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Monday Courses

  • Can AI Really Do That? (9:30 – 11:00 a.m.)
  • The Righteous and the Holocaust (10:00 – 11:30 a.m.)
  • Standing on Quicksand: The African American Experience in Missouri’s Burnt District (1:00 – 2:30 p.m.)
  • Engaging With Art: Learning From Comparisons (3:00 – 4:30 p.m.)
  • Making Sense of the Ukraine/Russia Conflict (3:00 – 4:30 p.m.)

Can AI Really Do That?

Mondays: Jan. 8, 22, 29; Feb. 5 (4 sessions)
9:30 – 11:00 a.m.
ONLINE ONLY
Semester Course Fee: $40
Premium Members: Unlimited classes; no additional fees

No class meeting on Monday, Jan. 15.

As artificial intelligence (AI) shapes our world, we must understand how these systems work and how people can use AI tools safely and effectively. Prof C is your guide to the world of generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI). Each week, he will explore a different AI tool or feature, from conversational AIs to AI image generators, and put them through their paces. For those wanting to join in, Prof C will provide a "getting started guide" and some best practices for crafting prompts and evaluating the AI's generated output.

Instructor: J Scott Christianson (Prof C) is an associate teaching professor at MU’s Trulaske College of Business, where his interests are focused on the impact of emerging technology on society and geopolitics. He also serves as the college’s director of the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, helping students turn their ideas into profitable products and services.

The Righteous and the Holocaust

Mondays: Jan. 8, 22, 29; Feb. 5 (4 sessions)
10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
HYBRID
Semester Course Fee: $40
Premium Members: Unlimited classes; no additional fees

No class meeting on Monday, Jan. 15.

In this class, Dr. Alan Helland will look at the individuals, towns and countries that saved Jewish lives during the Holocaust. The Righteous were the ones who saved Jews from Hitler. Yad Vashem is a museum in Jerusalem that celebrates the Righteous by planting trees or placing names on walls. Now there are about 20,000 names, and more are being added. Two towns were deemed Righteous: Nieuwlande, in The Netherlands, and Le Chambon-sur-Lignon, in France. Denmark saved 95% of her Jews, and Norway saved 60%.

Materials Note: The instructor recommends that participants read the book Night by Elie Wiesel.

Instructor: Dr. Alan Helland has degrees in history, ministry, church history and pastoral counseling. He has worked as a parish minister, college professor and VA chaplain.

Standing on Quicksand: The African American Experience in Missouri’s Burnt District

Mondays: Jan. 8, 22, 29; Feb. 5 (4 sessions)
1:00 – 2:30 p.m.
HYBRID
Semester Course Fee: $40
Premium Members: Unlimited classes; no additional fees

No class meeting on Monday, Jan. 15.

This course will explore the African American enslaved experience in Missouri's Burnt District. Each class will visit a different element of the enslaved history, from the early white pioneer introduction of slavery in Jackson County to the Texas exodus in the early stages of the Civil War. Emphasis will be given to specific enslaved persons and to humanizing the numbers. The first class will explore the introduction of slavery to the Ft. Osage area of Jackson County, largely by white pioneers from Kentucky's Bluegrass Region. The second class will focus exclusively on the antebellum enslaved community in Harrisonville, Mo., underscoring the difference between this single town's black community and that of the South. The third class will follow the enslaved Texas exodus of 1860 and 1861. As western Missouri slipped into the Civil War, white slaveholders moved their enslaved people to Texas. Finally, the last class will share "Black Journeys”––the incredible stories of individual enslaved persons and families. All four classes flow from two years of dedicated research into the enslaved of the Burnt District.

Instructor: Tom Rafiner, an independent researcher, has devoted 20 years to reclaiming the history of Missouri's Burnt District. He has self-published two histories and a biography tied to western Missouri. Tom has presented in over 30 Missouri and Kansas counties. Recently, he has been the keynote speaker for Freedom's Frontier's last two "Disorder on the Border" symposiums.

Engaging with Art: Learning from Comparisons

Mondays: Jan. 8, 22 (2 sessions)
3:00 – 4:30 p.m.
ONLINE ONLY
Semester Course Fee: $20
Premium Members: Unlimited classes; no additional fees

First two weeks; No class meeting on Monday, Jan. 15.

