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Throughout history, literature has been censored and bowdlerized for a variety of reasons: subject matter, style, intent. Most recently, books dealing with LGBTQ topics have come under fire, especially in YA works. Often these books are central to a reader’s understanding of others’ hardships and feelings of isolation. Although these are often valuable...Zoom - Syracuse OasisMon, February 26 to April 8 | No Class: 2024-03-11,2024-04-0101:00 PM-02:00 PM Central TimeWendy Davenport, MA British and American Literature, retired drama coach, high school and college English teacher and Oasis leadership team memberThroughout history, literature has been censored and bowdlerized for a variety of reasons: subject matter, style, intent. Most recently, books dealing with LGBTQ topics have come under fire, especially in YA works. Often these books are central to a reader’s understanding of others’ hardships and feelings of isolation. Although these are often valuable pieces of literature with significant themes, schools, libraries, and politicians continue to override our freedoms by outlawing such writings. Using mini-lectures and seminar discussions, we will examine five such works (in order of publication): The Color Purple by Alice Walker, Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer, and Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic by Alison Bechdel. (The public library has multiple copies of each, or you can purchase them from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Thriftbooks or Abebooks.com.) Note: Please read The Color Purple for the first class. No class 3/11 & 4/1. -
Sea glass is a naturally recycled beautiful and sometimes rare artifact found in nature, with each piece having its own history. The study of sea glass is a captivating window into the past, which first begins with the science of how glass is made. The sea glass journey is one of intrigue, enchantment, and sometimes even archaeology. Join Susan as she...Zoom - Syracuse OasisTue, February 27 to February 27 | 12:00 PM-01:30 PM Central TimeSusan Sharp, MS, retired Earth Science and Astrobiology teacher, adjunct instructor of Astrobiology, SUNY ESF, Woodrow Wilson Fellow at Princeton UniversitySea glass is a naturally recycled beautiful and sometimes rare artifact found in nature, with each piece having its own history. The study of sea glass is a captivating window into the past, which first begins with the science of how glass is made. The sea glass journey is one of intrigue, enchantment, and sometimes even archaeology. Join Susan as she explains what the ocean does to sea glass, why it is such a coveted and diminishing resource today, and where you can find these spectacular treasures. -
In August 2019, Diana and Eric traveled to Switzerland with her brother and his new wife a few weeks after their wedding. Our 8-day Globus tour took us from Zurich and Liechtenstein to St. Moritz, Lugano and Zermatt, then to Lake Geneva, Berne, and Lucerne, a diverse itinerary with plenty of spectacular scenery, interesting history, and urban delights....Zoom - Syracuse OasisWed, February 28 to February 28 | 12:00 PM-01:30 PM Central TimeDiana Biro and Eric Rogers, Oasis Education Committee members and long-time volunteersIn August 2019, Diana and Eric traveled to Switzerland with her brother and his new wife a few weeks after their wedding. Our 8-day Globus tour took us from Zurich and Liechtenstein to St. Moritz, Lugano and Zermatt, then to Lake Geneva, Berne, and Lucerne, a diverse itinerary with plenty of spectacular scenery, interesting history, and urban delights. After the tour we spent 4 days on our own exploring the Bernese Alps, via trains, trams, hikes—and a parasailing adventure. Join us to experience the beauty and variety of Switzerland, plus a virtual glide between alpine mountains. -
Is Narcissism becoming normalized in our culture? Explore the psychological roots and behaviors of those dominated by this personality disorder. How does Narcissism relate to Envy? A heightened awareness of such psychic phenomena is a person's only protection against...Zoom - Syracuse OasisThu, February 29 to February 29 | 12:00 PM-2:00 PM Central TimeKaye LindauerIs Narcissism becoming normalized in our culture? Explore the psychological roots and behaviors of those dominated by this personality disorder. How does Narcissism relate to Envy? A heightened awareness of such psychic phenomena is a person's only protection against victimhood.
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Presidents from Truman to Reagan faced challenges unimagined by earlier holders of the office. Threats from abroad, real and perceived, shaped expanding foreign influence. Pressure for dramatic social change at home demanded Presidential intervention. New technologies, especially television, both exposed the Presidency to greater scrutiny and expanded the...Zoom - Syracuse OasisMon, March 4 to March 25 | 01:30 PM-03:30 PM Central TimeTom Henry, MS, retired social studies/history teacher and historianPresidents from Truman to Reagan faced challenges unimagined by earlier holders of the office. Threats from abroad, real and perceived, shaped expanding foreign influence. Pressure for dramatic social change at home demanded Presidential intervention. New technologies, especially television, both exposed the Presidency to greater scrutiny and expanded the reach of the office. Join us as we continue to examine the office of the President into our own dynamic times. There is no need to have been in previous classes to enjoy this one!
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This course is designed for a non-technical audience who wish to discuss and learn about the possibility of other worlds being discovered. What traits produce a planet that is favorable for habitation thus capable of supporting some form of unique life? This is not "science fiction" but based upon competent scientific research and investigations conducted...Zoom - Syracuse OasisWed, March 6 to March 6 | 12:00 PM-02:00 PM Central TimeLen Sharp, MS, CAS, retired Earth Science Teacher, Liverpool High School, Adjunct Professor of Education, LeMoyne College and recipient of National Science Teachers Association Distinguished Teacher AwardThis course is designed for a non-technical audience who wish to discuss and learn about the possibility of other worlds being discovered. What traits produce a planet that is favorable for habitation thus capable of supporting some form of unique life? This is not "science fiction" but based upon competent scientific research and investigations conducted by NASA and SETI. In 1993, the known number of planets in the Universe were the 9 located in our solar system. Today, with the use of the Kepler satellite orbiting Earth, many thousands of other planets are known–some of which may be habitable.
