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Fall classes start September 8 — Priority Registration available July 30-August 11, details coming soon!
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Online: September 8, 2026 to November 24, 2026
Tuesday at 9:00 AM
Class format revolves around biweekly assignments on themes based on various art movements, highlighting specific artists via slideshow. Students use the examples shown as inspiration to make their own art. Every other week, student work is presented and discussed, which can be highly participatory. Students are provided with positive comments and suggestions by their class peers to improve upon their work. Additionally, knowledge of art making techniques and material descriptions are shared.
Taught by: Rolf Eriksen, Eric Sallee
Online: September 8, 2026 to November 24, 2026
Tuesday at 9:00 AM
Prerequisite: DSLR/mirrorless camera with adjustable settings. This course provides instruction on how to use your camera. We cover camera settings and how they influence the image captured. As camera skills develop, we discuss photographic techniques, special topics and accessories that can enhance your photography.
Taught by: Michael Rudolph
Online: September 9, 2026 to October 7, 2026
Wednesday at 10:45 AM
Additional fee: Please note that this course requires an additional fee of $49. Participants receive a payment link from OLLI prior to the first class. Learn a variety of watercolor techniques and how to apply them in a painting. Explore methods like washes, wet-on-wet and dry brushwork, glazing and color mixing. Each class includes hands-on practice with each technique, culminating in a small sample piece. Students use their new skills to create a finished painting. Supply list is provided for purchase before class. Offered in partnership with The Art Studio, 310 Kiamensi Road, Wilmington, DE 19804. Please note additional fee mentioned above.
Offered in partnership with The Art Studio, the arts education center of New Castle County’s Department of Community Services.
Taught by: Karen Berstler, Nicole Sexton
Online: October 21, 2026 to November 18, 2026
Wednesday at 10:45 AM
Prerequisite: Beginner watercolor class or other watercolor experience. Additional fee: Please note that this course requires an additional fee of $45. Participants receive a payment link from OLLI prior to the first class. Explore the use of light, shadow and color to create forms using watercolors. Previous experience required. Supply list is provided for students to purchase before class starts. Please note additional fee mentioned above. The class may run 1.5 hours each week if the student’s schedule allows.
Offered in partnership with The Art Studio, the arts education center of New Castle County’s Department of Community Services.
Taught by: Karen Berstler
Online: September 10, 2026 to November 19, 2026
Thursday at 9:00 AM
Prerequisite: Adobe Lightroom Classic. This course provides instruction on using Adobe Lightroom Classic to catalog and edit your photographs, focusing on using the Library and Develop modules with the objective of providing tools and techniques to easily upload/retrieve images, and basic editing techniques to improve the appearance of your photos. Other modules are covered as time and interest permit.
Taught by: Michael Rudolph
Wilmington (off site, 310 Kiamensi Road): September 8, 2026 to November 17, 2026
Tuesday at 9:30 AM
Additional fee: Please note that this course requires an additional fee of $95. Participants receive a payment link from OLLI prior to the first class. There is also an additional $70 materials fee due to the instructor at the first class. Explore the many ways of creating art and functional pieces with fabric and other fibers. Make hand-dyed fabric using different dyeing methods, create small weavings, learn different ways to felt wool and more. Open to all levels. Offered in partnership with The Art Studio, the arts education center of New Castle County’s Department of Community Services, located at 310 Kiamensi Road, Wilmington, DE 19804. Please note additional fees mentioned above.
Offered in partnership with The Art Studio, the arts education center of New Castle County’s Department of Community Services.
Taught by: Nicole Sexton, Sarah Dressler
Online: September 10, 2026 to November 19, 2026
Thursday at 2:30 PM
Prerequisite: Four semesters of Ikebana. Required text: Sogetsu Book 5, published by Sogetsu, which can be obtained from the instructor. In this course, students continue practicing previously studied basic styles as well as making freestyle arrangements. Concentration is given to learning freestyle and contemporary arrangements.
Taught by: Sima Sariaslani
Wilmington (Arsht Hall): September 8, 2026 to October 13, 2026
Tuesday at 12:30 PM
It’s showtime! Using video and audio clips, this six-session class will examine the works of two legendary Broadway composer/lyricists, Stephen Sondheim and Jerry Herman, one award winning composer/lyricist team, 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. Together they bring us a picture of Broadway in the late twentieth century.
Taught by: Thomas Powderly
Online: September 9, 2026 to November 18, 2026
Wednesday at 2:30 PM
This 11-week course features mostly live musical performances: Hail! Hail! Rock ‘n’ Roll (Chuck Berry); 20 Feet From Stardom (great 1960s backup singers), Summer of Soul (1969 Harlem Cultural Festival), Stax/Volt Revue Live in Norway 1967 (Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, Booker T.); the T.A.M.I. Show (James Brown, Rolling Stones, Beach Boys); Amazing Grace (Aretha live gospel 1972); The Wrecking Crew (1960s LA studio musicians); Don’t Look Back (Bob Dylan acoustic in London 1965) plus three films TBD.
Taught by: Jerry Grant
Wilmington (Arsht Hall): October 20, 2026 to November 24, 2026
Tuesday 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
Wilmington (Arsht Hall): September 11, 2026 to December 11, 2026
Friday at 10:45 AM
Opera has existed for several hundred years. Perhaps you delayed learning about it or had a difficult first attempt at it. Maybe you just haven’t had an opportunity to learn in an open environment where questions, comments and reactions are encouraged and various types of operas are explained. This class is your opportunity! There’s a lot to introduce you to in this “complete art” form.
Taught by: Robert Violette
Wilmington (Arsht Hall): September 10, 2026 to December 10, 2026
Thursday at 12:30 PM
Explore the nostalgic world of 1980s and 1990s movies — feel-good classics, teen comedies, action hits and cult favorites. Bring your lunch to watch movies with your OLLI friends! Different movies are offered each session. This semester, class meets on 9/17, 10/22, 11/19 and 12/10. Movie schedule will be distributed prior to the start of classes.
Taught by: Jenna Cole
Dover (Wyoming Church): September 10, 2026 to November 19, 2026
Thursday at 10:45 AM
This class looks back at the life and works of the man who is arguably America’s greatest — and most beloved — composer, conquering Broadway and Hollywood with his unforgettable songs. He also wrote pathbreaking “jazzical” music, as well as the enduring opera Porgy and Bess, which is marking its 90th anniversary with a new production in New York City. This class also reveals the instructor’s choice for the three greatest songs ever written in the United States.
Taught by: Daniel Pritchett
Dover (Wyoming Church): September 8, 2026 to November 24, 2026
Tuesday at 12:45 PM
A survey of 11 neglected, forgotten and/or ignored films fondly remembered by the instructor: The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari; And Then There Were None (1945); Out of the Blue; Rashomon; The Night of the Hunter; The Court Jester; The Invasion of the Body Snatchers; A Face in the Crowd; The Shootist; Starman; The Cook, the Thief, His Wife and Her Lover. Due to the 2-plus-hours running time of each film, class time may extend to 3 p.m.
Taught by: George Christensen
Wilmington (Arsht Hall): September 11, 2026 to December 11, 2026
Friday at 12:45 PM
There are three Wagner operas that meet this course’s objective. One investigates the love of country; the second, spiritual love; and the third, passionate love. These operas are indeed intense! They are also long but I will try to preserve as much discussion time as possible. The performances I have selected are among the most powerful available.
