Online Courses   

We will read and discuss ten stories from A Century of Fiction in The New Yorker. Participants need not have taken either of the earlier courses based on this anthology. This final round of stories will include some classics by Shirley Jackson, J.D. Salinger, and Annie Proulx.

Course Materials:  A Century of Fiction in The New Yorker, 1925 - 2025 by Deborah Treisman

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.

This course provides a general survey of prophetic literature in the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament. Prophets, while necessary, are the religious conscience of the people and, as such, are often social pariahs. Thematically we will consider the role of oracles; prophetic literature and women; the theology of prophecies; social justice in the prophets; and how different faith communities read and interpret the prophetic literature.

This course will provide a sampling of important contemporary feature films from Asia, including works from China, India, Japan, South Korea, and possibly other nations. Attention will be paid not only to the specific films themselves (and their aesthetic strategies) but to the history of cinema in that country, the previous work of the director of the film, and the social/political context in which the film was made. Participants will view complete films before each class which are available through numerous online streaming services.

Stories encourage us to wander in our imaginations, connecting metaphorical phrases to our own identities and lived experiences. Myths and fairy tales provide fertile ground for our psychological selves and can be helpful containers to understanding the joys and conflicts in life. This course will explore lifelong social, emotional, and cognitive developments through the lens of developmental psychology across the lifespan, using myth and fairy tale as our guides.

The death of stars is one of the most important phenomena in the universe. Stars end their lives in various ways, some peacefully and some spectacularly. Besides producing an incredible show, exploding stars are the sources of cosmic rays and many of the heavy elements which make up our world. This course will describe how some stars end their lives by exploding, explore why there are different types of explosions, analyze how these explosions have influenced our history, and see how supernovae are essential for understanding the past and future of the universe.

The wonders of the night sky are revealed as we discuss the observable celestial sphere as viewed from here on Earth. The motions and phases of the moon, the properties and apparent motion of stars, constellations, planets, and other objects visible to the naked eye and through a telescope are some of the topics we will cover. Learn how to read and interpret star charts, constellations, and the changing night sky throughout the seasons. This introduction to astronomical viewing will prepare you for exploring the nighttime sky.

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

Beneath the simple panels of Charles Schulz's Peanuts lies a profound meditation on failure, hope, loneliness, and connection. Rather than traditional heroic figures, Schulz portrays ordinary individuals who wrestle with courage, loyalty, disappointment, and hope. This course uses the comic strip as a lens to explore two of humanity's most enduring themes: heroism and friendship. We will ask: What does it mean to be brave when you always lose? How do we sustain friendships marked by misunderstanding? And why does a beagle dreaming atop a doghouse move us so deeply?

This course explores the development, process, and issues of conflict and peace in Northern Ireland and Ireland focusing on the periods of Irish Rebellion (1870s-1920s), the Troubles (1960s-1990s), the Good Friday Agreement of 1998, and continuing problems from 1998 to the present. The course will first begin with an exploration of Ireland under British rule through the 19th century leading to the early conflicts of the 20th century. Significant emphasis is on the status of Northern Ireland after 1921 and into the 21st century.

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. 

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.

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 delves into the novel Brave New World by Aldous Huxley (1932), which is considered a masterpiece of dystopian literature because it seemed to predict major historical turns of the 20th century. Members will learn about an imaginary worldstate in which people are engineered to love their society and their own places in it. We will read the novel against a backdrop of questions about happiness, ideal communities, the impact of new technologies on humanity, and whether human freedom is always merely an illusion.

Course Materials:  Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley.

Focusing on film musicals from 1990 to the present, we will show clips as we explore trends in modern film musicals. Always popular are turning Broadway musicals into films (e.g. Wicked), but a newer trend transforms non-musical films into musicals (e.g. Hairspray and Mean Girls). Other trends include incorporation of contemporary music and biography musicals. Join us as we appreciate this great American art form.

Artificial super intelligence will be here soon and could threaten democracy. The technology could destabilize democracies by eliminating mass employment, particularly white-collar jobs. It could become autonomous and take over society. Totalitarian states could use it to dominate the world through biological, cyber, and military attacks, influence operations, and economic disruption. Authoritarian and democratically-elected officials could use it for domestic mass surveillance and propaganda. Tech companies could use it to control society and government. This course will describe artificial super intelligence and its rapid development and threats to democracy.

During its 2025-2026 term, the U.S. Supreme Court heard cases raising significant issues involving Presidential power, gerrymandering of Congressional districts, birthright citizenship, voting rights, gun rights, and transgender rights. In this class, we will analyze the Supreme Court's most important rulings of 2026.

NOTE: This course will be offered twice: once in person and once online. It is the same course.

This course examines the reinvention of central Europe that occurs between 1848 and 1880 when splintered collections of small city states, bishoprics, and kingdoms unified into the two modern states of Germany and Italy. Nationalists instigated a series of wars, insurrections, and land grabs, often done with extraordinary flair, boldness, and ruthless cunning. At times referred to as “unification from the top down,” these processes of unification will inspire many other Europeans and, indeed, shake the foundations of established monarchies such as in Austria-Hungary, Russia, France, and Great Britain.

Let the calming meditative practice of Zentangle drawing infuse the upcoming holidays with a festive spirit. Projects will use Zentangle principles and patterns to craft cards, gifts, little books, and decor. No previous experience is necessary.