Columbine United Church, Littleton   

This class will be a non-partisan discussion of current events that values diverse points of view. The first hour will be a look at the news of the week, with an eye towards independent/alternative news sources. Participants are encouraged to bring news items and opinions every week.

Hour two will be a deeper examination of a single topic, chosen by the facilitator with input from the group. Some of the topics we will examine are: the current media landscape, ecological overshoot, the future of AI. The facilitator will provide background information on the topic prior to the session which, could include articles, videos, or podcasts.

All-new speakers. All-new topics. All-new AI.

Artificial intelligence is transforming nearly every aspect of our lives, from healthcare, education, and transportation to business, aerospace, and personal technology. Through a series of engaging presentations and discussions, participants will explore how AI is being used today, how it is shaping the future, and what opportunities and challenges it presents for society.

Industry leaders and subject-matter experts will share real-world examples of AI in action. Speakers from organizations such as Lockheed Martin, CareerWise, and other innovative institutions will discuss topics ranging from aerospace design, military preparedness, healthcare advances, workforce development, and education. Field trips: Arapahoe Community College's Anatomage anatomy lab and possibly the CSU Spur innovation campus will provide firsthand exposure to cutting-edge applications of AI and technology.

No technical background required—just curiosity about possibly the most influential developments of our time. 

Have you ever considered the role FEAR plays in American politics? Fascinatingly and unfortunately, FEAR tends to drive our political environment. FEAR of Unions, of Outsiders (anarchists), of African Americans, of “Others” among us. This course examines the cultural and political world that emerged from World War II. Suspicion, mistrust, and paranoia created by the Cold War world drove the US government into the arms of fear mongers and demagogues. What motivated the House Unamerican Activities Committee? Were there spies in the government? Were movies truly spouting “red propaganda?” How and why did naming names become blood sport on Capitol Hill? Careers were both made and destroyed by FEAR. The aftereffects of the Cold War continue today, negatively impacting the lives and rights of all Americans.

Recommended Reading: Naming Names by Victor Navasky; Red Scare by Clay Risen

If 'full house' makes you think of holiday guests instead of playing cards, this six-week class is your perfect introduction to poker. We'll cover the rules, hand rankings, betting, bluffing, table etiquette, and beginner strategies for popular games like Texas Hold'em. Along the way, we'll shuffle in stories, laughs, and a few lessons from The Gambler — because you've got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em, and when not to go 'all in.' No poker face required! This class is designed for beginners who want to learn the game, meet new people, and gain enough confidence to sit at the table without asking, 'Wait... which one is the flush again?' No gambling involved — just friendly competition, good humor, and plenty of chips (the poker kind, not the salty kind).

The Industrial Revolution marked a cataclysmic change in human development, unlike anything seen since humans first learned to grow their own food. And these changes first appeared in Britain—by this time little more than a small island with a second-rate economy. But the shift from agriculture to industrialization sent England, and humankind, on a new trajectory. We will look at some of the key innovations and individuals that drove this transition, including: why it started in Britain; the shift in textile production from cottages to factories; the use of water, then steam power; the industrialization of metal production; and the rapid expansion of new transportation networks. Along the way, we will discuss the impact on society—both positive and negative.

Will China Overtake the United States as the World’s Leading Superpower? China’s extraordinary economic growth and military modernization have made it the principal challenger to American global leadership. This course examines China’s rise from Deng Xiaoping’s market reforms in 1978 to Xi Jinping’s drive for national rejuvenation and expanded global influence. We will also explore the 3,000-year cultural and historical traditions that continue to shape China’s political values and worldview. Topics include the tension between individual rights and the common good, China’s ambitions toward Taiwan and the South China Sea, the difficulties facing minorities such as Tibetans and Uyghurs, and the implications of China’s rise for the United States and the world. Classes will include lectures, videos, and discussion.

This 8-week class focuses on some of the most powerful, important photographs in history, the stories behind them, and the photographers who captured them. Remember 'Migrant Mother,' symbol of the Great Depression? Flag raising at Iwo Jima? Rosa Parks on the bus? Apollo 11 moon landing? Tiananmen Square 'Tank Man'? V-J Day kiss in Times Square? Marilyn Monroe on a NYC subway grate? Afghan Girl? Photography impacts journalism, art, and sometimes history itself and how we see the world. It documents social and cultural conditions and sometimes entertains. Photographs show things not seen through words alone. They preserve family history and evoke personal memories and reflection. Come share thoughts about memorable and important photos of our and your times.

From galaxy chains stretching billions of light-years to black holes of unimaginable mass, our universe is a place of breathtaking grandeur. Thanks to the brilliance of scientists, engineers, and mathematicians, powerful telescopes and spacecraft have unlocked cosmic secrets that previous generations could only dream of knowing. In this course, you'll discover how we determined the universe's age, traced its remarkable history, and mapped the full scope of everything it contains—all presented in a way that is engaging, accessible, and deeply rewarding. We are living in a golden age of cosmology. There has never been a better time to look up, ask the big questions, and marvel at the incredible universe above.