei-ling, General Douglas MacArthur and U.S. policymakers like Dean Acheson and Louis Johnson. Special attention will be paid to the ideological divisions within the U.S. foreign policy establishment and the political fallout that followed, including the infamous “Who lost China?” debate. Through selected readings (approximately 26 pages per session) and guided discussion, participants will gain a deeper understanding of how domestic politics, international tensions and personal rivalries shaped one of the most consequential diplo -
matic shifts of the 20th century. • Facilitated discussion.
Required text:
• Kevin Peraino, “A Force So Swift: Mao, Truman and the Birth of Modern China, 1949” (9780307887238)
Steve Valentin is retired from the Foreign Service after a 20-year career. He completed overseas assignments in U.S. missions in China and Taiwan for the State Department. During the OLLI Summer 2025 session, Steve taught the Western Encounters in China: 400 Years of Engagement in-person course. He earned an M.A. in international affairs at American University School of International Service and a B.A. in history and Chinese language and literature at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
• 10 Thu, Sep 11 - Nov 20 (no class Oct 2), 1:30 - 3 p.m.
• In person at Judea Reform Congregation
• Maximum: 15; Fee: $125; Course ID: 4083
Exploring the Holocaust: Through One Survivor’s Eyes
IN PERSON: This course offers a powerful and personal look at the Holocaust through the eyes of Abe Piasek, a remarkable survivor from Poland who was in three slave labor camps. Abe spent his final decade in Raleigh, where he shared his story with myriad audiences. Since Abe passed away, the instructor has shared Abe’s story over 150 times and with nearly 10,000 people; he is currently writing a book inspired by their friendship. The course begins with a presentation of Abe’s story, followed by a group discussion of the profound questions it raises. In subsequent sessions, students will shape the direction of the course by identifying the
History: Past & Present
parts of the story they find most compelling and want to explore as a group, realizing that no one course can cover it all. In the final session, each student will share an aspect of the Holocaust they plan to engage with in more depth, fostering continued reflection and personal engagement with this critical part of history. • Lecture + Q&A, Facilitated discussion.
Please note: Students may be asked to view some videos and/or read some short documents in preparation for some class meetings, depending on what topic is being discussed. There are no prerequisites, other than a desire to learn more about the Holocaust.
Steve Goldberg (B.A.,1990; M.A.T., 1995) taught high school students about history for 20-plus years. He has a law degree from Georgetown University and has written profiles of seven North Carolina Holocaust survivors. Steve became a serious student of the Holocaust after attending a weeklong residency at Appalachian State University, and he has devoted himself to learning more about the Holocaust over the past five years.
• 8 Wed, Sep 10 - Oct 29, 9 - 11 a.m.
• In person at Judea Reform Congregation
• Maximum: 25; Fee: $120; Course ID: 4036
London: A History From the 18th Century to the 1960s
IN PERSON: In this in-person course, we will explore the rich and complex history of one of the world’s greatest cities. London has long been a focal point of historical events and cultural achievements. Topics will include its iconic buildings, such as the Houses of Parliament; its famous residents, such as Charles Dickens and Queen Victoria; its groundbreaking engineering projects, such as the London Underground; and its cultural activities, such as in its theaters, museums and art galleries. This lecture-based course will include the vital contributions made by immigrants from across the globe, and will not ignore shameful issues, such as the enduring challenges of poverty and crime, and the part London played in the slave trade. Students will gain a deeper appreciation for London’s role in shaping history, culture and society, both in the U.K. and worldwide. As Samuel Johnson famously said, “When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford.” • Lecture + Q&A.
If enrolling in a course that meets In person, please review the In-Person Guidelines before registering.
Fall 2025 Registration
Registration opens on Tuesday, August 19, at 9 a.m. ET for Monday and Tuesday courses and on Wednesday, August 20, at 9 a.m. ET for Wednesday and Thursday courses.
Margaret Brill was the British history librarian at Duke. She was also head of reference, maps librarian, and librarian for medieval and Renaissance studies at different times. Margaret has a bachelor’s in history from the University of London, a master’s in library science from NC Central University and a master’s in liberal studies from Duke, with a focus on social history. This is Margaret’s 15th course for OLLI.
• 8 Tue, Sep 16 - Nov 11 (no class Sep 23), 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
• In person at Judea Reform Congregation
• Maximum: 35; Fee: $120; Course ID: 4051
History: Past & Present
From British to U.S. Hegemony
IN PERSON: There has been only one peaceful transfer of hegemonic power: the passage from British to American dominance of the international order. What made that transition uniquely cooperative and nonviolent? Does it offer lessons to guide U.S. policy today? To answer these questions, we will examine seven cases: the Monroe Doctrine, the Oregon boundary dispute, the American Civil War, the Spanish-American War, World War I, the Washington Naval Treaties and World War II. We will conclude by assessing the possibility of a peaceful transition from American hegemony to that of another nation. Students will be expected to read approximately 35 pages each week and actively participate in class discussions. • Facilitated discussion.
Required text:
• Dr. Kori Schake, “Safe Passage: The Transition from British to American Hegemony” (9870674975071)
Richard Melanson enjoyed a 38-year academic career at UCLA, Kenyon College, Brown University and the National War College. He received a Ph.D. in international relations from Johns Hopkins University and has published several books and articles on American foreign policy. He has been an instructor at OLLI since 2016.
• 8 Wed, Sep 10 - Nov 5 (no class Oct 8), 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
• In person at Judea Reform Congregation
• Maximum: 15; Fee: $120; Course ID: 4039
Philosophy and Political Rule
ONLINE: This lecture-based course continues the exploration of moral and political philosophy begun in the Spring 2025 session, which traced the influence of thinkers from Plato to Immanuel Kant on modern political thought. The fall session shifts focus to key developments from the 18th century to the present. We’ll examine early American democratic ideals in the Federalist Papers and Alexis de Tocqueville; conservative political philosophy in Edmund Burke; utilitarian liberalism in John Stuart Mill; and dialectical-historical approaches in Friedrich Hegel and Karl Marx. We’ll then turn to existentialist political thought in Friedrich Nietzsche and Hannah Arendt; explore neoliberal theories in John Rawls; and conclude with postmodern critiques of power and knowledge in Jacques Derrida and Michel Foucault. No prior course is required; new and returning students are welcome. • Lecture + Q&A.
Please note: Registered students will receive access to documents on the instructor’s website.
William Davidshofer holds a Ph.D. in political science from the University of Notre Dame. Since finishing a 42-year teaching career in the University of Maine System and retiring to Durham, he has taught numerous courses for OLLI. He has two published works in the Duke library, the most recent being “Marxism and the Leninist Revolutionary Model.” He specializes in the philosophical foundations of political rule.
• 10 Wed, Sep 10 - Nov 12, 1:30 - 2:45 p.m.
• Online via Zoom; Sessions are recorded
• Maximum: 25; Fee: $125; Course ID: 4064
Visit our Online Learning website for helpful hints and tips for Zoom.
Literature & Languages
Exploring Mysteries: Learn About Mystery and Crime Fiction
ONLINE: Everyone loves a good whodunit, and this course will crack the case! Dive into the rich history of mystery and crime fiction, from the genre’s origins with Edgar Allan Poe to the work of modern bestselling authors like James Patterson. We’ll explore the essential elements that drive the plot, suspense and intrigue, while examining how the setting shapes the atmosphere and how authors craft memorable characters, suspects and villains. Along the way, we’ll unpack popular tropes — are they helpful or overused? — and explore subgenres such as thrillers, tales of espionage, historical mysteries, horror and cozy mysteries. Guest speakers, including Thomas Kies, author of the Geneva Chase Crime Reporter Mysteries, will share their insights on the craft. • Lecture + Q&A, Active Skill Learning.
Guest Speakers:
• Thomas Kies, author of the Geneva Chase Crime Reporter Mysteries
• Phyllis Demko, OLLI at NC State University instructor
• P.M. Raymond, award-winning horror author
Sara E. Johnson is the author of the Alexa Glock Forensics Mysteries. The fifth book in the series, “The Hungry Bones,” was published in June 2024. Sara, a former reading specialist, lives in Durham, North Carolina. She is a graduate of the Durham Citizens Police Academy, is past president of Triangle Sisters in Crime and belongs to the North Carolina Writers’ Network. She teaches mystery classes for OLLI at NC State University and OLLI at Duke.
• 6 Wed, Oct 8 - Nov 12, 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
• Online via Zoom; Sessions are recorded
• Maximum: 50; Fee: $90; Course ID: 4035
John Donne and William Blake: Selected Poems
ONLINE: John Donne (1572-1631), the greatest of the 17th-century metaphysical poets, and William Blake (1757-1827), a major English Romantic poet, were of different literary eras yet share striking similarities. Both poets explore spiritual themes, and both are known for an innovative use of language. Donne’s metaphysical conceits and Blake’s imagery and symbolism stand apart from their contemporaries'. Donne’s poems are highly imaginative with unusual and sometimes shocking comparisons. For Blake, the world of sense was only a shadow of the eternal world. Donne is known for his love poems. Donne was religious and formally educated. Appointed dean of St. Paul’s Cathedral, Donne was a great preacher of his day. Blake, lacking much formal education, was deeply spiritual and a mystic who believed his poems were dictated by heavenly powers, but was not associated with the church and not a public figure. In his last decades, Blake, although happy, was misunderstood and obscure. • Facilitated discussion.
Please note: Class time will mostly be devoted to careful analysis of poems that students will have read at home, resulting in a mature understanding of the poems. Students should acquire any Norton Critical Edition of Donne and Blake.
Required texts:
• John Donne, “John Donne’s Poetry” (9780393926484)
• William Blake, “Blake’s Poetry and Designs” (9780393924985)
Harry Brown holds degrees in English from Davidson College, Appalachian State University and Ohio
Literature & Languages
University. After teaching for 43 years at Eastern Kentucky University, he returned to North Carolina and has taught/co-taught 16 literature courses for OLLI. He has published six poetry collections and co-edited an anthology of Kentucky writing.
Preston Martin received his undergraduate degree from Ohio University and a Master of Arts in Teaching from the College of Charleston. He retired from both business and education and has published poems in numerous journals and anthologies. He has been a student or instructor at OLLI for over a dozen years.
• 10 Thu, Sep 11 - Nov 20 (no class Oct 2), 3:30 - 5 p.m.
• Online via Zoom
• Maximum: 15; Fee: $125; Course ID: 4047
Modern European Drama:
From Ibsen’s “Hedda Gabler” to Beckett’s “Waiting for Godot”
IN PERSON: In Europe, the period of literary modernism (ca. 1880 to ca. 1960) produced an extraordinarily rich canon of drama, one that revolutionized the moribund tradition of 19th-century melodrama, transformed and expanded the very possibilities of theater, and bequeathed to us numerous plays that remain central to today’s global repertoire. In this course, students will read a play per week by one of several playwrights who cover a broad spectrum of the national traditions and theatrical movements that defined modern European drama: Henrik Ibsen, Alfred Jarry, Anton Chekhov, George Bernard Shaw, August Strindberg, Georg Büchner, Luigi Pirandello, Federico García Lorca, Bertolt Brecht and Samuel Beckett. Historical, social and literary contexts, including different versions of the avant-garde and
reconceptualizations of comedy and tragedy, will be discussed. However, class discussions will focus more generally on the thematic concerns and formal innovations that developed during this period. • Lecture + Q&A, Facilitated discussion.
Please note: Occasional film screenings may be arranged, depending on student interest and the availability of a suitable space.
Required texts:
• Craig S. Walker and Jennifer Wise (Eds.), “The Broadview Anthology of Drama, Vol. 2: The Nineteenth and Twentieth-Centuries” (9781551115825)
• Federico García Lorca, “Three Plays: Blood Wedding; Yerma; The House of Bernarda Alba” (9780374523329)
• Luigi Pirandello, “Six Characters in Search of an Author” (9780451526885)
Charles Joseph Del Dotto received his undergraduate education at Princeton University and holds master’s and doctoral degrees in English from Duke University, specializing in Renaissance English drama and modern British drama. Since 2014, he has taught over 20 courses for OLLI, including single-author courses focused on Ibsen, Chekhov, Shaw, Pirandello and Beckett.
• 10 Mon, Sep 8 - Nov 10, 9 - 10:30 a.m.
• In person at Judea Reform Congregation
• Maximum: 17; Fee: $125; Course ID: 4054
Visit our Online Learning website for helpful hints and tips for Zoom.
Zoom Basics & Refresher Thursday, August 21, at 10 a.m. ET.
See page 3.
Literature & Languages
Grappling With “Gatsby”: Seeing “The Great Gatsby” With Fresh Eyes
IN PERSON: The centenary of “The Great Gatsby” seems an opportune time to speculate about why F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel continues to fascinate readers. Why has the short novel that contemporary reviewers dismissed as “painfully forced, “no more than a glorified anecdote” and “a dud” become a classroom staple, inspired numerous stage and film adaptations, and spawned an increasing number of books and articles? Looking for answers, we will consider the cultural changes and social dynamics of the 1920s embodied in “The Great Gatsby” that have unmistakable contemporary parallels. Much of the course will be devoted to close textual analysis of Fitzgerald’s artistry and organization of his materials. We also will analyze selected film clips. Readers well acquainted with Fitzgerald and those who,
like the novel’s narrator, are new to the novel’s fictional terrain should come away with new clarity about why “The Great Gatsby” continues to endure in our country’s literary landscape. • Facilitated discussion.
Please note: Students are free to use any edition of “The Great Gatsby.”
Required text:
• F. Scott Fitzgerald, “The Great Gatsby” (9798745274824)
Marjorie Lancaster graduated from Duke and did graduate work in English at Tulane University. She taught high school English for over 30 years during which time she was honored to be designated Teacher of the Year at the Chapel Hill-Carrboro school district. Since retiring, she has taken and taught numerous OLLI courses. For her, the ideal course is fueled by curiosity and preparation and is energized by lively discussions marked by diverse views.
