Osher Special Events & Courses 2026
Osher Special Events & Courses 2026
Courses are offered in various formats, including in-person, hybrid and online. If you sign up for a hybrid course, you can either attend in person or join us online. You will just need to specify your choice upon registration. Course times vary from 90 minutes to two hours taught in three-week sessions and some two-week and one-day courses.
Typical course and special event fees:
- $50 for a three-week course.
- $35 for a two-week course.
- $25 for a one-time session.
- Special event pricing may vary.
Remember your Osher membership fee of $25 is required to take courses or attend special events.
History
The Life & Wars of Robert E. Lee
Instructor: Ethan Rafuse
July 13, 20 & 27
6:30-8:30 p.m.
KU Edwards Campus, 12610 Quivira Road, Overland Park, Kansas, & Online (NOT RECORDED)
Register
Description
Robert E. Lee was the son of fabled Revolutionary War general "Light Horse" Harry Lee. In this course, we'll examine how this general's son became one of the most respected officers in the U.S. Army, only to forge a record in the Confederacy that made him one of the most respected commanders in history. We'll look at the great maneuvers that carried him to triumph at Chancellorsville in 1863, and then to complete defeat in 1865. We will consider the factors that shaped Lee's generalship both in victory and defeat, then look at how Lee dealt with the aftermath of defeat in his postwar endeavors.*Please note this class will be presented in hybrid format but will not be recorded, at the request of the instructor.
Instructor Bio: Ethan S. Rafuse has many published works include Robert E. Lee and the Fall of the Confederacy, 1863-1865. He received his doctorate at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and teaches military history at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth.