UCLL 0203 - OLLI Study Groups

In this age of conspiracy theories, why not read Andre´ Gide’s playful, brilliantly satirical tale, published in 1914 in France as Les Caves du Vatican, about con men conspiring to fleece the faithful in order to prevent the replacement of the real Pope by a fake Pope? The web of lies catches aristocrats, wastrels, and the gullible, according to their diverse motivations. Beautiful, amoral Lafcadio, perhaps one of the most original characters in modern fiction, moves among them and exploits the shenanigans for his own purposes. In each session we will discuss about 75 pages of the novel. The recommended edition is the Vintage; Reprint edition of Lafcadio’s Adventures by Andre´ Gide, available on Amazon.

Required material: Andre´ Gide, Lafcadio’s Adventures: A Novel, $16.00

Lafcadio’s Adventures by Andre´ Gide (In-Person)
Emese Soos, OLLI Member, Retired Tufts Faculty
4 Wednesdays, 10am - 12pm (5/29, 6/5, 6/12, 6/26)
Class will be held in-person at Brookhaven at Lexington.

If you have ever wondered about economics as a way of thinking, this study group might be for you. I especially welcome economic beginners. We will use a few economic principles to explore real-world issues that lend themselves to an economic perspective. A few examples: What’s happened to jobs and work during and after the pandemic, and why? Are we better off today than we were a decade ago, and why? The study group will be conducted seminar style, and in the spirit of inquiry and exploration rather than advocacy. There will be short pre-readings before each session.

The Dismal Science - Understanding the Economic Mindset
Eric Mankin, OLLI Member
4 Wednesdays, 10am - 12pm (5/29, 6/5, 6/12, 6/26)
Class will be held virtually on zoom.

Edgar Allan Poe famously wrote, “The death, then, of a beautiful woman is, unquestionably, the most poetical topic in the world.” In this course, we will explore some of the many tales Poe wrote about beautiful women who fall ill, die, and sometimes come back to life. In reading about dead and dying women, we will unpack what the stories reveal about ideals of femininity in the 1830s and 1840s, as well as how they can inform our modern understandings of beauty, death, gender, and horror. We will explore these topics and more as we read some of Poe’s most disturbing gothic tales including “Berenice,” “Morella,” “Ligeia,” “The Fall of the House of Usher,” “Eleonora,” and “The Oval Portrait.” Each week, we will read 1 or 2 short stories totaling about 20 pages. Links to electronic copies of all the stories will be provided.

“The Death of a Beautiful Woman”: Poe’s Dying Woman Tales
Jared Pence, Tufts Alum
4 Mondays, NEW TIME 6pm - 8pm (6/3, 6/10, 6/17, 6/24)
Class will be held virtually on zoom.

“Ancient Egypt.” It evokes the pyramids at Giza and the Step pyramid at Saqqara (among other fabled sites). However, the modern appearance of these sites is quite different from their look in antiquity or even 50 years ago. Over four sessions, I will narrate excerpts from traveler’s accounts and guidebooks (17th - 20th century) in the public domain to Giza, Saqqara, and other sites on the modern traveler’s bucket list. I will also dive into the Eurocentric/imperialist/colonial background that undergirded the development of Egypt’s modern tourist industry.

Ancient Egypt Through Travellers Eyes
Hannah Male, Tufts Alum
4 Mondays, 10am - 12pm (6/3, 6/10, 6/17, 6/24)
Class will be held virtually on zoom.

This course is designed for curious minds seeking to understand the profound impact of government on society and eager to contribute meaningfully to its evolution. Whether you’re a concerned citizen, a budding policymaker, or a professional looking to deepen your civic engagement, “Government Reimagined” is your gateway to informed and empowered participation.

• Unlock Your Civic Potential: Discover how your actions can directly contribute to the improvement of government and society.
• Gain Practical Skills: Acquire practical skills in navigating public policy, engaging in advocacy, and conceptualizing innovative solutions.
• Inspiration for Positive Change: Be inspired by real-world examples, thoughtprovoking readings, and engaging discussions that challenge you to reimagine the possibilities for positive change.
• Connect with Like-Minded Individuals: Join a community of learners passionate about civic responsibility and the betterment of governance.

Government Reimagined: The Crucial Role It Plays and Your Contribution to Its Betterment
Glenys D’Souza, Tufts Graduate Student
4 Mondays, 10am - 12pm (6/3, 6/10, 6/17, 6/24)
Class will be held virtually on zoom.

Embark on a captivating exploration of art repatriation and restitution in our course, “From Heist to Healing: Understanding and Addressing the Legacy of Stolen Art.” Through an interdisciplinary approach, we will dissect the historical contexts and legal frameworks that shape the narratives of looted artworks. By examining real-life cases, students will unravel the stories behind these lost masterpieces, exploring the impact of cultural heritage theft on both the countries of origin and the museums that house these contested treasures.

From Heist to Healing: Understanding and Addressing the Legacy of Stolen Art (Virtual)
Callan B. Moody, Tufts Staff
4 Tuesdays, 10am - 11am (6/4, 6/11, 6/18, 6/25)
Class will be held virtually on zoom.

This course will explore the rich traditions of the Kashmiri cottage pashmina industry including the origin of the art and current trends. Each lecture will include an opportunity for Q&A. Some lectures will include short video clips from Kashmir that illustrate each step of the pashmina production process. Group discussion will focus on the economic implications of factory-made pashminas and the future of the pashmina cottage industry.

Pashmina Passion: Textiles from Indian Kashmir
Lark Escobar, Tufts Alum
4 Tuesdays, 10am - 12pm (6/4, 6/11, 6/18, 6/25)
Class will be held virtually on zoom.