New to OLLI at Duke? We invite you to join us for an in-person New Member Welcome Event hosted by OLLI leadership and volunteers. See page 11
OLLI Member Social
Tuesday, October 21 • 4 - 6 p.m. (ET) • Hilton Garden Inn Durham
Join us for a late afternoon of connection and conversation at our OLLI Member Social at the Hilton Garden Inn Durham, 2102 W Main Street, just down the block from Parizade. See page 11
Literature & Languages
Much Ado About Nothing: Shakespeare and the Comedy of Forgiveness
ONLINE: “Thou and I are too wise to woo peaceably.” Join a seasoned instructor for an uplifting online course exploring Shakespeare’s masterful midcareer comedy “Much Ado About Nothing.” Our initial sessions will investigate Elizabethan performance traditions and rhetorical tools from Barry Edelstein’s “Thinking Shakespeare.” So armed, we will dive into the language of each act as an actor or director would, getting the words into our mouths and experiencing the characters from the inside out. In doing so, we will discover how Shakespeare’s language creates characters, and how the movement of those characters leads not just to laughter but to redemption, in this hilarious and soul-stirring “comedy of forgiveness.” • Lecture + Q&A.
Please note: If you are acquiring the play, the Folger or Arden edition is recommended, but if you have a different edition there is no call to buy another.
Recommended Texts:
• Barry Edelstein, “Thinking Shakespeare” (9781559365741)
• William Shakespeare, “Much Ado About Nothing” (9780743482752)
Ian Finley holds an MFA in playwriting and screenwriting from the Tisch School of Arts at New York University. He has taught for Southern Methodist University, Burning Coal Theatre Company, OLLI at NC State and over 30 North Carolina schools. Ian is also a working playwright, and served as the 2012 Piedmont laureate. His play “Native” was recently adapted for film as “The Problem of the Hero,” now streaming online.
• 8 Mon, Sep 22 - Nov 10, 6 - 7:15 p.m.
• Online via Zoom; Sessions are recorded
• Maximum: 70; Fee: $100; Course ID: 4055
Writings of Natasha Trethewey: Life Into Art
IN PERSON: Literary critics have long examined the influence of authors’ lives on the works they create. While a memoir is the most straightforward example, personal experiences inspire poetry as well. Two-term poet laureate and Pulitzer Prize-winner Natasha Trethewey’s portfolio focuses heavily on both personal and historical topics — a complex weaving of the individual with culture. In this course, we will consider the evolution of her work. We’ll begin by reading her memoir, “Memorial Drive,” which recounts the murder of Trethewey’s mother by her stepfather. We will then sample the breadth of her poetry, with selections from her first collection, “Domestic Work,” and her more recent work found in “Monument.” We’ll consider the many ways in which her life fuels her art. Discussions will address content, theme, craft and social value/relevance. This course is designed for lovers of literature and for practicing poets. • Facilitated discussion.
Required Texts by Natasha Trethewey:
• “Memorial Drive” (9780062248589)
• “Native Guard” (9780618872657)
• “Thrall” (9780544586208)
• “Monument” (9780358118237)
Lavonne J. Adams has an M.A. in English and an MFA in creative writing. She is an award-winning educator who taught at the university level for over 20 years. Her publications include an award-winning poetry collection, two chapbooks and over 150 individual poems. This will be her fourth OLLI teaching adventure.
• 8 Tue, Sep 9 - Nov 4 (no class Sep 23), 9 - 10:30 a.m.
• In person at Judea Reform Congregation
• Maximum: 12; Fee: $120; Course ID: 4086
Literature & Languages
Charla en Español
ONLINE: This course offers Spanish conversation practice to advanced beginners and intermediate speakers who are looking to build their confidence and fluency. It is not a traditional instructional course, but rather a space to engage in weekly charlas — informal discussions conducted primarily in Spanish. Each week, students will receive brief readings, videos or other materials to review ahead of class. These assignments will serve as the basis for guided conversation during class. Participants should have a foundational knowledge of Spanish and be ready to speak in Spanish on the assigned topic. The instructor will facilitate the discussions, helping students expand their vocabulary, improve their listening skills and gain ease in real-time conversation. All materials will be distributed via email. This course is ideal for learners eager to practice speaking in a supportive, interactive environment. • Facilitated discussion.
Please note: Charlas are primarily in Spanish with minimal English spoken. This course meets two times a week.
Beatrice Parker is a two-time graduate of UNCChapel Hill, having received both her B.A. and M.S.W. there. She has over two decades of experience as a bilingual interpreter and translator. Additionally, she has taught Spanish virtually since 2020. Beatrice believes in providing opportunities for people to connect, and one of her favorite ways to connect people is through Spanish.
• 7 Tue/Thu, Sep 9 - Oct 30 (14 sessions) (no class Sep 23), 1:30 - 2:45 p.m.
• Online via Zoom
• Maximum: 12; Fee: $140; Course ID: 4022
Le château de ma mère: relations familiales, amicales et société
ONLINE: Taught entirely in French, this course invites students on a literary journey through Marcel Pagnol’s vivid childhood memories in early 20th-century Provence. Centered on “Le Château de ma mère,” Pagnol’s autobiographical novel, the course explores themes of family, friendship, coming of age and social class. The natural beauty of Provence serves as both setting and symbol, offering escape from everyday life. Through reading, discussion and selected film clips from the acclaimed movie adaptation of the book, students will deepen their understanding of the Third Republic era and its cultural tensions. This course offers a rich immersion in language, literature and French society of the time. • Facilitated discussion.
Please note: A high-intermediate French level is required to be able to participate in the course. Registered students will receive access to documents on the instructor’s website.
Required Text:
• Marcel Pagnol, “Le Château de ma mère” (9782877065085)
Claire Davidshofer was born in Côte d’Ivoire. Back in France, she lived with her family in Toulon, and became well acquainted with Provence, hiking in the garrigue with her father to pick plants. She came to appreciate the beauty of nature, where she escaped the worries of daily life. She graduated from the Université d’Aix-en-Provence with a master’s degree in English and American literature. At the University of Maine at Presque Isle, she taught many diverse French courses.
• 10 Thu, Sep 11 - Nov 20 (no class Oct 2), 1:30 - 2:45 p.m.
• Online via Zoom; Sessions are recorded
• Maximum: 12; Fee: $125; Course ID: 4048
Performing Arts
All About Comedy
ONLINE: Just in time for Halloween, we begin this course with: Ha! Aah!!! The Painful Relationship Between Humor and Horror Examples ranging from Sigmund Freud and Immanuel Kant to Abbott and Costello show how these genres share a mordant view of our relationship to pain, an obsession with the human body and its multifarious fluids, and a subtext of death and transcendence underlying the eviscerated flesh and vomit gags. Next comes Comedy vs. the Apocalypse, which looks at how humans use humor in terrible times to affirm that the purpose of life is to do more than just survive. We’ll see how comedy has always laughed at tragedy — from the Black Death to the Holocaust and 9/11 — and how humor can help get us to tomorrow. Finally, The Secret Life of Jokes. From Henny Youngman’s one-liners to the epically filthy The Aristocrats, every joke ever told shows how comedy works, using the same basic components as all art forms: tension and resolution, pattern recognition, misdirection and surprise. • Lecture + Q&A.
David Misch is a former comedian, screenwriter (“Mork & Mindy,” “The Muppets Take Manhattan,” “Saturday Night Live”), author (“Funny: The Book”), teacher (courses on comedy and musical satire) and lecturer at Yale University, Columbia University, Oxford University, the Smithsonian, Raindance Film Festival (London), CineStudio Paris, University of Sydney, VIEW Conference (Torino), American Film Institute, Grammy Museum and lifelong learning programs around the country.
• 3 Tue, Oct 28 - Nov 11, 1:30 - 2:45 p.m.
• Online via Zoom
• Maximum: 200; Fee: $45; Course ID: 4014
Five Important Documentaries
IN PERSON: What makes a documentary powerful? In this course, we’ll explore five culturally significant films to uncover the essential elements of effective nonfiction storytelling. Through screenings and alternating discussion weeks, we’ll examine how each film succeeds in areas such as subject matter, authenticity, emotional impact, narrative structure and audience resonance. Films to be discussed are “To Be and To Have” (2002), “Genius Within: The Inner Life of Glenn Gould” (2009), “My Name Is Salt” (2013), “I Am Not Your Negro” (2016) and “The Silence of Others” (2018). Join us for a deep dive into the craft and impact of documentary filmmaking. • Lecture + Q&A, Facilitated discussion.
Mark Spano is a writer, filmmaker, television producer and lecturer. His documentary “Sicily: Land of Love and Strife” was released in the U.S. and Canada, was presented at the Toronto Italian Film Festival and aired in the U.S. and Europe. He has produced documentaries and television series for public television. Mark has been a visiting lecturer at East Carolina University and NC State University. He has lectured around the U.S. and Canada and for several OLLIs.
• 10 Thu, Sep 11 - Nov 20 (no class Oct 2), 1:30 - 3 p.m.
• In person at Judea Reform Congregation
• Maximum: 40; Fee: $125; Course ID: 4038
Fall 2025 Registration
Registration opens on Tuesday, August 19, at 9 a.m. ET for Monday and Tuesday courses and on Wednesday, August 20, at 9 a.m. ET for Wednesday and Thursday courses.
Performing Arts
The Brill Building: Its Amazing Sound and Legacy
ONLINE: The Brill Building era is that fantastic period in the 1950s and 1960s when the best popular music was mass-produced by a young generation of great talents like Phil Spector, Carole King, Neil Diamond, Don Kirshner, Neil Sedaka, Burt Bacharach, and Leiber and Stoller. Songs from this era include “Be My Baby,” “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’,” “Save the Last Dance for Me,” “Hound Dog,” “The Loco-Motion” and “Do Wah Diddy Diddy.” We all grew up with this music, and there are many great stories behind these songs. Our virtual journey will be full of anecdotes and audiovisuals about this unique moment in the history of the music industry. • Lecture + Q&A.
Recommended Text:
• Ken Emerson, “Always Magic in the Air” (9780143037774)
Emanuel Abramovits has been a concert promoter since 2000, directly involved in many international artists’ events. He designed and staged many original orchestral events, including an Event of the Year winner, and several world premieres. He served as the cultural director at Union Israelita de Caracas from 2008 to 2019, releasing books and organizing concerts and art exhibits. He has been teaching online and in person across the U.S. since 2020, including teaching many classes on film music.
• 6 Wed, Sep 10 - Oct 15, 9 - 10:15 a.m.
• Online via Zoom; Sessions are recorded
• Maximum: 200; Fee: $90; Course ID: 4074
Music of the Circle: Building Community in the Moment
IN PERSON: This course is for anyone who wants to be more confident, connected and open to new creative pathways in their lives. Music of the Circle is a collective musical improvisation that playfully blends voices, body percussion and movement. It uses simple musical games, led by a facilitator and linked together in a flow that encourages cooperation and builds community. Offered in a safe, judgment-free space, it is based on the work of Bobby McFerrin and Brazil’s Música do Círculo Institute. No experience is required. Music of the Circle is accessible to beginners and may challenge those with musical experience. • Active Skill Learning.
Please note: Please wear comfortable clothes/shoes and bring a water bottle.
Eric Bannan is a vocal explorer, songwriter and storyteller with over 45 years of performing experience. He has been called to heal, bring joy and build community with music. He travels the world to learn from different cultures and has studied with Bobby McFerrin and Brazil’s Música do Circulo Institute. He regularly teaches in arts centers, libraries, worship communities, festivals and parks.
• 9 Thu, Sep 11 - Nov 13 (no class Oct 2), 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
• In person at Judea Reform Congregation
• Maximum: 15; Fee: $125; Course ID: 4057
Visit our Online Learning website for helpful hints and tips for Zoom.
Zoom Basics & Refresher Thursday, August 21, at 10 a.m. ET. See page 3
Performing Arts
Musicals 101: Broadway in the 21st Century
ONLINE: Broadway’s first 20 seasons of the 21st century were bookended by the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center and the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. During that time, 269 musicals opened on Broadway. In this course, we’ll look at several overall trends during this period: the mix of new works and revivals; the dominant genres, such as screen-to-stage adaptations and “jukebox musicals”; and original musicals not based on preexisting scores. We will also explore some of the controversies that emerged in this particular era of Broadway history. In addition to the broad trends, we’ll focus on several of the composers and lyricists who created major works during this time. In each class, we’ll closely study at least one memorable musical that exemplifies the trends and controversies. Possible focus musicals are “The Producers,” “Hairspray,” “Wicked,” “Jersey Boys,” “The Book of Mormon,” “Dear Evan Hansen,” “Come From Away” and “Hadestown.” Class is primarily lecture and video clips with Q&A. • Lecture + Q&A.
Recommended Text:
• Michael Kantor & Laurence Mason, “Broadway: The American Musical” (9781493047673)
Alan Teasley began his career as a high school English and drama teacher and served as an administrator in the Durham Public Schools for over 20 years. He also directed Duke’s Master of Arts in Teaching program for three years. He is an avid theatergoer with a particular interest in American musicals. This will be his 18th course on musicals for OLLI.
• 10 Thu, Sep 11 - Nov 20 (no class Oct 2), 9 - 10:15 a.m.
• Online via Zoom; Sessions are recorded
• Maximum: 200; Fee: $125; Course ID: 4058
Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes: A Revolution in the Arts
ONLINE: In 1909, Sergei Diaghilev brought the Ballets Russes, a company of premier Russian artists, to Paris, then the undisputed center of the Western artistic world. It instantly became a central focus for Parisian high society, artists, the press, the intelligentsia and students, and a seminal force in dance, music and art. Through Diaghilev’s uncanny ability to recognize great talent among the young artists of his time, and by providing choreographers, composers and artists an electric environment of imagination and ideas, the Ballets Russes was a creative collaborative forum for the avant-garde for 20 years. This course provides an outline of the Ballets Russes’ productions through lecture, PowerPoint and film, emphasizing their collaborative nature. The key artists, such as Vaslav Nijinsky, Igor Stravinsky, Pablo Picasso and George Balanchine, will be studied in terms of their contributions to Diaghilev’s productions and their importance as seminal figures in their own fields.
• Lecture + Q&A.
