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First published anonymously in 1813, Pride and Prejudice is justly considered Jane Austen’s masterpiece. It is filled with memorable characters (Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy, to name two) and with themes that have resonated with a wide range of readers across eras and cultures. Let’s gather to take a close look at this remarkable classic, with a focus on its historical backdrop, its characters, its themes, and its staying power, as well as the ways it has been adapted and parodied over the years.

In Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, universalist historian Yuval Harari has written one of those rare books that does not teach but rather challenges the reader to think about REALLY BIG, complex topics. It became a global phenomenon, initially sparking enthusiastic approval and, in time, also disapproval. Prepare to participate in a discussion of the issues it addresses by reading this "brief" but comprehensive history prior to the first meeting. LIMIT 16

World War II was the climactic event of the twentieth century and changed the face of warfare and the political and economic world forever. This class looks at the origins of the war, the decisive turning point battles, the factors that account for the Allied victory, and how the war still impacts our lives.

Participants will hear from a variety of guests who will describe what they, and their organization, have done, and equally important, are planning to do, to meet the challenges of climate change. These guests come from business, government organizations, and the private sector. There will be an emphasis during each session on Q and A and discussion with members. Expect a lively class.

The goal of this class is to inspire creativity in its participants and to encourage them to learn and grow as artists. Wherever you are in your art journey, you are welcome. We all start somewhere; beginners are welcome. LIMIT 20

Continue viewing the American Film Institute’s choices of the best films ever made. In this class, participants watch each film and, if time allows, have a brief discussion.

Bird flu is in the news every day. This class will explore the many questions surrounding avian influenza: What is it? Where does it come from? How is it affecting us? What is the impact on society? And where is it going?

Prepare to have fun with writing. Practice observing, using your imagination, and expanding your use of language. Explore several different types of poetry and prose styles including memoir, fiction, and creative non-fiction. Practice using the senses in your writing, and discover different methods to increase creativity. LIMIT 15

The Pew Research Center estimates that seventy-seven percent of Americans connect to the internet daily. However, most people don't understand what cyber attacks they may be subject to, nor do they understand the methods commonly used to secure online transactions as well as to attack or hack these systems they use. This class will describe the types of attacks most commonly used by cyber criminals and explore the mechanisms used to secure the internet.

Many years ago nature photographer Jim Brandenburg undertook a photographic journey that broke open new personal and professional possibilities for him. The entire adventure unfolded in his own backyard. Using Brandenburg's example, this class will embark on its own journey of personal discovery through Nature's lens, relying upon the tools of personal reflection, writing or drawing, and group discussion to discover the wisdom of our Inner Teachers.

Almost everyone has spent time in the ER (emergency room). And we wonder why one person is treated before another person. How do emergency responders think so quickly in diagnosing a malady amongst such a vast array of possible acute medical issues? Welcome to the ER. This class will be using a Great Courses DVD selection for part of the class time. 

Participants will look at perceptions, definitions, causes, results, and ramifications of poverty, as well as what can be done about it. Areas of focus will include economics, health, education, housing, transportation issues, food deserts, and much more. LIMIT 16

Explore today’s culture wars and their impact on our democratic principles. Three topics will be discussed: reasons fascism has become fashionable once again; America as a caste society or a class society; and modern political warfare using memes, digital warriors, and the internet.  

Note: Each topic is taken from the three different recommended texts listed below.

Quite possibly breaking new ground for many readers, members of this class will discuss poetry by four contemporary authors: Kay Ryan, Mary Oliver, Ryan Vine, and Isabel Basombrio Hoban. Together, participants will explore their language and their thoughts about the world we share and the ways in which we as readers connect with their ideas. No prior experience with poetry is necessary. LIMIT 24

Coming this Fall! The Great Books class will reprise Volume 1 of the original Great Books series. It's a program first offered nearly four decades ago by some of the University for Seniors' founding members. The class will discuss essays and fiction representative of classic works of Western Civilization. Members will read works by Chekhov, Aristotle, Plato, Joseph Conrad, Kant, Marx, and Freud, as well as the Book of Genesis. LIMIT 16

Since 1965, scientists from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Duluth have been working to make our environment cleaner and healthier. This class will explore the research arm of the EPA. Discussions will include pollution and toxicology as it relates to our largest freshwater resource, the Great Lakes, and the EPA’s role in remediation, restoration, and revitalization of them. The class will also include the history of the EPA lab and a lab tour.

