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Osher Online is a program from the Osher National Resource Center (NRC) at Northwestern University. These classes are delivered by the Osher NRC via Zoom, with participants from all over the country. All times listed are Eastern time.
OLLI at BCC is excited to be a part of this program. Registration closes on January 2 Osher Online classes are $60 each, and available to OLLI at BCC members only. Each class has a limit of 13 students from each participating OLLI. Osher Online classes are not recorded. After you register for Osher Online classes, you will receive a welcome email from the Osher NRC. This email will include an Osher Online username and password as well as a link to the Osher Online Website, through which you will access your classes. You will also have access to a pre-class orientation, where you'll get helpful information for accessing your class. There you'll find the class Zoom link, syllabus, discussion board and Customer Care contact information. It is recommended that you test your ability to log in before the start date of your class. On class days, you are also encouraged to log on 10-15 minutes before the start time. That will give you ample opportunity to get tech support and troubleshooting from the NRC if you need it. Osher Online classes are separate from our OLLI at BCC Winter Courses.
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Einstein without Tears: His Theories Explained
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Math and in Everyday Language
Tuesdays 5:00 - 6:30 p.m. Eastern time Zoom | Explore the fascinating world of Albert Einstein’s theories—no math or science background required. This course introduces key ideas like time travel, warped space, black holes, and gravitational waves, all in accessible terms. We will discover how modern science continues to confirm Einstein’s predictions and why his work remains a source of wonder for both scientists and science fiction fans. Andrew Fraknoi is the former chair of the astronomy department at Foothill College and now teaches noncredit astronomy courses at San Francisco State and the University of San Francisco. He is lead author of OpenStax Astronomy, the most widely used free introductory astronomy textbook in North America. Named California Professor of the Year in 2007, he frequently explains astronomy in everyday language on national radio programs. The International Astronomical Union named Asteroid 4859 Fraknoi in his honor as a recognition of his contributions to the public understanding of science. Learn more at http://fraknoi.com. |
Japanese History Through the Lens of Shogun |
Tuesdays 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. Eastern time Zoom Six Sessions: 1/20, 1/27, 2/3, 2/10, 2/17, 2/24 | Inspired by the 2024 FX mini-series Shogun, this course explores Japan’s transition from civil war to peace between the 15th and 18th centuries. We will examine the rise of key unifiers, the roles of diverse social groups (like merchants, peasants, women, and outcasts), and the era’s political, cultural, and artistic shifts. For fans of the series or those new to Japanese history, this course offers a rich, accessible introduction. Megan McClory is a doctoral candidate in history at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her research explores sword restrictions in early modern Japan and their role in shaping peace and power. A Global Research Fellow at Kokugakuin University, she has spent years living and studying in Japan and holds a BA from Brandeis University. |
The Magic Behind Film Scores: |
Wednesdays 5:00 - 6:30 p.m. Eastern time Zoom Six Sessions: 1/14, 1/21, 1/28, 2/4, 2/11, 2/18 | Discover how film music enhances storytelling, sets mood and place, defines character, and blends styles—jazz, classical, pop—into powerful cinematic impressions. We will discuss how composers shape emotion across genres like drama, romance, comedy, sci-fi, and westerns. From The Jazz Singer to James Bond, we will trace the evolution of film scores, spotlighting legendary composers such as Bernard Herrmann, Ennio Morricone, and John Williams. Celebrate the artistry of film music and its lasting emotional impact. Born in LA’s entertainment scene, Mike is a former high-tech exec and entrepreneur who now creates and delivers dynamic, story-driven seminars on music and entertainment. With a storyteller’s eye and a DJ’s ear, he’s led 15 acclaimed seminar series, each spotlighting a different facet of music and entertainment, for the Sacramento Renaissance Society and national lifelong learning groups including OLLI, Osher Online, Encore Learning, and more. |
The American Revolution Beyond the British Empire |
Saturdays 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. Eastern time Zoom Six Sessions: 1/17, 1/24, 1/31, 2/7, 2/14, 2/21 | This course reframes the American Revolution as a global event shaped by imperial rivalries and geopolitical forces. Each session focuses on a different group—Germans, French, Spaniards, South Asians, and others—revealing how their experiences intersected with the collapse of British rule in North America. By viewing the Revolution through a global lens, participants will uncover new perspectives on its causes, course, and consequences. Richard Bell, PhD, is Professor of History at the University of Maryland and author of Stolen, a finalist for the George Washington and Harriet Tubman Prizes. A National Endowment for the Humanities Public Scholar and Carnegie Fellow, he has held fellowships at Yale and Cambridge. His latest book, The American Revolution and the Fate of the World, was published in 2025. |
OLLI: the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Berkshire Community College OLLI at BCC Sponsors include: Berkshire Health Systems
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