(See also class #131: The Roots of Modern Bethesda: 1750 - 1920.) Hank Levine tells the story of how in the century after the end of World War I Bethesda became the affluent suburb and urban center we know and (mostly) love today. Explore how the rise of the automobile brought new neighborhoods and a growing central business district; how the zoning and planning ‘wars’ of the 1960’s to 1990’s shaped our community; and how Metro jump-started the growth of a town into a city.

The First Amendment to the United States Constitution—terse in its wording, profound in its impact, sits at the heart of the American conception of freedom. This event will explain the basics of the constitutional principles of freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and freedom of association found in the First Amendment. In so doing we will explore the evolving tests, standards, and approaches found in past decisions of the United States Supreme Court.  We'll also consider how the current Court’s recent and pending decisions may affect this crucial area.

(See also class #131: The Roots of Modern Bethesda: 1750 - 1920.) Hank Levine tells the story of how in the century after the end of World War I Bethesda became the affluent suburb and urban center we know and (mostly) love today. Explore how the rise of the automobile brought new neighborhoods and a growing central business district; how the zoning and planning ‘wars’ of the 1960’s to 1990’s shaped our community; and how Metro jump-started the growth of a town into a city.

The First Amendment to the United States Constitution—terse in its wording, profound in its impact, sits at the heart of the American conception of freedom. This event will explain the basics of the constitutional principles of freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and freedom of association found in the First Amendment. In so doing we will explore the evolving tests, standards, and approaches found in past decisions of the United States Supreme Court.  We'll also consider how the current Court’s recent and pending decisions may affect this crucial area.

Nations have used economic sanctions regularly over the past century in hopes of deterring adversaries from launching wars and developing weapons of mass destruction. Yet these steps rarely succeed in changing behavior. Most often, they only punish bad actors for their aggression, as in the case of Russia, which continues to attack Ukraine. Despite their limited effectiveness, sanctions are better than all-out warfare and the targeted nations pay a steep price for their actions. Russia is learning that.

Nations have used economic sanctions regularly over the past century in hopes of deterring adversaries from launching wars and developing weapons of mass destruction. Yet these steps rarely succeed in changing behavior. Most often, they only punish bad actors for their aggression, as in the case of Russia, which continues to attack Ukraine. Despite their limited effectiveness, sanctions are better than all-out warfare and the targeted nations pay a steep price for their actions. Russia is learning that.

The Declaration of Independence is a peculiar thing. It’s a literary masterpiece that was written jointly by a committee of fifty people. It’s short and punchy—just 1310 words long—but still somehow daunting and difficult to get to grips with (there’s a reason most of us have never read it in full and can only quote the first third of its second sentence). And what is it exactly? Is it a birth certificate announcing happy news, or a petition for divorce full of grievance and score-settling, or something else? Is it aimed at the American people, or King George, or someone else? Was it the first ever declaration of independence, or a cheap imitation of a genre already well established? What did people at the time make of it? What did it change? Why does it matter? In this public lecture, Richard Bell, a professor of history at the University of Maryland will tackle the fascinating origins, misunderstood purpose, and extraordinary global legacy of the Declaration of Independence.

Nikole Hannah-Jones contends in the New York Times’ 1619 Project that there was no significant bi-racial antislavery campaign in this country in the critical period between the Constitution and the Age of Jackson. White people, she said, sat on their hands. They did nothing of substance. “For the most part,” she wrote, “Black Americans fought back alone.” This conversation seeks to unpack this stout and sobering claim—the claim that African Americans had no meaningful white allies in the antislavery before 1840. Was this true?

(BUNDLE AND SAVE $12 when you also sign up for related classes #104, 194, 233) Discover the essential rules that govern the journey of a criminal case, from the moment of arrest to the courtroom. We will emphasize the rights of the accused and explore the vital role of due process, ensuring that everyone understands the protections afforded by our Constitution.

(See other class in this series: #115.) What does it mean to create boldly in one’s seventies, eighties, and beyond? Inspired by Goya’s famous inscription— “I am still learning”—this two-part series explores great artists who reached extraordinary new heights late in life. Far from slowing down, these masters continued to innovate, experiment with new media, and reshape the course of art history.

Part 2 covers the 19th and 20th centuries. Among the heroes: Hokusai, Monet, Matisse, and Chagall.

Google Photos is a simple and free app for managing your photos and videos. Topics covered include uploading, organizing, sharing, editing, and backing up your photos.  This is a demonstration class with time for Q&A, not a hands-on class.  See related Google classes:  #138 and #149.