It's Time for You! Summer 2021 Course Catalog - REGISTRATION OPENS MONDAY, MARCH 29, 2021 PHONE REGISTRATION OPENS MONDAY, APRIL 5, 2021 ...
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Learning programs for adults age 50 and better
at the University of Pittsburgh
Summer 2021
Course Catalog
It’s Time for You!
REGISTRATION OPENS MONDAY, MARCH 29, 2021 • PHONE REGISTRATION OPENS MONDAY, APRIL 5, 2021Summer 2021 Term
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
University of Pittsburgh
TABLE OF CONTENTS DATES AND DEADLINES
Welcome 3 May 17 OLLI Session 1 begins
Membership and May 31 Memorial Day, no classes
Registration 4
June 21 OLLI Monday Session 1 courses end
Scholarships 5
June 26 OLLI Session 2 begins
Schedule at-a-glance 6, 7
July 5 Independence Day (celebrated), no classes
Courses by topic 8, 9
OLLI Session 1 Courses 10 August 2 Session 2 courses end
OLLI Session 2 Courses 18
Monday Master Classes 24, 25
Special Events 26
How to Audit Undergraduate
Courses 27
Instructor Biographies 28
About OLLI
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) is a program in the College of General Studies at the
University of Pittsburgh. Established in 2005, it is supported by the Bernard Osher Foundation
and is one of 123 OLLIs located on college campuses throughout the United States. The National
Resource Center for Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes, located at the Northwestern University,
provides technical assistance to the OLLI programs across the country.
Mission/Purpose
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute aspires to create a dedicated intellectual environment for
older adult students, nurturing a lifelong passion for learning. The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
fosters lifelong learning through courses and programs that engage the learner, provide social
interaction, and enrich lives. OLLI’s faculty, which includes University of Pittsburgh professors and
retired faculty, challenge participants to understand the cultural forces of today, to interact socially
and intellectually with one another, and to live empowered lives.WELCOME
to OLLI at Pitt!
If you are age 50 or better and have
a curious mind, join us!
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at the
University of Pittsburgh offers learning opportunities
designed specifically for older adult learners.
Reasonable membership fees and generous financial
assistance make OLLI membership possible for anyone
who would like to join us. Upon becoming a member,
you have immediate access to courses, special classes,
lectures, and events.
Currently, OLLI courses meet on Zoom, offering
members the safety and comfort of learning from home.
OLLI members enjoy interacting online with instructors
and other members who share a love of learning.
Our excellent teachers are from the University and
also from the diverse and talent-filled Pittsburgh area.
OLLI at Pitt members want you to know that they are
a welcoming and friendly group. No previous affiliation
with the University of Pittsburgh and no college
experience is needed to become a member. We look
forward to seeing you soon!
It’s Time for YOU!
OLLI.PITT.EDU |3Membership and Registration
An active OLLI membership is required to register for courses
How to Register
Choose your membership Due to current circumstances, members and
Annual Membership – $225 interested individuals should register online at:
(Covers Summer, Fall 2021 and Spring 2022 Terms) https://www.campusce.net/ollipitt/
Term Membership – $125 1. SIGN IN using your username and password—OR—
(Covers Summer 2021 Term) create an account if you do not already have one. Click
2nd Installment Membership – $100 on the Sign In link in the upper right-hand side of the
(for those who purchased a term membership in page. (After putting in your username and password,
Spring 2021, this option adds two additional terms you will know you are signed in if “Welcome, ” appears at the upper left corner of the
page under the OLLI logo after logging in.)
Space constraints and continued safety practices
on Pitt’s campus due to COVID-19 mean that 2. Proceed to Home Page and the Renew/Become a
all Summer 2021 courses will take place online Member area. ADD a membership to your cart if you
through the Zoom platform. Once online courses are not currently a paid, active member.
begin on Monday May 17, 2021 there will be no
refunds issued for membership payments unless 3. Next, proceed to review courses of interest (From
OLLI cancels the term. Homepage click on OLLI Session #1, Session #2
or OLLI Courses by Topic. Locate a desired course
Membership includes access to unlimited online and click on “ADD TO CART.” (Note: you can
OLLI courses, lectures, special events and groups. review courses by day of week and/or topic on the
Depending on the status of the University, it may registration website.)
include two pre-approved undergraduate courses
for auditing. Courses will take place on the 4. If more courses are desired after you add a course
Zoom platform. to your shopping cart, click: “CONTINUE SHOPPING”
Note: All existing paid and up-to-date OLLI to locate additional courses and add to your
memberships will be able to register for all online shopping cart.
courses as well. 5. After all courses have been selected, go to your
shopping cart to complete the check-out process and
pay for your membership, if necessary. Be sure to click
through ALL Screens until completion of the process
and the payment page, if necessary.
NOTE: If you do not see an “Add to Cart” button under
a course, there are three possible reasons. 1) Registration
has not begun yet. 2) You are a paid, current member and
have not signed in. (Check for “Welcome YourFirstName”
in the top left-hand corner of the screen) 3) You are not a
current member or your membership is expired and you
have not added a membership selection to your cart FIRST,
before adding a course.
All Summer Term 2021
courses and lectures will Difficulties?
If there are any difficulties with registrations, please leave
take place online via a message on our main phone line: 412-624-7308 or
the Zoom platform. email us at osher@pitt.edu. Please know that our office is
working remotely and will have to return your phone call.
REGISTER AT: WWW.CAMPUSCE.NET/OLLIPITT/
OLLI.PITT.EDU |4Scholarships
Scholarships for the Osher Lifelong Choose your favorite courses based
Learning Institute (OLLI) are based on the topics, days, and times that
on financial need and are awarded
to people age 50 and older who are interest you!
interested in attending our program.
The scholarships partially offset the Courses are offered for your exploration,
cost of OLLI membership. All OLLI enjoyment, or academic interests.
members pay something toward a Academic – these courses are like
membership, but our awards can undergraduate college courses with the
make OLLI possible for those who instructor lecturing most of the time.
might not otherwise be able to join.
Exploration – more “hands on” oriented
Financial assistance is for one term courses: OR may be an academic topic primarily
and must be applied for each term. taught through interactive group discussion and practice.
A simple application form is used
and must be entirely completed to Enjoyment – most of class is spent with the students discussing the
receive consideration. All scholarship topic, practicing a skill, or the primary purpose is for group sharing
applications for Summer term 2021 and discussion.
must be received by Monday,
May 10, 2021.
