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Restrictions on the media, universities, and law firms, along with the deportation of international college students, all raise concerns about the future of our civil liberties. In this course, discuss the tension inherent in our democracy between government power and individual liberties, focusing on the importance of the Bill of Rights from the founding through today. What can we do to help?

 

Launched in late 2021, the James Webb Space Telescope is NASA’s newest observatory in space. Discussions will focus on the capabilities of the telescope and some of the discoveries from its first three years of operations.

Pennsylvania ranks number one in the United States in the number of Lyme disease cases per year, and ticks are a constant companion when spending time outdoors during the summer. However, there are many steps that you can take to protect yourself from Lyme and other tick-borne diseases. In this course, learn about tick biology, how ticks cause disease, and how to use this knowledge to prevent tick bites and tick-borne diseases.
 

This interactive course will provide suggestions and guidance on how to proceed from an initial idea for writing a book (or an article) to its publication. Ed will discuss all genres and the different challenges of publication for each. There will also be an examination of different avenues for publication, with or without an agent, including pros and cons of each. For those interested in self-publication, Ed will provide a step-by-step process. Also, discuss ideas on how to market your work after it has been published.

The Central Railroad (CRR) of Pennsylvania turned its last wheel in 1918. So why should this 23-mile line that linked Centre and Clinton counties matter today? The birth and demise of this railroad mirrored almost perfectly important trends that shaped the nation’s transportation network for decades to come. So, to understand what was happening at the local level provides insight into what was occurring at the national level. This is aside from the fact that the CRR of PA was an interesting enterprise worthy of study for its own sake.

Augustus Saint-Gaudens was the most successful sculptor of the American Renaissance, and his works have helped to shape the perceptions of our past. If you have watched the movie Glory, you have seen his relief of the Shaw Memorial. He also created the iconic bronze statue of Diana that once topped Madison Square Garden and the majestic Adams Memorial in Washington, D.C. This course will serve as an introduction to his works as well as to the role of public monuments in the second half of the 19th-century in America.

 

This course explores how the trillions of bacteria in our gut influence health, digestion, and disease. Look at how diet, medications, and environmental chemicals like PFAS, Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances ("forever chemicals"), affect the balance of these microbes. Topics include the gut’s role in immunity, metabolism, and conditions like obesity and inflammation. Through real-world examples and discussions, learn how everyday exposures impact gut health and what we can do to support a healthier microbiome.

Frank Furness (1839–1912) is arguably one of the most creative and idiosyncratic architects of the Victorian era in America. Furness created bold, unique buildings with a profusion of eclectic forms, materials, and ornamentation. This course will explore two of his most important surviving buildings in Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (1871–76) and Fisher Fine Arts Library (built 1888–91) at the University of Pennsylvania. Examine Furness’s bank buildings and railroad stations, as well as his influence on such architects as Louis Sullivan, Louis Kahn, and Robert Venturi.  

Roadside springs are often perceived as pristine water sources with good-tasting water. However, the use of these unregulated springs can pose unexpected health risks. Faith will share findings and insights from a statewide water quality monitoring of popular roadside springs. This course is for anyone interested in environmental and water resources, travelers and outdoor enthusiasts, and roadside spring users. Learn insights into microbial and chemical contamination in roadside springs and potential human health risks from using untreated roadside springs for drinking water.

 

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.

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.

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.

This course will explore the history of Manhattan, emphasizing the unique traits that drew into its harbor millions of immigrants and millions more tourists seeking its many resources, rich culture, and complex history. Together, we will explore the history of New York City’s parks, city shopping, entertainment venues, museums, and concerts. We will also discuss the social and arts movements that grew out of the city. Gain an appreciation of what the city has to offer its visitors and an insight into the history behind the tourist attractions.

Energy is essential for both national and economic security, underpinning all aspects of life. Yet discussions of energy security often exclude the public, reducing complex issues to simplistic narratives like "Green is Good" or "Oil is Evil," which provide little actionable insight. In this course, you will engage in a comprehensive examination of energy's role in human development. Topics include the unmatched importance of hydrocarbons (oil and more); advancements in electricity, the past, present, and future of nuclear energy; and the potential of renewables. We will explore how these energy sources impact national security, economic stability, industrial production, transportation, and daily life. Join this course for a balanced, realistic assessment of energy security, a critical issue of our time.

 

Since its construction in 1901–02, the Flatiron Building of New York City has commanded the attention of the public because of the unusual shape of its site: a skyscraper springing from a long, thin triangular piece of property. The Chicago firm of D. H. Burnham & Co. created a steel-framed Beaux-Arts skyscraper whose unorthodox footprint generated an unexpected icon of modernity. This course will explore the Flatiron from a variety of different perspectives, including the history of architecture, urbanism, business, popular culture, photography, and Daniel H. Burnham.
 

 

This course provides a comprehensive overview of key public health topics across the human lifespan, from prenatal health to aging care. We will examine major health challenges, interventions, and policies that impact individuals at each life stage. By focusing on health disparities, preventive care, and the role of public health systems, the course equips us with the knowledge and skills to understand health issues in diverse populations. Through readings and case studies, we will gain insight into the life-course approach to public health, emphasizing the importance of early intervention, continuous care, and aging with dignity.
 

Please note this course is rescheduled to Thursdays, July 10 and 17.

Addiction has enormous social, legal, medical, and personal costs.  Addiction might be a disease, and yet using is a choice. New data show that brain changes resulting from addiction perpetuate the cycle of relapse. Are children destined for addiction? How do we understand these contradictions? Discussion will range from the neurobiology of addiction to the effects of stress on relapse, and we’ll discuss how brain science informs this discussion.  
 

 

Forget the non-native honey bee and its much-publicized challenges for a moment. Pennsylvania is home to over 400 species of wild bees who play an important role in pollination and who lead diverse and fascinating lives. Find out something about where and how they live. Learn what differentiates them from flies and wasps. Appreciate these lesser known bees who visit your garden and learn how you can help prevent their decline.
 

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.

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.

To honor significant and enduring contributions to American society, history, culture, or environment" on stamps, the United States Postal Service has featured American art in various contexts. In 1940, five 19th-century artists were included in the Great Americans series, while the 1998 panel, Four Centuries of American Art, highlighted twenty paintings. In between, statehood commemoratives featured artists such as Grant Wood and Edward Hopper. More recently, the USPS has issued panels celebrating Mary Cassatt, Andrew Wyeth, Isamu Noguchi, and Romare Bearden to reflect our national identity.

We may think our current situation is unique in featuring partisan bubbles in which people mistrust information from the other side. But immediately after the Civil War, a toxic partisan climate caused racial violence to become politicized, with accounts dismissed as fictions to mask a political agenda. To fight this attitude, military officers led by Ulysses S. Grant mobilized the Freedmen’s Bureau to document crimes against African Americans. They needed hard data to counter the nineteenth-century version of “fake news.” The results fortified efforts to pass the Fourteenth Amendment.

Are you interested in stories rich with murder, intrigue, and sharp wit? This course will explore the Norse sagas, which are medieval tales rooted in Old Norse mythology, written in Iceland centuries after the Viking era. These stories range from realistic travel chronicles to epic sword-and-sorcery adventures, and they offer a fascinating glimpse into "Dark Age" swashbuckling. In this course we will also discuss how these stories continue to profoundly influence modern culture.