What can a painted vase tell us about the lives and beliefs of the ancient Greeks? A lot, actually. The human activities and mythological subjects depicted on vessels from the 7th through the 5th century B.C.E. provide invaluable insights into this civilization. Art historian Renee Gondek explores the stories illustrated and highlights the artistry of the best-known painters. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1/2 credit)
While all sorts of climate-related issues are in the news, we have solved planet-threatening problems before, atmospheric scientist Susan Solomon argues, and we can do it again. The path to success begins when an environmental problem becomes both personal and perceptible to the general public, Solomon says. She tells stories of environmental victories against ozone depletion, smog, pesticides, and lead whose heroes include angry mothers, gang members turned social activists, and iconoclastic scientists.
Virginia’s beautiful Shenandoah Valley has a rich geological heritage, shaped over millions of years of natural history. Gregg Clemmer, an experienced caver, takes you deep into that ancient past at two of the state’s most notable caverns and offers a chance to sample products of the valley’s fertile soil at a visit to a regional vineyard and winery.
No presidential election in American history carried stakes as high as the 1864 contest between Abraham Lincoln and former Union General George B. McClellan. In it, Northern voters would decide the holder of the nation’s highest office—as well as the future of the country. Historian Christopher Hamner traces the buildup to November 1864 through the experiences of Americans who witnessed the election’s turmoil and for whom its outcome was a frightening unknown.
A master of light and color, Johannes Vermeer creates a timeless world where the smallest actions take on a sense of beauty and meaning beyond their commonplace settings. His gloriously lit, serene, and exquisitely rendered masterpieces continue to speak to us through their ability to capture some of the most universal ideas in human experience. Art historian Aneta Georgievska-Shine discusses Vermeer’s place within the artistic culture of Holland and examines some of his favorite themes and their possible meanings. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1 credit)
For more than 115 years, Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, has been recognized as one of the world’s most important and beautiful collections of gardens and glasshouses. As he explores its indoor spaces, Karl Gercens, Longwood’s conservatory manager, covers historic features including the Orangery and East Conservatory and previews a history-making addition: the West Conservatory, which brings together 19th-century glasshouse traditions and the newest sustainable technologies.
Sports columnist Joe Posnanski uses his new book, Why We Love Football, to kick off reminiscences about pivotal moments in the sport, from epic comeback games to stellar feats of athleticism. He’s joined by former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue, veteran Washington Post football reporter Len Shapiro, and Washington football legend and Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinee Darrell Green for a lively conversation about the sport moderated by Phil Hochberg, longtime stadium announcer for the Washington Football Team.