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Don’t Forget – Our Members Get Discounts On All Osher Offerings!
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Osher Offerings
- Fall 2025 Catalog PDF
- Click the red course titles below to sign up for your courses.
- Click the red instructor names below to learn more about who’s leading courses at Osher.
- You can also submit a registration form to sign up for courses.
- If you need assistance, please visit our How to Register tab above.
Osher Annual Membership
Duration: Summer, Fall, Spring
Your membership is valid for one person for three consecutive terms from the date you join. Members have access to all Osher courses and benefits. Course fees, parking fees, and special events fees are not included in your membership. Pay one time to get access to classes all year long.
Please purchase your annual membership BEFORE registering for courses.
Cost: $99 (one person per membership)
Course Categories
Aging Finance & Retirement
| Courses | Date(s) | Day(s) | Time | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-Weeks (In-Person): The Cycle of Life: Conversations on Life, Death, and Living Fully Instructor: Natasha Nace | 10/22 – 11/5 | Weds | 10 am-12 pm | 99842 |
Inspired by a Los Angeles Times article, this 2-day workshop tackles death openly and honestly. We’ll create a safe space to discuss…
Arts and Humanities
| Courses | Date(s) | Day(s) | Time | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture (Hybrid): A History of Modern Ireland Instructor: Scott Meyer | 9/17 | Weds | 10am – 12pm | 99813 |
How did Ireland come to make such a lasting impact on the modern world? What is the future of Ireland in the context of Brexit, the…
| Courses | Date(s) | Day(s) | Time | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture (In-Person): Women Psychoanalyst: Stories and Theories Instructor: Oliva Espin | 10/6 | Mon | 10 am-12 pm | 99810 |
Despite its critics and flaws, psychoanalysis continues to be a cultural force in our world. In this introductory-course we will…
| Courses | Date(s) | Day(s) | Time | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Weeks (In-Person): Peer-Led Immersive Book Club Instructor: Judith Wenker | 10/6 – 11/3 | Mon | 1 pm-2:30 pm | 99809 |
Have you ever thought about how we gather, retain, and pass on data, with today’s modern technology changing our lives…
| Courses | Date(s) | Day(s) | Time | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture (Hybrid): What It Was: Growing Up When the Music Mattered Instructor: James Pagliasotti | 10/8 | Weds | 1 pm-3 pm | 99806 |
Please join us as we examine music, media, and culture at a time of profound social upheaval. At its core, music is a classic struggle…
| Courses | Date(s) | Day(s) | Time | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6-Weeks (In-Person): Art History: Hallmarks of Greatness Instructor: Damon Hitchcock | 10/17 – 11/21 | Fri | 9:30 am-11:30 am | 99804 |
Through visually illustrated lectures and an investigative nature, this course will examine the cultural values and aspirations of …
| Courses | Date(s) | Day(s) | Time | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6-Weeks (In-Person): Studio Art, Drawing: Building Confidence and Self-Esteem Instructor: Damon Hitchcock | 10/20 – 11/24 | Mon | 9:30 am-11:30 am | 99805 |
Acknowledging the visual principles of drawing can be richly rewarding. Identifying and recording these fundamental techniques with…
| Courses | Date(s) | Day(s) | Time | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-Weeks (In-Person): The Renaissance in Italy Instructor: Joanne Ferraro | 10/22 – 10/29 | Weds | 1 pm-3 pm | 99807 |
The legacy of the Renaissance in Italy continues to inspire mass tourism, fairs, theater, neo-Renaissance art markets, and historical period…
| Courses | Date(s) | Day(s) | Time | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-Days (In-Person): History Talks John D. Spreckels & the Making of San Diego Instructor: Sandra Bonura | 10/29 – 11/1 | Weds, Sat | 10 am-12 pm | 99812 |
Learn why the creator and host of Ken Kramer’s “About San Diego” on KPBS-TV BUILDER said “Sandra Bonura’s biography of John…
