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February 26 – April 8 No Class: 2024-03-11,2024-04-01Monday1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Sessions: 5Instructor: Wendy Davenport, MA British and American Literature, retired drama coach, high school and college English teacher and Oasis leadership team memberLocation: Zoom - Syracuse OasisThroughout 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... read moreThroughout 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. -
February 27 – February 27 Tuesday12:00 pm – 1:30 pm Sessions: 1Instructor: Susan Sharp, MS, retired Earth Science and Astrobiology teacher, adjunct instructor of Astrobiology, SUNY ESF, Woodrow Wilson Fellow at Princeton UniversityLocation: Zoom - Syracuse OasisSea 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... read moreSea 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. -
February 28 – February 28 Wednesday12:00 pm – 1:30 pm Sessions: 1Instructor: Diana Biro and Eric Rogers, Oasis Education Committee members and long-time volunteersLocation: Zoom - Syracuse OasisIn 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.... read moreIn 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. -
February 29 – February 29 Thursday12:00 pm – 2:00 pm Sessions: 1Instructor: Kaye LindauerLocation: Zoom - Syracuse OasisIs 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... read moreIs 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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March 4 – March 25 Monday1:30 pm – 3:30 pm Sessions: 4Instructor: Tom Henry, MS, retired social studies/history teacher and historianLocation: Zoom - Syracuse OasisPresidents 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... read morePresidents 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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March 6 – March 6 Wednesday12:00 pm – 2:00 pm Sessions: 1Instructor: Len 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 AwardLocation: Zoom - Syracuse OasisThis 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... read moreThis 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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March 7 – March 7 Thursday12:00 pm – 2:00 pm Sessions: 1Instructor: Lisa McCall, certified reiki practitioner, certified angel card reader, and trained certified spiritual IntuitiveLocation: Zoom - Syracuse OasisIn 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... read moreIn 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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March 14 – March 14 Thursday12:00 pm – 1:30 pm Sessions: 1Instructor: Laura Nicholls, retired art educatorLocation: Zoom - Syracuse OasisPrecocious, 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’... read morePrecocious, 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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March 20 – March 27 Wednesday12:00 pm – 2:00 pm Sessions: 2Instructor: Kaye LindauerLocation: Zoom - Syracuse OasisCarl 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... read moreCarl 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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March 28 – March 28 Thursday12:00 pm – 1:30 pm Sessions: 1Instructor: Susan Sharp, MS, retired Earth Science and Astrobiology teacher, adjunct instructor of Astrobiology, SUNY ESF, Woodrow Wilson Fellow at Princeton UniversityLocation: Zoom - Syracuse OasisThe 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... read moreThe 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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April 11 – April 11 Thursday12:00 pm – 1:30 pm Sessions: 1Instructor: Laura Nicholls, retired art educatorLocation: Zoom - Syracuse OasisOne 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... read moreOne 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.