Current and Upcoming Courses
What insights can art, literature, film, and music provide about Black life in the western United States? This dynamic six-week course invites you to explore the rich history of people of African descent in the American West, from Spanish colonization to the late twentieth century. We will examine key topics such as the complexities of […]
Forests represent some of the planet’s most vital ecosystems, covering substantial areas and significantly influencing human society and the global economy. However, human activities, especially climate change, are profoundly reshaping forest structures and functions. In this course, we will explore the diverse types of Earth’s forests and woodlands, uncovering their exceptional characteristics. We’ll examine the […]
The Spanish Civil War unfolded in what a distinguished historian once referred to as a backwater of Europe. This conflict marked the final chapter in a century-and-a-half-long civil struggle between forces seeking reform and those clinging to reactionary ideals. It represented two opposing visions of the nation: one looking forward and the other rooted in […]
The short story is a meticulously structured literary form that requires discipline in its plot and structure. In science fiction, this format pushes boundaries by integrating groundbreaking scientific and technological advancements crucial to the narrative. This summer seminar invites you to explore a curated selection of short stories by diverse authors, fostering in-depth discussions that […]
This course focuses on East European, Russian, and Soviet science fiction and fantasy, with readings drawn from the nineteenth century through the present. We will discuss these works as both anchored in their particular cultural-historical circumstances and also for their contribution to the development of sci-fi and fantasy as world genres. The course will survey […]
This course explores the pressing issue of political tribalism, often known as affective polarization, which many believe poses a significant threat to our democratic institutions. We will critically examine the nature of these tribalistic ideologies, drawing insights from contemporary social science and philosophical research. Our discussions will focus on how these ideologies negatively affect cognitive […]
Russia has never gotten Pasternak’s Dr. Zhivago out of its system. This course will take us deep into the most controversial novel written during the Soviet era. Tolstoyan in its sweep, Dr. Zhivago is a stunning indictment of the system that attempted to engineer human life and an equally stunning meditation on the power of […]
This course will focus on the scientific field of dendrochronology (from dendron=tree and chronos=time), or tree-ring science, and what it can tell us about the past, present and future. We will explore the fascinating history of how the science was developed by a pioneering astronomer interested in solar cycles; how it works; how it has […]
This course continues the exploration of the United States Supreme Court and its role in deciding fundamental social questions. After an introductory class on the Court, we will focus on landmark cases involving race in education, abortion, Second Amendment, and election law. Readings will include edited versions of the Court’s opinions. The final class will […]
Upcoming Courses
Fall Registration Will Open: Monday, August 4, 2025 at 8 AM (AZ Time) Cosmic Chemistry from the Big Bang to You Distinguished Professor Chris Impey | Tuesdays 10 AM – 12 PM Sept 2 — 23 Love Conquers All? Reading Desire in Ancient Roman Literature Professor Sarah McCallum | Tuesdays 2 – 4 PM Sept […]
Spring Registration Will Open: Monday, November 24, 2025 at 8 AM (AZ Time) Lessons from Our Past Professor Terry Hunt | Tuesdays 6 PM – 8 PM Jan 20 – Feb 24, 2026 Shakespeare’s Tragedies Professor Emeritus Peter Medine | Wednesdays 2 PM – 4 PM Jan 21 – April 15, 2026 The Colorado River: Science, […]