# Older Adults (NC) (OLDR) courses Allan Hancock College · 2026-2027 Catalog · 32 courses Source: https://hancockcollege.curriqunet.com/catalog/iq/28544/28866/31195 "Offered" lists sections in this catalog year's class schedules: Summer 2026, Fall 2026, Winter 2027, Spring 2027. ### OLDR 7000 — Natural History: Central Coast - **Hours:** 0 hours - **Offered:** not on the Summer 2026, Fall 2026, Winter 2027, Spring 2027 schedules - Course Offered: Spring - Grading Method: Noncredit This course, designed to promote socialization and cognitive acuity, presents an engaging review of the natural history and conservation issues related to the Central Coast of California. Discussion topics include (but are not limited to) plant communities, floral components, geology, soil, climate, biology, archeology, and environmental concerns. ### OLDR 7002 — Great Literature - **Hours:** 6-12 hours - **Prerequisite:** TEEN Y - **Offered:** not on the Summer 2026, Fall 2026, Winter 2027, Spring 2027 schedules This course is an intellectually and socially rewarding class in which outstanding short stories, essays, books, plays and poems are read and discussed. Through the method of shared inquiry, along with thought-provoking questions, students are offered exciting opportunities for self-discovery and personal growth. ### OLDR 7004 — Acting I - **Hours:** 6-72 hours - **Offered:** Fall 2026, 1 section (/c/allan-hancock-college/schedule/fall-2026/oldr.md) - Course Offered: Spring, Fall - Grading Method: Noncredit This course prepares a student to apply basic acting theory to performance and develops the skills of interpretation of drama through acting. Special attention is paid to skills for performance: doing rather than being, goal attainment (intention), memorization, stage movement, vocal production, and interpretation of text. Attendance of a live performance for the purpose of evaluation is required. This is a mirrored course; it is offered at the same time and place as the credit course. Noncredit and credit students take the class together with one instructor and complete the same coursework. No credit is given for this course. Mirrored course: DRMA 104. ### OLDR 7035 — Jewelry Making & Repair - **Hours:** 24-68 hours - **C-ID:** n/a - **Offered:** Summer 2026, 1 section (/c/allan-hancock-college/schedule/summer-2026/oldr.md); Fall 2026, 2 sections (/c/allan-hancock-college/schedule/fall-2026/oldr.md); Spring 2027, 2 sections (/c/allan-hancock-college/schedule/spring-2027/oldr.md) - Course Offered: Spring, Fall - Grading Method: Satisfactory Progress Discover how easy it is to make a ring or pendant and perform simple jewelry repairs. Topics include jewelry restoration, restringing pearls or beads, silversmithing, and goldsmithing. This course provides an avenue for creative expression, fine and soft motor skills and improved mental acuity. ### OLDR 7040 — Intro Jewelry Fabrication - **Hours:** 32-64 hours - **Offered:** not on the Summer 2026, Fall 2026, Winter 2027, Spring 2027 schedules - Course Offered: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter - Grading Method: Noncredit Basic jewelry making skills are explored through practice and demonstration. Students learn how to make silver rings, earrings, pins, bracelets and pendants using an array of techniques such as sawing, drilling, filing, polishing, forming, texturing, riveting, soldering, patina application, Keum Boo, inlay, and more. Students learn how to design and use tools, work with different materials, incorporate gemstones in their design and more. Frequent review of new concepts occurs through lectures and demonstrations at a pace that suits the needs and abilities of individual students. Peer feedback is utilized to maximize social interaction and encourage problem solving and critical thinking. ### OLDR 7045 — Beginning Soldering - **Hours:** 32-64 hours - **Offered:** not on the Summer 2026, Fall 2026, Winter 2027, Spring 2027 schedules - Course Offered: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter - Grading Method: Noncredit Soldering techniques are explored through practice and demonstration. Students learn how to make silver rings, earrings, pins, bracelets and pendants by applying soldering principles and techniques, including sweat soldering, pick soldering, jump soldering, fusing, reticulation, and depletion guilding. They learn about soldering set-up, including soldering bricks, solders, torches, fluxes, pickles, melting temperatures, and