Barbara Dickinson, professor emerita of the practice of dance at Duke, served as dance program director for 18 years and faculty member for 34. A dancer and choreographer, she has pursued collaboration in artistic projects all her life and created many large-scale, collaborative works. She has taught courses in ballet and modern dance history, and published articles in MDPI’s Arts (2024) and Dance Chronicle, on Margie Gillis (2018), as well as a chapter in the book “Staging Age” (2010).
• 10 Mon, Sep 8 - Nov 10, 1:30 - 2:45 p.m.
• Online via Zoom; Sessions are recorded
• Maximum: 200; Fee: $125; Course ID: 4029
Performing Arts
Mallarmé Music: Preconcert Talk for Fall Series Concerts
IN PERSON: Join Mallarmé Music for two engaging preconcert sessions that offer a behind-the-scenes look at the ensemble’s fall performances. Each session will explore the repertoire, the programming process and the broader concept of chamber music. Led by artistic director Suzanne Rousso and a featured guest artist, the discussions will deepen your appreciation for the music and its context. The concerts are as follows: Concert 1 (September 14, 3 p.m., Nelson Music Room, East Campus, Duke University, Durham), Flute Fems, a celebration of music for flute and flute ensemble by and about women; and Concert 2 (October 28, 7 p.m., Carolina Theatre), “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari,” a 1920 silent film screening with live chamber music featuring an original score by Eric Schwartz. Come discover what makes chamber music so dynamic and compelling. • Lecture + Q&A.
Guest Speakers:
• Carla Copeland-Burns, flute, adjunct instructor at Duke
• Special guest from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts
Required supplies/fee: Participants will be able to purchase tickets for a discount ($25 each).
Suzanne Rousso, violist, is artistic director of Mallarmé Music, Durham’s own chamber music ensemble. The ensemble is known as one of the region’s most diverse collectives of musicians, performing music ranging from Renaissance pieces using period instruments to brand new contemporary compositions. Her previous administrative and educational engagements included director of operations and education for the Port-
land Symphony Orchestra and director of education for the North Carolina Symphony.
• 2 Thu, Sep 11 & Oct 23, 1:30 - 3 p.m.
• In person at Judea Reform Congregation
• Maximum: 25; Fee: $30; Course ID: 4052
NC Symphony Live!
An Orchestra of Life Experience
IN PERSON: Get ready to be swept away by the world of the symphony orchestra in this engaging and unique perspective on a three-part Orchestra of Life experience. Whether you’re a seasoned concertgoer or new to classical music, this course will expand your awareness of the world of a symphony orchestra. In this course, you’ll dive into the North Carolina Symphony’s September 19-20, 2025, performances. Session 1, in class, will introduce you to the program and the experience of listening awareness. Session 2 is the main event, the North Carolina Symphony live. In Session 3, back in the classroom, we’ll share our reactions, insights and stories. Don’t miss this chance to feel the pulse of the orchestra, connect with fellow music lovers and be part of a musical journey that will resonate long after the final note. Performance features include: Samuel Barber, Overture to “The School for Scandal”; Sergei Rachmaninoff, Piano Concerto No. 4; Antonín Dvořák: Symphony No. 9, “From the New World.”
• Lecture + Q&A, Facilitated discussion, Active Skill Learning.
Please note: Participants will need a ticket to the North Carolina Symphony’s September 19 or 20, 2025, performance at Meymandi Concert Hall in Raleigh. Season
Performing Arts
ticket holders are welcome, or you can secure individual tickets for either date through the North Carolina Symphony website (www.ncsymphony.org). You’ll attend the concert on your own, joining fellow participants for a lively discussion afterward at the final class session.
Ben Wechsler studied horn, piano and pipe organ from an early age. He served as choir director and pipe organist for 22 congregations over 47 years. Ben holds three degrees: a B.S. in music education from the University of Illinois, a Master of Music Education from Indiana University and a Master of Music in Opera and Musical Theater Accompanying from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. He has a horn studio in Chapel Hill and is an active member of the Duke University Chapel Choir.
• 2 Wed, Sep 10 - 24 (no class Sep 17), 1:30 - 3:30 p.m.
• In person at Judea Reform Congregation
• Maximum: 20; Fee: $30; Course ID: 4061
Opera Unmasked: An Immersive Journey Into Four Masterpieces
IN PERSON: No prior knowledge of music or opera is needed for this engaging exploration of four beloved operas: “Carmen,” “La Traviata,” “The Marriage of Figaro” and “Madame Butterfly.” Taught by an instructor with firsthand experience performing in each of these works, the course aims to spark joy and curiosity while preparing students to experience opera more deeply — whether they are attending live performances or watching them from home. Through guided listening, video excerpts, open discussion and behind-the-scenes insights into rehearsal and production, participants will gain a richer understanding of the art form.
A guest speaker from the professional opera world will also share his perspective. With a small group format, the course encourages reflection, conversation and plenty of room for personal engagement. • Facilitated discussion.
Please note: Please bring a notebook for note taking and logistics information. This class relies on discussion and interaction. Masks are required for those who are symptomatic.
Required Text:
• David Pogue and Scott Speck, “Opera for Dummies” (9780764550102)
Recommended Texts:
• Rudolph Fellner, “Opera Themes and Plots" (for those who read treble clef) (9780671212155)
• Fred Plotkin, “Opera 101: A Complete Guide to Learning and Loving Opera” (9780786880256)
Margaret Maytan is passionate about opera and has been a member of the North Carolina Opera chorus for 15 years and in two companies before that. Her background includes: a combined B.A. in music and M.A. in musicology; lecturing in music history at high school and university levels; training and experience in guiding learning in a small group setting; performance experience, professionally and at an amateur level, in voice, piano, viola. She is a graduate of a Duke medical specialty residency.
• 6 Thu, Sep 11 - Oct 23 (no class Oct 2), 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
• In person at Judea Reform Congregation
• Maximum: 14; Fee: $90; Course ID: 4063
Performing Arts
Music Genres: Rock, Broadway, Country
IN PERSON: This course will examine several music genres focusing on some of the brightest stars in entertainment. Through the use of video clips and recordings, we will study the story of these superstars. We will learn about the life and rise to stardom of such entertainers and bands as Billy Joel, The Beatles and Barbra Streisand. We will also look at some of the prominent women in country music. Some of our favorite Broadway shows will be highlighted as well in this course. Students will gain an appreciation for different types of music and for the singers presented in this course. • Lecture + Q&A.
Stan Darer earned a B.A. in economics from Lehman College in the Bronx. After a 38-year career in the electrical supply industry with Graybar Electric Company, Stan and Nadine moved to Raleigh to be near family. Stan serves on the Board of Trustees as vice president of membership at Temple Beth Or. He presently is an instructor for the OLLI programs at NC State and Duke. In 2017, Stan was given the Volunteer of the Year Award at OLLI at NC State. He makes presentations to many communities.
• 6 Tue, Sep 30 - Nov 4, 9 - 10:30 a.m.
• In person at Judea Reform Congregation
• Maximum: 30; Fee: $90; Course ID: 4056
Registration FAQs
To make your registration experience as smooth as possible, we have put together a frequently asked questions guide. At OLLI at Duke FAQs you will find answers to questions on membership, courses, Zoom and technology and registration.
Meet the New Musical Artists: Fresh Voices in Blues, Rock, Jazz & More
IN PERSON: We all have our favorite musical icons from the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s — Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Joni Mitchell, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder and so many others. But a new generation of talented artists is making waves in blues, country, rock, jazz and soul, and they’re well worth a listen. This course introduces you to some of today’s most compelling singers, such as Billie Eilish, Lana Del Rey, Noah Kahan, Dua Lipa, Samara Joy and Leon Bridges. Through listening sessions, video clips and lively discussion, we’ll explore what makes these artists stand out, and how they are connected to the legends you already love. You will also be invited to share your own favorite discoveries. Expect engaging conversations, spirited debates and maybe even a few new favorites to add to your playlist. Your grandchildren just might be impressed. • Facilitated discussion.
Please note: It is highly recommended that students subscribe to a music streaming service such as Apple Music or Spotify. This way, we can listen to and share music playlists from the course.
Marc Shapiro has been an avid music fan since his teenage years, with a special interest in rock and soul music. He has seen live performances by legends such as James Brown, Otis Redding, Led Zeppelin and Bob Dylan. He has taught several OLLI courses on topics related to popular music, including The Music of Van Morrison, A Celebration of Soul Music and A Few of Our Favorite Songs.
• 8 Tue, Sep 9 - Oct 28, 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
• In person at Judea Reform Congregation
• Maximum: 25; Fee: $120; Course ID: 4053
Performing Arts
NC Rocks! Key Bands From
the 1980s to Today
IN PERSON: North Carolina has long been a hotbed for innovative rock music. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Chapel Hill rose to national prominence as a center for alternative rock, rivaling even Athens, Georgia, home of R.E.M. and The B-52s. Soon, WinstonSalem, Raleigh, Durham and Charlotte added their own voices to the scene, driven by vibrant college communities and a dynamic youth culture. This course explores standout acts from across the decades, from the raw energy of Flat Duo Jets and the smart pop of The dB’s to the chart success of Ben Folds Five. We’ll also look at newer voices like Durham’s Delta Rae and the prolific Mountain Goats. Along the way, you’ll discover both celebrated and lesser-known North Carolina artists who’ve shaped the sound and spirit of rock. Expect plenty of surprises, new favorites and a deeper appreciation for our state’s rich musical legacy. • Lecture + Q&A.
Guest Speaker:
• Daniel Scheft is a skilled musician who sings and plays drums. He will be joining select classes to illustrate certain types of music and musical techniques.
Drumming in rock bands since 1965, Tom Scheft still bashes about on his red-swirl Slingerland kit (circa 1966). Now retired, he was a professor in the English Department and School of Education at NC Central University. Part of rock lore himself, in 1967, his first band, The Rising Storm, printed 500 copies of a vanity album and sold them for $3 each; by 1981, they were collector’s items. In 2023, the band was inducted into the Music Museum of New England. His current band is The Rizz Kings.
• 10 Tue, Sep 9 - Nov 18 (no class Sep 23), 1:30 - 3 p.m.
• In person at Judea Reform Congregation
• Maximum: 20; Fee: $125; Course ID: 4060
The History of Rock
ONLINE: This course explores the cultural and musical roots of rock music, beginning with the sounds that paved the way for its mainstream debut, marked by Elvis Presley’s 1956 appearance on “The Ed Sullivan Show.” Early influences like Jackie Brenston’s “Rocket 88” and Fats Domino’s “The Fat Man” set the stage. Each week, we’ll sample key styles and artists, including: rockabilly (Carl Perkins, Elvis); R&B (Ray Charles, Chuck Berry); schlock-rock (Fabian, Frankie Avalon); the British invasion (The Beatles, The Dave Clark Five); the Woodstock era (Jimi Hendrix, Jefferson Airplane); and rock in the 1970s (Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith), 1980s (Cyndi Lauper, Devo) and 1990s (Nirvana, Foo Fighters). We’ll conclude with post-rock pop icons like Katy Perry and Lady Gaga, and the Korean wave (BTS, Psy). • Lecture + Q&A.
John Hill was a staff producer for Columbia Records. He has produced some of the originators of rock, including Chuck Berry and Fats Domino. Other artists he’s produced include: Dr. John, George Harrison and Bob Dylan (as sidemen), The Buckinghams, Raven, Catfish, Ian & Sylvia, David Bromberg, and Susan Christie. He is also a songwriter, and has been an instructor in film music at the UCLA Extension.
• 5 Mon, Oct 13 - Nov 10, 1:30 - 2:45 p.m.
• Online via Zoom; Sessions are recorded
• Maximum: 200; Fee: $75; Course ID: 4076
Fall 2025 Registration
Registration opens on Tuesday, August 19, at 9 a.m. ET for Monday and Tuesday courses and on Wednesday, August 20, at 9 a.m. ET for Wednesday and Thursday courses.
Performing Arts
The Folk Revival: 1950s to 1970s
ONLINE: It lasted only a few years, but the folk craze of the late 1950s and the 1960s changed the culture. Post-World War II conformity had run its course with Levittown and suburbia. The folk era added songs to social protests and infused meaning into other aspects of life. Meet again the old guard: Lead Belly, Woody Guthrie, Josh White, The Weavers, Pete Seeger, Dave van Ronk, The Kingston Trio, Harry Belafonte, The Tarriers and Odetta. But also meet the newcomers: Joni Mitchell, Ian & Sylvia, Judy Collins, Richie Havens, Taj Mahal, Gordon Lightfoot, Bob Dylan, Joan Baez and, of course, Peter, Paul and Mary. There are many others; some you know, some you probably don’t. Let’s have a hootenanny. Was it even a revival at all, or something creative and entirely new? Did it end with Janis Ian and “Society’s Child”? Or Harry Chapin and “Cat’s in the Cradle”? Or The Byrds and “Turn! Turn! Turn!”? Was it just a period of calm before rock? And what was “folk rock” anyway?
• Lecture + Q&A.
After earning a B.A. from Duke in 1967, Bill Phillips received a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to present folk music concerts in North Carolina public schools. He arranged for local musicians to play in local schools for three years and has followed the careers of folk musicians ever since. He has taught OLLI courses related to folk and popular music. For a few years he made banjos, dulcimers and guitars and recorded various traditional North Carolina musicians and singers.
• 10 Tue, Sep 9 - Nov 18 (no class Sep 23), 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
• Online via Zoom; Sessions are recorded
• Maximum: 40; Fee: $125; Course ID: 4075
Photography
Introduction to Photoshop
ONLINE: This five-week course offers a friendly, hands-on introduction to the basics of Adobe Photoshop. You’ll start with the essentials: how to open and save images, organize your files using Adobe Bridge and understand best practices for naming and storing photos. From there, you’ll learn how to use key tools for techniques like cropping; layers; and basic adjustments to improve light, contrast and color, or to convert images to black and white. As your skills grow, you’ll explore how to select and edit specific parts of an image, use Adobe Camera Raw for quick adjustments and experiment with combining images into creative composites. You’ll also learn to add text and playfully alter visual elements to shape your own photo reality. This course is designed for beginners, with an emphasis on familiarity, creativity and fun, not perfection or expertise. • Lecture + Q&A, Facilitated discussion, Active Skill Learning.
