What caused massive numbers of Irish, Germans and Italians to come to our shores in the 19th and early 20th centuries? What was the reaction of the native-born to these strangers? To what extent did the newcomers try to stick together, blend in, advance or return to their old country? What contributions did these immigrants, and their offspring make to this country?

What caused massive numbers of Irish, Germans and Italians to come to our shores in the 19th and early 20th centuries? What was the reaction of the native-born to these strangers? To what extent did the newcomers try to stick together, blend in, advance or return to their old country? What contributions did these immigrants, and their offspring make to this country?

J.R.R. Tolkien, the greatest fantasy writer of the 20th century, drew profound inspiration from medieval northwestern European literature for his works, "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy. This course explores the ancient literary influences on Tolkien, such as "Beowulf," the Icelandic "Njal's Saga," the legend of King Arthur and Merlin, the Irish epic "The Táin," and "The Romance of Tristan and Iseult." We'll also delve into Tolkien's life, his fascination with languages, his WWI experiences, and themes like riddles, runes, vows, curses, valkyries, and quests. Familiarity with "The Hobbit" or "The Lord of the Rings" is helpful but not required, as we'll use audio excerpts and videos to understand the legends that inspired Tolkien's work.

Instructor Bio: Vic Peterson is the author of "The Berserkers" (Hawkwood 2022/Recital 2023), set in a fictional Nordic country. He worked as a business executive and now divides his time between Lawrence, Kansas, and Northport, Michigan.

We'll explore the development of sub-surface coal mining in Crawford and Cherokee counties, making them the center of "King" Coal and resulting in milestones such as Pittsburg reaching 50,000 residents and UMWA membership exceeding 16,000, making it the world's zinc smelting capital. We'll also examine the emergence of area tycoons such as Mackie, Clemmons, and Spencer.

These historic rivalries started in the 1890s and continue to the current times. The coaches we will discuss include, KU's Jack Mitchell, NE's Bob Devaney and MO's Dan Devine. A few of the outstanding players include: Gale Sayers, John Hadl, Johnny Rogers, and Kellen Winslow. 

Instructor Bio: Bernie Kish has taught sport management classes at KU since 2005. He has authored the chapter on KU Athletics in the recently published book Transforming the University of Kansas: A history, 1965- 2015. Kish is a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving on active duty for over 29 years and completing his service as a full colonel.

French culture, influenced by geography, history, and diverse factors, has centered on Paris as a hub of high culture since the 17th century. We'll delve into bistros, cafes, and the culinary creations of renowned chefs, from haute cuisine to cuisine bourgeoise, and explore vibrant food markets. Our exploration spans tradition and innovation, showcasing crispy baguettes, rich cheeses, and exquisite pastries. 

Instructor Bio: Chef Larry Canepa is a certified culinary educator with over 40 years of food and beverage experience and 20 years of teaching cooking, food and culture, and STEAM-focused classes. He has taught culinary classes at Le Cordon Bleu, the International Culinary School at the Art Institute, corporate wellness events, libraries, community centers, and other venues.

Japanese food is renowned for its refinement and elegance, with centuries of honed preparation and presentation. Its flavors are pure and delicate, celebrating seasonal produce with a focus on natural ingredients. 

Instructor Bio: Chef Larry Canepa is a certified culinary educator with over 40 years of food and beverage experience and 20 years of teaching cooking, food and culture, and STEAM-focused classes. He has taught culinary classes at Le Cordon Bleu, the International Culinary School at the Art Institute, corporate wellness events, libraries, community centers, and other venues.

This course explores several aspects of Scotland's physical and human geography. It is roughly divided into sections on its astounding physiography, Precambrian geology and natural resources, followed by contributions of key ethnic groups (Picts, Scots and Norse) to its cultural history. We'll discuss "the true inventors of the social sciences," Adam Smith, James Watt, David Hume, James Hutton and Sir Walter Scott. We'll also compare two great cities, Edinburgh and Glasgow, with quite different origins and cultural characters. Finally, we'll explore the country's (is it a country?) dynamic political geography, including political parties and the highly charged, contentious issue of independence.

Instructor Bio: Tom Schmiedeler, Ph.D., is Professor Emeritus of geography at Washburn University.

We'll explore the economic, political, and cultural impact of U.S. railroad corporations, passenger, and freight trains, as well as workers who built, ran and maintained them. Focusing on years from the Civil War to the present, the class emphasizes not only the Union Pacific-Central Pacific transcontinental route, but also lines in Kansas and Kansas City like the Santa Fe and the Rock Island.

Mindfulness is the mental state achieved by focusing on the present moment while acknowledging one's feelings, thoughts, and sensations. Meditation, akin to gym exercise, enhances mindfulness away from everyday life. In this course, we'll focus on art to achieve a mentally clear, emotionally calm, and stable state. 

Instructor Bio: Susan Pingleton, M.D., is professor emerita at the University of Kansas Medical Center, where she was a clinician-educator. Her interests include art and art history. She is involved in local art organizations, including KC/Arts, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, and a member of the art committee at KU Med.

Before appearing in Disney movies and "The Lord of the Rings," trolls, dragons, elves, and dwarves were part of Norse folklore from medieval Scandinavia, a diverse region from present-day western Russia to Greenland. This rich tradition inspired memorable figures in children's literature and contemporary fantasy. Topics include runes, symbols, divination, mythical beings, wandering magicians, classic fairytales, and modern adaptations by Disney and Marvel. No prior knowledge is needed; we'll use audio excerpts and videos in class. 

Instructor Bio: Vic Peterson is the author of "The Berserkers" (Hawkwood 2022/Recital 2023), set in a fictional Nordic country. He worked as a business executive and now divides his time between Lawrence, Kansas, and Northport, Michigan.

Stephen Schwartz has carved out a distinctive Broadway and Hollywood career for more than four decades, serving as lyricist and composer for such shows as Godspell (1971), Pippin (1972), The Magic Show (1974), The Baker's Wife (1976), Children of Eden (1991), The Prince of Egypt (1998), and Wicked (2003), among others, and as lyricist for such Disney animated features as Pocahontas (1995) and The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996). This course will be a detailed look at Schwartz's career, his fruitful collaborations, and the