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News Release EVENT NEWS RELEASE / December 5, 2008 Boise State's Osher Institute Offers Wide Array of Programming for Adult Learners in Spring 2009 Season The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Boise State University will kick off its spring season in January with the widest array of programming for adult learners in its seven-year history. Topics will range from the evolution of Islam to “Bleak House” by Charles Dickens, and from Hollywood movies to wines of the world. Membership in the Osher Institute costs $35 for the spring season and covers seating at lectures in the independent lecture series and the opportunity to register for the institute’s short-term courses. Scholarship assistance also is available. The season kicks off with two celebratory signature events on Jan. 14-15 that are open to the public and provide a sampler of the institute. Registration for members is now open, with tickets being offered to the public beginning Dec. 15. The events are made possible due to the generous support of the Bernard Osher Foundation. The Institute just received its third $100,000 grant from the national foundation since 2006, allowing it to expand programming and keep the cost affordable. Membership increased this year by 60 percent. The Osher Institute began as the Renaissance Institute seven years ago and changed its name in 2006 when it received its first Bernard Osher Foundation grant. The Institute works with a number of community partners, including the Discovery Center and the Idaho Botanical Garden, as well as many Boise State faculty members, to offer its members unique experiences. To meet increasing demand, there are more classes and lectures than ever before, many taking the form of field trips. The summer season will include a four-day trip to Yellowstone, fly-fishing classes and a humanities lecture series at the Idaho Botanical Garden. For more information about the institute, visit www.boisestate.edu/osher or call 426-1709. Here are details on the spring 2009 season: Signature events A Celebration for the Spirit will begin at 8 p.m. Jan. 14 in the Student Union Special Events Center. The cost is $15. Performances will range from jazz to Stravinsky. Local artists including Jim Ogle, emeritus conductor of the Boise Philharmonic, Boise’s renowned jazz pianist Chuck Smith and the Smith-Mayhew Trio, dramatist Gordon Reinhart and dancers from the Idaho Dance Theatre will provide a spectacular evening of music, story and dance. Smith and his trio will open the evening, followed by a select orchestra performing Stravinsky’s “The Soldier’s Tale” enhanced by narration and dance. The orchestra includes Jill Rowley, violin; Leslie Moreau, clarinet; Janelle Oberbillig, bassoon; Brad Peters, trumpet; David Mathie, trombone; Jack Koncel, bass; and John Baldwin, percussion. A Celebration for the Mind will be held from 10 a.m.-noon on Jan. 15 in the Summit Room, Boise Centre on The Grove. Cost is $10. In a format similar to that made popular by journalist Fred Friendly, co-moderators Dr. Stephanie Witt and Dr. Jim Weatherby will present questions to a panel of former policy makers, academicians and journalists. The hypothetical scenarios, featuring dilemmas drawn from real life, will be developed around major ethical, legal and public policy questions, and will confront the participants with conflicts that clash with legitimate values. The panelists will struggle as they work their way through thickets of wrenching decisions. As Fred Friendly stated, “Our job is … to make the agony of decision-making so intense you can escape only by thinking.” Panelists include Pam Ahrens, Keith Allred, Elizabeth Fredrickson, Margaret Henbest, Bruce Newcomb, Dan Popkey, Betsy Russell and Steve Shaw. Classes (Open to Osher members) The Evolution of Islam: How Al Qaeda Emerged as a Powerful Movement Presenter: Shelton Woods Date: Thursdays, Jan. 22 and 29, Feb. 5 Time: 10 a.m.-noon Location: The Flicks Theater, 646 Fulton St., Boise Cost: $35 This three-week, six-hour course examines the evolution of Islam, particularly in the 20th century. Anticipate learning how various branches of this religion turned to terrorism. We will also study the roots of the antagonism that Sunni and Shiite terrorists have toward the United States. Woods is back at the request of the Institute. A professor of east/southeast Asia at Boise State, he is the author of four books and numerous articles on Asia. He received his Ph.D. from UCLA in 1993 and has been at Boise State since 1994. Woods was born in southeast Asia and spent his first 18 years in the Philippine highlands. This will be the fifth course Woods has taught for the Osher Institute. Bleak House by Charles Dickens Presenter: Dr. Carol Martin Dates: Mondays, Jan. 26, Feb. 2, 9, 16 and 23 Time: 10 a.m.