[Vital Aging] How to Grow Up Without Becoming a Grown-Up

Special Event

[Vital Aging] How to Grow Up Without Becoming a Grown-Up

Thursday, December 10, 2026
Thursday, December 10, 2026

Join us in person for our next Vital Aging gathering as OLLI member Den Bush and faculty member Sara Orem explore how we all can approach the holidays more like children in wonder and less like beleaguered adults. Our inspiration is Julian Shapiro-Barnum’s recent self-help book of the same title, in which he draws on lessons and insights from six years of interviews with thousands of children. His message? Reconnect with childlike wonder, emotional freedom and play. Expect to be invited to play and imagine in ways you have not experienced since, well, very long ago.

Details 

[Vital Aging] How to Grow Up Without Becoming a Grown-Up

Jacqueline Berger

November 2026

Jackie Berger smiling at camera

Jacqueline Berger is professor emerita of English at Notre Dame de Namur University and is the author of five books of poetry. Winner of the Bay Area Book Award, her work has appeared in American Poetry Review and numerous other journals. 

OLLIday Party & Open House: Join Us!

Special Event

OLLIday Party & Open House: Join Us!

Tuesday, December 8, 2026
Tuesday, December 8, 2026

'Tis that time of year! Join us for our annual OLLIday Party & Open House on Tuesday, December 8, 1:30–3 PM, at OLLI HQ (1995 University Ave., Suite 365, Berkeley.) Enjoy good cheer and great company as you meet and mingle with members, faculty and the OLLI team. Please bring a nosh (sweet or savory) or beverage to share, if possible. All are welcome!

RSVPing isn't necessary, but appreciated!

OLLIday Party & Open House: Join Us!

End-of-Fall-Term Happy Hour: Join Us!

Special Event

End-of-Fall-Term Happy Hour: Join Us!

Wednesday, November 4, 2026
Wednesday, November 4, 2026

Many (but not all!) of our fall courses will have wrapped up by the first week of November, but the fun of gathering together continues! Join us for a Happy Hour mixer organized by OLLI's Member Engagement Committee on Wednesday, November 4, 3:30–5:30 PM, at Zino (2086 Allston Way, Berkeley) in the Hotel Shattuck. Just a couple of blocks from The Freight. Come solo or bring a friend. New members and longtime members who've never attended a Happy Hour are encouraged to attend. The welcome will be warm! This is a no-host, but yes-fun gathering. No need to RSVP. Hope to see you there!

End-of-Fall-Term Happy Hour: Join Us!

Winter Term Begins

Special Event

Winter Term Begins

Tuesday, January 19, 2027

On the course roster?  Diving into the movies, China in the world, Toni Morrison, country music road trip, finding the LGBTQ+ past in present places, and more. Learn about all the benefits of an OLLI @Berkeley membership — access to dozens of courses, speaker events, field trips, town halls, workshops on healthy aging, socials and more — as well as our special offer for new members and our fee assistance program.

Winter Term Begins

Art, Architecture, and Design: Four Great Courses, Four Great Cities (Barcelona, Berlin, Lisbon and Paris) (Best of OLLI)

Course

Art, Architecture, and Design: Four Great Courses, Four Great Cities (Barcelona, Berlin, Lisbon and Paris) (Best of OLLI)

Monday, October 12, 2026
Sunday, March 28, 2027
snapshots of Barcelona, Berlin, Lisbon and Paris

This special Best of OLLI offering brings together four courses by architectural historian and longtime OLLI faculty member Pierluigi Serraino, this year’s recipient of the OLLI @Berkeley Excellence in Teaching and Learning Award. 

Travel with Pierluigi through Barcelona, Berlin, Lisbon, and Paris, exploring how political events, cultural traditions, commerce, natural disasters, and the changing currents of European history shaped each city’s architecture, art and urban landscape. Taken together, these four courses offer a fascinating new way to see some of Europe’s great cities — and the connections between them.

Faculty Bio

Pierluigi Serraino Ph.D., FAIA is a practicing architect and educator. He is the author of numerous books on architecture, including Taschen's Modernism Rediscovered and, most recently, The Modern Garden: The Outdoor Architecture of Mid-century America. 

This is a Best of OLLI Special Compilation

  • Best of OLLI courses are popular courses recorded a previous term
  • Videos are available to watch the moment you sign up through March 28
  • This special compilation of four courses — 20 individual classes — is available for $150 to Annual Plus, Premium Plus, Best of OLLI and Fee Assistance members. Learn about membership.
  • Current Annual and Premium members can upgrade to Annual Plus or Premium Plus for an additional $10

Member Praise for Pierluigi Serraino

Pierluigi is a wonderful instructor—I always learn something new from him, as well as something to think about. He always opens my eyes.

Course materials, organization, Pierluigi's deep knowledge of the specific area and ability to fit it into larger context of regional traditions and international design trends, and receptivity to participant questions & observations ... all great! Highly recommend!

Faculty Q&A

Art, Architecture, and Design: Four Great Courses, Four Great Cities (Barcelona, Berlin, Lisbon and Paris) (Best of OLLI)

What Is Economic Justice? The American Edition (Best of OLLI)

Course

What Is Economic Justice? The American Edition (Best of OLLI)

Monday, October 12, 2026
Sunday, March 28, 2027
an empty wallet

America may have its own economic woes, but how does the United States compare to other countries in terms of achieving economic justice? Could the Nordic model, with its high taxes in exchange for generous public services, work in America? Or should we seriously be reconsidering democratic socialism as a solution? This course will focus on pathways to economic justice paved in other countries to ask if they really are the success stories some have claimed and if so, whether they would be feasible as solutions in the United States.

Faculty Bio

Darren Zook teaches in political science and global studies at UC Berkeley. His areas of interest include comparative politics, human rights and international law. He has received numerous teaching awards for his creativity in the classroom, and was recently named one of the “Top Ten Most Inspiring Professors at UC Berkeley” by College Magazine. He lectures all around the world, and has published six books. 

This is a Best of OLLI Course

  • Best of OLLI courses are popular courses recorded a previous term
  • Videos are available to watch the moment you sign up through March 28
  • Available for $75 to Annual Plus, Premium Plus, Best of OLLI and Fee Assistance members. Learn about membership.
  • Current Annual and Premium members can upgrade to Annual Plus or Premium Plus for an additional $10

Member Praise for Darren Zook

Dr. Zook is one of the best teachers I've ever had and I'm 80!

Darren Zook is an amazing teacher. He's a well-organized, extremely knowledgeable, and always engaging.

I have taken several classes with Darren Zook and will take several more. His scope and depth of knowledge is extraordinary. And he is able to communicate it effectively and effortlessly. 

Faculty Q&A

What Is Economic Justice? The American Edition (Best of OLLI)
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