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- A Baha’i Response to the Decline of Organized Religion – In-Person
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As organized religion has been in rapid decline over the last 70 years, the Baha’i Community has experienced an 800% increase in membership, becoming the one of the most widespread religions in the world. Reasons for the decline in organized religion will be presented from academic sources as well as surveys by Gallup, Pew and others. From the context of Baha’i history and teaching, a critique of organized religion will be offered. The course will include time for discussion prompted by sets of key questions presented throughout the course. The class will use a Keynote format along with guest lecture presentations from contemporary pundits. Exploring an almost unobserved but major societal change, the course will consider the future of organized religion from the Baha’i perspective.
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- AI: Harari’s Warning in His Book ‘Nexus’ – In-Person
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This course will focus on the risks inherent in the fast-moving phenomenon of AI, according to Yuval Noah Harari in his book “Nexus,” published in 2024. The focus will be on the last chapter and epilogue, which he wrote specifically to warn readers that the autonomous algorithms of AI are an unprecedented threat to humanity. Each class will start with audio and video clips from the book to simultaneously hear and read. Discussion will be conducted so that everyone has an opportunity to participate.
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- College Admissions: A Guide for Mentors – In-Person
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This course explores how adults can effectively support teens through the college admission process. Students will learn how admission systems work, how educational pathways differ internationally and domestically, and how teen developmental science shapes decision-making. Instruction includes brief lectures, guided discussions and practical activities using real admission scenarios. Topics include academic planning, application timelines, financial aid basics and strategies for healthy support. No prior knowledge is required. The course presents a practical, research-informed perspective rather than surveying all theories of admissions. Sessions combine short presentations with interactive discussion and applied exercises.
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- Communicating Peace, Through History and Today – In-Person
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This course will offer a learning environment for understanding ways to communicate peace locally, nationally and internationally. With lecture slides containing texts, photos and video clips, students will explore examples of peace activism in speech, language and art. Lectures will cover great speeches, essays, poetry, music, well-known art and more. Building on historical examples, we will discuss levels and forms of human communication that convey messages to promote peace in today’s world. Students should be prepared to discuss with respect and civility all definitions and aspects of peace. No student preparation will be required, but an open mind and heart toward the fun, joy and possibility of a world at peace will be encouraged.
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- Dig Deeper Into World Events and U.S. Foreign Policy – In-Person
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Does a lot of what you hear or read about the world concern you? Do you wish you could share these concerns with others and hear their perspectives as well? In this interactive class, we’ll discuss eight topics over 10 weeks. Each topic is from a chapter in the Foreign Policy Association’s “Great Decisions 2026” booklet. This year’s topics are: 1) overview; 2) America and the world; 3) the future of the world economy; 4) U.S.-China relations; 5) the future of European security; 6) nuclear proliferation; 7) changing world order; 8) the future of international law; 9) the U.S. and Africa; 10) wrap-up. Pre-reading for each class will be assigned. Each class begins with a brief overview of the topic, followed by discussion. Diverse viewpoints across the political spectrum are encouraged.
NOTE: The “Great Decisions 2026” booklet is required reading and will be distributed at the first class. Cost: $35. Also required is a commitment to be respectful of points of view different from your own.
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- Ethics in an Age of Existential Crises – In-Person
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This course will focus on the complex ethical questions posed by certain immediate and long-term existential threats to individuals and society. Among these are the growing use of AI, the politicalization of government institutions, the effect of mass media, genetic manipulation of embryos, global climate change and pandemics. The course will be taught seminar style. Students working in small groups will be responsible for researching a topic of their choice, writing a one-page paper and making a 10-minute presentation in class. Discussion will focus on the nature of specific threats, their ethical ramifications, and the influence of philosophy, religion and science on these issues. We will inquire into whether our current value system is adequate or if a new set of values is required.
NOTE: This course is open to all students, including those who have taken it previously, since the discussion will be different.
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- Hot News & Cool Views – Online (Hybrid)
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Item Number: S26SOC139
Dates: 3/31/2026 - 6/2/2026
Times: 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Days: Tu
Sessions: 10
Maximum Enrollment: 299
Seats Available: 292
Building: Online
Room: (Zoom)
Instructor: Rick Vann
This course is an open discussion forum to explore and discuss breaking news from Oregon and around the globe each week. All differing views and opinions are not only welcome but essential to create lively discussion in the group. We cover a wide range of topics, including politics, climate change, technology and medicine. An agenda with articles will be sent to you before each class. Students are also encouraged to send in topics and news articles to add to each week’s agenda. Please join us for a sizzling hot journey around the world in our fast, fun and sometimes controversial class whose success is largely a product of the wisdom, knowledge and experience of our great group. Many people take the class again because it’s better than a strong cup of coffee to get your week going!
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- Hot News & Cool Views – In-Person (Hybrid)
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Item Number: S26SOC139A
Dates: 3/31/2026 - 6/2/2026
Times: 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Days: Tu
Sessions: 10
Maximum Enrollment: 32
Seats Available: 20
Building: Campbell Center (opens in new tab)
Room: Room A
Instructor: Rick Vann
This course is an open discussion forum to explore and discuss breaking news from Oregon and around the globe each week. All differing views and opinions are not only welcome but essential to create lively discussion in the group. We cover a wide range of topics, including politics, climate change, technology and medicine. An agenda with articles will be sent to you before each class. Students are also encouraged to send in topics and news articles to add to each week’s agenda. Please join us for a sizzling hot journey around the world in our fast, fun and sometimes controversial class whose success is largely a product of the wisdom, knowledge and experience of our great group. Many people take the class again because it’s better than a strong cup of coffee to get your week going!
