College at 60 Courses
Registration will open at 10:30 AM on June 2, 2025
The Fall 2025 Schedule is available below
New students should complete the New Student Course Request Form on the How to Register page
FALL 2025 SCHEDULE
The Fall 2025 College at 60 term will run from September 22, 2025 through December 22, 2025.
Monday: 9/22 – 12/22
Tuesday: 9/23 – 12/9
Wednesday: 9/24 – 12/17
Thursday: 9/25 – 12/18
Friday: 9/26 – 12/19
Classes will not be held on the following holidays observed by Fordham University:
Columbus Day - October 13, 2025 (Monday)
Thanksgiving Recess - November 26, 27, 28, 2025 (Wednesday - Friday)
All classes are held on-site at the Lincoln Center campus unless noted otherwise.
FALL 2025 CAS COURSES
MONDAYS
September 22 – December 22
CASP 1500 - The Evolution of a SuperPower: Ancient Rome [THIS CLASS HAS BEEN CANCELLED]
George Shea
CASP 1320 C02 - The Hidden Musical
Monday 1:30pm - 3:30pm
Kent Worcester
CRN: 54234
This course explores the most polarizing of cinematic genres - the film musical - with a focus on musicals of the studio era (1920s-1960s). The course provides students with an opportunity to learn about and reflect on the aesthetic, cultural, political, and technological aspects of this formerly popular genre. Key themes include the nexus of music, dance, and narrative; the utopian dimension of the film musical; key personnel; the studio system; and representations of status and identity. We will make extensive use of primary sources, from short clips to feature-length films.
TUESDAYS
September 23 – December 9
CASP 1100 - Tasting God: Islam’s Mystical Tradition
Tuesday 10:30am-12:30pm
Ali Noori
CRN: 50643
Sufism is the mystical strand within Islam. It emphasizes direct experience, aims for union with the divine, and involves ascetic and meditative practices. Its expressions are often esoteric and poetic. You might be familiar with some of its popular manifestations: the whirling dervishes, Coleman Barks’ renditions of Rumi’s poetry, or Forty Rules of Love by Elif Shafak.
This course is a survey of Islamic mysticism in its various expressions. What does a tradition aimed at tasting God look and sound like? We will examine topics such as love and sex, ecstasy and drunkenness, the seen and the unseen, and the nature of the divine. Our readings will include seminal theoretical and poetic works by well-known figures such as Rumi (often described as the best-selling poet in the US), Hafez, Attar, ibn Arabi, al-Ghazali, as well as modern and contemporary manifestations and adaptations of Sufi thought and practice including music, film, and fiction. We will also visit the Met and see some beautiful visual and material culture inspired by Sufism. A visit to an active Sufi lodge in Tribeca is also on the table!
[CLOSED] CASP 1190 - Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales
Tuesday 10:30am-12:30pm
Nicholas Birns
CRN: 50646
Here, a later poet remarked, is God’s plenty: the funny, irreverent, and emotionally gripping works of Geoffrey Chaucer. Writing in the tumultuous, complex England in the late fourteenth century, Chaucer at once plunges within and reaches beyond his time with his portraits of all sorts of people, from the stately Knight to the ribald Miller, from the perpetual-student Clerk to the worldly-wise Wife of Bath. Chaucer’s Tales include not just stories of knightly setting-do and explorations of the treasure trove of literary tradition (especially his foremost influence, the Italian writer Boccaccio,) but also considerations of men, women, and the nature of marriage. Reading the Tales in a modern English version by Nevill Coghill, we will see how Chaucer at once vividly rendered the manners and morals of his place in time, but also created individual characters in a way that set a crucial precedent for the achievement of later literature in English.
CASP 1320 - Theatre History: Characters, Culture & Change
Tuesday 10:30am-12:30pm
June Ballinger
CRN: 50648
This course explores the rich history of theatre through multiple lenses: as a catalyst for societal change, a vessel for exploring the complexity of existence and intellectual frontiers, and a psychological study of human behavior. From ancient Greek tragedies to contemporary Broadway productions, we'll examine how theatre has served as a mirror to society and a platform for understanding the human condition across different cultures and periods.
A distinctive feature is our psychological exploration of theatrical characters, examining their motivations, choices, and inner conflicts—similar to actors' "table work" during rehearsal preparation. This approach deepens our understanding of both fictional characters and the human condition.