Awards: Scholarships range from $50
- $100 per term. Notification of your
award and the amount of the award
will be sent within two weeks of receipt
of your application. Please contact
the office to receive a scholarship
application and for more information
by emailing osher@pitt.edu.
Learning is Priceless! Give the Gift of
Please support OLLI at Pitt Learning
Are you are searching
Your donation helps to: for the perfect gift for
your friend, neighbor,
• support hundreds of courses each year relative, mom or dad
in the over 50 crowd?
• attract top notch instructors
A gift certificate for membership
• keep membership fees as low as possible in OLLI at Pitt is a thoughtful and
meaningful gift for someone who
• help those who need financial assistance to
enjoys challenging themselves
join OLLI through the Bobenage-Szczepanski and engaging with peers. Gift
Membership Fund certificates can be for one term
• impact outreach activities in communities or an annual membership. To
and neigborhoods where membership purchase an OLLI membership
is underrepresented gift certificate, send an email to
osher@pitt.edu and include your
Make a gift by donating online at olli.pitt.edu, or phone number. We will call you
by contacting the OLLI office at 412-624-7308. to arrange your purchase. What a
memorable gift it will be!
OLLI.PITT.EDU |3
5OLLI Session 1 • Monday, May 17– Monday, June 21
SCHEDULE AT-A-GLANCE SUMMER 2021
morning
MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY
9–10 a.m. 10–11:30 a.m. 9–10 a.m. 10–11 a.m. 10–11:30 a.m.
Better Balance! Steady Beginning Level French: Gentle Yoga Dance and Be Fit The Age of the Crusades: Part 1
and Strong Present Tense Verbs Jill Clary Roland Ford Jared Day
Diane Markovitz Cathleen Sendek-Sapp 9:30–11:30 a.m. 10–11:30 p.m. Empower Writing with Poetry,
10–11:30 a.m. Consider the Bee Visual Journaling: Collage, Beginner Spanish Part 2: Non-Rhyming Poems
Creative Nonfiction: Share Your Jeff Aziz Printmaking, Bookmaking, Maria Franco de Gomez Sandra Gould Ford
Message to Transform Lives Coping with Stress for & More Beginner Watercolor Intermediate Conversational
Ann Hultberg Mental and Physical Health Ann Rosenthal Melissa Tai French: Hypothetically Speaking
Gardens of the World: Ideas and Longevity 10–11:30 a.m. The Rhythm of the Cosmos Cathleen Sendek-Sapp
for Your Garden Bruce Rabin Contemporary India Elizabeth Burnette Prehistoric Life and Earth History
Doug Oster Experimental Watercolor Lipika Mazumdar Stephen Lindberg
Urban Dream, Urban
The Internet Revolution: Melissa Tai Study Group on Anti-Black Nightmare: New York City Supreme Court Sampler
An Improbable History Racism Abby Mendelson John Burt
Richard Wilson Ralph Bangs
What Style Is It? A Survey
Nutrition and Food: Back to Who Killed Jesus? The Origins of Domestic Architectural
Basics of Anti-Semitism in Ancient Styles with a Focus on
Judith Dodd Christianity Pittsburgh Houses
11 a.m.–12 noon Rebecca Denova Robert Jucha
Chair Yoga 10:15–11:15 a.m. Writing a Legacy Letter
Sally Sherman Chakra Yoga All Levels Jay Sherwin
Jill Clary
afternoon
MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY SATURDAY
1–2:30 p.m. 1– 2:30 p.m. 1–2:30 p.m. 1–2:30 p.m. 10–11:30 a.m.
Monday Master Classes Advanced Intermediate Conver- Advanced Beginner Spanish Advanced Conversational Moments in Time
Each Monday afternoon, OLLI sational French: Maria Franco de Gomez Spanish Germaine Watkins
will offer a Master Class on a Simply Conversation Existentialism Maria Franco de Gomez
special topic from an expert in Cathleen Sendek-Sapp William Pamerleau Art Looting and Destruction:
their field. Members may At Home with Your Apple How to Awaken Your Inner Historical Context
register for one, all, or just a Macintosh Computer Fiction Writer Valerie Grash
few of the Master Classes. Richard Fitzgibbon Laurie McMillan Democracy: A Moving Target
3–4:30 p.m. Creative Writing: Javier Vázquez-D’Elía
The Roaring ‘20s
Great Symphonies of the Developing Characters Julia Hudson-Richards Ongoing Evolution of the
20th Century Martha Rogus American World Music Genre
Stephen Schultz War and Pieces- How Music
Descartes’s “Meditations” Jazz, Part II
Reacts to War and Conflict
TED Talks (Section 1) Gregory Strom Christopher Dean Sullivan
Owen Cantor
Kathy Callahan Forward to the Past Social Understanding the Stock
3–4:30 p.m.
and Political Impact of 60’s Market
Alexander the Great and the Aaron Leaman
Popular Music Hellenistic World
David Crippen Taylor Coughlan
3–4:30 p.m.
TED Talks (Section 2) Isabel Allende and Pablo
Kathy Callahan Neruda: The Spanish Civil War, The Detective Story from
3–4:30 p.m. Exodus, Exile, and Friendship Victorian Solutions to
Coup, Putsch, Rebellion, Camila Pulgar Machado Modern Searches
or Riot Michael Hefland
Andrew Lotz
Single-novel Study: Thomas
Bell, “Out of This Furnace”
Nicholas Coles
OLLI.PITT.EDU |6OLLI Session 2 • Saturday, June 26–Tuesday, August 3
SCHEDULE AT-A-GLANCE SUMMER 2021
morning
MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY
10–11:30 a.m. 10–11:30 a.m. 9–10 a.m. 10–10:50 a.m. 10–11:30 a.m.
