The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Florida Atlantic University in Jupiter has announced its course offerings for the winter semester, which begins Monday, Jan. 11, 2021.  Taught by FAU professors and distinguished guest lecturers, course offerings include such varied subjects as foreign policy, political science, film, music, art history and literature. The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute provides seasoned adults the opportunity to enrich their lives through non-credit, university-level courses with no homework or tests.   Winter one-time lectures, performances and courses will be held online and include:  

• “Zarzuela – A Journey Through Tenor Love Songs,” presented by Edgar Miguel Abréu, a Dominican-American tenor. This one-time lecture will explore Zarzuela, a Spanish lyric-dramatic genre that alternates between spoken and sung scenes.   Text translations will be provided to each audience member. This is a pre-recorded lecture. 
• “Elvis Presley: A Birthday Tribute to the King,” presented by Robert Wyatt, artist and recitalist that has performed for the Smithsonian and also internationally. This one-time lecture examines “The King,” from his birth and childhood through the historic Sun Records sessions, meteoric rise to stardom, 31 feature films, dramatic comeback and tragic death at age 42. This is a live Zoom lecture. 
• “Gullah Geechee Corridor,” presented by Derek Boyd Hankerson, an author and presenter on American history including the African and Spanish Diaspora. This one-time lecture will highlight five centuries of minority contributions to Florida from West Africans known as Gullah Geechee. This is a pre-recorded lecture. 
• “What the…? What Harry Truman Might Say and Do About Today’s Politics,” taught by Clifton Truman Daniel, author and grandson of U.S. President Harry S. Truman. Using history, Truman’s own writings and input from historians and family, this one-time lecture will give audiences an idea of not only what President Truman would think of today’s political discourse and the politicians involved, but also what he might do to improve things. This is a live Zoom lecture. 
• “China’s Global Policy,” taught Robert Rabil, Ph.D., professor of political science at FAU. This eight-week course examines China’s global policy in an attempt to understand its plans, policies and challenges to secure its global centrality. This is a pre-recorded course. 
• “Creative Writing Theory & Practice: Practical Techniques and Craft Exploration for the Creative Writing Practice,” taught by Daphne Nikolopoulos, author and editor-in-chief of  Palm Beach Illustrated  magazine and editorial director of Palm Beach Media Group. This six-week course will include various elements of the writer’s toolbox, from idea development to specific techniques. Participants will learn and work on advancing their own writing practice in a supportive, collaborative setting. This is a live Zoom course. 
• “Music Americana: Music for the Ages,” taught by Rod MacDonald, a local singer/songwriter who performs throughout the United States and Europe. This eight-week course will examine the work, biographies and enduring importance of musical artists, such as Stravinsky, Gershwin and Miles Davis. MacDonald will attempt to sort myth from reality, using updated videos and excerpts from feature films, live performances and a few surprises. This is a pre-recorded course. 
• For more information about the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, call 561-799-8547 or 561-799-8667. 

-FAU-