| Courses | Date(s) | Day(s) | Time | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-Weeks (In-Person): State of the Doc: What the 2025 Oscars Tell Us Instructor: Rebecca Romani | 11/4 – 11/18 | Tues | 1 pm-4 pm | 99811 |
The 2025 Oscar nominations for Best Documentary Feature are historic in many ways. Most are directed by new names. All tell…
| Courses | Date(s) | Day(s) | Time | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-Weeks (In-Person): America’s National Parks – Part 1: The Natural Parks Instructor: Constantine Dillon | 11/5 – 11/12 | Weds | 1 pm-3 pm | 99803 |
There are more than 430 parks in the National Park System and not all are as famous as Yosemite and Yellowstone. Grasping the…
| Courses | Date(s) | Day(s) | Time | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture (In-Person): Walter Cronkite – “The Most Trusted Man in America” Instructor: Blaine Davies | 11/12 | Weds | 10 am-12 pm | 99802 |
Today, most Americans turn to news sources aligned with their political beliefs. But in the 1960s and 1970s, many Americans, Democrats…
| Courses | Date(s) | Day(s) | Time | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-Weeks (In-Person): Osher Book Club: Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and James Instructor: Jonnie Wilson & Melanie Dunn | 11/13 – 11/20 | Thurs | 10 am-12 pm | 99808 |
You may be familiar with Mark Twain’s “Huck Finn”, but have you read “James”, Percival Everett’s 2024 retelling of this American…
Osher Membership
| Courses | Date(s) | Day(s) | Time | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Terms: Fall 2025 Osher Annual Membership ( Fall 2025, Spring 2026, Summer 2026) | 8/4/25-5/8/26 | 99800 |
| Courses | Date(s) | Day(s) | Time | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Term: Fall 2025 Osher Semester Membership | 8/4/25-12/5/25 | 99801 |
Osher Online
| Courses | Date(s) | Day(s) | Time | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6-Weeks (Online): The Life and Times of Nikola Tesla Instructor: Marc Seifer | 10/6 – 11/10 | Mon | 12 pm-1:30 pm | 99836 |
This course explores the life and innovations of Nikola Tesla, from his early experiments in electricity to his groundbreaking work in…
| Courses | Date(s) | Day(s) | Time | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6-Weeks (Online): From Bauhaus to Brutalism: Modern and Contemporary Architecture Instructor: Eleanor Schrader | 10/6 – 11/10 | Mon | 4 pm-5:30 pm | 99828 |
The post–World War I era saw a dramatic shift away from traditional 19th century architecture, as architects, designers, and social…
| Courses | Date(s) | Day(s) | Time | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6-Week (Online): The African American Military Experience: From Revolution to Civil Rights Instructor: John Langllier | 10/7 – 11/11 | Tues | 4 pm-5:30 pm | 99833 |
African Americans have served in every US military conflict, fighting for both their country and their own rights. From Black patriots in the…
| Courses | Date(s) | Day(s) | Time | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6-Week (Online): Creative Conservation Instructor: Stephanie Arne | 10/8 – 11/12 | Wed | 2 pm-3:30 pm | 99839 |
Become educated, entertained, and empowered to become more effective stewards of the natural world. Through real-life conservation…
| Courses | Date(s) | Day(s) | Time | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6-Week (Online): Impressionism: Color Light and Leisure Instructor: Lauren Weingarden | 10/9 – 11/13 | Thurs | 12 pm-1:30 pm | 99835 |
Impressionist painters revolutionized art with a new style that emphasized changing atmospheric effects and luminous color…
| Courses | Date(s) | Day(s) | Time | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6-Week (Online): Legendary Shipwrecks of the Great Lakes: Tales from the Inland Seas Instructor: Anna Lardinois | 10/9 – 11/13 | Thurs | 4 pm-5:30 pm | 99825 |
Beneath the surface of the Great Lakes lie thousands of shipwrecks, each with a story to tell. This course brings these lost vessels…
| Courses | Date(s) | Day(s) | Time | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6-Week (Online): The Films of John Cassavetes and Gena Rowlands: Innovation in Filmmaking and Performance Instructor: Heather Brown | 10/10 – 11/14 | Fri | 8 am-9:30 am | 99832 |
