Online Courses   

The Americans who participated in the epic struggle to separate from Britain generally accepted the idea of representative self-government, but they sharply disagreed with each other about what that meant. The men we know as "The Founders" crafted a scheme for a centralized constitutional republic. Those who disagreed, who worried about the accumulation of power and the lack of safeguards for civil rights, were also Founders. These were the Antifederalists. Their contributions and failings will be discussed.

Part 2 of this course takes members on a virtual and chronological tour of historic places in Western Pennsylvania, from the Industrial Age to the modern day. Participants will virtually visit several locations, from the Drake Oil Well in Venango County to Quecreek Mine Rescue in Somerset County. Part 1 is not a prerequisite for Part 2.

This course will examine the life, work, and enduring legacy of Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, both during their time in the White House and beyond. We will delve into their political careers, post-presidential humanitarian efforts, and impact on American society and the world. Through readings and critical analysis, we will explore the complexities of their legacy and their contributions to issues such as human rights, democracy, and public health.

This course will provide insight into the mental processes used to create an aesthetic experience. The course begins with defining art appreciation. Next, the theories of the early 20th century psychologists Freud and Jung on art and the unconscious are covered. The course will discuss contemporary scientific research on the conscious and unconscious mental processes used during art appreciation. Finally, personality variables and contextual factors that affect preference for certain types of art will be examined. The course ends with a discussion of art appreciation in the future.

Lies, propaganda, and conspiracy theories are used to deny reality and promote authoritarian interests in America today. This course identifies the anti-democratic truth-killers, examines how they create and amplify disinformation and manipulate the population, and discusses how to win the war on truth. We will rely on the book, On Disinformation: How to Fight for Truth and Protect Democracy (McIntyre, 2023), and other sources.

This course will explore a wide range of Medieval and Renaissance art in the collections of museums around the world. Members will learn about medieval manuscript illuminations and discuss Rembrandt, Caravaggio, and Vermeer. Of particular note are the paintings in the New York Metropolitan Museum's recent exhibition about the dawn of the Italian Renaissance, Siena: The Rise of Painting, (1300-1350). Understanding art in its cultural/historical context is centered in this course. Half of the course content is repeated from the prior course.

This course considers Cardiovascular Organ Replacements (CVOR). The basic physiology of four organ systems will be reviewed (heart, lung, blood vessel, blood) and the medical, engineering, and societal considerations for CVOR systems discussed. The plusses and minuses of commercially available CVOR will be considered leading to discussion as to possible improvements of existing CVOR. The health inequities and disparities faced by underrepresented and underserved patients will be discussed along with challenges patients with CVOR and their families face daily. The business and economics of CVOR will also be discussed within the context of spiraling health care costs.

This course examines today's economic trends and issues in the United States and globally. Final topics are chosen based on economic issues most prominent at the start of the course. Prior topics have included: U.S. government debt, Brexit, U.S. trade and trade policy, world currency markets, and the rise and fall of U.S. inflation. Each topic is examined from perspectives of trends, causes, impacts, and potential remediations. The course is structured around presentation, but is intended to be discussion-oriented with high student participation.

Eastern Europe has geographical areas with exceptional conditions for grapevine growing and is the birthplace of a myriad of grape varietals. With the fall of the Berlin Wall, there has been heavy investment in the modernization of their wine industry. Each week we will undertake a journey of discovery by tasting and rating a wine from one of these regions while we explore its terroir. A few weeks before the course starts, the instructor will identify wines that members should purchase.

NOTE: This course will be offered twice, once in session 1 and the same course repeated in session 2. Members may only sign up for one section.

Sociologists of religion provide a taxonomy for identifying religious groups beyond the normative title of ‘church’—specifically sects and cults. Sects provide an alternative religious society often derived from a larger religious entity. A cult is constellated around a seer or a new revelation specific to one or two individuals. This course will take these sociological identifiers and show how they look in the religious landscape of America. Specifically, we will consider five movements or sects and demonstrate the ways in which each fall within these sociological categories: Jehovah’s Witnesses, Church of Latter-Day Saints, Scientology, Westboro Baptist Church and the “Spiritual not Religious” adherents.

In this interactive online discussion course, we will explore famous philosophical thought experiments and their practical applications. How does the trolley problem relate to the question of whether self-driving cars should be programmed to protect passengers inside the car or the pedestrians outside the car if brakes fail? What does John Rawls’ “veil of ignorance” thought experiment teach us about how to set up a just society? Participants will receive text handouts which we will study during the class sessions. Come join the conversation!

