Stay curious from just about anywhere. Explore Osher Online, which offers world-class courses and curriculum, led by engaging instructors known for deep expertise in their field. You’ll learn alongside other curious Osher members across the country, all in a virtual, lively, and conversation-centered weekly session. 

An Osher Online Member Orientation will be provided on September 30th at 11 am for those registered. Enroll in the Osher Online course(s) of your choice with OLLI at Pacific

PLEASE NOTE: THESE CLASSES ARE NOT RECORDED 

$65 Per Course (6 Sessions Each)

The Life and Times of Nikola Tesla

Date: Mondays, October 6, 13, 20, 27 & November 3, 10

Time: noon  (90 minutes)

Location: ZOOM

Fee: $65

Instructor:  Marc Seifer, PhD

This course traces the life and innovations of Nikola Tesla, from his early years and university studies in Graz and Prague to his groundbreaking work in electricity and wireless technology. We will explore his collaborations and rivalries, including his work with Thomas Edison, the “War of the Currents” between AC and DC power, and his partnership with George Westinghouse, which led to the lighting of the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. Key topics include Tesla’s telautomaton invention, his wireless experiments, and his race against Marconi in the development of radio. We will examine the Wardenclyffe—Tesla’s ambitious wireless transmission tower, his work during World War I with Telefunken, and his interactions with Franklin Roosevelt. We will conclude with Tesla’s later-life invention of the particle beam weapon, his negotiations to sell it to the Allies during World War II, and the mystery surrounding his secret papers after his death.

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The African American Military Experience: From Revolution to Civil Rights

Date: Tuesdays, October 7, 14, 21, 28 & November 4, 11

Time: 4 pm (90 minutes)

Fee: $65

Instructor: John Langellier

African Americans have served in every U.S. military conflict, fighting for both their country and their own rights. From Black patriots in the Revolutionary War to the 180,000 African Americans who fought for the Union in the Civil War, their contributions have shaped American history. After the war, Black soldiers gained congressional approval to enlist in the peacetime Army, leading to the formation of the “Buffalo Soldiers.” This course traces their service from the War of 1812 to World War II, highlighting their valor in conflicts abroad and their struggle against segregation and discrimination at home. It is the story of their resilience, sacrifice, and fight for equality in a nation that often failed to recognize their service.

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Creative Conservation

Date: Wednesdays, October 8, 15, 22, 29 & November 5, 12

Time: 2 pm ( 90 Minutes)

Fee: $65

Instructor: Stephanie Arne

Become educated, entertained, and empowered to become more effective stewards of the natural world. Through real-life conservation stories—drawn from the instructor’s personal experiences and her time as host of Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom—we will highlight the impact of passionate individuals working together to address complex environmental challenges. This course explores how diverse perspectives and unique skills contribute to conservation efforts, offering participants practical ways to take meaningful action in protecting wildlife and ecosystems.

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Inequality and Economic Policy

Date: Tuesdays, October 14, 21, 28 & November 4, 11, 18

Time: 10 am ( 90 Minutes)

Fee: $65

Instructor: Geof Woglom, PhD

Economics plays a central role in every aspect of society. This course examines the causes and potential solutions to inequality in the U.S. from an economic perspective. We will explore the history of different types of inequality, the underlying data and evidence, and the policy levers available to address these issues. Each lecture, led by a subject matter expert with a PhD in economics, will stand alone. Topics may include climate change, healthcare economics, economic inequality, economic mobility, discrimination in public policy, and the wealth gap.

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Peeking Inside the Black Box

Date: Tuesdays, October 14, 21, 28 & November 4, 11, 18

Time: noon ( 90 Minutes)

Fee: $65

Instructor: Johnnie Hendrickson, PhD

Have you ever felt like scientists are constantly changing their minds? Do you wonder when research can be trusted to guide decisions about health, behavior, or the environment? This course offers a behind-the-scenes look at the scientific process, exploring how modern science developed, what scientists actually do, and what makes research reliable. We will examine the strengths and weaknesses of scientific methodology, uncover common pitfalls, and identify red flags for pseudoscience and untrustworthy findings. Rather than relying on blind faith in science, we will learn how to evaluate research critically—and find trust in the process

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American History in Six Songs (Approximately)

Date: Tuesdays, October 14, 21, 28 & November 4, 11, 18

Time: 2 pm ( 90 Minutes)

