History Courses for Adults | OLLI at KSU Lifelong Learning

History

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14 courses

  • Naval Operations of the Revolution

    American Revolution naval operations involved the British Navy, Continental and State Navies, Privateers, and French Navy. The course will cover blockades, commerce raiding, amphibious, and fleet actions.

    Offering
    Tuesdays Starts Tue, Oct 13, 2026 $99
    Meets
    Tuesdays
    Dates
    Oct 13 – Dec 8, 2026
    Time
    11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
    Sessions
    8 sessions
    Price
    $99
    Where
    KSU Center, Kennesaw
    See Course Offering

  • America’s War on Terror Part II

    This lecture/discussion course continues the study of America’s war on terror from 1978 to the present. Topics include the Unabomber, the roots of 9/11, key terrorist attacks, U.S. and Israeli responses, and major counterterrorism operations. Video segments and films will enhance the discussion, and students are encouraged to share their thoughts and questions. Attendance in Part I is not required.

    Offering
    Wednesdays Starts Wed, Oct 14, 2026 $89
    Meets
    Wednesdays
    Dates
    Oct 14 – Nov 18, 2026
    Time
    11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
    Sessions
    6 sessions
    Price
    $89
    Where
    KSU Center, Kennesaw
    See Course Offering

  • What is for Sale? A Commercial History through the 21st Century

    This second installment of What’s for Sale? A Commercial History of the Modern World explores how the trade in steel, oil, coffee, and more drove local, regional, and global encounter and exchange.

    Offering
    Tuesdays Starts Tue, Dec 1, 2026 $49
    Meets
    Tuesdays
    Dates
    Dec 1 – Dec 15, 2026
    Time
    11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
    Sessions
    3 sessions
    Price
    $49
    Where
    KSU Center, Kennesaw
    See Course Offering

  • Profiles of the Founders II

    Due to the enthusiastic response to Part I, we’ll continue exploring the lesser known stories of the individuals who helped shape the United States. We’ll take a closer look at additional Founders, their personal lives, relationships, challenges, and contributions during the Founding Era. As we discover more about these remarkable individuals, you may be surprised by what you learn about the people behind the history.

    Offering
    Wednesdays Starts Wed, Jan 6, 2027 $69
    Meets
    Wednesdays
    Dates
    Jan 6 – Feb 24, 2027
    Time
    11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
    Sessions
    8 sessions
    Price
    $69
    Where
    KSU Center, Kennesaw
    See Course Offering

  • Dreadnoughts and Unterseeboots

    Explore the arms race between Britain and Germany before the Great War, following the introduction of HMS Dreadnought. Examine the revolutionary technology developments that changed naval warfare, including submarines, mines, and radio communications. Gain insight into how the Allies and Central Powers conducted the naval war and how those decisions contributed to the ultimate outcome of the conflict. Discuss how specific key players and ''characters'' influenced the battles and engagements at sea during World War I.

    Offering
    Tuesdays Starts Tue, Jan 12, 2027 $99
    Meets
    Tuesdays
    Dates
    Jan 12 – Mar 2, 2027
    Time
    11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
    Sessions
    8 sessions
    Price
    $99
    Where
    KSU Center, Kennesaw
    See Course Offering

  • History takes on Hollywood

    Attention all movie-loving history buffs!! Take an in-depth look at how Hollywood portrays real life historical events that took place, from c. 73 B.C. to c. 1960, focusing mostly on the 19th and 20th centuries. View excerpts from prominent films, followed by discussion of the historical accuracy of each.

    Offering
    Wednesdays Starts Wed, Jan 13, 2027 $119
    Meets
    Wednesdays
    Dates
    Jan 13 – Mar 3, 2027
    Time
    11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
    Sessions
    8 sessions
    Price
    $119
    Where
    KSU Center, Kennesaw
    See Course Offering

  • Family History Research Sources Tools and Verification

    Explore digital family history databases more effectively and examine AI chatbots that can help identify hard-to-find genealogical resources. Learn practical methods for organizing and researching a family-history archive and evaluate productivity tools that can improve research efficiency. Use technology thoughtfully as a research aid, while keeping human verification, source evaluation, and sound research practices at the heart of genealogical discovery.

    Offering
    Tuesdays & Thursdays Starts Tue, Feb 23, 2027 $119
    Meets
    Tuesdays & Thursdays
    Dates
    Feb 23 – Mar 11, 2027
    Time
    1:00 PM – 3:30 PM
    Sessions
    6 sessions
    Price
    $119
    Where
    KSU Center, Kennesaw
    See Course Offering

  • For Kingdom’s Sake: The Battle for Brazil

    This course traces the seventeenth-century global conflict between the Dutch and the Portuguese. We’ll examine how myth and chance spurred diverse people to action—and how the once-neglected colony helped save the Kingdom of Portugal. There are no required readings, but students might find the instructor's The Battle for Brazil: Resistance, Renewal, and the War Against the Dutch, 1580-1654 helpful enrichment.

