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A Descent Into Dante’s Inferno: An Allegorical Journey, Then & NowACE HighlightsDante Alighieri, the father of the Italian language, wrote The Divine Comedy, a magnificent poem consisting of 14,233 hendecasyllabic verses in a form of his own invention, terza rima (aba, bcb, cdc…). La Divina Commedia profoundly influenced not only the Italian language and literature, but the entire Western culture, from Botticelli, Blake, and Dalí, to Milton, T. S. Eliot, and Beckett, among others. The last grand work of the Middle Ages, it was also a harbinger of the Renaissance and Humanism. We will examine Dante’s “Inferno,” the first canticle of The Divine Comedy, through the historical and literary point of view and enjoy reading select passages in Italian and English. Recommended for purchase and used in class is Robert M. Torrance’s Dante’s Inferno, A New Translation in Terza Rima, Xlibris, 2011. Photo: Dante shown holding a copy of the Divine Comedy, next to the entrance to Hell, the seven terraces of Mount Purgatory and the city of Florence, with the spheres of Heaven above, in Domenico di Michelino’s 1465 fresco. Source: WikipediaWinter 2023
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A Natural History of MusicACE HighlightsMusic is a human universal. From vocal songs or simple clapping to string orchestras playing Beethoven, from all-night drumming to quiet lullabies, every culture has some form of musical expression—and usually more than one. But what is music? Why do we do it? And why don’t our closest animal relatives, chimpanzees or other apes, seem to do it, too? This survey of the comparative study of music within an evolutionary and cultural framework will draw on recent research in cognitive motor science, behavioral biology, anthropology, and even philosophy. We will discuss the surprising similarities between the rhythmic abilities of humans and birds; the possible relationship between music and language; and the role of music in social life.Winter 2023
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Air Source Heat Pumps 101: A Greener AlternativeACE HighlightsAir source heat pumps are widely recommended as a good way to stop heating our homes with fossil fuels—and they are also very good air conditioners. Before picking an installer, there’s plenty to learn including the difference between ducted and ductless (aka mini-split) systems, when you might want to combine the two, how to size a system correctly, and how to operate them for maximum comfort and efficiency. Get all of your questions answered from Arlington homeowners who have switched to air source heat pumps and experienced them through cold winters and hot summers. All proceeds from these events go toward the ACE Scholarship fund to help make our classes accessible to all Arlington youth.Winter 2023
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Kabbalah: Mysticism, Magic & SexualityACE HighlightsExplore the world of Kabbalah, the ancient mystical tradition of Judaism. We will examine the creative ways in which Kabbalists saw the world: their views of an androgynous God, the central role of humanity in expediting redemption, the daring sexual symbolism of the Tree of Life, and the role of meditation and prayer in repairing the world. We will also look at the substantial influence Kabbalah exercised on Renaissance thought, Christian theology, and Western esotericism. The lecture will conclude with a short glance at Kabbalah’s contemporary revival.Winter 2023
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Arlington County (flickr) (CC BY 2.0)Recycling Around the WorldACE HighlightsArlington can benefit from adopting a cross-cultural perspective and employing international cooperation when it comes to reducing waste. Hear about a project that connects AHS students with kids in Vietnam to reflect on the effects of ocean plastic pollution. Another project is inspired by work being done in Japan and Thailand to calculate the emissions benefits of recycling rather than incinerating potentially recyclable materials. We’ll also talk about Arlington’s waste characterization study and what we hope to find out about our waste/diversion behavior. All proceeds from this event go towards the ACE Scholarship fund to help make our classes more accessible to all Arlington youth.Winter 2023
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Religion, Health & MedicineACE HighlightsHow do religion and medicine overlap? How does religion influence people’s ideas about what is healthy and when to get treatment? What are the religious and spiritual roots of many alternative medicine practices and other spiritual approaches to health and wellness? Examine important topics related to religion, health, medicine, and morality in the United States. We will focus on current issues such as abortion, vaccines, alternative medicine, and medical freedom, by learning about their histories and thinking about different religious traditions.Winter 2023
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WaitlistThe Art of Pysanky: Ukrainian Easter EggsACE HighlightsPysanky are intricately-decorated eggs created by using a wax batik method with traditional folk motifs and designs. Transform plain white eggs by using a special pen and melted wax, then color the eggs with vivid dyes. You will repeat the drawing and dyeing several times as each layer of the design is applied until your beautiful egg is complete.Winter 2023
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WaitlistChildren's Bureau Centennial (flickr) (CC BY 2.0)The Life & Legacy of Frances PerkinsACE HighlightsFrances Perkins, the first female U.S. Cabinet member, served as Secretary of Labor under Franklin D. Roosevelt from 1933 to 1945. She is widely recognized as the driving force behind the New Deal, advocating for the policies that created Social Security, the forty-hour work week, overtime pay, unemployment insurance, workplace safety standards, and a ban on child labor. We will explore her life, starting with her roots in Maine. We’ll end with a conversation with her grandson, Tomlin Perkins Coggeshall, founder of the Frances Perkins Center. This national historic landmark strives to preserve her legacy by sharing her commitment to the principle that “government should provide all its people with the best possible life.”Winter 2023
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What is Critical Race Theory Anyway?ACE HighlightsLearn about the basic tenets of Critical Race Theory in this four-session course. Explore the impact of the work of a few of its founding scholars, including Derrick Bell, Kimberlé Crenshaw, and Gloria Ladson-Billings. We will engage in a case study of an earlier media controversy. Then we will examine the ongoing tension between the concepts of race consciousness and color blindness, and how these concepts illuminate or hinder the ongoing American dialogue about raceWinter 2023
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Starting Soonx1klima (flickr) (CC BY 2.0)Wine, Chocolate & Shakespeare on LoveACE HighlightsAs we drink wine and taste chocolate together on Valentine’s Day, we will read and consider a range of Shakespeare’s most intimate sonnets to make sense of love in its genuine complexity. Shakespeare gives an exquisite voice to the mysteries of love throughout his works. He engages deeply with the totality of human experience, and collectively we will parse his words and phrases to explore the human understanding of love. No prior experience with Shakespeare is necessary, though you may want to refamiliarize yourself with Romeo and Juliet and Othello, which so beautifully explore the nature of love. Please note: You must be 21 years old to enroll in this class. Tuition includes all food and beverages.Winter 2023