In-Person   

Deterring war and other levels of aggression between states in our highly interconnected and interdependent world is more complex than ever before. China and Russia not only have modernized and expanded their nuclear forces but have made common practice to challenge the interests of the U.S. and its allies around the globe. This class will explore the risks, vulnerabilities, and opportunities associated with aggressive geopolitical competition and examines the strategy implications for nuclear weapons, cyber, and information warfare as well as the rapid onset of new technologies.

This class is back by popular demand and expanded to two sessions. We will examine the related concepts of economic warfare, geoeconomics, economic statecraft, and economic coercion. It outlines the ways major powers conduct various forms of economic warfare and discusses specific cases, including Russia’s weaponization of food and energy, the U.S.'s weaponization of international financial systems, and China’s weaponization of import and export markets. Lastly, it explores how we think about protecting key industries while balancing cost and efficiency imperatives with contemporary security needs. Note: No knowledge of economics is expected or required to understand the subject matter in this class.

In June 2022, about eight months after Stephen Sondheim’s death, Ben Brantley of The New York Times “wearily” attended yet another revival of Into the Woods and noted that it was as though the audience “had been transformed into trembling pilgrims gathered at a sacred meeting spot—sighing, gasping, sobbing.” Brantley then reflected on the fact that by that time, audiences everywhere were deifying Sondheim, even though, over the course of his seven-decade career, the composer was often misunderstood, and many of his shows had failed financially. In an era when Broadway was dominated by musicals such as Hair and Godspell, Sondheim made his entrance with the groundbreaking “concept” musical Company, and each new project marked a radical departure from the last, often puzzling audiences accustomed to more traditional fare like Annie and Oliver. This course examines some of Sondheim’s most iconic works, including shows like A Little Night Music, Sweeney Todd, Sunday in the Park with George, and many others, and explores the innovative craftsmanship he brought to his art.

Here are two titles – a quirky coupling of topics that seemingly have no relation to each other. The first refers to the Atomic Bomb that ushered in an age of nuclear anxiety and existential angst. The second relates to Disneyland, that “Utopian” experiment that could serve as a tonic and retreat from life's troubles. You might be wondering how a bomb and an amusement park could have any connection to religion? We shall see, if you wish to go where few have gone before.

Dreamscape Learn is a collaboration between Arizona State University and Dreamscape Immersive, a former VR entertainment company. During your visit to Dreamscape Learn, you can look forward to being fully immersed in a narrative story-telling experience. Throughout the hour visit, guests will see both educational VR content used in courses for real students at ASU along with a fun, free-roam entertainment VR experience. Our mission is to merge the most advanced experiential pedagogy with the entertainment industry’s best cinematic storytelling to deliver unique virtual reality and 2D labs as well as full course experiences which are effective, readily scalable and emotionally engaging.

Have you ever felt like scientists are constantly changing their minds? Do you feel unsure about whether and when research can be trusted to help you make good decisions about health, behavior, or the environment? This class offers a deep, behind-the-scenes investigation of a world often inaccessible to those outside the scientific community. You will learn how modern science came to be, what scientists really do, and what makes findings reliable. Your tour guide won’t pull any punches when it comes to exposing weaknesses in the scientific process, and you will leave armed with a list of “red flags” that allow you to spot pseudoscience and untrustworthy research in the wild. Simply put, this course confronts the messy realities of scientific methodology, and—in so doing—forces us to abandon any sense of faith in science, and instead find trust.

Dr. Erica Williams, Clinical Professor and Director of Speech and Hearing Science at ASU, leads this discussion on hearing health, balance, and fall prevention, particularly with aging. Dr. Williams will cover how hearing and balance both function independently while also having close interactions with each other. General strategies for treatment will also be discussed.

Rugged, beautiful, and delicious. The Southwest is the ultimate playground, luring adventurers with red-rock canyons, Wild West legends, and culinary delights. The region is home to a wonderful and vibrant mix of Anglo, Latino, Hispanic, and American Indian traditions making it one of the most diverse and fascinating corners of the United States. The defining characteristics of Southwestern cuisine are a mystery to most Americans. Southwestern cooking has a vibrant mestizo heritage and includes some of the most intensely spiced dishes in the Americas. Join Chef Larry Canepa on a visual and tasty journey through Southwest culinary history.

Join Dr. Billie Enz, ASU emerita professor, in these two interactive sessions. We will discuss our intertwined memory systems, including sensory, working and long-term memory. We will also review factors that enhance and inhibit memory and review practical ways to strengthen our memory throughout our lives. Finally, we will clarify the differences between age-related memory loss and dementia.

NASA's Galileo mission provided valuable insights into Jupiter's moons, Io and Europa. Now, a new chapter begins with the launch of NASA’s Europa Clipper mission in October 2024. What can we expect from this spacecraft? Dr. David Williams, ASU Professor in the School of Earth and Space Exploration and director of the NASA-supported Greeley Center for Planetary Studies, helps us offer some answers to this question. By revisiting Galileo’s discoveries, we look forward to Clipper’s exploration of "Ocean Worlds"—planetary bodies in our Solar System likely harboring salty, liquid water beneath their icy surfaces. This includes Jupiter's moons, as well as icy moons of Saturn, Neptune, Pluto, and the dwarf planet Ceres. Clipper will also collaborate with the European Space Agency’s Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) mission.

