Courses

Book Discussions

Get your Saturday mornings in gear with a lively discussion of a good book. This is a free benefit of your membership in SJSU’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.

Spanish Conversation Group (, from Sep 05, 2008 10:00 AM to Sep 05, 2008 12:00 PM)

Fridays, September 5 or 19; For more information, call (408) 924-2734; Fee: Free to Osher members

War and Peace (Sobrato Community Conference Center, Milpitas, from Sep 12, 2008 10:00 AM to Sep 12, 2008 12:00 PM)

Fridays, September 12 - October 10 (five sessions); 10:00 a.m. - 12 noon; Sobrato Community Conference Center, Milpitas; Fee: $75

The Vietnam War (The Villages: Foothill Center, from Sep 17, 2008 02:00 PM to Sep 17, 2008 04:00 PM)

Wednesdays, September 17 - October 22 (six sessions); 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.; The Villages: Foothill Center; Fee: $90

Brown Bag Cinema: The Vietnam War Class Free Add-On (The Villages: Foothill Center, from Sep 17, 2008 11:30 AM to Sep 17, 2008 02:00 PM)

Wednesdays, September 17 - October 22 (three sessions); 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.; The Villages: Foothill Center; Fee: Free (Limited to the Vietnam War Class attendees); September 17: Hamburger Hill; October 1: Letters from Vietnam; October 15: Coming Home

OLLI@SJSU Fall Hikes (Russian Ridge, from Sep 21, 2008 11:00 AM to Sep 21, 2008 03:00 PM)

Sunday, September 21; Sunday, October 5 and Saturday, November 8 (three sessions); 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.; Russian Ridge (9/21), Skyline Ridge (10/5) and Los Trancos (11/8); Fee: $50 for the series or $18 for a single hike

Paste, Paper and More: Turning Paper into Art (IES Classroom Building (384 S. Second Street, San José), from Sep 27, 2008 09:30 AM to Sep 27, 2008 04:00 PM)

Saturday, September 27 (one session); 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.; IES Classroom Building; Fee: $45 Materials fee: $20 (check payable to Patricia Smith)

Spanish Conversation Group (, from Oct 03, 2008 10:00 AM to Oct 03, 2008 12:00 PM)

Fridays, October 3 or 17; For more information, call (408) 924-2734; Fee: Free to Osher members

Spanish Conversation Group (, from Nov 07, 2008 10:00 AM to Nov 07, 2008 12:00 PM)

Fridays, November 7 or 21; For more information, call (408) 924-2734; Fee: Free to Osher members

The Play's the Thing: The Taming of the Shrew (Sobrato Community Conference Center, Milpitas, from Nov 14, 2008 10:00 AM to Nov 14, 2008 12:00 PM)

Fridays, November 14 and 21 (two sessions); 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon; Sobrato Community Conference Center, Milpitas; Fee: $30

Ten Discoveries that Rewrote History (Dr. Martin Luther King Library, Room 255-257, from Nov 15, 2008 10:00 AM to Nov 15, 2008 12:00 PM)

Saturday, November 15, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon (one session); Dr. Martin Luther King Library, Room 255-257; Fee:$20

Book Discussion: Where I was From and The Year of Magical Thinking (IES Classroom Bldg 384 S. Second St., San José, from Dec 06, 2008 01:00 PM to Dec 06, 2008 02:00 PM)

by Joan Didion; Saturday, December 6 (one session); 10:00 am - 12:00 noon; King library; Fee: free for members

I Can't Get No Satisfaction: The Psychology of Risk Taking (IES Classroom Building (384 S. Second Street, San José), from Jan 10, 2009 01:00 PM to Jan 10, 2009 04:00 PM)

Saturdays, January 10 and 17 (two sessions); 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. IES Classroom Building; Fee: $45; (Free parking in the city garage at Second and San Carlos)

Searching for Health Information on the Internet (IES Classroom Building (384 S. Second Street, San José), from Jan 24, 2009 10:00 AM to Jan 24, 2009 12:00 PM)

Saturday, January 24; 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon; IES Classroom Building (384 S. Second Street, San José); Fee: $12; (Free parking in the city garage at Second and San Carlos

OLLI@SJSU Fall Hikes (Skyline Ridge, from Oct 05, 2008 11:00 AM to Oct 05, 2008 03:00 PM)

