QUICK LINKS — OLLI home page | OLLI Fall Schedule by Day | OLLI digital catalog home | Questions? Email olli-online@udel.edu
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
Dover (Wyoming Church): March 31, 2026 to April 28, 2026
Tuesday at 10:45 AM
This course is designed to introduce the fundamentals to develop skills in drawing using various techniques, i.e. depth/shadow, highlights, lines and other concepts, through discussion and observation. Students will be given a choice of subject matter, and will apply personal choices while creating art and using shape, definition, and positive and negative space. Materials to bring include drawing tablet, pencils, eraser.
Taught by: Sheila Exum
Dover (Wyoming Church): February 5, 2026 to March 5, 2026
Thursday at 10:45 AM
Ever wanted to try knitting, or maybe get back into it? Now is your chance! We’ll cover basic knit and purl stitches, casting on and binding off, how to read patterns and understand abbreviations, how to increase and decrease, and other basic knitting skills.
Taught by: Patricia White
Dover (Wyoming Church): April 2, 2026 to April 30, 2026
Thursday at 10:45 AM
If you’d like to knit socks, but don’t like double pointed needles, this is the class for you! We will focus on the “magic loop” technique: knitting a sock from the top down using one long circular needle. We will cover casting on and knitting the leg while getting used to the magic loop, then forming the heel, foot, and shaping the toe. The toe will be grafted for a smooth, comfortable finish. The project is made from worsted weight (size 4) yarn, using a 40″ size 5 (3.75mm) circular needle.
Taught by: Patricia White
Dover (Wyoming Church): February 3, 2026 to March 3, 2026
Tuesday at 2:30 PM
How do we evaluate/interpret/appreciate a work of art? That is the question posed by Yasmina Reza in her play, ‘Art.’ Presented by UD’s Resident Ensemble Players (REP), this course explores the concept of art in its many forms, including the writing of the play. Attendance at the REP performance is encouraged, but not required. A second play (TBD) will also be discussed.
Taught by: Debra Roberts
Dover (Wyoming Church): February 3, 2026 to April 21, 2026
Tuesday at 12:45 PM
This is part 2 of a course surveying Billy Wilder films. This semester, we’ll view 11 more films, supplementing the material presented in part 2 (fall 2025). Our classes will run until at least two and a half hours, depending on length of film.
Taught by: George Christensen
Dover (Wyoming Church): February 3, 2026 to April 21, 2026
Tuesday at 9:00 AM
Prerequisite: Prior semester’s recorder class or equivalent proficiency on the recorder. Students continue their progress and increase their skill in playing the recorder. Course covers folk music as well as music of the Renaissance and Baroque periods.
Taught by: Carol Neild
Dover (Wyoming Church): March 31, 2026 to April 28, 2026
Tuesday at 2:30 PM
Codes and ciphers have been used throughout history to convey and protect sensitive information. In this class, you’ll learn the difference between codes and ciphers, and how they are made and broken. You’ll have the opportunity to try your hand at creating and solving both. We’ll also look at how codes and ciphers have been used over the centuries, and how they have affected history.
Taught by: Patricia White
Dover (Wyoming Church): February 5, 2026 to March 5, 2026
Thursday at 12:45 PM
Part 2 of this class continues to explore the Delaware Continental Regiment, discussing the “battle buddies” that led their respective companies through 32 battles over eight years of war, with the expertise of Delaware historians. We learn more about who endured the many difficulties and hardships on the path to victory. The Delaware Regiment had a hard-earned reputation for “punching far above its weight.” Join us as we learn about these ordinary people coping with extraordinary circumstances.
Taught by: Elizabeth Jelich, Susan Watkins
Dover (Wyoming Church): April 2, 2026 to April 30, 2026
Thursday at 12:45 PM
In the 1960s, Greenwich Village pulsed with rebellious energy. Folk music thrived in its cafes, hosting Bob Dylan, Joan Baez and others. It was a haven for artists and activists, and it embodied counterculture. This class explores the music, poetry and literature that permeated the area of New York City known as “The Village.”
Taught by: Susan Watkins, Larry Watkins
Dover (Wyoming Church): April 2, 2026 to April 30, 2026
Thursday at 2:30 PM
This class will present a series of biographies of people who made significant contributions to the development of the automobile industry in the early twentieth century.
