In 1998, the American Film Institute (AFI) polled over 1500 artists and film industry leaders to gather their votes for the top 100 American films of all time. These “arbiters of excellence” chose from a list of 400 nominated films. The criteria included critical recognition, major awards won, popularity over time, historical significance, and cultural impact. Controversy ensued as often happens with any list of excellence. The AFI produced a revised list in 2007, and films were dropped, others added, some moved up, and others dropped down. This 2007 list will serve as the basis for the course. In Part 1 we will count down from #100 to #51. For each film, we will examine the historical and cultural context, the impact of each film on the art of feature narrative films and discuss why this film found its way onto this exalted list. Clips will be shown for each film. Part 2 will be offered in Spring 2022.

Fred will play several songs of these three celebrated composers on the grand piano and share stories and anecdotes.

A confusing array of streaming TV options exist beyond Netflix, Prime Video, and Hulu. In this session, we will look at the many, many options for TV programming available. We will look at what each option provides in terms of content and viewing choices. We will discuss several important issues: how to receive these channels, costs and options, how to learn about available programs on these channels, and how to find reviews of programming to help with making viewing decisions. In short, participants will learn how to consider all these options and make choices that will enhance their viewing pleasure, ensuring that they don’t miss out on the wonderful variety of programming that is available.

A confusing array of streaming TV options exist beyond Netflix, Prime Video, and Hulu. In this session, we will look at the many, many options for TV programming available. We will look at what each option provides in terms of content and viewing choices. We will discuss several important issues: how to receive these channels, costs and options, how to learn about available programs on these channels, and how to find reviews of programming to help with making viewing decisions. In short, participants will learn how to consider all these options and make choices that will enhance their viewing pleasure, ensuring that they don’t miss out on the wonderful variety of programming that is available.

The commerce and livelihoods of nations owe much to chemical substances. These substances expanded exploration, created international trade, alleviated suffering, cured debilitating (even deadly) diseases, and significantly extended the length and quality of human lives. Using selected substances as context - from folk remedies to “The Pill,” aspirin to antibiotics, salt to steroids, dyes to wonder drugs - this course will illustrate how chemistry has played a major role in shaping the trajectories of history and cultures across the ages.

This course is a follow up to An Introduction to the Orthodox Church taught during the Spring 2021 Term. This two-session course will provide an overview of the history, purpose, and importance of icons in the Orthodox Christian experience.