TOPIC 1. American society in the 1940s, '50s, and '60s through the eyes of Number 42, Jackie Robinson. The core of this class is baseball in New York City and the United States during those three decades, but the story is as much about American society and American history, as it is about baseball.

Noon to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 8. Graves Library

Topic 2: Afghanistan -- all you didn't know about the country and the longest war in United States history. I'll tell that story from personal experience and Afghanistan's history, complete with a burqa (burka), a Taliban turban, and a Tajik-style Pakul (hat), each of which you can touch and wear.

noon to 2  Tuesdays -- Oct. 15, 22 and 29.. Graves Library

Your Instructor:  Lou Salome

 Lou is the author of "Violence, Veils and Bloodlines: Reporting from War zones in Europe, Asia and Africa" . He earned a BS from the College of the Holy Cross and a MA from Boston College. He is a retired COX Newspapers reporter who has covered the conflicts in Pakistan, Afghanistan and the Middle East.