This course will take an unconventional approach to the history of Western art. We will consider two works of art at a time, applying the skills of observation, interpretation, analysis and synthesis to compare and contrast the art and discern meaning. The paired works will be connected in some way. Sometimes the connections will be obvious; in other cases, the connections will be obscure. Connections may involve the subject, artist, historical period, style, artist’s intentions, aesthetics, materials used or other characteristics. Works of art may be paired to explore or highlight their differences. There will be no lectures; active participation by attendees will be prioritized. Participants will be asked to respond to questions about the art. Works of art will predominantly be paintings but may include photographs, three dimensional objects and prints. They will cover a variety of subjects and represent different artists, styles, genres and historical periods. Classes will be similar to the Osher Potpourri of the Arts sessions that the instructor has facilitated in the past, but students new to the experience are welcomed.

Instructor: Robin Blake is a docent at the MU Museum of Art and Archeology and has provided a variety of Osher presentations on art history. He will be assisted by his wife, Cokie.

Making Sense of the Ukraine/Russia Conflict

Mondays: Jan. 29; Feb. 5 (2 sessions)
3:00 – 4:30 p.m.
HYBRID
Semester Course Fee: $20
Premium Members: Unlimited classes; no additional fees

Last two weeks.

On February 24, 2022, Russia's military commenced a ground invasion of Ukraine, a sovereign country and member of the United Nations. Vladimir Putin, the president of the Russian Federation, described the invasion as a "special military operation." Already, rough estimates of 500,000 military and civilian casualties and tens of millions of refugees and civilians in need of humanitarian assistance suggest that, after 18 months, the matter is anything but a "special military operation."

In early 2014, Russia and Ukraine's relationship became increasingly hostile after the Russian occupation and annexation of Crimea and a disputed referendum was voted on by residents of the Independent Region of Crimea to rejoin the Russian Federation. Protests led to a vote by parliament to remove Ukrainian President Yanukovych, which was followed by his flight to Russia.

These lectures will focus primarily on understanding the strategic military aspects of the conflict and exploring possible outcomes and implications for future conflicts. Ukraine has enjoyed early success in driving back the superior Russian military forces from its capital and is in the early phases of an offensive operation to regain territory taken by Russian forces in the eastern regions. The role of the U.S. and its NATO allies has been essential, but Ukraine's outnumbered military and its political and defense leadership has demonstrated unusually rare adaptability to the battlefield environment.

Instructor: Whit McCoskrie is a Churchill Fellow and tour guide for America’s National Churchill Museum in Fulton, Mo. A graduate of Virginia Military Institute, he is a retired lieutenant colonel, having spent three and one-half decades in military service. He’s written two books on the Civil War in Missouri and served as an ROTC instructor at MU.

 

Tuesday Courses

  • Boone County’s Greatest Athletes, Part One: Women (9:30 – 11:00 a.m.)
  • Sky Spectaculars 2024––Super Moons and a Super Eclipse (10:00 – 11:30 a.m.)
  • Why Walk 500 Miles? An Exploration of the Camino de Santiago (1:00 – 2:30 p.m.)
  • The United States in the 20th Century (1:30 – 3:00 p.m.)
  • The Eight Big Things To Do About Memory and Memory Loss (3:00 – 4:30 p.m.)

Boone County's Greatest Athletes, Part One: Women

Tuesdays: Jan. 9, 16, 23, 30 (4 sessions)
9:30 – 11:00 a.m.
HYBRID
Semester Course Fee: $40
Premium Members: Unlimited classes; no additional fees

This class is the first of a two-semester program and will feature the biographies and records of some of the most successful female atheletes who were Boone Countians. The second semester will be devoted to the outstanding male athletes. Athletes who came here only to compete at the college level and left the community will not be included.

Instructor: Bill Clark was a longtime sports writer and columnist, beginning in 1956 at The Columbia Missourian, the Columbia Tribune and recently, online. He also officiated at the high school and small college level in the area for 40 years. He has written thousands of feature stories and columns about local athletes.

