Course Sessions

Our FAB students’ safety is important to us; therefore, we are taking precautions to make the in-person classes a safe and welcoming environment. In this environment, students will be able to enjoy face-to-face interactions with their faculty and classmates and the option to grab a coffee or a bite to eat before or after class. For those not able to join us in person, we continue to be your virtual home for learning!

Note: Walk-ins are only permitted if there is space and payment (cash or check) is brought to the first class meeting or lecture  You may call 805-493-3290 in advance in inquire. Walk-ins will not be allowed into the learning space if they do not pay in-person.

Regarding in-person attendance:

• FREE, accessible parking (view location and parking details HERE)
• Large lecture room with ample space meeting Cal/OSHA guidelines
• Please do not attend in-person if you are ill (attend virtually instead)
• We are a mask-friendly program

Can’t get to campus for an in-person course? No problem! Attend the course virtually instead.

HyFlex Learning

Using the HyFlex learning model, in-person and virtual students can attend the same class simultaneously. A special “360-camera” will follow the instructor in the classroom, and students attending virtually will be able to see and hear the instructor and view the PowerPoint over Zoom (similar to our traditional virtual courses).

Wednesdays, 1:30-3:30pm (Pacific)
Meeting Dates: September 2, 9, 16, & 23
Online via Zoom

Course Description:
On the night of December 16, 1916, a group of conspirators murdered Grigori Rasputin, Russia’s “Mad Monk”. While meant to strengthen the Romanov dynasty, merely two months later this murder brought on their downfall and ushered in a year of two revolutions that ended with the Bolshevik takeover of Russia and the eventual murder of the Tsar and his family. In many ways, Russia and the rest of the world are still dealing with the consequences of that murder.

Most narratives in books, films and even songs about the murder of Rasputin focus on the victim, whereas this course will shed new light on the perpetrators of the crime. Who were these men who assembled on that fateful night in the Yusupov Palace in Saint Petersburg and what motivated them to commit that heinous crime? What did the rich debonair Feliks Yusupov have in common with the goggle-eyed, middle-class Englishman Oswald Rayner? What brought the Tsar’s cousin Dmitry Pavlovich and the Duma deputy Vladimir Purishkevich to join the conspirators? Who provided the cyanide to be used in the murder and who shot the fatal shot? And how did these men’s lives enfold after the murder of Rasputin? Our story will take us not only to the magnificent Yusupov Palace in Saint Petersburg, but also to the Yusupovs’ estates outside of Moscow and in Crimea, as well as to Oxford, Malta and Paris.

Bio:
Dr. Asya Pereltsvaig received a degree in English and History from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and a PhD in Linguistics from McGill University. She taught at Yale, Cornell, and Stanford universities, and has been teaching in lifelong education programs since 2010. Her expertise is in language, culture, and history, and the relationship between them. Asya has published five scholarly books with Cambridge University Press. Asya is a popular instructor for several lifelong learning institutes around the country. 

Wednesdays, 10am-12pm (Pacific)
Meeting Dates: September 9, 16, & 23
Choose to Attend In-Person in Thousand Oaks or Online via Zoom

Course Description:
Following our recent explorations into the world of the Iliad and the Odyssey, a natural question often arises: what actually happened to the magnificent, interconnected civilizations that inspired these epic tales? While the stories of Troy and Odysseus capture our imagination, they serve as the romanticized folk memory of a highly sophisticated era that suddenly and violently unraveled. This three-week course picks up exactly where those epic narratives leave off, transitioning from the mythology of Homer into the startling historical reality of the Late Bronze Age. We will examine how a thriving, globalized network of palace economies collapsed into a centuries-long "Dark Age," exploring the cascading systems failures that brought the ancient Mediterranean to its knees. (This course can be taken independently of the pervious explorations of the Iliad and the Odyssey).  

Week 1: The Interconnected World – The Calm Before the Storm 
Before the collapse, the Mediterranean was a highly globalized society. We will examine the intricate, fragile maritime trade networks of copper and tin that linked the Mycenaeans, Hittites, and Egyptians. By looking at the palace economies of the era, we establish the sheer scale and sophistication of the civilization that birthed the Homeric heroes, highlighting exactly what was at stake. 

Week 2: The Perfect Storm – Systems Failure and the Sea Peoples
Around 1200 BCE, the established world rapidly unraveled. We will dissect the catastrophic combination of climate shifts, earthquakes, and the collapse of vital shipping routes. We will also investigate the mysterious, sea-borne marauders known as the "Sea Peoples," 
analyzing how their maritime raids exploited coastal vulnerabilities and helped topple established land empires. 

