All Courses   

Biblical Scholarship opens myriad perspectives on the four Gospels in the Christian Testament. The material in this course will enable us to more fully understand the ancient Gospel texts. We will focus on the ancient Jewish, Roman and Hellenistic context of the Gospels and the Early Christian Communities from which they emerged. We will concentrate on Mark, the oldest of the Gospels. During each class session, we will read aloud from Mark for about 20 minutes. There will be lecture, question and answer, and discussion during each class. 

American politicians, policymakers, and the public battled each other for two centuries on how to supply, regulate, or even conceptually understand money, as the country progressed from an experimental, pre-industrial republic to a world superpower. This lecture series will explore early currency and banking crises, cultural attitudes about credit, the gold standard versus free silver, auto and home loans and the rise of personal finance, and the post-WWII transition to a new global and domestic role for the US dollar. The course contextualizes these debates with theory, scholarship, political and cultural history, and comparisons to the present. 

This class welcomes a mix of new and experienced knitters. To accommodate new knitters, the class will offer two sessions of basic information and how to’s. Experienced knitters will be provided with patterns, or they can bring their own, in order to get started on their projects. All participants will also be introduced to Ravelry, a free knitters website. In the third session there will be a discussion on colors and how to use different stitches and yarn to create original garments. According to what is new in knitting, the trend is to use a palette of colors (the bigger the contrast, the better!) and using a combination of stitches, yarn types, and geometrical pictures in the overall design. The rest of the course will be used to troubleshoot and to discuss different techniques. 

Drawing on speeches from the past 100 years, this course focuses on how political speeches persuade, inspire, divide, and shape history. Participants will analyze famous and lesser-known speeches from campaigns, debates, concessions, policy addresses as well as from other political events. Using video clips, transcripts, guided analysis, and  discussions, we will explore how content, delivery, audience connection, timing, and historical context influence a speech’s effectiveness and lasting impact. Together, we will examine why some political speeches inspire nations, shape history, or define a political era—while others fail, backfire, or disappear entirely. 

“A small man can be just as exhausted as a great man.” —Linda, Death of a Salesman 

Aristotle’s Poetics suggests that tragedy is most powerful when it depicts a person of stature falling from prosperity into suffering—think Othello, Hamlet, or Oedipus. Arthur Miller’s modern drama challenges this inherited model, turning instead to the tragedy of the ordinary man: a failing door-to-door salesman who dreams of being well-liked while struggling to like himself. In this course, we’ll read Miller’s Death of a Salesman and All My Sons, asking what tragedy looks like when its hero is not a king, prince, or general, but a father, husband, worker, and dreamer. Prior to the first class, please obtain copies of both plays and read Act I of Death of a Salesman. 

Planning a trip to Japan or simply curious about the language? It’s never too late to start learning Japanese. This class is designed for absolute beginners and lifelong learners. You will learn greetings, essential vocabulary and useful phrases for travel-related conversations. Each lesson also introduces Japanese culture through customs, etiquette, and seasonal traditions.  Through fun, engaging activities, you will build confidence in speaking in a relaxed, supportive environment. By the end of the course, you will be able to communicate in simple Japanese and deepen your understanding of Japanese culture.  

American Roots Music series and is appropriate for both new and returning students. From the popular press to concert promotional materials to Grammy Awards categories, terms like “roots,” “Americana,” “folk,” “traditional,” and “bluegrass” are often thrown around with little distinction or context, yet these words carry specific meanings, histories, and legacies. In this course, we will study the genres of American roots music both as commercial categories and culturally specific musical practices. We’ll begin by examining how these terms have been used and applied to specific genres at different points in their development. As the course progresses, we’ll move beyond identifying what makes each genre unique to uncover the many ways they connect. 

Chair yoga is so popular now….for many reasons. One is because people can get the benefits without getting on the floor and most everyone can do it. It increases circulation, keeps the joints lubricated, promotes relaxation, helps with better breathing, works on balance and increases strength. Come reap the benefits of this practice. You can do it! 

Many of the most powerful and enduring stories about historical presidents are more myth than fact. That includes famous legends like George Washington chopping down a cherry tree and William Howard Taft getting stuck in a bathtub, as well as lesser-known stories like John Quincy Adams’s pet alligator and Andrew Jackson’s battle against the Bell Witch of Tennessee. In this course, we will explore the real stories behind these myths—where they came from, how they spread, and why they hold such a special place in the public consciousness. 

In this class, I will present different paintings, documents and photographs during the colonial rule in India and how and why that rule lead to Indian partition which created three major countries. 

This five week course provides an introduction to all aspects of current knowledge of Autism Spectrum Disorders: from its history to current information and perspectives, including interventions, schooling and behavior management. 

Creative drama is an educational art form that incorporates theatre techniques and pedagogy, such as improvisation and role-play, drawing on participants’ experiences. It is structured through hands-on interactive activities. This course aims to introduce four branches of art in a fun and engaging manner. In the first week, we will get to know one another through icebreaker activities and build a positive group dynamic. Throughout the course, we will share our stories and learn the basics each week of (1) visual arts, (2) literary arts, (3) dance, and (4) musical theater. Anyone interested in exploring these art forms in an enjoyable way is welcome to join this weekly 90-minute workshop series. This course fosters a sense of belonging within a learning community, literacy across the four art branches, and reflection on personal experiences through art. 