Please note: This course can be taken at the same time as the course on Lightroom. Students will need a computer with Adobe software.
Required supplies/fee: Adobe Photoshop is available for $19.99/month for PC or MAC.
If members choose to buy a full year subscription, they get Lightroom Classic as well.
Recommended Text:
• Conrad Chavez, “Adobe Photoshop Classroom In A Book” (9780135376324)
Susan Simone has served as area chair for photography for OLLI for five years. Her focus is on documentary photography and “composite” images or “memoryscapes.” She had her first taste of combining images using darkroom prints
Photography
and glue in the 1990s. She has also played around with printing images on fabric and sheet metal roofing.
• 5 Mon, Sep 15 - Oct 13, 1:30 - 2:45 p.m.
• Online via Zoom; Sessions are recorded
• Maximum: 12; Fee: $75; Course ID: 4045
Creative Adobe Lightroom Classic
ONLINE: Adobe’s Lightroom Classic program can help you make your images look their best quickly, with great results no matter what camera you use or your skill level. In this course, students will learn to use Lightroom Classic to first organize then process their images using the vast set of editing tools within Lightroom. Class members will be guided through the various modules. Then the tools will be introduced, using an iterative, hands-on approach to enable students to focus on the end result — producing images that look how they want them to look based on their own sense of style and aesthetics. As the course progresses, class members will openly share their images in a noncritical forum to raise questions, discuss changes and offer ideas for improvement. • Lecture + Q&A, Facilitated discussion, Active Skill Learning.
Please note: Students must have an Adobe Creative Cloud subscription that includes Lightroom Classic installed on their desktop or laptop computer.
Required supplies/fee: A “Creative Cloud Photography” subscription is about $20 per month.
Dennis Szerszen is a self-taught photographer in digital and analog photo media. He retired from a career in the software industry to focus on photog-
raphy and volunteering. Dennis exhibits locally and is a member of the Orange County Artists Guild. He is expanding his work through traditional photographic processes including silver, cyanotype and platinum/palladium printing in conjunction with the iPhone. His work has been displayed widely throughout the U.S.
• 8 Wed, Sep 17 - Nov 5, 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
• Online via Zoom; Sessions are recorded
• Maximum: 16; Fee: $100; Course ID: 4026
iPhone Videography
IN PERSON: Have you ever wished you could capture a perfect fall moment with the emotion and beauty of a film? This hands-on course explores the art of visual storytelling using a powerful tool already in your pocket: your iPhone. You’ll learn the essentials of composition, light, movement and editing, allowing you to turn fleeting seasonal scenes into cinematic short films. We’ll embrace the rich colors and golden light of a North Carolina autumn as both subject and inspiration, as you learn to frame, shoot and craft visual narratives that resonate. Weekly creative exercises, group feedback and local fieldwork will help you build your skills and confidence. No film experience is needed, just curiosity and a willingness to experiment. By the end of the course, you’ll see both your phone and the world in a whole new way — and you’ll have short films to prove it. • Lecture + Q&A, Facilitated discussion, Active Skill Learning.
Prerequisites: An iPhone (iPhone 11 or newer is recommended for best results, but any model capable of running recent iOS versions will suffice) and a willingness to experiment, be creative and participate in a collaborative learning environment. No prior filmmaking or video editing experience is
Photography
necessary. Students should know how to operate their iPhone’s basic functions, including how to install apps from the app store. A list of recommended (and mostly free) apps will be provided during the first class.
Jefferson Castillo is a filmmaker and fine art photographer with 17-plus years of experience. He holds a B.A. in photography and filmmaking from Montclair State University. Since 2007, he’s directed festival-selected short films and produced TV segments for networks such as Fox Business and A&E. His curated photography has shown in New York City galleries. Now based in the Triad, Jefferson is passionate about visual storytelling and helping students find their creative voice.
• 10 Thu, Sep 11 - Nov 13, 3:30 - 5 p.m.
• In person at Judea Reform Congregation
• Maximum: 12; Fee: $125; Course ID: 4046
Archiving the Family Album: Storytelling and Memories Through Photography
IN PERSON: Designed for all skill levels in photography, this six-session workshop offers you the opportunity to consider what is meaningful about your personal trove of photographs and explore practical resources for preserving this heritage. Participants will bring a set of prints or digital imagery from their family photo archives for sharing and discussion. The group will explore the pro -
cess of organizing and preserving a family photo collection to provide a legacy for future generations. Throughout the sessions, each participant will select a meaningful subset of their photographs and share their stories. We will explore backup storage options, archival resources, and framing for display. Each participant may select a photograph from their collection for the instructor to reproduce as a fine art digital reproduction.
• Facilitated discussion, Active Skill Learning.
Please note: The course will include special (optional) field trips to a frame shop and a printing shop. Participation in an off-site printing session also will be offered.
Required supplies/fee: Students will pay $10 to the instructor for the paper and ink for one fine art print.
A professional photographer and educator, Barbara Tyroler served on the journalism faculty at UNC and in the art department at the University of Maryland and Duke Center for Documentary Studies. She has an MFA in digital arts and an M.Ed. Barbara’s methodology lies within the realm of community outreach at the intersection of fine art and editorial photography. She enjoys teaching and learning from her students as they progress and explore new ideas and creative approaches.
• 6 Thu, Sep 11 - Oct 23 (no class Oct 2), 1:30 - 4 p.m.
• In person at Judea Reform Congregation
• Maximum: 10; Fee: $90; Course ID: 4016
Finding Course Links in the Student Portal
OLLI members who register for online courses will find the Zoom links for their courses in their Student Portal at learnmore.duke.edu/olli.
See Finding Course Links for step-by-step instructions and a demonstration video.
Religion & Philosophy
Mary’s Journey: Mother, Disciple, Symbol
IN PERSON: This course will explore the central role of Mary in Catholic Christian theology and in ecumenical discussions. With little historical information about Mary, she has lent herself to a powerful symbolic trajectory across cultures and eras. This course will examine diverse interpretations of Mary as prefigured in the Hebrew Bible, and later in the Quran, but especially in the New Testament Scriptures. Some attention will be paid to her primary place in Christian art, architecture and feasts in her honor through the centuries as well as the development of a variety of devotional practices. Students will gain insight into how Mary has been venerated and symbolically appropriated as Jesus’ ideal disciple. Guest speakers will join us for deeper discussion across a variety of faith traditions. We will bring forward a rich perspective on Mary’s enduring significance in Christian faith and tradition. • Lecture + Q&A, Facilitated discussion.
Guest Speakers:
• David Morgan, Department Head, Department of Religious Studies, Duke University
• TBD
Required Text:
• Jaroslav Pelikan, “Mary Through the Centuries” (9780300069518)
Recommended Text:
• Louis J. Cameli, “Mary’s Journey” (9780870612282)
Sam R. Miglarese (S.T.L., Gregorian University, and S.T.D., University of St. Thomas Aquinas, both in Rome, Italy) is an adjunct instructor in the Department of Religious Studies and in the Program in Education at Duke. He often directed and taught Duke in Venice, a course on the religion
of empire. His main field of study is the history and reception of the Second Vatican Council.
• 6 Wed, Sep 10 - Oct 15, 9 - 10:30 a.m.
• In person at Judea Reform Congregation
• Maximum: 15; Fee: $90; Course ID: 3911
American Spiritualities
ONLINE: American spiritualities didn’t emerge from one tradition, but were shaped through the collision, adaptation and reinvention of Indigenous cosmologies, African spiritual systems and European folk Christianity. This course explores how these traditions evolved over centuries of colonization into powerful sources of meaning, healing, resistance and national myth. We’ll follow the many ways spirit has been invoked in ritual, suppressed by law and claimed in acts of rebellion — all while shaping American identity and power. Session topics include: an introduction to foundational Indigenous, African and European spiritual traditions; an exploration of how occult knowledge and Masonic rites influenced the founding of the United States; an examination of the witch trials as Christian conjure’s suppression of vernacular power; a study of Black conjure and hoodoo as tools of survival and resistance; and an analysis of how settler religion and folk magick fused into a theology of white supremacy. • Lecture + Q&A.
Ed Ingebretsen holds degrees in philosophy, theological and American history (Ph.D., Duke, 1986). His publications include books in American culture, ethics and gender, and theological reform. He continues to do work in American enslavement and spiritualities, ethics and gender, pop culture, and American religious expressions.
• 5 Mon, Oct 13 - Nov 10, 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
• Online via Zoom
• Maximum: 45; Fee: $75; Course ID: 4015
Religion & Philosophy
Tarot Art & Craft
IN PERSON: From tarot novice to confident reader in six lively lessons! This hands-on course is perfect for beginners, skeptics and anyone who’s felt frustrated by tarot in the past. With a playful yet practical approach, the instructor offers personal guidance and a welcoming space to explore the cards. You’ll learn about tarot’s origins and myths, how to tap into your natural intuition and how to create and use spreads to answer meaningful questions for yourself or others. We’ll touch on tarot magic and manifestation, and even create a few of our own cards. Along the way, you’ll discover the rich variety and inclusivity of 21st-century tarot art. You could read dozens of books on tarot, but real understanding comes from doing, and this course emphasizes exploration, creativity and shared learning with fellow seekers. No experience is needed — just curiosity and a sense of adventure! • Facilitated discussion, Active Skill Learning.
Please note: No extrasensory perception is required, but do bring any tarot cards that speak to you and something for note taking. We will each create an independent project to reveal at the end of the course, and a few optional exercises will be suggested for practice between lessons.
Required supplies/fee: Students may purchase tarot cards for about $20-$25 (or bring their own).
April Wagner has been reading, studying and living the tarot since the last millennium. In 2005, she founded the Chicago Tarot Club, and hobby turned into hustle when she became an in-demand teacher and entertainer around the city. Parallel lives on stage and in the preschool classroom have helped hone April’s unique and friendly, fun style that makes the mystical more accessible. April is the owner of Left-Handed Books in Durham, specializing in vintage occult and retro esoterica.
• 6 Mon, Oct 6 - Nov 10, 9 - 10:30 a.m.
• In person at 1:11 Art and Healing Space, 3409 University Drive, Durham
• Maximum: 12; Fee: $90; Course ID: 4069
Baruch Spinoza (1632-1677): Life and Philosophy
ONLINE: This course explores the life and thought of Baruch Spinoza, a groundbreaking philosopher born into a Sephardic Jewish family who were exiled from Portugal and resettled in the Dutch Republic during its golden age. We’ll begin with an overview of Spinoza’s early life, education and intellectual influences, particularly René Descartes, who was still active in Holland during Spinoza’s youth. From there, we’ll examine Spinoza’s bold and often subversive ideas on religion, ethics and politics, placing his work within the religious and political tensions of his time. The course will also delve into Spinoza’s key philosophical concepts — mind, reason, matter, substance, body, God and nature — with special attention paid to his political philosophy. Classes will be lecture-based with ample opportunity for questions and discussion. No prior background in philosophy is required. • Lecture + Q&A.
Recommended Text:
• Spinoza, “Ethics” (9781107655638)
Daniel Vitaglione graduated from the Université Aix-Marseille, France, in English and psychology, and has a master’s in comparative philosophy from the University of Hawaii and a Ph.D in English from St. Andrews University, UK. He is the author of several books and is currently working on a book on French philosophy. He has taught literature and philosophy in the U.S. and France, including for OLLIs at the University of Miami, Johns Hopkins University and Duke.
• 6 Wed, Sep 10 - Oct 15, 1:30 - 2:45 p.m.
• Online via Zoom
• Maximum: 24; Fee: $90; Course ID: 4017
Religion & Philosophy Science & Technology
Hannah Arendt: On Human Nature, Totalitarianism and the Holocaust
ONLINE: Hannah Arendt was a Jew born in Germany just over a century ago. She immigrated to New York when the Nazis came to power, taught there at the New School for Social Research and wrote books and essays on how totalitarianism gets its footing in a society. She gained a wide readership after The New Yorker hired her to cover the 196162 Adolf Eichmann trial in Jerusalem. Her wise reflections are often cited today, and we will focus on how they speak to our own historical situation. We will discuss assigned readings from “The Portable Hannah Arendt,” a collection of her writing, covering many topics, including the following: how colonialism fostered totalitarianism; how conformism in a society works against thoughtfulness; how working has disappeared in favor of laboring; and (very controversially) how American school desegregation has downsides. In this discussion-based course, students will gain insight into the threat to human freedom posed by totalitarianism and how it may be countered. • Facilitated discussion.
Required Text:
• Hannah Arendt, “The Portable Hannah Arendt” (9780142437568)
Richard Prust is professor emeritus in philosophy, St. Andrews University. He is the author of several books, including “Personal Meaning: How We Give Relational Significance, Relative Importance, Emotional Force and Moral Value to Our Actions” (SUNY Press, forthcoming).
• 10 Tue, Sep 9 - Nov 18 (no class Sep 23), 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
• Online via Zoom; Sessions are recorded
• Maximum: 24; Fee: $125; Course ID: 3285
Life in the Blue: Exploring Ocean Ecosystems and Conservation
IN PERSON: Dip below the waves to see how life thrives in some of the ocean’s most diverse places, from the sunlit shallows of coral reefs to the mysterious depths of the deep sea. We’ll uncover the unique adaptations that make survival possible in these environments and examine the essential roles these ecosystems play in supporting human life and global biodiversity. The course will highlight the many ways humans depend on healthy oceans and how our actions, from polluting to overfishing and contributing to climate change, are placing unprecedented pressure on marine environments. Using case studies and the latest conservation science, we’ll discuss the most pressing challenges facing ocean protection today and consider how innovative tools, such as machine learning, conservation genetics and satellite data, could shape the future of ocean conservation. • Lecture + Q&A, Facilitated discussion.
Recommended Texts:
• Juli Berwald, “Life on the Rocks: Building a Future for Coral Reefs” (9780593087305)
• Susan Casey, “The Underworld: Journeys to the Depths of the Ocean” (9781984898869)
Carly Scott received her Ph.D. in ecology, evolution and behavior from the University of Texas at Austin, where she studied how coral reefs adapt and respond to climate change. Following this, she taught college-level oceanography and coral reef ecology courses abroad with Semester at Sea. Currently, Carly is a postdoctoral researcher at UNC at Chapel Hill, where she researches the ecology of symbiosis using machine learning and genomic techniques.
