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FALL 2026
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TH8 HILL DISTRICT AT NORTH CITY
TABLE OF CONTENTS 10 Personal Enrichment: Creating a Charcuterie Board
MONDAY COURSES 4
The Divine Cipher
4
Skin/Digestion/Sleep
4
Holocaust Rescuers: Daring Diplomats and Public Officials
5
Finance Isn’t Boring
11 Osher Online: Biology and Society* 11 Osher Online: Power and the People: The Evolution of the U.S. Federal Judiciary*
FRIDAY COURSES
9 Free Lecture: 107 Days at Sea: The Journey That Changed Everything
11 Osher Online: The 1960s Through the Great Speeches*
10 Osher Online: The History and Experience of Route 66*
FREE LECTURE 9 107 Days at Sea: The Journey That Changed Everything Monday, Oct. 12
TUESDAY COURSES 5
The Fall of the Industrial City: American Urbanization, 1929 - 2000
5
Understanding Generations: Psychology, History and Social Change
SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP 10 Creating Fascinating Villains Thursday, Oct. 15
6 Art Topics 6 U.S. Foreign Policy and the Midterm Elections
PERSONAL ENRICHMENT
WEDNESDAY COURSES
10 Crafting a Charcuterie Board Thursday, Oct. 15
6 The Most-Outsider: A Retrospective of Robert Redford 7 The Arts of Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia
OSHER ONLINE*
7
E.T. Where Are You? Hunting for Aliens in the Stars
7
Deeper Dive Into the World of Dolphins and Whales
In collaboration with Northwestern University School of Professional Studies 10 The History and Experience of Route 66 Mondays, Oct. 5 – Nov. 9
8 Tour of Russia’s Most Famous Museums
11 Biology and Society Thursdays, Oct. 1 – Nov. 5
8 Significant Presidential Elections Between 1796 and 1940 8 The H.L. Hunley
11 Power and the People: The Evolution of the U.S. Federal Judiciary Thursdays, Oct. 15 – Nov. 19
THURSDAY COURSES
11 The 1960s Through the Great Speeches Fridays, Oct. 9 – Nov. 13
8 Dust Bowl Refugees
9 I Want To Be a Producer: Lives and Shows of Broadway/Film Musical Producers
*OOL courses are available for an additional fee of $80 per six-week course. Annual and lifetime membership discounts do not apply.
10 Special Interest Group: Creating Fascinating Villains
CSUSM Extended Learning 288 Campus Way, San Marcos, CA 92078
KEY FOR LOCATIONS CSUSM in San Marcos Zoom D
Destination Learning
Hybrid, offered live in the classroom and via Zoom simultaneously (interactive)
Osher Online Osher Lifelong Learning Institute | www.csusm.edu/el/olli
OSHER | FALL 2026
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THE OSHER LIFELONG LEARNING INSTITUTE RENEW YOUR ENTHUSIASM FOR LEARNING • EXPLORE NEW INTERESTS • MAKE NEW FRIENDS
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at California State University San Marcos (CSUSM) is an organization established to improve the quality of life for adults over 50 years of age through higher education and the arts. OLLI at CSUSM was established in 2004 and is one of 124 Lifelong Learning Institutes supported by the Bernard Osher Foundation.
Bernard Osher
Osher provides a wide array of courses taught by university professors and experts in their respective fields. The program aims to keep learners intellectually active and socially engaged with like-minded peers. If you’d like to renew your enthusiasm for learning, explore new interests and make new friends, Osher is for you!
MEMBERSHIP*
PROGRAM LINKS
An Osher membership is required to participate in our program.
Memberships and registration fees support the program. Sharing links with spouses and friends is prohibited and serves as a detriment to the longevity of the Osher program.
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP, PAY AS YOU GO $35 membership fee. Valid 7/1/2026 - 6/30/2027. Pay for classes a la carte. When purchasing a la carte classes, if you do not have a current membership, a general membership fee will automatically be added to your shopping cart.
ANNUAL ALL-INCLUSIVE MEMBERSHIP
Please note that all Extended Learning credit card transactions will be charged a convenience fee of 2.65%. The convenience fee is subject to change.
This membership will be available to purchase beginning 7/1/2026. Pay one fee of $560 and select an unlimited number of courses from 100+ offerings throughout the year. This annual membership is valid 7/1/2026 - 6/30/2027. Some exclusions apply.*
OLLI STAFF
FOR REFERENCE WHEN PURCHASING AN ALL-INCLUSIVE ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP:
Amy Sprout , Program Coordinator asprout@csusm.edu 760-750-8613
• Purchase annual membership on our website at csusm.edu/el/olli before enrolling in classes. • Allow 24-72 hours for account activation. • After receiving an email notification from us, log in to your student portal to make class selections. Choose annual or lifetime member and the system will zero-out your balance. (Excludes pop-up lectures, special events and destination learning.) *Pop-up lectures, destination learning excursions, special events, entrance fees, art supplies, etc., are not included in membership packages. $5 park ing fee per day to park on campus.
