History & Contemporary Issues

A QUEER HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND

Megan Linger | M.A., History, Simmons University People we would today describe as queer have always existed, even though they described themselves and their experiences in different ways. Whether they lived quiet, little-documented lives or became the celebrated luminaries of their time, queer New Englanders found ways to survive and, even through the simplest of acts, make history. This course will tell a mainly chronological story and will occasionally peek outside of New England to establish the broader cultural context of the given time. Handouts—including primary sources—and a bibliography provided.

COURSE CODE: QHST Sec. 01: 6 Thursdays, 6-8pm. Begins Oct. 7 | $175 No class Nov. 11

SPECIAL HISTORIC PLACES ALONG THE SOUTH COAST

Elizabeth Merrick | Author The South Coast of Massachusetts stretches along beautiful Buzzards Bay. Its towns and cities are rich in history, and they are all just an easy day trip from Boston. In this class, we’ll highlight a diverse array of historic sites in numerous South Coast communities. You’ll be able to plan your perfect day trips (or weekends!) focused on history and heritage, never far from the bay and rivers that define this region.

COURSE CODE: SCOA Sec. 01: Wednesday, 6-7:30pm. Oct. 6 | $40

EXPLORING HISTORIC HOUSE MUSEUMS IN GREATER BOSTON

Elizabeth Merrick | Author The Boston area abounds in historic houses; many of them are open to the public. Join Elizabeth on a journey to explore some of the unique and often lesser-known historic house museums in Greater Boston through a slide show and discussion. Come away with an exciting array of options for local excursions into the past. Students in the class will also receive a copy of the instructor Elizabeth Merrick’s book, Be There Then: Exploring Greater Boston’s Historic House Museums.

COURSE CODE: HBOS Sec. 01: Wednesday, 5:30-7pm. Nov. 17 | $40

THEY DID WHAT? HISTORICAL TRIVIA

Brian Bixby | Ph.D. in History, UMass Amherst Celebrate the return of in person classes with old friends and new classmates by having some fun: a game of historical trivia! Questions will be drawn from the instructors’ many history courses, plus additional questions from world history and notable women for newer students. Some snacks and light refreshments, including wine and seltzer, will be provided. Tuition includes the cost of drinks and snacks.

COURSE CODE: TRIV Sec. 01: Thursday, 2:30-4pm. Sep. 30 | $35

THE U.S. CONSTITUTION: A HISTORY

Brian Bixby | Ph.D. in History, UMass Amherst It’s the founding document of this nation, but how much do you really know about how the Constitution became the rules for the Federal Government? This class examines the origins of the Founding Fathers’ political thinking, why the Articles of Confederation were replaced by the Constitution, and how the Constitution has been interpreted by the Supreme Court and significantly altered by Reconstruction, the Progressive Era, and to a lesser extent since World War II. Handouts and bibliography provided.

COURSE CODE: CONS Sec. 01: 5 Wednesdays, 3-5pm. Begins Sep. 22 | $160

EARLY HOLY ROMAN EMPIRE & THE

BEGINNING OF MODERN EUROPE (800 – 1500)

Anatole Sykley | Historian and Member of the WWI Historical Society Emperor Charlemagne’s vision for “A Holy Roman Empire” in 800: a united Western Europe that mimicked the glory days of the Ancient Roman Empire. This era, which saw new cathedrals and libraries built to sweep away the European memory of the “Dark Ages,” fell apart after Charlemagne’s death when his sons warred against each other. The Holy Roman Empire would resurrect, however, through German/ Austrian Emperors such as Barbarossa and Maximilian and would later form the major states comprising modern Europe. This class will examine the legacy of the first emperors of the Holy Roman Empire, as well as the special events that were precursors to the Hapsburg Empire of later centuries.

COURSE CODE: EHRE Sec. 01: 8 Tuesdays, 3-5pm. Begins Sep. 14 | $250

THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH:

THE HABSBURGS

Brian Bixby | Ph.D. in History, UMass Amherst Theirs was the first empire on which the sun never set. They could lose wars and still gain territory. This course will trace the rise of one of Europe’s oldest dynasties from its obscure origins in Switzerland to its domination of Europe in the days of Charles V, and then its gradual decline and loss of power in the aftermath of World War I. Chronological and bibliographical handouts provided.