Taught by: Robert Violette
Online: September 9, 2026 to November 18, 2026
Wednesday at 10:30 AM
This course covers finding music online (written and audio), using music notation software to edit music, software to help you practice, software to help you read music directly (no more paper!), and how to manage and share your music library. Software includes ForScore and MuseScore; websites include Google Drive, DropBox, OneDrive, SmartMusic and YouTube. We’ll also discuss playing live music online with others.
Taught by: Ellen Sherin, Pamela Wilson
On-Demand (online viewing is on your own schedule)
New York City has always been a fascinating place with countless stories to be told. Ten OLLI members each deliver a session on a unique aspect of New York life, based on personal interest, experience and expertise. Topics include history, architecture and engineering marvels, theatre and the arts, neighborhoods and more. View this class on your own schedule. Viewing link is emailed to participants prior to the semester start.
Taught by: Sharon Rosen, Thomas Powderly, Peter Harrigan
Wilmington (Arsht Hall): September 11, 2026 to December 11, 2026
Friday at 9:00 AM
Using lectures, PowerPoint and DVDs, we journey through the National Parks system, looking at the parks from the point of view of geologists, biologists, naturalists, park rangers and tourists. The PowerPoint portions of the lectures include photographs taken by the instructor and his wife. Many of the lectures have been revised, and some new lectures have been added. This is a five-term course.
Taught by: William Jones
Wilmington (Arsht Hall): September 11, 2026 to December 11, 2026
Friday at 10:45 AM
Europe is the cradle of Gothic architecture. With the assistance of The Great Courses “The Cathedral,” we explore the art and architecture of the great cathedrals of France and the British Isles. We study the development of Gothic architecture, the sculpture, the great open spaces and the stained-glass windows that define these magnificent Gothic structures. We investigate the fighting of the 2019 fire in the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris and the restoration of the cathedral.
Taught by: William Jones
Online: October 21, 2026 to November 18, 2026
Wednesday at 10:45 AM
This isn’t about getting rid of your life, it’s about curating it. Inspired by the Swedish philosophy of thoughtful downsizing, this class offers a calm, manageable approach to letting go of what no longer serves you. Through simple shifts in thinking and small, practical steps, you’ll learn how to reduce overwhelm, honor your memories, and create a home that reflects your life now. Ideal for anyone ready to simplify with intention, not pressure.
Taught by: Madeline Dobbs
Online: October 22, 2026 to November 19, 2026
Thursday at 2:30 PM
This discussion-based course explores the worldwide rise of authoritarian regimes through readings, videos, speakers and class discussions and centers on events evolving in America. Participants are expected to prepare materials outside of class and engage in conversations with classmates and guest speakers. Topics include the dynamics within societies that have allowed for the rise of authoritarianism and prescriptive remedies.
Taught by: Rick Grier-Reynolds
On-Demand (online viewing is on your own schedule)
Part three of this series presents 10 lectures on a variety of topics related to Delaware including agriculture, lighthouses, restaurants, Rockford Museum, early amusement parks, railroads, birding, and
more to be announced. View this class on your own schedule. Viewing link is emailed to participants prior to the semester start.
Taught by: Thomas Powderly, Joan Miller
Lewes (Trinity Faith Education Building): September 9, 2026 to October 7, 2026
Wednesday at 9:00 AM
Designed for adults who want to better understand themselves and how they interact in the world, this course helps you understand how your natural style, personal motivators and other factors shape the way you show up in life and work. It highlights what energizes you, where you may feel drained, and how to create more satisfying interactions and activities. Participants gain personalized insights to improve communication and fulfillment in relationships, volunteer roles, community work, employment and everyday life. Optional online assessment (at instructor’s cost) may provide useful personalized insights at www.meaningfulmetrics.com/OLLI. Use code OLLI to order.
Taught by: Marc Andonian
Lewes (Trinity Faith Education Building): October 21, 2026 to November 18, 2026
Wednesday at 9:00 AM
Designed for adults who want to better understand their emotional patterns and how they shape daily interactions. Explore how you recognize, interpret and respond to emotions — your own and others’ — and how these habits influence communication, decisions and relationships. Participants gain insights they can use immediately to navigate stress, strengthen empathy, and improve interactions in family life, volunteer roles, community work, employment, and everyday situations. Optional: a helpful online emotional-intelligence assessment is available at the instructor’s cost, at www.meaningfulmetrics.com/OLLI. Use code OLLI to order.
Taught by: Marc Andonian
Online: September 10, 2026 to November 19, 2026
Thursday at 10:45 AM
This all-new program is part 4 of a popular series about Delaware. This semester includes programs about Delaware’s museums, privateering in Delaware, volunteerism in Delaware, Winterthur, Henry Clay Village, the mills on the Brandywine, famous Delawareans in American history, the University of Delaware and more.
Taught by: Joan Miller, Thomas Powderly
Online: September 10, 2026 to November 19, 2026
Thursday at 12:45 PM
The course is intended to give family history researchers, both beginning and experienced, an overview of the resources and records available to them. Presenters include experienced genealogists from the OLLI genealogy community and from outside genealogy groups. The class format is a lecture on a specific genealogical topic, followed by Q&A. A handout is sent via email prior to each lecture.
Taught by: Barbara Hamming, Reg Herzog
Online: September 8, 2026 to October 6, 2026
Tuesday at 2:30 PM
Getting started in genealogy and family history can mean many things depending on the person. Maybe today is the first time you have investigated how to build your family tree. Perhaps you have already started looking at records online and found someone who may be your great great-grandmother but you don’t know how to verify it. Or maybe you have worked on and off collecting information, but you are not sure how to pull it all together and reach much further back in your family history. Start here!
Taught by: Janice Roots
On-Demand (online viewing is on your own schedule)
Introduces the major elements of Western civilization from the ancient world to the pre-Italian Renaissance, with special emphasis on the Greco-Roman and Judeo-Christian traditions. It surveys the history of the ancient Mediterranean and Near East and explores the classical roots of modern civilization. We begin with the first civilizations of ancient Mesopotamia, the roots of western religion in ancient Israel; then proceed through Bronze Age, archaic and classical Greece, the conquests of Alexander the Great, the Hellenistic world, the rise of Rome, and the fall of the Roman Empire and the coming of Christianity, and the history of medieval Europe. View this class on your own schedule. Viewing link is emailed to participants prior to the semester start.
Taught by: Ann Kneavel, Charles Johnson
On-Demand (online viewing is on your own schedule)
Beginning with a survey of the political, social, economic and artistic foundations of modern western civilization from the Renaissance onward, we review the historical forces and events that shaped the world in the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries. The class also explores prospects for the future. View this class on your own schedule. Viewing link is emailed to participants prior to the semester start.
Taught by: Ann Kneavel, Charles Johnson
On-Demand (online viewing is on your own schedule)
Science and reality are taking a beating in our current “alternative facts” society. Why do folks forego vaccinations in pandemics, but still check the weather report before leaving home? Consider the nature and role of science, including its uncertainties, to better appreciate and establish faith in the scientific process. View this class on your own schedule. Viewing link is emailed to participants prior to the semester start.
