The Great Courses June 2015

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june 2015

NEW!

Living History:
EXPERIENCING GREAT EVENTS OF THE
ANCIENT AND MEDIEVAL WORLDS
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Robotics, p. 14

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Table of Contents

SCIENCE
14 New Release
Robotics
18 Understanding Modern Electronics
20 Understanding the Brain
21 Your Best Brain
22 Understanding Cultural and Human Geography
23 Biology: The Science of Life
24 Mysteries of Modern Physics: Time
24 Understanding Genetics: DNA, Genes,
and Their Real-World Applications
25 Understanding the Mysteries
of Human Behavior
BUSINESS & ECONOMICS
26 New Release
The Economics of Uncertainty
30 Understanding Investments
32 Thinking like an Economist: A Guide
to Rational Decision Making
32 Behavioral Economics: When
Psychology and Economics Collide

New Apps for iOS, Android, and Kindle Fire Feature


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Featured Course

BETTER LIVING
33 New Release
The Everyday Gourmet: How to
Master Outdoor Cooking
33 The Everyday Gourmet: Baking
Pastries and Desserts
34 Fundamentals of Photography
36 The Science of Mindfulness: A
Research-Based Path to Well-Being
38 Essentials of Tai Chi and Qigong
40 The Human Body: How We Fail, How We Heal
40 Raising Emotionally and Socially Healthy Kids
41 Nutrition Made Clear
42 Stress and Your Body
43 Mind-Body Medicine: The New
Science of Optimal Health
44 Yoga for a Healthy Mind and Body
46 Food: A Cultural Culinary History
47 The Everyday Guide to Wine
48 How to Grow Anything: Food
Gardening for Everyone
48 How to Grow Anything: Container
Gardening Tips and Techniques
LITERATURE & LANGUAGE
49 Classics of American Literature
49 The History of the English Language, 2nd Edition
49 The Art of Reading
50 New Release
King Arthur: History and Legend

Classics of American Literature


Discover some of the greatest works of
American literature and find the uncanny
quality that marks each one a masterpiece of
the American canon.
Save up to $550
SEE PAGE 49

PROFESSIONAL
51 New Release
Building a Better Vocabulary
51 The Hidden Factor: Why Thinking
Differently Is Your Greatest Asset
52 New Release
Critical Business Skills for Success

CLASSIC COURSES
54 Shakespeares Tragedies
54 The Life and Work of Mark Twain
54 Reason and Faith: Philosophy
in the Middle Ages
54 Questions of Value
54 St. Augustines Confessions
54 Introduction to the Study of Religion
55 Ancient Greek Civilization
55 Ancient Empires before Alexander
55 Mysteries of the Microscopic World
55 Natural Law and Human Nature
55 Philosophy of Science
55 The Physics of History
56 The Long 19th Century: European
History from 1789 to 1917
56 America and the World: A Diplomatic History
56 The Life and Operas of Verdi
56 The Lives of Great Christians
56 War and World History
56 Masterpieces of the Imaginative Mind:
Literatures Most Fantastic Works
RELIGION & THEOLOGY
57 New Release
Gnosticism: From Nag Hammadi
to the Gospel of Judas
58 The Story of the Bible
58 Biblical Wisdom Literature
59 Confucius, Buddha, Jesus, and Muhammad
59 The Apostle Paul
MUSIC
60 Concert Masterworks
60 Beethovens Piano Sonatas
MATHEMATICS
61 Mathematics Describing the Real World:
Precalculus and Trigonometry
61 The Art and Craft of Mathematical
Problem Solving
PHILOSOPHY & INTELLECTUAL HISTORY
62 Great Minds of the Medieval World
63 The Meaning of Life: Perspectives from
the Worlds Great Intellectual Traditions
63 Books That Have Made History: Books
That Can Change Your Life
63 A History of Freedom
63 Life Lessons from the Great Myths
MODERN HISTORY
64 The Rise and Fall of the British Empire
64 The Fall and Rise of China
65 Living the French Revolution
and the Age of Napoleon
66 The Industrial Revolution
67 Experiencing America: A Smithsonian
Tour through History
68 A History of England from the
Tudors to the Stuarts
69 The Vikings
70 Europe and Western Civilization
in the Modern Age
70 Origins and Ideologies of the
American Revolution
71 World War I: The Great War
71 World War II: A Military and Social History
72 The American Civil War
73 The History of the United States, 2nd Edition
74 Understanding the Inventions
That Changed the World
75 Big History: The Big Bang, Life on
Earth, and the Rise of Humanity

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ANCIENT & MEDIEVAL HISTORY


5 New Release
Living History: Experiencing Great Events
of the Ancient and Medieval Worlds
8 The Other Side of History: Daily
Life in the Ancient World
10 Foundations of Eastern Civilization
11 The Decisive Battles of World History
12 The Early Middle Ages
12 The High Middle Ages
13 The History of Ancient Egypt
13 The History of Ancient Rome

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Living History: Experiencing


Great Events of the Ancient and
Medieval Worlds
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history through the eyes of everyday
citizens in this one-of-a-kind course.
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SEE PAGE 5

new release

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The Economics of Uncertainty

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Consider this course your official
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Top Rated

Bestsellers

Fundamentals of
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Understanding
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PAGE 18

PAGE 30

The American Civil War The Early Middle Ages

The Industrial Revolution

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ANCIENT & MEDIEVAL HISTORY

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From Ancient Greece to Central Asia, Witness


Historys Great Events as a Participant
Living History: Experiencing Great Events
of the Ancient and Medieval Worlds

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Professor of the Classics Robert Garland | Colgate University

Explore the great moments of human history through


the eyes of everyday citizens in this one-of-a-kind
course.

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acedonia, 336 B.C.E.


King Philip II is murdered
under mysterious circumstances amid a cloud of intrigue.
Constantinople, 532 C.E. The
Byzantine Emperor Justinian nearly
abandons the city to an angry mob
until his wife, Theodora, persuades
him to stay.
France, 1095 C.E. Pope Urban
II gives a speech that inspires thousands of his subjects to embark on a
crusade to Jerusalem.
Time and again, moments shape
history. We often examine history
from a distant vantage, zooming in
on a few dates and kings and battles, or spotlighting faceless trends
and general themes. But history is
made up of individuals who were as
alive in their time as we are today.
Pausing on a few key individuals
and magnifying specific moments
in their lives allows us to experience
history in a whole new wayas a
vibrant story, full of life.
Living History: Great Events of
the Ancient and Medieval Worlds
takes you back in time and throws
a spotlight on two dozen turning
points where the tide of history
changes irrevocably. Taught by
acclaimed Professor Robert Garland
of Colgate University, these 24 dramatic lectures examine key events
from ancient Egypt, Greece, and
Rome to medieval Europe and Asia.
Spanning thousands of years and
three continents, this course illuminates fascinating historical dramas
on the individual scale.
More than covering great events
that change the contours of history,

Professor Garland takes you into the


scene and allows you to hear what
he terms the heartbeat of history.
Rather than merely reviewing the
facts of events such as the Battle
of Marathon, the arrest and trial
of Jesus, and the coronation of
Charlemagne, youll engage with a
variety of first-hand accounts and
authentic primary and secondary
sources to experience what it was
like to live these events as they
occurred. From reports by historians such as Herodotus and Livy to
official scrolls and administrative
records, these eyewitness sources and
ancient documents take you back in
time through the eyes of people who
were there.
Through a blend of historical
facts and imaginative reasoning,
Living History: Great Events of
the Ancient and Medieval Worlds
offers you the chance to meet the
actors and witness the great events as
they occur. Professor Garland breaks
down these turning points to days
and even hours so you will truly feel
like a participant in stories hundreds
or thousands of years oldbut still
in a vibrant and fascinating world.
MEET EXTRAORDINARY
MEN AND WOMEN
In your tour of the ancient and
medieval worlds, Professor Garland
introduces you to some of the
most captivating and enigmatic characters to have ever lived.
You see Hannibal, Julius Caesar,
Charlemagne, and others as energetic, charismatic leaders who were
complex and flawed people, by
turns admirable and brutal, circum-

Ramesses II, one of the greatest and most famous of the Egyptian pharaohs,
reigned for 67 years. He erected monuments to himself throughout Egypt, many of
them recounting the story of the Battle of Kadesh.

spect and brazenly power-hungry.


Whether we view them as heroes or
villains, they are fascinating.
There is perhaps no better
example than Alexander the Great.
Educated by Aristotle, a brilliant
military tactician, and relentless
in pursuit of his goals, he was also
a paranoid megalomaniac with a
desire for grandeur and a violent
temper. These facets of his personality all come to bear on the moment
when his army has had enough and
refuses to march further into India.
Witness how Alexander must back

down while still saving face.


Youll also encounter some
extraordinary women and watch
them defying the rules to make their
mark on world history:
Observe how Cleopatra uses
her charms, intelligence, and
theatrical ability to achieve
unprecedented influence in
political affairsand how her
relationship with Mark Antony
eventually enables Octavian to
become the undisputed ruler of
the Roman world.
CONTINUED

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ANCIENT & MEDIEVAL HISTORY

Traditional history courses focus


on chronological surveys of kings
and battles, but history is much
more than just a list of dates and
names, and in recent years, The
Great Courses has been producing
courses that break out of that mold.
Some of our most popular history courses have centered around
turning points, in which the professor focuses on fulcrum moments
of history. Another very successful
approach was Professor Garlands
prior course, The Other Side of History, on the lives of everyday people
in the ancient world. When we began thinking about a turning points
course for the ancient and medieval
worlds, we discussed the project
with several of our professors to see
how they would approach it. Professor Garland suggested that we tailor
it to his specialty: daily-life history
revealed through primary and secondary sources. The result includes
many of the facts you might find in
a traditional history class, but presents them in a way that allows you to
experience the event firsthand. We
hope you enjoy it!

Reflect on how Theodora, at


one time a mime and possibly
a prostitute, climbs her way up
the social ladder to become the
wife of a socially conservative
emperor.
Meet Wu Zetian, a classically
educated concubine who eventually becomes Chinas first female
empress, doing much during her
reign to establish a meritocracy
and improve her subjects lives.
Professor Garland also explores
the lives of a wealth of key philosophical and religious figures, from
the secular wisdom of Socrates to
the deeds of Jesus and Muhammad
to the breathtaking spiritual conversions of Ashoka the Great and the
Grand Duke Vladimir, founder of
the Russian Orthodox Church.
SEE HOW HISTORY OFTEN
TURNS ON A MOMENT
Beyond the people, what makes an
event great often lies in its consequences. Hundreds or thousands of
years have passed since the events of
this course, yet we feel their rippling
6

effects. When Pyrrhus marched his


Greek army toward Rome, he had
dreams of making his mark on the
worlds stage, but his victoryand
subsequent withdrawalpaved the
way for Rome to supplant Greece
as the dominant global power. Or
consider Pontius Pilates decision
to offer Jesus up for crucifixion to
please the crowd, even though he
likely believed Jesus innocent of the
charges brought against himthe
events resulting from his choice have
resonated over millennia.
Quick decisions, a victory, a
defeat, an impulse: these small
moments shape history. One of the
joys of this course is that in examining these moments, Professor
Garland also reflects on contingencies. What if Charles Martel had not
defeated the Muslim invaders at the
Battle of Tours? Would Europe have
become a largely Muslim continent?
Or, what if Theodora had not urged
her husband Justinian to stand firm
and not flee when the angry mob at
the hippodrome in Constantinople
was baying for his blood? Would
the Byzantine Empire have come to
an abrupt end one hot afternoon?
Reflecting on these contingencies
makes clear the myriad ways in
which the ancient and medieval
worlds have made us who we are
today.
VIEW HISTORY THROUGH THE
EYES OF ORDINARY PEOPLE
Professor Garland is an amazingly empathetic lecturer, passionate
about history and the people who
lived it. Perhaps his greatest strength
is taking you into the minds of ordinary citizens. While you have likely
heard some of the stories in this
course before, his approach sheds
new light on such events as the first
theatrical presentation of Aeschyluss
Oresteia and the trial of Socrates.
Both of these events reveal the way
the Athenian democracy functioned
at moments of unease and crisis.
Imagine the thoughts of Muslim
envoy Ibn Fadlan, coming from cosmopolitan Baghdad in the 10th century, upon arriving in the wild territories of Central Asia. Or picture
yourself in the crowd when Pericles
or Pope Urban II gives an inspirational speech extolling the glory of
Athens or Christendom. Would you

be moved by the swell of the crowd


and the enthusiasm of the day?
Witnessing these moments as a
participantslowing down to hear
the heartbeat of historyis a captivating way of reflecting on the past.
Living History: Great Events of the
Ancient and Medieval Worlds takes
you inside the hearts and minds of
those who lived through fascinating
human dramasa novel approach to
history you wont find anywhere else.
ABOUT YOUR PROFESSOR
Dr. Robert S.J. Garland is the
Roy D. and Margaret B. Wooster
Professor of the Classics at Colgate
University. He earned his B.A. in
Classics from The University of
Manchester, his M.A. in Classics
from McMaster University, and
his Ph.D. in Ancient History from
University College London.
A former Fulbright Scholar
and recipient of the George Grote
Prize in Ancient History, Professor
Garland has educated students and
audiences at a variety of levels. He
is also the author of numerous articles in both academic and popular
journals, as well as several books,
that capture details of all aspects of
ancient Greek and Roman life. He
has repeatedly served as a consultant
for educational film companies.
COURSE CURRICULUM
1 Ramesses II: Heartbeat of History
What do we mean by living history?
Take an imaginative leap into the
ancient world and discover the
moment-by-moment heartbeat of history.
Your first stop is the Battle of Kadesh,
the Egyptian pharaoh Ramesses IIs
all-but-disastrous campaign against the
Hittites. See how the king spins a tactical
retreat into a glorious victory.
2 Marathon: The Persians Have Landed!
Professor Garland
takes you into the
Battle of Marathon
to show how the
outnumbered
Athenians scramble
for help before
heading to the
coast for an
impressive fight against the invading
Persians. The Athenian debates, their
surprise running charge into battle, and
the strenuous marches come to life in
visceral detail.
3 Oresteia: Judgment at the Dionysia
Take a break from battle and head to the
Theater of Dionysis on a warm March
day to view one of the most astounding

theatrical performances in history. Not


only is Aeschyluss Oresteia an innovative
dramatic trilogy, the trial of Orestes is a
deeply relevant consideration of Athenian
democracy at a time of great unease.
4 Attack on Attica: Pericless Gamble
Delve into the time of Pericles and the
Peloponnesian War, where political action
has required rural citizens to head into the
city. There, the cramped urban conditions
and pestilence breeds disaffection
among the citizenry. Hear what Pericles
had to say to inspire Athenians for the
continued glory of the city.
5 Socrates on Trial: For the Defense
You might think you
know Socrates, but
in this lecture youll
encounter a whole
new context for
understanding one
of the Greeks most
famous citizens. In the wake of the
Peloponnesian War, tension lingers
following the overthrow of an oligarchy in
Athens, and the democratic population is
in search of a fall guy. See how Socrates
fits the bill.
6 Conspiracy! Murder of Philip II
Murder has always intrigued us,
especially when the fate of a state hangs
in the balance. Explore the mystery of
Philip II of Macedonia, who is murdered
amid a wedding celebration in 336 B.C.E.
Is he killed by a jilted lover? A jealous
wife? An ambitious son? This lecture
takes you into Macedonian court life and
considers the possible motives and social
intrigue.
7 Alexander the Great: Punjab Revolt
Alexander is one of
historys most
interesting
charactersa
brilliant, flawed,
complex leader. A
restless
megalomaniac tutored by Aristotle, he
drives his army across the ancient world
to conquer one land after another until
they reach northeast India. There, his
army revolts and forces him to retreat. Get
inside the head of this fascinating leader.
8 Pyrrhus: Deadly Dreams of Empire
The Greeks had a tremendous run on the
world stage, but their dominion arguably
comes to an end the moment Pyrrhus sets
sail for Italy. Although he is victorious
in his conquest against the Romans, his
withdrawals pave the way for Rome to
come to the fore as the next great world
power. See what drives Pyrrhus forward,
and what holds him back.
9 Indias Ashoka the Great Repents
Meet Ashoka the Great, whose story was
all but forgotten until his carved edicts
were unearthed in the 19th century. As
leader of India, he leads a bloody charge
into the neighboring province of Kalinga
but guilt from the battle drives him toward
a transformative conversion. For the rest

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WHY THIS
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of his reign, he serves as a paragon of


Buddhist morality.
10 Hannibal: Rome Holds Its Breath
Hannibal, the
great Carthaginian
general, is one
of the most
remarkable
military leaders
of all time. During
the Punic Wars he led his army to an
astounding tactical victory against the
Romans, and then held the defeated
soldiers captive for ransom. Destiny
hung in the balance as Rome awaited
Hannibals expected advance against
the city.
11 The Final Days of Julius Caesar
Continue your study of some of historys
most enigmatic characters with a look at
Julius Caesar, whose infamous murder
on the Ides of March ranks as one of
the most consequential assassinations.
Professor Garland introduces you to
Caesars character before walking you
through the conspiracy of that fateful day.

De Agostini Picture Library/G. Dagli Orti/Bridgeman Images; Scala/White Images/Art Resource, NY; Pictures From
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12 Antony and Cleopatras Death Pact


In the wake
of Caesars
assassination,
power hangs
in the balance
as Mark Antony
squares off
against Octavian
for sole control of Romes empire.
When the tide of the Battle of Actium
turns against Mark Antony, his lover
Cleopatra fleesand he decides to
follow her, leaving the future of Rome to
Octavian. Examine this decision and the
tragedy that ensues for both Antony and
Cleopatra.
13 Jesus under Surveillance and Arrest
Travel to the Roman province of Judea,
where a humble carpenter has entered
Jerusalem during the Passover. The city
is seething with political and religious
discontent, and Jesus is seen as a
troublemaker. Witness his arrest and
interrogation by the priests and Pontius
Pilate, and consider Pilates decision to
put Jesus to death.

FREE GUIDEBOOK!
200-page course
synopsis
Photos &
illustrations
Suggested readings
Questions to
consider
Bibliography

14 Jerusalem Tinderbox: Temple in Flames


Continue your exploration of Jerusalem,
this time around 66 C.E., when the
citys political turmoil reaches it peak.
An insurgency rises up over taxes, and
the ensuing Roman siege sparks a civil
war. At the end of the Great Jewish
Revolt, the city is in ruins, the Temple has
been burned, and the Romans crucify
thousands of Jewish prisoners.
15 Roman Colosseum: Blood in the Arena
Visit the newly finished Roman
amphitheater circa 80 C.E., where
the emperor Titus will celebrate the
consolidation of his familys dynasty by
hosting 100 days of gladiatorial games.
Bloodthirsty and vicious, the spectacle is
nonetheless captivating. After learning
about the Colosseums engineering,
youll experience what it was like to be
there for the games.
16 Visigoth King Alaric Descends on Rome
On occasion,
individual
personalities
shape large
contours of history.
Such is the case
with King Alaric,
the charismatic leader of the Visigoths,
who conquers many Roman outposts
before laying siege to the city itself. His
victories dont conclude with the end of
Rome, but its clear the citys power is in
decline.
17 Nika Riots at the Racetrack: Theodora
Head east to Constantinople, seat of
the Byzantine Empire and the eastern
counterpart to Rome. During a day of
chariot races at the hippodrome, riots
break out and threaten the Emperor
Justinian and his
politically savvy
wife, Theodora.
Learn about
this unorthodox
marriage and how
Theodoras counsel
ultimately saves the empire.
18 The Concubine Empress: Wu Zetian
Wu Zetians story is one of the most
remarkable in all of history. She entered
adulthood as a classically educated
concubine during Chinas Tang Dynasty,

and then worked her way up the social


ladder to marry an emperor. Professor
Garland charts her rise and shows how
her success hinges on the mystery
surrounding a childs death.
19 Muhammads Awakening and Escape
Witness the founding of Islam by
entering the world of Mecca in 622,
where a prosperous businessman
named Muhammad has a revelation that
changes the course of history. Learn
about his conversion and his journey to
Medina. There he builds a community
that will soon spread around the globe.
20 Charles Martel Defeats the Muslims
Take the battlefield
in one of the most
decisive battles
ever fought
between Muslims
and Europeans. In
the century after
Muhammad, Islams spread seemed
unstoppable until the disastrous Battle of
Toulouse followed by the Battle of Tours,
in which Charles Martel, leader of the
Franks, defeats the Muslim invaders.
21 Culture Shock! Travels of Ibn Fadlan
Follow the Abbasid Caliphates
administrator, Ibn Fadlan, as he travels
from cosmopolitan Baghdad to the
rustic wilds of central Asia. He brings
money and instructions to King Almis
of the Volga Bulgars, who has recently
converted to Islam. Then he visits
the Slavic Rus tribe for a bizarre and
fascinating encounter.
22 Vladimir Smashes the Idols of the Rus
Observe the marriage of Vladimir, the
Grand Duke of Kiev, to Princess Anna, the
sister to Byzantine Emperor Basil II, a deal
brokered so Vladimir will send mercenary
troops to Constantinople. Following the
wedding, Vladimir makes it his mission to
convert his land to Christianity by fiat and
suppress paganism, thus founding the
Russian Orthodox Church.
23 Charlemagne Saves Leo III, Rogue Pope
Pope Leo III is something of a rascal,
possibly a philanderer, and involved
in shady business deals. See how his
relationship with Charlemagne, king of
the Franks, keeps him out of trouble with
the Vatican Council and how he alters

Video Features Include


This course is designed to work well
in both audio and video formats. The
following features are included on video:

145 custom-created maps, as well as


images of period maps, help you follow
the action across the globe.

On-screen text emphasizes the


professors key points.

Historical artwork and images of


artifacts offer a window into the
aesthetics and values of these eras.

the course of history when he crowns


Charlemagne during a nativity mass, thus
giving birth to the notion of Europe.
24 Urban II Unleashes the First Crusade
Again and again, we see how history
turns on a dime. Your journey ends in
Avignon in 1095, when Pope Urban II
gives a speech that shapes the next
thousand years of European history. After
calling the people to action, thousands
take up arms and begin the long trek to
fight the Muslims and retake Jerusalem.

Living History: Experiencing Great Events of the Ancient and Medieval Worlds
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This course is designed to work well in both


audio and video formats.

Course No. 3843, 24 LECTURES (30 MINUTES/LECTURE)

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Audio Download
$149.95
NOW $44.95
Full Transcript of Course: $25.00

Special Set Offer: Save Big when you buy the following two courses together
Purchase Set No. 3844:

Living History: Experiencing Great Events of the Ancient and Medieval Worlds and
The Other Side of History: Daily Life in the Ancient World (p. 8)

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ANCIENT & MEDIEVAL HISTORY

What Was It like to Live in Ancient Times?


The Other Side of History: Daily Life in the Ancient World
Professor of the Classics Robert Garland | Colgate University

Excellent organization and delivery kept me interested and involved. I


wish my college teachers had been as good.
Karen Alexander, Roanoke, VA

Discover an enthralling new approach to history that


provides tremendous insightsthe reconstruction of
daily life for the average person.

The past truly comes alive in


this ambitious course, as Professor
Garland takes a series of imaginative
leaps to put you inside the world of
historys anonymous citizens, providing you with a fuller understanding of the distant past. Youll see
what daily life was like for workers,
the poor, the elderly, the sick, the
disabled, refugees, women, children,
slaves, and soldiers.
PUT YOURSELF IN
THE SANDALS OF
ORDINARY PEOPLE
The 19th-century historian Thomas
Carlyle wrote, The history of the
world is but the biography of great
men. Theres no doubt that most
histories take the conventional
approach of introducing us to the
major figures and important dates.
But The Other Side of History
stimulates your imagination by providing you a vivid glimpse into the
real world of the past:
Go back to the Neanderthal
caves, where evidence suggests
that although life was dominated by the environment,
Neanderthals took care to bury
their deadhonoring them just
as we do today.
Experience the rhythms of the
Nile, whose predictable rise and
fall created a sense of security
and tranquility for its inhabitants
for 2,000 years.
Take a harrowing trip as a Greek
refugee as you strike out to
create a new settlement, but be
forewarned: Theres no turning
back. Herodotus tells the story
of refugees who, after failing to
find a suitable land to colonize,
tried to return homeonly to
be pelted with missiles by their
fellow countrymen.
Imagine youre a poor Roman
living under the eaves in the
upper floors of a leaky, cramped,

Achilles and Ajax, Greek heroes of the Trojan War, playing dice (Attic vase painted
by the artist Exekias, 6th century B.C.E.).

rat-infested housing complex.


Navigating 200 stairs with a
chamber pot was bad enough,
but the threat of fire from oil
lamps and the rampant spread of
disease only added to your vulnerability.
Contrast the lot of the poor with
life as a Roman celebrity. From
gladiators who were household
names to famous wives such as
Theodora, the Roman world of
entertainment, sport, and celebrity culture was remarkably similar
to that of the 21st century.
The true joy of this course lies in
seeing what life was like for ordinary
peopleand therefore what life
would have been like for most of us
if we had been born in a different
era. Through archaeological evidence
and literary records, youll connect
with a wide range of people over the
ages and experience life from their
perspectives.
EXPERIENCE THE TEXTURE
OF EVERYDAY LIFE
The Other Side of History moves
systematically through history, with
significant stops in ancient Egypt,

Greece, Persia, Rome, and medieval


Britain. In each location, Professor
Garland explores life from all angles:
What did the citizens do for a living?
What was their home like? What
did they eat? What did they wear?
What did they do to relax? What
were their beliefs about marriage?
Religion? Death and the afterlife?
Youll encounter such interesting
aspects of everyday life as:
the use of cosmetics, perfumes,
mirrors, hairpieces, and even
tweezers in ancient Egypt;
the secrets of how to survive to
old age in ancient Greece, and
the societys system of medicine;
the intensive military training
regimen of Greek hoplites,
Spartans, Roman soldiers, and
medieval knights; and
the range of career prospects in
Persia, from husbandry to goldsmithing to administrative scribing; and
To complement archaeological
records, Professor Garland quotes
liberally from great literature
throughout the ages, explicating key
passages that reveal the other side of

SALE ENDS 06/25/15


ORDER TODAY!
1-800-832-2412

De Agostini Picture Library / Bridgeman Images.

magine youre a Greek soldier


marching into battle in the front
row of a phalanx. Or an Egyptian
woman putting on makeup before
attending an evening party with your
husband. Or a Celtic monk scurrying
away with the Book of Kells during a
Viking invasion.
Welcome to the other side of
history, the 99% of ordinary people
whose names dont make it into the
history booksbut whose lives are
no less fascinating than the great
leaders whose names we all know.
Here youll encounter such diverse
individuals as:
a Mesopotamian hunter-gatherer
making a living in one of the earliest permanent settlements;
an Egyptian craftsman decorating the pharaohs tomb in the
Valley of the Kings;
a Minoan fleeing Santorini
during a volcanic eruption;
a Greek citizen relaxing at a
drinking party;
a Roman slave captured in war
and sent to work in the mines;
a medieval pilgrim on the road
to Canterbury.
The Other Side of History: Daily
Life in the Ancient World is your
chance to get beyond the abstract
dates and figures, kings and queens,
and battles and wars that make up so
many historical accounts. Over the
course of 48 richly detailed lectures,
Professor Robert Garland of Colgate
University covers the breadth and
depth of human history from the
perspective of the so-called ordinary
people, from its earliest beginnings
through the Middle Ages. Youll
gain new insights into what daily
life was likewhat the world actually looked, smelled, and felt like in
Neanderthal caves, ancient Egypt,
Persia, Greece, Rome, and medieval
Britain.

history. Youll hear from Herodotus,


the Greek playwrights, Homer,
Vergil, Tacitus, Ovid, Seneca,
Juvenal, and Chaucer, along with
anonymous poets and scribes.
GAIN NEW INSIGHTS INTO
OUR CULTURAL HISTORY
In addition to providing intriguing
details about daily life, The Other
Side of History offers a cultural
perspective. Youll explore exciting
new anthropological discoveries
and cutting-edge academic disciplinessuch as the burgeoning
field of disability studieswhich
offer you a well-rounded overview
of the humanities today. Professor
Garlands fascinating analysis sheds
light on civilization as we know it.
Discover how to make a
mummy, learn about the scales
of justice when you meet Osiris
in your journey to the afterlife,
and see how tomb robbing
became a profitable industry.
Follow the trial of Socrates,
from his rabble-rousing in and
around Athens to his decision to
drink the hemlock rather than
to flee into exile.
Consider the origins of slavery and explore the different

types of slavery in the ancient


world, from business workers
and industrial miners in ancient
Greece to slaves who could earn
their freedommanumission
in ancient Rome.
Study the role of women in different ancient and medieval civilizations. While many of these
societies were deeply sexist by
todays standards, you will meet
powerful women who broke the
mold and made names for themselves, such as Dido, Cleopatra,
Painting of a Mayan funeral at Rio Azul, Guatemala
and Margery Kempe.
The heart of this course lies in
be moved by his vivid descriptions
History: Daily Life in the Ancient
Professor Garlands passion for his
of daily lifein the home and on
World takes us on a journey to
subject. With 30 years of teaching
experience and as the author of such the job, on the battlefield and in the vastly different eras and shows us
graveyard. These descriptions are
the range of possibilities of what it
books as Daily Life of the Ancient
enhanced by a rich display of graph- means to be human, making this a
Greeks, he is an expert in the field.
ics, maps, and models that illustrate journey very much worth taking.
He sprinkles the course with anecthe art, the relics, and the geography
dotes, such as singing Onward
ABOUT YOUR PROFESSOR
of these historical periods.
Christian Soldiers at the dinner
Dr. Robert S. J. Garland is
At the end, youll come away
table as a child or his first encounProfessor of the Classics at Colgate
with a new understanding and
ter with the mummy called Ginger
University. He earned his Ph.D. in
appreciation for past eras. By crossat the British Museum in London,
Ancient History from University
ing space and time in an effort to
which make the lectures personal
College London.
be another personsomeone with
and engaging.
whom you might not think you
With a lifetime of preparation
Over 500 courses and
have anything at all in common
for a course on the other side of
FREE video previews at
you come to realize our interconhistory, Professor Garlands enthuwww.TheGreatCourses.com
nectedness.
The
Other
Side
of
siasm is contagious. You, too, will

Lecture Titles
1 Taking on the Other
Side of History
2 Being Paleolithic
3 Living in Mesopotamia
4 Being Egyptian
5 Belonging to an Egyptian Family
6 Practicing Egyptian Religion
7 Being a Dead Egyptian
8 Being an Egyptian Worker
9 Being Minoan and Mycenaean
10 Being Greek

Roy Andersen/National Geographic Stock.

FREE GUIDEBOOK!
384-page course
synopsis
Photos & illustrations
Suggested readings
Questions to
consider
Timeline & glossary
Biographical notes
Bibliography

11 Growing Up Greek
12 Being a Greek Slave
13 Being a Greek Soldier or Sailor
14 Being a Greek Woman
15 Relaxing Greek Style
16 Being a Greek Refugee
17 Being a Sick or Disabled Greek
18 Practicing Greek Religion
19 Being an Old Greek
20 Being a Dead Greek

21 Being Persian
22 Living in Hellenistic Egypt
23 Being Roman
24 Being a Roman Slave
25 Being a Roman Soldier
26 Being a Roman Woman
27 Being a Poor Roman
28 Being a Rich Roman
29 Being a Roman Celebrity
30 Being a Roman Criminal

31 Relaxing Roman Style


32 Practicing Roman Religion
33 Being Jewish under Roman Rule
34 Being Christian under
Roman Rule
35 Being a Celt in Ancient Britain
36 Being a Roman Briton
37 Being Anglo-Saxon
38 Being a Viking Raider
39 Living under Norman Rule
40 Being Medieval

The Other Side of History: Daily Life in the Ancient World


SHOULD I BUY AUDIO OR VIDEO?

This course is designed to work well in both


audio and video formats.

The Other Side of History: Daily Life in the Ancient World and
Living History: Experiencing Great Events of the Ancient and Medieval Worlds (p. 5)

Sale Ends 06/25/15!