Sky Spectaculars 2024––Super Moons and a Super Eclipse

Tuesdays: Jan. 9, 16, 23, 30 (4 sessions)
10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
HYBRID
Semester Course Fee: $40
Premium Members: Unlimited classes; no additional fees

We’ve been waiting since 2017 for another look at a total solar eclipse, and that wait is almost over. The breathtaking, four-minute path of totality is only a few hours' drive away, offering an even better event than we had in 2017. From here in Columbia, the sun will be 97% eclipsed, darkening the sky and creating numerous effects, including a fall in temperature. This class will cover the nature and frequency of these eclipses and provide information on safely viewing and photographing them. In addition, we will take a look at the nighttime sky treats available in 2024, including a super moon or two. We’ll also take some time to catch up on the Webb Space Telescope’s latest discoveries, so it should be a most interesting and entertaining session.

Instructor: Val Germann bought his first telescope in 1966 and has been hooked on the sky ever since. He is a two-time chair of the Mid-States Region of the Astronomical League and, though retired, currently is on the volunteer staff of Laws Observatory at the University of Missouri. Val is an MU grad and taught astronomy for 20 years at Columbia College. He is married and has one child, a daughter, now an associate professor at Stephens College.

Why Walk 500 Miles? An Exploration of the Camino de Santiago

Tuesdays: Jan. 9, 16, 23, 30 (4 sessions)
1:00 – 2:30 p.m.
HYBRID
Semester Course Fee: $40
Premium Members: Unlimited classes; no additional fees

The Camino de Santiago is a series of medieval trails that people have walked since 950 CE to reach the tomb of St. James, an apostle of Jesus, in Spain. The most utilized trail today is the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Camino Frances, a 500-mile trail from St. Jean Pied de Port in southwest France to Santiago de Compostela in northwest Spain—a route walked by over 438,000 people in 2022, including many people over the age of 60 from the U.S. This course will introduce a typical journey on the Camino, explore the history of St. James and the Camino, and then delve into the reasons why the Camino has become the exemplar of a successful pilgrimage. Research (some conducted by the instructor) on how and why the Camino is transformative for many pilgrims will be presented. The final session will be devoted to exploring the variety of Camino trails and other popular pilgrimages and discussing how class participants can plan their own Caminos.

Instructor: Dr. Connie Johnmeyer is retired from a 20-year career as an Air Force psychologist and from directing the Master’s in Clinical Counseling program at Central Methodist University. After her dual retirements, she studied pilgrimage while completing a master’s degree in tourism. She has walked the Camino de Santiago multiple times as part of her aspiration to learn, stay fit and love life.

The United States in the 20th Century

Tuesdays: Jan. 9, 16, 23, 30 (4 sessions)
1:30 – 3:00 p.m.
ONLINE ONLY
Semester Course Fee: $40
Premium Members: Unlimited classes; no additional fees

This is a continuing series. New participants are welcome.

Dr. Jay Ward continues his exploration of the United States in the 20th century. This winter, he will pick up where he left off in the fall, with a focus on the presidencies of Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan.

Instructor: Dr.Jay Ward was born in Springfield, Mo., and raised in Lexington, Mo. He was an undergraduate at Northwestern University and received a medical degree from the University of Missouri. Upon retiring from medicine after 30 years, he received a master’s degree and doctorate in U.S. history from the University of Missouri.

The Eight Big Things To Do About Memory and Memory Loss

Tuesdays: Jan. 9, 16, 23, 30 (4 sessions)
3:00 – 4:30 p.m.
HYBRID
Semester Course Fee: $40
Premium Members: Unlimited classes; no additional fees

Trouble with memory can come from a variety of sources, not always because of age or disease. There are some basic rules about how human memory works. We will use examples from clinical experiences and scientific literature to allow us to make the most of our cognitive faculties and also discuss what can be done when memory problems result from brain diseases.

Instructor: Dr. Joel Shenker earned a Ph.D. in experimental psychology and an M.D. at the University of Illinois. He is a practicing clinical neurologist specializing in cognitive neurology and dementia, who teaches and lectures widely. He is currently Vice Chair for Education in the Department of Neurology and an assistant dean in MU’s School of Medicine.


Wednesday Courses

  • The Spanish Civil War: Prelude to World War II (9:30 – 11:30 a.m.)
  • RV-ing During the COVID Years (10:00 – 11:30 a.m.)
  • Partisan Polarization: A Threat to Democracy? (1:00 – 2:30 p.m.)
  • A Brief Encounter with Microeconomics (3:00 – 4:30 p.m.)

