Osher Lifelong Learning Institute - UC San Diego

Friday 10:00 a.m.
Secrets of the Watergate Scandal
Classroom 129
Instructor: Dan Dinan
It is over 40 years since the Watergate scandal
burst on the American political scene. What was
first described by some as a “third-rate burglary”
blossomed into a full-scale scandal that captured
the rapt attention and imagination of the entire
country. This class will proceed in an informal
seminar style, using the “Socratic-Don Rickles”
educational approach, to unearth the controversies
surrounding and embedded in the story. Recent
revelations provide a treasure of fascinating, often
bizarre insights into this major historical event. To
balance the view of the Nixon presidency, his major
accomplishments regarding improved relationships
with the Soviet Union and China will also be
explored. Included in the class will be many newly
available illustrative and entertaining video clips.
Dinan is a former executive with the Department
of Defense, NATO, and General Dynamics
Corporation, specializing in international security
and intelligence matters.
January 18, February 1, 15, March 1, 15
Friday 10:00 a.m.
Classroom 128
Facilitator: Henry Williams
Deliberative Dialogue engages the class in
discussion of intractable political problems
using structured dialogue and deliberation
methods. The intent is to have a dialogue where
participants first gain an appreciation of other
points of view, identifying and focusing on the
values and emotions that are key to individuals’
attitudes about the issue, rather than debating
contentious and uncertain facts and statistics.
Deliberative Dialogue
Then the participants work through the conflicting
choices and tradeoffs. It is not about winning an
argument, but about understanding and learning.
Each class session will address one subject. The
subjects will be announced by email.
January 25 and February 22
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