Explore the many trails in the Duluth area. Participants determine the pace of walking. Some go fast; others take their time. Whether speed-walking or strolling at leisure, all are welcome.

Enjoy Fall colors while hiking trails from Duluth's east to west sides. Hikes will include favorites such as Lester Park, Amity Creek, Kingsbury Creek, and Bardon Peak, as well as some lesser-known trails. When possible, trails will be chosen so there are shorter and longer options for members to experience while hiking the natural beauty of Duluth's many parks.

The history of photography is a history of image making, technology, aesthetics, culture, and modernity. In this class, participants will examine the medium in its cultural context, surveying the history and complexities of photography. A focus of this class will be on the ways that photography has taken part in the production of authoritative knowledge about the human body--by informing medical and scientific diagnoses, charting gender and sexual norms, defining racial and ethnic stereotypes, and delimiting aesthetic ideals. Through an examination of historical, theoretical, and visual texts in combination with group discussion, we will see how photography writ large, while often masquerading as "natural," "self-evident," or "scientific," is always highly coded and invested with social meanings as well as institutional power.

Dancing is an excellent activity for both the body and the brain. Physical activity protects the brain, learning lets it grow, socialization helps it thrive, and, most of all, it is fun. Dance to music from many countries. All are welcome to join, and no partners are needed.

As firm believers in the body's innate ability to heal and thrive, the presenters of this class are excited to explore the intersection of regenerative health practices and the potential of CBD as a natural supplement. Join them in uncovering the synergies between regenerative health and CBD for a holistic approach to well-being.

Learn to play disc golf at UMD. The class will meet inside for some instruction and videos, then head out for an hour on the course. Participants will learn basic rules of the game, throwing techniques, the different discs and equipment, etiquette, the location of nearby courses, information about the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) competition, and more. Wear comfortable, active shoes. We will play each week on the UMD disc golf course, a fun, leisurely course that is great for all ages. Discs will be provided for use, but members are encouraged to purchase a disc or two for themselves after disc information is provided in class. LIMIT 20

This social group will "do lunch" to become personally acquainted with establishments across the bridge in Superior, Wisconsin. Hear from owners and managers to learn about running a food business in our port city "across the bay." And, of course, sample special offerings at each venue. Participants generally go "dutch" but can get creative about sharing menu selections. LIMIT 15

Introducing Huckleberry Finn, Toni Morrison wrote, “For a hundred years the argument that this novel is has been identified, reidentified, examined, waged and advanced. What it cannot be is dismissed. It is classic literature, which is to say it heaves, manifests and lasts." Ernest Hemingway asserted, “All modern literature comes from one book by Mark Twain called Huckleberry Finn.” From the time of its publication in 1884, the book has invited controversy, first, not because of its oft-touted use of the N-word, but because of the even more frequent appearance of “ain’t” and associated “veriest trash” language. The serious reader will find, behind all the still-raging criticisms, Twain’s deep and profound articulation of human dignity, including among the enslaved Black population. Percival Everett’s astonishing new novel James revisits Huck Finn through the first-person experience of Twain's runaway slave, Jim. Everett's character, James, insists on his own personal agency, demonstrated by his intelligence, insight, self-respect, literacy, and highly articulate use of the English language, all of which are concealed from the white population through cunning and hilarious “code-switching.”

Explore social inequalities in health and illness and the social processes that shape these experiences. This class will be centered on reading the recently published book by Dr. Uche Blackstock, Legacy: A Black Physician Reckons with Racism in Medicine. Participants will also spend time interacting and having discussions with undergraduates in the UMD Health Care Management Program who are reading the same book. LIMIT 15

Explore some of the state parks in north central Minnesota. This is a sampling of some of the parks covered last spring in the eight-week class. The focus of this sampler will be on the parks of the North Shore of Lake Superior, parks with unique geological formations, and parks with special historical significance. View the major attractions at each park, experience some of the trails and campgrounds, and learn about the history and culture of the parks.

