Current Events   

 

Efforts to restrict or eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs are often framed as responses to discrimination against white Americans. Today, 39% of white adults believe DEI programs increase discrimination against white people, reflecting a debate with deep historical roots. This presentation traces the evolution of white grievance from colonial concerns about racial identity to contemporary discussions of demographic and cultural change.

Through historical evidence, participants will explore how fears about preserving whiteness have influenced immigration policy, political rhetoric, and American identity. By connecting centuries of often overlooked history, this session offers a broader perspective on how concepts of race and power have shaped the nation's past and continue to influence its present.

View and discuss two engaging TED Talks (visit TED.com) in a salon-type setting where free-thinkers spark each other's minds and hearts through spirited presentations and conversation.
Be stimulated, and become better educated and acquainted. Salons such as this were popular occasions for sharing knowledge and building friendships from Renaissance times up until the 1940s. TED has again popularized this concept with TEDx - local, independently organized events - in vibrant learning communities all over the world.
Participants are sure to leave motivated and more meaningfully connected with the world around us.

 

Great Decisions, is the largest and oldest grass-roots discussion program on world affairs. Created by the Foreign Policy Association, in 1954, it annually offers a series of topics for discussion. Currently, over 400,000 Americans participate in Great Discussion groups across the country.

A briefing book and videos provide information for the discussions. 

Class meets once at week starting on February,  for eight classes. Class cost includes the Foreign Policy briefing book. The 2026  Topics that will be discussed in class are:  

1. America and the World: Trump 2.0 Foreign Policy
   Trump’s return has marked a break from 80 years of U.S. foreign policy leadership, embracing an “America First” approach. This chapter explores the risks of isolation and diminished influence in relation to Trump 2.0 foreign policy.
   By G. John Ikenberry
2. Trump Tariffs and the Future of the World Economy
   Trump’s aggressive trade and tariff policies have shaken global economic norms. What’s the rationale behind this radical shift in economic policy, and what are the implications for multilateral trade and geopolitics?
   By Michael Mastanduno
3. U.S.-China Relations
   Relations with China remain tense, with tariffs, military modernization, and pressure on Taiwan. Does Trump have a coherent China policy, and will his tariffs on Rare Earth minerals be effective? What are America’s strategic options?
   By Oriana Mastro
4. Ruptured Alliances and the Risk of Nuclear Proliferation
   U.S. alliance skepticism may drive countries like Japan and South Korea to reconsider nuclear options. What are the implications of the Trump administration’s rethinking of the U.S. alliance system for regional and global security? Will this new uncertainty alter the way allies and rivals in various regions make decisions about security and nuclear weapons?
   By Gideon Rose
5. Ukraine and the Future of European Security
   With reduced U.S. support for NATO and Ukraine, Europe faces strategic uncertainty. The Trump administration has signaled an intention to reduce its security role in Europe. What are America’s stakes in NATO and Europe’s strategic dilemmas, and how might Europe respond?
   By Thomas Wright
6. Multilateral Institutions in a Changing World Order
   Can multilateralism survive amid shifting global power and rising nationalism? This chapter examines the future of global cooperation across trade, health, and finance.
   By Scott Bessent (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)
7. U.S. Engagement of Africa
   Africa’s geopolitical role is growing. What lessons can the U.S. learn from China’s presence there, and how might it strengthen ties, especially with leading nations like Nigeria? What tools of statecraft might the U.S. bring to its engagement with Africa?
   By Jendayi E. Frazer
8. The Future of Human Rights and International Law
   As democracy and human rights retreat globally—and the U.S. pulls back—how can civil society and legal norms remain effective in a divided world? What is the role and force of international law in this era of impunity?

 

"Whoever controls the past controls the future. And whoever controls the present controls the past." The struggle over America's historical narrative is not new, though it has intensified in recent years. Debates over how slavery is taught and remembered continue to shape public discourse, raising important questions about history, identity, and national memory.

This course examines how the institution of slavery influenced the nation's founding, economy, laws, and enduring social divisions. As William Faulkner observed, "The past is never dead; it's not even past." The Founders' decisions regarding slavery continue to echo throughout American history, challenging the nation in its pursuit of the Constitution's promise of "domestic tranquility."

Drawing on historical evidence, participants will explore how the legacy of slavery has been passed from generation to generation, reflecting the biblical passage that "the sins of the fathers have been visited upon their children" (Exodus 34:7). The course also considers how the American story might have unfolded differently had slavery not been woven into the nation's earliest foundations.

Taiwan is an island nation that considers itself to be a sovereign state but is not recognized by most countries in the world. China considers Taiwan as part of its territory and opposes any attempts by Taiwan to declare independence or seek diplomatic recognition. The United States has a complex relationship with Taiwan, providing it with military and economic support, but not formally acknowledging its status as a country. The tension between China and Taiwan has increased in recent years, as Taiwan has elected pro-independence leaders and China has increased its military presence and pressure on the island. Taiwan is a flashpoint between the United States and China, as any conflict over its future could escalate into a major war that would involve regional and global powers.

Taiwan and the United States have shared values, economic ties, and security interests. Taiwan is a leading democracy and a technological powerhouse in the Indo-Pacific region, and a key U.S. partner in trade, health, and critical supply chains. The U.S. does not have diplomatic relations with Taiwan but maintains a robust unofficial relationship. The U.S. supports Taiwan's self-defense capability and opposes any unilateral changes to the status quo by either side of the Taiwan Strait. China, on the other hand, views Taiwan as a renegade province that must be reunified with the mainland by force if necessary and considers any U.S. involvement in cross-strait affairs as interference in its internal affairs.

View and discuss two engaging TED Talks (visit TED.com) in a salon-type setting where free-thinkers spark each other's minds and hearts through spirited presentations and conversation.
Be stimulated, and become better educated and acquainted. Salons such as this were popular occasions for sharing knowledge and building friendships from Renaissance times up until the 1940s. TED has again popularized this concept with TEDx - local, independently organized events - in vibrant learning communities all over the world.
Participants are sure to leave motivated and more meaningfully connected with the world around us.

 

View and discuss two engaging TED Talks (visit TED.com) in a salon-type setting where free-thinkers spark each other's minds and hearts through spirited presentations and conversation.
Be stimulated, and become better educated and acquainted. Salons such as this were popular occasions for sharing knowledge and building friendships from Renaissance times up until the 1940s. TED has again popularized this concept with TEDx - local, independently organized events - in vibrant learning communities all over the world.
Participants are sure to leave motivated and more meaningfully connected with the world around us.

 

If one word defines the American experiment, it is equality. Thomas Jefferson declared that “all men are created equal” and called the principle “self evident,” yet from the nation's founding, Americans have struggled to define and achieve that ideal.

This presentation traces the evolving pursuit of equality across generations, examining how it has been expanded, challenged, and reinterpreted in law and society. Through key moments in American history, participants will explore the nation's ongoing effort to transform a founding principle into lived reality.

View and discuss two engaging TED Talks (visit TED.com) in a salon-type setting where free-thinkers spark each other's minds and hearts through spirited presentations and conversation.
Be stimulated, and become better educated and acquainted. Salons such as this were popular occasions for sharing knowledge and building friendships from Renaissance times up until the 1940s. TED has again popularized this concept with TEDx - local, independently organized events - in vibrant learning communities all over the world.
Participants are sure to leave motivated and more meaningfully connected with the world around us.