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For more than 75 years, the United States has used military force, covert operations, diplomacy, and other forms of intervention throughout the Middle East and North Africa. From early Cold War involvement to more recent conflicts in Iraq, Iran, and the broader region, these actions have produced consequences that continue to shape U.S. foreign policy and regional attitudes toward the United States. Drawing on historical events and the instructor's military experience, this course considers the objectives behind major U.S. interventions, their intended and unintended consequences, and recurring patterns in American decision-making. Participants will consider the human, financial, political, and strategic costs of intervention and discuss what decades of U.S. involvement in the region can teach us about current and future foreign policy.

Learn practical strategies for reducing everyday aches and pains while improving mobility and overall comfort. This one-session webinar offers simple, effective techniques that can be incorporated into daily routines, with no special equipment required.

Trace the rich artistic heritage of the American South from Indigenous traditions to contemporary artists. This course examines the cultural, historical, and social influences that shaped Southern art across four centuries. Topics include Native American artistic traditions, colonial and immigrant influences, the Antebellum and Reconstruction eras, Appalachian crafts, African American artistic traditions, folk art, Civil Rights-era expression, and the emergence of nationally recognized Southern artists. Special attention will be given to notable artists from Alabama and the Huntsville region. Through images, discussion, and historical context, participants will gain a deeper appreciation for the diverse artistic traditions that define the South.

Bookends is a long-standing, discussion-based book group that meets via Zoom and welcomes both returning members and new participants. The group does not focus on any particular genre, allowing members to explore a wide range of literature together. Each participant is encouraged to lead a discussion on a book of their choice, with guidance available for first-time facilitators. The group typically spends two weeks on a standard-length novel, creating time for thoughtful reflection and conversation. Bookends is a friendly, small-group setting where members enjoy discovering new authors, sharing perspectives, and reading books they might not have chosen on their own.

Connections follows the fascinating links between discoveries, inventions, and historical events that have shaped the modern world. Continuing the series begun in Spring 2025, participants will complete Season 3 of the acclaimed BBC documentary while exploring additional contemporary resources and discussions that extend its themes. Through episodes and guided discussion, participants will consider how advances in science, technology, engineering, and history are connected through unexpected chains of events and ideas. The Connections series is expected to conclude during the Fall 2026 term.

The First World War ended the fighting, but it did not secure the peace. This three-term series examines the challenges Europe faced in the years following the Great War as nations sought to rebuild, resolve political disputes, and prevent another devastating conflict. Part 1 focuses on the settlement created by the Treaty of Versailles and the efforts to establish a stable international order. Topics include the Paris Peace Conference, the redrawing of national boundaries, reparations, the creation of the League of Nations, and other diplomatic initiatives intended to foster cooperation and preserve peace. Participants will consider how these efforts shaped relations among European nations and influenced the course of twentieth-century history. By examining both the promise and the shortcomings of postwar diplomacy, the course provides a foundation for understanding the turbulent decades that followed.

Discover the fascinating world of opera through its history, memorable performances, and enduring influence on music and culture. Designed for both newcomers and longtime enthusiasts, this course features beautiful performances, engaging stories, and a touch of humor while exploring the past, present, and future of opera.

How did the language of a small island nation grow into the world's most widely used language and develop the largest vocabulary of any language today? This course traces the evolution of English from its early origins through the history of word formation and etymology, then follows the development of American English as a distinct dialect. Along the way, participants will discover fascinating stories behind everyday words and explore intriguing language questions, such as why "fewer" is traditionally preferred over "less" in certain situations. Combining history, linguistics, and plenty of entertaining examples, the course offers a deeper appreciation for the language we use every day.

A team of local naturalists will guide this multi-disciplinary course, exploring topics such as botany, ichthyology, ornithology, geology, and ecology. Each instructor will share their unique expertise and observations, offering insights into our region's remarkable natural diversity. This course provides a deep dive into the natural world through the eyes of those who have spent years studying and appreciating the environment around us.

Look beyond the familiar names and events of American history to uncover remarkable stories that often go untold. Explore forgotten heroes, surprising scandals, mysterious deaths, historic blunders, and pivotal moments that shaped the nation but rarely appear in traditional history books.

Examine the historical and geopolitical roots of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and how past events continue to shape today's headlines. Through discussions of political developments, historical narratives, and international responses, participants will gain a deeper understanding of the complex relationship between Russia and Ukraine. Topics include key moments in Russian and Ukrainian history, the collapse of the Soviet Union, and the broader global implications of the ongoing conflict.

Following his successful Atlanta campaign in September 1864, William Sherman and Ulysses Grant believed that the Civil War would come to an end only if and when the Confederacy’s strategic capacity for warfare could be decisively broken. So, in a strategy now known as “Total War," Sherman abandoned his supply lines and wreaked havoc across Georgia and the Carolinas to break Southern morale, destroy Southern infrastructure, and end the war. This was the infamous “March to the Sea.”