2023 Summer
OF 0014.79 The First San Diegans
How much do you know about the native people of San Diego? The Kumeyaay people have a rich history dating back at least 10,000 years. We'll discover and discuss their archaeology, their deep understanding of the environment, their spirituality, and their way of life before it was drastically altered in 1769 as we take a gentle walk through Mission Trails Regional Park.

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

Course Date(s)
May 10 - May 10
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Instructors
Linda Hawley
2023 Spring
OF 0017.23 Browse! (It's not just sticks and stems.)

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

Course Date(s)
April 5 - April 5
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Instructors
Danny Simpson
2023 Spring
OF 0017.24 Unlocking the Hidden Secrets of Palm Trees: Palm Reading the Arborist Way!

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

Course Date(s)
April 12 - April 12
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Instructors
Danny Simpson
OF 0015.38 Behind the Law in the News (Online)

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.

Course Date(s)

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Instructors
Glenn C Smith
2023 Spring
OF 0015.39 Inflation: The Cause and Effects, a 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%

Course Date(s)
April 11 - April 11
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Instructors
Nadine Ann Bopp
OF 0014.76 "Making love in English": The psychological impact of living in two languages (online)

What does it mean to live in two languages? What is the connection between language and culture? What is the protective value of multilingualism for the brain? Are emotions and feelings experienced differently in different languages? What happens when parents and children are fluent in different languages? We will discuss these and other issues relevant to speaking more than one language. In a world where most people speak several languages, and many individuals use English as a second language, this course will be interesting to everyone, including speakers of only one language. Those who speak more than one language will find information that can shed new light on their personal experience.

Outcomes: Learn about the psychological impact of speaking more than one language.

Format: Lecture 70%; Q and A 25%; Sharing personal experiences 5%

Course Date(s)

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2023 Summer
OF 0014.78 History Walk at the Hotel Del Coronado

(Back by popular demand, this Edventure sold out in record Osher time last semester!) Have you ever wondered about the "real" stories surrounding the Hotel Del Coronado? Together, we will explore the 1889 Ice House Museum and discover the behind-the-scenes history of The Del, along with its world-famous dining, recreation, and legendary guests. In addition, this history walk tour begins in the Museum, which features artifacts, memorabilia, and more. You will learn about the Del's rich heritage through an in-depth, docent-led walking tour of the Victorian building and gardens. This will be a 90-minute tour with little opportunity for seating.

Outcomes:Learn about the iconic Hotel Del– the facts, the myths, and everything else in between.

Format: 100% activity driven

Course Date(s)
May 2 - May 2
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Instructors
Sandra Bonura
OF 0014.73 Let's Talk Travel!

Are you interested in traveling overseas again, or for the very first time? Have you been searching for a reputable, safe travel company offering fun, educational trips at a great price? Join us to meet with like-minded people, explore travel options, share ideas, ask questions, learn how to travel solo yet not alone, or make new friends with whom you would enjoy traveling. As a facilitator of what may become the SDSU OSHER TRAVEL CLUB, I will help you find the overseas adventure of your dreams! Osher institutes across the U.S. have organized travel groups with Grand Circle Travel, Overseas Adventure Travel, and Grand Circle Cruise Line. Bring a friend to this free, informational meeting, and let's get started!

Course Date(s)

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Instructors
Linda Hawley
2023 Spring
OF 0013.91 When Cultures Collide. History of immigrations and confrontations in America

America is a nation of many cultures. Entire peoples have visited and occupied this land since very remote times. According to some experts, no person from any country in the Americas - from Canada to Tierra del Fuego - is truly native. America is, apart from a country of immigrants, a country, like no other, of nomads in constant movement.

Outcomes:We will talk about who we are and where we came from. • The cultures that have been brought. • The clashes and conceptual confrontations of the different cultures and • The nostalgia for the original cultures from which they came. • Of those who were here originally against those who came claiming land by decree. • Conclude with a social map of the many countries that today make up today's America.

Format:Lecture 80%, Q&A 20%

Course Date(s)
April 19 - April 19
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Instructors
Alex Castaneda
OF 0013.89 From Garden Cemeteries to Public Parks

Cemeteries have existed concomitantly with cities, and some say prior to any urban development. Evidence of human burial grounds exists in our archeological record. As such, people have been visiting these historic burial grounds since before monotheistic religions evolved. Modern science has combined with technology, architecture, and landscape design to make cemeteries gathering places and sites of ritual and celebration. Our national public park movement has its origins in cemetery design and use. Today, the cemetery encompasses an even wider realm of use.

Outcomes: Examine the history of human burial sites and accompanying rituals Survey historic cemeteries in Asia, Europe, and the US Investigate the connection between health, sanitation, and death in cemetery design Consider how cemeteries became gathering places for the masses in cities Review how cemeteries are perceived and used today as urban parkland

Format:

Course Date(s)

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Instructors
Nadine Ann Bopp

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