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CREDIT CARD TRANSACTIONS
OSHER | FALL 2026
Sherie Cambra, Program Director scambra@csusm.edu 760-750-8716
HOW TO REGISTER BY PHONE 760-750-4020 Note: We can accept eCheck s by phone. No mail-in registrations.
ONLINE csusm.edu/el/olli/howtoregister.html See step-by-step instructions on our website.
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
14 THE DIVINE CIPHER
FALL OF THE INDUSTRIAL CITY: 1929 - 2000
RETROSPECTIVE OF ROBERT REDFORD
UNDERSTANDING GENERATIONS
ARTS OF SRI LANK A/ SOUTHEAST ASIA
21 SKIN/DIGESTION/SLEEP
22 FALL OF THE INDUSTRIAL CITY: 1929 - 2000
RETROSPECTIVE OF ROBERT REDFORD
UNDERSTANDING GENERATIONS
ARTS OF SRI LANK A/ SOUTHEAST ASIA
28 SKIN/DIGESTION/SLEEP
THURSDAY
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29 FALL OF THE INDUSTRIAL CITY: 1929 - 2000
RETROSPECTIVE OF ROBERT REDFORD
UNDERSTANDING GENERATIONS
ARTS OF SRI LANK A/ SOUTHEAST ASIA
FRIDAY
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23
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30
1
2
8
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FALL 2026 AT A GLANCE
SEPTEMBER 2026
OSHER ONLINE (OOL)* BIOLOGY AND SOCIETY
OCTOBER 2026 5
6 FALL OF THE INDUSTRIAL CITY: 1929 - 2000
HOLOCAUST RESCUERS OSHER ONLINE (OOL)* HISTORY OF ROUTE 66
RETROSPECTIVE OF ROBERT REDFORD
UNDERSTANDING GENERATIONS
FINANCE ISN’T BORING OSHER ONLINE (OOL)* HISTORY OF ROUTE 66
13
OSHER ONLINE (OOL)* 1960s GREAT SPEECHES
UNDERSTANDING GENERATIONS
DEEPER DIVE: DOLPHINS AND WHALES
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SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP: FASCINATING VILLAINS
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U.S. FOREIGN POLICY/ MIDTERM ELECTIONS
23 OSHER ONLINE (OOL)* 1960s GREAT SPEECHES
I WANT TO BE A PRODUCER
28 RUSSIA’S MOST FAMOUS MUSEUMS
ART TOPICS
OSHER ONLINE (OOL)* 1960s GREAT SPEECHES
22 OSHER ONLINE (OOL)* BIOLOGY AND SOCIETY U.S. FEDERAL JUDICIARY
DEEPER DIVE: DOLPHINS AND WHALES
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16
PERSONAL ENRICHMENT: CHARCUTERIE BOARD
RUSSIA’S MOST FAMOUS MUSEUMS
U.S. FOREIGN POLICY/ MIDTERM ELECTIONS
15 OSHER ONLINE (OOL)* BIOLOGY AND SOCIETY U.S. FEDERAL JUDICIARY
RETROSPECTIVE OF ROBERT REDFORD
ART TOPICS
OSHER ONLINE (OOL)* HISTORY OF ROUTE 66
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FALL OF THE INDUSTRIAL CITY: 1929 - 2000
19 OSHER ONLINE (OOL)* HISTORY OF ROUTE 66
OSHER ONLINE (OOL)* BIOLOGY AND SOCIETY
ALIENS IN THE STARS
12 FREE LECTURE FOR MEMBERS: 107 DAYS AT SEA
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PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS: 1796 TO 1940
29 OSHER ONLINE (OOL)* BIOLOGY AND SOCIETY U.S. FEDERAL JUDICIARY
30 OSHER ONLINE (OOL)* 1960s GREAT SPEECHES
I WANT TO BE A PRODUCER
NOVEMBER 2026 2
3 ART TOPICS
OSHER ONLINE (OOL)* HISTORY OF ROUTE 66
RUSSIA’S MOST FAMOUS MUSEUMS
U.S. FOREIGN POLICY/ MIDTERM ELECTIONS
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DUST BOWL REFUGEES
10 U.S. FOREIGN POLICY/ MIDTERM ELECTIONS
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11
U.S. FOREIGN POLICY/ MIDTERM ELECTIONS
OSHER ONLINE (OOL)* BIOLOGY AND SOCIETY U.S. FEDERAL JUDICIARY
6 OSHER ONLINE (OOL)* 1960s GREAT SPEECHES
12 OSHER ONLINE (OOL)* U.S. FEDERAL JUDICIARY
CSUSM CAMPUS CLOSED VETERANS DAY
17 ART TOPICS
5
I WANT TO BE A PRODUCER
SKIP: RUSSIA’S MOST FAMOUS MUSEUMS
ART TOPICS OSHER ONLINE (OOL)* HISTORY OF ROUTE 66
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13 OSHER ONLINE (OOL)* 1960s GREAT SPEECHES
I WANT TO BE A PRODUCER
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RUSSIA’S MOST FAMOUS MUSEUMS
OSHER ONLINE (OOL)* U.S. FEDERAL JUDICIARY
THE H.L . HUNLEY
I WANT TO BE A PRODUCER
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*OOL courses are available for an additional fee of $80 per six-week course. Annual and lifetime membership discounts do not apply.
