History & Government   

From the empty promise of a mirage to giants that hold their breath whenever the sun is out, to polyandrous raptors, the Sonoran Desert holds many wonders—an extreme environment full of remarkable life. The Arizona Natural History course will introduce students to the geology, flora, fauna, and human history of Arizona. Drawing on information and theories from biology, ecology, geology, and archaeology, the class will explore the adaptations of desert animals, plants, and other life forms, the landscape that set the stage for their evolution, and the human cultures that have called this desert home.

What is the definition of a “survivor,” and what were the common denominators for almost all survivors? Certainly, fear, food insecurity/starvation, and trauma. However, it would be erroneous to paint all survivors with the same brush—each experience is unique. This diversity is shaped by pre-war, war, and post-war factors, including age, geography, socio-economic status, family circumstances, and the wide range of wartime experiences. Post-war experiences also had a significant impact on survivors. This presentation includes examples from the speaker’s family, among others.

Over one million civilians—mostly women and children—died during the Vietnam conflict. Amid the devastation, volunteer doctors and U.S. military teams worked together in primitive hospitals to provide care and comfort to strangers in need. Civilian physicians treated everything from battlefield injuries to infectious diseases, often with limited resources. Their work helped build trust between local communities and American forces. This lecture tells their untold story of compassion in a war-torn land.

As Abraham Lincoln stated in his second inaugural address on March 4, 1865, both sides prayed to the same God and read the same Bible. Indeed, religious language, imagery, and ideas were pervasive during the Civil War era. Americans turned to their faith to explain the causes, course, and consequences of the war. Soldiers and civilians alike found comfort in religion and often viewed the war’s events through the lens of divine providence. The idea of sin—both individual and collective—also became a means of interpreting victories and defeats, including the ultimate outcome of the war.

For someone who wrote such extraordinary stories, how closely did fiction mirror reality? Alexandre Dumas lost his father at the age of four—a father who had been a celebrated, yet later forgotten, hero of the Napoleonic Wars. In many ways, the son’s vivid tales of adventure drew inspiration from his father's remarkable life. Join us as we explore the true identity behind "The Count of Monte Cristo." Discover the real figures who inspired "The Three Musketeers," and how their camaraderie came to embody the ideal of heroism. What kind of man was Dumas, who gave us some of the most enduring characters in literary history?

This lecture traces the evolution of maps of the Americas from the late 15th to the late 16th centuries, focusing on how Marco Polo’s "The Description of the World" shaped European expectations about the inhabitants, resources, and size of the New World. Polo’s influence endured for generations, even as exploration, colonization, and missionary efforts gradually provided Europeans with more accurate understandings of the Americas.

This is the second half of a two-part course that began in the spring semester of 2025. In this course, we will focus on how the United States has interacted with Native American tribes and nations, beginning with the founding of the U.S. Constitution and the early years of the Republic. We will consider how the ideals expressed in the Declaration of Independence—particularly the phrase "all men are created equal"—contrast with the policies and actions taken toward Native peoples. From 1789 to the present day, we will examine how the U.S. government has approached its relationship with Native nations, often resulting in the continual loss of land and sovereignty for Native communities. This is a complex and often painful history, but one we must understand as informed citizens. We will explore the long-term consequences of policies such as Manifest Destiny, forced removals, and broken treaties—consequences that continue to shape our society today.

Democracy is a staple of American life. The idea of democracy was born in ancient Athens, supposedly under the mythical King Theseus, generations before the Trojan War. The first shoots of democracy began with Draco’s law on homicide in 620 BCE, continued through the reforms of Solon in the 590s, and came to fruition under Cleisthenes in 508 BCE. Over the next two centuries, Athenian democracy became increasingly radicalized to the extent that it was rejected by the U.S. Founding Fathers. This class examines the development of Athenian democracy and the flaws that made statesmen, like Hamilton and Madison, reject it in favor of the more moderate Roman model of a republic.

