Courses

The Foreign Policy Association's Great Decisions 2026 Facilitated by William Byrnes

Course Fee: $120.00 (includes Great Decisions 2026 book)

Dates: 8-week course, in person on Fridays, January 16 - March 13, 2026, excepting January 23

Time: Afternoons, 1:00pm-3:00pm

Course Description:

Prepare to discuss the World! As a staple of the winter curriculum, this annual Foreign Policy discussion series (in its 32nd year at GovState!) is designed to enhance your knowledge of international events through discussions with others interested in foreign policy.

Knowledge Exchange course leader William Byrnes returns in his 8th year as facilitator continuing with his affable ability to generate and moderate enlightening discussions!

This year's Great Decisions topics 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; and The Future of Human Rights and International Law.

The Knowledge Guest Exchange Speaker Series 2026

Fee: $80 for all 8 Topics or choose your Topics at $15 per

Dates: An 8-week course meeting on Fridays, January 16 - March 13, 2026 

Times: 10:00a.m. - 12:00p.m.

Course Description:

Enjoy this 8-week course of interactive 90-minute to 2-hour lectures by local experts.

Cinema Studies: Globally and Socially Relevant Documentaries with Suzanne Patterson

Course Fee: $80

Dates: Fridays, January 16 - March 13, 2026, excepting January 23

Time: 1:00p.m. - 3:30p.m. 

Course Description:

Suzanne returns with another 8-week Cinema Studies course turning the focus on documentaries, specifically those relevant to our current global and social landscapes.

Music Appreciation: Operettas and Classical Music with musician Ron Small

Hybrid: Join in person or over ZOOM

Course Fee: $80

Dates: Operettas: Fridays, January 16 - February 6, 2026 / Classical Music: February 13-March 6, 2026, excepting January 23

Time: 10:00a.m. - 12:00p.m.

Course Description:

Ron returns with an 8-week music appreciation class with two topics!