-noon Location: Boise State University Foundation Conference Room, 2225 University Drive, Boise Cost: $55 Capacity: 20 In Bleak House, Charles Dickens brilliantly demonstrates his skill in managing multiple plots and creating vivid characters — Jo the crossing sweeper, Esther Summerson the orphan, Mr. Tulkinghorn the sinister attorney, and Mr. George the owner of a shooting gallery, to name just a few. From the vivid opening in foggy London to the dramatic close, Dickens used humor and pathos, suspense and surprise to keep his original readers coming back to buy each monthly installment. We’ll keep the suspense alive in the 21st century by reading and discussing the book in segments. Martin, a professor of English, teaches courses on British literature, particularly Victorian fiction and non-fiction prose. In addition to many articles, she is the author of three books: George Eliot’s Serial Fiction (Ohio State University Press, 1994), the Clarendon edition of Adam Bede (Oxford University Press, 2001), and the paperback edition of Adam Bede in Oxford World’s Classics series (2008). She founded the Literature for Lunch book group in 1980. Classical Mythology in the Visual Arts Presenter: Lee Ann Turner Date: Wednesdays, Jan. 28, Feb. 4, 11 and 18 Time: 10 a.m.-noon Location: The Flicks Theater, 646 Fulton St. Cost: $45 Until the last century, one of the main inspirations for much of Western European art was classical mythology. The stories of the ancient Greek gods inspired artists from Michelangelo to Picasso and can still be found referenced today in such things as the names of planets, a brand of car (Saturn), a candy bar (Mars), or dish washing soap (Ajax). This class will look at some of the most popularly depicted scenes in both the ancient and more recent visual arts. The emphasis will be on deciphering the images and identifying the main figures so you will be better equipped to read all future mythological narratives. Turner is a practicing archaeologist currently involved in fieldwork on the Greek island of Crete. She received her degrees in classical archaeology from Bryn Mawr College and the University of Pennsylvania. She is an associate professor in the Art Department at Boise State and heads the History of Art and Visual Culture program. An American Romance: Hollywood to Broadway 1920-1960 Presenter: Jacky O’Connor Date: Thursdays, Feb. 19 and 26, March 5 and 12 Time: 10 a.m.-noon Location: TownePlace Suites (Marriott), 1455 South Capital Blvd., Boise Cost: $45 For several decades in mid-20th century America, a set of dramatic texts emerged that were equally fit for the page, the stage, and the movie screen. The ensuing love affair between the New York theater and the Los Angeles movie communities left an incomparable legacy of highly regarded texts that still prompt star-studded revivals on Broadway and remain among the most beloved and critically acclaimed films of their time. These films chart American values and interests, aesthetics and fashion and ask us to consider our national character as it evolved then and continues to evolve today. Join us as O’Connor shares film clips and discusses some of the most celebrated and influential collaborations of stage and screen. Additionally, students from O’Connor’s undergraduate drama course will present staged readings. O’Connor is an associate professor of English at Boise State. She teaches courses in 20th century American literature, drama and performance studies. She has published extensively on Tennessee Williams and on 20th century American drama. She is currently writing a book called “Truth, Justice, and the Contemporary American Documentary Theatre.” The Punic Wars: Rome, Carthage, and the Struggle for Mastery of the Ancient Mediterranean World Presenter: Greg Raymond Date: Wednesdays, Feb. 25, March 4, 11 and 18 Time: 10 a.m.