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Mondays | 10 – 11:40 a.m. | Zoom, Recorded*

Join SF Symphony and SF Opera speaker Dr. Laura Stanfield Prichard for an examination of the best contemporary female orchestral conductors. We will listen and observe notable mentor-teachers (Nadia Boulanger, Sain Edwards, Marin Alsop, Ann Howard Jones, Marguerite Brooks); explore female composers/conductors (Lisa Bielawa, Jennifer Higdon, Laura Kaminsky, and early suffragettes like Ethel Smyth) and films contrasting real and imagined female conductors (Maestra; A Woman is a Risky Bet; The Conductor; Tár; Divertimento) and discover new leaders in the field. 

Tuesdays | 10 – 11:40 a.m. | Zoom, Recorded*

The Hollywood 10, the Rosenbergs, and the McCarthy cases represent turning points in our nation’s struggle to retain a constitutional democracy. We will examine these cases in light of our current political situation and examine the impact of the career of Roy Cohn on these cases and as a mentor to Donald Trump.

Tuesdays | 10 – 11:40 a.m. | Zoom, Recorded*

Most people know the observation, often attributed to Churchill, that democracy is the worst form of government except for all the others. Democracy certainly seems to be faltering on the global stage, with many questioning whether its moment has come and gone. But what is democracy exactly and what is it supposed to do that it is apparently not doing? In this course we will answer that question by looking at democracy in all its varieties, and comparing democracy to “all the others” (communism, socialism, fascism, etc.) to determine if in fact democracy is the best, or at a minimum, the least worst form of government.

Tuesdays | 2 p.m. – 3:40 p.m. | Zoom, Recorded*

This lecture series is a sequel to an earlier course covering an earlier period. This six-week course offers you the opportunity to meet a large and often unfamiliar cast of characters—both black and white, enslaved and free—who developed a range of tools and tactics, means and methods to escape enslavement or try to resist it in the period between the drafting of the United States Constitution in 1787 and 1865, the year that marked the end of the Civil War.

Wednesdays | 10 a.m. – 11:40 a.m. | Zoom, Recorded*

Katharine Hepburn’s film career covered six decades and included everything from screwball comedies and westerns to Shakespeare and other literary drama. Over those 60 years, she won four Academy Awards for Best Actress, a record that remains unbroken to this day. In this course, we’ll examine six of her classic movies (The Philadelphia Story; Woman of the Year; The African Queen; Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?; The Lion in Winter; On Golden Pond) and two lesser-known films (Alice Adams; The Sea of Grass).

Wednesdays | 2 p.m. – 3:40 p.m. | Zoom, Recorded*

This course will examine great works of world architecture from ancient times to the modern period. Examined chronologically from an architectural history perspective, the course will focus primarily on the architecture of the Western world although reference will also be made to concurrent architectural developments in non-western cultures. Emphasis will be placed on understanding great architecture as reflective of the ideas and values of the culture in which it has been produced.

Wednesdays | 6 p.m. – 7:40 p.m. | Zoom, Recorded*

The centrality of the U.S. Supreme Court in modern American life can hardly be overstated. Nearly every aspect of modern political, social, and personal life—from free speech, religious liberty, marriage rights, reproductive rights, voting rights, gun ownership, immigration rights, the death penalty, even the structure and maintenance of America’s democracy itself—ultimately winds up at the Supreme Court’s marble steps. We will examine how this came to be, and discuss whether it is how things should be. Should Americans’ most cherished rights be decided by 9 unelected judges? Is this consistent with our basic notions of representative democracy? Is the Supreme Court an essential element of American democracy that should be protected and cherished—or is it something to be feared? Get ready for lively, informative, interactive discussions, filled with historical background, juicy insider tidbits, and present-day controversies!

Thursdays | 10 – 11:40 a.m. | Hybrid (Zoom and in-person)

Delve into the social side of being human! This course overviews lifelong development in key areas of our human experience. Each week explores a different theme, tracing it from childhood roots into mature forms. Anger, happiness, jealousy – are our emotions innate or learned? We’ll also explore the construction of personality and temperament, forming a sense of self, attachment and relationships, aggression and altruism, plus the impact of technology on the social world.