Constitutional lawyer Bob McWhirter leads this lecture that invites us to look closely at the foundational ideas behind American democracy. We will trace the origins of these rights and why the assertion "All men are created equal" was so revolutionary. Together, we will explore key questions: What are these rights, and where do they come from? Who is included when we say, “We the people…”? What does it mean to have rights in today’s society? How do democracy and the rule of law evolve as we move forward?

Millions of years of evolution have refined how plants and animals survive in nature. From flight to medicine, we can observe and study how challenges and problems were solved by natural selection and efficiently mimic them to solve human challenges. The conservation and economic implications of this business model are just beginning to be used and appreciated. Join Dr. David Pearson as he discusses the intersections of ecology, conservation, ecotourism, and education to develop methods that promote sustainable use of biodiversity.

Have you ever written an email that you regretted? Responded too harshly or defensively? This is all too common in the workplace, and in life generally. How can we be strategic in our writing to mitigate conflict and move our goals forward? ASU Lodestar Center's Kristyn Carmichael brings her expertise as director of Mediation Training to answer these questions and more. There are techniques you can learn from conflict resolution experts to master emails and other written communication. You will feel confident to hit send on any email and know you are putting your best foot forward.

Many people today might not suspect that Arizona was once too progressive for Congress, or that it took the territory three tries before it was admitted as a state. Join us as we explore the fascinating political evolution of Arizona in this class, where Dr. Eduardo Pagán will guide us through the state's transformation—from a progressive territory in the nineteenth century to a predominantly red state in the twentieth century, and its shift toward a more purple state in the twenty-first century. Dr. Pagán will discuss how national issues, economic development, and demographic changes have shaped Arizona's political landscape over time.

The relationship between science and faith is often perceived as conflicting, especially when it comes to evolution and creationism. In this participatory, interactive class led by Dr. David Pearson, we will discuss the logic of why some scientists claim that faith is anti-science, and the basis for why some religions prefer to ignore science when it runs counter to their beliefs. Together, we will explore: is it possible to be both scientific and religious? Is this conflict more a perception than reality?

The relationship between science and faith is often perceived as conflicting, especially when it comes to evolution and creationism. In this participatory, interactive class led by Dr. David Pearson, we will discuss the logic of why some scientists claim that faith is anti-science, and the basis for why some religions prefer to ignore science when it runs counter to their beliefs. Together, we will explore: is it possible to be both scientific and religious? Is this conflict more a perception than reality?

We live in an age of constant "sharing," where our lives are often on display through social media and other platforms. In this environment, we rarely take the time to pause, listen, and ask meaningful questions. This class will focus on how we can become better listeners, ask better questions, and master the art of questioning as led by ASU's Kristyn Carmichael, Director of ASU's Lodestar Foundation Mediation Training program. By developing these skills, we can build stronger personal and professional relationships. Ultimately, learning to ask the right questions helps us move from just "sharing" our lives to truly "experiencing" them.

Dreamscape Learn is a collaboration between Arizona State University and Dreamscape Immersive, a former VR entertainment company. During your visit to Dreamscape Learn, you can look forward to being fully immersed in a narrative story-telling experience. Throughout the hour visit, guests will see both educational VR content used in courses for real students at ASU along with a fun, free-roam entertainment VR experience. Our mission is to merge the most advanced experiential pedagogy with the entertainment industry’s best cinematic storytelling to deliver unique virtual reality and 2D labs as well as full course experiences which are effective, readily scalable and emotionally engaging.

From chips and salsa to peanut butter and jelly to mac ‘n cheese to Champagne and caviar, some foods just belong together. In this class, led by Chef Larry Canepa, we’ll discover a fascinating world of flavor pairings, uncovering the stories behind these iconic combinations. You’ll sample a wide range of delicious food marriages from around the globe, while learning tips for creating your own perfect pairings at home.

From 1610 to 1670, Dutch art flourished in the Netherlands. Artists transformed previous genres of art by investigating how light reflects off different surfaces, revealing the enlivened and true character of their subjects. The "Dutch Art Expanded" collection pairs landscape, portraiture, interior, and still life paintings with prints and decorative art objects from the broader works at Phoenix Art Museum. Alongside these works, the installation features artworks by Arizona-based artists Rachel Bess and Alanna Airitam, whose practices are inspired by hidden histories and aesthetic concerns associated with the 17th-century movement. Join us for this class led by Phoenix Art Museum Docent, Susan McGee, to explore these themes and more through a lecture-style presentation and in-gallery exploration.

The eruption of Thira (modern Santorini) around 1600 BCE was one of the most powerful volcanic events in human history with far-reaching consequences for the flourishing Minoan civilization on nearby Crete. This talk explores the eruption’s impact—tsunamis, climate disruption, and societal collapse—while examining archaeological and geological evidence that sheds light on this ancient catastrophe. Was Thira’s eruption the beginning of the end for Minoan Crete, or did other factors seal its fate? Join us for a fascinating journey into the past, where science and history intertwine to reveal how natural disasters shape civilizations.