Osher Course Information

Thursday Courses

• John Singer Sargent: Master Portrait Painter of the Gilded Age (Museum of Art and Archaeology’s Art of the Book Club)
• The Orphan Train: History, Legacy and Personal Journey
• Whooo’s There? Missouri’s Owls
• Serving Those Who’ve Served
• Frankenstein: Not Just for Halloween Anymore
• Islamic Art in 30 Objects
• Standing in the Shadows: Women Scientists in the 19th Century

John Singer Sargent: Master Portrait Painter of the Gilded Age (Museum of Art and Archaeology’s Art of the Book Club)

Thursdays : Sept. 11, 18, 25; Oct. 2 (4 sessions)
10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Hybrid
Course Fee: $40
Premium Members: Unlimited classes; no additional fees

First four weeks of the semester.

The Art of the Book Club (ABC) has selected Sargent’s Women: Four Lives Behind the Canvas by Donna Lucey as its next read. This novel of historical fiction explores the lives of four women from the Gilded Age who were painted by Sargent, drawing from their personal letters, diaries and their complex relationships with the famed portrait artist. There will be an optional guided tour at MU’s Museum of Art and Archaeology (MA&A) galleries on Saturday, Oct. 4, at 2 p.m.

Sept. 11: A Portrait of the Gilded Age in America. MA&A Docent Valerie Hammons will present about the Gilded Age. Next, MA&A Educator Julie Chatman and Docent Barbara Montgomery will explore creating portraits from an artist's point of view, including live demonstrations.

Sept. 18: Watch and Discuss the Film, “John Singer Sargent, Outside the Frame.” The group will watch this 57-minute documentary, which covers Sargent’s work, focusing on the landscapes, portraits and murals that made him one of the great painters of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Discussion will follow.

Sept. 25: Portraits in the Collection of the MU Museum of Art and Archeology (online only). MA&A Docent Robin Blake will lead this presentation and discussion of portraits in the museum’s collection, including paintings, prints, photographs and sculptures. Works presented cover the period from Roman times through the contemporary era.

Oct. 2: Making Faces: From Ancient to Contemporary Interpretations – and Book Discussion. Dr. Benton Kidd will present on the history of portraiture from Ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome. Afterwards, the class will break into groups for moderated discussions of the book Sargent's Women: Four Lives Behind the Canvas.

The Orphan Train: History, Legacy and Personal Journey

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

Last four weeks of the semester.

From the mid-1800s to the early 20th century, more than 250,000 children were sent from East Coast cities to new homes across rural America on what became known as “orphan trains.” This course explores the social crises that led to the movement, the visionary yet controversial role of Charles Loring Brace and the Children’s Aid Society, and the distinct Catholic mission of the New York Foundling Hospital under Sister Mary Irene Fitzgibbon. We’ll examine how the orphan trains operated—logistically and emotionally—and consider their enduring impact on family identity, community memory and modern genealogy. The final session brings history full circle, as Dr. Greg Markway shares his personal journey to uncover the truth about his grandfather, who rode an orphan train in 1901. Using modern DNA technology and historical research, Dr. Markway reveals how one child’s hidden story reflects the broader themes of secrecy, loss, resilience and belonging. This class combines historical insight with personal narrative to illuminate one of America's largest—and least understood—child migration efforts.

Whooo’s There? Missouri’s Owls

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

First four weeks of the semester.

Owls captivate our imagination with their large, seemingly all-knowing eyes and secretive nature as creatures of the night. Come along as we explore Missouri’s owls. We will learn their biology and explore their unique attributes and adaptations. We’ll talk about habitat and range and delve into behavior, vocalizations, nesting and hunting strategies. We’ll also explore cultural superstitions surrounding owls. A live owl or two from MU’s Raptor Rehabilitation Project may also join our class!

Instructor: Lizette Somer is the manager of the MU Raptor Rehabilitation Project. She first became a volunteer with the organization to concentrate on the care and husbandry of the education ambassadors before getting involved with the rehabilitation aspect. She is passionate about raptors and enjoys sharing her enthusiasm with others. Lizette has a decade of experience and is a member of the International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council and the International Association of Avian Trainers and Educators.

Serving Those Who’ve Served

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

Last four weeks of the semester.

With another Veteran’s Day approaching, this class will focus on some local efforts that remember and actively support our veterans in Missouri and beyond. The sessions will include remembrances and services related to individuals and groups which provide historical and/or ongoing support.

October 9: MU School of Law Veterans Clinic. Under the supervision of experienced attorneys, law students at the clinic help veterans—free of charge—with discharge upgrades and Department of Veterans Affairs’ disability compensation claims. The clinic also participates in high-level amicus brief writing, training and education for practicing attorneys, rural veteran outreach through Tigers for Troops, and more. This class will address challenges veterans face in getting access to VA benefits and upgrading discharges. Presenter: Captain Brent Filbert, JAGC, USN (Ret.), director of the clinic, or one of his colleagues.

