From the art of landscape painting to the exploration of iconic movies and the history of beer, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Vanderbilt is offering an exciting lineup of summer courses for the 50-plus community.
With engaging topics in music, history, literature, wellness and more, OLLI provides a wealth of opportunities for learning and connection. With the launch of Osher Online, students can now tap into the expertise of instructors across the country.
Vanderbilt faculty and staff are now eligible for a discount on course registration, making it more accessible than ever to join the OLLI community. Contact oshervu@vanderbilt.edu to learn more.
“As summer stretches out before us with its longer days and sunny skies, it’s the perfect time to recharge, reconnect, and reignite your curiosity through lifelong learning,” said Tara Hamilton, director of OLLI at Vanderbilt. “This term, we continue our commitment to offering enriching, inspiring and engaging opportunities to learn, connect and grow.”
Registration:
Registration for spring classes is open June 2–29. Classes begin July 8. Visit OLLI at Vanderbilt to register.
Courses Offered
Wellness and Personal Development
- Public Health Across the Lifespan is taught by Michelle Boyd, epidemiologist and public health researcher. Through the examination of major health challenges, interventions, and policies that impact individuals at each life stage, students will gain insight into the life-course approach to public health and learn the importance of early intervention and continuous care. Students meet for six Wednesdays beginning July 9, from 4 to 5:30 p.m., online using Zoom.
- Positive Psychology: Cultivating Happiness and Fulfillment is taught by Ashleigh Maxcey, senior lecturer in psychology at Vanderbilt. Introducing the science of positive psychology, this course offers research-based insights and practical strategies to enhance capacity for personal joy, meaning and hope. Students will meet for six Tuesdays beginning July 15 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at St. George’s Episcopal Church, 4715 Harding Pike.
- A Sense of the Sacred: Meditating with the Divine Feminine is taught by Gordon Peerman, Episcopal priest, psychotherapist and mindfulness meditation teacher. This meditation course invites both beginners and experienced practitioners to explore the Divine Feminine as manifested across Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism and Hinduism. Students will meet for six Wednesdays beginning July 16 from 10 to 11:30 a.m., online using Zoom.
- Garden Ready: Planning, Planting, and Growing in Tennessee is taught by Amy Dunlap, agricultural and natural resources extension agent for Davidson County. Covering everything from soil health and seasonal planting to native plants, pests and edible perennials, this course provides guidance on growing a productive garden in Nashville’s climate for home gardeners of all experience levels. Students will meet for six Wednesdays beginning July 16 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the Agricultural Extension Center, 1281 Murfreesboro Pike.
- Essential Oils and the Body: A Scientific Exploration of Aromatherapy is taught by Sherri Roddick, clinical aromatherapist and director of research and development at Thistle Farms. This hands-on course introduces clinical aromatherapy. Learn how to safely and effectively use essential oils to promote relaxation, better sleep, emotional balance and everyday comfort with practical demonstrations and simple recipes for self-care. Students will meet six Thursdays beginning July 17 from 2:30 to 4 p.m. at Second Presbyterian Church, 3511 Belmont Blvd.
Art and Creativity
- Improv Theater is taught by Unscripted, a nonprofit organization that uses improv to heal, empower and connect communities. This playful course invites you to laugh a lot, move a little, and always be in the moment through games designed for joy and connection. No experience needed—just bring your curiosity and sense of humor. Students meet for six Mondays beginning July 14 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Second Presbyterian Church, 3511 Belmont Blvd.
- Writing Your Short Story is taught by Richard Klin, author of the novel Petroleum Transfer Engineer and contributor to The Atlantic, Cultural Daily and the Brooklyn Rail. This course guides students of all experience levels through a supportive, collaborative process to craft a short story, drawing on personal inspiration and emphasizing creative expression over rigid structure. Students meet for six Tuesdays beginning July 15 from 1 to 2:30 p.m., online using Zoom.
- Intro to Landscape Painting and Creating Illusionistic Space is taught by Lily Prince, an internationally exhibited painter. This online studio art course introduces foundational techniques for creating the illusion of depth in landscape art through value, perspective, layering and scale, while drawing inspiration from master and contemporary artists to develop each student’s personal style. Students meet for six Wednesdays beginning July 16 from 1 to 2:30 p.m., online using Zoom.
- From Page to Stage: Merry Wives of Windsor in collaboration with Nashville Shakespeare Festival is taught by Jason Spelbring, professional director, choreographer and actor, and Jayme M. Yeo, associate professor of English at Belmont University. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the Nashville Shakespeare Festival’s summer production of The Merry Wives of Windsor. Learn the history of the play, discuss how to design and stage a summer theater festival production, play with actors and directors, and attend a rehearsal. Students meet for six Thursdays beginning July 17 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at West End United Methodist Church, 2200 West End Ave. and The Yard at OneC1TY, 8 City Blvd.
Society and Current Affairs
- The Economics of Public Policy Issues is taught by Geof Woglom, professor emeritus of economics at Amherst College. Explore the origin of major public policy issues, examine underlying data and evidence, and learn about the policy tools available to address them. Potential topics include climate change, health care economics, economic inequality and more. Students meet for six Tuesdays beginning July 8, from 12 to 1:30 p.m., online using Zoom.
