The Osher Catalog is Out

It finally feels like fall around here – and, just on time, the Osher Catalog for Spring 2023 is available.  Registration has begun and I’m reading the course proposals with great anticipation.  The cover photo is the definition of William & Mary in the spring – dogwoods in blossom against the backdrop of a college building (I’m not sure which cupola this is – I thought it was the Wren Building, but it’s not.  I’ll have a take a walk and figure out which building this is.)  Here's the link to the catalog if you want to take a look https://www.wm.edu/offices/auxiliary/osher/coursecatalog.pdf.

When I began to write this essay, my plan was to feature a few courses that caught my eye. But it’s too hard — so many of these courses sound new and interesting.

This catalog has some new features that make it more useful for people who want to become members and take courses. 

1. New courses are identified as such.  This is very useful for people who have taken classes in previous semesters.  In addition, the new classes are in many cases pretty innovative and interesting.  They draw you in.

2. Cross-reference boxes are placed throughout the catalog, indicating that “if you like these courses, here are some others that might interest you.”  Like when you shop on Amazon and they tell you about other things you might want to buy.

3. Pages 20-21 of the catalog feature a class selection worksheet.  This summarizes a great deal of information about the courses so that members have all the information they need to register in one place.  Based on some recommendations (I’m talking to you, Penny) these pages identify classes offered via Zoom. There are 10 Zoom classes offered in the spring.

I never got around to signing up for Osher classes for the Fall Semester.  We were out of the country for most of September, and I just got busy.  I plan to register for courses in the spring.  One benefit of being an instructor – I don’t have to buy a membership in order to attend classes. 

NOTE: This essay is shorter than usual because I’m teaching an Osher class called Interpreting the Past at 1:30 pm this afternoon and I have things to do.