Explore the ideas that shaped American democracy through key founding documents, including the Declaration of Independence, United States Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. This series also examines debates about government in The Federalist Papers and Brutus No. 1. Discussions will connect these founding ideas to later struggles for justice, including Letter from Birmingham City Jail by Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Presenter: Jules Mermelstein is a retired UDT Commissioner, criminal defense attorney, teacher of history, government and constitutional law, and ACLU volunteer attorney. He is currently serving as a Vice-Chair of the Montgomery Bar Association's Government Relations Committee. He welcomes thoughtful discussion and encourages you to bring your questions.

In the 20th century, European and Ottoman empires declined as the United States rose to global influence. While often voicing opposition to colonialism, the U.S. exerted its own power abroad. In competition with Russian and Chinese expansion, ideas of “American Exceptionalism” promoted democratic ideals overseas, even as racism, fascism, and prejudice persisted at home. This course examines forces such as Manifest Destiny, slavery, immigration exclusion, McCarthyism, the Cold War, and the policies of leaders including Kissinger, Cheney, and Trump.

This course is a continuation of the Spring 2026 course. Newcomers and previous attendees welcome.

Presenter: Steve Pollack lectures on culture, history, music and art in area schools, libraries, and community & continuing education groups.

Learn how data is governed through laws, contracts, and business policies. Through discussion of real-world cases, including classified records at Mar-a-Lago, the Enron scandal, and Raine v. OpenAI, participants will explore the ethical challenges of managing data in today’s world.

Presenter: Alicia Fortunato holds a master’s degree in library science with a specialization in Archives and Records Management from the University of Pittsburgh. Prior to her retirement, she served as a Senior Director of Risk Management at a Big Four accounting firm, where she led the development and implementation of technology, data, and privacy policies.

Explore recent and emerging technology developments across a range of cutting‑edge fields, including biotechnology, microbiology, genetics, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, climate science, and energy innovation. This session highlights real‑world applications, scientific breakthroughs, and cross‑disciplinary connections shaping research, industry, and society today. Open discussion and participant feedback are encouraged to share perspectives, ask questions, and connect the technology to everyday impact.

Presenter: James Mattison holds both a B.A. and an M.A. in biology. He has 15 years of experience working in research and 18 years in technical sales, and has taught adult education courses through Delaware Valley University’s CLR program. His research background includes work in immunology, hepatitis, and HIV at the Wistar Institute and Ortho Diagnostics.

Examine women’s roles in shaping civic culture from 1876–1976 through major civic celebrations. The course highlights how exhibitions and programs showcasing women’s contributions to nation-building inspired the growth of women-led educational, political, and social service organizations.

Presenter: Dr. Cynthia Little has researched and spoken about women’s history in Philadelphia since 1972. She co-founded Feminist Tours of Philadelphia and helped found Women’s History Month. She holds a doctorate in history from Temple University and has worked as a public historian in archives and museums.

This course examines how cabinet members and advisors shaped the presidencies of George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Donald Trump. Participants will explore the qualities of effective cabinets and their impact on the nation’s economy, national security, and constitutional democracy.

Presenter: David Starfield is a retired attorney and recipient of the following awards: “Life Fellow” by the ABA’s American Bar Foundation; Super Lawyer by Philadelphia Magazine; “Instructor of the Year” by a banking trade organization; and SBA's “Financial Services Champion of the Year.” He currently enjoys lecturing about current events and American history.

Through readings and discussion, the course will explore selected poetry by W. H. Auden, from his early years in England to his emigration to the United States in 1939, where he later became a U.S. citizen. Participants will examine how Auden’s work responds to the political, social, and personal forces of his time. Reflecting on Auden's legacy, including his receipt of the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1948 for The Age of Anxiety, readers will gain a deeper appreciation of this influential twentieth‑century poet.

Presenter: Jerry Burnsteel (BA, English, Penn State; MA & PhD, Bowling Green State University) is a former assistant professor of English who taught composition and honors courses. He has taught at community colleges and undergraduate institutions in Michigan and Pennsylvania (including Penn State Abington) and served as a Lecturer in Management Communication at Harvard Business School.

This class will now meet from 10:00–11:15 AM (originally scheduled for 9:45 AM).

Discover the enduring melodies that are integral to the jazz songbook. This immersive learning experience blends historical context and musical concepts with live saxophone performances, bringing classic jazz tunes to life. Participants will explore the stories behind the songs, the composers who shaped the genre, and the musical ideas that make these works enduring favorites, all while experiencing the music as it was meant to be heard—performed live.

Presenter: Walt Beier is a professional musician and a Pitt Music School graduate. Walt studied with renowned saxophonist Nathan Davis and performed with Sonny Rollins, Clark Terry, and at the Montreux Jazz Festival.