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Welcome to UCRs Osher Lifelong Learning Institute > Summer Term 2025 > Palm Desert In Person

Palm Desert In Person   

  • Making Contact: Close Encounters with Extraterrestrial Life in Film
  • Fee: $75.00
    Dates: 7/10/2025 - 8/7/2025
    Times: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
    Days: Th
    Sessions: 5
    Building: UCR-Palm Desert Center A
    Room: A-113
    Instructor: Bernard "Butch" Epps
    Seats Still Available: 21

    Science continues to bring us ever closer to proving the existence of life on other planets. However, in film we have been having such encounters with extraterrestrials with frequent regularity since George Melies’ 1904 silent short film, “A Trip to The Moon”. That said, we will narrow the field to a few notable case studies beginning with the 1950’s and onward as we watch, analyze and intelligently discuss the following science fiction films: “The Day The Earth Stood Still” (1951), “2001, A Space Odyssey” (1967), “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” (1977), “Contact” (1997) and “Ad Astra” (2019).

  • Please note that if you do not see the "Add to Cart" button under your course, you must first create a new account or sign in to your current account. If you do not have current membership, once you have signed in, add your membership to the cart in order to register for courses.
 

  • Current Events Discussion Group Hybrid Course
  • Fee: $45.00
    Dates: 7/11/2025 - 7/25/2025
    Times: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
    Days: F
    Sessions: 3
    Building: UCR-Palm Desert Center A
    Room: 209
    Instructor: Lara Bloomquist
    Seats Still Available: 15

    This course covers legal, social and political topics of the day based on articles, studies and brief foundational lectures. Articles, on both sides of an issue, will be taken from a variety of publications such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, The Economist, and more. All thoughtful views are welcomed and will be respected. 

  • Please note that if you do not see the "Add to Cart" button under your course, you must first create a new account or sign in to your current account. If you do not have current membership, once you have signed in, add your membership to the cart in order to register for courses.
 

  • The UN in the World: Relic or Relevant?
  • Fee: $45.00
    Dates: 8/14/2025 - 8/28/2025
    Times: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
    Days: Th
    Sessions: 3
    Building: UCR-Palm Desert Center A
    Room: A-113
    Instructor: Joseph Manso
    Seats Still Available: 27

    Created after WWII, the UN remains an imperfect ideal. We will look at the negotiations to create the UN, how it works including the dynamics of the Security Council, and ideas for reform.

  • Please note that if you do not see the "Add to Cart" button under your course, you must first create a new account or sign in to your current account. If you do not have current membership, once you have signed in, add your membership to the cart in order to register for courses.
 

  • Turning Points: The Age of Napoleon
  • Fee: $45.00
    Dates: 8/14/2025 - 8/28/2025
    Times: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
    Days: Th
    Sessions: 3
    Building: UCR-Palm Desert Center A
    Room: A-113
    Instructor: Bernard "Butch" Epps
    Seats Still Available: 28

    Within this context, we will watch and discuss the following documentary films. First, “The Louvre” focuses on its origins as a Royal Palace and its conversion to a public museum during the French Revolution up to today. Plus, an episode from “Simon Schama’s Power of Art” which puts the spotlight on the works of French painter Jacque-Lous David, an active supporter of the French Revolution, who aligned himself with Napoleon after Robespierre’s fall. We’ll wrap up with a PBS four-hour documentary on “Napoleon” shown in two parts over two weeks which covers his rise from obscurity to becoming Emperor of France, and his eventual downfall. Vive La Revolucion.

  • Please note that if you do not see the "Add to Cart" button under your course, you must first create a new account or sign in to your current account. If you do not have current membership, once you have signed in, add your membership to the cart in order to register for courses.
 

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