Course No. 3810, 48 LECTURES (30 MINUTES/LECTURE)

DVD $519.95
Video Download
$439.95
Audio CD
$359.95
Audio Download
$249.95
Full Transcript of Course: $64.95

Special Set Offer: Save Big when you buy the following two courses together
Purchase Set No. 3844:

41 Being Poor in the Middle Ages


42 Being a Medieval Woman
43 Being a Medieval
Christian or Heretic
44 Being a Medieval Knight
45 Being a Crusader
46 Being a Pilgrim
47 Relaxing Medieval Style
48 Daily Life Matters

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ANCIENT & MEDIEVAL HISTORY

Immerse Yourself in a Rich Cultural History


Foundations of Eastern Civilization

I believe that this is an incredible concept. To be able to get information


on your area of interest at the fraction of the cost of college.

Professor of History Craig G. Benjamin | Grand Valley State University

Peter Adang, Ranchos de Taos, NM

Uncover the fascinating origins of East Asian civilization


in this comprehensive course that explores the history of
China, Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia.

o much of our historical


knowledge is rooted in Western
civilization, from the stories
of ancient Greece and Rome to the
intellectual developments of the Renaissance. But this history tells only
part of the story of our global world.
Eastern civilization has its own fascinating story, with consequences that
matter deeply to our lives today.
Foundations of Eastern
Civilization takes you on a grand
journey to explore the big accomplishments of Eastern civilization,
from the material economy of
day-to-day life to the political and
religious philosophies that would
bind these cultures together for
thousands of years. Over the course
of 48 ambitious lectures, Professor
Craig G. Benjamin of Grand Valley
State University introduces you to
the many people, achievements, and
ideas that came out of Eastern civilization and played a role in creating
the modern world.

ORDER TODAY

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TO

$390

In this course, you will travel


across continents and over the ages
Sale Ends June 25
to arrive at a full understanding of
the Eastern world.
This course covers an impressive
amount of ground, from the emergence of early cultures 10,000 years
ago to the booming economies of
the 21st century. China is at the hub
of Eastern civilization, and when
you complete this course, youll
come away with a comprehensive
understanding of its intriguing history.
Foundations of Eastern
Civilization is a sweeping course,
taking you across time and space.
Professor Benjamin is a lively guide
and a dazzling storyteller, taking you
inside the great cities where riches
abound, and his enthusiasm for the
subject and his remarkable style of
lecturing will open up an entirely
th
new world for you as he unfolds the King Sejong, a 15 -century Korean monarch, was revered for the military, social, and
scientific achievements accomplished during his reignwhich include the creation
story of Eastern civilization.
of the Korean alphabet and the promotion of Confucianism.

Lecture Titles
Journey to the East
Yin and YangThe Geography of China
Early China and the Mysterious Xia
The Coming of the Shang
The Shang and Writing for the Gods
The Zhou and the Mandate of Heaven
Great Ideas of the ZhouConfucianism
Great Ideas of the Zhou
Later Confucianism
9 Great Ideas of the ZhouDaoism
10 Great Ideas of the ZhouLegalism
11 The Qin and the First Emperor of China
12 Contact with the WestThe Early Han

FREE GUIDEBOOK!
376-page course
synopsis
Photos &
illustrations
Suggested readings
Questions to
consider
Bibliography

13 Triumph and TragedyThe Later Han


14 Silk RoadsIn the Footsteps of Nomads
15 Silk RoadsThe Envoy Zhang Qian
16 Silk RoadsPerils of Camels and Caravans
17 Silk RoadsRome and
Roads from the West
18 Silk RoadsThe Lost Kushan Empire
19 Origins of Buddhism
20 The Age of Disunity
21 The Great Taizong and the Rise of the Tang
22 Changan and the Glittering Tang
23 KoreaMysterious Beginnings
24 KoreaThe Land of Morning Calm

25 KoreaThe Unified Silla


26 KoreaThe Koryo
27 JapanGeography and Early Cultures
28 JapanTreasures of the Tomb Period
29 JapanNara and the Great Eastern Temple
30 JapanThe World of the Heian
31 Southeast AsiaVietnam
32 Southeast AsiaIndian and
Islamic Influences
33 The Industrial Revolution of the Song
34 Intellectual and Cultural Life of the Song
35 The Mongols Conquer the World
36 Shaking the Foundation
Mongols in the East

Foundations of Eastern Civilization


SHOULD I BUY AUDIO OR VIDEO?

The video versions of this course feature


more than 1,000 visual elements designed to
aid you in your understanding of the material.
These elements include portraits, informative
graphics and illustrations, and more.

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Course No. 3630, 48 LECTURES (30 MINUTES/LECTURE)

DVD $519.95
NOW $129.95
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$439.95 NOW $109.95
Audio CD
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Full Transcript of Course: $45.00

10

37 The Rise of the Ming


38 Great Treasure Fleets of the Ming
39 The QingNomads Return from the North
40 The QingThe Last Emperor of China
41 Korea ChosonRise of the Yangban
42 Korea ChosonThe Last Dynasty
43 Medieval JapanSamurai and Shoguns
44 Tokugawa and Meiji Japan
45 The Peoples Republic of China
46 Isolation and Cold War Conflicts
47 The Rise of the East Asian Tigers
48 The Enduring Ideas of Eastern Civilization

Audio formats
include FREE
audio streaming

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Video formats
include FREE
video streaming

Liba Taylor/Corbis.

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

ANCIENT & MEDIEVAL HISTORY

Examine the Turning Points in World Warfare


The Decisive Battles of World History

Your classes open new worlds to me.

Professor of History and Humanistic Studies Gregory S. Aldrete


University of WisconsinGreen Bay

Sue Campbell, Socorro, NM

Examine the military encounters that most profoundly


affected history in this sweeping course that spans from
a chariot battle in ancient Egypt to Hitlers defeat at
Stalingrad during WWII to conflicts of the modern era.

othing changes the world as


quickly and inexorably as
war. In warfare, the future
course of entire civilizations, regions,
and continents can be determined in
as little as a few hours.
Throughout history, specific individual battles have turned the tide of
historical events:
The 7th-century battle of
Badr transformed the prophet
Mohammad into a major political force.
The 1066 Battle of Hastings
impacted world history by creating a new fusion of peoples and
cultures in England.
In addition to causing changes on
a global scale, military engagements
have often produced monumental
effects within individual cultures:
The outcome of the 4th-century
battle of the Frigidus River established Christianity as the state
religion of the Roman Empire.

In 1836, a battle that lasted a


mere 18 minutes resulted in the
U.S. acquisition of nearly onethird of its continental land mass.
In these battles and many others,
if it were not for the particular outcome that transpired, history might
have turned out very differently.
As such, looking closely at military
engagements provides a vital key to
historical causationshowing us
how and why events unfolded and
civilizations developed as they have.
In the dynamic lectures of The
Decisive Battles of World History,
Professor Gregory S. Aldrete of the
University of WisconsinGreen
Bay guides you in a discovery of the
military conflicts that have had the
greatest impact in shifting the direction of historical events and shaping
our world. Throughout the lectures,
he reveals rich historical background
material that highlights the high
drama, poignancy, and scope of the
human experience of war.

England expects that every man will do his duty. These words by Admiral Horatio
Nelson at the onset of the Battle of Trafalgar (1805) presaged Britains victory over
France, ending Napoleons dreams of conquest.

In The Decisive Battles of World


History, youll trace the critical
pivot points where key military
engagements determined the course
history has taken. This enthrall-

ing learning experience provides


far-reaching insights into the story of
world cultures by revealing the foundational impact of military battles in
human affairs.

Musee de la Marine, Paris, France/Giraudon/The Bridgeman Art Library.

Lecture Titles
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

What Makes a Battle Decisive?


1274 B.C. KadeshGreatest Chariot Battle
479 B.C. PlataeaGreece Wins Freedom
331 B.C. GaugamelaAlexanders Genius
197 B.C. CynoscephalaeLegion vs. Phalanx
31 B.C. ActiumBirth of the Roman Empire
260110 B.C. ChinaStruggles for Unification
636 Yarmouk & al-QadisiyyahIslam Triumphs
751 Talas & 1192 TarainIslam into Asia

FREE GUIDEBOOK!
272-page course
synopsis
Photographs
Suggested readings
Questions to consider
Bibliography

10 1066 HastingsWilliam Conquers England


11 1187 HattinCrusader Desert Disaster
12 1260 Ain JalutCan the Mongols Be Stopped?
13 1410 TannenbergCataclysm of Knights
14 Frigidus, Badr, DiuObscure Turning Points
15 1521 TenochtitlnAztecs vs. Conquistadors
16 1532 CajamarcaInca vs. Conquistadors
17 1526 & 1556 PanipatBabur & Akbar in India
18 1571 LepantoLast Gasp of the Galleys

19 1592 SacheonYis Mighty Turtle Ships


20 1600 SekigaharaSamurai Showdown
21 1683 ViennaThe Great Ottoman Siege
22 1709 PoltavaSwedens Fall, Russias Rise
23 1759 QuebecBattle for North America
24 1776 TrentonThe Revolutions Darkest Hour
25 1805 TrafalgarNelson Thwarts Napoleon
26 1813 LeipzigThe Grand Coalition
27 1824 AyacuchoSouth American Independence

28 1836 San JacintoMexicos Big Loss


29 1862 AntietamThe Civil Wars Bloodiest Day
30 1866 KniggrtzBismarck Molds Germany
31 1905 TsushimaJapan Humiliates Russia
32 1914 MarneParis Is Saved
33 1939 Khalkhin GolSowing the Seeds of WWII
34 1942 MidwayFour Minutes Change Everything
35 1942 StalingradHitlers Ambitions Crushed
36 Recent & Not-So-Decisive Decisive Battles

The Decisive Battles of World History


SHOULD I BUY AUDIO OR VIDEO?

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audio and video formats.

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Course No. 8140, 36 LECTURES (30 MINUTES/LECTURE)

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Full Transcript of Course: $35.00

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video streaming

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11

ANCIENT & MEDIEVAL HISTORY

Discover Why the Dark Ages Werent So Dark


The Early Middle Ages
Professor of History Philip Daileader | The College of William & Mary

We often think of the era between A.D. 300 and 1000 as


a time when Europe vanished into ignorance and shadow.
But recent scholarly evidence has shed new light across these
once dark ages and their fascinating personalities and
events. Acclaimed historian and award-winning professor

Philip Daileader shares a new understanding of a world that


set the stage for modern Western history. Throughout these
24 lectures, youll explore some of the most important transformations that occurred during this period. Learn why this
overlooked period of history truly deserves our attention.

Lecture Titles
1
2
3
4
5
6

Long Shadows and the Dark Ages


Diocletian and the Crises of the 3rd Century
Constantine the GreatChristian Emperor
Pagans and Christians in the 4th Century
Athletes of God
Augustine, Part One

FREE GUIDEBOOK!
126-page course
outline
Photos & illustrations
Maps
Suggested readings
Questions to consider
Timeline & glossary
Biographical notes
Bibliography

7 Augustine, Part Two


8 Barbarians at the Gate
9 Franks and Goths
10 Arthurs England
11 Justinian and the Byzantine Empire
12 The House of Islam

13 Rise of the Carolingians


14 Charlemagne
15 Carolingian Christianity
16 The Carolingian Renaissance
17 Fury of the Northmen
18 Collapse of the Carolingian Empire

19 The Birth of France and Germany


20 England in the Age of Alfred
21 Al-AndalusIslamic Spain
22 Carolingian EuropeGateway to the Middle Ages
23 Family LifeHow Then Became Now
24 Long Shadows and the Dark Ages Revisited

The Early Middle Ages


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Course No. 8267, 24 LECTURES (30 MINUTES/LECTURE)

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Purchase Set No. 8268:

The Early Middle Ages (above) and The High Middle Ages (below)

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Travel to the Heights of the Medieval World


The High Middle Ages
Professor of History Philip Daileader | The College of William & Mary

As the last millennium dawned, Europe didnt amount to


much. Illiteracy, starvation, and disease were the norm. In
fact, Europe in the year 1000 was one of the worlds more
stagnant regionsan economically undeveloped, intellectually derivative, and geopolitically passive backwater. Three
short centuries later, all this had changed dramatically. The

flowering of medieval civilization between the years 1000


and 1300 forms the focus of this series by the gifted historian Professor Philip Daileader. He fascinatingly reveals the
concepts and mind-sets of the High Middle Ages and the
medieval.

Lecture Titles

FREE GUIDEBOOK!
136-page course
outline
Suggested readings
Questions to consider
Timeline & glossary
Biographical notes
Bibliography

7 Those Who WorkedThe Townspeople


8 Women in Medieval Society
9 Those Who PrayedThe Monks
10 Francis of Assisi and the Franciscan Movement
11 Heretics and Heresy
12 The Medieval Inquisitions

13 Jews and Christians


14 The Origins of Scholasticism
15 Aquinas and the Problem of Aristotle
16 The First Universities
17 The Peoples Crusade
18 The Conquest of Jerusalem

The High Middle Ages


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12

19 The Norman Conquest


20 Philip II of France
21 Magna Carta
22 Empire versus Papacy
23 Emperor Frederick II
24 Looking Back, Looking Forward

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1 Why the Middle Ages?


2 Demography and the Commercial Revolution
3 Those Who FoughtThe Nobles
4 The Chivalric Code
5 Feudalism
6 Those Who WorkedThe Peasants

ANCIENT & MEDIEVAL HISTORY

Explore 3,000 Years of Egyptian Civilization


The History of Ancient Egypt
Egyptologist and Senior Research Fellow Bob Brier | Long Island University

Ancient Egyptian civilization is so grand that our minds


sometimes have difficulty adjusting to it. If youre awed by
the Great Pyramid, amazed by the magnificent golden mask
and other treasures of Tutankhamen, curious about how

this longest-lived of all ancient cultures has influenced us, or


just intrigued by the mysterious hows and whys of all things
Egyptian, then you must own this comprehensive and entertaining course by one of our most popular professors.

Lecture Titles
1 Introduction
2 Prehistoric Egypt
3 Ancient Egyptian Thought
4 Napoleon and the Beginnings of Egyptology
5 The Rosetta Stone, and Much More
6 The First Nation in History
7 The Rise of the Old Kingdom
8 Sneferu, the Pyramid Builder
9 The Great Pyramid of Giza
10 The End of the Old Kingdom

FREE GUIDEBOOK!
172-page course
synopsis
Photos &
illustrations
Hieroglyph
Alphabet
Suggested readings
Questions to
consider
Timeline & glossary
Bibliography

11 The First Intermediate Period


12 The Middle KingdomDynasty XI
13 The Middle KingdomDynasty XII
14 The Second Intermediate Period
15 Joseph in Egypt
16 The Beginning of the New Kingdom
The Fabulous XVIIIth Dynasty
17 Queen Hatshepsut
18 Obelisks
19 Tuthmosis IIIKing At Last
20 The Fabulous XVIIIth Dynasty Rolls On

21 Akhenaten the Heretic Pharaoh


22 The Discovery of Tutankhamens Tomb
23 The Murder of TutankhamenA Theory
24 MedicineThe Necessary Art
25 The End of Dynasty XVIII
26 MummificationHow We
Know What We Know
27 What Mummies Tell Us
28 Making a Modern Mummy
29 Dynasty XIX Begins
30 Ramses the GreatThe Early Years

31 Ramses the GreatThe Later Years


32 The ExodusDid It Happen?
33 The Decline of Dynasty XIX
34 Dynasty XXThe Decline Continues
35 Ancient Egyptian Magic
36 Dynasty XXIEgypt Divided
37 Dynasty XXIIEgypt United
38 Dynasty XXVThe Nubians Have Their Day
39 Dynasty XXVIThe Saite Period
40 Dynasty XXVIIThe Persians

41 Dynasties XXVIII to XXXIThe


Beginning of the End
42 Alexander the Great
43 The First Ptolemies
44 The Middle PtolemiesThe Decline
45 Animal Mummies
46 Cleopatras Family
47 CleopatraThe Last Ptolemy
48 The Grand Finale

The History of Ancient Egypt

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Course No. 350, 48 LECTURES (30 MINUTES/LECTURE)

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Take a Memorable Tour of the Roman Empire


The History of Ancient Rome
Professor of Ancient History Garrett G. Fagan | The Pennsylvania State University

Romes span was vast. In the regional, restless, and shifting


history of continental Europe, the Roman Empire stands as
a towering monument to scale and stability. At its height,
the Roman Empire, unified in politics and law, stretched
from the sands of Syria to the moors of Scotland, and it
stood for almost 700 years. This course draws on a wealth

of primary and secondary sources, including recent historical


and archaeological scholarship, to introduce you to the tale
of Romes rise and decline. You learn about famous events
and personalities as well as deeper sources of Romes greatness and continuing influence.

12 Carthage and the First Punic War


13 The Second Punic (or Hannibalic) War
14 Rome in the Eastern Mediterranean
15 Explaining the Rise of the Roman Empire
16 The Captured Conqueror
Rome and Hellenism
17 Governing the Roman Republic,
Part ISenate and Magistrates
18 Governing the Roman Republic,
Part IIPopular Assemblies and
Provincial Administration
19 The Pressures of Empire

32 The New Order of Augustus


33 The Imperial Succession
34 The Julio-Claudian Dynasty
35 The Emperor in the Roman World
36 The Third-Century Crisis
37 The Shape of Roman Society
38 Roman Slavery
39 The Family
40 Women in Roman Society
41 An Empire of Cities
42 Public Entertainment, Part IThe
Roman Baths and Chariot Racing

Corel Stock Photo Library; Free Agents Limited/Corbis.

Lecture Titles
1 Introduction
2 The Sources
3 Pre-Roman Italy and the Etruscans
4 The Foundation of Rome
5 The Kings of Rome
6 Regal Society
7 The Beginnings of the Republic
8 The Struggle of the Orders
9 Roman Expansion in Italy
10 The Roman Confederation in Italy
11 The International Scene on the
Eve of Roman Expansion

FREE GUIDEBOOK!
222-page course
synopsis
Photos &
illustrations
Suggested readings
Questions to consider
Timeline & glossary
Biographical notes
Bibliography

20 The Gracchi Brothers


21 Marius and Sulla
22 The Royal Rule of Sulla
23 Sullas Reforms Undone
24 Pompey and Crassus
25 The First Triumvirate
26 Pompey and Caesar
27 The Domination of Caesar
28 Social and Cultural Life in the Late Republic
29 Antony and Octavian
30 The Second Triumvirate
31 Octavian Emerges Supreme

The History of Ancient Rome


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43 Public Entertainment, Part


IIGladiatorial Games
44 Roman Paganism
45 The Rise of Christianity
46 The Restoration of Order
47 Constantine and the Late Empire
48 Thoughts on the Fall of the Roman Empire

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13

SCIENCE

new release

How Are Robots Revolutionizing Our Lives?


Meet These Innovative Machines
Robotics

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TO

Professor of Biology and Professor


of Cognitive Science John Long
Vassar College

$190

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Investigate the fascinating


field of modern robotics
in 24 lectures by a brilliant
roboticist.

14

People have been dreaming about robots for almost as long as weve had words to describe the idea of a mechanical human,
an artificial animal, a machine that operates on its own to do work we need it to do. Roboticists are making those dreams real.

robots work? What does it take to


build a robot that can, for a period
of time, perform tasks and make
decisions with little human input?
What are the most revolutionary
robots at work today? How do we
balance the technological benefits of
robots with the potential risks they
pose to pre-existing ways of life?
To answer these and other questions is to take an in-depth journey
into an exciting world; a journey
Professor Long and The Great
Courses present in the 24 incredible
lectures of Robotics. Using in-studio robot demonstrations, videos of

other state-of-the-art robots, 3-D


animations, and other amazing visual aids, Professor Long demystifies
the world of robots and provides
a comprehensive introduction to
these intelligent machines. Whether
youre looking to grasp the hard
science of how robots work or simply curious about the implications
of robots for society, consider this
course your official passport to an
astonishing new world.

INTRIGUING SCIENTIFIC
TERRAIN
Professor Longs course is an encyclopedic yet accessible introduction
to one of the most important areas
of modern science. From the concept of robotic autonomy to the
inner workings of sensors to the
intriguing possibilities of the future,
Robotics covers every major topic in
the field.
How robots work: To better
appreciate robots, you have to
know how they operate. Youll
watch Professor Long take
robots apart to demonstrate

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obots. The mere word


conjures up a bevy of
mind-bending images pulled
straight from popular science fiction
tales. But robots arent just the
stuff of entertainment. Theyre real.
Theyre everywhere around you.
And theyre transforming your life in
ways you cant imagine.
Ours is a world increasingly
defined by the cutting-edge field
of robotics. Today, we live among
marvelous machines that can do
things like:
provide support for soldiers in
challenging terrain,
assist highly trained surgeons in
performing medical procedures
more precisely,
explore the harsh environments
of space that astronauts cant yet
visit,
manufacture products with a
speed unmatched by human
hands.
In short, the future of human
civilization depends on collaborative
robotics: humans and machines
working together. According to
robotics expert and award-winning
professor John Long of Vassar
College, Robots are what computers and self-propelled vehicles were
to the 20th century: a technological
revolution that impacts nearly every
aspect of our lives, businesses, and
security.
Yet for all their seen (and unseen)
prevalence, robotics remains mysterious to most of us. How exactly do

Video Features Include


Because of the highly visual nature of the subject matter, this course is available exclusively on video. The following features enhance your comprehension and enjoyment:

On-screen text emphasizes the professors


key points.

how they work using actuators,


controllers, and other key parts;
discover how roboticists design
robots using insights from animal and human behavior; and
even learn DIY skills for building your own robot.
Where robots work: Many lectures focus on the wide range
of environments and real-world
scenarios where robots are
already proving to be indispensable to how you live. Youll
explore robots in factories,
homes, and hospitals; in the air,
on land, and under the sea; on
mission-critical battlefields and
awe-inspiring voyages to distant
planets.
Robots and our future: With so
many robots around us, it seems
like the future is already here. So
what do the next decades have in
store? Swarm robots, humanoid
robots, robots that learn from
each other, and even self-reproducing robots are just some of
the many topics youll uncover
as Professor Long explains the
latest research in robotics.
As you proceed through this
course, youll also get a look at
some of the major ideas and ethical
dilemmas involved in the world of
robotics.
Trade-offs: Robots cant do
everything well. One universal
lesson about robot bodies is
that there are always trade-offs
involved in designing them
(such as building a robot for
maneuverability instead of efficiency).
The Three Laws of Robotics:
Isaac Asimovs famous principles
emphasize that robots may in
no way injure humans. So how

Illustrations, graphics, animations, and


diagrams help you grasp important concepts.

are these laws compromised (or


circumvented) by military robots
designed to target and eliminate
human threats?
The uncanny valley: Developed
in the 1970s, this hypothesis
proposes that as robots become
more human in appearance, our
affinity for them grows. But
once robots appear too human,
they simply become disturbing.
FASCINATING ROBOTS OF
TODAYAND TOMORROW
Of course, the most enjoyable part
of Robotics is the robots themselves.
Youll get the opportunity to meet,
learn about, and even witness in
action an amazing roster of robots
that are transforming our everyday
lives. Robots that are simple and
complex, large and small; robots
that work on land, that hover in the
air, that swim underwater; robots
that work in our homes, our factories, our hospitals; robots that clean
rooms and mow lawns and even
perform surgery.
Roomba: This popular home
robot cleans floors by using
infrared sensors to detect walls
and a homing beacon to return
it to its charging station. The
design trade-off with a robot
like Roomba is that while it can
easily transition from bare floors
to carpet, it cant move up and
over stairs.
Wave Glider: This robotic
platform has solved two major
challenges aquatic environments
present to robotics. Since Wave
Gliders wave-based power
supply is endless, energy isnt
a problem. And because Wave
Glider lies at the waters surface,
it can easily navigate using GPS.

The professor brings a number of robots into


the studio, interacting with them and showing
how they move and accomplish tasks.

In-studio demonstrations reveal the inner


workings and circuitry of robots, as the
professor takes some apart and puts them
back together.

Robonaut 2: One of the most


exciting projects in orbital robotics is Robonaut 2, a humanoid
robot consisting of a head, torso,
and two independently functioning arms. Its goal is to safely
assist astronauts working in the
International Space Station.
Da Vinci: A variation on the
classic robot arm, Da Vinci is a
tele-operated robot helping to
lead the charge in medical robotics. This highly advanced robotic
surgical system moves robotic
arms and tiny hand-like manipulators inside the human body,
making minimally-invasive surgery even less invasive
EATR: The Energetically
Autonomous Tactical Robot
(EATR) actually ingests organic
matter for fuel. This wheeled
ground robots external combustion engine uses biomass to generate electrical powermaking
it perfect for operating in remote
areas for long periods of time.
Not only will these and other
robots open your eyes to the intricate details of how robots are
designed, built, and improved upon,
theyll illuminate how roboticists
tackle everyday challenges and create
technological advancements that are
central to the way we live today
and the way well live tomorrow.

agencies, including the National


Science Foundation and the U.S.
Small Business Administration. He
takes you behind the scenes to show
you what worked, what didnt, and
why.
Youll also witness how robots
operate at the level of the wire and
sensor; how theyre built, taken
apart, and rebuilt for different uses;
how theyre designed using the latest
technological advancements; and
more. Packed with robot demonstrations and 3-D animations, these
visually stimulating lectures are an
exciting exploration of robotics at
every level.
Ultimately, its all in service of
Professor Longs overarching goal:
to make you more informed and
engaged with this increasingly
important technology, which brings
together the fields of engineering,
computer science, neuroscience, and
biology. Robotics shows you how
we have been using robots to transform our world for decadesand
how, in the decades to come, they
will continue to revolutionize our
lives.

ROBOTSEXPLAINED BY
A BRILLIANT INNOVATOR
Transforming our studios into a veritable robotics laboratory, Professor
Long lets you experience the trials
and triumphs of robotics firsthand.
Director and co-founder of Vassars
Interdisciplinary Robotics Research
Laboratory, hes researched,
designed, and built robots with
funding from major government

ABOUT YOUR PROFESSOR


Dr. John Long is a Professor of
Biology and a Professor of Cognitive
Science on the John Guy Vassar
Chair of Natural History at Vassar
College. He also serves as the
Director of Vassars Interdisciplinary
Robotics Research Laboratory,
which he helped found in 2003.
Professor Long received his Ph.D. in
Zoology from Duke University.
Internationally recognized for his
work in biorobotics and evolutionary robotics, Professor Long creates
autonomous robotic models of
CONTINUED

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15

SCIENCE

5 Robot Controllers and Programming


What turns a remotely controlled machine
into an autonomous robot? Self-control.
So where does self-control in robots
come from? Find out in this lecture on
robot controllers: the computer-like part
of robots that uses sensory information to
decide how the robot should achieve its
immediate and long-term goals.

Virtually all industrial robots are specialized robotic manipulators, which make
quick, repetitive, and highly accurate movements to grasp, move, manipulate, and
assemble. With tools in hand, these robots file, paint, cut, polish, flame, weld, bond,
glue, seal, inspect, and sort.

COURSE CURRICULUM
animalsboth living and extinct
in order to study how the animals
1 The Arrival of Robot Autonomy
work, behave, and evolve. He also
Plunge into the
world of robots
designs and builds bioinspired robots
with this
in collaboration with computer sciengaging
entists, electrical engineers, mechanintroduction.
ical engineers, physicists, and develWhen did we
opment-stage robotics companies.
start thinking
Professor Longs research currently
about robots?
What three
is funded by the National Science
components are responsible for so many
Foundation (NSF). He has received
advances in robot designs? Why is
previous research funding awards
behavioral autonomy so essential to the
from the NSF, the Office of Naval
development of modern robotics?
Research, the U.S. Small Business
2 Robot Bodies and Trade-Offs
Administration, and the Defense
Why just watch robots when you can
Advanced Research Projects Agency.
understand how they actually work?
Deconstruct a Roomba to learn the five
Professor Long is the author of
functional categories of parts all robots
Darwins Devices: What Evolving
need. Then, explore a universal lesson
Robots Can Teach Us about the
about robotics: because robots cant
History of Life and the Future of
do everything well, trade-offs (such as
Technology. He and his robots have
simplicity versus maneuverability) are
always involved.
been featured in the journal Science,
in the international press; on numer- 3 Robot Actuators and Movement
Investigate robot actuators: the motors
ous news programs; and in science
and transmissions that underlie all robotic
documentaries, including Through
movement. Youll learn about the early
the Wormhole, Evolve, and Predator
use of springs as motors in automata; how
X.
electricity spins the magnets that make
motors move; how movement defines
what a robot is; and different types of
motors (including DC and servo motors).

16

6 Human-Inspired Robot Planning


In robotics, the
most important
problem mobile
robots must solve is
how to navigate, or
move with purpose,
in the world. Here,
learn how
simultaneous localization and mapping
(using internal models, beacons, and
dead reckoning navigation) is the key to a
robots autonomy in both structured and
exploratory situations.
7 Animal-Inspired Robot Behavior
Consider an approach to creating robots
thats inspired not by maps but by the
simple sense-and-act behavior of animals.
Youll learn the benefits of behavior-based
robotic architecture (including quicker
reactions and stronger sensors), and see
how simple animals including ants have
inspired roboticists to build fascinating
inventions.
8 Basic Skills for Making Robots
So you want to make a robot. Where
should you start? Learn how to work with
tools like multimeters and solid-core
wires; how to perform basic tasks
including stripping wire and building
simple circuits; and how to hack into
existing robots to get them to perform
tasks they werent intended to do.
9 Designing a New Robot
Move from kits and hacks into the actual
design and construction of more complex
robots for research or business. As you
explore the iterative decision-making
process used by robotics engineers,
youll meet intriguing robots including
Madeline, the first transphibian vehicle,
and RayBot, an artificial fish used for
surveillance.
10 A Robot for Every Task?
Wouldnt it be great to have a robot that
took out your trash or put away your
books? Explore how robots are designed
to perform specific tasks, and the choices
roboticists must consider in doing so
including the stability of the workplace
and the minute steps of the task itself.

11 Robot Arms in the Factory


Each year, many
tens of thousands
of new robots are
purchased to help
us manufacture
cars, medicines,
and other everyday
materials. And it all
started with variations on the robotic arm.
Here, examine early prototypes of
pick-and-place robots; consider the
trade-offs between range and control of
motion; and ponder how far weve come
with industrial robotics.
12 Mobile Robots at Home
Advancements in modern robotics have
made robots useful, safe, reliable, easy
to use, and affordable to have in our
homes. So how exactly do different home
robotssuch as vacuum cleaners like
Roomba, gutter cleaners like Looj, and
lawn mowers like MowBotadjust to
the unique demands of their respective
tasks?
13 Hospital Robots and Neuroprosthetics
Hospital robots have designs and
functions meant to tackle the complexity
of the modern medical workplace. First,
discover how robots like HelpMate
and Da Vinci work in patient wards,
surgical theaters, and other settings.
Then, delve into the burgeoning field of
neuroprosthetics, which use the human
nervous system for control of artificial
limbs.
14 Self-Driving Vehicles
Lane changes,
off-roading,
irregular traffic
patternshow
do robotic cars
handle it all? Find
out in this lecture
on the trade-offs
(especially between speed and safety)
involved in creating self-driving vehicles.
Peer into the future of how youre likely to
get from place to place, perhaps without
having to do a thing.
15 F
 lying Robots: From
Autopilots to Drones
Take to the air for an eye-opening look at
aerial robots, from the autopilot features
in commercial airplanes to unmanned
drones that can deliver packages. Topics
include the role of gyroscopic sensors
and recent technological advancements
that are extending the functionality and
power of flying robots like never before.
 nderwater Robots That
16 U
Hover and Glide
Some of the most exciting robots on
the planet are found underwater. Here,
learn how todays roboticists have
developed unique solutions to creating
autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs),
like Wave Glider, that have overcome
critical challenges involving sensors,
power supply, and design to do things
like circumnavigate the globe or travel to
great depths.

SALE ENDS 06/25/15


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Garry Gay/The Image Bank/Getty Images; RioPatuca/Shutterstock; AMELIEBENOIST/BSIP/Corbis; Colin Anderson/Blend Images/Getty Images.