Taught by: Bruce Morrissey
Dover (Wyoming Church): September 10, 2026 to November 19, 2026
Thursday at 12:45 PM
Join us to view a collection of classic science fiction movies. Some will bring back memories, some may be scary, some may present surprisingly accurate predictions of the future. We may show some recent movies that are particularly well done. Since we are showing full-length movies, the class will be longer than a single period. Come enjoy!
Taught by: Larry Watkins
Online: September 8, 2026 to October 6, 2026
Tuesday at 12:45 PM
The universe is vast and complicated and bizarre. Yet, most people believe the mind to be a mirror, more or less accurately reflecting that universe. Equipped with five senses, man explores his universe and calls the conclusions first religion, then philosophy, and finally, science. That science creates artificial intelligence. Explore the topsy-turvy universe, some myths and theories concerning how it was created, its climate corollaries, some human intelligence limitations, and artificial intelligence.
Taught by: Charles Johnson
Wilmington (Arsht Hall): September 9, 2026 to December 9, 2026
Wednesday at 12:45 PM
This class presents an overview of the history and evolution of the passenger’s experience while traveling by rail, sea and air from the early 20th century until today. We discuss how technology, world events and social change impacted travel patterns. The class examines life on board each mode of travel, focusing on speed, passenger accommodations and service. Historic video clips supplement the lecture material.
Taught by: Thomas Powderly
Ocean View Community Center: September 9, 2026 to November 11, 2026
Wednesday at 2:30 PM
This course, which includes ample visuals and maps, covers WWII in the Pacific theater, from the lead-up to the war through the Japanese surrender. Students learn about the military campaigns between Japan and the United States and its allies.
Taught by: Donald Egan
Online: September 8, 2026 to November 24, 2026
Tuesday at 10:45 AM
Before modern science could develop, it needed the foundations laid for it in the Middle Ages. Greek natural philosophy, medieval science, laid the foundations for the development of what we call science today. We will meet many of the people who developed the intellectual atmosphere that would allow for the transmission of ancient Greek science to the post-Roman world.
Taught by: Raymond Hain
Wilmington (Arsht Hall): September 8, 2026 to December 8, 2026
Tuesday at 9:00 AM
The eruption of Vesuvius in 79 CE buried the Roman city of Pompeii under yards and yards of volcanic ash and pumice, creating a time capsule of Roman architecture, art and daily life. With the assistance of Professor Steven L. Tuck of Miami University and The Great Courses, we explore the history of Pompeii from the fifth century BCE to its death in 79 CE. We explore daily life at the height of the Roman Empire, the eruption, along with the current excavations and preservation efforts.
Taught by: William Jones
Lewes (Trinity Faith Education Building): October 21, 2026 to November 18, 2026
Wednesday at 9:00 AM
In celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, this course shines a light on the remarkable women of the Revolutionary era — women whose courage, resilience and ingenuity helped shape a nation. We explore the military, economic, social and cultural impact of women — from well-known figures to those whose stories are only now being rediscovered. This course is a revised version of the course Women in the American Revolution taught in 2024.
Taught by: Susan Donahue
Wilmington (Arsht Hall): September 8, 2026 to December 8, 2026
Tuesday at 9:00 AM
The Middle East has been at the pivot point of the modern world’s explosive forces since the end of World War I. Even in ancient times, the region was pivotal in world affairs as the crossroads of ancient trade routes linking East and West. This semester we take a closer look at the implications of the Israel/Iran conflict and how it has changed the Middle East and the world. While this is an advanced class, we welcome beginners who like to dig into history and world affairs.
Taught by: Susan Warner
Wilmington (Arsht Hall): September 9, 2026 to December 9, 2026
Wednesday at 9:00 AM
President Eisenhower’s policies represented some adjustment by Republicans to Roosevelt’s New Deal and 20 years of Democratic presidents. Reagan broke in part from this legacy. Though George Bush was supposed to serve “Reagan’s third term,” he was more of a traditional Republican. Though Clinton wanted new paths after three terms of Republican presidents, his rocky start and the failure of his healthcare plan gave him a Republican Congress. Nevertheless he found ways to get his policies through.
Taught by: John Bullock
Wilmington (Arsht Hall): September 9, 2026 to December 9, 2026
Wednesday at 10:45 AM
After Napoleon’s fall, monarchy was restored in France in 1814 but did not last through 1848. The restoration monarchy in England in 1660 likewise followed revolution and civil war but lasted. The difference was that monarchy is a social system as well as a political one. The two societies rested on different premises at the time of their restorations, and their revolutions had different premises and consequences, especially for their nobles.
Taught by: John Bullock
Lewes (Trinity Faith Education Building): September 9, 2026 to November 18, 2026
Wednesday at 12:45 PM
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
On-Demand (online viewing is on your own schedule)
Since ancient times, humans have chronicled the world: from inscribed bones of our earliest ancestors to today’s Google Maps. See how geography shapes our view of the planet and how maps have fashioned the world we know today. Visit some of Earth’s most isolated locales and places where conflicts still arise due to disputed borders and contested national boundary claims. Finally, explore our maps of other worlds and even the entire cosmos. View this class on your own schedule. Viewing link is emailed to participants prior to the semester start.
Taught by: Jim O’Leary
On-Demand (online viewing is on your own schedule)
Explore the Manhattan Project, one of history’s most ambitious undertakings. Follow the path from discovery of nuclear fission and the explosion of scientific work to the vast engineering efforts at Oak Ridge, Hanford and Los Alamos that culminated in the atomic bomb. Examine the science, management and the men and women behind the project, using photographs, diagrams and interviews to reveal both the technological achievement and the human story. View this class on your own schedule. Viewing link is emailed to participants prior to the semester start.
Taught by: Robert Ehrlich
On-Demand (online viewing is on your own schedule)
This class offers a survey of Irish history, starting with the subjugation of Ireland under Cromwell and William of Orange, begun under the Tudors and early Stuarts. Incorporation into the United Kingdom is followed by a long struggle for autonomy and political and cultural independence. Finally, part of Ireland becomes an independent republic, Troubles continue in Northern Ireland ending with a shaky peace. The Republic becomes a prosperous member of the European Union. View this class on your own schedule. Viewing link is emailed to participants prior to the semester start.
Taught by: Robert Ehrlich
Online: October 20, 2026 to November 24, 2026
Tuesday at 12:45 PM
George III is often remembered as the tyrant Americans overthrew, yet he saw himself as a conscientious constitutional ruler confronting imperial crisis, revolution and global war. This course reexamines Britain’s last king in America through contemporary views of politics, war, religion and diplomacy. How he and his ministers implicitly responded to the Declaration of Independence and their leadership during the Revolution reveal a different view of the conflict.
Taught by: Robert Ehrlich
Dover (Wyoming Church): September 10, 2026 to October 8, 2026
Thursday at 12:45 PM
Remember the Ladies! These famous words were written by Abigail Adams on March 31, 1776. Now it’s our turn to remember several courageous ladies that “fought” for the Patriot cause. The men were fighting on the front lines, but at home the ladies — wives, mothers, daughters and sisters — were left alone to guard their homes and families. All the women featured in this class went one step further. Join us and learn about their brave and often times scary Revolutionary War adventures.
