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This is the last week of our summer drive No images? [Click here]( [Your donation matched 2x to help us reach 2022 goal]( Dear Reader, Of all the privileges I enjoy as education editor at The Conversation, the one I like the most is the ability to try new things. That’s what gave birth to [Uncommon Courses](, a new series that features innovative college courses taught by experts who explore various topics from a distinct vantage point within their field. At a time when people are questioning the value of higher education, this series gives readers a better sense of one of the greatest strengths of a college education: students being challenged by engaged teachers to think critically about the complex issues that confront the world today. These articles are about as close as you can get to experiencing an unusual college course without actually taking it. Here are a few examples: - One course invites students to explore what it takes to establish society in outer space, which is very relevant in a time when government and private companies plot expeditions to the moon, Mars and beyond. - Another course uses science fiction to better understand politics. This is an especially critical topic to grasp, given the sharp and bitter political divisions that beset the nation today. - Yet another course takes students to the gun range so that they can get a better understanding of gun violence and the role that guns play in society. - Two courses explored what can be done to prevent mass atrocities. Not all of the stories are about such serious issues. The most popular Uncommon Course article to date is one that explored the parallels between the lyrics of Taylor Swift and the writings of Shakespeare. These articles are written by scholars who are breaking the mold, so to speak, on what scholarship means. They are presenting subjects in new and thought-provoking ways that prompt people to not only rethink the past but to ponder the many wondrous possibilities of the future. And while these educators have reached thousands of students in their classrooms, these articles for The Conversation have reached hundreds of thousands of readers. Having these scholars write about their novel courses is just one of many reasons why I view my work at The Conversation as a labor of love. [With your generous support]( – whether it be five dollars or five-hundred dollars – editors like me can do more to get meaningful insights from professors to the public, especially about the most pressing issues of the day. [I’ll donate monthly]( [I’ll donate once]( Our end-of-fiscal-year campaign is drawing to a close, and we’re still short of the amount we were hoping to raise to balance our budget. Thank you in advance for your generosity. Jamaal Abdul-Alim Education Editor The Conversation U.S. P.S: Our fundraising drive ends on June 30. If you can [make a donation at any level you’re comfortable with](, it will go a long way toward enabling journalism you can trust. Every donor will receive two free e-books: one with our most insightful articles explaining generative AI, like ChatGPT, and another looking at climate solutions being worked on by some of the smartest scientists and engineers in the nation. If you make[a recurring donation of $20 per month]( (or more), we will thank you with a tote bag. And every gift of $1,000 or more will be thanked with a set of two of our newly minted, first-edition books. How to give: By credit card: [( By check: Mail to The Conversation U.S., 303 Wyman St., Suite 300, Waltham, MA 02451. With stock: Please write to priyanka@theconversation.com if you are considering a gift of stock or a gift from your IRA. The Conversation US, Inc. is a tax-exempt public charity under section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. All donations made are fully tax deductible, if you itemize. Our tax ID number is 46-0906774. [Donate to The Conversation]( [Share]( [Share]( [Forward]( You’re receiving this email as a previous donor or newsletter subscriber to The Conversation U.S. Clicking the Unsubscribe link will cancel your newsletter subscription. If you would like to not receive these emails, please [respond to this email](mailto:us-donations@theconversation.com) and ask us to take you off the list. You would, however, also miss our invites to donor events, impact reports and other exciting updates. The Conversation U.S. 303 Wyman Street, Suite 300 Waltham, MA 02451 USA [Unsubscribe](