Friday   

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.

In a recent congressional hearing, the nominee for NASA Administrator stated, "We don't have to make a binary decision when it comes to U.S. aspirations to land astronauts on both the Moon and Mars." This statement has sparked widespread discussion—and some confusion—within the space community regarding the United States' strategic direction in space exploration. Dr. Peter Swan, a distinguished expert in space systems engineering with decades of experience in both governmental and private aerospace sectors, will examine the complexities of current U.S. space policy. He will focus on the nation's plans for lunar and Martian exploration, analyzing NASA's Artemis program—which aims to return humans to the Moon and establish a sustainable presence—as well as the ambitions of private industry, particularly SpaceX’s progress toward Mars missions.

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.