Sunday, September 21; Sunday, October 5 and Saturday, November 8 (three sessions); 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.; Russian Ridge (9/21), Skyline Ridge (10/5) and Los Trancos (11/8); Fee: $50 for the series or $18 for a single hike

OLLI@SJSU Fall Hikes (Los Trancos, from Nov 08, 2008 11:00 AM to Nov 08, 2008 03:00 PM)

Sunday, September 21; Sunday, October 5 and Saturday, November 8 (three sessions); 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.; Russian Ridge (9/21), Skyline Ridge (10/5) and Los Trancos (11/8); Fee: $50 for the series or $18 for a single hike

Book Discussion: The World Without Us (IES Classroom Building (384 S. Second Street, San José), from Oct 04, 2008 10:00 AM to Oct 04, 2008 12:00 PM)

by Alan Weisman; Saturday, October 4 (one session); 10:00 - 12:00 noon; IES Classroom Bldg 384 S. Second St., San José; Fee: free for members

Great Men of the Silver Screen (The Villages: Vineyard Center, from Oct 07, 2008 10:00 AM to Oct 07, 2008 12:00 PM)

Tuesdays, October 7 - November 4 (five sessions); 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon; The Villages- Vineyard Center; Fee: $65

Brain Fitness: The Science and Practice (Martin Luther King Jr. Library, Rooms 255-257, from Oct 11, 2008 09:30 AM to Oct 11, 2008 03:30 PM)

Saturday, October 11 (one session); 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.; Martin Luther King Jr. Library, Rooms 255-257; Fee: $48 (includes instruction, materials and coffee services)

National Issues Forum (The Villages (Locations Vary), from Oct 23, 2008 06:30 PM to Nov 06, 2008 08:30 PM)

Thursdays, October 23, 30 and November 6; 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.; The Villages: locations vary; additional information will be provided when you receive your registration confirmation; Fee: $15 for the series or $6 per topic; Topics: (10/23) Energy Problem-Choices for an Uncertain Future (10/30) What is the 21st Century Mission of our Public Schools? (11/6) Coping with the Cost of Health Care

How the Santa Clara County Superior Court Works (Hall of Justice, Department 51, Hedding and Guadalupe, from Oct 17, 2008 12:00 PM to Oct 17, 2008 02:20 PM)

Friday, October 17 (one session); 12:00 noon - 2:20 p.m.; Hall of Justice, Department 51, Hedding and Guadalupe; Expressway, San José; Fee: $10

Food and Film (IES Classroom Building (384 S. Second Street, San José), from Oct 18, 2008 10:00 AM to Nov 08, 2008 02:00 PM)

Saturdays, October 18 - November 8 (three sessions); 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.; IES Classroom Building; Fee: $10 per film or $25 for the series (does not include meals)

Nu (So), You Think That's Funny? A Century of Jewish Humor in America (Centennial Recreation Center, Morgan Hill, from Jan 26, 2009 10:00 AM to Jan 26, 2009 12:00 PM)

Mondays, January 26, February 2, 9 and 16 (four sessions), Centennial Recreation Center, Morgan Hill, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon, Fee : $60

Anne of Green Gables at 100 (The Villages (Cribari Room), from Dec 08, 2008 10:00 AM to Dec 08, 2008 12:00 PM)

Monday, December 8, 2008, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon, Location: The Villages (Cribari Conference Room) Fee: $12

Photography: From the Camera Obscura to the Camera Phone (The Villages Cribari Center, from Nov 07, 2008 12:30 PM to Nov 07, 2008 02:30 PM)

Fridays, November 7, 14, and 21, 2008. 12:30-2:30 p.m., The Villages, Cribari Center, Fee: $40

A Meander Through the Field of Modern Physics (, from Jan 29, 2009 10:00 AM to Feb 19, 2009 12:00 PM)

Thursdays, January 29, February 5, 12, and 19 (four sessions), 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon, Location: Terraces of Los Gatos, Fee: $60

Young @ Heart (Centennial Recreation Center, Morgan Hill, from Feb 07, 2009 10:00 AM to Feb 07, 2009 12:30 PM)

Saturday, February 7, 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Centennial Recreation Center, Morgan Hill, free for Osher Members. You must preregister.

