University Open Air: Albania/Italy Intersection; Demographics, Culture, and Economy
The reasons that have always made Italy strongly interested in cultivating and maintaining political and economic relations with Albania, are certainly based on the historical-cultural ties between the two countries, facilitated by geographic contiguity and by a continuous intertwining of the…
University Open Air: Health and Hygiene for Food Preparation
The pandemic period we live in has reminded us how important cleaning and hygiene rules are for our health. The rules we have to follow in the food preparation industry in which I work are clear and precise: cleaning, cleaning, cleaning! Keeping the social distance and using masks is a new…
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 lecture, we will explore various ways to navigate our cultural differences whilst using our similarities to strengthen our…
University Open Air: Technical Drawing Exercises for Beginners
This course is for people who want to learn how to draw manually by using basic tools such as: pencils, eraser, compass, flat ruler, and brackets. You will also learn how and when to use different types of pencils through drawing and writing exercises. You will learn how to read and draw a small…
University Open Air: Effects of COVID-19 on International Students
Studying in the U.S. is a big dream for foreign students, how has COVID-19 changed their minds? Will taking online courses on the same fee structure be a good option for them? What is the impact on private schools after this pandemic?
University Open Air: Albania - Life Under the Communist Regime of Enver Hoxha
Albania has been under the communist regime for about 50 years. A totalitarian dictatorship among the wildest and darkest in the entire communist system of the east. During this period freedom of speech and belief was forbidden. Many churches, mosques, religious places were destroyed. No one was…
University Open Air: Being an Immigrant Alone in the Pandemic Period!
Stay at home! The period we are in is a completely different first. All over the world, change became necessary for an unspecified time, affecting all "normal" schedules. We became unable to do many familiar and ordinary things: No travel, no vacation, no restaurants, no museums, in theaters, no…
University Open Air: Finding the Truth in A Sea of Fake News
The term ‘Fake News’ has become a buzz word in recent years but, in reality, untruths and misinformation has been around for centuries. This course will explore various strategies and resources that you can use to sift through the abundance of information on the internet to find trustworthy…
University Open Air: Writing a Good Research Proposal
The course will expose participants to the main structure and types of research proposals.It will also throw light on the steps involved in writing a good proposal. The course will enrich the skills of proposal writing among participants.
University Open Air: Photography basics - Drawing with light – Making Cyanotypes
In this hands-on photography class, students will experiment with one of the oldest, and simplest photographic processes, the Cyanotypes. As the origin of the word Photography from the Greek roots – phōtos = Light, graphé = drawing, we will be using chemicals, water, found plant material and…
University Open Air: Dream Yoga in the Buddhist World
We all sleep for one fourth of our life but we don’t know how to use sleep for personal development. Here Dr. Chok will teach some simple techniques on how to harness your dreams during sleep. He will begin or end the session with a short guided meditation.
University Open Air: Misinformation: How to Spot and Deal with It
In this course, first we will define different types of misinformation we may face in our daily life through media and social media. Then, we will discuss the impact of misinformation in our personal and social life, together, we will find ways to spot misinformation and address our roles in…
University Open Air: Artificial Intelligence: Through the Winters to the Stars
Artificial Intelligence shining as never before. Was it always like this? And is AI as capable as the AI industry promises us? I offer you to join me on the incredible journey of AI development and AI mythology. We will explore the history of Artificial Intelligence. We will go through the…
University Open Air: The Five Yoga Movements for Balancing the Five Elements
What is the view of the physical body, energy body, and mental body in the Buddhist world? Is Tibetan yoga different from the present yoga practices that are gaining in popularity all over the world? What are the benefits? In this session, Dr. Chok will teach the five movements of the five…
University Open Air: Portrait Photography - a relationship between body and lens
In this lecture and conversation, (followed by a short or home assignment), we will examine the work of a diverse range of artists and photographers who use the camera lens as a tool to explore identity, and push against boundaries of culture, heritage and gender roles.