Taught by: Elizabeth Jelich, Susan Watkins
Dover (Wyoming Church): October 20, 2026 to November 24, 2026
Tuesday at 2:30 PM
This class examines the role that spies and intelligence played in the Second World War, on both sides of the conflict. These will include both “official” spies (those who worked for their governments), and “traitors” (who worked against the countries they purported to love). We’ll look at recruitment and training, the networks they built, the operations they carried out and what happened to them during and after the war, if they survived.
Taught by: Patricia White
Ocean View Community Center: September 14, 2026 to November 23, 2026
Monday at 12:45 PM
A five-part course exploring music of the Americas as a living system shaped by rhythm, movement and culture. Through Beat Routes (paths and tributaries that delivered people and rhythms), participants trace how polyrhythm and harmony with migration transformed music across the Americas to create everything from samba, bluegrass, R&B, salsa and techno. Music is presented as a connected, evolving system of memory and expression. Involves playing vintage and modern instruments.
Taught by: Herman Boyd, Chris Johansen
Lewes (Trinity Faith Education Building): September 10, 2026 to November 19, 2026
Thursday at 12:45 PM
A five-part course exploring music of the Americas as a living system shaped by rhythm, movement and culture. Through Beat Routes (paths and tributaries that delivered people and rhythms), participants trace how polyrhythm and harmony with migration transformed music across the Americas to create everything from samba, bluegrass, R&B, salsa and techno. Music is presented as a connected, evolving system of memory and expression. Involves playing vintage and modern instruments.
Taught by: Herman Boyd, Chris Johansen
Ocean View Community Center: September 14, 2026 to October 12, 2026
Monday at 2:30 PM
This class examines the leadership of George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy. Those presidents possessed high values and steered America through troubled times that included the Civil War, World War II and the Cuban Missile Crisis. They consistently placed the interests of their country above politics and had the ability to unite the American people behind common goals and aspirations.
Taught by: Charles Errico
Lewes (Trinity Faith Education Building): October 26, 2026 to November 23, 2026
Monday at 12:45 PM
This class examines the leadership of George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy. Those presidents possessed high values and steered America through troubled times that included the Civil War, World War II and the Cuban Missile Crisis. They consistently placed the interests of their country above politics and had the ability to unite the American people behind common goals and aspirations.
Taught by: Charles Errico
Wilmington (Arsht Hall): September 14, 2026 to November 23, 2026
Monday at 12:45 PM
What treasures surround us? Course covers history and art; the Lenni Lenape, New Sweden in the 1600s, Wilmington’s oldest house and gardens on the 400 acre farm, the Revolutionary War, Quakers and the Underground Railroad, the Civil War, Howard Pyle and his legacy, the duPonts, Wawaset, to today, guided by local experts.
Taught by: John Barineau
Wilmington (Arsht Hall): September 8, 2026 to December 8, 2026
Tuesday at 10:45 AM
The Federalist Papers are 85 essays written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton and John Jay to defend the proposed Constitution of the United States that had been written during what we call today the Constitutional Convention. We look at the most pertinent of the essays, those that describe the structure and meaning of the Articles of the Constitution, the meaning of the wording of the constitution, and discuss how our society might have evolved beyond the dictates of the Constitution.
Taught by: William Jones
Wilmington (Arsht Hall): September 8, 2026 to December 8, 2026
Tuesday at 2:30 PM
An intriguing fly-by of the foundational civilizations, in this course we will examine the basic institutions, how they interacted with each other, their use of the military and weaponry, religious beliefs and sciences. Mesopotamia; Egypt; Harappan India; Xia, Shang, and Zhou China; Olmec and other civilizations with be covered. How did these civilizations influence our own? Join us and find out!
Taught by: Susan Shoemaker
Lewes (Trinity Faith Education Building): September 14, 2026 to October 12, 2026
Monday at 10:45 AM
An exploration of a medieval holiday with roots in antiquity that surfaces today in a variety of forms from New Year’s Eve celebrations to Carnivals and Halloween’s tricks for treats. When Harvey Cox, the Hollis Professor of Divinity at Harvard University, examined the role of the Feast of Fools in 1969, he defined the festivity found there as a capacity for joy-filled celebrations which included the component of fantasy as a vehicle for imagining a different world.
Taught by: Katherine Henn
Lewes (Trinity Faith Education Building): October 26, 2026 to November 23, 2026
Monday at 10:45 AM
Privateering was legal, lucrative, dangerous, patriotic and essential to our quest for sovereign liberty. When Britain ruled the seas, the 13 original colonies had no real naval force. By 1776 the colonies had 27 warships while the British had some 270 warships. Privateering was a key component of success at sea in the Revolutionary War and was employed again in 1812. Attacks by American privateers on British shipping were the most damaging aspect of the naval war.
Taught by: Katherine Henn
Lewes (Trinity Faith Education Building): September 8, 2026 to November 24, 2026
Tuesday at 9:00 AM
Long debated, it was during the Civil War that the federal congress approved the letting of contracts to undertake this momentous construction enterprise. The transcontinental railroad would link east and west, and at the time would be the world’s largest infrastructure construction project. Construction began as the Civil War ended, and was completed in 1869. Built in a rush, the government paid by miles lain. It is story of courage, daring, great risks and overcoming significant engineering challenges.
Taught by: Ray Glick
Lewes (Trinity Faith Education Building): September 8, 2026 to October 6, 2026
Tuesday at 9:00 AM
Learn the history of one of the great music genres, the blues. Where did it originate? How did it spread throughout the south and then the nation? Many recordings of some of the great blues performers. What’s the status of the blues today?
Taught by: Glenn Rill
Lewes (Trinity Faith Education Building): October 20, 2026 to November 24, 2026
Tuesday at 10:45 AM
The women of the 1940s were making changes not only in their own lives but also in the culture and fabric of America. The influence of these women in public service, the arts, literature, music, isolationism, military, businesses, spy networks and professional careers, would reverberate way beyond their time. We examine not only who and what these pioneering women accomplished but draw a line connecting their influences today. The class format is based on lectures, videos, music and discussion.
Taught by: Susan Burton McFarlane
Lewes (Trinity Faith Education Building): October 21, 2026 to November 18, 2026
Wednesday at 10:45 AM
Between late 1938 and the outbreak of war in 1939, about 10,000 Jewish children between the ages of five and 15 were able to escape Nazi-controlled Germany, Austria and Czechoslovakia to Britain via the Kindertransport. The children, minus their parents, were allowed to enter Britain under a limited visa waiver program sponsored and supported by the British Jewish community and various charitable groups. Most of the children would never see their parents again.
Taught by: Nicholas Simmonds
Online: September 8, 2026 to October 13, 2026
Tuesday at 12:45 PM
What is an element, and how did we come to understand it? This six-week course uses slides and videos to trace ideas about matter from ancient philosophies to modern science. Lavoisier and others used new experimental tools to detect and characterize the elements. Mendeleev organized the results. Further experimental and theoretical approaches investigate radioactivity and atomic structure. We conclude with the creation and cosmic origins of the elements. Course outline available at http://www.udel.edu/0014587.
Taught by: Robert Ehrlich
Online: September 10, 2026 to November 19, 2026
Thursday at 12:45 PM
This course explores the history and culture of Anglo-Saxon England from its roots in late Roman Britain through the Viking Age to the Norman Conquest. Using archaeological, literary and historical sources, we examine migration, the formation of kingdoms, the spread of Christianity, everyday life and the creation of a distinctive English identity. Course outline available at http://www.udel.edu/0014589.
