Course Search
The Beatles are the most famous pop group of all time. However, their rise to the top wasn't easy and it was filled with serendipitous moments. This lecture will trace the roots of the band in their hometown of Liverpool, England, starting with the pivotal meeting at a church on July 6, 1957, between John Lennon and Paul McCartney and ending with their return from Hamburg, Germany in December of 1960 - their "10,000 hours" to stardom in full swing! They were sometimes known as one of the worst bands in Liverpool and for a time the only paying gig they got was backing up a stripper named Janice. Ringo Starr was still 2 years away from joining and the group wasn't even named the Beatles yet.
Outcomes: Review the true history and little known facts of the formation of the Beatles. Examine their backgrounds and what they were really like. Learn and appreciate the hard work and dedication it took to become who they are today.
Format: 85% Lecture, 10% Q&A, 5% Small group
Want to learn more about becoming an Osher member? You’re invited to join us for the Fall Orientation and Zoom Training to learn about some of our latest updates and courses, sign up for an exclusive tour of campus, get some zoom training, and meet staff and fellow learners. We look forward to meeting you and welcoming you to the Osher at SDSU community!
Outcomes: -Gain a better understanding of the conditions and effects of war through these first-hand accounts by young Aztec students who answered the call of their country to give all they could to make the world a better place. -Discover the power of empathy through the actions of Dr. Post, the SDSU geography professor who took it upon himself to support these students not only by communicating with them himself but by keeping them in touch with each other through the distribution of the Aztec Newsletter. -We can’t bring these people back or change what happened, but through these personal communications, we gain a more intimate understanding of what they went through for their families, their communities, their country, and all of us. This local microcosm of the war represents more than some names on a wall – these are real people, and you get to “meet” them.
Format: 10% Lecture, 40% Demonstration 50% Activity
How does a wasp drag a tarantula three times its size to its burrow? Why does a lizard do "push-ups"? Are you able to identify the den of a woodrat, the tracks of native animals, and other signs of wildlife? Which native flora and fauna are unsafe, and which are beneficial? What should you do if confronted by a rattlesnake? Discover the answers to these questions and more about what lives in our big backyard as we take a gentle hike at Mission Trails Regional Park (MTRP). This is a 2-part class. 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. will be an online presentation on the fascinating wildlife you might see during the 1-2 p.m. hike.
Outcomes: Identification of at least 5 plants in MTRP. Identification of a woodrat den. Identification of at least 3 beneficial animals. How to defend/protect oneself in the wild.
Format: 65% Lecture & Q&A, 35% Activity
Does life exist beyond the Earth? Will we ever find it? What could it look like? Answers to these questions might be within reach in the next couple of decades. The scientific search for extraterrestrial life – astrobiology – has evolved dramatically since its earliest days. Along the way, the exploration process has forced us to re-examine our assumptions about life itself. We’ll talk about the extreme ranges of life on Earth and how those discoveries help NASA and its science partners explore our solar system and our galaxy. While we may not shake hands with aliens any time soon, we have realistic expectations of finding smaller lifeforms that could alter our ideas about the universe just as profoundly.
Outcomes: Students will gain an understanding of: The range of extreme life forms in our only current laboratory – the Earth. Current thinking about the wide range of properties that could define life elsewhere. New science tools and missions that will try to find evidence of extraterrestrial life.
Format: 90% Lecture, 10% Discussion
Steve Murray has been a life-long astronomy and space enthusiast. His past careers have included research engineering, college teaching, and aviation. Currently, he’s a freelance science writer and NASA Solar System Ambassador, where he provides STEM presentations to community groups. Click for more information.
Was prophecy unique to the Hebrew prophets? Was there prophecy in Egypt and Mesopotamia? Were the prophets foretelling what was going to happen, or did they merely lay out the possible consequences of the people’s actions? We will examine these questions and explore the implications of the answers.
Outcomes: Understand prophecy in general and the specific prophets of the Hebrew Bible.
Format: 60% Lecture, 40% Q&A