Monthly Archives: January 2012

February 2012 Study and Discussion Groups

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OLLI-UO in Portland

Find a group that fits your interests.
The following study and discussion groups meet weekly unless otherwise specified. All members are welcome to attend these sessions. Past participation is not required. For questions, study materials or more information on these groups, please call the OLLI-UO in Portland office at 503-412-3653.

Tuesdays

The Rise of Humans: Great Scientific Debates
10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

“Trying to understand our human origins has always been a fundamental part of who we are. One of the core things we want to know is how we came to be. Thousands of years ago, human civilizations developed elaborate stories to explain the origins of humans. But today, with the help of dramatic archaeological discoveries and groundbreaking advancements in technology and scientific understanding, we are closer than ever before to learning the true story.

In recent decades, paleoanthropology has exploded, bringing us closer than ever before to making sense of this controversial subject and providing us with a richer understanding of our origins. It’s also sparked continued debate among the greatest minds in the field and prompted anthropologists to revise, update, and even, in some cases, overturn ideas and theories about key issues in human evolution” (http://bit.ly/n3H5sI). [DVD discussion group]

Facilitator: Mike Ellis

Wednesdays

Great American Music: Broadway Musicals
10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

“Give my regards to Broadway…Is it possible to read those lyrics, let alone hear them, without mentally filling in: Remember me to Herald Square? Have you begun to hum or sing it to yourself, with the words and notes carrying you back in time to the Broadway of George M. Cohan and the heyday of Tin Pan Alley?

“[This course is] far more than just an immersion in musical nostalgia. Professor Messenger ranges across the entire culture of which music is a part, teaching you some of the intricacies of musical composition and song construction—and how they were used to create specific effects—as well as the social and historical backdrop against which musical theater needs to be considered.” (bit.ly/brdwy).

Facilitator: Joanna Rood.

Thursdays

Extra Innings
10:30 a.m.–noon

As “third agers,” we are experiencing, for the first time in human history, thirty additional years of healthy life. This experimental discussion course will utilize emerging findings from the science of gerontology as well as gerogogy, defined as self-directed learning using life experience as a platform. This discussion course is not a life-review course. Class discussion will not only allow participants to look back on past experiences, but will encourage participants to look ahead as they travel through their third age.

Facilitator: Ken Calvin

Literati

February 2, noon–2:30 p.m.
Literati will watch the film, The Picture of Dorian Gray (1945, 110 minutes).

February 16, 1:00–2:30 p.m.
Literati will meet to discuss the book, The Tigress of Forlì by Elizabeth Lev.

  • “Wife, mother, leader, warrior. Caterina Riario Sforza was one of the most prominent women in Renaissance Italy—and one of the most vilified. In this glittering biography, Elizabeth Lev reexamines her extraordinary life and accomplishments.
  • “Raised in the court of Milan and wed at age ten to the pope’s corrupt nephew, Caterina was ensnared in Italy’s political intrigues early in life. After turbulent years in Rome’s papal court, she moved to the Romagnol province of Forlì. Following her husband’s assassination, she ruled Italy’s crossroads with iron will, martial strength, political savvy—and an icon’s fashion sense. In finally losing her lands to the Borgia family, she put up a resistance that inspired all of Europe and set the stage for her progeny—including Cosimo de’ Medici—to follow her example to greatness.
  • “A rich evocation the Renaissance, The Tigress of Forlì reveals Caterina Riario Sforza as a brilliant and fearless ruler, and a tragic but unbowed figure.” (http://amzn.to/wxKbrR).

February 23, noon–2:30 p.m.
Literati will watch a film related to the House of Medici. TBD.

Facilitator: George Davidson

Leaving a Trace: Writing About Your Life
2:30–4:30 p.m.

This group provides a friendly, supportive, and intimate setting to explore and share memories and experiences.

In this course, we will explore moving from journal writing to finding the ‘line of thought.’ We will write, share, engage in writing exercises, and have a couple of guests who have moved from journal, to memoir, to a published book.

Through this experience, I hope to share with you how to leave a lasting piece of work about your lives. We will identify ten key patterns hidden in all journals and find the story underneath the surface of recorded fact. We will learn how to play detective to your days, find the ‘thought line’ or the arc of life’s meaning in your life, and frame these stories for journal, family chronicle or memoir.

Past questions the writing group has considered are:

  • What is something that got left behind?
  • What is something you cannot deny?
  • What is something you wrote or did that you no longer understand?

Members may join this group at anytime.

Facilitator: Judi McGavin

Brown Bag Luncheons

February 7, 14, 15, 21, 22, and 28, 12:30–1:30 p.m.

