All times listed are Central Time (CT).
EACH COURSE is identified by one of the following terms:
- ONLINE ONLY: Both the instructor and students will meet online for the class, live via Zoom, in the designated weekly time slot. Sessions will be recorded for review, if desired.
- HYBRID: The instructor teaches live from the Moss Building. Some students are in the classroom (limited availability), while others Zoom in. When registering, you may select either the IN PERSON or ONLINE version of the class – both options allow students to interact with the instructor. Sessions will be recorded.
- IN PERSON ONLY: The class will take place at the Moss Building, unless otherwise indicated in the catalog. These sessions will not offer online viewing and will not be recorded.
Important Semester Information:
- Printable course catalog (PDF)
- Printable Monday–Friday Course Calendar Grid (PDF)
- Special Interest Group (SIG) announcement page (Google Doc)
- Course documents (Google Doc)
- Course document archive (Google folder)
- Zoom basics (PDF)
Course listings by day of the week
Select a day of the week below to filter courses. Use Ctrl (⌘) + F on your keyboard or your browser's search function to search the entire page.
Monday Courses
- Travels With Sharon
- Archaeology at the Museum: What You Want to Know!
- The First Ladies of the United States
Travels With Sharon
Mondays: June 2, 9, 16, 23 (4 sessions)
9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
HYBRID
Course Fee: $40
Premium Members: Unlimited classes; no additional fees
This is a two-hour course.
June 2: Machu Picchu/Galapagos Islands
Immerse yourself in the spiritual experience of Cuzco and the Incan ruins of Machu Picchu in Peru, plus the natural wonders and wildlife of the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador. Surprising photos will tell the tales.
June 9: Scandinavian Countries of Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland
We will focus most of our time on the capitals, but you won’t have to bring as much cash while visiting some of the most costly cities in the world.
June 16: Antarctica
In January 2007, temperatures were in the single digits in Missouri and 40 degrees in Antarctica when Sharon Kinden landed on the continent and found herself surrounded by 200,000 penguins. Join her as the research vessel Sarpik Ittuk maneuvers through icebergs, clamber onshore from a bobbing Zodiac, join the fun of a Polar Plunge and cross the Drake Passage in a Beaufort 11 storm with 30-plus-foot waves (known in the Midwest as a hurricane).
June 23: Africa
Meet the people of eight southeastern African countries as we visit schools, shop in village markets, enter a Maasai home constructed with cow dung, learn about reconciliation and greet village elders as we strive to understand life in developing countries with functioning tribal cultures. And see a variety of wildlife on safari, without the dust!
Archaeology at the Museum: What You Want to Know!
Mondays: June 2, 9, 16 – plus a final session on Friday, June 27, at 1:30 p.m. (4 sessions)
1:00 – 2:30 p.m.
HYBRID
Course Fee: $40
Premium Members: Unlimited classes; no additional fees
Last session will meet on Friday, June 27, from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m., at the museum.
This class will cover the history of archaeology at Mizzou in Missouri. Humans have lived here for at least 11,200 years, and they left behind a large material record of their lives. The amazing artifacts tell a story of the people from the past to the present and link them to the thriving cultures of today. Did you know that the Museum of Anthropology cares for the world’s oldest sandals and the largest collection of archery equipment and art? We’ll talk about areas of Missouri and the people who lived here, museum collections (including archery) and tour the Museum of Anthropology.
Instructor: Candace Sall, Ph.D., is the director of the Museum of Anthropology and the American Archaeology Division at the University of Missouri. She has worked in archaeology for over 20 years, specializing in Missouri and the Greater Southwest of the U.S. An archer holding the world record for the longest shot with a complex bow, she also cares for the Grayson Archery Collection at the museum, the largest archery collection in the world.The First Ladies of the United States
Mondays: June 2, 9, 16, 30 (4 sessions)
3:00 – 4:30 p.m.
HYBRID
Course Fee: $40
Premium Members: Unlimited classes; no additional fees
No class on Monday, June 23; final session will meet on Monday, June 30. This is a continuing course; new students 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 summer, Dr. Ward intends to consider Nancy Reagan, Barbara Bush and Hillary Clinton.
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 MU.
Tuesday Courses
- Tropes: The Building Blocks of Stories
- Learning on “The Loop”
- Ayurvedic Herbs and Their Benefits in Our Daily Life
- Onstage in Mid-Missouri
- Autism in Focus: Understanding, Connecting and Supporting Individuals on the Spectrum
- The Corvair: Innovation or Incompetence?
