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History Lessons Chicago

Explore the rich history of Chicago through classes in architectural preservation, gangster lore, and the city's role in the Civil Rights Movement, among other fascinating topics.

1 class in-person in Chicago has spots left, and 8 classes live online are available.

Dancing to Douse Perfectionism

Infinity Foundation @ 1280 Old Skokie Valley Rd, Highland Park, IL

Unlock the power of movement and mindfulness with this transformative workshop. Release the grip of perfectionism as you reconnect with your mind-body-spirit through creative movement and somatic healing practices. Explore themes of creativity, playfulness, and vulnerability to reclaim confidence and lead with authenticity.

(33) All levels 16 and older

U for You: Joyce's Ulysses for New Readers (and Re-Readers)

Irish Arts Center @ Virtual Classroom

Dive into Joyce's Ulysses with renowned scholar Jonathan Goldman, unraveling its complexities and discovering its humor and humanity. Whether you're a seasoned reader or new to Joyce's work, this immersive experience promises to enhance your understanding and appreciation of this literary masterpiece.

(51) All levels 18 and older
$456

10 sessions

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Bioengineering: from Terraforming to Designer Babies

Brooklyn Institute for Social Research @ Online Classroom

In this thought-provoking course from the Brooklyn Institute for Social Research, you'll explore the core principles of biotechnology and the ethical, political, and economic implications of manipulating biological matter. Uncover the exciting possibilities and real constraints that shape the future of bioengineering today!

(29) All levels 21 and older
$335

4 sessions

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What is a Social Movement?

Brooklyn Institute for Social Research @ Online Classroom

Explore the intricate relationship between class, community, and politics in social movements. Uncover the complexities of modern capitalism and the impact of cultural realms on political life. Join us in an in-depth analysis of historical case studies to understand the strategic vacuum between economic and cultural accounts.

(29) All levels 21 and older
$335

4 sessions

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Numbers: History, Mathematics, Philosophy

Brooklyn Institute for Social Research @ Online Classroom

Uncover the profound roots and enigmatic nature of numbers as you explore their historical, mathematical, and philosophical dimensions. Join us in a captivating exploration of the concept of number, examining its evolution, cultural significance, and the fundamental questions it poses about the nature of reality.

(29) All levels 21 and older
$335

4 sessions

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Theories of the State: Politics, Institutions, & Power

Brooklyn Institute for Social Research @ Online Classroom

Uncover the enigmatic nature of the state as you delve into the intricate web of politics and power. Explore the origins, functions, and impact of this elusive entity that permeates every aspect of society. Join us as we navigate the theories of the state and shed light on its influence in shaping our modern world.

(29) All levels 21 and older
$335

4 sessions

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Solarpunk: Theory, Fiction, and Radical Futures

Brooklyn Institute for Social Research @ Online Classroom

Explore a radical vision of the future where nature and technology align, challenging the pessimistic outlook on climate change. Immerse yourself in the art, theory, and speculative fiction of solarpunk to reimagine a world of decommodified energy and human liberation. Join us on this intellectual journey towards a harmonious coexistence of technology, nature, and human life.

(29) All levels 21 and older
$335

4 sessions

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Theorizing Repression: From Psychoanalysis to Counterinsurgency Theory

Brooklyn Institute for Social Research @ Online Classroom

Uncover the entwined history of psychoanalysis and state power in a captivating exploration of repression tactics. Join us at the Brooklyn Institute for Social Research as we delve into the intersections of Freudian theory with military strategy, urban policing, and guerrilla warfare. Through an array of diverse readings, we'll analyze how psychoanalytic concepts have been utilized to pathologize dissent and justify both state and revolutionary violence, raising critical questions about power, resistance, and the psyche.

(29) All levels 21 and older
$335

4 sessions

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Mesopotamia: Civilization, Archaeology, and Material Culture

Brooklyn Institute for Social Research @ Online Classroom

Embark on a captivating exploration of Mesopotamian civilization through archaeology and material culture. Join us at the Brooklyn Institute for Social Research as we delve into the origins, structures, and legacy of this ancient society, unraveling its significance amidst historical interpretations and contemporary geopolitical contexts. Uncover the complexities of Mesopotamia's urbanization, social structures, and technological advancements, and discover how its material remains offer insights into our understanding of the past and present.

(29) All levels 21 and older
$335

4 sessions

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The Making of Modern Paris, 1852-1939

The Newberry @ 60 W Walton St, Chicago, IL

In this class, we’ll explore the making of modern Paris from the Second Empire through the 1930s. Political and social turbulence, as well as an architectural and artistic efflorescence, characterized Paris from the Second Empire through the 1930s. Topics to be treated in this class’s exploration of the City of Light will include Baron Haussmann and the remaking of Paris; the everyday lives of ordinary Parisians; life in the city during the...