Charles Darwin's fame as a scientist began with the publication of The Voyage of the Beagle in 1839—twenty years before he published his theory of evolution by natural selection. This account was based on his travels as a young gentleman naturalist during a long voyage of exploration around the world from 1831 to 1836. In this class, Dr. Toby Harper, Associate Professor in the TCLAS School of Historical, Philosophical, and Religious Studies, examines the context and story of the voyage. What was the purpose of early nineteenth-century scientific expeditions like that of the Beagle? What did Darwin and other travelers see (and fail to see) about the natural and human worlds on these journeys? And how did seeing the world shape Darwin's scientific theories about life? We will explore the background, the voyage itself, and its aftermath and legacy.

Russia shocked the world when Putin invaded Ukraine on Thursday, February 24, 2022. Few believed that Ukraine’s military would last a week. Backed by President Joe Biden’s strong alliance of the U.S. and Europe, the Ukrainian military has fought the Russian military to a virtual standstill. Since Donald Trump has assumed office in January 2025, he has jettisoned the U.S. alliances with NATO, Europe, and Ukraine. Europe is undergoing its most profound transformation since the end of the Soviet Union in 1991. The NATO military alliance was strengthened when Sweden and Finland joined, but since U.S. withdrawal, Germany is rearming, and Europe now seeks a nuclear umbrella with France and the U.K. Europe is ending 50 years of cheap oil, gas, and coal imports from Russia. Six million Ukrainians have been welcomed by Europe in its worst refugee crisis. These two talks are a briefing on the history of Ukraine and Russia’s relations, the war and sanctions thus far, peace talks and possible outcomes.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York holds one of the world's greatest collections of art from the Middle Ages. These objects come from across the globe and tell the story of international trade and travel networks that shaped beliefs, cultures, and artistic practices wherever they reached. This course will examine some of the most spectacular examples of global contact, including a seventh-century Chinese vase in the shape of a Greco-Roman amphora, Chinese lions carved on a twelfth-century capital in a Catalonian monastery, and a Chinese sword depicted on the thirteenth-century tomb of a French knight. Through these and other works, we will explore the often surprising long-distance contacts of the Middle Ages—and how they shaped both art and history.

We went from Top 40 rock ’n’ roll as kids to the Classic Era of Rock Music as we were coming of age. Society was in upheaval, and the counterculture was becoming the dominant popular culture of the time. How did it happen, and why did it matter? Join music and culture author James Pagliasotti, who previously worked as the first ever rock music critic for The Denver Post, as we encounter Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, and many other great artists, and tour twice with the Rolling Stones. We experienced a fascinating, intensely creative period that permanently changed the music business and shaped a generation.

This course traces the life and innovations of Nikola Tesla, from his early years and university studies in Graz and Prague to his groundbreaking work in electricity and wireless technology. We will explore his collaborations and rivalries, including his work with Thomas Edison, the “War of the Currents” between AC and DC power, and his partnership with George Westinghouse, which led to the lighting of the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. Key topics include Tesla’s telautomaton invention, his wireless experiments, and his race against Marconi in the development of radio. We will examine the Wardenclyffe—Tesla’s ambitious wireless transmission tower, his work during World War I with Telefunken, and his interactions with Franklin Roosevelt. We will conclude with Tesla’s later-life invention of the particle beam weapon, his negotiations to sell it to the Allies during World War II, and the mystery surrounding his secret papers after his death. Please note that you will need to create a free account with NRC to access the meeting link and any course materials.

Why do we use the term “trial by jury”? The Declaration of Independence indicted King George III for depriving the people of “trial by jury.” The Seventh Amendment preserves the right to a jury trial in civil cases where the amount in controversy exceeds $20. Article III, Section 2 of the Constitution mandates that “the Trial of all Crimes... shall be by Jury.” The Sixth Amendment states that in “all criminal prosecutions,” the trial shall be “by an impartial jury.” Each of these references to “trial by jury” implies that there was once another option—and that the choice mattered. This class will trace the history of the jury, showing why it remains as relevant today as ever.