Taught by: Robert Ehrlich
Online: October 20, 2026 to November 24, 2026
Tuesday at 9:00 AM
Though built on the displacement of indigenous people and once a center of slave trade, Manhattan has provided opportunities for people of many cultures, becoming the most diverse city in the world. We explore the island’s origins, early settlers and the breakthroughs that made it the world’s first modern metropolis.
Taught by: Peter Harrigan
Online: September 10, 2026 to November 19, 2026
Thursday at 2:30 PM
Required text: Subscription to The New Yorker. The class reviews and discusses various articles that appear in The New Yorker magazine. Everyone is encouraged to share summaries and opinions on various articles and offer their viewpoints for the class to consider.
Taught by: Mary McLaughlin Koprowski
Online: September 9, 2026 to October 7, 2026
Wednesday at 10:45 AM
Learn about contemporary and modern poetry through close reading and discussion of poems presented in the New Yorker Poetry Podcast archive. For each class, students listen at home to a selected episode. In class we continue the discussion begun by the host and guest poet, considering matters of craft and process. The New Yorker Poetry Podcast is free and easily available on the internet.
Taught by: Linda McMeniman
Online: September 10, 2026 to October 1, 2026
Thursday at 3:45 PM
The OLLI online book club meets monthly on the first Thursday of each month: September 3, October 1, November 5, and December 3. We read current fiction and nonfiction, voted on in the first session from a list composed by a group of volunteers. Discussion is led each month by a volunteer from the group. The book for the first session is 1929: Inside the Greatest Crash in Wall Street History and How It Shattered A Nation, by Andrew Ross Sorkin.
Taught by: Jane Lee
Online: October 21, 2026 to November 18, 2026
Wednesday at 12:45 PM
Required text: The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon, ISBN 978-0-593-31207-0. The Frozen River is a historical novel set in the rural town of Hallowell, Maine, in 1789. It is based on the actual written diaries of midwife and healer Martha Ballard. It is part murder mystery and part study of women’s place in post-colonial American society. Best of all, it is a really good read, and the discussions will be lively. When registering, sign up for the section meeting Thursdays, 9 a.m. in Dover; or Wednesdays, 12:45 p.m. online.
Taught by: Bobbi Neaton
Online: September 9, 2026 to November 18, 2026
Wednesday at 10:45 AM
Over many terms, our novels course has discussed books about women’s accomplishments dismissed or forgotten by traditional history. So, this term, these women are our focus: in literature, the arts, science and history. We’ll also revisit some authors we’ve read to discuss why their books are literature rather than genre bestsellers, beginning with The Marriage Portrait, Maggie O’Farrell. For the list of books, see the course website at https://sites.google.com/udel.edu/celebratedwomen/home. When registering, sign up for the section meeting Thursdays, 10:45 a.m. at Arsht Hall, Wilmington; or Wednesdays, 10:45 a.m. online.
Taught by: Rebecca Worley, Pamela Meitner
Lewes (Trinity Faith Education Building): September 10, 2026 to November 19, 2026
Thursday at 12:45 PM
Everyone read The Great Gatsby in high school, but how many have re-read it with the benefit of decades of life experience? We’ll undertake a “close reading” of Fitzgerald’s novel, asking questions that might not have occurred to us back in high school. We’ll also read and discuss some of Fitzgerald’s short stories that explore the “before” and “after” of the characters (albeit with different names) and some scholarly articles about the novel.
Taught by: Paul Huey-Burns
Lewes (Trinity Faith Education Building): September 8, 2026 to November 24, 2026
Tuesday at 12:45 PM
Extended discussion of the many textual issues and omissions that make interpretation of Hamlet’s character and decisions, as well as the play’s tragic significance, enduringly vexed questions. We’ll even spend a bit of time discussing how much the recent Oscar winning film, Hamnet, clarifies the play’s intent. Please prepare for the first class either by reading the play or a substantial plot summary beforehand so we may begin to identify some of the more obvious issues to be mulled.
Taught by: William Zak
Wilmington (Arsht Hall): September 10, 2026 to November 19, 2026
Thursday at 9:00 AM
Each class features an introduction, followed by a video and class discussion. Topics include America and the world: Trump 2.0 foreign policy; Trump tariffs and the future of the world economy; U.S.-China relations; ruptured alliances and the risk of nuclear proliferation; Ukraine and the future of European security; multilateral institutions in a changing world order; U.S. engagement of Africa; future of human rights and international law. Purchase of the Great Decisions Briefing Book is recommended.
Taught by: Steven Dombchik, A. Hays Butler, Claude Faulkner
Dover (Wyoming Church): September 8, 2026 to October 6, 2026
Tuesday at 2:30 PM
Are you a fan of spy movies or spy fiction? Have you wondered what it is like to be a spy? This class goes behind the myths about the world of espionage and looks at the reality of the lives of spies. We look at real-world spies, what caused them to betray their countries, and what happened after they were caught, with a focus on spies operating against the U.S. and Europe in the 20th century.
Taught by: Patricia White
Online: September 9, 2026 to November 18, 2026
Wednesday at 12:45 PM
Explore the New Testament from a historical perspective, bracketing questions of belief and theological truth to acquire a historically rich grounding for our understanding of the fundamental documents. This course addresses significant questions as to who wrote these books, under what circumstances, and for what audience; what they say, what they mean and their accuracy. This is a two-semester course.
Taught by: Chuck Miller
Online: September 8, 2026 to November 24, 2026
Tuesday at 12:45 PM
Introduction to the history, literature and religion of ancient Israel and early Judaism presented in the collection of texts called the Old Testament, the Hebrew Bible and the Tanakh. This is a two-semester course.
Taught by: Chuck Miller
Online: October 23, 2026 to November 20, 2026
Friday at 2:00 PM
Dreams are a fascinating way to explore what’s happening in our inner and outer world. Since the time of Freud and Jung, they’ve been seen as an important aspect of modern psychology. In our class, after some basic theory and background, facilitators use a well-tested method for community sharing of dreams, and we look for ways dreams help us understand our lives. We ask that everyone keep their video monitors on in this class, and that you enter into sharing with a sense of openness.
Taught by: Winifred Hayek, Gary Soulsman
Online: November 2, 2026 to November 23, 2026
Monday at 2:30 PM
The philosophy of Stoicism dates back to the ancient Greeks and Romans and is nonreligious in nature. Practical in nature, Stoicism is intended to help people live a higher quality life with more resilience, clarity and virtue. Its most well-known early practitioners were the Emperor Marcus Aurelius, Seneca and Epictetus, and later, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Viktor Frankl, Friedrich Nietzsche, Montaigne, Spinoza and Descartes. The practice of Stoicism has led to today’s cognitive behavioral therapy, too. Previous familiarity with Stoicism is not required.
Taught by: Bill Broadwater, Jeff Ostroff
Online: September 10, 2026 to November 12, 2026
Thursday at 9:00 AM
Jalaluddin Rumi (1207-1273) is revered as a famous Sufi poet, mystic and teacher. His work has been translated into many languages, with his religious insight echoing across many traditions. This is a participatory discussion class. Each student will read and discuss a poem of their choice during class.