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute | www.csusm.edu/el/olli
OSHER | FALL 2026
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MONDAY SCHEDULE
RENEW YOUR ENTHUSIASM FOR LEARNING • EXPLORE NEW INTERESTS • MAKE NEW FRIENDS
MEET OUR INSTRUCTORS CSUSM Osher instructors are leading educators and subject-matter experts in many fascinating fields of study. For a full list of our instructors and their areas of expertise, please visit csusm.edu/el/osher-instructors.
ALEJANDRO CASTAÑEDA, MA, holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in communications, the latter from Università Internazionale Dell’arte and Università Statale di Firenze in Florence, Italy. As a consultant, professional corporate trainer and keynote speaker, Castañeda has taught at the University of San Diego, SDSU, Cal State San Marcos, the Universidad Anáhuac and Universidad Iberoamericana. He is a published author in the fields of leadership, productivity, customer service and sales. STEPHENIE SLAHOR, PhD, JD, is retired from her law practice and university teaching, and she now focuses on writing, lecturing and creating innovative, informational and fun courses for OLLI programs around the nation. She is a life member of the Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society and past president of her local chapter of the American Business Women’s Association. HOWARD KERNER is a retired English professor who taught at the high school, college and university levels during his 47-year career. His passion project has been discovering unknown stories about inspiring people who performed brave acts of kindness even during the Holocaust. He has presented his uplifting programs at OLLIs, temples, churches and civic organizations across the country and in Canada.
| MONDAY COURSES
watch for disorders and disruptions, and the things we can do to enhance these factors for stamina and a healthy lifestyle. MONDAYS, SEPT. 21 - 28 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. Online via Zoom 2 weeks $35 Stephenie Slahor, PhD, JD
The Divine Cipher Join us for an immersive, twohour deep dive into the recurring motifs and sacred geometry that underpin global religious traditions. As a core pillar of the From Glyph to Grammar series, this session moves beyond surface-level observation to decode the underlying symbolic language that has shaped human consciousness for millennia. By analyzing how disparate cultures utilize shared iconography to express the ineffable, The Divine Cipher challenges participants to recognize a universal semiology — a hidden code that connects ancient spiritual practices to our modern understanding of meaning. This session offers students a rare opportunity to synthesize history, theology and visual theory into a singular, cohesive lens for reading the world around them. MONDAY, SEPT. 14 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. Online via Zoom 1 day $20 Alejandro Castañeda, MA
Holocaust Rescuers: Daring Diplomats and Public Officials While many diplomats and other public officials during World War II ignored the human catastrophe all around them, some daring and brave ones risked their careers and lives to create ingenious plans to outsmart the Nazis. In so doing, they saved hundreds of thousands of persecuted people. In this uplifting audio/video program, we will examine the brilliant goodness of these inspiring altruists. MONDAY, OCT. 5 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. Online via Zoom 1 day $20 Howard Kerner
107 Days at Sea: The Journey That Changed Everything PROGRAM LINKS We appreciate all of our members! Memberships and registration fees support our program. As we continue online access, please keep our program links private. Sharing links with family and friends is a detriment to the longevity of our Osher program. 4
OSHER | FALL 2026
Skin/Digestion/Sleep Stephenie Slahor, PhD, is presenting an OLLI course about three of our most important functions — skin, digestion and sleep. We’ll explore each in how it is designed, how it works, how to maintain it, how to
See description under Free Lecture on page 9. MONDAY, OCT. 12 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. Online via Zoom Free for Members Jill Siegal Chalsty
While this is very much outside of the realm of Dr. Hensley’s typical history or religious studies lectures, he moonlights as a financial coach (his bachelor’s degree is in business and he studied investment strategies at Cornell). He’ll join us to talk about his latest set of books, which is an introduction to the world of personal finance and investing. Though many people think the topic is boring (finance jobs are regularly rated in the “most boring jobs” ratings), understanding finance can make a huge difference in life. Join us to see why finance isn’t boring and to see how understanding finance can possibly change things for you. MONDAY, OCT. 12 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Online via Zoom 1 day $20 Jason Hensley, PhD