This course examines the groundbreaking collaboration between John Cassavetes and Gena Rowlands, two pioneers of independent…
| Courses | Date(s) | Day(s) | Time | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6-Week (Online): Inequality and Economic Policy Instructor: Geoffrey Woglom | 10/14 – 11/18 | Tues | 10 am-11:30 am | 99831 |
Economics plays a central role in every aspect of society. This course examines the causes and potential solutions to inequality…
| Courses | Date(s) | Day(s) | Time | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6-Week (Online): Peeking Inside the Black Box Instructor: Johnnie Hendrickson | 10/14 – 11/18 | Tues | 12 pm-1:30 pm | 99834 |
Have you ever felt like scientists are constantly changing their minds? Do you wonder when research can be trusted to guide…
| Courses | Date(s) | Day(s) | Time | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6-Week (Online): American History in Six Songs (Approximately) Instructor: Matt Jennings | 10/14 – 11/18 | Tues | 2 pm-3:30 pm | 99837 |
Music has long reflected and shaped American history. This course explores pivotal moments through six influential songs, tracing…
| Courses | Date(s) | Day(s) | Time | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6-Week (Online): Alexander Graham Bell and the Telephone, 150 Years Later Instructor: Bernard (Bernie) Carlson | 10/15 – 11/19 | Weds | 8 am-9:30 am | 99840 |
The telephone revolutionized communication and business, but how was it invented? This course explores Alexander Graham…
| Courses | Date(s) | Day(s) | Time | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6-Week (Online): Public Health in Action: Addressing Stress, Equity, and Solutions Instructor: Faith Ogungbe | 10/15 – 11/19 | Weds | 4 pm-5:30 pm | 99830 |
In this course, participants will explore the social determinants of health, the physiological mechanisms of stress, and the effects…
| Courses | Date(s) | Day(s) | Time | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6-Week (Online): In Darwin’s Footsteps: A Journey to the Galapagos Instructor: Eric Simon | 10/16 – 11/20 | Thurs | 8 am-9:30 am | 99829 |
From 1831-1836, Charles Darwin circumnavigated the globe aboard the HMS Beagle. In the Galapagos Islands and elsewhere, Darwin…
| Courses | Date(s) | Day(s) | Time | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6-Week (Online): Languages of the World Instructor: Asya Pereltsvaig | 10/16 – 11/20 | Thurs | 10 am-11:30 am | 99826 |
Explore the world’s linguistic diversity. With more than 7,000 languages spoken today, their evolution reveals insights into…
| Courses | Date(s) | Day(s) | Time | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6-Week (Online): The Power of One in Steven Spielberg Films Instructor: Bernard (Butch) Epps | 10/20 – 11/24 | Mon | 10 am-11:30 am | 99827 |
In Steven Spielberg’s Academy Award-winning Schindler’s List (1993), a character quotes from scripture: “He who saves…
| Courses | Date(s) | Day(s) | Time | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6-Week (Online): Graceful Exits: Exploring the Economics, Ethics & Ethos of Death With Dignity Instructor: Aleen Bayard | 10/20 – 11/24 | Mon | 2 pm-3:30 am | 99824 |
This course explores the complex issue of Death with Dignity, also known as assisted suicide, through its historical development…
| Courses | Date(s) | Day(s) | Time | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6-Week (Online): The Magic of Motown Instructor: Mike Agron | 10/28 – 12/2 | Tues | 8 am-9:30 am | 99838 |
Explore Motown’s golden era (1950s-1970s) and its lasting impact on music and culture. This course examines Motown’s signature…
Personal Development & Special Interest
| Courses | Date(s) | Day(s) | Time | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture (In-Person): Generational Diversity Instructor: Jacqueline Penhos | 9/23 | Tues | 10 am-12 pm | 99815 |
Students will receive a multitude of gems, including fostering an inclusive culture that celebrates the contributions of all age groups…
| Courses | Date(s) | Day(s) | Time | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture (Hybrid): Lessons from the Great Depression Instructor: Ed Linz | 10/15 | Weds | 10 am-12 pm | 99814 |
