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Explore how the wartime strategies of Churchill, Roosevelt, Stalin, Hitler, and Mussolini shaped the course—and outcome—of World War II. Each leader brought a distinct perspective, deeply influenced by their experiences in World War I, which informed their decisions in the global conflict that followed. This seminar examines how leadership at the highest level determined the direction of the war, often in defiance of expert counsel. Through their choices, we’ll see how war molded these men—and how they, in turn, molded war. This is World War II from the top down. Who among them proved to be the greatest strategist?

This in-person course traces the story of immigration to America from the arrival of the English in the 17th century through the 21st century. We’ll explore why people came, where they settled, the challenges they faced, and the lasting impact they’ve had on the nation. Sessions will include PowerPoint presentations and lively, thought-provoking discussions designed to deepen understanding and encourage participation.

This course offers a comprehensive overview of Alzheimer’s disease, mild cognitive impairment, and other common non-Alzheimer’s dementias. We’ll explore the signs, symptoms, and progression of these conditions, how diagnoses are made, and current treatment options. Special attention will be given to the emotional and practical impact on spouses and primary caregivers, including the challenges of transitioning to long-term care. We’ll also examine proactive steps individuals can take to reduce their risk of developing serious cognitive disorders. Each session will feature a structured presentation followed by interactive class discussion.

This course introduces restorative justice, a growing movement that emphasizes healing and accountability instead of punishment. Students will explore how restorative justice emerged as an alternative to traditional criminal justice approaches and how it repairs harm caused by crime through collaboration among all those affected. We will discuss the core principles of restorative justice: Inclusion, Encounter, Repair, and Cohesion. Additionally, students will learn about various ways these practices can be applied within the criminal justice system to promote fairer and more supportive outcomes.

The philosophy behind this course is simple: we appreciate poetry best when we examine it closely, with other attentive readers. Our community combines returning members, working poets, and poetry lovers with diverse life experiences. Although this is our seventh semester together, every semester we welcome new members to our group because they bring fresh perspectives. And you are welcome to simply “listen in” if you’re not sure how to talk about poetry: you will quickly learn! Over the course of our eight meetings together we will work to fully understand poems written in the English language from the Renaissance to today. You will learn what to look for in old and new poems to appreciate different poetic styles. Emphasis will be placed on hearing diverse voices from various times, places, and standpoints: some famous, some contemporary, some recently rediscovered. We will read poems out loud while practicing our scansion skills, noting patterns of sound and rhythm. We will tease out possible interpretations of metaphors. We will discuss the historical and biographical context that frames each poet and poem. Why are some poems read over and over, delighting generations of readers? Why are some considered landmarks of social change? What do you enjoy in a poem?

This class will be taught in a Group Discussion style on Zoom. Members will be provided with copies of poems and supporting materials in advance of class through email. They will be encouraged to share their discoveries about each poem, while remaining open to contributions from other group members. Our goal will be to work towards a richer understanding of each poem together.

In this age of overblown claims and outright falsehoods, common sense needs to make a comeback. This course goes back to some of the basics, looking at fallacies that have been recognized as illogical reasoning since at least the times of the Romans. Yet, such arguments persist.

Sitting in the space you are right now, what colors do you see? Have you ever really noticed them before or asked yourself "why?" In this class, we'll discover how colors affect our emotions and choices, often without us even realizing it.

Each week, we'll explore color in different areas—movies, cultures around the world, fashion, home design, and more. Through friendly discussions and real-life examples, you'll start noticing things you may have never paid attention to before. How does a film's color set the mood? Why do certain stores or restaurants choose specific colors? What do colors mean in different cultures?

No previous knowledge needed—just bring your curiosity and openness to seeing the colorful world around us in a whole new way. Perfect for anyone interested in everyday discoveries.

Together we will embark on learning the basics of Massachusetts Native Wild Birds. We will start with our introduction and meet my copilot, Coco the Red Tailed Hawk. We will also discuss the distinctions and habits of songbirds, raptors, waterfowl, gamebirds, and shorebirds. We will discuss diseases, zoonotics, poisons, and most importantly how to keep our wild birds safe.

From the Garden of Eden to the Salem witch trials and the 1980s “Satanic Panic,” humans have blamed misdeeds on the Devil. But where did the idea of the devil come from? Did the ancient Israelites believe in such a being? Is Lucifer the same as the Devil? Did Jesus believe in hell? This course traces the evolution of the idea of the Devil from Zoroastrian and Jewish roots through Christianity and Islam, exploring figures like the adversary in Job and the dragon in Revelation. We’ll see how European folklore and writers such as Milton shaped his image, and how “the Devil” still haunts modern American political rhetoric.

This class is an opportunity to develop your creative writing skills; you may decide to write short fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, or any other creative genre that appeals to you.  The class will be taught in a workshop format; each week, we’ll read works written by class participants and give them feedback on their work.  As the instructor facilitates the discussion, you’ll gain insight into key elements of creative writing, including sensory detail, pacing, characterization, dialogue, and the use of scenes as the building blocks of narrative. 

In addition to having the opportunity to read and learn from each other’s work, you’ll be provided with a guide to creative writing, available at https://tinyurl.com/w4yt4juy.