Tropes: The Building Blocks of Stories
Tuesdays: June 3, 10, 17, 24 (4 sessions)
9:30 – 11:00 a.m.
HYBRID
Course Fee: $40
Premium Members: Unlimited classes; no additional fees
What are tropes? Those often-seen plot devices, story hooks, character types and settings fill in the blanks when writers build a story. They are found in books, films and television shows, as well as in all genres of fiction. The list is endless: secret babies, friends-to-lovers, the not-really-dead villain. Love them or hate them, these story elements are everywhere, and identifying them can be entertaining. We’ll look at some of the most common tropes and examine examples in various types of media.
Instructor: Diane K. Peterson is a retired school library media specialist who promotes the romance novel industry as an analyst, speaker and reviewer. She is the historian for the Romance Writers of America and regularly contributes her research to the RomanceWiki. She also teaches online classes for authors on topics such as Goodreads and romance history.
Learning on “The Loop”
Tuesdays: June 3, 10, 17, 24 (4 sessions)
10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
IN PERSON ONLY
Course Fee: $40
Premium Members: Unlimited classes; no additional fees
Limit of 20 participants. Students will meet at the Moss Building for the first session on June 3, then meet in person at various locations on the Business Loop in Columbia. Transportation will be the responsibility of the students.
Get in “The Loop”! Learn about all the new things happening on the Business Loop in Columbia, Mo., from our improvement plans to our new shared spaces. Then experience our shared spaces first hand: the MACCLab Makerspace, Vidwest Studios and the CoMo Cooks Shared Kitchen. Participants will tour each of the shared spaces, visit with people who are working in these spaces and then complete a hands-on activity with help from one of our experts.
Instructor: Dr. Carrie Gartner has 25 years of experience in urban planning, economic development and marketing. Carrie was formerly with “The District,” where she removed the Broadway canopies and placed the downtown area on the National Register of Historic Places. She’s currently working to revitalize the Business Loop with a 10-year plan to improve the corridor. Her latest project is a shared commercial kitchen, one of three shared spaces along the street for small business startups.Ayurvedic Herbs and Their Benefits in Our Daily Life
Tuesdays: June 17, 24 (2 sessions)
12:30 – 2:30 p.m.
HYBRID
Course Fee: $20
Premium Members: Unlimited classes; no additional fees
Last two weeks of the semester. This is a two-hour course.
In this course we will focus on different Ayurvedic herbs, including turmeric, ashwagandha, moringa, neem, holy basil, brahmi and shatavari. We will discuss their benefits in daily life, the best way to consume them and their side effects. The course will focus on combining these herbs for maximum health benefits. We will also include tips on growing and preserving these Ayurvedic herbs.
Instructors: Dr. Chetan Hans has a Ph.D. in Biochemistry and has performed studies on inflammation-related disorders in his 25 years of research. He is also experienced in Ayurvedic herb farming.
Ranjana Hans is an expert in Ayurvedic herbs and their benefits in daily life.Onstage in Mid-Missouri
Tuesdays: June 3, 10, 17, 24 (4 sessions)
1:00 – 2:30 p.m.
HYBRID
Course Fee: $40
Premium Members: Unlimited classes; no additional fees
This is a continuation of the Spring 2025 class; new students are welcome.
Various theatrical groups in mid-Missouri—professional, community and college—will present on their history, famous performers and upcoming schedules and logistics, including ticket information. This is an excellent chance to learn about the rich history of theater in mid-Missouri, meet local directors and performers, and take a quick look at what happens beyond the stage lights.
June 3: Stephens College Conservatory for the Performing Arts (Columbia).
June 10: Minimal Arts Theatre (Columbia).
June 17: University of Missouri Concert Series (Columbia).
June 24: Brick District Playhouse (Fulton).
Coordinator: Bill Clark has written about local theater since 1957 and spends more than 125 nights annually in the region’s theaters and music halls offering positive comments about what he likes (but never critical of what he doesn’t like).
Autism in Focus: Understanding, Connecting and Supporting Individuals on the Spectrum
Tuesdays: June 3, 10 (2 sessions)
3:00 – 4:30 pm.
IN PERSON ONLY
Course Fee: $20
Premium Members: Unlimited classes; no additional fees
First two weeks of the semester. The first session on June 3 will meet at the Moss Building; students will meet at the Thompson Center for the final session.