Taught by: Claire Brown
Online: September 8, 2026 to October 6, 2026
Tuesday at 10:45 AM
Class discussion topics include: why not peace when peace make sense?; gaps in peace education; institutional forces against peace; peace education innovations; and individual and community actions for peace.
Taught by: Boyd Sorenson
Online: September 14, 2026 to October 12, 2026
Monday at 9:00 AM
During this 5-week session we will discuss what an intercessory prayer (IP) is and review a sample IP. We can use the sample to build our own and review some of the challenges of praying a daily IP.
Taught by: Deborah Brown
Online: October 19, 2026 to November 23, 2026
Monday at 12:45 PM
Calling all poets! Explore a new poetry textbook. Study craft, improve your own writing and help your fellow poets improve. Over six weeks during OLLI’s second fall session, students write poems based two chapters from Steve Kowit’s In the Palm of Your Hand: A Poet’s Portable Workshop: A Lively and Illuminating Guide for the Practicing Poet. Sign up for either the Monday or Wednesday online session of this course. Note: the Monday session starts on October 19, one day early.
Taught by: Betsey Cullen
Online: October 21, 2026 to December 2, 2026
Wednesday at 12:45 PM
Calling all poets! Explore a new poetry textbook. Study craft, improve your own writing and help your fellow poets improve. Over six weeks during OLLI’s second fall session, students write poems based two chapters from Steve Kowit’s In the Palm of Your Hand: A Poet’s Portable Workshop: A Lively and Illuminating Guide for the Practicing Poet. Sign up for either the Monday or Wednesday online session of this course. Note: the Monday session starts on October 19, one day early.
Taught by: Betsey Cullen
Online: September 10, 2026 to November 19, 2026
Thursday at 12:45 PM
For those who enjoy writing poetry or those who would like to try, this is an opportunity to read your poems to people interested in helping you improve as a poet. Specific assignments stretch you as a poet, while reading and critiquing poems can broaden your outlook and enrich your own work. Class participation and help with facilitation are encouraged.
Taught by: Mary Ellen Winkler-Gunn
Online: September 14, 2026 to November 23, 2026
Monday at 9:00 AM
When it comes to creativity, fiction writing dominates. Or does it? Good nonfiction also relies on heavy doses of creativity. The nonfiction bonus is in writing about things that are true. This course helps you master the art of nonfiction writing, including memoirs.
Taught by: Rae Tyson
Lewes (Trinity Faith Education Building): September 14, 2026 to November 23, 2026
Monday at 2:30 PM
Required text: WhiteGrass, Richard Smith, ISBN 978-1966074625. This discussion-based course uses the near-future climate technothriller WhiteGrass to explore how well-crafted fiction can shape public understanding, ethical debate and real-world policy choices on climate change and emerging technologies. Each week we pair short readings from the novel with accessible articles or reports, then examine how the narrative frames issues like AI, nanotechnology, risk, and inequality — and how those story choices might influence voters, policymakers and the media.
Taught by: Richard Smith
Online: September 8, 2026 to November 24, 2026
Tuesday at 10:45 AM
It is very clear that smartphones are now so widely used that they are assumed to be available for many vital applications such as medical monitoring, financial planning, home automation, wearables, etc. The goal of this class is to present information, with class discussion, to enhance our ability to make us more effective and efficient.
Taught by: Jerry Lucas
Online: October 23, 2026 to November 20, 2026
Friday at 12:45 PM
Required materials: A paid subscription to one major AI service provider is strongly recommended for unrestricted personal exploration and creative play at home. This class is created collaboratively using five AI models, each with their own role and personality. Participants learn that AI isn’t a tool they use: it’s a cast of characters they create and direct. Learn to design personal AI assistants, explore creative image generation, and discover how AI can handle the technical friction while you focus entirely on the joy of creating. From playful storytelling to powerful real-world tools, this course follows one simple rule: the human is always in the driver’s seat. When registering, sign up for either the section that meets in-person in Wilmington (starts Sept. 11) or the section that meets online (starts Oct. 23).
Taught by: Brian Medina
Lewes (Trinity Faith Education Building): September 11, 2026 to October 9, 2026
Friday at 9:00 AM
Create a complete podcast without recording your voice. In this 5-session course, you’ll learn how to use AI tools like ElevenLabs, SUNO, and Audacity to script, voice, score and edit original episodes. Perfect for storytellers, educators and creatives, this class shows how to turn ideas into polished audio using accessible, cutting-edge technology. Adding AI video will be explored.
Taught by: Chris Johansen
Online: September 9, 2026 to November 18, 2026
Wednesday at 10:45 AM
Prerequisite: Ability to speak and read German at the intermediate to advanced level. This intermediate/advanced course is conducted entirely in German and is designed to encourage a lively exchange based on a broad range of topics. A rich variety of sources assures that students have accurate models of German as it is actually spoken for different purposes. Authentic readings, recordings, songs and games provide an immersive experience.
Taught by: William Holstein, Mary Shenvi
Online: September 9, 2026 to November 18, 2026
Wednesday at 9:00 AM
Prerequisite: Four semesters of OLLI Spanish or the equivalent. This class consists of breakout room conversation, reading and discussing the stories in the textbook and singing in Spanish.
Taught by: Jeanne Hanson, Sheila King
Online: September 10, 2026 to November 19, 2026
Thursday at 2:30 PM
Prerequisite: Speak and read Spanish at the intermediate to advanced level. 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
Online: September 10, 2026 to November 19, 2026
Thursday at 12:45 PM
This course aims at broadening a student’s vocabulary and understanding of the day-to-day German spoken today. The etymology of certain words is discussed, and the rules of grammar are explained on request. This semester, we read selected chapters of the instructor’s memoirs, covering his immigration to the U.S. in 1992.
Taught by: Udo Gorsch-Nies
Dover (Wyoming Church): September 8, 2026 to November 24, 2026
Tuesday at 9:00 AM
This course aims to provide the basic linguistic and cultural tools for communicating in French. An imaginary trip in a French-speaking country serves as the context for developing communicative proficiency. Scenarios set in a variety of locations will provide opportunities for practice. Participants will acquire language needed to communicate at an airport, at a hotel, at a restaurant and so on.
Taught by: Alice Cataldi, Susan Watkins, Larry Watkins
Online: September 9, 2026 to November 18, 2026
Wednesday at 9:00 AM
Prerequisite: Three semesters of French or equivalent. Experience the joy of language learning in this lively foundational course. Weekly assignments provide students the opportunity to practice basic vocabulary and grammar in advance, so that we can optimize class time to practice speaking and listening skills. The goal is to provide participants the confidence to interact with native speakers using authentic language. Lessons include games, videos, dialogues, music and time for conversation in small groups, with an emphasis on having fun in French.
Taught by: Mary Shenvi
Wilmington (Arsht Hall): September 14, 2026 to December 7, 2026
Monday at 9:00 AM
Prerequisite: At least one full year of French language. Required text: Le Nouveau Taxi ! 2, Robert Menand, ISBN 978-2-01-155551-9; Cahier d’exercices: Le Nouveau Taxi ! 2, Laure Hutchings and Nathalie Hirschsprung, ISBN 978-2-01-155552-6 The goal of this class is to improve French comprehension and conversation in a welcoming and friendly atmosphere that encourages student participation. Each thematic unit focuses on specific communication goals and sociocultural awareness. Brief grammar refreshers provide opportunities for student interaction and pronunciation practice. The corresponding Cahier d’exercices helps develop writing skills for effective communication. The class format is a facilitated collaborative learning experience.
