Communication   

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.

This six-week course explores the ideas, debates, and misunderstandings surrounding Critical Race Theory (CRT) and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Together we will examine the origins of CRT in legal scholarship, its role in broader cultural conversations, and the ways DEI initiatives have been implemented in workplaces, schools, and communities. We’ll also consider why these topics have become flashpoints in today’s political and social climate. Through short lectures, videos, and open discussion, participants will gain the tools to separate myths from realities and develop their own informed perspectives. The goal is not to persuade but to understand—encouraging respectful dialogue on some of the most pressing issues of our time.

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.

This course offers a reflective exploration of the joys and challenges of growing older. We begin by examining the societal dismissal and unfair treatment of the aging population—both in our country and in our personal lives. Once these challenges are laid bare, we turn our attention to the need for a kind of spirituality: a deeper understanding of dependence, adaptability, the silencing of our voices, and the experience of living in the shadow of youth.

If society chooses to overlook us despite our wisdom and life experience, do we surrender—or do we resist? Perhaps both. Participants will engage with recent research on aging and be introduced to a range of authors, including the poet Mary Oliver, whose work offers nourishment and insight. While PowerPoint presentations and videos will be part of the experience, the heart of this course lies in shared dialogue. Participants—each a keeper of wisdom—will be invited to contribute their stories and perspectives. This is not a lecture-based course, but a space for meaningful, stimulating discussion.

In this six-session workshop, participants will explore the power of gratitude and the beauty of personal and cultural traditions. Through guided reflection, storytelling, creative activities, and group discussion, we’ll share memories, honor meaningful rituals, and discover new ways to practice gratitude in daily life. This series offers a supportive space to connect, create, and celebrate the stories that make us who we are.