Welcome to SPACE, our adult continuing education program which offers interactive monthly courses for personal enrichment! Learn more here.

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Courses added in the last 30 days (newest first)

Susan Cooper: Ghost Hawk

Added Nov. 11, 2025
In Ghost Hawk, Susan Cooper turns her lyrical storytelling toward the early years of colonial America, weaving a tale that bridges worlds divided by culture, history, and loss. The story begins with Little Hawk, a young member of the Wampanoag people, who must face a solitary test of survival that will mark his passage into adulthood. When tragedy strikes, his path becomes bound to that of John Wakely, an English settler boy, and together their intertwined lives reveal both the possibilities of friendship and the devastating consequences of misunderstanding and conquest.

Over eight sessions, we will read and discuss Ghost Hawk as both historical fiction and spiritual reflection, exploring Cooper’s portrayal of contact between Native and English worlds and her meditation on memory, belonging, and the legacies of colonization. We will situate the novel within its historical context—the early seventeenth century in New England—and examine how Cooper uses elements of myth and the supernatural to confront enduring questions of justice, identity, and reconciliation. Through guided discussion and close reading, we’ll consider howGhost Hawk challenges us to listen to the voices of the past and to think deeply about the stories a landscape holds.
Precepted by Dr. Maggie Parke

Susan Cooper: King of Shadows

Added Nov. 11, 2025
In King of Shadows, Susan Cooper weaves together time travel, theatre, and history to create a powerful story about loss, belonging, and the transformative power of art. When young American actor Nat Field joins a troupe performing "A Midsummer Night’s Dream" at the newly rebuilt Globe Theatre, he is mysteriously transported to Elizabethan London, where he finds himself acting alongside none other than William Shakespeare. As Nat navigates the dangers and wonders of sixteenth-century England, he begins to discover what connects him—across time and grief—to the playwright and to the play itself.

Over the course of this month-long, eight-session class, we will read and discuss Cooper’s novel in depth, exploring its key themes of identity, friendship, healing, and the endurance of creativity. We will also consider the historical and theatrical context of Elizabethan London, Shakespeare’s world and works, and the way Cooper blends fantasy and realism to bridge centuries. Through guided discussions and close reading, we’ll reflect on how King of Shadows speaks to both the past and the present, and why the story continues to resonate with readers today.
Precepted by Dr. Maggie Parke

The Art of Seeing: Your Toolkit for Understanding Art

Added Nov. 5, 2025
Have you ever wanted to understand why a painting grabs your attention or what an artist might be trying to say? The Art of Seeing is a friendly module designed for anyone who feels they don't "know enough" about art.

In this module, we'll explore key concepts in art that will provide a powerful toolkit to unlock the world of art. You'll learn how to "read" a painting by looking at color, line, and composition. We'll decode hidden symbols, explore different materials, and dive into fascinating genres from portraits to landscapes. You’ll have plenty of opportunity to look at many different artworks from different styles and time periods and engage with the works. Most importantly, you'll discover that the goal isn't to find the one "right" answer; it's to have your own personal and meaningful connection with art. This module is for everyone who wants to engage with art. No previous knowledge is required.

The Communicative language teaching approach will be used: every lesson we'll practice words and phrases in specific contexts, with more focus on sentence and vocabulary building than grammatical content.

The module will follow an 8-session structure as shown below:
Outline 8-Session Structure
Week 1 Session 1: What is Art?
Session 2: The Artist's Toolkit: The Formal Elements
Week 2 Session 3: The "How": Materials, Techniques, and Meaning
Session 4: Putting It All Together: “Reading” a Work of Art
Week 3 Session 5: Applying Your Toolkit: The Human Form
Session 6: The World in a Frame: Landscapes & Still Lifes
Week 4 Session 7: Looking Beyond the Canvas
Session 8: Your Journey as an Art Appreciator
Precepted by Pilar Barrera

Biblical Hebrew 4 Continuing Series

Added Nov. 4, 2025
This module is a continuation of the Biblical module series for students who want to learn how to read Biblical Hebrew. The course would include some speaking, listening, and writing skills as well. But people who learn Biblical Hebrew do so in order to read it, so reading and comprehension skills would take primary focus.
Precepted by Dr. Joel D. Ruark

Biblical Hebrew 5 Continuing Series

Added Nov. 4, 2025
This module is a continuation of the Biblical module series for students who want to learn how to read Biblical Hebrew. The course would include some speaking, listening, and writing skills as well. But people who learn Biblical Hebrew do so in order to read it, so reading and comprehension skills would take primary focus.
Precepted by Dr. Joel D. Ruark

Biblical Hebrew 6 Continuing Series

Added Nov. 4, 2025
This module is a continuation of the Biblical module series for students who want to learn how to read Biblical Hebrew. The course would include some speaking, listening, and writing skills as well. But people who learn Biblical Hebrew do so in order to read it, so reading and comprehension skills would take primary focus.
Precepted by Dr. Joel D. Ruark

Saga Club: The People of Eyri

Added Oct. 23, 2025
This book club will explore the Eybyggja saga, a magnificent Old Icelandic epic filled with feud, revenge, memorable characters and a lot of paranormal activity. For one month we'll be delving into its exquisite storytelling, examining everything from its cultural background to narrative themes. Meet Snorri the chieftain, Thorolf the revenant or Katla the witch in a story that'll remain with you long after you've read it! If you enjoy this format, you'll get the chance to vote what saga we discuss next!

Module Outline:
(* Please note that this module consists of six 80-min sessions.)
  • Session 1: chapters 1-12
  • Session 2: chapters 13 - 28
  • Session 3: chapters 29 - 38
  • Session 4: chapters 39 - 49
  • Session 5: chapters 50 - 55
  • Session 6: chapters 56 - 65

Precepted by Dr. Irina Manea