Politics & Current Events   

This course examines the issues confronting participatory democracy. How have the problems developed and what can be done to save our democracy. Repeat in-person course with new content.  Format includes lecture and discussion

This course explores the significance of “deep conversation” for democratic forms of governance. It is fundamental that difficult conversations involving disagreement and misunderstanding are worth having and, with the right approach, can be insightful, creative, and even fun. The course draws on the backgrounds of the instructors in cybernetics, appreciative inquiry, and constitutional democracy and is itself conversational. It does not require any particular background of the participants.

New in-person course. Format includes lecture and discussion.

SUGGESTED BOOK: Conversations Worth Having, Jackie Stavros & Cheri Torres, ISBN 978 1523094011

Considering current ecological and political conditions, do you believe that our global civilization has begun to descend towards an inevitable collapse? If so, how shall we live on the bumpy ride to the bottom? Might we learn to savor the gift of this life, in these times? Guided by Brian McLaren’s book Life After Doom and other sources, we will engage in mutually supportive dialogue that considers these questions. The aim is to find common ground in accepting what we cannot control and building a community of people who support the well-being of all humans and all life on Earth.

New remote course. Format includes lecture and discussion.

SUGGESTED BOOK: Life After Doom, Brian McLaren, ISBN 9781250893277

This course will examine the profound effects of the Supreme Court of the United States on the lives of all people. It will examine the workings of the court by examining representative cases. We will discuss efforts to reform the court and the chances for improvement. Repeat in-person course with new content. Format includes lecture and discussion.

This workshop will discuss the history of the Second Amendment. In addition, we will discuss recent Supreme Court interpretations of the Second Amendment and the ongoing litigation to apply these interpretations to modern day gun regulations. The ability/inability of states to address gun violence based on recent judicial rulings will be a part of the workshop discussion.  Formats include lecture.