    Offering
    Tuesdays Starts Tue, Feb 23, 2027 $59
    Meets
    Tuesdays
    Dates
    Feb 23 – Mar 16, 2027
    Time
    11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
    Sessions
    4 sessions
    Price
    $59
    Where
    KSU Center, Kennesaw
    See Course Offering

  • Family History Research Methods Records and Modern Tools

    Explore family history with confidence at every stage of the research journey. Discover how to examine records, evaluate evidence, organize findings, and document sources using sound genealogical methods. Build practical skills in researching U.S. census, vital, land, probate, military, immigration, church, cemetery, newspaper, and other records. Learn how accessible AI tools and genealogy software can strengthen but never replace careful research. Create a research plan and an ancestor profile that brings your family’s history to life.

    Offering
    Tuesdays & Thursdays Starts Tue, Apr 6, 2027 $119
    Meets
    Tuesdays & Thursdays
    Dates
    Apr 6 – Apr 22, 2027
    Time
    1:00 PM – 3:30 PM
    Sessions
    6 sessions
    Price
    $119
    Where
    KSU Center, Kennesaw
    See Course Offering

  • America's Minor Wars

    The first war on terror, the burning of the White House, the Lone Star Republic, bloody conflicts with native-Americans, American imperialism in the late 19th century. Examine the minor military conflicts that Americans had between 1754 through 1898. Explore the lesser known wars from the French and Indian War through the Spanish-American War.

    Offering
    Wednesdays Starts Wed, Apr 7, 2027 $89
    Meets
    Wednesdays
    Dates
    Apr 7 – May 12, 2027
    Time
    11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
    Sessions
    6 sessions
    Price
    $89
    Where
    KSU Center, Kennesaw
    See Course Offering

  • The War North of Rome

    The fall of Rome June 4, 1944, though a spectacular public relations triumph, did not end the war in Italy. A grueling 10-month campaign would begin, often overshadowed by D-Day and the invasion of Normandy, Italy would become nearly a forgotten front in favor of the operations in France. Some notable features of the Italian campaign of 1944-1945, was the large mixture of Allied nationalities involved, the slow advance up the Italian peninsula, the continued effective German defensive strategy and the largest surrender in the European Theater.

    Offering
    Wednesdays Starts Wed, Apr 7, 2027 $79
    Meets
    Wednesdays
    Dates
    Apr 7 – May 12, 2027
    Time
    11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
    Sessions
    6 sessions
    Price
    $79
    Where
    KSU Center, Kennesaw
    See Course Offering

  • Tiny Kingdom, Mighty Empire: Portugal and Brazil (to 1826)

    How, from 1500, did the tiny Atlantic-facing kingdom of Portugal become a mighty, global empire? How did its crown colony, Brazil become a kingdom and an empire in its own right? How did an Austrian princess-turned Portuguese queen help steer Brazil’s independence from Portugal? These questions and more drive this action-packed, and character-filled adventure through Portuguese and early Brazilian history. We will draw directly from historical sources including correspondence, travel writing, letters, poetry, and art.

    Offering
    Tuesdays Starts Tue, May 18, 2027 $59
    Meets
    Tuesdays
    Dates
    May 18 – Jun 8, 2027
    Time
    11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
    Sessions
    4 sessions
    Price
    $59
    Where
    KSU Center, Kennesaw
    See Course Offering

  • The Roaring Twenties

    Flappers, bathtub gin, flag pole sitting, cultural changes, sports heroes. Examine the fads, culture, politics, and the boom, then bust economy of the roaring twenties. Explore, in depth, what made the twenties such a fascinating period.

    Offering
    Wednesdays Starts Wed, Jul 14, 2027 $89
    Meets
    Wednesdays
    Dates
    Jul 14 – Aug 18, 2027
    Time
    11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
    Sessions
    6 sessions
    Price
    $89
    Where
    KSU Center, Kennesaw
    See Course Offering

  • The Tumultuous Thirties

    Hoovervilles, the Dust Bowl, the Bonus Army, The War of the Worlds, the disappearance of Amelia Ehrhart, gangsters become celebrities, the New Deal, the NAZIs take Europe into war. Examine the culture, the icons, the politics, the economy, the heros, the villains, etc. of the 1930s. Explore, in depth, events in both the U.S. and in Europe.

    Offering
    Wednesdays Starts Wed, Oct 6, 2027 $89
    Meets
    Wednesdays
    Dates
    Oct 6 – Nov 10, 2027
    Time
    11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
    Sessions
    6 sessions
    Price
    $89
    Where
    KSU Center, Kennesaw
    See Course Offering

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