University Open Air: Modern Mythology of the American Superhero
From the Golden Age of Comic Books beginning in the 1930s to the current Golden Age of Television, the American art form of Superhero storytelling has conquered the box office worldwide. In this course we will deconstruct the metaphors behind the pages and discuss how they reflect societal…
University Open Air: The History of the Different City Shapes From the Past to the Present
This class will be a brief journey through the history of city shapes. How and why its different forms developed from ancient times to the present.
University Open Air: Women Empowerment in Islam
In this lecture, we will duscuss seven brave ladies who are from holy prophet Muhammad (PBUH) family: Khadeja tul Kubra (S.A), Fatima bint e Asad (S.A), Ummul Banin (S.A), Fatima bint e Muhammad (PBUH), Zainub bint e Ali (A.S), Sakina Bint e Hussain (A.S) and Masooma e Qum (S.A). We will discuss…
University Open Air: Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Environment and Climate Change
A global pandemic that is claiming people’s lives certainly should not be a way of bringing about environmental change either. For one thing, it is far from certain how lasting this dip in emissions will be. When the pandemic eventually subsides, will carbon and pollutant emissions “bounce back…
University Open Air: Traditional African Ways to Boost Immune System
This course introduces two traditional methods that indigenous Africans have used to keep their bodies healthy. Until the 21st century, natural food and leaves were used to boosting immunity. Since the outbreak of the Coronavirus, the use of natural food has reemerged globally, especially…
University Open Air: 10th of Muharam - "Ashura"
The word Ashura is an Arabic word, which means numeric 10. Ashura is a sacred religious event for all Muslims. Muslims are divided into two major sects, 1- Shia Muslims, 2- Sunni Muslims, but Shia Muslims celebrate this event differently than Sunni Muslims. This event is celebrated every…
University Open Air: Reimagining the Tourism Industry—What Will It Take?
Tourism made up 10 percent of global GDP in 2019 and was worth almost $9 trillion. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the tourism industry due to the resulting travel restrictions, as well as slump in demand among travelers. Many countries have introduced travel…
University Open Air: The Ideal US City After the Covid-19 Pandemic: Extensive or Dense?
In this class, we will learn about the types of cities that currently exist in the US and we will debate which is the best type of city for life and the fight against climate change in a post-pandemic context: whether it’s the large city or the dense city?
University Open Air: Self-Development for Marketability in the Post-Corona Era
This course introduces enormous opportunities for self-development that has emerged during this pandemic. A number of paid education platforms have been made freely available to the public. Why not take advantage to remain competitive in your job search? Also, the course highlights some eased…
University Open Air: Artificial Intelligence: Through the Winters to the Stars
Artificial Intelligence shining as never before. Was it always like this? And is AI as capable as the AI industry promises us? I offer you to join me on the incredible journey of AI development and AI mythology. We will explore the history of Artificial Intelligence. We will go through the…
University Open Air: Technical Drawing Exercises for Beginners
This course is for people who want to learn how to draw manually by using basic tools such as: pencils, eraser, compass, flat ruler, and brackets. You will also learn how and when to use different types of pencils through drawing and writing exercises. You will learn how to read and draw a small…
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 and more, to be discussed by…
University Open Air: Humor and Power In French and Francophone literature and popular culture
Let's talk about this complex relationship between humor and power in popular culture. First, we will examine how Fatou Diome uses strategies from movements such as the enlightenment to ridicule powerful figures and empower marginalized individuals traditionally satirized in popular culture in…
University Open Air: Poetry and A.I.
What's A.I. art? We've heard that A.I. writes poetry, creates art and makes music. In this course, we will read news, theory and work from A.I. labors. Starting with mimicking the A.I., you will generate new work, future your research and interact with your robotic self.
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: Beauty and Ugliness In French and Francophone Literature and the Arts
We will examine some laudatory and critical devices used in some emblematic works to present the concept of beauty and ugliness.