4 Robot Sensors and Simple


Communication
Intelligent behavior in robots is rooted
in the sensors that determine how much
robots know about the world around
them. Professor Long demonstrates how
sensors work to communicate across
the electromagnetic spectrum, including
through infrared (like in Roombas) and
visible light (for underwater robots that
communicate using flashing blue lights).

WHY THIS
GREAT COURSE?

Piotr_roae/iStock/Thinkstock; Science Picture Co/Science Source; Digital Art/Corbis; Maximilian


Stock Ltd./Photographers Choice/Getty Images; Edward Kinsman/Science Source/Getty Images; Courtesy of
NASA/JPL-Caltech.

Science is one of the most popular


areas for many of our lifelong learnersso much so that were constantly looking to expand our course
offerings and to find new ways to
make the science engaging and
graspable. One area we had yet to
give The Great Courses treatment is
robotics. Its an increasingly popular
field of study on college campuses
around the world. More important,
its a field thats quickly redefining
nearly every facet of human civilization, from how we live and move to
how we travel and heal. When the
head of our recruitment department
sat in on a lecture by noted roboticist Dr. John Long, he wasnt expecting to find a new Great Course.
He simply had a couple of hours to
kill before a seminar he was scheduled to attend and decided to give
robotics a try. An hour and a half
later, he found himself skipping that
seminar to corner Dr. Long for a conversationhis robotics lecture was
flat-out fascinating. A few months
later, with Professor Longs help, we
transformed our studio into a veritable robotics laboratory where his
creations and others could be seen
in action. We think weve crafted
something truly unique with these
24 lectures on robotics, and we
hope you enjoy it!
17 Space Robots in Orbit and
on Other Worlds
Find out how space missions have
pushed us to the limits of what
autonomous robots can do. Central
to this lecture are several fascinating
robots, including Robonaut 2 (a humanoid
robot working on the International
Space Station) and the rovers Spirit and
Opportunity, who are helping us better
understand the complex geography of
Mars.

FREE GUIDEBOOK!
272-page course
synopsis
Photos &
illustrations
Suggested
readings
Questions to
consider
Timeline & glossary
Bibliography

Robots already help humans everywhereindustrial robots in factories, surgical robots in hospitals, robots gathering
astronomical data in space and on distant planets, and even toy robots.
18 Why Military Robots Are Different
Explore the tension between
semi-autonomous
military robots
and our need
to oversee their
safety and control.
In looking at
military robots
such as the Predator unmanned aerial
system and the Phalanx weapons
system, youll learn about the unique
trade-offs involved in the speed and
accuracy of action, and the ability to
distinguish friend from foe.
19 Extreme Robots
Walking and running robots, whether
they move on four legs or two, offer
some of the most extreme physical
challenges in all of robotics. What are the
advantages of legged robots that make
them so attractive to roboticists? How do
robots with legs balance themselves and
move around in different environments?

20 Swarm Robots
A huge challenge in robotics is getting
robots to work as a team to do things
they cant do alone. Enter swarm robots:
simple, similar mobile robots that
combine to generate complex behaviors.
Investigate this area of robotics thats
barely in its infancy, but has vast potential
for scientific research, military defense,
and more.
21 Living Robots?
Robots are starting to perform the core
features of life, to the point where it may
be possible to have a robot that actually
lives. Professor Long introduces
you to robots that eat by harvesting
energy; robots that grow by building
and improving themselves; and robots
that evolve by designing themselves
autonomously.
22 Social Robots
Enter the brave new world of social
robotics, where robots are built
specifically to communicate with humans
and other autonomous physical agents.
With the help of the robot Baxter,

discover how simple signals like spoken


words, expressions, and body language
can create a dynamic user interface
between human and robot.
23 Humanoid Robots: Just like Us?
Have we reached the
point where robots
are becoming just
like human beings?
Probe this fascinating
question by
examining recent
developments in artificial intelligence, the
concept of the uncanny valley, and
three imitation games to determine
where we stand with humanoid robots.
24 The Futures of Robotics
Because its a multidisciplinary field,
there isnt just one future for robotics,
but instead multiple futures. What
could some of them look like? Consider
everything from companion robots that
can coordinate our activities to surgical
robots that can work autonomously
inside our bodies using updates from a
robotic cloud system.

Sale Ends 06/25/15!

Robotics
AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY ON VIDEO

Course No. 1312, 24 LECTURES (30 MINUTES/LECTURE)

Because of the highly visual nature of the


subject matter, this course is available
exclusively on video.

DVD $269.95
NOW $79.95
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Full Transcript of Course: $25.00

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Purchase Set No. 1313:

Robotics and Understanding Modern Electronics (p. 18)

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17

SCIENCE

Learn the Amazing Science behind


the Devices You Use Every Day
Understanding Modern Electronics
Professor of Physics Richard Wolfson | Middlebury College

Delve into the fascinating world of electrons and see


how mankind has harnessed their power to create
devices that only decades ago seemed like science fiction.

18

al and theoretical understanding.


Whether youre an aspiring engineer,
an enthusiastic tinkerer, or simply
intellectually curious, this course will
demystify the behavior and inner
circuitry of electronic devices and
inspire you to see technology in a
whole new light.
MEET THE USUAL SUSPECTS
Modern electronics emerged from
electro-mechanical technology such
as wires, motors, batteries, and
switches with the invention of the
vacuum tubea device that made it
possible to amplify electrical signals.
This spectacularly useful function,
which underlies the entire field of
electronics, made possible the development of radio technology and
long distance telephony. Over the
last century, scientific theory and
practical engineering have been combined to produce or adapt a host of
similarly useful components that are
employed in modern electronics. In
this course, Professor Wolfson will
introduce:
the transistor, which replaced the
bulky vacuum tube, and can be
used to both amplify and switch
electronic signals;
the capacitor, a component
which stores energy and electric
charge;
the resistor, which restricts the
flow of current and lowers voltage levels within electronic circuits; and more.
Youll also learn about the mysterious and highly important physical
materials known as semiconductors,
so named because their ability to
carry electric current is in between a
conductor like copper or aluminum
and an insulator like glass or paper.

Harnessing the power of electrons has allowed us to invent miraculous devices that
are now ubiquitous.

THE ANALOG LEVEL


With these basic building blocks
and others, electrical engineers can
assemble a wide variety of circuits
interconnected groups of electronic
components that create devices with
specific functions. Professor Wolfson
presents live, in-studio demonstrations of many commonly used
circuits, teaching you the basics of
circuit construction along the way.
Youll
learn how to read a circuit
diagram, the easy-to-decipher
technical drawings that allow
engineers to create a blueprint of
a circuit;
become familiar with instruments such as voltmeters, multimeters, oscilloscopes, and others

that engineers use to measure the


three basic properties exhibited
by electrons in a circuitcurrent, voltage, and resistance;
learn the role played by transistors in controlling electric currents;
understand why and how capacitors can be employed to reduce
and filter electronic noise in
circuits; and much more.
After learning the basics of circuits, youll put your newfound
knowledge to work as Professor
Wolfson walks you through the process of building a basic audio amplifier, complete with volume control!

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1-800-832-2412

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ny sufficiently advanced
technology is indistinguishable from magic.
Arthur C. Clarke
In the last 100 years, the world
has undergone a tremendous revolution made possible by advances in
modern electronics. Electronic deviceswhich manipulate electrons or
their associated fields in fundamental
ways to produce a useful effect
have provided us with ubiquitous,
massive computational power; allow
us to communicate nearly instantly
with loved ones across the globe;
can flawlessly record, safeguard, and
display information; and provide us
with tremendously precise control of
manufacturing devices and medical
instruments. They are fundamental
to our global economy, improve our
lives immeasurably, and underlie
virtually every aspect of modern
life. Yet very few of us have any idea
of how electronic devices actually
work.
In fact, these increasingly complex devices, which seem nearly
magical to us, operate on a few basic
principles that are both fascinating
and easy to understand. Now, in
Understanding Modern Electronics,
award-winning Professor of Physics
Richard Wolfson provides a working
explanation of the principles that
govern electronic circuits, then shows
these principles in action with devices you use every day.In 24 clear and
easily accessible lectures, Professor
Wolfson combines his academic
expertise, including many years of
teaching electronics at Middlebury
College, and his lifelong avocation as
an electronics hobbyist to examine
how these remarkable devices work,
bypassing much of the higher mathematics without sacrificing function-

Video Features Include


Hundreds of visual elements are included
in this course. Due to the very visual
nature of the subject and the many live
demonstrations by Professor Wolfson, this
course is available only on video.

On-screen text lets you follow along and see


key points as the professor speaks.

Animations help you visualize electronics


concepts in action.

Watch as Professor Wolfson builds


electronic devices in the studioand build
yours at home if you like!

THE DIGITAL LEVEL


Of course, if analog electronic
devices were the only types that
existed, wed still be living with
1950s technology. In the last part of
the course youll explore how voltages in digital circuits represent just
two discrete states: 0 and 1. From
this base-2 or binary number
system, the entire world of computers was born. Youll discover how
logic gates (which are composed of
transistors operating as electronic
switches) and truth tables (which are
mathematical diagrams that show
all possible outputs from all possible
combinations of inputs) combine to
form the basis of computer logic.
ELECTRONICS MADE
ACCESSIBLE
By leaving much of the rigorous
mathematics to the textbooks, your
education in modern electronics
will take a practical approach from
the very beginning. Understanding
Modern Electronics discusses the
subject on a conceptual level of
how and why things work. An
accomplished physicist, lifelong
electronics hobbyist, and a popular
Great Courses veteran, Professor
Wolfson steadily leads you through
these 24 interactive lectures. He
starts by introducing the symbols for
basic components used in circuits,
explores how these components
behave, adds the all-important
transistor, and then constructs,

amplifiers, logic gates, counting circuits, computer memory, and much


more..
Understanding Modern
Electronics also provides the tools
necessary for ambitious learners to
get hands-on experience with the
workings of electronics and build
their own devices using inexpensive
and readily available components.
The course uses animated circuit
diagrams that add an additional
layer of visualization not available in
textbooks or even most classrooms.
Youll be provided with example
problems and small projects to try,
using a pen and paper or online circuit simulators. Youre free to work
through the solutions on your own
to test your skills, or work alongside
Professor Wolfson.
So if youre a maker whos eager
to improve your understanding of
electronics, a computer science or
engineering buff looking for a new
challenge, or one of the many people
who use electronic technology every
day and want to better understand
how these magical devices work,
Understanding Modern Electronics
is the course for you!
ABOUT YOUR PROFESSOR
Dr. Richard Wolfson is a Benjamin
F. Wissler Professor of Physics at
Middlebury College, a Fellow of the
American Physical Society, and a
lifelong electronics hobbyist.

WHY THIS
GREAT COURSE?

This course idea was a recommendation to us by Professor Richard


Wolfson. After wowing our customers with his courses on Physics in
Our Universe and Physics in Your
Life, he came to us with the idea of
producing a course based on his
lifelong love of electronics.
In our modern society, it seems
that the moment we understand our
gadgets, they are obsolete, having
been replaced by newer models
with added features. It is easy to feel
swept away by all the changes, but
Professor Wolfson wanted to show
our customers that all of todays devices can be boiled down to simple
concepts involving the movement of
electrons.
Given Professor Wolfsons popularity with our customers and his
drive to make physics relevant to our
everyday lives, we immediately took
him up on his suggestion for Understanding Modern Electronics. After
polling our customers to see if they
would be interested in this fun and
practical take on physics and electrical engineering, we gave the green
light to the project and brought him
back to our studios.

Risk-Free Guarantee

Lecture Titles
1
2
3
4
5
6

Electricity and Electronics


Circuits and Symbols
Instruments and Measurement
AC versus DC
Up the Treble, Down the Bass!
SemiconductorsThe Miracle Material

FREE GUIDEBOOK!
208-page course
synopsis
Photos & illustrations
Charts & diagrams

7 Transistors and How They Work


8 Transistors as Amplifiers
9 Building an Audio Amplifier
10 The Ideal Amplifier
11 Feedback Magic
12 Electronic Feedback

13 Amplifier Circuits Using Op-Amps


14 More Fun with Op-Amps
15 Using Op-Amps with Capacitors
16 Digital versus Analog
17 Electronics Goes Digital
18 Flip-Flop Circuits

Understanding Modern Electronics


AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY ON VIDEO

This course is designed to work well in both


audio and video formats.

Suggested readings
Questions to consider
Bibliography
Projects

Sale Ends 06/25/15!

Course No. 1162, 24 LECTURES (30 MINUTES/LECTURE)

DVD $269.95
Video Download

$234.95

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Special Set Offer: Save Big when you buy the following two courses together
Purchase Set No. 1313:

Understanding Modern Electronics and Robotics (p. 14)

19 Shift and DivideYour USB and Your Watch


20 Digital Memory
21 Digital Counters
22 Digital to Analog
23 Analog to Digital
24 Your Future in Electronics

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19

SCIENCE

How Does Your Brain Really Work?


Understanding the Brain
Professor of Cell and Developmental Biology Jeanette Norden | Vanderbilt University

I was dazzled. The course not only provoked daily awareness of my brain,
but awakened my desire to stay curious.
Lila Balch, Wilton, ME

Go inside the most astonishingly complex organ that has


ever existed and learn how it works in this engrossing
and surprising course on the human brain.

onsidering everything the


brain does, how can it
possibly be the source of our
personalities, dreams, thoughts, sensations, utterances, and movements?
Understanding the Brain, a
36-lecture course by award-winning Professor Jeanette Norden of
Vanderbilt University, takes you
inside this astonishingly complex
organ and shows you how it works.
With its combination of neurology,
biology, and psychology, this course
helps you understand how we perceive the world through our senses,
how we move, how we learn and
remember, and how emotions affect
our thoughts and actions.
Your tour starts with the organization of the central nervous system
at the gross, cellular, and molecular

levels, then investigates in detail how


the brain accomplishes a host of
tasksfrom seeing and sleeping to
performing music and constructing
a personal identity.
You explore a broad range of
exciting topics in neuroscience and
come away with a deeper knowledge
of how the brain is organizedand
a feeling of wonder and appreciation
for all that it accomplishes.
ABOUT YOUR PROFESSOR
Dr. Jeanette Norden is a neuroscientist, Professor of Cell and
Developmental Biology in the
School of Medicine, and Professor
of Neurosciences in the College
of Arts and Sciences at Vanderbilt
University.

Lecture Titles
1 Historical Underpinnings of Neuroscience
2 Central Nervous System
Gross Organization
3 Central Nervous System
Internal Organization
4 Central Nervous SystemSubdivisions
5 CortexLobes and Areas
6 CortexSensory, Motor, and
Association Areas
7 Central Nervous SystemDevelopment

FREE GUIDEBOOK!
Topic
Science
& Mathematics

Vanderbilt University

Sale Ends 06/25/15!

Understanding the Brain


AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY ON VIDEO

Course No. 1580, 36 LECTURES (30 MINUTES/LECTURE)

Because of the highly visual nature of the


subject matter, this course is available
exclusively on video.

DVD $374.95
NOW $99.95
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$319.95

NOW $84.95

Full Transcript of Course: $35.00

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Purchase Set No. 1609:

Understanding the Brain and Your Best Brain (p. 21)

20

28 Processing of Negative EmotionsFear


29 Music and the Brain
30 Sexual Dimorphism of the Brain
31 Sleep and Dreaming
32 Consciousness and the Self
33 Alzheimers Disease
34 Risk Factors for Alzheimers Disease
35 Wellness and the BrainEffects of Stress
36 NeuroscienceLooking Back
and Looking Ahead

Subtopic
Biology

Understanding
the Brain
Professor Jeanette Norden

18 The Motor SystemCoordinated Movement


19 Parkinsons Disease
20 Language
21 The Limbic SystemAnatomy
22 The Limbic SystemBiochemistry
23 Depression
24 The Reward SystemAnatomy
25 The Reward SystemDrugs
26 Brain Plasticity
27 Emotion and Executive Function

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190-page course
synopsis
Photos & diagrams
Suggested readings
Questions to consider
Glossary
Biographical notes
Bibliography

8 Central Nervous System


Cellular Organization
9 Pathways and Synapses
10 Neurotransmitters
11 Stroke
12 The Visual SystemThe Eye
13 The Visual SystemThe Cortex
14 The Auditory System
15 The Somatosensory System
16 Agnosias
17 The Motor SystemVoluntary Movement

SCIENCE

Explore the Most Recent Studies in Neuroscience


and How You Can Build Your Best Brain
Your Best Brain

My teenage daughter and I share this excellent material. It feeds her


intellectual curiousity and reawakens mine.

Professor of Bioengineering John J. Medina


University of Washington School of Medicine

Winifred Hecht, Newburgh, NY

Join a passionate science educator on a remarkable


journey that will demystify your bodys most complex
organthe brain.

he human brain is the most


complex object in the known
universe. This amazing organ
has unique powers to make predictions about the future, form relationships with other people, adapt to
rapidly changing circumstances, and
much, much more. But how does
the brain accomplish these astonishing feats?
In Your Best Brain, Professor
John J. Medina walks you through
the latest, peer-reviewed neuroscience research in an attempt to shed
light on the mysterious world inside
your head.
A VAST AND COMPLEX
SCIENCE MADE CLEAR
From the very first lecture, youll see
just how far-reaching and remarkable the science of the brain is. But
while the subject is complex, that

doesnt mean that its difficult to


understand.
Professor Medina brings a passion
for neuroscience and how knowledge about how our brain works can
positively affect our daily lives. His
enthusiasm and sense of wonder are
clear throughout the course, and
each lecture is filled with helpful
metaphors and remarkable case
studies.
Youll walk away from the course
with a greater understanding of just
what happens inside your head, and
what you can do to ensure that your
brain performs at the highest levels
possible for years to come.
ABOUT YOUR PROFESSOR
Professor John J. Medina is an
Affiliate Professor of Bioengineering
at the University of Washington
School of Medicine.

Gain a deeper appreciation and understanding of the worlds most sophisticated


survival mechanism: the human brain.

Lecture Titles
1
2
3
4
5
6

How Your Brain Works


Your Unique Thinking Abilities
Damaged Brain, Damaged Function
NeuroplasticityYour Flexible Brain
How Your Brain Uses Memory
The Advantages of Forgetting

FREE GUIDEBOOK!

7 Creativity and Fluid Intelligence


8 How Your Brain Uses Your Senses
9 Seeing with Your BrainVision
10 Feeling with Your BrainEmotion
11 How Emotion Drives Attention
12 Pleasure and Your Brain

13
14
15
16
17
18

What Makes You Happy


How Your Brain Manages Stress
Your Social Brain
How Infant Brains Work
How Adolescent Brains Work
Sex and Your Brain

Your Best Brain

224-page course
synopsis

SHOULD I BUY AUDIO OR VIDEO?

Photos, illustrations
& diagrams

This course is designed to work well in both


audio and video formats.

Suggested readings
Questions to consider
Bibliography

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Course No. 1606, 24 LECTURES (30 MINUTES/LECTURE)

DVD $269.95
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19 How Your Brain Ages


20 How Your Brain Copes with Grief
21 How Self-Control Works
22 The Power of Exercise
23 Improving Your Memory
24 Why Your Brain Needs Sleep

Special Set Offer: Save Big when you buy the following two courses together
Purchase Set No. 1609:

Your Best Brain and Understanding the Brain (p. 20)

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21

SCIENCE

Explore the Overwhelming Impact of Geography


on the History, Politics, and Culture of Humankind
Understanding Cultural and Human Geography
Professor and Director, Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies
Paul Robbins | University of WisconsinMadison

From climate change and population growth to the


global economy and geopolitical strife, tackle the worlds
biggest questions in this one-of-a-kind course.

o one is an island. The


community where you live,
the food you eat, and the
people you know are all part of a
global chain of connections. Humans
have transformed the planet over the
past 10,000 years, and today, thanks
to our transportation infrastructure,
telecommunications, and a restless
economy, the pace of globalization
is accelerating. It is more important
than ever to understand this chain of
connections in order to tackle some
of the biggest questions about human
life on earth:
Is our current population growth
sustainable?
How will we adapt to the changing climate?
Why are some nations rich and
others poor?
What does globalization mean
for local cultures?
Tackle these questions and more
in Understanding Cultural and
Human Geography, a groundbreak-

ing course that surveys the geographical context for human activity. Over
the course of 24 eye-opening lectures, Professor Paul Robbins of the
University of WisconsinMadison
takes you on an interdisciplinary
voyage across time and around the
world to consider the dual nature of
our relationship with place. Youll
see how our environment influences
human life, and youll consider the
way human life, in turn, influences
the environment.
If you took a high school geography course, you likely spent your
time doing a lot of memorizing.
This is descriptive geography, a
straightforward catalog of what the
world looks like. But the field of
geography is much more complex,
much more dynamic, and much
more human than a course emphasizing memorization would have you
believe. Beyond simple description,
youll see that geography is truly
interdisciplinary, covering fields as
ecology, anthropology, sociology,

The forces of globalization are accelerating. What does this mean for local cultures?
The future economy? Geopolitics? Thanks to the context of geography, you can put
it all together in this eye-opening course.

history, economics, and geopolitics.


Understanding global trends and
connectionsfrom environmental
changes such as deforestation to the

way money and labor slosh around


the globewill give you new insights
into the story of human civilization
and current events.

Lecture Titles

FREE GUIDEBOOK!

7 The Agricultural Puzzle


8 Disease Geography
9 Political Ecology
10 Economic Geography
Globalization Origins
11 The Columbian Exchange
12 Uneven Development and Global Poverty

SHOULD I BUY AUDIO OR VIDEO?

Photos &
illustrations

This course is designed to work well in both


audio and video formats.

Suggested readings
Questions to consider
Bibliography

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Course No. 1761, 24 LECTURES (30 MINUTES/LECTURE)

DVD $269.95
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Full Transcript of Course: $25.00

22

18 The Importance of Place


19 Cultural Commodification
20 Culture, Power, and the Politics of Meaning
21 The Geopolitical Imagination
22 Regionalism and the Rise of New States
23 SupranationalismTaking on Big Problems
24 Future Geographies

Understanding Cultural and Human Geography

184-page course
synopsis

Maps

13 The New Global Economy


14 Restless HumanityThe
Migration Conundrum
15 UrbanizationThe Rise of
New World Cities
16 Geography of Language
17 Understanding Cultural Geography

Audio formats
include FREE
audio streaming

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Video formats
include FREE
video streaming

choness/iStock/Thinkstock.

1 Writing the WorldThe Mapmakers Craft


2 The Problem with Geographical
Determinism
3 AnthropoceneThe Age of Human Impact
4 Climate Change and Civilization
5 Global Land Change
6 The End of Global Population Growth

SCIENCE

Investigate Life in All Its Wonderful Variety


Biology: The Science of Life

The lectures were an excellent supplement to my college classes. I


believe my grades were an excellent reflection of this course.

Professor of Biology Stephen Nowicki | Duke University

Ola Cook, Campbell, CA

Gain a comprehensive introduction to one of the


most important and enthralling subjects ever with this
72-lecture course taught by an award-winning professor
from Duke University.

ne of the greatest scientific


feats of our era is the astonishing progress made in
understanding the intricate machinery of life. Our ability to use these
discoveries to change the world will
make the 21st century the century of
biological science, says award-winning Professor Stephen Nowicki of
Duke University.
Thus there is every reason to
master the fundamentals of biology,
whether you want to read the headlines with greater insight, update a
subject you studied long ago, view
the natural world with new appreciation, become a better-informed
voter and consumer, or gain the
intellectual stimulation of under-

standing the basic principles that


unite all living things.
All this is possible in Biology:
The Science of Life, a comprehensive 72-lecture course that explores
living systems at all levelsfrom
biological molecules to global
ecosystemsand gives you all the
information you need to grasp this
fascinating field of study and its
impact on our lives and our understanding of the life that surrounds
us.
Professor Nowicki presents the
subject in a conceptual format,
emphasizing the importance of
broad principles. Facts and details
are offered in abundance, but always
within the context of developing a
framework that listeners can absorb.

ORDER TODAY

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TO

$520

Sale Ends June 25

Lecture Titles
1
2
3
4

The Scope of Life


More on the Origin of Life
The Organism and the Cell
ProteinsHow Things
Get Done in the Cell
5 Which Molecule Holds the Code?
6 The Double Helix
7 The Nuts and Bolts of
Replicating DNA
8 The Central Dogma
9 The Genetic Code
10 From DNA to RNA
11 From RNA to Protein
12 When Mistakes Happen
13 Dividing DNA Between
Dividing Cells
14 Mendel and His Pea Plants
15 How Sex Leads to Variation

Tetra Images/Getty.

FREE GUIDEBOOK!
454-page course
synopsis
Photos, illustrations &
diagrams
Suggested readings
Questions to consider
Timeline & glossary
Biographical notes
Bibliography

16 Genes and Chromosomes


17 Charles Darwin and The
Origin of Species
18 Natural Selection in Action
19 Reconciling Darwin and Mendel
20 Mechanisms of
Evolutionary Change
21 What Are Species and How
Do New Ones Arise?
22 More on the Origin
of New Species
23 Reconstructing Evolution
24 The History of Life, Revisited
25 From Cells to Organisms
26 Control of Gene Expression I
27 Control of Gene Expression II
28 Getting Proteins to
the Right Place

29 Genetic Engineering
and Biotechnology
30 How Cells TalkSignals
and Receptors
31 How Cells TalkWays
That Cells Respond
32 From One Cell to Many
in an Organism
33 Patterns of Early Development
34 Determination and Differentiation
35 Induction and Pattern Formation
36 Genes and Development
37 Homeostasis
38 Hormones in Animals
39 What Is Special about Neurons?
40 Action Potentials and Synapses
41 Synaptic Integration and Memory
42 Sensory Function
43 How Muscles Work

44 The Innate Immune System


45 The Acquired Immune System
46 Form and Function in Plants I
47 Form and Function in Plants II
48 Behavior as an Adaptive Trait
49 Energy and Resources
in Living Systems
50 How Energy Is
Harnessed by Cells
51 EnzymesMaking
Chemistry Work in Cells
52 Cellular Currencies of Energy
53 Making ATPGlycolysis
54 Making ATPCellular Respiration
55 Making ATPThe
Chemiosmotic Theory
56 Capturing Energy from Sunlight
57 The Reactions of Photosynthesis
58 Resources and Life Histories

Biology: The Science of Life


SHOULD I BUY AUDIO OR VIDEO?

This course is designed to work well in both


audio and video formats.

59 The Structure of Populations


60 Population Growth
61 What Limits Population Growth?
62 Costs and Benefits of Behavior
63 Altruism and Mate Selection
64 Ecological Interactions
Among Species
65 Predators and Competitors
66 Competition and the
Ecological Niche
67 Energy in Ecosystems
68 Nutrients in Ecosystems
69 How Predictable Are
Ecological Communities?
70 Biogeography
71 Human Population Growth
72 The Human Asteroid?

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Course No. 1500, 72 LECTURES (30 MINUTES/LECTURE)

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23

SCIENCE

Explore One of the Most Intruiging Questions


Ever Posed: What, Exactly, Is Time?
Mysteries of Modern Physics: Time
Research Professor of Physics Sean Carroll | California Institute of Technology

Time rules our lives. From the rising and setting of the sun
to the cycles of nature, the thought processes in our brains,
and the biorhythms in our day, nothing so pervades our
existence and yet is so difficult to explain.
In 24 riveting lectures, Mysteries of Modern Physics:
Time takes you on a mind-expanding journey through the

past, present, and future, guided by Professor Sean Carroll.


Designed for nonscientists as well as those with a background in physics, this course shows how a feature of the
world that we all experience connects us to the instant of the
formation of the universeand possibly to a multiverse that
is larger and more varied than the known cosmos.

Lecture Titles
1
2
3
4
5
6

Why Time Is a Mystery


What Is Time?
Keeping Time
Times Arrow
The Second Law of Thermodynamics
Reversibility and the Laws of Physics

FREE GUIDEBOOK!

7 Time Reversal in Particle Physics


8 Time in Quantum Mechanics
9 Entropy and Counting
10 Playing with Entropy
11 The Past Hypothesis
12 Memory, Causality, and Action

13
14
15
16
17
18

Boltzmann Brains
Complexity and Life
The Perception of Time
Memory and Consciousness
Time and Relativity
Curved Spacetime and Black Holes

19 Time Travel
20 Black Hole Entropy
21 Evolution of the Universe
22 The Big Bang
23 The Multiverse
24 Approaches to the Arrow of Time

Mysteries of Modern Physics: Time

184-page course
synopsis

SHOULD I BUY AUDIO OR VIDEO?

Photos, illustrations
& diagrams

This course is designed to work well in both


audio and video formats.

Suggested readings
Bibliography

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How Do the Intricate Tools of Genetics Work?


Understanding Genetics: DNA, Genes, and Their Real-World Applications
Professor of Biology David Sadava | The Claremont Colleges

We use it routinely to cure diseases, solve crimes, and


reunite families. Yet weve known about it for only 60
years. And what were continuing to learn about it every
day has the potential to transform our health, our nutrition,
our society, and our future. It is DNAdeoxyribonucleic
acid, the self-replicating material present in nearly all living

organisms. Join award-winning teacher, author, and scientist Dr. David Sadava as he guides us through decades of
scientific discovery and the weighty implications for us, as
individuals and as a society.

Lecture Titles

FREE GUIDEBOOK!
184-page course
outline
Suggested readings
Questions to consider
Timeline & glossary
Biographical notes
Bibliography

8 From DNA to Protein


9 Genomes
10 Manipulating GenesRecombinant DNA
11 Isolating Genes and DNA
12 BiotechnologyGenetic Engineering
13 Biotechnology and the Environment

14 Manipulating DNA by PCR


and Other Methods
15 DNA in IdentificationForensics
16 DNA and Evolution
17 DNA and Human Evolution
18 Molecular MedicineGenetic Screening
19 Molecular MedicineThe Immune System

20 Molecular MedicineCancer
21 Molecular MedicineGene Therapy
22 Molecular MedicineCloning and Stem Cells
23 Genetics and Agriculture
24 Biotechnology and Agriculture

Understanding Genetics: DNA, Genes, and Their Real-World Applications


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1 Our Inheritance
2 Mendel and Genes
3 Genes and Chromosomes
4 The Search for the GeneDNA
5 DNA Structure and Replication
6 DNA Expression in Proteins
7 Genes, Enzymes, and Metabolism

SCIENCE

Why Do We Behave the Way We Do?


Understanding the Mysteries of Human Behavior

If you cant find a topic of interest at The Great Courses, check your
pulse.

Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience Mark Leary | Duke University

Nick Armenante, Trenton, NJ

Acquire powerful insight into quite puzzling aspects of


human behavior with these 24 intellectually scintillating
lectures on such psychological mysteries as happiness,
personality, self-esteem, and more.

ince the start of recorded history, and probably even before,


people have been interested in
answering questions about why we
behave the way we do. In fact, many
fields of human endeavor are focused
on finding explanations for the nature of human behavior.
To understand the secrets of
human behavior is to better know
yourself and the people around you.
Not only will you have a more solid
understanding of what it means
to be human, you will also have a
stronger foundation from which to
live more effectively with others and
to grasp their intricate behaviors and
quirks.
Join award-winning Professor
Mark Leary of Duke University
on a fascinating journey into the
complex heart of who you are with
Understanding the Mysteries of
Human Behavior. Using the latest
theories and research from psychology and other behavioral sciences,

youll find answers to provocative


questions about often quite puzzling
aspects of human behavior. With
the powerful insights youll find in
these 24 scintillating lectures, youll
start looking at your own and other
peoples behavior with a little more
insight, curiosity, and wonderment.
After finishing these lectures,
youll realize how much about everyday life you take for granted, develop
a deeper understanding of yourself
and others, and see how much has
yet to be fully explained.
ABOUT YOUR PROFESSOR
Dr. Mark Leary is the Garonzik
Family Professor of Psychology and
Neuroscience at Duke University,
where he is also the faculty director
of the universitys Interdisciplinary
Initiative in Social Psychology.
He earned his Ph.D. in Social
Psychology from the University of
Florida.
A solid understanding of what drives human behavior can give you a stronger
foundation from which to live more effectively with others.