The course involves:
- Analysis of play scripts and musical librettos
- Examination of genre, style, and performance conventions
- Discussion of how social context shapes audience expectations
- Attendance at live performances, when possible, with class discussion
Course discussions will benefit from participants' diverse perspectives and life experiences, creating a collaborative learning environment.
CASP 1530 - The Apostle Paul and the Pauline Letters
Tuesday 10:30am-12:30pm
Byron Shafer
CRN: 52119
A scholar has written: “Paul is the most important, most controversial, and least understood figure in earliest Christianity.” Thirteen of the twenty-seven books of the New Testament are attributed to Paul. He was a first-century Jew born in the Roman diaspora. He became a follower of Jesus the Christ, traveled widely in the Empire to spread the Good News of his new Lord and Savior, and corresponded with the congregations he had founded. After Paul’s death, disciples continued to work and write in his name. Why was he then and why is he today so important, so controversial, and so misunderstood? We shall seek to understand! Our text books will be the Bible and Calvin J. Roetzel, The Letters of Paul: Conversations in Context, 6th ed. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2015. ISBN 13: 978-0-664-23999-2.
[CLOSED] CASP 1160 - Shakespeare: Richard II, Henry IV Part 1, and Henry V
Tuesday 1:30pm-3:30pm
Barbara Parker
CRN: 52116
Of Shakespeare’s ten history plays, those comprising his second tetralogy are among his greatest theatrical achievements. This cycle of plays constitutes a continuing exploration of the massive, unifying theme of power as exemplified by three successive monarchs: Richard II, whose outsized sense of entitlement and cavalier perversion of justice plunge England into bloodshed and revolt; the usurper Henry IV, whose ruthlessness and efficiency cannot save him from the mounting troubles that curse his reign and dog him to his grave; and Henry’s wayward son, Prince Hal, habitué of taverns and brothels, whose long, uneasy preparation for the throne is succeeded by a reign of unparalleled triumph following upon his accession as Henry V. Resonating across the centuries, these plays ponder issues still relevant today: the ethics of invading a foreign nation, the effects of illicitly gained power, and the loneliness of him who wears the crown.
CASP 1310 - The Great Poets & Composers: An Artistic Symbiosis
Tuesday 1:30pm-3:30pm
Robert René Galván
CRN: 54233
The greatest vocal works of the major composers are settings of poems written by literary luminaries, from the anonymous sacred poems of the Middle Ages to modern poets such as Dylan Thomas and Rainer Maria Rilke. Most songs or extended vocal compositions begin with a poem that determines its structure and tone. The workshop will explore works such as Beethoven's setting of Friedrich Schiller's An die Freude in his Ninth Symphony, to the att songs of Franz Schubert, which illuminate the poetry of Goethe and Schiller, and Hindemith's short choral gems based on Rilke's French poems.
WEDNESDAYS
September 24 – December 17
[CLOSED] CASP 1100 - A Little Support
Wednesday 10:30am-12:30pm
John Bach
CRN: 54231
A little support is always good and there are hundreds of films that offer very good examples of very good support. Often not as flashy and never as big as a film’s primary characters, the secondary characters in a film, and the supporting actors who play them, are an integral part of the whole, sometimes the best part. It might be the case that the actor has just a few minutes of screen time, or it might be that he/she is a quiet but constant presence throughout the film, but the contribution they make is significant. Using this theme as our starting point, we’ll explore some of these performances and the films in which they exist. Our analysis and discussions will include a variety of cinematic genres, characters and plots, cinematography, film scores, and costume, lighting and scenic designs. Possible contenders for discussion include Anne Revere and How Green Was My Valley; Helen Hayes and Anastasia; James Earl Jones and Field of Dreams; Alan Arkin and Little Miss Sunshine; Maureen Stapleton and Reds; Elizabeth Taylor and Jane Eyre; Jack Nicholson and A Few Good Men; Janet Leigh and Psycho; the Seven Dwarves and Snow White; Christopher Walken and Pennies from Heaven; Isabella Rossellini and Conclave; Neal Huff and Spotlight, Genes Wilder and Hackman and Bonnie and Clyde; and Susan Backlinie and Jaws.