History of Medicine and Beginning Level French: Gentle Yoga (continued) Dance and Be Fit (continued) The Age of the Crusades: Part 2
Healthcare Present Tense Verbs 9:30–11:30 a.m. 10–11:30 a.m. Jared Day
Orin James (continued) Visual Journaling: Collage, Beginner Spanish Agitators: Women Abolitionists
(In)Sanity of the Species: Experimental Watercolor Printmaking, Bookmaking, (continued) John Burt
Reading Octavia Butler’s (continued) & More (continued) Beginner Watercolor Bible as Literature: Joshua
“Kindred” and “Dawn” Money, Power, and 10–11:30 a.m. (continued) and Judges
Kimberly Latta Climate Change Dante’s Purgatorio Journey: David Brumble
Mapping Our Differences:
Pittsburgh Shattered Glass Alan Irvine The Burden of Sin Toward a Understanding Dimensions Intermediate Conversational
Anne Madarasz The Science and Mystery Heaven of Freedom of Culture through Cultural French: Hypothetically
Social Media from a Research of Shadows Paolo Montemaggi Comparison Speaking (continued)
Perspective Bruce Goldstein Domes in World Architecture Hillary Koller
Cristina Bahm Women in World Religions Paul Tellers Music Enrichment for
11–12 noon Sandra Collins A History of Modern Health and Wellness
Chair Yoga (continued) Economic Globalization Raymond Uy
William Van Lear The Scramble for Africa or
History of Photography: How African Countries Got
1900-1945 Their Shapes
Christine Lorenz Jon Grogan
10:15–11:15 a.m. A World Awash in Blood:
Chakra Yoga All Levels Great Vietnam War Novels
(continued) Abby Mendelson
afternoon
MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY SATURDAY
1–2:30 p.m. 1–2:30 p.m. 1–2:30 p.m. 1–2:30 p.m. 9–10 a.m.
Monday Master Class Lectures Advanced Intermediate Advanced Beginner Spanish Advanced Conversational Zumba Gold
Each Monday afternoon, OLLI Conversational French: Simply (continued) Spanish Lisa Sobek
will offer a Master Class on a Conversation Art of Global Catholic Missions (continued)
special topic from an expert in (continued) Rachel Miller Art Looting and Destruction,
their field. Members may Archetypal Astrology: The Plan- Bret Hart, Mark Twain, and Contemporary Issues
register for one, all, or just a ets as Aspects of Ourselves the Evolution of a Distinctive Valerie Grash
few of the Master Classes. Lilan Laishley American Voice and Style Best American Short
Nevermore, The Great Tradition David Walton Stories 2020
of Supernatural Poetry Social Responsibility and Ethics Adam Reger
Brett Rutherford in American Sports Poetry and Prose in the
Spinoza’s Ethics Ray Jones Pandemic
Gregory Strom “Such Friends”: The Literary Sasha Reese
Taking and Editing Photos with 1920s in Dublin, London, Paris, Poverty in Western
Your iPhone and New York City Civilization: A Historical
Rich Fitzgibbon Kathleen Dixon-Donnelly Overview Since the
The Trump Years and Recent The Spanish Republic and Civil Middle Ages
Events in the Light of History War, 1931-1939 Javier Vázquez-D’Elía
Louise Mayo Julia Hudson-Richards
3–4:30 p.m. 3–4:30 p.m.
Classic Hindu Texts: The Contemporary European Film:
Rāmāyaṇa and the Bhaga- 1980s–present
vad-Gītā Lucy Fisher
Daniel Heifetz Mythology of the Ancient
Found Poetry: Discovering the and Modern World- Heroines
Extraordinary in the Everyday and Heroes
Erik Schuckers Marcie Persyn
OLLI.PITT.EDU |3
7Courses by Topic • Summer 2021
Clicking on each course title will take you to its course description in the catalog.
Art History and Architecture History, Classics, & Philosophy
Art Looting and Destruction, Contemporary Issues 22 The Age of the Crusades: Part 1 16
Art Looting and Destruction: Historical Context 16 The Age of the Crusades: Part 2 23
Art of Global Catholic Missions 21 Agitators: Women Abolitionists 23
Domes in World Architecture 20 Alexander the Great and the Hellenistic World 14
History of Photography, 1900-1945 20 Descartes’s “Meditations” 12
What Style Is It? A Survey of Domestic Architectural Existentialism 14
Styles with a Focus on Pittsburgh Houses 15
History of Medicine and Healthcare 18
Film, Music & Theater Mythology of the Ancient and Modern World:
Heroines and Heroes 21
Contemporary European Film: 1980s–present 21
Pittsburgh Shattered Glass 18
Forward to the Past Social and Political Impact of 60’s
Popular Music 12 Poverty in Western Civilization: A Historical
Overview Since the Middle Ages 23
Great Symphonies of the 20th Century 11
The Roaring ‘20s 14
Ongoing Evolution of the American World Music
Genre Jazz, Part II 16 The Scramble for Africa or How African Countries
Got Their Shapes 22
War and Pieces: How Music Reacts to War and Conflict 14
The Spanish Republic and Civil War, 1931-1939 21
Fitness, Health, & Self-Interests Spinoza’s Ethics 19
Archetypal Astrology: The Planets as Aspects “Such Friends”: The Literary 1920s in Dublin, London,
of Ourselves 19 Paris and New York City 21
Better Balance! Steady and Strong 10 Supreme Court Sampler 17
Chair Yoga 10
Language Studies
Chakra Yoga All Levels 14
Beginning Level French: Present Tense Verbs 11
Coping with Stress for Mental and Physical
Health and Longevity 11 Advanced Intermediate Conversational French:
Simply Conversation 12
Dance and Be Fit 15
Advanced Beginner Spanish 14
Gardens of the World: Ideas for Your Garden 10
Beginner Spanish 15
Gentle Yoga 13
Advanced Conversational Spanish 16
Music Enrichment for Health and Wellness 22
Intermediate Conversational French:
Nutrition and Food: Back to Basics 10 Hypothetically Speaking 17
TED Talks (Section 1) 11
TED Talks (Section 2) 12
Zumba Gold 23
OLLI.PITT.EDU |8Courses by Topic • Summer 2021 (continued)
Clicking on each course title will take you to its course description in the catalog.
