6 classes with availability
The Sublime: Aesthetics, Terror, and Pleasure
Brooklyn Institute for Social Research See all classes by this school
Explore the evolution of a foundational aesthetic concept through philosophy, literature, music and visual art. Examine how its meaning has shifted across history while shaping ideas about emotion, culture and politics. Engage with influential thinkers and artistic works to gain a deeper understanding of its lasting relevance.
Nov 16th
6:30–9:30pm ET
Meets 4 Times
Critical Theory and the Now: An Introduction to the Frankfurt School
Brooklyn Institute for Social Research See all classes by this school
Examine influential ideas that shaped modern critical thought through the writings of leading twentieth-century philosophers and social theorists. Explore concepts connecting culture, politics, history and art while considering their relevance to contemporary society. Engage with thought-provoking texts that encourage deeper analysis of today's world.
Nov 16th
6:30–9:30pm ET
Meets 4 Times
Hannah Arendt: The Origins of Totalitarianism
Brooklyn Institute for Social Research See all classes by this school
Delve into the historical origins of totalitarianism and its modern implications in this thought-provoking course, exploring Hannah Arendt's profound analysis of imperialism, anti-Semitism, and the erosion of individualism. Uncover the connections between racism, nationalism, and the collapse of social cohesion, and gain new insights into today's refugee crisis and statelessness.
Nov 16th
6:30–9:30pm ET
Meets 4 Times
What is Participatory Democracy? Theory, Activism, and Power
Brooklyn Institute for Social Research See all classes by this school @ Online Classroom
Delve into the complexities of participatory democracy, exploring its diverse interpretations and potential for societal transformation. Through readings and discussions, you'll engage with classical and contemporary thinkers, examining how civic participation can reshape political power and address social inequalities. Consider whether participatory democracy offers a genuine alternative to existing systems.
Nov 17th
6:30–9:30pm ET
Meets 5 Times
Femme Politics: Freedom, Affect, and Eros
Brooklyn Institute for Social Research See all classes by this school
Explore the distinction between femme and femininity while examining the political and anticapitalist dimensions of femme identity. Consider how femininity can encompass joy, connection, love and excess alongside experiences of oppression. Engage with contemporary feminist and queer scholarship to question how femme can inform political possibilities across genders.
Nov 18th
6:30–9:30pm ET
Meets 4 Times
Tragedy and Decolonization: From Pessimism to Emancipation
Brooklyn Institute for Social Research See all classes by this school
Explore how tragedy and decolonization intertwine through literature, theory, and political struggle. From the Haitian Revolution to contemporary liberation movements, examine how writers and thinkers like Césaire, James, Fanon, and Soyinka reimagined tragedy to confront history, violence, and the pursuit of freedom.
Nov 18th
6:30–9:30pm ET
Meets 4 Times
More classes to explore
15 History classes have no available dates matching these filters.
Change your filters, or save a class to your wish list for updates on new dates.
Harnessing The Power of Egyptian Hieroglyphics
Infinity Foundation See all classes by this school @ 1280 Old Skokie Valley Rd, Highland Park, IL
Words are powerful and operate on many levels through sound and symbols. Explore how to use hieroglyphics and apply them with meditation, divination, and dream work. Harness and enliven ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics as tools for manifesting ideas in the material world. Join Ellis, author of Hieroglyphic Power of Words, to gain a deep experience of this ancient living art. Discover the power of writing or copying hieroglyphics with your own hand....
Literary Capital of the West
The Newberry See all classes by this school @ 60 W Walton St, Chicago, IL
Literary Capital of the West: Chicago Writing before 1890 This course explores the evolving relationship between Western and urban identities in Chicago writing from the 1840s through the 1880s. Histories of Chicago literature often start around 1890, with the urban sketches of writers like Finley Peter Dunne. Chicago’s antebellum literature, however, was very different, aimed at rural readers in the city’s railroad empire. After the Civil...
African Murder Mysteries
The Newberry See all classes by this school @ 60 W Walton St, Chicago, IL
In this class, we’re traveling to Africa to examine mysteries from the continent over five weeks. Class Description This five-week class will explore the rich history of murder mysteries in Africa. Each week, we will read and discuss a mystery from a different country and author, exploring how mysteries became popular in Africa. We will consider points that make African mysteries unique, including politics, racial tensions, economics, and outside...
Hemingway and the Women Who Influenced His Life
The Newberry See all classes by this school @ 60 W Walton St, Chicago, IL
Uncover the hidden stories behind Hemingway's iconic works as you delve into the captivating lives of the influential women who shaped his existence. Gain unique insights into their relationships through personal letters, rare photographs, and engaging discussions in this thought-provoking literary exploration.
Russia and Its Neighbors: Ukraine, the Baltics
The Newberry See all classes by this school @ 60 W Walton St, Chicago, IL
Russia and Its Neighbors: Ukraine, the Baltics, the Caucasus, and the -Stans As current events surrounding Russia shock and puzzle, the world tries to understand, why. This class offers a historical survey of Russia’s relationship with its neighbors, from the time of Russia’s emergence as a nation and a state, through its imperial and Soviet periods, through the turbulent years following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, and up to the tragic...
