Osher Online Courses   

2027 will mark the 50th anniversary of “Star Wars,” George Lucas’ underdog film that became a cultural phenomenon that influenced generations. We will explore how this film and its sequels, prequels, comic books, video games, and action figures made a galaxy far, far away worthy of serious study and fan appreciation. We will begin with Lucas’ wide-ranging inspirations, including 1930s “Flash Gordon” serials, samurai films, Jack Kirby comics, and Joseph Campbell’s writings on the hero’s journey. We will consider the legacy of “Episode IV: A New Hope,” including its role in reshaping Hollywood into a franchise- and merchandise-driven industry. We will examine political themes in “Star Wars,” questions of authorship, and the influence of fan culture. Whether you are a lifelong fan or a newcomer who has never even heard of Chewbacca, this course offers a comprehensive look at how a galaxy far, far away shaped the cultural tastes and values of generations. 

 

Your instructor: Marc DiPaolo 

Marc DiPaolo, PhD, is an assistant professor of humanities at Moraine Valley Community College. He has written the autobiographical novel Fake Italian (2021), and the academic books Fire and Snow: Climate Fiction from the Inklings to Game of Thrones (2018) and War, Politics, and Superheroes (2011). He co-edited the essay collection Italian/American Fantastika, and books on film directors Yasujiro Ozu and Mike Leigh. He has been interviewed on NPR, BBC4, and in the AMC docuseries Robert Kirkman’s Secret History of Comics. 

 

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August Wilson was the first African American playwright to have a Broadway theater bear his name, a fitting tribute to a dramatist who brought African American culture and lived experience to the stage. In this course, we will read, watch, and examine the final five plays in Wilson’s American Cycle, a ten-play series representing each decade of the African American culture’s 20th century. We will explore Wilson’s life and the influences behind his work while focusing on Fences, Two Trains Running, Jitney!, King Hedley II, and Radio Golf, tracing his powerful interpretation, celebration, and perseveration of African American culture. We will discuss how his characters were in search of America’s promises of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness and, more importantly, for their “songs,” or true identities. 

 

Your instructor: Ladrica Menson-Furr 

Ladrica Menson-Furr, PhD, is assistant dean of undergraduate programs and associate professor of African American literature. Menson-Furr is the author of August Wilson’s Fences and August Wilson’s Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, and has published on Zora Neale Hurston and Pearl Cleage. She has led academic programs in African American studies and served as a Provost’s Fellow and a Tennessee Board of Regents’ Maxine Smith Fellow. 

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Musicals have been a major part of American theater, from the Tin Pan Alley-driven comedies of the early twentieth century to the integrated musicals that flourished in the heyday years of midcentury America. In this course, we will explore book musicals, concept musicals, and the arrival of European mega-productions late in the century. We will profile some of the theater world's leading composers, lyricists, writers, choreographers, directors, and performers. With the help of  audiovisuals, we will study many of the most unforgettable shows including Oklahoma!, My Fair Lady, Show Boat, Guys and Dolls, Hair, Cabaret, Rent, Wicked, Hamilton, and more.

Your instructor: Emanuel Abramovits

Emanuel Abramovits is a mechanical engineer and has been a concert promoter for over two decades. He is involved in events by international artists like Itzhak Perlman, Gustavo Dudamel, Sarah Brightman, Roger Hodgson, ASIA, Journey, and Kenny G. Abramovits has designed and staged original orchestral events, including an Event of the Year winner and several world premieres. He served as the cultural director at Union Israelita De Caracas, releasing books and organizing film cycles, concerts, and art exhibits.

This course introduces key aspects of Deaf Culture in the United States and the factors that define the Deaf community as a cultural minority. We will focus on awareness, cultural diversity, and the preservation of language. This course addresses the cultural identity, group norms, rules of social interaction, values, and traditions held by deaf members. Together we will explore the impact of modern technology, emerging issues, trends, and advocacy with the Deaf community. We will also address topics related to communication, terminology, educational alternatives, state and federal legislation, and community resources. 