• 6 Wed, Oct 8 - Nov 12, 9 - 10:30 a.m.
• In person at Judea Reform Congregation
• Maximum: 24; Fee: $90; Course ID: 4049
Science & Technology
At Home in the Universe: The Search for Meaning and Purpose in the Cosmos
ONLINE: What is our meaning and purpose in our cosmos? We have struggled with these existential questions for as long as there have been humans. Typically, this search has focused inward, looking to ourselves for answers. In this lecture-based course, we look outward at the universe to debate our existence. We start with a survey of current knowledge of stars, galaxies and the universe, and then discuss the great outstanding cosmological questions: What is dark matter? What is dark energy? What is the nature of black holes? How did the universe begin? How will it end? What is the role of life, and intelligence, in the cosmos? And what is our role? We end with a far-ranging discussion of our species’ need to explore, survive and thrive to find purpose and meaning in this cosmos. The answer is not here, it is out there. • Lecture + Q&A.
Brand Fortner is a teaching professor at NC State University, where he teaches astronomy, astrophysics and physics, and is an adjunct professor of physics at UNC. He earned a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois in high-energy astrophysics. Brand founded two scientific software companies, and previously held positions at NASA and Johns Hopkins University. Brand has written books on color vision and technical data, and is in high demand for his public lectures on all things astronomical.
• 6 Tue, Sep 9 - Oct 21 (no class Sep 23), 1:30 - 2:45 p.m.
• Online via Zoom; Sessions are recorded
• Maximum: 200; Fee: $90; Course ID: 3587
Shelling and Shark Tooth Hunting
IN PERSON: Join the instructor for an innovative workshop about beachcombing in North and South Carolina. Students will learn to identify species of sharks’ teeth and seashells and discuss specific strategies for finding them. The course will explore how to read the wind, tides and moon to determine optimal hunting times; how to operate as an ethical beachcomber; and how to decide which beaches offer the best chances of success. Other niche forms of beachcombing, such as sea bean, sea glass, fossil and arrowhead hunting, will also be covered. While the course is lecture based, the instructor will engage students with show-andtell items from her personal collection, stories from her beach travels and discussion. This course will inspire those with an adventurous spirit and a curiosity about nature. • Lecture + Q&A, Facilitated discussion.
Please note: During one class session, students will have the option to participate in a hands-on fossil/seashell dig activity with the instructor. This will take place in the classroom and will incur a $10 materials fee. Students will be allowed to keep the things they find, and the instructor will help identify species.
Required supplies/fee: There will be a $10 optional fee for the fossil/seashell dig, payable to the instructor. Participation is voluntary.
Recommended Text:
• Dr. Ashley Oliphant, “Shark Tooth Hunting on the Carolina Coast” (9781561647286)
Ashley Oliphant is the author of “Shark Tooth Hunting on the Carolina Coast” and the forthcoming “Ultimate Shell Seeker’s Guide: Building
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a Better Beachcombing Strategy.” Oliphant is a retired professor of English who has become known on the national speaker circuit for her lively and engaging shelling and shark tooth-hunting lectures. She is the author of the popular Facebook page On the Beach With Dr. Ashley Oliphant, as well as five other books.
• 2 Thu, Sep 18 & 25, 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
• In person at Erwin Mill
• Maximum: 40; Fee: $30; Course ID: 4066
Oddity Geology!
ONLINE: Most of geology focuses on tectonic plates, oil deposits, gems and soil quality. But geology is much more than that, and includes many unusual, tantalizing and even amusing topics. In this lecture-based course, we will delve into a range of geological oddities, including: cave speleothems, minerals that fluoresce, shungite, semiprecious stones that originate from plants or animals, borax, meteorites, geodes and minerals we eat for our health. An informative and intriguing study awaits! • Lecture + Q&A.
Returning OLLI presenter Stephenie Slahor creates informative, unusual and enjoyable courses. She is at it again with this course that looks at the more unusual and fascinating aspects of the world of geology. Slahor has a strong background in geology through both academic and field studies. Many of her OLLI courses, such as her recent ones about birthstones and about the Grand Canyon, focus on the natural sciences and, particularly, geology.
• 5 Mon, Sep 29 - Oct 27, 1:30 - 2:45 p.m.
• Online via Zoom; Sessions are recorded
• Maximum: 200; Fee: $75; Course ID: 4062
Tech Skills 101: Driver’s Ed for the Digital World
IN PERSON: This course aims to enrich your working understanding of the technologies that are the foundation of digital life: devices (laptops, tablets, smartphones, etc.), apps, the internet and the cloud. We will look at how these things interact with each other when we use them to do things like visit sites on the internet, communicate with others using email or social media, watch online videos, or make purchases using retail sites like Amazon. As we review the inner workings of these digital technologies, we will explore what digital data is in ways aimed at helping you manage your data more effectively and confidently. The language of digital technology has an array of common terms (like “HTTPS”, “IP address” and “encryption”) as well as common symbols, icons and controls that appear on your device’s screen. They also appear in online help and how-to articles, and we will learn how to recognize them and understand their meanings. • Lecture + Q&A.
Please note: This course is intended for a general audience, and no prerequisite computer knowledge or skills are required.
David Shamlin began exploring computers as a teenager. After studying computer science at NC State University, he embarked on a 35-year career in software engineering at SAS Institute. In retirement, David enjoys exploring digital technologies that were outside the purview of his professional life. He also greatly enjoys helping others grow their digital literacy. As some wise person once said, “Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.”
• 10 Tue, Sep 9 - Nov 11, 3:30 - 5 p.m.
• In person at Erwin Mill
• Maximum: 50; Fee: $125; Course ID: 4071
Science & Technology
Cryptography: From Ancient Ciphers to Quantum Security
IN PERSON: This course offers an accessible introduction to the history and mathematics of cryptography — the art and science of creating and breaking codes. Students explore the development of cryptographic systems from ancient times to the digital age. Topics include: early substitution ciphers; historical code-breaking methods; the cipher of Mary, Queen of Scots; the Vigenère cipher; and the Enigma machine. The course also examines how cryptography shaped the conduct and outcome of the two World Wars. A special section is devoted to the analysis of ancient scripts and languages whose meanings have been lost, exploring the overlap between cryptanalysis and linguistic decipherment. Additional topics include streaming ciphers, the influence of language on cryptanalysis, public key encryption and the potential impact of quantum computing on the future of secure communication. • Lecture + Q&A.
Please note: The course is designed for students with a wide range of mathematical backgrounds. Only basic arithmetic is assumed; all additional mathematical concepts will be introduced and developed as needed throughout the course.
Recommended Texts:
• Joshua Holden, “The Mathematics of Secrets” (9780691141756)
• Simon Singh, “The Code Book: The Science of Secrecy from Ancient Egypt to Quantum Cryptography” (9780385495325)
Frank Brown graduated from Duke with a B.S. in chemistry. He then obtained his Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the California Institute of Technolo -
gy. He worked as a research chemist at a polyester plant and then transitioned into the world of computers where he spent most of his career. Following his retirement, he obtained an M.A. in mathematics from East Carolina University.
• 10 Wed, Sep 10 - Nov 12, 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
• In person at Judea Reform Congregation
• Maximum: 25; Fee: $125; Course ID: 4028
Computer Security & Privacy: Practical Steps to Stay Safe
IN PERSON: How secure is your computer right now? Computers and the internet have revolutionized our world. But if you’re like most people, you have no clue how they work or what the real threats are. While there are tons of cybersecurity resources for technology experts, there are very few for average computer users. That’s where this course comes in. The instructor will explain the basics of computers, the internet, security and privacy — in plain English using simple analogies — and then show you steps to take to keep your computer secure. Optional reading and activities will be available in the recommended textbook. The course includes eight lectures and two sessions of optional “office hours.” The course will include: an overview of cybersecurity, how the internet and encryption work, passwords, computer and network security, online privacy, safe web surfing, secure communication, mobile security and AI. During office hours, students can receive individual help and/or ask detailed questions. • Lecture + Q&A.
Please note: Students should be familiar with computer basics such as browsing the web and installing software. This course will
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cover Mac, PC, iOS and Android. Be sure to get the fifth edition of the book.
Recommended Text:
• Carey Parker, “Firewalls Don’t Stop Dragons: A Step-by-Step Guide to Computer Security and Privacy for Non-Techies” (9781484290354)
Carey Parker has a master’s degree in electrical engineering from Purdue University and has been writing software for over 28 years at various companies. He is now semiretired. Carey is passionate about computer security and online privacy, and is the author of “Firewalls Don’t Stop Dragons.” He writes a blog and hosts a podcast with the same name. Carey has taught this course 11 times at OLLI since 2016, as well as a course on using Mac computers.
• 10 Wed, Sep 10 - Nov 12, 1:30 - 3 p.m.
• In person at Judea Reform Congregation
• Maximum: 15; Fee: $125; Course ID: 2008
Sapiens, A Geologic Perspective
ONLINE: The course examines our species from a geologic perspective, with a summary of the history of Earth and of life on Earth. Life is a rare phenomenon in the universe, but it has persisted for 4 billion years in a narrow zone on Earth’s surface. Homo sapiens is a geologically recent arrival with
attributes that have led to domination over other animal life and increasing influence on the environment. Topics include: 1) Where We Are in Space; 2) Where We Are in Time; 3) Formation and Evolution of Planet Earth; 4) History of Life on Earth; 5) Threats to Life on Earth; 6) Evolution of Homo Sapiens; 7) What Is So Great About Us; 8) Learning About Ourselves and Our Surroundings; 9) Major Steps in the Advance of Homo Sapiens; and 10) The Anthropocene and Some Limitations on Our Future. The course is an attempt to place Homo sapiens in space and time, to highlight our unique powers, to mark the steps in our rise to “masters of the planet” and to review potential future challenges. • Lecture + Q&A.
Recommended Text:
• Yuval Noah Harari, “Sapiens” (9780063422018)
Arch Reid is a retired professor of geology with teaching and research experience on four continents, at St. Andrews University, the University of Western Ontario, the University of Pittsburgh, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, the Australian National University, NASA Houston, the University of Capetown and the University of Houston. His research interests include meteorites and planetary science, and terrestrial petrology.
• 10 Mon, Sep 8 - Nov 10, 9 - 10:15 a.m.
• Online via Zoom; Sessions are recorded
• Maximum: 50; Fee: $125; Course ID: 4065
Registration FAQs
To make your registration experience as smooth as possible, we have put together a frequently asked questions guide. At OLLI at Duke FAQs you will find answers to questions on membership, courses, Zoom and technology and registration.
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The Human Immune System: Gateway to Health
ONLINE: This course explores the mysteries of the body’s hidden defense system: the human immune system. We will discuss how the immune system fights off infection and disease, maintains health and protects against complex disorders like cancer and autoimmune disease. The course will begin with a description of the cells of the immune system and how they function. We will explore how cells communicate with each other and examine the mechanisms of how some immune cells can even improve with each onslaught. We will discuss what happens when immune health is compromised, and cutting-edge drug therapies designed to stimulate immune protection against cancer and autoimmune disease. This course is for individuals seeking a comprehensive understanding of the immune system. Discussions will include in-depth molecular and cellular immunology, and prior knowledge of biology
will be helpful but not required. An overview of seminar topics for each week as well as recommended reading will be provided in the course website. • Lecture + Q&A.
Recommended Texts:
• Philipp Dettmer, “Immune: A Journey into the Mysterious System that Keeps You Alive” (9780593241318)
• Abul K. Abbas, “Basic Immunology” (9780323549431)
Marna Williams is an immunobiologist and writer who has worked for 20 years in the biopharmaceutical industry on novel therapeutics for cancer and autoimmune disease. She has taught courses at OLLIs since 2021 on immunology, vaccines and immunotherapies. She has a B.A. from Duke, a Ph.D. from Yale University and postdoctoral studies in immunology from Stanford University. Marna has been an invited speaker at conferences, academic institutions and community centers across the United States.
• 10 Wed, Sep 10 - Nov 12, 1:30 - 2:45 p.m.
• Online via Zoom; Sessions are recorded
• Maximum: 200; Fee: $125; Course ID: 4077
Literacy in Action: Tutoring for Community Impact
A 10-week journey that blends learning, service and community engagement
Explore proven strategies for supporting young readers, then apply them directly by tutoring in a local school or center. Dive into core literacy approaches, including phonics, fluency, vocabulary development and reading comprehension, and examine the broader context: how poverty, language, trauma and race intersect with literacy development. See Community Engagement on page 15
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Digging Up the Ancestors: A Practical Introduction to
Genealogy
IN PERSON: Curious about your family’s past, but unsure where to begin? This inperson course offers a practical introduction to traditional genealogy. You’ll learn how to organize your research, use a research log and document sources effectively. We’ll explore key records that trace human lives — vital records, census data, city directories and more — and look at ways to conduct interviews that uncover family stories not found in archives. By the end of the course, you’ll have the tools and confidence to build a well-documented family tree and write compelling, fact-based biographies of your ancestors. While the focus is on traditional research methods, the course includes a brief introduction to genetic genealogy, including the types of DNA tests available and how to choose one to support your research. (Note: Interpreting DNA results is not covered.)
• Active Skill Learning.
Required: You will need to bring a laptop to class.
Debra Taylor Gonzalez-Garcia has been conducting genealogy research for over 30 years. She is Friends of Geer Cemetery president and Preservation Durham Board of Directors vice president. She has researched and written numerous histories of people buried in Geer and other cemeteries. She has conducted workshops on genealogy and cemetery preservation. Before retiring, Debra was a technical writer. She is currently an instructor at Durham Technical Community College. She has an M.Ed. from NC State University.
• 10 Tue, Sep 9 - Nov 18 (no class Sep 23), 9 - 10:30 a.m.
