With September marking the start of Piedmont’s truffle season, it’s only fitting to explore the complementary wines of one of Italy's most famed regions—one that boasts more DOCGs than any other. Sommelier Erik Segelbaum spotlights the range of notable semi-alpine Piedmont wines and why they belong at almost any dinner table. This immersive program includes a curated personal tasting kit to enhance the experience.
Food historian Francine Segan leads a delightful exploration of the most delicious foods and unforgettable sights of Naples, the Amalfi Coast, Capri, and Pompeii. Learn about distinctive Italian culinary specialties, unique holiday traditions, and the most intriguing destinations to visit on your next trip to Italy. Following the program, enjoy a reception featuring tastings of regional delights.
Art historian Janetta Rebold Benton leads a fascinating journey through some of the most creative and extreme examples of architecture constructed worldwide in recent years. From Dubai’s Burj Khalifa (the world’s highest building) to the Nautilus House in Mexico City (a giant psychedelic mollusk shell) to a Malibu residence designed around the wings of a decommissioned Boeing 747-100, the surprising structures blend innovation, technology, and imagination. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1/2 credit)
The churches of Italy are renowned for their artistic treasures, from Giotto’s 14th-century frescoes in Florence, Padua, and Assisi to Giacomo Manzu’s great 20th-century bronze doors for St. Peter’s in Rome. In a splendidly illustrated seminar, art historian Sophia D’Addio of Columbia University explores churches that represent some of Italy’s greatest repositories of sacred art. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1 credit)
Growing up on a kibbutz in northern Israel, spice master Lior Lev Sercarz has long had an affinity for local ingredients and produce of the Middle East. Drawing on in his new cookbook, A Middle Eastern Pantry, Sercarz discusses everyday ingredients used throughout this vast region as he offers an homage to the pantry staples that define one of the world’s most ancient and beloved cuisines. Following the presentation, enjoy a light reception featuring spices and flavors discussed in the book.
Chinese culture has a long, rich history. In this series, historian Justin M. Jacobs examines how it has been embodied in 3,000 years of architecture.
French wine, a beacon of its culture, is in the midst of a dramatic transformation by a new generation of winemakers keen to reject the ways of the old. Drawing on his new book, The New French Wine: Redefining the World's Greatest Wine Culture, Jon Bonné, one of the leading American voices on wine and food, examines the French wine industry at a moment of profound change and examines what’s next for the country he calls “the soul of the global wine industry.”
Despite being thought of as part of the New World when it comes to wine, Argentina brings to it an Old World spirit with its rich heritage and traditions from Spanish and Italian immigrants. Today, Argentine wine is undergoing a renaissance, with pioneering winemakers pushing limits in everything from altitude to latitude to techniques in the vineyard and winery. Taste through this delicious deep dive into the new world of Argentine wine.
Chinese culture has a long, rich history. In this series, historian Justin M. Jacobs examines how it has been represented in Chinese silent films of the early 20th century.
Bologna is home to some of Italy’s most important art, including works by Michelangelo, Annibale Carracci, Lavinia Fontana, Domenichino, and Guercino. Rocky Ruggiero, an expert in Renaissance art, explores the city’s artistic treasures and great artists. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1/2 credit)
Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of holiday treats and traditions with food historian and author Francine Segan. Join her for a delightful evening in which she explores the intriguing stories behind America's cherished Christmas sweets and spotlights scrumptious desserts from holidays celebrated worldwide. Following the program, enjoy a reception with an array of treats and take home recipes for baking your own holiday-inspired desserts.
Once it was "discovered" by explorer and academic Hiram Bingham in the first decade of the of 20th century, Machu Picchu became attached to seemingly endless speculation about its origins, purpose, and meaning. Cultural historian George Scheper traces the travels of Bingham to see the archaeological ruins as he first beheld them, and then, guided by modern scholarship, he revisits the site as it is today.
Chinese culture has a long, rich history. In this series, historian Justin M. Jacobs delves into the sweeping changes enacted in the realms of gender, language, education, and architecture during the Mao years.