Lecture Titles
1 Solving Psychological Mysteries
2 How Did Human Nature Evolve?
3 Where Do Peoples Personalities
Come From?
4 How Can Siblings Be So Different?
5 Why Do People Need SelfEsteemOr Do They?
6 Why Do We Have Emotions?

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7 What Makes People Happy?


8 Why Are So Many People So Stressed Out?
9 Why Do Hurt Feelings Hurt?
10 Why Do We Make Mountains
out of Molehills?
11 Why Is Self-Control So Hard?
12 Why Do We Forget?

13 Can Subliminal Messages Affect Behavior?


14 Why Do We Dream?
15 Why Are People So Full of Themselves?
16 Do People Have Psychic Abilities?
17 Why Dont Adolescents Behave like Adults?
18 How Much Do Men and
Women Really Differ?

19 Why Do We Care What Others Think of Us?


20 Why Are Prejudice and
Conflict So Common?
21 Why Do People Fall Inand Out ofLove?
22 What Makes Relationships Succeed or Fail?
23 Why Do People Blush?
24 A Few Mysteries We Cant Explain Yet

Understanding the Mysteries of Human Behavior

210-page course
synopsis

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Suggested readings
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BUSINESS & ECONOMICS

new release

Examine the Nature of Uncertainty and


Turn Economic Knowledge into Power

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The Economics
of Uncertainty

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Professor of the Practice, Department of


Economics Connel Fullenkamp
Duke University

Learn how to cope with


economic uncertainty and
risk in these 24 advicefilled lectures from a
master economist.

26

Uncertainty comes from a lack of informationabout a purchase or investment we consider, a potential business partner, or
what the future may hold. It is possible to push back against uncertainty, either by learning how to find the missing information,
or by making the sources of uncertainty more predictable? If uncertainty cant be reduced, how can it be managed?

Insurance: The types of insurance products have skyrocketed


to the point that you could easily spend all of your earnings to
cover possible disasters.
Retirement: Is your retirement
secure if you live to be 100?
What if you suffer a debilitating
chronic disease? How will your
nest egg fare if inflation soars?
Uncertainty also plagues us in
smaller ways. For example, everyone
is familiar with rising prices, but

the Internet now makes it possible


for online shoppers to be charged
more based on their buying history,
adding a new level of unpredictability to pricing. And anytime you
hire someone for a servicefrom
roofing to dentistryyou face the
principal-agent problem, in which
the person hired may take unethical
advantage of your lack of expertise.
Indeed, these large and small
risks are so pervasive that it is all too
easy to conclude that nothing can

be done. But economic uncertainty


is like the weather: you cant stop
storms from happening, but understanding how and why they happen
allows you to be prepared. In the
same way, economic uncertainty is
beyond our control, but were in
a much better position to respond
if we know whats happening and
why.
In 24 practical and empowering
half-hour lectures, The Economics
of Uncertainty takes the mystery

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conomies are deeply complex


systems. The global marketplaceeven national, state
and local economiesinvolve many
economic actors behaving in rational and irrational ways, sustaining
a dizzying array of interconnected
activity. Because of the number of
participants involved in this global
exchange, the unpredictability of
their actions, and the sheer variety
of possible actions, some degree of
economic uncertainty is inevitable.
In one of the most dramatic displays of economic uncertainty in our
times, a wave of toxic loans almost
brought down the American financial system in 2008-2009, and with
it jobs and savings. Few experts forecast this catastrophe, which stands
as a lesson in the power of economic
forces to defy our predictions. This
event may have been exceptional,
but every day we are all at the mercy
of economic uncertainty in matters
such as these:
Stock market: Although the
stock market has a long-term
upward trend, short-term volatility can wipe out a large fraction
of an investors wealth in a single
day.
Careers: No job is safe from
the constant assault of domestic
competition, offshoring, innovation, downsizing, government
regulation, and other factors.

and dread out of uncertainty, giving


you the tools to deal with risk in
every phase of your life. Your guide
is Professor Connel Fullenkamp,
an acclaimed economist and
award-winning teacher at Duke
University, where he is Professor
of the Practice and Director of
Undergraduate Studies in Dukes
nationally ranked Economics
Department.
DEEPEN YOUR KNOWLEDGE
OF ECONOMICS
Gearing his presentation to novices
as well as those with a background
in micro- and macro-economics,
Professor Fullenkamp shows that
the study of uncertainty sheds light
on a wide range of phenomena,
including:
financial markets
business cycles
inflation and deflation
free trade
regulation
strategic thinking
career development
family financial planning
The course also introduces
fundamental ideas in probability,
statistics, and game theory that
give deep insight into the world of
risk and require only high-school
level mathematics. In addition, the
critical thinking skills you acquire
in The Economics of Uncertainty
have broad applications beyond economics. For example, the decision
tree approach to problem solving,
presented in Lecture 7, can come
to the rescue whenever you need to
find the optimum path to any goal,
whether it is selecting your next
vacation destination or choosing the
best college options for your child.
ENJOY THE EXPERTISE OF
A PERSONAL ADVISOR
Governments and large financial institutions rely on teams of
experts to steer them through the
perilous waters of uncertainty. In
The Economics of Uncertainty,
Professor Fullenkamp serves as your
personal advisor, explaining in detail
how uncertainty works and providing valuable tips such as these:
Think critically: Knowing the
two types of probabilityfrequency-based and subjective

helps you judge the claims of


people who appeal to probability
to convince you to take a particular action.
Weigh risk vs. benefit: When
you have to choose between
risky alternatives, start from the
least risky choice and decide how
much extra risk you can tolerate
for a given amount of increased
benefit.
Mix it up: Since you cant
negotiate prices when shopping
online, be unpredictable. Dont
always take the first price youre
offered. Put some items in your
shopping cart and then log off
without buying them.
Cultivate your career:
Companies thrive by having
a comparative advantage over
their competitors. Do the same
in your job by identifying what
you do better than most people.
Then cultivate that strength.
LEARN HOW TO SURVIVE
AND THRIVE
The trick to surviving and thriving
in an uncertain economy is to know
the sources of risk and how much
of a threat they pose. It also helps
to have a guide as experienced, eloquent, and engaging as Professor
Fullenkamp, who, in his consulting
work, has designed and led training
courses for bankers and government officials for the International
Monetary Fund in Washington,
D.C. With The Economics of
Uncertainty, it is your turn to experience his fascinating seminars, covering topics such as these:
Black swans: Popularized by
best-selling author and risk
analyst Nassim Taleb, a black
swan is a rare, baffling event
with great impact. Professor
Fullenkamp analyzes the 2008
financial crisis in light of this
intriguing theory.
Asymmetric information: Often
one party in a transaction has
a monopoly on information
for example, in a used car sale.
Discover how this problem
affects every sector of the economy through adverse selection
and moral hazard.
Compensation: Getting a job
done well is often a matter of
how the payment is made and

what performance incentives are


offered. Evaluate the risks and
rewards of several approaches to
compensation contracts.
Gambling: Even if youve never
bought a lottery ticket or set foot
in a casino, you gamble every
day. Learn how to address economic decisions with a seasoned
gamblers knack for separating
good bets from bad.
One of the most important lessons about uncertainty is that its
built into the world. At times, the
economy may seem like its careening out of control, but we are simply
living through the fluctuating uncertainties that have always been with
us. Theres no reason to despair,
since uncertainty is a phenomenon
that can be understood and managed. Knowledge is power, says
an old proverb. After taking this
invaluable course, youll have the
essential background to manage
your economic life toward a more
secure future.
ABOUT YOUR PROFESSOR
Dr. Connel Fullenkamp is Professor
of the Practice and Director of
Undergraduate Studies in the
Department of Economics at Duke
University. He earned his undergraduate degree from Michigan
State University and his Ph.D.
in Economics from Harvard
University, where he was awarded
a National Science Foundation
Graduate Research Fellowship.
Before joining Duke, Professor
Fullenkamp was a faculty member
in the Department of Finance at
the University of Notre Dames
Mendoza College of Business.
Professor Fullenkamps research
interests include financial market development and regulation,
economic policy, and immigrant
remittances. His work has appeared
in a number of prestigious academic journals, including the Review
of Economic Dynamics, The Cato
Journal, and the Journal of Banking
and Finance. As a consultant for
the International Monetary Fund
Institute for Capacity Development,
Dr. Fullenkamp has trained government officials around the world.
He is also a member of the IMF
Institutes finance team, which

Video Features Include


This course is designed to work well
in both audio and video formats. The
following features are included on video:

Decision trees, graphs, and charts illuminate


the processes of economic informationgathering and decision-making.

On-screen text emphasizes the professors


key points.

The professor uses real-world data to


illustrate important concepts and examples.

trains central bankers and other officials in financial market regulation.


Professor Fullenkamp has
received Duke Universitys Alumni
Distinguished Undergraduate
Teaching Award as well as the
University of Notre Dames
Mendoza College of Business
Outstanding Teacher Award. In
other honors, he was co-recipient
of the third annual ICFR-Financial
Times Research Prize for his work
on international financial regulation.

Over 500 courses and


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www.TheGreatCourses.com

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27

BUSINESS & ECONOMICS

1 Man, Nature, and Economic Uncertainty


Professor Fullenkamp begins with
black swan eventsoccurrences that
are considered as improbable as black
swans. A notable recent example is the
2008 financial crisis. This leads to an
examination of the nature of uncertainty
and the best strategy for dealing with it.
2 Turning Uncertainty into Risk
When faced with
an uncertain
situation, try
turning it into a
risky situation.
Risk is probability.
Knowledge is
power. This may sound counterintuitive,
but its a surprisingly effective approach,
pioneered by University of Chicago
economist Frank Knight. See where it
applies and does not apply in economic
settings.
3 Five Ways to Face the Unknown
In dealing with uncertainty, it makes
sense to have an arsenal of different
strategies. Explore five techniques for
risk management that can be used
in every sphere of life: producing
information, diversifying, sharing risk,
avoiding risk, and absorbing risk. Probe
instructive examples of each.
4 Probability: Frequency or Belief?
Examine two different types of
probability. Frequency-based
probabilities rely on many examples
of a phenomenon, while subjective
probabilities call on personal experience
and judgment, often drawing on relatively
few cases. Learn to think critically about
these two approaches, and know when
to use them.
5 How We Misjudge Likelihood and Risk
Improve your
ability to handle
uncertainty by
studying two
ways that people
reach decisions.
System 1 excels at
making snap judgments, while System
2 is analytical, methodical, and more
time-consuming. Weigh the strengths
and weaknesses of each, focusing on the
problem of estimating probabilities.
6 The Reward in Risk
Having learned to convert uncertainty
to risk in Lecture 2, now go deeper
by investigating how probabilities
can gauge rewards and risks. Test
risk-assessing tools used in finance,
including expected value, variance,
standard deviation, coefficient of
variation, Sharpe ratio, covariance, and
beta.
7 Decision Science Tools
When is a risky project worth doing?
Learn how corporate managers decide
whether they should undertake a new
enterprise. Discover that simple graphic
aids, such as scenario analysis and

28

decision trees, are powerful tools for


weighing risk in both business and daily
life.
8 Gambling Economics
Gambling makes some people nervous,
but it gives valuable insight into any
type of risk-taking activity, including
investing and entrepreneurship. Explore
the role of games of skill and chance in
the economy, and apply their lessons to
activities such as banking and retirement
planning.
9 Game Theory: Reveal or Conceal?
Use game theory to shed light on
strategic interactions, which are
competitive transactions involving
people or organizations. Such
interactions can range from negotiating
the sale of a house to pricing products for
maximum sales. As an example, analyze
an intriguing competition between two
potato chip brands.
10 Adverse Selection: Hiding in Plain Sight
Adverse selection occurs when the lack
of information by one party leads to a
distorted result. See how this situation
surfaces in many different contexts, from
used car sales to investment deals to
Internet purchases. Learn to recognize
the adverse selection trap, and know
how to correct it.
11 Moral Hazard: Whom Do You Trust?
Examine another
outcome of
asymmetric
information: the
moral hazard
problem. This
peril arose
spectacularly in the 2008 financial crisis,
with the widespread sale of bad loans
to unwitting investors. But it also lurks in
many small-scale transactions. Discover
what you can do to combat it.
12 The Principal-Agent Problem:
When Mice Play
Focus on a special case of moral hazard:
the principal-agent problem, in which an
agent is appointed to handle a matter
beyond the expertise of the person
doing the hiring (the principal). The agent
may easily take unfair advantage of this
situation, which covers everything from
home repair to government contracting.

utility function. Also study altruisms


connection to the moral hazard problem.
15 Mayhem! Insurance Protection
Investigate the multitude of ways you can
insure against misfortune, from extended
warranties to travel insurance to
identity-theft protectionnot to mention
health, car, home, and life insurance.
Learn how insurance products work, and
get tips on what you should cover and at
what value.
16 Uncertainty in the Numbers
Statistics are essential tools for dealing
with uncertainty, but they should be used
with caution. Put numbers such as the
unemployment rate and consumer price
index into context, probing how such
statistics are measured and what the
sampling error and confidence interval
say about their reliability.
17 The Business Cycles Wheel of Fortune
Nothing is as
certain and yet so
unpredictable as
the business cycle;
economic
expansion is
invariably followed
by a recessionand vice versabut
economists are at a loss to forecast the
timing. Study different theories of the
business cycle, and learn how to prepare
for the next boom or bust.
18 The Danger of Inflation
Even in times of low inflation, no one
knows when prices will take off again.
Look into the causes of inflation, efforts
to control it, and the surprising wisdom
of promoting a small degree of inflation.
Also examine the disaster of deflation,
which is a generalized drop in prices.
19 Extreme Markets
At any given
moment,
some market
somewhere is
making headlines
because its either
hitting record
highs or crashing down to earth. Learn
how to approach the uncertainty of
financial markets with savvy and common
sense. Focus on strategies that can help
you reach your financial goals.

13 Compensation Traps
Delve into the uncertain realm of
compensation contracts, which ideally
motivate employees to do a good
job, but too often have unintended
consequences. Survey the pluses and
minuses of efficiency wages, piecework,
milestone payments, commissions,
promotions, stock options, and other
incentives.

20 Regulation, Innovation, Excess


Government policies are a major
source of uncertainty, since they can
alter our lives in unpredictable ways.
Study the surprising outcomes from
several government interventions in the
U.S. economy. In particular, look at the
regulatory cycle model, which shows
how a complex system responds to new
regulations.

14 Caring, Sharing, and Risk Bearing


Altruism is more complicated than
simple selflessness. Instead, it may be
the worlds oldest and most effective
risk-sharing system. Discover the power
of viewing altruism as economists doas
a mathematical expression called the

21 Global Trade in Employment


Free trade produces uncertainty and
anxiety in economic players at all
levels. Understand how comparative
advantage governs who benefits in
the competition for international trade.
Then hear Professor Fullenkamps tips

WHY THIS
GREAT COURSE?
Following the 2008 financial crisis,
many of our customers wrote asking
for a course explaining how this disaster happened. To find out more,
we asked a top economist, our popular Great Courses professor Connel
Fullenkamp of Duke University. He
explained that this rare black swan
event resulted from a confluence of
factors that fall under the heading of
economic uncertaintya phenomenon that includes everything from
financial panics to more day-to-day
risks such as inflation, job insecurity, and identity theft. Intrigued, we
asked him to design a course that
covers economic uncertainty at all
levels, focusing on what individuals
can do to protect themselves. We
are proud to say that Dr. Fullenkamp
has delivered in spades, with an intellectually thrilling and practical series of 24 lectures that address the
origins of uncertainty and how we
can tame our anxiety and make our
personal finances more secure. Its a
perfect demonstration of the saying
that knowledge is power.
for how individuals can cultivate their
own comparative advantage in the labor
market.
22 No Limits to Growth
Look at possible catastrophes that are
decades away: alarming trends such as
overpopulation, scarcity of raw materials,
and environmental degradation. Observe
that society has so far escaped the worst
predictions of experts, and explore why
that is and what the future may really
hold.
23 Hedging Business and Personal Risks
Examine tools that
professionals use
to hedge against
financial risk, such
as forward
contracts and
financial options.
Study the suitability of these instruments
for individuals. Then probe a more
flexible strategy: real options, which are
opportunities that can be seized or
declined as conditions warrant.
24 Stress Testing Your Finances
Close by learning how to take the
economic stress test, inspired by
bank evaluations made in the wake of
the 2008 financial crisis. This simple
exercise helps you anticipate the most
significant reversals you are likely to
meet, helping you approach uncertainty
with confidence and calm.

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COURSE CURRICULUM

EXCERPT: LECTURE 3: FIVE WAYS TO FACE THE UNKNOWN

REDUCING UNCERTAINTY BY CREATING INFORMATION


We define uncertainty as a lack of
information. If the problem is lack
of information, then one way to deal
with uncertainty is to obtain more
informationeither by collecting it,
or by drawing inferences from other
information we already possess.
Every piece of information we
produce reduces uncertainty, at
least a little bit. And when I say
produce information, I mean
that literally. We have to expend
resources like time, effort, and
money to gather information and
process it into a usable form. Some
types of information are cheap
to produce, and other types are
expensive. Lets think about how
information is produced. One of
the main ways we do this is by
measuring things. People measure
anything and everything. In other
words, people seem to naturally
want to gather data. And we keep
records of the things we measure.
Why? Well, so we can play with the
numbers! Humans love to compare
numbersinteresting facts and
figures fascinate us. The media
bombards us with factoids, and we
eat them up. And we love to make
picturescharts and graphsout of
the data we gather. We cant help it.
This natural fascination with data
helps people deal with risk. When
we compare numbers, or data in
any form, like pictures, we notice
patterns. And these patterns help
us make inferences about things
that we dont know, and probably
cant ever know directly. We can
make better guesses about what

FREE GUIDEBOOK!
192-page course
synopsis
Photos

will happen in the future by using


patterns in the data.
For example, if youre like me,
youre amazed at how advanced the
science of astronomy was in many
ancient civilizations. People werent
only interested in the stars for the
fun of it, but because they noticed
that the patterns in the stars helped
to predict patterns in the seasons.
In Egypt, astronomy was used to
predict when the Nile River would
flood. In that civilization, this was
the make-or-break economic event
each year, similar to the arrival of
the monsoon in India. Gathering
accurate information about the
movement of the stars and planets
helped reduce uncertainty about
when to plant the crops.
As this example shows, there
can be big payoffs to reducing
uncertainty through producing
information. When we have more
information, we can make better

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The Economics of Uncertainty


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Course No. 5523, 24 LECTURES (30 MINUTES/LECTURE)

Questions to
consider

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Bibliography

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Graphs, tables, &


formulas
Suggested readings

violetkaipa/iStock/Thinkstock.

choices, which in turn increase


production and profits, reduce
losses and waste, and generally
make people a lot better off. Its no
wonder, then, that we devote a huge
amount of resources to producing
information in addition to all the
other things we produce. The
government itself invests billions of
dollars a year into collecting data.
Think about the Census Bureau,
for example, which keeps track of
how many people live in the U.S.
The private sector also gathers vast
amounts of data. Even before the
advent of the internet, gathering
data was essential to running a
modern business. Companies
routinely do test marketing, consult
with focus groups, and conduct
surveys before they commit to new
products. Lots of companies thrive
simply on the business of collecting
and selling data.
Of course, most of the companies

in this business dont just deal in


raw datathat is, lists of numbers
and other information that theyve
collected. They also sell information
that they create, using the data they
collect as raw material. Lets look at
that in a little more detail.
I mentioned that human beings
are great at noticing patterns in
data, and at figuring out how to
use this information to reduce risks.
And Im sure that you and I still
do this in our everyday lives. For
example, a friend of mine who lives
in a big Midwestern city told me
that he makes sure to fill his pickup
truck with gas early in the week,
usually Monday or Tuesday. Thats
because hes noticed that, in his
city, gasoline prices often jump up
by large amounts on Wednesdays
and only gradually come back
down over the weekend. Gas prices
dont always behave this way, but
my friends strategy helps him deal
with the uncertainty caused by not
knowing exactly when gas prices will
rise, or by how much.
Its really not a very big
intellectual leap to go from noticing
patterns in data to creating models
to help us make educated guesses
about information that wed like
to know. When we use models,
all were doing is using a little bit
of math to describe the patterns
more concretely, so that we can
make more precise guesses, and also
make them quickly and easily. For
companies looking for every source
of competitive advantage they can
find, this effort can really pay off.

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BUSINESS & ECONOMICS

Learn How to Invest with Confidence and Success


Understanding Investments
We just changed our investments to another company. At first they were
speaking Greek... but not now! I learned a lot from this course.
Roger Gregory, St. Helena Is, SC

Take control of your financial destiny with this


comprehensive and easy-to-understand guide to the
basics of investing.

hat are your most important financial goals? Sending your kids to college?
Buying a new home? Retiring early?
Having the freedom to not worry
about whether you can afford to buy
a new car or go on vacation?
Its your financial resources that
are the determining factor in how
youre able to answer these and a
host of other questions. And few
things are as important in determining just what those financial
resources are as your understanding
of where and how to invest.
Investing, and the skills to succeed
at it, play critical roles in building
and maintaining your financial
resources. And investment opportunities are available to everyone. No
matter where on your financial timeline you may bewhether youre
just starting out, approaching retirement, or somewhere in between
there is no question that improving
and enhancing your investment skills
can have a positive impact on your
financial life and in turn, your life
goals.
Understanding Investments helps
you do just that. In 24 lectures,
it introduces the fundamentals of
investing to those new to the subject
while broadening and deepening
the knowledge of more experienced
investors. Taught by Professor
Connel Fullenkamp, an award-winning educator from Duke University
who regularly consults in the world
of international finance, these lectures clearly explain the various kinds
of financial markets, the different
kinds of investments available to
you, and the pros and cons of each.
Even more important: The course
shows you how to evaluate each of
these in terms of your own financial
situation.

30

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE
FOR NEWCOMERS AND
EXPERIENCED INVESTORS
If youre a newcomer to investing,
Understanding Investments will give
you the confidenceand specific
toolsto
get your feet wet in the investment world and begin building
your investment portfolio, even if
you have to start small;
better understand the recommendations and advice of more experienced investors and financial
advisors;
develop your own personal
investment plan; and
move toward realizing your
plans goals with as little anxiety
and fear as possible.
And if you happen to be that more
experienced investor, this course will
introduce you to some advanced
investment strategies and
opportunities;
show you how to stay on top of
your portfolio, and
adjust its direction as economic conditionsor your own
planschange.
In addition to making you a more
knowledgeable and confident investor, Understanding Investments
will also help you make sense of the
financial news that makes up an
increasing share of what you read in
our newspapers, watch on television,
or discover on the Internet. And it
will also help you better grasp the
financial condition and performance
of the company at which you work,
which can be invaluable in making
key career decisions.
Using case studies, actual trading
examples, and visual aidsincluding
charts, graphs, and even the step-bystep construction of a simple financial planning spreadsheetProfessor

This course helps you make sense of the vast amount of financial information out
there and use it to your best advantage.

Fullenkamp makes every point clear,


so that no previous knowledge of the
subject is required. Youll learn how
the world of money works in plain
English, with the only insider jargon
being the specific terms you need to
know in order to safely navigate the
investment marketplace and understand what is being offered to you.
LEARN HOW TO INVEST WITH
CONFIDENCE AND SUCCESS
In Understanding Investments, you
learn the essential information every
investor needs to know, including
the basics of the stock market;
investment options like stocks,
bonds, and mutual funds, as
well as other instruments like
exchange-traded funds (or
ETFs) that go beyond these
standard choices;

how to read and understand


stock quotes and indexes;
tools and simple calculation techniques for researching companies
you may be considering as potential investments;
the ins and outs of online investing;
what dividends and stock splits
are really meant to accomplish;
the characteristics of bull and
bear markets;
the importance of regularly reassessing your financial goals;
the management of diversification and risk, including the keys
to avoiding the most common
ways in which these two key
factors are commonly misunderstood; and
the importance of a wellthought-out plan for continuing
to invest after retirement.

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Kamruzzaman Ratan/Getty Images.

Professor of the Practice, Department of Economics


Connel Fullenkamp | Duke University

In addition, Professor Fullenkamp


makes a point of discussing some of
the latest findings in behavioral economics so you can grasp the psychological forces investors face in various
investment situations. These forces
may be contributing to any decisions
you make, and understanding their
presence is an important defense
against going in the wrong direction,
even to the point of inadvertently
sabotaging your investments.
For example, weve all seen the
fortunes made by those lucky enough
to be in on the initial public offeringsor IPOsof companies that
went on to become enormous successes. And most of us would plead
guilty to dreaming of getting in on
the ground floor of the next startup
that goes on to become a Coca-Cola
or an Apple or a Microsoft.
But if you ever have the opportunity to invest in a startup, youll
be grateful for the tools Professor
Fullenkamp gives you to wade
through the complexities and psychological hazards. He shows you
how to objectively evaluate a startup,
determine its possibilities for success,
and decidewith as little emotion as
possible, and with full awareness of
what psychological forces might be
at playwhether it warrants a place
in your portfolio.
Youll be using the same skills this
course has been designed to give you

Although its easy to put off investing until later, tackling it early can turn time into your greatest ally in reaping financial
rewards.

when you evaluate any investment


opportunityskills that will allow
you to invest with as little fear and
as much confidence as possible.
And, as your professor notes, thats
the whole idea. Because investing
looks complicated and risky, most
people dont feel well-prepared
to make investment decisions,
Professor Fullenkamp says. And
when we dont feel prepared to

Investments can be, long before you


ever stride into that financial marketplace, the smartest investment
you make.

make decisions, we put them off, if


we can. And its so easy to put off
investing decisions, because theres
no real deadline.
But putting off investing is one of
the biggest mistakes that people make
with their personal finances. It turns
time, which can be one of your best
allies, into your worst enemy.
By showing you a way around
this mistake, Understanding

ABOUT YOUR PROFESSOR


Dr. Connel Fullenkamp is Professor
of the Practice and Director of
Undergraduate Studies in the
Economics Department at Duke
University.

Lecture Titles
1
2
3
4
5
6

How to Stop Worrying and Start Investing


How Investors Make Money
Starting with Stocks
The Basics of Bonds
Introduction to Mutual Funds
What Are Exchange-Traded Funds?

FREE GUIDEBOOK!
224-page course
synopsis
Photos, tables, &
charts
Suggested readings

Topic
Business
& Economics

Subtopic
Economics

Understanding
Investments
Professor Connel Fullenkamp
Duke University

Questions to
consider
Glossary

7 Financial Statement Analysis


8 P/E Ratios and the Method of Comparables
9 Fundamentals-Based Analysis of Stocks
10 Startup Companies and IPOs
11 Why Should You Care about Dividends?
12 Using Leverage

19 Cycles and Market Timing


20 Deciding When to Sell
21 Risk, Return, and Diversification
22 Time Value of Money
23 Financial Planning
24 Taking Charge of Your Investments

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Understanding Investments
SHOULD I BUY AUDIO OR VIDEO?

Course No. 5724, 24 LECTURES (30 MINUTES/LECTURE)

This course was originally developed for


video. The Soundtrack is the entire audio
portion of the video course. It contains
references to visual images, animations,
graphics and content designed for the video
experience.

DVD $254.95
Video Download
$214.95
CD Soundtrack
$179.95
Digital Soundtrack $129.95
Full Transcript of Course: $34.95

Bibliography
iStockphoto/Thinkstock.

13 Choosing Bonds
14 Bond School
15 Picking Mutual Funds
16 Investing in Foreign Assets
17 Options Are for Everyone
18 Real Estate and Commodities

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Purchase Set No. 5524:

Understanding Investments and The Economics of Uncertainty (p. 26)

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31

BUSINESS & ECONOMICS

Learn How to Think like an Economist


Thinking like an Economist: A Guide to Rational Decision Making
Professor of Economics Randall Bartlett | Smith College

Discover why thinking like an economist can give you


newfound confidence in a range of financial and personal
situations. With Thinking like an Economist: A Guide to
Rational Decision Making, youll learn how to identify the
varied situations in which economics affects your lifeand

how to wield the tools economists use to help you make the
wisest choices in those situations. Award-winning Professor
Randall Bartletts 12 lectures are perhaps the most practical
economics course youll ever take.

Lecture Titles
1 The Economists Tool Kit6 Principles
2 The Economists Tool Kit3 Core Concepts
3 The Myth of True Value

FREE GUIDEBOOK!
64-page course
synopsis

4 Incentives and Optimal Choice


5 False Incentives, Real Harm
6 The Economics of Ignorance

This course is designed to work well in both


audio and video formats.

Key points

10 Think AgainEvaluating Risk in Purchasing


11 Behavioral EconomicsWhat
Are We Thinking?
12 Acting like an Economist

Thinking like an Economist: A Guide to Rational Decision Making


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Photos & illustrations

7 Playing the OddsReason in a Risky World


8 The Economics of Information
9 A Matter of TimePredicting Future Values

Glossary
Bibliography

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Audio CD
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Audio Download
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Full Transcript of Course: $15.00

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Special Set Offer: Save Big when you buy the following two courses together

up
to

Purchase Set No. 5533:

Thinking like an Economist: A Guide to Rational Decision Making (above) and


Behavioral Economics: When Psychology and Economics Collide (below)

Audio formats
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Uncover the Hidden Structures in Decision Making


Behavioral Economics: When Psychology and Economics Collide
Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience Scott Huettel | Duke University

Behavioral economics is the scientific study of decision


making, and of the related topics of valuation, exchange,
and interpersonal interactions. Drawing on methods from
psychology, sociology, neurology, and economics, this
remarkable discipline illuminates one of the most deeply
fundamental activities of human existence: the decision
process. In Behavioral Economics: When Psychology and
Economics Collide, award-winning Professor Scott Huettel

of Duke University leads you in a penetrating look at the


processes of decision making that are an integral part of
human life. In 24 revealing lectures, youll study how behavioral economists look at decision making and explore a set
of core principles that offer profound insight into how we
gather information and integrate multiple factors to reach
decisions.

1
2
3
4
5
6

What Is a Good Decision?


The Rise of Behavioral Economics
Reference DependenceIts All Relative
Reference DependenceEconomic Implications
Range EffectsChanging the Scale
Probability Weighting

FREE GUIDEBOOK!
192-page course
synopsis
Photos & illustrations
Suggested readings
Questions to
consider
Bibliography

7 RiskThe Known Unknowns


8 AmbiguityThe Unknown Unknowns
9 Temporal DiscountingNow or Later?
10 ComparisonApples and Oranges
11 Bounded RationalityKnowing Your Limits
12 Heuristics and Biases

13
14
15
16
17
18

Randomness and Patterns


How Much Evidence Do We Need?
The Value of Experience
Medical Decision Making
Social DecisionsCompetition and Coordination
Group Decision MakingThe Vox Populi

Behavioral Economics: When Psychology and Economics Collide


SHOULD I BUY AUDIO OR VIDEO?

This course is designed to work well in both


audio and video formats.

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NOW $59.95
Audio CD
$179.95
NOW $49.95
Audio Download
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NOW $34.95
Full Transcript of Course: $25.00

32

19 Giving and HelpingWhy Altruism?


20 Cooperation by Individuals and in Societies
21 When Incentives Backfire
22 PrecommitmentSetting Rationality Aside
23 FramingMoving to a Different Perspective
24 Interventions, Nudges, and Decisions

Audio formats
include FREE
audio streaming

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Video formats
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video streaming

Photographers Choice/Getty Images; ImageTeam/Shutterstock.

Lecture Titles

BETTER LIVING

new release

Take Your Grilling Skills to the Next Level

The Everyday Gourmet: How to Master Outdoor Cooking


Chef-Instructor Bill Briwa and Chef-Instructor Patrick Clark | The Culinary Institute of America

Steak. Asparagus. Pineapple. On a pleasant day, nothing


beats firing up the grill for a great meal. Most of us, however, dont take full advantage of outdoor cooking.
Whether youre a novice or you have a wide range of
skills, The Everyday Gourmet: How to Master Outdoor
Cooking will boost your culinary repertoire and let you take
full advantage of the grill. Taught by Bill Briwa and Patrick
Clark, two chefs at The Culinary Institute of America, these

twelve lectures are filled with demonstrations of techniques


from around the world that will liven up your meals.
The beauty of outdoor cooking is in using simple tools
and your own sensual awareness of the process to make delicious food. Whether its the feel of heat from the grill, the
sweet smell of fire-roasted onions, or the sound of a sizzling
steak over flame, all of your senses play a role in success with
the grill.