Literature & Creative Writing Political, Social Sciences & Society
A World Awash in Blood: Great Vietnam War Novels 22 Contemporary India 13
Best American Short Stories 2020 22 Coup, Putsch, Rebellion, or Riot 12
Bible as Literature: Joshua and Judges 23 Democracy: A Moving Target 16
Bret Hart, Mark Twain, and the Evolution of a Mapping Our Differences: Understanding Dimensions
Distinctive American Voice and Style 21 of Culture through Cultural Comparison 22
Consider the Bee 11 Money, Power, and Climate Change 18
Creative Nonfiction: Share Your Message to Social Responsibility and Ethics in American Sports 21
Transform Lives 10
Study Group on Anti-Black Racism 13
Creative Writing: Developing Characters 12
The Trump Years and Recent Events in the
Dante’s Purgatorio Journey: The Burden of Sin Light of History 19
Toward a Heaven of Freedom 20
The Detective Story from Victorian Solutions to Religious Studies
Modern Searches 16
Classic Hindu Texts: The Rāmāyaṇa and the
Empower Writing with Poetry, Part 2: Bhagavad-Gītā 20
Non-Rhyming Poems 17
Who Killed Jesus? The Origins of Anti-Semitism in
Found Poetry: Discovering the Extraordinary in Ancient Christianity 13
the Everyday 20
Women in World Religions 19
How to Awaken Your Inner Fiction Writer 14
(In)Sanity of the Species: Reading Octavia Butler’s Science, Technology & Medicine
“Kindred” and “Dawn” 18
At Home with Your Apple Macintosh Computer 12
Isabel Allende and Pablo Neruda: The Spanish Civil War,
Exodus, Exile, and Friendship 14 The Internet Revolution: An Improbable History 10
Prehistoric Life and Earth History 17
Nevermore, The Great Tradition of Supernatural Poetry 19 The Rhythm of the Cosmos 15
Poetry and Prose in the Pandemic 22 The Science and Mystery of Shadows 19
Single-novel Study: Thomas Bell, “Out of This Furnace” 13 Social Media from a Research Perspective 18
Urban Dream, Urban Nightmare: New York City 15 Taking and Editing Photos with Your iPhone 19
Writing a Legacy Letter 15
Visual & Performing Arts
Math and Economics Beginner Watercolor 15
A History of Modern Economic Globalization 20 Experimental Watercolor 11
Understanding the Stock Market 16 Moments in Time 17
Visual Journaling: Collage, Printmaking,
Bookmaking, & More 13
OLLI.PITT.EDU |3
9OLLI Course Descriptions
Session 1: Monday, May 17–Monday, June 21, 2021
Gardens of the World: Nutrition and Food:
MONDAY Ideas for Your Garden Back to Basics
Let’s explore gardens from all over The Pandemic, new dietary
9–10 a.m. the world. This course is more than guidelines, a focus on the
the “travelogue”. The incredible environment—these are just some
Better Balance! Steady landscapes of England, France, Italy, of the changes that may require
and Strong Holland and more offer many ideas adjustments in our food lives. New
Are you looking for an exercise to use in the home garden. You don’t food access and options, along
program designed to improve your have to have a grand estate to have a with changing health needs, add to
everyday life? This course, led by wonderful garden on a smaller scale. the confusion. Nutrition needs are
a Physical Therapist, will focus on Enjoyment • Doug Oster personal, and one size does not fit
balance and core strengthening all. There are more questions than
exercises. Come join the fun and The Internet Revolution: answers since nutrition, health and
learn a program designed to improve An Improbable History food needs that work for you may
your posture and daily function while not work for your partner or relative.
also decreasing your risk of falls The Internet as we know it was a But there are some nutrition basics
and injury. No special equipment surprise, even to its many inventors. that have stood the test of time. This
needed, and most of the exercises This course traces its evolution from course will focus on evidence-based
are completed standing. No part of its origins in the Cold War of the and personalized guidance.
the program involves getting up and 1950s to its explosive growth after
privatization in the 1990s. We will Academic • Judith Dodd
down from the floor. This program is
suitable for beginners yet appropriate examine why IBM and AT&T thought
the key technologies of the internet 11 a.m.–12 noon
for those with more exercise
experience as it can be adapted to were unworkable; how the 1960s
counterculture fostered the growth of Chair Yoga
fit individual needs.
the personal computer; why Bill Gates This gentle form of yoga is practiced
Enjoyment • Diane Markovitz vastly underestimated its importance using a chair as a prop/stabilizer
as late as 1995; and why attempts for support during standing
10–11:30 a.m. by governments and international poses or adapted for sitting on a
regulatory agencies to dictate chair. It is especially beneficial for
Creative Nonfiction: standards for the Internet failed. people concerned with balance or
Share Your Message to coordination issues or those who have
Transform Lives Academic • Richard Wilson
felt they are unable to participate in
This course focuses on the writing of other yoga experiences. The class
creative nonfiction. Techniques and includes poses for strength training,
skills of the various forms of creative mobility in the joints and more
nonfiction, such as the personal relaxing poses to help steady the
essay, memoir, and flash nonfiction mind. Opportunities to intensify, with
are examined in class and practiced modifications to make the poses more
in student writing. Students will accessible, will be offered throughout
learn and practice strategies for the course so that participants learn
brainstorming, drafting, critiquing, to adapt to their personal situations
and revising their work. and comfort as well as challenge
Enjoyment • Ann Hultberg themselves. The course is appropriate
for all levels.
Enjoyment • Sally Sherman
10 | OLLI.PITT.EDU1–2:30 p.m. Coping with Stress for
TUESDAY Mental and Physical Health
Monday Master Classes and Longevity
(see pages 24-25) 10–11:30 a.m. This four-week course is a journey
Beginning Level French: that will teach you how to change
3–4:30 p.m. Present Tense Verbs* the way your brain responds to
This 10-week course is designed for both acute and chronic stress. High
Great Symphonies of the levels of chronic stress can alter the
students with little prior knowledge
20th Century quality of both mental and physical
of French. We will look at the
This new class will cover the mechanics of verb conjugations and health and longevity. The journey
development of the symphony as the how to use them to create simple will provide education so that you
major genre of classical orchestral conversationally-based present tense understand why stress can alter both
music. From its roots in the 18th sentences. The scope of this class mental and physical health and will
century, through major innovations in will be kept at a very basic level. teach you how to reduce the effect
the 19th century, we will concentrate Vocabulary and support structures will of stress on your mental and physical
on symphonic masterpieces of the be introduced as necessary. health and longevity. The journey is
20th century. The focus will be on intended for healthy individuals who
Exploration • Cathleen Sendek-Sapp will benefit from increased stress-
specific musical characteristics of
the countries and regions where coping skills and, also, for individuals
the composers lived. We will cover
Consider the Bee with diseases where stress coping
the instrumentation and harmonic This course will be exploration in can promote an enhanced sense of
and melodic characteristics of each literature, art, and philosophy of the well-being and possibly influence the
symphony. Most importantly, we ages-long collaboration between course of disease.
will dive into the programmatic and humans and bees. Bees are found Exploration • Bruce Rabin
emotional content of the music everywhere in human thought.