-noon Location: The Flicks Theater, 646 Fulton St., Boise Cost: $45 Two great powers, Rome and Carthage, collided in a series of three bitter wars between 264 and 146 BCE. Their struggle for supremacy over the ancient Mediterranean is steeped in myth and drama. In Virgil’s epic poem The Aeneid, Queen Dido of Carthage was seduced and then spurned by Aeneas, the legendary founder of Rome. Humiliated by her rejection, she cried out: “No love, no peace, between these nations, ever!” This course will examine the origins, conduct and consequences of the Punic Wars. In addition to involving some of the most colorful and noteworthy figures in antiquity, including the great military commanders Scipio Africanus and Hannibal, these wars raise timeless strategic and ethical questions about the behavior of powerful states locked in a deadly rivalry. Emphasis will be placed on the implications of these questions for contemporary world politics. Raymond is the Frank Church Professor of International Relations at Boise State. A former Pew Faculty Fellow at Harvard University, he was named Idaho Professor of the Year in 1994 by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. Raymond has received nine teaching excellence awards and has published 15 books on foreign policy and world politics. He has spoken on international issues at universities and government ministries in 22 countries. Wines of the World Presenter: Ted Judd Date: Mondays March 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30, April 6 Time: 1-3 p.m. Location: Seasons Deli, 1117 Winding Creek Drive, Eagle Cost: $65 Capacity: 25 Ever wondered what causes grapes of the same type to produce better wine in one area than another? Do you know which vineyards and regions of the world produce the best varieties of wines? Wonder how local and regional wines compare to wines of highly touted vineyards of other countries and regions? If you are a wine enthusiast, you will enjoy this class that focuses on such questions and provides opportunities to sample and compare wines of the world. Wine regions will include France (Bordeaux, Burgundy, Rhone), Italy (Tuscany, Piedmont, Umbria), Australia and New Zealand, Spain, South America (Chile, Argentina and Uruguay), and the United States (California, Washington, Oregon and Idaho). Varietals will include Chardonnay, Viognier, Pinot Grigio, Cabernet, Merlot, Malbec, Syrah and blends. Judd began his own commercial winemaking operation, Les Bois Winery, in 2006. He has traveled to many wine regions of the word including California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Italy, France and Spain. Guest experts will assist Judd in explaining the intricacies of the regions and wines. Alternative/Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Presenter: Ken Miller Date: Thursdays, March 26, April 2, 9 and 16 Time: 10 a.m.-noon Location: Idaho Power Building, 1221 West Idaho St., Boise Cost: $45 Come and consider Idaho’s clean energy future as we look at how Idaho can meet its energy needs for the coming generation through a combination of renewable energy, energy efficiency, and conservation measures. Presenters will first equip the group with an understanding of Idaho’s current energy portfolio and our leading potential sources of renewable energy, and will explore the untapped potential for energy-saving measures. Two field trips are part of the class — one to a Mountain Home wind farm and another to Banner Bank, one of the nation’s most energy efficient buildings. Participants will learn about clean energy initiatives and projects in the Treasure Valley, including Boise’s new climate initiative, the use of geothermal in downtown buildings, sustainability initiatives at Boise State, local efficiency programs offered by Idaho Power, the use of solar in our homes and businesses, and “smart growth” trends in the Treasure Valley. Miller is the Clean Energy Program Director for the Snake River Alliance and has served as the Idaho Energy Advocate for the Northwest Energy Coalition. Also a journalist, Miller has covered national and regional political and environmental issues in several states. He will be joined during the course of this class by other energy specialists, including Bob Neilson, Mike Heckler, John Steiner, Rich Rayhill, Alan Hausrath, John Gardner, Rachael Winer, Gary Christensen, John Weber and utility representatives. America in Black and White: A Short History about Race Presenter: Jill Gill Date: Mondays, April 13, 20 and 27, May 4 Time: 10 a.m.-noon Location: TownePlace Suites (Marriott), 1455 South Capital Blvd., Boise Cost: $45 Capacity: 90 How significant is race in the culture of our nation? What drives our thoughts and ideas about the significance of race? This course will probe the complexity of racial issues throughout our nation’s history with an emphasis upon white-black dynamics. It will help uncover relevant patterns and precedents that are particularly important for understanding racial issues today, especially in politics and economics. Gill, associate professor of history, teaches courses on the history of race, ethnicity and human rights at Boise State. She received her Ph.D. in American civilization at the University of Pennsylvania and has been at Boise State since 2000. Gill received outstanding reviews