John Donne was a contemporary of William Shakespeare, Christopher Marlowe, and Ben Jonson. He grew from London playboy to faithful husband and father and finally to the famous Dean of St. Paul’s Cathedral. Although his sermons and meditations were well known during his lifetime, his poems became widely popular only in the early 20th century. We will read aloud and discuss some of his poems in the context of his life and times. No textbook or homework required.

This course will consider the intersection of American journalism and politics historically from the colonial era to the present. What is the role of the Fourth Estate? Is "objectivity" dead? Have journalists ever held the powerful accountable?

In addition to Oates’s fiction, this course will also give attention to Greg Johnson’s authorized biography, and the literary criticism, cultural criticism, interviews, teaching, and journals of this incredibly-prolific artist. This is a course for both JCO fans and newcomers. Recommended text for participants: High Lonesome (short-story collection), and the class also discuss Oates’s novel Expensive People and perhaps a number of others.

Why would thousands of women with health insurance take out high-interest loans, fly to South Florida, and have pelvic mesh surgically removed at a strip-mall clinic? The answer involves a convicted felon, rogue surgeons, predatory call centers, data breaches, and lawyers who turned injured women into legal commodities. And it all happened inside America's own court system. The Pain Brokers is a true-crime investigation by the presenter, who spent years reporting on one of the most brazen fraud schemes in American legal history. In this discussion, Burch guides participants through her book and behind the scenes of her investigation—the women who were victimized, the unlikely heroes who exposed the scheme, and what this story reveals about all of us as patients, consumers, and citizens. No legal background needed. Come ready to discuss, question, and be outraged.

Why would thousands of women with health insurance take out high-interest loans, fly to South Florida, and have pelvic mesh surgically removed at a strip-mall clinic? The answer involves a convicted felon, rogue surgeons, predatory call centers, data breaches, and lawyers who turned injured women into legal commodities. And it all happened inside America's own court system. The Pain Brokers is a true-crime investigation by the presenter, who spent years reporting on one of the most brazen fraud schemes in American legal history. In this discussion, Burch guides participants through her book and behind the scenes of her investigation—the women who were victimized, the unlikely heroes who exposed the scheme, and what this story reveals about all of us as patients, consumers, and citizens. No legal background needed. Come ready to discuss, question, and be outraged.

The class is presented by two of the Foundation founders. It provides an overview of the Jeannette Rankin Foundation that offers flexible grants that can be used for various educational and related expenses. This flexibility is particularly beneficial for many scholars, as a significant portion are single mothers. The Foundation plays a crucial role in supporting nontraditional students, helping them overcome barriers to education and fostering a community of empowered individuals who can contribute to society.