 

Your instructor: Matt Cooper 

Matthew Cooper is an Assistant Professor of American Sign Language at the University of Tulsa and adjunct faculty at Tulsa Community College. Born to two Deaf parents, Cooper grew up a CODA (Child of Deaf Adults) in a family who were leaders and active participants in the Deaf community. In 2025, Cooper was a TEDx Editor’s Pick for his TEDx Talk titled Between Two Worlds: A CODA’s Perspective. He is currently writing a book about the modern CODA experience.

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Denzel Washington brings an intensity and dedication reminiscent of Sidney Poitier and Gene Hackman, who shared the screen with him in 1995’s “Crimson Tide.” One of the most accomplished and versatile actors of his generation, Washington is known for performances that combine intelligence and emotional depth. In this course, we will examine his career across television, film, theater, directing, and producing. We will begin with his early work on “St. Elsewhere” and in films such as “A Soldier’s Story” and “Glory,” for which he won an Academy Award. We’ll then consider major performances in “Cry Freedom,” “Malcolm X,” “The Equalizer” trilogy, and “Training Day,” for which he won another Oscar. We will explore his work as a director which began with “Antwone Fisher,” and as a producer where he helped to adapt some of playwright August Wilson’s works to film while winning a Tony for his role in a 2010 Broadway revival of Wilson’s “Fences.” 

 

Your instructor: Arnold Blumberg 

Arnold Blumberg, PhD, is a publisher, author, artist, and pop culture historian. He has taught courses in media literacy and cultural studies at University of Maryland, Baltimore County, the University of Baltimore, Community College of Baltimore County, and Towson University. With fifteen years of experience in the comic book industry and five years curating a pop culture museum, he now runs his own publishing company, ATB Publishing.

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Throughout history, furniture makers and decorative artists have often been relegated to a lesser status behind painters and sculptors, yet furniture and decorative objects are important works of art in their own right. The creative processes employed by these imaginative artists conveyed their skill, status and artistry, while the works they fashioned brought prestige to the individuals for whom they were created. Beauty and opulence were central to these creations, revealing the meticulous methods and sumptuous materials. This course will trace furniture styles in Europe and America from ancient times to the end of the 18th century, focusing on the detailed methods of marquetry, gilding, lacquering, upholstery, mechanization, and other construction techniques. The lives of the artists and their patrons will be discussed in the context of the era in which they lived. 

 

Your instructor: Eleanor Schrader 

Eleanor Schrader is an award-winning educator, lecturer, and author. She lectures and leads tours worldwide on art and architectural history. She has been named a distinguished instructor at UCLA Extension, where she teaches history of architecture, interior design, furniture, and decorative arts. She has completed graduate work in fine and decorative arts at Sotheby’s Institute in London and New York. She has served as a design review commissioner for the City of Beverly Hills and currently serves on the board of directors of the John Lautner Foundation. 

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Some of the most prominent folk singers of the 20th century, including Woody Guthrie, Sis Cunningham, Pete Seeger, and Burl Ives, were also political activists with ties to the American Communist Party. As a result, the FBI, along with other government and right-wing organizations, kept meticulous files on them and worked to push them out of the cultural realm. Through music, video, news clippings, and records from Freedom of Information Act filings, we will explore these artists’ lives and the systematic ways they were subjected to government surveillance and suppression. 

 

Your instructor: Aaron Leonard 

Aaron Leonard is an author and American historian whose writing focuses on the interplay of radicalism and governmental repression in the 20th century. Among his books are Heavy Radicals, The Folk Singers and the Bureau, and Menace of Our Time: The Long War on American Communism. Leonard has a BA in Social Sciences and History, magna cum laude, from New York University.