African Americans have served in every US military conflict, fighting for both their country and their own rights. From Black patriots in the Revolutionary War to the 180,000 African Americans who fought for the Union in the Civil War, their contributions have shaped American history. After the war, Black soldiers gained congressional approval to enlist in the peacetime Army, leading to the formation of the “Buffalo Soldiers.” This course traces their service from the War of 1812 to World War II, highlighting their valor in conflicts abroad and their struggle against segregation and discrimination at home. It is the story of their resilience, sacrifice, and fight for equality in a nation that often failed to recognize their service. Please note that you will need to create a free account with NRC to access the meeting link and any course materials.

From 1831-1836, Charles Darwin circumnavigated the globe aboard the HMS Beagle. In the Galapagos Islands and elsewhere, Darwin collected data that, after decades of study and reflection, formed part of the basis for his publication On the Origin of Species. The ideas presented in that volume remain the foundation of all modern biological thought. Drawing upon original source materials and the instructor’s photos, this course will present the historical and cultural context of Darwin’s era, follow the five-year journey, discuss how Darwin came to his ideas, and explain his theories in detail. Please note that you will need to create a free account with NRC to access the meeting link and any course materials.

The initial session will explore the archaeology of the contemporary Phoenix area and the cultural tradition archaeologists call “Hohokam.” In reality, this tradition represents the Ancestral Sonoran Desert people who, among many achievements, built and inhabited expansive villages centered around plazas and vapaki (platform mounds). They also constructed large-scale irrigation systems that, at their peak, extended miles from the Salt and Gila Rivers, creating microclimates that supported intensive agriculture and providing networks through which people moved, communicated, and exchanged objects and ideas. The second session will focus on the museum at S’edav Va’aki and its ongoing relationships with the site’s descendant communities. These dynamic collaborations offer insight into the ancestral village site and highlight the importance of preserving cultural connections and archaeological sites. After each discussion, participants are encouraged to explore the outdoor interpretive trail and indoor galleries. Please note that there will be a lot of walking involved, but the site is ADA accessible.

The vibrant country of Morocco is located at the far western edge of North Africa and the Middle East, less than twenty miles from Europe. We explore its geography and history, then focus on the current society, religion, and political system of this historic kingdom—the first to recognize the United States upon its independence. Note: Dr. Parmentier is leading an OLLI Corps trip to Morocco in May 2026.

It could be called one of the greatest adventures in American military history: the Berlin Airlift of 1948–49. When Soviet troops closed all access routes to West Berlin by land, sea, and rail—threatening the lives of 2.5 million people—American General Lucius D. Clay did not hesitate. He organized a bold and extraordinary bridge across the sky, involving 700 planes and more than 250,000 flights over a period of 14 months. Join German historian Anette Isaacs as she presents a fascinating discussion of this pivotal moment in Germany's postwar history.

How did ancient people cope with infectious diseases, climate change, and environmental toxins? Join Dr. Jane Buikstra, Regents Professor in the School of Human Evolution and Social Change, to hear archaeological case studies from the ancient Andes that illustrate the unexpected origins of tuberculosis, effective pre-Colonial mechanisms for coping with El Niño events, climate change without increased violence, and the impact of both anthropogenic and natural toxic environments. We will explore the deep history and resilience of tuberculosis, how traditional Andean ontologies addressed climate change and short-term challenges, and how humans have adapted to toxic environments.

There is heroism and tragedy at Earth’s extremes — the quest for the poles and the Northwest Passage: Shackleton, Amundsen, Scott’s tragedy—plus fraud and false claims. Bundle up for an exploration of the top and bottom of the globe during the age of exploration. Join Dr. Richard Carlson as we navigate a journey of ambition, endurance, and the harsh truths hidden in the ice.

Join Dr. Thom Reilly for an examination of the roots and consequences of public sector corruption, drawing from his book "The Failure of Governance in Bell, California: Big Time Corruption in a Small Town." We’ll explore how weak oversight, disengaged citizens, and a lack of institutional accountability allowed widespread corruption to take hold in a small municipal government. The course also delves into the ethical complexities of leadership, highlighting “right vs. right” dilemmas—situations in which competing values both carry moral weight. The discussion concludes with a practical framework for sustaining ethical governance and preventing corruption at all levels.

