For help registering see the How to Register for Non-Credit Courses Guide.
Victory Gardens (LLC 4004)
Take a fascinating look at the Victory Gardens of World War I and WWII. Learn about the origination of Victory Gardens, how they played a part in both wars and enjoy learning about this fascinating time in history. . It may also surprise you to learn why the Victory Gardens seemed to disappear after the wars were over. Our instructor our instructor has even found a few short films from the Office of the War Department to share.
Chicago History- The Fire (LLC 4005)Learn about the great Chicago Fire. Explore the myths versus what can be proven. A historical event that is full of lore and changed the city, you will enjoy an evening focused on the great fire of 1871.
Chicago History- High and Low Society (LLC 4006)
Explore the faces and personalities of Chicago Society. Take a fascinating trip featuring the highs and lows of Chicago Society; Politicians, Gangs, Reformers and even the clubs will highlight this historical evening.
Chicago History- The Reformers (LLC 4007)
A time of change and reform, explore the history of the Chicago Reformers. Topics will include religious reformers, social leaders, the Hull House, Florence Lathrop and Settlement House System.
New - Hidden History - The Southwest Suburbs (LLC 3974)
Learn about the rich cultural, artistic, and architectural wonders hidden right in our own backyard – the Southwest Suburbs. Discover a hidden 28-square-mile forest with a rock canyon. Cruise through local history on the I&M Canal and learn about Chicago’s most famous ghost story. Even if you are a longtime area resident, you are guaranteed to learn something new about the hidden history of the places you call home.
New - Hidden History - Downtown Chicago (LLC 3975)
Discover the cultural and architectural wonders hidden right in our own “big” city – Chicago. Come along on a virtual walking tour of downtown Chicago and learn about city’s most famous architecture. Learn about the downtown’s rich history, and how Chicago rose from the ashes to become a powerhouse of finance, entertainment and culture.
New - Hidden History – Harry Houdini (LLC 3976)
Step into the hidden world of Harry Houdini – the world’s most famous magician and escape artist. Learn about Houdini’s humble start in nearby Appleton, Wisconsin and how he rose to international fame. And discover why 83 years after his death on Halloween, Houdini still has such a grip on the public’s imagination.
New - The Devil in the White City- A Literary Adventure (LLC 4008)
Take a fascinating literary adventure into the Legacy of the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair; filled with inventions, innovations and even murder. The focus of this class will be on the reading and discussion of Erik Larson’s novel The Devil in the White City Murder, Magic and Madness at the Fair that Changed America. This class will meet every other week to discuss and explore the novel as they read it independently. Students will need to supply their own book. Class will meet on Thursdays, February 4, 18 and March 4.
Early Chicago (LLC 3808)
The first in a series of seminars on Chicago history and architecture, this evening will focus on early settlement patters, especially ethnic dispersion and land use development. Different residential architectural styles, innovations and evolution will be highlighted. Prairie Avenue’s rich mavens of industry and high society will be contrasted with Chicago’s more seamy side. A selection of Carl Sandburg’s poetry will help illustrate Chicago’s early urban character.
Chicago (World's Fair to 1909)
(LLC 3809)
Learn about Chicago’s World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893, “The White City”. Individual buildings and the overall site plan will show how the Fair was shaped. Engineering marvels will be highlighted, including the first Ferris wheel and the moving sidewalk into Lake Michigan. Daniel Burnham’s leadership of the Fair led The Merchant Club’s charge to improve the “Real City”. Learn how Burnham’s 1909 Plan of Chicago evolved from the White City.
Early Chicago Skyscrapers (LLC 3810)
Examine several factors leading to the rise of the skyscraper. Building materials, styles, details, forms, functions, leaders, and engineering innovations will be analyzed. Louis Sullivan and Dankmar Adler will be highlighted with their Auditorium Building and Carson, Pirie, Scott designs. Trace the evolution of the early skyscraper, Chicago School of Architecture, noting progressive changes and utility today.
Frank Lloyd Wright (LLC 3811)
Learn about the special design forms and innovations of Frank Lloyd Wright, beginning with Sullivan as his mentor, working on the Auditorium Building and concluding with his controversial design for the New York City’s Guggenheim Museum. Also the influence of Frank Lloyd Wright’s studio colleagues and the many major events shaping his life will be examined. Special attention will be give to selected landmark homes: Robie House design 1909 and Falling Water 1932.
Evolution of the Chicago Skyscrapers (LLC 3812)
Architectural forms evolved and differed after the first skyscraper generation. Trace the development of later forms, such as Neo-Classis, Historic, Art Deco, Modern and Post-Modern. Designs by Helmut Jahn, especially his design for the James R. Thompson Center, 1985, 312 N. LaSalle, 1992, and IIT student resident quarters will be highlighted.
Will County History (LLC 3325)
Experience early Will County. This series of six seminars will be conducted by various presenters from The Will County Historical Society. Each night will feature a different topic in Will County History and time will be allotted for audience participation with the local historians. Discover local history and enjoy learning about people, places and happenings in your local area.
Joliet Area Breweries (LLC 3896)
Join a local area historian and author as you are taken on a historical review of Joliet’s Breweries of the past. Porters, Sehring, Pioneer and Acme are some of the area highlighted breweries featured in this seminar. You will especially enjoy old photos and spotting the local area brewery signs along with viewing a sample of the presenter’s collectibles acquired through the years.