Lecture Titles

1 The Art of Grilling


2 Grilled Vegetable Starters and Salads
3 Flatbreads and Pizza on the Grill

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synopsis
Full-color
photographs

4 Grilling Seafood
5 Mediterranean-Style Grilling
6 Grilling Poultry

7 Latin AmericanStyle Grilling


8 Grilling Lamb and Beef
9 Asian-Style Grilling

10 Grilling Veggie Savories and Sides


11 The American Tradition of Barbecue
12 EntertainingGrilling for a Group

The Everyday Gourmet: How to Master Outdoor Cooking

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Course No. 9271, 12 LECTURES (30 MINUTES/LECTURE)

Because of the highly visual nature of the


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Recipes

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Let a Master Pastry Chef Teach You How to Bake like a Pro
The Everyday Gourmet: Baking Pastries and Desserts
Pastry Instructor Stephen L. Durfee | The Culinary Institute of America

Get a quick, easy, and comprehensive guide to the fundamentals of baking like a professional with The Everyday
Gourmet: Baking Pastries and Desserts. These six lessons
invite you to join Chef Stephen L. Durfee, an award-winning pastry chef and instructor from the famed Culinary
Institute of America, as he demonstrates tried-and-true
methods for baking everything from simple cookies and

cakes to custards, cream puffs, and chocolate mousse. Filmed


on site at the CIAs Greystone campus in Napa Valley and
packed with dynamic studio demonstrations and opportunities to work hands-on in your own kitchen, these lessons
give the novice and master baker alike practical tips and
insights straight from one of the worlds most respected culinary schools.

Johner Images/age fotostock; Branislav Senic/Alamy.

Lecture Titles

1 Handle with CareBasic Doughs

4 Lighter Than AirCream Puffs

2 Mixing It UpMethods for Cakes

5 Simple to ElegantCustards

3 Blue-Ribbon WinnersPies and Biscuits

6 Final TouchesMousse and Dessert Sauces

FREE COMPANION
BOOK!
80-page course
synopsis
Full-color
photographs
Recipes & shopping
lists
Tasting exercises
Glossary
Bibliography

I really enjoyed learning techniques for cooking and


baking. Easy learning.
Lori Baldwin, Mason, WI

The Everyday Gourmet: Baking Pastries and Desserts

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Course No. 9253, 6 LECTURES (30 MINUTES/LECTURE)

Because of the highly visual nature of the


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33

BETTER LIVING

Learn the Craft of Photography from


Technical Basics to Honing Your Photographers Eye
Fundamentals of Photography
Joel Sartore
Photographer, National Geographic Fellow

Get an in-depth and highly


interactive tutorial on how
to take better photographs
in this 24-lecture course
taught by an awardwinning photographer
with more than 30 years of
experience.

hotographs are more than


just snapshots. When taken
the right way, they become
dramatic personal statements with
the power to last forever. They can
transport you to distant landscapes,
capture fleeting emotions, recall
cherished memories, reveal the
beauty of daily life, and even change
the world.
But when many of us take photographs, we simply point our cameras
and click without being aware of
what were doing, what were seeing,

Two trusted names in lifelong


learningThe Great Courses
and National Geographichave
joined forces to bring you exciting
educational adventures.

34

truly capture everything you see


and feel about a particular moment
in time.
With Fundamentals of
Photography, youll learn everything
you need to know about the art and
craft of great photography straight
from a professional photographer
with more than 30 years of experience. Designed for people at all levels, these 24 lectures are an engaging

guide to how photographs work and


how to make them work better for
you. Photographer and National
Geographic Fellow Joel Sartore has
crafted a course that will hone your
photographers eye so you can capture the greatest moments in nearly
every situation and setting imaginable, from a field of flowers to a
friends birthday party to a grand
mountain range. Taking you both
inside the photographers studio and

out into the field, this course is a


chance to learn, in a way anyone can
grasp, the basic insights and hidden
secrets of photography.
LEARN HOW TO SEE JUST
AS A PROFESSIONAL DOES
Whatever camera you have, I
can guarantee that you can make
great pictures, says Mr. Sartore.
The first and most important lessons you learn in Fundamentals of

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iStockphoto/Thinkstock.

or how we can do it better.


Whether you take photos as
a hobby or for a living, whether
youre shooting indoors or outdoors,
whether youre using a simple digital
camera or the latest high-tech lensesunderstanding:
how to use the power of your
cameras settings;
how to create or capture the
right lighting and angles;
how to handle difficult situations such as poor lighting or
fast-moving subjects; and
how to plan a photo shoot
can lead you to start taking more
dynamic photographsones that

Learn to Think like


a Photographer

Framing and Layering

Frames. Leading lines. The eyes of


your subject. Layers. Learn how paying
attention toand usingthese and
other compositional tools can isolate
the true subject of your photo and add
a strong sense of dimension.

Lighting

Great lighting is the first key to a


great photograph. Youll learn tips
for manipulating different sources of
light (including firelight, reflectors, and
spotlights).

Composition

How do you truly capture the beauty


of the three-dimensional world
around you? The answer lies within
composition.

adjusted appropriately, can solve


Photography involve seeing and
basic compositional problems;
thinking just like the professionals
who make taking perfect shots seem
lenses, which can do everything
like second nature.
from blurring distracting backgrounds to providing sweeping,
Mr. Sartore teaches you the three
wide-angle shots.
features any photographer needs to
have in place before snapping a shot:
Mr. Sartore also lets you in on
personal tricks of the trade; here are
Great lighting
just three of the many tips youll
Solid visual composition
get:
An interesting perspective on
Bring out more detail in dark
your subject
objects by shooting them in soft,
By paying attention to these
shaded light.
aspects (with help from well over
Embrace the idea that not every1,000 dramatic photos from Mr.
thing in your photograph has to
Sartores award-winning portfolio),
be in focus.
youll be better able to take the
Make people look powerful
kinds of photographs that surpass
when shooting them outdoors
their original situation and actually
against a horizon by placing the
mean something to you and others.
horizon line well below their
A PHOTOGRAPHERS TOOLKIT
heads.
In the first half of Fundamentals of
START LEARNING TODAY
Photography, youll become better
acquainted with the basic features of Fundamentals of Photography is
one of the only places you can get
cameras and how each plays a role
in creating great photographs. Using such an in-depth and highly internontechnical language, Mr. Sartore active look at this popular subject.
Unlike a textbook or manual, this
explains essential tools such as
course is a hands-on learning expe shutter speed, which controls
rience that invites you to grab your
how much light enters your
camera and start shooting.
lenss aperture and which, at a
So start making your own phofast setting, is perfect for capturtographs more lasting and meaning quick action;
ingful by learning how to capture
aperture, which plays a critical
role in how much of your photo moments and memories in a more
impactful way with Fundamentals
is in focus and which, when
of Photography.

Video Features Include

On-screen demonstrations of how to


read and use the powerful tools that
modern digital cameras possess

Explanations of the different lenses


available for cameras and when and
how to use them

Demonstrations of techniques used by


professional photographers to solve
location problems or create interesting
new approaches to their subjects

Lecture Titles
1
2
3
4
5
6
7

Making Great Pictures


Camera EquipmentWhat You Need
Lenses and Focal Length
Shutter Speeds
Aperture and Depth of Field
Light IFound or Ambient Light
Light IIColor and Intensity

FREE GUIDEBOOK!
167-page course
synopsis
Photographs

Courtesy of Joel Sartore.

Suggested readings
Photo assignments
Bibliography

Topic
Better Living

Subtopic
Art & Leisure

Fundamentals
of Photography
Joel Sartore
Photographer, National Geographic Fellow

8 Light IIIIntroduced Light


9 Composition ISeeing Well
10 Composition IIBackground
and Perspective
11 Composition IIIFraming and Layering
12 Lets Go to WorkLandscapes
13 Lets Go to WorkWildlife

14 Lets Go to WorkPeople
and Relationships
15 Lets Go to WorkMundane
to Extraordinary
16 Lets Go to WorkSpecial Occasions
17 Lets Go to WorkFamily Vacations
18 Advanced TopicsResearch
and Preparation

19 Advanced TopicsMacro Photography


20 Advanced TopicsLow Light
21 Advanced TopicsProblem Solving
22 After the SnapWorkflow
and Organization
23 EditingChoosing the Right Image
24 Telling a Story with Pictures
The Photo Essay

Sale Ends 06/25/15!

Fundamentals of Photography
AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY ON VIDEO

Course No. 7901, 24 LECTURES (30 MINUTES/LECTURE)

Because of the highly visual nature of the


subject matter, this course is available
exclusively on video.

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Full Transcript of Course: $25.00

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35

BETTER LIVING

Explore the Remarkable Brain Science behind


Meditation with a Clinical Psychologist from Harvard
The Science of Mindfulness:
A Research-Based
Path to Well-Being
Professor of Psychology Ronald D. Siegel
Harvard Medical School and
Cambridge Health Alliance

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TO

$190

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Study the brain science


underlying traditional
wisdom practices
of meditation and
mindfulness and experience
their extraordinary effects
in your own life.

36

Human brains are built to remember and anticipate bad experiences more than good ones, and drive us to pursue pleasure
and flee from pain. Mindfulness practices can help us calm the distress these impulses cause.

so many of the problems we struggle


with, actually provide a solution?
Now, in the 24 fascinating lectures of The Science of Mindfulness,
Professor Ronald D. Siegel, a clinical psychologist on the faculty of
Harvard Medical School, reveals the
science behind mindfulness in compelling detail and demonstrates its
application to an extraordinary range
of human problemspsychological,
social, and medical. Youll closely
examine the neurobiology involved,
leaving you with a clear knowledge
of the science underlying ancient
practices that are now profoundly
influencing the contemporary world.
And youll learn many practical ways
you can use mindfulness techniques
in your own life.

AN EMPIRICAL INNER SCIENCE


We are now in the midst of an
explosion of scientific research
demonstrating that mindfulness
practice changes both the function and the structure of the brain.
Numerous studies, using such technologies as EEG and MRI, show
which parts of the brain are affected
by mindfulness practice, and how
these neurobiological changes benefit
our minds and bodies.
Youll learn the science underlying
mindfulness in topics such as:
Neurobiology and well-being:
Learn how, when were worried, our brain activity tends to
center on the amygdala and the
right prefrontal cortex, whereas
left prefrontal cortical activity correlates with happiness,

engagement, and contentment.


Examine research demonstrating
that sustained mindfulness practice activates this left prefrontal
region.
The science of self-preoccupation: Learn about the human
brains default mode network,
a neural system thats activated
during stressful thinking about
ourselves, centered in the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC). Grasp
how mindfulness techniques
dramatically affect the PCC, quieting this hub of self-referential
thinking.
A STUNNING RANGE
OF APPLICATIONS
One result of these scientific findings
is that mindfulness practices have
been adopted into mainstream psy-

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Viktoriya/Shutterstock.

ave you ever noticed that


trying to calm down before
a high-stakes event often
just produces more agitation? That
trying to change troublesome habits
can seem difficult or impossible? Or
that real fulfillment and well-being
can be elusive, despite living a successful life?
A surprising number of such
difficulties stem from an inherited
propensity of the human brainour
automatic, hardwired tendency to
seek pleasure and to anticipate and
avoid pain. Modern science demonstrates that this mental hardwiring,
traceable to the survival needs of
our earliest ancestors, is at the root
of many of the psychological and
behavioral problems that we face
today.
For thousands of years, people
have used mindfulness practices
techniques to develop awareness of
present experience with acceptance
to deal effectively with a wide range
of life challenges. And, a large and
fascinating body of scientific research
now validates the remarkable benefits
of mindfulness practice for psychological as well as physical health.
But how exactly does mindfulness
work, in scientific terms? How can
understanding the science and practice of mindfulness improve everyday
life? And how can the human brain,
whose very functioning gives rise to

WHY THIS
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and meditation work in terms of the
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of Harvard Medical School, a clinical psychologist who has taught at
Harvard for over 30 years. He is a
leading expert on the modern uses
of mindfulness in psychology and
healthcare, and he himself is a longtime student of mindfulness practices. His extraordinary work demonstrates both a profound knowledge
of traditional understandings of
mindfulness and the neurobiology
of mindfulness and its modern applications in cognitive science. It would
be hard to imagine a better guide
than Dr. Siegel, and we believe that
anyone who takes this course will be
enthralled to learn about the current
wide-scale adoption of mindfulness
techniques by Western science, and
their phenomenal promise as a tool
for well-being.

chotherapy and many other healthcare settings, showing effectiveness


for a stunning range of conditions.
Youll explore how mindfulness prac-

tices are used to treat a wide variety


the body, useful for working with
of psychological and behavioral difchallenges of illness and aging.
ficulties that can interfere with leadAs Professor Siegel makes clear in
ing a rich and fulfilling life, such as
these lectures, mindfulness practice
depression, compulsive and addictive trains us to bring deep awareness to
behaviors, chronic pain, and stress.
the present momentto become
more fully conscious of our unfoldA GUIDE FOR PRACTICE
ing sensory and mental experience as
While this course delves deepit arises. This mindful awareness, as
ly into the neuroscience behind
research clearly shows, can profoundmindfulness, research shows that,
ly change our relationship to all of
like physical fitness, the benefits of
our experience. With more than
mindfulness come from practicing
three decades of success teaching
it. With this in mind, Professor
mindfulness practices and explorSiegel also teaches you a wide array
ing their scientific underpinnings,
of mindfulness techniques, encouragProfessor Siegel is an ideal guide.
ing and helping you to practice both
with him, and on your own. These
TEACHING OF UNCOMMON
techniques, several of which are also THOROUGHNESS AND DEPTH
provided, for enhanced practice, on
With a penetrating knowledge of
supplementary audio tracks with the both ancient mindfulness traditions
course, include:
and their modern uses, Professor
Breath Awareness Practice: a
Siegel reveals the striking intersecfoundational formal meditation
tions between traditional Buddhist
practice and one of the simplest
psychology and Western cognitive
ways to calm and integrate the
science, showing how mindfulness
mind and body;
practices can allow you to perceive
the fluid nature of the self and the
Loving-Kindness Practice: a
fundamental practice for cultivat- reality of your own profound intering acceptance, both toward the connectedness with the world.
contents of your own mind and
This playful, caring, and brillianttoward others;
ly designed course places in full view
3-Minute Breathing Space a
the impact and relevance of mindpractice useful in moments of
fulness techniques in responding
acute distress; and
effectively to many of humanitys
Befriending the Changes: a med- most fundamental psychological and
existential problems. Revolutionary
itation on the impermanence of
in its implications, The Science of

Video Features Include


Available in both audio and video
formats, the video versions include
numerous images and diagrams, and
several animations of the brain.

On-screen text helps you follow along


with the key points the professor
discusses in each lecture.

Diagrams help you follow along the


process of mindfulness practice.

Mindfulness shows you how these


techniques can radically transform
the mind, the heart, and the experience of everyday lifejoining
ancient wisdom practices and scientific methodology in forging new
possibilities for living.

Lecture Titles
1
2
3
4
5
6

Why Mindfulness Matters


Our Troublesome Brains
Informal, Formal, and Intensive Practices
Who Am I? The Perils of Self
Mindfulness or Psychotherapy?
Attention and Empathy in Relationships

FREE GUIDEBOOK!
208-page course
synopsis
Photos &
illustrations

7 The Science of Compassion and Self-Compassion


8 Tailoring Practices to Fit Changing Needs
9 Modifying Our Brain Function and Structure
10 SolitudeAn Antidote to Loneliness
11 Connecting with Children and Adolescents
12 Seeing Sadness and Depression in a New Light

13
14
15
16
17
18

Befriending Fear, Worry, and Anxiety


Transforming Chronic Pain
Placebos, Illness, and the Power of Belief
Interrupting Addiction and Troublesome Habits
Overcoming Traumas Large and Small
Groundbreaking Mindfulness Programs

19 The Neurobiology of Self-Preoccupation


20 Growing Up Isnt EasyFacing Impermanence
21 Toward a Science of Wisdom
22 The Promise of Enlightenment
23 Mindful Ethics as a Path to Freedom
24 The New Science of Happiness

The Science of Mindfulness: A Research-Based Path to Well-Being


SHOULD I BUY AUDIO OR VIDEO?

This course is designed to work well in both


audio and video formats.

Course No. 9303, 24 LECTURES (30 MINUTES/LECTURE)

Questions to
consider

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$234.95 NOW $69.95
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$199.95 NOW $59.95
Audio Download
$149.95
NOW $44.95

Bibliography

Full Transcript of Course: $25.00

Mindfulness
practices
Suggested readings

Sale Ends 06/25/15!

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SAVE $397

Purchase Set No. 522:

The Science of Mindfulness: A Research-Based Path to Well-Being and Essentials of Tai Chi and Qigong (p. 38)

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37

BETTER LIVING

Master the Art of Moving Meditation and Improve


Your Physical Fitness and Mental Well-Being
Essentials of Tai Chi
and Qigong

ORDER TODAY

SAVE UP
TO

David-Dorian Ross
International Master Tai Chi Instructor

$190

Sale Ends June 25

Science shows that tai


chi and qigong are good
medicine and good
exercise. Discover the
secrets of health and
serenity with these 24
in-depth lessons from a
renowned tai chi champion
and instructor.

38

For thousands of years, tai chi and qigong have been studied together as the ultimate workout for body, mind, and spirit. Now,
millions of people around the world enjoy these ancient practices for health, exercise, meditation, and even self-defense.

daily life dissolve away.


The documented medical effects
of tai chi and qigong include
improved heart, lung, bone, and
mental health, and an enhanced
immune system.
Tai chi and qigong require no
equipment. You can do them
anywhere and need only enough
space for an ox to lie down, as
the traditional expression puts it.
Essentials of Tai Chi and Qigong
is a complete introduction to the
practice, history, benefits, and philosophy of these rewarding activities. In 24 lessons, you learn the
fundamentals of tai chi and qigong
from an internationally renowned
tai chi champion and trainer, David-

Dorian Ross, who has been practicing tai chi for more than 35 years.
No other presentation of these
venerable arts is as comprehensive
and enjoyable. Unfailingly friendly and helpful, Mr. Ross explains
each movement in easy-to-follow
steps. He has a gift for anticipating
a beginners questions, leaving no
doubt about how you should be
positioned for each pose.
And where other video products
exist that emphasize mimicking an
instructors choreography, which
can end in boredom or burnout, this
course is a multi-layered combination of practical instruction aimed at
physical and mental health, togeth-

er with deep insight into how to


motivate and enrich movement and
mindfulness in your own life, using
the best of qigong and tai chi.
Those already experienced in tai
chi and qigong will gain an unprecedented scope of understanding and
will find Mr. Rosss mindset and
detailed instructions invaluable for
refining their own skills. And his
presentation of background topics,
such as Chinese philosophy, medicine, and martial arts history, will
enrich the practice of tai chi and
qigong for everyone.
MASTER THE WORLDS MOST
POPULAR TAI CHI ROUTINE
Each lesson of Essentials of Tai Chi

SALE ENDS 06/25/15


ORDER TODAY!
1-800-832-2412

MongPro/Shutterstock; Flas100/Shutterstock.

f youve ever seen a group of


people moving in exquisitely
graceful dance-like exercises in
your local park, gym, or community center, you have witnessed the
ancient Chinese arts of tai chi (taiji)
and qigong. These ordinary people
are improving their health, strength,
balance, concentration, and mental
well-beingand they are having
fun while doing it! Best of all, you
can enjoy all these benefits yourself,
regardless of your current level of
physical fitness.
Tai chi is a philosophy of balance
and a pinnacle of the martial arts,
known as tai chi chuan (or taijiquan), which means the ultimate
martial art. Qigong, which is traditionally studied alongside tai chi,
means energy exercise. Together,
these two disciplines are transforming the way people take care of
themselves. No need for high-intensity workouts that focus on a limited
set of muscles and leave you feeling
drained. Instead there is a better,
centuries-old way to exercise that
has these advantages:
The slow-motion moves of tai
chi and qigong utilize more of
your muscles than other exercises, giving you a total-body
workout.
Tai chi and qigong are meditation in motion. You lose yourself in the rhythmic flow of the
forms. Anxiety and the cares of

Video Features Include

Each pose is shown from many different


angles so you can be sure you are
positioning yourself correctly.

On-screen text reminds you of the


important aspects of each pose.

Chinese text is also included to enrich your


learning experience.

and Qigong starts with a standing


qigong exercise to get you energized. In the middle, you perform
an easy tai chi movement to get you
into the flow. You conclude each

lesson with a posture from the Yang


family short form, the best known
of the different tai chi styles. The
24-movement Yang family short
form, often called simply the short
form, is the most widely recognized
and performed tai chi routine in the
world. When you see tai chi practitioners in the parkfrom Beijing
to San Francisco to Paristhey are
most likely doing the short form.
By mastering one segment of the
short form in each lesson, you will
be able to join them, and even step
out on your own, in no time!
The short form includes such
memorable movements as Parting
the Wild Horses Mane, White
Crane Spreads Wings, and Waving
Hands Like Clouds. The names are
mnemonics to help you remember
the graceful shapes you create as
you take a step, turn, raise your
arms, and then move forward, back,
or to the side, making a distinctive
figure depending on the movement.
One posture beautifully merges
with the next, with moves that are
the foundation for many other tai
chi routines.
You also learn about four other
family styles of tai chi, as well as
personal modifications you can
make so that tai chi and qigong will
work for you, no matter what your
level of fitness or flexibility. You
even investigate rudimentary weap-

ons exercises, as well as a two-person exercise of tai chi, called push


hands, that you play with a partner.
GET IN BALANCE AND
IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH
Studies by Harvard Medical School
and other research centers show
that tai chi and qigong have a wide
range of health benefits. These
include:
Lower blood pressure
Lower cholesterol
Weight loss
Relief of back pain
Managing chronic disease
Better balance
TAKE A JOURNEY OF
HEALTH AND FULFILLMENT
Impressively graceful, Mr. Ross
looks like he was born to do
Chinese martial arts. But its inspiring to know that he was never athletic growing up; that as an adult
he couldnt sit still long enough to
meditate in a seated posture, yet he
fell in love with the moving meditation of tai chi; and that he has gone
on to win the highest awards ever
given to an American for international tai chi performance.
Theres no reason you cant take a
similar journey of health and fulfillment. The best way to begin, says
this consummate practitioner and
guide, is to find a joy in the basic

WHY THIS
GREAT COURSE?
After we introduced our popular
courses on yoga, mindfulness,
and natural healing, customers
told us they wanted a similar indepth treatment of tai chi, which
has been hailed as one of the
best exercises you can ever do
by Harvard Medical Schools
HEALTHbeat newsletter.
We found a truly outstanding
instructor in David-Dorian Ross
an innovative martial arts teacher,
world-class tai chi competitor, host
of PBS programs on tai chi, and
co-investigator for a Harvard Medical School study looking at the
stress-reduction benefits of tai chi.
Ross was delighted with the
prospect of treating his lifes ruling
passion in greater detail than any
existing television show or video
production, and he suggested that
we also cover qigong, the ideal
companion practice to tai chi. You
will find his lessons energizing, relaxing, and fascinating.

rhythms. All you have to do is put


one foot forward and start. Take
that step and experience the joy of
movement yourself with Essentials
of Tai Chi and Qigong.

Lecture Titles
1
2
3
4
5
6
7

The Snake and the Crane


First Steps in a Journey
Harmony and Balance
The Ultimate Martial Art
The Five Families of Tai Chi Practice
Qigong and the Five Animal Frolics
Energy ExerciseA Branch
of Chinese Medicine

FREE GUIDEBOOK!
160-page course
synopsis
Suggested readings
Activities
Bibliography

8 The First Pillar of PracticeForms


9 The Second PillarPush Hands for Two
10 The Third PillarStanding Meditation
11 Benefits to the Heart and Immune System
12 A Healthy Weight and a Healthy Mind
13 Tai Chi LegendsStories of the Masters
14 Reading the Tai Chi Classics

15 A Superior WorkoutUse
More of Your Muscles
16 Eight Pieces of Brocade and a Better Back
17 Tai Chi WeaponsWhen
Hands Are Not Empty
18 Using the MindInner
Organizing Principles
19 Mental and Physical Flow

20 Creating Space for Choices


21 Flow at WorkWhen Business Is in Balance
22 Energy Flow in Your Surroundings
23 Taking Practice Deeper
24 The Evolution of Tai Chi

Essentials of Tai Chi and Qigong

Sale Ends 06/25/15!

AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY ON VIDEO

Course No. 1908, 24 LECTURES (30 MINUTES/LECTURE)

Because of the highly visual nature of the


subject matter, this course is available
exclusively on video.

DVD $269.95
NOW $79.95
Video Download

$234.95

Full Transcript of Course: $25.00

Special Set Offer: Save Big when you buy the following two courses together

SAVE $397

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Essentials of Tai Chi and Qigong and The Science of Mindfulness: A Research-Based Path to Well-Being (p. 36)

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NOW $69.95

All formats
include FREE
video streaming

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39

BETTER LIVING

Understand the Impact of Disease and Injury on Your


Body and Learn about Its Remarkable Healing Powers
The Human Body: How We Fail, How We Heal
Professor of Medicine Anthony A. Goodman, M.D., F.A.C.S. | Montana State University

Your body is a fortress under constant assault. Infectious diseases, parasites, environmental toxins, physical trauma, allergens, and natural disasters are some external enemies it faces.
From the inside, it is threatened by the cellular mutations
that produce cancer. Fortunately, the bodys defenses are
remarkably successful, and most of the time we are unaware

of the intense drama taking place within our cells and


organs. This course explores the many ways the body meets
the challenges of disease and injury with remarkable defenses
and restorative powers, and how, in some cases, it may either
overreact or fail.

Lecture Titles
1
2
3
4
5
6

How We Fail
Cell BiologyIntroduction and Definitions
InflammationBasic Principles
The Inflammatory Response
InflammationClinical Manifestations
The Immune Response

FREE GUIDEBOOK!
120-page course
synopsis
Questions to
consider
Bibliography

7 The Immune Response Continued


8 Hypersensitivity and the Allergic Response
9 Infectious DiseasesGeneral Introduction
10 Bacteria
11 Viruses
12 Spirochetes, Rickettsiae, Chlamydiae, Prions

13 Malaria
14 Schistosomiasis, Filariasis, Tapeworms
15 Infectious DiseasesTreatment
16 Infectious DiseasesTriumph and Failure
17 ShockPrinciples and Hypovolemic Shock
18 Categories of Shock

19 CancerThe Enemy Within


20 Environmental Carcinogens
21 Mechanisms of Carcinogenesis
22 Invasion, Metastasis, and Angiogenesis
23 TreatmentSurgery, Radiation, Chemotherapy
24 How We Heal

Sale Ends 06/25/15!

The Human Body: How We Fail, How We Heal


AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY ON VIDEO

Course No. 1564, 24 LECTURES (30 MINUTES/LECTURE)

Because of the highly visual nature of the


subject matter, this course is available
exclusively on video.

DVD $254.95
NOW $69.95
Video Download

$214.95

NOW $59.95

All formats
include FREE
video streaming

Full Transcript of Course: $25.00

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Special Set Offer: Save Big when you buy the following two courses together

up
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Purchase Set No. 1951:

The Human Body: How We Fail, How We Heal (above) and Nutrition Made Clear (p. 41)

DVD $629.90
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Video Download
$534.90 NOW $129.90

Smoothly Navigate the Turbulent Waters of Childhood


Raising Emotionally and Socially Healthy Kids
Dr. Eileen Kennedy-Moore | Author and Psychologist, Princeton, NJ

Lecture Titles
1 Developing Your Childs
4 Building Authentic Self-Esteem
Emotional Intelligence
5 Teaching Kids to CareThe
2 AnxietyThe Way Out Is Through
Roots of Empathy
3 How Kids Manage AngerPositive Discipline 6 What Makes Kids Happy?

FREE GUIDEBOOK!
98-page course
synopsis
Photos & illustrations
Suggested readings
Questions to
consider
Bibliography

Topic
Better Living

Subtopic
Parenting

Raising Emotionally
and Socially Healthy Kids
Dr. Eileen Kennedy-Moore
Author and Psychologist, Princeton, NJ

7 How Children Make Friends


8 Playing Well with Others
9 Making Up and Breaking Up with Friends

10 Belonging, Status, Popularity, and Rejection


11 Teasing and Bullying
12 Growing Up Social in the Digital Age

Raising Emotionally and Socially Healthy Kids


SHOULD I BUY AUDIO OR VIDEO?

This course is designed to work well in both


audio and video formats.

Sale Ends 06/25/15!

Course No. 9531, 12 LECTURES (30 MINUTES/LECTURE)

DVD $199.95
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$169.95 NOW $39.95
Audio CD
$134.95
NOW $29.95
Audio Download
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NOW $24.95
Full Transcript of Course: $15.00

40

authoritative advice anyone can use. Youll encounter techniques to inspire cooperation; ideas for instilling a sense of
empathy; ways to deal with back-talk and aggression; strategies for helping kids make and keep friends; and methods
that help children cope with and conquer anxiety.

Audio formats
include FREE
audio streaming

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Video formats
include FREE
video streaming

SuperStock/Fotosearch; damircudic/Vetta/Getty Images.

As a parent, you cant make friends for your children, nor


can you prevent them from ever feeling hurt or upset. But
with the right guidance, you can support them in learning
how to solve problems, cope with feelings, and build satisfying relationships.
Raising Emotionally and Socially Healthy Kids delivers

BETTER LIVING

Discover the Secrets of Good Nutrition


Nutrition Made Clear

As a result of Nutrition Made Clear, I have changed my lifestyle and


eating habits!

Professor Roberta H. Anding


Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Childrens Hospital

Maureen Farrell, Idyllwild, CA

Learn the fundamentals of good nutrition from a trusted


medical professional and explore how to apply this
knowledge to improve your own health.

aking smart eating choices is essential to living


a healthy, happy, and
successful life. Yet all too often, were
exposed to information and techniques that promise quick and easy
results but can be harmful to your
overall health. So in the face of misleading information, where can you
find the key to nutritional success?
The answer: in understanding
the concepts, practices, and science
behind good nutrition. Once you
master the intricateand captivatinginteraction between what you
eat and its effect on your body and
mind, you unlock a powerful and
scientifically proven tool to use in
maintaining or improving your personal health.
Nutrition Made Clear is your
opportunity to sort through nutrition misconceptions and replace
them with hard science you can

understand. In 36 lectures taught


by dietitian and award-winning
Professor Roberta H. Anding, you
explore the fundamentals of good
nutrition and get a personal guide
to applying these fundamentals to
your lifestyle. Designed to appeal
to anyone at any age, this course is
an invaluable source of medically
backed, statistically proven information about the guidelines for healthy
eating and living.
YOUR PRESCRIPTION
FOR GOOD NUTRITION
As knowledge and technology have
rapidly advanced, we now know that
everything you eat and drink has an
effect on your mind and body.
By eating right, increasing your
physical activity, reducing the risk of
chronic illness through wise personal choices, and more, you can stay
healthy and active.

Learning to read nutrition labels more effectively will help you improve the foods
you eat and protect you from illness and disease.

Lecture Titles
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

Why We Eat What We Do


Sources of Nutrition Fact and Fiction
Our Underappreciated Digestive Tract
Its All about the Calories!
HydrationYou Are What You Drink
Not All Carbohydrates Are Created Equal
Facts on Fiber
ProteinAn Indispensable Nutrient
Fat, Fat, Everywhere!

Robert George Young/Photographers Choice/Getty Images.

FREE GUIDEBOOK!