 

This course will explore the lives and careers of actors and actresses in the 1930s and 1940s who prided themselves on their abilities to inhabit any role. In addition to focusing on notable legends like Claudette Colbert, Clark Gable, Hepburn and Tracy, Jimmy Stewart, and Judy Garland, the course will also note the lesser-known actors of the era like Luise Rainer and Robert Donat. The course will conclude with an examination of one of the most storied years in Hollywood history: 1939.

This course explores the art and architecture of ancient Greece, from temples and tombs to pottery and paintings. Structured chronologically, illustrated lectures explore the visual arts of ancient Greece by period, from its beginning in the Bronze Age (ca. 3000-1200 BCE) to the end of the Hellenistic Period (ca. 323-31 BCE). The focus is key monuments and works of art and the artistic and technological developments that gave rise to them, an archaeological approach that considers the social function of Greek art in its wider Mediterranean context.

In school we often learned myths about our founders who seemed to be beyond our ability to emulate. Today's trend is to "cancel" them because their faults err on the other extreme. The founders were humans with complex admirable accomplishments and reprehensible failings. Understanding these historic figures' contributions to the founding of the republic and their acknowledged inability to end slavery and native displacement provide a realistic analysis of our history. Learn from the founders to understand the evolution and current situation of our government.

For those who are really interested in their Apple® products, this course will show you how to integrate your devices. We will explore iPhone and iPad while mixing in a bit of Mac, AppleTV, Apple Watch, AirPods, and even CarPlay.

Are you looking for an exercise program designed to improve your everyday life? Work with a physical therapist to learn balance and strengthening exercises. Come join the fun and learn a program designed to improve your daily function while also decreasing your risk of falls and injury. No special equipment is necessary, and all exercises are completed sitting or standing. This program is suitable for beginners yet appropriate for those with more exercise experience as it can be adapted to fit individual needs. Participants will be given instructions on how to complete this program at home for continued benefits. Wear comfortable clothes and supportive shoes.

This course is an introduction to Western Modernism in the arts and its relationship to the visual culture of modernity from the mid-19th century through the 20th century. Weekly lectures and discussions will address developments in painting, sculpture, photography, and architecture from Europe, Russia, and the United States.

The field of astrophysics literally covers the entire universe. Of the many possible topics, we will discuss the following: a brief history of ground-based optical telescopes, Einstein's incredible year of 1905, the origin of the elements, dark matter and dark energy, and space travel. The course is intended for non-experts; math and jargon will be kept to a minimum.

Some of the finest lyrics in English poetry came out of the 17th century. We will read a wide variety of poems, taking a fresh look at some old favorites. The list will include a generous sampling of Donne's verse, but we will also look at a some lesser known poets, and styles.

This creative writing course will help members refocus, reimagine, and reinvigorate their lives through writing from prompts and discussion designed to employ imagination and insight. Participants can write in any genre they wish, and no writing experience is necessary. The course will give members the space and encouragement they need to enhance creativity. Writing tools and ideas to continue work in class and inspire further discovery will be offered.

 

Architectural history follows a canon of both traditional and eclectic styles from ancient to contemporary times. But what happens when a mix of whimsy, eccentricity, and humor—and sometimes the creator's genius—insert themselves into the mix? Occurring throughout time and in various parts of the world, these structures exist to serve the cultures they were created for, from ancient religious sites to modern car-culture merriment. This course will explore a myriad variety of structures throughout the world, the construction methods used, the patrons for whom these structures were constructed, and the notions of the builders and architects who created them.

So, you believe you are the victim of a medical error. Now what? The course will cover attorney hiring considerations, phases of malpractice litigation, and client responsibilites. Members will learn about the most common errors, special rules for first responders, Good Samaritans, and federal government providers. Finally, we will cover trends/statistics, what tort reform is (and whether it has worked), and dispel some myths.

To quote 42nd Street, "think of musical comedy, the most glorious words in the English language." Using various clips from Broadway and movie musicals, this course will explore five categories: movies to Broadway musicals, Broadway to movie musicals, off-Broadway musicals, message musicals, and show biz musicals. Join us as we dissect and discuss one of America's true art forms, musical comedy.