We will delve into the fascinating events of the first quarter of the 20th century; the Progressive Era and WWI, with memorable presidents, like Teddy Roosevelt. Complete with all of the muscle flexing imperialism, waves of immigrants, overflowing cities, new attitudes and experimentation that brought modern art and architecture and the hints of a new music.

We will delve into the fascinating events of the first quarter of the 20th century; the Progressive Era and WWI, with memorable presidents, like Teddy Roosevelt. Complete with all of the muscle flexing imperialism, waves of immigrants, overflowing cities, new attitudes and experimentation that brought modern art and architecture and the hints of a new music.

As computers and computerized devices become more central to our lives, the need to protect our unique digital assets (documents, pictures, address books, sign-in credentials, device settings, and other customizations) is increasingly important. Amongst concerns about security breaches and software defenses, backup has become more important, not only for security purposes, but also to protect your data from fire, flood, and equipment failure. The good news is that backup has become easier to use and less complicated. Join us to learn what backup options you have for desktops, laptops, tablets and smartphones.

The game isn't over, but it's the fourth quarter and the Good Guys are down by two touchdowns. Awesome information technologies, naive idealism, corporate greed, and partisan politics have come together to threaten society... in particular, personal privacy and democratic elections. Our country faces hard choices as evidence mounts that the ad-driven personal data economy, hidden influencers, and social networks have collided with fundamental values of privacy, liberty, and fairness. The crucial questions are how information technologies such as social networking, facial recognition, and genetic databases will be used, and who will decide. This class will help you understand the nature of the problem, and the choices facing our policy-makers. Class discussion is encouraged. Note: This is an update to the class entitled The Politics of Technology, offered in Spring 2019.

Emily Dickinson is one of America's finest poets. She had remarkable insight into a variety of topics: the human condition, nature, love, death, and immortality. She left nearly 1,800 poems that plumbed the depths of a fully engaged soul. Her poems often began as specific events but went on to reveal universal truths about life. And, although Dickinson's work can sometimes be enigmatic, it never fails to stir the imagination. The suggested text is: Final Harvest: The Poems of Emily Dickinson, edited by Thomas H. Johnson.

In the time before time, there were stories around the campfire. Stories about gods, origins of life, the movement of the stars and the earth. Some of these stories are contained in the first 11 chapters of Genesis as religious people explored "who, where, what, why." We will explore these fascinating Bible stories to discover what they say and mean for us today.

Enhance your ability to identify and understand the common birds of our region. We will explore anatomy, reproduction, foods & foraging and the habitats in which to find the birds. The 2 sessions are entitled: 1-More Amazing Birds, 2-Hummingbirds. The course is geared toward beginning to intermediate level birders and is a follow-on from the fall class, although it is not necessary to have taken that class.

In this turbulent and divisive era, conspiracy theories are thriving. We crave explanations, preferably simple ones, for the awful things we see happening around us, and conspiracy theories offer just that. How to understand the latest conspiracy theory? This course will offer three ways, applied to a selection of popular theories purporting to account for the latest adversity or crisis. First, these theories will be understood as literary narrative, the same ways we approach novels, plays and the like. Second, these theories will be examined as a logical structure, to get at what they assert about how actors, organizations and institutions operate in the world. Third, the theories will be explored as a growing business that takes full advantage of the internet and social media platforms. In closing, we will wrestle with the ultimate question: But how do we know if they are, in fact, true? Participants should bring their own theories, an open mind and a sense of humor.

We are not your average book discussion group! Participants make their own reading choices and come prepared to present brief reviews and share their appraisals. You may select a past or current author in any genre. Learn from each other through informal discussion. This is a low fee class, but requires registration.

Sinclair Lewis (1930) was the first American to receive the Nobel Prize for Literature. William Faulkner (1949), Ernest Hemingway (1954) and John Steinbeck (1962) dominated American literature in mid-century. Each has a unique style laying bare different region's social, political, economic and cultural issues. Lewis's Babbitt (1922) presents an upper-Midwest real estate man of questionable ethics trying to live the American Dream. Faulkner's Absalom, Absalom (1936) presents the decaying post-Civil-War American South as told by a 1930s descendant to his Harvard roommate. Hemingway's For Whom the Bell Tolls (1940) presents issues of global politics, life and love through the eyes and experiences of an American expatriate in the Spanish Civil War. Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath (1939) presents the struggles and resilience of an Oklahoma family forced by depression and dust bowl to go to California hoping to find work. Students are requested to read Babbitt before the first class.