The Spanish Civil War: Prelude to World War II

Wednesdays: Jan. 10, 17, 24, 31 (4 sessions)
9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
HYBRID
Semester Course Fee: $40
Premium Members: Unlimited classes; no additional fees

This is a two-hour class.

On July 18, 1936, Spanish General Francisco Franco organized a military take-over of the Second Spanish Republic. The Second Republic had been democratically constituted through elections in 1931 immediately after the abolition of the Spanish monarchy. Despite world renunciation of the insurrection, Franco won a military victory in 1939 with the aid of Hitler’s Germany and Mussolini’s Italy. Both were fascist totalitarian nations that instigated conflicts throughout Europe in the 30s and 40s, culminating in World War II—one of the most important political, social and cultural events in the 20th century. We feel its effects even today.

Dr. Ugarte will offer a historical overview of the Spanish Civil War: what led to it, the conflicting ideologies (including communism and fascism), the military events and the differences it has made, not only in Spain but throughout the world, with a special emphasis on culture (e.g., literature, film, changing attitudes and economic stature) in Spain.

He will also discuss the aftermath of that war: Franco’s dictatorship (1939 to his death in 1975), how the world community, especially Europe and the U.S., dealt with Franco’s dictatorship during the Cold War and what happened after his death.

Materials Note: The instructor recommends the book The Spanish Civil War: A Very Short Introduction by Helen Graham (Oxford University Press, 2005).

Instructor: Michael Ugarte is a professor emeritus of MU’s Department of Romance Languages (now the School of Languages, Literatures and Cultures). In retirement, he says he has the (mis)fortune of spending half the year in Columbia and the other half in Spain. Michael continues to read and write about Spain in the 20th century and occasionally about politics and other cultures. In addition to many books and articles, he recently published a memoir of his mother, Mercedes Precioso Ugarte, who lived through the Spanish Civil War. The memoir is titled Mercedes, Light and Dark (Compass Flower Press).

RV-ing During the COVID Years

Wednesdays: Jan. 10, 17, 24, 31 (4 sessions)
10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
HYBRID
Semester Course Fee: $40
Premium Members: Unlimited classes; no additional fees

Camping and other outdoor forms of travel surged when travel was restricted from April 2020 through 2022. As avid travelers, Chris and her husband Jim (along with many others) saw recreational vehicles (RVs) as an ideal way to travel domestically during this challenging period. Come join this road trip as a four-part series, which will not only entertain you but also educate you about national and state parks, Civil War sites and tips for taking an RV trip, whether locally or out-of-state. An RV "show and tell" will take place on the last class day, weather permitting.

Instructors: Christiane (Chris) Quinn moved to Columbia as a business owner, later worked at MU’s International Center as the coordinator of international events and later at the Cambio Center. She has an M.S. from Purdue University and a B.S. from Brasilia University in Agronomy Engineering.

James Quinn was an MU Extension Horticulturist serving Mid-Missouri for over 15 years, retiring just as the pandemic hit. For Osher, he organized and presented for the Master Pollinator Steward Program in 2018, 2020 and 2022. He also constructed “A Visit to Missouri Amish and Mennonite Communities” for Osher’s Winter 2023 semester, which had excellent enrollment and was well received.

Partisan Polarization: A Threat to Democracy?

Wednesdays: Jan. 10, 17, 24, 31 (4 sessions)
1:00 – 2:30 p.m.
HYBRID
Semester Course Fee: $40
Premium Members: Unlimited classes; no additional fees

Fifty years ago, we had numerous conservative Democrats and moderate Republicans. Now there are few to be found. Even the judicial system has become more polarized. Partisan voters have gravitated toward their own kind, making few states competitive in a presidential election. This course will explore the reasons for this partisan polarization and its impact on democracy. What are the prospects of our democracy surviving beyond the 2024 presidential election?

Instructor: David Leuthold is a retired professor of political science at Mizzou. He is the author of two books on election campaigns and the editor of a book on Missouri politics and government.