Thursdays | 2 – 3:40 p.m. | Zoom, Recorded*

Be prepared for hours of irreverent revelry as we journey through the songs and career of one of our most acclaimed social satirists. See interviews in which Tom Lehrer reveals what/who inspired his work – from his familiar recorded repertoire to rare gems never released to the public and watch him performing his songs over the years in his inimitable style. Your instructor has been corresponding with Tom (age 97!) for over 16 months. He’s happy about the course and is looking forward to students’ feedback.

Thursdays | 4 – 5:40 p.m. | Zoom, Recorded*

Join moderator Dan Cooper and a group (maximum number of participants 18) of OLLI members on Zoom and share your opinions about articles in the current issues of The Atlantic. This is a wonderful opportunity to discuss issues currently in the news.

Fridays | 10 – 11:40 a.m. | Hybrid (Zoom and in-person)

Like everything else, the world of sports evolves constantly. Football today looks quite different from the days that Red Grange ran wild on the gridiron. Basketball scarcely resembles the game of 1960 when Wilt Chamberlain was averaging 50 points a game and baseball is no exception. In the last twenty-five years the sport has undergone a dizzying series of changes that have left some fans scratching their heads in wonderment: “bullpenning,” “the pitch clock,”  “the Ghost Runner” are terms that didn’t exist just a decade ago. And yet, the fundamental appeal of the game remains the same to its millions of fans. In this course we will examine the theme of “change and continuity” in the Grand Old Game. 

Fridays | 2 – 3:40 p.m. | Zoom, Not Recorded

Following the Nuremberg Trial which ended in late 1946, the Nuremberg Military Tribunal prosecuted numerous members of the German Nazi structure who were not tried with the original "Class A" defendants. Here, 12 trials were conducted against various specific groups including doctors, judges, industrialists, Einsatzgruppen, members of the SS, and German generals. Run exclusively by the Americans, these trials focused on war crimes and crimes against humanity. This course will examine in detail all 12 trials as well as the aftermath. 

Fridays | 2 – 3:40 p.m. | Zoom, Recorded*

On a very dark, clear night, you can see a hazy band of light arching across the sky called the Milky Way. The Milky Way is a combined glow of billions of stars inside our galaxy too far from Earth to be seen individually. In this course, we will explore the Milky Way Galaxy.  In particular, (1) the myths and stories told by cultures around the world and how the Milky way was used by people to tell time, navigate, and construct calendars, (2) how astronomers eventually discovered that we live inside a galaxy of billions of other stars, (3) the astonishing celestial objects that comprise the Milky Way Galaxy, and (4) what space and ground-based telescopes have revealed about our Milky Way galaxy and the new questions that have emerged. No prior knowledge of astronomy is needed for this course.

Osher Online is a set of online-only (on Zoom, not recorded) courses provided by the Osher National Recourse Center at Northwestern University. Dominican OLLI members may select any number of these for a fee of $120 per course. Premium and Session members pay half price.

To participate:

1. Become a Dominican OLLI member.
2. Review the course/seminar listing below.  

Questions? Contact us at olli@dominican.edu or call at (415) 458-3763.

Course Listing

The Forgotten Men in History

Mondays | Noon | Diana Carlin, PhD

Many individuals contribute to history but never get their due. Women and other marginalized groups traditionally received less ink in history books than the "great men" of history who were mainly white males. This course looks at nine women--three each session--whose achievements are not commonly known. Among the nine women are a scientist, a winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, a pioneering pilot, a suffragist, a candidate for the US presidency, an activist for women's and African-American rights, a British anthropologist, and a pioneering politician from the Western US.

Mainstreaming the Margins: A History of LBGTQ+ in America 

Tuesdays | 8 a.m. | Adam Kocurek

Over half a century after the Stonewall Uprising, the vibrant and complex history of LGBTQ+ life, culture, and movements in the US remains a focal point of rich discussion and political relevance. In this course, we will immerse ourselves in the intricate history of  LGBTQ+Americans, examining their political organizations, cultural contributions, and the profound ways they have helped shape the nation. This course offers a comprehensive overview of key LGBTQ+ figures, events, and cultural shifts beginning in the early 20th century to the present, highlighting the emergence and evolution of LGBTQ+ identities and activism, and the challenges they have historically faced. We will uncover how a marginalized community has become a powerful force for social change, impacting every facet of American life—from grassroots politics and art to society at large. Together we will gain a deeper understanding of LGBTQ+ history and gain a renewed appreciation for the ongoing struggle towards justice, inclusion, and freedom in the US.

