Monday   

Rob Reiner was one of the most beloved entertainers of the last fifty years. His films The Princess Bride and When Harry Met Sally represent cinema Hollywood just doesn’t make any more for the big screen: small character dramas that explore our capacity for kindness and growth as humans in the most outrageous or most ordinary of situations. We will look at the comedic timing, gentleness, and genre-bending nature of these two films to help us understand why Reiner’s work remain eminently watchable and memorable.

Join us, along with Dr. Rosemarie Dombrowski and Dr. Susie Bendix for this two-session interactive course, we'll explore the connections between physical movement and generative writing, as well as the healing power of both. We'll also use movement as a portal to deeper self-discovery and expression, generating poetry (and/or short narrative) in the process.

In this class, with ASU's Dr. Ken Sweat, we will examine the use of plants and other organisms, such as algae and fungi traditionally grouped with plants, as evidence in criminal investigations. Starting with the wood grain of the ladder left at the Lindbergh residence and continuing into modern genetic techniques, we will review how plant evidence has been in the past and can be expected in the future to help solve crimes, prosecute the guilty, and free the innocent.

During World War II, almost 400,000 German soldiers were held in POW camps across the United States, a story few Americans know. Historian Anette Isaacs explores how these men lived among American communities, confronted Nazism within the camps, and formed relationships that challenge easy narratives of enemy and ally. From Texas to Florida, this lecture reveals a complex and surprising chapter of the American home front.

Step back in time and discover the hidden musical gems of classic cartoons in this exciting course. While many of us grew up enjoying the music of Disney movies, there's a whole world of iconic songs and soundtracks that came out of Fleischer Studios and Looney Tunes productions that are just as noteworthy. Join us for an exploration of the music and songs of beloved cartoon characters like Betty Boop, Popeye, Olive Oil, Bugs Bunny, and Daffy Duck. You'll be surprised by the adult themes and sophisticated musical arrangements that accompany these timeless characters and stories.

This class will provide an overview of Arizona Tribal water law and policy and its interconnection with Federal Indian Policy and history. It will include a look at where Arizona Tribes stand in securing their water rights within Arizona and the Colorado River Basin, as well as emerging issues related to protecting those rights. Cora Tso is a research fellow who analyzes and develops recommendations on Tribal Nations' water interests, collaborating with Tribal leadership, government agencies, and stakeholders.

What makes an Oriental rug so captivating—its elegant design, intricate patterns, or the mystery of its origins? In this richly illustrated course, we will discover the stories woven into these remarkable textiles. We will travel through the history and artistry of rug and carpet weaving, a tradition rooted in Asia and North Africa, with examples dating back to the 4th century BCE. Using stunning visuals and expert insights, we will explore major carpet-making cultures and regions including Anatolia, Iran, Transcaucasia, North Africa, and Central Asia. We will learn to recognize defining features of Oriental rugs: weaving traditions (nomadic and settled), key historical periods (from the Early Modern era through the nineteenth-century), purposes (from prayer to decoration), and production contexts (from royal courts to bustling markets). We will also be introduced to basic methods for identifying weave structures and deepen our appreciation of these remarkable works of art.

As America celebrates 250 years of independence, this course will examine the indispensable founder, George Washington. We will explore Washington's life and political leadership as well as his work as a farmer, entrepreneur, and architect. We will also review the groundbreaking work of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association (MVLA) which has owned and managed George Washington's Mount Vernon since 1858. In that year, an intrepid group of women (who had no right to vote or own property) came together to save George Washington's home, after both the Federal Government and Commonwealth of Virginia had refused to help. MVLA formation marked the birth of the historic preservation movement.

The music we stream, the photos we swipe through, the real time news we consume, the books we read or listen to – all have been radically reshaped by digital technology. This course will explore how media is created, stored, and experienced in a digitized world. We will unpack fundamentals like text files, encoding and decoding, pixels, and algorithms in clear, easy-to-understand ways – no prior computer knowledge needed. Each session will focus on a different medium, comparing its analog origins with its contemporary digital version. We will also consider the impact of Generative AI and speculate on future trends. Topics will include text (books, e-books, news portals), images (photography and movies), music, video games, social media, and media ownership (physical media, streaming, and copyrights).