Tuesday   

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.

The completion of the Transcontinental Railroad in 1869 was the single largest event that opened up the Western U.S. Many historians describe it as "the moonshot of the 19th Century." This two-session class will discuss the politics behind Lincoln's decision to sign the Pacific Railroad Act of 1862, the role of the Big Four (Stanford, Hopkins, Huntington, and Crocker), and the fateful story of Theodore Judah. The fisrt session focuses on the Union Pacific (east to west construction) while our second session discusses the Central Pacific (west to east construction).

As doors were closing in Europe and South America, they were opening in America. In this class, we will cover how immigrants – some of them escaping the political turmoil in different moments – played enormous roles in the creation of the Hollywood music that we know and love. Many of the greatest classical music sounds were constructed by these immigrants changing the landscape of American culture, a process that started over a century ago and is still in development today. Anecdotes and stories will be combined with audiovisuals and musical examples.

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 related to Tribal Nations' water interests, collaborating with both Tribal leadership and government agencies and stakeholders.

Join us for “Fortunato Film School" where ASU film professor Joe Fortunato will screen, discuss, and provide live commentary on the Steven Spielberg classic "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial." It is often cited as the one of the most beloved films of all time! We will begin with a brief introduction on the background and making of the film. Then, we will screen the film together with live commentary provided, giving you insights into the filmmaking process, fun facts, and some guidance on how to "read" a film creatively. After the film, we will discuss what we've learned and debate if it lives up to its "great film" reputation (and even discuss what that designation means in the subjective world of creative art).

Come experience Indigenous creativity at the Heard Museum! Dan Hagerty, Chief Advancement & Engagement Officer, will welcome you and share a 30-minute presentation about the Heard Museum. Following the welcome, enjoy a guided tour of Bob Haozous: A Retrospective View, the first major retrospective for the artist Bob Haozous (Warm Springs Chiricahua Apache, b. 1943). Through the presentation of more than 75 works, the exhibition brings together six decades of his work including sculpture, painting, prints, and jewelry, and examines the timely social commentary embedded in Haozous’s work. After your tour, stay for lunch at the Heard Museum Courtyard Café and visit the newly remodeled Heard Museum Shop. Please note that lunch is not inluded in the cost of the class.

This lecture will focus on the origins of modern-day bioethics, including a discussion of the atrocities that gave rise to these fundamental principles. The lecture starts with a pre-WWII view of humanity and medicine; we then proceed to discuss the Nazi atrocities and Tuskegee Syphilis experiment that drove society to prepare seminal documents such as the Declaration of Helsinki and the Belmont Report. Finally, the lecture will focus on each of the principles that comprise bioethics: beneficence, justice, non-maleficence, and autonomy.

Economics plays a central role in shaping every aspect of society. This course examines a series of prominent policy issues with economics at their core. We will explore the origins of these issues, the underlying data and evidence, and the policy tools available to address them. Each lecture will be standalone, delivered by a subject matter expert with a Ph.D. in economics. Potential topics include climate change, healthcare economics, economic inequality, and more, with final selections based on the most relevant and timely issues at the start of the course. Please note that you will need to create a free account with NRC to access the meeting link and any course materials. 

Paul Newman, the embodiment of charisma, captivated movie audiences with his iconic baby blue eyes, striking features, and powerful screen presence. Known for his multiple Academy Award-nominated performances in films like "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" (1958), "The Hustler" (1961), and "Absence of Malice" (1981), Newman ultimately won an Oscar for "The Color of Money" (1986), the sequel to "The Hustler." Alongside his acting career, he pursued a parallel path as a race car driver and dedicated significant time to entrepreneurial and philanthropic endeavors. This course will trace the timeline of Newman’s remarkable career, from his legendary collaborations with Robert Redford in "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" (1969) and "The Sting" (1973) to his final roles in "Road to Perdition" (2002), "Empire Falls" (2005), and "Cars" (2006), where he voiced the retired race car Doc Hudson. Please note that you will need to create a free account with NRC to access the meeting link and any course materials.

Historians, beer enthusiasts, and curious minds alike will enjoy this exploration of the history of brewing. We will begin in the distant past with the invention of beer around 4000 BCE. Then we will journey through time to the modern rise of craft brewing. Along the way, we will dive into fascinating topics including medieval brewing, beer in Shakespeare’s era, colonial brewing, Prohibition, indigenous brewing traditions worldwide, and the evolution of beer commercials. This course meets during happy hour, so feel free—nay, encouraged—to raise a glass and toast to history while we learn. Please note that you will need to create a free account with NRC to access the meeting link and any course materials.