University Open Air: How to Spot Misinformation and Take Action
**Please note: Due to the forecast of rain throughout the day, today’s (Thursday, September 9) University Open Air classes have been cancelled. We will notify registered patrons if we’re able to reschedule these classes for another day.
In this course, we will spend the first…
University Open Air: Venoms: Villains or Heroes? Why Venoms are Studied and What are Their Applications Part 1
**Please note: Due to the forecast of rain throughout the day, today’s (Thursday, September 9) University Open Air classes have been cancelled. We will notify registered patrons if we’re able to reschedule these classes for another day.
In this course, we are going to discuss…
University Open Air: Beauty and Ugliness Part 1: In French and Francophone Literature and the Arts
**Please note: Due to the forecast of rain throughout the day, today’s (Thursday, September 9) University Open Air classes have been cancelled. We will notify registered patrons if we’re able to reschedule these classes for another day.
In this two-part course, we will examine…
University Open Air: Tibetan Method of Purifying Negative Energies: Boost the Immune System and Stimulate Healing
**Please note: Due to the forecast of rain throughout the day, today’s (Thursday, September 9) University Open Air classes have been cancelled. We will notify registered patrons if we’re able to reschedule these classes for another day.
Learn how to purify your energies from…
University Open Air: Women in American Politics: a Global Perspective
**Please note: Due to the forecast of rain throughout the day, today’s (Thursday, September 9) University Open Air classes have been cancelled. We will notify registered patrons if we’re able to reschedule these classes for another day.
In this course, we will address the…
University Open Air: Venoms: Villains or Heroes? Why Venoms are Studied and What are Their Applications Part 2
**Please note: Due to the forecast of rain throughout the day, today’s (Thursday, September 9) University Open Air classes have been cancelled. We will notify registered patrons if we’re able to reschedule these classes for another day.
In this course, we are going to discuss…
University Open Air: Beauty and Ugliness Part 2: In French and Francophone Literature and the Arts
**Please note: Due to the forecast of rain throughout the day, today’s (Thursday, September 9) University Open Air classes have been cancelled. We will notify registered patrons if we’re able to reschedule these classes for another day.
In this two-part course, we will examine…
University Open Air: Modern Mythology of the American Superhero
**Please note: Due to the forecast of rain throughout the day, today’s (Thursday, September 9) University Open Air classes have been cancelled. We will notify registered patrons if we’re able to reschedule these classes for another day.
From the Golden Age of Comic Books…
University Open Air: Tibetan Yoga for Breath Retention: Opening the Five Chakras and Energizing the Five Element Energies
Open the five chakras and energize the five major pranas from within to heal various types of physical and mental afflictions with this secret method.
University Open Air: Cultural Awareness in a Multicultural World
New York City is considered one of the largest cultural melting pots in the United States, with nearly one in four residents belonging to the immigrant community. In this interactive discussion, we will explore various ways to navigate our cultural differences whilst using our similarities to…
University Open Air: Gnawa Music: Roots, Diversity, and Integration
As one of many Sufi brotherhoods of Morocco, the Gnawa's rituals, spaces, cultural references are profoundly Moroccan. At the same time, the details of their music, the words used in their songs, the instruments they play, tell us of the history of slavery and forced otherness that saw the birth…
University Open Air: Whistling Bottles: Recreating Ancient Objects & Sounds Part 1
Inspired by ancient objects native to the Andes and Mesoamerica region, we will create whistling bottles out of plastic containers and talk about the origin of these ancient artifacts. Our learning will be hands-on; you will construct, interact, and create sound from your whistling…
University Open Air: Afghanistan's Refugee Crisis: What Happens Next?
The U.S. Army has officially left Afghanistan, but lots of questions still remain.
How will Afghan citizens seek refuge safely? Which countries will welcome Afghan refugees and how will they adjust to life in a new country?
University Open Air: How to Write a Winning Proposal
This course aims to introduce students to different types of proposals and how to write them step-by-step. You will learn how to persuade donors, sponsors, and potential collaborators by crafting a feasible and profitable proposal.
University Open Air: Making Our Own News
A crash course in turning any topic into a newsworthy article. Whether it’s writing for a personal blog or a mainstream publication, attendees will practice the rudiments of writing for an audience using the ‘Three Rs’ method and touch on the principles of journalistic writing.
University Open Air: Field Hollers and American Music
The African American Hollers tradition had a major influence on the development of the Blues. But how did that happen, exactly? We will discuss the history of this genre, and the often problematic origin of the documentation we have available on it today. We will then recognize and celebrate the…
University Open Air: Whistling Bottles: Recreating Ancient Objects & Sounds Part 2
Inspired by ancient objects native to the Andes and Mesoamerica region, we will create whistling bottles out of plastic containers and talk about the origin of these ancient artifacts. Our learning will be hands-on; you will construct, interact, and create sound from your whistling…
University Open Air: Tibetan Self-Healing Massage: Opening the Channels in Our Body
Learn a little-known self-massage method using your breath and hands to energize the body and heal affliction.
