In this course, we will explore the 100-year history of one of the largest and most globally recognized brands, Walt Disney. We will start by understanding Walt himself, and then dive into the organization's different business units, exploring the film and media side of the business as well as the parks and resorts. We will peek under the hood at what it is like to work at Disney. We will close the course by learning about Disney's leadership over the years and how they have wielded their influence in politics. Throughout this course, we will seek out varying perspectives, giving us a view from those who revere the Magic Kingdom, those who critique it, and everywhere in between.

Instructor: Emma Miller started her career working for the Mouse, which was the travel agency sales arm of Walt Disney World Parks and Resorts. Since then, she has worked in media and marketing, including time at McDonald’s and consulting across a range of clients at Deloitte. Miller's perspectives from working at Disney have shaped how she views marketing, brands, and fandom. Outside of work, she volunteers on a board for Unbound, an international development nonprofit. Miller holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame and an MBA from the University of Chicago.

Course dates: Wednesdays, January 15 to February 19, from 3:00 to 4:30 PM (Eastern)

Course preview (video): https://vimeo.com/954430633?share=copy

Registration is required to attend, and limited space is available.

Osher Online is a shared program exclusively for members of select Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes (OLLIs). This collaboration between the Osher National Resource Center and the School of Professional Studies at Northwestern University presents lecture and discussion-style courses over four academic terms – fall, winter, spring, and summer – yearly. The purpose of Osher Online is to share quality online courses and occasional special community events with local OLLIs.