History & Current Events   

This class examines the precepts of Buddhism in general and of the Chan/Zen branch of Buddhism specifically. We will explore major examples of art and architecture related to Zen. A primary goal of the class is to examine the historical context for the development of the Zen arts; therefore, an examination of the social, religious, political, and cultural influences on the production of art and architecture will be important. In addition, we will consider the fundamental teachings of Buddhism and meditation as a means for developing thoughtful and humane interactions in contemporary life.

Chico State's tradition of academic excellence goes back more than 130 years. With over 850 faculty members and 13,000 students, the University's teaching and learning community is thriving. Discover the imagination, cutting-edge research, and expertise that flourishes in our own backyard!

A scintillating review of current themes in the media will be discussed in each class. Class members present a topic, discuss it, then open the floor for discussion and debate. Poetry, literature, scientific discovery, and educational progress are examples of the issues addressed. Special guests are welcome to present.

This class will focus on recent spying cases in the US. The phenomenon of trust betrayal remains a key research issue. We will focus on espionage and personal attributes, foreign influences, divided loyalties, employment and security clearances, espionage characteristics, consequences of spying, and motivation. As time permits we will discuss key spies, such as Aldrich Ames, Ana Montes, and Robert Hanssen. This class will include a brief overview of the 17 agencies that comprise the US intelligence community.

In this class, we will explore key ideas from five prominent thought leaders in finance. Registered participants will receive links to video lectures presented by these distinguished scholars, which lectures will serve as the foundation for our class discussions.

"Don't let the devil keep all the good tunes." Gospel music hit the airways in 1925 and remained a driving force through the 1950s. The nascent recording industry documented African American spirituals, camp meeting shouts, and country gospel harmonies. This American roots music would go on to influence the development of the rhythm and blues, rock, and soul music that followed. We will explore background history, then sing and play gospel songs from that era. Come ready to have a good time!

"Great Decisions" is the Foreign Policy Association's public education program about US foreign policy and global affairs issues. We will cover four of the Foreign Policy Association's topics and add some additional topics that are of interest to the class.

The Celtic fringe is composed of six nations: Brittany, Cornwall, Ireland, the Isle of Man, Scotland, and Wales. Through their ancient language and culture, they are the inheritors of nearly three thousand years of unbroken cultural tradition. Welsh author Emyr Humphreys said, "At any time since the eleventh century, it could have disappeared, but for the determination of one generation or another that it should not." This class will trace the history of the Celts and their culture.

Join us for history and a hike. We will be treated to viewing the Jonesville Hotel with a local historian and resident. We will then hike in the meadows near the creek in Jonesville for about 5 miles at roughly 5500' elevation. Be prepared for uneven ground.

This learning through conversation seminar will examine the Preamble and Article 1 of the US Constitution. In The Federalist Papers, how did Madison, Hamilton, and John Jay explain the bicameral legislature, elections, legislative procedures, powers, and restrictions on the Senate and House of Representatives? How did they explain the relationship between Congress and the executive and judicial branches?

Join us for an outdoor adventure exploring interesting places in our community. We will meander at a leisurely pace for 1-3 miles. Participants should be comfortable walking and standing for up to two hours. A biologist from River Partners will be guiding us to visit a completed habitat restoration project along the Sacramento River. We will learn about the project's history and walk adjacent to the river with potential views of river otters, deer, and bald eagles.

Join us for an outdoor adventure exploring interesting places in our community. We will meander at a leisurely pace for 1-3 miles. Participants must be comfortable walking and standing for up to two hours. This class will include viewing and discussing outdoor public murals that depict events, people, and sights that have been drawing people to Oroville since the Gold Rush.

Join us for this beginner's guide to the navigating the heavens. We will consider an eclectic mix of mythology, historic viewpoints, and current events in meteorology, astronomy, and cosmology. Eyes to the sky!

Located at the corner of Fifth and Salem Streets, the Stansbury Home was built by Dr. Oscar Stansbury, a local physician, in 1883. Owned by the City of Chico since 1976, it is operated by the Stansbury Home Preservation Association as a historic house museum. This tour will include Dr. Stansbury's office, with its display of the tools used in his practice, as well as rooms used by the Stansbury family with original interiors and furnishings intact.

Located at the corner of Fifth and Salem Streets, the Stansbury Home was built by Dr. Oscar Stansbury, a local physician, in 1883. Owned by the City of Chico since 1976, it is operated by the Stansbury Home Preservation Association as a historic house museum. This tour will include Dr. Stansbury's office, with its display of the tools used in his practice, as well as rooms used by the Stansbury family with original interiors and furnishings intact.

This learning through conversation seminar will discuss a short 1972 science fiction novel by Ursula K. Le Guin that asks the question, how can an ecological and environmental Armageddon be prevented? Humans from Earth invade an alien planet in order to harvest its natural resources. The indigenous humanoids fight to preserve their world and their culture. Le Guin, daughter of the famous Kroeber anthropologists, imagines an astonishing culture of pacifists.

The class will present a brief history of the disposal of trash through time, regulations affecting the disposal of trash, and the history of the Neal Road Recycling and Waste Facility (landfill). Learn about the recycling and diversion of wastes from the landfill, landfill operations, monitoring, amounts of waste disposed, as well as effects of disasters, electrical power generation, equipment used, and the future of landfill and related topics.

The class will assess the domestic and foreign policies of the Trump administration and the impact they have on domestic politics and international geopolitics.

This class will explore contemporary geographical topics such as resource supply and consumption, selected environmental issues, and demographic changes, using the most reliable, easily available data sources. We will keep in mind the role that bias plays as we strive to better understand our world.

Through lectures, videos, and discussions, we will focus on four women artists who challenged expectations of their time about their behavior and approach to subjects: Artemisia Gentileschi, Rosa Bonheur, Kathe Kollwitz, and Frida Kahlo. Additional artists will be included. Participants will receive emails with something to read, something to watch, and something to do in advance of each class meeting.