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Join us for a Revolutionary Autumnat the Osher Institute! Register early for Fall NOW through Wed, Aug 13 at 5 pm To register early*: 1. Sign in (returning members) or Create an Account (new members) 2. Click Register (Fall 2025 box below) 3. Add a Membership to your Cart FIRST 4. Search for a course, add to Cart, repeat for additional classes 5. Need parking? Make a gift to Osher? Youll have a chance during check out 6. Click Check Out. Follow the promptsto complete registration and pay 7. Sign back in and prioritize your courses for the lottery (if necessary) 8. More help How to Prioritize Courses for the Early Registration Lottery How to Add or Drop Courses Registration Troubleshooting FAQs *Early registration opens on Friday, August 1 at 8 a.m. and closes on Wednesday, August 13 at 5 p.m. sharp (Eastern). Early registrants participate in the lottery for the most popular classes. Regular enrollment opens on August 26 when classes with available seats are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. The Fall semester runs from Monday, September 8 through Friday, December 12. > Fall 2025 > Search by Subject > Revolutionary Ideas

Revolutionary Ideas   

  • NEW! Seven Revolutions that Changed America
  • Dates: 9/8/2025 - 10/13/2025
    Times: 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
    Days: M
    Sessions: 6
    Building: School of Education
    Room: Room 2010
    Instructor(s): Donald Matthewson
    Fee: $0.00

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  • The Path to Williamsburg's Restoration
  • Dates: 9/8/2025 - 10/13/2025
    Times: 9:30 AM - 10:45 AM
    Days: M
    Sessions: 6
    Building: Campus Center
    Room: Little Theatre
    Instructor(s): Will Molineux
    Fee: $0.00

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  • The Constitutional Convention of 1787
  • Dates: 9/10/2025 - 10/15/2025
    Times: 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
    Days: W
    Sessions: 6
    Building: Campus Center
    Room: Little Theatre
    Instructor(s): Michael Kerley
    Fee: $0.00

    Catalog correction! This 6-session course meets on Wednesdays as follows:
    September 10, 17, 24 and October 1, 8, 15

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  • NEW! Magickal Jesus: Holy man, wonders, and a history of forgetting
  • Dates: 9/11/2025 - 10/9/2025
    Times: 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
    Days: Th
    Sessions: 5
    Building: Online – Zoom
    Room: Zoom Link - Emailed Day Prior
    Instructor(s): Edward Ingebretsen
    Fee: $0.00

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  • NEW! The 60s Cultural Revolution: From Mary Poppins to Mrs. Robinson
  • Dates: 9/12/2025 - 9/26/2025
    Times: 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
    Days: F
    Sessions: 3
    Building: School of Education
    Room: Room 2010
    Instructor(s): Marilyn Younger
    Fee: $0.00

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  • NEW! After the Revolution I: Revolutions in Thought, Action & Reaction
  • Dates: 9/12/2025 - 9/26/2025
    Times: 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
    Days: F
    Sessions: 3
    Building: Online – Zoom
    Room: Zoom Link - Emailed Day Prior
    Instructor(s): Rebecca Staton-Reinstein
    Fee: $0.00

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  • NEW! From Leeches to Lasers- 18th Century Medicine Compared to Today
  • Dates: 9/16/2025 - 9/16/2025
    Times: 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
    Days: Tu
    Sessions: 1
    Building: School of Education
    Room: Room 1056
    Instructor(s): Robert Jaffee
    Fee: $0.00

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  • NEW! Jack Lalanne: Revolutionized Fitness for Regular Folks
  • Dates: 9/18/2025 - 9/18/2025
    Times: 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
    Days: Th
    Sessions: 1
    Building: Campus Center
    Room: Room 159
    Instructor(s): Wendy LeBolt
    Fee: $0.00

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  • NEW! Ludwig van Beethoven: A Musical Revolutionary
  • Dates: 9/22/2025 - 9/22/2025
    Times: 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
    Days: M
    Sessions: 1
    Building: Williamsburg Regional Library
    Room: Theatre
    Instructor(s): Dan Sherman
    Fee: $0.00