A Brief Encounter with Microeconomics

Wednesdays: Jan. 10, 17, 24, 31 (4 sessions)
3:00 – 4:30 p.m.
IN PERSON ONLY
Semester Course Fee: $40
Premium Members: Unlimited classes; no additional fees

Microeconomics and macroeconomics are the two foundational courses in the study of economics. Macroeconomics focuses on the big picture—the state of the overall economy, globalization, monetary policy, etc. The focus of microeconomics is on the behavior of small units in an economy—firms, households, international trade and individual government policies. There is an ongoing debate in the field of economics about which of these should come first—an economic version of the “chicken and egg” debate. Does macroeconomics build upon the microenvironment, or is microeconomics the dissection of big-picture phenomena?

This class will provide a brief overview of some of the concepts in microeconomics, covering the following topics: elasticity, market structures, the operation and impact of taxes and antitrust laws and policies. Many of these topics will be linked to current events, such as the current Federal Trade Commission (FTC) cases involving Amazon and Google. The goal of the class is to provide economic language and tools to aid in a better understanding of the economy in which we live and operate.

Instructor: Diane Suhler is a professor of economics/finance at Columbia College, where she has taught for 20 years. At Columbia College, she taught numerous classes including “Macroeconomics and Microeconomics,” “Financial Markets,” “Corporate Finance,” “International Economics” and “Investments.” She currently teaches part-time in the Asian Affairs Department at MU. She holds a Ph.D. in Finance from the University of Maryland and a Master’s in International Affairs from Columbia University in New York. Diane serves on several City of Columbia commissions and has done significant international work in Africa.

 

Thursday Courses

  • Art and Artists of the Missouri State Capitol (9:30 – 11:00 a.m.)
  • Employing Nature to Improve the Livability of Cities in the Face of Increasing Urbanization and Climate Change (10:00 – 11:30 a.m.)
  • Following the Mighty MO: Adventures Galore! (1:00 – 2:30 p.m.)
  • High Fashion in the 20th Century (1:30 – 3:00 p.m.)
  • The First Ladies of the U.S. (3:00 – 4:30 p.m.)

Art and Artists of the Missouri State Capitol

Thursdays: Jan. 11, 18, 25; Feb. 1 (4 sessions)
9:30 – 11:00 a.m.
ONLINE ONLY
Semester Course Fee: $40
Premium Members: Unlimited classes; no additional fees

This class will explore the paintings, sculpture and architecture of the Missouri State Capitol building. Discussion will include the history of the current building and its decorative contents, the 1924 Capitol Decoration Commission and the artists who contributed works to the building. Two days will be devoted to Thomas Hart Benton and his mural. One day will examine the contribution of the Taos Society of Artists. Participants are encouraged to schedule a field trip to the building during the month of January for a tour with Dr. Jones.

Instructor: Dr. Sarah S. Jones serves as a historic site specialist at the Jefferson Landing State Historic Site and the Missouri State Museum in Jefferson City, Mo. She received her doctorate in art history from the University of Missouri. Her background includes work in art museums and historic houses in Missouri, Nebraska and New York. Check out the Missouri State Museum’s Facebook page for Dr. Jones’s videos about the art and architecture of the Missouri State Capitol.

Employing Nature to Improve the Livability of Cities in the Face of Increasing Urbanization and Climate Change

Thursdays: Jan. 11, 18 (2 sessions)
10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
HYBRID
Semester Course Fee: $20
Premium Members: Unlimited classes; no additional fees

First two weeks

Globally, more people now live in cities than ever before. It is anticipated that around two-thirds of the human population will live in cities by 2050. Humans are more disconnected from nature now than they were in previous generations, a disconnect that is especially evident for city dwellers, with negative implications for their health and well-being. In addition, climate change is exacerbating the task of making cities more livable. For example, climate change is causing people to migrate from vulnerable coastal communities and creating adverse effects on human health in cities because of the heat-island effect. A pressing need exists to provide increased opportunities for human-nature interactions to improve the livability of cities. This class will focus on how and where plantings can be employed to improve the urban environment. Such plantings should be key features of cities, providing street canopies, shading buildings and providing green spaces, gardens and parks. Overall, increased emphasis should be placed in city planning on planting trees, shrubs, vines, native grasses and forbs to moderate temperature extremes and enhance human physical and mental well-being. We will also discuss how some cities are providing local food sources through the development of urban “food forests.”