Week 3: The Dark Age – From Chaos to Myth 
In the aftermath of the collapse, populations plummeted and the written word (Linear B) was entirely lost. We will explore how the survivors transmitted the trauma and memory of this fallen world through oral tradition. Ultimately, we will bring the narrative full circle, revealing how the chaos of the Bronze Age collapse was remembered, distorted, and eventually immortalized as the foundational myths of the Iliad and the Odyssey. 

Bio:
Scott Jones is a retired U.S. Navy Captain and businessman with over 30 years of experience in national security, foreign relations, and global logistics. A "diplomat in uniform" for much of his career, Scott now translates his strategic background into a passion for ancient history, archaeology, and Mediterranean culture. As a veteran docent at the J. Paul Getty Museum (Getty Villa), Scott leads specialized tours focused on Roman architecture, ancient gardens, and the Greek and Roman galleries. His lectures for local lifelong learning programs are known for blending rigorous historical analysis with his own travel photography and a unique "commander’s perspective" on ancient warfare and diplomacy. 

Tuesdays, 1:30-3:30pm (Pacific)
Meeting Dates: September 22, 29, October 6, & 13
Online via Zoom

Course Description:
In 1935, under President Frank D. Roosevelt's New Deal, the Federal Art Project, a federal economic relief effort organized under the Works Progress Administration, put unemployed artists on the government payroll to paint public murals in post offices, hospitals, and schools. In this course, we will discuss The Federal Art Project and the murals that explored the intersection of politics, economics, and community identity, creating an unprecedented explosion of public art that transformed public spaces into lasting monuments of American history. The Federal Art Project was instrumental in promoting the careers of artists such as Jackson Pollock, Thomas Hart Benton, Jacob Lawrence and others, with the murals focusing on themes of community, labor, local history, and industry.

Bio:
Eleanor Schrader is an award-winning educator, lecturer, and author. She lectures worldwide on art and architectural history, and leads art and architecture tours throughout the world.  She has been named a Distinguished Instructor at UCLA Extension, where she teaches history of architecture, interior design, furniture, and decorative arts. She is also Professor Emeritus of Art and Architectural History at Santa Monica College. She has done graduate work in fine and decorative arts at Sotheby's Institute in London and New York.  She has served as a Design Review Commissioner for the City of Beverly Hills and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the John Lautner Foundation.

Mondays, 10am-12pm (Pacific)
Meeting Dates: September 28, October 5, 12, & 19
Choose to Attend In-Person in Thousand Oaks or Online via Zoom

Course Description:
Dada and Surrealism emerged as significant art movements in the early 20th century, primarily as a reaction to the devastation and absurdity of World War I. In this course, we explore their origins, and the artists affiliated with both movements.  We will look at Hugo Ball, Emmy Hennings, Jean Arp, Hannah Hoch, Marcel Duchamp, Man Ray, and more for the Dada movement and surrealists including Andre Breton, Max Ernst, Joan Miro, Salvador Dali, and Meret Oppenheim. We begin with the anti-art movement of Dada, which arose as a reaction to tradition, convention, and rationality. These artists embraced chance and randomness as a form of art making, influencing generations of artists working with increasingly varied materials and techniques. We then discuss how Surrealism used some of these techniques to capture the inner workings of the mind through dreamlike imagery.

Bio:
Katherine E. Zoraster is an Art Historian and a Professor of Art History at several local colleges specializing in Western art from the Renaissance to the 20th century. She graduated with a double major in English Literature and Art History from the University of California, Los Angeles. Following her undergraduate degree, she received a Master’s Degree with Distinction in Art History from the California State University at Northridge.

In addition to the courses Katherine teaches for other lifelong learning programs, she also works as an Art History Instructor for the full-time program at the Los Angeles Academy of Figurative Arts. Katherine also serves as a commissioner for the Burbank Cultural Arts Commission and volunteers at the Burbank Animal Shelter. In her free time, Katherine is an avid runner and travels extensively.

Thursdays, 1:30-3:30pm (Pacific)
Meeting Dates: October 1, 8, 15, & 22
Online via Zoom

Course Description:
Inspired by the remarkable careers of music industry legends Clive Davis and Don Kirshner, this four-week course explores the extraordinary impact of two men who transformed American popular music. Clive Davis discovered and signed diverse iconic performers such as Bruce Springsteen, Whitney Houston, Earth, Wind & Fire, and Barry Manilow. Many considered him to be the most prominent and successful record mogul ever. Don Kirshner published and championed new young songwriters whose hits ruled the charts in the 60s. The songs of Carole King, Gerry Goffin, and Neil Sedaka were some of his early successes. Through stories, rare videos, and these unforgettable songs, we'll trace six decades of pop and rock history and celebrate the lasting legacy of two influential music visionaries. A memorable trip down nostalgia lane is guaranteed.