Autism is a diverse and complex spectrum, impacting how individuals experience the world, communicate and connect with others. This session will provide a clear overview of autism, dispelling common myths and fostering a deeper understanding of neurodiversity. Participants will gain valuable insights into the strengths of autistic individuals and learn practical strategies to provide meaningful support. Through real-life examples and evidence-based approaches, we will explore communication techniques, sensory considerations and ways to create inclusive and supportive environments. Whether you are a family member, friend, caregiver or community member, this session will empower you with the knowledge and tools to build stronger, more understanding relationships.
Instructor: Cortney Fish, director of training at MU’s Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment, is a licensed, Board Certified Behavior Analyst® with extensive experience in autism support. She has developed behavior therapy programs and led initiatives to enhance social, communication and employment skills. Cortney oversees training for parents, educators, autistic individuals, first responders and businesses nationwide, ensuring they receive practical strategies to create more inclusive and supportive environments for the autism community.
The Corvair: Innovation or Incompetence?
Tuesdays: June 17, 24 (2 sessions)
3:00 – 4:30 pm.
HYBRID
Course Fee: $20
Premium Members: Unlimited classes; no additional fees
Last two weeks of the semester.
Join Corvair enthusiast Marty Walker for a short history of the Corvair and the U.S. automotive industry in general, highlighting major innovations in transportation that have impacted the world. What would a Corvair look like today? Why did the public shun the Corvair, and what role did Ralph Nader and Ford play in GM shelving it? The instructor will also show how to identify obscure Corvair models and point out which foreign vehicle the Corvair was built to counteract. There will be a Corvair “show and tell” during the final class meeting, with in-person participation encouraged.
Instructor: Marty Walker is a retired Marine Corps officer who has spent more than 36 years circumnavigating the globe. He also retired from the University of Missouri’s College of Engineering, where he managed facilities and taught engineering. His passion for orphan cars led him to develop and tell “the Corvair story.”
Wednesday Courses
- Explore the Mythologies of Three Ancient Cultures: Egypt, Greece and Rome
- More Than You Ever Wanted to Know About Tariffs!
- Voices of Arrow Rock: A Stage for Underrepresented Voices
Explore the Mythologies of Three Ancient Cultures: Egypt, Greece and Rome
Wednesdays: June 4, 11, 18, 25 (4 sessions)
10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
HYBRID
Course Fee: $40
Premium Members: Unlimited classes; no additional fees
Learn about the mythologies of Egypt, Greece and Rome. Hear the myths of how the deities fought and loved and struggled for control. For each culture, we will explore the main gods and goddesses as well as their parents and children. Learn about the importance of their deities and myths; look at the buildings where they worshipped these deities; discover the lives of the priests and priestesses who served; and find out how ordinary citizens worshipped these deities. Egypt was the oldest of these cultures, so their gods developed over the longest timeline. These gods were assimilated by other cultures, with the Greeks borrowing from the Egyptians and the Romans borrowing from the Greeks.
Instructor: Valerie Hammons is a retired teacher of Latin, world history, American history, newspaper, speech and special education. She loves ancient and medieval history.More Than You Ever Wanted to Know About Tariffs!
Wednesdays: June 4, 11, 18, 25 (4 sessions)
1:00 – 2:30 p.m.
HYBRID
Course Fee: $40
Premium Members: Unlimited classes; no additional fees
Since Donald Trump’s election, the news cycle has been filled with news about tariffs. The explanation of the “need” for tariffs varies from day to day. One time, they are justified to correct trade imbalances; on another day, the rationale is to protect U.S. industry; at other times, they are a way to punish unfair trading partners; still another time, they are a revenue-generating source of income for the U.S. Treasury. Not only does the explanation and economic basis for the tariffs change constantly but also the magnitude and timing of the tariff implementation. This has led to much confusion among the public about the issue of tariffs.
This class will explore some basic questions concerning international trade and how the use of tariffs fits into the global economy. We will explore international trade deficits and surpluses and understand the reasons they exist. Using this foundation, we will assess the relevance and effectiveness of the use of tariffs in correcting trade imbalances. Finally, we will study the probable impact of tariffs on the U.S. and global economy.
Instructor: Diane Suhler had a career in academia as a professor of finance and economics. Dr. Suhler holds a Ph.D. in Finance with minors in economics and quantitative methods from the University of Maryland. Since retiring from Columbia College in 2021, she continues to teach in the Global Leadership Program in MU’s Asian Affairs Department. In addition to teaching, she is involved in numerous civic activities. This past year, Diane served as a Peace Corps Response Volunteer in Jamaica, working with the Ministry of Agriculture.Voices of Arrow Rock: A Stage for Underrepresented Voices
Wednesdays: June 4, 11, 18, 25 (4 sessions)
3:00 – 4:30 p.m.
