Thursday   

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.

Join stand-up comedian and educator, Stuart Preston for a lecture that dives into humor over the years. We will explore the evolution of comedy from ancient Greek satire and medieval jesters to Shakespearean wit and today’s viral memes. This talk reveals how humor reflects culture, challenges norms, and connects us across generations. Perfect for comedy lovers and history buffs alike!

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. Steven Semken, an ethnogeologist and geoscience-education researcher, will provide a non-technical review of Arizona’s geologic history in this class. This session explores how this history, spanning almost two billion years, is interpreted through scientific study and evidence-based analysis of the rocks, formations, and other features exposed in the state’s diverse desert and mountain landscapes.

In this art history session about the Late High Renaissance master, we will follow Michelangelo’s soap opera-like life. We will discover why he felt that he wasted his youth. We will discuss the Sistine Chapel and learn how he expressed his feelings about having to paint these frescoes. We will also learn what authorities did to express their displeasure of his work. In addition, we will discuss, compare, and contrast the three Davids: produced by three master sculptors, from three eras, in three art styles. This expanded lecture covers his life, his works of art, and the historical context in which he worked.

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.

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.

Architectural history follows a canon of both traditional and eclectic styles from ancient to contemporary times. But what happens when a mix of whimsy, eccentricity, humor—and sometimes the creator's genius—insert themselves into the mix? Occurring throughout time and in various parts of the world, these unconventional structures exist to serve the cultures they were created for, from ancient religious sites to modern car-culture merriment. This course explores a myriad of structures set against the backdrop of the societies in which they existed, the construction methods used, the patrons for whom these structures were constructed, and the notions of the builders and architects who created them. Please note that you will need to create a free account with NRC to access the meeting link and any course materials.

How did Walt Disney's life and vision shape the creation of an entertainment empire? How did early challenges influence the company’s identity and creative output? And how did Disney grow into a global powerhouse? This course explores these questions and more as we delve into the 100-year history of the Walt Disney Company, tracing its evolution from humble beginnings to a global entertainment giant. Topics include the rise of Disney animation and theme parks, the company’s 1990s revival, and the strategic acquisitions that transformed Disney into a media conglomerate. We will also examine Disney's future and gain insights into what it’s like to work behind the scenes at the company. Throughout the course, we will consider diverse perspectives—from those who revere the Magic Kingdom to those who critique it and everywhere in between. This course offers a comprehensive look at how Walt Disney’s vision became a cultural force shaping today's entertainment industry. Please note that you will need to create a free account with NRC to access the meeting link and any course materials.