| TUESDAY COURSES
The Fall of the Industrial City: American Urbanization, 1929-2000 This course will cover the decline of the industrial city, focusing on themes like deindustrialization, white flight, federal housing programs, mass suburbanization in the period after World War II and the urban
TUESDAYS, SEPT. 15 - OCT. 13 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. CSUSM ELB 470: Hybrid* 5 weeks $85 Andy Strathman, PhD
Understanding Generations: Psychology, History and Social Change From childhood and family life to technology, work, relationships and aging, each generation is shaped by the social world in which it develops. This course examines how major historical events and cultural changes influenced the values, behaviors and experiences of different generations. Drawing from developmental and social psychology, we will explore the psychological impact of changing social norms, media, technology and family structures. TUESDAYS, SEPT. 15 - OCT. 13 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. CSUSM ELB 470: Hybrid* 5 weeks $85 Karen Eso, MA
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute | www.csusm.edu/el/olli
MONDAY/TUESDAY SCHEDULE
Finance Isn’t Boring
crisis of the 1960s and 1970s. We will also consider regional patterns of urban growth, especially the rapid development of Sunbelt cities. While the course will examine general patterns in American urbanization, we will pay particular attention to case studies that illustrate key themes (such as the emergence of the “second ghetto” in Cleveland and Los Angeles as the explosive metropolis). JASON HENSLEY, PhD, teaches religious studies at a private school in Los Angeles. He is a fellow of the Michael LaPrade Holocaust Education Institute of the Anti-Defamation League, a member of Civic Spirit’s teacher education cohort, and the award-winning author of 10 books. His work has been featured in The Huffington Post as well as the BBC, and he has served as the historical advisor for a recent Holocaust documentary. ANDY STRATHMAN, PhD, is a lecturer in the history department at CSUSM, where he teaches courses on United States history with an emphasis on California history and the American West. He earned his PhD in history from UCSD in 2005. His doctoral dissertation focused on San Diego County water politics from 1910 to 1947. He has also taught in the history departments at UCSD and the University of San Diego. Strathman is the co-editor of The Journal of San Diego History. KAREN ESO, MA, has been a professor at Cal State San Marcos since 2004. Her undergraduate studies were in biology and chemistry and she studied clinical neuropsychology as a graduate student at the University of Victoria.
*Hybrid courses are offered live in the classroom and via Zoom simultaneously (interactive).
OSHER | FALL 2026
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TUESDAY/WEDNESDAY SCHEDULE
RENEW YOUR ENTHUSIASM FOR LEARNING • EXPLORE NEW INTERESTS • MAKE NEW FRIENDS
spectrum. We’ll learn and talk together about what the campaigns and the results mean for U.S. interests worldwide. TUESDAYS, OCT. 20 - NOV. 17 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. CSUSM ELB 470: Hybrid* 5 weeks $85 David Bame, MAT ROBIN DOUGLAS, MA, an art professor for 36 years, has served as associate director of the School of Art and Design at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She also served as art education chair, chancellor’s honors faculty, and was on the board of the Spurlock Museum and Krannert Art Museum Council. Her commissioned artwork is in private collections, offices, hotels and university buildings. DAVID BAME, MAT, is a retired U.S. Foreign Service officer (diplomat) with a career spanning 29 years in more than 30 countries as well as in Washington, D.C. He has worked on key U.S. national security policies around the world, especially the Middle East and Europe. Bame has lectured in Austria, Iraq, Israel, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom and many U.S. and foreign universities. BRANDON CESMAT, MFA, has taught cinema at Palomar College and CSUSM since 1992. He earned an MFA in Creative Writing with correlative study in screenwriting from San Diego State University. He has curated the Cinema Series for Carlsbad Library and received several San Diego Press Club awards for best critical writing about movies. Cesmat is the author of several books of poems and fiction. His concept album of original music, Califor-Noir, is widely available online. He can be followed @cesmatmusic.