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- Ranked Choice Voting to Elect Community Leaders – Online
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Item Number: S26SOC121
Dates: 4/28/2026 - 5/5/2026
Times: 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Days: Tu
Sessions: 2
Maximum Enrollment: 53
Seats Available: 41
Building: Online
Room: (Zoom)
Instructor: Barbara Klein
Ranked choice voting has grown in popularity around the U.S. You may know of it but want to learn more. This class will cover both basics and in-depth information. For instance, we’ll discuss electing a single mayor versus multiple council members with proportional representation. We’ll answer questions such as: What’s the difference between RCV and our current system? How are ballots designed? How is tallying done? How would elections function in national, state or local communities? How might it affect gerrymandering wars? No prior knowledge is necessary. There are no assignments, but optional reading may be suggested. The class will feature lecture, slides, videos and interactive discussion via Zoom. Class 1 will focus on single-winner elections; class 2 will address multiple winners. All respectful views welcomed.
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- Rediscovering Presence in a Screen-Focused World – In-Person
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This is a six-week reading and discussion course for adults who have lived long enough to know what matters, who feel the erosion of genuine connection in a device-driven world, and who want their voices heard again in honest dialogue with the people they love. The text and in-class discussions will help participants better understand the ways that digital communication has been eroding the connective tissue between us and help us explore new ways we can change that dynamic. There will be weekly readings, journaling prompts and in-class invitations to share personal experiences as we look into the ways we seniors can give and receive more substantive contributions with our loved ones.
NOTE: Required reading: “Reclaiming Conversation” by Sherry Turkle. Any edition is acceptable. No previous knowledge is required except for participants’ regular use of basic digital communication tools and devices such as smartphones, tablets and computers, and familiarity with social media like Facebook and Instagram.
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- The Constitution in Everyday Life – Online
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Item Number: S26SOC146-1
Dates: 4/1/2026 - 4/22/2026
Times: 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Days: W
Sessions: 4
Maximum Enrollment: 30
Seats Available: 8
Building: Online
Room: (Zoom)
Instructor: Betsy Massie
We are experiencing challenges to our democracy that we have not had since the Civil War. This course will explore contemporary issues that contain constitutional questions. We will be looking at current events, but the prism through which we will study these events is through the Constitution.
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- The Constitution in Everyday Life – Online
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Item Number: S26SOC146-2
Dates: 4/1/2026 - 4/22/2026
Times: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Days: W
Sessions: 4
Maximum Enrollment: 30
Seats Available: 12
Building: Online
Room: (Zoom)
Instructor: Betsy Massie
We are experiencing challenges to our democracy that we have not had since the Civil War. This course will explore contemporary issues that contain constitutional questions. We will be looking at current events, but the prism through which we will study these events is through the Constitution.
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- The Power of the Consumer – In-Person
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Beginning with a discussion of some basic economic concepts, we will delve into how consumerism drives our economy and, in particular, why consumers act as they do. We’ll discuss the specific timeline from the early 20th century to the present and how government policymaking shaped consumerism, using the BBC documentary “Century of the Self” covering these decades. In particular, we will focus on why people make consumer decisions, how public relations and advertising firms influence those decisions, and how our government shapes the processes. We will also talk about the evolution of Walmart, Amazon, artificial intelligence and data mining.
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- U.S. Lesbians: As American as America the Beautiful – In-Person
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This course will examine the enormous impact lesbian activists have had on women’s suffrage and voting, labor and working conditions, unionization, education, service to poor and immigrant communities, Social Security legislation and professional development from the late 1800s to the 1950s. Many lesbians either chaired or were part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s “Ladies Brain Trust” and helped Labor Secretary Frances Perkins draft essential human welfare legislation, including Social Security and the Fair Labor Standards Act, legislation that still serves us today. Lecture and discussion will be included.
NOTE: Required text: “To Believe in Women” by Lillian Faderman (1999).
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- Washington Watch – In-Person
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This is a discussion class on news out of the nation’s capital, including the activities of President Trump and his administration, actions by Congress and decisions of the Supreme Court and lower federal courts. We will begin with brief opening comments, based on the instructor’s personal experiences in Washington as a reporter and working for the legislative and executive branches of the federal government. Relevant comments by knowledgeable observers will be distributed each week ahead of classes and during class time. All viewpoints will be welcome during class, with everyone strongly encouraged to show respect for those with differing opinions. The goal will be for those in class to leave with a greater understanding of events and how today’s developments fit within a historical context of the relationships among the three branches of the federal government.
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- Washington Watch – In-Person
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This is a discussion class on news out of the nation’s capital, including the activities of President Trump and his administration, actions by Congress and decisions of the Supreme Court and lower federal courts. We will begin with brief opening comments, based on the instructor’s personal experiences in Washington as a reporter and working for the legislative and executive branches of the federal government. Relevant comments by knowledgeable observers will be distributed each week ahead of classes and during class time. All viewpoints will be welcome during class, with everyone strongly encouraged to show respect for those with differing opinions. The goal will be for those in class to leave with a greater understanding of events and how today’s developments fit within a historical context of the relationships among the three branches of the federal government.
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