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In this class you'll learn the basics of tarot cards. You will learn the story of "the Fool's Journey," the meaning of the four suits, and some of the meanings of some of Lisa's favorite cards. Whether you are a beginner or an expert; this fun, positive class is for...Zoom - Syracuse OasisThu, March 7 to March 7 | 12:00 PM-02:00 PM Central TimeLisa McCall, certified reiki practitioner, certified angel card reader, and trained certified spiritual IntuitiveIn this class you'll learn the basics of tarot cards. You will learn the story of "the Fool's Journey," the meaning of the four suits, and some of the meanings of some of Lisa's favorite cards. Whether you are a beginner or an expert; this fun, positive class is for you.
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Precocious, gifted, and successful from a very young age, Rosa Bonheur exhibited at the 19th C. Paris Salon for the first time at the age of 19 and received several medals for her work. Bonheur was trained by her father, a landscape painter, but it was her love for animals, especially horses, that provided inspiration for her art. ‘The Horse Fair’...Zoom - Syracuse OasisThu, March 14 to March 14 | 12:00 PM-01:30 PM Central TimeLaura Nicholls, retired art educatorPrecocious, gifted, and successful from a very young age, Rosa Bonheur exhibited at the 19th C. Paris Salon for the first time at the age of 19 and received several medals for her work. Bonheur was trained by her father, a landscape painter, but it was her love for animals, especially horses, that provided inspiration for her art. ‘The Horse Fair’ (1853, now at the Met in NYC) depicted the Parisian horse market, and received triumphant acclaim at the Paris Salon. Rosa Bonheur lived unconventionally: she wore her hair short, smoked, and kept a small menagerie of animals in her chateau. She became the first female artist to be awarded the Legion of Honor and then later, the first female to become an Officer of the Legion of Honor. Bonheur served, and continues to serve, as a role model for generations of women artists. Please join us as we explore the unconventional life of the richest, most famous female artist of 19th-century France, whose talent was more than equal to her accolades.
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Carl Jung discovered that a metaphoric look at the process of the transformation of metals, as it was understood by the alchemist, illuminated his own work on psychological development and the individuation process. A historic overview of alchemy will lead into an exploration of core concepts of Jungian...Zoom - Syracuse OasisWed, March 20 to March 27 | 12:00 PM-2:00 PM Central TimeKaye LindauerCarl Jung discovered that a metaphoric look at the process of the transformation of metals, as it was understood by the alchemist, illuminated his own work on psychological development and the individuation process. A historic overview of alchemy will lead into an exploration of core concepts of Jungian psychology.
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The ancient Romans were one of the most advanced civilizations in history. At its peak, the Roman Empire stretched across Europe, North Africa, and Asia, and was home to more than 45 million people. What was their life really like? What were their beliefs and what was their culture like? How advanced were the ancient societies of Rome and Pompeii? Join...Zoom - Syracuse OasisThu, March 28 to March 28 | 12:00 PM-01:30 PM Central TimeSusan Sharp, MS, retired Earth Science and Astrobiology teacher, adjunct instructor of Astrobiology, SUNY ESF, Woodrow Wilson Fellow at Princeton UniversityThe ancient Romans were one of the most advanced civilizations in history. At its peak, the Roman Empire stretched across Europe, North Africa, and Asia, and was home to more than 45 million people. What was their life really like? What were their beliefs and what was their culture like? How advanced were the ancient societies of Rome and Pompeii? Join Susan and Len on a journey back in time as they share first-hand accounts of visiting these ancient sites and what we learned.
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One of the most influential photographers of the 20th C, Edward Steichen was a groundbreaking innovator in the fields of art, aerial, fashion, and commercial photography. As a photographic associate of Alfred Stieglitz, Steichen helped Stieglitz establish the Little Galleries of the Photo-Secession (NYC) in 1905. The gallery was at the forefront of...Zoom - Syracuse OasisThu, April 11 to April 11 | 12:00 PM-01:30 PM Central TimeLaura Nicholls, retired art educatorOne of the most influential photographers of the 20th C, Edward Steichen was a groundbreaking innovator in the fields of art, aerial, fashion, and commercial photography. As a photographic associate of Alfred Stieglitz, Steichen helped Stieglitz establish the Little Galleries of the Photo-Secession (NYC) in 1905. The gallery was at the forefront of transforming documentary photographic images into an art form. Serving as chief photographer for Condé Nast’s Vogue and Vanity Fair (1923-38), Steichen embraced celebrity, fashion, and advertising photography, blurring the lines between celebrity portraiture, fashion photography and advertising. This created a hybrid genre of images with a mix of glamour and desire that dominates magazine photography to this day! In doing so, Steichen became the best-known and highest paid commercial photographer of his time. Please join us as we explore the phases of Edward Steichen’s varied artistic career - which culminated in his becoming Director of the Photography Department at MOMA and initiating the triumphant exhibition ‘The Family of Man’ in 1955.