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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.

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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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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Explore 100 years of American history through objects often taken for granted in everyday life: signs. This course introduces the Museum’s 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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