Sometimes it’s not what you don’t know that gets you in trouble; it’s what you think you know for sure that just isn’t so. This applies to science as well. This class will examine many common misunderstandings about science. Topics will include electricity and magnetism, radiation, evolution, alien life, genetically modified foods, human and artificial intelligence, statistics, relativity, the big bang, quantum theory, and many others. Selections from The Great Courses will be supplemented with slides and classroom discussion.

Join in this multisensory music and movement method to improve coordination, balance, motor control, attention, memory, processing, and energy. Move to music in a fun group atmosphere using the Ronnie Gardiner Method for Movement, a common medical technique used throughout Europe. LIMIT 25

Participants will learn strategies and work together to develop action plans addressing the issues of poverty in our community and world. LIMIT 16

Join this participant-driven discussion which encourages attendees to contribute. Topics discussed will be determined by class members. Recent periodical articles and world events, general concepts, and personal reflections are all considered for discussion. Political and/or polarizing topics will not be pursued or condoned. LIMIT 16

Participants will take it slowly, reading and discussing the novel Sons and Lovers over eight weeks. Lawrence's short stories proved discussion-worthy during the Fall 2023 term, and the novel should as well.

Tai Chi is a slow, graceful exercise that is sometimes called a moving meditation. Its many benefits include reduced stress, increased flexibility, improved balance, and cardiovascular fitness. Try Tai Chi for yourself! All ability levels are welcome. LIMIT 30

Tai Chi is a slow, graceful exercise that is sometimes called a moving meditation. Its many benefits include reduced stress, increased flexibility, improved balance, and cardiovascular fitness. Try Tai Chi for yourself! All ability levels are welcome. LIMIT 30

Whether you are a tea-drinker or not, this class will teach you new things about this ancient drink. Learn about the main types of tea, the many methods of enjoying it, and the health and wellness benefits that come with it.

John, Abigail, John Quincy, Louisa Catherine, Charles Frances, and Henry Adams were pivotal figures in American history. This class will study this remarkable family and their contributions to our country and will also learn the foibles of the two who became United States Presidents. Use of the HBO series John Adams will dramatize the founding father's life.

Explore famous people throughout history who accomplished great things and likely would have accomplished a great deal more had they not died young.

Consider an in-depth study of this important piece of legislation. We’ll examine the intent behind the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), what it is and isn’t, and what led to its passage. Participants will explore related events that occurred during its tenure, the tensions and legal issues it provoked, and the realities of current service delivery to Native American children and families.

Explore the "Lost Cause of the Confederacy," the debate about monuments and memorials, and the continued invocation of this toxic nostalgia in the culture wars of today.

By age eighteen, students have spent only 13.36 percent of their waking hours in school. In that small window of time, parents expect their children to be prepared for a successful future, and businesses expect capable workers. Our democracy expects citizens who are ready to act for the good of the country while an increasingly diverse student body begs to be seen, heard, and kept safe. In this class, participants will look at the history of education in the United States, the current educational climate, and some dreams for the future as we explore who and what our schools are for.

A little over one hundred years ago, an event took place that shaped the lives of many:  We had to live with the Red Menace for the next seventy years. Join this class to learn how the Bolsheviks overthrew the 300-year monarchy of the world's largest empire.

Starting with one of the biggest mysteries in history, which made the rise of the Tudor Dynasty possible, this class will consider the story of the Princes in the Tower and the new evidence that has just come out. We will then explore questions such as these: Was Anne of Cleves really ugly? What was the Dancing Plague? Did Mary Queen of Scots murder her husband? Who wrote Shakespeare’s plays? Was Elizabeth I, the Virgin Queen, really a virgin? Looking at these stories will give insight into the Tudor Dynasty in a whole new way.

With a focus on poetry writing with models and prompts, this class will be structured around learning about various poetry forms and poets. Be ready to write your own poetry and read your work in class. LIMIT 18

Anyone interested in continuing the study of Spanish at whatever level should join this class. Communicating with one another is the most valuable aspect of this class. Join to improve your Spanish language conversational skills, and enjoy others doing the same. Share in the exploration and fun. LIMIT 12