- Demystifying Energy Security is taught by Beth Hill-Skinner, an educator with a background in theology and international diplomacy. Engage in a comprehensive examination of energy’s role in human development and explore how different energy sources impact national security, economic stability, industrial production, transportation and daily life. Students meet for six Wednesdays beginning July 9, from 12 to 1:30 p.m., online using Zoom.
- Homelessness and What to Do About It is taught by Beth Shinn, professor emerita at Vanderbilt Peabody College of education and human development. This course explores the causes, consequences and potential solutions to homelessness—locally and nationally—by examining data, policy and case studies. It addresses key questions about who becomes homeless and why, and what can be done to end and prevent it. Students meet six Tuesdays beginning July 15 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at St. George’s Episcopal Church, 4715 Harding Pike.
Literature, History and Culture
- Behind Those Baby Blues: The Films of Paul Newman is taught by Arnold Blumberg, publisher, author, artist and pop culture historian. This course traces the timeline of Newman’s remarkable career, from his legendary collaborations with Robert Redford in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) and The Sting (1973) to his final roles in Road to Perdition (2002), Empire Falls (2005) and Cars (2006). Students meet for six Wednesdays beginning July 9, from 2 to 3:30 p.m., online using Zoom.
- History of Beer is taught by Karl Brown, historian and lecturer at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. This class will journey through time from the invention of beer around 4000 BCE to the modern rise of craft brewing, diving into topics like medieval brewing, beer in Shakespeare’s era, colonial brewing, Prohibition, indigenous brewing traditions worldwide and the evolution of beer commercials. Students meet for six Tuesdays beginning July 8, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., online using Zoom.
- Enjoying the Past and Present New York City: A History of Recreation in the Big Apple is taught by Adam Kocurek, adjunct lecturer at Hunter College and New York City tour guide. Explore the history of Manhattan and study the unique traits that drew millions of immigrants into its harbor. Learn about the history of New York City’s parks, city shopping, entertainment venues, museums and concerts. Students meet for six Wednesdays beginning July 9, from 10 to 11:30 a.m., online using Zoom.
- Introduction to the Algerian War (1954–1962) and Its Legacy in France is taught by Honorine Rouiller, senior lecturer in French at Vanderbilt. Moving through history, this course will examine France’s colonial rule in Algeria, the rise of the National Liberation Front, the collapse of the Fourth French Republic, and ultimately the lasting consequences of the Algerian War for France’s national identity and foreign policy. Students meet for five Thursdays beginning July 10, from 10 to 11:30 a.m., at St. George’s Episcopal Church, 4715 Harding Pike.
- Architectural Oddities: An Off-the-beaten Path Look at Unconventional Architecture is taught by Eleanor Schrader, award-winning educator, lecturer and author. Following architectural history from ancient to contemporary times, this course focuses on unconventional structures and the societies for which they were created. Study the construction methods used, and the builders and architects behind the structures. Students meet for six Thursdays beginning July 10, from 12 to 1:30 p.m., online using Zoom.
- 100 Years of Magic: The Disney Legacy and Influence is taught by Maria Massad, seasoned marketing leader and storyteller with lifelong connections to Disney. This course traces the 100-year history of the Walt Disney Company, covering topics including the rise of Disney animation and theme parks, the company’s 1990s revival, and the strategic acquisitions that transformed Disney into a media conglomerate. Students meet for six Thursdays beginning July 10, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., online using Zoom.
- The Rehnquist Court, 1986–2005: Moves Toward Small Federal Government is taught by Lauren Andersen, director of the Utah Judicial Institute. Examine the legacy of U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist, and his leadership on cases involving privacy, civil rights, the environment, the First Amendment and states’ rights. Take an in-depth look at landmark cases, including Woodson v. North Carolina (1976), Craig v. Boren (1978), Miller v. Johnson (1995), Bush v. Gore (2000), Atkins v. Virginia (2001) and Lawrence v. Texas (2002). Students meet for six Mondays beginning July 14 from 10 to 11:30 a.m., online using Zoom.
- Race, Faith, and History at Christ Church, Nashville is taught by Daniel Schafer, professor of history at Belmont University, and Joseph Watson, assistant professor of architecture at O’More College of Architecture and Design at Belmont University. This course examines the complex racial history of Christ Church Cathedral in Nashville. The class meets in the cathedral itself, adding depth and nuance to what is both one of Nashville’s oldest religious institutions and one of its most remarkable architectural monuments. Students meet for six Mondays beginning July 14 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at Christ Church Cathedral, 900 Broadway.
- Theater Innovators: Henrik Ibsen and Lorraine Hansberry is taught by Edward Friedman, Gertrude Conaway Vanderbilt Professor of the Humanities Emeritus at Vanderbilt. This course offers a close reading and analysis of two significant plays in the development of contemporary theater: Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House and Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun. Discussions consider dramatic trends and innovations as well as cultural impact. Students meet for six Wednesdays beginning July 16 from 1 to 2:30 p.m., online using Zoom.
- Stories of Adventure: The Norse Sagas is taught by Vic Peterson, author of The Berserkers, a novel set in a fictional Nordic country. This course follows the Norse sagas, exploring their tales of murder, intrigue and adventure while examining their roots in Old Norse mythology and their lasting impact on modern culture. Students meet for six Wednesdays beginning July 16 from 2 to 3:30 p.m., online using Zoom.
All class meeting times listed are Central time. For more information, visit vanderbilt.edu/olli or call 615-343-0700. The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute is part of Vanderbilt’s Division of Government and Community Relations.