created by these masters. There are political bees, sexy bees, Experimental Watercolor*
lawyer bees, and holy bees (Judaism,
Academic • Stephen Schultz In this 10-week course, students with
Christianity, and Mormonism have
all claimed to have the bees on their previous watercolor experience will
TED Talks (Section 1)* enjoy using household items and
team). We will explore how bees have
Members may register for only one held up a mirror to human foibles products to produce a variety of
section of the course. and human society in works including textural effects. Each class will open
TED (technology, entertainment, and Shakespeare’s “Troilus and Cressida”, with a demonstration using a new
design), a nonprofit organization that Dickens’ “Our Mutual Friend”, A.S. technique. Students will engage in
promotes “ideas worth spreading”; Byatt’s “Angels and Insects”, Bernard brainstorming possible applications
features talks by some of the world’s Mandeville’s “The Fable of the Bees,” for the techniques. Everyone will be
most engaging speakers on a wide Denis Villeneuve’s “Blade Runner: encouraged to share their work at
variety of subjects. The TED website 2049”, and Lucas Cranach’s “Cupid the end of class.
features more than 2,300 talks on Complaining to Venus”. Along Enjoyment • Melissa Tai
video. In this class, we will discuss, the way, we will learn quite a bit
debate, and reflect on a few of these about the natural history of bees,
talks each week. Some talks are about beekeeping, and the way in
informational, some are just plain fun. which bees have become a sort of
Group members are encouraged to indicator species for environmental
select talks that inspire or intrigue degradation and climate change.
them to kick off the discussion. This is intended as an interdisciplinary
Exploration • Kathy Callahan science/arts/humanities course and
welcomes students of many interests.
Academic • Jeff Aziz
* LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE OLLI.PITT.EDU | 11James Baldwin: Living in Fire better understand your computer so The subject matter will be explored
you will be more productive. We will through lectures, Powerpoint
This course will read fictional and
explore the intricacies of the Finder presentations and selected YouTube
non- fictional works by Baldwin, and
and many of the current Apple videos with discussion. A handout will
D
the newest biography of Baldwin.
E
applications. be provided each week outlining the
LL
The readings and discussions will
material for the day.
E
celebrate the personal and political Enjoyment • Richard Fitzgibbon
C
life of the great African-American
N
Enjoyment • David Crippen
CA
writer who changed the face of Creative Writing: Developing
Western politics and culture. Baldwin Characters* TED Talks (Section 2)*
was a lifelong anti-imperialist, black Characters drive the stories in books, Members may register for only one
queer advocate, chronicler of the movies, and TV. Through weekly section of the course.
Civil Rights Movement. The class will discussions and writing, in this course TED (technology, entertainment, and
explore how Baldwin’s life and work we will discuss the physical, social, design), a nonprofit organization that
channel the long history of African and psyche that characters possess, promotes “ideas worth spreading”;
American freedom struggles and how then apply that to our own creative features talks by some of the world’s
Baldwin has become a symbol of the writing during class. Students can most engaging speakers on a wide
global Black Lives Matter movement. share their own unique characters variety of subjects. The TED website
Academic • Ken Boas with each other in class, if willing. features more than 2,300 talks on
Exploration • Martha Rogus video. In this class, we will discuss,
1–2:30 p.m. debate, and reflect on a few of these
Descartes’s “Meditations” talks each week. Some talks are
Advanced Intermediate informational, some are just plain fun.
More than any other text, Descartes’s
Conversational French: Group members are encouraged to
“Meditations” marks a decisive
Simply Conversation* select talks that inspire or intrigue
turning point in the history of
This 10-week course is designed philosophy. In less than 100 pages, them to kick off the discussion.
for those who have taken several Descartes set a new agenda for Exploration • Kathy Callahan
French courses and are interested philosophical inquiry, based on
in strengthening their speaking radical doubt and focused on deep 3–4:30 p.m.
abilities and comprehension. Each and troubling questions about
week’s lesson centers on a selected how it is possible for us to know Coup, Putsch, Rebellion,
topic with the goal of building and anything and how the mind can be or Riot
recalling useful vocabulary. The class connected to the body. In this course This course explores the political
is conducted for the most part in we will study the “Meditations” in context and history of attempts to
French. No text is required. its entirety with a keen sensitivity to adjust electoral and governmental
Exploration • Cathleen Sendek-Sapp the way in which Descartes’s thinking transition outcomes via force. It will
continues to shape human self- examine the differences between
At Home with Your Apple understanding. different types of circumventing
Macintosh Computer Academic • Greg Strom established transition rules in political
This course will take advantage of regimes and ask questions about
Zoom to enable you to learn more Forward to the Past: Social where we draw lines (and who gets
about your Mac computer. Previously and Political Impact of 60’s to draw those lines). A variety of
OLLI offered a course for Apple Popular Music historical cases from across the world
laptops because members had to This course will explore how the and through history will be explored
bring their own computer to campus. sociology and politics of the and compared, to hopefully build a
Now, with the availability of Zoom revolutionary 1960’s decade shaped good foundation of understanding
we can serve a wider audience of popular music, and how music may of just how this unruly side of
Mac users. This course will cover the have altered history. Guest lecturers governmental transitions might
operating systems currently being with expertise in various subjects be understood.
used by Macs that are 8 years old or are included. Attendees will follow Academic • Andrew Lotz
newer. (roughly OS X 10.13 through the evolution of 1960’s music as a
MacOS Big Sur 11) The object of unique art form and a social force.
the sessions will be to enable you to
12 | OLLI.PITT.EDU * LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLESingle-novel Study: Thomas 9:30–11:30 a.m. Study Group on Anti-Black
Bell, “Out of This Furnace” Racism
We will read one important novel, Visual Journaling: Collage, This course is inspired by the newly
slowly and closely, attending to its Printmaking, Bookmaking, required Pitt undergraduate course,
author’s art and vision, historical & More* Anti-black Racism, developed after
context, and contemporary This 10-week course is designed as last year’s police killings of George
significance. Published in 1941, a summer “art retreat” in which you Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and others
“Out of This Furnace” is a family will make your own journals and fill that called national attention to the
saga spanning fifty years of steel- them with the colors, shapes, lines, continued devaluation of Black lives
town history in the Mon Valley. It and patterns of your inner and outer in the U.S. Using videos of short
follows three generations of Slovak- worlds. We will take inspiration from lectures and materials prepared by
Americans from arrival in the 1880s, art and artist visits, and explore a Pitt faculty and local activists, we
through the Homestead strike and the wide range of media, techniques, and will discuss and examine racism,
Great Depression, to the unionization visual approaches. Collage will include inequality, social difference, and
of the mills in the New Deal era. both found and handmade paper. related topics in order to gain insight
Along the way it addresses immigrant Printmaking techniques will include into the Black experience and cultural
life, the hazards of steelmaking, race a range of monotype techniques, expression, and everyday strategies
and gender relations, labor strife – including gel printing, trace for anti-racism. Participants will be
and the strength of the human spirit monotype, and dark field monotype; asked to view at least one video
in response to these conditions. stamps and relief prints; and drypoint. on a topic before class each week.
