Nov 02 Monday
This two-part lecture explores Korea's turbulent path from Japanese colonial rule (1910–1945) to the outbreak of the Korean War in 1950. It examines how decades of occupation shaped competing visions for Korea's future, focusing on the revolutionary Marxist movement that culminated in the leadership of Kim Il Sung in the North and the nationalist, anti-communist vision championed by Syngman Rhee in the South. By tracing the political, ideological, and international forces that transformed liberation into division, these lectures explain how rival Korean leaders and Cold War tensions culminated in the creation of two separate states and one of the twentieth century's most consequential conflicts.
The Fifty and Better (FAB) program was designed for people ages 50 and older, seeking intellectual stimulation through university level courses — without the pressure of grades — for the sake of learning and social engagement.
Nov 03 Tuesday
Perfect for anyone who has ever wanted to learn more about Ancient Maya hieroglyphs, temple-pyramids, royal courts, and historical rivalries, this course provides an in-depth overview of the Classic Maya civilization from its beginnings in the 2nd millennium BCE through the Spanish Invasion in the early 1500s CE. The Classic Maya have fascinated public and scholarly audiences the world over. As one of the few major ancient civilizations to have emerged in a tropical jungle setting, they are often labeled as “mysterious” or “enigmatic.” The Classic Maya developed intricate calendrical, architectural, political, hieroglyphic, and ideological systems. This course seeks to present the true nature of Maya civilization as it is understood from the archaeological record, Classic Maya texts, and through insights from contemporary Maya communities.
This course takes place on Tuesdays from 1:30-3:30pm (PT) on Zoom.
Nov 04 Wednesday
The Cold War era, an international bi-polar competition between the Soviet Union and the United States made the world we live in today. This power rivalry unfolded in the aftermath of the Second World War and finally concluded with the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Although the Soviet Union no longer exists, the consequences of its fifty-five-year struggle with the United States still influences modern global politics. Ultimately, the postwar competition pitted advocates of state socialism against the champions of free market capitalism. The superpowers never directly fought each other but clashed in a series of bloody proxy wars across the developing world. This timely and informative course will offer an in-depth discussion covering the roots of the Cold War, its causes, and most importantly, its relevance for understanding the current global crisis. Truly, today’s wars in Iran and the Ukraine, the U.S.- China rivalry and conflicts over hegemony in Cuba and Latin America, to name just a few, can all be traced to the Cold War.
This course takes place on Wednesdays from 10am-12pm (PT) on Zoom and at the Thousand Oaks campus.
Nov 05 Thursday
For three centuries and under several forms of government, Russia has been the largest country in the world, steadily extending its rule over massive portions of Eurasian territory. Its repeated efforts to amass and maintain this sprawling dominion have led many to regard Russia as intrinsically, if not uniquely, expansionist. Is this fact? Stereotype? Or something in between? Explore this timely question in "Building the Imperium," which surveys the ebb and flow of colonial and hegemonic tendencies throughout Russian history, up to and including the Kremlin's illegal war against Ukraine.
This course takes place on Thursdays from 1:30-3:30pm (PT) on Zoom.
Nov 10 Tuesday
Nov 11 Wednesday
Nov 12 Thursday
Nov 13 Friday
The California Central Coast Chapter of The Wildlife Society Annual Wildlife Symposium is intended to bring together local professionals and students from the Central Coast together to share ideas, professional knowledge, and information on projects, and on-going research. Breakfast and Lunch will be provided by Trumpet Vine Catering.
Nov 18 Wednesday
Nov 19 Thursday