THIS CLASS HAS BEEN CANCELED! 

Explore the expanding role of Ulysses S. Grant in the war effort, the growing importance of diplomacy, and the increasing participation of African Americans in the conflict. We’ll also examine the early stages of Reconstruction and developments in the naval war.

Instructor: Jim Brown. born in central Pennsylvania, a West Point grad who has a MS in Electrical Engineering from Cal Tech and a MA in American History from the University of Penn. He had 2 great grandfathers who fought in and survived the Civil War and is tracing their battle journeys in documents and visits to battlefields where they fought.

Throughout history, propaganda has been used to misdirect, misinform and deflect truth and reality from people in order to create behavior and inspiration for political, religious and economic ideas. Language, art and music are the primary tools used for communication, and they have been used for both good and bad effect, often encouraging people to make stupid decisions. This program explores human gullibility, the pitfalls of language and communication, famous propagandists in history and how it affects us today in a world of social media, 24-hour “news” outlets, political pundits, politicians, friends and family.

Instructor: Steve Pollack lectures on culture, history, music and art in area schools, libraries, and community & continuing education groups.

We'll spend six weeks taking a look at many elements of our special Commonwealth. We'll first focus on Philadelphia, and look in turn at The 1876 Centennial Celebration, The Statuary in Fairmount Park, and The History of Newspapers in Philadelphia. We'll then go statewide with successive presentations on Ghost Towns in Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Turnpike, and Defunct Manufacturers Throughout the Commonwealth.

Instructor: Michael Martorelli has written more than a dozen articles for Financial History magazine and contributed three essays to the Essential Civil War Curriculum (ECWC). He has also written for several websites and given presentations at DelVal University's CLR and several local libraries. He earned an MA in History from American Military University.

NO CLASS SEPT 24

A multi-disciplinary exploration of liberal ideology and its applications to politics, economics, culture, education, and religion. The rise of liberalism from its roots in the Enlightenment. Declines of humanism, tolerance, and democratic values. The recent rise of technocracy, oligarchy, pseudo-science, populism, illiberalism, and neo-fascism in the United States. Ideas for resurrection of liberal democracy, as an antidote to authoritarian corruption and incompetence.

Instructor: Sanford Catz is a retired Lockheed Martin aerospace engineering manager; Greater Philadelphia Thinking Society organizer and discussion group leader; Temple University OLLI lifelong learning instructor of multi-disciplinary courses in science and the humanities. Credentials include: MEng, Engineering Sciences, Pennsylvania State University; BS, Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University.

*5 WEEKS: 9/12 - 10/17*

*NO CLASS ON 9/26*

Explore the most significant events of early modern history beginning with the fall of Constantinople and ending with industrialization and the American Civil War.

Instructor: Joseph Eble is a career Naval officer followed by over 20 years teaching at the college level. He has Masters degrees from Temple University and the Naval War College.

Our democracy has endured wars, depressions, and civil unrest. But today, the nation faces the threat of erosion from within. Can democracy itself survive? Learn about democracy’s institutions and principles, its flaws and anti-democratic legacies, and the challenges we face in safeguarding democracy today.

Instructor: David Starfield has lived and worked in UD for close to 40 years. For his contributions to the legal profession, he was recognized as a Life Fellow by the ABA's American Bar Foundation, as an AV rated attorney by Martindale and as a Superlawyer by Philadelphia Magazine. He has written extensively and presented seminars throughout his career.

The California Missions stand as some of the oldest structures in the state, marking a historic era from 1769 to 1834 when Spain established 21 religious and military outposts from San Diego to Sonoma. This presentation will explore the California Missions, examining their architectural, cultural, and economic contributions, as well as their lasting impact on Indigenous communities and California’s historical memory. Attendees will gain an understanding of the missions’ legacy.

Presenter: A retired Spanish language and literature teacher, Alicia Romeu holds master’s degrees in Romance Languages, Latin American History, and Educational Administration. Born in Mexico City, she now serves as a Philadelphia Museum of Art guide and teaches at Temple’s OLLI.