Braddock-born Bell writes with an You will make sewn and folded books, Class time will be spent discussing
insider’s matter-of-factness, gentle including accordion, pamphlet, and each week’s themes and topics. This
irony and great tenderness. The class stab binding, plus repurpose found course is most appropriate for those
will include lectures and discussion, books. All experience levels welcome. who wish to discuss/reflect on these
enhanced by songs, photos, and More experienced students can topics and grow anti-racism strategies
video clips of relevant events. choose to focus on and develop a in their lives.
Exploration • Nicholas Coles specific project. Exploration • Ralph Bangs
Exploration • Ann Rosenthal
Who Killed Jesus? The
10–11:30 a.m. Origins of Anti-Semitism in
WEDNESDAY Ancient Christianity
Contemporary India Anti-Semitism (a modern term),
9–10 a.m. The significance of India is remains a tragic expression of
characteristically downplayed, religious and cultural intolerance.
Gentle Yoga possibly because of its inherent Where and when did this begin?
This 10-week course is geared for complexities. It is the largest This course examines the origins
those new to yoga or those who are democracy, economically vibrant, of Christian-Jewish relations in the
interested in a gentle practice. It and full of seeming paradoxes. In ancient world in three areas: the story
includes a combination of meditation, this course we will explore the many of the trial and crucifixion of Jesus in
breath work, and flowing movement successes and challenges in today’s the gospels; the letters of Paul; and
intended for all abilities. This class India, primarily through how western the writings of the Church Fathers
offers nurturing, kindness, and media (news and popular sources) against the Jews in the second
compassion for the body, regardless portray this ancient and varied land century. Each of these areas has an
of a student’s physical abilities, age, and its peoples. Each week will focus historical and social context that will
or experience. You will experiment on a topic which will allow us to help to explain the ways in which
with balance, strength, flexibility, and consider the social, cultural, political, the early Christians articulated their
stillness while practicing mindfulness and religious backgrounds leading to position in relation to Judaism.
and meditation techniques. a better understanding of what India Academic • Rebecca Denova
Enjoyment • Jill Clary has come to mean both internally and
externally in the contemporary world.
Academic • Lipika Mazumdar
* LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE OLLI.PITT.EDU | 1310:15–11:15 a.m. nature of freedom, responsibility, bad this phenomenon with music as a
faith, authenticity, and the absurd. A commentary on history and current
Chakra Yoga All Levels common theme running through all events from Mozart and Beethoven,
our discussions will be how we find to Woodstock.
This 10-week course moves through
meaning in life given the realities of Exploration • Owen Cantor
traditional yoga poses (or asanas)
contemporary culture.
that align each individual chakra,
moving up the spine from the root Academic • William Pamerleau 3–4:30 p.m.
chakra to the crown chakra. Chakras
are energy centers located across How to Awaken Your Inner Alexander the Great and the
different points on our spinal column. Fiction Writer* Hellenistic World
When energy becomes blocked Your inner fiction writer will blossom Alexander the Great died young
in a chakra, it triggers physical, in this course which will embolden it but left the world forever changed.
mental, or emotional imbalances that through stimulating writing exercises, This course follows Alexander from
manifest in symptoms such as anxiety, fresh ways to practice story-making, the courts of Macedonia to the
lethargy, or poor digestion. This class methods to grow your fictional worlds steppes of Afghanistan and explores
is for the student who likes a fluid, and characters, and a community the profound cultural changes and
mindful practice that links alignment, of writers to share and highlight the political developments that define
movement and breath. Participants gems of your work. We will focus this period of kingdoms and empires
should wear comfortable, loose fitting on writing short fiction pieces that we call the Hellenistic Age. Together,
clothing and have a yoga mat. jump off the page! No experience we will explore questions and issues
Enjoyment • Jill Clary necessary. Let your imagination soar! related to ethnic identity, cultural
Exploration • Laurie McMillan and intellectual exchange, empire
1–2:30 p.m. building, globalization, and artistic
The Roaring ‘20s experimentation.
Advanced Beginner Spanish* Academic • Taylor Coughlan
A century ago, the world began to
Members may take only one level of emerge from a devastating war and
Spanish per term. a pandemic of historic proportions. Isabel Allende and Pablo
This 10-week course is for students The decade that followed became Neruda: The Spanish Civil
who have advanced beyond a famous for flappers and cultural War, Exodus, Exile, and
beginning knowledge of Spanish revolution, but also political revolution Friendship
and wish to further refine speaking, and polarization. How will our We will read Isabel Allende’s novel,
listening, and reading comprehension ‘20s compare? “A Long Petal of the Sea” (2019),
skills. Classroom practice focuses on Academic • Julia Hudson-Richards in which she tells us the story of a
the use of complex grammar, syntax, couple, Víctor and Roser, in exile
and vocabulary. War and Pieces: How Music due to the Spanish Civil War. They
Reacts to War and Conflict travel to Chile on the SS Winnipeg
Exploration • Maria Franco de Gomez
(1939) along with 2,000 Spanish
In this four-week course, seasoned refugees from Franco’s fascism.
Existentialism with humor, emotion, and discovery, Because this exodus was arranged
Existentialism was a movement and presented as interconnected by the poet-diplomat Neruda, the
that defined philosophy in much building blocks, we will examine Winnipeg is known as Neruda’s “Boat
of the twentieth century, but it the relationship of music to the of Hope.” Each week we will read
had a wide influence on art and art and imagery of warfare and three chapters, following Victor and
culture well outside of academia. conflict. Throughout the history of Roser’s trajectory as they go into exile
While less known today, it is no less classical and contemporary music, again after Pinochet’s coup, this time
relevant as a way of grappling with composers have reacted to conflict to Venezuela. There Víctor meets
some of life’s biggest questions. by crystalizing emotions for their Isabel Allende, also exiled in Caracas
This course focuses primarily on audience in the language of music. and working as a journalist. A strong
the philosophical tradition that From musical bomb blasts to silly friendship is born. Audio-visual
constitutes existentialism, which calvary charges, great composers, materials will be used to recreate
examines the nature of human life enmeshed in their own world, react historical references.
from the perspective of the concrete to the topical news of the day—often
with ethereal results. We will examine Exploration • Camila Pulgar Machado
individual. We will examine the
14 | OLLI.PITT.EDU * LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLEThe Rhythm of the Cosmos present. The course introduces
THURSDAY We exist in this universe, but the
each major style by viewing national
prototypes but then concentrates on
ongoing events in space are beyond
10–11 a.m. our human scales of time and size.
local examples found in Pittsburgh
and southwestern Pennsylvania.
