Thursday   

In this course, we will celebrate the music of this volatile decade, while appreciating the context in which it emerged. The music of the 1970s can be understood as a reaction to the advances of the sixties. While rock styles and audiences become irreversibly fragmented, a new generation of fans emerged, throwing off the 60s burden of creative thought and imploding towards disco. 

 

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 course explores the interaction of American health culture and deliberately rustic recreational activities—cottaging, camping, hunting, and fishing—in the North Woods from the mid-1800s to about 1920. It will offer three lecture-discussions, the first introducing new positive ideas about "wilderness" and its health-giving properties; the second considering the relationship between railroads, boosters, and doctors in selling the health advantages of moving to Minnesota; and the third focusing on women's participation in North Woods play.

Sinclair Lewis'It Can't Happen Here appeared in 1935, shortly after the Nazis gained power in Germany. The title captures both the belief in American exceptionalism and the sudden realization of vulnerability. Together we will read the novel, consider the history, and weigh possible lessons for our world. 

Required reading: It Can't Happen Here by Sinclair Lewis (several online .pdfs available)

Many laws and courts have declared there are only two immutable sexes that are determined at birth. This class will discuss the complexity of “biological sex” and how variations occur between the time an egg is fertilized and a person becomes an adult. We will explore the genetic, chromosomal and hormonal influences affecting primary (those present at birth) and secondary sex characteristics (those that develop at puberty). Discussion of gender, a sociological construct, or sexual orientation is beyond the scope of this course. 

This course is geared towards people who want to understand more about personal and collective actions they can take to work towards climate solutions. It includes up-to-date information on climate trends. At one of the four sessions, a guest instructor will share a computer model to help the class game what actions would make the greatest impact on climate. At the final session, participants will assess their own skills and interests to figure out what their unique contributions can be to promote climate solutions.

Iran has had stormy relationships with countries throughout the region and the world in recent decades—particularly the United States. We will examine the source of this animus and the government upheavals in 1953 and 1979. What exactly happened to cement Iranian hostilities towards so many globally? And where do things stand in 2026? Are hostilities only getting worse? Is there any hope for a future of democratic governance in Iran? What are the implications of the March, 2026 War on Iran for Israel and the United States?

Fareed Zakaria omitted the American Revolution from his book Age of Revolutions saying "it did not immediately transform society's deeper structures." This course will explore Zakaria's thesis with reference to the Academy of Arts and Sciences report "Expanding Representation.” Week 1 will begin with prehistory: natural selection, "self-ishness," and socialization. Week 2 moves to Western Europe to explore themes of supremacy, subjection, and insatiability. Topics for Weeks 3 and 4 include the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and Article I of the US Constitution.

Recommended reading: "Expanding Representation, Reinventing Congress for the 21st Century." American Academy of Arts and Sciences. 2025. (Provided week 1).

British labor economist Guy Standing coined the term Precariat to identify a social class whose members' lives are marked by economic insecurity and a form of second-class citizenship as a result of relying for their livelihood on the gig economy. This course summarizes Standing's description of this social class.

An introduction to the world of genealogy, describing the basics of researching and documenting your family history. Using a combination of traditional research methods and online resources, students will learn how to navigate digital archives, census records, family trees, and historical databases. By the end of the course, participants will be equipped with the skills to trace their lineage, uncover stories about their ancestors, and organize their findings into a family history narrative. This course provides the tools and knowledge to begin your genealogical journey with confidence. 

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

Dive into the world of dragonflies and damselflies. Learn the characteristics of these amazing insects and the species common to Elm Creek Park. Hike out to the prairie to catch, observe, and identify using nets and field guides, and record Citizen Science data for the MN Dragonfly Society. This course will take place mostly outdoors at Eastman Nature Center in summer weather. We will be hiking up to one mile on uneven turf trails and walking in the prairie. Course fee: $6.00

Our visit will begin with a short talk about the history of the conservatory. Then, a member of the conservatory staff will lead us on a walking tour of the facility, taking us behind the scenes into places that the public doesn't see. Course fee: $20

Come and learn about the early history of MN at Gibbs Farm. We will have a presentation by the staff about the Gibbs family and their fascinating lives. Then, we will have a guided tour of the farmhouse. Afterward, there will be an opportunity to meet for lunch at Stout's Pub (own expense).

Get up early and join us to meet the animals at Como Zoo. We will have a two-hour tour led by zoo staff. Meet a zookeeper and encounter some of the animals. Visit parts of the zoo where visitors are usually not allowed. Course fee: $40.

Join us for a tour of three Minneapolis-based community art and maker spaces! Week 1, we’ll visit the Twin Cities Maker, a non-profit, volunteer-driven community makerspace in the Seward neighborhood. With more than 14 different shop areas, it’s a haven for all things creative including a full woodshop, industrial sewing machines, blacksmithing, and 3d printing. Week 2 we will get a tour and fiber art demo at the Textile Center. Finally, Week 3 we will visit the Northern Clay Center to tour their ceramics workshop and be treated to a wheel demonstration! Tours involve stairs and non-air conditioned spaces. Optional lunch afterward at participant’s expense. Full address and parking information will be shared upon registration.

If you like a bit of mealtime adventure, and if you want to support the restaurants along Minneapolis' Eat Street, this one’s for you. Together we’ll choose which of Nicollet Avenue’s numerous ethnic restaurants to visit on the four Thursdays in June. And with every member of the group selecting a cuisine to report on, we’ll learn more about food culture in our restaurants' homelands while enjoying great flavors and lively conversation.

Learn more about Minnesota/ Native American history and Dakota culture through a guided tour of the Shakopee Mdewanketon Sioux Cultural Center. Established in 2019, Hocokata Ti, located near Mystic Lake and surrounded by restored native prairie grasses, is a not-to-be-missed architectural gem and cultural treasure. Meet at Hocokata Ti. We will begin with a 1-hour guided tour of the museum. After a short break to visit the gift shop and library, we will spend 45 minutes with the relics. Join an optional lunch (own expense) following the tour.