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San Diego is host to many different species of palm trees...They are seen everywhere but most of us know very little about them. Osher member, Danny Simpson, will teach you how to “read” a palm tree– what that means, why we should, how to do it, and what secrets they can tell. You’ll get to know some of our local palms and the urban challenges they face. Let’s explore this other type of “palm reading” with Danny!
Outcomes: Students will be able to: recognize unique features of Palm Trees including wrinkles, inches, and scars; *understand the significance of Palm Trees and their features
Format:90% Lecture, 10% Questions and Answers
April 12 - April 12
Visitors to many zoos may notice an animal interacting with a plant stem or flowers within their residential space. Generally referred to as browse, this plant material is a resource for both behavioral benefits as well as nutritional health. Osher member and San Diego Zoo Arborist Emeritus, Danny Simpson, will explore the complex details of providing plant resources to support our zoo animal friends and the evolution and necessity of browse programs worldwide. You’ll learn how your trimmings and yard matter can be a source of sustenance.
Outcomes:
Format:90% Lecture; 10% Question & Answer
April 5 - April 5
There is the Canon — literature that is considered authoritative by the Jewish or Christian communities. However, there is also literature that was written by members of those communities that did not “pass muster” and is labeled "non-canonical." There is the Apocrypha, the Pseudepigrapha, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and the New Testament Apocrypha all of which illuminate the world of Jews and Christians in the time between the 4th century BCE and the 4th century CE. We will explore this literature and see how it helps us to understand this period of time.
Outcomes: /Participants will learn about what this literature is, what it says, and why it is important to our understanding of the development of Judaism and Christianity.
Format: 70% lecture, 30% dialogue with participants. Always open to questions during lectures.
April 6 - April 13
Outcomes: Explore the Kumeyaay way of life prior to the 1769 arrival of Europeans. • Explain how the Europeans impacted the Kumeyaay way of life.
More details will be communicated via course confirmation email approximately 1 week prior to the class meeting. Wear closed-toed shoes, a hat, sunscreen & bring water.
Format: 75% activity and demonstration, 25% Q&A
May 10 - May 10
Did you know nearly everyone has an estate? Learn the importance of estate planning and its goals -- including asset transfer, incapacity protection, guardian protection, charitable intent, and tax control. We will also cover the function of a will and different types of trusts, as well as the role of a trustee.
Outcomes:* Why make an estate plan *Basic steps of estate planning * function of a will * different types of trusts and the role of a trustee.
Format:Lecture - 70%, Q&A-20% Activity - 10%
In "Understanding Antisemitism" we will look at some of the explanations for antisemitism that have been offered throughout the ages to discover where the problem ultimately lies. And where Israel fits into the picture. .
Outcomes:Learn productive strategies for reducing antisemitism and the role of faith in these areas..
Format: 65% Lecture 35% Discussion
Historically there have been six major inflationary periods, each with a specific cause. Inflation happens if an economy grows too fast, if there is mismanagement of national debt, changes in a monetary exchange rate, printing more money by a central bank and over or under government regulation. Other causes are global war, pandemics, civil wars and increased demand for natural resources. Are there positive benefits of inflation? Can inflation be curbed? Who wins/loses from inflation? Is inflation political? This class will address all these questions in a group discussion..
Outcomes: Learn what inflation is Identify the cause and effects Answer questions in a group discussion
Format:lecture 30% discussion and Q & A 70%
April 11 - April 11
This course will explore current events with a focus on constitutional law at the Supreme Court and in other corridors of power. Largely driven by what’s “hot” in the news when the course is taught (and responsive to issues that class members wish to focus on), this course will dig beneath the surface perspectives presented by the media and pundits. We’ll focus on legal doctrines and tradeoffs behind these controversies. For example, assuming that the Court continues to take cases about vaccine and mask mandates, the course would focus in-depth on the legal issues about personal liberty and religious freedom that underlie these controversies.
Why do hate-mongering protesters have a constitutional right to disrupt military funerals? Why is “big money” allowed to dominate political campaign advocacy? (Why) Is the Mt. Soledad cross constitutional? In this multi-session course, you will explore these and many other controversies, fully realizing why the U.S. Constitution’s “First” Amendment is also first in importance and controversy. Special emphasis will be placed on First Amendment controversies now pending before the Supreme Court.
Outcome: --Understanding at a deeper level the major legal doctrines and policy tradeoffs involved in constitutional law --Being a better “consumer” of media and political arguments about what the Constitution does and doesn’t say --Enhancing your appreciation of the difficult balancing act embodied in the Constitution and the challenge facing the courts and others in preserving that balance.
Format:60% Lecture; 30% Q&A; 10% Paired Discussion of Hypotheticals