In this one-time lecture, we will explore the backstory that brought society Artificial Intelligence at the confluence of art, contemporary artists’ use of this technology in their practices, and we will then discuss the ethical implications.

Artificial Intelligence and Art
Hugh Leeman, Outside Instructor
1 Wednesday, 1:30pm - 3:30pm (6/5)
Class will be held virtually on zoom.

According to the CDC, 1 in 54 children are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the United States. Chances are, if you do not already know an autistic person, you will likely meet someone on the spectrum in the future. This course will explore the historical and current understanding of autism, demonstrate how autism impacts an individual and their family, and introduce course members to best practices for supporting autistic people in their own lives. Through lecture, discussion, and
guest speakers, the goal of this course is to promote awareness, acceptance, and understanding of the autism community for those who may be less familiar with this world. Study group members do not need to have prior knowledge of or experience with autism, but those who do are also welcome! People who have found this course to be helpful have included grandparents of autistic children, former teachers, and interested community members. We take a strengths-based, pro-neurodiversity approach and draw heavily from the work and perspectives of autistic scholars and advocates.

Autism in 2024
Simone Dufresne, Tufts Graduate Student
4 Thursdays, 10am - 12pm (6/6, 6/13, 6/20, 6/27)
Class will be held virtually on zoom.

This course teaches participants how to analyze sources to determine the credibility of information in print media, TV, social media, and beyond. The session will include a lecture and a Q & A session to help participants refine their information evaluation skills.

Information Literacy: Navigating Information in the Age of Fake News
Lark Escobar, Tufts Alum
Thursday, 10am - 12pm (6/6)
Class will be held virtually on zoom.

In this age of conspiracy theories, why not read Andre´ Gide’s playful, brilliantly satirical tale, published in 1914 in France as Les Caves du Vatican, about con men conspiring to fleece the faithful in order to prevent the replacement of the real Pope by a fake Pope? The web of lies catches aristocrats, wastrels, and the gullible, according to their diverse motivations. Beautiful, amoral Lafcadio, perhaps one of the most original characters in modern fiction, moves among them and exploits the shenanigans for his own purposes. In each session we will discuss about 75 pages of the novel. The recommended edition is the Vintage; Reprint edition of Lafcadio’s Adventures by Andre´ Gide, available on Amazon.

Required material: Andre´ Gide, Lafcadio’s Adventures: A Novel, $16.00

Lafcadio’s Adventures by Andre´ Gide (Virtual)
Emese Soos, OLLI Member, Retired Tufts Faculty
4 Thursdays, 1:30pm - 3:30pm (6/6, 6/13, 6/20, 6/27)
Class will be held virtually on zoom.

In this highly interactive course, applicable to both smartphone and digital camera users, you will learn about landscape composition, exposure, lenses, landscape equipment and accessories, depth-of-field, lighting, time and timing, photographing different seasons, dealing with flare, shooting in snow, photo editing and HDR, and more.

Landscape Photography
Eli Vega, Outside Instructor
4 Thursdays, 10am - 12pm (6/6, 6/13, 6/20, 6/27)
Class will be held virtually on zoom.

Exquisite and fragile, yet strong enough to migrate thousands of miles, monarch butterflies have captured our imaginations with their beauty and complexity. Elke and her husband Garth have gotten to know these magical creatures well while raising and releasing over two hundred butterflies. What makes these butterflies so special? How can we help them? And what happens when some tough urban teens encounter a butterfly raised by their classmates? In this lively presentation, Elke will discuss facts and myths about monarchs and share heartwarming stories and captivating photos from their experiences. She can also share tips for those who’d like to attract butterflies to their gardens or try raising some at home. Elke has given this presentation a number of times for OLLI, most recently in June 2022.

Magical Monarchs
Elke Jahns-Harms, Tufts Faculty
1 Friday, 10am - 12pm (6/7)
Class will be held in-person on the Tufts Medford/Somerville campus.

Even those of us who try to be open-minded often judge people differently based on the groups we each fall into: red state or blue, Black or White, Israeli or Palestinian. At the same time, many of us wish we could get beyond these differences: according to a recent poll, 87% of Americans are tired of how politically and culturally divided we are. How can the idea of in-group bias help us understand and change our own thinking? Do interactions with the “other” really help, and if so, under what conditions? We’ll draw on the fields of sociology and conflict resolution as we talk about a world-famous orchestra composed of young Arab and Israeli musicians trying to bridge their divides through music. This class is a repeat from last summer.

Beyond “Us vs. Them”: In-group bias, contact theory and the West Eastern Divan Orchestra
Elke Jahns-Harms, Tufts Faculty Member
1 Friday, 10am - 12pm (6/14)
Class will be held in-person on the Tufts Medford/Somerville campus.

Embark on a captivating exploration of art repatriation and restitution in our course, “From Heist to Healing: Understanding and Addressing the Legacy of Stolen Art.” Through an interdisciplinary approach, we will dissect the historical contexts and legal frameworks that shape the narratives of looted artworks. By examining real-life cases, students will unravel the stories behind these lost masterpieces, exploring the impact of cultural heritage theft on both the countries of origin and the museums that house these contested treasures.

From Heist to Healing: Understanding and Addressing the Legacy of Stolen Art (In-Person)
Callan B. Moody, Tufts Staff
2 Mondays, 10am - 12pm (6/17, 6/24)
Class will be held in-person at Brooksby Village in Peabody.

Milos Forman, the well-known Czech-American film director, won two Academy Awards, one for One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest and the other for Amadeus. We will view and discuss these two impressive films. Optional readings will be distributed via the internet. Classes will be between 3-4 hours.

Exploring Two Oscar Winning Classics From Milos Foreman
Allan Elfant, OLLI Member
2 Tuesdays, 1pm - 4:30pm (6/18, 6/25)
Class will be held virtually on zoom.