• In person at Judea Reform Congregation
• Maximum: 15; Fee: $125; Course ID: 4030
Exploring Forest Ethics
ONLINE: What is the right relationship between humans and forests in the 21st century? This six-week online course invites participants to explore that question through the lens of literature, history, culture and science. Inspired by Aldo Leopold’s classic essay The Land Ethic and Wendell Berry’s It All Turns on Affection, we’ll examine whether Leopold’s ideas still serve us, and how a forest ethic might expand beyond a land ethic. Through weekly lectures and guided discussions, we’ll consider how temperate forests in the Northern Hemisphere shape, and are shaped by, our values and choices. Participants will draw on course materials to begin developing their own vision of an ethical relationship with forests. Please read both essays before the first class. • Facilitated discussion.
Required Texts:
• Aldo Leopold, “A Sand County Almanac” (9780197500262)
• Wendell Berry, “It All Turns On Affection Essay” (9781619021143)
Claire Williams Bridgwater is a research professor in environmental sciences at American University. She holds a Ph.D. in forestry and earned a global studies degree at UNC. She has worked as a science adviser at the U.S. State Department, in corporate research and development (Weyerhaeuser), and in consulting. A tenured full professor at Texas A&M University in genetics, she has been visiting faculty at Duke and elsewhere.
• 6 Mon, Oct 6 - Nov 10, 9 - 10:15 a.m.
• Online via Zoom; Sessions are recorded
• Maximum: 15; Fee: $90; Course ID: 4034
Society & Culture
Symposia: Mind-Expanding Diversions and Excursions
IN PERSON: Symposia returns with in-person presentations from people making a positive impact on contemporary life. Each week, a different speaker will introduce you to valuable new insights into an important subject that may not have caught your attention otherwise. The opportunity to pose questions to these experts is a key feature of Symposia. • Lecture + Q&A.
Sep 9 • Charles Pell, M.F.A.
From Underwater
Robots to Surgical Tools: The Intersection of Technology and Human Impact
Chuck Pell is an extraordinary inventor and serial entrepreneur who has created everything from a device to reduce rib cracking during open heart surgery to bloodless scalpels to submarines that wiggle like fish. His latest company, Maelstrom Propellers, makes a propeller that cuts boats’ energy consumption in half, thereby increasing their range and profoundly reducing their greenhouse gas emissions. He hosted the Emmy Award-winning show “Xploration Earth 2050” and gives TEDMED talks.
Sep 16 • Hannah Salomons, Ph.D.
The Genius of Dogs
Understanding cognition in dogs, as well as in other animals, helps us understand how our own minds evolved. The Duke Canine Cognition Center in the Department of Evolutionary Anthropology at Duke is dedicated to understanding the flexibility and limitations of dog cognition and how it compares to other animals. Salomons will discuss how they found over the past decade that dog and human minds converge in astounding ways.
Sep 23 • No OLLI Classes
Sep 30 • Angel Preston
3 Secrets to Protecting Your Legacy
Traditional estate planning often falls short of fully protecting families from financial and emotional risk. Three aspects that are often overlooked are: 1) It’s not just about death and taxes. 2) You need the right tool for the job. 3) Most estate plans fail. Preston, community engagement and events specialist at Carolina Family Estate Planning, will discuss a more comprehensive, education-first approach designed to secure a family’s legacy across multiple life scenarios, not just at death.
Oct 7 • Michael Goldwasser, M.D.
The Magic of a Smile
As an oral and maxillofacial surgeon based in Chapel Hill, Goldwasser regularly experiences the transformative power of a smile in his work. It is especially gratifying to him to restore dignity to those in underserved parts of the world on humanitarian missions with Operation Smile, where he serves as a council chair. His presentation will illustrate how surgical care can change lives by restoring the simple, yet profound, act of smiling.
Oct 14 • Daniel Parker, M.D.
Emerging Treatments for Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease remains one of the most profound medical and social challenges of our society. As a geriatrician and memory disorders specialist, Parker directs the interdisciplinary Duke Memory Disorders Clinic and cares for patients there. He will describe promising new interventions to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s and talk about ongoing clinical trials, in which new methods for treating the disorder are under investigation.
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Oct 21 • Susan Pappas, M.S.N., B.C.F.N.P.
All About Marijuana, CBD and Psychedelics
Now that marijuana and cannabinoids are legal in many states, it behooves us to become informed about them: What are the uses of each? How are they consumed? What are their medical indications? What is their current and pending legal status in North Carolina? What are their dangers and risks? As a family nurse practitioner, Pappas is asked these questions frequently. She will share her knowledge with us, including insight into emerging uses of psychedelics for treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder, resistant depression and traumatic brain injury.
Oct 28 • Sandy Sweitzer
Triangle Land Conservancy
Triangle Land Conservancy (TLC) provides communities in Chatham, Durham, Johnston, Lee, Orange and Wake counties with clean water, wildlife habitats, access to nature and local farms by ushering more and more properties into conservation. TLC owns and manages nine nature preserves across the region, offering more than 54 miles of walking and mountain biking trails. As of 2025, TLC has protected more than 26,000 acres. Sweitzer, executive director of TLC, will discuss the broad scope of activities of this amazing organization and share its vision for the future.
Nov 4 • David Stein
The Amazing Evolution of AI Into our
Everyday Lives
Artificial intelligence has evolved from a distant dream to an invisible partner in our everyday routines. It helps us work smarter, live more comfortably and connect in ways
we never imagined. Stein, senior education partnership coordinator at Duke, works to empower youth to master the AI tools that are now widely available. He is uniquely capable of making AI so understandable even Grandma and Grandpa can use it. Get ready to have fun and impress the kids.
Nov 11 • Dennis Blair, Admiral US Navy (retired)
Update on Geopolitics
How will the current administration’s “tariff wars” against China affect tensions in the Pacific? Does China’s increased military aggressiveness increase the chance of an invasion of Taiwan? Blair, who served as commander of the U.S. Pacific region and director of national intelligence, returns to update us on the greatest current threats to the U.S. with his first-hand knowledge of geopolitics.
Nov 18 • Garry J. Crites, Ph.D. Refugees and Immigrants: Separating the Myths from the Facts
We are a nation deeply divided over immigration. Some advocate decisive immigration enforcement to protect our nation’s sovereignty and safety. Others counter that widespread arrests and deportations are inhumane and xenophobic. Crites, the Church and Community Engagement Manager at World Relief Durham, will explore the prevailing myths and misconceptions about refugees and immigrants in our country, address some common concerns that persons may have about these new arrivals, and then consider efforts being made to welcome newcomers to our communities.
Ed Cox is a retired oncologist. His current interests include ecology, climate change, renewable energy
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and the influence of food on health and longevity. He has taught OLLI courses on these subjects.
Mike Smith is a retired marketing executive. He organized the OLLI at Duke Wine Society and has been an OLLI instructor. He serves on the Duke Medical Institutional Review Board.
Melissa McLeod is a retired pediatric anesthesiologist. She has researched and presented on senior residential options, especially continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs).
• 10 Tue, Sep 9 - Nov 18 (no class Sep 23), 1:30 - 3 p.m.
• In person at Fassett Auditorium, Croasdaile Village
• Maximum: 80; Fee: $125; Course ID: 3661
Israel’s Crisis of Democracy
ONLINE: When the state of Israel was established in 1948, its founders declared that it would “be based on freedom, justice and peace as envisaged by the prophets of Israel,” ensuring “complete equality of social and political rights” and guaranteeing basic freedoms. These statements have been the basis for the ongoing commitment to keeping Israel both democratic and Jewish. Yet the balancing of these values has increasingly been challenged, culminating in the crisis of democracy facing the country in 2023. This course reviews the various approaches to Israeli democracy, and surveys the evolution of the judiciary, which has become the center of the ideological battle over the future of Israel’s democracy and provides tools for understanding the current crisis. • Lecture + Q&A.
Steven Klein is an educator and journalist with a Ph.D. in conflict management from Bar-Ilan University and a B.A. from Duke. An instructor at Tel Aviv University and a senior editor at Haaretz English
Edition, he has contributed numerous articles on issues regarding Israeli society and social/political conflict. He has also taught for OLLI at Brandeis, the Scolnic Adult Institute and Case Western Reserve University’s Siegal Lifelong Learning program. He lives with his beloved family in Israel.
• 6 Wed, Sep 10 - Oct 29 (no class Sep 24 or Oct 1), 3:30 - 4:45 p.m.
• Online via Zoom; Sessions are recorded
• Maximum: 30; Fee: $90; Course ID: 3703
Humanities of the Middle East
ONLINE: The Middle East gave rise to civilization and continues to shape the world through its rich religious, artistic and philosophical traditions. This course offers a broad introduction to the region’s cultural legacy, focusing on the humanities — its philosophies, religions, art and music — rather than political conflict. While we’ll begin with a brief historical overview for context, the emphasis will be on the Middle East’s most enduring cultural and technological achievements, from 6000 B.C.E. to the early 20th century. The course will be primarily lecture based, enhanced with images, examples and short videos. It is designed for anyone interested in learning about the region’s positive contributions without getting bogged down in dense historical detail. Questions are welcomed throughout. Students will also have access to recordings and a website with downloadable notes, so active note taking won’t be necessary. • Lecture + Q&A.
Sally Purath earned a B.A. in social sciences and an M.Ed. at Colorado State University. She taught history, religions and humanities for 26 years, specializing in the humanities of Europe, the U.S., India, China, Japan, Africa, the Middle East and Latin
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America. She also taught world, U.S. and Russian history and philosophy in the International Baccalaureate program. Sally has been teaching courses for OLLI since 2009 at Colorado State, California State University Channel Islands and Duke.
• 8 Mon, Sep 8 - Nov 10 (no class Sep 22 or 29), 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
• Online via Zoom; Sessions are recorded
• Maximum: 200; Fee: $100; Course ID: 4042
Creativity for a Divided Nation: Finding Common Ground Through Imagination
IN PERSON: This discussion-focused course explores two bold ideas. First, we’ll consider how creativity is essential to personal and societal well-being, especially as we face an uncertain future. Research links creative engagement with longer, more fulfilling lives. Participants will develop habits that deepen their creative instincts and increase their ability to adapt and innovate. Second, we’ll explore how creativity can bridge divides in our deeply polarized nation. Participants will uncover shared values that transcend political, geographic and generational lines, using creativity to shape more unifying language and perspectives. Together, we’ll craft action-based, optimistic messages aimed at inspiring a hopeful vision for the future. We will collaborate on how to share this message with the broader community. Participants will be invited to imagine themselves as missionaries for this message: The best way to prepare for an unknowable future is to be your most creative self. • Facilitated discussion.
Recommended Text:
• David Leonhardt, “Ours Was the Shining Future” (9780812983333)
Carl Nordgren was a teenage fishing guide in Ontario and the Ozarks in the 1960s. He spent years as an entrepreneur, including helping launch the Triangle’s first cellular company in 1985. In 2002, Duke asked him to teach a class on entrepreneurship that quickly morphed, over 14 years of teaching there, into a class on creativity. Carl’s calling is helping each and all of us be our most creative selves. Carl is a novelist and hosts a weekly radio show on WCHL, “Exploring Your Creative Genius.”
• 8 Tue, Sep 9 - Nov 4 (no class Sep 23), 9 - 10:30 a.m.
• In person at Judea Reform Congregation
• Maximum: 25; Fee: $120; Course ID: 4027
Sapiens, A Geologic Perspective
See listing on page 55.
Facing and Embracing Mortality: The Final Countdown
IN PERSON: This course invites participants to begin to embrace their mortality within the caring space of a classroom community. Participants will: become more comfortable with the reality of mortality; gain insights into improving conversations about the subject with loved ones; understand advance care planning documents; learn about end-of-life care options, body disposition choices and medical aid in dying; and explore mortality through pop culture and compassionate conversation with each other and the facilitator. Facilitated by an experienced death doula and former hospice chaplain, the course includes lecture, video, music, art, discussion and ample time to connect with
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other students as we face our fears and share our hopes. It will include education and personal exploration. Participants will finish the course with a greater understanding of end-of-life options and care, as well as greater confidence in discussing these issues with their loved ones. • Facilitated discussion.
Please note: This course requires an open heart and vulnerability as we explore our mortality; it is not a grief support group.
Recommended Texts:
• Alan Wolfelt, Ph.D., “Understanding Your Grief” (9781617223075)
Holly Lux-Sullivan is a certified death doula, spiritual director, integrative chaplain and boardcertified chaplain with nearly 20 years of experience supporting people who are critically ill, dying or grieving a loss. She is the founder and owner of Heartwood Death Doula and Bereavement Care. A graduate of Meadville Lombard Theological School, she earned a Master of Divinity and also holds a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from Ohio University.
• 10 Mon, Sep 8 - Nov 10, 9 - 10:30 a.m.
• In person at Judea Reform Congregation
• Maximum: 15; Fee: $125; Course ID: 4037
The
Body Keeps Score: Understanding Trauma and the Path to Recovery
IN PERSON: This course explores how trauma reshapes both the brain and the body, and how healing is possible. Through a combination of lecture and guided discussion, we will examine the impact of posttraumatic stress as well as various sources of traumatic experiences, including abuse,
neglect and inherited family trauma. Together we’ll explore how traumatic experiences leave lasting imprints on our physiology, behavior and relationships. We’ll also trace the history of trauma research, from early insights to current breakthroughs in neuroscience and psychology. A range of treatment approaches will be introduced, including both traditional and emerging therapies aimed at recovery and resilience. Whether you’re seeking to better understand your own experiences or support others, this course will provide you with a thoughtful and research-based foundation for understanding trauma and the pathways to healing. • Facilitated discussion.
Please note: This course deals with challenging subjects and welcomes student participation. It is not intended to be a support group.
Recommended Text:
• Bessel Van Der Kolk, M.D., “The Body Keeps the Score” (9780143127741)
Helen Reiner, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist in the state of North Carolina with a doctorate in psychology from Columbia University. She was in private practice for over 35 years as well as the director of the psychology training clinic at Wichita State University. Helen has taught a number of courses for OLLI related to psychology including, most recently, Psychiatric Diagnosis in Society: From Demons and Spirits to “DSM-5TR.”
• 6 Mon, Sep 8 - Oct 13, 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
• In person at Judea Reform Congregation
• Maximum: 20; Fee: $90; Course ID: 4073
If enrolling in a course that meets In person, please review the In-Person Guidelines before registering.
