Monday   

Adaptability, a natural, lifelong process, is life’s master skill — from the way a tree bends in the wind to the way humans reinvent themselves through change. In this course we explore how all living things adapt, how adaptability evolves across the lifespan, how creativity and resilience fuel adaptability and how we can consciously cultivate it as an art form for lifelong wellbeing physically, mentally and emotionally. We will learn from nature, psychology, and one another, examine our ability to adjust to change, recover from challenges, and, through classroom lectures, discussions, and interactive exercises, find innovative ways forward while practicing resilience and creativity. 

What is liberation theology? Why is it controversial? This course explores this combination of spirituality and social activism, which is centered on the belief that one cannot separate religious faith from the struggle for a just society. We will examine the history of this belief system, a case study showing its impact on social movements in Brazil, and debates about it. The last include the question of whether it is dying or is still relevant and whether it is more Marxist than religious. Except for some informational presentations, the course will be interactive. 

Ever wanted to learn more about the Bible, but don’t know how to begin? Whether Christian, Jewish, Muslim, or otherwise, the Bible is still a relevant text to the 21st century global citizen due to its history and influence. Even after teaching its contents to high school students for 40 years, Sharon Bilodeau still thinks so! Join this class to dive into the Books of Joshua, Judges and Ruth. These are the books that continue the biblical story of the liberation from slavery in Egypt and the wilderness years, into "the promised land." We will get to know the stories in all their unapologetic, ancient detail. We will also apply literary, historical critical and varied theological perspectives to glean an appreciation of the meaning, purpose and craft of the texts. It is not necessary to have attended the Fall (2025) session of this course. 

The Bauhaus existed between 1919 and 1933. In this brief time, it revolutionized art instruction, and the world of design. Its instructors were a who's who of famous artists such as Paul Klee, Vasily Kandinsky and Joseph Albers. We will learn about the school's founding, its methods and the legacy it has left us. 

We’ll review the antics of Josephine, Daphne, and Sugar in the company of Spats, Osgood, and Sweet Sue, in the 1959 film gem “Some Like it Hot.” We’ll discuss how actions and interactions define this multi-faceted comedy genre to make it AFI’s greatest  comedy of all time. Taking its cue from the artistry of Billy Wilder’s direction, and the masterful (over-the-top) performances from the cast, we’ll laugh our way through each session. Won’t that be fun! 

This class will provide information on different basic crochet techniques and go on to learn Amigurumi the Japanese technique to create different stuffed animals or objects. 

Ever wanted to learn Arabic? This beginner-friendly multi-week course introduces the basics of the Arabic language through greetings, everyday expressions, and simple conversations. Participants will also explore cultural traditions, food, and customs from Arabic-speaking countries. Designed for absolute beginners, the course emphasizes interactive learning in a fun, relaxed environment. Each session combines language practice with cultural insights to build confidence and spark curiosity. By the end of the course, participants will be able to use simple Arabic expressions and gain a deeper appreciation of the culture that shapes the language. 

Whether we spend hours online or rarely touch social media, we all live in a world shaped by it. News, friendships, politics, even our ideas of truth and beauty are influenced by digital platforms and artificial intelligence. This course explores how technology is changing the way we think, trust, connect, and disconnect. Through stories, reflection, and open discussion, we’ll consider what it means to live meaningfully in a time when so much of life is filtered through screens and algorithms. 

What was it like to be sick in Russia? As a health care system was created in the late 19th century, traditional folk medicines and European specialists were replaced by Russian doctors and hospitals.  How did these doctors view the hospitals they worked in?  How did patients experience them? The writer Anton Chekhov used his medical training to explore 19th century Russian hospitals, and the writer Aleksander Solzhenitsyn examined 20th century hospital experiences in his novel The Cancer Ward.  How does illness relate to our basic humanity?  How do healers and healing support our self-understanding in our most vulnerable moments? 

This course aims to unveil the dark, draconic dealings of the early Cold War with a particular focus on the role of the Central Intelligence Agency in shaping American interventionist policies worldwide. The topics covered will range from: U.S assistance of former Nazi personnel for their own gain, regime changes in countries such as The Philippines, Guatemala, & Iran, the earliest US involvement in Southeast Asia, obsession with Cuban regime change, and the domestic sociopolitical dynamics that made such foreign policy possible. Fundamentally the goal is to uncover and come to terms with the dark origins of American hegemony. 

Participants analyze Toni Morrison’s novel, Beloved, through lenses of history, psychoanalytic theory and our current tortured historical moment.  We will consider Morrison’s impact on the work of psychoanalyst Dionne Powell, and novelist Jesmyn Ward.  Their insights help us understand impulses driving the current wave of book-banning and censorship, and the dangers of these impulses if they remain unexamined.  The course title is an inversion of psychoanalyst Hans Loewald’s phrase “When Ghosts Become Ancestors.” Instead of considering the growth that comes with recognition and acknowledgement, Beloved requires consideration of the consequences when we refuse to acknowledge and recognize our painful history.