[Summer Short] The Dollar and Its Discontents, with Barry Eichengreen

Special Event

[Summer Short] The Dollar and Its Discontents, with Barry Eichengreen

Monday, June 30, 2025
Monday, June 30, 2025

Are predictions of the dollar's demise greatly exaggerated? Economist Barry Eichengreen, one of nation's foremost experts on the international financial system, will discuss the implications of the U.S. dollar in the age of cryptocurrency and government deregulation, and the forces propelling both. A facilitated Q&A will follow.  

About the Speaker

Barry Eichengreen is the George C. Pardee and Helen N. Pardee Chair and Distinguished Professor of Economics and Political Science at UC Berkeley. His research lies at the intersection of economic history and international macroeconomics. His body of work — including more than 25 books — has generated some of the field’s most influential research on the Great Depression and the design of international monetary systems. He has held many prestigious appointments: Research Associate of the NBER, Research Fellow at the Centre for Economic Policy Research, Senior Policy Advisor at the IMF, and a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Details

  • Monday, June 30, 1–3 PM
  • 1995 University Ave., Berkeley (the suite number will be shared at a later date.)
  • This is an in-person, livestreamed + recorded event
  • Doors will open at 12:30 PM
  • The Zoom livestream link will be shared with registrants closer to the date
  • The event will be recorded; participants will receive the link to view after the event

Cost

  • $20 for OLLI @Berkeley members (all types)
  • $40 for non-members

Not yet an OLLI @Berkeley member? Now is the time to join. Members receive exclusive access to 100+ courses per year, town halls, intergenerational dialogues, field trips, travel, socials, and more.

About Summer Shorts

Summer Shorts are one-time events open to OLLI @Berkeley members and non-members. Each Short features acclaimed speakers discussing issues impacting the state of our country, Constitution, and shared humanity.

[Members, be sure to log into your OLLI account before registering to receive your $20 discount.]

[Summer Short] The Dollar and Its Discontents, with Barry Eichengreen

[Summer Short] Countering the Attack on the Rule of Law, with Erwin Chemerinsky and Bill Sokol

Special Event

[Summer Short] Countering the Attack on the Rule of Law, with Erwin Chemerinsky and Bill Sokol

Monday, June 30, 2025
Monday, June 30, 2025

Can the President deport legal residents to a prison in a foreign country or unilaterally dismantle government agencies? Can the Secretary of State revoke a visa based on someone’s speech or writing? Can the government cut university funding because of campus protests? Erwin Chemerinsky, one of the nation's leading constitutional law scholars, and interlocutor Bill Sokol will examine the attack on the rule of law in the Trump administrations and propose how best to counter it.

About the Speakers

Erwin Chemerinsky is the Dean of the UC Berkeley Law School. He is the author of nineteen books, including leading casebooks and treatises about constitutional law, criminal procedure, and federal jurisdiction. His most recent major books are Worse than Nothing: The Dangerous Fallacy of Originalism (2022) and Presumed Guilty: How the Supreme Court Empowered the Police and Subverted Civil Rights (2021). He also is the author of more than 200 law review articles. He frequently argues appellate cases, including in the United States Supreme Court.  

Bill Sokol is a Bay Area labor and employment lawyer, a lecturer at SF State University, a gubernatorial appointee to the CalSavers Retirement Investment Board, and was a talk show host on Pacifica Radio for 25 years. He holds a J.D. from UC Berkeley School of Law.

Details

  • Monday, June 30, 10–noon
  • 1995 University Ave., Berkeley (the suite number will be shared at a later date.)
  • This is an in-person, livestreamed + recorded event
  • Doors will open at 9:30 AM
  • The Zoom livestream link will be shared with registrants closer to the date
  • The event will be recorded; participants will receive the link to view after the event

Cost

  • $20 for OLLI @Berkeley members (all types)
  • $40 for non-members

Not yet an OLLI @Berkeley member? Now is the time to join. Members receive exclusive access to 100+ courses per year, town halls, intergenerational dialogues, field trips, travel, socials, and more.