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This multimedia course celebrates the expressive power of voices coming together. Based on a previous Osher Online course, this term with greater depth and a wider lens, we will trace how the human voice (blended, layered, or sung in unison) has shaped music for nearly a thousand years. Designed for curious music lovers, the course will explore the evolution of vocal groups, including duos, trios, quartets, and larger ensembles, across genres and eras. From sacred chant to jazz, pop, rock, R&B, and beyond, we will celebrate iconic performers, unexpected connections, and how their legacies live on through contemporary groups and digital-age innovators who continue to unite, inspire, and move us with their vocal magic. No theory required – just ears, curiosity, and a love of great music. 

 

Your instructor: Mike (Michael) Agron 

Music Aficionado Mike Agron, raised in LA’s entertainment scene, is a former high-tech executive and entrepreneur turned storyteller. He creates dynamic, multimedia seminars exploring music and film for the Sacramento Renaissance Society, numerous OLLIs nationwide, Osher Online, Encore Learning, and other lifelong-learning programs. This winter, he returns for his third seminar series with Osher Online —bringing curiosity, context, and great music to audiences who love to learn by listening. 

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Healthspan is the length of time a person lives in good health. Diet and lifestyle are often debatable proxies for healthspan. In contrast, functional ability is a measurable output. It directly forecasts healthspan, because it is the same criterion used to assess our ability to live independently. Functional blind spots determine healthspan at twice the rate of disease, yet they have gone unmeasured, until now. This hands-on, course will help measure and improve the abilities that matter most for independence: strength, endurance, mobility, flexibility, and cognition. Each session will blend evidence-based instruction with enlightening, active self-assessments. We will learn how physical and cognitive function work together and how to integrate them into current daily life. Discover your blind spots and build a stronger future through a personalized 12-week plan. 

 

Your instructor: Scott Fulton 

Scott Fulton is recognized internationally as a “Redefiner” in the positive aging space. Fulton’s research focuses on improving adult aging outcomes. He teaches lifestyle Medicine and Aging, is an American College of Lifestyle Medicine member, and sits on the True Health Initiative Council. His book, WHEALTHSPAN, More Years, More Moments, More Money, hit #1 on Amazon. Fulton is a multiple Ironman triathlete and lives in a demonstration home he designed and built for the future of optimal aging across a lifespan. 

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Healthspan is the length of time a person lives in good health. Diet and lifestyle are often debatable proxies for healthspan. In contrast, functional ability is a measurable output. It directly forecasts healthspan, because it is the same criterion used to assess our ability to live independently. Functional blind spots determine healthspan at twice the rate of disease, yet they have gone unmeasured, until now. This hands-on, course will help measure and improve the abilities that matter most for independence: strength, endurance, mobility, flexibility, and cognition. Each session will blend evidence-based instruction with enlightening, active self-assessments. We will learn how physical and cognitive function work together and how to integrate them into current daily life. Discover your blind spots and build a stronger future through a personalized 12-week plan. 

 

Your instructor: Scott Fulton 

Scott Fulton is recognized internationally as a “Redefiner” in the positive aging space. Fulton’s research focuses on improving adult aging outcomes. He teaches lifestyle Medicine and Aging, is an American College of Lifestyle Medicine member, and sits on the True Health Initiative Council. His book, WHEALTHSPAN, More Years, More Moments, More Money, hit #1 on Amazon. Fulton is a multiple Ironman triathlete and lives in a demonstration home he designed and built for the future of optimal aging across a lifespan. 

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Jennifer Keishin Armstrong described the evolution of the half-hour comedy as “arguably the great artistic advancement seen on television in the last decade.” In this course, we will explore how that advancement continues. From “I Love Lucy” in the 1950s to “All in the Family” and “Soap” in the 1970s, “The Cosby Show” in the 1980s, and “Seinfeld” in the 1990s, we will examine how the sitcom changed as American culture changed and as broadcast television evolved. We will then consider how the early 2000s recalibrated the form through changes in writing, structure, pacing, characters, rules and especially expectations. Along the way, we will discuss meta humor, mockumentaries, cringe comedy, sad comedies, and series such as “BoJack Horseman,” “Atlanta,” “Ghosts,” “Abbott Elementary,” “Hacks,” and “Shrinking.” Tune in for a look at all things funny in TV. Together, we will consider why today’s funniest half-hour comedies do not always have to be funny. 