COURSE CODE: HAPS Sec. 01: 6 Wednesdays, 3-5pm. Begins Nov. 3 | $190

SACRED ART OF THE BYZANTINES:

ICONS & ICONOGRAPHY

Anatole Sykley | Historian and Member of the WWI Historical Society The Byzantine Empire left a legacy of more than 1,000 years of territorial expansions and contractions. The Byzantines’ artistic legacy was their use of religious iconography in support of their religious, military, and political missions. This class, taught by an Orthodox Christian, will examine old and recent works of iconography and sacred paintings, as well as the events and tragedies that befell the Byzantine Empire. The class will investigate this era’s influence on other eras such as the Renaissance and the Italo-Byzantine art movement, and will also explore to what extent the wide-spread use of icons in the Eastern Orthodox Church is a legacy of the Byzantine Empire, or an expression of local culture and identity of peoples from Greece, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Russia, Serbia, and other lands.

COURSE CODE: BYZI Sec. 01: 6 Mondays, 3-5pm. Begins Sep. 13 | $190 No class Oct. 11

RIVALS FOR THE SECRETS OF THE

UNIVERSE: MARIE CURIE AND ALBERT EINSTEIN (1900 – 1920)

Anatole Sykley | Historian and Member of the WWI Historical Society In the late 1890s and early 1900s, a man and a woman transformed our understanding of the sources of energy in the universe. In Paris, a Polish émigré, Marie Curie triumphed in finding new sources of energy within rocks that had remained locked underground for millions of years. Meanwhile in Zurich, a young Jewish patent clerk Albert Einstein wondered about a conundrum: if we know about and see everything in the universe by means of light, then does the speed of light itself limit what we know and see? Marie Curie studied inwards towards the secrets of the atom, while Einstein studied outwards towards the edges of the universe and what keeps it together. Yet both were looking for the same answers to the same questions. What did they conclude? What did they agree upon? And did the world react to and acknowledge both of their discoveries with equal acclaim?

COURSE CODE: ATOM Sec. 01: 6 Mondays, 6-8pm. Begins Sep. 13 | $190 No class Oct. 11

THE BLUEST EYE: THE INTERSECTION OF RACE, GENDER, GENERATION AND DISABILITY

Joshua Frank | Local Educator In this course, we will do a close reading of Toni Morrison’s first novel, The Bluest Eye from an intersectional perspective, with close attention to the narrative of disability in the novel. We will examine how Pecola’s identity as a person with a disability serves to reinforce the marginalization and oppression she experiences as a black girl, both within her own community and within broader society.

COURSE CODE: BEYE Sec. 01: 4 Thursdays, 3:30-5:30pm. Begins Oct. 7 | $135

WHITE PEOPLE CHALLENGING RACISM: MOVING FROM TALK TO ACTION—PART I

Jane Appleyard Allen and Colin Stokes | Co-facilitators People of all racial identities are welcome to join us as we focus on the role of white people in dismantling racism and building a just society. In these workshops, we use a multi-pronged approach to growing both our understanding and our capacity for action. In part 1 we’ll examine the impact of white privilege and how being unaware of that advantage helps perpetuate racism. We’ll discuss short readings, videos, podcasts and other materials to enhance our understanding. We will share everyday situations we have confronted and using role plays, work out effective ways to respond to and challenge racism. Each participant will develop a specific plan for challenging racism (in the workplace, organizations, community and personal circles) and will be encouraged to find other people in their lives who can provide support and serve as allies in implementing the plan.

COURSE CODE: WPCR Sec. 01: 5 Thursdays, 7-9pm. Begins Oct. 21 | $150 No class Nov. 11 & 25

SHOWING UP RIGHT: POWER AND IDENTITY FOR VOLUNTEERS

Laurie Rothstein | Cambridge Volunteer Clearinghouse Chandra Banks | Ed.M., Districtwide Conflict Mediator for Cambridge Public Schools District This two hour workshop offers participants an interactive opportunity to explore the impact of power and identity on volunteer work. For volunteers and agency staff. The conversations are guided by experienced DEI discussion leaders. Attendees are invited to attend multiple sessions.

COURSE CODE: VLNC Sec. 01: Wednesday, 1-3pm. Sep. 29 | Free

VOLUNTEER IN CAMBRIDGE:

MEET THE AGENCIES

Laurie Rothstein | Cambridge Volunteer Clearinghouse Looking at current and year-round volunteer opportunities, these workshops offer participants a chance to hear directly from local nonprofit agencies about available volunteer positions, meet volunteer managers, and ask questions about the agencies, application process, and volunteer experience. The workshops are led by Cambridge Volunteer Clearinghouse Director Laurie Rothstein in partnership with agency volunteer managers.

COURSE CODE: VLNT Sec. 01: Thursday, 1-2:30pm. Sep. 23 | Free Sec. 02: Thursday, 1-2:30pm. Oct. 14 | Free Sec. 03: Thursday, 1-2:30pm. Nov. 18 | Free