If you are familiar with the library resources but want to go beyond the basics, this session will explore some of the more interesting and unusual digital collections and databases. This is an advanced session that builds on the information introduced in Bounty of Boatwright.

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No session is currently available for registration

Click here to be notified about the next scheduled program.

This is the fifth semester for Book Swap. Bring a favorite book in any genre and share it with the class for 10 minutes. If you register for this class you are expected to present a book. The instructor will reach out to the registered students to discuss your book idea and help you with a suggested format. PowerPoint is optional but may be used for graphs and pictures to enhance your book discussion.

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Wednesdays; 3/26, 4/02, Special Programs Building, Room 160 (1 seats (7%) remaining)

If you enjoy curling up with a good book, blanket, and hot cup of tea, you may be a fan of cozy mysteries. In this session, we'll investigate the different types of this crime fiction sub-genre and clue in on what makes a mystery, well, cozy. Hopefully, you'll leave wanting to head to your local bookstore or library to get lost in a good book!

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Monday, 3/31, Special Programs Building, Classroom 156 ( No seats currently available )

Have you ever wondered how crossword puzzles are created? This course will appeal to those who want to construct their own crosswords, those who are simply curious about the process, and those who want to be better solvers. We will explore all steps of the crossword puzzle creation process, including tools, formats, themes, grid block arrangement, challenging clues, and more. Throughout the course, we will construct several crossword puzzles together.

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Wednesdays; April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, May 7 , Synchronous Online

Let's discuss recent events in Russia and the post-Soviet space, many of which stem from enduring ethnic tensions. The Russian Federation is home to 180 nationalities, many of which have long been in conflict. Let's examine how the Russian state under the Tsars, Soviets, and President Vladimir Putin has sought to impose uniformity, often diminishing ethnic groups. Through a historical lens, we will explore the struggles of these groups, from peaceful movements to violent resistance.

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Thursdays; 4/3, 4/10, 4/17, 4/24, 5/1, 5/8 , Synchronous Online ( No seats currently available )

In honor of Jane Austen's 250th birthday in 2025, we will explore her life, works, and legacy from a fresh perspective. Both seasoned readers and those new to Austen will appreciate experiencing the story of her authorship through images of original documents and artifacts. We will consider how and why her literary reputation grew after her death, and we will take a tour of the contemporary adaptations and retellings that continue to broaden her readership.

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Mondays; 3/31, 4/7, 4/14, 4/21, 4/28, 5/5, Synchronous Online (2 seats (15%) remaining)

Charles Cowlam's career as a convict, spy, detective, congressional candidate, adventurer, and con artist spanned the Civil War, Reconstruction, and Gilded Age. His life touched many of the most prominent figures of the era, including Abraham Lincoln, Jefferson Davis, and Ulysses S. Grant. One contemporary newspaper reported that Cowlam 'has as many aliases as there are letters in the alphabet.' He was a chameleon in a world of strangers.

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DATE and TIME CHANGE: Monday, May 12, GOTW, Auditorium Room A001 (13 seats (19%) remaining)

One scholar of Dante has written that 'The Divine Comedy' is 'a single crystal with 13,000 facets: each line reflecting the essential unity out of which the poem is made.' We will investigate key themes and ideas of this Italian Renaissance allegory with a view to enriching our knowledge of this dramatic vision. The readings will include the essay by Joseph Luzzi, 'How to Read Dante in the 21st Century,' American Scholar, March 22, 2016.

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Tuesdays; 4/15, 4/22, 4/29, 5/06, Special Programs Building, Room 160 (2 seats (8%) remaining)

Alice asks the Cheshire Cat which road to take. It asks her, 'Where do you want to go?' When Alice replies, 'I don't know,' it responds, 'Then it doesn't really matter, does it?' If you are looking for a class that does matter, enter Wonderland with Alice as she attempts to hold onto her Victorian ideas in an alternative dream world of imaginative characters, riddles, and twisted logic.

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Wednesdays; 5/07, 5/14, TBD - UR Campus ( No seats currently available )