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Sessions: 1Class Date(s): 05-10-2024 to 05-10-2024Day(s) of the week: FridayTime: 01:00 PM-03:00 PM Central TimeInstructor: Carol Diaz GranadosTerm: OELocation: Zoom - St. Louis OasisThe 1904 World's Fair provided so many things to see that it was hard to decide just where to go first. A compelling option was the American Indian exhibits, showcasing the original inhabitants of our land. The exhibits provided extensive insights into various aspects of Native American culture, including different dwellings, traditional clothing, arts,... read more -
Sessions: 1Class Date(s): 05-13-2024 to 05-13-2024Day(s) of the week: MondayTime: 12:00 PM-01:30 PM Central TimeInstructor: Robert Ciaffa, Former Federal ProsecutorTerm: OELocation: Zoom - San Diego OasisThe internationalization of crime has resulted in many U.S. fugitives seeking refuge outside our national borders. In this discussion, former Federal Prosecutor Robert Ciaffa will explore the legal, diplomatic and policy issues surrounding international extraditions and prisoner transfer of foreign convicts. Using his first-hand experience as the... read more -
Sessions: 1Class Date(s): 05-14-2024 to 05-14-2024Day(s) of the week: TuesdayTime: 09:30 AM-11:00 AM Central TimeInstructor: David B Lindauer, Lt. Colonel (Ret.), US Army Signal CorpsTerm: OELocation: Zoom - Washington Metro OasisWith all of the recent WWII presentations that focused on various campaigns in Europe, we sometimes lose track of an equally hard-fought war in Asia. For nearly four years British and Indian forces fought a very arduous campaign in southeast Asia, not only against the Japanese but against hunger, disease, jungle conditions, mountains, and monsoons. And they... read more -
Sessions: 1Class Date(s): 05-14-2024 to 05-14-2024Day(s) of the week: TuesdayTime: 12:00 PM-01:30 PM Central TimeInstructor: Gary A. Rendsburg, Distinguished Professor, Jewish Studies, Rutgers UniversityTerm: OELocation: Zoom - Washington Metro OasisLearn the story of the groundbreaking discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls in 1947, including the explorations of the caves and the excavations at Qumran, and the progress of scholarly work in the subsequent 75 years. We also will look at the key documents themselves, with an eye to uncovering the salient features of the Essene community which produced these... read more -
Sessions: 1Class Date(s): 05-14-2024 to 05-14-2024Day(s) of the week: TuesdayTime: 01:00 PM-02:30 PM Central TimeInstructor: Bonnie VegaTerm: OELocation: Zoom - St. Louis OasisEmbark on a learning journey with Bonnie Vega as she delves into the lives of three influential First Ladies: Martha Washington, Dolley Madison, and Sarah Polk. Despite the absence of a written “job” description for the role of the First Lady, these women served as noteworthy role models for those who would later assume this position. Throughout... read more -
Sessions: 1Class Date(s): 05-14-2024 to 05-14-2024Day(s) of the week: TuesdayTime: 01:00 PM-03:00 PM Central TimeInstructor: Richard VennTerm: OELocation: Zoom - St. Louis OasisParticipate in a session with Richard Venn, Master of History from the University of Missouri, St. Louis. This marks the concluding segment, Part III, of a comprehensive three-part class on World War One. In this installment, we will delve into the U.S. entry into the war and its consequential effects on the war's ultimate outcome. Additionally, students... read more
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Sessions: 1Class Date(s): 05-21-2024 to 05-21-2024Day(s) of the week: TuesdayTime: 03:00 PM-04:00 PM Central TimeInstructor: Ricky Deutsch, BS Aerospace Engineering, MS, MBA, Former Captain US Air Force, Space CommandTerm: OELocation: Zoom - San Diego OasisAlcatraz has served as a fortress from the Spanish days through the Civil War, but it’s best known as the ultimate Federal Penitentiary. It held some of the most notorious men in the criminal underworld. No one was ever sentenced to Alcatraz – they had to “earn” it. All in sight and sound of one of America’s most glamorous cities. The rock... read more -
Sessions: 1Class Date(s): 05-22-2024 to 05-22-2024Day(s) of the week: WednesdayTime: 09:30 AM-11:00 AM Central TimeInstructor: Daryl Davis, MusicianTerm: OELocation: Zoom - Washington Metro OasisThis singer/songwriter icon introduced the Caribbean music known as Calypso to the U.S. and went on to become an ardent activist for Civil Rights. From the front line of music fame to the front line of marches and protests, Belafonte was an intense entertainer and leader. We will explore some of the many interesting facets of this complex man, who died at... read more -
Sessions: 1Class Date(s): 05-22-2024 to 05-22-2024Day(s) of the week: WednesdayTime: 10:00 AM-12:00 PM Central TimeInstructor: Richard VennTerm: OELocation: Zoom - St. Louis OasisThis class explores the evolution of baseball, tracing its origins, dispelling myths about its "invention" by Abner Doubleday, and exploring its transition from an amateur pastime among gentlemen to a robust and influential business. The narrative will unfold, capturing the essence of the sport's growth, and delving into the infamous scandal that nearly... read more
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Sessions: 1Class Date(s): 05-22-2024 to 05-22-2024Day(s) of the week: WednesdayTime: 10:30 AM-12:15 PM Central TimeInstructor: Jim DuncanTerm: OELocation: Zoom - St. Louis OasisEmbark on a historical journey with Jim Duncan, M.A., as he delves into the fascinating stories of women in the fur trade. The fur trade, often regarded as the catalyst for the founding of St. Louis, was mainly led by the involvement of early French settlers, with the exception of a few elite government employees. With a majority of these settlers engaged... read more