10 VitaminsSpotlight on C
11 Vitamins A and KMultitaskers
12 Vitamin EFallen Hero; Vitamin DRising Star
13 B Vitamin Basics
14 The Major Minerals
15 The Highs and Lows of Sodium and Potassium
16 Iron, Zinc, SeleniumBalance Is Everything
17 Cardiovascular DiseaseWhat Are the Risks?
18 A Heart-Healthy Lifestyle

19 The DASH DietA Lifesaver


20 ObesityPublic Health Enemy Number One
21 Healthy Weight Management
22 Metabolic Syndrome and Type 2 Diabetes
23 Dietary Approaches to Weight Management
24 Nutrition and Cancer Prevention
25 Nutrition and Digestive Health
26 Prebiotics and Probiotics in Your Diet
27 Food SafetyIts in Your Hands

28 Demystifying Food Labels


29 Facts on Functional Foods
30 A Look at Herbal Therapy
31 Organic or ConventionalYour Choice
32 Fake or RealSugars and Fats
33 Creating Your Own Personal Nutrition Plan
34 Exercise and NutritionPartners for Life
35 The Future of NutritionScience and Trends
36 Nutrition Facts and FAQs

Sale Ends 06/25/15!

Nutrition Made Clear

184-page course
synopsis

SHOULD I BUY AUDIO OR VIDEO?

Photos, tables,
& charts

This course is designed to work well in both


audio and video formats.

Suggested readings
Questions to consider
Glossary
Bibliography

Course No. 1950, 36 LECTURES (30 MINUTES/LECTURE)

DVD $374.95
NOW $99.95
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Purchase Set No. 1951:

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41

BETTER LIVING

Why Does Stress Affect You the Way It Does?


Stress and Your Body

This course highlights the impact of stress in our lives and how to better
deal with it.
Edgar Demar, Henderson, NV

Professor of Neurology and Neurosurgery Robert Sapolsky | Stanford University

Discover how stress is negatively affecting your health


and learn new strategies to minimize its impact.

eeling stressed? Youre not


alone. Stress is an inherent
aspect of life that can have
tremendous negative effects on your
mental and physical health. This
makes coping with stress a critical
part of how well we live. Once you
understand the inner workings of our
stress response system, youll possess
powerful knowledge that will help
you understand and better deal with
this common aspect of your busy life.
Now , from one of the worlds
foremost researchers on stress and
neurobiology, comes Stress and
Your Bodya fascinating 24-lecture
course that guides you through the
psychological and psychosocial stress
that is a central part of everyday life
in Western society. With the guidance of Dr. Robert Sapolsky, youll
explore the nuts and bolts of the
stress-response system and its various
effects on your body.
The stress-response system is a
natural survival system. Imagine

youre a zebra being chased by a


lion. Once youve recognized the
threat, your stress-response system
ORDER TODAY
will divert energy to your muscles
UP
and inhibit unessential processes like
TO
digestion, allowing you to flee faster.
Unlike animals, however, our
Sale Ends June 25
response is triggered not so much
by life-or-death situations as by psychological reasons it wasnt designed
to combat, such as traffic tie-ups,
troublesome thoughts and recurring
memories, and worries about the
economy, the environment, and
international events.
In fact, the chronic stress that
most of us face every day can turn
the stress response from a safety
mechanism into a real problem for
our physical and mental well-being.
However, its possible for us to
change, says Professor Sapolsky. We
can overcome our environmental
stressors, and the key to changing
the impact of stress is a thorough
Unlike other animals, humans activate the stress response for psychological
reasonsand thats not what this particular system evolved for.
knowledge of how it affects us.

SAVE

$185

Lecture Titles
Why Dont Zebras Get Ulcers? Why Do We?
The Nuts and Bolts of the Stress-Response
Stress and Your Heart
Stress, Metabolism, and Liquidating Your Assets
Stress, Overeating, and Your Digestive Tract
Stress and GrowthEchoes from the Womb

FREE GUIDEBOOK!
108-page course
synopsis
Photos, illustrations
& diagrams
Suggested readings
Questions to consider
Glossary
Bibliography

7 Stress, Growth, and Child Development


8 Stress and Female Reproduction
9 Stress and Male Reproduction
10 Stress and Your Immune System
11 Stress and Cancer
12 Stress and Pain

13
14
15
16
17
18

Stress, Learning, and Memory


Stress, Judgment, and Impulse Control
Stress, Sleep, and Lack of Sleep
Stress and Aging
Understanding Psychological Stress
Psychological Modulators of Stress

Sale Ends 06/25/15!

Stress and Your Body


SHOULD I BUY AUDIO OR VIDEO?

This course is designed to work well in both


audio and video formats.

Course No. 1585, 24 LECTURES (30 MINUTES/LECTURE)

DVD $254.95
NOW $69.95
$214.95
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Audio CD
$179.95
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Full Transcript of Course: $25.00

Special Set Offer: Save Big when you buy the following two courses together
Purchase Set No. 984:

Stress and Your Body and Mind-Body Medicine: The New Science of Optimal Health (p. 43)

42

19 Stress and the Biology of Depression


20 Stress and the Psychology of Depression
21 Anxiety, Hostility, Repression, and Reward
22 Stress, Health, and Low Social Status
23 Stress ManagementClues to Success?
24 Stress ManagementApproaches and Cautions

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1
2
3
4
5
6

BETTER LIVING

Can What You Think Affect How You Feel?


Mind-Body Medicine: The New Science of Optimal Health
Professor of Clinical Medicine Jason M. Satterfield
University of California, San Francisco

Great Courses engages the mind but also nourishes the soul! Bravo!
Sandra Dunlap, Granada Hills, CA

Bridge the gap between mind and body and gain a truly
holistic view of your health in this science-based course
that explores how your brain can impact your overall
wellness.

n recent decades, science has


revealed that the mind and body
are intimately connected in ways
we havent previously realizedand
this field of knowledge is now changing our understanding of health and
disease.
Numerous studies on the brains
interaction with the body demonstrate that health is directly affected
by our social environments, socioeconomic status, culture, behaviors,
relationships, psychological states,
and habits of mind, among many
factors.
Mind-body medicineworking
in tandem with traditional medical
practicemakes use of a large spectrum of psychological, physical, and
behavioral treatments, drawn from

many disciplines, in an approach


to health care that aims to treat the
whole person.
In Mind-Body Medicine: The
New Science of Optimal Health,
youll study this subject in compelling depth, with the expert guidance
of Professor Jason M. Satterfield of
the University of California, San
Francisco. These 36 eye-opening
lectures provide rigorous answers to
the questions of what makes us sick,
what makes us well, and what we
can do about it.
Youll finish the course with a tool
box of ideas and interventions for
your personal wellness goals, empowering you to partner more effectively
Scientific research shows that even a few weeks of mindfulness meditation can
with your medical providers and
boost your immune system, as well as have numerous other benefits to your health.
maximize your own health.

Lecture Titles
1 Weaving the Biopsychosocial Braid
2 Vital SignsDefining Health and Illness
3 Fight or Flight vs. Rest and Digest
4 Simmering SoupThe
Neuroendocrine System
5 Deploying the TroopsBasic Immunology
6 Nature vs. NurtureGenes,
Health, and Disease
7 Forget Me NotCognitive Function
8 Mind over MatterCognition in Everyday Life
9 Emotions RevealedPsychology of Emotions

FREE GUIDEBOOK!
264-page course
synopsis
James Michael Kruger/Photographers Choice RF/Getty Images.

Photos & illustrations


Suggested readings
Questions to
consider
Bibliography

10 Agony and EcstasyBiology of Emotion


11 Whats Your EQ, and How Can You Improve It?
12 Whats Your Type? Personality and Health
13 An Apple a DayBehavior
and Disease Prevention
14 Staying on the WagonMaking
Changes That Last
15 Ease the BurnModernDay Stress and Coping
16 The IcebergVisible and Hidden Identity
17 Ties That BindRelationships and Health
18 Building BridgesIntimacy and Relationships

19 Touched by GraceSpirituality and Health


20 A Matter of Class
Socioeconomics and Health
21 A Cog in the WheelOccupational Stress
22 The Power of PlaceCommunities and Health
23 The Master PlanPublic Health and Policy
24 Heart and SoulCardiovascular Disease I
25 Heart and SoulCardiovascular Disease II
26 The Big CCancer and Mind-Body Medicine
27 Bugs, Drugs, and Buddha
Psychoneuroimmunology

28 Fire in the BellyThe GI System


29 ObesityAmericas New Epidemic
30 The Strain in Pain Lies Mainly in the Brain
31 Catching Your ZsSleep and Health
32 Chasing ZebrasSomatoform Disorders
33 Seeing the Glass Half EmptyDepression
34 Silencing the ScreamUnderstanding Anxiety
35 Lingering WoundsTrauma,
Resilience, Growth
36 Tomorrows Biopsychosocial Medicine

Mind-Body Medicine: The New Science of Optimal Health


SHOULD I BUY AUDIO OR VIDEO?

This course is designed to work well in both


audio and video formats. It features hundreds
of images including scientific illustrations and
other images.

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Course No. 1920, 36 LECTURES (30 MINUTES/LECTURE)

DVD $374.95
NOW $99.95
Video Download
$319.95
NOW $84.95
Audio CD
$269.95 NOW $69.95
Audio Download
$199.95 NOW $49.95
Full Transcript of Course: $35.00

Special Set Offer: Save Big when you buy the following two courses together
Purchase Set No. 984:

Mind-Body Medicine: The New Science of Optimal Health and Stress and Your Body (p. 42)

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audio streaming

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43

BETTER LIVING

ORDER TODAY

SAVE UP
TO

$155

Sale Ends June 25

Experience a new level of health and serenity with this course that introduces you to the science and practice of yoga.

Encounter the Rich Variety of Yoga Traditions and


Experience a New Level of Health and Serenity
Yoga for a Healthy Mind and Body | Heidi E. Sormaz, Ph.D. Certified Yoga Instructor

early all of us would like less


stress in our lives, a better
ability to focus, improved
health, and a fitness routine that we
truly enjoy. You may be surprised to
learn that yoga provides all of these
benefits with a system of exercises
that can be adapted to any age or
level of fitness.
Today, millions of people practice
yoga, from young to old, from the
hyper-athletic to those dealing with
chronic diseases. Based on extensive
studies, yoga is recognized as one

44

of the most effective activities for


achieving a healthy mind and body.
While the roots of yoga go back
thousands of years, yoga is a relatively new phenomenon in the
West, where it has blossomed into
a multitude of different styles, each
addressing a specific set of issues. For
example, yoga routines have been
optimized for these goals, among
others:
Calming: A practice called yin
yoga gently stretches the bodys
connective tissues in poses held
for several minutes at a time. It is
ideal for meditation.
Cardiovascular fitness: Power
yoga is a vigorous workout, coordinated with attentive breathing
that leaves you feeling both
vibrant and centered.

Pain relief: Yoga exercises


focused on breathing, stretching,
and relaxing can relieve chronic
pain in the lower back, arthritic
joints, and other areas of the
body.
Mental healing: Forrest yoga is
one of several yoga practices that
help resolve addictive behavior, eating disorders, negative
thought patterns, and other
self-destructive habits.
Yogas many poses and exercises
make it endlessly interesting and
emotionally rich, giving you a wealth
of options for designing a practice
that fits your needs. Isnt it time to
get startednot just learning about
yoga but doing it?
Yoga for a Healthy Mind and
Body is the ideal way to take that

first step with a course that makes


yoga accessible and the poses doable.
These 12 half-hour lectures with
acclaimed yoga teacher Dr. Heidi
Sormaz will also deepen the knowledge of those already experienced in
yoga. No other yoga video program
offers such a comprehensive presentation of both the science and practice of the discipline.
DISCOVER YOGAS
MANY BENEFITS
After covering the history of yoga
and its physiological effects, Dr.
Sormaz takes you through a diverse
set of routines, introducing the basics
of hatha yoga along with the more
specialized practices of Iyengar yoga,
power yoga, yin yoga, Anusara yoga,
and Forrest yoga. You dont just
learn how to do the poses; you learn

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My Good Images/Shutterstock.

Learn yoga from an expert


who teaches you the poses,
the science behind them,
and the amazing benefits of
this ancient tradition.

WHY THIS
GREAT COURSE?
Like millions of other people, quite
a few of our customers have discovered yoga or are curious about it.
Why not a Great Course on yoga?
they asked us. The subject is a perfect fit with our popular courses on
meditation and fitness. Furthermore,
we discovered that while there are
many yoga videos on the market,
there is nothing that has our customary in-depth treatment.
Most yoga videos cover a single
style of yoga. In Yoga for a Healthy
Mind and Body, we introduce the
major Western form of hatha yoga
along with five different styles of
yoga that are widely practiced in
the United States. Unlike other yoga
videos, ours goes deeply into the
history of yoga, its physiological effects, and medical benefits, while
also coaching viewers in dozens of
different poses and routines.
We found an exceptional teacher
in Heidi Sormaz, who not only owns
and runs a renowned yoga studio in
New Haven, Connecticut, but who
also has a Ph.D. in psychology from
Yale University. She understands
how yoga works, why it works, and
what it can doand she can explain
all of this in fascinating detail. Most
important, she is a superb motivator! We recommend that you try this
course and see if Dr. Sormaz doesnt
get you to stand up, breathe, stretch,
move, and experience a new level
of health and serenity.

the powerful meditative component


of yoga. In Yoga for a Healthy
Mind and Body, you practice simple routines that make you feel and
move better, and you also learn how
yoga can help resolve chronic pain,
insomnia, depression, anxiety, and
cravings and compulsions.

AN IMMENSELY
REWARDING JOURNEY
Many of the terms used in yoga
come from Sanskrit, the ancient language of India. Among the beautiful
Sanskrit words you will encounter
are these:
Pranayama: Breathing exercises.
The foundation of yoga is breath
manipulation, which can produce immediate results in reducing stress and lowering blood
pressure.
Asana: A body posture. The
Sanskrit names of most poses
have -asana as a suffix; for example, dandasana, or staff pose,
which is a basic seated posture.
Vinyasa: A continuous, dynamic
sequence of asanas, synchronized
with the breath. There are many
different styles of vinyasa yoga,
the most popular of which is
power yoga.
Surya namaskar: The sun salutation. Traditionally performed in
the morning as the sun rises, this
is a simple and calming sequence
that will also wake you up!
You will also practice the warhow conscious breathing and a focus rior poses, cat/cow, side angle,
on mindfulness can open the door to mountain, downward facing dog,
yogas many benefits that go beyond and other colorfully named asanas,
learning how to incorporate them in
improved physical health.
various programs and always closing
Dr. Sormaz has a Ph.D. in
with savasana, a relaxing and rejuvePsychology from Yale University
nating prone pose that is the perfect
and is an expert on the emotional
end to a yoga session. In addition,
obstacles that can be addressed by
you learn an exercise that you can

do at home, at work, or even in a


car to counteract the modern-day
tendency to slump.
While yoga can be performed
without any equipment, Dr. Sormaz
recommends that you acquire some
basic props so that you can modify
more challenging poses to suit your
level of fitness and flexibility. These
include two yoga blocks, a strap,
and two blankets. With the addition
of a yoga mat and a wall, you will be
equipped to perform any asana.
If you are a person who thinks,
Im not flexible enough to do
yoga, then thats exactly why you
should try this course. Dr. Sormaz
shows that there is a practice that
will work for you and start you on
your road to a healthier mind and
body.
ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Dr. Heidi E. Sormaz is the founder,
owner, and director of Fresh Yoga
LLC in New Haven, Connecticut.
She earned her M.S. and Ph.D. in
Psychology from Yale University
and was a postdoctoral fellow at Yale
and the University of California,
Berkeley. She taught psychology at
Yale, San Francisco State University,
and Albertus Magnus College. Dr.
Sormaz obtained the highest teaching credentials from both Forrest
Yoga and Yoga Alliance.
In her academic work, Dr.
Sormaz is an expert on the influence of arousal and attention on
performance, the effects of anxiety
on thinking, stress management,
and performance in pressure situations. Her publications include the
book Performance under Pressure:
Managing Stress in the Workplace,
published by HRD Press, and the
article Meditation Can Reduce
Habitual Responding, published in

Video Features Include

Due to the nature of yoga, this course


is only available in video format. In the
educational parts of the lectures, there are
over 180 visual elements. In the practical
parts of the lectures, you will be able to
practice yoga alongside Dr. Sormaz.

On-screen text reinforces the yoga


concepts discussed in each lecture.

View the instructor as she demonstrates


the various poses and gives you tips to
maintain good form.

Alternative Therapies in Health and


Medicine. Dr. Sormaz was awarded
the Flora Stone Mather Alumnae
Award from Case Western Reserve
University and the Wilhelm Wundt
Award at the Northeast Ohio
Undergraduate Psychology Research
Conference.
In addition to teaching yoga in
her own studio, she has presented
workshops and teacher trainings at
conferences and studios across the
United States, including Kripalu and
the Esalen Institute. Yoga Journal
featured Dr. Sormaz on its list of
teachers who are shaping yogas
future from across America.

Lecture Titles
1 Western Yoga
2 Yoga Begins with the Breath
3 Yoga and Pain Relief

FREE GUIDEBOOK!
80-page course
synopsis
Photos & illustrations
Suggested readings
Practices
Bibliography

10 Anusara Yoga
11 Forrest Yoga
12 Everyday Yoga

7 Iyengar Yoga
8 Power Yoga
9 Yin Yoga

4 Yoga for a Healthy Heart


5 Yoga and Addictive Behavior
6 Yoga for Depression and Anxiety

Yoga for a Healthy Mind and Body

Sale Ends 06/25/15!

AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY ON VIDEO

Course No. 9263, 12 LECTURES (30 MINUTES/LECTURE)

Because of the highly visual nature of the


subject matter, this course is available
exclusively on video.

DVD $199.95
NOW $44.95
Video Download
Full Transcript of Course: $15.00

$169.95

NOW $39.95

All formats
include FREE
video streaming

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45

BETTER LIVING

Discover the Fascinating Ways That Food


Has Shaped Your World

The enthusiasm, love and reverence that all your professors have for the
subjects they teach, and the joy they display in imparting their knowledge is
what encourages me to continue learning.

Food: A Cultural Culinary History

Farida Ahmed, Chicago, IL

Professor of History Ken Albala | University of the Pacific

View the history and culture of our species as it relates


to the single subject of food, and discover how the
entirety of human civilizationwar, trade, politics, art,
religion, and morehas been shaped by its interaction
with food.

ating is an indispensable
human activity. As a result, the
drive to obtain food has been
a major catalyst across all of history.
In fact, civilization itself began in the
quest for food.
In every era, the unfolding of
history has been intimately tied to
the need for food, the production of
food, and the culture of food. In all
major religions, food choice has been
an integral part of religious identity. The quest for spices and exotic
foodstuffs led to the European discovery of the New World, as well as
to the connecting of the entire globe
through trade. Modern warfare, from

Napoleons conquests to World War


II, was made possible by advances in
food technology.
Beyond feeding our bodies, food
choices and ideologies express social
distinctions, as well as our values,
concerns, and aspirations. For all of
these reasons, food offers a deeply
insightful lens on human history,
shedding new light on the evolution
of social and political systems, on cultural interactions, economic empires,
human migrations, and more.
Through food culture, we see how
primary biological needselemental,
intimate, essentialhave shaped all
human lives through the ages.

Lecture Titles

FREE GUIDEBOOK!
304-page course
synopsis
Photographs
Historic recipes

Topic
Better Living

Subtopic
Food & Wine

Food: A Cultural
Culinary History
Professor Ken Albala
University of the Pacific

10 Early ChristianityFood
Rituals and Asceticism
11 Europes Dark Ages and Charlemagne
12 IslamA Thousand and One
Nights of Cooking
13 Carnival in the High Middle Ages
14 International Gothic Cuisine
15 A Renaissance in the Kitchen
16 Aztecs and the Roots of Mexican Cooking
17 1492Globalization and Fusion Cuisines
18 16th-Century Manners and
Reformation Diets

19 Papal Rome and the Spanish Golden Age


20 The Birth of French Haute Cuisine
21 Elizabethan England,
Puritans, Country Food
22 Dutch TreatCoffee, Tea, Sugar, Tobacco
23 African and Aboriginal Cuisines
24 Edo, JapanSamurai Dining
and Zen Aesthetics
25 Colonial Cookery in North America
26 Eating in the Early Industrial Revolution
27 Romantics, Vegetarians, Utopians

Food: A Cultural Culinary History


SHOULD I BUY AUDIO OR VIDEO?

This course is designed to work well in both


audio and video formats.

Culinary activities
Questions to consider
Bibliography

Sale Ends 06/25/15!

Course No. 9180, 36 LECTURES (30 MINUTES/LECTURE)

DVD $374.95
NOW $99.95
Video Download
$319.95
NOW $84.95
Audio CD
$269.95 NOW $69.95
Audio Download
$199.95 NOW $49.95
Full Transcript of Course: $35.00

Special Set Offer: Save Big when you buy the following two courses together
Purchase Set No. 9182:

Food: A Cultural Culinary History and The Everyday Guide to Wine (p. 47)

46

28 First Restaurants, Chefs, and Gastronomy


29 Big Business and the
Homogenization of Food
30 Food Imperialism around the World
31 Immigrant Cuisines and Ethnic Restaurants
32 War, Nutritionism, and the
Great Depression
33 World War II and the Advent of Fast Food
34 CountercultureFrom Hippies to Foodies
35 Science of New Dishes
and New Organisms
36 The Past as Prologue?

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Anneka/Shutterstock.

1 Hunting, Gathering, and


Stone Age Cooking
2 What Early Agriculturalists Ate
3 Egypt and the Gift of the Nile
4 Ancient JudeaFrom Eden to Kosher Laws
5 Classical GreeceWine,
Olive Oil, and Trade
6 The Alexandrian Exchange
and the Four Humors
7 Ancient IndiaSacred Cows and Ayurveda
8 Yin and Yang of Classical Chinese Cuisine
9 Dining in Republican and Imperial Rome

BETTER LIVING

Master the Art of Reading a Wine List


The Everyday Guide to Wine
Jennifer Simonetti-Bryan | Master of Wine and Certified Specialist of Spirits

Greatly increased my knowledge and enjoyment of wine.

Survey the tastes and aromas of various wines, tour the


worlds great wine regions, and learn practical tips on
how to properly taste wine in this course by
award-winning Master of Wine Jennifer Simonetti-Bryan.

very time you open a bottle of


wine, you embark on a unique
journey through a wonderful
world of sensations. For all its pleasurable qualities, wine can be bewildering in its mystery and complexity.
Whether youre a novice looking
to master the basics, an enthusiast
who tours vineyards, or something
in between, theres no better way to
learn about wine than from a wine
expertsomeone who has an authoritative knowledge of wine in all
its glorious breadth and depth. Now,
The Everyday Guide to Wine brings
this rare opportunity right into your
home with 24 engaging lectures delivered by acclaimed Master of Wine
Jennifer Simonetti-Bryanone of
only a few Americans to hold this
coveted title.
MASTER THE
FUNDAMENTALS OF WINE
What do people mean when they
describe a particular vintage as full

Ronald Nelson, Helena, MT

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TO

$185

Sale Ends June 25


bodied, dry, or crisp? When is a
wine considered to have good legs?
Most of us know that wine has its
own language, but many of us dont
know how to speak it. And learning
the fundamental terms and concepts
behind wine is essential to accurately
describing tastes, aromas, and sensations; classifying different types
of wine; and engaging more fully in
the wine-drinking experience. With
The Everyday Guide to Wine, youll
learn how to speak, or to improve
the way you speak, the language of
wine.
Throughout the course, Ms.
Simonetti-Bryan introduces you
to practical tips and techniques for
applying your knowledge of wine to
your own everyday experiences with
it. Youll get expert advice on how to
select wines for yourself or as gifts.
Plus, learn the five Ss of fully tasting wine: seeing, swirling, sniffing,
Wine is more than just a pleasurable drinkit is a vital part of human culture
sipping, and savoring.
and history.

Lecture Titles
1 Why Learn about Wine?
2 A Tasters Tool Kit
3 WinemakingFrom Vineyard to Harvest
4 WinemakingFrom Harvest to Bottle
5 The WhitesRiesling to Chardonnay
6 The RedsPinot Noir to Cabernet

FREE GUIDEBOOK!
168-page course
synopsis

Jeff Titcomb/Photographers Choice/Getty Images.

Photos, tables,
diagrams & charts
List of wines used
in course

Topic
Better Living

Subtopic
Food & Wine

The Everyday
Guide to Wine
Jennifer Simonetti-Bryan
Master of Wine

7 Champagne and Other Sparkling Wines


8 Port, Sherry, and Other Fortified Wines
9 What to Drink with Dessert
10 French RegionsBordeaux and Loire
11 French RegionsBurgundy and Alsace
12 French RegionsRhne,
Languedoc, Provence

13 Wines of Northern Italy


14 Wines of Southern Italy
15 The Tastes of Germany and Austria
16 The Tastes of Spain and Portugal
17 U.S. RegionsCalifornia
18 U.S. RegionsWashington and Oregon

19 Other U.S. Regions, Mexico, and Canada


20 Sampling Argentina and Chile
21 The Best of Australia and Tasmania
22 Wines of New Zealand and South Africa
23 Becoming a Knowledgeable Wine Buyer
24 Wine for Any Occasion and Any Food

The Everyday Guide to Wine

Sale Ends 06/25/15!

AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY ON VIDEO

Course No. 9123, 24 LECTURES (30 MINUTES/LECTURE)

Because of the highly visual nature of the


subject matter, this course is available
exclusively on video.

DVD $254.95
NOW $69.95

Tasting notes

Video Download

$214.95

Glossary
Full Transcript of Course: $25.00

Bibliography

Special Set Offer: Save Big when you buy the following two courses together
Purchase Set No. 9182:

The Everyday Guide to Wine and Food: A Cultural Culinary History (p. 46)

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NOW $59.95

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47

BETTER LIVING

From Seeds to Harvest: Learn How to Grow Fresh and


Delicious Fruits and Vegetables, No Matter Where You Live
How to Grow Anything: Food Gardening for Everyone
Melinda Myers | Horticulturist and Certified Arborist

Growing your own food is one of the most rewarding


things you can do. Whether you live on rural acreage or
a city lot, virtually anyone can grow a simple garden
regardless of your skill level and busy schedule. How
to Grow Anything: Food Gardening for Everyone is a
practical guide for cultivating fresh produce from seed
to harvest. Taught by renowned horticulturist Melinda
Lecture Titles
1 Jump-Start Your Edible Garden
2 Planning for Gardening Success
3 Building Your Garden Foundation

4 Starting Plants from Seeds


5 Planting Vegetables and Herbs
6 Low-Maintenance Garden Tips

FREE GUIDEBOOK!

Myers, these 12 hands-on lessons are chock full of tips


and tricks for novice gardeners and green thumbs alike.
Whether you simply want to grow herbs in a window
box for your homemade spaghetti sauce or you dream of
cultivating a dazzling orchard, How to Grow Anything:
Food Gardening for Everyone offers everything you need
to grow fresh food right outsideor insideyour home.

7 Small Fruit Cultivation and Care


8 Growing Fruit Trees
9 Eco-Friendly Pest Management

10 Food Harvesting Tips and Tricks


11 Composting and Vermicomposting
12 Extending the Growing Season

How to Grow Anything: Food Gardening for Everyone

112-page course
synopsis
Photos & illustrations
Suggested reading
Questions to consider

Sale Ends 06/25/15!

AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY ON VIDEO

Course No. 9721, 12 LECTURES (30 MINUTES/LECTURE)

Because of the highly visual nature of the


subject matter, this course is available
exclusively on video.

DVD $199.95
NOW $44.95

Bonus tips on
container gardening

Video Download

$169.95

NOW $39.95

Bibliography
Full Transcript of Course: $15.00

Special Set Offer: Save Big when you buy the following two courses together

SAVE $233
up
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Purchase Set No. 9723:

How to Grow Anything: Food Gardening for Everyone and (above)


How to Grow Anything: Container Gardening Tips and Techniques (below)

All formats
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DVD $299.90
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$264.90 NOW $60.90

Get Bold Colors and Flavors in Small Spaces


How to Grow Anything: Container Gardening Tips and Techniques
Melinda Myers | Horticulturist and Certified Arborist

Growing your own plants in containers is the perfect way to


liven up a living space without much of the hassle associated
with traditional gardening. All it takes is an understanding
of the essentials of container gardening, as well as access to
some of the same design tips, tricks, and techniques that
trained gardeners and landscape artists use to create unforgettable natural displaysall of which you can find in these

six lessons. Delivered by award-winning horticulturist and


master gardening educator Melinda Myers, this series gives
you the essentials of container gardening and the expert
know-how to grow practically anything you want in as
small a space as you have available. In every lesson, youll
discover ideas and solutions that will work for your container garden throughout the year.

Lecture Titles

I just watched both of the


How to Grow Anything
DVDs and cant wait to
start transforming my
gardens!
Online review by
Walter J., Indiana

48

3 Unusual Pots, Vertical Spaces, Shade Design


4 Grasses to TreesBigPlants in Containers

5 Outdoor Living Areas and Special Features


6 Cool-Season Changes and Indoor Gardens

How to Grow Anything: Container Gardening Tips and Techniques


AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY ON VIDEO

Course No. 9716, 6 LECTURES (30 MINUTES/LECTURE)

Because of the highly visual nature


of the subject matter, this course is
available exclusively on video.

DVD $99.95
NOW $29.95
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$94.95

NOW $27.95

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All formats
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video streaming

stevencoleimages/E+/Getty Images; valda/Shutterstock.

1 Designs in a PotThrillers,Spillers, Fillers


2 Create a New SpaceEdiblesand Ornamentals

LITERATURE & LANGUAGE

Classics of American Literature


Professor Arnold Weinstein | Brown University

Classic stories and poems of American literature


are found in the pages of Franklin, Emerson,
Thoreau, Hawthorne, Melville, Dickinson, Twain,
Whitman, Faulkner, and many others. When
was the last time you read them? Possibly not as
recently as youd like. Why? Not because you
wouldnt love it. But perhaps the demands of your daily life or some other
reason have prevented this pleasure. Now, here is the opportunity to gain
an extraordinary familiarity with each of these authors within a manageable
amount of time, as well as review the great works you may already know.
Lecture Titles
1 Introduction to Classics of
American Literature
2 Benjamin Franklins Autobiography
The First American Story
3 Washington IrvingThe First
American Storyteller
4 Ralph Waldo Emerson Yesterday
Americas Coming of Age
5 Emerson TodayArchitect
of American Values
6 Emerson TomorrowDeconstructing
Culture and Self
7 Henry David Thoreau
Countercultural Hero
8 ThoreauStylist and Humorist
Extraordinaire

WaldenYesterday, Today, and Tomorrow


Edgar Allan Poe
PoeGhost Writer
Poes LegacyThe Self as
Haunted Palace
13 Nathaniel Hawthorne and
the American Past
14 The Scarlet LetterPuritan Romance
15 Hawthornes AInterpretation
and Semiosis
16 The Scarlet LetterPolitical Tract
or Psychological Study?
17 Hawthorne Our Contemporary
18 Herman Melville and the
Making of Moby-Dick
19 The Biggest Fish Story of Them All

9
10
11
12

20 Ahab and the White Whale


21 Moby-DickTragedy of Perspective
22 Melvilles Benito Cereno
American (Mis)adventure at Sea
23 Benito CerenoTheater of
Power or Power of Theater?
24 Walt WhitmanThe American
Bard Appears
25 WhitmanPoet of the Body
26 WhitmanPoet of the City
27 WhitmanPoet of Death
28 The Whitman Legacy
29 Uncle Toms Cabin The Unread Classic
30 Stowes Representation of Slavery
31 Freedom and Art in Uncle Toms Cabin
32 Emily DickinsonIn and Out of Nature

The History of the English


Language, 2nd Edition
Dean of Arts and Humanities Seth Lerer
University of California, San Diego

Ocean/Corbis; Don Hammond/Design Pics/Corbis; Schlecht, Richard (b.1936)/National Geographic Creative/


Bridgeman Images; Phase4Photography/Shutterstock.

