Discover the history of medical ethics in the United States as we examine many of the challenging ethical dilemmas faced by doctors, nurses, and other care providers. We’ll discuss diverse topics, including genetic and reproductive technologies, end of life care, AI in medicine, the conflicts between protecting patients’ health while safeguarding their autonomy, and more. 

From the Book of Job to Jung’s Answer to Job, western philosophy has long contemplated existence and the meaning of existence. Over the span of sixteen weeks, we’ll consider the ideas of philosophers including Plato, Descartes, Kant, Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, and Sartre as we explore the deepest of questions together through readings and facilitated dialogue. This course also offers a special opportunity to participate in cross-generational discussions about the nature of existence as you learn alongside undergraduate students who are enrolled for credit in this semester-long Western Michigan University course.

From 1961 to 1971, the United States and its allies sprayed more than 20 million gallons of herbicides over Southeast Asia. Sixty percent of those chemicals consisted of Agent Orange, a combination that was later shown to potentially cause cancer and birth defects. In this presentation, we will explore the complex histories that led to the decision to weaponize herbicides during the Vietnam War and discuss the long-term consequences of Agent Orange and related chemicals on human and environmental health.

Mini Medical School offers an engaging introduction to the world of medicine through the lens of the WMU Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine. Designed for community members interested in health and wellness, this four-week program explores the scientific foundations of health and disease in an accessible, interactive format. Participants will learn how medical students are trained, explore current topics in medicine, and better understand the connection between science and clinical care. Sessions are led by a medical librarian, a science educator, and second-year medical students who present complex topics in clear, everyday plain language. The course covers subjects such as cardiovascular health, immunology, pulmonary function, physiology, and pharmacology. Each session features lively lectures and interactive discussions designed to spark curiosity and encourage questions. No prior study of the sciences or a medical background is required to enjoy this course. Presenters bring energy and enthusiasm to every topic, creating a welcoming environment for learners of all backgrounds. Whether you're curious about the human body or simply love to learn, Mini Medical School makes exploring medicine both fun and rewarding. Participants who attend all four sessions will receive a Mini Medical School certificate of attendance. Course sessions will have an optional walking tour of the simulation center.

Downsizing your family home can be difficult in many ways. It isn't just a move, it's making decisions about what goes with you and what doesn't. Often weighing the options of connections to things we've lived with for years! This course will help participants learn how to plan a move to a smaller place, including optimizing the value of your family home, making decisions about what goes with you, and organizing how it all comes together. Essential preparation will be discussed and a framework for an organized move will be presented.

The Super Bowl is the biggest televised event of the year—and it’s not just about football. Super Bowl advertising has become the “game within the game,” attracting millions of viewers who tune in as much for the commercials as for the touchdowns. In this lively two-part, two-hour course, you’ll get an insider’s look at the Super Bowl advertising playbook and pick up conversation-worthy insights that will make you the MVP of your Super Bowl party. Taught by WMU Executive in Residence Greg Gerfen—drawing on his 30+ years in the advertising industry—this course will take you behind the scenes of the commercials everyone talks about. In the first session, we’ll trace the history of Super Bowl advertising, from Apple’s groundbreaking 1984 spot to today’s star-studded spectaculars. You’ll also learn how ads are created, from crafting a creative strategy to building hype before the big game. In the second session, we’ll preview the ads and marketing surrounding Super Bowl LX (Feb. 8, 2026). You’ll spot emerging trends, identify recurring themes, and play “armchair quarterback” by predicting which ads will score—and which will fumble. Whether you love football, advertising, or just great party conversation, you’ll walk away ready to wow your friends when the commercials come on.

This comprehensive, two-session course is designed to be an informative introduction to a plant-based lifestyle as a key factor in transforming both personal and planetary health. Combining lecture and demonstration, you’ll develop a macro-to-micro view of the foundations and the fundamental “why, what, and how-to’s” of adopting a more plant-based approach to cooking, eating, and lifestyle. Ideal for those interested in exploring plant-based eating, you’ll walk away having gained a deeper understanding of the implications and benefits of this lifestyle as well as having learned practical skills and easy cooking techniques.

Every day we communicate with each other through stories. This course will give you the opportunity to engage in the ancient art of storytelling--from folktales to modern-day experiences. The first session will discuss the art of interpretive reading and demonstrate examples of subjects and styles of oral storytelling. We'll talk about well-known storytellers from Aesop to David Sedaris and storytelling venues like the Moth and the Storytelling Festival at Jonesborough, TN. In subsequent sessions, you will tell or read two stories no longer than five to ten minutes in length. The stories may be told from memory and come from the oral tradition, from written literature or from your own personal experience. If you prefer, you may read your stories aloud interpretatively. Ideas for stories and bibliographies of suggested literature will be made available.

Kalamazoo began blazing down a trail of rapid growth after adopting the municipal form of government in 1884. This course will explore the political, economic, cultural, and social history of the city through the 1920s, examining the rise of key industries, such as the paper industry; important political developments, like the adoption of the City Commission form of government; and other topics, including the establishment of Western Michigan University, our first hospitals, and the stories of the people who played pivotal roles in the growing city.

A general introduction to the Irish language (Gaeilge), a language with a long history and rich culture, but currently spoken by a very small population. Participants will learn basic introductions and greetings, and we will discuss vocabulary, grammar, and the sounds of the language. We will discuss the history and current status of the language and participants will be introduced to a selection of Irish literature, song and media. Students should come prepared to join in basic conversation activities, and to learn to sing a song. One section of the class will be devoted to learning about key figures and themes in Irish literature, and we will also discuss Irish place names. This will be a three-part course. Each class will include a section where we practice conversation and vocabulary, and a section where various aspects of Irish language history and culture are introduced and studied. By the end, participants will impress their friends by excelling in St. Patrick's Day quizzes.

Join Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra Music Director Julian Kuerti in an exploration of Gustav Mahler’s epic Symphony No. 3. Named by BBC Music Magazine as one of the top ten symphonies ever written, this course will examine the musical and spiritual journey, with helpful context and insights into the life of the composer. Participants will have the opportunity to attend a KSO open rehearsal later in the week, however attendance at the KSO’s Feb. 21, 2026 performance is strongly recommended for the full experience! Concert tickets sold separately at kalamazoosymphony.com

“Everybody talks about the weather, but nobody does anything about it.” The quote, mistakenly attributed to Mark Twain, is as true today as it was when written in the late 1890s—everyone still talks about the weather! So, what makes hurricanes and what determines their paths? And why is it that lake effect snow is so variable? In this class, you’ll learn the basics of meteorology first-hand from one of West Michigan’s most popular television weathercasters, gaining a better understanding of what makes our weather happen by using the same forecast models, radar, and satellite technology the professionals use to make their predictions.

This presentation follows the history of Jews in Ecuador from their escapes from the Spanish Inquisition to their flight from Hitler during the WWII Holocaust to the present day. It describes their contributions to Ecuador’s economy and culture, often through the words of the people who lived through these experiences. The contributions of these people to the only country that offered them refuge cannot be overstated. The power-point presentation follows the story closely.