AARP Virginia & OLLI Mason Lecture Series

Join AARP Virginia for a complimentary class offered by the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at George Mason University (OLLI Mason). OLLI Mason provides intellectual and cultural experiences in a welcoming atmosphere to Northern Virginia residents in their retirement years.

AARP Virginia is excited to collaborate with them to provide a sampling of their lectures! Sign up for one, two, or all of these complimentary classes. You can also watch recordings of some previous lectures.

The American West: A Four Part Series
Wednesdays, Jan. 25, Feb. 1, Feb. 8, Feb. 15
9:40 a.m. — 11:05 a.m.
Click on the date above to register for the discussion.

The past and present of the American West have captured the imagination of people throughout the world like no other region of the country. The cowboy herding cattle across dusty plains and the Indian fighting to maintain traditional lands and ancient cultures are but two iconic symbols of the West. But what is the West? Where does the West begin? Who are westerners? How did this region acquire such an impact on the imagination, economy, society, and culture of the country? Focusing on the 19th and 20th centuries, this course explores the diverse geography, cultures, and economies of the region throughout its history. In addition to cowboys and Indians, the instructor will examine how the environment, the federal government, agriculture, mining, movies, and the military influenced diversity, conflict, and change in the West. Participants will also look at both the historical record and fictional accounts through film and literature and the beginning of the Biden Administration.