OLLI Courses
The following are instructor-led courses which meet on campus, arranged by date.
Genealogy
Join OLLI member, Norma Bates, as she shares her knowledge of the field
of genealogy. In this “how to” class you will learn where to begin on your
journey tracing your ancestors generation by generation. Students should
bring a notebook and pen!
Instructor: Norma Bates, OLLI Member
Monday, February 13 • 1:30 – 3:30 pm, EE - 1205
Fee: $5
NLLL 155 Section 05, Course No. 22590
Egypt: Higher Education and Scientific Research
Dr. Amer El-Ahraf, Emeritus Professor, College of Professional Studies,
CSUDH, takes an historical approach to his presentation on Egypt’s
development of its higher education system and advancement of scientific
research. Dr. El-Ahraf teaches Health Sciences courses on campus each
semester and he is the former Vice President of Academic Affairs at
Dominguez Hills and Past President of the Association of Egyptian American
Scholars, United States and Canada.
Instructor: Amer El-Ahraf, PhD, College of Professional Studies, CSUDH
1 Wednesday, May 23 • 1:30 – 3:30 pm
Extended Education building, EE - 1218
Free and Open to OLLI Members and The Public (OLLI members must register)
NLLL 251 Section 02, Course No. 22597
Factors Impacting the Future Evolution of Humanity
This course will examine numerous factors that could influence the future
evolution of humanity and planet earth–in the near/middle range to far,
far future. These factors include: negative trends and dangers (global
megacrisis, war, and nuclear dangers); positive breakthroughs in many areas
of technology–all with societal implications; transhumanist views; unexpected
“wild card” events; increasingly complex systems; the extinction of species
and dangers to ecological systems; future energy sources; humans living and
working in space; encountering extraterrestrial life; and the evolution of
consciousness. Far future factors include the evolution of our solar system,
and the universe itself.
Instructor: Linda Groff, PhD, Professor, Political Science and Futures
Studies and Coordinator, Behavioral Science
1 Tuesday, February 21 • 1:30 – 3:30 pm, EE - 1205
Fee: $5
NLLL 252 Section 01, Course No. 22599
Challenges of Identity in an Increasingly
Interdependent World
This class will examine some of the many issues related to identity today
as the world becomes increasingly interdependent, and as the great diversity
of humanity– different races, cultures, civilizations, ethnic groups, religions,
and nationalities–increasingly interact with each other. We will also
explore where the boundaries among all these different identity groups
that humanity has traditionally belonged to are increasingly blurred, and
why identity is a fascinating and increasingly complex issue today for
these very reasons.
Instructor: Linda Groff, PhD, Professor, Political Science and Futures
Studies and Coordinator, Behavioral Science
1 Tuesday, March 6 • 1:30 – 3:30 pm, EE - 1205
Fee: $5
NLLL 251 Section 02, Course No. 22600
The History of Africa : 15th Century to the Present
Join Professor Salim Faraji for three lectures covering several hundred years
of African history.
The three presentations include:
1) Africa and the Atlantic World: 1450-1888
March 14, 2012 • 1:30 - 3:30 pm
This class provides an examination of the history of African People in
the Atlantic World from 1450 – 1888. The class identifies African
migrations, national culture, and political divisions. The class will also
examine the dynamics of the transatlantic slave trade, and survey the
territorial dispersal of African peoples throughout the Americas as well
as their links and metamorphoses. The class highlights the interaction
between African and European Sovereignties in the areas of diplomacy,
trade and cultural exchange. The class will also highlights African peoples
and cultures and their role and contribution to the development of the
Atlantic World between the 15th and early 19th century.
2) Africa and the Colonial Encounter: 1888-Present
March 21, 2012• 1:30 - 3:30 pm
This class is a survey of African history during the colonial period from
the years 1880 – 1939. The class will also conclude with a general
overview of the impact and significance of the colonial era on the
emergence of African nation states since 1957, the year in which Ghana
gained its political independence from Britain. Major themes of the
class include an exploration and analysis of the process and structure of
European colonial conquest and rule. The class will also address themes
of African initiatives and resistance, Christianity and colonial expansion,
African Nationalism, and the unique regional histories and their various
responses to the colonial encounter.
3) United States Foreign Policy and Contemporary Africa
April 11, 2012 • 1:30 - 3:30 pm
AFRICOM—the new Unified Combatant Command for Africa – US
established by former President George W. Bush in February of 2007
announced a new era in United States-Africa relations. This class will
explore the nature and intentions of US foreign policy in Africa and
debate the strategic and geo-political ramifications of such policies for
African nations. Is AFRICOM mutually beneficial to Africa and the
United States? What has been the role and effectiveness of the Global
War on Terrorism (GWOT) in Africa—especially in light of military
operations such as Operation Enduring Freedom – Trans-Sahara and the
Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa? The class will also explore
US energy security strategies concerning Africa and the significance that
African oil supplies will account for 25% of its energy demands by 2015.
Students will be introduced to the role of the Bureau of African Affairs
and the Africa Center for Strategic Studies. The Libyan issue will also be
explored in the context of Africa Foreign Policy.
Instructor: Salim Faraji, PhD, Associate Professor, Africana Studies
3 Wednesdays, March 14, 21; April 11 • 1:30 - 3:30 pm
Extended Education building, EE - 1218
Fee: $15
NLLL 251 Section 01, Course No. 22596
Beginning Tennis for Seniors
Join Donald Means, OLLI Member in this introductory tennis class. Learn
the basics of tennis, including basic grips, serve, forehand, backhand, volleys
& doubles play. There will be some physical activity. Please bring a tennis
racket & tennis shoes. This class meets four times but the tennis courts will
be scheduled for an additional four Fridays for those who wish to practice.
Instructor: Donald Means, OLLI Member
6 Fridays, February 3, 10, 17, 24 March 2, 9 • 10 am – 11:45 am
Practice only: March 16, 23 • 10 am – 11:45 am
CSUDH Tennis Courts
Fee: $20
NLLL 355 Section 02, Course No. 22603
Gardening Series
By popular demand the gardening series is back. The program will consist
of 3 lectures: Sustainable Food, Marilyn’s Own & All about Bonsai.
Join us for the taste of Spring and expansive program for next Fall.
Native Plants
Wednesday, April 4, 1:30 – 3:30pm
Connie Vadheim, Adjunct Professor, Biology
Sustainable Foods
Wednesday, April 25, 1:30 – 3:30pm
Eula Slater and Joan Bonner
Marilyn’s Own
Wednesday, May 9, 1:30 – 3:30pm
Marilyn Chambers, Entrepreneur
All About Bonsai
Wednesday, May 16, 1:30 – 3:30pm
Peter Chance, Bonsai Expert
Faciliator: Eula Slater, OLLI Member
4 Wednesdays, April 4, 25; May 9, 16 • 1:30-3:30pm
Extended Education building, EE - 1205
Fee: $15
NLLL 352 Section 01, Course No. 22601
Social Insects: Sisterly Love in the Ants, Bees, and Wasps
Social insects of the order Hymenoptera (ants, bees, and wasps) over time
have had many separate evolutions of social systems. These always take the
form of a queen with female workers, who are almost always sisters. Males
are produced only at certain times of the year, and do not contribute to
colony work. Why should the same type of social system always arise in
this order of insects, but not in the other highly social order of insects, the
termites? We will explore the reasons behind the fascinating organization of
the social Hymenoptera.
Instructor: Cathy Jacobs, PH.D, Lecturer, Biology Department
1 Tuesday, March 20 • 10am-noon, EE - 1205
Fee: $5
NLLL 351 Section 01, Course No. 22635