QUICK LINKS — OLLI home page | OLLI Spring 2025 calendar | OLLI digital catalog home | Questions? Email olli-online@udel.edu
Spring late registration & drop/add is available March 17-April 4, 2025 — click here for details
Course outlines/syllabi — Click here to view spring syllabi & course outlines (available for most courses)
Use the dropdowns below to view available offerings by day of the week, category, or other filters.
View all updated or canceled courses | Clear form/view all courses
The number of sessions and dates of this class have changed since catalog production.
Wilmington (Arsht Hall): February 7, 2025 to May 9, 2025
Friday at 9:00 AM
Step into the vibrant realm where art knows no boundaries! This class is your passport to a universe where diverse art mediums come together on the canvas of creativity. Throughout the course you learn to use things like acrylic skins, texture paste, collage and paint to bring your vision to life. Prepare to get delightfully messy, rediscovering the joy of art! So….are you ready to rewrite the “rules” of creativity and embark on the most thrilling artistic adventure of a lifetime?! Let the mixed media begin! Access to a Gelli plate or other gel printing plate is needed for this course.
Taught by: Gabrielle Bradley
The number of sessions and end date of this class have changed since catalog production.
Wilmington (Arsht Hall): April 3, 2025 to May 8, 2025
Thursday at 12:30 PM
It’s showtime! Using video and audio clips, this class examines the works of legendary Broadway composer/lyricists Stephen Sondheim and Jerry Herman, the award-winning composer and lyricist team of John Kander and Fred Ebb and two versatile composers, Cy Coleman and Jule Styne, who worked in various styles with a variety of lyricists over their long careers.
Taught by: Thomas Powderly
The start time of this class has changed since catalog production.
Wilmington (Arsht Hall): February 5, 2025 to May 7, 2025
Wednesday at 10:00 AM
This course is designed for former course participants in Caught in the Act and/or Creating a Fractured Fairytale to write and/or revise their original fractured fairytales for performance in May 2025. Some participants can contribute as stagecraft crew, and/or costume, makeup and sound effects/music crew.
Taught by: Arlene Bowman
An online section of this class has been added since catalog production.
Wilmington (Arsht Hall): February 6, 2025 to March 6, 2025
Thursday at 12:45 PM
Was she a kook or an unpolished gem — no one was quite sure when 18-year-old Barbara Streisand won a talent contest and a job at a Greenwich Village gay bar in 1960. Sixty years later, after losing an “a” and winning multiple Oscars, Grammys and Emmys, Barbra is a living legend. This class takes us back to where and when her legend began.
Taught by: Thomas Powderly
The number of sessions and dates of this class have changed since catalog production.
Online: April 4, 2025 to May 2, 2025
Friday at 12:45 PM
This course covers finding written and audio music online and using music notation software to edit music, practice and read music directly (no more paper!). Students also learn how to manage and share a music library. Software includes forScore and MuseScore; websites include Google Drive, Dropbox, Microsoft OneDrive, MakeMusic Cloud (aka SmartMusic) and YouTube. We also discuss playing live music online with others.
Taught by: Ellen Sherin
An instructor has been added to this class since catalog production.
Online: February 5, 2025 to April 23, 2025
Wednesday at 10:30 AM
The class uses SmartMusic and Zoom. Various music genres are played along with a segment of technical instruction. Instruments invited to enroll include violin, viola, cello, double bass, recorder, concertina, accordion and guitar/mandolin/banjo/ukulele (picking, no chords). See course outline for details.
Taught by: Darlene Slaughter, Ellen Sherin, Pam Wilson
The dates of this class have changed and an instructor has been added since catalog production.
Wilmington (Arsht Hall): February 5, 2025 to March 5, 2025
Wednesday at 2:30 PM
This course is focused on playing and exploring Dixieland music, and includes a lobby concert around Mardi Gras. Sheet music or chord charts (lead sheets) are provided.
Taught by: Doug Leach, Ellen Sherin, Paul Sherin
This class has been canceled for the semester.
Ocean View Community Center: April 2, 2025 to April 30, 2025
Wednesday at 12:45 PM
If you fear talking in front of an audience, a small group or even one-on-one during a stressful conversation, take this class to prepare yourself! Feeling overwhelmed as you face the prospect of giving a short speech for a special occasion, a wedding toast, baptism, or special party? Do you need a speech for a tribute or eulogy for a loved one? How can you be ready to get up in front of people to give an impromptu talk? This class can help prepare you to talk under stressful situations.
Taught by: Cezarina Cornejo Alzona
This class has been canceled for the semester.