 

Your instructor: James (Jim) McKairnes 

Jim McKairnes is a former CBS Television executive who writes and teaches about the history of television. He has served on the faculties of DePaul University, Temple University, and Middle Tennessee State University. He published All in the Decade: 70 Things About 70s TV That Turned Ten Years Into a Revolution. Drawing on decades of experience in the industry and the classroom, McKairnes offers perspectives on how television has shaped and reflected American culture. 

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The Gilded Age continues to captivate the public imagination. Its glamour and excess inspire both fascination and critique. In this course, we will trace the development of this era across nearly half a century, examining how it transformed the US socially, culturally, and economically. We will begin in the mid-19th century, with the antebellum era and Civil War, then move through the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Along the way, we will explore the people, scandals, places, and trends that defined the period and why they still matter today. With a focus on New York City, we will consider how one exceptional city both spearheaded the many innovations of the era and represented the transformations happening national at this time. 

 

Your instructor: Adam Kocurek 

Adam Kocurek is a PhD candidate in history at The CUNY Graduate Center. His research lies at the intersections of LGBTQ+ history, labor history, and the history of higher education. He is an adjunct lecturer at Hunter College where he teaches modern American history. He has held fellowship positions at Queensborough Community College and Medgar Evers College. He is also a tour guide for Big Onion Walking Tours, leading locals and visitors on innovative and exciting tours through New York’s ethnic neighborhoods and historic districts. 

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In this course, we will explore five 20th century works of fiction that remain pivotal in literature and the broader culture, even though they are rarely read by modern audiences. We will discuss each book in the context of its time, consider its relevance today, and examine the curious place it now holds in the literary imagination. Each session will include background on the featured work. The course will be as participant-driven as possible. Together, we will create a conversation that is thoughtful, informed, and engaging. The course will be erudite, while still feeling casual and welcoming. Book List: The Ugly American by Eugene Burdick and William Lederer; Peyton Place by Grace Metalious; The Jungle by Upton Sinclair; Babbitt by  Sinclair Lewis; The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit by Sloan Wilson. 

 

Your instructor: Richard Klin 

Richard Klin is the author of the novel Petroleum Transfer Engineer. His writing has been featured on NPR’s All Things Considered and has appeared in The Millions, The Atlantic, Cultural Daily, The Brooklyn Rail, and many others.

 

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Learn about the incredible life and career of Alexander von Humboldt, Prussian naturalist, mountaineer, polymath, and the era’s second most famous European (after Napolean). Humboldt’s journey to South America (1799-1804) was a groundbreaking accomplishment. We will discuss how his reports from this trip rippled throughout society, affecting politics, history, science, and art. We will explore how his work is an excellent example of consilience: how science and art can intersect to reveal truths about the natural world. 

 

Your instructor: Eric Simon 

Eric Simon, PhD, is professor of biology at New England College. He received his PhD in biochemistry from Harvard University. An avid traveler and award-winning nature photographer, Simon leads educational international trips to destinations including Belize, the Galapagos, Tanzania, Cuba, the Amazon River, and Patagonia. Simon is the author of a widely used series of college biology textbooks with over 2 million books in print that help teach biology to students in over 40 countries. 

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Famed naturalist John Muir, often called the “father of the national parks,” reveled in Earth’s beauty, studied how the natural world worked, and strove to preserve the planet’s most “glorious” places, including Yosemite. Throughout his life, Muir made observations that challenged ideas about the science of nature and how best to protect it. In this course, we will use Muir’s journals, letters, drawings, and manuscripts, curated at the University of the Pacific, to explore his masterful observational skills and understand his legacy in the American environmental movement. 