What are the natural rhythms of the
Dance and Be Fit cosmos and how can we put them
Architectural styles are also a useful
This 10-week course engages all age tool to help understand social and
in a coherent perspective? Einstein
groups and all ability levels with fun cultural history from different periods
said, “The most beautiful thing we
and easy dance and fitness routines. and this too will be emphasized in
can experience is the mysterious.” In
Learning basic dance and fitness the course.
this course we will investigate origins,
moves will help participants take such as simple hydrogen forming the Academic • Robert Jucha
more steps toward a healthier lifestyle basis of all structure; slow transitions,
and get you moving. No experience such as gas cloud to star to black Writing a Legacy Letter
or special skills are needed. Great hole; the scale and consequences This four-session course is designed
for beginners as well as veteran of collisions and expansion; to introduce the concept of “legacy
dancers, the course can be adapted dynamic events such as quasars and letters” and to encourage participants
to anyone’s unique needs. supernovae; and “empty” space, to craft their own legacy document.
Enjoyment • Roland Ford which is full of the unknown, and A legacy letter (also called an “ethical
hazardous to humans. will”) is a written document that
Beginner Spanish* Academic • Elizabeth Burnette allows people to share their life
Members may take only one level of lessons, express their values and
Spanish. Urban Dream, Urban transmit their blessings to future
Nightmare: New York City generations. A legacy letter is shorter
This 10-week course is for beginners than a memoir, typically just a few
and it focuses on Spanish pronunciation, Perhaps both. New York City, America’s
pages. Writing one is a rewarding
vocabulary, grammar, and useful great metropolis, was never more than
experience that creates an enduring
expressions for travel. Participants can a dream. Delightful, dirty, constantly
gift for children, grandchildren, and
expect classroom practice to include reinventing itself, its environs,
other loved ones. The course includes
speaking, reading, and listening purpose, morés—is it paradise or
discussion and brief writing exercises
comprehension. perdition? We’ll read some excerpts
to help participants examine their life
and come to our own conclusions.
Exploration • Maria Franco de Gomez histories, explore their values, and
Jeremiah Moss, “Vanishing New
capture important insights. It offers
York: How a Great City Lost Its Soul”;
Beginner Watercolor Olivia Laing, “The Lonely City”; Jane
advice, encouragement, and a model
Enjoy the beauty, quirks and happy structure to help participants draft
Jacobs, “The Death and Life of Great
surprises watercolor painting can and complete their own legacy letter.
American Cities”, “Vital Little Plans”;
bring! In this course, a new online Robert Caro, “The Power Broker: Exploration • Jay Sherwin
lesson and demonstration, followed Robert Moses and the Fall of New
by discussion, will be presented York”; Roberta Gratz, “The Battle
each week. Topics to be covered will for Gotham”.
include washes, brush work, color,
Academic • Abby Mendelson
perspective, composition and much
more. Participants will be encouraged
What Style Is It? A Survey
to submit photos of their own
of Domestic Architectural
watercolor works for group discussion,
Styles with a Focus on
questions, and suggestions. Individual
Pittsburgh Houses
feedback from the instructor will
be provided to participants. This Have you ever walked past an old
course is appropriate for beginners house and wondered what style is it?
and those with less than one-year This course helps provide the answers
watercolor experience. to this question by describing the
features which identify American
Enjoyment • Melissa Tai
domestic architecture beginning
with the Colonial period up to the
* LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE OLLI.PITT.EDU | 151–2:50 p.m. an unfinished journey in pursuit of care?), and even delve into the weird
a moving target. We explore what and fascinating world of behavioral
Advanced Conversational makes democracy possible, as well as finance, to better understand
Spanish* the sources of its frequent fragility and sometimes why we all make bad
permanent need for renewal. Special decisions with our money.
Members may take only one level
attention will be paid to the analysis Academic • Aaron Leaman
of Spanish.
and discussion of the challenges
The main goal of this 10-week course and transformations experienced by
is Spanish reading and conversation.
3–4:30 p.m.
American democracy throughout the
Group discussions based on short last decade.
stories written by Hispanic writers
The Detective Story from
will be the methodology for the class.
Academic • Javier Vázquez-D’Elía Victorian Solutions to
Weekly reading assignments will
Modern Searches
provide the content of the course.
Ongoing Evolution of the Early stories by Poe and Doyle
Class discussions will be conducted
American World Music Genre present clear morality and rational
in Spanish, so participants are
Jazz, Part II solutions. More modern and post-
expected to have a significant This experiential course will focus modern stories by Dashiel Hammett,
knowledge of Spanish. on participants’ listening skills the Swedish couple, Maj Sjowall
and appreciation for the Jazz and Per Wahloo and George V.
Exploration • Maria Franco de Gomez
genre art form, specifically in the Higgins produce more morally and
eras of the Big Band, Jazz, R&B, socially complex visions and more
Art Looting and Destruction:
Funk, Fusion, Blues and other problematic “solutions.” While
Historical Context
offerings that have taken the art the focus will be on the texts, their
Looting and destruction have of free expression and innovation characters, and their meanings, we
long been a devastating aspect of to such a level of inner reflection. will also look at the historical contexts
cultural strife. The desire to possess We will discover how the aspects of the writers and their stories.
plundered objects of intrinsic or of everyday sounds in this music Academic • Michael Hefland
artistic value has, in fact, reshaped conjures images, not just as complete
cultures, as have the actions of those songs, but through nuanced voice
who acting upon ideological beliefs and instrument inflections as well.
undertake iconoclasm as a method Music recordings, demonstrations, FRIDAY
of intimidation and force, whether for guided listening, personal reflection
political or religious purposes. With and discussions on artists and time
specific examples, we’ll examine the
10–11:30 a.m.
