History and Politics   

Fee: $32.00

Dates: 9/13/2023 - 10/18/2023

Times: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

Days: W

Sessions: 6

Building: Central United Methodist Church

Room: Upper Room

Instructor: Natasha Cimoszewicz-Harlan

It is believed that American exceptionalism stems from the individualism of its people, but in light of contemporary divisions, inequalities and ever growing frustrations, many blame it for America’s decline. The course will explore several cultural and social issues such as the impact of artificial intelligence and social media on our lives, the deterioration of nuclear families and communities, and the lack of restraint that often leads to violence. The course has no requirements, but it is encouraged to explore the topics in advance- upon prior class announcements.

Fee: $42.00

Dates: 9/12/2023 - 10/31/2023

Times: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

Days: Tu

Sessions: 8

Building: Central United Methodist Church

Room: Upper Room

Instructor: Rob McCormick

With Vladimir Putin and the Russian invasion of Ukraine affecting so much of our world, join us in examining twentieth-century Russian history, from the establishment of the first communist state in history to the Soviet Union’s collapse.  We will study key events such as the Bolshevik Revolution, mass industrialization, famines and purges, the cult of Stalin, World War II, the Cold War, and the decline of the USSR.  Figures such as Nicholas II, Lenin, Trotsky, Stalin, Khrushchev, Brezhnev and many others will be studied.  Russian art, architecture, and music will form a backdrop to the course.  If you like history filled with drama, tragedy, and astonishing twists and turns, this class is for you.

Fee: $42.00

Dates: 9/12/2023 - 10/31/2023

Times: 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM

Days: Tu

Sessions: 8

Building: Central United Methodist Church

Room: Upper Room

Instructor: Jim Farmer

This lecture/discussion class (about 50/50) offers an open and civil examination of the role of race in the evolution of American society. It will address slavery and its overthrow, the limited freedom of the post-slavery century, the achievements and shortcomings of the civil rights era, and the recent cross-currents that leave many shaking their heads. Economic, moral, political, judicial, and psychological perspectives will be shared. We will look at primary sources, watch videos and examine statistical data. Several online readings will be recommended. Painful and provocative as this subject can be, it can be addressed in a way that is beneficial, and all are welcome who share this view.

Fee: $42.00

Dates: 9/14/2023 - 11/2/2023

Times: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

Days: Th

Sessions: 8

Building: Central United Methodist Church

Room: Shepard Room

Instructor: John Ratterree

This course will look at major historical and current environmental policies and discuss the science behind them. Local, state, federal, and international policies will be included. A variety of methods including lecture, film clips, simulations, and demonstrations will be used.

Fee: $42.00

Dates: 9/14/2023 - 11/2/2023

Times: 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM

Days: Th

Sessions: 8

Building: Central United Methodist Church

Room: Upper Room

Instructor: Olin Sansbury

The judiciary is a common element in any functioning political system. Throughout American history, the independent judiciary and its primary court, the US Supreme Court, have played a significant role in the country's political development, sometimes guiding, sometimes restraining, the course of events. The United States today is a different country than the one that existed in 1787, but our democracy has remained intact. In our discussions we will explore the impact of some historic decisions of the US Supreme Court as well as examine trends reflected in more its recent rulings. There will be some lecturing and some reading during the eight weekly sessions, but class discussion will be the ultimate goal.

Fee: $32.00

Dates: 9/11/2023 - 10/30/2023

Times: 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM

Days: M

Sessions: 6

Building: Central United Methodist Church

Room: Upper Room

Instructor: Dennis Wiseman

Twilight of the Belle Epoque continues the historical narrative of France, moving from 1900-1918 and the end of WWI. Our reading and discussion will bear upon the evolving economic, political, and cultural movements of that period (accelerating industrialization, urban growth, evolution of the social model of the republic, and the remarkable artistic energy that gives us Symbolism, Fauvism, and Cubism), so that we may develop an integrated sense of how French society and culture reshaped itself during this remarkable period of creative ferment. Students are encouraged to buy, rent or borrow the book, Twilight of the Belle Epoque, for the term. 

Fee: $42.00

Dates: 9/14/2023 - 11/2/2023

Times: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

Days: Th

Sessions: 8

Building: Central United Methodist Church

Room: Upper Room

Instructor: James Ellis Griffeth

Challenges, disagreements and conflicts have beset Protestantism in the US in the past few years. Most of the new happenings are related to challenges, disagreements and conflicts over many decades. This course will examine the happenings of today within the context of related happenings in the past. Students in the class will discover that two classic theological conflicts about the interpretation of scripture are just beneath the surface of the current happenings. The class presentations will be primarily lecture illustrated with PowerPoint slides. There will be opportunities for questions. The class will receive the link to a Google Drive that will contain the slides and several articles for reading.