 

Your instructor: Mike (Michael) Wurtz 

Mike Wurtz is associate professor and head of University of the Pacific Libraries’ Holt-Atherton Special Collections and Archives in Stockton, California. He oversees access, acquisition, and preservation of hundreds of archival collections including the largest collection of works from naturalist John Muir. He teaches courses about Muir and wrote John Muir’s Grand Yosemite: Musings & Sketches, a guide to Muir’s drawings of the park. Wurtz is awaiting publication of an article about Muir and the Giant Sequoias. 

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This is a history course with a laugh track. We will analyze the significant periods and players of the 20th and 21st centuries against their historic context and legacy, using humor as the platform. We will discuss how comedy was shaped by and responsive to American society, and how comedians, in turn, influenced and shaped American life.  We will then focus on comedy auteurs (including Mel Brooks, Tyler Perry, and Amy Heckerling); comedy incubators; blockbuster comedies; standup comedy; sitcoms; and political comedy. We will study how America laughed in each generation, and how the change in American character and persona shaped how they laughed, and what (and whom) they laughed at. 

 

Your instructor: Eddy Friedfeld 

Eddy Friedfeld is a film and entertainment journalist and historian. Friedfeld co-authored Caesar’s Hours with Sid Caesar, Directed by James Burrows with James Burrows, and worked with Mel Brooks on All About Me. He was senior consultant for the Emmy-nominated Make ’Em Laugh and a consulting producer on Funny You Never Knew. He has produced tributes to major entertainers including George Carlin, Paul Newman, Dick Van Dyke, among others. He teaches at Yale, NYU, and the Tisch School of the Arts.

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Technology shouldn’t feel like a barrier — it should feel like a tool you control. This course is designed for adults who want to get more out of their computers without the frustration of figuring it out alone. Whether you are returning to the workforce, managing a household, volunteering, running a small business, or simply tired of feeling uncertain every time you sit down at your desk, this course will meet you where you are. Each class will focus on one essential Microsoft Office application, walking you through real-world tasks at a pace that builds genuine skill. By the end of the course, you will be able to create polished documents, manage your email with confidence, build simple spreadsheets, and deliver a presentation — all while knowing how to protect yourself in an increasingly digital world. No prior experience required. Just bring your curiosity. 

 

Your instructor: Dave (David) Paquin 

Dave Paquin has a MS in education technology and has developed and delivered online and in-person technology courses for 20 years. As a Fulbright Scholar, he designed and taught a series of computer skills courses and faculty development courses in critical thinking. Paquin was the human resources director for a healthcare-technology company and oversaw a comprehensive employee training program in cooperation with regional community colleges. His teaching style focuses on interactive learning and student engagement.

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In this course, we will trace the history of American journalism and examine how control of the press has shifted over time, from political patrons and penny-press advertisers to broadcast regulators, cable moguls, and today’s social media platforms. We will consider how each shift has shaped journalism’s relationship to democracy and public trust. We will develop a richer understanding of why American media looks the way it does today and a more critical eye for the structural forces that influence news coverage. We will deepen our appreciation for the independent, nonprofit, and public media institutions working to sustain journalism as a public good. 

 

Your instructor: Caroline Nappo 

Caroline Nappo, PhD, is an independent scholar with interests in the history of libraries and information institutions, information as a public good, and the political economy of information. She has an MS and PhD in Library and Information Science from the University of Illinois. 

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This course surveys popular cultures in the Arabic-speaking Middle East. We will explore the Southwest Asia and North Africa region through its audio, visual, and literary production in relation to colonialism, nation-building, and globalization. We will examine cinema, literary arts, oral traditions, and music to understand how different communities seek to express their cultural, political, and social identities. We will cover the anti-colonial and national liberation movements of the early twentieth century, the global sixties and long seventies, the neoliberal nineties, the digital age, and the Arab Spring. Beyond state-sponsored national identities and cultural formations, we will consider how youth, women, and minorities seek to express themselves in contention and negotiation with dominant social and political forces. 