Lewes (Trinity Faith Education Building): February 6, 2025 to March 6, 2025
Thursday at 12:45 PM
This course covers a variety of topics in parapsychology, including after-death communication, near-death experiences, reincarnation, pets in the afterlife, psychics, mediums and channeling. Numerous published papers from the scientific literature are presented to support and explain the evidence that some form of an afterlife exists. Students also learn how advances in technology are being applied to expand upon earlier research efforts. All students need for this class is an open mind!
Taught by: Carol Pollio
The start and end times of this class have been updated since catalog production.
Wilmington (Arsht Hall): February 4, 2025 to March 4, 2025
Tuesday at 12:30 PM
In this class we watch movies based on true stories, viewing an entire movie at a time with discussion afterwards. This semester we watch the following five movies related to justice: Colette, The Great Debaters, Charming the Hearts of Men, 42 and Iron Jawed Angels.
Taught by: Sondra Weidman
This class has been added since catalog production.
Online: February 7, 2025 to April 25, 2025
Friday at 10:45 AM
This course reviews the history of African Americans shortly after reconstruction to today. It is the second course in a two part series that begun in the early 1500s. Videos followed by the discussion will be the format for this course, Subjects as the Great Migration, African Americans in the military, civil rights and other topics will be covered.
Taught by: Norwood Coleman
This class has been canceled for the semester.
Wilmington (Arsht Hall): February 6, 2025 to May 8, 2025
Thursday at 2:30 PM
From Ida B. Wells to Toni Bambara, we read and discuss a number of the important works by African American authors who bring critical insight into issues of the relations between the Black community and the dominant white political and social structure. Everyone is welcome and your knowledge and contributions to the discussion are valued.
Taught by: Susan Shoemaker
The time of this class has changed since catalog production.
Online: February 5, 2025 to March 5, 2025
Wednesday at 12:45 PM
In this course class participants learn and discuss what forgiveness is and is not, and the barriers involved. We explore how we benefit physically, emotionally and mentally from practicing forgiveness. Class participants are asked to read the book, Forgive for Good, by Dr. Fred Luskin. This book, stories, short videos and an article written by the instructor illustrate concepts and provide opportunities for reflection and class discussion.
Taught by: Eileen Donnelly
Online: February 3, 2025 to April 21, 2025
Monday at 10:45 AM
iOS 18 debuted in 2024 with several feature improvements as well as many new ones, as compared to iOS 17, which was covered a year ago. iOS 18 now introduces Apple Intelligence, Apple’s own special implementation of Generative AI. This 11-week, lecture-based online course provides an overview consisting mostly of live and video demonstrations. While basic familiarity with the operation of an iPhone or iPad is required, having iOS/iPad OS 18 installed on your device is not necessary.
Taught by: Sandro Cuccia
This class has been canceled for the spring semester.
Online: February 4, 2025 to March 4, 2025
Tuesday at 12:45 PM
Apple’s Keynote is a powerful yet easy-to-use presentation tool for the Apple Mac (we focus on the Mac version only). Keynote is ideal for creating visually captivating presentations without the complexity of other software. The instructor, an experienced Mac user and support professionalwho has conducted hundreds of presentations and training sessions, shares his tips and techniques for delivering successful presentations and classes using the Mac.
Taught by: Sandro Cuccia
This class has been canceled for the spring semester.
Online: April 1, 2025 to April 29, 2025
Tuesday at 12:45 PM
Mac OS 15 Sequoia was released in late 2024 with many improvements as well as intriguing new features. Sequoia also introduces Apple Intelligence, Apple’s own special implementation of Generative AI (artificial intelligence). This five-week lecture-based online course provides an overview consisting mostly of live and video demonstrations. While basic familiarity with the operation of a Mac is required, having Sequoia installed on your Mac is not required. Only Mac OS 15 is covered.
Taught by: Sandro Cuccia
The start and end time of this class has changed since catalog production.
Newark (501 S. College Ave.): March 31, 2025 to May 5, 2025
Monday at 10:45 AM
This course is for users of Mac computers. The lectures provide an overview of the many facets of Photos, including what Photos is, how to get images into Photos, how to organize images, how to improve those images, as well as show the various ways to share those images with others by preparing slideshows and books. The course includes demonstrations that illustrate the topics covered. Prerequisite: Familiarity with Mac computers.
Taught by: Gerald Hapka
The end date of this class has changed since catalog production.
Wilmington (Arsht Hall): February 7, 2025 to May 2, 2025
Friday at 12:45 PM
Join our book group to refresh French-speaking skills and expand your knowledge through lively discussion in French in a relaxed setting. Active participation encouraged. Our books are: 2/7 Les Petits de decembre, K. Adimi; 3/7 Stupeur et tremblements, A. Northumb; 4/4 Un Garcon singulier, P. Grimbert; 5/2 Bon retablissement, M. Roger. See online syllabus for details. Order: lireka.com; amazon.com; or fnac.com. E-books, as of 4/24. Questions: contact jdiner1@aol.com. Prerequisite: Ability to speak and read French (advanced).