Genes, The Genetic Code, DNA and Stem Cells: A Brief Introduction (Terraces of Los Gatos, from Jan 08, 2009 01:00 PM to Jan 08, 2009 03:00 PM)

Thursdays, January 8. 15, 22 and 29, (four sessions) 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. , Location: Terraces of Los Gatos, 800 Blossom Hill Road Los Gatos 95032-3562, Fee: $65

Infection and Immunity--Why are We so Healthy? (Morgan Hill, from Jan 26, 2009 01:00 PM to Jan 26, 2009 03:00 PM)

Section 1: Morgan Hill, Mondays, January 26, February 2, 9 and 16 (four sessions) 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Fee: $60 This course is also offered at the Villages (Feb 23 - Mar 16)

Infection and Immunity--Why are We so Healthy? (The Villages, from Feb 23, 2009 01:00 PM to Feb 23, 2009 03:00 PM)

Section 2: The Villages, Mondays, February 23, March 2, 9, and 16, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m., Fee: $60

Book Arts: Making a Cloth-covered portfolio by Hand (Centennial Recreation Center, Morgan Hill, from Feb 21, 2009 09:30 AM to Feb 21, 2009 04:00 PM)

Saturday, February 21, 2009, 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (Bring a sack lunch), Centennial Recreation Center, Morgan Hill, Fee: $45, Materials Fee: $25 (check payable to Patricia Smith)

Scorsese On Film (Centennial Recreation Center, Morgan Hill, from Mar 16, 2009 01:00 PM to Mar 16, 2009 03:00 PM)

Mondays, March 16, 23, 30 and April 6, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m., Centennial Recreation Center, Morgan Hill, Fee: $60

The History of Morgan Hill (Centennial Recreation Center, Morgan Hill, from Mar 21, 2009 10:00 AM to Mar 21, 2009 12:00 PM)

Saturdays, March 21, 28 and April 4, 10:00 - 12:00 noon, Centennial Recreation Center, Morgan Hill, Fee: $40

Wildflower Walk in Coe Park (Henry Coe State Park, Morgan Hill, from Apr 18, 2009 10:00 AM to Apr 18, 2009 12:00 PM)

Saturday, April 18, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon, Henry Coe State Park, Morgan Hill, Fee $10

Evermore: Edgar Allan Poe (Centennial Recreation Center, Morgan Hill, from Jun 03, 2009 10:00 AM to Jun 10, 2009 12:00 PM)

Wednesdays, June 3 and 10, (two sessions) 10:00 am-12:00 noon, The Villages Fee: $25

National Issues Forums: What is the 21st Century MIssion for our Public Schools? (Centennial Recreation Center, Morgan Hill, from May 04, 2009 10:00 AM to May 04, 2009 12:00 PM)

Monday, May 4, 10:00 - 12:00 noon, Centennial Recreation Center, Morgan Hill, Free program for Osher Institute members; you must pre-register and get a copy of the pre-program reading.

Literature of the Enlightenment with George Moore (Sobrato Community Conference Center, from Feb 12, 2009 10:00 AM to Feb 12, 2009 12:00 PM)

Thursdays, February 12, 19, 26, March 5 and 12, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon, Sobrato Community Conference Center, Milpitas, Fee: $75

China in the 20th Century (Saratoga Retirement Community, from Jan 28, 2009 02:00 PM to Jan 28, 2009 04:00 PM)

Wednesdays, January 28, February 4, 18, 25 and March 4, 2009, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m., Saratoga Retirement Community, Fee: $75

Book Discussion: Not a Genuine Black Man (Roundtable Pizza, 4400 Stevens Creek Blvd, San José, CA, from Mar 14, 2009 11:00 AM to Mar 14, 2009 01:00 PM)

Saturday, March 14, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., Roundtable PIzza, 4400 Stevens Creek Blvd., (near Kiely), San José, Free program for Osher members.

