Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Ringling College Announces its Winter Semester

December 21, 2022 – Sarasota

Registration is open for the 2023 winter semester at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Ringling College (OLLI at Ringling College), which offers noncredit educational opportunities for adults to pursue new interests, expand intellectual horizons, and enrich their lives. The semester, which runs Jan. 9-March 3, 2023, features more than 70 courses, lectures, and special presentations covering a wide variety of topics, including arts and entertainment, history, music appreciation, health, literature, philosophy, religion, and science. Semester highlights include “Flamboyant Florida Films”; “How Not to Be Wrong”; a free, two-part Medicare information series; and the fourth annual Listening to Women series. Classes are offered in-person at Sarasota Art Museum, the Ringling College Museum Campus, 1001 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, and online via Zoom.

Course highlights of the winter 2023 semester include:

Flamboyant Florida Films – Florida has been the fodder of several filmmakers who wish to express the funky side of Florida from The Villages to Vernon. Students will receive a list of six films to view in advance of the class, and class time will be devoted to lively discussion and debate.

Florida Maritime History – The script of Florida’s history is written on its waters. The men and women who sailed across the state and left their footprints in the sands of time are the subjects of this course which spans 16,000 years, from the introduction of humans to the peninsula to the Cuban Missile Crisis.  

How Not to Be Wrong – Taking its name from the title of Jordan Ellenberg’s book on mathematical and logical thinking, course topics will include the presentation of information, probability, different types of statistics, expectation, utility, correlation and causation, voting systems, and chaos.

Understanding Obesity from a Whole Health Perspective – This three-session course will explore obesity as a chronic disease from a broad perspective that involves physical, mental, emotional, nutritional, environmental, and spiritual dimensions of health. Learning more about unhealthy weight gain and obesity will help participants make personalized and sustainable lifestyle changes.

United States Vice Presidents – Take an exciting trip through history through the eyes of the U.S. vice presidents. One was charged with murder, one left his post to take care of his tavern, and one had to flee the country. All the stories are riveting, and some are unbelievable.

In addition to a host of courses, OLLI at Ringling College offers four lectures during the winter semester. General admission is $15 each.

Having Fun, Wish You Were Here! Illustrated History of the Postcard in Florida, Feb. 15, 2:30-3:30 pm – Take an exciting trip back to the days when Florida was a backwoods swamp in the 1900s through its transformation into a vacation paradise in the 1950s. Join veteran postcard collector Liz Coursen as she uses museum-quality postcards to tell the tale of how Florida progressed from alligator-infested waterways to bathing beauties cavorting on the beach.

The lecture series also includes “The Amazing Career and Great Escape of Judah P. Benjamin, Lion of the Confederacy,” on Jan. 18, 2:30-3:30 pm; “Reagan’s 1968 Dress Rehearsal … as a World Statesman,” on Feb. 3, 10:30-11:30 am; and “The Supreme Court and American History: Landmark Decisions,” on Feb. 7, 2:30-4 pm.

CONNECTIONS, the popular documentary film series, returns for the winter term. Eating Our Way to Extinction, Jan. 23, 2:30-4:30 pm, narrated by Kate Winslet, takes a good, hard look at how what we eat impacts the ecosystem of our planet. The Last Tourist, Feb. 20, 2:30-4:30 pm, examines the effects of mass tourism on our planet. Both films will be shown at the Ringling College Museum Campus; general admission is $15 each.

OLLI at Ringling College presents the fourth annual Listening to Women series from Jan. 26-March 2 at the Ringling College Museum Campus. This six-session series features 15 women and one robot whose innovations and accomplishments in a variety of fields are having an impact and influencing lives locally and globally. Speakers and moderators include Mercedes Soler, Renée James Gilmore, Neirda Thompson- Pemberton, Deshjuana Bagley, Jane (the robot), Sandra Frank, Jennifer Rominiecki, Virginia Shearer, Felice Schulaner, Patricia Anderson Turner, Nanette Crist, Erika Quartermaine, Helen Neal, Sarah Miller, Carrie Seidman, and Michele J. Hooper.

What You Should Know about Medicare is a free, two-part Medicare information series held on Jan. 13 and Feb. 10, 11 am-12:20 pm, at the Ringling College Museum Campus. These sessions are open to the public and will provide an understanding of how Medicare works including who is eligible, what it covers, how to choose a plan, your rights, and protecting your information. Pre-registration is required.

Lifelong Learning Through Travel is a free, two-part special presentation held on Feb. 2 and 9, 2:30-3:30 pm, at the Ringling College Museum Campus. Hosted by members of Friendship Force of Sarasota, learn about foreign and domestic cultural exchange journeys that include home hosting, sharing meals, and visiting local landmarks. Pre-registration is required.

To register, or for more information about becoming an OLLI member, visit www.OLLIatRinglingCollege.org or call 941-309-5111.