The two-hour session will cover events in the 1920’s leading up to the start of The Great Depression, including ominous parallels between…
Politics & Current Events
| Courses | Date(s) | Day(s) | Time | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6-Weeks (In-Person): Politics, Religion, and the Court: Where Things Stand Instructor: Glenn Smith | 9/30 – 11/4 | Tues | 10 am-12 pm | 99816 |
Politics and religion are the two subjects not to be discussed in “polite company”, but they energize Americans and show up…
| Courses | Date(s) | Day(s) | Time | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-Weeks (In-Person): Political Violence Instructor: Mytili Bala | 10/3 – 10/10 | Fri | 1 pm-3 pm | 99818 |
This course provides an introduction to the study of political violence. We will define violence and examine its relation to power, understand…
| Courses | Date(s) | Day(s) | Time | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-Weeks (In-Person): News and Media in an Age of Mis/Disinformation Instructor: Martin Kruming | 11/6 – 11/13 | Thurs | 1 pm-3 pm | 99817 |
Who are today’s media? What’s fake news and what’s real? Where does news come from? Why are journalists important? When do the…
Religious Studies
| Courses | Date(s) | Day(s) | Time | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-Weeks (Hybrid): Indian Spirituality: How Is it Relevant in Our Life Instructor: Marie-France Latronche | 9/17 – 9/24 | Weds | 1 pm-3 pm | 99820 |
What is the purpose of life? What is spirituality? Through this course we will explore the main facets of Indian spiritual tradition and…
| Courses | Date(s) | Day(s) | Time | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture (In-Person): What are the Dead Sea Scrolls? Instructor: John Spencer | 12/4 | Thurs | 10 am-12 pm | 99819 |
This class will look at the historical and physical context of the Essene community that produced the Dead Sea Scrolls. We will explore…
Sciences
| Courses | Date(s) | Day(s) | Time | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture (In-Person): The Great Geological Perils of Portugal Instructor: Isabelle Sacramento-McJilton | 9/26 | Fri | 1 pm-3 pm | 99822 |
Have you wondered what caused the largest earthquake in Europe, or the tsunami that hit the Atlantic, or the volcanoes that plague…
| Courses | Date(s) | Day(s) | Time | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture (In-Person): Exploring AI: A Sandbox for Curious Minds Instructor: Maria Keckler | 9/27 | Sat | 10 am-12 pm | 99823 |
What’s all the buzz about AI (artificial intelligence)? How does it apply to me? If you are ready for an engaging workshop designed…
| Courses | Date(s) | Day(s) | Time | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-Weeks (In-Person): Enhancing Cognitive Skills through Mathematical Learning Instructor: Dave Nunez | 10/4 – 10/11 | Sat | 10 am-12 pm | 99821 |
Have you ever wondered how solving mathematical puzzles can sharpen your mind? Join us to explore the power of order of…
| Courses | Date(s) | Day(s) | Time | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture (In-Person): The Psychology of Social Influence and Persuasion: A Brief Exploration of Changing Hearts and Minds Instructor: Emilio Ulloa | 12/1 | Mon | 3 pm-5 pm | 99841 |
Learn about the psychological principles that drive human behavior and decision-making and explore people apply these concepts…
How to Register for Courses
Remember – Osher members receive discounts on all courses! Click here to discover the benefits of becoming an Osher member.
- Log in to your account. If you haven’t created an account yet, click here.
- Pick your courses from our online catalog and add them to your cart.
- Once you’ve added all your courses, click on the Checkout button.
- Complete the checkout process and pay.
- Once registered, you’ll receive a confirmation by email. Additional information like Zoom links and locations for in-person classes/Special Events will be sent in a separate email closer to the date of the event or the start of the course.
You can also submit a registration form to sign up for courses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Click the dropdown items below for the answers and additional details.