Instructors: Michael Chippendale is an emeritus faculty member in the Division of Plant Science and Technology at MU. He received his doctoral degree in entomology from the University of Wisconsin and had a research/teaching appointment in entomology focusing on the eco-physiological relationships between insects and their host plants, with his interests extending into biodiversity and sustainable development.

Chris Starbuck is also an emeritus faculty member in MU’s Division of Plant Science and Technology. He received his doctoral degree in horticulture from Oregon State University and had a teaching/ Extension/research appointment in horticulture, including being an instructor for plant propagation and the identification of trees and shrubs. Both instructors bring many years of relevant experience to this class.

Following the Mighty MO: Adventures Galore!

Thursdays: Jan. 11, 18, 25; Feb. 1 (4 sessions)
1:00 – 2:30 p.m.
HYBRID
Semester Course Fee: $40
Premium Members: Unlimited classes; no additional fees

This course is based on the instructor’s 2016 seven-week exploration trip (by car) down the entire Missouri River, from the official source in Three Forks, Mont., to its confluence with the Mississippi near St. Louis. By the time of the course’s completion, a wide variety of the river’s personality and make-up will be explored. The course should be of interest to everyone, from armchair travelers to history buffs, with scenery, photography, geography, the river’s people and much more. The Missouri River is one of the most unique waterways in the world!

Instructor: Larry Campbell spent his professional career working as a mathematics education professor. Since retirement, he has run AfterMath Enterprises, LLC, an umbrella organization for a variety of activites, including workshops, talks and blogs, and he has authored four books.

High Fashion in the 20th Century

Thursdays: Jan. 11, 18, 25; Feb. 1 (4 sessions)
1:30 – 3:00 p.m.
ONLINE ONLY
Semester Course Fee: $40
Premium Members: Unlimited classes; no additional fees

Patti Doyle will continue her look into the lives and work of famous fashion designers, this time focusing on the 20th century to appreciate what there is in haute couture that is ART.

Instructor: Patti Doyle taught costume design in theater departments from Michigan to Utah to California before settling at Stephens College, where she taught and designed costumes in the Performing Arts Department for some 35 years. She also spent many summers designing costumes at Stephens’ Okoboji Summer Theatre.

The First Ladies of the U.S.

Thursdays: Jan. 11, 18, 25; Feb. 1 (4 sessions)
3:00 – 4:30 p.m.
ONLINE ONLY
Semester Course Fee: $40
Premium Members: Unlimited classes; no additional fees

This is a continuing series. New participants are welcome.

Dr. Jay Ward will continue his course that considers the significant women in the lives of the U.S. presidents. In most cases, the official hostesses in the White House were the wives of the presidents. In some instances, however, that was not the case, and those stories are often fascinating as well. This series will focus on Caroline Harrison, Ida McKinley, Edith Roosevelt, Helen Taft, Ellen Wilson and, time permitting, Edith Wilson.

Instructor: Dr. Jay Ward was born in Springfield, Mo., and raised in Lexington, Mo. He was an undergraduate at Northwestern University and received a medical degree from the University of Missouri. Upon retiring from medicine after 30 years, he received a master’s degree and doctorate in U.S. history from the University of Missouri.

 

Friday Value-Added Courses

  • Potpourri of the Arts (9:30-11:00)
  • Brown Bag Seminar Series (11:30-1:00)

Friday sessions are free of charge to all current Osher members: Premium, Semester and Basic. Sessions marked as HYBRID will allow participants to choose whether they attend via Zoom or in person.

Potpourri of the Arts

Fridays; 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Each semester, Osher invites the movers and shakers of mid-Missouri’s arts scene to discuss, display, perform and showcase their work. Join us for this grab bag of arts topics.

Jan. 12: Poems for People Who Hate Poetry
HYBRID

Confused? Indifferent? Exasperated? Lots of people say they just don’t get poetry. Even English majors often prefer novels or short stories to poetry. But as we get older, our capacity for understanding and engaging with poetry increases. Spend 90 minutes with a handful of poems specially selected to pique your interest. Your guide, who still prefers novels to poetry, experienced a middle-aged conversion from indifference to engagement and will offer tips for fine-tuning your ears, eyes and brain to get more enjoyment from one of the world’s oldest art forms. The poems have been selected to cover more than 500 years of poems in English, several poetic forms and a wide range of subjects. Rhyming, unrhymed—
there’s a little of everything. You’ll emerge with more perspective and maybe even a reading list.

