Espionage and Counterintelligence
Fee: $65.00
Dates: 4/7/2025 - 5/12/2025
Times: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Days: M
Sessions: 6
Building: UCR-Palm Desert Center A
Room:
Instructor: Gary Gomez
Seats Still Available: 29
The course will explore the activities and goals of espionage, what constitutes espionage, tradecraft, contemporary and past espionage cases, laws about espionage, and espionage as a tool of intelligence and statecraft. We will also discuss the meaning of counterintelligence (CI), the different types of CI, foreign counterintelligence activities, the roles and missions of government CI organizations, and how CI functions as an input and tool for national security policymaking and execution.
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.
On The Air: Pivotal Moments in Television Journalism
Fee: $35.00
Dates: 4/7/2025 - 4/21/2025
Times: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Days: M
Sessions: 3
Building:
Room:
Instructor: Bernard "Butch" Epps
Seats Still Available: 19
In this three-week course, we will watch and discuss two feature-length films with a documentary sandwiched in between that spotlight pivotal moments in journalistic responsibility during the early decades of broadcast television. Week One: Good Night and Good Luck Edward R. Murrow (played by David Strathairn) and a reluctant CBS management confront the demagoguery of Joseph McCarthy during the Red Scare. Week Two: JFK: One PM Central Standard Time provides a documentary account of Walter Cronkite at CBS managing the competing pressures of being the first to report and the need to get it right as events unfolded on the day of JFK’s assassination. Week Three: The recently released feature film, September 5th , dramatizes the decision-making pressures in the ABC Sports control room during the unfolding 1972 Munich Olympics hostage crisis. Moral and ethical challenges are aplenty for post-film discussions. Join us.
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.
Technology Driven Future
Fee: $35.00
Dates: 4/8/2025 - 4/22/2025
Times: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Days: Tu
Sessions: 3
Building: UCR-Palm Desert Center A
Room:
Instructor: Jag Dalal
Seats Still Available: 26
Is Blockchain strong enough to tie a bundle? When data is stored in the cloud, will it all come down when it rains? Will artificial intelligence take over humankind? Can I build my house with a 3-D printer? Of course, these are all crazy, funny, but not far-fetched thoughts. History has shown that technology has driven the future ever since people roamed the earth. The pace of technology has accelerated, and these are the transformative technologies driving our future. This is a continuation of the previous class on AI and Robotics and will address other Technologies that are changing the world. This three-course will address five different technologies and their foundations and uses in daily life.
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.
How the Heck are Hinduism & Buddhism Different?
Discuss Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism) and focus on those points that are common to all the many forms of this Spiritual Pathway. Then, explore Buddhism, with a follow-up on how they are different and the same. Differences and similarities between these two religions are discussed in depth.
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.
“Fred” Talks at OLLI (Instead of “TED” Talks on YouTube)
This course will present a relevant topic of health, science, or the environment, like the well-known “TED Talks.” For this 3-week course, the first topic will be very relevant to OLLI members: “The Physiology of Aging.” With so many concerns showing up in the news, the second topic is: “Does this cause cancer? or Alzheimer’s? or autism?”. Third, there appear to be breakthroughs in psychiatry called “The new therapeutic potential of psychedelic drugs like ketamine, LSD, or marijuana in treating PTSD and other mental diseases.” Come on in and learn new things!
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.
Let’s Talk About—The Illiberal Face of America Palm Desert
It’s historic. The country’s illiberal/anti-liberal tendencies can be traced back to the founding. It is even evidenced by reviewing the nation’s long-held affinity with authoritarian foreign dictators. Utilizing the scholarship of Steven Hahn, Jacob Heilbrunn, Robert Kagan, Federico Finchelstein, and Farid Zakaria, this class will discuss how the idea of popular anti-liberalism is not new. The ideologies of right-wing populism, anti-globalism, neo-nationalism, and authoritarianism have long been at odds with what was thought to be the nation’s liberal founding. The very idea of freedom for all remains in question.
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.
