Business, Law and Finance   

Intellectual property is about ideas, their ownership and how a person or entity can monetize creations of the mind such as inventions, brand names, logos, music and books. It is increasingly a central feature of today’s global economy; the world’s most valuable intellectual assets dwarf that of physical assets. We will learn the principal types of intellectual property and explore public policy issues in related law, including whether the creator can be liable for the harm caused by it.

Democracy in the United States is facing profound institutional stress, political polarization and rapid change. We will examine how democratic systems function when constitutional structures remain in place but political norms, public trust and institutional relationships evolve. Rather than focusing on legal doctrine alone, we will explore how the legislative, executive and judicial branches interact with each other and the public in practice, and how those interactions shape democratic stability. Through recent examples, guided discussion and analogies to other democracies when useful for comparison, we will gain a clearer understanding of the strengths, vulnerabilities and future of self-government in the U.S. Note: Participants may choose to attend each week either in-person or online.

We will discuss and analyze recent, controversial Supreme Court cases including presidential power, immigration and more. The course will not be a forum for advocating political views; rather, we will learn about the Constitution by studying the majority, concurring and dissenting opinions and debating their merits. Notes: The summer 2026 course will feature different cases from previous summers; repeat participation is encouraged. There are both an in-person and an online option for this course. Participants must choose only one option to attend; please ensure that you are registering for the option you prefer, as we may not be able to accommodate changes.

We will discuss and analyze recent, controversial Supreme Court cases including presidential power, immigration and more. The course will not be a forum for advocating political views; rather, we will learn about the Constitution by studying the majority, concurring and dissenting opinions and debating their merits. Notes: The summer 2026 course will feature different cases from previous summers; repeat participation is encouraged. There are both an in-person and an online option for this course. Participants must choose only one option to attend; please ensure that you are registering for the option you prefer, as we may not be able to accommodate changes.