Instructor: Rebecca DeNeve spent her professional life shuttling between two cultures—the law and literature—as a legal editor, legislative analyst and an instructor of literature, composition and business communication at Columbia College’s Jefferson City, Mo., campus. She is at last reading purely for fun and cultivating her garden in Jefferson City.

Jan. 19: The Skeletons in the Privy: A Case of Local History and Folklore
ONLINE ONLY

Shows like “Time Team” and “Expedition Unknown” take viewers behind the scenes of amazing discoveries and supernatural secrets. But you don’t have to travel to mysterious places to find adventure; sometimes, stories can be found in your backyard. In 2021 during a dig, local pottery enthusiasts uncovered several skeletons in Boonville, Mo. The discovery resulted in many questions and a big mystery: Who were these people? How old were they? Why were they in that particular spot? When were they buried? Who will identify them? And finally…now what? Community scholars in folk and traditional arts, Tina Edholm and Dr. Mary Barile, will introduce you to the story of the dig, the history of the property and local lore and provide you with some tools for doing your own “dig” into the history and folklore of your community.

Instructor: Mary Barile is interested in supernatural folklore and has written about Missouri hauntings. She is a consultant for the historical theatre series Voices of Arrow Rock. She earned her Ph.D. at MU in theatre history.

Tina Edholm is a field specialist in human development and family science with University of Missouri Extension. Tina strives to empower individuals and families through diverse educational opportunities in her role with University of Missouri Extension.

Jan. 26: The Love Letters of T. S. Eliot
ONLINE ONLY

Over 1,100 love letters from Nobel Laureate T. S. Eliot to Bostonian actress and teacher Emily Hale became available in 2020 at the Princeton University Library. Readers were astonished to learn that the poet who claimed the man who suffers is separate from the poet who creates and that poetry must create an “objective correlative” was in fact a deeply subjective, autobiographical and confessional poet. The letters show that his poetry, though concealed in rich imagery and classical allusions, reveals his passionate love for a woman he met while a Harvard graduate student in 1913. Emily Hale is the “hyacinth girl” of The Waste Land and the “lady of silences” in Ash-Wednesday. Eliot declared “Burnt Norton” her poem. The lecture will describe the course of their love affair over more than 30 years and discuss the new insights into Eliot’s poetry that the letters reveal.

Instructor: Timothy Materer is an emeritus professor of English at the University of Missouri. He is an active scholar of modern poetry who has written six books on modern literature and has received MU teaching awards.

Feb. 2: afterMATH Wood Creations
HYBRID

From the instructor: “My plan is to discuss the interplay between woodworking and mathematics. Several woodworking creations will be exhibited and serve as discussion focal points. Over the years, people have often asked me where I get the ideas for my woodworking projects. To me, the process is similar to research in mathematics. You study the work of others, and this leads to your own questions as well as new insights. I never directly copy someone else's woodworking objects; instead, I am inspired by their work and the techniques they use to accomplish their ends. This inspiration then leads to my own personal creations and also my own techniques for achieving the ends I wish to accomplish. Of course, some inspiration comes from the world around us, and other times, ideas come from sitting under an apple tree and being hit in the head by an apple.”

Instructor: Ira J. Papick is an emeritus professor of Mathematics at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (2008-2011) and an Emeritus Distinguished Curators’ Teaching Professor at the University of Missouri-Columbia (1978-2008). He received his Ph.D. in Mathematics from Rutgers University in 1975. His research areas are in commutative algebra and mathematics teacher education, and he has published numerous research papers and two books. Ira is the recipient of multiple MU teaching awards. Since retirement, most of his creative energy has been devoted to producing objects using unique and beautiful woods.

BONUS SESSION
Feb. 9: True/False Film Fest 2024
HYBRID

In this session, the artistic director of Columbia’s own True/False Film Fest will preview this year’s film lineup, share updates and an overview of the 2024 edition and give participants a chance to ask any logistical questions about accessing True/False.

Note: This session is scheduled for the week after the end of the Osher Winter Semester to match up with the True/False Film Fest’s release date for information about the 2024 films.

