All upcoming Daytime programs

Painting was often perceived as a sister art of music, though typically occupying a somewhat lower place in the hierarchy. Nonetheless, throughout the Early Modern era, painters used musical motifs in their works to give their paintings a "voice" and convey a sense of beauty and harmony comparable to those qualities in musical compositions. Art historian Aneta Georgievska-Shine explores this relationship as it evolved between the 15th and the 17th centuries in Italy and Northern Europe. (World Art History Certificate core course, 1 credit)

Discover the power of reflective writing inspired by visual art guided by the founding instructor of the National Gallery of Art’s Writing Salon, Mary Hall Surface. Step into the Expressionist paintings of the fascinating early 20th-century German artist Gabriele Münter. Slow down, look closely, and reflect as you explore the window as a metaphor for shifting perspectives in our lives.

Cave temples at sites such as Ajanta, Ellora, Elephanta, and Badami are notable not just for their antiquity and religious significance but also for the ingenious, sophisticated techniques used to excavate them from the sides of mountains. Art historian Robert DeCaroli examines the history of these Jain, Buddhist, Hindu, and Ajivika temples and monasteries, how they were made, and how they are being protected today. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1/2 credit)

Folklorists Sara Cleto and Brittany Warman explore an array of chilling holiday folklore from around the world, including the German Krampus who visits children who don’t make the “nice” list, the Icelandic Jólakötturinn, a gigantic cat that devours naughty children, and the Welsh Mari Lwyd, a skeletal horse with a taste for song and poetry. They reintroduce you to a more complex vision of winter, one that’s easy to forget in an increasingly hectic and standardized season.

From sleigh bells and sugarplums to the mystical beauties of the Nativity, every December is alive with the music of Christmas. Lecturer and concert pianist Rachel Franklin revisits this most beloved seasonal repertory, hand-picking selections that explore how classical Western composers created a canon of both secular and sacred experiences that are now deeply rooted in our collective seasonal expectations.

Since the days of Christopher Columbus and the earliest European explorers, Italians have made their way to American shores. But only since the late 19th century have Italian immigrants by the millions made a major impact on American culture. Writer and lecturer Adam Tanner tells a personal story of uncovering the ancestry of his grandfather, who moved to the United States at the peak of this immigration boom. His broader narrative examines how Italian Americans changed our popular culture, politics, and, of course, food.

Among the city-states of Italy, Mantua stands out for its remarkable transformation under the Gonzaga family from 1328 to 1707. Despite their often-tyrannical rule and focus on warfare, the Gonzagas significantly elevated Mantua’s status through their patronage, ushering in a golden age of the arts and architecture. Art historian Elaine Ruffolo traces the Gonzagas’ reign and the dynamics of court life in a city that remains a vibrant testament to its Renaissance legacy. (World Art History Certificate elective, ½ credit)

Nestled among bustling streets in the heart of Paris, the iconic Père Lachaise cemetery harbors stories of intrigue, fame, artistic brilliance, and cultural significance. Unravel the cemetery's secrets and celebrate its role as a sanctuary of memory and reflection with art historian Madeline Díaz, who explores why the 220-year-old Père Lachaise is not merely a resting place for the departed but a testament to Parisian history itself.

Not everyone is aware that the health care system scoops up our most intimate medical secrets to sell commercially to companies that have nothing to do with our treatment or billing. Adam Tanner, author of Our Bodies, Our Data: How Companies Make Billions Selling Our Medical Records, examines how this lucrative international business extends to doctors, hospitals, pharmacies, and insurers—and even labs that test blood and conduct other deeply revealing tests. He offers insights into how we can best balance the promise big data offers to advance medicine and improve lives while preserving the rights and interests of every patient.

Tchaikovsky, Mussorgsky, Rimsky-Korsakov, Rachmaninoff, Prokofiev: Russia has provided us with some of the most exciting and original music in the repertoire today. Vibrant colors, explosive energy, and passionate emotional drive characterize the works of these composers. As she explores their riches, concert pianist Rachel Franklin combines lecture and piano demonstrations to survey the growth of this tradition and the turbulent historical movements that acted both as backdrop and engine for it its expansion.