All Zoom & Hybrid Classes   

Celebrate America’s semi quincentennial with a timely and informative exploration of the traditions surrounding our nation’s most iconic symbol. This course offers a clear, accessible review of proper American flag use, including the do’s and don’ts of placement, handling, and display. Participants will also learn elements of military protocol and etiquette, gaining confidence in how to respectfully present the flag in both civilian and ceremonial settings.

This class will focus on the familiar topic of resilience, which most of us feel like we understand when we see it in others or experience it for ourselves. But how do researchers measure resilience to know if and how it helps us thrive? We will discuss the evolving science of resilience and research on when, how, and for whom this resource works to support healthy and purposeful aging.

Hidden for five centuries, Leonardo da Vinci’s Room of Knots is a breathtaking masterpiece that rivals the Sistine Chapel—yet few have ever heard of it. This lecture unveils the dazzling world Leonardo painted inside Milan’s Sforza Castle: golden ropes, twisting branches, and 37 intricate knot designs now being digitally restored by author Caroline Cocciardi. Discover the secrets behind Leonardo’s obsession with knots and the signature emblem that links this forgotten marvel to the Mona Lisa.

In this course, we will consider how science fiction has indexed and investigated both social hopes and social anxieties. Lectures will survey: 1) the genre’s gothic origins and growth in dime novels and "pulp" magazines; 2) the Golden Age and New Wave of the mid-20th century; and 3) cyberpunk and the contemporary. Each week will offer historical context, deep dives on key texts, and critical frameworks for interpreting science fiction in relation to technology and society.

What languages are spoken in Europe? The first ones that come to mind are the large national languages like French, German, English, Spanish, and Italian. But there are over 400 languages currently spoken on that continent, and in this course we will explore some of lesser-known tongues. In doing so, we will discover some stunning, if rarely-visited, destinations across Europe and will learn about the history and culture of different groups inhabiting the continent.