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Instructor: Emanuel Abramovits
6 weeks | Tuesdays, July 21 through August 25
3 P.M. MT (90 minutes)
Course Fee: $60 

Course Description:

Musicals have shaped American theater, from Tin Pan Alley-driven comedies of the early twentieth century to the integrated classics of midcentury. In this course, we will explore book musicals, concept musicals, and the rise of European mega-productions. We will spotlight influential composers, lyricists, writers, choreographers, directors and performers. With the help of audiovisuals, we will study landmark shows including "Oklahoma!", "My Fair Lady," "Show Boat," "Guys and Dolls," "Hair," "Cabaret," "Rent," "Wicked," "Hamilton," and more.

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Instructor: Bernie Carlson
6 weeks | Wednesdays, July 8 through August 12
9 A.M. MT  (90 minutes)
Course Fee: $60 

Course Description:

When the Erie Canal opened in 1825, it revolutionized American travel and transportation, but it was inspired by Europe’s earlier canal networks. In this course, we will trace French, British and Irish canals of the 17th and 18th centuries, then follow the story into the 19th century as we examine American canals, especially in New York and Pennsylvania. We will explore how canals reflect national politics and ambitions and why they remain vital to global shipping today.

Instructor: Blake Regnier
6 weeks | Tuesdays, July 7 through August 11
9 A.M. MT (90 minutes)
Course Fee: $60 

Course Description:

In this course, we will trace the evolution of literature specifically written for children--from its earliest forms to the modern era. We will begin with the oral traditions that underpin all storytelling, then follow the shift toward published works created specifically with young readers in mind. We will survey key moments and turning points that shaped the growth of children’s literature as a distinct field. We will conclude by analyzing how a well-known children’s literature has evolved over time.

Instructor: Matthew Cooper
6 weeks | Thursdays, July 9 through August 13
3 P.M. MT (90 minutes)
Course Fee: $60 

Course Description:

In this course, we will introduce key aspects of Deaf Culture in the United States and explore what defines the Deaf community as a cultural minority. We will examine cultural identity, group norms, social interaction, values and traditions, while emphasizing awareness, diversity and language preservation. We will investigate how modern technology shapes community life, along with emerging issues, trends and advocacy. We will also discuss communication, terminology, educational alternatives, legislation and community resources.

Instructor: Alison Roberts
6 weeks | Tuesdays, July 7 through August 11
11 A.M. MT (90 minutes)
Course Fee: $60 

Course Description:

Explore how tiny Portugal played an outsized role in world history. We will examine its fifteenth and sixteenth century maritime expansion and its central role in the transatlantic trade in enslaved people. We will trace Portugal’s rise as the Iberian Peninsula’s only independent kingdom, its global reach from Brazil to Japan, and its later decline into twentieth-century poverty under Europe’s longest dictatorship. We will see how democracy reshaped Portuguese culture, and survey its landscape, art, architecture and food to learn why Americans are flocking there today.

Instructor: Robert Thurston
6 weeks | Thursdays, July 9 through August 13
9 A.M. MT (90 minutes)
Course Fee: $60 

Course Description:

Coffee will be a lens on climate change, social life, health, North–South dynamics, social and economic justice, tourism, and slavery. We will trace coffee from planting and processing through shipping and, ultimately, the drink in our cups. We will explore coffee’s history, its shift from elite beverage to everyday staple, and research on health, farmer income and climate resilience. The instructor will share experiences from coffee farms around the world, discuss different brewing methods, and demonstrate how coffee is brewed.

Instructor: Eileen Goddard
6 weeks | Wednesdays, July 15 through August 19
1 P.M. MT (90 minutes)
Course Fee: $60 

Course Description:

In this course, we will explore Hindu traditions from classical to contemporary times, emphasizing ritual, knowledge and devotion. We will begin with South Asian roots in the Vedic tradition and key religious foundations. We will examine early and classical Hindu thought through the concept of dharma, then explore major deities through their narratives, practices and iconography. We will examine the six major schools of Hindu philosophy using primary and secondary sources, consider bhakti (devotion), and conclude with sacred spaces (temples and tīrthas) and pilgrimage practices.

Instructor: Erin Holland
6 weeks | Fridays, July 24 through August 28
9 A.M. MT (90 minutes)
Course Fee: $60 

Course Description:

Explore 100 years of American history through objects often taken for granted in everyday life: signs. This course introduces the American Sign Museum’s (ASM) origins and features a conversation with ASM’s founder about why signs matter. We will examine how signs have evolved due to trends in commerce and technology and explore case studies of three major food companies who used signage to shape their brands. In the final session, we will take a virtual visit to ASM’s neon shop to see how a neon sign is made.

