A concise, analytical survey of Europe’s political systems, institutions, and power dynamics. The course examines parliamentary and presidential models, EU governance, party systems, policymaking, and contemporary challenges such as migration, populism, and democratic backsliding. Students develop comparative frameworks to understand how European states negotiate identity, sovereignty, and integration within a rapidly evolving political landscape

In this course, we will begin by exploring the Jewish mindset just before Jesus' arrival. From there, we will trace Jesus' travels and key events — supported by maps — followed by Paul's missionary journeys, also illustrated with maps. We will examine the four Gospels, including a discussion of when each was most likely written. The course then moves into the early Church period, surveying influential Christian figures from the first through the fifth century, and exploring how they shaped the development of Christianity and contributed to the formation of the final New Testament canon.

This will be a single session class July 14, about the South Bend Watch Company. We will discuss the need for high quality watches, a little about how they work, the company's origins, many of the people involved, products, location, ultimate demise and aftermath. For anyone who has an old pocket watch and would like to bring it to the class, I will remain afterward to provide any information I can about the watch. This session will meet Thursday, July 14. 

Join us for a lecture and a tour of Cedar Grove Cemetery--the cemetery on the campus of Notre Dame. Learn about local history and the fascinating lives of both famous and ordinary people interred at Cedar Grove. The lecture will be held in All Souls Chapel--the oldest continuously used chapel on campus. This will be followed by a tour of the grounds, stopping at various graves along the way. This session will meet on Wednesday, July 29.

Join us for a lecture and a tour of Cedar Grove Cemetery--the cemetery on the campus of Notre Dame. Learn about local history and the fascinating lives of both famous and ordinary people interred at Cedar Grove. The lecture will be held in All Souls Chapel--the oldest continuously used chapel on campus. This will be followed by a tour of the grounds, stopping at various graves along the way. This session will meet on Wednesday, August 5.