The Aspen Institute Courses

U.S. and China: Edging Toward the Brink?

Renowned historian Niall Ferguson leads a discussion with experts on the future of U.S.-China relations, exploring potential scenarios and implications for global geopolitics.

• YouTube
• 1 hour 30 minutes
• On-Demand
• Free Video

Lifting the Veil on Iran - Women's Rights and Political Unrest

Explore the ongoing struggle for women's rights in Iran, featuring insights from an American-Iranian activist and a historian on the current political climate and social tensions.

• YouTube
• 32 minutes
• On-Demand
• Free Video

Should We Send the Treasures Back? - The Debate on Repatriating Cultural Artifacts

Explore the complex debate surrounding artifact repatriation, examining preservation concerns, cultural ownership, and the ethical implications for museums and nations.

• YouTube
• 51 minutes
• On-Demand
• Free Video

What's Missing in the Lives of America's Young People? - Developing Well-Being, Agency, and Purpose in Youth

Explore how society can support youth development, focusing on well-being, agency, and purpose to foster confident, resilient adults in today's challenging world.

• YouTube
• 58 minutes
• On-Demand
• Free Video

Families and Social Capital - The Importance of Community Connections

Experts discuss the importance of family connections, community wisdom, and social fabric for overall well-being, highlighting their impact on our lives and society.

• YouTube
• 45 minutes
• On-Demand
• Free Video

Shakespeare and Politics - Why the Bard is More Relevant Than Ever

Explore Shakespeare's timeless insights on governance, power, and ethics, drawing parallels to today's political landscape in this thought-provoking discussion.

• YouTube
• 50 minutes
• On-Demand
• Free Video

Without Just Cause - Political Prisoners and the Fight to Free Them

Exploring the global issue of political prisoners, human rights attorneys and activists discuss strategies for freeing captives and raising awareness about forgotten detainees worldwide.

• YouTube
• 54 minutes
• On-Demand
• Free Video

Is America Due for a Third Founding? - Democratic Renewal and Constitutional Evolution

Explore the potential for a "third founding" in America, examining historical constitutional changes and current democratic challenges to envision future reforms for a renewed democracy.

• YouTube
• 52 minutes
• On-Demand
• Free Video

The Dilemma of Modern Parenting - Raising Empathetic and Resilient Children

Explore strategies for raising empathetic, resilient children while balancing work and family life with insights from three changemakers on tackling tough conversations.

• YouTube
• 47 minutes
• On-Demand
• Free Video

Academia at a Crossroads - Challenges and Future of Higher Education

Explore challenges facing higher education: free speech, admissions, donor pressures, and costs. Examine how university leaders navigate these issues while promoting the value of college education.

• YouTube
• 51 minutes
• On-Demand
• Free Video

Six Hours to Save Democracy - Responding to Internal Military Threats

Explore a hypothetical military threat to American democracy and learn from policymakers' responses in this thought-provoking documentary discussion on safeguarding democratic institutions.

• YouTube
• 53 minutes
• On-Demand
• Free Video

Advancing National Policy and Systems Change on the Benefits Cliff

Explore strategies for national policy reform and systems change to address the benefits cliff, promoting economic mobility and reducing disincentives for low-income individuals to increase earnings.

• YouTube
• 1 hour
• On-Demand
• Free Video

Is There a Future for Oil and Gas?

Explore the complex future of fossil fuels amid rising renewables and global energy demands, examining industry roles in net-zero goals and policy impacts on oil and gas strategies.

• YouTube
• 51 minutes
• On-Demand
• Free Video

Data, Democracy, and Decisions - AI's Impact on Elections

Experts discuss AI's potential impacts on democracy, exploring challenges and opportunities for maintaining election integrity in the digital age. Panel covers key issues at the intersection of technology and governance.

• YouTube
• 50 minutes
• On-Demand
• Free Video

Navigating the Currents - Assessing the State of Product Equity

Explore the current state of product equity and strategies for driving systemic change in organizations. Learn from industry experts about building equitable foundations for products and services.

• YouTube
• 40 minutes
• On-Demand
• Free Video