Courses, Clubs and Workshops

Mondays

How America Intervenes in the Middle East and North Africa: It’s Déjà Vu All Over Again
Dates TBD | 10–11:40 a.m. (four weeks) | Zoom

There are no winners in war: only losers. In this lecture series, we will examine the role of the American military and covert CIA activities in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA countries) across several significant interventions since World War II, and we will try to determine why (in my opinion as an amateur historian and analyst) we get it wrong over and over again, while creating literally millions of enemies that might harm the USA.

Feuding Founders:  How the Founding Fathers Built a Nation by Quarreling
Dates TBD | 2–3:40 p.m. (6 weeks) | In-person

Leaders of the early American Republic were a contentious lot.  They argued endlessly about philosophy, religion, slavery, and politics.  Gleefully they attacked one another with vitriolic rhetoric which rivals our current political invective.  It is fortunate our young nation survived its first two decades.  Surprisingly, though, out of this bubbling cauldron of bitter animosity an unexpected understanding emerged:  we can live together, even if we often don't see eye to eye or even like our fellow countrymen.  This was a radical breakthrough in people's thinking about politics.  We agreed to disagree, a principle that has served us well until the rise of today's culture of extremism.  In this course we will trace the development of this surprising conclusion.

Tuesdays

No Passport Required: The Global History and Politics of Tourism 
Dates TBD | 10–11:40 a.m. (6 weeks) | Zoom

While many of us look forward to traveling to new destinations and venturing into parts unknown, the fact that we can do so is the result of a long and contested struggle for the democratization of the travel. Travel has indeed been democratized in the present, perhaps too much so, considering many countries are combatting the scourge of over-tourism. This class will be a different sort of magical mystery tour, using specific destinations to look at how and why countries get us to travel, and weaving a discussion of the politics of tourism into the journey all along the way.

Intriguing Topics from the Social Sciences
Dates TBD | 2–3:40 p.m. (4 weeks) | In-person

Join me in exploring a collection of fascinating themes drawn from cognitive, psychological and linguistic sciences. Each week considers a different intriguing topic. On The Spectrum – The neuro-atypical minds of those with autism and other forms of neurodiversity. Ape Intelligence – The intellectual capacities of chimpanzees and bonobos who have been reared with human guidance. What Happens When We Sleep? – Why we need sleep and what happens in our brains as we cycle through sleep periods. The Social And Cognitive Effects Of Tech – How our brains, thinking, emotions and sociability are impacted by the use of screens, social media and AI.

Wednesdays

Changing the Constitution
Dates TBD | 10–11:40 a.m. (4 weeks) | In-person

Most folks in this country are unhappy with the current Constitution. It also seems clear that our society has many problems, both current and long-term, that can’t get solved without some basic changes in how we operate as a country. Whether due to inertia, reverence for the “founding fathers” and their masterwork, or fear of our fraught political environment, we—as a political community—are not engaging with this essential question. This course will consist of two lectures on the nature of constitutions and the history of constitutional change in the US. Then we will spend two sessions discussing proposals for change from the incremental to the fundamental as the basis of a dialogue on what sort of country we want to have. We will explore ideas for changes to the relationship of individuals to their government, the specifics of each branch, the political/electoral system, and the process of amendment and ratification.

The Physics of Two New Hot Technologies That Will Shape Our Future
Dates TBD | 2–3:40 p.m. (6 weeks) | In-person

Abundant clean nuclear energy provided by fusion reactors and the new level of computational power provided by quantum computers are two technologies that will significantly affect the future of mankind. Both of these technologies are driven by cutting-edge modern physics.
This course will address the issues and challenges facing the development of these technologies and the societal promises that they represent. Amidst this discussion will be worked in “a poet’s view” of the fascinating physics that they are based upon. This view may be a little “mind-twisting” but will not require any special background or experience in math or physics. Reading lists will be made available to attendees who want to pursue the topics further beyond course sessions but would not be required.

Thursdays

The Roman Space Telescope - Launching A New Era in Astronomy 
Dates TBD | 10–11:40 a.m. (4 weeks) | Zoom

A new space telescope is scheduled to launch in the fall of 2026.  Named after Nancy Grace Roman, a pioneering American astronomer known as the "Mother of Hubble," this innovative telescope will join other instruments studying the cosmos from the cold depths of space.  Why do we place telescopes in space?  How did the Hubble Space Telescope's astonishing and iconic images transform our understanding of the universe?  What are we hoping to learn from the Roman Space Telescope and how will it expand on the contributions made by the Hubble Telescope? Come join the class and find out.  

