The Classes

(for Fall 2025)

Mondays

JUSTICE and INJUSTICE: Focus on Human Rights

4-5:30 PM      12 sessions, Fall session beginning September 8 and ending early December   ONLINE

Cost:  $420 (including all admissions and materials)

What are human rights?  How do societies attempt to administer justice, if these rights are violated?  Are all humans treated fairly?  This term, we look at the themes of justice, injustice, and human rights through philosophical arguments, court cases, legal codes, and executive decisions. For the fall semester, we will look at early law codes, religious codes, women’s rights, early gender non-confirming rights, and legal cases including the trial of Socrates, the trial of Thomas More, the “crossdressing” trials, witchcraft trials, the Zenger trial, and others.  We also consider the role of the judicial branch in government, with focus on the United States and the Supreme Court decisions under Justices Marshall and Taney.  Furthermore, we look at ethical philosophies, such as Plato, Aristotle, Mill, and others.  Class continues for a winter and spring term.

Αges:  High School, with some exceptions for younger students (Note:  some of the topics may be mature)

Tuesdays

ANTHROPOLOGY and HISTORY OF MAGIC and SCIENCE

11-12:30 PM  12 sessions, Fall session beginning September 9 and ending early December  IN PERSON, MUSEUM BASED

Cost:  $420 (including all admissions and materials)

This interdisciplinary course is an introduction to anthropological theory, through the lens of religion, science, and magic, but also an opportunity to study sociology, history, and art.   We read theorists, from Franz Boaz to Catherine Bell and all in between, but use museum collections as our basis of study.  We also read from magical texts, and consider the role that magic plays in scientific thinking. The Fall Term focuses on traditional understandings of magic and science:  Egyptian, Mesopotamian, indigenous African, Polynesian, Native American, and Indonesian, as well as syncretic traditions, and topics include agricultural magic, healing and wellness, deities of magic, funerary magic, and of course, curses and blessings.  Class continues for a winter and spring term.

Αges:  High School, with some exceptions for younger students (Note:  some of the topics may be mature)

THE CIVIL WAR and its IMPACT

3-4:30 PM      12 sessions, Fall session beginning September 9 and ending early December  IN PERSON, MUSEUM BASED

Cost:  $420 (including all admissions and materials)

The American Civil War ran from 1861-1865, but its roots extended decades earlier, and its reverberations continue to today.  We study all of it:  early causes, personalities, early North-South conflicts, role of Native Americans and immigrants, slavery, weapons development, media, literature, art, and much more.  The fall term focuses on the pre-Civil War and overview of the conflict, using museum collections to help us find our way.  Class continues for a winter and spring term, where we discuss more on the War, Reconstruction, and the Great Migration.

Αges:  High School, with some exceptions for younger students (Note:  some of the topics may be mature)

CONTROVERSIES

Controversies is a weekly teen meetup organized and run by teens with minimal adult oversight, so that they can discuss their own issues in their way.  It is moderated loosely by me, but also a team of older teens who have plenty of experience running meetings.  Topics range from current events to popular music, all chosen by them.

5:30-7 PM     13 sessions, beginning September 9 and ending early December Cost:  FREE

Αges:  High School, with some exceptions for younger students (Note:  some of the topics may be mature)

Wednesdays

FULL: Comparative GOVERNMENTS (World) AP Based

WAITLIST AVAILABLE

11-12:30 PM   12 sessions, Fall session beginning September 10 and ending early December     In Person, but availability to Zoom in if needed

Cost:  $420 (including all admissions and materials)

How does government work?  Comparative government is a field of study within political science that examines and compares the political systems of different countries. In this class, we analyze similarities and differences in political institutions, processes, policies, and behaviors, aiming to understand how different countries govern themselves and why some systems are more effective than others. We cover different forms of government, but focus on six key countries: the United Kingdom, China, Nigeria, Mexico, Iran, and Russia. It is based on the themes of the AP Comparative Governments class, studying history, politics, political culture and participation, and economic changes.

Αges:  High School, with some exceptions for younger students (Note:  some of the topics may be mature)

AP STYLE US Government and Politics

1-2:30 PM      12 sessions, Fall session beginning September 10 and ending early December In Person, but availability to Zoom in if needed

Cost:  $420 (including all admissions and materials)

This course surveys the structure and function of  American government and politics that begins with an analysis of the US Constitution, the foundation of the American political system. Students study administrative agencies that support each branch, the role of political behavior in the democratic process, elections, political process, and the workings of political parties and interest groups.

Αges:  High School, with some exceptions for younger students

Thursdays

FULL: ART and SOCIETY

Waitlist Available

10:30-12 PM  12 sessions, Fall session beginning September 11 and ending early December

In Person, Museum Based

Cost:  $420 (including all admissions and materials)

What role does art play in history, politics, religion, sociology, psychology, media, urban studies, race, gender, and ethnicity? This is a seminar-style class that explains some of the basics of art history, while applying art to a broader context. Themes for the fall include expressions of power, the human form, transformations, colonialism, We focus on key artworks in a global context, from prehistory to modern. Students work collaboratively on designing the syllabus. Museums include the Met, the Guggenheim, the Frick, the Whitney, the Brooklyn Museum and more.