University Open Air: Misinformation: How to Spot and Deal with It
In this course, first we will define different types of misinformation we may face in our daily life through media and social media. Then, we will discuss the impact of misinformation in our personal and social life, together, we will find ways to spot misinformation and address our roles in…
University Open Air: A Healing Session Through Chod Practice
Chod is a famous healing practice on the Himalayan plateau. For this session, Dr. Chok will discuss the practice of Chod and perform a short healing session. He will begin or end the session with a short guided meditation.
University Open Air: Abstract Photography – Tools for Discovery
This workshop is about creating a space for creative learning, an exercise in seeing, viewing and responding. We will make mistakes and “fail” while breaking the rules of how to use a camera and allow for photographing without a set goal or following what a photo “needs to be”. Participants…
University Open Air: The Inventiveness of Popular French Songs
In this course we will examine a few poetic, surprising and funny French songs. Then, we will try to write songs in English that have the same inventiveness, or fantasy and rhythm as French songs.
University Open Air: Failed Love in Romantic French Literature
Ever wondered why there are so many failed relationships in French literature? Many of these romances seemed doomed from the start, especially with all these young men falling for a married woman (Madame Bovary, The Red and Black, The Lily of the Valley). In this course, we will talk about some…
University Open Air: Photography for Pleasure & Relaxation: Art Therapy During the Pandemic Period
Photography is everywhere, even during the Pandemic Period! You can touch lives and you can share your point of view. This course invites students to join in this process-the process of enjoying, relaxing and relating to photography.
University Open Air: Mask-Making in Nature
In this workshop we will explore different techniques and employ nature to create unique face covers. Please come with clothes that can get dirty!
Please note: this class is 1.5hrs long.
University Open Air: Tibetan Calligraphy
Who introduced Tibetan letters in the 7th century and why has it not been changed since the 9th century? You will practice how to write beautiful Tibetan letters and words. Dr. Chok may even write some beautiful Tibetan calligraphy for you.
University Open Air: Health Provider Services During a Pandemic
Pandemic changed everything: from unemployment to pandemic relief from the government and how health service providers have worked hard to save innocent people’s lives. What kind of problems they are facing? From understanding different languages to many more issues that health…
University Open Air: Trade and Use of Timber and Wood Products in 2020
COVID-19 has changed the ways of life in many households and cities worldwide. The use of some secondary and tertiary wood products has also changed in many ways. This course attempts to classify wood products as “essential and non-essential” in the era of pandemic and further projects the…
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 and more, to be discussed by…
University Open Air: Covid-19 and Pregnancy –The Good News
This course discusses how pregnant women have been impacted by the pandemic. Two protocols for pregnant women testing positive for Covid-19 will be discussed. Finally, the good news for pregnant women concerning their babies as supported by evidence-based research will be discussed.
University Open Air: Are In-Person Meetings Worth the Risk? Lessons from Covid-19
This course discusses the pros and cons of in-person meetings that Covid-19 has exposed to people. Comparatively, how has the value of in-person meetings been affected by the pandemic? By staying at home, has the extended time spent with relatives at home been beneficiary? These will be…
University Open Air: How Do We Deal with the Waste from Covid 19?
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to an abrupt collapse of waste management chains. Safely managing medical and domestic waste is crucial to successfully containing the disease. Mismanagement can also lead to increased environmental pollution. All countries facing excess…
University Open Air: Poetry and A.I.
What's A.I. art? We've heard that A.I. writes poetry, creates art and makes music. In this course, we will read news, theory and work from A.I. labors. Starting with mimicking the A.I., you will generate new work, further the research and interact with your robotic self.
University Open Air: Using the Timber Tracking Techniques: Tracing the Origin of Timber Products
In recent times, there are ongoing efforts by researchers on how to track the origin of commercial timber species from different countries to ensure legal trade in ‘legal’ timber on the international market, as well as enhancing the sustainable management of forest resources worldwide. This…