(4) All levels 18 and older
No upcoming schedules
$305

8 sessions

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Harnessing The Power of Egyptian Hieroglyphics

Infinity Foundation @ 1280 Old Skokie Valley Rd, Highland Park, IL

Words are powerful and operate on many levels through sound and symbols. Explore how to use hieroglyphics and apply them with meditation, divination, and dream work. Harness and enliven ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics as tools for manifesting ideas in the material world. Join Ellis, author of Hieroglyphic Power of Words, to gain a deep experience of this ancient living art. Discover the power of writing or copying hieroglyphics with your own hand....

(33) All levels 16 and older
No upcoming schedules

Chicago’s First Progressive Movement

The Newberry @ 60 W Walton St, Chicago, IL

With a focus on Avant Garde writer Mary Field Parton, this class will put today's progressive movement in historical context and draw parallels between it and its predecessor from a century ago. The life of Avant Garde writer and progressive crusader, Mary Field Parton (1878-1969) serves as a means of understanding the intellectual and political bases of progressivism and the social discontent it fomented in the early 20th century. Parton embraced...

(4) All levels 18 and older
No upcoming schedules
$205

5 sessions

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Russia and Its Neighbors: Ukraine, the Baltics

The Newberry @ 60 W Walton St, Chicago, IL

Russia and Its Neighbors: Ukraine, the Baltics, the Caucasus, and the -Stans As current events surrounding Russia shock and puzzle, the world tries to understand, why. This class offers a historical survey of Russia’s relationship with its neighbors, from the time of Russia’s emergence as a nation and a state, through its imperial and Soviet periods, through the turbulent years following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, and up to the tragic...

(4) All levels 18 and older
No upcoming schedules
$220

5 sessions

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On the Corner: Storytelling on Chicago Intersections

The Newberry @ 60 W Walton St, Chicago, IL

Drawing on oral histories, personal reflections, and the Newberry’s Chicago collection, class participants will have a chance to co-author Chicago’s past, present, and future. Every Chicago street corner has a story—many stories—where past, present, and future identities intersect. From Little Village to Little Vietnam, Chicago has stories waiting to be told, and every citizen is a co-author of our city’s shared narratives. Drawing on...

(4) All levels 18 and older
No upcoming schedules
$215

4 sessions

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The Roaring Twenties and the Making of Modern America

The Newberry @ 60 W Walton St, Chicago, IL

In this class, we will learn about how the 1920s helped create America as a world superpower. The 1920's was an exciting and eventful period of time for the United States and the world. It has been represented as a carefree time after the Great War, but great change occurred and a growing United States grew into a global power. We will learn about how these changes helped create America as a world superpower. Tom Irvine works with technology in...

(4) All levels 18 and older
No upcoming schedules
$205

5 sessions

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Literary Capital of the West

The Newberry @ 60 W Walton St, Chicago, IL

Literary Capital of the West: Chicago Writing before 1890 This course explores the evolving relationship between Western and urban identities in Chicago writing from the 1840s through the 1880s. Histories of Chicago literature often start around 1890, with the urban sketches of writers like Finley Peter Dunne. Chicago’s antebellum literature, however, was very different, aimed at rural readers in the city’s railroad empire. After the Civil...

(4) All levels 18 and older
No upcoming schedules
$247

6 sessions

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African Murder Mysteries

The Newberry @ 60 W Walton St, Chicago, IL

In this class, we’re traveling to Africa to examine mysteries from the continent over five weeks. Class Description This five-week class will explore the rich history of murder mysteries in Africa. Each week, we will read and discuss a mystery from a different country and author, exploring how mysteries became popular in Africa. We will consider points that make African mysteries unique, including politics, racial tensions, economics, and outside...

(4) All levels 18 and older
No upcoming schedules
$247

6 sessions

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Hemingway and the Women Who Influenced His Life

The Newberry @ 60 W Walton St, Chicago, IL

Uncover the hidden stories behind Hemingway's iconic works as you delve into the captivating lives of the influential women who shaped his existence. Gain unique insights into their relationships through personal letters, rare photographs, and engaging discussions in this thought-provoking literary exploration.

(4) All levels 18 and older
No upcoming schedules
$247

6 sessions

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A United Kingdom? Britain after Elizabeth

The Newberry @ 60 W Walton St, Chicago, IL

Following Brexit and the death of Elizabeth II, will the United Kingdom stay united? This one-session class will examine the United Kingdom since Brexit and the death of Elizabeth II by exploring the centuries-old origin of the UK with a particular emphasis on the island of Great Britain. Britain is an invented nation but one with a long history of interdependence between its various parts. With Elizabeth gone, will the union hold? Was the United...

(4) All levels 18 and older
No upcoming schedules
$85.50
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Leave the Seeds

Chicago Botanic Garden

Not only do the seedpods of perennials feed birds and wildlife throughout winter, they add a rich textural element to the dormant garden. Explore seeds, pods, and stems that bring interesting shapes and structure to the garden.

(121) Advanced 18 and older
No upcoming schedules
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