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Sessions: 1Class Date(s): 05-23-2024 to 05-23-2024Day(s) of the week: ThursdayTime: 09:30 AM-11:00 AM Central TimeInstructor: Steven Gimbel, Professor of Philosophy, Gettysburg CollegeTerm: OELocation: Zoom - Washington Metro OasisHumans are conscious beings--at least after our morning coffee. But what is the source of this consciousness? It seems like it has to be the brain, the mind, and/or the soul. It is only in the 20th century that the concepts of mind, brain, and soul were completely differentiated. What do we mean by these ideas? How to they relate to one another? Should we... read more -
Sessions: 3Class Date(s): 05-23-2024 to 06-06-2024Day(s) of the week: ThursdayTime: 10:30 AM-12:30 PM Central TimeInstructor: Geoffrey MorrisonTerm: OELocation: Zoom - St. Louis OasisEmbark on a captivating exploration led by Geoffrey Morrison, a scholar with an MA and PhD in US History, as we delve into the transformative era known as "The Third American Revolution.” This illuminating journey unravels a complex tapestry of changes that defined the period, shaping the very fabric of our nation. From pervasive distrust in the federal... read more
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Sessions: 1Class Date(s): 05-28-2024 to 05-28-2024Day(s) of the week: TuesdayTime: 10:30 AM-11:45 AM Central TimeInstructor: Johnny RabbitTerm: OELocation: Zoom - St. Louis OasisTake a chronological journey through St. Louis's political landscape with Johnny Rabbitt, exploring influential figures such as Governors Alexander McNair and David Rowland Francis, Mayors Rolla Wells and A. J. Cervantes, and County Supervisors Lawrence K. Roos and Gene McNary. Dive into the rich tapestry of St. Louis history, touching on Senators,... read more
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Sessions: 1Class Date(s): 05-28-2024 to 05-28-2024Day(s) of the week: TuesdayTime: 12:00 PM-01:30 PM Central TimeInstructor: Sofia Laurein, PhD, Professor of HistoryTerm: OELocation: Zoom - San Diego OasisDid you know that the French fries are not French, Hawaiian pizza wasn’t invented in Hawaii and cheese can be used as a weapon? This tasty and appetizing presentation links your favorite foods to a major social or historical event while providing a crash course in ancient, classical and modern history. Explore the stories that wrapped up in the food on... read more
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Sessions: 1Class Date(s): 05-28-2024 to 05-28-2024Day(s) of the week: TuesdayTime: 01:00 PM-03:00 PM Central TimeInstructor: Pam J VaccaroTerm: OELocation: Zoom - St. Louis OasisDive into the culinary delights of the 1904 World's Fair with author Pam Vaccaro in "Beyond the Ice Cream Cone: The Whole Scoop on Food at the 1904 World's Fair." Uncover the truth about iconic inventions like iced tea, the hamburger, and the ice cream cone, dispelling lingering myths. Explore the gastronomic landscape of the Fair, discovering what... read more
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Sessions: 1Class Date(s): 05-29-2024 to 05-29-2024Day(s) of the week: WednesdayTime: 10:30 AM-11:30 AM Central TimeInstructor: Julie NicolaiTerm: OELocation: Zoom - St. Louis OasisExplore the history of racism in St. Louis with Julie Nicolai, Author of "Enslavement & the Underground Railroad in IL & MO" and a local historian with a BA & MA from Washington University in St. Louis. This insightful session aims to inspire collaboration for ending white privilege. Delve into stories of historical figures like Caroline... read more
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Sessions: 1Class Date(s): 05-30-2024 to 05-30-2024Day(s) of the week: ThursdayTime: 10:30 AM-11:45 AM Central TimeInstructor: Peter John BellisTerm: OELocation: Zoom - St. Louis OasisEnroll in a session led by Peter Bellis, Ph.D., specializing in English and American literature from Johns Hopkins University. In the mid-nineteenth century, today’s distinctions between high and low culture did not really exist—operas and freak shows could share the same stage. But after the civil war, a division began—between a vision of art as... read more
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Sessions: 2Class Date(s): 06-03-2024 to 06-10-2024Day(s) of the week: MondayTime: 10:00 AM-11:00 AM Central TimeInstructor: David WoodruffTerm: OELocation: Zoom - Rochester OasisThird Republic vs. Third Reich.>Ever since the age of Napoleon, the French military had been one of the best in all of Europe. That is, until 1940, when it joined with countries like Italy in the league of military jokes. France’s defeat was so rapid that the entire campaign was over in six weeks. And the leader of the French Republic even telephoned... read more
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Sessions: 1Class Date(s): 06-03-2024 to 06-03-2024Day(s) of the week: MondayTime: 12:00 PM-01:30 PM Central TimeInstructor: Denver Brunsman, Associate Chair, Department of History, George Washington UniversityTerm: OELocation: Zoom - Washington Metro OasisAs we head into the fall election, Denver Brunsman of George Washington University will discuss the history of the Electoral College. Agreed to in the last days of the Constitutional Convention, the Electoral College persists to this day as a relic of 18th-century political thought and compromise. Why did the framers of the Constitution create such a... read more
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Sessions: 1Class Date(s): 06-04-2024 to 06-04-2024Day(s) of the week: TuesdayTime: 09:30 AM-11:00 AM Central TimeInstructor: Richard Bell, Professor of History, University of MarylandTerm: OELocation: Zoom - Washington Metro OasisSeen through American eyes, the Revolution marks a triumphant moment. Through British eyes, it looked quite different. To the King, the war for independence was an affront, a temper tantrum by an ungrateful colonial rabble. But, as historian Richard Bell explains, beyond the palace and Parliament, British responses to the war were anything but monolithic.... read more