History, Political Science & Law
Courses
An Update on the Supreme Court's October Term
This lecture will provide an update on the US Supreme Court's October 2024 term, which will conclude in late June or early July 2025. The lecture offers an overview of the Supreme Court's procedures and decision-making approaches and will analyze the major decisions reached by the Court in areas of the law including the First Amendment, Second Amendment, gender identity, and executive power.
Monday, July 21, TBD - UR Campus (8 seats (6%) remaining)
Monday, July 21, TBD - UR Campus (8 seats (6%) remaining)
Case Studies in Democracy
This interactive class will use case study methodology to study history via the book 'Democracy: A Case Study' by David Moss (2017). You will role-play the decision makers of the day as you analyze problems that eventually led to momentous decisions in our nation's history. Experience history in a more immersive way.
Thursdays, July 24 and 31, Aug 7, 14, 21, Synchronous Online ( No seats currently available )
Thursdays, July 24 and 31, Aug 7, 14, 21, Synchronous Online ( No seats currently available )
Estate Planning, Elder Law, IRAs
Let's talk about planning for the future. How can you ensure that your preferences and directives for your financial assets are carried out correctly? We'll discuss the legal options available to assist in making the best decisions. Elder Law will also be discussed. Questions are welcome!
Tuesday, Aug 12, TBD - UR Campus
Tuesday, Aug 12, TBD - UR Campus
Estate Walking Tours at Maymont
This walking tour explores the gardens, outbuildings and other estate features that made Maymont a showplace without equal in Gilded Age Richmond. Guests will learn about the design of the Italian garden, the arboretum comprised of rare specimen trees imported in the 1890s, and the uses of the various outbuildings.
Tuesday, July 15, Maymont Gardens
Tuesday, July 15, Maymont Gardens
Fun! Fun! Fun! The Music and Lives of the Beach Boys
Brian Wilson started the Beach Boys in 1961. Inspired by Doo-wop, their earliest songs were about themes of interest to California teens: cars, surfing, school, and love. Over the decades, they had 40 Billboard hits. Later, they introduced elements of jazz and progressive music, and their 'Pet Sounds' album is one of the best ever. We will discuss the Beach Boys as a cultural phenomenon and groove to many of their greater and lesser-known songs.
Tuesday, July 22, BUS, Ukrop Auditorium Q162
Tuesday, July 22, BUS, Ukrop Auditorium Q162
Genealogy for Beginners - Getting Started
Have you ever wanted to trace your family history, but didn't know how to begin, or became overwhelmed when you did? Then, this class is for you. Learn how to set goals and stay organized; use basic research tools, techniques, and reliable sources; and ways to ensure you have the facts. The goal is to give you skills and resources to begin discovering your ancestors and their true stories.
Mondays & Thursdays; July 7, 10, 14, 17, Special Programs Building, Room 160 (1 seats (4%) remaining)
Mondays & Thursdays; July 7, 10, 14, 17, Special Programs Building, Room 160 (1 seats (4%) remaining)
Getting the Most out of Ancestry.com
Would you like to become more efficient and productive using Ancestry.com, the largest genealogy database in the world? Join us to learn about tips and techniques to improve your searches, dos and don'ts about family trees, and the University's Library edition vs. paid subscription. Additionally, you will learn to navigate the site to find all the features and resources available such as connecting with other researchers, accessing tutorials, and learning to use the card catalog.
Monday, Aug 4, TBD - UR Campus (4 seats (10%) remaining)
Monday, Aug 4, TBD - UR Campus (4 seats (10%) remaining)
Give Me Liberty: Virginia & the Forging of a Nation
This is a guided tour of the Virginia Museum of History and Culture's exhibition: Give Me Liberty. The exhibit will inspire a deep appreciation for the continental and global forces as well as the individual actions by both iconic and ordinary people that brought about a model of democratic government that would change the world.
Friday, Aug 8, Virginia Museum of History and Culture ( No seats currently available )
Friday, Aug 8, Virginia Museum of History and Culture ( No seats currently available )
Global Population: Bomb or Collapse?
In 1968 Paul Ehrlich published 'The Population Bomb,' an influential book warning of cataclysm and widespread famine in a few short years as a consequence of too many people on the planet. Since then, global population has increased from 3 to 8 billion and is still growing. Where are we headed now? We will investigate this question, relying on population experts who offer some possible answers based on current global demographic data and trends.
Fridays, July 25 and Aug 1, WHC, Living Room (Deanery) ( No seats currently available )
Fridays, July 25 and Aug 1, WHC, Living Room (Deanery) ( No seats currently available )
Jew-Hatred: The Not-Short History of Antisemitism
We will look at the manifestations of Antisemitism, including the accusation of killing Jesus, the blood-libel, blaming the plague on the Jews, and accusing the Jews of trying to control the world. We will see the effect on Jews of the Crusades, the expulsion of Jews from countries in Western Europe, and the Inquisition.
Mondays; June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, July 7, Special Programs Building, Room 160 ( No seats currently available )
Mondays; June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, July 7, Special Programs Building, Room 160 ( No seats currently available )
NEW TOPIC: The Americans are Coming! The Americans are Coming! The Canadian Paradox
NEW TOPIC: Americans have wanted Canada since the French and Indian War when they helped create it; to the American Revolutionary War and George Washington's proposal to make it 14th state; to the War of 1812 and James Madison's overt invasion; and even the aftermath of the Civil War and William Henry Sewards's purchase of Alaska to outrun Canada to the Pacific coast. America's history is about manifest destiny; Canada's is about annexation paranoia. (Please note the changed course title and narrative, per the instructor's wishes.)
Mondays, Aug 4 and 11, TBD - UR Campus (5 seats (8%) remaining)
Mondays, Aug 4 and 11, TBD - UR Campus (5 seats (8%) remaining)
The 'Reel' Vietnam
The US military has fought in over a hundred campaigns. One, the Second Indochina War, lasted from 1955 to 1975. Public support for the war peaked in the mid-1960s but collapsed after the Tet Offensive in early 1968. This course will examine how Hollywood's treatment of the war and its participants changed over time, reflecting America's gradual disillusionment with a conflict nearly 9,000 miles from its shores.
Wednesdays; July 9, 16, 23, 30 , Synchronous Online
Wednesdays; July 9, 16, 23, 30 , Synchronous Online
The Israeli-Arab Conflict - What is All the Fighting About?
This course will provide a deep dive into the history of the Israeli-Arab conflict with a focus on the last 125 years. What are the origins of the conflict? Who were the key players involved? What are the primary and persistent sources of contention? How have periodic wars influenced peace prospects? What are some of the blueprints proposed to establish a more permanent peace?
Tuesdays; June 24, July 1, 8,15, 22, BUS, Ukrop Auditorium Q162
Tuesdays; June 24, July 1, 8,15, 22, BUS, Ukrop Auditorium Q162
Upstanders Unveiled
You probably know what a bystander is. What about an 'upstander'? Hint: It's the exact opposite. In this class, you'll learn more about upstanders and their critical role throughout history. But you'll also learn about less-known upstanders (some local) who made an impact on society, and sometimes saved lives and changed history.
Monday, July 28, Special Programs Building, Classroom 156 ( No seats currently available )
Monday, July 28, Special Programs Building, Classroom 156 ( No seats currently available )
Write Your US Military Story with Artificial Intelligence
Words of Veterans is a platform that helps US Veterans write down their military stories with the help of AI technology. AI provides a unique opportunity to help younger and older generations sharpen their writing, technical, and storytelling skills. Come learn how it's done!
Monday, Aug 18, Synchronous Online
Monday, Aug 18, Synchronous Online