Taught by: Judith Diner
This class has been canceled for the semester.
Online: February 5, 2025 to April 23, 2025
Wednesday at 9:00 AM
This course is for students with little or no previous instruction in the Spanish language. We start at the beginning. The course is based primarily on the textbook with supplementary stories and songs. Required text: The Complete Ultimate Spanish, Ronni Gordon, ISBN #1264259107.
Taught by: Jeanne Hanson
The dates and number of sessions of this class have changed since catalog production.
Online: February 6, 2025 to April 24, 2025
Thursday at 2:30 PM
An advanced-level course designed to provide participants the opportunity to enrich their Spanish vocabulary and increase their fluency in a relaxed, friendly environment. Authentic readings on a variety of topics serve as a springboard for discussion. Materials selected with participants’ expressed interests and needs in mind are sent out a week prior to each class. Music, pictures, games and video clips round out the sessions.
Taught by: Mary Shenvi
The course number of this class has changed to O310 since catalog production.
Wilmington (Arsht Hall): February 5, 2025 to March 5, 2025
Wednesday at 9:00 AM
Columbus authored letters and a journal to chronicle his discoveries during his four voyages to what he thought was the Orient. Excerpts from his writings (in Spanish) are provided as touchstones for discussion, the objective being to determine how Columbus should be honored hero, villain or even saint (as some have advocated). Class is conducted in Spanish (intermediate to advanced level), as it is a Spanish conversation class.
Taught by: Charles Lutz
This class is canceled for the semester.
Dover (off site Camden/Wyoming area): April 3, 2025 to May 1, 2025
Thursday at 12:45 PM
Enjoy learning about plants on easy, fun walks that we take in the Dover/Camden Wyoming area. We discuss the names and intriguing features of the trees, shrubs and wildflowers we encounter. These walks are in mostly different areas from previous semesters. The first class meets at Wyoming Church. (Please dress to walk outside and around the church.) Students are advised where to meet for the other four classes.
Taught by: Susan Yost
An online section of this class has been added since catalog production.
Wilmington (Arsht Hall): February 7, 2025 to May 9, 2025
Friday at 10:45 AM
Everything we do on the land and in the air affects the quality of our water. Learn about how these connections work as well as the threats to our waterways and what we can do to protect them.
Taught by: Jeffrey Chambers
This class has been added since catalog production.
Wilmington: March 31, 2025 to April 28, 2025
Monday at 2:30 PM
This class explores how allergies, asthma and skin conditions affect the body and helps students identify triggers, manage symptoms and handle emergency situations, such as anaphylaxis. The class reveals tools that can enhance quality of life and help patients effectively communicate with healthcare providers, while providing an engaging and supportive learning environment.
Taught by: Robert Perin
This class has been canceled for the semester.
Ocean View Community Center: February 5, 2025 to March 5, 2025
Wednesday at 10:45 AM
This class is designed for those interested in learning the basic steps and movements of this elegant, historic form of dancing. Students receive a list of the dances we perform,along with the steps and video links. Please bring a water bottle and wear flat shoes.
Taught by: Paul Smith
This class has been canceled for the semester.
Dover: February 6, 2025 to March 6, 2025
Thursday at 11:00 AM
Jazzercise LO is a dance-based fitness program that focuses on fun, sustainable fitness you can stick to for life. This dance cardio class is fused with cardio, strength and stretch giving participants a full-body workout. The program is designed to maximize full workout potential while boosting mental health but, without impacting joints. The goal is to help people achieve healthier, happier lives though dance fitness. Jazzercise is fit for all ages.
Taught by:
This class has been canceled for the semester.
Wilmington (Arsht Hall): February 4, 2025 to March 4, 2025
Tuesday at 9:00 AM
Trauma affects us all. As we grow older, we experience more loss, declining health and energy and uncertainty about the future. We may be struggling with unresolved events from the past, which can debilitate our lives today. In this course, we learn about the effect of trauma on a physical, cognitive, emotional and behavioral level. We study the biology and history of trauma and stress. We look at the levels and types of trauma and, most importantly, how to return to optimal functioning.
Taught by: Rachel Snijders
This class is canceled for the semester.
Lewes (Trinity Faith Education Building): February 4, 2025 to April 15, 2025
Tuesday at 2:30 PM
Yoga mat, blocks and comfortable attire Beginner? Experienced? Somewhere in the middle? This class is infused with principles of trauma-informed yoga. Listen to your bodys needs, tailor each shape accordingly and move through the practice without expectations. We explore physical shapes and movements and then make movement choices based on those feelings. No right and wrong here! Please note that this course includes nine sessions, and there is no class on 3/4. The c
Taught by:
An online section of this class has been added since catalog production.