About Summer Shorts

Summer Shorts are one-time events open to OLLI @Berkeley members and non-members. Each Short features acclaimed speakers discussing issues impacting the state of our country, Constitution, and shared humanity.

[Members, be sure to log into your OLLI account before registering to receive your $20 discount.]

[Summer Short] Countering the Attack on the Rule of Law, with Erwin Chemerinsky and Bill Sokol

[Summer Short] "Every Day, Computers are Making People Easier to Use," with David Temkin and Paulina Borsook

Special Event

[Summer Short] "Every Day, Computers are Making People Easier to Use," with David Temkin and Paulina Borsook

Monday, June 23, 2025
Monday, June 23, 2025

This exploration will trace the evolution of Silicon Valley companies, culture, and customers from the early days of marginal idealistic geekery to today — a world in which Silicon Valley products have redefined nearly all aspects of how we live and think, and which mediate our every action.

About the Speakers

David Temkin is the editor-in-chief of In Formation, a magazine focused on what tech is doing to us. He’s been a software engineer at Apple, a privacy leader at Google, and has co-founded three tech startups. Originally launched during the dot-com era, In Formation has always and solely been about serious and satirical critiques of tech culture. The magazine is being relaunched in 2025.

Contributing editor Paulina Borsook has been immersed in Silicon Valley culture since the mid-1980s. She is best known for her essay “How the Internet ruined San Francisco" and for her book Cyberselfish: A Critical Romp Through the Terribly Libertarian Culture of High Tech.

Details

  • Monday, June 23, 10–noon
  • 1995 University Ave., Berkeley (the suite number will be shared at a later date.)
  • This is an in-person, livestreamed + recorded event
  • Doors will open at 9:30 AM
  • The Zoom livestream link will be shared with registrants closer to the date
  • The event will be recorded; participants will receive the link to view after the event

Cost

  • $20 for OLLI @Berkeley members (all types)
  • $40 for non-members

Not yet an OLLI @Berkeley member? Now is the time to join. Members receive exclusive access to 100+ courses per year, town halls, intergenerational dialogues, field trips, travel, socials, and more.

About Summer Shorts

Summer Shorts are one-time events open to OLLI @Berkeley members and non-members. Each Short features acclaimed speakers discussing issues impacting the state of our country, Constitution, and shared humanity.

[Members, be sure to log into your OLLI account before registering to receive your $20 discount.]

[Summer Short] "Every Day, Computers are Making People Easier to Use," with David Temkin and Paulina Borsook

[Summer Short] Democracy Noir: A Film Screening and Conversation with Director Connie Field

Special Event

[Summer Short] Democracy Noir: A Film Screening and Conversation with Director Connie Field

Monday, June 9, 2025
Monday, June 9, 2025

As Viktor Orbán dismantles Hungary’s democratic institutions, three women — a journalist, a politician, and a nurse — work tirelessly to fight for their country’s soul in Democracy Noir, a chilling expose of far-right nationalism and an inspirational beacon of resistance. After the screening, director Connie Field will discuss the making of the film and what drew her to the subject of the grassroots fight for democracy in Hungary.

"Field is careful not to slip into sloganeering and preaching to the choir. The film is most effective as a foreshadowing of the future we are heading toward in our own country with shocking parallels between Trump’s statements and actions and Orbán’s."- Michael Fox, KQED

About the Director

Academy Award-nominated and Emmy-winning director Connie Field is a pioneering social documentary filmmaker. Before getting involved in film she worked as an organizer in many social and human rights organizations where she established her commitment to progressive social change which she has carried into her film career. Many of her films focus on hidden histories, stories that had not been told before which should be an important part of our collective memories.

Details

  • Monday, June 9, 10–noon
  • 1995 University Ave., Berkeley (the suite number will be shared at a later date.)
  • Doors open at 9:30 AM
  • This is an in-person-only event

Cost

  • $20 for OLLI @Berkeley members (all types)
  • $40 for non-members

Not yet an OLLI @Berkeley member? Now is the time to join. Members receive exclusive access to 100+ courses per year, town halls, intergenerational dialogues, field trips, travel, socials, and more.