Music has always been a source of controversy and scandal. In the search for originality, some artists push the envelope too far—sometimes paying the price, other times using the backlash for self-promotion. There have been fascinating episodes of plagiarism, cultural appropriation, and clashes involving race and sexuality. New technologies are increasingly isolating listeners from the world around them, and artificial intelligence is arriving with a host of tough challenges. This class is full of stories and anecdotes involving The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Peter Frampton, The Rolling Stones, Coldplay, and more!

The 1950s were a decade marked by the post-World War II boom, the dawn of the Cold War, and the Civil Rights movement in the United States. During this time, the United States was the world’s strongest military power, the economy was booming, and the fruits of this prosperity—new cars, suburban houses, and other consumer goods—were available to more people than ever before. The booming prosperity of the 1950s helped create a widespread sense of stability, contentment, and consensus in the United States. The ’50s were full of poodle skirts, greasers, and some amazing food. Take a trip down memory lane with classic recipes from the 1950s. These appetizers, main courses, and desserts were popular back when a gallon of milk cost only $0.82!

April 2025 will mark Arizona Highways magazine’s 100th birthday. How did a brochure produced by the Arizona Highway Department become one of the most revered travel publications in the world? How has Arizona Highways remained relevant for a century while other national magazines have failed? Former Arizona Highways publisher Win Holden will share the inside story of how this extraordinary publication has not only survived but thrived—attracting elite landscape photographers and adopting an unconventional business model that incorporates licensing, retailing, and ancillary products. The presentation features dozens of historical and contemporary photographs that tell the compelling story of a magazine delivering over $65 million in annual economic impact to the state by captivating subscribers in all 50 states and 100 countries.

The aim of this class is to provide members with a comprehensive understanding of the issues faced by Indigenous Americans, both historically and in the present day. Instructor Greg Hansen, a member of the Southern Ponca tribe, leads the class through an intense and interactive experience delving into the candid realities of topics ranging from: Who is considered Native American, what is federal sovereignty, how one becomes a tribal member, the use of blood quantum, and the pros-and-cons of casinos. We will also cover federally recognized tribes located in Arizona.

Join Dr. Eduardo Pagán, a professor of history at ASU, as he leads us on a historical journey through fascinating—and often overlooked—events and individuals that illuminate different aspects of Arizona’s past. The stories will include how national debates entangled Arizona’s quest for statehood and introduce you to the most accomplished Arizona pioneer you’ve never heard of. As Dr. Pagán delves into these riveting histories, we’ll gain a firsthand look at some of the struggles and triumphs that have shaped our great state.

Black men picking up muskets to fight for their own freedom laid the foundation for the Fifteenth Amendment. This amendment prohibits the federal government and each state from denying a citizen the right to vote based on “race, color, or previous condition of servitude.” Its purpose was to counter official efforts to prevent African Americans from voting—a purpose as relevant today as ever. America’s greatness lies in its perseverance in the slow fight to fulfill its promise. Join award-winning speaker and author Robert McWhirter for an exploration of the history and lasting impact of this most significant amendment.

Discover the story of trailblazer General George Stoneman and the creation of the military road that bears his name. This historic road ran through what is now the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Carefree, Cave Creek, and the Black Canyon. Learn what life was like for the soldiers and civilian men and women who traveled from Fort McDowell to Fort Whipple under nearly unbearable conditions. Session two will include a short, 90-minute, one-mile walk on the Camino Campana interpretive trail loop at the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy’s Fraesfield trailhead in North Scottsdale. This walk explores the history of the area prior to the construction of the Stoneman military road and discusses life in Arizona during the 1870s. At the conclusion of the walk, participants will open a soldier’s haversack and learn about its contents. Please bring water and snacks for the trail. Restrooms are available at the trailhead. No pets allowed. Participants are asked to arrive 15 minutes before the walk begins.