Taught by: Larry Watkins
Dover (Wyoming Church): February 3, 2026 to April 21, 2026
Tuesday at 10:45 AM
This class will take us back exactly 250 years to “a year like no other,” one which was filled with more drama, conflict, miraculous escapes, improbable heroes and truly incredible stories. We will also talk about, listen to the original soundtrack, and enjoy the movie version of the 1969 Broadway musical “1776!”
Taught by: Daniel Pritchett
Dover (Wyoming Church): February 3, 2026 to April 21, 2026
Tuesday at 12:45 PM
Discussion class based on the Bancroft Prize winning book Seven Social Movements that Changed America by New York University historian Linda Gordon. We intersperse four lecture classes establishing historical context between seven discussion classes based on the seven chapters of the book. Topics range from the Settlement House Movement, to the push for old-age pensions, to recent efforts recognizing the social significance of intersectionality. Come think with me. Sign up for the Dover, Lewes or Ocean View section.
Taught by: Thomas Kelly
Dover (Wyoming Church): February 3, 2026 to March 3, 2026
Tuesday at 10:45 AM
All writers are often surprised by what they find when they write. Perhaps the essay, as modeled by Montaigne, is the most exploratory of the surprise answer for “What is?” — influential on later writers such as Shakespeare who couldn’t help but play-fully seek further “What is,” himself. The essay focuses on the investigation of the “I” such as in Montaigne’s statement, “If I speak of myself in different ways, it’s because I view myself differently.” We will read essays from The Best American Essays.
Taught by: Russ Endo
Dover (Wyoming Church): April 2, 2026 to April 30, 2026
Thursday at 9:00 AM
Required Text: My Dear Hamilton, by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie, ISBN 978-0-06-246616-7. This historical novel explores the hard fought war of American independence and even harder struggle to establish a working government for the new nation as envisioned by Alexander Hamilton, seen through the eyes of Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton, his wife, widow and warrior. A widow for almost 50 years, Elizabeth became a person of prominence in her own right. Join us to learn how and why she did.
Taught by: Bobbi Neaton
Dover (Wyoming Church): February 5, 2026 to March 5, 2026
Thursday at 9:00 AM
Amelia Peabody is back! Our intrepid female archeologist returns to Egypt with her irascible husband Emerson and their “catastrophically precocious” 7-year-old son Ramses and finds herself in the middle of a mystery involving pyramids, American missionaries, the Coptic Church, and a plethora of mummy cases. Join us to learn more about the early days of scientific archaeology, mummification practices and customs over time, and Eastern religions.
Taught by: Patricia White
Dover (Wyoming Church): February 3, 2026 to March 3, 2026
Tuesday at 10:45 AM
In this course, participants will read and discuss short stories in French. Class discussions will provide opportunities to strengthen communicative skills and develop greater mastery of the French phonetic system. As a culminating activity, participants will create and share their own original short stories.
Taught by: Alice Cataldi
Dover (Wyoming Church): February 3, 2026 to March 3, 2026
Tuesday at 9:00 AM
Course participants are introduced to the sound system of French, acquiring vocabulary and structures needed for basic communication. Scenarios and skits provide the means for learning how to greet, ask questions, order food and solve simple problems.
Taught by: Alice Cataldi, Susan Watkins
Dover (Wyoming Church): February 3, 2026 to March 3, 2026
Tuesday at 12:45 PM
Get answers about health-related issues so that you can take charge of your health and make the best health decisions. Topics to include information on immunizations, over-the-counter medications, how to talk to your health professional and be part of the decision making. Guest speakers in areas such as insurance, physical therapy, nutrition, and more will assist with the education. Most of all: ask questions!
Taught by: Denise Kaercher
Dover (Wyoming Church): February 3, 2026 to April 21, 2026
Tuesday at 9:00 AM
This course involves student participation each week as a new/current controversial issue is presented. Lively discussion (respectful) is the substance of the course.
Taught by: Denise Kaercher, Joseph Bailey
Kent County off site location: February 11, 2026 to February 11, 2026
Wednesday at 3:30 PM
Hearts and flowers are fine, but can they compare to a great glass of wine? This class considers wines that can be enjoyed with chocolates and other sweet treats. Participants are sure to fall in love with the food and wine pairings. Please note that there is an additional fee of $20 for this class.
Taught by: Debra Roberts, Walter Makarucha
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