About Summer Shorts

Summer Shorts are one-time events open to OLLI @Berkeley members and non-members. Each Short features acclaimed speakers discussing issues impacting the state of our country, Constitution, and shared humanity.

[Members, be sure to log into your OLLI account before registering to receive your $20 discount.]

 

[Summer Short] Democracy Noir: A Film Screening and Conversation with Director Connie Field

OLLI Travel Q&A: Come Learn What We Have Planned

Special Event

OLLI Travel Q&A: Come Learn What We Have Planned

Wednesday, April 16, 2025
Wednesday, April 16, 2025

Curious about OLLI's new travel program and who else might be interested in going? Join us in the lobby of Freight & Salvage (2020 Addison St., Berkeley) at noon to get the scoop about our November trip to Ireland, including Northern Ireland (book before May 1 for $250 savings!) and to Costa Rica in January. Plus a trip to Southeast Asia in April 2026. (Shh. Not official yet.)

OLLI Travel Q&A: Come Learn What We Have Planned

The Politics of Ice: Beyond Climate Change (Best of OLLI)

Course

The Politics of Ice: Beyond Climate Change (Best of OLLI)

Monday, April 21, 2025
Sunday, August 31, 2025
Blue jagged ice

This course examines a different sort of cold war, one that focuses on the political, economic, and legal conflicts that have emerged from the transformations of Earth’s ice. While the connection between climate change and global ice may be well established, much less is known about how the changes in ice distribution have impacted international relations. In this three-week course we will take an in-depth look at the Arctic, the Antarctic, and everywhere else that ice politics may flow.

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. He is currently at work on a research project involving the politics of ice in the era of climate change.

This is a Best of OLLI Course

  • Best of OLLI subscription courses are popular courses recorded a previous term
  • Videos are available to watch the moment you sign up through Aug. 31
  • Accessible 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

The Politics of Ice: Beyond Climate Change (Best of OLLI)

Textual Politics: Three Authors, Three Novels, Three Countries (Best of OLLI)

Course

Textual Politics: Three Authors, Three Novels, Three Countries (Best of OLLI)

Monday, April 21, 2025
Sunday, August 31, 2025
A textured painting of the world

In this course, we will use three classic but perhaps lesser-known novels as a gateway to discuss the politics of three very different countries and the surprisingly similar issues they grapple with. This is not a class on literary analysis, but rather a class that uses literature to explain politics and politics to explain literature. The three authors’ countries we cover will be Japan (Kenzaburo Oe), India (U. R. Ananthamurthy), and Algeria (Tahar Djaout).

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. He is currently at work on a research project involving the politics of ice in the era of climate change.

This is a Best of OLLI Course

  • Best of OLLI subscription courses are popular courses recorded a previous term
  • Videos are available to watch the moment you sign up through Aug. 31
  • Accessible 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

Textual Politics: Three Authors, Three Novels, Three Countries (Best of OLLI)

The Symphonies of Gustav Mahler: A Spiritual and Emotional Journey (Best of OLLI)

Course

The Symphonies of Gustav Mahler: A Spiritual and Emotional Journey (Best of OLLI)

Monday, April 21, 2025
Sunday, August 31, 2025
Colorful painting of Mahler staring off to side

This class is an in-depth analytical survey of the 11 symphonic works of Gustav Mahler. It traces the composer’s stylistic evolution during the four stages of his creative life and will clarify the main characteristics of these periods. The focus of our analysis is on the form, harmonic and melodic characteristics, and programmatic and emotional content of the symphonies

Faculty Bio

Stephen Schultz plays solo and principal flute with the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra and Musica Angelica and performs with other leading Early music groups. He is Teaching Professor Emeritus of Music History at Carnegie Mellon.