Society & Culture
Tasting Tour of California
IN PERSON: Join us on a journey through the vineyards of California. We will explore some of the most famous wine regions of California. We will taste four to five wines from the areas and discuss foods that pair well with each. We will get to know each region through an examination of the historical events that have impacted its wine production, how its climate affects the grapes, the styles of wine most common to the region and the varieties that are most frequently produced there. If you love California wine and want to deepen your knowledge, this is a great way to do it. Please join us! • Lecture + Q&A.
Required supplies/fee: There is a $32 tasting fee for 16 wines over four weeks. Please be prepared to pay the instructor’s assistant on the first day of class; cash or check is accepted.
Thomas Thorne has been a professional sommelier for 30 years. He owns Wine Fifty Five, a local wine consulting company focused on education, sales and sommelier services. He has headed wine programs at the Fearrington House, Carolina Inn and Siena Hotel. He was the owner of Hope Valley Bottle Shop. He is accredited through the Court of Master Sommeliers.
Section 1
• 4 Tue, Sep 9 - Oct 7 (no class Sep 23), 3:30 - 5 p.m.
• In person at Judea Reform Congregation
• Max.: 25; Fee: $80; Course ID: 4070-001
Section 2
• 4 Wed, Sep 10 - Oct 8 (no class Oct 1), 3:30 - 5 p.m.
• In person at Judea Reform Congregation
• Max.: 25; Fee: $80; Course ID: 4070-002
Wellness Activities
Your Life as a Hero's Journey: From Experience to Purpose & Joy
IN PERSON: How we tell the story of our life shapes how we live it. Emerging academic research demonstrates that crafting our personal narrative through the lens of the Hero’s Journey helps us gain greater meaning, purpose, well-being and joy. This course invites us to look at our own life not simply as a series of events, but as a meaningful story that continues. Along the way, we have each been challenged and transformed. We will trace the steps of the Hero’s Journey, identifying the major turning points in our life, the face of our challenges, the obstacles in our path and, finally, the character of our heroic transformations when we overcame our challenges. This engaging course offers a path to insight, joy and flourishing. It is particularly apt for memoirists and those looking back to resolve their greatest challenges. Join us for a journey from life’s hard knocks to the joy of meaning and purpose. • Facilitated discussion.
Recommended Texts:
• Samantha Shad, “The Write To Happiness” (9780000093578)
• Joseph Campbell, “The Hero’s Journey” (9781608681891)
Samantha Shad spent 25 years as a successful Hollywood writer, applying the hero’s journey in every script. She has written for Hollywood greats, including Ridley Scott and Steven Bochco. After reflecting on the transformations in her own life, she researched the neurological bases for personal change and growth and wrote the award-winning book “The Write to Happiness.” She has taught at the American Film Institute and UCLA, as well as at many conferences.
• 8 Mon, Sep 8 - Oct 27, 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
• In person at Judea Reform Congregation
• Maximum: 25; Fee: $120; Course ID: 4040
Wellness Activities
Boundaries & Well-Being: Thriving Through Life’s Transitions
ONLINE: This course will explore what healthy boundaries are and why they are vital to maintaining your well-being at any stage of life. We will examine different types of boundaries and how they can change as your life’s priorities change. We will also evaluate how existing boundaries can be reclaimed and maintained as new life transitions occur. Throughout the course, you will gain more awareness of how your values, time, energy and purpose are all interconnected and protected by setting boundaries. At the end of each class, you will have the opportunity to propose small actions (or inactions) to take that relate to what we have discussed. This will be a highly interactive discussion class that will incorporate reflection activities, role-playing exercises and guided journaling. Some discussions may rely on the use of breakout rooms. • Facilitated discussion.
Please note: Participants are expected to come prepared to engage in conversation, take notes as needed and be fully present during the class time.
Dani Choi is the founder of Dani Choi Coaching. She is a professional coach, consultant and educator focusing on personal and professional development. Dani is an International Coaching Federation associate certified coach (ACC) and has an M.S. in human services management from the University of Massachusetts. She was a Peace Corps volunteer (Morocco, 2004-2006) and has over 20 years’ experience in the nonprofit and public service sectors. She lives in Durham, North Carolina.
• 4 Tue, Oct 21 - Nov 11, 6 - 7:15 p.m.
• Online via Zoom
• Maximum: 12; Fee: $50; Course ID: 4019
The Wisdom of the Enneagram: A Tool for Self-Awareness and Growth
IN PERSON: Discover the Enneagram, a powerful system of nine personality types rooted in core motivations, strengths and stress responses. This course offers an accessible introduction to the Enneagram’s structure, including its three intelligence centers (heart, head and body), and how personality patterns shift under stress or growth. You’ll explore how wings and subtypes shape behavior, and gain tools for identifying your own type. Through discussion and reflection, you’ll learn how the Enneagram can deepen self-awareness, improve communication and foster empathy in both personal and group relationships. No prior experience is required, just curiosity and a willingness to grow. • Facilitated discussion.
Please note: Students may want access to take an online quiz (if desired, but not required).
Required Text:
• Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile, “The Road Back to You: An Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery” (9780830846283)
Kori Robins was introduced to the Enneagram in 2012 during a hospital chaplain internship and has been studying it ever since. She is a certified Enneagram coach and has led workshops for corporations, universities, nonprofits and churches, helping individuals and teams grow in self-awareness, compassion and connection.
• 6 Mon, Sep 29 - Nov 3, 9 - 10:30 a.m.
• In person at Judea Reform Congregation
• Maximum: 24; Fee: $90; Course ID: 4080
Wellness Activities
Planning for Caregiving: Practical and Emotional Dimensions
ONLINE: This course helps participants navigate the journey of becoming a caregiver for an older person with practical tools and emotional insight. The first session focuses on assessing when and how to step in, holding meaningful conversations, planning collaboratively and accessing support services for the person. In the second session, we explore the emotional side of caregiving: understanding what it means to be a caregiver, recognizing caregiver stress, managing emotional challenges and finding supportive resources. The final session introduces a course booklet with guided questions to help participants reflect on their personal situation. Attendees will begin developing their own caregiving plans and have time to ask questions, troubleshoot obstacles and brainstorm next steps. • Lecture + Q&A, Facilitated discussion.
Julie Norstrand, Ph.D., M.S.W., M.Sc., is an eldercare consultant and has worked for many years with older adults and their families. In this role, it has become apparent to her that most families enter caregiving with little preparation, which results in stress and rushed decisions about their loved one’s care. For this reason, Julie set up Help My Aging Parents, whose mission is to help families develop skills and confidence to step in as caregivers to meet the needs of their aging relatives.
• 3 Mon, Sep 8 - 22, 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
• Online via Zoom
• Maximum: 10; Fee: $35; Course ID: 3713
The Orchestra of Life
IN PERSON: This course provides an immersive exploration of the masterpieces of the symphony orchestra and the artists who perform them. Not your usual music appreciation class, this course leads students through a series of activities designed to enhance their awareness of what they hear and how they experience music. Each class will focus on one major orchestral work and one minor work, 20 pieces in all. Students will discover how to develop their own music library and how to create playlists. This course will help students create a connection to music that can help them release stress, restore balance, enhance creativity and promote productivity. Class activities will include lectures, visualizations, discussions and journaling. Students will be “conducted” as they sit in the places of orchestral musicians. Previous attendees of this course have described it as “life changing.” Each class is a unique listening experience. Previous students will benefit as much as new ones. All are welcome. • Lecture + Q&A, Facilitated discussion.
Ben Wechsler studied horn, piano and pipe organ from an early age. He served as choir director and pipe organist for 22 congregations over 47 years. Ben holds three degrees: a B.S. in music education from the University of Illinois, a Master of Music Education from Indiana University and a Master of Music in Opera and Musical Theater Accompanying from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. He has a horn studio in Chapel Hill and is an active member of the Duke University Chapel Choir.
• 10 Thu, Sep 11 - Nov 20 (no class Oct 2), 9 - 10:30 a.m.
• In person at Judea Reform Congregation
• Maximum: 30; Fee: $125; Course ID: 3871
Wellness Activities
Build Your Strength With Vivo
ONLINE: Muscle strength and balance are critical to maintaining health and independence as we age. Without additional strength training, most older adults will suffer a loss of muscle tone that can negatively impact their balance and mobility. Vivo, a live, online, interactive strengthbuilding course customized to your fitness level, helps you attain physical fitness. Vivo’s focus is on cognitive, balance and strength exercises. Classes are small and instruction is individualized. Certified personal trainers, skilled at working with older adults, provide modified exercises to meet each student’s fitness needs. Classes meet twice a week for 45 minutes. You receive personal, one-onone assessments before exercise classes begin to establish a baseline for your abilities. Following the conclusion of the exercise classes, a final assessment will be provided to measure your results. Whether you are new to exercise or exercise regularly, Vivo will help you meet your exercise goals. • Active Skill Learning.
Please note: Vivo classes meet 2x a week. When you complete your Vivo registration form, you will be able to select from a wide range of options that fit your schedule. Registration for this course will close on September 3. Upon registration, you will receive an email with steps to take to schedule your personal assessment and complete your Vivo registration.
Schedule:
Personal assessments: Sep 8 - 12
Exercise classes: Sep 15 - Nov 6, two classes weekly, 45 minutes each
Final personal assessments: Nov 10 - 14
Equipment: You’ll need a sturdy chair. Exercise bands will be mailed to all participants. No additional exercise equipment is required.
All Vivo trainers are certified and led by our head trainer, Kevin Snodgrass. Kevin is responsible for creating the weekly programming and management of all trainers. This includes trainer onboarding, auditing and development. Kevin has been a personal trainer for more than 10 years and has multiple certifications (NASM-CPT, CES, FNS, SFS, ACE-CES) and specializations in physical training and corrective exercise.
• Upon registration, you will be able to select from a range of days and times that fit your schedule
• Online via Zoom
• Max.: 10; Fee: $255; Course ID: 3634-026
Vivo Information Session
See page 15
Think, Move, Play
IN PERSON: This course will introduce a variety of playful, low-impact activities and exercises that will keep you mentally and physically engaged. We will focus on deepening your mind-body connection as you gently challenge your focus, balance, coordination, memory and playful spirit. A significant portion of the course will be dedicated to Bal-AVis-X, a rhythm-based set of exercises using bean bags and racquetballs where students work individually or in groups to learn increasingly complex patterns. In addition, the course will draw from a variety of mindfulness, movement and somatic practices such as tai chi for arthritis and falls prevention, rope flow and breath work practices. No previous experience in any of these areas is required. • Active Skill Learning.
Wellness Activities
Please note: Wear clothes comfortable for light exercise, and bring water.
Danny Lightheart holds a master’s degree in occupational therapy. Danny has supported individuals with a variety of mobility, balance and coordination challenges. He previously taught the evidence-based health promotion course Tai Chi for Arthritis and Falls Prevention. In addition, Danny has taught yoga, music, aerobics and juggling to older adults.
• 9 Mon, Sep 15 - Nov 10, 9 - 10:30 a.m.
• In person at Judea Reform Congregation
• Maximum: 12; Fee: $125; Course ID: 4081
Yoga: A Meditation in Motion
IN PERSON: Yoga practice is the ultimate recognition that life is a dance, a spiritual awakening and realization of the heart’s deepest desire for total love, belonging and connection to what is. Whether you are a beginner, an advanced practitioner or someone with physical issues, this course is for you. Through various postures, students will build strength, balance and flexibility. This course is more than a “yoga workout.” It supports the harmony and interconnection of the body, mind and heart, leaving students feeling openhearted, confident and peaceful within, and ready to engage with life. It will help students be the best version of themselves, able to meet life’s challenges with
poise and grace. Every body is different and always changing. Students will focus on correct alignment and breath for each posture, making adjustments, refinements and modifications when necessary. Students will come away with a strong and healthy body and new respect and love for their body.
• Active Skill Learning.
Please note: This course is for all levels, from those who have never taken a class to seasoned yogis. Bring comfortable clothing, a yoga mat, two yoga blocks, a yoga belt and a blanket.
Recommended Texts:
• B.K.S. Iyengar, “Light on Yoga” (9780805203530)
• Juan Mascaro, “The Bhagavad Gita” (9780877070146)
• Georg Feurestein, “The Yoga-Sutra of Patanjali” (9780892816910)
Susan Mitzner has over 45 years of experience teaching and studying yoga. She is Iyengar and Kripalu certified; is a member of the Yoga Alliance (over 500 continuing education unit hours); and holds Pilates, cycling, personal training and senior fitness certifications. She danced professionally with the Alvin Ailey dance company. She has taught at many Triangle area YMCAs, senior centers and fitness gyms in Durham, Iyengar Yoga Center, Molly Fox Studio and Crunch Fitness in New York City.
• 10 Tue, Sep 9 - Nov 18 (no class Sep 23), 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
• In person at Judea Reform Congregation
• Maximum: 15; Fee: $125; Course ID: 4088
Special Events
OLLI Fall 2025 Kickoff Speaker & Social; myriad member gatherings and meet-ups; workshops at Duke Campus Farm; walking tours with Taste Carolina; an evening with lemurs; an outing to Burning Coal Theatre; OLLIDay at Parizade; and an OLLI Town Hall. See pages 11-14
Wellness Activities
Yoga Nidra: Meditation for Busy Minds
IN PERSON: Yoga nidra is a form of guided meditation that leads practitioners through an immersive experience involving their body, breath, emotions and imagination in a gentle and nonjudgmental way. It offers a brief reprieve from daily stresses and the internal voices urging you to do more and be more. Yoga nidra helps you uncover the truth: You are already enough. In this 10-week course, we’ll examine the science behind yoga nidra and its impact on the brain. Each week, we’ll focus on a different aspect of yoga nidra to see how it contributes to the whole, complemented by other subtle and mindfulness practices to deepen your understanding.
• Facilitated discussion, Active Skill Learning. Please note: Bring a yoga mat, two blankets and a small pillow to class.