University Open Air: History and Evolution of the City in the West: How the COVID pandemic will change New York City
Participants will learn how the City was born and its evolution from the past to the present. Students will learn about the social revolution, the industrial revolution, and how globalization has shaped cities over time. Finally, we will discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic will…
University Open Air: Contemporary Taiwanese Poetry
In this class, students will read original and translated poems by contemporary Taiwanese authors. Pairing individual poems with American poets, students will use thematic concepts as a guide to generate new work; elements include intimacy, magic, suppression, sarcasm, lost in translation, and…
University Open Air: What's Behind Increases in Cybercrime Since COVID-19?
Together we will take a close look at the increase in cybercrime since COVID-19.
University Open Air: A Practical Approach to Basic Concepts in Molecular Biology Part 1
In the first half of this two-part class, we are going to discuss some basic concepts about types of artificial cloning (reproductive, therapeutic, and molecular or gene cloning) and their importance. In the second half, we are going to explore recombinant DNA technology and how it is used…
University Open Air: Intro to Ethnomusicology: Formula, Timbre, & Rhythm
Why is oral music formulaic? What are we referring to when we talk about timbre? How can rhythm convey identity? By looking at some examples from music traditions in the Mediterranean area and beyond, we will reflect on some of the key questions of Ethnomusicology.
University Open Air: Contemporary Taiwanese Poetry
In this class, students will read original and translated poems by contemporary Taiwanese authors. Pairing individual poems with American poets, students will use thematic concepts as a guide to generate new work; elements include intimacy, magic, suppression, sarcasm, lost in translation, and…
University Open Air: Cybersecurity: How to Recognize and Prevent Cyber Attacks
If you ever came across a spammed website or email, did you recognize it for what it was? What common patterns can we detect in cybercrimes? What techniques do bad actors use?
We will discuss the ways we can identify and prevent cybercrimes. This is an especially important and…
University Open Air: History and Evolution of the City in the West: How the COVID pandemic will change New York City.
Participants will learn how the City was born and its evolution from the past to the present. Students will learn about the social revolution, the industrial revolution, and how globalization has shaped cities over time. Finally, we will discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic will…
University Open Air: Technical Drawing Exercises for Beginners
In this course, students will gain hands-on experience in technical drawing.
Learn the art of manual drawing and drafting techniques. Drawing instruments (including paper and clipboards) will be provided.
University Open Air: Tibetan Mindfulness Meditation Methods
Discover meditation methods for overcoming anxiety, anger, frustration, and other negative emotions.
University Open Air: That Obscure Object of Desire
19th-century romantic French literature shows us the contradictions that still nourish pop culture today. Stereotypical heroes both idealistic and opportunistic, passionate, and timid pursue women divided into the virginal and sensual and preferably married. We’ll try to understand what these…
University Open Air: Masks in Contemporary Culture
Since antiquity, human beings have covered their faces for protection, disguise, ceremonial performances, and entertainment purposes. In this course we will try and examine the different connotations facial coverings hold in today's world through a prism of visual culture.
University Open Air: A Practical Approach to Basic Concepts in Molecular Biology
In the first half of this two-part class, we are going to discuss some basic concepts about types of artificial cloning (reproductive, therapeutic, and molecular or gene cloning) and their importance. In the second half, we are going to explore recombinant DNA technology and how it is used…
University Open Air: How to Spot Misinformation and Take Action
In this course, we will spend the first half learning how to define the most common types of misinformation we encounter daily via social media (and other forms of media). In the second half, we will discuss how misinformation impacts our personal and social life; lastly, we will learn how to…
University Open Air: How to Address the Halal Meat Shortage in Food Pantries
Did you know Muslim food pantries in New York City receive less support from the city government? How can the city meet the needs and concerns of the Muslim community (8% of NYC's population)?
University Open Air: A Glance Into the Passing of Time In Asia's Various Contemporary Artworks
In this class, we will look at Japanese Butoh pioneer Tatsumi Hijikata, Taiwanese contemporary art performer Tehching Hsieh, and filmmaker Tsai Ming-Liang's works, to have a glimpse of how these artists deal with the passing of time in their pieces.
University Open Air: Mask-Making in Nature
In this workshop, we will explore different techniques and employ nature to create unique face coverings. Please come in clothes that can get dirty!
University Open Air: A Secret Yoga Practice for Energizing the Five Senses
Learn a Tibetan method for improving your five sense faculties using massage techniques and specific movements.