more. Frequent review of new concepts occurs through lectures and demonstrations at a pace that suits the needs and abilities of individual students. Peer feedback is utilized to maximize social interaction and encourage problem-solving and critical thinking. ### OLDR 7100 — Sensory Awareness - **Hours:** 0 hours - **Offered:** Summer 2026, 5 sections listed as OLDR 7100B (/c/allan-hancock-college/schedule/summer-2026/oldr.md); Fall 2026, 8 sections (/c/allan-hancock-college/schedule/fall-2026/oldr.md); Spring 2027, 7 sections (/c/allan-hancock-college/schedule/spring-2027/oldr.md) - Course Offered: Spring, Summer, Fall - Grading Method: Noncredit This sensory awareness class is designed to engage the five senses in order to sustain mental/cognitive acuity. Activities include discussions centered on current events and topics of interest. Music, storytelling, touch, aroma, and taste experiences provide focus and stimulation. ### OLDR 7101A — Crafts for Seniors - **Hours:** 32-36 hours - **Offered:** Fall 2026, 1 section (/c/allan-hancock-college/schedule/fall-2026/oldr.md); Spring 2027, 1 section (/c/allan-hancock-college/schedule/spring-2027/oldr.md) Learn to work with one or all of the following craft media in this survey of crafts class: clay, paper, fabric, and paint. Some classes have a materials fee. ### OLDR 7102 — Current Topics - **Hours:** 32-36 hours - **Offered:** not on the Summer 2026, Fall 2026, Winter 2027, Spring 2027 schedules - Course Offered: Spring, Fall - Grading Method: Noncredit This course is designed to promote socialization and stimulate memory and cognition. Students explore a wide range of topics via discussions, guest speakers, and other techniques. Course discussion and activities draw upon current local, national, and/or world topics, and draws upon the participants' experiences and knowledge of current and historical events. ### OLDR 7124 — Stagecraft - **Hours:** 80-90 hours - **Offered:** not on the Summer 2026, Fall 2026, Winter 2027, Spring 2027 schedules - Course Offered: Spring - Grading Method: Noncredit An introduction to technical theatre and the creation of scenic elements. Includes basic concepts of design, painting techniques, set construction, set movement, prop construction, backstage organization, and career possibilities. Topics include stage management, lighting, and/or sound techniques. Lecture, reading, projects, and practical experience. This is a mirrored course; it is offered at the same time and place as the credit course. Noncredit and credit students take the class together with one instructor and complete the same coursework. No credit is given for this course. Mirrored course: DRMA 124. ### OLDR 7128 — Stage Makeup - **Hours:** 80-90 hours - **Offered:** not on the Summer 2026, Fall 2026, Winter 2027, Spring 2027 schedules - Course Offered: Spring - Grading Method: Noncredit Students will receive instruction and practice in a lecture/laboratory setting in all phases of makeup specifically designed for theatrical use. Various conceptual and technical problems will be studied and solved. This is a lecture/lab course. This is a mirrored course; it is offered at the same time and place as the credit course. Noncredit and credit students take the class together with one instructor and complete the same coursework. No credit is given for this course. Mirrored course: DRMA 128. ### OLDR 7201A — Jewelry, Sculpture, and Repousse - **Hours:** 48-54 hours - **Offered:** not on the Summer 2026, Fall 2026, Winter 2027, Spring 2027 schedules Develop your creative expression through mixed-media sculpture and pewter repousse, a mixed media with enamels and acrylics. Create two- and three-dimensional sculptures from wood, metal, clay, plaster, fabric, and paper. Explore design fundamentals including space, perspective, dimension, proportion, and balance. ### OLDR 7204B — Sketching for Painters - **Hours:** 24-27 hours - **Offered:** not on the Summer 2026, Fall 2026, Winter 2027, Spring 2027 schedules Beginning and advanced painters discover techniques that transform the study of an object or scene into a sketch that is useful in planning a painting. Students learn basic perspective concepts including how to place people, animals, and objects in a scene. ### OLDR 7209 — Botanical Illustration - **Hours:** 24-54 hours - **Offered:** Fall 2026, 2 sections (/c/allan-hancock-college/schedule/fall-2026/oldr.md); Spring 2027, 2 sections (/c/allan-hancock-college/schedule/spring-2027/oldr.md) - Course