This course is meant to be a movement class generated to the folks in the room. While we might take adapted ballet techniques, we're not rigid on meeting certain techniques. Instead, we focus on the physical/social/emotional wellness of the students in the virtual room. We believe that movement can be generated anywhere (like our homes or wherever you're calling from) while building community in virtual space (to show we can still build connection in virtual formats). This course is designed to get us in tune and connected to our bodies, develop a deeper sense of physicality, and enjoy joyful movement. Creative Movement will be a safe and inviting space to try new things and explore new forms of dance. Course Note: Since this course seeks to accommodate all participants, it is essential that students make it possible for the instructor to provide feedback. It is useful for participants to leave their Zoom camera on so the instructor can most effectively guide and encourage participants.  

Course Note: Since this course seeks to accommodate all participants, it is essential that students make it possible for the instructor to provide feedback. It is useful for participants to leave their Zoom camera on so the instructor can most effectively guide and encourage participants.

In this 11th Exploring Longevity series, we will continue to explore human posture, an evolutionary miracle that enabled our species to evolve from quatrupedalism to bipedalism. We will explore how the S-shaped spine and upright posture have distinguished humans from other primates during our prolonged history of evolution. We will also examine how human posture, embedded in our social, cultural, and technological evolution, has played a critical role in our longevity and quality of independent living. This course has been enriched by the shared wisdom and insights from our participants’ lived experiences.

 

In this 11th Exploring Longevity series, we will continue to explore human posture, an evolutionary miracle that enabled our species to evolve from quadrupedalism to bipedalism. We will explore how the S-shaped spine and upright posture have distinguished humans from other primates during our prolonged history of evolution. We will also examine how human posture, embedded in our social, cultural, and technological evolution, has played a critical role in our longevity and quality of independent living. This course has been enriched by the shared wisdom and insights from our participants’ lived experiences. 

Despite facing decades of hatred and discrimination, Transgender people have built a rich, resilient culture and artistic tradition in America. This class is for anyone at any knowledge level on trans issues who wants to learn more about that culture and history. We will start with a practical guide on trans history, terminology, theory, and navigating real-world conversations. Then, we will look at and discuss excerpts from the landmark works of Trans Art. By the end of this class, you will have a better understanding of the Trans perspective and of the ways Trans people have impacted your own life. 

This five-week course explores the underlying causes, evolving dynamics, and possible resolutions of major global political conflicts in the modern era. Through interdisciplinary perspectives drawn from political science, history, sociology, and international relations, the course examines how power, ideology, identity, and resource competition shape conflicts across regions. Participants will engage with classical theories of conflict and peace, study contemporary case studies, and discuss realistic pathways toward sustainable resolution and global cooperation. 

We’ll review what has been called the first American detective story - Dashiell Hammett’s - The Maltese Falcon ‘30 which introduced Sam Spade in the ‘41 movie. This image of the “hard-boiled” private investigator is pitted against a band of criminals and his woman of the moment. Under John Huston’s direction this film (nominated for 3 Academy Awards) has been noted as the beginning of the film noir genre. 

Sir Peter Paul Rubens was a Flemish artist and diplomat. He is considered the most influential artist of the Flemish Baroque tradition. Rubens's highly charged compositions focused on works associated with classical antiquity (encompassed the culture of ancient Greece & Rome) and Christian history. Due to the enormity of his work, we will focus on his mature period after he returned to Antwerp in 1609, following his stay in Italy. Early on he served as a diplomat to the Archdukes Albert and Isabella, and negotiating a peace treaty between England and Spain This period also included notable paintings such as “The Elevation of the Cross” and huge commissions like the Medici Cycle. Surprisingly, there came a sea change in his style due to his reencounter with the works of Titian in Madrid in 1628. After retiring  in the 1630s, he no longer worked on commission but rather for his own pleasure. He focused on landscapes and the life of peasants and portraits, characterized by a more relaxed, intimate technique.  

This course covers the topic of psychological trauma and how it affects people, from some trauma-related disorders to the ways in which it helps people grow. It first covers the different types of trauma and the ways that it can manifest, including its classic definitions to contemporary understandings. Then, the course will cover some trauma-related psychological disorders and the best ways that people with trauma histories can be supported in mental health care. The course then considers how people can make meaning, find hope, and flourish after experiencing trauma. 

The Salon provides an opportunity to discuss perspectives, exchange ideas, critique concepts and share perceptions and thoughts with others in a convivial, collaborative environment. Each class session will focus on a different topic. Writings, videos, and/or audio clips on the topic will be presented in class as a springboard for dialogue and group interactions

Often one runs out of ideas for new poems. This course is designed to help you find new source material to create new poems.  By focusing on a topic, such as the Boston Molasses Flood for example, or paintings at the Museum of Fine Arts, you will do research and then write poems based on this research. By the end of the course, the goal is to have about 5-6 poems that could be the steppingstone to a chapbook, book or longer length collection. We will also dabble our toes into poetical forms, such as sonnets or a villanelles which can help you learn to develop and flex your creative muscle. And write new poems! 