If You Can Speak, You Can Write
Fee: $65.00
Dates: 4/10/2025 - 5/15/2025
Times: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Days: Th
Sessions: 6
Building: UCR-Palm Desert Center A
Room:
Instructor: Lucy Smith
Seats Still Available: 35
With a bit of encouragement, classroom practice, and home assignments, this class will cover everything from fiction and non-fiction, poetry, encomium (what is that?), dialogue, ekphrastic writing (and, what is that?), journalism, screenwriting, and so much more. In this workshop course, quickly find your unique voice and style and enjoy doing it. We may even chat with basic grammar, punctuation, and spelling to make your words more creative than you thought possible.
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 Week's News in Review - Palm Desert
An interactive discussion of events shaping the news each week. Media sources include print, TV, the internet, and social media. This course will discuss politics, the economy, sports, show business, and topics pulled from the "headlines."
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 Past As Prologue: The Spirit of 1976 in Film
Uncle Sam is calling you to join us in three cheers for the Red, White, and Blue. On the eve of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the good old USA, we will watch, analyze, and discuss the five Oscar-nominated films for Best Picture, including the winner of Best Documentary, that were released during the bicentennial year of America's independence that continue to have cultural and historical importance. The films for your consideration will be presented in the following screening order: Bound for Glory, Harlan County: USA, All the President's Men, Network, Taxi Driver , and Oscar Champ, Rocky . Let the fireworks begin.
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
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. This class will be given as a hybrid class.
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.
Empowering Health with Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Holistic Approach
Embark on a transformative journey into Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) principles and practices. This 6-week course offers an in-depth exploration of Chinese herbal medicine, acupressure, self-massage techniques, Qigong and Tai Chi exercises, dietary therapy, and the mind-body connection. Each 2-hour session is crafted to provide practical, actionable insights and hands-on experiences, empowering participants to integrate TCM practices into their daily routines for improved health and well-being. Whether you want to further your knowledge in TCM or incorporate new wellness practices, this course will guide you toward a balanced, holistic lifestyle rooted in ancient wisdom.
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.
Introduction to Fine Fragrances
Fee: $65.00
Dates: 5/20/2025 - 6/24/2025
Times: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Days: Tu
Sessions: 6
Building: UCR-Palm Desert Center A
Room:
Instructor: Lisa Gomez
Seats Still Available: 34
Over six sessions, explore the history of fine fragrance and better understand how fragrances are created. Each session will provide the opportunity to smell and experience various natural and synthetic raw materials. Sessions will be theme-based and allow you to dive deep into rose, orange flowers, and specific fragrance families such as citrus, fougere, and chypre. Along with olfactory learning, we will discuss the mechanics of creating a delicate fragrance, setting up a home lab, and how to develop and use fragrance for candles.
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.
For All the World & Just for You
Fee: $65.00
Dates: 5/22/2025 - 6/26/2025
Times: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Days: Th
Sessions: 6
Building: UCR-Palm Desert Center A
Room:
Instructor: Lucy Smith
Seats Still Available: 99
Two opposites can attract - and enhance - your personal story. Whether you want to write your memoir but see it as a daunting task too monumental to conquer, this can help. If you write all sorts of things that no one will ever read, this, too, can be a learned skill. Memoir and journaling can readily go hand-in-hand, and with a bit of guidance, you will amaze yourself as you deeply delve into YOU and find yourself on a new and wondrous level you didn't realize existed.
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 Week's News in Review - Palm Desert
An interactive discussion of events shaping the news each week. Media sources include print, TV, the internet, and social media. This course will discuss politics, the economy, sports, show business, and topics pulled from the "headlines."
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.
Past, Present & Future: Time Travel in Film
In this fertile science-fiction sub-genre, we will focus on a carefully selected set of films ripe with juicy themes and critical commentary well suited for enjoyable viewing and serious discussion. Juicy themes are rooted in the “what if” yearning to visit or change the past or future to realize best our deepest wishes or to stem our darkest fears. The films we will watch and discuss as laid out in the following screening order are The Time Machine (1960), Planet of the Apes (1968), Somewhere in Time (1980), Midnight in Paris (2011), Déjà Vu (2006), and Arrival (2016) plus a short film or two.
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
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. This class will be given as a hybrid class.
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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