Bio:
Tony Moon has spent 60 successful years in the music business. Beginning in 1960, he joined the L.A. group Dante and The Evergreens, which was managed and produced by Lou Adler and Herb Alpert. He later moved to Nashville, becoming the guitarist and conductor for Brenda Lee. Tony also began playing on recording sessions and was Nashville's first rock independent music producer, working with five major labels. He scored several big hits for The Vogues, including "5 O' Clock World." Tony has won several awards as a songwriter and music publisher. His songs have been released by artists as diverse as Porter Wagoner, Willie Nelson, Vickie Carr, Pearl Jam, and The Beatles. He currently administers several Music Publishing Companies and a New York Entertainment Company.

Tuesdays, 1:30-3:30pm (Pacific)
Meeting Dates: October 20, 27, November 3, & 10
Online via Zoom

Course Description:
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.

Bio:
Dr. Ken Seligson is Associate Professor and Chair of Anthropology at California State University Dominguez Hills. He earned his B.A. in Anthropology and History from Brown University and his M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Dr. Seligson has been conducting archaeological fieldwork in the Northern Maya Lowlands since 2010, focusing mainly on human-environment relationships and resource management practices, as well as on ancient technology. His first book The Maya and Climate Change, which was written for a broader public audience interested in the ancient Maya, was published by Oxford University Press in January 2023.

Wednesdays, 10am-12pm (Pacific)
Meeting Dates: October 21, 28, November 4, & 11
Choose to Attend In-Person in Thousand Oaks or Online via Zoom

Course Description:
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.

Bio:
Dr. David Livingstone received BA and MA degrees in History from California State University, Northridge and a PhD in Modern European History from the University of California, San Diego. He has taught at California Lutheran University, Moorpark College, and the United States Naval War College.  He specializes in European political, diplomatic and military history with an emphasis on modern Germany.  He also served as a law enforcement officer for 34 years with the Simi Valley Police Department and retired in 2022 at the rank of Chief of Police.  Dr. Livingstone’s first book, Militarization and Democracy in West Germany's Border Police, 1951-2005 was published by Camden House in 2024.  He also serves as a historian and guide for World War Two battlefield tours.

Thursdays, 1:30-3:30pm (Pacific)
Meeting Dates: October 29, November 5, 12, & 19
Online via Zoom

Course Description:
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.

Bio:
Dr. John McCannon is a historian of Russia, the polar regions, and global warfare and exploration. He received his BA from Yale University and his MA and PhD from the University of Chicago. He taught history for thirty years in the United States and Canada – most recently at the University of Saskatchewan and Southern New Hampshire University – and he has consulted for the Discovery Channel, National Geographic TV, and Outside magazine. His publications include Red Arctic: Polar Exploration and the Myth of the North in the Soviet Union (1998); A History of the Arctic: Nature, Exploration, and Exploitation (2012); and Nicholas Roerich: The Artist Who Would Be King (2022). He currently works as an expedition guide and academic lecturer for Viking Cruises.

Monday, August 24 from 10am-12pm (Pacific)
Choose to Attend In-Person in Thousand Oaks or Online via Zoom

Lecture Description:
The Los Angeles County Museum of Art was established as a museum in 1961 and is the largest art museum in the western United States. Originally part of the Los Angeles Museum of History, Science and Art, founded in 1910, it became its own separate, art-focused institution which opened to the public in 1965 located on Wilshire Boulevard. Since then, both the campus and the collection has grown and changed, with the addition of new buildings, acquisitions, bequests and works of art. Most recently, earlier this year, the David Geffen Galleries opened to house LACMA's permanent collection. This lecture will give an overview of the history of the museum formation and the highlights of its collection, as well as a look at the new galleries that cross Wilshire Boulevard. 

*An additional (and optional) visit to LACMA/the David Geffen Galleries is slated for August 31, 2026.

Bio:
Katherine E. Zoraster is an Art Historian and a Professor of Art History at several local colleges specializing in Western art from the Renaissance to the 20th century. She graduated with a double major in English Literature and Art History from the University of California, Los Angeles. Following her undergraduate degree, she received a Master’s Degree with Distinction in Art History from the California State University at Northridge.

In addition to the courses Katherine teaches for other lifelong learning programs, she also works as an Art History Instructor for the full-time program at the Los Angeles Academy of Figurative Arts. Katherine also serves as a commissioner for the Burbank Cultural Arts Commission and volunteers at the Burbank Animal Shelter. In her free time, Katherine is an avid runner and travels extensively.