Cinema in Transition: Exploring Change Through Classical Film 

Tuesdays | 10 a.m. | Jeremy Fackenthal, PhD

Spring is a time of new life, as we watch the world around us change from dormant to full of life. This course is an introduction to film movements and styles. We will watch several classic films all of which have a theme of change. We will begin by discussing film genres, film history, and how films are made. We will also explore what to look for as you watch the films selected for the course. Films are watched on your own outside of the classroom (at least one film will be assigned per week beginning week 2) and are available on Plex with a free account, through Turner Classic Movies, or with a Max subscription. Some titles may also be available through your local public library. During each class session, we will unpack the film in terms of its style, story, filmmaking technique, and how it fits with the theme of change. During this course, we will discover great films that help us see and think about change in our world.

Jinas, Jivas, & The Three Jewels 

Tuesdays | Noon | Eileen Goddard, MA

Jainism is an ancient religion from India that teaches that the path to enlightenment is through nonviolence and reducing harm to living things (including plants and animals). This course provides an introduction to Jain traditions and their historical roots in South Asia from the time of Mahāvīra (fifth century BCE) to the present. We will begin with a historical overview of key religious figures and ethics in Jainism, followed by an exploration of Jain philosophies to understand their views on existence and reality. This course will then examine ascetic practitioners, laypeople, sacred places, and objects, including temples and art. We will conclude with a focus on gender roles and the relationship between Jain ethics and environmental activism.

Future-Proofing Your Health and Lifespan

Wednesdays | 2 p.m. | Osher Online Team

Longevity comes down to one simple truth: our ability to weather the inevitable challenges life unexpectedly drops in our lap. Resilience is our ticket to extended healthspan. Western society is entering a phase of significant transformation that will change how we age. This course is a condensed version of Fulton’s Healthspan Masterclass which focuses on the five foundations for extending healthspan and looks at societal changes that will impact all of us. We will distill the latest and most relevant age-related science for a general audience and explain the strategies for optimal  outcomes that fit a wide range of cultures and values.

Neurology in a Nutshell: The Brain Explained 

Thursdays | Noon | Paul Schanfield, MD

This course begins by unraveling the mysteries of the brain. We will explore how to navigate the complex and fragmented healthcare system and discuss strategies for advocating for personalized care. In addition to simplifying common neurological conditions—such as headaches, dizziness, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, and memory loss—we will examine testing and imaging of the nervous system. The course will also focus on illness prevention through healthy lifestyles and provide an intimate discussion of end-of-life issues.

Science Charcuterie

Thursdays | 2 p.m. | Kjir Hendrickson, PhD

Some topics don’t fit neatly into OLLI science classes—too big, too small, too little, too much, too off-topic—and often end up on the proverbial cutting room floor. In this course, these intriguing bits and ends are gathered up and presented like a charcuterie board of tasty science snacks. This will be a six-week romp through just about anything one might imagine including a little bit of color theory, a morsel of genetic testing science, a dash of airplane physics, some lightning theory, a mouse that turns scorpion venom into a painkiller, current scientific thoughts on origins of life, and a lot of time to explore topics of interest to you. Bring your questions and we will explore some of the exciting nooks and crannies of science together.

Bella Napoli: The Other Eternal City

Fridays | 10 a.m. | Dr. Anthony Antonucci and Dr. Hilary Haakenson

The Southern Italian port city of Naples is home to a rich and complex history stretching back to its foundation by Greek colonists in the 8th century B.C.E. Across the centuries, Naples evolved into a vibrant cultural, political and economic center of the Mediterranean world, first as a part of Magna Gracia, and later, under successive periods of Roman, Byzantine, Norman, Angevin, and Spanish rule, on route to becoming the capital of the independent Bourbon Kingdom of the Two Sicilies in 1816. In 1861, Naples’s incorporation into the newly unified Italian nation-state as a part of the Risorgimento initiated an era of modernization and adaptation that persists to the present day. In this six-week class, we will examine la storia e tradizioni of bella Napoli—a city famously pieno di contradizione (“full of contradictions”).