If this is your first time signing up for Osher offerings, you’ll need to create an account with SDSU Global Campus. Please complete the following steps:
- Click on SDSU Global Campus Student under Login at the top of the page.
- Click Create Account under Create a New Customer Account.
- Fill out your personal account information and click Create.
- Log in to your New Account using your Login and Password.
- Complete your Account profile information with any remaining required information.
- Activate your account by signing up for your first course. Click here to learn more.
If you need help creating or logging into your account, please contact the SDSU Global Campus IT Support Team at itsupport.global@sdsu.edu or 619-594-5893.
You can sign up for a membership at any time to receive the full benefits of the Osher @ SDSU community. Please note that you’ll need to sign up for membership before registering for an Osher course to get the membership discounts.
Once you’ve chosen which type of membership you’d like to purchase, please complete the following steps.
- Log in to your account. If you haven’t created an account yet, click here.
- Click here to choose your Osher Membership.
- Add your membership to the cart.
- If you’d like to sign up for courses in the same purchase, visit our online catalog and add your courses to the cart as well.
- Complete the checkout process and pay.
You can also sign up for membership by phone by calling 619-594-5152.
- Log in to your account.
- Go to My Academics.
- Click on Current Courses.
- View the list of courses displayed. If you’d like to view course details and the schedule, click on the schedule number link for the section you wish to view.
Registration deadlines are posted with each course on our website. Please register by the deadline for all courses and activities. You may request to register after the deadline with Osher staff approval, provided there is still room to enroll. Please note there is an additional $5 fee for late registration.
- Write to Osher@SDSU.edu to obtain approval
- Fill out an Osher Registration form
- Once approved, submit the registration form to enrollment.global@sdsu.edu.
- Contact cashier.global@sdsu.edu to submit payment
For questions or assistance with late registrations, please contact the SDSU Global Campus Registration Office at 619-594-5152
If a course/activity is full, there may be an option to put your name on a wait list. If a registered participant drops, those on the waitlist will be contacted in order and given a 24-hour period to register before the next person on the list is contacted. If you’re on the waitlist before the registration deadline and a spot opens up, you will not be charged a late fee to enroll.
Our university-quality classes start throughout the semester and can be up to six weeks long. You will find the specific start and end dates for each course/activity listed with their descriptions on our website. These dates will also appear on the confirmation letter sent to you after you register.
Osher classes are led by current and retired SDSU professors, faculty from other universities, professionals with recognized expertise in their fields, and award-winning artists and authors.
Yes, our offerings feature a mix of in-person and online classes. Please click on the Courses tab for details on specific courses.
Fees vary, depending on the type and length of the course. You will find each course fee listed with the description in the Courses tab above.
If we do not have sufficient enrollments to cover expenses related to the course, we will have to cancel the course. You can help by recruiting others to join you in the class. If your course is canceled, you have the option to transfer your registration to another eligible offering within the same semester or receive a full refund for your course.
Parking is conveniently located in Parking Structure 6, just steps away from the buildings where classes are held. The cost of parking per class is $2. Please refer to the Parking and Transportation section of our Additional Osher Resources page for more information.
Please refer to the Refund Policy section of our Additional Osher Resources page for more information.
Yes! We are pleased to offer mail-in registration for our members/ Please complete a Registration form and mail to:
SDSU University Bursar’s Office, SSW 2536
5500 Campanile Drive
San Diego, Ca., 92182-7425
Please make sure to reference your EMPL ID/Red ID number on the check and not what the check is for.
Hear From Our Members
The Osher Institute at SDSU provides a wide variety of courses, intellectual stimulation, knowledgeable teachers who are passionate about their topics, and the opportunity to meet new people. What’s not to love?
Need Support?
Email Osher: osher@sdsu.edu
Phone Registration: (619) 594-5152
Email Global Campus: enrollment.global@sdsu.edu
IT: itsupport.global@sdsu.edu
In Person: 5701 Hardy Ave Suite 303, San Diego, CA, 92115