Sixteen centuries ago, a wave of settlers from


northern Europe came to the British Isles.They
spoke a mix of Germanic dialects thick with consonants and complex grammatical forms. Today
we call that dialect Old English, the ancestor of the language nearly one in
five people in the world speaks every day.
How did this ancient tongue evolve into the elegant idiom of Chaucer,
Shakespeare, Melville, and other great writers? What features of Modern
English link it to its Old English roots? Why did the pronunciation undergo
such drastic changes? And how does English continue to develop?
To study the history of this wonderful language is to experience the literature, politics, culture, ways of thought, and world outlook of a great civilization through its most precious legacy: its words.

The Art of Reading


Professor of English Literature Timothy Spurgin
Lawrence University

Learn how to make your future reading experiences more enriching and enjoyable with these
24 insightful lectures. Designed to maximize
your effectiveness as an artful reader, The Art of
Reading brings together concepts, tools, and techniques rarely found together in a single package. Teaching with an engaging
and conversational style, award-winning Professor Timothy Spurgin shows
you how to approach even the most daunting novel or short story with
increased confidence. Whether youre a fiction reader, an aspiring writer, a
book club member, or a student, this masterful course will make your future
reading experiences more engaging and enlightening.
ABOUT YOUR PROFESSOR

Dr. Timothy Spurgin (Ph.D., University of Virginia) is the Bonnie Glidden


Buchanan Professor of English Literature and Associate Professor of English
at Lawrence University.

Lecture Titles (cont.)


33 Dickinsons PoetryLanguage
and Consciousness
34 DickinsonDevotee of Death
35 DickinsonAmhersts Madame de Sade
36 Dickinsons Legacy
37 The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
American Paradise Regained
38 Huckleberry FinnThe Banned Classic
39 Huckleberry FinnA Childs
Voice, a Childs Vision
40 Huckleberry Finn, American Orphan
41 Mark Twains Puddnhead Wilson
Black and White Charade
42 Henry James and the Novel of Perception
43 The Turn of the ScrewDo
You Believe in Ghosts?
44 Turning the Screw of Interpretation
45 Stephen Crane and the Literature of War
46 The Red Badge of Courage
Brave New World
47 Stephen CraneScientist
of Human Behavior
48 Charlotte Perkins Gilman
War Against Patriarchy
49 The Yellow WallpaperDescent
into Hell or Free at Last?
50 Robert Frost and the Spirit
of New England

51 Robert FrostAt Home in the Metaphor


52 Robert Frost and the Fruits of the Earth
53 T.S. EliotUnloved Modern Classic
54 T.S. EliotThe Waste Land and Beyond
55 F. Scott Fitzgeralds The Great
GatsbyAmerican Romance
56 The Great GatsbyA Story
of Lost Illusions?
57 Fitzgeralds TriumphWriting
the American Dream
58 Ernest Hemingways The Sun Also
RisesNovel of the Lost Generation
59 The Sun Also RisesSpiritual Quest
60 Ernest HemingwayWordsmith
61 Hemingways The Garden of
EdenFemale Desire Unleashed
62 The Garden of EdenCombat Zone
63 William Faulkners The Sound
and the FuryThe Idiots Tale
64 The Sound and the Fury
Failed Rites of Passage
65 The Sound and the Fury
Signifying Nothing?
66 Absalom, Absalom!Civil War Epic
67 Absalom, Absalom!The
Language of Love
68 Absalom, Absalom!The
Overpass to Love

69 The Grapes of WrathAmerican Saga


70 John SteinbeckPoet of the Little Man
71 The Grapes of Wrath
Reconceiving Self and Family
72 Invisible ManBlack Bildungsroman
73 Invisible ManReconceiving
History and Race
74 Invisible ManWhat Did I Do,
to Be So Black and Blue?
75 Eugene ONeillGreat God
of American Theater
76 Long Days Journey Into Night
Theres No Place Like Home
77 Tennessee WilliamsManaging Libido
78 A Streetcar Named Desire
The Death of Romance
79 Death of a SalesmanDeath of an Ethos?
80 Death of a SalesmanTragedy
of the American Dream
81 Toni Morrisons Beloved
Dismembering and Remembering
82 BelovedA Story of Thick Love
83 BelovedMorrisons Writing of the Body
84 Conclusion to Classics of
American Literature

Course No. 250, 84 LECTURES (30 MINUTES/LECTURE)

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Lecture Titles
1 Introduction to the Study of Language
2 The Historical Study of Language
3 Indo-European and the
Prehistory of English
4 Reconstructing Meaning and Sound
5 Historical Linguistics and
Studying Culture
6 The Beginnings of English
7 The Old English Worldview
8 Did the Normans Really
Conquer English?
9 What Did the Normans Do to English?
10 Chaucers English
11 Dialect Representations
in Middle English
12 Medieval Attitudes toward Language

13 The Return of English as a Standard


14 The Great Vowel Shift
and Modern English
15 The Expanding English Vocabulary
16 Early Modern English
Syntax and Grammar
17 Renaissance Attitudes
toward Teaching English
18 ShakespeareDrama,
Grammar, Pronunciation
19 ShakespearePoetry, Sound, Sense
20 The Bible in English
21 Samuel Johnson and His Dictionary
22 New Standards in English
23 Dictionaries and Word Histories
24 Values, Words, and Modernity

25 The Beginnings of American English


26 American Language from
Webster to Mencken
27 American Rhetoric from
Jefferson to Lincoln
28 The Language of the American Self
29 American Regionalism
30 American Dialects in Literature
31 The Impact of AfricanAmerican English
32 An Anglophone World
33 The Language of Science
34 The Science of Language
35 Linguistics and Politics
in Language Study
36 Conclusions and Provocations

Course No. 2250, 36 LECTURES (30 MINUTES/LECTURE)

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Lecture Titles
1 Artful Reading and
Everyday Reading
2 Authors, Real and Implied
3 NarratorsTheir Voices
and Their Visions
4 CharactersBeyond
Round and Flat
5 DescriptionsPeople,
Places, and Things
6 Minimalists to Maximalists
to Lyricists
7 Explosive DevicesIrony
and Ambiguity

8 Reading for the Plot


Five Simple Words
9 Master PlotsThe Stranger
and the Journey
10 The Game Is Afoot
Sherlock Holmes
11 The Plot Thickens
Scott and Bront
12 The Plot Vanishes
Faulkner and Woolf
13 Chapters, Patterns, and Rhythms
14 Scene and Summary,
Showing and Telling
15 Subtexts, Motives, and Secrets

16 DialogueThe Good,
the Bad, the Ugly
17 MetafictionFiction about Fiction
18 AdaptationFrom Fiction to Film
19 Realism Times Four
20 Thumbs Up?Interpretation
and Evaluation
21 A Long Short StoryRunaway
22 A Classic NovelThe
Age of Innocence
23 A Baggy Monster
War and Peace
24 Picking Up the Tools

Course No. 2198, 24 LECTURES (30 MINUTES/LECTURE)

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49

LITERATURE & LANGUAGE

new release

Witness the Epic Tale of King Arthur


Unfolding across the World

ORDER TODAY

SAVE UP
TO

$190

Sale Ends June 25

King Arthur: History and Legend


Professor of English and Medieval Literature Dorsey Armstrong | Purdue University

Uncover the phenomenal richness of the Arthurian


tradition from the Middle Ages to the 21st century in
this comprehensive and fascinating survey of Arthurian
literature and art.

he saga of King Arthur and


his knights and ladies is
perhaps the most enduringly
popular mythic tradition of Western
civilization. For over 1,500 years, the
Arthurian narrative has enthralled
writers, artists, and a limitless
audienceand its appeal continues
unabated in our own times.
What does this amazing phenomenon tell us about our culture, our
civilization, and ourselves? What is
it about this particular story that has
so deeply gripped the human imagination for so many centuries?
King Arthur: History and Legend
speaks deeply to these key questions and many more, revealing the
full and astonishing scope of the
Arthurian tradition, from its beginnings in post-Roman Britain to its
extraordinary trajectory across the
centuries and its latest incarnations

in our own times. Within 24 content-rich lectures, youll encounter


all of the most essential portrayals of
the Arthurian saga in literature and
art.
Your pathfinder in this world
of mythic adventure is Professor
Dorsey Armstrong of Purdue
University, who brings rare insight
to this most unusual and compelling
inquiry. Through her incisive commentary, youll draw out the core
archetypes and cultural values that
drive the saga.
King Arthur: History and Legend
offers you a comprehensive and
detailed overview of the Arthurian
phenomenon in all of its extraordinary diversity and enduring impact.
These lectures speak to the essence
of what is arguably the Western
worlds most beloved myth.

This stained glass window, made by William Morris in 1862, depicts King Arthur
and one of his most famous knights, Sir Lancelot. Lancelot was introduced into the
Arthurian legend by French writer Chrtien de Troyes.

ABOUT YOUR PROFESSOR


Professor Dorsey Armstrong is
a Professor of English at Purdue
University, where she has taught
since 2002. She received her A.B. in
English and Creative Writing from

Stanford University and her Ph.D.


in Medieval Literature from Duke
University. She also has taught at
Centenary College of Louisiana.

1
2
3
4
5
6

The Origins of King Arthur


An Arthur-Like Figure in Cornwall
King Arthur in the Latin Chronicles
King Arthur in WalesThe Mabinogion
Monmouth, Merlin, and Courtly Love
The Round TableArthur in
Wace and Layamon

FREE GUIDEBOOK!
192-page course
synopsis
Photos, charts &
illustrations
Suggested readings
Questions to
consider
Bibliography

Topic
Literature
& Language

King Arthur:
History and Legend
Professor Dorsey Armstrong
Purdue University

Subtopic
British

7 Chrtien de Troyes and Sir Lancelot


8 Arthurian Tales in Brittany and Burgundy
9 The Lancelot-Grail Cycle
10 The Early German Arthurian Tradition
11 King Arthurs Other German Adaptations
12 The Arthurian Sagas of Scandinavia
13 Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

14 The Alliterative Morte Arthure


15 Sir Thomas Malorys Le Morte Darthur
16 Enriching the LegendTristan and Isolde
17 The Holy Grail from Chrtien to Dan Brown
18 Arthuriana in Medieval Art
19 Spenser, Milton, and the Renaissance Arthur
20 Idylls of the KingThe Victorian Arthur

King Arthur: History and Legend


SHOULD I BUY AUDIO OR VIDEO?

This course is designed to work well in both


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50

21 Wagner and TwainKing


Arthur in the Late 1800s
22 Once and FutureThe 20th-Century Arthur
23 Camelot Comes to Hollywood
24 King Arthur in the 21st Century and Beyond

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Bradford Art Galleries and Museums, West Yorkshire, UK/Bridgeman Images.

Lecture Titles

PROFESSIONAL

Easily Acquire and Master Vocabulary Words


with This Course by an Acclaimed Literacy Professor
new release

Building a Better Vocabulary


Professor of Education Kevin Flanigan | West Chester University of Pennsylvania

A great vocabulary can enhance your speaking, writing, and


even thinking skills. Whether you want to enhance your
personal lexicon, or write or speak more articulately in professional settings, this course will help. If youve ever grasped
for the perfect word at a particular moment, this course pro-

vides an enjoyable method for improving your vocabulary.


Professor Flanigans approach to learning vocabulary makes
each lecture a joy to experience. He presents each new word
in a way that makes it immediately memorable.

Lecture Titles
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

Five Principles for Learning Vocabulary


The Spelling-Meaning Connection
Words for Lying, Swindling, and Conniving
Words That Express Annoyance and Disgust
Fighting Words and Peaceful Words
Going beyond Dictionary Meanings
Wicked Words
Words for Beginnings and Endings
Words Expressing Fear, Love, and Hatred

FREE GUIDEBOOK!
296-page course
synopsis
Photos & Illustrations
Review questions
& answers
Glossary of target
words
Bibliography

10 Words for the Everyday and the Elite


11 Words from Gods and Heroes
12 Humble Words and Prideful Words
13 High-Frequency Greek and Latin Roots
14 Words Relating to Belief and Trust
15 Words for the Way We Talk
16 Words for Praise, Criticism, and Nonsense
17 Eponyms from Literature and History
18 Thinking, Teaching, and Learning Words

19 Words for the Diligent and the Lazy


20 Words That Break and Words That Join
21 Some High-Utility Greek and Latin Affixes
22 Cranky Words and Cool Words
23 Words for Courage and Cowardice
24 Reviewing Vocabulary through Literature
25 Words for Killing and Cutting
26 A Vocabulary Grab Bag
27 Words for Words

28 Specialty Words for Language


29 Nasty Words and Nice Words
30 Words for the Really Big and the Very Small
31 Spelling as a Vocabulary Tool
32 A Medley of New Words
33 Building Vocabulary through Games
34 Words English Borrowed and Never Returned
35 More Foreign Loan Words
36 Forgotten Words and Neologisms

Building a Better Vocabulary

Sale Ends 06/25/15!

SHOULD I BUY AUDIO OR VIDEO?

Course No. 9373, 36 LECTURES (30 MINUTES/LECTURE)

This course is designed to work well in both


audio and video formats. Professor Flanigans
enthusiastic delivery makes this course ideal
for customers who prefer audio formats. The
free course guidebook contains numerous
resources to supplement your listening.

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Uncover the Advantages of Cognitive Diversity


in the Workplace and Beyond
The Hidden Factor: Why Thinking Differently Is Your Greatest Asset
Professor of Political Science, Complex Systems, and Economics Scott E. Page | University of Michigan

Top-performing companies, universities, and innovation


centers are increasingly finding ways to encourage a greater exchange of ideas among their staff. Patents, and even
Nobel Prizes, are frequently granted to teams. Diverse perspectives are a powerful tool for maximizing productivity

and enhancing collective performance. Stay competitive by


training your mind to think differently with this invaluable
course taught by Professor Scott E. Page of the University of
Michigana pioneering researcher in his field.

Lecture Titles

sbchuck/Shutterstock; caracterdesign/E+/Getty Images.

1
2
3
4
5
6

Individual Diversity and Collective Performance


Why Now? The Rise of Diversity
Diversity Squared
The Wisdom of Crowds
The Diversity Prediction Theorem Times Three
The Weighting Is the Hardest Part

FREE GUIDEBOOK!
192-page course
synopsis
Photos & illustrations
Graphs, tables, &
formulas
Suggested readings
Questions to
consider
Glossary
Bibliography

7 Foxes and HedgehogsCan I Be Diverse?


8 Fermis BarbersEstimating and Predicting
9 Problem Solving
10 Diverse Perspectives
11 Heuristics and the Adjacent Possible
12 Diversity Trumps Ability

13 Digging Holes and Splicing Genes


14 Ability and Diversity
15 Combining and Recombining Heuristics
16 Beware of False ProphetsNo Free Lunch
17 Crowdsourcing and the Limits of Diversity
18 Experimentation, Variation, and Six Sigma

19 Diversity and Robustness


20 Inescapable Benefits of Diversity
21 The Historical Value of Diversity
22 Homophily, Incentives, and Groupthink
23 The Problem of Diverse Preferences
24 The Team. The Team. The Team.

The Hidden Factor: Why Thinking Differently Is Your Greatest Asset


AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY ON VIDEO

Course No. 5133, 24 LECTURES (30 MINUTES/LECTURE)

Because of the highly visual nature of the


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51

PROFESSIONAL

new release

Master the Five Core Business Skills in This


Comprehensive Course Taught by Five
SAVE
World-Class Business Professors
$450

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UP
TO

Critical Business Skills for Success

Sale Ends June 25

Various Professors

Succeed in business by learning the fundamentals


of strategy, operations, finance and accounting,
organizational behavior, and marketing.

52

course again and again for advice and


clarification.
Bringing the MBA experience
right to you, Critical Business Skills
for Success demystifies the secrets of
business and gives you insights that
will help you achieve your goals.
PART ONE: STRATEGY
Why is a crystal-clear strategy an
essential piece of the business puzzle? In the words of popular Great
Courses Professor Michael A.
Roberto of Bryant University, its
because businesses cant do everything. And so you have to be very
clear about how youre going to use
your resources in the most efficient
way possible, both to serve the customers you intend to serve and to
serve them better than anyone else.
Now you can learn straight from
an award-winning business instructor the secrets to developing, executing, and managing powerful business
strategies with Critical Business
Skills: Strategy. Award-winning
Professor Robertos 12 lectures
provide you with a research-based
framework for understanding how
strategy works and how to apply it.
PART TWO: OPERATIONS
Professor Goldsbys Critical
Business Skills: Operations is your
accessible guide to everything you
need to understandand utilize
operations and operations management. In 12 thorough lectures,
youll explore a range of topics related to supply chains and logistics,
including inventory management;

Each of these five skillsstrategy, operations, finance and accounting,


organizational behavior, and marketingis a vital cog in the machine of business.
For your organization to run smoothly, you must have a thorough understanding of
each disciplines best practices, common pitfalls, and tools and techniques.

performance measurement; new


trends and research on strategies
to enhance agility and sustainability; internal and external resources
companies use to mitigate risk and
thrive; and much more.
PART THREE: FINANCE
AND ACCOUNTING
To succeed as a businessperson in
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skills you need to masterwhether
youre a top-level manager, an inves-

tor, or an entrepreneuris a firm


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work.
These 12 informative lectures
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you need to finally master the fundamentals of business. With the
guidance of award-winning Professor
Eric Sussman, a senior lecturer in
accounting at the University of
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everything possible/Shutterstock.

veryone wants to know: What


does it take to reach success in
businessthe kind of success
that lasts? It all comes down to a
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businessthe same kind that are
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Our comprehensive five-part, 60-lecture course, Critical Business Skills
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look at a particular skill:
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operations,
finance and accounting,
organizational behavior, and
marketing.
Here in one place is an authoritative guide to the five key disciplines
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an MBA, as you can return to this

WHY THIS
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For many years, one of the most regular requests we receive from our
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We believe weve created something of unique value for our customers, fulfilling one of the primary
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PART FOUR: ORGANIZATIONAL


BEHAVIOR
Youve got your product, youve got
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time and money securing the top
talent to help you reach your goals.
Its all smooth sailing from here,
right?
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some of the costliest mistakes within
an organization stem from a critical
misunderstanding of how organizations work, and how to operate
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Now Professor Clinton O.
Longenecker, an award-winning
business instructor from The
University of Toledo and an active
business management coach, has
crafted Critical Business Skills:
Organizational Behavior. In these
12 engaging lectures, youll expand
your understanding of business by
exploring the key psychosocial and
behavioral issues that impact our
ability, as employees and leaders, to
get work done. Youll come away
from these lectures with refined
skills and an essential list of tools,
tips, and techniques for putting
yourself in a position to succeed.

key financial data in your profession- PART FIVE: MARKETING


Heres a surprising truth about
al and personal life.
business: The best product doesnt

Video Features Include

always win. It takes more than just


a great idea or a clear-cut strategy
to succeed in business; you have to
know how to sell that idea to consumers, each with their own tastes
and values.
True marketing, according
to consumer psychologist and
award-winning Professor Ryan
Hamilton of Emory University, is a
methodology; a series of skills that
should be applied to every stage of
business, from initial conception to
product development to brand management. In his words, its what
turns something with the potential
for creating value into something
that actually creates value for the
customerand the company for
selling it.
In Critical Business Skills:
Marketing, part of our comprehensive series on the five essential skills
in business, Professor Hamilton has
crafted an informative, accessible
lecture series that introduces you to
the fundamentals, the concepts, the
tools, and the applications of effective marketing. Filled with intriguing case studies, expert insights, and
helpful strategies these twelve lectures are crucial for anyone looking
to market a product or idea; develop
lasting relationships with customers;
and strengthen their business savvy.

This course works well in both audio


and video. The video version includes
the following features to enhance your
comprehension:

Charts illustrate business processes and


procedures, helping you envision each
stage and factor.

Throughout the lectures, the


professors highlight important Tools &
Takeawayskey ideas to remember.

Graphs demonstrate the importance


and utility of analytics, for both internal
information and customer data.

Lecture Titles
Strategy
1 Strategy Is Making Choices
2 How Apple Raises Competitive Barriers
3 The Danger of Straddling
4 What Trader Joes Doesnt Do
5 First Movers versus Fast Followers
6 When Netflix Met Blockbuster
7 Anticipating Your Rivals Response
8 Why Did Disney Buy Pixar?
9 The Diversification Discount
10 Forward and Backward Integration
11 Mergers and Acquisitions
The Winners Curse
12 Launching a Lean Start-Up
Operations
13 The Power of Superior Operations
14 Leaner, Meaner Production

FREE GUIDEBOOK!
496-page course
synopsis
Photos &
illustrations
Graphs, tables, &
formulas
Suggested readings
Questions to
consider
Bibliography

15 Refining Service Operations


16 Matching Supply and Demand
17 Rightsizing Inventory
18 Managing Supply and Suppliers
19 The Long Reach of Logistics
20 Rethinking Your Business Processes
21 Measuring Operational Performance
22 Keeping an Eye on Your Margins
23 Leveraging Your Supply Chain
24 Reducing Risk, Building Resilience
Finance and Accounting
25 Accounting and Finance
Decision-Making Tools
26 How to Interpret a Balance Sheet
27 Why the Income Statement Matters
28 How to Analyze a Cash Flow Statement
29 Common Size, Trend, and Ratio Analysis

30 Cost-Volume-Profit Analysis
31 Understanding the Time Value of Money
32 The Trade-Off between Risk and Return
33 How Investors Use Net Present Value
34 Alternatives to Net Present Value
35 Weighing the Costs of Debt and Equity
36 How to Value a Companys Stock
Organizational Behavior
37 Achieving Results in Your Organization
38 The Value of Great Leadership
39 Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace
40 The Art of Effective Communications
41 The Motivation-Performance Connection
42 Winning with Teamwork
43 CoachingFrom Gridiron to Boardroom
44 Understanding Power Relationships
45 Handling Workplace Conflict

46 Ethics and the Bathsheba Syndrome


47 Leading Real Organizational Change
48 Lifelong Learning for Career Success
Marketing
49 What Is Marketing?
50 How to Segment a Market
51 Targeting a Market Segment
52 Positioning Your Offering
53 Identifying Sources of Sales Growth
54 Deriving Value from Your Customers
55 Creating Great Customer Experiences
56 The Tactics of Successful Branding
57 Customer-Focused Pricing
58 Marketing Communications That Work
59 The Promise and Perils of Social Media
60 Innovative Marketing Research Techniques

Critical Business Skills for Success


SHOULD I BUY AUDIO OR VIDEO?

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audio and video formats.

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Course No. 5800, 60 LECTURES (30 MINUTES/LECTURE)

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53

CLAS SIC COURSES

Shakespeares Tragedies

The Life and Work of Mark Twain

Professor of English Clare R. Kinney


University of Virginia

Professor of English Stephen Railton


University of Virginia

Shakespeares contributions to stage and language


are unequaled. He has left audiences breathless
these past four centuries. But beyond his astonishing feats of language and dramatic impact,
Shakespeare also left us a legacy, crafted from his
experiences and explorations, of suffering and
transgression in his six great mature tragedies: Hamlet, Othello, King
Lear, Macbeth, Antony and Cleopatra, and Coriolanus. In Shakespeares
Tragedies, Professor Kinneys aim is to take you deep within each play
while supplying you with a nuanced understanding of its meaning.

Mark Twain was one of Americas greatest writers


and its first true celebrity. This course explores his
life as a renowned author and cultural icon as it is
revealed in the pages of his major works.
These lectures primarily focus on seven major
works, including Innocents Abroad, The Adventures
of Tom Sawyer, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, and A Connecticut Yankee
in King Arthurs Court. You explore what these works tell us about Twains
ambitions, his use of humor, his attitudes toward America, and how he
conceived and marketed his books.

Course No. 2752, 24 LECTURES (30 MINUTES/LECTURE)

Course No. 2567, 24 LECTURES (30 MINUTES/LECTURE)

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Reason and Faith:


Philosophy in the Middle Ages

Free Guidebook Included with Course

Questions of Value

Professor of Philosophy and Religious Studies


Thomas Williams | University of South Florida

For 1,000 years, Westerners thought reason and


faith went hand-in-hand as they searched for
answers to the profound questions of life. The best
minds of the age engaged in a common struggle
with transcendent issues, employing reason in the
service of faith. Professor Thomas Williams, award-winning educator
and expert in medieval philosophy, takes you through the key texts of
the period and introduces you to such great Christian philosophers as
Augustine and Ockham.

Professor of Philosophy Patrick Grim


State University of New York at Stony Brook

Our lives are filled with everyday questions.


But the fundamental questions of our lives, says
Professor Grim, are questions of value. They apply
to every aspect of our lives.
What is it that gives something genuine value?
Are there values that transcend cultural differences? Is all value subjective?
Questions of Value is a course for those who have ever felt the tug of such
questions or who want to fine-tune their ability to see how deeper questions of ethics and values apply to the choices that make up their lives.

Course No. 4636, 24 LECTURES (30 MINUTES/LECTURE)

Course No. 4433, 24 LECTURES (30 MINUTES/LECTURE)

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St. Augustines Confessions

Introduction to the Study of Religion

Professors William R. Cook and Ronald B. Herzman


State University of New York at Geneseo

Professor Charles B. Jones


The Catholic University of America

What is time? How can we understand God, or


the nature of evil? What is true friendship?
To understand such questions, you can read one
book, written in the 4th century, by one man: the
Confessions of St. Augustine of Hippo.
You will study the Confessions as a work that has had a staggering influence on Christianity and Western civilization, providing a source of inspiration for such noted thinkers and writers as Petrarch, Dante, and Martin
Luther.
Course No. 6627, 24 LECTURES (30 MINUTES/LECTURE)

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54

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Whether one acts as an individual, a local community member, or part of a broader fellowship
of believers, the approach to religion remains the
same: viewing religion and religious life from the
inside. What changes, however, when the approach to religion comes from
the outside? How do scholars study the ways the religious experience is
felt, shared, and communicated? How do they explain how this extraordinarily powerful force can define and shape the communities it creates? In
Introduction to the Study of Religion, Professor Charles B. Jones offers a
vibrant look at the discipline known as religious studies.
Course No. 6121, 24 LECTURES (30 MINUTES/LECTURE)

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CLASSIC COURSES

Ancient Greek Civilization

Ancient Empires before Alexander

Professor of Classical Studies Jeremy McInerney


University of Pennsylvania

Professor of History Robert L. Dise Jr.


University of Northern Iowa

Why do the ancient Greeks occupy such a prominent place in conceptions of Western culture and
identity? Covering the 11 centuries from the end
of the Neolithic period to the rise of Alexander the
Great, this course traces the history of Classical
Greece and its foundational influence on all of
Western civilization. The knowledge you gain here will increase your comprehension not only of history, but of all Western religion, art, architecture, philosophy, and literature as well.

Course No. 323, 24 LECTURES (30 MINUTES/LECTURE)

Course No. 3150, 36 LECTURES (30 MINUTES/LECTURE)

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Mysteries of the Microscopic World

Natural Law and Human Nature

Professor Bruce E. Fleury | Tulane University

Professor of Philosophy Father Joseph Koterski, S.J.


Fordham University

An invisible world of astonishing complexity is all


around you. A world so small you cant see it with
the naked eye. A world so crowded that its population staggers the mind. A world in which you participate every dayoften without even knowing it.
Mysteries of the Microscopic World is your
illustrated guided tour through a realm that is as teeming with exotic life
as any rainforestand that is just as exciting. Presented by award-winning
Professor Bruce E. Fleury, these 24 half-hour lectures tell the story of how
microbes evolved; how they function; how humans discovered them; how
they harm and also help us; and how we compete, coexist, and coevolve.

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Images; Ed Freeman/Stone/Getty Images.

Ancient Empires before Alexander is your opportunity to finally complete your knowledge of
the ancient world with a comprehensive look at
historys first empires: Akkad, Assyria, Babylon,
Carthage, and more. Professor Dise examines these
fascinating kingdoms as they endure the struggles,
successes, and failures of establishing an empire. In 36 engaging lectures,
follow these realms as they rise to glory, establish administrative and military systems, clash with one another, and eventually collapse.

Natural Law and Human Nature traces the origins


and consequences of natural law: the idea that there
is an objective moral order, grounded in humanity,
that holds universal and permanent implications for
the ways we should conduct ourselves as free and
responsible human beings. In this course, you consider the arguments for natural law, the serious objections that have been
raised against it, and the ways, despite all overt criticisms, it remains a vital
and pervasive force today.

Course No. 1551, 24 LECTURES (30 MINUTES/LECTURE)

Course No. 4453, 24 LECTURES (30 MINUTES/LECTURE)

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Philosophy of Science

The Physics of History

Professor Jeffrey L. Kasser | Colorado State University

Professor of Astronomy David J. Helfand


Columbia University

Why is science so successful? Is there such a thing


as the scientific method? How do we distinguish
science from pseudoscience? Is science rational,
cumulative, and progressive?
In 36 half-hour lectures, Professor Jeffrey L. Kasser takes you step by
step through a host of philosophical arguments that illuminate important
aspects of science. His goal is to leave you puzzled in articulate and productive waysa mission at which he has compiled an impressive track
record, as evidenced by such honors as the prestigious Senior Class Charles
Bassett Teaching Award at Colby College.

With recent developments in technology, scientists


can now use physics to explore intimate details
about history, from the rise and fall of preliterate societies to the origins of the solar system.
The Physics of History, taught by award-winning Professor David J. Helfand of Columbia
University, gives you the background you need to understand how scientists know what they do about the past. These 24 richly illustrated
lectures cover an astonishing range of cases in which physics has helped
redefine historyin astronomy, archaeology, geology, climatology, and
other fields.

Course No. 4100, 36 LECTURES (30 MINUTES/LECTURE)

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55

CLAS SIC COURSES

The Long 19th Century: European


History from 1789 to 1917

America and the World:


A Diplomatic History

Professor of History Robert I. Weiner


Lafayette College

Professor Emeritus of History Mark A. Stoler


The University of Vermont

In barely more than two centuries, the United


States evolved from a sparsely settled handful of
colonies into the most powerful nation the world
has ever known. How could such an implausible metamorphosis have
occurred? America and the World addresses this question and others about
American diplomatic history. In 24 insightful lectures, award-winning
Professor Mark A. Stoler offers you a fresh view of Americas shift from the
periphery of international politics to its very center.

Course No. 8190, 36 LECTURES (30 MINUTES/LECTURE)

Course No. 8598, 24 LECTURES (30 MINUTES/LECTURE)

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The Life and Operas of Verdi

The Lives of Great Christians

Professor Robert Greenberg


San Francisco Performances

Professor of History William R. Cook


State University of New York at Geneseo

Giuseppe Verdi is still the most popular composer


in the 400-year history of opera. What were the
sources of his unbridled creativity? And why have
his operas left such a lasting impression on the
history of classical music? Discover the answers in The Life and Operas of
Verdi, a fascinating 32-lecture course taught by award-winning composer
and professor Robert Greenberg. Tour Verdis life and music, and trace his
artistic development from a more conventional composer to a master of
dramatic innovation. And each lecture features captivating musical excerpts
that illustrate in vivid detail Verdis artistry.

The followers of Jesus, who came to be called


Christians, have practiced and preached their beliefs
for centuries. Many are well known, but many more
are obscure or even nameless. The Lives of Great
Christians introduces you to some of Christianitys
luminaries. You know once you meet them why they are great.
Christianity is more than doctrine or theology, and even more than
prayer. For many it is the daily effort to live ones faith in every time and
place. The Lives of Great Christians introduces you to those who have
done so over the centuries and shows the many paths they found.

Course No. 790, 32 LECTURES (45 MINUTES/LECTURE)

Course No. 6481, 24 LECTURES (30 MINUTES/LECTURE)

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War and World History

Free Guidebook Included with Course | Full Transcript of Course: $25.00

Take a highly provocative look at history with


War and World History. In these 48 intriguing
lectures, celebrated military historian and professor
Jonathan P. Roth offers you fresh insights into
human society through a penetrating look at the effects of war. Far from a
traditional approach to military events, this panoramic course is the story
of the intimate interconnections of war with human cultures and societies
across five continentsand how these connections have shaped history. A
penetrating view of the contexts and meanings of war, this course is essential for your understanding of the evolution of civilization.

