History & Current Events   

Explore the rich world of art history through engaging discussions and visual examples. This class invites you to discover influential artists, movements, and cultural moments that have shaped the art world, encouraging connection and conversation along the way.

Explore a hidden facet of art history with us as we discuss and view watercolors in the “California Style” that thrived between the 1920's and mid-60's. Learn about these multi-talented artists who against the backdrop of the Depression and WWII began to experiment with bold design and color. They used broad brushstrokes and stylized landscapes to render local scenes of everyday life in California. We will focus on Millard Sheets and his circle including major watercolor artists Phil Dike, Rex Brandt, Emil J. Kosa Jr., and Phil Paradise. Many artists who worked in the burgeoning entertainment industry including luminaries such as Lee and Mary Blair (Disney), Tyrus Wong (Disney) and Dong Kingman (Universal) will be discussed in depth. Discover how our California artists re-imagined the medium of watercolor and exported it to the world.

Stay informed and have your say on the news of the day. Instructors will choose a few current event topics each week, give a brief presentation for each and then ask for thoughtful comments and questions from the class. Discussions are very much valued and are the core of the class. Class members are also encouraged to choose a topic of their own and present it for discussion.

Adopted in 1958, the Constitution of France’s Fifth Republic has proven to be one of the most resilient political systems in modern Europe. Despite repeated political crises, shifting party landscapes, and social unrest, it has endured for nearly seventy years. This five-week course explores how the Fifth Republic came into being, how it works, and why it has so far resisted collapse. The course is designed for curious, engaged learners with an interest in history, politics, and comparative government.

No prior knowledge of French politics is required.

The class will focus on Geopolitical hot spots, including updates on China’s internal challenges, China vs. US and our global allies, the global impact of technology, Health Care and other new geopolitical challenges.

This course examines the complex history of slavery in the Caribbean and Latin America from the colonial period through the nineteenth century. It covers key topics such as the transatlantic slave trade, the Middle Passage, differences between urban and rural slave labor, and the cultural and social lives of enslaved people. We will explore both the unique and shared experiences of various slave societies and the ways in which enslaved communities resisted and pursued freedom. All will gain insight into the pivotal role slave labor played in shaping the social, economic, and cultural foundations of the New World.

The longstanding American war, and one with a huge impact on the lives of our generation.

Where? When? Why? What? Who? We’ll be wrestling with all the questions that news stories and history are supposed to deal with.

What are the lessons of the war?