 

Your instructor: Nour Hodeib 

Nour Hodeib's scholarship focuses on sonic countercultures of the Global South, exploring popular culture and musical dissent during the "global sixties." A doctoral candidate in history at the Graduate Center, CUNY, Hodeib is writing a dissertation on leftist sonic cultures during the Lebanese Civil War. He holds an M.Phil. and M.A. in history, and an M.A. in Middle East studies from the Graduate Center, CUNY, and a B.A. in political science and international affairs from the Lebanese American University.

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In this course, we will explore the remarkable history, technology and music of the pipe organ. Invented in the third century B.C., the organ became known as both the “king of instruments” and the “instrument of kings,” with a fascinating history that intersects with many famous people. We will trace its development from the early hydraulis (water organ) and the medieval Blockwerk to Bach’s instruments and the giant organs of the 19th- and 20th-century international exhibitions, including one that became the famous Wanamaker Organ. We will explore how technological advances shaped the organ’s pipes, playing action, and printed music. We will listen to music composed for the organ from the 14th century to today, with special attention to Baroque and Romantic works. We will learn how musicians have harnessed the incredible resources of the organ from the delicacy of a soft flute to the dramatic power of all the stops. 

 

Your instructor: Kimberly Marshall 

Kimberly Marshall, PhD, is an international recitalist known worldwide for her compelling presentations of organ music. She holds the Goldman Endowed Professorship in Organ at Arizona State University and has received the highest honorary award from the Royal College of Organists. She has performed and presented her research at 13 national conventions of the American Guild of Organists. She is the principal editor for the Online Encyclopedia of the Organ and for the Oxford Handbook of Organ Pedagogy and Performance.

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Seen through American eyes, July 4, 1776, marks a triumphant moment: the birth of a bold new nation committed to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Through British eyes, the American Revolution looked quite different. This course will examine America’s through the lens of Britain’s Empire. Topics will include the imperial dimensions of the Boston Tea Party, British views of the America war, the treachery of Benedict Arnold, Irish participation on both sides of the war, the fate of empire on Britain’s Caribbean islands. We will also discuss the terms of the 1783 Treaty of Paris, the peace pact that dramatically shrank the boundaries of the British Empire and confirmed the independence of the newly United States. 

 

Your instructor: Rick (Richard) Bell 

Richard Bell, PhD, is professor of history at the University of Maryland and the author of Stolen: Five Free Boys Kidnapped into Slavery and Their Astonishing Odyssey Home, a finalist for both the George Washington Prize and the Harriet Tubman Prize. He has held research fellowships at Yale University, the University of Cambridge, and the Library of Congress. A recipient of the National Endowment for the Humanities Public Scholar Award and the Andrew Carnegie Fellowship, Bell specializes in early American history and public scholarship.

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In this course, we will examine 100 years of Russian history by looking closely at the personalities of its rulers: Joseph Stalin, Nikita Khruschev, Leonid Brezhnev, Mikhail Gorbachev, Boris Yeltsin, and Vladimir Putin. Each week, we will consider one of these major Soviet or post-Soviet leaders. We will explore their personal backgrounds, how they each came to power and held on to power, how their personalities and peculiarities affected the course of Russian history, and how they each ended their term in power. We will also consider each man’s legacy and will indeed contemplate why they were all men. 

 

Your instructor: Asya Pereltsvaig 

Asya Pereltsvaig received degrees in English and History from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and a PhD in Linguistics from McGill University. She taught at Yale and Stanford. Her expertise is in language and history, and the relationship between them. Her most recent book is Languages of the World: An Introduction.

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“Introverts are hermits. Introverts don’t like people. Introverts can’t hold a conversation.” These are some of the myths associated with introversion, a highly misunderstood personality type. In a society where the most extroverted are celebrated and rewarded, how do introverts fit in? For those who acknowledge and embrace their introversion, they know how to create a space for themselves. For those who are masquerading as extroverts, they are exhausted because they haven’t mastered how to be their true, authentic selves. For others, they don’t even realize they are introverts because of the stigma attached to the word. In this course (a repeat Osher Online offering), we will unpack this together and discuss the power of introverts, the beautiful balance of relationships with extroverts, how we support and honor both personality types, and much more. 