Taught by: Sandra Borror
Dover (Wyoming Church): September 8, 2026 to November 24, 2026
Tuesday at 10:45 AM
This intermediate level course will provide the language needed for discussing films. Participants will view two French films: one in class and the second outside of class. Previewing and post-viewing activities will be provided by the instructor to facilitate the discussions.
Taught by: Alice Cataldi, Susan Watkins, Larry Watkins
Online: September 14, 2026 to November 23, 2026
Monday at 10:45 AM
Prerequisite: Intermediate knowledge of the German language. In this course participants continue to read short stories of different German writers, mostly of the post-World War II period. The intention is to increase vocabulary and fluency for students with an intermediate knowledge of German. Discussions after each story allow students to practice speaking. Texts are provided by the instructor.
Taught by: Angela Drooz
Online: September 10, 2026 to November 19, 2026
Thursday at 10:45 AM
Prerequisite: Some prior exposure with the German language. We watch and listen to German music videos with subtitles, translate the lyrics, and discuss vocabulary and grammar in this slow-paced, intermediate level course. This semester: children’s songs for retirees, the American who became a Schlager star, Oktoberfest and drinking songs, national anthems, musicals, your favorite Christmas carols and more. The focus is on listening comprehension. Join in the discussion or just sit back, relax and listen. Native speakers and beginning students welcome.
Taught by: William Holstein, Mary Shenvi
Online: September 14, 2026 to November 23, 2026
Monday at 9:00 AM
Native German instructors use Andre Klein’s Learn German with Stories series to explore the continuing adventures of an Italian young man and his British girlfriend while traveling in German speaking countries. Ample opportunity for class discussion.
Taught by: Lorena Meunier, Christiane Shields
Wilmington (Arsht Hall): September 8, 2026 to December 8, 2026
Tuesday at 12:45 PM
Prerequisite: Science background is preferable but not required. In the first semester of this three-part course, we learn about the biological properties and structural features of amino acids, proteins, enzymes, carbohydrates, polysaccharides, fatty acids, fats, lipids and other components, as well as their functional roles in living organisms. Cellular metabolism, bioenergetics, and enzymatic reactions of several important metabolic pathways will be introduced. Medical, dietary and health-related topics associated with these areas will be discussed.
Taught by: Howard Barth, Bruce Neff, Dennis Witmer
Lewes (Trinity Faith Education Building): September 9, 2026 to November 18, 2026
Wednesday at 9:00 AM
Prerequisite: (Re)Learn Intro or other Feldenkrais class. This is a continuation of the introductory Feldenkrais class, designed for those who would like to learn more about themselves and to continue enhancing movement. Students should have completed any introductory Feldenkrais class, physical therapy training or yoga instructor training to participate in this class.
Taught by: Claire Brown
Lewes (Trinity Faith Education Building): September 9, 2026 to October 7, 2026
Wednesday at 10:45 AM
This course examines the history, current status and potential future of five diseases representative of major categories of illness (e.g., cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, infectious disease and neurologic disease). This is intended to be an engaging and interactive discussion.
Taught by: Sheldon Scheinert
Wilmington (Arsht Hall): September 8, 2026 to December 8, 2026
Tuesday at 10:45 AM
Walk with leading experts through studies showing the value of a plant-based lifestyle for vitality and longevity. Lectures also include pertinent studies of chronic disease management. Discussion reveals food facts and fiction with tips for putting your knowledge into practice for tasty meal planning.
Taught by: Linda Kellogg, Reid Kellogg
Online: September 11, 2026 to November 20, 2026
Friday at 10:30 AM
This course follows the highly-researched mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program originally developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn in 1979, and consists of an orientation and eight weekly classes. There is also a six-hour online retreat scheduled on Friday, Oct 30. Each weekly class consists of a presentation of ideas, group discussion and mindfulness meditation practice. Participants explore, and are given homework to practice, each of the five types of MBSR meditation practices.
Taught by: Genie Floyd
Lewes (Trinity Faith Education Building): September 9, 2026 to November 18, 2026
Wednesday at 10:45 AM
Life’s toughest dilemmas often aren’t about right versus wrong — they’re about choosing between two “goods” that matter. This course introduces the Three Lenses framework — dignity, results, and fairness — to help you see complexity more clearly and make decisions that align with your deepest values. What is good? What is value? What are the types of value and which are most important? Through engaging discussion, real-life examples and practical tools, participants learn how to reduce fragmentation, resolve value conflicts and strengthen integrity in everyday choices. Ideal for anyone seeking greater clarity, balance and purpose in their personal, professional or community life.
Taught by: Marc Andonian
Wilmington (Arsht Hall): September 14, 2026 to December 7, 2026
Monday at 12:45 PM
Why should E=mc2? Does this equation only apply to atomic bombs and nuclear reactions? Can a person travel to a distant star and return home within a lifetime? Is time travel possible? What is the total energy in the universe? Potential answers to such questions are found in the special and general theories of relativity. This course explores the logic behind these theories. It is structured as a combination of lectures and relevant videos. A minimal amount of high school algebra is used.
Taught by: Charles Carter
Wilmington (Arsht Hall): September 11, 2026 to December 11, 2026
Friday at 9:00 AM
Explore today’s environmental challenges through weekly guest lectures from academia, state agencies, nonprofits and businesses. Topics range from consumer waste and behavior, to climate resilience in the White Clay Creek, and the energy and water impacts of data centers. Engage with experts, gain practical insight and better understand solutions shaping a more sustainable future.
Taught by: Pamela Meitner
On-Demand (online viewing is on your own schedule)
Introduces concepts found in Advanced Placement high school and freshman college physics courses. Topics include motion and energy, gravity, electromagnetism, relativity, quantum mechanics and cosmology. The course connects everyday phenomena (rainbows, sound, engines, GPS) to the physics behind them. It emphasizes visuals, demos and historical context to provide an intuitive appreciation for the theories and equations. View this class on your own schedule. Viewing link is emailed to participants prior to the semester start.
Taught by: Charles Carter
Lewes (Trinity Faith Education Building): October 26, 2026 to November 23, 2026
Monday at 9:00 AM
Long mysterious, Mars captures the imaginations of scientists, writers and artists alike. Ancients viewed reddish Mars as a sign of fire and destruction, noting its erratic motion across the sky. Some observed canals, fueling decades of imagining intelligent civilizations and inspiring classic science fiction. Today, we explore its volcanoes and ancient rivers, search for signs of life and plan future travels to the Red Planet.
Taught by: Jim O’Leary
Lewes (Trinity Faith Education Building): September 10, 2026 to November 19, 2026
Thursday at 9:00 AM
Climate change may ultimately prove to be the biggest challenge that humanity will face in the 21st century. This course examines the phenomenon of climate change and its interconnection to numerous topics including public health, ocean health, cultural heritage, indigenous science and more. The primary objective of this course is to expand student knowledge and leave participants with a greater sense of empowerment upon completion of the course. This course is designed to be highly inclusive; students from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to participate.