Fee: $65

Instructor: Matt Jennings, PhD

Whether you’re in Macon, Memphis, Muscle Shoals, or Massapequa, music matters, and our varied musical heritage is one of the best ways to understand crucial moments in American history. This course will explore Indigenous expressions, colonial invasion, forced African migration, and the cultural shifts of the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries. Through the interplay of genres and traditions, we’ll examine how music captures the evolving American experience

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Alexander Graham Bell and the Telephone, 150 Years Later

Date: Wednesdays, October 15, 22, 29 & November 5, 12, 19

Time: 8 am ( 90 Minutes)

Fee: $65

Instructor: Bernie Carlson

More than any other invention of the past 150 years, the telephone has transformed how we communicate and conduct business. But how was it invented, and why did it have such a profound impact? This course explores Alexander Graham Bell’s groundbreaking 1875 concept for transmitting sound over an electric wire, his struggles to commercialize the telephone with his father-in-law, Gardiner Hubbard, and his rivalry with inventors Elisha Gray and Thomas Edison. We will also examine the rise and fall of AT&T as a corporate giant and the evolution from wired networks to today’s cellular and smartphone technologies.

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Public Health in Action: Addressing Stress, Equity, and Solutions

Date: Wednesdays, October 15, 22, 29 & November 5, 12, 19

Time: 4 pm ( 90 Minutes)

Fee: $65

Instructor: Faith Ogungbefaith

In this course, participants will explore the social determinants of health, the physiological mechanisms of stress, and the effects of stress on health and well-being. They will also examine stress and health-related theoretical frameworks. Through this course, participants will gain an understanding of the factors that influence health and engage in discussions on the importance of equitably promoting health and well-being across populations.

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In Darwin’s Footsteps: A Journey to the Galápagos

Date: Thursdays, October 16, 23, 30 & November 6, 13, 20

Time: 8 am ( 90 Minutes)

Fee: $65

Instructor: Eric Simon, PhD

From 1831-1836, Charles Darwin circumnavigated the globe aboard the HMS Beagle. In the Galapagos Islands and elsewhere, Darwin collected data that, after decades of study and reflection, formed part of the basis for his publication “On the Origin of Species.” The ideas presented in that volume remain the foundation of all modern biological thought. Drawing upon original source materials and the instructor’s photos, this course will present the historical and cultural context of Darwin’s era, follow the five-year journey, discuss how Darwin came to his ideas, and explain his theories in detail.

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Languages of the World

Date: Thursdays, October 16, 23, 30 & November 6, 13, 20

Time: 10 am ( 90 Minutes)

Fee: $65

Instructor: Asya Pereltsvaig, PhD

Explore the world’s linguistic diversity. With more than 7,000 languages spoken today, their variety offers insight into the evolution of human language, thought, and civilization. This course examines how languages develop, change, and interact over time. Through a journey across six mystery locations—one per week— we will uncover the historical relationships among languages and the migrations, splits, and connections that have shaped them. By studying the languages spoken in these regions, we will gain a deeper understanding of human history and what it means to be human.

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The Power of One in Steven Spielberg Films

Date: Mondays, October 20, 27 & November 3, 10, 17, 24

Time: 10 am ( 90 Minutes)

Fee: $65

Instructor: Bernard Epps

In Steven Spielberg’s Academy Award-winning Schindler’s List (1993), a character quotes from scripture: “He who saves a life saves the world entire.” Through scene-by-scene analysis, this course explores variations on this theme across a selection of Spielberg films. With a focus on dialogue and action that reveal characters’ inner beliefs and moral choices, we will examine how the world is saved— or not. We will analyze the following films: Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Lincoln, Bridge of Spies, Saving Private Ryan, Munich, and Schindler’s List.

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Graceful Exits: Exploring the Economics, Ethics, & Ethos of Death with Dignity

Date: Mondays, October 20, 27 & November 3, 10, 17, 24

Time: 2 pm ( 90 Minutes)

Fee: $65

Instructor: Aleen Bayard, PhD

This course explores the complex issue of Death with Dignity, also known as assisted suicide, through its historical development, ethical debates, legal frameworks, and cultural perspectives. The movement gained national attention through the advocacy of Dr. Jack Kevorkian, sparking widespread discussion on end-of-life choices. Participants will critically examine evolving policies on physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia while engaging in thoughtful discussions on this sensitive and often controversial topic. Designed to educate and foster awareness, this course provides a comprehensive look at the ethical and legal dimensions of end-of-life decision-making.

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