The U Street NW neighborhood has long been a vibrant corridor for the rich social, civic, and cultural life of Washington's African American community. Join local guide Lynn O’Connell on a walking tour that focuses on the history of the neighborhood. Sites visited include the African American Civil War Memorial, the legendary Howard Theatre, and the locations of one-of-a-kind murals featuring such history makers as Duke Ellington and go-go legend Chuck Brown.
Composers from the countries situated around the Baltic, North, and Norwegian seas have long held a cherished place in concert halls. Edvard Grieg, Jean Sibelius, Carl Nielsen, and Arvo Pärt are among those who shaped the understanding of their varied cultures. Their music explores mysterious folklores, vast frozen land and seascapes, spiritual beliefs, and turbulent histories. In a 4-session series, speaker and concert pianist Rachel Franklin uses live piano demonstrations and film clips to explore both well- and lesser-known masterpieces from the North.
They hurl themselves off cliffs, leap onto charging horses, endure punches and dynamite blasts, and occasionally find themselves dangling from the wings of aircraft. They’re stuntmen and stuntwomen, people who substitute for leading actors in highly dangerous filming situations. Once anonymous, fans of action movies have learned about these daring professionals and their contributions to filmmaking. Film historian Max Alvarez jumps into a multimedia journey through a century of remarkable cinema stunts and the daredevils behind them.
What does human evolution reveal about the way we sleep—and why do so many people struggle today? David R. Samson, associate professor of evolutionary anthropology at the University of Toronto, uncovers how our ancestors’ move from the safety of the forest canopy to more dangerous ground shaped the brain’s unique sleep patterns we follow today. He offers insights into how a fundamental yet overlooked aspect of human biology has shaped the evolutionary trajectory and continues to influence daily lives.
Every two years, the Venice Biennale transforms Venice into a living museum. This cultural extravaganza has grown into one of the world’s most influential exhibitions of contemporary art, architecture, cinema, dance, music, and theater, showcasing groundbreaking work from more than 90 nations. In a 2-session series, art historian Jennie Hirsh explores the biennale’s rich past and its landmark 2026 edition. This session focuses on the history of the Venice Biennale. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1/2 credit)
Artists throughout the world have developed practices to center themselves and prepare for making art. During this tranquil midday break, students explore techniques such as mark making with lines, swirls, and puddles and using paper to experiment with folding and tearing.
Strategically located for trade, rich in resources, and containing a variety of cultural traditions, the civilizations of mainland and island Southeast Asia are among the most dynamic in the world. Art historian Robert DeCaroli examines the cultural and artistic traditions of ancient Southeast Asia from the earliest archaeological evidence to the onset of colonialism, with a focus on the royal arts of the great civilizations that arose within the borders of modern Indonesia, Cambodia, Vietnam, Burma (Myanmar), and Thailand. (World Art History Certificate core course, 1 credit)
Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839-1892) is often regarded as the last ukiyo-e artist, working across the transition between the feudal Edo period (1603-1868) and the Westernization of Japan in the Meiji era (1868-1912). Yoshitoshi is known as an artist of the macabre and bizarre. However, this ghoulish reputation can obscure the important contributions he made to the development of new artistic genres. Kit Brooks, curator of Asian art at the Princeton University Art Museum, explores Yoshitoshi's career, examining what makes his art—and life—so haunting. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1/2 credit)