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  • NEW! The Art and Science of Geospatial and Geophysical Technologies
  • Dates: 9/22/2025 - 9/22/2025
    Times: 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
    Days: M
    Sessions: 1
    Building: Campus Center
    Room: Room 159
    Instructor(s): Stephen Beck, Aaron Lovejoy
    Fee: $0.00

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  • NEW! From the Founding Fathers to Prohibition
  • Dates: 9/25/2025 - 9/25/2025
    Times: 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
    Days: Th
    Sessions: 1
    Building: Campus Center
    Room: Little Theatre
    Instructor(s): William Fetsko
    Fee: $0.00

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  • NEW! Beyond the Myth: Rethinking the Lewis & Clark Expedition
  • Dates: 9/26/2025 - 9/26/2025
    Times: 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
    Days: F
    Sessions: 1
    Building: Campus Center
    Room: Little Theatre
    Instructor(s): Thomas Thompson
    Fee: $0.00

  • If you do not see the “Request Course or Add to Cart” button below, there are 3 possible reasons: 1) Registration may not be open yet OR , 2) You have not added a Membership to your cart (not applicable if you have already purchased membership) OR, 3) You are not logged in: Click to Sign-In
 

 

  • NEW! Revolutionaries in the Family
  • Dates: 9/29/2025 - 10/13/2025
    Times: 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
    Days: M
    Sessions: 3
    Building: Williamsburg Regional Library
    Room: Theatre
    Instructor(s): Karen McPherson
    Fee: $0.00

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  • NEW! Imagine!
  • Dates: 9/29/2025 - 10/13/2025
    Times: 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
    Days: M
    Sessions: 3
    Building: School of Education
    Room: Room 2020
    Instructor(s): Glory Aiken
    Fee: $0.00

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  • NEW! Executive Order Economy
  • Dates: 9/30/2025 - 10/14/2025
    Times: 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
    Days: Tu
    Sessions: 3
    Building: School of Education
    Room: Room 1056
    Instructor(s): Keith Reagan
    Fee: $0.00

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  • NEW! The Impact of the Enlightenment in Williamsburg
  • Dates: 10/1/2025 - 10/15/2025
    Times: 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
    Days: W
    Sessions: 3
    Building: Campus Center
    Room: Little Theatre
    Instructor(s): Karen McPherson
    Fee: $0.00

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  • NEW! Vietnam War - Lessons NOT Learned?
  • Dates: 10/1/2025 - 10/1/2025
    Times: 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
    Days: W
    Sessions: 1
    Building: Online – Zoom
    Room: Zoom Link - Emailed Day Prior
    Instructor(s): Ed Linz
    Fee: $0.00

  • If you do not see the “Request Course or Add to Cart” button below, there are 3 possible reasons: 1) Registration may not be open yet OR , 2) You have not added a Membership to your cart (not applicable if you have already purchased membership) OR, 3) You are not logged in: Click to Sign-In
 

  • NEW! The Unknown Story of the First American Female Codebreaker
  • Dates: 10/2/2025 - 10/2/2025
    Times: 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
    Days: Th
    Sessions: 1
    Building: School of Education
    Room: Room 2016
    Instructor(s): Peg Becker
    Fee: $0.00

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  • NEW! After the Revolution II: Revolutions in Thought, Action & Reaction
  • Dates: 10/3/2025 - 10/17/2025
    Times: 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
    Days: F
    Sessions: 3
    Building: Online – Zoom
    Room: Zoom Link - Emailed Day Prior
    Instructor(s): Rebecca Staton-Reinstein
    Fee: $0.00

  • If you do not see the “Request Course or Add to Cart” button below, there are 3 possible reasons: 1) Registration may not be open yet OR , 2) You have not added a Membership to your cart (not applicable if you have already purchased membership) OR, 3) You are not logged in: Click to Sign-In
 

  • NEW! The Advocate's Mind: The Power of Your Voice
  • Dates: 10/3/2025 - 10/17/2025
    Times: 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
    Days: F
    Sessions: 3
    Building: Campus Center
    Room: Room 31
    Instructor(s): Muhammed Al Saffar
    Fee: $0.00