Αges:  High School, with some exceptions for younger students (Note:  some of the topics may be mature)

FULL: ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS: Egypt and Mesopotamia

YOUNGER version

Waitlist Available

12-1:30 PM     12 sessions, Fall session beginning September 11 and ending early December     In Person, Museum Based

Cost:  $420 (including all admissions and materials)

Join us as we study the history of Egypt and Mesopotamia, from the beginnings to the conquest by Rome.  Specific themes include the development of civilization, the importance of the rivers in each civilization’s development, stories such as Gilgamesh and Sinuhe, the role of the gods and goddesses, events in various pharaoh’s reigns (by the end of class, everyone will be able to casually mention Nebhetepre Mentuhotep!), warfare, ancient magic, law (including Hammurabi’s Law Code), women and gender, math and science, and interconnections with the neighbors.  Issues in Egyptian and Mesopotamian history will continue into the winter session, where we focus on other areas of interconnections in the ancient world, and then we jump to the Americas in spring for Andean, Mayan, Aztec and Incan history. The museums are used as our visual aids, but class includes many primary source texts and other written materials (students of all reading levels welcome).   Αges:  9ish to 12ish

History of Sports

3-4:30 12 sessions, Fall session beginning September 11 and ending early December

ONLINE, with some museum based visits

Cost:  $420 (including all admissions and materials)

EARLY BIRD PRICE: $395

This course provides a comprehensive overview of the history of sports, examining their social, cultural, and political impact across various eras and cultures. Students explore the evolution of sports, from ancient games to modern professional leagues, while analyzing their role in shaping society and reflecting historical trends.  Fall topics include Greek funeral games, the Olympics and related games, the origins of football, role of gender in sports, the Mesoamerican Ball Game, and more.  Go Jets!

Αges:  High School, with some exceptions for younger middle school aged students (Note:  some of the topics may be mature)

Fridays

FULL: ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS: Egypt and Mesopotamia Middle School-Early High School version
WAITLIST AVAILABLE

10:30-12 PM   12 sessions, Fall session beginning September 12 and ending early December     In Person, Museum Based

Cost:  $420 (including all admissions and materials)

EARLY BIRD PRICE: $395

Join us as we study the history of Egypt and Mesopotamia, from the beginnings to the conquest by Rome.  Specific themes include the development of civilization, the importance of the rivers in each civilization’s development, stories such as Gilgamesh and Sinuhe, the role of the gods and goddesses, events in various pharaoh’s reigns (by the end of class, everyone will be able to casually mention Nebhetepre Mentuhotep!), warfare, ancient magic, law (including Hammurabi’s Law Code), women and gender, math and science, and interconnections with the neighbors.  Issues in Egyptian and Mesopotamian history will continue into the winter session, where we focus on other areas of interconnections in the ancient world, and then we jump to the Americas in spring for Andean, Mayan, Aztec and Incan history. The museums are used as our visual aids, but class includes many primary source texts and other written materials (students of all reading levels welcome). 

Αges:  Middle School and early High School, with some exceptions for younger students (Note:  some of the topics may be mature)

FULL: ANCIENT EGYPTIAN LANGUAGE

4-5 PM            12 sessions, Fall session beginning September 12 and ending early ecember  

In Person, Museum Based

Cost:  $320 (including all admissions and materials)

This class is a serious study of the Egyptian language, far beyond learning a few hieroglyphs.  Students will learn the grammar, syntax and vocabulary of Middle Egyptian, transliterate texts, and work on translations of literary texts and inscriptions.  Some secondary language background is helpful, but not required.  We offer translation exercises each week for voluntary homework.  Students should come prepared to actively participate! We will use the Met as our classroom, either the galleries for translations on the material objects themselves, or a quiet section for text work. Texts include Allen’s Middle Egyptian, Manley’s How to Read Egyptian Hieroglyphics, and Gardiner’s Egyptian Grammar (printouts supplied and included in course costs)

Αges:  High school, with serious middle school ages welcome

FULL: ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS: Egypt and Mesopotamia

HIGH SCHOOL VERSION

Waitlist Available

5:30-7 PM       12 sessions, Fall session beginning September 12 and ending early December     In Person, Museum Based

Cost:  $420 (including all admissions and materials)

EARLY BIRD PRICE: $395

Join us as we study the history of Egypt and Mesopotamia, from the beginnings to the conquest by Rome.  Specific themes include the development of civilization, the importance of the rivers in each civilization’s development, stories such as Gilgamesh and Sinuhe, the role of the gods and goddesses, events in various pharaoh’s reigns (by the end of class, everyone will be able to casually mention Nebhetepre Mentuhotep!), warfare, ancient magic, law (including Hammurabi’s Law Code), women and gender, math and science, and interconnections with the neighbors.  Issues in Egyptian and Mesopotamian history will continue into the winter session, where we focus on other areas of interconnections in the ancient world, and then we jump to the Americas in spring for Andean, Mayan, Aztec and Incan history. The museums are used as our visual aids, but class includes many primary source texts and other written materials.

Αges:  Older high school

For seniors and gap year students, this is an opportunity to meet up with other seniors and homeschool educators to work on your final projects. This is a student driven opportunity

Private one-on-ones are also available

BEFORE YOU REGISTER….

For the academic year 2025-26, all classes will meet in three DIFFERENT ways:

-ALL online via ZOOM with some meetings in person (a recorded overview will substitute for those who could not make it)

-Hybrid/blended with in person and online ZOOM students together (“Roomers and Zoomers”) -ONLY in person, meeting primarily at