from her first class taught last spring. She is back by request. Digital Cameras and Photo Techniques Presenter: Mary Stieglitz Date: Tuesdays and Thursdays, May 5, 7, 12 and 14 Time: 1-3 p.m. Field trips to be arranged. Location: Boise State University Foundation Conference Room, 2225 University Drive Cost: $55 Capacity: 16 Digital cameras make photography easy, but are you getting the most from your camera? Have you trained your photographer’s eye to capture artistic and memorable photos? Would you benefit from fresh inspiration and more training regarding composition and light? Join us as we pick up where your camera manual leaves off. Review that manual and bring it with you to the first class where we will demystify camera operations, modes and settings. During the next sessions we will venture “into the field” to capture seasonal photo opportunities. The last class will consist of review and critique of images. Stieglitz, an artist and educator, recently served as Photographer in Residence for the National Park Service, MacNamara Foundation, and the Espy Foundation. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin, and a two-year post-doctorate from UW-Madison. She has achieved professorial rank at numerous universities including Iowa State University of Science and Technology where she served as Distinguished Scholar in Arts and Humanities. Lectures Opening the Archives Date: Monday, March 16 or Monday, March 23 (offered twice) Time: 10 a.m.-noon Location: Idaho State Historical Society, 2205 Old Penitentiary Road, Boise Would you like to learn about maps of the region that existed years before Boise existed? Curious about Idaho inmates? Interested in Idaho politics, history, government? Want to research your family tree? Satisfy your curiosity at the Idaho State Historical Society Public Archives and Research Library. This remarkable facility holds a vast amount of material related to the history of Idaho and the Pacific Northwest. The collections are extremely varied in subject, geographic area, and time periods. A wealth of historical and genealogical information is stored in many media, including manuscripts, public archives, books, periodicals, oral history interviews, motion picture films and videos, microfilm, and maps. In addition, the Library and Archives collection supports the Historical Society’s other collections as a repository of general reference materials. This is a lecture/field experience that includes both a brief lecture and a facility tour. Arranged by Rod House, interim state archivist Destination Boise: Refugee Resettlement Date: Wednesday, April 1 Time: 10 a.m.-noon Location: Boise State Albertsons Library, McCain Room, second floor Capacity: 70 Refugees have been arriving in Boise for almost 30 years, yet they are still not well known or understood. Just in the last six years more than 3,000 refugees have arrived in Idaho from Latin America, Europe, Africa and Asia. This lecture will cover a brief history/overview of the U.S. Refugee Program and the process of becoming a refugee. We will learn why cities like Boise are chosen to resettle refugees, what services are provided locally to refugees and how the community can become involved. Bruce-Bennion has worked with refugees for more than 13 years in a variety of capacities, both nationally and internationally. She has directed the Agency for New Americans for eight years. She has a master’s of education from Boston University in International Educational Development with a focus on refugee women and children. Engineering the Human Body: From Artificial Hips to Heart Valves Date: Wednesday, April 8 Time: 10 a.m.-noon Location: Boise State’s Student Union, Ballroom A (new section) Many significant advances in medical treatment, including advanced imaging systems, artificial joints and mechanical heart valves, could not have been made without the collaborative effort of teams of doctors and engineers. Biomedical engineering, a cross-disciplinary profession that integrates the engineering sciences with medicine, has been responsible for many of these medical advances. Using the perspective of a biomedical engineer, this lecture will describe the history, design requirements, and engineering challenges of several modern medical advances. Michelle Sabick earned her Ph.D. in biomedical engineering from the University of Iowa. Prior to joining the faculty at Boise State, she worked as a biomechanics researcher at the Steadman Hawkins Sports Medicine Foundation in Vail, Colo. She completed a postdoctoral fellowship in the Department of Orthopedics at the Mayo Clinic. Sabick is director of the Intermountain Orthopaedics Sports Medicine and Biomechanics Research Laboratory and co-director of the Center for Orthopaedic and Biomechanics Research at Boise State. Genetic Testing in Routine Medical Care: The Good, The Bad, and The Perplexing Date: Wednesday, April 15 Time: 10 a.m.