Public Affairs, Current Events, and Politics   

Each week participants will consider a different critical or current issue. The group will analyze at least three perspectives or viewpoints for addressing this issue. We will use the Deliberative Democracy framework to thoughtfully review each of these ideas. Topics will be selected by the group in a survey in the first session. Class members are encouraged to bring open minds and analytical thinking to our discussion-oriented class.

This is a discussion of the current week's events in the first hour. Dick will do the first week overview. Then the facilitators would like two people in class to volunteer each week to do an overview of the week before. The second hour will be a discussion of a specific topic. The facilitators of this class express a progressive point of view on American politics. They welcome conservative or other points of view and encourage discussion as part of our learning experience.

This is a discussion of the current week's events in the first hour. Dick will do the first week overview. Then we would like 2 people in class to volunteer each week to do this overview of the week before. The second hour will be a discussion of a specific topic. The facilitators of this class express a progressive point of view on American politics. They welcome conservative or other points of view and encourage discussion as part of our learning experience.

This class will be based on the format of dialogue, which exemplifies the heart of democracy. The facilitators propose to discover together with participants what constitutes a deep and resilient democracy. A sample of some questions that will be considered is as follows: What virtues does democracy require of individuals, members of institutions, and society at large? What inspiration and practical advice will we be able to offer ourselves and our grandchildren as a consequence of our exploration? The facilitators leave you with this quote by Buckminster Fuller: "You can never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete."

Required text: John Keane, The Shortest History of Democracy, The Paperback Edition

Great Decisions is a course on United States foreign policy. Each week, we will focus on a specific topic related to that policy from a U.S. perspective. Other perspectives on that policy topic are valued and encouraged. In addition, each week the class will watch a video, prepared by the Foreign Policy Association, to further define the week’s topic. Students are encouraged to provide their thoughts and opinions on the presented materials and be ready to discuss with and learn from their classmates. Topics included are:

• America and the World: Trump 2.0 Foreign Policy
• Trump Tariffs and the Future of the World Economy
• U.S.-China Relations
• Ruptured Alliances and the Risk of Nuclear Proliferation
• Ukraine and the Future of European Security
• Multilateral Institutions in a Changing World Order
• U.S. Engagement of Africa
• The Future of Human Rights and International Law

Required text: Great Decisions Briefing Book 2026 available from the Foreign Policy Association.

Great Decisions 2026 is a course on United States foreign policy. Each week, we will focus on a specific topic related to that policy from a U.S. perspective. Other perspectives on that policy topic are valued and encouraged. In addition, each week the class will watch a video, prepared by the Foreign Policy Association, to further define the week’s topic. Students are encouraged to provide their thoughts and opinions on the presented materials and be ready to discuss with and learn from their classmates. Topics included are:

• America and the World: Trump 2.0 Foreign Policy
• Trump Tariffs and the Future of the World Economy
• U.S.-China Relations
• Ruptured Alliances and the Risk of Nuclear Proliferation
• Ukraine and the Future of European Security
• Multilateral Institutions in a Changing World Order
• U.S. Engagement of Africa
• The Future of Human Rights and International Law

Required text: Great Decisions Briefing Book 2026 available from the Foreign Policy Association.

How much do you really know about the American Indian? Where did the American Indian come from? What about the wars between the American Indian and the white man? What are some of their ceremonies, and what is a powwow? What happened at boarding schools? Have you ever seen an American Indian opera with its story of song and dance? Learn the influence of American Indian music and jazz shared in a film titled Spirit. See the facilitator's examples of American Indian art forms, such as paintings, weavings, pottery, and jewelry. Bring your examples of American Indian art to share with the class. Who were code-talkers of World War I and II? View and learn of American Indian poverty versus wealth through casinos. This information will be shared using PowerPoint presentations, DVDs, discussions, and your impressions of what you may or may not know about the American Indian.

This class will feature two or more videos per session, followed by a discussion of the subjects featured in each video. The films will be primarily documentaries and TED Talks focused on issues of importance and current interest. These topics are guaranteed to be wide-ranging. Please join us and bring your curiosity, discussion skills, and sense of humor.

Three hundred million people are migrating every year globally. We hear about the horrors of Gaza, Syria, and Afghanistan, but far more people are migrating from violence and starvation in various parts of Africa in wars that have been going on for years. The UN has declared that Sudan is the most serious humanitarian disaster in the world, but more people are escaping from Venezuela than any other country. Why are these events happening, what future ones can we expect, and how is it that most migration is for economic reasons? Migration into Europe and America has been reduced, but what does the future hold? This class will give you the answers to these and many other important questions.

Three hundred million people are migrating every year globally. We hear about the horrors of Gaza, Syria, and Afghanistan, but far more people are migrating from violence and starvation in various parts of Africa in wars that have been going on for years. The UN has declared that Sudan is the most serious humanitarian disaster in the world, but more people are escaping from Venezuela than any other country. Why are these events happening, what future ones can we expect, and how is it that most migration is for economic reasons? Migration into Europe and America has been reduced, but what does the future hold? This class will give you the answers to these and many other important questions.