Co-Facilitator: Carl Hays

Join participants who have an abiding interest in 2026 international and national issues. Each week we will consider a different current issue, watch videos and discuss the issue.

Book: 2026 Great Decisions Briefing Book by Foreign Policy Association- NOT REQUIRED

The struggle for power is the basic human experience. From the gods of Mt Olympus to the battle at the voting booth, men and women have demanded, "Who made you the boss of me?" The demands for autonomy and sovereignty are universal. We see it in the boardrooms of churches, community organizations, and our own families. Together, we will look at various theories of power from Freud to Alfred Adler to Dr. Phil. We can discover and uncover our own battles for power in relationships on all levels and in all arenas. To be able to act consciously, withdrawing from the battle of power, is to find a sense of peace and authority. Together, we will stumble forward and laugh at the foibles of others in our world—past and present. Perhaps we will discover a few foibles of our own.

This introductory class on transgender experiences and issues covers basic topics across three classes of an hour each, with plenty of time for discussion and interaction. The course is written and presented by trans folks, and covers gender experiences and how we talk about them these days, how being gay relates to being trans, gender nonconforming and non-binary experiences, they/them pronouns and neopronouns, and how to help trans people, both in one’s life and systemically. No prior knowledge necessary. Each class will build on prior discussion.

This same course will be repeated later in the semester.

Co-Facilitators: Evelyn Porter, Carl Hays

This class will be led by Waubonsee Economics Professor Elior Iseli. It is an overview of the tariff system of the United States since 1920. We will explore the latest changes that have occurred under the Trump Administration.

“Tell me what you want, tell me who you want me to be, tell me what would make you happy.” These are the cries that drive people to Co-Dependents Anonymous. The characteristics of excessive caregiving, difficulty setting boundaries, low self-esteem, people pleasing, and fear of abandonment create relationships ripe for dysfunction. In this class, we will look at these characteristics more closely and plummet the gems of goodness that are hidden within. Like all of life, nothing is simple, nor can this class make it so. Instead, we can begin to see examples in movies, politics, and sports how some form of codependency can be used to enhance relationships and the world around us. As lifelong learners, we can begin to discover the art of distinguishing the good news hidden in the bad news.

Co-Facilitators: Karen Christensen and Donna Sue Blankenship

Poverty and homelessness are complex issues. In this course we will explore the root causes of poverty, how it has changed over the last several decades and current trends. We will also examine the effect that economic impact, housing shortages and food insecurity have on individuals, families and society. This course encourages compassionate understanding and critical thinking as we raise awareness of these hardships and discuss how individuals and communities can come together to make a real difference.

REQUIRED BOOK: $2.00 A Day: Living on Almost Nothing in America * ISBN 978-0-544-81195-9 by Kathryn J. Edin and H. Luke Shaefer 

This introductory class on transgender experiences and issues covers basic topics across three classes of an hour each, with plenty of time for discussion and interaction. The course is written and presented by trans folks, and covers gender experiences and how we talk about them these days, how being gay relates to being trans, gender nonconforming and non-binary experiences, they/them pronouns and neopronouns, and how to help trans people, both in one’s life and systemically. No prior knowledge necessary. Each class will build on prior discussion.

This course is a repeat of a previous course this semester.

Co-Orgainzer: Carolyn Hopkins

This exhibit at the Schingoethe Center Museum on the Aurora University Campus proposes a historical view of the iconic Pilsen neighborhood in Chicago through the account of print exhibitions and printmakers' activities along with the social and political conditions that brought in waves of migrants. It is a rare look back at a community over the last century, highlighting its mural achievements and the social and political struggles residents faced in building the neighborhood’s resilient social fabric.

Registration deadline 5/1/2026 Activity Level: easy going