Offered: Spring, Summer, Fall - Grading Method: Noncredit Designed with the older adult in mind, explore drawing and/or watercolor, and learn to create accurate renderings of plants, ranging from fruits and vegetables to weeds and wildflowers while exploring your creative expression. Review examples of the classic scientific style in botanical illustration and the use of realistic plant images in contemporary, fine art. Exercises range from quick sketches to finished compositions. Beginners are welcome. ### OLDR 7211 — The Joy of Drawing - **Hours:** 24-54 hours - **Offered:** Fall 2026, 1 section (/c/allan-hancock-college/schedule/fall-2026/oldr.md) - Course Offered: Spring, Summer, Fall - Grading Method: Noncredit Drawing is the foundation of visual communication and can only be learned through practice. Students explore the use of charcoal, colored pencil, graphite, and ink to develop graphic fluency. Exercises help students give form and definition, convey volume, define planes, give movement and direction, and articulate emotion through drawing. ### OLDR 7213 — Painting in Oils and Acrylics - **Hours:** 24-51 hours - **Offered:** Summer 2026, 1 section (/c/allan-hancock-college/schedule/summer-2026/oldr.md); Fall 2026, 3 sections (/c/allan-hancock-college/schedule/fall-2026/oldr.md); Spring 2027, 1 section (/c/allan-hancock-college/schedule/spring-2027/oldr.md) - Course Offered: Spring, Summer, Fall, As Needed - Grading Method: Noncredit Learn how to paint your favorite subjects. This class covers the basics of oil and acrylics, from the beginning drawing to the finished painting. Beginning through experienced painters who wish to work with oils and acrylic media are welcome. ### OLDR 7214 — Ceramics 1 - **Hours:** 96-108 hours - **C-ID:** N/A - **Offered:** Fall 2026, 1 section (/c/allan-hancock-college/schedule/fall-2026/oldr.md); Spring 2027, 1 section (/c/allan-hancock-college/schedule/spring-2027/oldr.md) - Course Offered: Spring, Fall - Grading Method: Noncredit This course serves as an introduction to ceramics materials, concepts and processes, including design principles, creative development, and ceramic terminology. Low-fire clay and glaze processes using hand-building forming techniques will be emphasized. These practices will help students to improve fine/gross motor skills, enhance mental acuity, enhance creativity, foster socialization, and increase appreciation for the arts among older adults. ### OLDR 7215 — Mixed Media 1 - **Hours:** 96-108 hours - **C-ID:** NA - **Offered:** Fall 2026, 1 section (/c/allan-hancock-college/schedule/fall-2026/oldr.md) - Course Offered: Fall - Grading Method: Noncredit An exploration of a variety of traditional and distinctly unique 2-dimensional art media as they relate to drawing and painting mediums. This course is designed to enhance mental/physical skills and fosters socialization. This is a mirrored course; it is offered at the same time and place as the credit course. Noncredit and credit students take the class together with one instructor and complete the same coursework. No credit is given for this course. ### OLDR 7216 — Ceramics 2 - **Hours:** 96-108 hours - **C-ID:** NA - **Offered:** Fall 2026, 1 section (/c/allan-hancock-college/schedule/fall-2026/oldr.md); Spring 2027, 1 section (/c/allan-hancock-college/schedule/spring-2027/oldr.md) - Course Offered: Spring, Fall - Grading Method: Noncredit A continuation of Ceramics 1 and low-fire clay and glaze processes, using the potter's wheel, extruder, making and using molds, graphic design with low-fire colored glazes. This course is designed to enhance mental/physical skills and fosters socialization. ### OLDR 7300 — Urban Sketching - **Hours:** 24-54 hours - **Offered:** Spring 2027, 1 section (/c/allan-hancock-college/schedule/spring-2027/oldr.md) - Course Offered: Spring, Summer, Fall - Grading Method: Noncredit Join the urban sketching global phenomenon as students learn how to document their daily lives through light and lively sketches with a splash of watercolor. Working from photographs during class, students will learn urban sketching style drawing and watercolor techniques to apply perspective, composition, light, and storytelling elements in these quick sketches. Each weekly homework assignment invites students to create an urban sketch on location to document their life experiences. No prior art experience required. ### OLDR 7305 — Art/Journaling - **Hours:** 16-36 hours - **Offered:** Summer 2026, 1 section (/c/allan-hancock-college/schedule/summer-2026/oldr.md); Fall 2026, 1 section (/c/allan-hancock-college/schedule/fall-2026/oldr.md); Spring 2027, 1 section (/c/allan-hancock-college/schedule/spring-2027/oldr.md) - Course Offered: Spring, Summer, Fall - Grading Method: Noncredit Art/Journaling invites students to creatively document their lives, selecting their personal point of interest to apply the creative and reflective art journaling exercises to during the interactive class workshop sessions. Possibilities include art/journaling on nature, gardening, sewing, traveling, camping, hiking, fishing, cooking, parenting or grandparenting, self-reflection, or as an historical memoire. Each class includes reflective writing integrated with easily accessible mixed media art applications. No prior art or writing experience required. ### OLDR 7310 — Photography for Artists - **Hours:** 16-34 hours - **Offered:** Summer 2026, 1 section (/c/allan-hancock-college/schedule/summer-2026/oldr.md) - Course Offered: Spring, Summer, Fall - Grading Method: Noncredit Learn how to take excellent photographs for use as reference images for traditional studio art. Students will learn perspective, composition, light, and design for scenic, still/tabletop, and people/portraits using their cell phone camera. Content covers image selection and considers sizing, composition, and cropping within a particular image to optimize its use as a reference photograph for artwork without using expensive software, artificial intelligence, or other manipulations. Includes basic image transfer options to use photographs as reference images in traditional studio art during the interactive studio workshop sessions. No prior experience in photography or art is required. ### OLDR 7315 — Phonetography - **Hours:** 16-34 hours - **Offered:** Spring 2027, 1 section (/c/allan-hancock-college/schedule/spring-2027/oldr.md) - Course Offered: Spring, Summer, Fall - Grading Method: Noncredit Have you ever wished you could take better pictures of a special event, capture the perfect expression on your loved one’s face, or creatively document the world around you? Phonetography teaches students how to see and photograph like a professional photographer, including seeing different types of light, designing for excellent composition, and looking for a creative perspective. This course emphasizes how to take excellent photographs using a cell phone camera without later needing to make corrections with fancy gadgets, attachments, or digital software. Students are required to bring to class a smartphone camera. No prior experience in photography is required. ### OLDR 7320 — Painting with Pastels - **Hours:** 24-54 hours - **Offered:** not on the Summer 2026, Fall 2026, Winter 2027, Spring 2027 schedules - Course Offered: Spring, Summer, Fall - Grading Method: Noncredit Learn simple techniques for building beautiful landscape paintings with soft pastels and/or oil pastels. Students will develop their personal style as they learn how to do an underpainting to generalize shapes, colors, and values, then develop their pastel painting with colorful and expressive detail during this interactive studio workshop. ### OLDR 7330 — Mixed Media Portrait Studio - **Hours:** 24-54 hours - **Offered:** Summer 2026, 1 section (/c/allan-hancock-college/schedule/summer-2026/oldr.md) - Course Offered: Spring, Summer, Fall - Grading Method: Noncredit Explore creative ways to make experimental mixed media portraits which integrate personal style with a diverse range of creative materials and unique application processes. Using personal and/or family pictures as reference photos, students will learn how to transform these by creating compelling and innovative portraits using a combination of mixed media and art techniques during this interactive studio workshop. ### OLDR 7340 — Image Transfer Art Applications (From Photographs) - **Hours:** 24-54 hours - **Offered:** Summer 2026, 1 section (/c/allan-hancock-college/schedule/summer-2026/oldr.md) - Course Offered: Spring, Summer, Fall - Grading Method: Noncredit Photography bridges into mixed media art through a wide range of image transfer options to create a new artsy iteration of a favorite digital photograph. Students will explore several art and printmaking techniques using (nondigital) traditional studio art mixed media materials to transfer their photographic images into creative art representations during each