Study Group and Intersession Topic Ideas
Explore ideas from previous Study Groups and Intersessions! Just click on a heading to see a list of topics to consider!
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Architecture
- History by time or area
- Specific architects or styles (Frank Lloyd Wright, Baroque architecture)
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Arts (Creative)
- Studio Art – Drawing, Painting, Pastels, Collage
- Quilting
- Origami
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Art History
- Any period of art history
- Different geographical area (i.e. Chinese, French, or Indian Art)
- Particular movements (e.g., Modernism, Impressionism, Surrealism)
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Arts (Performing)
- Playwrights
- Read / Present Plays
- Writing Plays
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Biography
- Any famous or lesser known person of interest
- Any category of famous people Women, World Leaders)
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Chicago
- History of places of interest
- Famous Chicagoans
- Chicago films
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Computers
- Using the Google Apps in Place of Microsoft Office
- Amazing Websites
- Defend Against Viruses, Hackers, and Spam
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Current Events
- Any topics of current interest
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Economics
- Communism / Capitalism / Socialism
- Fraud Awareness
- Estate Planning
- Increasing Retirement Income
- Stocks, Bonds, and Other Investments
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Ecology and Environment
- Bio-History by state, region, country, or specific time period
- Impact of Civil Engineering on Environment
- Natural Resources Management
- Climate Change
- Emerging Energy Sources
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Film
- Films based on specific topic or time period
- Films by genre or type (Documentary, Musical)
- Classic Films
- Plays or books on film
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Games
- Card Games
- Chess
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Food and Wine
- Specific chefs or personalities
- Food culture by region
- Healthy Eating and Fad Foods
- Food and Literature
- History of specific foods, wines or ethnic cuisines
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Health
- Mental / Physical Health
- Alternative Medicine
- Body and Mind
- Memory and the Brain
- Spiritualists
- Plants as Food or Medicine
- Psychology
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History (American)
- America during different periods of history
- American Indians
- Famous Men and Women
- Presidents, Past and Present
- Significant events in US history
- War in the Middle East
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History (World)
- European History (various countries)
- A significant event in world history
- Any revolution throughout history
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History (Ancient)
- Any ancient civilization
- The Silk Road
- Myths in History
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History (Other)
- Archeology
- The United Nations
- Important Trials in History
- Turning Points in History
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International Studies
- International relations between the U.S. and any country or region
- The Israeli-Palestinian Peace Process
- Understanding the Middle East
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Law and Justice
- The Constitution and Constitutional Law
- Significant Law Decisions
- Landmark Decisions of the Supreme Court
- Amendments to the Constitution
- The Bill of Rights
- Crime: Causes, Effects and Proposed Solutions
- Human Rights and International Law
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Literature (Authors)
- A study of any author, poet, playwright
- Authors from a particular country
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Literature (Novels)
- A study of any particular novel
- Novels from a particular era
- Novels of a particular genre
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Literature (Poetry, Essays, Short Stories, Drama)
- Short Stories from a given country
- Poetry from a given country
- History Mirrored Through Poetry
- Greek Tragedies
- Reader’s Theater
- Any category of plays
- Essays
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Literature (Miscellaneous)
- Great Books Discussion Group
- Literature / Folk Tales from other cultures
- Women in Literature
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Music
- Any Composer Life and Works
- Ten of the Greatest Orchestral Works
- Understanding Symphonies / Ballets / Opera
- Broadway Musicals
- Big Band and Swing Music
- American Folk Music
- Jazz – From Beginning to Now
- The Roots of Rock & Roll
- Reflections on African Music
- Great Choral Music
- How to listen to great music
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Nature
- Bird Watching & Behavior
- Successes with Endangered Species
- Gardening Without Breaking Your Back
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Philosophy
- Ethical Dilemmas of Our Time
- Aristotle, Plato and Socrates
- The Enlightenment
- Great American Philosophers
- Great Thinkers of the Western World
- Medical Ethics
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Photography
- Basic Camera Handling
- Story Telling with Photography
- Photography as Art
- Nature Photography
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Politics
- Issues in American Foreign Policy
- Race Relations in the U.S.
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Religion
- Biblical Ethics
- Comparative Religions
- Understanding any Religion
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Science
- Astrology
- Astronomy
- Electronics
- Evolution
- Geology
- Medicine
- Other parts of the Solar System
- Physics
- Science of Religion
- Technology
- Weather
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Self-Improvement
- Right Brain Experiences
- Medicare Facts and Concerns
- Memory Improvement
- Nurturing Creativity
- Positive, Creative, Joyful Aging
- Security Awareness and Crime Prevention in the Cyber World
- Prosperous and Safe Retirement
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Sports
- Baseball in America
- NCAA: Is It Time to Pay College Athletes As Professionals?
- Football: History and Future
- The Chicago Sports Hall of Fame
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Travel
- What to see and do in any country
- Share your own travel adventures
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Social Studies
- Family Dynamics
- Social Class and Social Policy
- Racial Issues
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Women’s Issues
- Creative Women in History
- Forgotten Women in History
- History of Women’s Suffrage
- Women in Art and Literature
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World Geography
- The people and culture of any country or region
- Why Geography Matters
- Great Cities of the Middle Ages
- Eastern Europe – America’s Blind Spot
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Writing
- Creative Writing
- Journal Writing
- Memoirs
- Poetry
- Short Stories