Part I: Great Decisions 2009 (The Villages, from Feb 12, 2009 06:30 PM to Feb 12, 2009 08:30 PM)

Thursdays, February 12, 19, 26 and March 5, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., The Villages, $20

Part II: Great Decisions 2009 (The Villages (Cribari Center), from Mar 12, 2009 06:30 PM to Mar 12, 2009 08:30 PM)

Thursdays, March 12, 19, 26 and April 2, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., The Villages, $20

A Brief History of Financial Bubbles (SJSU-IES Classroom Building, from Mar 07, 2009 10:00 AM to Mar 07, 2009 03:00 PM)

Saturday, March 7, 10:00-3:00 (Bring a sack lunch.) Fee: $40 SJSU-IES Classroom Building, San José, 384 S. 2nd Street Free parking is available in the City garage at 2nd and San Carlos

"News Junkies" Discussion Group (, from Mar 11, 2009 01:00 PM to Apr 01, 2009 03:00 PM)

Wednesdays, March 11, 18, 25, and April 1 1:00-3:00 pm, Villages, Free to Osher members.

The Heritage Of World War One (The Villages (Cribari Center), from Apr 20, 2009 10:00 AM to May 18, 2009 12:00 PM)

Mondays, April 20, 27, May 4, 11, 18, 10:00 am-12:00 noon, The Villages Fee: $75

Part II: Great Decisions 2009 (, from Mar 24, 2009 10:30 AM to Mar 24, 2009 12:30 PM)

Tuesdays, March 24, 31, April 7 and 14, 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Milpitas, Sobrato Community Conference Center, $20

Mr. Jefferson at Home: Monticello and Poplar Forest (Centennial Recreation Center, Morgan Hill, from Apr 25, 2009 10:00 AM to Apr 25, 2009 12:00 PM)

Saturdays, April 25 and May 2, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon, Centennial Recreation Center, Morgan Hill, Fee: $25

Wild Flower Mondays: Russian Ridge (Russian Ridge, from Apr 20, 2009 12:00 PM to Apr 20, 2009 03:30 PM)

Monday, April 20, 12:00 noon - 3:00 (or 3:30) p.m., $15 each hike

Wild Flower Mondays: Monte Bello (Monte Bello, from Mar 30, 2009 12:00 PM to Mar 30, 2009 03:30 PM)

Monday, March 30, 12:00 noon - 3:00 (or 3:30) p.m., $15 each hike

Wild Flower Mondays: Grizzly Flat (Russian Ridge, from Apr 13, 2009 12:00 PM to Apr 13, 2009 03:30 PM)

Monday, April 13, 12:00 noon - 3:00 (or 3:30) p.m., $15 each hike

Poetry with Nils Peterson (The Villages, from Apr 15, 2009 01:30 PM to Apr 15, 2009 03:30 PM)

Wednesdays, April 15, 22 and 29, 1:30 - 3:30 p.m., The Villages, Montgomery Center, Fee: $40

Afternoons with Shakespeare 2009 (Saratoga Retirement Community, from May 13, 2009 01:00 PM to May 13, 2009 03:00 PM)

Wednesdays, May 13, 20, 27, June 3 and 10, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m., Saratoga Retirement Community, $75

California Politics (University Room, SJSU campus, from Apr 18, 2009 09:30 AM to Apr 18, 2009 12:00 PM)

Saturday, April 18, 2009, 9:30- continental breakfast, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon- lecture, Q&A and discussions, SJSU University room, west-side of Cafeteria Bldg., SJSU campus, campus map available at www.sjsu.edu/about_sjsu/docs/SJSU_campus_map.pdf. Parking is available at 4th and San Fernando, fee on Saturdays. Fee: $10

William Congreve's The Way of the World (Sobrato Community Conference Center, San José, from May 14, 2009 10:00 AM to May 14, 2009 12:00 PM)

Thursdays, May 14 and 21, 2009, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon, Sobrato Community Conference Center,San José, Fee: $25

Jews 'N Jazz (The Villages (Cribari Center) Men's Lounge, from May 05, 2009 01:00 PM to May 05, 2009 03:00 PM)

Tuesdays, May 5, 12, 19 and 26, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. The Villages, Cribari Center, Men's Lounge, Fee: $60

Nu (So), You Think That's Funny? A Century of Jewish Humor in America (The Villages (Cribari Center) Men's Lounge, from May 06, 2009 03:15 PM to May 06, 2009 05:15 PM)

Tuesdays, May 5, 12, 19 and 26, 2009, 3:15 - 5:15 p.m. The Villages, Cribari Center, Men's Lounge, Fee: $60