The National Parks of the U.S. were formed because, in the mid-1800s, a small group of people had a vision, called "the best idea we ever had," to make sure that America's greatest natural treasures would belong to everyone and remain preserved forever. This class will discuss parks which display complex tectonic activity, glaciation, wind, and shorelines. Parks to be discussed: Acadia, Death Valley, Glacier Bay, Great Sand Dunes, Great Smoky Mtns, Glacier, Isle Royale, Mt Rainier, Olympic Mtns, Pinnacles, Rocky Mtns, Tetons, Yosemite. Monuments: California Coastal, Carrizo Plains, Hanford Reach, Misty Fjords, Sonoran Desert, White Sands. National Seashores: Cape Canaveral, Cape Cod, Cape Hatteras, Point Reyes.

"Georgia O'Keeffe: Abstract Variations," comprising early drawings, paintings through the 1930s, and photographs of O'Keeffe by Alfred Stieglitz, opens March 5 at Seattle Art Museum. This course will cover the major themes of O'Keeffe's art and life to enrich our experience of SAM's exhibition. Session 1 will examine O'Keeffe's early work, such as the abstractions she called "Specials," and her place in the circle of Alfred Stieglitz, her mentor, lover, promoter and eventual husband. In Session 2 we will delve deeply into O'Keeffe's signature theme of giant flowers. Session 3 will follow O'Keeffe to New Mexico, where she spent summers for many years. Ultimately, she would live there year-round, and the landscape and her New Mexico homes became essential parts of her artmaking.

Who among us has not listened to and enjoyed at least a part of Handels masterpiece oratorio Messiah? This work, since its composition in 1741, is perhaps the most frequently performed piece of classical music in the world. But is it commonly known why Handel composed this work? Do we know why Messiah was premiered outside of London, the city where Handel lived? What was the reaction of those who attended the first performance in 1742? What happened to Messiah after Handel's death? These questions and many others will be discussed in this class. We will also listen to beloved selections from Messiah and explain some of the compositional techniques that Handel used that reinforce his reputation as the greatest choral composer of all time.

The counting numbers (1, 2, 3, ...) are pre-historic to most civilizations. We will look at the history (anthropology, and even archeology) of the numbers and numerals as they evolved in different cultures around the world. Plus, we will view the strange histories of the more "modern" numbers 0, -1, p, and i, which were all met initially with great resistance (not unlike Darwin's and Copernicus's theories).

Why do some songs quickly become favorites, or get stuck in your head even though you don't particularly like them? What is happening physiologically and psychologically in our brains that causes us to get hooked on a piece of music? These questions will be explored in Hooks, Riffs, and Earworms How Your Favorite Music Grabs You. We will listen to a wide variety of music, classical to jazz to rock and pop, from 1400 B.C. to the present, find out what makes some tunes more memorable than others, how your brain reacts to music, and techniques composers use to "hook" you on their music.

Western WA is seeing unprecedented forest health issues. Understanding these issues requires an understanding of native tree species, ecology and the roles of insects, diseases and climate. This course will cover tree ID and characteristics, forest stand development and forest health principles, current issues and solutions.

The Elements of Style is the quintessential American English writing style guide, first written by William Strunk Jr.in 1918, and later expanded upon by E. B. White in 1959, creating what has become known as Strunk & White.Despite changing norms and what appears to be a dwindling reverence to grammar, The Elements of Style is still the most frequently assigned text in US academic syllabuses in high school and university studies. This class will study the relevance of grammar and a book like The Elements of Style in our modern social media and online news world, discussing everything from genderspecific terms to use of punctuation. Recommend reading The Elements of Style prior to class.

Iceland, Hawai'i, and New Zealand; partners in defining Earth's plate tectonic and allied climate systems. Islands are fascinating fragments of oceanic and sometimes continental crust formed (and still forming) as a result of Earths mantle convection system and the resulting motions of the lithospheric (crustal) plates at its surface. With 3 very different plate motions, and equally different climates, 1000's of km apart, these three islands tell unique stories of plate interactions and the climate systems that result. Our course will first describe the basic system of plate tectonics, with details and evidence created since the breakup of the most recent supercontinent, Pangaea. Then we will look into the detailed tectonic and climate regimes of each of these islands and how they exemplify the scale and scope of global tectonics.