In-Person Students: Register for ONE of the following dates (limited seating):
Thursday, August 27 from 1-3pm (Pacific)
Friday, October 9 from 1-3pm (Pacific)
Choose to Attend In-Person in Thousand Oaks or Online via Zoom

Lecture Description:
Everyone loves ice cream but, how much do you really know about America's favorite frozen treat? Join ice cream enthusiast Andy Binsley for a fun, informative, and delicious journey through the fascinating world of ice cream.

This interactive presentation explores the rich history of ice cream, from its ancient beginnings to today's premium artisan creations. You'll discover how ice cream is made, what distinguishes premium ice cream from gelato, frozen custard, sorbet, and other frozen desserts, and learn the science behind its smooth texture and irresistible flavor. Along the way, we'll discuss how to evaluate ice cream quality like an expert, examine current health and nutrition topics, and explore the environmental and social issues surrounding dairy and frozen desserts.

Of course, no lecture about ice cream would be complete without tasting it! Participants will sample a variety of frozen treats while learning what makes each one unique. The program also includes surprising facts, unusual flavors from around the world, entertaining stories, and plenty of opportunities for questions and discussion.

Whether you're an occasional ice cream fan or a devoted connoisseur, you'll leave with a deeper appreciation for one of the world's most beloved desserts and, perhaps, discover a new favorite flavor.

In-Person attendees: There is an additional $5 fee required for the food tasting, which is a separate charge and is not included in any bundle.

Planning to attend virtually: If you would like to fully participate, two weeks prior to the lecture a suggested list of ice creams you can purchase will be provided.  If you simply want to learn but not taste, that is of course an option!  We hope you will join us for this unique lecture.

Bio:
Andy Binsley is a chocolate sommelier, retired software executive, and self-proclaimed dessert geek with a serious passion for all things sweet. A graduate of the renowned Penn State Ice Cream Short Course, Andy has traveled far and wide in search of exceptional chocolate and the stories behind it. From artisan makers to global traditions, he brings his adventures to life through engaging, educational tasting events. Recently, he drove across the cross-country in pursuit of chocolate, ice cream, and Tesla Superchargers, because, why not make it a delicious journey?

Part 1: Wednesday, October 7 from 10:30am-12:30pm (Pacific)
Part 2: Wednesday, October 14 from 10:30am-12:30pm (Pacific)
Note: These lectures begin at 10:30am rather than 10am.
Choose to Attend In-Person in Thousand Oaks or Online via Zoom

Lecture Description:
This two-part lecture invites you to discover why music affects us the way it does. In the first session, we'll explore the emotional and psychological impact of music, and why certain works of music are unforgettable to us. The second session shifts from feeling to craft, revealing how instrumentation, arrangement, and structure work together to create the music we love. By the end of the lectures, you'll not only understand why a piece of music moves you, but also recognize the artistry behind it, transforming the way you listen to music for years to come.

Bio:
Dr. Michael Hart currently serves as Associate Dean for the Creative and Performing Arts and Associate Professor of Music at California Lutheran University. In his role as Associate Dean, he oversees development of long-range strategic initiatives for the Art/Multimedia, Film/Television, Music, and Theatre Departments, and works to support diversity, equity, inclusion and justice initiatives within the division.  As Associate Professor, he conducts the Wind Ensemble, teaches courses in conducting, music theory, and music education, and provides lessons to low brass students.  He is active throughout Southern California as a guest conductor, clinician, adjudicator, and freelance tubist.

Dr. Hart holds the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Conducting with a secondary concentration in Tuba Performance from The University of Iowa. He holds the Master of Music in Conducting from the same institution and the Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota.

As a freelance tubist, he performs frequently throughout Southern California as both a soloist and orchestra musician.  Additionally, he has performed several times at the International Tuba Euphonium Conference.  

Part 1: Monday, October 26 from 10am-12pm (Pacific)
Part 2: Monday, November 2 from 10am-12pm (Pacific)
Choose to Attend In-Person in Thousand Oaks or Online via Zoom

Lecture Description:
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.

Bio:
Dr. David Nelson is Professor and Chair of the History Department, and Associate Dean of the Humanities Division of the College of Arts and Sciences at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, California. He earned his Ph.D. in Pre-modern Asian history with an inside minor in cultural history from Indiana University Bloomington. Dr. Nelson specializes in medieval and early modern Japanese cultural and institutional history. His research interests include violent crime and its punishment in the context of the consolidation and centralization of authority in Japan's castle town administration in the seventeenth-century, and captives taken during Japan’s invasion of Korea in the 1590s.