The Amazing Brain: Neurosciences Outreach in the Public Schools

Lori Driscoll '94

Learn about the two-block Neuroscience course at Colorado College that culminates in students sharing their knowledge with children in Colorado Springs elementary schools. Since its inception in 1993, "The Amazing Brain" program has brought neuroscience education to more than 2,000 classrooms and 26,000 children.

The American Experiment – A Conversation

Tom Cronin

The American Experiment has several paradoxes. One is that most Americans believe we are an exceptional nation, yet we are increasingly distrustful of our civic institutions and much of the media and even higher education. What is going on? What is the future of the American Experiment?

Alumni Engagement Starts in High School

President Whitaker

This micro-block will explore how what high school students value in a college shapes their future alumni engagement. Oh, and you will learn why extrinsic motivation isn't real.

Decoding the Cosmic Expansion: The Secrets of an Accelerating Universe

Shane Burns

The universe is expanding, and recent observations have revealed that this expansion is accelerating. But what does this mean for our understanding of the cosmos? In this presentation, we will examine groundbreaking data from telescopes and space missions; and explain how this accelerated expansion challenges traditional cosmological models and what it reveals about the universe’s fate. We’ll explore key concepts such as dark energy, the cosmological constant, and the interplay between general relativity and quantum mechanics. We'll delve into the latest research and theories that explain the phenomenon of accelerated expansion. Join us for a journey through the frontiers of modern cosmology and learn more about the mysteries that continue to shape our understanding of the universe.

Why You are Not too [old, stiff, injured] to do Yoga!

Peggy Berg

Time to awaken your inner yogi! This will be a gentle and safe participatory yoga class, based on the teachings of B.K.S. Iyengar. Please wear comfortable clothing that allows for easy movement and empty your pockets before coming to class. We will work in bare feet (unless you have a problem with your feet that makes this inadvisable).

History of Soccer at CC

Horst Richardson

Horst Richardson, who coached Men’s Soccer at CC for 50 years, will share memories from his half century on Stewart Field. He, and his wife Helen, will focus on their recently published book, entitled “The History of Men’s Soccer at CC.” Highlights will include such trivia bits as: soccer in Camp Carson for German prisoners of war, CC Soccer and the 1956 Hungarian Revolution, CC Soccer in China, the genesis of Women’s Soccer at CC, in the Final Four, CC Soccer and Romeo and Juliet, and innumerable other delightful stories. No need to bring soccer boots or shin guards for this event.  

Fake-busters: Forensic Analyses of Art

Nate Bower, Amanda Bowman, Murphy Brasuel

This mini-course will detail some reasons individuals have given for making fakes and forgeries, define the categories of authenticity and fakes, and explore some of the methods used in conservation and authentication including a couple novel approaches developed at Colorado College. Case studies will be used to illustrate the material.

Speech is More than Speaking

Doug Edlin

The United States is often described, for various reasons, as the most speech-protective nation in the world. We will discuss what that means. By thinking about the history, theory, and law of the First Amendment, we will explore the progression of the constitutional protection of speech about matters of public concern, to a marketplace of ideas, to our current preoccupation with individual self-expression. We will also consider what these different conceptions of free speech mean for the current political climate around the country.

Friluftsliv (free-loofts-liv): Can the Scandinavian Concept of Open Air Life or Living Lead to Health and Happiness?

Anthony Bull

Said to have been coined in the 1850s by Norwegian playwright and poet Henrik Ibsen, the idea of Friluftsliv, or spending time in the mountains, allows you to think freely and enjoy physical activity at your own pace. Friluftsliv has evolved into the idea of spending time in nature, usually engaged in physical activity, for personal wellness, but without the pressure to achieve a goal or compete. Is Friluftsliv part of the reason Scandinavian/Nordic countries rank amoung the seven happiest countries in the world (World Happiness Report, 2024)? Anthony Bull, PhD, Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Human Biology and Kinesiology will discuss ideas related to Friluftsliv and the possibility of a future CC alumni trip to Scandinavia to practice Friluftsliv while exploring Scandinavian history and culture.

Is Hitchcock's "Vertigo" the greatest film ever made?

George Butte

This was the claim of the last international Sight and Sound survey of film scholars and film artists worldwide. We'll learn what makes a great film and engage in lively discussion around the pros and cons of this declaration.