This course provides a brief survey of the development of jazz music in the United States. A number of jazz styles will be listened to and studied along with important instrumentalists, singers, bands and composers. Important historical and social events which parallel the development of jazz music will also be discussed. Live and recorded demonstrations of jazz style periods and jazz techniques will be presented.

What is journalism in the age of Twitter and Instagram? What constitutes fake news? Has the process of reporting fundamentally changed? Let's explore the world of modernday reporting, news gathering and news consuming.

Is Bitcoin a digital payment tool or a potential investment? With Facebook's proposed cryptocurrency, "Libra," back in June 2019 and attempts by governments to manage or regulate this class of currency, it's time to understand how cryptocurrency works, what makes it possible and attractive to people. Join us to explore the world of cryptocurrency and Bitcoin in particular.

Mason bees are easy to raise, fun to watch and good for your garden. Join mason bee hobbyist Todd Brown for an introductory talk about mason bees. Learn about the mason bee life cycle, the 5 essentials for raising your own mason bees, how to build a mason bee box and managing your bees year-round.

How does the brain develop? How does it change as we age? We will begin with a discussion of brain development, as studied in vertebrate models, to help us understand our human brains. You will learn where and how memories are created and stored. We will explore the architecture of the mature healthy brain and compare its structure and functionality to aging and diseased brains. By learning about the development of your brain, you will be better able to understand its deterioration and how healthy brain function may be prolonged.

Joyce had such trouble publishing Dubliners that, in a fit of emotion, he threw his next manuscript, Portrait of The Artist as a Young Man, into the fire presumably to free himself from the whole business. Luckily, his family saved Portrait from the flames and we can gather this winter to read it together!

James Polk was perhaps the most effective President in American History. He made four promises in his campaign for the presidency including acquiring Oregon and California. He fulfilled those promises and retired after one term. In making good on his promises however he created a confrontation with Mexico that led to the Mexican-American War and resulted in igniting the debate over slavery. The class will explore Polk's Presidency, the war with Mexico and the fateful consequences of that war.

The Sami are an indigenous, and once nomadic, people who live in the northern areas of Scandinavia and Russia in a land they call Sapmi. The goal of this course is to provide an introduction to the Sami's history and culture through music and art, stories and film. Students are encouraged to read Emilie Demant Hatt's account of her year (1907-08) living with the Sami, With the Lapps in the High Mountains. Suggested reading: By the Fire: Sami Folktales and Legends, collected and illustrated by Emilie Demant Hatt. Other reading material to be provided by the instructor. Special guest lecture by Demant Hart's translator, Barbara Sjøholm.

In this course, we will undertake a reading of Shakespeare's rather jaundiced dramatic reworking of Chaucer's great 14th century romance, based in the context of the Trojan War (and which will be performing at Seattle Shakespeare Company from March 17th to April 12th). We will consider how the play questions the values of love, honor, and hierarchy, and how it resists easy answers. Students are asked to read through Act 2 for the first class meeting. Any edition of the play will do, though it is recommended to find one with annotations, and with line numbers (the instructor prefers Signet Classic paperbacks, widely available).

In this class we will undertake a reading of the dark age Irish epic Tain Bo Cuailnge, The Cattle Raid of Cooley, which recounts the single-handed defense of Ulster by the hero Cuchulainn against the army of Queen Medb of Connaught. By turns majestic, fantastical, or grotesquely funny, the Tain represents the crown jewel of The Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology. We will be reading Thomas Kinsella's translation (Oxford Paperback, widely available online). Students are asked to read up to page 58 for the first meeting (to the end of "The Pillow Talk").

Part 1: How I Learned to Love The Ring. Erica discusses the pros and cons of her extensive and intensive experiences performing Wagner's operas as a violinist at the Metropolitan Opera, where she played more music of Wagner than of any other composer. She includes personal anecdotes and historical photos of Wagnerians with whom she performed. Part 2: Wagner and Bernstein: Parallels and Contrasts. Richard Wagner and Leonard Bernstein shared a surprising number of common characteristics and experiences in their musical lives. Erica discusses the similarities and differences between these two geniuses, in the context of their impact on the musical world.

Bird Naturalist Candy Brown has been interested in all animals since she was young. Her husband, Todd Brown, is a gifted photographer and he takes pictures on their trips around the western U.S. While Candy shows Todd's photos in class, she will share natural history information about the wildlife. Included are 4 bear species from Alaska, baby red foxes from our state, animals from Yellowstone and wild mustangs from Wyoming, just to name a few.