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  • NEW! The Revolutionary Story of WILLIAMSBURG – The Story of a Patriot
  • Dates: 10/7/2025 - 10/21/2025
    Times: 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
    Days: Tu
    Sessions: 3
    Building: Campus Center
    Room: Little Theatre
    Instructor(s): Richard McCluney
    Fee: $0.00

    IMPORTANT! Week 2 class meets at the Colonial Williamsburg Visitors’ Center; Weeks 1 and 3 are at Little Theatre in the Campus Center (on W&M campus)

  • If you do not see the “Request Course or Add to Cart” button below, there are 3 possible reasons: 1) Registration may not be open yet OR , 2) You have not added a Membership to your cart (not applicable if you have already purchased membership) OR, 3) You are not logged in: Click to Sign-In
 

  • NEW! The Unitary Theory of Executive Power: Important but Unknown
  • Dates: 10/8/2025 - 10/8/2025
    Times: 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
    Days: W
    Sessions: 1
    Building: Williamsburg Regional Library
    Room: Theatre
    Instructor(s): Robert Spitzer
    Fee: $0.00

  • If you do not see the “Request Course or Add to Cart” button below, there are 3 possible reasons: 1) Registration may not be open yet OR , 2) You have not added a Membership to your cart (not applicable if you have already purchased membership) OR, 3) You are not logged in: Click to Sign-In
 

 

 

 

  • D&H Canal and Gravity Railroad: A Bustling Thoroughfare of Trade and Traffic
  • Dates: 10/20/2025 - 10/27/2025
    Times: 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
    Days: M
    Sessions: 2
    Building: School of Education
    Room: Room 2000
    Instructor(s): Peg Becker
    Fee: $0.00

  • If you do not see the “Request Course or Add to Cart” button below, there are 3 possible reasons: 1) Registration may not be open yet OR , 2) You have not added a Membership to your cart (not applicable if you have already purchased membership) OR, 3) You are not logged in: Click to Sign-In
 

  • NEW! Revolution in Roads: Jamestown to Williamsburg and Beyond (1607-1957)
  • Dates: 10/20/2025 - 11/3/2025
    Times: 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
    Days: M
    Sessions: 3
    Building: Campus Center
    Room: Little Theatre
    Instructor(s): Richard Watkins
    Fee: $0.00

  • If you do not see the “Request Course or Add to Cart” button below, there are 3 possible reasons: 1) Registration may not be open yet OR , 2) You have not added a Membership to your cart (not applicable if you have already purchased membership) OR, 3) You are not logged in: Click to Sign-In
 

  • NEW! The Virginia State Navy of 1776
  • Dates: 10/20/2025 - 11/3/2025
    Times: 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
    Days: M
    Sessions: 3
    Building: Watermen's Museum
    Room: Lobby
    Instructor(s): Michael Steen
    Fee: $0.00

  • If you do not see the “Request Course or Add to Cart” button below, there are 3 possible reasons: 1) Registration may not be open yet OR , 2) You have not added a Membership to your cart (not applicable if you have already purchased membership) OR, 3) You are not logged in: Click to Sign-In
 

  • Women Amidst the American Revolution
  • Dates: 10/20/2025 - 11/3/2025
    Times: 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
    Days: M
    Sessions: 3
    Building: Campus Center
    Room: Room 159
    Instructor(s): Holly Mayer
    Fee: $0.00

  • If you do not see the “Request Course or Add to Cart” button below, there are 3 possible reasons: 1) Registration may not be open yet OR , 2) You have not added a Membership to your cart (not applicable if you have already purchased membership) OR, 3) You are not logged in: Click to Sign-In
 

  • Defending the Old Dominion: Virginia During the War of 1812
  • Dates: 10/22/2025 - 11/5/2025
    Times: 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
    Days: W
    Sessions: 3
    Building: Campus Center
    Room: Room 159
    Instructor(s): Stuart Butler
    Fee: $0.00