-noon Location: Farnsworth Room, Boise State’s Student Union Capacity: 45 It’s likely that you or someone in your family will be offered genetic testing in the next few years. Advances in genetic technology are bringing genetic testing into mainstream healthcare. When used correctly, genetic tests help people and their health care providers make informed medical and life planning decisions. But they also raise questions of test accuracy, clinical usefulness and potential misinterpretation, as well as potentially affecting employability, insurability and affecting relationships in the extended family. Come learn more about what testing is currently available, how test results are used, and how genetic testing is changing medical care for people of all ages. Anne Spencer is a board-certified genetic counselor who has worked in the field for many years. Currently she works in the Idaho State Department of Health’s Genetic Services Program and leads the local Huntington’s Disease support group. The Boise WaterShed! Date: Wednesday, April 22 Time: 9 a.m.-noon Location: Boise Watershed Environmental Education Center, 11818 Joplin Road Capacity: 90 Water, art, education, the environment and technology. Where does it all come together? At the Boise WaterShed Environmental Education Center. A private-public partnership, this new LEED certified building is located at the West Boise Wastewater Treatment facility. This state-of-the-art interactive learning facility is integrated with captivating artwork. The purpose of the center is to inspire water stewardship in the region and to promote an understanding of our water resources. We will meet at the Boise WaterShed building and participate in three tours —to the exhibit hall, the water quality lab and to the wastewater treatment plant. Prepare to stand for about two hours and walk one mile outdoors as you learn about water treatment and water quality analysis. Arranged by Cindy Busche, education coordinator Special Events (open to Osher Institute members) Illusions of Education Just for Adults! An Evening at the Discovery Center Date: Tuesday, March 10 Time: 7-8:30 p.m. Location: Discovery Center of Idaho, 131 Myrtle St., Boise Cost: $15 Capacity: 100 Presenters: Janine Boire, executive director; Bill Molina, exhibits director; and Woody Sobey, education director “Imagine, Explore, Discover” is the motto of the Discovery Center of Idaho and this evening program will engage you in all three mind-expanding activities. The presenters will take you behind the scenes into the inner workings of the Discovery Center to explore how they create its unique brand of life-long learning. The evening will hold a few surprises as the facilitators provide demonstrations and activities challenging our assumptions of what we know to be true. Using the grounding of the field of heuristics and with some fun antics, the evening promises to be a pas de deux of theory and practice combined with fun. You’ll visit the exhibits workshop, see work in progress for the coming exhibition and be entertained by teasers of the outreach programs that DCI takes throughout Idaho. Light appetizers will be served. An Evening at the Races Date: Tuesday, May 19 Time: 4 p.m. Location: Les Bois Race Track Cost: $40 Capacity: 25 Learn about the world of thoroughbred horse racing when the Institute meets at the Les Boise Race Track with trainer Tanya Ellison. She will provide an overview of the life of an owner-trainer and will discuss the horses, their breeding, training and maintenance, as well as the economics involved in the profession and safety features of the sport. Professional handicapper Tom Doherty will follow by introducing the audience to the finer points of pari-mutuel betting. The group will have the opportunity to tour the facilities or stay in the Club Room and chat over appetizers. A supper buffet at the Turf Club will follow and participants will be provided with reserved seats, racing programs and an opportunity to go to the paddock to take a closer look at the horses. -30- Contact: Sherry Squires, University Communications, (208) 426-1563, ssquires@boisestate.edu Boise State University is “The New U Rising” with record student enrollment, new academic buildings, additional degree programs and a growing research agenda. Learn more at www.boisestate.edu.
Last reviewed on Wednesday, December 10, 2008
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