Bloodlines: The Balkan Origins of the Vampire
Step into the shadows where history, myth, and imagination intertwine. This course uncovers the Balkan origins of the vampire legend—stories born from centuries of folklore, fear, and fascination. We’ll explore how these tales of the undead reflected cultural taboos...
The Lives and Music of Jewish Composers
Throughout history, the great tradition of Western classical music has drawn deeply from Christian liturgy and culture. From the Gregorian Chant of the medieval Catholic Church to the masses and motets of Palestrina, the cantatas of Bach, and the requiems of Brahms...
Venetian Art
Step into the luminous world of Venice—a city built on water, steeped in ritual, and defined by its dazzling art. From the golden mosaics of San Marco and the Pala d’Oro to the sensual brushwork of Titian and Veronese, Venice created an artistic language unlike any...
Consequences of Capitalism
How did capitalism come to define nearly every aspect of modern life—and what are its true costs? In this seminar, we’ll trace the evolution of industrial and global capitalism, uncovering how it shapes our politics, economies, and even our daily choices. Together,...
Tolstoy’s War and Peace: The Long and Glorious Read
Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace is often called the greatest novel ever written—a sweeping journey through love, loss, and the fate of nations. In this ten-week seminar, we’ll take on this legendary “long and glorious read,” exploring both its epic story and its enduring...
Shakespeare’s Tragedies
This seminar will concentrate on four of Shakespeare’s greatest tragedies: Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, Antony and Cleopatra, and Othello. While taking into account language and theatricality, we shall approach plays from the perspectives of plot and characterization....
The Colorado River: Science, History, Literature, Policy
For more than a century, the Colorado River has sustained the American West—shaping landscapes, communities, and countless lives. Today, after decades of drought and growing demand, the river stands at a crossroads. This course invites you to explore its story from...
Lessons from Our Past
What can the latest discoveries in archaeology, ancient DNA, and linguistics teach us about who we are—and how we got here? In this course, we’ll journey deep into human history to uncover the remarkable story of our species, from the first sparks of imagination to...