Instructor: Chloé Trayner is the artistic director of the Ragtag Film Society (RFS), overseeing the True/False Film Fest and the year-round Ragtag Cinema in Columbia, Mo. Prior to joining the RFS, Chloé worked in the UK, founding the Assembly Documentary Development Lab and working with organizations such as Open City Documentary Festival, Bertha DocHouse, BFI Future Film Festival and Wellcome Trust.

Brown Bag “Lunch and Learn” Seminar Series

Fridays; 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Brown Bag seminars are open to all Osher Premium and Basic members throughout the academic year. Semester members may attend for the semester in which they enroll. Feel free to nosh on your lunchtime treats (with or without your camera on!) during this “lunch and learn.”

Jan. 12: Penguins of Antarctica: Antics and Survival
HYBRID

Take in the vastness, the color and the size of icebergs and glaciers and meet the brush tail group of penguins in Antarctica. Julie Youmans shares an icy adventure beginning in Tierra del Fuego and reaching the tip of the Antarctic continent, a journey with National Geographic Expeditions. We follow the ship's progress from South America through the Drake Passage to the Southern Ocean and learn about ship routines and research; we'll see the penguins, entertaining and at times hilarious, but adept survivors of stark landscapes and skilled predators. The photo conversation will touch on penguins' anatomy, nesting habits, locomotion and enemies. We'll also see the whales, seals and birds who share the ecosystem.

Instructor: Julie Youmans travels with a camera whether on a bike, ship, or train. She's bicycled in 14 European countries and visited six continents, and uses the camera as a tool for exploration in a process she calls “eye-travel.” Her photos unite her interest in natural science and experiences as an artist, ethnographer and Missouri Master Naturalist, allowing us to discover more about the world around us.

Jan. 19: TBD

Jan. 26: Using a 529 Plan for Intergenerational Wealth Transfer
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Navigating the paths of wealth transfer and succession planning can be intricate. This session will offer valuable insights into leveraging 529 savings plans to effectively pass on wealth across generations both for educational purposes and retirement. Designed for older generations, this session decodes the complexities involved in establishing, contributing to and utilizing 529 plans for educational expenses and estate planning purposes.

The 529 plan, primarily acknowledged as a tool for saving for educational expenses (and now for retirement), can also serve as a robust vehicle for estate and wealth transfer planning. This session will guide attendees through the benefits of 529 plans in reducing estate tax liabilities while financially assisting the educational endeavors of beneficiaries. Participants will gain a clear understanding of the tax advantages, contribution limits and the potential impact on financial aid eligibility.

The session will illuminate practical strategies to maximize the benefits of 529 plans for wealth transfer, ensuring attendees are well-equipped to make informed decisions for safeguarding their financial legacies and supporting the educational pursuits of future generations. Join us to explore the potential of 529 plans as an instrumental asset in your intergenerational wealth transfer toolkit.

Instructor: Andrew Zumwalt, MS, CFP®, is an associate teaching professor in the Personal Financial Planning Program at the University of Missouri. After completing a Bachelor of Science in Consumer and Family Economics and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Economics at the University of Missouri, he earned a Master of Science in Consumer and Family Economics from the University of Missouri.

Feb. 2: Ukraine: Its Past, Present and Future
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This lecture will provide a broad overview of the history of Ukraine from earliest times to the present, with an emphasis on its religion and culture. This will be followed by some reflections on the Russian invasion of Ukraine and what the future may hold for it and its people.

Instructor: Russ Zguta was born in Western Ukraine on October 3, 1941, approximately three and a half months after the German invasion of the Soviet Union. Thus, he was a Ukrainian national, born in Soviet Ukraine, under German occupation. He and his parents fled Western Ukraine in June 1944 and lived in DP (displaced persons) camps until 1949, at which time they emigrated to the United States. His family settled near Philadelphia, in Phoenixville, Pa. He became a U.S. citizen in 1960. In 1964, he received a B.A. in History from St. Francis University. That year, he was awarded a National Defense Education Act (NDEA) Fellowship by The Pennsylvania State University, which enabled him to receive his M.A. degree in 1965 and Ph.D. in 1967, both in Russian history. Upon completion of his graduate studies, he joined the Department of History at the University of Missouri in the fall of 1967. After 50 years of teaching and research at MU, he retired in 2017 with the rank of Professor Emeritus. Russ is married to Nancy (Splinter) Zguta. They have a son, three daughters and eight grandchildren.