  • If you do not see the “Request Course or Add to Cart” button below, there are 3 possible reasons: 1) Registration may not be open yet OR , 2) You have not added a Membership to your cart (not applicable if you have already purchased membership) OR, 3) You are not logged in: Click to Sign-In
 

  • NEW! What, Then, Was the American Revolution?
  • Dates: 10/24/2025 - 11/7/2025
    Times: 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
    Days: F
    Sessions: 3
    Building: Campus Center
    Room: Little Theatre
    Instructor(s): Karen McPherson
    Fee: $0.00

  • If you do not see the “Request Course or Add to Cart” button below, there are 3 possible reasons: 1) Registration may not be open yet OR , 2) You have not added a Membership to your cart (not applicable if you have already purchased membership) OR, 3) You are not logged in: Click to Sign-In
 

 

 

 

 

  • NEW! Supporting Victory: American Women in World War I
  • Dates: 11/5/2025 - 11/5/2025
    Times: 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
    Days: W
    Sessions: 1
    Building: Campus Center
    Room: Little Theatre
    Instructor(s): Joseph Johnson
    Fee: $0.00

  • If you do not see the “Request Course or Add to Cart” button below, there are 3 possible reasons: 1) Registration may not be open yet OR , 2) You have not added a Membership to your cart (not applicable if you have already purchased membership) OR, 3) You are not logged in: Click to Sign-In
 

  • NEW! Waging War Between Capitalism and Slavery in the US (1607-1865)
  • Dates: 11/12/2025 - 12/3/2025
    Times: 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
    Days: W
    Sessions: 3
    Building: School of Education
    Room: Room 2030
    Instructor(s): James Belcher
    Fee: $0.00

  • If you do not see the “Request Course or Add to Cart” button below, there are 3 possible reasons: 1) Registration may not be open yet OR , 2) You have not added a Membership to your cart (not applicable if you have already purchased membership) OR, 3) You are not logged in: Click to Sign-In
 

  • NEW! Finding My Revolutionary War Patriots
  • Dates: 11/14/2025 - 11/21/2025
    Times: 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
    Days: F
    Sessions: 2
    Building: School of Education
    Room: Room 1056
    Instructor(s): Deborah Misiag
    Fee: $0.00

  • If you do not see the “Request Course or Add to Cart” button below, there are 3 possible reasons: 1) Registration may not be open yet OR , 2) You have not added a Membership to your cart (not applicable if you have already purchased membership) OR, 3) You are not logged in: Click to Sign-In
 

 

 

 

 

  • Virginia's Road to Revolution: Episode III: A State of Rebellion
  • Dates: 12/4/2025 - 12/4/2025
    Times: 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
    Days: Th
    Sessions: 1
    Building: Campus Center
    Room: Little Theatre
    Instructor(s): Mark Howell
    Fee: $0.00

    NOTE:

    • Though not required, participants will benefit from having attended Episodes I and II
    • Prior Episodes I and II participants who register early for Fall will be automatically seated in
      this episode (III) IF they rank this course as their No. 1 or No. 2 lottery preference

  • If you do not see the “Request Course or Add to Cart” button below, there are 3 possible reasons: 1) Registration may not be open yet OR , 2) You have not added a Membership to your cart (not applicable if you have already purchased membership) OR, 3) You are not logged in: Click to Sign-In
 

  • NEW! Virginia's Road to Revolution: Episode IV: Independence Deferred
  • Dates: 12/11/2025 - 12/11/2025
    Times: 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
    Days: Th
    Sessions: 1
    Building: Campus Center
    Room: Little Theatre
    Instructor(s): Mark Howell
    Fee: $0.00

    NOTE:

    • Though not required, participants will benefit from having attended Episodes I, II, and III
    • Prior Episodes I, II, and III participants who register early for Fall will be automatically seated in this episode (IV) IF they rank this course as their No. 1 or No. 2 lottery preference
       

  • If you do not see the “Request Course or Add to Cart” button below, there are 3 possible reasons: 1) Registration may not be open yet OR , 2) You have not added a Membership to your cart (not applicable if you have already purchased membership) OR, 3) You are not logged in: Click to Sign-In
 

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