Thursday Session 2   

Bruce Springsteen’s songs add to the soundtrack of the lives of his audience. From the celebrations of adolescence (Greetings from Asbury Park) through the turmoil of early adulthood (The River), and the social consciousness of middle adulthood (The Rising) to the acceptance of older adulthood (Western Stars), Springsteen wove a tapestry of the story of life in the America of his times. Through a lens of psychosocial development theory, we will explore how the artist’s sensitivity to the challenges of life tap into universal resonances for us as listeners, from our youth through middle age to older adulthood.

Karl Marx is among the political thinkers that most powerfully contributed to shape the political and ideological dynamics of the past century. Among the most perplexing aspects of his influence is the diversity of political movements and ideological currents that labeled themselves "Marxist,” and the magnitude of the differences that frequently separated their respective versions of "Marxism." Marx, however, famously denied being a Marxist himself.

This course addresses Bible stories and how they have been depicted in art, mostly Medieval and Renaissance art. We will be looking at a wonderfully wide range of art, from murals in a 3rd-century synagogue to Caravaggio, Artemisia Gentileschi, and Rembrandt, and from van Eyck's Ghent Altarpiece to Buoninsegna's early 14th century Maestà.

In this hands-on class, we will explore “scrappy” printmaking. The goal is to make expressive prints largely from upcycled materials you likely have at home. This will include using packaging to make drypoint and relief prints; using scraps to make collages that can be printed; making relief plates using foam produce trays - and more! You will need a few basic printmaking materials, but most supplies can be scavenged. Hand printing will be emphasized, so access to a printing press is not required. This will be a fun, exploratory class that emphasizes process and experimentation.

This course is a review of the social history, legislature, and activism that transformed the lives of disabled Americans and their families through the 20th and 21st century. Participants will learn about “visible” and “invisible” disabilities and how causes, treatments, and individual access and experience have changed over time.

This course will be held at the Allegheny Observatory in Riverview Park. Each class will include both a presentation and discussion about a person or a discovery at the observatory and a short tour of a portion of the building. At the end of the five classes, we will have explored the entire building and looked at how John and Phoebe Brashear, Samuel Langley, and James Keeler impacted both the field of astronomy and the city of Pittsburgh. We will use the 13" telescope to view sunspots and the moon (weather permitting).

Please Note: This course will be taught at the Allegheny Observatory, which is NOT on campus at the University of Pittsburgh. This historic building is only partially handicapped accessible. Some of the tours will require steps. Parking is free.

This course provides a foundation in computer literacy, covering computer concepts, applications, and information systems. Members will learn computer concepts (hardware, software, networks, Internet of Things, security, and privacy), task applications (word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation), AI tools (Grammarly, Copilot, ChatGPT), and evolution and emerging technology. Members will acquire practical and critical thinking skills in the use of technologies within society. This course also provides an awareness of the impact of technological advancement on current and lifelong learning.

Course Materials:  (textbook only suggested by not needed) Technology in Action, 15th Edition: Alan Evans, Kendall Martin, Mary Anne Poatsy - ISBN 10: 0-13-483787-8 or ISBN 13: 978-0-13-483787-1 - $15 to $35

The nation is poised for a pivotal midterm election, a battle for control of Congress, and a referendum on the current administration. The election punctuates a tumultuous era in American politics, marked by a nearly successful insurrection, dismantling of longstanding political party and congressional roles, unprecedented upheaval in American government, challenges to Constitutional precedents, and profound effects on campaigns and media driven by the meteoric rise of artificial intelligence technology. This course offers real-time analysis of forces shaping the vote.

This course explores the geography of Africa, the Americas, and Australia/Oceania. Each class will highlight a different region of the globe as we discuss the land, resources, borders, languages, cultures, flags, and history of every country. This is the second part of a two-part course. The two parts can be taken in any order.