Joni Mitchell: From Folk and Folk-Rock to Jazz and Beyond
Dates TBD | 5:30–6:40 p.m. (4 weeks) | Zoom

Joni Mitchell established herself as one of the top singer-songwriters of her generation with classics like "Both Sides Now," "Woodstock," and "Help Me." This course traces her evolution during her peak years from the mid-1960s through the end of the 1970s, when she rose to stardom by forging a path through folk and folk-rock before branching into jazz. Featuring common and rare film and audio clips, the class also puts her work into the context of the era's thriving folk-rock scene, when she influenced and sometimes collaborated with stars like Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Judy Collins, and James Taylor.

Fridays

Current Events
Dates TBD | 10–11:40 a.m. (4 weeks) | In-person

Come to the beautiful Dominican campus and listen to our well-loved local experts discussing the current political and economic issues of the day.

Flash Memoir and Flash Fiction
Dates TBD | 10–11:40 a.m. (8 weeks) | Zoom

This workshop will explore Flash Memoir, Flash Fiction, and the Fine Line between them. Flash Memoir highlights the tiny magical moments that have stayed with you for years. You will learn how to craft a mini‑universe that speaks emotionally, shares your wisdom, and shines. We will also explore techniques of Flash Fiction to give your writing the freedom to be inventive.  The Fine Line gives you the freedom to express more of your inner world by changing details, events, and outcomes. Whether you are a realist or a more inventive writer, you are invited to explore a paintbox of writing styles. 

Operation Paperclip
Dates TBD | 2–3:40 p.m. (4 weeks) | Zoom

This course will cover the period between 1945 and the 1990's, when the United States engaged in a secret intelligence operation to bring to America Nazi scientists and engineers, many of whom had committed atrocities as officers and personnel during the Third Reich. Decades after the end of the War, the U.S. government continued to protect many of these criminals.

Movement and Mindfulness
August 11 - September 17 | 10–11:40 a.m. (6 weeks) | In-person, Conlan Recreation Center

This is a movement class that incorporates yoga philosophy and guides the students to discover peace and joy in their bodies and minds. Each class consists of a short dharma talk, a warm-up, physical postures and a brief meditation. The class is for all levels and the teachers will provide multiple options for modifying poses to meet the needs of the unique class. You will leave feeling light, calm and focused. Classes will include demonstrations and hands-on assists to help students practice safely. Please bring your own yoga mat, ideally one that is ⅛” thick. You are also welcome to use a chair if that is your preference.

Mondays

The Invisible Thread: 3,500 Years of Global Supply Chain
October 19 – November 23 | 8 a.m. 
We often only notice the global supply chain when it breaks. Yet, for millennia, the movement of goods has been the silent engine of civilization. In this course, we will track the evolution of trade from an executive's perspective. From the sunken treasures of Bronze Age merchant ships to the high-tech/intermodal systems of today, we will explore the vessels that carried the world’s wealth and the complex networks that keep our modern shelves stocked.

Tuesdays

Apple at 50: How it Revolutionized Computing and Transformed Daily Life
September 29 – November 3 | 4 p.m. 
This course traces Apple’s fifty-year history and its massive impact on personal computing, design, product culture, platforms and ecosystems, and daily life. Each session focuses on a different decade in Apple’s history, from the birth of the PC in the late 1970s to the latest Apple silicon, VR headsets, and future iPhones. We will learn how Apple reshaped not just technology, but how people live, work, and communicate.

Winning the White House: The Evolution of the Presidency
September 29 – November 3 | 8 a.m. 
Harry S. Truman once described the presidency as “the most peculiar office in the world.” In this course, we will explore how the Founding Fathers left the office for future presidents to define, creating conditions for a dramatic expansion of executive power. We will examine how the presidency has come to dominate the three co-equal branches, with Congress and the Supreme Court at times ceding authority. We will consider how and why this shift occurred, how this peculiar office is won or lost, how they have exercised power, and how the rise of the administrative state has reshaped the balance envisioned by the framers. 

Cults and New Religious Movements in America
October 6 – November 10 | Noon 
America has provided fertile ground for new and alternative religions to sprout and grow. Some prosper and eventually become accepted as part of the normal religious landscape, some wither away and forgotten, and some detonate, creating public scandal and in the worst cases, national tragedy. This course will examine New Religious Movements, popularly known as "cults", within the US context. We will examine these religious movements both from insider perspectives and outsider perceptions. We will analyze the history, practices, and beliefs of these organizations to better understand them and deconstruct misconceptions. This course covers the 18th and 19th centuries.