Chekhov's "Kiss" and the Poetics of Error

Alexei Pavlenko

Chekhov's art explores human proclivity toward error in a uniquely sympathetic manner: Rather than reproving, the author-cum-doctor depicts his characters' misperceptions and delusions as inherent to human nature. Moreover, Chekhov consistently portrays the sober characters, those who manage to wake up from their fantasies (Pavel in "Gusev," Ionych in the eponymous story) as limited, and lacking in humanity. From the misdirected sneeze in his early "The Death of a Government Clerk" (1883), to the misplaced kiss in 1887, to the series of misidentifications haunting the final days of his holiness Bishop Pyotr (1902), Chekhov's penultimate story, the mistake motif threads through the writer's entire career. The errors expose Chekhov's characters as pathos-worthy, not in spite but because of their faults. His short masterpiece "The Kiss" (1887) illustrates Chekhov's poetics of error. In this class, we will examine the distinguishing features of Chekhov's short story; we will focus on "The Kiss," and will make references to "Gusev," "Ionych," and "The Bishop."

Back to Back to the Future

Barry Sarchet

Robert Zemeckis' Back to the Future was the top-grossing film of 1985, and it was about this time that I began to teach film courses regularly. Ever since, it has been one of the very, very few films I could expect that almost all my students had seen. It has now become a classic film of the so-called "New New Hollywood." How to account for its amazing success even today, especially among young people, but adults as well? We will look closely at the opening credits to understand the film's style and appeal. If possible before coming to Homecoming, grab some popcorn and (re)watch it. I bet you'll have a great time.

AI in Business: Navigating the Ethical Frontier

Lora Louise Broady '83 

In this micro-block, we will delve into the questions surrounding the ethics in artificial intelligence (AI) in the business world. From data privacy concerns to algorithmic biases and the future of work, we will explore the complex ethical landscape that AI technologies are creating. Join us to discuss real-world case studies, engage in lively debates, and gain insights into how ethical considerations of AI can shape the future of business.

Freedom and Authority Reunion

Timothy Fuller

This session will reflect on the significant role of Freedom and Authority at CC and how these concepts resonate today.

Orientalism and You

Sofia Fenner

What does it mean when we say that something is "Orientalist?" Why is Orientalism something we might want to avoid? Together, we'll explore the concept of Orientalism, learn about its common tropes and assumptions, and discuss how it distorts our understanding of the Arab and Muslim worlds. Then, in true CC style, we will practice identifying Orientalist tropes in art, news coverage, and political analysis. Bring your questions!

Sense of Place: Locating Colorado College

Rosalie Rodriguez, Santiago Guerra, Karen Roybal, Jamal Ratchford

Bell Hooks wrote, "We know ourselves through the art and act of remembering. Memories offer us a world where… we are sustained by rituals of regard and recollection". As Colorado College contends with its 150th anniversary (an anniversary that pre-dates the state by 2 years), we propose to embark on a year of collective understanding of ourselves through our location; one whose complicated history includes forced removal of the indigenous people of the region by Buffalo Soldiers, many of whom were formerly enslaved, an abolitionist founder, and territory belonging to Spain and then Mexico prior to 1848. Join us for a discussion and dialogue about where we have been and where we must go to face these truths and reconcile them as part of the institution's antiracist commitment.

A Symposium with the Classics Department

Sanjaya Thakur

Join Professor Thakur and other members of the Classics Department to discuss Plato's famous text on love, desire, eros, in a convivial atmosphere. You will learn about the history of the symposium (drinking party), look at artistic representations of the event, and discuss the legacy of this activity and the Socratic method of teaching/learning. No preparation or experience necessary!

Mozart, the Supreme Musical Dramatist

Michael Grace '63

Mozart’s operas hold a special place in the history of Western Culture. They bring to life the issues that prevailed at the time and remain with us today - the decadence of the aristocracy in the Marriage of Figaro, the rise of the super hero like Don Giovanni, and the golden sparkle of our fantasies in the Magic Flute. But in every case, it is Mozart’s inspired and appealing music that draws us into the moment and makes us empathize with the characters and their predicaments. We will discuss briefly the music of the tainted hero Don Giovanni, the charming schemer Figaro, and the transcendent Queen of the Night, and then share their feelings while watching amazing musical scenes.