Omnilore is affiliated with the California State University Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI). The program is centered on study discussion groups, which meet at classroom facilities in Redondo Beach. A learning community of approximately 300 seniors organizes Study/Discussion Groups that are conceived, planned and directed by the members. There are no tests, nor grades. Membership is open to all who seek intellectual stimulation and the challenge of shared inquiry.

About

Study/Discussion Groups form the core of the Omnilore program. A Study/Discussion Group consists of between eight and sixteen members who gather informally at meeting rooms at the Franklin Center (click here for map) to discuss a given subject. There is no instructor, but members act as coordinator.

An aerial photograph of the Franklin Center with Rooms 7 & 8 outlined in red is available here.

The essential concept is that of peer learning and teaching - we teach each other! The curriculum is self-determined and limited only by the imagination of the membership. As a self-governed organization, members propose subjects they would like to know more about. A committee reviews these suggestions and selects about twenty of them. Members then choose the subjects that interest them from this list and if at least eight people chose the same subject, a group is formed to study it. Within the group, each member participates by choosing a topic related to the subject under study, doing research on it and then presenting the information to the group. The group then discusses the topic. In this way, all members of the group benefit from the study of every other member. Some Study/Discussion Groups are structured around a book, which all members read and discuss as part of the meetings.

The Omnilore Program consists of three trimesters a year, each four months long. Study/Discussion groups meet for two hours twice each month, 8 meetings for a total of 16 hours. Annual dues entitle a member to any number of courses.

Omnilore is governed by officers elected by the members, and many members volunteer to serve on committees. It has no full-time paid staff. Omnilore is part of the CSUDH Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (CSUDH OLLI) and is also affiliated with the Elderhostel Institute Network (Elderhostel), and the Association of Learning in Retirement Organizations – Western Region (ALIROW).

In addition to Study/Discussion Groups, Omnilore also offers other educational and enriching experiences. We have one on-campus lecture series in the Spring and Fall Trimesters which is conducted by faculty of CSUDH, forum luncheons, field trips, special interests groups, and hiking.

Curriculum

The Study/Discussion Group is the core of our program. Each trimester a list of stimulating topic choices proposed by members and the Curriculum Committee is offered to the membership for consideration. Those topics generating the most interest are then offered as courses for study and discussion. The following is the list of courses that will be held in our current Trimester. Some topics were so popular that two or three sessions are being held. All courses meet at the Franklin Center in Redondo Beach in either Room 7 or Room 8, with the exception of the Lecture Series, which is conducted at the Redondo Beach Library. Morning classes are typically held for 2 hours between 9am and noon and afternoon classes between 1pm and 4pm. The exact time of each class is set by the participants.

Summer 2008 Course Offerings
(Click on a course title to get a detailed description)

BACH, HANDEL AND SCARLATTI		2nd & 4th Thur, a.m.
GREAT DECISIONS - 2008		1st & 3rd Fri, p.m.
TO SLEEP, PERCHANCE TO DREAM		1st & 3rd Tues, p.m.
ECONOMIST’S WAY AT LOOKING AT LIFE		2nd & 4th Fri, a.m.
THE STORY OF ENGLISH - 1		2nd & 4th Tues, a.m.
THE STORY OF ENGLISH - 2		1st & 3rd Wed, p.m.
GREAT DRAMATISTS		1st & 3rd Thur, a.m.
HEALTH CARE PROPOSALS, WHAT CAN WORK?		1st & 3rd Tues, p.m.
INVESTING FOR FUN & PROFIT		1st & 3rd Mon, p.m.
THE INVISIBLE SEX		2nd & 4th Mon, a.m.
LATIN AMERICA & THE USA		2nd & 4th Thur, a.m.
LEONARDO DA VINCI: FLIGHTS OF THE MIND		2nd & 4th Wed, a.m.
CLASSICAL GREEK AND ROMAN MYTHOLOGY		1st & 3rd Thur, p.m.
PAKISTAN AS KEYSTONE		2nd & 4th Mon, p.m.
DIGITAL FINE/ART PHOTOGRAPHY		1st & 3rd Thur, p.m.
STUDYING AND ENJOYING POETRY		2nd & 4th Wed, p.m.
POPULAR CULTURE IN AMERICA		2nd & 4th Tues, p.m.
SHORT STORIES FROM AROUND THE WORLD - 1		1st & 3rd Mon, p.m.
SHORT STORIES FROM AROUND THE WORLD - 2		2nd & 4th Thur, p.m.
SHORT STORIES FROM AROUND THE WORLD - 3		1st & 3rd Thur, a.m.
THUMBS, TOES, AND TEARS		1st & 3rd Mon, a.m.
THE WRITING MIND		2nd & 4th Tues, p.m.
1968: THE YEAR THAT ROCKED THE WORLD		2nd & 4th Wed, p.m.
Coming Attractions If you would like to peek ahead and see what classes will be held next trimester Click Here . Be patient, it may take a short time to load. Use your browser's Return Button to return to this page.

Membership

Do you have a mind that's not ready to retire? Then we are definitely for you!

Omnilore is open to all who seek the intellectual stimulation and challenge of shared inquiry. We have about three hundred participants taking part in the college-level learning experience (without tests or grades!). Our self-directed courses meet twice a month (two-hour sessions) for four months.

Membership Benefits:

• Members may enroll in multiple Study/Discussion Groups per term.
• Members may participate in additional Omnilore activities that include Computer and Technology meetings, a Hiking Club, and travel opportunities.
• Forum luncheons are open to Omnilore members and their guests. These quarterly luncheons feature a variety of interesting speakers. (Please note: there is an additional fee for the luncheon).
• Members receive a bimonthly newsletter that presents a calendar, a member profile, a booklist, and several interesting, informative articles.
• Upon joining Omnilore, members receive a California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) Student ID, which allows them to use the university library.
• Members are invited to participate in the OLLI lecture series at CSUDH taught by University faculty each fall and spring.
• Members receive notifications and updates on CSUDH campus events including speaker series, department symposia, and cultural events.

JOINING IS EASY!

Membership Facts:

• The Omnilore membership year runs from September 1 through August 31. The spring classes start the first week of January, the summer classes begin the first week of May, and the fall classes commence the first week of September.
• The annual membership fee is $120, or $180 per couple. Membership can begin throughout the year and the fee will be prorated accordingly.
• Omnilore is run by volunteers. A Board of Directors and Standing Committees keep the organization running smoothly. Members propose course offerings.
• Members are expected to be active participants in their Study/Discussion Groups. Giving a presentation in the courses one takes is a requirement.
• Prior to joining, new members are required to attend an orientation session, "Introducing Omnilore," to fully understand the organization and to receive tips on "How to Succeed as an Omnilore Member."
• Prospective members are urged to "sit in" on an Omnilore session before joining the organization. We want to make sure that we are the right "fit" for you!

If you want more information about Omnilore membership, please call (310) 540-6011 or contact the membership chairperson at e-mail address Membership@Omnilore.Org. Please leave your name and mailing address, so that we may send you our current curriculum and other relevant information.

For the next Omnilore Orientation session date, click here.

For information about becoming a member of CSUDH OLLI, please contact Jim Bouchard, Director, Lifelong Learning (310) 243.3729 jbouchard@csudh.edu. For information about CSUDH OLLI Open House dates, visit www.csudh.edu/extendeded/lifelong/.