Mexico City: Empires, Revolutions, and Everyday Life
September 29 – November 3 | 10 a.m. 
Mexicans celebrate a remarkable diversity of peoples, music, food, festivals, and historical traditions, expressed through fiestas that bring communities together across the calendar year. In this course, we will explore Mexico City as a cultural and historical crossroads shaped by centuries of continuity and change. We will trace the legacies of Indigenous civilizations, the transformations of Spanish colonial rule, the struggles for independence and revolution, and the emergence of modern democratic politics, culminating in the 2024 election of Mexico’s first woman president. We will see how culture, power, and celebration remain deeply intertwined in the life of this extraordinary city.

Wednesdays

August Wilson and His American Cycle - The First Five: 1904-1957
October 21 – November 11 | 2 p.m. 
August Wilson was the first African American playwright to have a Broadway theater bear his name,a fitting tribute to a dramatist who brought African American culture and lived experience to the stage. In this course, we will read, watch, and examine the first five plays in Wilson’s American Cycle, a ten-play series representing each decade of the AfricanAmerican culture’s 20th century. We will explore Wilson’s life and the influences behind his work while focusing on Gem of the Ocean, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, and Seven Guitars, tracing his powerful interpretation, celebration, and perseveration of African American culture.

Living off The Laughter: History of Comedy in America
October 14 – November 18 | Noon
This course is a history class with a laugh track. We will analyze the significant periods and players of the 20th and 21st Centuries against their historic context and legacy, using humor as the platform. We will discuss how comedy was shaped by and responsive to American society, and how comedians influenced and shaped American life.We will cover Silent Films,Vaudeville, Radio, Screwball and Romantic Comedies, Comedy Teams, and the Golden Age ofTelevision. We will study how America laughed in each generation, and how the change in American character and persona shaped how they laughed and what (and whom) they laughed at. 

Post War Architecture: The Innovative Architects of the Midcentury Modern Period
October 7 – November 11 | 10 a.m.
From sleek new industrial materials to innovations in housing, mid 20th century designers faced the challenge of shaping an aesthetic that reflected the ideals of post-World War II America. In this course, we will explore the optimism that defined the relationship between design and lifestyle during this period, particularly through the emergence of open living spaces in architecture. We will examine the influence of the Case Study Program and the work of leading designers including Charles and Ray Eames, John Lautner, Eero Saarinen, E. Fay Jones, and Donald Wexler, while considering these developments within the broader context of rapid social and cultural change.

Thursdays

"Studies Show..." (Or Do They?): Under the Hood of a Scientific Study
October 1 – November 5 | Noon
What really changes when we read beyond the abstract? In this interactive course, we will open real research papers (many in health and nutrition) and explore what scientists actually look for. We will explore how small design choices can dramatically shape a study's meaning, and why headlines rarely tell the story. No technical background is required – just curiosity. By the end of the course, we will never read “studies show...” the same way again. 

Biology and Society
October 1 - November 5 | 8 a.m.
This course introduces the scientific study of life with an emphasis on real-world applications and the societal, social, ethical, and legal consequences of biological advances. We will place key biological principles within the context of issues that affect individuals and society, highlighting the connection between biology and everyday life. Designed for non-scientists with little or no recent college-level science experience, the our seen courages discussion and reflection. Many topics are at the leading edge of scientific discovery, and we will examine the ongoing ethical and legal debates surrounding how and whether these advances should be applied. 

Power and the People: The Evolution of the U.S. Federal Judiciary
October 15 – November 19 | 10 a.m.
The American Experiment began with the Declaration of Independence and led to the creation of the federal judiciary, one of the country’s greatest experiments. In this course, we will trace the evolution of the courts from their English roots to their formal establishment in the Constitution. We will explore how the SupremeCourt, lacking the power of the purse or military, derives its authority from its ability to connect with the people of the US and protect democracy. We will examine creation of the federal judiciary and the power of the Marshall Court, the Court’s evolution through the New Deal, the Vinson Court, the Warren Court’s “Rights Revolution,” and the role of today’s USSupreme Court. 

Fridays

The 60's Through Great Speeches
October 9 – November 13 | 8 a.m.
The 1960's is a decade wrapped in myth and misunderstanding. In this course, we will cut through that haze by turning to something powerful and concrete: the speeches of the era. The times and the conditions demanded significant speeches. Together, we will listen to the voices that moved a nation and shaped history. With recordings preserved through television, video, and YouTube, we will discover what these speeches still have to teach us today.