Imprisoned Minds tells the stories of men in prison—stories few people ever hear. Authors Erik Maloney and Kevin Wright, through personal narratives and expert analysis, reveal how unimaginable childhood trauma and neglect can set young men on a path toward prison or even death. Erik is currently incarcerated, serving a life sentence, and Kevin is a criminologist at Arizona State University. Together, their goal in writing this book is to humanize people behind bars, offer practical solutions, and show that a more effective approach to criminal justice is possible. Join them as they lead this class virtually—from prison—and explore the thought-provoking question: might there be an imprisoned mind in all of us?

Explore the vibrant life and sudden destruction of Pompeii, the Roman city frozen in time by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE. Through vivid images, historical accounts, and recent archaeological discoveries, we’ll uncover daily life in Pompeii—from bustling markets and lavish villas to graffiti and gladiators. Then, fate suddenly struck on August 24, 79 CE. This session also considers how the city’s rediscovery in the 18th century shaped modern understandings of Roman culture, class, and catastrophe.

This class offers an engaging introduction to Italy’s fascinating history, culture, art, and food. Led by Jennifer Adams, Ph.D., Instructor of Italian in ASU’s School of International Letters and Cultures, we will tour the country’s regions and highlight their exceptional culinary traditions, explore the basics of Italian art and architecture, and discover how to live the dolce vita like a true Italian. The course also includes short, practical lessons in basic Italian words and phrases useful for travel, dining, and cultural interaction.

Doug Bradley played basketball with the Miracles, shared a joint with Grace Slick, and held Dionne Warwick’s hand as he told her that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. had been assassinated. He watched his doo-wop–singing brother and World War II veteran father clash over the birth of rock and roll, brought the music of Stax and Motown to a small college in the hills of West Virginia, and soaked in the sounds of CCR, Janis Joplin, and Jimi Hendrix as an Army journalist in the “air-conditioned jungle” of Vietnam. In his latest book, "The Tracks of My Years: A Music-Based Memoir," the acclaimed co-author of Rolling Stone’s 2015 music book of the year tells the story of a life lived through—and shaped by—music. The Tracks of My Years is for anyone who grew up in post–World War II America, and for their children and grandchildren trying to see beyond the haze of myths surrounding the Baby Boomer generation.

CLASS DATE HAS CHANGED! PRINTED CATALOG IS INCORRECT. DATES ONLINE ARE CORRECT

Step into the shadowy corners of the ancient Mediterranean, where gods weren’t the only ones pulling strings. From curse tablets hidden in graves to love spells inscribed on lead, ancient Greeks and Romans turned to magic to bind enemies, attract lovers, and ward off evil. This session explores the fascinating world of sorcery, omens, and everyday superstition—where priestesses, witches, and household spirits shaped fate. Join us for a journey into the mystical mindset of antiquity, where the boundary between religion and magic was anything but clear.

 

The Trump administration, guided by Project 2025, is making sweeping changes to the federal bureaucracy. Do you have questions about how this system operates—and what these reforms mean for public service delivery? This class explores theories and research that explain the balance between politics and administration, as well as the implications of presidential influence on bureaucratic action. We’ll examine key frameworks—including bureaucratic politics, administrative burdens, representative bureaucracy, and the submerged state—and analyze how shifts in science investments, social services, and executive initiatives impact our communities. Dr. Feeney will provide an overview of core concepts and lead a town hall-style Q&A to deepen our understanding of these timely issues.

Shakespeare lived during the Scientific Revolution, a time of rapid advancement in scientific understanding. For the first time, academics were writing in English rather than Latin, making these revolutionary ideas accessible to the average educated person—Shakespeare among them. From hidden praise for Galileo in Cymbeline to the possibility that one of his plays serves as an allegory for the shift toward heliocentrism, Shakespeare’s work reveals a deep awareness of contemporary science. This class is designed for lovers of both literature and science!

Native peoples have given us some of the most renowned military, political, and spiritual leaders ever recorded. Moved by their dedication to protecting their people, traditions, and homelands, this presentation delves into the lesser-known traditional stories and histories of great Indigenous leaders such as Crazy Horse, Geronimo, Sitting Bull, Wilma Mankiller, and the great Chief Joseph. Join Greg Hansen, Tribal Relations Coordinator for the Arizona Conservation Corps, to learn about these celebrated Native women and men through traditional storytelling and be inspired by their unyielding devotion to preserving their traditional lifeways.

