Following World War II, American soldiers returned from the Western Front in droves. While in England they experienced the British passion for auto racing and sports cars. Two phenomena subsequently occurred in America, the rise of the ?hot rod?, a souped up pre-war car modified and reduced in weight for speed, and, in response to the demand for more horse power and performance, the development of more powerful and sporty cars by the American auto industry. Many ?Independent? manufacturers entered the fray and along with the ?Big Three?

Situationism was a conceptual art movement that began in Europe in the late 1950s. Influenced by Dada and Surrealism as well as by the Freud/Marx/Nietzsche synthesis associated with the ?Frankfurt School?, the Situationists in turn inspired the Paris 1968 student protests and the PuNk aesthetic of the 1970s. This course introduces beginning students to their theory and artistic practice through excerpts of texts and short films (Richter, Vinet, Smithson, Debord, Freud, Nietzsche). It is an ideal beginning course for students interested in modern philosophy and social-cultural theory

This seminar will explore successful public policies from various countries around the world. Each week we will discuss a specific policy?how it works, its strengths and weaknesses, whether it is transferable to other countries, and whether we would include this policy in a utopian community we might create. The seminar is based on a BBC series, My Perfect Country, that aired in 2016, which includes topics such as erasing the digital divide; access to justice; green energy; access to clean water and sanitation; and drug decriminalization.

Water is a vital resource that supports all life. It is becoming scarcer with increasing population demands and changing climate. We will explore economic, social, and environmental implication of variability in water in
the perspective of sustainability and hydrologic principles. Case studies from all over the work will be used to gain in depth knowledge of the subject for achieving sustainable outcomes.

Have you always wanted to play a musical instrument? This seminar is for beginning ukulele players who want to explore their musical side in a fun and supportive environment. Students will learn ukulele basics, including tuning, chords, strumming patterns, and fingerpicking, as well as a variety of songs they can play and sing by themselves or with others. Students will also learn about the history of the ukulele and its iconic performers and ensembles. Students will create their own cover song arrangements and perform these in small groups during the final class.

This seminar will explore the utopian visionary drawings of artists and architects throughout western history. From the geometric plans of ancient cities to the visionary architectural drawings of the last century, this course will trace the virtual renderings of ?no place? in radical visionary architecture. As common themes and diverse conceptions become evident, we will consider the dissonance between dream and reality, fiction and function, idealism and totalitarianism. How do these pictures reveal the differing social concerns of their time?

Through this course the students will develop their own community and world-changing ideas into venture plans, using practical frameworks and principles. Students will learn about social entrepreneurism as a vehicle for change, and the different forms and structures social entrepreneurism can take. Accomplished social entrepreneurs from around the world will share their experiences and perspectives with the class with in-person visits and video sessions, help the students think through their ideas.