Instructor: Chris Baker
6 weeks | Tuesdays, July 7 through August 11
5 P.M. MT (90 minutes)
Course Fee: $60 

Course Description:

In this course, we will explore a wide range of horticultural practices with something to offer no matter our experience level or where we live. We will cover container gardening, aquatic gardens, ornamental and fruiting plants, bonsai, landscape design and pest management. Each week, we will focus on a theme and examine design ideas, plant choices and long-term care practices for success. Whether we garden on 10 acres or in an apartment, we will find plenty to learn and enjoy in horticulture.

Instructor: Hardeep Singh
6 weeks | Tuesdays, July 21 through August 25
1 P.M. MT (90 minutes)
Course Fee: $60 

Course Description:

This course will help us keep ourselves and our loved ones safer in today’s complex healthcare system. Medical harm (often unintentional yet preventable) injures and kills hundreds of thousands of patients each year. We will learn how to reduce risk from common problems such as medication errors, care accidents, infections, diagnostic mistakes, and procedural or surgical complications. Through presentations, videos and discussions, patient safety experts and advocates will share practical strategies, tactics and resources to help us navigate care with greater confidence.

Instructor: Kasey Sease
6 weeks | Thursdays, July 9 through August 13
11 A.M. MT (90 minutes)
Course Fee: $60 

Course Description:

The Declaration of Independence shaped Americans long after the Revolution. This course will examine how people in Washington, D.C. invoked the Declaration and its ideas after independence--from city planners shaping the capital to Union soldiers defending it during the Civil War. We will explore how the Declaration was used to advance causes and define the nation’s civic identity. Featuring museum artifacts from the Albert H. Small Washingtoniana Collection, this course will trace D.C.’s early history through 1876, the nation’s first centennial celebration.

Instructor: Rafael Davis Portela
6 weeks | Mondays, July 20 through August 24
9 A.M. MT (90 minutes)
Course Fee: $60 

Course Description:

Streaming music, swiping photos, consuming real-time news, reading e-books – all of these activities have be transformed by digital technology. This course will explore how media is created, stored and experienced in a digitized world. We will demystify fundamentals like text files, encoding, pixels and algorithms in easy-to-understand ways – no prior computer knowledge needed. Each session examines a different medium, contrasting analog past with digital present, exploring Generative AI’s impact. Topics will include text, images, music, social media and media ownership.

Instructor: Dede Petri
6 weeks | Mondays, July 13 through August 17
11 A.M. MT (90 minutes)
Course Fee: $60 

Course Description:

As America celebrates 250 years of independence, this course examines the indispensable founder, George Washington-–his life, political leadership, and roles as farmer, entrepreneur and architect. We will also explore the groundbreaking Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association, which has owned and managed Mount Vernon since 1858, when a determined group of women without the right to vote or own property united to save Washington’s home, launching the American historic preservation movement.

Instructor: Sumru Krody
6 weeks | Mondays, July 6 through August 10
1 P.M. MT (90 minutes)
Course Fee: $60 

Course Description:

What makes an Oriental rug so captivating--elegant design, intricate pattern or mysterious origins? In this richly illustrated course, we will discover the stories woven into these textiles. We will trace the history and artistry of carpet weaving across Asia and North Africa, with examples dating from the 4th century BCE to the nineteenth century. Using expert insights and vivid images, we will explore carpet-making from Anatolia, Iran, Transcaucasia, North Africa and Central Asia, and learn to spot weaving traditions, historical periods, purposes and production.

Instructor:Eleanor Schrader
6 weeks | Wednesdays, July 15 through August 26
11 A.M. MT (90 minutes)
Course Fee: $60 

Course Description:

Often overlooked in traditional design and architecture courses, twentieth-century women designers profoundly shaped how we perceive and experience built environments, interiors and decorative objects. In this course, we will explore the work and influence of figures such as Elsie de Wolfe, Eileen Gray, Lilly Reich, Charlotte Perriand, Dorothy Draper, Ray Eames and Zaha Hadid. We will consider their lives and enduring designs within the social and political contexts they faced, and trace the lasting imprints they left on twentieth-century design.

Instructor: Lisa Stolley
6 weeks | Saturdays, April 18 through May 23
12 Noon MT (90 minutes)
Course Fee: $60 

Course Description:

The personal essay, one of the oldest forms of creative nonfiction, blends storytelling, reflection, and analysis to give voice to lived experience. In this course, we will explore the personal essay as both art and self-expression. Through readings, discussion, and writing exercises, we will study elements such as narrative arc, scene-setting, and reflection. We will draft our own essays, discovering how this enduring form helps us find our voices and tell our stories with clarity.

Instructor: Jennifer Gray
6 weeks | Tuesdays, April 21 through May 26
5 P.M. MT (90 minutes)
Course Fee: $60 

Course Description:

Frank Lloyd Wright designed nearly 1,000 buildings and helped define modern architecture. This course explores highlights of his practice, from Prairie houses to Fallingwater and the Guggenheim Museum, alongside lesser-known projects like affordable housing and city planning. We’ll examine how Wright’s work reflected cultural shifts in technology, science and politics, offering a deeper understanding of his lasting influence on architecture and modern design.