Omnilore is a program of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at the California State University Dominguez Hills (CSUDH). 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 Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at CSUDH .

THE FABRIC OF AMERICA		1st & 3rd Tuesday, p.m. – Room 7
HOW CULTURE SHAPES NATIONS		1st & 3rd Thursday, p.m. – Room 8
THE U.S. CONSTITUTION, APPLYING IT TO AMERICA’S PROBLEMS		2nd & 4th Friday, p.m. - Room 7
MAKING A DIFFERENCE		2nd & 4th Tuesday, a.m. - Room 7
BEYOND THE EPIC: THE LIFE AND FILMS OF DAVID LEAN		2nd & 4th Wednesday, p.m. - Room 7
THE RISE OF THE DOCUMENTARY MOVIE		2nd & 4th Wednesday, a.m. - Room 7
GENETIC GENEALOGY - 1		1st & 3rd Tuesday, a.m. - Room 8
GENETIC GENEALOGY - 2		1st & 3rd Monday, p.m. - Room 7
KAREN ARMSTRONG AND A HISTORY OF GOD		2nd & 4th Tuesday, p.m. – Room 7
WATER AND THE POLITICS OF WATER		1st & 3rd Thursday, a.m. – Room 7
STUMBLING ON HAPPINESS - 1		2nd & 4th Friday, a.m. - Room 7
STUMBLING ON HAPPINESS - 2		1st & 3rd Tuesday, p.m. - Room 7
THE HISTORIES – BY HERODOTUS		2nd & 4th Thursday, p.m. - Room 8
2008 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION ISSUES		2nd & 4th Thursday, a.m. - Room 8
THE THOUSAND YEAR WAR IN THE MIDEAST - 1		2nd & 4th Tuesday, a.m. - Room 8
THE THOUSAND YEAR WAR IN THE MIDEAST - 2		2nd & 4th Wednesday, a.m. - Room 8
LANGUAGE – WHAT A DIFFERENCE A WORD MAKES		2nd & 4th Wednesday, p.m. - Room 8
THE TRILLION DOLLAR MELTDOWN		1st & 3rd Wednesday, p.m. – Room 7
STUDYING AND ENJOYING POETRY (Part 2)		1st & 3rd Monday, a.m. - Room 7
SHAKESPEARE: ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE …		1st & 3rd Thursday, p.m. - Room 7
SHORT STORIES FROM AROUND THE WORLD (Part 2) - 1		2nd & 4th Monday, p.m. - Room 7
SHORT STORIES FROM AROUND THE WORLD (Part 2) - 2		2nd & 4th Thursday, p.m. - Room 7
MODERN SYMPHONIES		2nd & 4th Tuesday, p.m. – Room 8
THE WRITING MIND - 1		1st & 3rd Wednesday, p.m. - Room 8
THE WRITING MIND - 2		2nd & 4th Thursday, a.m. - Room 7
CULMINATING ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE HIGH BAROQUE		CSUDH Campus
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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 OLLI @ CSUDH activities that include Computer Talks meetings, and a Hiking Club.
• Forum luncheons are open to OLLI 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 for new members.
• 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 OLLI @ CSUDH, please contact Jim Bouchard, Director, Lifelong Learning (310) 243.3729 jbouchard@csudh.edu. For information about OLLI @ CSUDH Open House dates, visit www.csudh.edu/extendeded/lifelong/.