How did the name of a Continental Army general become a synonym for treason? Historian Richard Bell reconstructs the life and times of Benedict Arnold, the reasons he turned on his country, and the larger problems of betrayal and desertion that dogged George Washington’s army.

Have you ever found yourself pondering deeply cheesy thoughts: What makes certain cheeses smell, look, or taste the way that they do? How do I serve them? What do I look for when shopping for cheeses? And where are the best places to find them locally? Join Alice Bergen Phillips, founder of Washington, D.C.’s Cheesemonster, for a lively investigation that serves up all the answers—and a tasting, too.

Over the past five decades, artists have explored an enormous range of new materials, techniques, and styles. That pluralistic experimentation encompassed forms from Pop, conceptual, and super-realist works to environmental and performance art, all of which still resonate today. Art historian Nancy G. Heller looks at the roots and later influences of radical American art. (World Art History Certificate core course, 1 credit)

The oracle bones (ox bones and tortoise shells used for divination) found in Yinxu represent the earliest surviving records of Chinese script and have yielded unique insights into customs during the once-legendary Shang dynasty. Historian Justin M. Jacobs recounts the history of the accidental discovery of what was once thought to be dragon bones and provides a new picture of Chinese civilization at the dawn of history—one filled with human sacrifice, communion with the supernatural world, and powerful women involved in military campaigns.

Making its debut in 1940, the Claude Thornhill Orchestra introduced a new and innovative texture to Big-Band jazz. In contrast to the established orchestras of the era, Thornhill’s ensemble introduced “cool” to the genre with its unconventional instrumentation. Hear selections composed by Gerry Mulligan, Gill Evans, Claude Thornhill, and others.

Unforgettable costumes define our favorite films: the chic gray suit by Edith Head for Kim Novak in Vertigo; Irene Sharaff’s massive ballgown for Deborah Kerr in The King and I; and William Travilla’s pink gown and gloves worn by a diamond-bedecked Marilyn Monroe in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. Film historian Max Alvarez leads a stylish journey through six decades of cinematic costumes in a tribute to the remarkable designers whose sketchpads came to life on the soundstages.

How can you best care for the plants that enhance your daily life? Staff members of the Interiors team of Smithsonian Gardens are ready to take on the topic. The pros help sift through the overwhelming amount of available houseplant care information to determine what is right for you and your plants by covering everything from plant selection to design, ongoing care, and the newest varieties on the scene. The program also includes a horticulturist-lead tour of the Smithsonian Gardens exhibit “Human/Nature: Why People Are Drawn to Living Things.”

Ramen has been one of the most common foods in Japan for decades and it continues to surge in popularity in the United States. Sapporo is one of the most competitive ramen markets in Japan, with more than 1,000 ramen shops in the city. At Washington, D.C.’s Haikan restaurant, chef Katsuya Fukushima and Daisuke Utagawa break down the distinctive components and characteristics of Sapporo ramen, demonstrate its preparation, and then invite you to sit down for an authentic ramen lunch.

The space shuttle was America’s iconic spaceship for 30 years, lifting 355 astronauts into orbit and teaching NASA how to work expertly in space. The shuttles spent 1,323 days in orbit and deployed 180 satellites, payloads, and space station components. NASA astronaut Tom Jones looks at the shuttle’s legacy through the eyes of the more than 130 fellow space fliers he interviewed for his book Space Shuttle Stories (Smithsonian Books).

How can you best care for the plants that enhance your daily life? Staff members of the Interiors team of Smithsonian Gardens are ready to take on the topic. The pros help sift through the overwhelming amount of available houseplant care information to determine what is right for you and your plants by covering everything from plant selection to design, ongoing care, and the newest varieties on the scene. The program also includes a horticulturist-lead tour of the Smithsonian Gardens exhibit “Human/Nature: Why People Are Drawn to Living Things.”