Some 27 million visitors prepared for the twentieth century by attending the World’s Columbian Exposition, which once occupied nearly 700 acres on Chicago’s South Side. Most had never even seen a light bulb, yet they were suddenly greeted with more electric lights than were then in use in the entire city of Chicago. The Fair was a striking blend of the palatial and the modern: its Greco-Roman buildings evoked Renaissance grandeur, while the visionary architecture of Louis Sullivan hinted at the future. Elegant concert halls—where thousands heard Handel’s Messiah—were complemented by the music of John Philip Sousa and Scott Joplin. This course will revisit the architecture, art, and music of the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair.

This lecture will explore the history of the French language from its Latin origins to the present, with a focus on the relationship between French and English. We will examine maps, monuments, manuscript illuminations, and paintings to establish the historical context of each era of linguistic development. Next, we will discuss the major phenomena that shaped both spoken and written French. Much of our discussion will focus on the French influence on English in the late Middle Ages, as well as the influence of English on French since the nineteenth century. Other topics include the transition from Latin to French, the reasons people began writing in French, how French dialects were replaced by a standard language, and the future of the French language.

Before the huge steam-driven machines that cut through the Suez and Panama Canals, magnificent canals and aqueducts shaped civilizations from ancient times through the Industrial Revolution. In this class, we follow the story of how humans learned to move water. Cultures that began with primitive irrigation channels, dug to water a few meager crops, eventually built canals that connected Europe to Asia and the Mediterranean to the Atlantic. These canals changed the world long before the age of steam, internal combustion engines, or electric power. We’ll also explore how human ingenuity used downhill-moving water to propel boats uphill. Our journey takes us to China, Egypt, the Pontine Marshes south of Rome, the French Riviera, England’s coal country, and finally the early American frontier—where a four-foot-deep ditch became the information superhighway of its time.

Over one million civilians—mostly women and children—died during the Vietnam conflict. Amid the devastation, volunteer doctors and U.S. military teams worked together in primitive hospitals to provide care and comfort to strangers in need. Civilian physicians treated everything from battlefield injuries to infectious diseases, often with limited resources. Their work helped build trust between local communities and American forces. This lecture tells their untold story of compassion in a war-torn land.

This Special Interest Group will explore US and Global Leadership issues.ToUsing materials provided by the Foreign Policy Association (fpa.org), and facilitated by Jim Stephens, Ph.D. and Kathleen Adamson, this SIG is a discussion group where all members are expected to prepare in advance, and be willingly share experiences, readings, and cultural perspectives in a civil environment. This is a small group providing opportunities for all to share in the discussion. We will meet at the Tempe Public Library, the fourth Saturday of each month, September through December. The first topic will be—American Policy in the Middle East (# 8 in the 2025 FPA edition). The reading booklet is purchased at www.fpa.org/great_decisions for $35.

One-time FEE: $10 per member, paid directly to Facilitator at first meeting, to rent library room for the semester.

The Celtic fringe is composed of six nations: Brittany, Cornwall, Ireland, the Isle of Man, Scotland, and Wales. Through their ancient language and culture, they are the inheritors of nearly three thousand years of unbroken cultural tradition. Welsh author Emyr Humphreys said, "At any time since the eleventh century, it could have disappeared, but for the determination of one generation or another that it should not." This class will trace the history of the Celts and their culture. Please take care of time zone changes towards the end of this course due to shifts in Daylight Saving time as this class meets from 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. in PST.

Through lectures, videos, and discussions, we will focus on four women artists who challenged expectations of their time about their behavior and approach to subjects: Artemisia Gentileschi, Rosa Bonheur, Kathe Kollwitz, and Frida Kahlo. Additional artists will be included. Participants will receive emails with something to read, something to watch, and something to do in advance of each class meeting.

