Previous Offerings
FALL 2021
Journey into Europe: Islam, Immigration, and Identity
Ambassador Akbar Ahmed
Monday, September 20 – 6:30 pm–7:30 pm (US Eastern Standard Time)
Ambassador Akbar Ahmed, Ibn Khaldun Chair of Islamic Studies at American University, will discuss Islam in Europe and around the world, and the challenges of immigration and identity with Dr. Omar Ali, Dean of Lloyd International Honors College at UNC Greensboro. One session.
The History & Politics of Street Art Around the World
Sue Davies
Sundays, September 26 and October 3 – 12:00 pm–1:30 pm (US Eastern Standard Time)
Over the past decades, street art has evolved from an illegal and persecuted street activity by youth, mainly young men, to a celebrated art form around the world. This class will explore the history and politics of street art. We will be viewing all forms of street art, including graffiti, murals, stenciling, wheat pasting, tagging, and bombing. We will explore the question of what is art and who gets to answer that question. The class will include videos of street artists speaking about their work. Topics for discussion will include: street art as a tool for democratizing art, graffiti vs. street art, the commodification of street art, the relationship between street art and gentrification, women and LGBTQ+ street artist, street art as a tool for community development and other topics. Students will be encouraged to go out street art hunting and to bring photos of street art to the second class. Two sessions.
Memoir Writing
Henry Ferris & Susan Massad, M.D.
Wednesdays, September 29 and October 6 – 2:00 pm–3:30 pm (US Eastern Standard Time)
Writing your own story is exhilarating, thrilling, nerve-wracking and cathartic. Emotions run high and the drama is real. In this two-part class, you will discover the skills needed to unfold a narrative, realize characters, compose dialogue and find the words that tell the story inside you in a compelling way. Veteran book editor Henry Ferris and veteran writing teacher Susan Massad will provide you with tips and pointers to help you focus on the right tale, the themes you want to explore, and proven methods for making it all come alive on the page. You will write during class and receive guidance on how to improve and keep going forward with your writing. Join us and bring your story out to the world! Two sessions. Enrollment limited to 30 students.
Improv for Everyone
Marian Rich
Monday, October 18 – 10:30 am–11:45 am (US Eastern Standard Time)
“The heart of improvisation is transformation.” – Viola Spolin
Improvisation, the ability to actively listen, accept “offers” from fellow performers, and create something new together, is a vital life skill. Learn the basics of improv—group warm ups and “yes, and” scenes—from Marian Rich, a talented teacher, improvisational performer and co-founder of the Global Play Brigade. Since this is Improv for everyone, no experience necessary! One session.
Africans in India: Siddis in the Global African Diaspora
Jazmin Graves, Ph.D.
Tuesday, October 19 – 6:00 pm–7:15 pm (US Eastern Standard Time)
Dr. Jazmin Graves, Assistant Professor of African American and African Diaspora Studies (AADS), who recently completed her Ph.D. at the University of Chicago will discuss her research on the communities of African-descended people in India with Dr. Omar Ali as part of this AADS Conversation with the Community/Let’s Learn! initiative. One session.
Play, Community, and the Global Play Brigade
Cathy Salit
Thursday, October 21 – 12:00 pm–1:00 pm (US Eastern Standard Time)
An accomplished stage performer and co-founder of Global Play Brigade: Play it Forward. Change our World, Cathy Salit will discuss her work using play and performance to help build a global community of ‘players’ during the pandemic … and beyond! The session will include practical (playful) tips on performing that can help everyone be more creative and connect with others. One session.
An opera composed by Aaron Siegel, libretto by Susan Massad
Friday, October 22 – 6:30-7:15 pm (US Eastern Standard Time)
“The Crisis” is an opera based on an unfortunate and all-too-common experience in a NYC emergency room.
Singers: Sishel Claverie, Tomas Cruz, Gabriel Hernandez, Joshua Jeremiah, Emily Suuberg
Piano: Dima Glivinskiy
Creating the opera changed everything. Come hear this beautiful musical piece and join us in the conversation that follows.