What makes the Great Gatsby so compelling? Published in 1925 and written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby is a treasure chest of characters, observations, and wonder. What does it say about the American Dream? Romantic love? The past? Wealth? Class? Most of all, how does Fitzgerald's stunning language affect us? We will read a portion of the book each week. Please do not read ahead! 

The nineteen century saw great strides in science such as the discoveries of Alexander von Humboldt and Charles Darwin. Artist such as Frederic Edwin Church, Charles Willson Peale, and others were greatly influenced by these new discoveries. We will learn about them. 

Have you ever felt guided by a dream, a coincidence, an animal symbol, or a deep inner knowing you couldn’t quite explain? In this reflective and experiential class, we will explore the idea of spirit guides and invisible helpers through meditation, symbolism, intuition, synchronicity, and guided imagery. Together, we’ll explore how guidance may appear through nature, dreams, signs, emotions, and meaningful moments in everyday life. This class includes slides, videos, guided experiences, journaling, and group discussion designed to encourage curiosity, imagination, and deeper connection to your own inner wisdom. Whether viewed spiritually, symbolically, or intuitively, this class offers a gentle and open-minded space for exploration and reflection. 

Artists let us see the world through their eyes, transporting us through time and space. Throughout history, art has been used to record our daily lives, share our connections with people and our environment, and to visualize what we cannot see—such as the spiritual realm. Session topics will include: Andrew Wyeth’s expressive watercolors of the people and places that surrounded him in rural Pennsylvania and Maine in the special exhibition Spectacular Freedom: Andrew Wyeth and the Modern American Watercolor; how medieval Koreans envisioned the world beyond death in the special exhibition Ten Kings of Hell: The Afterlife in Medieval Korea; as well as various examples across the museum’s exhibitions and permanent collections.  

What can one do about climate change? A lot! This series of six 90-minute meetings is designed for people interested in learning more about climate change and climate justice, becoming more effective in communicating with others about it, and taking action to mitigate its impact on our planet and ourselves. We start with the problems, basic science, and equity issues involved, but spend most of our time understanding the wide range of available climate change solutions and how you can get involved, both individually and working with others. Course Note: This course is similar to the “Can We Stop Climate Change” course offered in previous semesters, but it is continually updated with new material. If you attended previously you're welcome to repeat! 

Vaccines and sanitation are the medical advances which have saved the most lives throughout human history, but there have been skeptics of the former since at least the 14th century. In this course we will explore how vaccines work, what the differences between vaccines are, why some vaccines work better than others, and how we test the efficacy and safety of vaccines. We will also consider how we can continue to build new and better vaccines as we move into the future. 

As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the American Declaration of Independence, this class builds on students’ interest in art and history to explore important moments of Haitian history that intersect with American history.  A curated selection of artworks (by Haitian and non-Haitian artists) will be featured for active discussions.  At least one class will be hybrid, with students attending either online or onsite at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, to discuss a Haitian painting.  Classes are expected to be engaging and interactive, and students can also submit artworks relevant to the topic for interpretation. No formal background in art or Haitian history is required. 

Join the ultimate dance-fitness party that beats a boring exercise workout any day!  Zumba (r) Gold is part of the popular Zumba (r) dance-based fitness program, and is specifically designed for active older adults.  The class includes the same wide variety of Latin and Other International rhythms, but without any high-impact moves.  It's not a dance class, though, so there are no right or wrong moves.  Stand.. sit in a chair... alternate between the two.  Just let the music move you! Wear workout clothes and sneakers, and be sure to hydrate. 

This course explores why women’s participation in the workforce continues to differ across industries, income levels, and stages of life. We will discuss major barriers women face, including childcare costs, workplace expectations, gender norms, and the motherhood penalty. The course will also examine strategies that support women’s career advancement, policies that reduce inequality, and how technology and changing work environments may shape the future of women’s employment. Through real-world examples, research findings, and discussion, participants will gain a deeper understanding of women’s economic experiences and the challenges and opportunities ahead. 

This course uses simple, guided writing exercises to help you make sense of your experiences and articulate what matters most. Through short prompts, discussion, and optional reading, we’ll explore how writing can bring clarity, insight, and perspective to everyday life. No prior writing experience is required. 

What secrets and stories are hidden in song lyrics? What about songs which call back sharp memories? Songs offer gifts of comfort, inspiration, and amusement. In this writing workshop we will study a variety of song lyrics and use their lines and images as a starting point for creative writing.  Give yourself the gift of time to consider lyrics as a path into your own writing. Through writing prompts and writing sessions, your imagination will be invited to the page. Participants will be encouraged to share their work and offer positive comments to others. Prior creative writing experience is not necessary. Please come ready to write, please keep camera on during sharing and prompts to encourage our special community.