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This three-part course explores 1: the Nazi occupation and the Vichy collaboration; 2: the Holocaust in France, including roundups, deportations, murder of 75% of the Jews of France, and networks of resistance; 3: postwar transitional justice in a country divided by Gaullists, Communists, resisters, collaborators, and more. $10 course fee to support World Without Genocide. 

 

Protest songs were an integral part of the peace and anti-Vietnam War movement and the Civil Rights movement in the 1960s and '70s, and they play an equally vital role in current sociopolitical events. What makes song such a powerful tool in protest movements? Join us for a dive into protest songs both classic and current! Recommended reading: 33 Revolutions per Minute: A History of Protest Songs, from Billie Holiday to Green Day, by D. Lynskey, 2011.

This creative writing class will introduce you to the journal as a site of play, process, and catharsis. Whether you are journaling for the first time, or you have kept a diary for decades, you will be introduced to a range of methods to try in the journal. 

Recommended reading: “On Keeping a Notebook” by Joan Didion from Slouching Towards Bethlehem, FSG, 2008; Reborn: Journals and Notebooks 1947-1963 (journal excerpts) by Susan Sontag, Picador, 2009.

Explore how climate reshapes where wildlife lives. Using real-world examples from North America, this course reveals why species move, how traits and habitats influence their journeys, and what these shifts mean for the future of our natural world.

In the popular imagination, lethal injection is a slight pinch and a swift nodding off to forever-sleep, it is performed by well-qualified medical professionals, it is regulated and carefully conducted, and it is certainly the most ‘humane’ form of capital punishment. In reality, not one of these statements is true. Lethal injection is nothing like what people think. This is its untold story.

Recommended reading: Secrets of the Killing State: the Untold Story of Lethal Injection by Corinna Lain, 2025.

Join us as we partner again with the Ramsey County Library, Global Minnesota, and the Foreign Policy Association for our annual Great Decisions series on the most critical international issues facing America. Study the issues and join the discussions led by expert speakers. Ten copies of the Briefing Book for this series are available for checkout through the generosity of Global Minnesota.

June 6th: Henry Berman on U.S. Engagement of Africa.

Economics plays a central role in the functioning of every aspect of society. This course addresses a set of prominent policy issues where economics is at their core. We will explore their origins as policy matters, the underlying data and evidence, and what policy levers are available to deal with them. Lectures will be standalone, taught by a subject matter expert. Potential topics include Climate, Healthcare Economics, Economic Federal Debt, Social Security and many more. The topics presented will be determined by what is most topical at the time of the course

Join scholars from area colleges and elsewhere as they share their specialized knowledge and enthusiasm. It’s like hearing from your favorite college professors again, without worrying about writing papers or taking finals!

June 2: Tshuaj Ntsuab: A Compendium of Hmong Medicinal Plants, Zongxee Lee, Natalie Hoidal, Alex Crum

June 9: Wakan Tipi Awanyankapi, Maggie Lorenz, executive director

June 16: TBA

June 23: Supreme Court Docket 2026, Professor Tim Johnson from the U of M

Step into the world of ultimate indulgence with Chef Larry P. Canepa, Certified Culinary Educator, for a high-energy "food-tainment" experience that explores the rarest and most expensive flavors on the planet. This a deep dive into the history, mystery, and decadence of the world’s most prestigious ingredients. From the earthy aroma of Alba White Truffles and the buttery marble of A5 Wagyu Beef to the delicate pop of Beluga Caviar, you’ll discover what makes these delicacies worth their weight in gold.

In this course, Ed Linz will discuss the physical and psychological challenges of heart transplantation, and how one lives following such a gift.

Cutting-edge research as well as anecdotal evidence shows that psychedelic-assisted therapy can be very effective in treating PTSD, depression, anxiety, alcoholism and more. Learn from local practitioners in this exciting course facilitated by a “psychonaut” who has used psychedelics to heal.

Are you carrying the weight of resentment, grudges, or betrayal? These emotions drain our energy and keep us tied to the past. In this two-part online workshop, Louisa Hext—life coach and storyteller—will create a safe, supportive space for reflection and growth. Through storytelling, dialogue, and exercises, you’ll explore how resentment takes root, why it holds you back, and how to release it. This isn’t about excusing or forgetting—it’s about freeing yourself and stepping into a lighter, more empowered self.

This course examines Bruce Lee as a thinker rather than a celebrity. We will explore his ideas as a practical framework for understanding performance under pressure — not only in combat or athletics, but in work, relationships, identity, and creative expression. Participants will connect Lee’s ideas to their own lives, discovering how similar pressures can appear across very different environments and how to address them.

Recommended reading: The Bruce Lee Code by Thomas Lee, Career Press, 2023.

Defying Age and Limiting Beliefs is a powerful course on expanding what’s possible in the fourth quarter of life. At 68, Sheree Stomberg trained five hours a day, joined an elite Everest expedition team of younger men, and climbed beyond 20,000 feet—while others turned back. Facing age and gender bias, extreme conditions, and tragedy, she proved longevity is a mind game. Through lived experience, this course equips you to break stereotypes, build resilience, and live fully at any age.

This education series teaches caregivers how to navigate the responsibilities of caring for someone living with dementia. Topics include Building Foundations of Caregiving, Supporting Independence, Communicating Effectively, Responding to Dementia-Related Behaviors, and Exploring Care and Support Services