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What is it about being told we have to stay apart that makes us want to spend more time together? The truth is, that for all of the complaining we do about traffic, crowds, and lines at the store, most of us would much rather live in community than the alternative. In the wake of pandemic-related social restrictions, empty streets and deserted shopping malls resembled end-of-the-world disaster films, not our vision of an ideal day off of work. Now, with social restrictions lifted, we realize how much we missed the hustle and bustle of daily life. And as innately social creatures, we also missed seeing each other—in person. We no longer take our relationships for granted, but cherish them with gratefulness. We also treat each other differently, according to brave new rules of interaction and respect. Join Dr. Patrick for a lively discussion of how the bonding power of social distancing created a brave, new, post-pandemic world, including plenty of entertaining examples, and fresh perspective on new ways to interact both personally and professionally, drawing from valuable lessons learned from our period of living confined but connected.
Format: 60% Lecture, 40% Q&A
Dr. Karen Ocorr will talk about her fascinating experiments with fruit flies conducted aboard NASA’s International Space Station. The study explores the impact of weightlessness on the heart. Why fruit flies? Humans have a lot in common with them. Each fruit fly carries roughly 75% of disease-causing genes and has a similar heart structure to us. Dr. Ocorr will explain how her fruit flies traveling in space are helping to uncover a route to therapeutics that can be used to prevent or treat human cardiovascular disorders, both in space and on earth!
Format: 60% Lecture, 40% Q&A
Did you know that 90% of women will eventually be solely in charge of all their household finances, and yet only 20% feel prepared to make wise financial decisions? Women have very different retirement concerns than men, including longer lifespans and more of a chance for disability. Ladies, come discover helpful methods to maintain your quality of life throughout retirement, with or without a spouse or partner. We’ll discuss ways to protect your income, manage the market’s ups and downs, and highlight the five criteria to seek in a prospective advisor relationship.
Format: 60% Lecture, 30% Interactive discussion, 10% Hands-on activity
Learn how the U.S. Constitution protects ― and fails to protect ― against discriminatory, arbitrary, or liberty-invading governmental action. With a focus on the Constitution’s Equal Protection and Due Process guarantees, we’ll look at key decisions by the Supreme Court and other government officials about the meaning of these fundamental rights. We’ll explore abortion rights, and their vulnerability with the "new" Supreme Court; affirmative action, and whether such programs undermine or further equality; why only some privacy rights are strongly protected; and much more.
Format: 75% Lecture, 25% Q&A and Interactive discussion
Hello to our loyal, devoted Osher members – and to any new potential members, welcome! Osher @ SDSU is back and running. Hear some of our latest updates, get an exclusive preview of fall courses from our dynamic instructors, and meet staff and fellow learners at this fun, informal event. We look forward to meeting you and reconnecting!
This event is free. Registration is required. RSVP by Thursday, August 5 at zoom link needed.
Date: Friday, August 13, 10 am–11 amFilm Noir and Neo-noir are synonymous with devious dames, mysterious shadows, and troubled leading men. But what about music? Some of the best of these films are also notable for what we can hear in addition to what we see. Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, and others lent their incredible sounds to stories that are rich and smokey, like the music that curls around the characters. Join us as we explore Davis' work in the French film, “Elevator To The Gallows”, Duke Ellington's work for horns in “Paris Blues.” We'll also visit the brooding neo-noir “Diva” with the incomparable voice of Wilhelmenia Wiggins Fernandez and take a detour through the Italian film “Ammore e Malavita” with its surprising mixture of pop and blues.
Format: 10%, Lecture, 40% Interactive discussion, 40% Film viewing, 10% Listening exercises.
What makes a Supreme Court decision worthy of the title “landmark”? Is it typically perceived as such at the time of its issuance? Can a landmark decision move the law backward or is the name reserved for decisions that expand rights and liberties? We’ll explore key constitutional law decisions on a variety of momentous controversies, with a focus on the few that made a lasting contribution to questions of governmental power (such as federal judicial power and federal vs. state power), individual liberties (such as rights against racial discrimination), and fundamental rights (such as rights to privacy). Become a better consumer of news and opinions from the media, political officials, and your fellow Americans.
Format: 75% Lecture, 25% Q&A and Interactive discussion
OLLI Happy Hours are a social hour held four times every semester on the second Friday of the month. While there’s a lot of fun to be had in the classroom, it’s important to have fun and connect with one another outside the classroom. Each Happy Hour will have a themed discussion. It's a great way to meet and congregate in a relaxed setting and build camaraderie and community. OLLI Happy Hours are open to members and non-members.
This event is free. Registration is required.