Taught by: Bernd Geels
Online: October 22, 2026 to November 19, 2026
Thursday at 12:45 PM
This course is about achieving breakthroughs in trading and investing, based on principles of mastery. Course covers strategies and techniques used by exceptionally successful investors and how we can implement them. CANSLIM, Chaikin and Wall Street methods are discussed along with state-of-the-art psychological processes used by successful investors.
Taught by: Anil Parikh
Wilmington (Arsht Hall): September 10, 2026 to November 19, 2026
Thursday at 10:45 AM
Knowledgeable guest speakers present lectures on timely regional, national and international issues across a broad spectrum of topics, followed by a lively question and answer session.
Taught by: Peg Stanford, Jeff Ostroff, Nancy Hannigan
Online: October 22, 2026 to November 19, 2026
Thursday at 9:00 AM
Estate planning organizes your affairs to accomplish long range goals for yourself and your family. We explore the three stages of estate planning, clarify the role of a power of attorney, unravel the probate process and explain the use of trusts to avoid probate. This class also covers personal property memorandums, jointly owned assets and appropriate beneficiary designations as well as the ethics surrounding asset protection planning.
Taught by: Michele Procino-Wells, Amber Woodland
Online: September 9, 2026 to November 18, 2026
Wednesday at 9:00 AM
This is a continuing class to assist retired or near-retirement investors to find, evaluate and determine the safety and suitability of various investment choices for their portfolios. Factors such as risk and reward, and information such as earnings, dividends, etc. are discussed. We focus the discussion on three broad subjects: investment themes, tools of the trade and the state of the market. Course schedule and materials are posted on a class website at http://udel.edu/~diyinvst.
Taught by: Ron Materniak, Rajeev Vaidya
Online: September 9, 2026 to December 9, 2026
Wednesday at 10:45 AM
Prerequisite: Prior investing experience or coursework. Members interested in investment in stocks and other vehicles get together to exchange information. We seek intellectually curious, experienced investors with a diverse set of backgrounds, skill sets and life experiences. Discussion is aided by charts and comments obtained from internet financial sites. Sessions are led by study group participants.
Taught by: Bruce Crawford, Genie Floyd
Online: September 10, 2026 to November 19, 2026
Thursday at 10:45 AM
This course is designed to guide students as they prepare their homes for sale, focusing on optimizing financial returns in support of their retirement plans. Students receive valuable insight regarding managing personal possessions and guidance on transitioning into retirement living. Topics include prudent decision-making regarding property enhancement and effective ways to address home inspections, appraisals and more. Students receive a free copy of the instructor’s published course book.
Taught by: David Harrell
Wilmington (Arsht Hall): September 9, 2026 to December 9, 2026
Wednesday at 2:30 PM
As the world changes and investments become more complicated, your investment portfolio should also change. Topics include stock and bond analysis, exchange-traded funds, behavioral finance, international investments, and economic indicators and their relationship to the financial markets. Course also covers current trends in the world financial markets and encourages participants to have a plan and the correct asset allocation for their specific objectives.
Taught by: Theodore Zak
Online: September 9, 2026 to October 7, 2026
Wednesday at 2:30 PM
How do you make retirement as amazing as you want it to be? This course guides you through a simple, systematic process of thinking strategically about who you are, and how you spend both your time and money.
Taught by: Leonard Hayduchok
Online: September 9, 2026 to October 7, 2026
Wednesday at 12:45 PM
This is a course on the basics of how to read stock charts. We will cover trends, support and resistance levels, chart patterns, indicators and oscillators. The goal is to enable you to start on the journey of technical analysis for making investment decisions. Materials for the course will be posted on a class website, https://udel.edu/~diyinvst/.
Taught by: Rajeev Vaidya, Rachel Mroz
On-Demand (online viewing is on your own schedule)
With testing the limits of the Constitution and Executive power in the news, we review constitutional doctrines and the legal and political culture that surrounds the U.S. Supreme Court. We spend time reviewing those noteworthy and influential decisions emanating from the current term. In addition, we revisit the civil jury system and the law of torts, considered one of the most popular first-year law school subjects. View this class on your own schedule. Viewing link is emailed to participants prior to the semester start.
Taught by: Eric Grayson
Ocean View Community Center: September 14, 2026 to October 12, 2026
Monday at 10:45 AM
In a rapidly evolving world, your financial plan and investments must keep pace. With markets offering more choices than ever, traditional strategies like the 60/40 portfolio and buy-and-hold may fall short. Are AI-driven investments or Bitcoin suitable for retirees? Join us to explore process-driven research, tax and financial planning, and other critical topics. This class is designed for everyone interested in markets and planning, with insights into advanced concepts for all levels.
Taught by: Michael Loftus
On-Demand (online viewing is on your own schedule)
Since the propaganda masters of World War II, through the Cold War and beyond, governments have used their power over media to influence public opinion. This course explores how propaganda is created, why it is effective, who uses it and why. We see how “news” media become collaborators in influence campaigns and how media sometimes resist. Topics include contemporary social media propaganda and why social media and the decline of journalism makes these efforts more effective than ever. View this class on your own schedule. Viewing link is emailed to participants prior to the semester start.
Taught by: Ralph Begleiter
Ocean View Community Center: September 9, 2026 to October 7, 2026
Wednesday at 2:30 PM
Join us for five sessions on these important financial topics: investing, healthcare in retirement, scam prevention, social security and creating your estate plan.
Taught by: Lance Rogers, Kevin Thompson, Jonathan Hodges
Lewes (Trinity Faith Education Building): September 14, 2026 to October 12, 2026
Monday at 10:45 AM
This course is for those who want to gain a sound, long-term perspective on artificial intelligence (AI). Students learn what AI actually is and how it impacts individuals, businesses and society as well as who is driving the technology and where they are taking us. Class also explores public policy and AI and AI and conflict.
Taught by: Jeff Alger
Online: October 19, 2026 to November 16, 2026
Monday at 2:30 PM
The nation is poised for a pivotal midterm election, a battle for control of Congress and a referendum on the current administration. The election punctuates a tumultuous era in American politics, marked by a nearly successful insurrection, dismantling of longstanding political party and congressional roles, unprecedented upheaval in American government, challenges to Constitutional precedents, and profound effects on campaigns and media. NOTE: Course necessarily includes some political content.
Taught by: Ralph Begleiter
Online: September 11, 2026 to November 20, 2026
Friday at 9:00 AM
As current events and political debates test the resilience of our Constitution, we review key constitutional doctrines and their inherent consequences that surround the U.S. Supreme Court. We distill, analyze and simplify those influential, complex and noteworthy decisions emanating from the Court’s current term. In addition, it has been over five years since the passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. We revisit her life as well as her compelling contributions and influence upon the law.
Taught by: Eric Grayson
Online: September 10, 2026 to November 19, 2026
Thursday at 3:30 PM
Meet with fellow genealogy enthusiasts and family history buffs in an informal, collaborative setting to share our genealogy successes and to give and get help in solving some of the “brick wall” mysteries in our family trees. Each week, there is a general theme and an informal presentation to get us started, followed by group discussion. The only prerequisite for this course is an enthusiasm for genealogy. All levels of experience are welcome.
Taught by: Barbara Hamming
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