periods will be presented with the
issues surrounding image defacement goal of participants deepening their
from ancient times to the present,
The Age of the Crusades:
appreciation for the Jazz music art Part 1
and thoroughly dissect looting as form and its basic elements while
part of both traditional warfare and developing the skills to become This course will examine one of the
modern extremism. better listeners. most iconic set of conflicts commonly
associated with the Middle Ages:
Academic • Valerie Grash Enjoyment • Christopher Dean The Crusades. For over 200 years,
Sullivan Christians and Muslims battled for
Democracy: A Moving Target
control of the Holy Land, showcasing
The course goes back and forth Understanding the some very memorable people of the
between theory and history, Stock Market age. This course, Part 1, will focus
combining the analysis of concrete Everyone has watched the stock on the First Crusade; Saladin and the
processes of democratization market go up and down, but if you’ve Second Crusade, along with Henry II,
having taken place at different ever wondered “why,” then this is Eleanor of Aquitaine and the
points throughout the last two the class for you. We will discuss Angevin Empire.
centuries, with the discussion of market metrics and trends, study Academic • Jared Day
concepts and hypotheses aiming to the basics of both fundamental and
explain the dynamics leading to the technical investment analysis (What
emergence of democratic regimes. is a P/E Ratio and why should I
Democratization is presented as
16 | OLLI.PITT.EDU * LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLEEmpower Writing with Prehistoric Life and
Poetry, Part 2: Non-Rhyming Earth History SATURDAY
Poems The history of life on the Earth is
In this course, students will learn, preserved within the rock layers as 10–11:30 a.m.
examine, and practice a special few fossils. How has life on Earth changed
of the over sixty types of poems. over the last 4.5 billion years? This Moments in Time
Students will practice tools essential course will present a summary Learn the creative side of digital
to poetry, understanding that these of Earth history and the amazing photography! This course will
techniques improve all writing. organisms that have inhabited our concentrate on shutter speed.
Specific forms to be covered include planet. From the first primitive In photography, shutter speed or
acrostic, blank verse, cinquain, multicellular animals and hard- exposure time is the length of time
free verse, haiku and palindrome. shelled trilobites; through the age of when the film or digital sensor inside
It is not necessary to have taken dinosaurs, mammals, and the ice age the camera is exposed to light, also
Part 1. All are welcome. we’ll explore the fascinating science when a camera’s shutter is open when
Exploration • Sandra Gould Ford of Paleontology. Geological and taking a photograph. After learning
biological principles for interpreting and reviewing the dynamics in class,
Intermediate Conversational ancient life are introduced and participants will go out between
French: Hypothetically examined. The Earth’s geologic each class and use their skills to
Speaking timescale, methods of absolute and capture meaningful moments in time.
relative age dating techniques as well Participants will be asked to share
This 10-week course explores some as invertebrate and vertebrate fossils their work in class, if they chose, as we
of the verb tenses not covered in the will be included. discuss the impact of shutter speed.
Past and Present Tense classes, and
then applies them in various classroom Academic • Stephen Lindberg Exploration • Germaine Watkins
activities. Class time also includes
working with passages from a selected Supreme Court Sampler
secondary text. This course is geared to The third of the three branches of
students who are not yet comfortably federal government created by the
delivering simple sentences in French. Constitution is the Supreme Court.
Some prior knowledge of French is Its decisions touch multiple aspects of
expected. Advanced speaking skills American life. This sampler considers
are not required. five significant cases. The course is a
Exploration • Cathleen Sendek-Sapp history course which focuses on the
persons involved, political issues,
cultural context, and consequences
rather than a legal course providing
material for lawyers. These particular
cases have the potential to arouse
student interest in the manner of a
page-turning novel or a well-crafted
documentary.
Academic • John Burt
* LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE OLLI.PITT.EDU | 17OLLI Course Descriptions
Session 2: Saturday, June 26–Tuesday, August 3, 2021
explains how the deadly economy of 11 a.m.–12 noon
MONDAY slavery has continued in the United
States through the rise of the modern Chair Yoga
10–11:30 a.m. prison system and the persistence of (continued from Session 1)
white supremacist ideology.
History of Medicine Academic • Kimberly Latta 1–2:30 p.m.
and Healthcare
This course navigates the Pittsburgh Shattered Glass Monday Master Classes
development of medicine and (see pages 24-25)
The Pittsburgh region became
healthcare systems in the western a center for production of glass,
society. We will examine the but also for innovations in its
conceptualization and understanding
of health, disease, and treatment
manufacture, design, and marketing. TUESDAY
This four-week course tells that story,
starting with early ideas in Ancient unraveling the complex 200 plus-year
Greece and trace how these ideas history of Western Pennsylvania’s
10–11:30 a.m.
were modified or strengthened first industry. This course will blend
with the emergence of theoretical, Beginning Level French:
illustrated lectures that include both
scientific, and technological advances Present Tense Verbs
an examination of historical context
over time. Lastly, we explore the (continued from Session 1)
and glass objects, as well as class
inescapable influence of political and discussion to engage students in
cultural influence in how these entities Experimental Watercolor
how to look at, not through, the glass
were used to establish the current (continued from Session 1)
in their lives and hopefully see and
healthcare systems, with emphasis understand it in a new way.
one the American healthcare system. Money, Power, and
Enjoyment • Anne Madarasz Climate Change
Academic • Orin James
Climate change and related
Social Media from a
(In)Sanity of the Species: environmental issues look like issues
Research Perspective
Reading Octavia Butler’s of technology and science. That
In this course we will take a “high- technology, however, is shaped by
“Kindred” and “Dawn”
level” overview of various social economic and political systems,
Octavia Butler’s greatness as a media platforms. The course will which, in turn, are rooted in industrial
writer has only recently received the also include topics such as persona civilization founded upon the cheap
attention she deserves as a great building using social media data, power made possible by burning
American novelist. In this course, we machine learning in social media fossil fuels. We will examine all these
will consider her most well-known research, and current “future of aspects of climate change and fossil
works, “Kindred” (1979), in which a social media” speculations. Although fuel use to gain an understanding of
modern African-American woman the scope of this course does not this most critical issue of our time.
is periodically and involuntarily sent include a “how-to” use social media
back in time to live the life of an Academic • Alan Irvine
guide, knowing more about its
enslaved American ancestor; and various platforms may aid in its use.
“Dawn”, in which an African-American After completion of this course the
woman is selected by aliens to lead student will be able to discuss current
a new species on earth thousands social media trends from a research
of years after humans rendered it perspective.
uninhabitable. We will consider these
Academic • Cristina Bahm
novels in relation to Ava Du Vernay’s
vital documentary, “13th”, which
18 | OLLI.PITT.EDU * LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLEYou can also read
