After exploring the benefits of free market capitalism, we examine challenges of our time that stress our social order. Climate changes, income distribution issues, artificial intelligence, foreign trade and demographic concerns are some of the things that cause a lack of trust in the system and that puts free markets at risk. But there are reasons to hope the system can survive and thrive as we look to the future. No formal economic background is needed to join this class.

Meet the first Black Catholic slave of record to arrive on Texas soil in 1528, the enslaved layman who became New York's most beloved philanthropist. Discover the mixed-race brothers who became bishops while passing for white. Learn about the nuns who defied segregation and the activists who demanded the Church live up to its gospel. This course uncovers the remarkable—and largely forgotten—history of Black Catholics who challenged racism inside and outside the Church while creating vibrant spiritual communities. Powerful stories that will change how you see American history. Join us for eye-opening history that speaks directly to today's conversations about race, religion, and belonging.

 From Cuba to Ukraine: We will take a look at all the flashpoints that could have escalated into WWIII

 Today, the typical novel sells fewer than 1000 copies over its lifetime; Uncle Tom's Cabin sold more than 3000 copies on the first day of its publication in 1852. An international sensation, it was translated into more than 20 languages by the end of the decade, and was the first American novel to be translated into Chinese, in 1901. When Lincoln met the 5 foot tall Stowe he remarked, "So this is the little lady who started this great war." Perhaps the most important novel ever written, it's fast paced, psychologically astute, and culturally informed. We will be using the Norton Critical Edition of the book, which I ask students to purchase

How Does Economics Effect Our Social Order We live in changing and uncertain times that stress our democratic free market social order. How are you impacted by this and how can we keep our economic system working well for everyone? Can our market economy deal with concerns about the climate, an aging population, poverty, pandemics and international relations to name a few of the issues that are impacting our social order. Are you optimistic that our economy can help our social order support our values and hopes? Academic coursework in economics is not a requirement for this class.

Join international operatic tenor, Pavarotti competition winner, and ND professor (retired) Mark Beudert for a free-wheeling exploration of the life and works of the great and complex German composer!

In each of the 20 selected developed countries (10 happy, 10 not so happy) we will explore the history, ethnic makeup, geography, climate, environmental performance, GDP per capita, employment, taxes, cost of living, pensions (social security), housing, life expectancy, diet, corruption, crime, freedom to make life choices, religion, health care, type of government, strength of currency, maternity leave, childcare, education, military service, unfriendly neighbors, public transport, and more. Is there a common thread(s) that makes the happy countries happy, and a common thread(s) that makes the unhappy countries unhappy? We shall see.

In the last 100 years, we have become increasingly aware of the consequences of scientific and technological knowledge. Benefits, such as the reduction of childhood mortality, are indisputable. But other advances, such as greatly increased life spans, bring mixed blessings. Longer lives weigh down support systems, and many of the elderly endure pain in their later years. Other byproducts of “advances” cast a shadow over our planet: nuclear weaponry, micro plastics, and global warming. In this short course, we examine two papal encyclicals: John Paul II’s Fides et ratio and Francis’s Ladauto sí and explore how they bear on the question of science, technology, and the good life.