History & Government   

This class explores Hamnet - Maggie O’Farrell’s historical novel and its recent Oscar-nominated film - alongside Shakespeare’s life and his most enduring work, Hamlet. How did the death of Shakespeare’s son Hamnet influence his writing of Hamlet? We will compare short scenes from the film, excerpts from the novel, and passages from the play to investigate how this personal loss resonates throughout Hamlet, offering profound reflections on grief, memory, and the transformative power of art.

This course will explore the fraught relationship between President Abraham Lincoln and General George McClellan. Focusing on their differences in background, personality, and strategic vision. We'll look at the evolution of the relationship during several military campaigns, Lincoln's decision to remove McClellan from command, and the irony of McClellan's presidential candidacy.

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.

Spices once drove exploration, shaped empires, and transformed cuisines. In this flavorful session, we’ll trace the ancient spice routes that connected continents and cultures—from pepper and cinnamon to saffron and turmeric—while tasting examples that reveal how geography and trade influenced global cooking. Along the way, we’ll discuss how colonization, preservation, and modern culinary trends continue to shape the story of spice today.

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.

In 2026, Route 66, America’s iconic “Mother Road,” celebrates its 100th anniversary. Join acclaimed author and travel writer Roger Naylor as he takes us on a lively and insightful journey through the history, culture, and enduring charm of this legendary highway. Discover how Arizona played a pivotal role in preserving Route 66, becoming its greatest champion and caretaker. Roger will share stories of the breathtaking landscapes, vibrant small towns, and quirky mom-and-pop eateries that still thrive along Arizona’s stretch of the road. Don’t miss this chance to rediscover the road that shaped a nation and continues to inspire wanderers today.

When the Erie Canal opened in 1825, it revolutionized American travel and transportation, but its inspiration came from Europe’s earlier canal networks. In this course, we will trace the development of French, British, and Irish canals in the 17th and 18th centuries. We will follow the story into the 19th century as we turn to American canals, especially in New York and Pennsylvania. Along the way, we will explore how canals reflect the politics and aspirations of different nations and why they still matter for global shipping today. Whether we are drawn to engineering marvels, the people who built them, or the pleasure of drifting along a canal or hiking a towpath, we will deepen our appreciation of canals’ importance and beauty.

Coffee will provide a lively lens on major past and present issues, including climate change, social life, health, global North–South differences, social and economic justice, tourism, and slavery. We will begin “from the ground up,” tracing coffee from planting and processing through shipping and, ultimately, the beverage in our cups - part of nearly two billion cups consumed daily worldwide. We will explore coffee’s global history and its shift from an elite drink to an everyday staple. Drawing on current research, we will examine coffee and health, as well as practical questions such as how more income might reach farmers and how coffee production might adapt to a changing climate. The instructor will share firsthand experiences from coffee farms around the world, discuss a range of brewing methods, and demonstrate how coffee is brewed. Sessions will be interactive, with time for questions throughout.

The Declaration of Independence is a pivotal American document, not just for eighteenth-century revolutionaries, but for people throughout US history. This course will explore how individuals in Washington, D.C. used the Declaration and its ideas after independence was won. From the capital city’s planners to Union soldiers who defended Washington amid civil war, many evoked the Declaration to support their causes and shape a capital city. Spotlighting museum artifacts from the Albert H. Small Washingtoniana Collection, this course will cover D.C.’s early history through 1876, the nation’s first centennial celebration.

This course introduces key aspects of Deaf Culture in the United States and the factors that define the Deaf community as a cultural minority. We will focus on awareness, cultural diversity, and the preservation of language. This course addresses the cultural identity, group norms, rules of social interaction, values, and traditions held by deaf members. Together we will explore the impact of modern technology, emerging issues, trends, and advocacy with the Deaf community. We will also address topics related to communication, terminology, educational alternatives, state and federal legislation, and community resources.

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).

Musicals have been a major part of American theater, from the Tin Pan Alley-driven comedies of the early twentieth century to the integrated musicals that flourished in the heyday years of midcentury America. In this course, we will explore book musicals, concept musicals, and the arrival of European mega-productions late in the century. We will profile some of the theater world's leading composers, lyricists, writers, choreographers, directors, and performers. With the help of audiovisuals, we will study many of the most unforgettable shows including Oklahoma!, My Fair Lady, Show Boat, Guys and Dolls, Hair, Cabaret, Rent, Wicked, Hamilton, and more.

Explore 100 years of American history through objects often taken for granted in everyday life: signs. Led by the American Sign Museum (ASM) staff, this course introduces the Museum’s origins and features a conversation with ASM’s founder about why signs matter. We will examine how signs have evolved due to trends in commerce and technology. We will also explore case studies of three major food companies who used signage to shape their brands. In the final session, we will take a virtual visit to ASM’s neon shop to see how a neon sign is made.