Osher - Coral Gables Courses

Auditing Fee for OLLI members

Join Mr. Robert Dawson (as Robert Dawson) and be amused, entertained, and, most importantly, enlightened by the variety of miscellaneous subjects in this six-week series.

The course will give an overview of the Court's history by going over some of its landmark cases, as well as some current cases and current events.

This course introduces scientific research on “successful aging” as a foundation for participating in interactive techniques for personal development and self-awareness. Growing old presents challenges and changes but also enormous potential for happiness. The enriching group dialogues will offer a new set of resources, understanding, and empowerment.

What is gender? Is it simply men vs. women? Why have the past 100 years brought so many profound social changes in gender? Where is gender heading next? This course will present a holistic view of gender including concepts, current understandings, and emerging research across the disciplines of biology, psychology, and sociology. Gender is at the very core of our being; it is how we self-conceptualize and how we relate to others. The course provides new distinctions and redefines gender studies beyond binary notions of male vs. female. Dynamic audio/visual presentations and live guest speakers will provide an enriching learning experience.

For this course, we will read the new novel And the Mountains Echoed by best-selling author Khaled Hosseini. In the first week, we will discuss his debut novel The Kite Runner. If you have not previously read it, finish it before the Summer I session begins. We will then read And the Mountains Echoed over the following five weeks. On June 19, we will take a group field trip to attend a reading by Hosseini at 7:30 PM.

This course, geared toward advanced students who are already comfortable reading and speaking French, will explore in depth Francois Mauriac’s masterpiece, Thérèse Desqueyroux. The novel, set among the bleak pineland forests of southwestern France, paints a portrait of suppression and transgression among the provincial Catholic bourgeoisie of the 1920’s.

You know your grammar -let’s start chatting! The purpose of this interactive intermediate Spanish conversation course is to begin honing your speaking skills and be able to discuss personal activities, everyday situations and be able to express your opinions – ¡en español! We will be using various readings ranging from authentic newspaper/magazine materials to various short stories and other types of brief readings. Please bring along the specific magazine/newspaper articles or other readings that the instructor will give you to class each week for the discussions.

Buon giorno! This class is a continuation from Beginning Italian Part D. In this elementary course you will begin learning the basic essentials to speak and write in Italian. Greetings, basic grammar points and cultural elements will be presented, all in a relaxed and fun atmosphere. Come and join the fun! Siete Benvenuti!

Brush up on your Yiddish, and start speaking it now. Even if you understand it, but have never spoken it, come surprise yourself with how quickly you can join the conversation.

¡Bienvenidos! This is a continuation of Beginning Spanish Part B. In this elementary course you will begin learning the basic essentials to speak and write in Spanish. Greetings, basic grammar points and cultural elements will be presented all in a relaxed and fun atmosphere. Come and join in on the fun! ¡Nos vemos!

Fasten your seatbelt as you prepare to embark upon the trip of a lifetime – a traveler’s jaunt through France. Emphasis will be on communication and practical vocabulary including transportation, lodging, dining, shopping, healthcare, and entertainment. No previous knowledge of French is required.

In this beginning Portuguese course you will begin learning the basic essentials to speak and write in Brazilian Portuguese. Greetings, basic grammar points and cultural elements will be presented, all in a relaxed and fun atmosphere. Come and join the fun!

You know your grammar-let’s start chatting! The purpose of this interactive intermediate Italian conversation course is to begin honing your speaking skills and be able to discuss personal activities, everyday situations and be able to express your opinions – tutto in italiano! We will be using various readings ranging from authentic newspaper/magazine materials to various short stories and other types of brief readings. Please bring along the specific magazine/newspaper articles or other readings that the instructor will give you to class each week for the discussions.

Throughout much of the twentieth century, Paris was widely viewed as the cultural capital of the western world. As such, it exercised a magnetic attraction upon several generations of artists and intellectuals, large numbers of whom migrated to the French capital from all over the world. In this class, we will look at the social and political history of the time period and read the works of the expatriates themselves.

Have you ever thought you were funny? Or maybe someone else says you are? No matter. You see, we all have hidden quirks and talents – and sometimes the funniest people are actually the shy ones, the awkward ones, the ones who have no idea in the world how to tell a joke! This course is designed as a basic introduction to the techniques of improvisational comedy – a style of “structured spontaneity” used by professional actors and comedians everywhere and featured on well-known game shows like Whose Line is it Anyway? Each session will be spent in an interactive, workshop-style atmosphere. No previous acting or comedy training is required.

This course discusses the differences between the rich of the 19th century and the 21st century, the role of the euro, gold, and the dollar in the 21st century, the role of Islamic powers as economic powers in the 21st century, and current events.

The continent of Asia has been the birthplace of some of the world's major religions, and of others less well-known, that have impacted the diverse cultures of Central Asia in many ways. Not only have various religions shaped everyday ritual practices and life cycle observances, they have left their mark on Central Asian art and architecture as well as societal attitudes that continue to impact history and politics.

The Impressionist movement changed the way we see art today dramatically. During the course of the 20th Century, artists developed different approaches to art. Fauvism, Dadaism, Expressionism, Surrealism, and others depicted an array of ideas and techniques through their new interpretations.

This course is designed as an introduction to the fundamental concepts and principles of narrative film art. Each week’s lecture is devoted to presenting you with an in-depth vocabulary for how to describe the inner-workings of our most multifarious of visual media. Lectures are illustrated with a variety of entertaining film clips from Hollywood and around the world. All film lovers and enthusiasts are most welcome – as is anyone curious to know more about movies and how they work.

This course provides a historical overview of the six most innovative American composers, including biographical information, and discussions of musical form and analysis. Each class will include lectures, audio and visuals, class discussions, and live demonstrations.

Painting with acrylics can be great fun. Painting is to be enjoyed, not endured. Acrylics are easy to use mainly because they are water soluble, and are not encumbered by numeroustechnical rules, as are oils. Acrylics allow the artist to jump in and push the medium to its limits. Come and experience the fun, ease and lack of boundaries this medium and class offers.

Painting with acrylics can be great fun. Painting is to be enjoyed, not endured. Acrylics are easy to use mainly because they are water-soluble and are not encumbered by the numerous technical rules, as are oils. Acrylics allow the artist to jump in and push the medium to its limits. Come and experience the fun, ease and lack of boundaries this medium and class has to offer. There will be time in class to work on your projects where you will receive assistance and weekly critiques.

If you've never painted before or have been painting for less than a year, this is a great class to learn or review the foundations of watercolor. Even if you are just beginning, David will have you painting in no time. This class is for those who have been painting for a year or less.

Are you an experienced watercolor artist who wants to learn more advanced techniques? This class is designed for those students who have been working with the medium for at least one year.

In this class you’ll learn how to identify the components and how to use some of the basic programs of your computer.

This course is design for avid writers with a taste for graphic design. Blogger is a web-based application to build blogs. Blogger offers many fascinating, yet easy to use templates and tools to create unique and eye-catching blogs. This course requires basic computer skills and the disposition to publish material online. In addition, by the end of the session students will have a broader understanding of social media trends such as Facebook and Twitter. Note: There are many blog developing application such as WordPress. In addition, there are numerous web albums such as Picasa.

Wire Sculpture is not as threatening as you may think! In fact, it’s downright easy and fun. Plus, the supply costs are minimal to none! Did you know that Alexander Calder basically developed wire sculpture as an art form? Come learn this art of bending, twisting, and wrapping and explore the versatility of wire.