PROGRAM LINKS We appreciate all of our members! Memberships and registration fees support our program. As we continue online access, please keep our program links private. Sharing links with family and friends is a detriment to the longevity of our Osher program. 6
OSHER | FALL 2026
| WEDNESDAY COURSES
Art Topics 1. Venice and Its Biennale 2. The Art of Fashion and Fashion in Art 3. The Universal Art of Maps 4. New Art Museums in Los Angeles 5. Current Art Topics TUESDAYS, OCT. 20 - NOV. 17 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. CSUSM ELB 470: Hybrid* 5 weeks $85 Robin Douglas, MA
U.S. Foreign Policy and the Midterm Elections This November’s Congressional U.S. elections include foreign policy challenges from around the world and around the country. U.S. voters and audiences also face unprecedented impact from foreign events and influencers. This class will sort through these challenges, guided by a retired U.S. diplomat who has worked with campaigns and representatives across our political
The Most-Outsider: A Retrospective of Robert Redford The late Robert Redford was more than an Academy-Award-winning director (Ordinary People) and Oscar-nominated actor (The Sting). As the founder of The Sundance Institute, Redford contributed to the development of many underrepresented moviemakers, benefiting the likes of Reservoir Dogs, Little Miss Sunshine, Beasts of the Southern Wild and many more. This retrospective will consider the paradox of how Redford used his life in the mountains of Utah to become a major influence on Hollywood. Other films for study will include Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid, The Way We Were, All the President’s Men, A River Runs Through It, Quiz Show, The Horse Whisperer and All Is Lost. WEDNESDAYS, SEPT. 16 - OCT. 14 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. CSUSM ELB 470: Hybrid* 5 weeks $85 Brandon Cesmat, MFA
WEDNESDAY SCHEDULE
Join space historian and science fiction author Gideon Marcus for a class on the search for extraterrestrial life — and what it will mean when we find it! WEDNESDAY, OCT. 7 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. CSUSM ELB 470: Hybrid* 1 day $20 Gideon Marcus
The Arts of Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia Elaborate Buddhist temples in Javan rainforests, Siamese Buddhas, the Burmese temples of Mandalay, puppet theater and batik, all of this and much more is the art of Southeast Asia! On this trip, we’ll visit gigantic stupas and the rock fortress of Sigiriya in Sri Lanka, the astounding Khmer temples of Angkor and the Great Stupa of Borobudur, as well as the arts of the Cham and the Siamese. We’ll conclude with the folk arts of Java and the Philippines. Please join art historian Douglas Barker for an exotic journey through Southeast Asian art! WEDNESDAYS, SEPT. 16 - 30 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. CSUSM ELB 470: Hybrid* 3 days $55 Douglas Barker, MA
DOUGLAS R. BARKER, MA, is an art historian, a professional metaphysical worker and an avid world traveler. He holds a master’s degree in art history from the University of Chicago. Barker has traveled extensively in nearly 40 countries, and much of his expertise derives from spiritual experiences in sacred sites around the globe.
Deeper Dive Into the World of Dolphins and Whales Explore the fascinating world of dolphins and whales through history, human connections and cultural relationships with marine mammals. This course examines communication, sounds, frequencies, intelligence and the unique ways dolphins and whales interact with one another and humans. Through storytelling, science and real-life wild encounters, discover how experiences with marine mammals can inspire deeper awareness, connection and appreciation for the ocean world.
GIDEON MARCUS is the founder of Journey Press, an independent publisher focused on unusual and diverse speculative fiction. He is a professional space historian and has just finished Hyvilma, the third book in The Kitra Saga. His short fiction can be found in Dark Matter, Utopia, Simultaneous Times and more. Marcus lives in San Diego County with his writer/editor wife and their polymath artist daughter.
WEDNESDAYS, OCT. 14 - 21 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. CSUSM ELB 470: Hybrid* 2 weeks $35 Bonnie Weingarth
E.T. Where Are You? Hunting for Aliens in the Stars Star Trek and Star Wars taught us that the universe was teeming with aliens ... but where are they? And how would we recognize them if we saw them? Osher Lifelong Learning Institute | www.csusm.edu/el/olli
*Hybrid courses are offered live in the classroom and via Zoom simultaneously (interactive).
OSHER | FALL 2026
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RENEW YOUR ENTHUSIASM FOR LEARNING • EXPLORE NEW INTERESTS • MAKE NEW FRIENDS WEDNESDAY SCHEDULE
Dust Bowl Refugees
MARK STADLER, MPA, became interested in political history when he walked precincts for the McGovern for President campaign in 1972. This experience taught him about the importance of accepting defeat in elections and led him to get a bachelor’s degree in political science from UC San Diego. Mark continued to study political history while working first as a newspaper editor and reporter and then as a water policy wonk at the San Diego County Water Authority. BLAINE DAVIES, MA, has a master’s degree in history and a bachelor’s degree in business. He taught U.S. history at Boise State University for 14 years. Prior to that, he spent 20 years as a product marketing manager at Hewlett-Packard. He enjoys researching and preparing history lectures. When traveling, he often reads historical novels in the same locations where the stories take place. FRANK TURNER, MA, received both his BA in history and MA in digital history from CSUSM. He is an instructor at Palomar College and San Diego Miramar College, where he teaches United States and Ancient World History. Turner is the vice chairman and historian for the Oceanside Historical Preservation Advisory Commission.