CASP 1301 C02 - Modern Art from a Global Perspective (Zoom)
Wednesday 10:30am-12:30pm
Sharon Suchma
CRN: 54236
Conventionally, Modern Art classes are taught through works and movements coming out of Europe. Peripherally are references to encounters with other countries due to technological developments or political events. This course aims to consider Modern Art as something beyond European and American traditions alone, instead considering global art production from the beginning of the Industrial Revolution through the first quarter of the twentieth century. Rather than identifying art styles as Western or Non-Western, there will be a concentration on the way cultures came to know each other and how they affected each other. As such, historical and social events will be considered in understanding how cultural interactions and connections can be seen in the art produced at the time. The class will be loosely chronological, sometimes favoring themes that cover larger time periods, such as identity and art. Some of the topics to be discussed include: the hybrid forms of art created out of the Spanish presence in Mesoamerica; the multiculturalism of Mughal miniatures in India; the influence of Chinese and Japanese arts on Impressionism and Post-Impressionism; concepts of the “primitive” in Fauvism and Expressionism; and women and the art academy. Lectures will highlight works that are part of New York City museum collections.
CASP 1301 C01 - What Came After the Renaissance? An Artist's Point of View
Wednesday 10:30am-12:30pm
Gail Miller
CRN: 54232
Join me on a journey through the evolution of art following the Renaissance to contemporary movements. Together, we will explore the cultural, historical, and social contexts that shaped iconic artworks and styles, while gaining a deeper appreciation for the creative expressions of each era. As an artist, I do not see art chronologically but as a progression of ideas and relationships.
What comes after the Renaissance? After DaVinci and Caravaggio, after Van Gogh and Monet where do artists go in the exploration and evolution of art. From Bauhaus, Abstract Expressionism, Conceptual Art and recent movements in the art world, we will explore influential figures such as Jackson Pollock, William DeKooning, Andy Warhol, Richard Serra, Maya Lin, Cyndi Sherman and many more artists working today.
In addition to lectures, I will encourage discussions and incorporate visual presentations. And of course, what would an art class be without a visit to a museum, which will allow us to connect with art on a personal level? Whether you’re an art enthusiast or a curious newcomer, this course invites you to share your insights and experiences. No prior art history knowledge is required — just a passion for exploration and a love for creativity. Uncover the stories behind the masterpieces and discover how art continues to reflect and shape our world today! From Caravaggio to the Guerrilla Girls, let’s go!
[CLOSED] CASP 1120 - Work and/or Play: Adventures in Writing
Wednesday 1:30pm-3:30pm
Nina Goss
CRN: 50649
In this course, you will develop—or discover—your writing self through work designed to exercise playfulness and invention as well as craft and commitment. Our sessions will offer writers of all moods and inclinations the chance to venture into creative territories that may introduce you to new inclinations. From wordplay and fantasy, to dramatic use of imagery, to refining emotional arcs, this course invites you to see that playful writing can be meaningful, and serious writing can be imaginative and joyful. There will be short in-class writing exercises, as well as longer projects you will work on in drafts outside of class. Prose writers and poets are welcome.
CASP 1520 - Introduction to Latin Through Daily Roman Family Life (6 Weeks)
November 5 - December 17
Wednesday 1:30pm-3:30pm
Robert Parmach
CRN: 50651
This six-session course introduces students to the Latin language through the daily stories, culture and humor of a Roman family living soon after the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 A.D. Rather than memorization and grammar drills alone, we learn to think through the Latin language. We explore some real-life personalities of Ancient Rome, highlight related themes in philosophy and etymology (word history and derivation) and work to gain a deeper appreciation of how we use the English language today. By the end of the course, students will have learned how to read, understand and construct elementary Latin sentences in a natural, accessible way. Students are also invited to participate in related Fordham Ignatian programming and Community Engaged Learning (CEL) service initiatives. This course is intended for students with no prior background in Latin since this is an introductory approach. All course materials provided by the instructor.
THURSDAYS
September 25 – December 18
[CLOSED] CASP 1540 - Greed is Bad: Notorious U.S. Securities Fraudsters from a Founding Father to the Present, and How They Were Caught
Thursday 10:30am-12:30pm
Bruce Bettigole
CRN: 52120
In the 1987 movie, “Wall Street,” the Gordon Gekko character infamously proclaimed “Greed is Good.” This course will examine the history of U.S. securities fraud, how greed motivated our most notorious fraudsters, what was going on in the country that set the stage for their frauds, and how they were caught. Who were they? Who were their victims? What role did the media play in exposing these crimes? Who were the investigators and prosecutors?