 

Your instructor: Jeri Bingham 

Jeri Bingham has been an administrator and non-profit leader who has managed people, policy, and programs in academia and mission driven organizations for more than 25 years. She serves as Vice President, External Affairs and Director of Public Safety for Prairie State College. Bingham served in similar leadership roles for the Illinois Department of Public Health, Resurrection University, March of Dimes, American Dental Association, Chicago State University, Leo Burnett USA, and City Colleges of Chicago. 

 

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Technology’s pace continues to accelerate, sometimes leaving us in the dust. This course will give you a general understanding of several important advances in technology including: the internet and the cloud; cell phones and social media; robotics and 3-D printing; self-driving vehicles; blockchain and cryptocurrency; and AI.  This introductory course will offer a broad overview of these complex subjects, with an emphasis on building understanding rather than exploring each subject in depth or debating ethical questions. No prior technical knowledge is required, however, come with a curious, open mind. Together we will jump on the raging tech train and see what we can learn. 

 

Your instructor: Elizabeth Burnette 

Elizabeth Burnette earned a BS in engineering physics from Cornell University, then worked on Space Shuttle experiments at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. She later earned a master’s degree in astrophysics from the University of Pittsburgh. Burnette has taught courses in astrophysics, physics and science.

 

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What does it mean for a particle to be in two places at once, and why should a chemist care? This course will explore two of the most counterintuitive and consequential ideas in modern science: quantum mechanics and nuclear chemistry. We will examine wave-particle duality, wavefunctions, Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle, and Schrödinger’s famous cat — not as abstract puzzles but as the foundation of how atoms actually behave. We will then turn to the nucleus itself: fission, fusion, radioactive decay, carbon dating, and the long shadow of the Manhattan Project. From Hiroshima to Chernobyl to today’s energy debates, nuclear science has never been just science. 

 

Your instructor: John Hendrickson 

John Hendrickson, PhD is a teaching professor in the School of Molecular Sciences at Arizona State University. He holds a PhD in chemistry and is the author of the textbook Chemistry in the World. His academic work focuses on science communication, the reciprocal relationship between science and society.

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This course is a leap into the historical unknown. Most people correctly associate the Holocaust with the horrific, overt deeds of the evildoers. But few people know about some stunning behind-the-scenes events – both good and evil. We will discuss the inside story of the 1936 Nazi Olympics. We will learn about the large American corporations who chose to support Nazi Germany during World War II. We will also be uplifted by the stories of the many brave and altruistic individuals (including teens, diplomats, public figures, and Jews themselves) who risked their lives to rescue persecuted people. During this course, we will learn about unknown evil, but we'll also celebrate unknown, inspiring human goodness. 

 

Your instructor: Howard Kerner 

Howard Kerner was a professor of English for 47 years and published more than 100 scholarly articles, primarily on the Holocaust. In retirement, he has pursued his passion project: researching and presenting on the inspiring bravery of little-known Holocaust rescuers. He speaks regularly on the powerful stories of human goodness. 

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This course explores the lives of female saints through the lens of several intellectual disciplines. We will discuss remarkable women in the context of their historical times and cultural backgrounds, exploring an international gallery of female saints such as Joan of Arc, Teresa of Avila, Rose of Lima, Frances Cabrini, and others. These women’s stories reveal strong characters, different from the trite depiction of female saints as silent, obedient, and submissive. We will learn how and why their strategies of resistance and accommodation to authority and to normative women’s roles are relevant today. If you are interested in psychology, women’s and gender studies, history, religion, or cultural and ethnic studies, this course is for you. 

