All Classes Alphabetical   

This course will focus on the life and political career of Claude D. Pepper (1900-1989) and will include an examination of primary source material generated by the Senator, along with a screening of "The Legacy of Claude Pepper."

By Marshall Bouldin III - http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=P000218, Public Domain, Link

As we age, we need continued and improved balance and strength to maintain good posture, move confidently, improve mobility, perform daily activities, reduce injury, and minimize fall risk. In Balance and Strength Chair Yoga, we will engage in seated and standing poses using a chair to create greater stability, balance, and strength for improved over well-being.

Accessibility: Students need to be able to sit in a chair and stand holding a chair during yoga poses.

Journey into the vibrant world of early 20^th century art and witness the birth of abstraction. This transformative period reshaped the cultural landscape, from the bold colors of Fauvism, the fractured forms of Cubism, to the dreamlike realms of Surrealism. Each class focuses on the movements’ leading artists--Matisse, Kandinsky, Picasso, Mondrian, Boccioni, Duchamp, and Dali--and explores their aesthetic goals and the social and cultural currents that influenced them. 

This course will explore the theme of empire by focusing on six major case-studies: Athenian, Persian, Mongol, Byzantine, Aztec, and British. It examines how they functioned, the lives of their subjects, and the reasons for their successes and failures. It will introduce students to the rich breadth of economic strength, military ambition, and cultural expansion that characterized imperial experiences around the world before industrialization and the emergence of the modern nation-state.

Suggested Reading: Jane Burbank and Frederick Cooper, Empires in World History: Power and the Politics of Difference (2010); James Muldoon, Empire and Order: The Concept of Empire, 800–1800 (1999); Herfried Münkler, Empires: The Logic of World Domination from Ancient Rome to the United States (2007)

This course explores human sexuality through an evolutionary lens, with a primary focus on sexual selection theory. We will examine how fundamental biological differences between the sexes give rise to diverse patterns of sexual behavior, not only across species but also within and among human societies. By integrating perspectives from evolutionary biology, the course provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the complex interplay between behavior, biology, environment, and culture.

Suggested Reading: Thornhill, R., & Gangestad, S. W. (1996). The Evolution of Human Sexuality. Trends in Ecology and Evolution, 11(2), 98-102.

David Proctor's History of Leon County Part course will start with the Civil War Era and conclude with the brave new world of 2026. Dr. Proctor is a sixth generation Florida Man and lifelong Tallahasseean who loves local history. Join him on a grand tour that will be fun for natives and newcomers alike. Be sure to bring your own Leon County stories, because audience participation is encouraged!

Suggested Reading: Ellis, Mary Louise, and Rogers, William: Favored Land: A History of Tallahassee and Leon County, 1999, 2nd Edition.

Insects are the most diverse group of animals on Earth, yet many remain unknown to us. This course dives into the world of insect diversity, teaching you how to identify and classify a variety of species. You'll explore insect anatomy, behavior, and their vital roles in ecosystems.This course equips you with the skills to identify insects and understand their ecological significance. By the end, you’ll have a deeper appreciation for the fascinating, often hidden world of insects around you.

Suggested Reading: A Field Guide to Insects: America North of Mexico (Peterson Field Guide Series)

Italian for Travelers is an introduction to the basics with an emphasis on functional language, fun, and enrichment. Through an imaginary journey to six Italian cities, students-- beginner or intermediate-- will learn practical strategies for getting around in Italy through the lens of culture. Students can pace and tailor the course to suit their interests and experience, whether they travel by airplane or armchair.

Suggested Reading: 

• Practice Makes Perfect: Italian (various topics)
• Any current phrase book (e.g. Berlitz, Lonely Planet)

By (taken from en:wiki) - Own work, Public Domain, Link

We all grew up with the television variety shows. In the late 40s it was Milton Berle Ed Wynn, and Ed Sullivan. The 50s meant Arthur Godfrey, Sid Caesar, Dinah Shore, Jackie Gleason, and so many more. The 70s brought us the Osmonds, Sonny and Cher, Tony Orlando and Dawn, and more contemporary performers, including PINK LADY AND JEFF, one of last and worst of the variety genre. Take a 6-week journey with me as we look at and discuss these performers and their shows.

The great chess champion and teacher Dr. Tarrasch observed that "chess, like music, like love, has the capacity to make us happy." This is borne out by the game's enduring popularity. In one version or another, it has been played for nearly 1500 years. It is played in every country on the globe and by hundreds of millions of people from every walk of life from famous (Napoleon and Ben Franklin) to humble. Each player finds beauty and magic in chess on her own terms. Some pursue harmony; others clash. Some value precision, others creative chaos. The course will help enthusiasts to find or enrich their own path to the emotional and intellectual joys of chess. It will do so through interactive analysis of famous games, live demonstrations, and evolution of the game across the centuries.

By Alan Light - Own work by the original uploader, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link

Some of the most prominent folk singers of the twentieth century, Woody Guthrie, Sis Cunningham, Pete Seeger, Lee Hays, Burl Ives, etc., were also political activists with various associations with the American Communist Party. Using FBI documents, video footage, and music, the lectures will bring to life these artists and the systematic way they were subject to government surveillance and suppression.

By May be found at the following website: https://repeaterbooks.com/product/the-folk-singers-and-the-bureau-the-fbi-the-folk-artists-and-the-suppression-of-the-communist-party-usa-1939-1956/., Fair use, Link

In this course, we will examine the last 100 years of Russian history through a closer look at the personalities of its rulers: Joseph Stalin, Nikita Khruschev, Leonid Brezhnev, Mikhail Gorbachev, Boris Yeltsin, and Vladimir Putin. Each week, we will consider one of these major Soviet or post-Soviet leaders. We will explore their personal backgrounds, how each of them came to power and held on to power, and how their personalities and peculiarities affected the course of Russian history.

By Unknown author - [1] [2], Public Domain, Link

What happens when violinists become composers? This five-week course explores works written by violinist-composers across history—from Baroque brilliance to Romantic opera fantasies to contemporary expressions of identity. Through listening, discussion, and guided insights, we’ll examine how these composer-performers used the violin to push musical boundaries and share personal stories. No prior musical experience is required—just a love of music and curiosity about the creative mind.

Discover Walt Disney, the person, and his works, over six decades: from the young Walt – and his brother, Roy-- and their incredible journey from Chicago to Missouri and Los Angeles, exploring the innovative animated films, live-action features, television and theme parks created by his remarkable staff under his visionary guidance.

Suggested Reading: Walt Disney by Bob Thomas, The Disney Films by Leonard Maltin

By Boy Scouts of America - eBay itemphoto frontphoto back, Public Domain, Link