Tour of Russia’s Most Famous Museums Join us for a virtual journey through Russia’s greatest museums, including the Hermitage, Tretyakov Gallery, Russian Museum, Kremlin Museums, Pushkin Museum and others. We will explore masterpieces of Russian and European art, imperial treasures, icons, architecture and the dramatic histories behind collections that shaped Russia’s cultural identity. WEDNESDAYS, OCT. 21 - NOV. 18 (SKIP 11/11) 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. CSUSM ELB 470: Hybrid* 4 weeks $75 Elena Romine, PhD
Significant Presidential Elections Between 1796 and 1940 This presentation examines several especially significant presidential elections, including: • 1796, the first presidential election that was truly contested. • 1828, the first election in which the popular vote was more important than the Electoral College. • 1864, the election held during the middle of the Civil War.
PROGRAM LINKS We appreciate all of our members! Memberships and registration fees support our program. As we continue online access, please keep our program links private. Sharing links with family and friends is a detriment to the longevity of our Osher program.
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OSHER | FALL 2026
• 1940, when Charles Lindbergh was encouraged to run against FDR as the America First candidate. WEDNESDAY, OCT. 28 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. CSUSM ELB 470: Hybrid* 1 day $20 Mark Stadler, MPA
In the 1930s, almost a half-million Americans — victims of the Great Depression, drought and great dust storms — migrated to California in hopes of a better life. Instead, they discovered they were considered an unwanted burden by many Californians. In desperation, they worked for very low wages picking cotton, grapes, peas or whatever needed harvesting. Exploited by growers that kept them mired in poverty, many farmworkers tried to form unions and strike. The growers responded with violence and strikers were injured or even killed. John Steinbeck in The Grapes of Wrath and more recently Kristin Hannah in her novel The Four Winds brought to life the hardship endured by the Dust Bowl refugees. We explore the true story of the Dust Bowl migrants that changed California. WEDNESDAY, NOV. 4 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. CSUSM ELB 470: Hybrid* 1 day $20 Blaine Davies, MA
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 11 CSUSM’s campus is closed for Veterans Day. No Osher classes will be held.
The H.L. Hunley During the Civil War, the Confederate submarine, the H.L. Hunley, sank the USS Housatonic in 1864, becoming the first submarine in history to destroy an enemy ship. It did not return to port. The sub vanished after the attack, but was finally found in 1995, resting on the sea floor with its crew still at their stations, their fatal mission complete. WEDNESDAY, NOV. 18 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. CSUSM ELB 470: Hybrid* 1 day $20 Frank Turner, MA
• Florence Ziegfeld: He produced the lavish Ziegfeld Follies and also Showboat, considered the first musical to address serious social issues.
THURSDAY/FRIDAY SCHEDULE
| THURSDAY COURSES
• Cameron Macintosh: He produced Cats and Miss Saigon and is the biggest money-making producer of all time.
Creating Fascinating Villains See description under Special Interest Group (SIG) on page 10. THURSDAY, OCT. 15 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. ELB 470 Free for Members Marsha Lupi, EdD
Crafting a Charcuterie Board See description under Personal Enrichment on page 10. THURSDAY, OCT. 15 12:30 - 3:00 p.m. ELB 470 $39 Dick Sterrett
I Want To Be a Producer: Lives and Shows of Broadway/Film Musical Producers The course discussion will be on the roles and jobs of lead producers. Join us as we watch, learn and enjoy musicals from the cheap seats. • David Merrick: The notorious producer who ruled Broadway during the 1960s and 1970s. He was known for his wild publicity stunts and for bringing Hello Dolly to Broadway. • Arthur Freed: He headed the Freed Unit at MGM that made all those classic movies like The Band Wagon and Singing in the Rain.
THURSDAYS, OCT. 22 - NOV. 19 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Online via Zoom 5 weeks $85 Sam and Candy Caponegro
| FRIDAY COURSES The 1960s Through the Great Speeches See description under Osher Online (OOL) on page 11. FRIDAYS, OCT. 9 - NOV. 13 8:00 - 9:30 a.m. Osher Online 6 weeks $80 Arthur Benedict
| FREE LECTURE 107 Days at Sea: The Journey That Changed Everything At 63, Jill Chalsty boarded a ship alone, grieving her husband’s death and battling cancer. What began as a voyage around the world became far more than a trip. In this lecture, Chalsty shares the story behind her memoir Packets of Hope, inviting participants to travel alongside her through the ports she visited, the people she met and the reflections that transformed personal adversity into strength and global impact. Chalsty demonstrates how one person’s courage can create ripples that span continents. Participants are encouraged to read her memoir, available free at www.packetsofhope.com, before the presentation. MONDAY, OCT. 12 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. Online via Zoom Free for Members Jill Siegal Chalsty
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute | www.csusm.edu/el/olli
SAM AND CANDY CAPONEGRO have worked in all aspects of theater for over 40 years. They hope to keep the classic movie musical and the golden age of Broadway alive through their lectures. JILL SIEGAL CHALSTY has devoted her life to the transformative power of education. As the founder of the nonprofit Overcoming Obstacles, Chalsty pioneered life skills instruction that has now reached more than 185 million students worldwide. She also founded 3E Productions, where she brought to life impactful works such as Giving, a documentary on altruism, and Ripple Effect, a film exploring the power of education. Following the profound loss of her husband and her own battles with cancer, Chalsty embarked on a personal voyage of healing and reflection that inspired her memoir, Packets of Hope: A Journey of Healing and Rediscovery. Her second memoir, Packets of Hope: A Wish for Every Child, is set for release on Dec. 1, 2026.