 

Your instructor: Oliva Espin 

Oliva Espín, Phd, is professor emerita in the department of women’s studies at San Diego State University and the California School of Professional Psychology of Alliant International University. A native of Cuba, she received her BA in Psychology from the University of Costa Rica and her PhD from the University of Florida, specializing in counseling and therapy with women from different cultures and in Latin American Studies. She did post-doctoral work at Harvard University with a fellowship from the National Institute of Mental Health. 

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From the earliest days of colonization, women and men in what is now the US recognized that the legal system denied women many rights. Because voting was not part of European tradition, early women’s rights advocates focused primarily on property and legal rights. As voting became more common and rights were extended to formerly enslaved people, the women’s movement broadened its goals. In this course, we will examine the women and men who led the decadeslong struggle for women’s rights. Along with well-known leaders, we will explore lesser-known advocates and the tactics they used to advance equality. 

 

Your instructor: Diana Carlin 

Diana Carlin is professor emerita of communication at Saint Louis University and a retired professor of communication studies at the University of Kansas. Her teaching, research, and authorship are in political communication with an emphasis on women in politics, first ladies, presidential rhetoric and campaigns, and political debates. During the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, she lectured extensively to community and women's groups across the country on the history of suffrage.

 

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This course teaches how to critically read scientific studies by examining research design, interpretation, and the gap between findings and headlines.

Johnnie Hendrickson, PhD, is a chemistry professor at Arizona State University focused on science communication and author of Chemistry in the World.

This course examines key plays from August Wilson’s American Cycle to explore African American culture and history across decades.

Ladrica Menson-Furr, PhD, is an African American literature scholar, author, and academic leader with expertise in Wilson’s work.

This course introduces core biological concepts while examining their societal, ethical, and real-world implications for non-scientists.

Eric Simon, PhD, is a biology professor, textbook author, and educator who integrates science with global travel and photography.

This course explores the history, beliefs, and social dynamics of new religious movements in America, challenging common misconceptions.

Kate Davis, PhD, is a scholar of religion, gender, and digital humanities and a professor specializing in North American religious movements.

This course examines early 20th century avant-garde movements and artists that led to the rise of abstraction in modern art.

This course surveys American history through comedy, examining how humor reflects and shapes cultural and social change.

Eddy Friedfeld is a film historian, author, and professor who has collaborated with major entertainment figures and taught at leading institutions.

This course examines midcentury modern architecture and design innovations shaped by postwar social change.

Eleanor Schrader is an award-winning educator, lecturer, and architectural historian with global teaching and consulting experience.

This course traces the development of the U.S. federal judiciary and the evolving power of the Supreme Court.

Lauren Andersen is a legal expert, former appellate attorney, and director of the Utah Judicial Institute.

This course explores the cultural, spiritual, 
and symbolic meanings of mountains 
across global societies and histories.

Jonathan Duncan is an experienced 
photojournalist, writer, and educator 
focused on human connections to nature.

This course examines the history, design, and cultural significance of North American kit homes.

Nigel Tate is an architectural historian and preservationist specializing in kit homes and their documentation.

This course analyzes the 1960s through influential speeches to better understand the decade’s historical impact.

Buck Benedict is a longtime public speaking instructor and award-winning educator formerly at the University of Pennsylvania.

This course explores the history, cultural 
meaning, and preservation of Route 66 
as an iconic American symbol.

Peter Dedek, PhD, is a historian and author 
specializing in cultural landscapes and the 
built environment.

This course traces 3,500 years of global trade and supply chains from ancient shipping to modern logistics systems.

Scott Jones is a retired Navy captain and executive with extensive leadership in maritime, defense, and global trade sectors.

This course examines how music and songs shape storytelling and emotional impact in films across genres and eras.

Mike Agron is a former executive turned seminar leader specializing in music and entertainment storytelling.

This course explores how composers developed a distinct American sound across classical, Broadway, and film music traditions.

Emanuel Abramovits is a concert promoter and cultural programmer with extensive experience producing major musical events.

This course examines how DNA and genealogy influence identity, history, and politics in the Americas.

Angelo Cervantes is a genetic genealogist and researcher who founded the New Mexico DNA Project.