Integrative yoga therapist and hatha yoga instructor Cheryl Fenner Brown enjoys showing people how their posture, breath and attention can fundamentally affect how they connect with their bodies. Students value her educational style, which blends anatomy, philosophy, asana, mudra, chanting, pranayama and yoga nidra, delivered with warmth and humor. Her work focuses on oncology yoga, helping individuals in midlife and beyond thrive through the life-affirming practices and philosophy of yoga.
• 10 Mon, Sep 8 - Nov 10, 1:30 - 3 p.m.
• In person at Judea Reform Congregation
• Maximum: 25; Fee: $125; Course ID: 4087
Adaptive Yoga: Sun Salutations & Gayatri Mantra
IN PERSON: Traditionally, the Sun Salutation (Surya Namaskar) is performed at sunrise to energize the body and mind, and boost strength and flexibility. In this 10-week series, we’ll explore variations of the Sun Salutation sequence through a therapeutic lens. You’ll learn modifications of the series in different relationships to gravity, from reclined to seated in a chair, kneeling, using a chair for support, against a wall and freely on the mat. This gradual progression is designed to gently increase your vitality and stamina without overheating you. Classes will also include warmups, counterposes, cooling mudras and pranayama, as well as the wellknown Sanskrit chant the Gayatri Mantra, which honors the sun’s divine life-giving light. This course is best for those with some yoga experience (see note). • Facilitated discussion, Active Skill Learning.
Please note: This is a level two class; students will need to be able to move easily between lunges, kneeling and standing and be able to bear weight on their hands.
Integrative yoga therapist and hatha yoga instructor Cheryl Fenner Brown loves teaching people how their posture, breath and attention affect their relationship with their bodies and themselves. Students appreciate her deeply educational approach to yoga. She weaves together anatomy, philosophy, asana, mudra, chanting, pranayama and yoga nidra, delivering her instruction with compassion and humor. She specializes in working with cancer patients and helping people in midlife and beyond to thrive.
If enrolling in a course that meets In person, please review the In-Person Guidelines before registering.
• 10 Thu, Sep 11 - Nov 20 (no class Oct 2), 3:30 - 5 p.m.
• In person at Judea Reform Congregation
• Maximum: 25; Fee: $125; Course ID: 4013
Wellness Activities
Classical T’ai Chi: Heart of the Art
ONLINE: T’ai chi (taijiquan/t’ai chi ch’üan) is a Chinese moving meditation, martial art and health exercise. Based on slow, continuous, whole-body movement, it results in increased energy, well-being and mental, emotional and physical balance. Research has verified its benefits, and medical professionals endorse it for many conditions, including arthritis, osteoporosis, balance difficulties, Parkinson’s disease and fibromyalgia. The practice encourages a joyful, reflective approach to daily life. In this experiential course, you gain proficiency in the Sixteen, drawn from the traditional Wu Hao style, as well as movements based on the map of yin and yang. Beginners and experienced players are welcome. The instructor teaches with playful humor, clear descriptions and demonstrations from front and rear views. He focuses on details as well as the big picture, and takes frequent breaks to answer questions. Students receive handouts via email, and video recordings assist practice between classes.
• Active Skill Learning.
Recommended Text:
• Tsung Hwa Jou, “The Dao of Taijiquan: Way to Rejuvenation” (9780692034057)
Jay Dunbar (M.A. English literature, Duke; Ph.D. education, UNC-Chapel Hill) is director of the Magic Tortoise Taijiquan School (magictortoise.com). An “indoor” student of Grandmaster Jou Tsung Hwa, he has studied taijiquan and qigong since 1975 and has taught in the Triangle since 1979. He has offered over 75 courses through OLLI since 2003.
• 9 Thu, Sep 11 - Nov 13 (no class Oct 2), 9 - 10:15 a.m.
• Online via Zoom; Sessions are recorded
• Maximum: 50; Fee: $110; Course ID: 4024
Writing
A Poetry Practice
ONLINE: Writing a group of poems — whether linked by theme or style, or simply written week by week — can be both challenging and rewarding. In this course, you’ll develop a small collection of poems with a guiding intent, such as exploring a specific subject, experimenting with a particular style or responding to what moves you each week. In our first class, you will share your project focus and what you’d like the group to know. Each week after, you’re invited to submit one poem for discussion. Your poems can explore any subject — belief, family, history, nature, science, etc. — and be written in any form: free verse, traditional or prose poem. We’ll discuss craft, content, strengths and revision ideas. You will submit your poem by email to the instructor a day and a half before class; the instructor will compile and share poems with the group in advance. After class, you’ll receive brief written feedback on your work. • Facilitated discussion.
Please note: Students will need computer skills to write and attach poems. A laptop, tablet or desktop computer is required. Attending by phone is not recommended.
Jane Seitel has taught over 25 courses at OLLI. She is an expressive arts therapist, writer and teacher, and award-winning writer. She received a Master of Education from Lesley University and an MFA from Drew University. Jane teaches poetry, prose craft and literature. She encourages curiosity and creativity, and delights in the diversity of expressive voices.
• 8 Thu, Sep 11 - Nov 6 (no class Oct 2), 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
• Online via Zoom
• Maximum: 11; Fee: $120; Course ID: 4012
Writing
Beginning Storytelling
IN PERSON: Over nine weeks, we will explore the different types and forms of fiction and nonfiction. Our writing journey will include where to find inspiration, ideas, the importance of craft and revision, and a brief look at the publishing industry. Writers will develop one- to three-page writing assignments weekly between sessions for group review. In-class prompts and discussions will aid in writers’ story development. Participation is key to success in this course. This course is designed for writers at the beginning of their creative writing journey.
• Facilitated discussion.
Recommended Texts:
• Stephen King, “On Writing” (9781982159375)
• Natalie Goldberg, “Writing Down the Bones” (9781611803082)
• Margaret Schertzer, “Elements of Grammar” (9780020154501)
• William Strunk Jr. and E. B. White, “Elements of Style” (9780205313426)
Shawna Ayoub is a brown, queer, Durham-based writer and instructor whose work prioritizes difficult topics. After recognizing the personal benefits of writing for release and recovery, she made her practice public. For the last 15 years, she’s offered courses independently as well as through the Center for Creative Writing. Her work appears in Survivor Lit, Exit 7, [wherever], The Archipelago and The Manifest-Station. She provides writing tips and resources on her Substack, Survive Your Story.
• 9 Thu, Sep 11 - Nov 20 (no class Oct 2 or 9), 3:30 - 5 p.m.
• In person at Judea Reform Congregation
• Maximum: 12; Fee: $135; Course ID: 4018
Discovering Your Memoir
IN PERSON: This is a dynamic six-week writing course designed to help participants explore the rich tapestry of their lives and discover the unique stories waiting to be told. Through a series of engaging exercises and discussions, students will uncover their hidden memories, embrace their vulnerability and develop a deeper connection with their personal narratives. Students will be given inclass writing assignments with the expectation that they will further develop their work between classes and bring it to the next class for discussion. At-home writing development should take about 20 minutes. This course is open to all levels, including beginning writers.
• Facilitated discussion, Active Skill Learning.
Recommended Text:
• Vivian Gornick, “The Situation and the Story” (9780374528584)
Shawna Ayoub is a brown, queer, Durham-based writer and instructor whose work prioritizes difficult topics. After recognizing the personal benefits of writing for release and recovery, she made her practice public. For the last 15 years, she’s offered courses independently as well as through the Center for Creative Writing. Her work appears in Survivor Lit, Exit 7, [wherever], The Archipelago and The Manifest-Station. She provides writing tips and resources on her Substack, Survive Your Story.
• 6 Thu, Sep 11 - Oct 30 (no class Oct 2 or 9), 1:30 - 3 p.m.
• In person at Judea Reform Congregation
• Maximum: 12; Fee: $90; Course ID: 4031 Your Life as a Hero's Journey: From Experience to Purpose & Joy
See listing on page 63.
Writing
Create Your Children’s Book
ONLINE: This 10-week course offers an engaging introduction to writing children’s books. Each session will include: group discussion of children’s books shared virtually between classes; a weekly presentation focus; a close study of a recently published book that illustrates the week’s theme; opportunities for students to share their own writing and ideas with fellow students; a preview of the work to complete before the next session. The first half of the course focuses on story structure, exploring character development, motivation, conflict and resolution. Through discussion and hands-on experimentation, students will learn the essential building blocks of a compelling children’s story. The second half of the course shifts to style, emphasizing imagery, dialogue and vivid verbs to help students craft stories that sing. Throughout, the instructor will provide curated links to contemporary online children’s books and original materials to support students’ learning and creative exploration. • Facilitated discussion.
Susie Wilde, M.Ed., has a deep love for children’s books that began with her writing and reviewing them. She published the picture book “Extraordinary Chester” early in her career and has collaborated on others with individuals and organizations. For 40 years, she wrote print reviews for newspapers and magazines countrywide, including monthly columns in the Raleigh News & Observer, Herald Sun and BookPage magazine.
• 10 Tue, Sep 9 - Nov 18 (no class Sep 23), 1:30 - 3:30 p.m.
• Online via Zoom; Sessions are recorded
• Maximum: 15; Fee: $150; Course ID: 3693
The Short Braided Essay
ONLINE: A braided essay weaves two or more distinct “threads” into one single essay. These threads — drawn from memory, imagination, research or observation — appear in alternating sections, creating layered meaning. You might start with a specific theme, such as fishing, and then incorporate both personal stories and researched history about fishing into your essay. Topics can range from science to art, travel to daily life — whatever sparks your interest. Each week, you’ll receive craft pages with short essay examples and techniques for structuring and refining your work. Writers submit their essay a day and a half before class; the instructor will then compile and share the work for group reading. In class, we’ll focus on both substance and craft, offering constructive feedback. A short letter from the instructor will be sent after each class. Prior prose writing experience is strongly recommended. • Facilitated discussion.
Jane Seitel has taught over 25 courses at OLLI. She is an expressive arts therapist, writer and teacher, and award-winning writer. She received a Master of Education from Lesley University and an MFA from Drew University. Jane teaches poetry, prose craft and literature. She encourages curiosity and creativity, and delights in the diversity of expressive voices.
• 8 Tue, Sep 9 - Nov 4 (no class Sep 23), 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
• Online via Zoom
• Maximum: 9; Fee: $120; Course ID: 4079
Visit our Online Learning website for helpful hints and tips for Zoom.
Writing
The Power of the Personal Essay
IN PERSON: If you’ve ever shared an experience in a letter, a journal, a blog, an email or a conversation, you have stepped into the realm of the personal essay. In this course, through reading and discussing a mix of accomplished personal essayists’ work, you’ll glean ideas for how you might begin to tell your own stories. From the writing you will do each week between classes, you will share your work in progress with the group, and hear back about where the writing came alive for them. There will be some in-class writing prompts to help you generate ideas and possible starts, and time for some general Q&A about writing personal essays. You will learn that no moment, event, memory or experience is too small a frame to hold a story (a story only you can tell) that will touch a reader. You’ll leave with a collection of starts, drafts and resources for further writing, and a sense of how to locate the deeper resonances that live within your
experiences and bring them to the page.
• Facilitated discussion, Active Skill Learning.
Please note: Bring your favorite writing instruments and paper in any format (pad, notebook, journal, loose leaf, e.g.), as some in-class writing will be by hand. In addition, you can bring a laptop/tablet to use.
Required Text:
• Phillip Lopate, “The Art of the Personal Essay” (9780385423397)
Charisse Coleman’s personal essays have appeared in national literary magazines, The Raleigh News & Observer and elsewhere. She has been awarded fellowships from the North Carolina Arts Council, was nominated for a Pushcart Prize and was selected as Notable in “The Best American Essays.” She holds an MFA from the Bennington College Writing Seminars, where she studied with Phillip Lopate, Lucy Grealy and George Packer. She has led a variety of creative nonfiction workshops in several venues.
• 8 Tue, Sep 9 - Nov 4 (no class Sep 23), 3:30 - 5 p.m.
• In person at Judea Reform Congregation
• Maximum: 10; Fee: $120; Course ID: 4078
Fall 2025 Kickoff Speaker & Social: A Morning with Frank Bruni
Friday, September 5 • 9:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. (ET)
Karsh Alumni Center Great Hall, 2080 Duke University Road, Durham
Come celebrate the start of a new season with OLLI! Enjoy light breakfast bites, warm drinks, and lively conversation. Reconnect with old friends, meet new ones, and hear from our special guest speaker, Frank Bruni, as we kick off another inspiring season of learning and community. See page 11.
About OLLI at Duke
We are a learning community. OLLI members have wide ranging interests in history, literature, the natural and social sciences, wellness, the fine arts and current events. Most of our course offerings are based on members’ requests and the expertise and interests of our instructors. Our curriculum is developed by the Curriculum Committee, which is composed of 12 member volunteers who recruit instructors and carefully curate courses. We embrace “learning for the love of it.” Both our members and our instructors appreciate that OLLI courses have no tests or grades. While our courses rarely require homework, active participation is encouraged.
Our instructors teach for the love of learning. No tests or grades means that instructors can focus on what is most important to them — teaching. If you find a course inspiring or meaningful, please share your gratitude directly with the instructor.
Our Mission
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Duke University seeks to engage the minds, elevate the spirits and foster the well-being of its members through numerous educational programs and opportunities for volunteer service and social activity.
Our Vision
We seek to provide a premier, quality, cost-effective noncredit curriculum with courses that cover a wide range of interests in history, literature, the natural and social sciences, the fine arts and current events.
Our History
OLLI at Duke is one of the oldest and largest institutes within the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute network. Established in 1977 as the Duke Institute for Learning in Retirement (DILR), the program was renamed the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Duke in 2006 in honor of the Bernard Osher Foundation. Membership has grown from the original 42 to one of the largest OLLI programs in the country. Current membership is 1,913 and growing.
Fall 2025 Registration
Registration opens on Tuesday, August 19, at 9 a.m. ET for Monday and Tuesday courses and on Wednesday, August 20, at 9 a.m. ET for Wednesday and Thursday courses.
Registration FAQs
To make your registration experience as smooth as possible, we have put together a frequently asked questions guide. At OLLI at Duke FAQs you will find answers to questions on membership, courses, Zoom and technology and registration.