*Hybrid courses are offered live in the classroom and via Zoom simultaneously (interactive).
OSHER | FALL 2026
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OSHER EVENT/ONLINE (OOL) SCHEDULE
RENEW YOUR ENTHUSIASM FOR LEARNING • EXPLORE NEW INTERESTS • MAKE NEW FRIENDS
| SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP (SIG) Creating Fascinating Villains
MARSHA LUPI, EdD, has had a 42-year career in academia at Hunter College of the City University of New York and the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, where she held faculty and college level administrative positions, including associate dean and dean. She has published articles in academic journals, chapters in professional books and more. Her interest in creative writing spans a lifetime, having written numerous poems and short stories. Lupi wrote her novel, Private Clients, during the first few years of retirement and the dark days of COVID. She is completing the manuscript of a second novel, which follows the next steps in the lives of Laura and Bibiana, the two protagonists in Private Clients.
What makes a person a villain? This hands-on workshop highlights key characteristics of popular villains in literature and the movies, and how they shape a good read or cinema watch. Villains are often shaped by the writer observing people, their flaws, motivations, backstory and connection to the hero or protagonist. Participants will receive tips as they learn to create a villain that is engaging, believable and the character in the story that readers will love to hate. THURSDAY, OCT. 15 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. ELB 470 Free for Members Marsha Lupi, EdD
The History and Experience of Route 66
| PERSONAL ENRICHMENT Crafting a Charcuterie Board Build your own charcuterie board using exotic hard woods. Join Dick Sterrett in this simple construction of gluing, sanding and finishing. Share ideas and enjoy snacks from the charcuterie display. This class is limited to 20 students. PROGRAM LINKS We appreciate all of our members! Memberships and registration fees support our program. As we continue online access, please keep our program links private. Sharing links with family and friends is a detriment to the longevity of our Osher program.
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OSHER | FALL 2026
Osher Online courses are available for an additional fee of $80 per six-week course. Classes are not recorded. Annual and lifetime membership discounts do not apply.
THURSDAY, OCT. 15 12:30 - 3:00 p.m. ELB 470 $39 Dick Sterrett
Route 66 is as much an idea as it is a place. Since its creation in 1926, America’s most famous highway has evolved from a 2,400-mile transportation corridor into a powerful symbol of nostalgia, travel and the American road. Today, it functions as a kind of pilgrimage route, marked by neon signs, roadside attractions and preserved motels, cafés and gas stations. In this course, we will explore the history, cultural meaning and enduring appeal of Route 66. Together, we will examine its origins, rise and decline, late-20th century revival, the role of nostalgia and car culture, preservation efforts and the possible future of this iconic highway. MONDAYS, OCT. 5 - NOV. 9 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. Osher Online* 6 weeks $80 Peter Dedek, PhD
This course introduces the scientific study of life, with an emphasis on real-world applications and the societal, social, ethical and legal consequences of biological advances. We will place key biological principles within the context of issues that affect individuals and society, highlighting the connection between biology and everyday life. Designed for nonscientists with little or no recent college-level science experience, the course encourages discussion and reflection. Many topics are at the leading edge of scientific discovery, and we will examine the ongoing ethical and legal debates surrounding how and whether these advances should be applied. THURSDAYS, OCT. 1 - NOV. 5 8:00 - 9:30 a.m. Osher Online* 6 weeks $80 Eric Simon, PhD
Power and the People: The Evolution of the U.S. Federal Judiciary
THURSDAYS, OCT. 15 - NOV. 19 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. Osher Online* 6 weeks $80 Laren Andersen, JD
OSHER ONLINE (OOL) SCHEDULE
Biology and Society
We will explore how the Supreme Court, lacking the power of the purse or military, derives its authority from its ability to connect with the people of the U.S. and protect democracy. We will examine the creation of the federal judiciary and the power of the Marshall court, the court’s evolution through the New Deal, the Vinson court, the Warren court’s Rights Revolution, and the role of today’s U.S. Supreme Court.
