French cuisine, Tennessee Williams … and no homework!
New lifelong-learning program — for older adults — makes its debut this fall, under the aegis of UC Berkeley Extension

13 August 2003

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at UC Berkeley, a new membership program exclusively for adults age 50 and above, is offering its first lineup of courses this fall, on subjects ranging from cuisine in the history of French culture to new approaches to disease prevention. The first course begins Oct. 7.

Administered by UC Berkeley Extension, OLLI is a membership program drawing on the academic, cultural, and physical resources of the Berkeley campus to offer high-quality courses to older adults.

Taught by UC Berkeley emeriti faculty and other distinguished scholars, OLLI courses will meet for seven weeks, for two hours during the day, and require no homework or exams.

Eight courses will be offered in the program’s first term. “From Page to Stage to Silver Screen: The Plays of Tennessee Williams,” taught by John Warren Travis, professor emeritus of theater arts, looks at Williams’ work in rela-tionship to his life and views it in contrast to the world he faced. Leonard Johnson, a professor emeritus in the French department, will teach “Cuisine in the History of French Civilization,” tracing the evolution of French cuisine from the Middle Ages to the present, exploring the exceptional place that the preparation, consumption, and contemplation of food and wine have occupied in the rich history of French civilization.

Ernest Callenbach, retired acquisitions editor at the University of California Press and author of the influential novel Ecotopia, teaches “Ecology of the American Prospect: Issues for Our 21st Century,” a combination of lectures and discussion that aims to enable participants to understand the fundamental eco-social factors that will determine our future. “Gene(sis): The Art and Science of Genetics,” offered in conjunction with a major exhibition of art on genetic themes at the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive, is taught by Meredith Tromble, an authority on Bay Area art history. The course offers a unique opportunity to experience innovative contemporary art first-hand and discuss it in conjunction with such scientific developments as genetic engineering and the mapping of the human genome.

The other OLLI offerings for fall 2003 are “Preventing Disease: Some New Approaches,” taught by Leonard Syme, professor emeritus of the School of Public Health; “The Development of the American Soul,” taught by William Garrett, a professor of humanities at John F. Kennedy University; “Architectural Styles in Northern California: An Environmental History Study,” taught by Kenneth H. Cardwell, emeritus professor of architecture and an architectural preservationist; and “Gregorian Chant,” taught by Richard Crocker, professor emeritus of the Department of Music.

An open house celebrating the OLLI launch, featuring a keynote address by Chancellor Berdahl, will take place on Weds., Sept. 10, from 2 to 4 p.m at the UC Berkeley Art Museum Terraces. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet faculty and find out more about the fall course offerings.

UC Berkeley Extension is the continuing-education branch of the UC Berkeley. Extension offers more than 2,500 courses each year, including online courses, and more than 30 certificate programs and customized contract training.

For program information, call 642-4183 or visit www.unex.berkeley.edu/prog/olli.