HYBRID
Course Fee: $40
Premium Members: Unlimited classes; no additional fees
This is a continuation of the Spring 2025 class; new students are welcome.
Storytelling is a valid and valuable way to convey knowledge. In this workshop, participants will explore how personal narratives can acknowledge racial injustice, strive to eliminate it and create empathetic understanding by working through a “moral map” and “growth continuum.” Each week, after exploring the map and continuum, participants will view and discuss an episode of “Voices of Arrow Rock.” “Crossing Barriers” explores the value of cross-cultural relationships; “Consummate Showman” examines the origins of the minstrelsy genre and the “Magical Negro” trope; “The Professor” balances the importance of education with the value of family; and “Great Protector” provides an early Little Osage leader’s perspective on U.S. settlers and their way of life.
“Voices of Arrow Rock” is a reader’s theater series that brings to life underrepresented voices of this national historic district’s past. The organization is supported by the Mid-America Anti-Racism/Pro-Reconciling Justice Ministries, Missouri Arts Council, Village of Arrow Rock, Missouri 2021 Bicentennial Commission and individual donors.
Instructor: Dr. Michael Kateman enjoyed a 38-year career in communications, constituent relations and fundraising. Beyond his professional experience, his academic inquiry includes racial identity, leadership reflexivity, communication and fundraising, while his artistic endeavors intersect oratory, theater, faith and history. His acting career includes professional theater, television and film work. A playwright and producer, his work has been performed in Missouri and New York City. Currently, he produces the reader’s theater series, “Voices of Arrow Rock.”
Thursday Courses
- Breathwork: The Forgotten Key to Whole Body Health
- Beyond the Veil: Spiritualism in Missouri
- What Woody Plant Is That?
Breathwork: The Forgotten Key to Whole Body Health
Thursdays: June 5, 12 (2 sessions)
10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
HYBRID
Course Fee: $20
Premium Members: Unlimited classes; no additional fees
First two weeks of the semester.
Discover how breathwork can be a tool to influence multiple aspects of health, including digestion, mental health, dental health, lung function, cardiovascular health and immune response. The focus will be on an approach called “the Buteyko Method” and will also touch on how body alignment and posture affect breathing. The first class will focus on the theory, physiology and history of this type of breathwork, and the second class will present practical exercises you can use at home.
Instructor: Shayna Fasken, D.C., attended the University of Missouri, graduating with a B.A. in English and a minor in anthropology. She then attended Logan University, where she received a doctorate in chiropractic and a B.S. in Life Science. She also earned a postgraduate certification in acupuncture from Logan. She now has her own practice in Columbia where she sees patients for chiropractic, acupuncture, natural movement and body alignment instruction as well as nutrition counseling.Beyond the Veil: Spiritualism in Missouri
Thursdays: June 5, 12 (2 sessions)
1:00 – 2:30 p.m.
HYBRID
Course Fee: $20
Premium Members: Unlimited classes; no additional fees
First two weeks of the semester.
Speaking to the dead has been attempted for thousands of years, from shamans to oracles to the Fox sisters of New York, who made séances popular in the 1840s. The practice of spiritualism spread across the U.S., with people attempting to contact the dead for solace, knowledge and entertainment. Table-rapping sessions were held in homes and halls, and mediums provided a link to the world beyond the veil. They developed many methods for calling on the spirits, and while fakes abounded, some stories are still cloaked in mystery. This class will offer an overview of spiritualism (including the celestial telegraph), then look in detail at Missouri mediums and séances and the people involved in this fascinating story for nearly 175 years: Mark Twain, Pearl Curran, Sam Nightingale and John Neihardt, among others. We promise to keep the lights on during the lectures.
Instructor: Mary Barile has a doctorate in theatre from MU. She has authored several books about Missouri ghost stories, has lectured throughout the state on hauntings as part of the Missouri Humanities Council Speakers' Bureau, and was recently commissioned to write a play about the Fox sisters for Mercyhurst University. She debunks and believes, in equal measure.What Woody Plant Is That?
Thursdays: June 12 and June 26 (2 sessions); no class on June 19
3:00 – 4:30 p.m.
IN PERSON ONLY
Course Fee: $20
Premium Members: Unlimited classes; no additional fees
This class will meet on two Thursdays, skipping June 19th.
