Osher Online Courses

About Osher Online Courses

Osher Online offers fully online courses for the enjoyment of Osher members across the country! These courses were created by the Osher National Resource Center (NRC) at Northwestern University and are delivered by that program. Their staff will provide moderators and technical assistance.

Each course is six weeks in duration, with 1.5-hour sessions every week. The cost is $75 per person, per course. Sessions take place via Zoom. Sessions are not recorded, so live attendance is essential. An Osher at Dartmouth membership is required in order to register for any of these courses.

After registering for Osher Online courses, students will receive a welcome email from Osher NRC that includes an Osher Online username and password, as well as a link to the Osher Online website. The website holds the class Zoom link, syllabus, discussion board, and Customer Care contact information. Students will also receive an invitation to a pre-class orientation with information on accessing courses (see the "Before Your First Class!" section below).

Registration opens Monday, May 12 at 12:01 AM. Space is limited; be sure to register early!

Support for Courses

While registration is processed through Osher at Dartmouth, support for Osher Online courses is provided by the Osher Online Team at the Northwestern University School of Professional Studies. For assistance, call them at (312) 503-5555 or email osheronline@northwestern.edu.

Before Your First Class!

Once you register for any Osher Online course, we strongly encourage you to attend their orientation session (date to come) (a registration link will be provided after you register for one of the courses below). You can also watch their Member Orientation recording to ensure you are fully prepared for your first day of class. Afterwards, practice logging in at www.osheronline.net!

Summer 2025 Courses

Term dates: July 8 through August 18, 2025

100 Years of Magic: The Disney Legacy and Influence

This course offers a comprehensive look at how Walt Disney’s vision became a cultural force shaping today's entertainment industry.
View the full course description here.
Click here to watch a video about the course!

Architectural Oddities: An Off-the-Beaten Path Look at Unconventional Architecture

This course explores a myriad of structures set against the backdrop of the societies in which they existed, the construction methods used, the patrons for whom these structures were constructed, and the notions of the builders and architects who created them.
View the full course description here.
Click here to watch a video about the course!

Behind Those Baby Blues: The Films of Paul Newman

This course will trace the timeline of Newman’s remarkable career, from his legendary collaborations with Robert Redford in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) and The Sting (1973) to his final roles in Road to Perdition (2002), Empire Falls (2005), and Cars (2006), where he voiced the retired race car Doc Hudson.
View the full course description here.
Click here to watch a video about the course!

History of Beer

This course meets during happy hour, so feel free—nay, encouraged—to raise a glass and toast to history while we learn.
View the full course description here.
Click here to watch a video about the course!

Public Health Across the Lifespan

This course provides a comprehensive overview of key public health topics across the human lifespan, from prenatal health to aging care.
View the full course description here.
Click here to watch a video about the course!

Stories of Adventure: The Norse Sagas

This course will explore the Norse sagas, which are medieval tales rooted in Old Norse mythology, written in Iceland centuries after the Viking era.
View the full course description here.
Click here to watch a video about the course!

The Economics of Public Policy Issues

This course examines a series of prominent policy issues with economics at their core.
View the full course description here.
Click here to watch a video about the course!

The Rehnquist  Court, 1986-2005: Moves Toward Small Federal Government

This course examines the legacy of the Rehnquist Court, as well as his 15 years as an associate justice under Chief Justice Warren Burger.
View the full course description here.
Click here to watch a video about the course!

Refund Policy

Participants may request or receive a refund of their course fees for the following reasons:

• Course cancelled by Osher at Dartmouth or Study Leader(s): Receive a full refund of their course fee.
• Course Withdrawal/Drop/Transfer by Registrant:
  • At least 14 days prior to first session: Receive a refund of their course fee minus a $10.00 administrative fee for each course.
  • Less than 14 days prior to first session: Not eligible to receive a refund of course fees or special fees related to the course.
  • Transfer: No administrative fee.

Exceptions to this policy:

Exceptions may be made if the member’s health will prevent participation in their course. In such cases, a written refund request must be submitted to the Osher at Dartmouth office. A $10.00 administrative fee per course will be applied to this type of refund request.