Wilmington (Arsht Hall): February 3, 2025 to May 5, 2025
Monday at 12:45 PM
The Big Bang model and cosmological observations indicate that the universe contains about 5% ordinary matter (atoms, stars and galaxies), 25% dark matter and 70% dark energy. The existence of dark matter explains observed gravitational effects. The accelerating expansion of the universe could be due to dark energy. Scientists have not been able to directly detect dark matter or dark energy experimentally. This course explores why we think the dark side exists and what it could be.
Taught by: Charley Carter
An instructor has been added to this class since catalog production.
Online: February 4, 2025 to April 22, 2025
Tuesday at 12:45 PM
Part 2 of this course explores popular scientific topics and their misconceptions based on the Great Course lecture series by Dr. Don Lincoln, a physicist from Fermi National Accelerator Lab. Supplemental material is provided in the form of lectures for in-depth coverage. Topics include radiation health risks, misuse of statistical data, entropy of evolution, fundamentals of relativity and cosmology, defining speed of light, untangling quantum mechanics and the significance of the theory of everything.
Taught by: Bruce Neff, Howard Barth
The course number of this class has changed since catalog production.
Wilmington (Arsht Hall): April 2, 2025 to April 30, 2025
Wednesday at 12:45 PM
Great investors rely on their interpretations of recent and distant history to shape their decisions. Of course they care about the present and the future, but they often extrapolate from the past. We examine the historical insights of three legends: George Soros, Robert Shiller, and Ray Dalio.
Taught by: Robert Hampel
This class has been added since catalog production.
Online: April 2, 2025 to April 30, 2025
Wednesday at 6:30 PM
This course on investing basics is for everyone, from those starting their careers to those nearing retirement or retired. We review the basics of how wealth is built and discuss investing using various asset classes and vehicles such as stocks, funds (both ETFs and mutual funds) and bonds. We also discuss the importance of an investment plan to achieve goals, and how various asset classes may be appropriate based on your plan horizon and goals. Charts are posted on a class website and students will have access to charts for the duration of the 5-week course. Each class includes a lecture by the instructor and time for questions and discussion.
Taught by: Rajeev Vaidya
Lewes (Trinity Faith Education Building): February 4, 2025 to March 4, 2025
Tuesday at 10:45 AM
Our world continues to evolve; your financial plan and investments should as well. A financial plan should be a living/breathing document, updated regularly for taxes, inflation and more. The markets are bigger than ever, with more choices. Does buy and hold still work? What about AI and bitcoin are they good options for a retiree? Who’s more impactful, the Fed or Treasury? This class is for all interested in the markets and investment planning, but we discuss advanced concepts as well.
Taught by: Michael Loftus
Ocean View Community Center: March 31, 2025 to April 28, 2025
Monday at 12:45 PM
Our world continues to evolve; your financial plan and investments should as well. A financial plan should be a living/breathing document, updated regularly for taxes, inflation and more.The markets are bigger than ever, with more choices. Does buy and hold still work? What about AI and bitcoin are they good options for a retiree? Who’s more impactful, the Fed or Treasury? This class is for all interested in the markets and investment planning, but we discuss advanced concepts as well.
Taught by: Michael Loftus
This class has been added since catalog production.
Online: February 7, 2025 to April 18, 2025
Friday at 10:45 AM
This online course is modeled after the highly-researched MBSR (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction) program created by Jon Kabat-Zinn in 1979. It consists of an orientation class to begin the program, followed by eight weekly classes of approximately two hours each in length. There is also a six-hour online retreat on Friday, March 28th, from 9 a.m. -3 p.m. Each week’s two-hour class is generally divided into equal parts presentation of ideas, group discussion and meditation practice. During the eight weeks, participants explore, and are given homework to practice, each of the five different types of simple MBSR meditation practices. The group discussion in class is dedicated to exploring participants’ direct experiences with the formal and informal MBSR practices being taught during each class as well as their experiences from their home practice Successful participation in this class includes a commitment to both regular class attendance and home mediation practice. No prior …Full Description
Taught by: Genie Floyd
This class has been added since catalog production.
Wilmington: April 4, 2025 to May 2, 2025
Friday at 12:45 PM
Become a storyteller and performer as you learn how to create A STAGED SLICE OF LIFE THROUGH SLAM POETRY.
Taught by: Arlene Bowman
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at the University of Delaware
OLLI is an academic cooperative for adults 50 and over to enjoy classes, teach, exchange ideas and socialize together, with no exams or educational requirements for participation. OLLI welcomes you.
Kent/Sussex | Wilmington