Anna Celenza | Georgetown University

Saturdays, 11:00am – 12:15pm ET, February 20, 27, & March 6, 2021

Key to the history of jazz is its connection to recorded sound. Jazz was the first musical genre shaped by modern sound technology — the first world-wide music phenomenon. Exploring the various facets and histories of jazz is the central goal of this course. Each class session will focus on understanding the shifting meanings of the music as it moves through various cultural/political contexts. Together, we will listen to a range of recordings — all with the goal of discovering what makes jazz so vital to America’s multi-faceted identity.

$89

Catherine Sanderson | Amherst College

Saturdays, 11:00am – 12:15pm ET, March 20, 27, & April 3, 2021

This up to the minute course will examine some of the most fascinating questions about human nature, including:  How do social norms guide virtually all aspects of our lives, from what we wear, to the car we drive, to how we vote. Why do people in groups tend to behave badly? Is there wisdom in crowds?  Why do people engage in prosocial behavior, from donating to charity to volunteering to giving blood? Is altruism rooted in our biology, a desire to feel good about ourselves, or true concern and compassion for others? How do money, age, and marriage influence happiness?  What are the three components of well-being? We’ll explore how psychological factors influence virtually all aspects of our lives, and learn science-based strategies for finding greater happiness.

$89

Austin Sarat | Amherst College

Saturdays, 11:00am – 12:15pm ET, April 10, 17, & 24, 2021

Signs that American democracy is in trouble are all around us. From decreasing public support for democratic principles to partisan “tribalism,” and blind allegiance to one belief or another.  From the January 6 attack on the Capitol to the widespread belief that the presidential election was “stolen,” our once proud democratic traditions are in tatters. This course will look closely at our current situation and examine the factors that have contributed to this situation — economic inequality, racial discrimination, governmental gridlock, and the rise of partisan media. We will also examine the unique American history that both produced and limited America’s brand of democratic politics and consider what virtues and values democracy presupposes and cultivates. The course will conclude with a focus on how we can rescue and reform democracy and refresh it for the 21st century.

$89

William Schragis | Culinary Institute of America

Thursdays, 7:00pm – 8:30pm ET, April 22 & 29, 2021

Wine is made to be enjoyed, but so much of what makes it special can seem inaccessible. This brand new two-part class will cover the basics of wine in the world today and discuss what is exciting and popular from the perspective of the budding enthusiast, business insider, and seasoned collector.

$89

Louis Masur | Rutgers University

Saturdays, 11:30am – 1:00pm ET, May 1 & 8, 2021

This course offers a detailed and intimate look at Abraham Lincoln and Ulysses S. Grant whose partnership won the Civil War and set the terms for Reconstruction. Acclaimed historian Louis Masur will introduce students to the backgrounds of each figure, narrate their early struggles to succeed, and detail their efforts in peace and war to preserve the nation. Lincoln was a president who served as commander in chief and Grant was a general who became president. One witness to their first meeting in 1864 recalled “the two men had many traits in common, and there were numerous points of resemblance in their remarkable careers.” By exploring their similarities—and their differences— we will come to a deeper appreciation of them as individuals and leaders who worked tirelessly on the nation’s behalf.

$89

Professor Marc Lapadula | Yale University

Thursdays, 7:00pm – 8:30pm ET, February 11, 18, 2021

In addition to the seductive allure of Television in the 1950s, the intrusion of the House Un-American Activities Committee and its concomitant blacklist decimated the ranks of talented actors, producers, screenwriters, composers and directors and threatened to drain Hollywood’s once seemingly depthless talent pool. With this in mind, how did the decade of the 1950s and its after-effects that spilled over into the early 1960s manage to produce some of the most outstanding, provocative and controversial cinematic achievements in the history of the movies? The treacherous web of political limitations imposed at this time forced filmmakers to become much more sophisticated in the articulation and dissemination of their jaundiced view of society, compelling them to disguise their true artistic intentions and scathing critique of a culture headed towards self-destruction behind a mask of clever genre thrills. We will closely examine two outstanding films in their entirety that are shining examples

$89

Professor Tina Rivers-Ryan | Albright-Knox Art Gallery ( Formerly of Columbia University)

Saturdays, 1:00pm – 2:30pm ET, February 6 and 13, 2021

The Course will be taught by art historian and curator Dr. Tina Rivers Ryan. Although she has been lecturing with One Day University for a decade, Dr. Ryan has never spoken before about these masterpieces — until now! The extended format of the Premium Course will allow her to give these paintings the attention they deserve, placing them into the context of each artist’s career and the larger history of art. You won’t want to miss this opportunity to hear her informative, accessible interpretations of these iconic works.

$89