The Making of Modern Paris, 1852-1939
The Newberry See all classes by this school @ 60 W Walton St, Chicago, IL
In this class, we’ll explore the making of modern Paris from the Second Empire through the 1930s. Political and social turbulence, as well as an architectural and artistic efflorescence, characterized Paris from the Second Empire through the 1930s. Topics to be treated in this class’s exploration of the City of Light will include Baron Haussmann and the remaking of Paris; the everyday lives of ordinary Parisians; life in the city during the...
Gothic Chicago: Chicago's Gothic Architecture
The Newberry See all classes by this school @ 60 W Walton St, Chicago, IL
Unearth the dark histories and mysterious tales behind Chicago's iconic gothic architecture sites on this guided Halloween tour. Join us as we explore the city's famous Water Tower, Holy Name Cathedral, and other landmarks, and discover the hidden secrets that still haunt these captivating structures.
Shakespeare Project of Chicago: The Winter's Tale
The Newberry See all classes by this school @ 60 W Walton St, Chicago, IL
This is a one time FREE course. Shakespeare’s romance The Winter’s Tale not only contains the playwright’s most famous stage direction (“Exit, pursued by a bear”), but a story that goes to the deepest side of tragedy before finding its triumphant redemption. A Sicilian king becomes consumed by the belief that his best friend has committed adultery with his wife, and this passionate jealousy ignites a series of events that takes...
Shakespeare Project of Chicago: Cymbeline
The Newberry See all classes by this school @ 60 W Walton St, Chicago, IL
This is a one time FREE course Filled with intrigue and romance, Shakespeare's Cymbeline introduces an evil queen, an innocent young princess, an upstanding young man, a conniving villain, and the titular king into the fantastical world of this twist-filled tale. Jeff Christian directs. A staged reading by professional actors from The Shakespeare Project of Chicago. An informative talk begins fifteen minutes before the performance, which is...
John M. Wing Lecture on the History of the Book
The Newberry See all classes by this school @ 60 W Walton St, Chicago, IL
The year 2017 marks the centenary of the death of John M. Wing, the remarkable and eccentric collector whose bequest founded the Newberry’s John M. Wing Collection on the History of Printing. Over the last one hundred years the collection’s curators have amassed an extraordinary group of materials ranging from incunables to modern artist’s books to everything in between. Together they represent one of the world’s best known collections related...
Understanding Chicago's Planning History
The Newberry See all classes by this school @ 60 W Walton St, Chicago, IL
Understanding Chicago's Planning History using the Chicago Collections Consortium Learn about little-known aspects of the history of city planning in Chicago, drawing on the breadth and depth of resources available through the Chicago Collections Consortium and EXPLORE Chicago Collections.
Shakespeare Project of Chicago: As You Like It
The Newberry See all classes by this school @ 60 W Walton St, Chicago, IL
This is a one time FREE course. “All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players; They have their exits and their entrances, And one man in his time plays many parts …” A staged reading by professional actors from The Shakespeare Project of Chicago, directed by J. R. Sullivan, of the Pearl Theatre Company in New York. An informative talk by a dramaturg begins fifteen minutes before the performance, which is...
Cosmopolitan Early Modern Venice
The Newberry See all classes by this school @ 60 W Walton St, Chicago, IL
This is a one time FREE course. Venice during the early modern era expanded its position as a major crossroads between Europe, Asia, and Africa. A commercial powerhouse, the independent republic mediated between Roman, Protestant, and Byzantine Christian as well as Islamic lands. Edward Muir and Kaya Sahin will discuss the unique role played by Venice during this great era of religious change.
The Roaring Twenties and the Making of Modern America
The Newberry See all classes by this school @ 60 W Walton St, Chicago, IL
In this class, we will learn about how the 1920s helped create America as a world superpower. The 1920's was an exciting and eventful period of time for the United States and the world. It has been represented as a carefree time after the Great War, but great change occurred and a growing United States grew into a global power. We will learn about how these changes helped create America as a world superpower. Tom Irvine works with technology in...
Reviews for History Lessons in Chicago
History Lessons in Chicago are rated 4.8 stars based on 10 verified reviews from actual CourseHorse.com purchasers.
-
Harnessing The Power of Egyptian Hieroglyphics
A fascinating course with a gifted teacher. -
The Art Institute of Chicago: Badass Bitches Tour
Great Tour led by Jessamyn! Fun and interactive (played games) and learned a lot too. -
The Art Institute of Chicago: Badass Bitches Tour
Jessamyn was awesome. The whole experience was well... badass! Matt and Dani Nessetti -
The Art Institute of Chicago: Badass Bitches Tour
It was a wonderful tour. Ali made it interesting all the while learning a lot. She is a great teacher and it was a lot of fun. Hope to do another tour:) Karen Parks -
The Art Institute of Chicago: Badass Bitches Tour
Fun, informative and interactive! Sarah was an awesome guide. We learned a lot. But Halloween will never be the same. And that's ok. -
The Making of Modern Paris, 1852-1939
The instructor was excellent, a true scholar. One (the participant) did have to know some knowledge on the topic, though, since it was highly specialized.