interactive studio workshop. No art or photography experience necessary or required. ### OLDR 7350 — Introduction to Watercolor Painting - **Hours:** 24-54 hours - **Offered:** Fall 2026, 2 sections (/c/allan-hancock-college/schedule/fall-2026/oldr.md); Spring 2027, 4 sections (/c/allan-hancock-college/schedule/spring-2027/oldr.md) - Course Offered: Spring, Summer, Fall - Grading Method: Noncredit Introduction to Watercolor Painting is designed for people who want to develop and/or sustain confidence in creative expression through watercolor. This course explores design elements, color mixing, brush techniques, luminous transparent wash techniques, composition, light, and how to build a watercolor painting from reference photos. During the interactive studio workshop, students will practice a variety of watercolor skills and paint a range of subjects (i.e., landscape, seascape, coastal range, barn, etc.). ### OLDR 7355 — Advanced Watercolor Painting - **Hours:** 24-54 hours - **Offered:** Fall 2026, 1 section (/c/allan-hancock-college/schedule/fall-2026/oldr.md); Spring 2027, 1 section (/c/allan-hancock-college/schedule/spring-2027/oldr.md) - Course Offered: Spring, Summer, Fall - Grading Method: Noncredit Advanced Watercolor Painting is designed for older adults who have some experience in watercolor. The weekly lessons and projects expand on basic watercolor skills, introducing intermediate and advanced applications which experiment with creative techniques, mixing media with watercolor, and developing personal style. Each interactive studio workshop includes creative exercises which build ability and confidence, while also enhancing critical thinking and creative expression in this inspirational course. ### OLDR 7400 — Mixed Ensemble - **Hours:** 52-58.5 hours - **C-ID:** N/A - **Offered:** Fall 2026, 1 section (/c/allan-hancock-college/schedule/fall-2026/oldr.md); Spring 2027, 1 section (/c/allan-hancock-college/schedule/spring-2027/oldr.md) - Limitation on Enrollment: Audition at first class meeting - Course Offered: Spring, Fall - Grading Method: Noncredit Designed to give singers with varying degrees of musical experience the opportunity to rehearse and perform standard choral literature in a broad range of styles, including a cappella and instrumentally accompanied works. Performances are scheduled throughout the semester with an emphasis on community outreach. This course is designed to enhance mental/physical skills and fosters socialization. ### OLDR 7401 — Jazz Ensemble - **Hours:** 48-54 hours - **Offered:** Fall 2026, 2 sections (/c/allan-hancock-college/schedule/fall-2026/oldr.md); Spring 2027, 2 sections (/c/allan-hancock-college/schedule/spring-2027/oldr.md) - Course Offered: Spring, Fall - Grading Method: Noncredit Designed for members of the Allan Hancock College Jazz Band, which will perform a variety of traditional and contemporary jazz works. The band will make several appearances during the semester. This course is designed to enhance mental/physical skills and fosters socialization. ### OLDR 7405 — Symphonic Band - **Hours:** 48-54 hours - **Offered:** Fall 2026, 1 section (/c/allan-hancock-college/schedule/fall-2026/oldr.md); Spring 2027, 1 section (/c/allan-hancock-college/schedule/spring-2027/oldr.md) - Course Offered: Spring, Fall - Grading Method: Noncredit This is a noncredit class for students in the community who wish to play and perform in a community band. This course provides social interactions as well as the development of dexterity and continued development of breathing capacity for the older adult. The band performs a concert for the public every six to eight weeks. ### OLDR 7411 — Barbershop Harmony Chorus - **Hours:** 24-42 hours - **Offered:** Summer 2026, 1 section (/c/allan-hancock-college/schedule/summer-2026/oldr.md); Fall 2026, 1 section (/c/allan-hancock-college/schedule/fall-2026/oldr.md); Spring 2027, 1 section (/c/allan-hancock-college/schedule/spring-2027/oldr.md) - Limitation on Enrollment: Audition at first class meeting - Course Offered: Spring, Summer, Fall - Grading Method: Noncredit Designed to give Tenor, Baritone, and Bass singers with varying degrees of musical experience the opportunity to rehearse and perform a variety of music written in the 4-part, a capella, barbershop harmony style, Performances are scheduled throughout the semester with an emphasis on community outreach. This course is designed to enhance mental/physical skills and foster socialization.