• Academics 
  • 
  • Academics
  • 
  • Arts
  • Business
  • Education & Human Development
  • Engineering
  • Humanities & Sciences
  • Law
  • Theology
  • Centers & Institutes
  • Libraries
  • Plano Campus
  • Provost
  • Research & Graduate Studies
  • Summer School
  • Taos Campus
  • Access.SMU
  • Blackboard
  • Webmail
• Quick Links 
  • 
  • Quick Links
  • 
  • Administration
  • Admission
  • Athletics
  • Calendars
  • Community and Economic Impact Report
  • Email Search
  • Employment
  • Financial Aid
  • Giving
  • Information Technology Services
  • International Center
  • Libraries
  • Maps
  • Meadows Museum
  • Registrar
  • Bursar
  • Student Affairs
  • Webmail
  • A-Z Site Index

• Cultural Institute Home
• Course Offerings
  • The History Of Western Film
  • Dry Bones And Desert Blooms: Georgia O'Keeffe's New Mexico
  • Guns A Blazin': Armed Resistance In The Old Southwest
  • Life And Culture: Treasures Of Taos
  • The Secret City: Los Alamos And The Atomic Age
  • Negotiating Gods And Faith In The Desert: Christianity And Cultures In New Mexico
  • The Presidency And The American West
  • French Cooking And Wine
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Itinerary
• Maps
• Lodging
• SMU-in-Taos

2011 Cultural Institute weekend is July 21-24.

Current Course Offerings

Taos as Art: Painting Light, Landscape and Color

Experiment with light, observation and intuition with SMU’s favorite art professor, Mary Vernon, and guest painters. No prior painting experience is required. Read more...

“Mary Vernon is a fantastic teacher! She opened up the world of Taos art to the class and awakened untapped talent in the painters many of whom had never painted before!" – Pam Lange

Faith and Politics: Life, Liberty and Political Pursuits

This course will look at American civil religion as a vital resource for exploring intellectually and practically the interface between religion and politics in the U.S. in and effort to identify the history, content and logic of American civil religion. Read more...

“The "Faith in America" class was a think-tank on civil religion, secularism & politics in America. It was a mind expanding course led by the brilliant theologian/professor Billy Abraham. I treasure the experience." – Martha Chandler

The Western Hero: Colorful Characters from 19th-Century Taos

Back by popular demand from 2009, this class will explore the evolution of Western heroes, from Daniel Boone to Buffalo Bill, who are central to our understanding of what it means to be an American. Read more...

“As a first time attendee I was thoroughly impressed with the organization and execution of an incredibly interesting and informative event. The instructors were outstanding!!" – Anonymous

Off the Beaten Path: The SMU-in-Taos Campus Revealed

Discover the little known history, hidden archaeological sites, biological treasures and ecological mysteries that make SMU-in-Taos and Fort Burgwin so special with SMU favorite professor, Dr. John Ubelaker. Read more...

“The SMU in Taos Cultural Institute provides participants the opportunity to be inspired by the intellectual genius, enthusiasm and creative thinking possessed by an outstanding group of SMU professors. Also new friendships are a lovely bonus that comes from this exceptional weekend at Taos." – Natalie and Tom Stollenwerck

Divas of the Desert: Taos Artists and their Patrons

Artists came to Taos for many reasons, but the support of their patrons allowed them to stay and flourish. Dean Porter, director emeritus of the University of Notre Dame Snite Museum of Art, leads this journey of the Taos art scene during the early 20th century and how it has captivated some of the most influential artists in the United States. Read more...

“I am enriched by this wonderful intellectual experience. I am taking home a great deal from what I have learned." – Sherryl Brown

The Secret City: Los Alamos and the Atomic Age

This signature course is recommended for first-time participants.

The two great loves in J. Robert Oppenheimer’s life, physics and New Mexico, came together at Los Alamos during World War II when he helped assemble a secret community of brilliant scientists to usher in the atomic age. Learn the deeply human story of those uniquely gifted men and women who toiled relentlessly in the mountains of Northern New Mexico to end the most savage war of modern history. Read more...

“I learned a tremendous amount about the atomic bomb history and Los Alamos's role. The individual personalities studied and their roles were totally fascinating from the human perspective and the field trips very informative. Frankly, I don't think the course could have been topped!" – Arabella Bond

Mamma Mia: Italian Cooking and Wine

Join nationally acclaimed chef Chris Maher as he leads a hands-on culinary tour of Italy. Learn how different foods from each region relate to one another and how they ultimately influence foods of the new world, Europe and the Americas. No prior kitchen experience necessary. Read more...

“I love that feeling of getting home from a trip and being able to say, "I'm smarter now than when I left because I really learned something!" – Barbara Hunt Crow

For more information
Contact Mary Jo Dancer at mjdancer@smu.edu. Allison Curran at: taosci@smu.edu or call 214-768-TAOS (8267).