How well do you know the native woody plants in your yard, community or state? It is estimated that there are nearly 300 native woody species in Missouri. Learning to identify that much material can be a life’s work. Knowing key characteristics when learning about trees and shrubs can make the process more efficient and rewarding. What do you do when you come across a plant you don’t know? Pull out a book? Ask a neighbor? Visit the local nursery? Google it? In this course, retired forest ecologist Doug Wallace will help you learn descriptive traits and several key features that will give you a good start towards the correct identification of native trees and shrubs. This will be accomplished through an in-person lecture at the Moss Building on June 12, followed by an outside field trip on June 26 in Columbia, covering how to identify some of the more common woody plants by using key characteristics, such as leaves, bark, twigs, fruit and tree form. Note: Participants are required to sign an MU Extension waiver before attending the field trip.
Instructor: Doug Wallace has a B.S. and an M.S. in Forestry from the University of Illinois. After graduating, Doug was a field ecologist for the Illinois Natural Areas Inventory. Upon completion of the inventory, Doug began to work for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) - Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and served in several locations and positions throughout Illinois, Missouri and Nebraska, including as state staff forester in Columbia, Mo., and NRCS national agroforester in Lincoln, Nebr. He is currently retired.Friday Value-Added Sessions
- 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. each Friday of the semester (June 6-27)
- All sessions will be offered in Hybrid format (you may choose whether to attend in person at the Moss building or online via Zoom).
Each semester, Osher@Mizzou offers a collection of one-time, 90-minute lectures that are open to all current Osher members. Yes, this is another value-added perk!
Not an Osher member yet? It costs only $20 (prorated for summer) to join and gain access to all the Value-added semester content. Join today!
June 6: Friday Morning Book Talk Series: Poet Andrew Mulvania
From the publisher’s website: Andrew Mulvania's Also in Arcadia lies tucked into the rich landscape of rural Central Missouri––its cornfields and falling-down barns, its rickety old river towns with their repair shops and crackling blacktop roads …. Also in Arcadia is a belated pastoral, a new gift brought forward from an old, enchanted, living world.
Instructor: Andrew Mulvania’s recent poems have appeared in the Chicago Quarterly Review and Smartish Pace. He has twice been a writer-in-residence at the Chautauqua Institute and was awarded an Individual Creative Artists Fellowship in Poetry from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts. He is an instructor in the writing across the curriculum program at the University of Maryland Global Campus and lives in Columbia.
June 13: What Diversity Brings to Health Care
Dr. Steven Zweig will present on how diversity promotes care of underserved groups, care quality and medical education. He will also propose additional circumstances in which diversity informs health care and respond to suggested strategies to broaden diversity and inclusion in medical education.
Instructor: Dr. Steven Zweig is professor emeritus in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at MU’s School of Medicine. He retired in October 2022, after serving as dean at MU. Dr. Zweig currently co-leads MU’s Physician Leadership Development Academy, is a faculty mentor in the Association of Departments of Family Medicine (ADMF) LEADs senior faculty leadership development program and co-leads the ADFM/MU New Chairs workshop.
June 20: Juneteenth in Missouri: A History
Thursday, June 19, 2025, marks the fifth year Juneteenth has been celebrated as a federal holiday. In observance of this holiday, Dr. Gary Kremer will deliver a presentation about the history of Juneteenth/August 4th in Missouri—and why the celebration of this national holiday is important for all Missourians.
Instructor: Dr. Gary Kremer has been the executive director of the State Historical Society of Missouri since 2004. He previously taught at Lincoln University and William Woods University and was the State Archivist of Missouri.
June 27: What Is the Tao Te Ching?
Translated more than any book but the Bible, Lao Tzu’s Tao Te Ching is still largely unknown to and/or misunderstood by modern-day Westerners. It is not a religious text but rather an exquisite manual for living with integrity, as useful (perhaps more?) today than it was in the Chinese world of 500 BCE. As author/translator William Martin says, “It makes no claim to special Divine inspiration, yet it has brought inspiration to countless millions over the centuries. [It is] a beautiful expression of wisdom and encouragement that arises from a clear understanding of “the Way the World Works.”
We will look at the book’s background, examine briefly its possible authorship, discuss why various translations differ greatly, and take a look at sample translations of various verses and familiar passages you may never have known were from the Tao Te Ching! Time permitting, we will also explore some of the fascinating connections to Christianity and the words and wisdom of Jesus, in a book written 500 years before the time of Christ.
Instructor: Dr. Larry Campbell spent his professional career working as a mathematics professor, split equally between the College of the Ozarks and Missouri State University.
He has taught two different Osher courses twice each––one on his Missouri River adventures and one entitled “Math Is Not a 4-Letter Word.” His current course grows out of his long interest in the ancient book of wisdom, the Tao Te Ching, as well as its many various translations.