October 16: Spencer Banks: African American Artist from St. Louis. Banks served in WWII, working in public relations and art. This talk explores his life and career before, during and after his service, including his decision to open The Veterans Sign and Art Shop in St. Louis’ The Ville neighborhood to provide Black veterans with the opportunity to develop as artists and make a living doing commercial art. Presenter: Joan Stack, Ph.D., Curator of Art Collections, Center for Missouri Studies, The State Historical Society of Missouri.

October 23: The Department of Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA). The agency’s mission is to identify and return the remains of missing service personnel from foreign wars. This emerged out of unprecedented unrest over the losses of the Vietnam War and the fate of unreturned and unaccounted for losses. The class will explore the origins of the DPAA and explain how it fulfills its mission. Currently, 81,500 Americans remain missing, with 71,906 being from World War II. The class will cover the reasons that WWII has so many who remain missing and what had been done to account for them. The class will briefly touch on the Hub and Spoke program that has allowed the University of Missouri to contribute to the mission. Presenter: Chris Deutsch, Ph.D., University of Missouri DPAA research partner fellow.

October 30: Heroes to Hives Program in Missouri. This program leverages beekeeping as a form of therapy, particularly for veterans dealing with PTSD and traumatic brain injuries. The program offers a unique way for veterans to reconnect with a sense of purpose and community while also promoting mental and physical well-being. This session will also share information about a study abroad experience in Slovenia, where faculty members from MU explored firsthand the benefits of accessible AZ (named for the Slovenian beekeeper Anton Žnideršič) hives; apitherapy as an alternative medicine that uses bee products to treat and prevent various illnesses, pain and inflammation; and holistic therapeutic practices known as "bee therapy," which are particular to reducing stress, anxiety and depression. Presenters: Karen Funkenbusch, MU Extension assistant professor, and Travis Harper, field specialist in agronomy, MU Extension.

Frankenstein: Not Just for Halloween Anymore

Thursdays: Oct. 9, 16, 23, 30 (4 sessions)
1:00 – 2:30 p.m.
In Person Only
Course Fee: $40
Premium Members: Unlimited classes; no additional fees

Last four weeks of the semester; limit of 25.

Like to read but don't appreciate the horror and science fiction genres? Not interested in reading literature that includes commentary about social issues? Know little about the feminist movement and don't care to learn? If you respond with a “yes” to any these questions, join us to consider this short but amazing book and perhaps change your mind. Students are required to furnish their own copy of Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley. Please resist the temptation to begin reading Frankenstein until AFTER the first class session, but come prepared to read and discuss during the class.

Instructor: Dr. Victoria Hubbell has spent her career teaching reading and writing at all levels, spurred by her personal love of doing both. Victoria enjoys researching for her classes almost as much as she enjoys welcoming students into the world of literature.

Islamic Art in 30 Objects

Thursdays: Sept. 11, 18, 25; Oct. 2 (4 sessions)
3:00 – 4:30 p.m.
Hybrid
Course Fee: $40
Premium Members: Unlimited classes; no additional fees

First four weeks of the semester.

This course will introduce you to the marvelous, magnificent, surprising world of Islamic art. We will explore 30 dazzling pieces from 10 centuries and a dozen dynasties, spanning three continents—from Spain to India. We will discover masterpieces in a variety of materials and mediums: ivory, ceramics, metalwork, carpets, mosaics, glass, gemstones, wall painting, calligraphy, miniature painting, textiles, wood and stone. Open a door to art that is very different from the Western tradition!

Instructor: Dr. James Terry was born and raised in New York City and earned a Ph.D. in Classical Archaeology from MU. He taught at Stephens College for 25 years, developing a wide variety of courses in art history and archaeology. He has participated in excavations in Cyprus, Israel, Tunisia and Jordan and has led student study tours in Mexico and France.

Standing in the Shadows: Women Scientists in the 19th Century

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

Last four weeks of the semester.

The 19th century saw substantial progress in the number of women in all forms and at all levels of science. Their disciplines ranged from mathematics and public health statistics to medicine and botany and on to astronomy and physics, not to mention engineering and other technologies. Their data included fossil collections, watercolor illustrations, astronomical maps, photographs, blueprints and mathematical formulas. Their instruments comprised telescopes, microscopes, X-rays, scalpels, cameras, Wardian cases, meticulous handwritten labels, Erlenmeyer flasks and rock hammers. Their audiences included their peers, both male and female, as well as people from every educational level and venues that included specialist journals, general readership magazines, the local newspaper and books for children. What changed more slowly through the Victorian era was how women’s relationships affected their access to science as well as how and when their contributions were acknowledged. We’ll look at the professional lives and personal connections of both well-known and lesser-known women scientists to see how they began to emerge from the shadows as the modern world materialized.

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 and composition at Columbia College’s Jefferson City campus. She maintains a lifelong interest in the juncture of literature and science.