2024 Spring
OF 0018.12 Peace Leadership: Exploring Peacebuilding from the Ground Up
Within the broad field of peacebuilding scholarship, the scales are decidedly tipped to study phenomena around conflict resolution, transitional justice, and third-party interventions ~ most of them at the hands of diplomats and politicians. While these areas represent legitimate efforts to negotiate treaties and monitor compliance between state actors, history has shown the Sisyphean nature of these approaches in terms of implementation and securing sustainable peace. What has drawn far less attention are the valiant and courageous efforts of peace builders on the ground who are working in unimaginable circumstances, and in many cases in partnership or cooperation with sworn enemies. This course will examine the elements of a construct known as “positive peace,” which can and does exist even in areas where conflict continues (such as the Middle East) through the lens of peace activists working on the ground. The six-week program will include a mix of background reading, video, faculty presentations and small-group interaction.
Course Date(s)
April 2 - May 7
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Instructors
Aleen Bayard
2024 Spring
OF 0018.11 The Sixties in America: From Rebellion to Rights to Commodity
Our class on America in 60’s will ask some simple but also complex questions like: why did people rebel when they did, who rebelled and who didn’t, what came out of the rebellion, and did it cause the rise of conservative politics in the US? We will look at: Civil Rights, Vietnam, the rise of Feminism (round 2), the Green Movement (in which NU played a key part), and the exit of the traditional unionized working class from the Republican Party. We will begin with “When did the 60s start and when did they end?”
Course Date(s)
April 1 - May 6
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Instructors
Jeff Rice
2024 Spring
OF 0015.44 The Supreme Court's Landmark Decisions: Background and Enduring Legacy

We regularly hear about “landmark” Supreme Court cases – but what makes a High Court decision truly worthy of the name? Should the landmark label be limited to cases that expand legal rights and protections? Can a ruling that sets back constitutional rights still be a “landmark” case? This course explores the background and implications of Supreme Court decisions that have made lasting contributions to core constitutional understandings about governmental power, individual liberties, and fundamental rights. Students will develop a greater appreciation of the importance and difficulties of the Court’s constitutional decision-making. And they’ll become better consumers of news and opinions about the Court and the Constitution.

Course Date(s)
February 13 - March 12
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Instructors
Glenn C Smith
2024 Spring
OF 0015.43 Gotta Get US Some of That Reform

This course consists of a series of lectures and discussions focusing on important areas of national, state, and local government in which reforms have been proposed in recent years. 1. Secondary Colors: Is the Electoral College the problem, or are presidential primaries worse? 2. Politicians Electing Their Voters: Should something be done about the Gerrymandering problem? 3. Forever Incumbents: Does the United States need to adopt Congressional Term Limits? 4. Woodrow Wilson’s Ghost: Should the United States Move to a Parliamentary System? 5. America’s Other “Peculiar Institution”: the U.S. Supreme Court as our Super-Legislature 6. Stealth Government: What’s so special about the Special Districts?

Course Date(s)
March 1 - March 15
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Instructors
James Ingram
2024 Spring
OF 0017.31 Tectonics of the Western USA and Associated Hazards: The San Andreas Fault - so near and so silent...

What is the San Andreas fault? Why is it here? What can it do to us when it moves? Why is it not moving? What kinds of plate boundaries do we have in the western US? In this lecture you'll discover why California, and the San Diego region, is tectonically active and in what kind of hazard you are. You’ll learn ways to mitigate the natural hazards that we face in California. Students will articulate and recognize the types of plate boundaries, types of geological hazards, their relative strengths and spatial distribution in California, and how they interact with humans. Students will identify and describe the type and the strength of the tectonic boundary here in San Diego, the San Andreas fault. Students will discuss the earthquake hazards associated with their living area, based on our plate boundary. Students will learn to mitigate the tectonic hazard.

Course Date(s)
February 16 - February 16
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2024 Spring
OF 0017.30 Gravity and Weightlessness

What keeps us bound to earth? The answer has changed from Aristotle to Galileo and from Newton to Einstein. Galileo took man out of the center of the universe and put himself under arrest. We were able to get up out of bed this morning, but not all people can. These people provide a natural experiment that shows how we manage to stand despite gravity. When astronauts return to Earth most have trouble standing. All have lost weight, muscle,and bone, and some have lost eyesight. Spaceflight allows astronauts to be free from gravity and allows the study of how all life has adapted to gravity. As Joni Mitchell sang, “You don’t know what you got until it’s gone.” You should leave this talk with a different view of the world around you and how your body has adapted to the strange force of gravity.

Course Date(s)
April 5 - April 5
2024 Spring
OF 0016.24 So Why are there Four Gospels in the New Testament?

One would have thought that a single official gospel, relating the story of Jesus, would be sufficient. However, there are actually four gospels in the New Testament. In addition, these gospels sometimes agree, sometimes disagree, and sometimes seem to have totally different agendas. We will explore the similarities and differences of these four gospels and examine the theological motivation behind the presentation of each gospel writer. This will lead to a better understanding of each gospel and of the reasons for the different perspectives.

Course Date(s)
February 29 - March 7
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Instructors
John Spencer
2024 Spring
OF 0014.92 Fitness, Fun and Sports on the SDSU Campus!!

Have you ever wondered what is inside the MASSIVE, NEW glass and brick building at the corner of 55th Street and Aztec Way? Do you know about the unique way the Viejas Arena was constructed? Where does SDSU's NCAA March Madness Final Round basketball team practice? Dive in to improve your personal fitness and get your daily dose of natural Vitamin D at the SDSU Aquaplex. Osher students will learn what outstanding fitness, recreational, and sports activities are available to them, at a reduced rate, on the SDSU campus. Take advantage of the opportunity to use these facilities while on campus for your Osher courses.

Course Date(s)
March 28 - March 28
2024 Summer
OF 0014.91 Generational Diversity: Millennials & Generation Z: Who Are They.

Ever wonder why each generation thinks they know it all? Explore and dispel myths and stereotypes about Nexters and Millenials. Learn how to connect with your Grandchildren, mentees, co-workers, volunteers, and any other young persons in your life. Students will be able to understand and effectively communicate with different generations. Students will learn new jargon and the culture of Gen Z and Millenials.

Course Date(s)
May 1 - May 1
2024 Spring
OF 0014.90 In Search of Calle Judeo: Old Town San Diego's Street of "Jewish Men of Enterprise"

Did you know that Old Town San Diego once contained a row of Jewish-German-owned commercial businesses along a dirt-paved alleyway known as Calle Judeo? This course will identify and explain how these “Jewish Men of Enterprise” were able to successfully ingratiate themselves into the local commercial, social, and political landscape, all the while maintaining their distinct religious and cultural traditions. Following the classroom lecture, local historian Alexander D. Bevil will lead students on a separate Saturday field trip to find Old Town’s lost Calle Judeo for a better understanding of this relatively unknown aspect of San Diego’s lost history. Transportation for the field trip will not be covered by Osher.

Course Date(s)
February 14 - February 17
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