University Open Air: Ocarinas: Ceramic Whistles Workshop
Inspired by ancient whistles native to Andean and Mesoamerican cultures, this class/workshop will teach students how to make a simple ceramic whistle. We will hold a brief discussion about these ancient objects. Beginners are welcome; basic skills working with ceramics will be taught. …
University Open Air: Technical Drawing Exercises for Beginners
In this course, students will gain hands-on experience in technical drawing.
Learn the art of manual drawing and drafting techniques. Drawing instruments (including paper and clipboards) will be provided.
University Open Air: Photography Unknown
In this workshop students will experiment with abstract photography, using their cameras in unpredictable nontraditional ways and focus on observation alone. No pre-visualization allowed! This class explores what happens when we accept random chance into our creative photographic process, let go…
University Open Air: Making Our Own News
A crash course in turning any topic into a newsworthy article. Whether it’s writing for a personal blog or a mainstream publication, attendees will practice the rudiments of writing for an audience using the ‘Three Rs’ method and touch on the principles of journalistic writing.
University Open Air: Climate Change in 2021: Code RED for Humanity
How can we curb human activities that cause climate change? It's no secret climate change is widespread and changing the earth's landscape at an alarming and unprecedented rate. Learn about extreme climate events, ocean acidification, and other conditions affecting every region on Earth in…
University Open Air: Cultural Awareness in a Multicultural World
New York City is considered one of the largest cultural melting pots in the United States, with nearly one in four residents belonging to the immigrant community. In this interactive discussion, we will explore various ways to navigate our cultural differences whilst using our similarities to…
University Open Air: Climate Change in 2021: Code RED for Humanity
How can we curb human activities that cause climate change? It's no secret climate change is widespread and changing the earth's landscape at an alarming and unprecedented rate. Learn about extreme climate events, ocean acidification, and other conditions affecting every region on Earth in…
University Open Air: John Lee Hooker: Master Storyteller
John Lee Hooker's iconic pulsating riffs and raspy voice have influenced countless artists across the world, but a component of his style remains unmatched: his ability to control the narrative flow of each performance. By listening to some examples, we will discuss his admirable control and…
University Open Air: Light Basics and Fundamentals in Portrait Photography
Are you addicted to selfies? Do you love taking photos of your Cat/Dog/Hamster? Are you unsure what makes a “good photo”? it’s all about the LIGHT! This workshop covers the basics of light physics, working with your camera, and using artificial or natural light to make creative portraits. Bring…
University Open Air: Tibetan Methods of Dealing with Menopause
Use Tibetan methods to overcome difficulty sleeping, hot flashes, night sweats, and irritability.
University Open Air: Cybersecurity: How to Recognize and Prevent Cyber Attacks
If you ever came across a spammed website or email, did you recognize it for what it was? What common patterns can we detect in cybercrimes? What techniques do bad actors use?
We will discuss the ways we can identify and prevent cybercrimes. This is an especially important and…
University Open Air: Fiction Workshop, Renaming
I wonder if she ever wanted
them to speak back, looked into
their wide wonderful eyes and
whispered, Name me, name me.
-Ada Limón
How do you name an item? What do you need to name a feeling? In this generative session, we’ll reimagine the…
University Open Air: Photography Unknown
In this workshop students will experiment with abstract photography, using their cameras in unpredictable nontraditional ways and focus on observation alone. No pre-visualization allowed! This class explores what happens when we accept random chance into our creative photographic process, let go…
University Open Air: Printmaking for Beginners (Linoleum Carving)
In this workshop, we will learn the basics of printmaking by carving a drawing over linoleum and screenprint using the frottage technique. We will use the flora, vegetation, and the natural landscape of the park as inspiration.
University Open Air: Secure Your Electronic Devices from Data Breaches
Data breaches have become a major concern. In fact, big companies like Yahoo, Twitter, and Uber have fallen victim to data breaches eventually paying out huge sums of money to bad actors. Your private network could be vulnerable to attack if your personal information is…
University Open Air: Fiction Workshop, Renaming
I wonder if she ever wanted
them to speak back, looked into
their wide wonderful eyes and
whispered, Name me, name me.
-Ada Limón
How do you name an item? What do you need to name a feeling? In this generative session, we’ll reimagine the…
University Open Air: Immigration & the Poetic of Atlantics: an African Francophone Women’s Perspective
In Fatou Diome’s popular novel, The Belly of the Atlantic, we will examine how the artist crafted the poetics of Atlantic to explore themes such as immigration and self-discovery. We will draw parallels to Mati Diop’s movie Atlantics.
University Open Air: Light Basics and Fundamentals in Portrait Photography
Are you addicted to selfies? Do you love taking photos of your Cat/Dog/Hamster? Are you unsure what makes a “good photo”? it’s all about the LIGHT! This workshop covers the basics of light physics, working with your camera, and using artificial or natural light to make creative portraits. Bring…