Become An Osher Volunteer! We would not be able to provide our exceptional programming and services without the work and support of our dedicated volunteers. Please consider joining a committee, supporting special projects, assisting as a classroom ambassador or distributing catalogs in the community. We welcome your participation! For more information on how to participate, please contact:
The 1960s Through the Great Speeches The 1960s is a decade wrapped in myth and misunderstanding. In this course, we will cut through that haze by turning to something powerful and concrete: the speeches of the era. The times and the conditions demanded these significant speeches. Together, we will listen to the voices that moved a nation and shaped history. With recordings preserved through television, video and YouTube, we will discover what these speeches still teach us today. FRIDAYS, OCT. 9 - NOV. 13 8:00 - 9:30 a.m. Osher Online* 6 weeks $80 Arthur Benedict
The American Experiment began with the Declaration of Independence and led to the creation of the federal judiciary, one of the country’s greatest experiments. In this course, we will trace the evolution of the courts from their English roots to their formal establishment in the Constitution. Osher Lifelong Learning Institute | www.csusm.edu/el/olli
Sherie Cambra at scambra@csusm.edu or 760-750-8716
New Online Course Collaboration! To supplement our local offerings, especially during off-season, be sure to check out Osher Online Learning (OOL), a program offered in collaboration with Northwestern University. These six-week courses meet once a week for 90 minutes. Fall courses start in October and feature topics such as The History and Experience of Route 66 and more. Annual and lifetime membership discounts do not apply. Register for courses today at:
https://bit.ly/CSUSM-OOL
*Osher Online is brought to you in collaboration with Northwestern University School of Professional Studies. OOL courses are available for an additional fee of $80 per six-week course. Classes are not recorded. Annual and lifetime membership discounts do not apply. OSHER | FALL 2026
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YOUR SUPPORT MAT TERS! Help us sustain this vibrant community of learners now and in the future.
Please consider giving to Osher so we can continue providing an outstanding, easily accessible and reasonably priced program. There are many ways to give and your donations are tax-deductible, secure and private. Your support will help ensure the continued success of our program! IDEAS FOR GIVING BACK TO YOUR OSHER LIFELONG LEARNING INSTITUTE • Donate in honor or memory of a friend or loved one • Create a matching gift • Give toward Osher member scholarships • Support instructors • Fund institute operations • Create an endowed fund • Set up a gift or bequest through your estate plan THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR SUPPORT. To make your gift today, please call 760-750-4400 or visit csusm.edu/giving.
Each year, Osher members support our program on Giving Day with donations that help us expand our programs, activities and membership, all while keeping member fees affordable. We are grateful for every gift and for the many ways our Osher members contribute to this community!
2025/2026 DONORS • Gay and William Borsari
• Joseph M. Ramos
• Dove Coltharp
• Patricia Ratledge
• Kathleen Constantine
• Dr. K. Brooks and
• Epstein Family
Marion T. Reid
• John and Pam Lundblad
• Judy Updegraff
• John and Nancey Lyden
• Susan Wright
• Margaret Mahin
• Anonymous
• Claire Nelson
• Anonymous
• Michael Pierce
• Anonymous
SAVE THE DATE: GIVING DAY, TUESDAY, DEC. 1, 2026 12 21
OSHER | FALL 2026
MISSION STATEMENT The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at California State University San Marcos (OLLI at CSUSM) is an intellectual and social community of inquisitive learners established to engage people over 50 years of age through higher education and the arts. OLLI connects members to the brightest minds and ideas in our society, including universitylevel professors and successful professionals who are leaders in many fields. The program strives to inspire seasoned learners who share intellectual curiosity and a quest for knowledge. Established in 2004, OLLI at CSUSM is one of 124 Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes nationwide supported by the Bernard Osher Foundation. OLLI facilitates meaningful learning, increases community involvement and enhances social connections, all beneficial to a flourishing life. If you want to renew your enthusiasm for learning, explore new interests and make new friends, OLLI is for you!
California State University San Marcos 333 S. Twin Oaks Valley Road San Marcos, California 92096-0001
NON PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 825 SAN DIEGO, CA
To be removed from our mailing list, mail this page to the address above. Not printed or mailed at state expense.
| FULLY ONLINE OSHER COURSES – NEW! In addition to the courses in this catalog, we are now offering fully online courses for our Osher members through Osher Online (OOL) in collaboration with Northwestern University. These six-week courses will be offered in the fall, winter, spring and summer. Courses are held once a week for 90 minutes.
Osher Online Fall Schedule • The History and Experience of Route 66: Oct. 5 – Nov. 9 • Biology and Society: Oct. 1 – Nov. 5 • Power and the People: The Evolution of the U.S. Federal Judiciary: Oct. 15 – Nov. 19 • The 1960s Through the Great Speeches: Oct. 9 – Nov. 13
Register for one or all courses today at: https://bit.ly/CSUSM-OOL
HOW TO REGISTER FOR CLASSES 760-750-4020
Note: We can accept eChecks by phone.
csusm.edu/el/olli/howtoregister.html
CSUSM.EDU/EL/OLLI