This is a Best of OLLI Course

  • Best of OLLI subscription courses are popular courses recorded a previous term
  • Videos are available to watch the moment you sign up through Aug. 31
  • Accessible 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 Stephen Schultz

As a true beginner I was delighted that this instructor made everything understandable and relatable.His lectures were wonderful, full of interesting biographical details about the composers that helped me visualize the work being played. 

Great music accompanied by wonderful history and commentary.

Faculty Q&A

The Symphonies of Gustav Mahler: A Spiritual and Emotional Journey (Best of OLLI)

Turn, Turn, Turn: A Rock ’n’ Roll Road Trip (Best of OLLI)

Course

Turn, Turn, Turn: A Rock ’n’ Roll Road Trip (Best of OLLI)

Monday, April 21, 2025
Sunday, August 31, 2025
Orange and yellow-hued illustration of a 50s convertible motoring through Southwest

This course covers the golden age of American rock ’n’ roll, 1955–70. It will be taught chronologically and geographically (“a road trip”) across several regions — plus a one-class exploration of a legend’s 1965 rock ’n’ roll masterworks — where key American musical movements sprung up. The classes will be presented as a cultural and musical journey through those periods and places where that region was at the forefront of American popular music.

Special guest musicians include Tom McCord, Paul Kotapish, Bethany Sorkey, Joe Cadora, and Bob (Justice) Lindfors.

Faculty Bio

Pete Elman is a musician, an author, a journalist, a historian — and a star educator. He has performed, recorded and produced popular music since 1962, authored four books, been a sportswriter, taught K-12, and, since 2015, has wowed OLLI members with more than a dozen courses on American music. Pete has taught with us for a decade — 10 years down the road!

This is a Best of OLLI Course

  • Best of OLLI subscription courses are popular courses recorded a previous term
  • Videos are available to watch the moment you sign up through Aug. 31
  • Please note: Due to copyright restrictions, some songs and video clips have been edited out of the final recordings
  • Accessible 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 Pete Elman

Another wonderful class from Pete! Once again, he added to my appreciation and understanding of the music and contributions from artists I already have enjoyed and admired for so long.

I gained so much appreciation for the musicians and their music than I expected to. Very, very enjoyable. I'll take any course Pete Elman offers.

Faculty Q&A

Turn, Turn, Turn: A Rock ’n’ Roll Road Trip (Best of OLLI)

Diving into the Movies (Best of OLLI)

Course

Diving into the Movies (Best of OLLI)

Monday, April 21, 2025
Sunday, August 31, 2025
Closeup of plush red velvet theatre seats

This class will foster the fun, vitality, and warmth of friends sharing a conversation about a great film they’ve just seen. Students will watch a film selected for its engaging themes, issues, storytelling, and acting. Class is comprised of lecture and discussion. 

Films to be viewed in advance and discussed in class are:

  • In Between by Maysaloun Hamoud
  • Room by Lenny Abramson
  • Walk on the Moon by Tony Goldwyn
  • All About My Mother by Pedro Almodovar
  • Perfect Days by Wim Wenders

Faculty Bio

Harry Chotiner served as an editor at Socialist Review magazine, a reader at Zoetrope Studios, and a story editor at CBS. He also served as vice president of development at 20th Century Fox and Interscope Communications and has taught history and film courses at the school of professional studies at New York University.

This is a Best of OLLI Course

  • Best of OLLI subscription courses are popular courses recorded a previous term
  • Videos are available to watch the moment you sign up through Aug. 31
  • Accessible 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 Harry Chotiner

Harry's outstanding knowledge (not only of the film industry, but also history, politics, economics, and the social sciences in general) added immeasurably to the viewing experience and to the insights he shared with the class. In addition, he has a warm, supportive, open and compassionate personality, which created an atmosphere that drew forth and nurtured student comments, questions and observations. He is a truly exceptional teacher!

Harry is exceptional! I would take a course from him every term if it were taught that often.

Faculty Q&A

Diving into the Movies (Best of OLLI)
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