The HGTV series Home Town put the small town of Laurel, Mississippi, on the map when it premiered seven years ago. But in the eyes of hometown girl, Susan Carley, Laurel has always been a special place based on its unique history, art, architecture, parks, and gardens. Laurel is unparalleled in these regards. This class examines Laurel's and its contributions to art and architecture, as well as changes the city has undergone since the airing of the Home Town series. Special attention will be given to the city's houses, gardens and parks, standouts in the American South today.

In his legendary career as a director, Alfred Hitchcock created suspenseful films filled with flawed heroes, charming villains, and moral ambiguity. This four-week online course will consider some of Hitchcock's very best films, focusing on two films each week that share a common theme. Students should watch the films on their own; in class, we'll look at brief film clips and discuss key elements. Whether you've enjoyed Hitchcock films for many years or you're just discovering them, this is a chance to go deeper into the mind of a brilliant, complicated man and the world he created on film.