Dragonflies, damselflies, and their ancient relatives were the first to fly, long before birds, pterosaurs, and bats took to the skies. Since then, over 400 million years of evolution have shaped the adaptations that support these insects’ aerial feats. Entomologist Jessica Ware discusses the evolution of flight in dragonflies and damselflies, exploring the structure and physiology behind their acrobatic and aerodynamic skills.
The Renaissance is often linked to antiquity’s rediscovery, but art historian Liz Lev argues its roots lay in mendicant orders emphasizing the Gospel’s human elements. St. Francis of Assisi, founder of the Franciscans, embodied holiness that “went viral,” inspiring Giotto and Dante to reform art, highlighting the human condition with its quirks and heroic journeys. By weaving The Divine Comedy with frescoes in Assisi and Padua’s Scrovegni Chapel, Lev contends Renaissance art’s most compelling features arose from new spirituality rather than pagan revival. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1/2 credit)
Celebrate Michelangelo’s 551st birthday by exploring the making of one of history’s most brilliant artistic minds. Born on March 6, 1475, Michelangelo Buonarroti lived nearly 89 years, witnessing Renaissance Florence, the discovery of the New World, the Reformation, and the reigns of 13 popes. He transformed Western art through sculpture, painting, architecture, and poetry. Though many believed his talent miraculous, Michelangelo studied with discipline, learning from masters and experimenting with styles. Art historian Elaine Ruffolo traces the journey of young Michelangelo from Lorenzo il Magnifico’s household to his masterpiece, the “David.” (World Art History Certificate elective, 1/2 credit)
Archaeologist Mike Pitts, author of Island at the Edge of the World, challenges the myth of ecological collapse on Easter Island (Rapa Nui). Drawing on early records and recent archaeology, he reveals the Islanders’ resilience and reinterprets the iconic statues, surveying a unified culture shaped by powerful beliefs, rituals, and creativity. He refutes the long-held narrative of self-destruction and offers a deeper understanding of the island’s spiritual and cultural legacy that is rooted in Polynesian mythology and Pacific traditions.
On April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson made history with the Brooklyn Dodgers as the first Black player in Major League Baseball’s modern era, breaking the game’s long-standing color barrier. Robinson’s influence reached far beyond the diamond, as he used his platform to challenge racial injustice. Sports historian Fred Frommer and former Senators stadium announcer Phil Hochberg delve into Robinson’s journey as both a pioneering athlete and voice in the civil rights movement.
Learn to capture the depth of field, motion effects, and exposure you want by quickly making camera adjustments in the field. Topics covered include ISO, apertures, shutter speeds, exposure modes, metering modes, exposure compensation, and histograms.
After its disappointing air combat performance over Vietnam, the U.S. set out to improve its training of fighter pilots. Among the initiatives was a top-secret project launched in the late 1970s that pitted clandestinely obtained Soviet MiGs flown by a cadre of highly experienced pilots—known as Red Eagles—against fighter pilots of the Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps. Retired Air Force Lt. Col. Rob Zettel, a Red Eagles veteran, shares an insider’s view of the project.
The Declaration of Independence is a peculiar document: a literary masterpiece that was written jointly by a committee of five people. In a full-day seminar, historian Richard Bell, a specialist in the American Revolutionary era, explores its origins, creators, purpose, and global influence. He examines how contemporaries perceived it, what transformations it triggered, and why it continues to hold significance.