Get to know your fellow OLLI-UO members at these weekly brown bag luncheons. Bring a lunch from home or order takeout from one of Old Town’s many restaurants. Lunch will be held in the OLLI-UO office, suite 148C.  Lunches are always preceded and followed by an OLLI-UO course, lecture or discussion group.  We hope to see you there!

Let it Snow, Let it Snow

We are well aware of how quickly and unexpectedly our winter weather can change here. The University of Oregon rarely closes for inclement weather. Should you hear on the radio or television that local public schools have cancelled classes, it is possible that a group leader, course manager or presenter may also need to cancel their event. Please call the OLLI office, 503-412-3653 or 800-824-2714, for the most up-to-date OLLI event information. As always, please use your best judgment as to whether you feel the roads are safe for your travel.

 

OLLI-UO in Portland Open House

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Discover Lifelong Learning Day

Saturday, February 4
10:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m.

A broad sampling of classes, lectures and workshops are on the menu at “Discover Lifelong Learning,” a free, one-day introduction to the University of Oregon in Portland Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.

Register for one or all sessions, at no cost. Pre-registration is required as spaces are limited for some classes. To register, call the OLLI-UO office at 503-412-3653 or 800-824-2714. Click on the course title to register online.

10:00 a.m. The Rise of Humans: Great Scientific Debates
[DVD discussion group]

Lecture: Neandertals—Extinct or Ancestors?
Facilitator: Mike Ellis
“Follow along as scientists examine Neandertal genes to determine just how close our ties are to this primitive species, which disappeared about 30,000 years ago. What scientists found when the entire genome sequence of Neandertals was reconstructed in 2010—and what it reveals about the true fate of Neandertals—may surprise you” (http://bit.ly/n3H5sI).

11:00 a.m.–noon Chinese Culture [lecture]

Presenter: Professor Emeritus of Anthropology Philip Silverman
This lecture will provide a selective examination of China’s history and major social institutions, such as the family and religion. Silverman will examine various contradictions and conflicts of Chinese life today that make the country an inexhaustible source of fascination for some and a troubling concern for others.

Presenter Philip Silverman is an OLLI member and professor emeritus of anthropology from California State University Bakersfield.

Noon–12:50 p.m. Lunch

Participants are welcome to bring their own lunch, but refrigeration will not be provided. A catered option is available:

  • Sandwich Sack Lunch—$9.25 Your freshly made sandwich, 1oz lightly salted Kettle chips, our petite chocolate chip & Elephant shortbread cookies
  • Salad Sack Lunch—$9.95 Your delicious entrée salad, fresh baguette slice & butter, our petite chocolate chip & Elephant shortbread cookies

1:00–2:00 p.m. Popular Houses of Oregon [lecture]

Presenter: Professor of Architecture Thomas C. Hubka
For over 150 years, settlers to Oregon have constructed a range of common houses that contribute to the state’s varied residential landscapes. Professor Thomas C. Hubka will present the full range of these houses and analyze what is typical and unique about them in relation to residences from the rest of the country. Through a series of slide lectures, he will outline the major periods of housing construction and describe the dominant house types that have been built in various periods throughout Oregon, including bungalows, Capes, four-squares, early settlement houses, ranches, mobile homes, and multi-unit houses. Residences will also be interpreted according to their construction systems, design development, and family usage and history.

2:00–2:20 p.m. Coffee Break

2:30–3:30 Leaving a Trace: Writing About Your Life [workshop]

Instructor: Judi McGavin
In this introductory session to the art of memoir writing, instructor Judi McGavin will lead participants through writing exercises. This workshop is part of an ongoing memoir writing class.

Based on the instructional model, seating is limited for the DVD discussion group and writing workshop. Seating is unlimited for the two lectures.

Parking and Transportation

For information on directions and parking for the White Stag Block, please visit our website: Parking and Transportation

About OLLI-UO in Portland

OLLI-UO strives to encourage the joy of learning without the requirements of tests, grades or formal admission. College degrees or previous affiliation with the University of Oregon are not required for membership. For more information on OLLI-UO, visit our website at http://osher.uoregon.edu.

Eugene/Springfield January Open Meeting: The Britten War Requiem

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The UO Osher Lifelong Learning Institute in Eugene/Springfield will host an open meeting and presentation  on Wednesday, January 18, 1:30 p.m. Featured speaker for the event is Diane Retallack, artistic director and conductor of the Eugene Concert Choir. Her presentation will focus on Benjamin Britten’s moving choral masterwork, The War Requiem. Britten’s work, which combines the traditional Latin requiem mass with the poetry of World War I poet Wilfred Owen to chilling effect, will be performed at the Hult Center on February 25, 2012.

The Osher lifelong learning program hosts five open meetings annually. Held at the UO Baker Downtown Center in Eugene, these events bring distinguished speakers to the Eugene/Springfield community, and introduce the public to the Osher LLI program.

Open to the public free of charge. Light refreshments provided.