A Brief History of Financial Bubbles (Morgan Hill Centennial Recreation Center, from Jul 13, 2009 10:00 AM to Jul 13, 2009 12:00 PM)

Mondays, July 13, 20 and 27, (three sessions) 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon, Fee: $40, Morgan Hill Centennial Recreation Center

Front Page Science (Morgan Hill Centennial Recreation Center, from Jul 13, 2009 01:00 PM to Jul 13, 2009 03:00 PM)

Mondays, July 13, and 20, (two sessions) 1:00 - 3:00 p.m., $30, Morgan Hill Centennial Recreation Center

Jazz! An Exploration (Sobrato Community Conference Center, from Jun 03, 2009 10:00 AM to Jun 03, 2009 12:30 PM)

Wednesdays, June 3 - July 1 (five sessions), 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., $95, Sobrato Community Conference Center-San José, 1400 Parkmoor Ave (near the intersection of Meridian Avenue and I-280 and the Race St. light rail stop.

A Survey of Korean Art (Morgan Hill Centennial Recreation Center, from Jul 22, 2009 10:00 AM to Jul 22, 2009 12:00 PM)

Wednesdays, July 22 and 29. 2 sessions, 10am-12noon Sobrato Community Conference Center-San Jose 1400 Parkmoor Avenue, San José, CA 95126 (near the intersection of Meridian Avenue and I-280 and The Race Street light rail stop) Fee: $25

Ergonomics for The 50+ Body (Centennial Recreation Center, Morgan Hill, from Jun 27, 2009 10:00 AM to Jun 27, 2009 12:00 PM)

Saturday, June 27 (one session), 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon, Centennial Recreation Senior Center, Morgan Hill. Fee: $15

America Laughs: Erma Bombeck (Centennial Recreation Center, Morgan Hill, from Aug 03, 2009 10:00 AM to Aug 03, 2009 12:00 PM)

Monday, August 3 (one session), 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon, Centennial Recreation Senior Center, Morgan Hill. Fee: $15

Portrait Photography (Centennial Recreation Center, Morgan Hill, from Aug 03, 2009 01:00 PM to Aug 03, 2009 03:00 PM)

Monday, August 3, 10 and 17 (three sessions), 1:00 - 3:00 p.m., Centennial Recreation Senior Center, Morgan Hill. Fee: $40

Memoir Writing Workshop (Saratoga Retirement Community, from Jun 02, 2009 01:00 PM to Jun 02, 2009 03:00 PM)

Tuesdays, June 2, 16, 30, July 14, 28 and August 11 (note: class meets between two-week intervals) 1:00 - 3:00 p.m., $75, Saratoga Retirement Community

Front Page Science (The Villages (Cribari Center), from Jun 15, 2009 12:00 PM to Jun 15, 2009 02:00 PM)

Mondays, June 15 and 22, (two sessions) 12:00 noon - 2:00 p.m., $30, The Villages, Cribari Center, Patio Room

Food and Film (Sobrato Community Conference Center, San José, from Jun 15, 2009 10:00 AM to Jun 29, 2009 12:30 PM)

Mondays, June 15, 22, 29, 10:00 am-12:30 pm. Lunch follows. Does not include meals. Each person will order from the restaurant menu and pay his/her bill. Centennial Recreation Senior Center, Morgan Hill Fee: $30.

"News Junkies" Discussion Group (The Villages, Foothill Center, from Jun 24, 2009 01:30 PM to Jun 24, 2009 03:30 PM)

Wednesdays, June 24, July 1, 8 and 15, 1:30-3:30 p.m., The Villages, Foothill Center Free to Osher members.

Writing for Children and Young Adults (The Villages (Cribari Center), from Aug 12, 2009 10:00 AM to Aug 12, 2009 12:00 PM)

Wednesday, August12, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon, The Villages, Cribari Center Conference Room, Fee: $15

Design Your Own Native Plant Garden (IES Classroom Bldg, from Jul 11, 2009 02:00 PM to Jul 11, 2009 04:00 PM)

Saturdays, July 11, 18, 25, August 1 and 8, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m., IES Classroom Bldg, 384 S. Second St, (Free parking in the city garage at Second and San Carlos on Saturdays), Fee: $75