Humanities   

Have you and your loved ones had meaningful conversations around your end of life wishes? How about their end of life wishes? Often we avoid these conversations or assume that our loved ones will know what to do for us, but this time in our lives deserves more attention and care. Even if you have your basic advance care directive documented, you are invited to explore the process of including loved ones in your planning and wishes through awareness and conversation. This 90 minute course will provide interaction around common scenarios we find ourselves in when end of life is approaching, and how we can better prepare ourselves with basic tools and ideas around starting meaningful conversations. Walk away from this class with a tool kit including a legal advance care directive document, the Five Wishes (the advance directive with a heart and soul), as well as tools to guide difficult conversations and answer potential legal questions. Advance care planning is a process that takes place over a lifetime, all are welcome to engage in this experience no matter where you are in your planning process.

Africa, home to 54 countries and more than a billion people, has a troubled heritage. Arid conditions and high temperatures have long acted as a cauldron for drought and starvation, with millions dying in recent decades. The most recent report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) described the African continent as the one that will be most affected. Already tens of millions of Africans are feeling the negative health impacts of climate change that will have a disturbing effect on the entire planet.

Doughnut Economics aims for a world where everyone's needs are met, while staying within planetary boundaries. This introductory course explores a visual framework for sustainable development, balancing social and ecological systems. It teaches how to rethink economic goals and foster a more just and equitable world.

New energy sources provide hopeful alternatives to fossil fuels for a pollution free future. Synhelion is a new process that uses the sun to produce solar fuels. Another promising process turns humid air into energy. The first fusion power plant (SPARC) in under construction in the US. Gravity batteries are being developed. Lithium is being produced from old oil wells in Pennsylvania. Solid state batteries are a promising source of energy, but they will need more work to be a viable for automobiles.

The arrival and evolution of the first peoples in the Americas is a story that continues to reveal itself from mystery to majesty. From the time hominins began traversing the earth until they arrived at Turtle Island, one theory after another is undone by new discoveries. This class looks at the pathways to and through the Americas, the Indigenous Peoples who populated those lands, the diverse cultures they created, their encounters with each other and eventually with an alien race that tried to subjugate or exterminate them. It's a remarkable story that they survived and are yet persevering.

According to Jewish legend, in 1700BC a man named Abraham put his faith in a god named YHVH, and in return was instructed to "look up now at the sky and count the stars if you can. So uncountable will your descendants be." Those words, as it turns out, were prophetic. This course surveys the history, literature, beliefs and practices of the Abrahamic religions - Judaism, Christianity, and Islam - religions which taken together comprise over half of the world's population.

According to Jewish legend, in 1700BC a man named Abraham put his faith in a god named YHVH, and in return was instructed to "look up now at the sky and count the stars if you can. So uncountable will your descendants be." Those words, as it turns out, were prophetic. This course surveys the history, literature, beliefs and practices of the Abrahamic religions - Judaism, Christianity, and Islam - religions which taken together comprise over half of the world's population.

*You did not have to take Part 1 to register for Part 2. 

The ancient world was fearful of slave rebellions and designed as a deterrent various means of death by torture, one of which was crucifixion. The execution of Jesus by this means was an embarrassment to the Christian community for centuries. But eventually they adopted the cross as their most famous symbol.

Between 44 and 55% of Americans pray every day. These prayers take many forms. People around the world know the words of the Lord's Prayer but know little about its origins and historical impact. This class will offer new insights about this famous prayer.

There is a lot of sex in the Bible. The good book celebrates the fact that bodies are good. Many people think they know what the Bible teaches about sexuality. They believe that the Bible teaches that sex is only for procreation and that masturbation, abortion, and contraception are wrong. Actually, the Bible is silent on each of these issues. We'll explore what the Bible says and doesn't say about gender and sexuality.

Our goal is to normalize conversations about death. We cover how we can plan for our own death and communicate our wishes to our family, friends and caregivers. We'll talk about the role of a death doula as well as the steps to take in advance to prepare for our death. We will discuss dying at home, after-death care and new options for environmentally friendly burial or cremation. After the presentation, there is time for Q&A and discussion of death-related topics that come up for you.

Our goal is to normalize conversations about death. We cover how we can plan for our own death and communicate our wishes to our family, friends and caregivers. We'll talk about the role of a death doula as well as the steps to take in advance to prepare for our death. We will discuss dying at home, after-death care and new options for environmentally friendly burial or cremation. After the presentation, there is time for Q&A and discussion of death-related topics that come up for you.