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- American Political Thought Online
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Speaker: James McHugh
Dates: 5/28/2026 - 6/25/2026
Times: 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Days: Th
Sessions: 5
Modality: Online
Fee: $0.00
This course will explore the history of political thought that has formed the basis of the American political system. It places particular emphasis upon two traditions: Modern Republicanism, which is inspired by the ideals of Ancient Roman Republicanism, and Classic Liberalism, which is particularly associated with the writings and ideas of John Locke. These traditions continue to explain and influence important aspects of American political beliefs.
This course will meet online May 28, June 4, 11, 18, and 25.
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- Between Cultures and Selves: Wisdom from the In-Between Online
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Speaker: Kyoungah Lee
Dates: 5/27/2026 - 6/24/2026
Times: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Days: W
Sessions: 5
Modality: Online
Fee: $0.00
This exploratory, discussion-based course brings philosophy, culture, identity, and the self into conversation to explore what we can learn from living at the boundaries. Over five weeks, participants will reflect on where wisdom comes from, ask how culture shapes interpretation, and explore the tension between ego and confidence. The course concludes by exploring the “in-between” as a space for insight, freedom, and deeper understanding of ourselves and others.
This course will meet online May 27, June 3, 10, 17, and 24.
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- The Fate of Birthright Citizenship In-Person
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Speaker: Lynn O'Connor
Dates: 7/6/2026 - 8/3/2026
Times: 1:00 PM - 2:50 PM
Days: M
Sessions: 5
Modality: In-Person
Fee: $0.00
Will the United States retain birthright citizenship? The U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in the case Trump v. CASA, and hand down its decision in the summer of 2026. This class will look at the historical concept of citizenship, starting in the colonial era and continuing to modern times. The course will explore what it means to be a citizen at these critical points in the country's history, and what it will mean going forward in the 21st century in light of the Supreme Court's decision.
This course will meet in person July 6, 13, 20, 27, and August 3.
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- Homelessness in the New Gilded Age Hybrid
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Speaker: Ralph Bangs
Dates: 7/7/2026 - 8/4/2026
Times: 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Days: Tu
Sessions: 5
Modality: Hybrid
Fee: $0.00
Can homelessness be solved simply with more social workers, mental health services, and housing? Or does it require addressing structural shifts in the capitalist economy, inequality, systemic racism, and neoliberal government policies? Patrick Markee answers these questions in Placeless: Homelessness in the New Gilded Age. We will examine homelessness today and possible solutions through his book, other materials, and guest speakers.
NOTE: This course will be taught at the Community Engagement Center in Homewood (622 N. Homewood Avenue, 15208) and via Zoom.
This hybrid course will meet July 7, 14, 21, 28, and August 4.
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- Introduction to Sociology Online
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Speaker: Lauren Rawson
Dates: 7/6/2026 - 8/3/2026
Times: 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM
Days: M
Sessions: 5
Modality: Online
Fee: $0.00
Are you curious about seeing the world in a new way or learning about what drives social change? This course explores the study of social life, ranging from social inequality to theories on the self. We will be looking at sociological ideas from past to present and discussing how the past shapes today's society. We will also be examining various fundamental institutions, including family, media, religion, education, medicine, and law.
This course will meet online July 6, 13, 20, 27, and August 3.
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- Propaganda and Public Diplomacy Online
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Speaker: Ralph Begleiter
Dates: 6/1/2026 - 6/29/2026
Times: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Days: M
Sessions: 5
Modality: Online
Fee: $0.00
From World War II to current times, governments have exercised their power over media to influence public opinion, at home and abroad. We will explore why propaganda is effective, who uses it, and why. We will look at how “news” media become collaborators in influence campaigns and how media sometimes resists. Topics include the origins of contemporary propaganda, and why social media, artificial intelligence, and the decline of journalism make propaganda efforts more effective than ever.
This course will meet online June 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29.
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- 15 Most Authoritarian Countries in the World
- THIS CLASS IS FULL. Please click the "Add to Waitlist" button below.
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Speaker: Paul Macek
Dates: 5/26/2026 - 6/23/2026
Times: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Days: Tu
Sessions: 5
Modality: Online
Fee: $0.00
This course explores the 15 most authoritarian regimes in the world: China, Nicaragua, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Belarus, Eritrea, Iran, Yemen, Chad, Tajikistan, Syria, Central African Republic, North Korea, Myanmar, and Afghanistan. From geography to climate, to demographics, history, politics and government, economy and culture, each country will be analyzed according to a variety of indexes. The instructor welcomes a diversity of political thought.
This course will meet online May 26, June 2, 9, 16, and 23.
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- The Case Against Extreme Wealth Hybrid
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Speaker: Ralph Bangs
Dates: 5/26/2026 - 6/23/2026
Times: 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Days: Tu
Sessions: 5
Modality: Hybrid
Fee: $0.00
Can a person be too rich? Philosopher and economist Ingrid Robeyns answers that question in Limitarianism: The Case Against Extreme Wealth, 2024. She focuses on the practical, political, and moral problems of this wealth and concludes that we should strive to create a world in which no one is super-rich. We will examine this topic through the book, other materials, and guest speakers.
NOTE: This course will be taught at the Community Engagement Center in Homewood (622 N. Homewood Avenue, 15208) and via Zoom.
This hybrid course will mee May 26, June 2, 9, 16, and 23.
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- Global Integrity: Combating International Corruption Online
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Speaker: Shawn Sullivan
Dates: 5/22/2026 - 6/26/2026
Times: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Days: F
Sessions: 5
Modality: Online
Fee: $0.00
This course explores the impact of international corruption on governance, human rights, and the global economy. Using high-profile case studies like the Panama Papers and Brazil’s "Operation Car Wash," we will analyze how corruption is defined and measured. Members will examine national and international legal frameworks—including the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the UN Convention Against Corruption—and the critical role of investigative journalism. No prior legal knowledge is required.
This course will meet online May 22, 29, June 5, 12, and 26. There is no class June 19.
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- History of Food, Part 1 Hybrid
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Speaker: Julia Hudson-Richards
Dates: 5/26/2026 - 6/23/2026
Times: 10:00 AM - 11:50 AM
Days: Tu
Sessions: 5
Modality: Hybrid
Fee: $0.00
This course will examine the history of food and the ways it contributes to our understanding of other areas of study, such as environmental, social, political, and economic history. We will look at the history of food in the United States within a larger global context to examine the ways in which our global trading networks are anchored by food and how food helps to define our societies, cultures, and identities.
This hybrid course will meet May 26, June 2, 9, 16, and 23.
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- Stupidity: Humor, Humanity, and Scientific Understanding
- THIS CLASS IS FULL. Please click the "Add to Waitlist" button below.
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Speaker: Edward Zuckerman
Dates: 5/26/2026 - 6/23/2026
Times: 1:00 PM - 2:50 PM
Days: Tu
Sessions: 5
Modality: In-Person
Fee: $0.00
Stupidity, although universally applied as a pejorative and self-flagellant, can be understood with psychology and humor. Introductory and humorous examples support definitions that consider context, foreseeability intelligence, and risk. We will review theories by Adorno, Bonhoeffer, Cipolla, and others. We will review models like biases of causal attribution and automatic or avoidable overconfidence to understand bad decisions. We will examine more insights into apophenia, scams, gullibility, and when trust is stupid. Lastly, we will aim to lessen bad decisions by examining confirmation bias, what you see is all there is (WYSIATI) rules, and Razors.
This course will meet in person May 26, June 2, 9, 16, and 23.
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