Chico State's tradition of academic excellence goes back more than 130 years. With over 850 faculty members and 13,000 students, the University's teaching and learning community is thriving. Discover the imagination, cutting-edge research, and expertise that flourishes in our own backyard! Please take care of time zone changes towards the end of this course due to shifts in Daylight Saving time as this class meets from 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. in PST.

This is the fourth in a series of courses on the music of J.S. Bach, this time focusing on the Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248, which is made up of six cantatas originally meant to be performed on six feast days in the Christmas season. The class will examine Bach’s church music and the cantata form as well as general characteristics of the Baroque period. We’ll watch a recording of each cantata. No previous musical experience is necessary. PowerPoint with YouTube examples will be used.

For Locke, competitive economic acquisitiveness is the core of justice and civic morality. For Marx, the moral society is "an association, in which the free development of each is the condition for the free development of all." We will address these, and more, questions: Are all human beings naturally equal? Can liberal government combine individual freedom and political authority? By what right does the majority govern? Can the rule of law and separation of powers secure individual rights? Can socialism be democratic? Required Text: Second Treatise of Government by John Locke, Ed. C.B. Macpherson, ISBN 091514493X and The Marx-Engels Reader, Second Edition, Ed. Robert C. Tucker, ISBN 039309040X. Please take care of time zone changes due to Daylight Saving.

Situated in the Atlantic Ocean, these volcanic islands have a fascinating and rich history - both geological and cultural. Upon visiting the islands, these histories are apparent in the charming architecture, numerous volcanic features, and gorgeous landscapes, where the Ocean is never far away. This course will introduce you to these islands and their unique heritage and culture, illustrated with numerous photos.

The Colorado River is neither the longest nor the largest of our rivers, but it flows through the most dramatic scenery in the USA. It is the very lifeblood of over 40 million people. A significant fraction of our country’s produce and animal products is grown with its waters and the power produced by its system of massive hydroelectric generators lights up the entire Southwest. Unfortunately, the waters of the Colorado are over-allocated. Now, after 25 years of serious drought with no end in sight, the River’s very well-being is in serious jeopardy. In this course, we will describe the River’s astonishing geology and geography, some early and modern history, its politics, and its very uncertain future. Please take care of time zone changes due to Daylight Saving.

The COVID pandemic made us appreciate things that we generally take for granted. One essential is toilet paper. This led to thinking about the evolution of toilet paper and the plumbing that supports its use. This class will follow the story from ancient Egypt through medieval Europe to the high tech of tomorrow.

The Great Financial Crisis of 2008 revealed significant problems with the orthodox economic theory (neo-liberalism). This course will examine the economic history leading up to the crisis, the causes and effects of the crisis and the after effects of the crisis on economic, social and political discourse. Short readings will be provided. Please take care of time zone changes due to Daylight Saving.

American women played a dramatic and groundbreaking role in World War I. In this class we will examine these roles, focusing primarily on activities that involved military service (Yeomanettes, Marinettes, Hello Girls, and Nurses) as well as surveying welfare services and charitable endeavors. This class will give you a solid appreciation for the importance of these contributions. Be prepared to learn the amazing history behind “your grandmother’s war.”

Tchaikovsky is one of the best-known classical music composers in the world. In western cultures, his name is known not only by classical music aficionados, but also by people who are not as familiar with the genre. He excelled in the business of entertaining people. Even he was tickled with his own catalog of work. While Tchaikovsky was admittedly a psychologically troubled individual, he did not let it get in the way of his amazing output. His music was genuine and unique. There is much to be learned about him, not to mention the wide scope of his music.

This class will build on my popular American Education class that was offered in the spring semester. We will tackle some of the most pressing issues facing our education system. The class will also include a field trip to PIMA JTED’s spectacular new health care campus in Tucson. The field trip will only be open to students enrolled in this class. The class will begin with an overview of the current state of American Education, including how we lost our world leadership. We will then examine ideas for improving K-12 education; take a careful look at the unprecedented challenges facing higher education, from Harvard to the University of Arizona; and invite outside leaders to offer their perspective. This will be a 5-session course, with one session devoted to the field trip.