History & Culture

Have you ever seen an artwork in a museum and thought, “I could do that!” Everyone has an opinion about art and the answers are never black and white. This course will explore the motives and symbolism behind some of history’s most commonly misunderstood art movements including Dadaism, Abstract Expressionism, and Minimalism. Students will also be provided with insight into some of today’s biggest controversies surrounding the creation, criticism, and collection of art. Instructor: Kara LaRose

This course will be offered online via Zoom. Course information, including a meeting link and login information, will be emailed to registrants within one week of the course start date.)

Are you just starting to explore your family history? Or do you have some genealogy experience, but need some new ideas to jump start your research? This course offers everything you need to know to start discovering your family’s story. You will start gathering information at home, and then expand your search to learn about the records that reveal your ancestors’ lives, and where to find them, both in repositories and online. Along the way, you will learn about the research process, keeping your discoveries organized and documented, collaborating with fellow researchers, and expanding your genealogy expertise.

(This course will be offered online via Canvas and Zoom. Course information, including a meeting link and login information, will be emailed to registrants within 1 week of the course start date.)

In recent years with the vast amounts of genealogical data now available on the Internet, both “treasures” and “tribulations” await someone wanting to conduct a search on their own family’s ancestry. In this class, you will learn the major providers of genealogical content, how to discern the difference between “good” and “questionable” data, and enhance your searching skills to improve your existing family tree. You will receive guided tours through fee based sites and engage in real-time searching on free sites. Between classes, you will receive optional assignments to research further on your own tree for discussion at the next class.

This course will be offered online via Canvas and Zoom. Course information, including a meeting link and login information, will be emailed to registrants within 1 week of the course start date.

Have you ever wondered to whom you might be related? The explosion of Direct to Consumer DNA test kits has opened the door to discovering your genetic makeup, your ancient origins and potential family relationships. Genetic Genealogy has emerged as an important tool for genealogists and family historians. This course will teach you about DNA, what tests are available, how to use your DNA results to find family and how to use it in your genealogical research.

(This course will be offered online via Canvas and Zoom. Course information, including a meeting link and login information, will be emailed to registrants within 1 week of the course start date.)

Henna, also known as mehndi, is an art form with origins tracing back thousands of years. In this course, you will study the traditions and history of henna art practices, and learn to recognize a variety of regional styles. Discuss current topics in the henna industry, including certification, regulations, and cultural appropriation. You will also learn the composition of henna paste, and what you need to know to identify safe henna ingredients. Instructor: Tarsheka Thompson

The nineteenth century was a time of incredible change and had major influences on the development of modern art. Artists began breaking free of convention and pushing the boundaries of what purposes art should serve. In this course, you’ll learn about how drastically art changed from Neoclassicism at the beginning of the century to Post-Impressionism at the end. Expect to discover more about some of history’s best-known and most beloved artists, including Francisco de Goya, Édouard Manet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, and Vincent van Gogh. Instructor: Kara LaRose

This course will be offered online via Zoom. Course information, including a meeting link and login information, will be emailed to registrants within one week of the course start date.

This class is out of this world! Each week, you will explore a different facet of the fascinating world of spaceflight. Gain understanding of the historic context of landmark developments and achievements, learn about the famous Hubble and James Webb Telescopes, identify different types of celestial orbits, discuss various scientific principles that impact spaceflight, and examine the various names and designations of spacecraft. Join Bruce Cranford, aerospace engineer and author of several books and articles on space and energy, and a longtime docent at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, to learn about and discuss the most significant spaceflight events, past and present, both locally and abroad.

This course will be offered online via Zoom. Course information, including a meeting link and login information, will be emailed to registrants within one week of the course start date.