We will discuss a Founding Father and key contact between the Continental Congress and General Washington, whose speculations in government bonds precipitated the Panic of 1792 and landed him in debtor’s prison. We will cover Charles Ponzi’s 1920 scam, but also the similar “Notorious Mrs. Clem,” who murdered her partner in 1868. Classes will cover scams that ensnared Ulysses Grant, were central to the Gilded Age, helped cause the Great Depression and the creation of the SEC, or involved the Mob. We will discuss penny stock boiler-rooms (think The Wolf of Wall Street with Leonardo DiCaprio), Boesky, Milken, and Martha Stewart insider trading, Bernie Madoff (not the first head of a securities exchange to go to prison), Theranos, the fraudulent blood-testing company led by Elizabeth Holmes, and crypto cases. We will examine federal, state, and NYC anti-fraud efforts, including the current political challenges these agencies face.
CASP 1550 - Cartoons, Comics, Politics and Power
Thursday 10:30am-12:30pm
Richard Hresko
CRN: 52121
Cartoons, from ancient graffiti to Martin Luther to modern movie extravaganzas, have done far more than entertain the masses. They have been potent political tools threatening political structures and shaping world views. This course will primarily, though not exclusively, look at comics, comic books, cartoons, and adaptations of them by media in the US, including the work of artists such as Thomas Nast, Walt Kelly, R. Crumb, as well as famous explicitly political cartoonists such as Herblock, the military cartoonist Bill Mauldin, who created Willie and Joe for Stars and Stripes during WWII, as well. Through this course, we will explore how societies develop and refine their self-image and place in the world through this modern, mass media art, which carries on the cultural drive for self-definition through archetypes and heroes that can trace its roots back to Homer, Vergil, Chaucer, and others.
CASP 1500 - The Gracious Society: Frances Perkins and the Religious Dimension of the New Deal
Thursday 1:30pm-3:30pm
Donn Mitchell
CRN: 54235
The religious ethos of the New Deal represented a shift from the latter day Puritanism of nineteenth century New England to the pluralistic religious culture of twentieth century New York, heavily influenced by Catholic and Jewish ideas of community.
Frances Perkins, whose work lifted millions out of poverty, was guided by a deeply incarnational understanding of Christianity shared by many of the principals of the New Deal. This course will show how the shifting moral emphases of American religious and political culture regarding care of the needy, workplace safety, and economic justice made her work morally and politically viable. Contemporary concerns about Social Security will also be addressed.
We will draw on readings from A Promise to All Generations: Stories and Essays about Social Security and Frances Perkins and from the instructor’s own research and writings on Frances Perkins and Eleanor Roosevelt.
[CLOSED] CASP 1310 - Great Composers and their Symphonies
Thursday 1:30pm-3:30pm
Kathryn John
CRN: 50654
In this course we follow the careers of great composers such as Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Brahms and others from the 18th century to the present, focusing on their compositions for the orchestra. We trace the development of the Symphony: musical forms upon which the works are built, types and make-up of the orchestras that perform the works, patrons who supported these composers, and performance venues that housed the concerts.
When possible, choices of works to be studied and discussed in class will coordinate with symphonies to be performed in NYC during the weeks immediately before or after that class session.
FRIDAYS
September 26 – December 19
Immigration and the American Identity: The Ongoing Debate
Friday 10:30am-12:30pm
Jess Velona
[CLOSED] CRN: 50650 (on-site) - CASP 1250
CRN: 50657 (Zoom) - CASP 1250 C02
We celebrate the U.S. as a nation of immigrants, where millions who arrived with nothing went on to claim a part of the American dream. And yet, each influx of newcomers has been seen by many already here as a threat to the American way of life, leading to calls to close the door. This course will examine this tension, focusing on Irish and Chinese immigration in the mid-1800s, the arrival of Italians, Jews and others in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and more recent immigration from Latin America, Asia and the Middle East. Readings will mix inspiring stories of immigrants' striving to succeed with accounts of political battles to curb immigration based on race, national origin and other factors, and at times violent efforts to expel newcomers. Among the questions to be considered: is it possible to compare the experiences of immigrant groups arriving at vastly different times in our history? Have demands to curb immigration come mostly from American elites, or from lower-status groups? And finally, how much does the current immigration debate have roots in America's past?