Professor of English Language and Literature


Eric S. Rabkin | University of Michigan

Join one of the worlds foremost authorities on the


literature of the fantastic and science fiction, as he
takes you on a journey to explore Masterpieces of
the Imaginative Mind: Literatures Most Fantastic
Works.
Youll study strange tales of talking frogs and cannibal witches. Focusing
on the early 19th century to contemporary times, Professor Eric S. Rabkin
casts a wide net for fantastic works and delves deeply into some of the most
astounding.

Course No. 8870, 48 LECTURES (30 MINUTES/LECTURE)

Course No. 2997, 24 LECTURES (30 MINUTES/LECTURE)

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Masterpieces of the Imaginative Mind:


Literatures Most Fantastic Works

Professor of History Jonathan P. Roth


San Jos State University

56

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Few periods of history are so captivatingly complex as Europes 19th century, the often-broadly
defined period from the French Revolution to
World War I that formed the foundation of the
modern world. These lectures enable you to take
an enormous stride toward understanding this turbulent and important era and its effect on peasants, workers, the middle class, aristocrats,
women, and minorities.

RELIGION & THEOLOGY

new release

Journey to the Heart of a Profoundly


Influential Legacy of Religious Thought
Gnosticism: From Nag Hammadi to the Gospel of Judas
Chair in the History of Christianity and Professor of History David Brakke
The Ohio State University

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SAVE UP
TO

Discover the mysteries of Gnosticismits worldview,


rituals, and sacred textsand reveal its remarkable
impact on religious history.

he three centuries following


the death of Jesus were a
momentous and turbulent era
in Western religious thought. During
this time, Christianity began its
massive ascent, distancing itself from
paganism and Judaism.
In this age of burgeoning faith,
few if any influences on the theological landscape were as significant or
far-reaching as the religious movements known to us as Gnosticism.
Gnosticism, one of the most fascinating and perplexing phenomena in
Western religious history, intersected
with early Christian thought, sparking religious ideologies that competed with the theological thinking that
came to define Christianity. And,
though Gnosticism was branded as
heretical by the orthodox church, the
church formed many of its doctrines
in response to Gnostic ideas.
In Gnosticism: From Nag

Hammadi to the Gospel of Judas,


Professor David Brakke of The Ohio
State University is your guide in a
richly detailed immersion in the theology, sacred writings, rituals, and
outstanding human figures of the
Gnostic movements. At the heart
of the story is the 1945 discovery of
the Nag Hammadi codices, a mysterious cache of ancient documents
unearthed in the Egyptian desert,
that gave us firsthand accounts of the
Gnostics beliefs, practices, and ways
of life. Studying these invaluable
texts, along with more recent discoveries, such as the astonishing Gospel
of Judas and Gospel According to
Mary, gives you a profound look at
Gnostic spirituality and its singular
impact on religious history.
While fully respectful of traditional Christian beliefs, this course provides a valuable perspective on the
development of Western religions

$190

Sale Ends June 25

The Gospel of Judas is part of an ancient Coptic text now called Codex Tchacos,
one of four codices found in the late 1970s in an ancient burial cave in Egypt.

and Christian theology.


In delving into the paths of gnsis,
youll discover a compelling, alternative current of religious practice
in the West. Youll see clearly how
Christianity differentiated itself from
these paths, and how Gnostic influ-

ence resonates in the present day.


ABOUT YOUR PROFESSOR
Professor David Brakke is the Chair
in the History of Christianity and
Professor of History at The Ohio
State University.

Kenneth Garrett/National Geographic/Getty Images.

Lecture Titles
19 Gnosticism and Judaism

1 Rediscovering Gnsis

7 Gnosticisms Ritual Pathway to God

13 Becoming Male through Valentinian Ritual

2 Who Were the Gnostics?

8 The Feminine in Gnostic Myth

14 Valentinian Views on Christian Theology

20 Gnsis without Christ

3 God in Gnostic Myth

9 The Gospel of Thomass Cryptic Sayings

15 Mary Magdalene as an Apostle of Gnsis

21 The Mythology of Manichaeism

4 Gnosticism on Creation, Sin, and Salvation

10 The Gospel of Thomas on Reunifying the Self

16 Competing Revelations from Christ

22 Augustine on Manichaeism and Original Sin

5 Judas as a Gnostic Tragic Hero

11 Valentinus, Great Preacher of Gnsis

17 The Invention of Heresy

23 Gnostic Traces in Western Religions

6 Gnostic Bible Stories

12 God and Creation in Valentinian Myth

18 Making Gnsis Orthodox

24 Gnosticism in the Modern Imagination

FREE GUIDEBOOK!

Gnosticism: From Nag Hammadi to the Gospel of Judas

200-page course
synopsis

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57

RELIGION & THEOLOGY

The Story behind the Greatest Story Ever Told


The Story of the Bible
Professor of New Testament and Christian Origins Luke Timothy Johnson | Emory University

In The Story of the Bible, renowned scholar Luke Timothy


Johnson illuminates for you how this great book came into
being. Tracing the development of biblical texts across
millennia, Professor Johnson reaches from ancient history
through antiquity and the Middle Ages up to the present.
Youll learn about the many forms the Bible has taken and

the ways history, scholarship, and technology have helped


shape this great tradition. Throughout this enthralling story,
youll develop a deep appreciation for the tremendous power
of this astonishing bookone that has endured through
centuries and touched the lives of countless millions.

Lecture Titles
1
2
3
4
5
6

Telling the Story of a Book


Making TaNaK
Forms of Jewish Scripture
Birth of the Christian Bible
Formation of Jewish and Christian Canons
Writing and Copying Manuscripts

FREE GUIDEBOOK!
136-page course
outline

7 Imperial Sponsorship and the Bible


8 Texts and TranslationsThe Ancient East
9 Old Latin and the Vulgate
10 Other Ancient Versions
11 Monasteries and Manuscripts
12 Interpretation within Judaism

This course is designed to work well in both


audio and video formats.

Questions to
consider

Interpretation in Medieval Christianity


The Renaissance, Printing, and the Bible
The Protestant Reformation and the Bible
Translating the Bible into Modern Languages
The First Efforts at Englishing the Bible
The King James Version

19 The Romance of Manuscripts


20 Searching for the Critical Text
21 The Historical-Critical Approach
22 The Bible in Contemporary Judaism
23 Contemporary Christians and Their Bibles
24 The Bibles Story Continues

The Story of the Bible


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Suggested readings

13
14
15
16
17
18

Timeline & glossary


Biographical notes
Bibliography

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Purchase Set No. 6265:

The Story of the Bible (above) and Biblical Wisdom Literature (below)

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Discover the Wisdom within the Bible


Biblical Wisdom Literature
Professor of Philosophy Father Joseph Koterski, S.J. | Fordham University

In the history of wisdom literature, no tradition matches the


solace and profundity found in the teachings of the Bible.
The sages of the biblical wisdom tradition offer time-honored advice about some of lifes most difficult questions:
What is the reward of virtue? How can we best deal with
the uncertainty of life? For countless people, these ancient

writings have offered consolation and insight into the very


meaning of existence.
In Biblical Wisdom Literature, Father Joseph Koterski
takes you deep inside this tradition. The result is an enriching and rewarding journey.

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

Introduction to Biblical Wisdom Literature


The Place of Proverbs in the Bible
Collections of Proverbs
The Poems of the Book of Proverbs
The Relation of Proverbs to Covenant
InterludeSome Wisdom Psalms
Job and the Suffering of the Innocent
JobThe First Cycle of Conversations
JobDeepening the Conversation

FREE GUIDEBOOK!
176-page course
outline
Suggested readings
Questions to
consider
Timeline
Glossary
Bibliography

58

10 JobSecond and Third Conversation Cycles


11 JobThe Wisdom Poem and the Conclusion
12 JobElihus Defense of Gods Honor
13 JobReflections on the Book as a Whole
14 InterludePrayer in Times of Suffering
15 QohelethThe Inadequacy of Human Wisdom
16 QohelethSkepticism about Easy Answers
17 QohelethKeeping Faith during Confusion
18 InterludeWisdom Psalms for Uncertainty

19 SirachA Traditional Approach to Wisdom


20 Sirach on the Cultivation of Virtue
21 Sirachs Wisdom Poetry
22 Sirach on Divine Providence within History
23 The Song of SongsLove as the Answer
24 The Song of SongsLevels of Meaning
25 InterludeWisdom Psalms on Perseverance
26 DanielWisdom through Dream Visions
27 DanielGods Providential Plan for History

28 The Wisdom of Solomon on Divine Justice


29 The Wisdom of Solomon on Death
30 The Wisdom of Solomon on Prayer
31 The Wisdom of Solomon on Divine Providence
32 InterludeA Wisdom Psalm on Torah
33 Jesus as Wisdom Teacher
34 Jesus and the Wisdom Stories in the Gospels
35 Jesus and the Sermon on the Mount
36 Overview of Biblical Wisdom Literature

Biblical Wisdom Literature


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Lecture Titles

RELIGION & THEOLOGY

Meet Religions Greatest Spiritual Teachers and


Learn about Their Remarkable Moral Teachings
Confucius, Buddha, Jesus, and Muhammad
Professor of Religious Studies and Director of the Asian Studies Program Mark W. Muesse | Rhodes College

Discover new perspectives on the moral and spiritual precepts on which much of human civilization is built with
Confucius, Buddha, Jesus, and Muhammad. Awardwinning Professor Mark W. Muesse takes you deep inside
the life stories and legacies of these four iconic figures. He

reveals their core teachings and sheds new light on the history that underlies their phenomenal, enduring impact on
how we see and think about the world. These 36 lectures
are a rare chance to examine the still-living wisdom of four
great, visionary sages.

Lecture Titles
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

A Quartet of Sages
Confuciuss China
Becoming a Sage
A Gentleman and a Scholar
Heaven and Earth
Doing unto Others
How to Rule a Kingdom
What a Sage Does
Confucius and Confucianism

FREE GUIDEBOOK!
168-page course
synopsis
Photos & illustrations
Questions to
consider

10 India at the Time of the Buddha


11 Siddhattha Gotama
12 The First and Second Great Awakenings
13 Knowing the World
14 Cant Get No Satisfaction
15 Getting to the Farther Shore
16 How the Buddha Taught
17 The Buddha and Buddhism
18 The Jewish and Roman Worlds of Jesus

19 The Son of Mary


20 The First 30 Years
21 The Kingdom of God
22 Back to the Future
23 Jesuss Christology
24 The Last Days in Jerusalem
25 How Jesus Became Christ
26 Arabia in the Days of Ignorance
27 The Trustworthy One

28 I Am Only a Messenger
29 Madinah
30 There Is No God but al-Lah
31 The Ethics of Islam
32 The Greater Jihad
33 The Conquest of Makkah
34 Their Lives Compared
35 Their Teachings Compared
36 Their Enduring Significance

Confucius, Buddha, Jesus, and Muhammad


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This course is designed to work well in both


audio and video formats.

Glossary
Bibliography

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Why Is the Apostle Paul So Misunderstood?


The Apostle Paul
Professor of New Testament and Christian Origins Luke Timothy Johnson | Emory University

Historian and Professor Luke Timothy Johnson, the


best-selling author of The Real Jesus, offers a fresh and
historically grounded assessment of the life and letters of
Christianitys apostle to the Gentiles. Coming to grips
with Christianity means coming to grips with Paul. One
of the most fascinating, important, and controversial figures
in the religious history of the West, Paul continues to find
champions and detractors, sometimes in surprising places,
says Professor Johnson. There is no figure aside from Jesus

Margaret Carsello/Illustration Source; jozef sedmak/Alamy.

Lecture Titles
1 An Apostle Admired and Despised
2 How Should We Read Paul?
3 Pauls Life and Letters

FREE GUIDEBOOK!
72-page course
outline
Questions to consider
Glossary
Bibliography

7 Life in ChristSecond Corinthians


8 Life and LawGalatians
9 Life and RighteousnessRomans

10 FellowshipLetters from Captivity


11 History and Theology
12 Pauls Influence

The Apostle Paul


AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY ON AUDIO

Suggested readings
Timeline

4 Problems of Early Christianity


5 First and Second Thessalonians
6 Life in the WorldFirst Corinthians

himself who is more important to the history of this world


religion and no figure from the age of the early church about
whom we know more. You consider Paul's letters to the
Thessalonians, Corinthians, and Galatians. You explore his
religious commitments as a member of the Pharisaic movement, his persecution of the Christian sect, the dramatic
experience that changed him into an apostle, and his work as
a missionary and church founder.

Because of the nature of the subject matter,


this course is available exclusively on audio.

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Course No. 657, 12 LECTURES (30 MINUTES/LECTURE)

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59

MUSIC

Experience the Unrivaled Power of Great Classical Concerts


Concert Masterworks
Professor Robert Greenberg | San Francisco Performances

This course examines eight great concert masterworks by


Mozart, Beethoven, Dvork, Strauss, Brahms, Mendelssohn,
and Liszt. You explore the life, times, personality, and stylistic assumptions of the composers and analyze each compositions form, themes, thematic relationships, and expressive

content. You will also discuss the impact on musical development of the Enlightenment aesthetic ideal, nationalism,
Beethovens heroic style, the Romantic Era, and more.
Many musical excerpts are included.

Lecture Titles
1 MozartPiano Concerto No. 25 in C Major, I
2 MozartPiano Concerto No. 25 in C Major, II
3 MozartPiano Concerto
No. 25 in C Major, III
4 MozartPiano Concerto
No. 25 in C Major, IV
5 BeethovenPiano Concerto
No. 5 in E-flat Major, I
6 BeethovenPiano Concerto
No. 5 in E-flat Major, II

FREE GUIDEBOOK!
232-page course
outline

7 BeethovenPiano Concerto
No. 5 in E-flat Major, III
8 BeethovenPiano Concerto
No. 5 in E-flat Major, IV
9 DvorkSymphony No. 9 in E Minor, I
10 DvorkSymphony No. 9 in E Minor, II
11 DvorkSymphony No. 9 in E Minor, III
12 DvorkSymphony No. 9 in E Minor, IV
13 StraussDeath and Transfiguration, I
14 StraussDeath and Transfiguration, II
15 StraussDeath and Transfiguration, III

This course is designed to work well in both


audio and video formats.

Biographical notes

26 MendelssohnIncidental Music and


Overture to A Midsummer Nights Dream, II
27 MendelssohnIncidental Music and
Overture to A Midsummer Nights Dream, III
28 MendelssohnIncidental Music and
Overture to A Midsummer Nights Dream, IV
29 LisztTotentanz, I
30 LisztTotentanz, II
31 LisztTotentanz, III
32 LisztTotentanz, IV

Concert Masterworks
SHOULD I BUY AUDIO OR VIDEO?

Glossary

16 StraussDeath and Transfiguration, IV


17 BeethovenViolin Concerto in D Major, I
18 BeethovenViolin Concerto in D Major, II
19 BeethovenViolin Concerto in D Major, III
20 BeethovenViolin Concerto in D Major, IV
21 BrahmsViolin Concerto in D Major, I
22 BrahmsViolin Concerto in D Major, II
23 BrahmsViolin Concerto in D Major, III
24 BrahmsViolin Concerto in D Major, IV
25 MendelssohnIncidental Music and
Overture to A Midsummer Nights Dream, I

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Revel in Beethovens Unique Piano Artistry


Beethovens Piano Sonatas
Professor Robert Greenberg | San Francisco Performances

Lecture Titles
1 Beethoven and the Piano
2 Homage to Mozart
3 The Grand Sonata, Part 1
4 The Grand Sonata, Part 2
5 Meaning and Metaphor
6 The Striking and Subversive,
Op. 10 Continued

7 The Pathtique and the Sublime


8 The Opus 14 Sonatas
9 Motives, Bach and a Farewell
to the 18th Century
10 A Genre Redefined
11 Sonata quasi una fantasiaThe Moonlight
12 Lesser Siblings and a Pastoral Interlude

FREE GUIDEBOOK!
280-page course
outline
Wordscore guides
Timeline
Glossary
Biographical notes
Bibliography

13 The Tempest
14 A Quartet of Sonatas
15 The Waldstein and the Heroic Style
16 The Appassionata and the Heroic Style
17 They Deserve Better, Part 1
18 They Deserve Better, Part 2

19 The Farewell Sonata


20 Experiments in a Dark Time
21 The Hammerklavier, Part 1
22 The Hammerklavier, Part 2
23 In a World of His Own
24 Reconciliation

Beethovens Piano Sonatas


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Course No. 7250, 24 LECTURES (45 MINUTES/LECTURE)

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60

the length of his compositional career, Beethovens 32


piano sonatas provide a window into his personal musical
development, and they show the concept of the piano as an
instrument and the piano sonata as a genre undergoing an
extraordinary evolution. Professor Greenberg combines his
perceptive analyses of musical excerpts with historical anecdotes, metaphors, and humor.

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Beethoven was a revolutionary man living in a revolutionary time. He created a body of music the likes of which no
one had ever before imagined. A virtuoso at the keyboard,
Beethoven used the piano as his personal musical laboratory,
and the piano sonata became a place where he could experiment with harmony, motivic development, the contextual
use of form, and music as a self-expressive art. Spanning

MATHEMATICS

Master the Sure Road to Success in Calculus


Mathematics Describing the Real World: Precalculus and Trigonometry
Professor of Mathematics Bruce H. Edwards | University of Florida

Finally make sense of the mysteries of precalculus and trigonometry in the company of master educator and award-winning Professor Bruce Edwards. In the 36 intensively illustrated lectures of Mathematics Describing the Real World:
Precalculus and Trigonometry, he takes you through all the

major topics of a typical precalculus course taught in high


school or college. Youll gain new insights into functions,
complex numbers, matrices, and much more. The course
also comes complete with a workbook featuring a wealth of
additional explanations and problems.

Lecture Titles
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

An Introduction to PrecalculusFunctions
Polynomial Functions and Zeros
Complex Numbers
Rational Functions
Inverse Functions
Solving Inequalities
Exponential Functions
Logarithmic Functions
Properties of Logarithms

FREE WORKBOOK!
256-page workbook
Lecture outlines
Practice problems
& solutions
Summary of formulas

10 Exponential and Logarithmic Equations


11 Exponential and Logarithmic Models
12 Introduction to Trigonometry and Angles
13 Trigonometric FunctionsRight Triangle Definition
14 Trigonometric Functions
Arbitrary Angle Definition
15 Graphs of Sine and Cosine Functions
16 Graphs of Other Trigonometric Functions
17 Inverse Trigonometric Functions
18 Trigonometric Identities

19 Trigonometric Equations
20 Sum and Difference Formulas
21 Law of Sines
22 Law of Cosines
23 Introduction to Vectors
24 Trigonometric Form of a Complex Number
25 Systems of Linear Equations and Matrices
26 Operations with Matrices
27 Inverses and Determinants of Matrices

28 Applications of Linear Systems and Matrices


29 Circles and Parabolas
30 Ellipses and Hyperbolas
31 Parametric Equations
32 Polar Coordinates
33 Sequences and Series
34 Counting Principles
35 Elementary Probability
36 GPS Devices and Looking Forward to Calculus

Mathematics Describing the Real World: Precalculus and Trigonometry

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Course No. 1005, 36 LECTURES (30 MINUTES/LECTURE)

Because of the highly visual nature of the


subject matter, this course is available
exclusively on video.

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Bibliography

Discover Inventive and Exhilarating Ways to Solve


Math Problems
The Art and Craft of Mathematical Problem Solving
Professor of Mathematics Paul Zeitz | University of San Francisco

In The Art and Craft of Mathematical Problem Solving,


award-winning Professor Paul Zeitz conducts you through
scores of problems at all levels of difficulty. More than a bag
of math tricks, these 24 lectures reveal strategies, tactics, and
tools for overcoming mathematical obstacles in fields such as

algebra, geometry, combinatorics, and number theory. This


course is the perfect way to sharpen your mind, think more
creatively, and tackle intellectual challenges you might never
have imagined.

EuroStyle Graphics/Alamy; amanda productions inc./Getty Images

Lecture Titles
1
2
3
4
5
6
7

Problems versus Exercises


Strategies and Tactics
The Problem Solvers Mind-Set
Searching for Patterns
Closing the DealProofs and Tools
Pictures, Recasting, and Points of View
The Great SimplifierParity

FREE GUIDEBOOK!
152-page course
synopsis
Equations, tables, &
diagrams
Solutions
Suggested readings
Questions to consider
Timeline & glossary
Biographical notes
Bibliography

8 The Great UnifierSymmetry


9 Symmetry Wins Games!
10 Contemplate Extreme Values
11 The Culture of Problem Solving
12 Recasting Integers Geometrically
13 Recasting Integers with Counting and Series
14 Things in Categories The Pigeonhole Tactic

15 The Greatest Unifier of AllInvariants


16 Squarer Is BetterOptimizing 3s and 2s
17 Using Physical Intuition and Imagination
18 Geometry and the Transformation Tactic
19 Building from Simple to Complex with Induction
20 Induction on a Grand Scale
21 Recasting Numbers as PolynomialsWeird Dice

22 A Relentless Tactic Solves a Very Hard Problem


23 Genius and Conways Infinite
Checkers Problem
24 How versus WhyThe Final Frontier

The Art and Craft of Mathematical Problem Solving

Sale Ends 06/25/15!

AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY ON VIDEO

Course No. 1483, 24 LECTURES (30 MINUTES/LECTURE)

Because of the highly visual nature of the


subject matter, this course is available
exclusively on video.

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$214.95

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61

PHILOSOPHY & INTELLECTUAL HISTORY

Meet the Vanguard Thinkers of the Middle Ages


Great Minds of the Medieval World

This is a great way to learn about subjects that interest me.

Professor of English and Medieval Literature Dorsey Armstrong | Purdue University

Sylvia Adamsko, Albuquerque, NM

Go beyond the typical philosophy course and explore


the most fascinating minds of the Middle Ages,
including great philosophers, prolific writers, and
cultural movers.

he medieval era was a time


of extraordinary advances in
numerous fields of knowledge ranging from philosophy and
theology to science, literature, and
economicsas well as of revolutionary developments in education
and the birth of the university. The
unique legacy of the Middle Ages
appears most clearly in the lives of
its intellectual giants. Between the
4th and 15th centuries, the European
and Mediterranean worlds produced
an astonishing spectrum of visionary
thinkers who shaped the culture of
their times and profoundly influenced subsequent eras.
Medieval innovation also developed through a great cross-fertilization of thinking, involving the work
of remarkable minds such as Anicius
Boethius, the Roman politician and
philosopher whose work established
a template of academic education
that endures in the modern world;
Alhacen, the Islamic scholar who is
considered the father of scientific

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methodology; and Maimonides, the
Jewish philosopher and jurist whose
writings remain a core element of
Jewish law and culture.
The voices of brilliant women
were also heard in these times,
among them Hlose, the illustrious
French scholar and religious luminary, and Christine de Pisan, who,
became Europes first famous professional female writer.
In the 24 lectures of Great Minds
of the Medieval World, Professor
Dorsey Armstrong of Purdue
University guides you on a journey
into the lives of the thinkers of the
Middle Ages. This course discusses
the eras most outstanding innovators and visionaries whose great
contributions included facilitating
the achievements of others. In this
remarkable gallery of great minds,
youll encounter the leading lights of
a world-shaping era, exploring their
unique contributions to knowledge
Francesco Petrarch (1304-1374) was the first pan-European poet laureate since the
and the growth of our civilization.
collapse of the Roman Empire. His acclaimed poetry, philosophy, and innovative
thought foreshadowed the early modern world.

Lecture Titles

FREE GUIDEBOOK!
192-page course
synopsis
Photos & illustrations
Suggested readings
Questions to
consider
Bibliography

7 Avicenna and the Golden Age of Islam


8 Alhacen and the Scientific Method
9 Averroes and Aristotelian Philosophy
10 Maimonides and Jewish Law
11 Rashi and Biblical Interpretation
12 Saladin and the Defeat
of the Crusaders
13 Hildegard of Bingen

14 Bernard of Clairvaux
15 Abelard and Hlose
16 Peter Lombard and the Sentences
17 Thomas Aquinas
18 William of Ockham and
John Duns Scotus
19 Geoffrey Chaucer and Dante Alighieri
20 Francesco Petrarch

Great Minds of the Medieval World


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audio and video formats.

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Course No. 4631, 24 LECTURES (30 MINUTES/LECTURE)

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62

21 Lorenzo de Medici
22 Christine de Pisan
23 Sir Thomas Malory and
Le Morte Darthur
24 William Caxton and the
Birth of Printing

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1 Augustine of Hippo
2 Ambrose, Jerome, and
Gregory the Great
3 Boethius and the Consolation
of Philosophy
4 Isidore of Seville and the Etymologies
5 The Venerable Bede
6 Alcuin, Charlemagne, and
Alfred the Great

PHILOSOPHY & INTELLECTUAL HISTORY

The Meaning of Life: Perspectives from


the Worlds Great Intellectual Traditions

Books That Have Made History:


Books That Can Change Your Life

Professor of Philosophy and Professor in the


Humanities Jay L. Garfield | Smith College

Professor of Classics J. Rufus Fears


University of Oklahoma

What is the meaning of life? The Meaning


of Life: Perspectives from the Worlds Great
Intellectual Traditions is an invigorating way to
begin or continue your pursuit of this and other
questions. These 36 lectures offer you a rigorous and wide-ranging exploration of what spiritual, religious, and philosophical traditions from both the
East and the West have contributed to this profound line of questioning.
Lecture Titles
1 The Meaning of the Meaning of Life
2 The Bhagavad-GtChoice
and Daily Life
3 The Bhagavad-GtDiscipline and Duty
4 The Bhagavad-GtUnion and Purpose
5 Aristotle on LifeThe Big Picture
6 AristotleThe Highest Good
7 AristotleThe Happy Life
8 Jobs PredicamentLife Is So Unfair
9 Jobs ChallengeWho Are We?
10 StoicismRationality and Acceptance
11 Human Finitude
The Epicurean Synthesis
12 ConfuciusOrder in the
Cosmos and in Life
13 DaodejingThe Dao of
Life and Spontaneity

14 DaodejingThe Best Life Is a Simple Life


15 DaodejingSubtlety and Paradox
16 Zhuangzi on Daoism
Impermanence and Harmony
17 The Teachings of the Buddha
18 ntidevaMahyna Buddhism
19 ntidevaTransforming the Mind
20 ZenThe Moon in a Dewdrop
and Impermanence
21 ZenBeing-Time and
Primordial Awakening
22 Taking Stock of the Classical World
23 Humes Skepticism and the Place of God
24 Humes Careless and
Compassionate Vision
25 KantImmaturity and the
Challenge to Know

26 Mills Call to Individuality and to Liberty


27 TolstoyIs Everyday Life the Real Thing?
28 NietzscheTwilight of the Idols
29 NietzscheAchieving Authenticity
30 GandhiSatygraha and
Holding Fast to Truth
31 GandhiThe Call to a Supernormal Life
32 Lame DeerLife Enfolded in Symbols
33 Lame DeerOur Place in
a Symbolic World
34 HH Dalai Lama XIV
A Modern Buddhist View
35 HH Dalai Lama XIVDiscernment
and Happiness
36 So, What Is the Meaning of Life?

What makes a written work eternalits message


still so fundamental to the way we live that it
continues to speak to us, hundreds or thousands
of years distant from the lifetime of its author?
Professor J. Rufus Fears presents his choices of some of the most essential
writings in historyworks that shaped the minds of great individuals and
offer an extraordinary gift of wisdom. This course focuses on intellectual
history and ethics and what the ideas in each great work can mean in your
life today.
Lecture Titles
1 Bonhoeffer, Letters and
Papers from Prison
2 Homer, Iliad
3 Marcus Aurelius, Meditations
4 Bhagavad Gita
5 Book of Exodus
6 Gospel of Mark
7 Koran
8 Gilgamesh
9 Beowulf
10 Book of Job
11 Aeschylus, Oresteia
12 Euripides, Bacchae
13 Plato, Phaedo
14 Dante, The Divine Comedy

Course No. 4320, 36 LECTURES (30 MINUTES/LECTURE)

Course No. 4600, 36 LECTURES (30 MINUTES/LECTURE)

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Free Guidebook Included with Course | Full Transcript of Course: $35.00

Join historian and classical scholar J. Rufus


Fears as he tells the dramatic story of historys
most powerful idea from ancient Greece to our
own day. What did freedom mean to Abraham
Lincolnand to Robert E. Lee? What did
it mean to Franklin Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, and Martin Luther
King? What does it mean to us today? Find out in this deeply moving,
thought-provoking course.
Lecture Titles
13 Jesus and Socrates
14 Paul the Apostle
15 Freedom in the Middle Ages
16 Luther and the Protestant
Reformation
17 From Machiavelli to the
Divine Right of Kings
18 The Anglo-American
Tradition of Liberty
19 The Shot Heard Round the World
20 The Tyranny of George III
21 What the Declaration of
Independence Says
22 Natural Law and the Declaration
23 Miracle at Philadelphia

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24 What the Constitution Says


25 The Bill of Rights
26 Liberty and Lee at Gettysburg
27 Liberty and Lincoln at Gettysburg
28 FDR and the Progressive Tradition
29 Why the French Revolution Failed
30 The Liberal Tradition
31 Churchill and the War for Freedom
32 The Illiberal Tradition
33 Hitler and the War Against Freedom
34 The Cold War
35 Civil Disobedience and
Social Change
36 Freedom and the
Lessons of History

Change the way you think about the greatest stories ever told with Life Lessons from the Great
Myths by acclaimed Great Courses Professor
J. Rufus Fears. A powerful work of storytelling
prowess, this 36-lecture course explores individuals and events that so gripped civilizations, they transcended to the level
of myth. Taking you from the battlefields of Alexander the Great to the
conquests of Napoleon Bonaparte to the drama of the America West, this
is the kind of engaging learning experience only Professor Fears can deliver.
Lecture Titles
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14

Heroes, History, and Myth


The Myth of Troy
Homer and Mythology
In Search of Historical Troy
Life Lessons from the Trojan War
Jason and the Golden Fleece
Theseus and the Minotaur
Myth and Athenian Drama
Fate and Free Will in Mythology
AtlantisFact or Fiction?
The Epic of Gilgamesh
Gilgamesh and History
The Book of Genesis
ExodusThe Foundation
of the Jewish People

15 The Historical Power


of Biblical Stories
16 AeneasRomes National Hero
17 RomulusThe Founder of Rome
18 Lays of Ancient Rome
19 Alexander the Great in History
20 Alexander the Great in Romance
21 BeowulfHistorical Roots
and Heroic Values
22 King ArthurFact or Fiction?
23 In Search of the Holy Grail
24 Vikings in America?
25 Vergil the Magician
26 The Battle of Kosovo
27 Julius Caesar in History

Course No. 480, 36 LECTURES (30 MINUTES/LECTURE)

Course No. 3870, 36 LECTURES (30 MINUTES/LECTURE)

DVD $374.95
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Video Download $319.95 NOW $84.95
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$269.95 NOW $69.95
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Free Guidebook Included with Course | Full Transcript of Course: $35.00

Audio formats
include FREE
audio streaming

Professor of Classics J. Rufus Fears


University of Oklahoma

Professor of Classics J. Rufus Fears


University of Oklahoma

1 The Birth of Freedom


2 Athenian Democracy
3 AthensFreedom and
Cultural Creativity
4 Athenian Tragedy
Education for Freedom
5 Socrates on Trial
6 Alexander the Great
7 The Roman Republic
8 Julius Caesar
9 Freedom in the Roman Empire
10 RomeFreedom and
Cultural Creativity
11 Gibbon on Romes Decline and Fall
12 Jesus

28 Johann Wolfgang von


Goethe, Faust, Part 1
29 Johann Wolfgang von
Goethe, Faust, Part 2
30 Henry David Thoreau, Walden
31 Gibbon, Decline and Fall of
the Roman Empire
32 Lord Acton, The History of Freedom
33 Cicero, On Moral Duties (De Officiis)
34 Gandhi, An Autobiography
35 Churchill, My Early Life; Painting
as a Pastime; WWII
36 Lessons from the Great Books

Life Lessons from the Great Myths

A History of Freedom

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15 Shakespeare, Othello, the Moor of Venice


16 Aeschylus, Prometheus Bound
17 Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, The
Gulag Archipelago
18 Shakespeare, Julius Caesar
19 George Orwell, 1984
20 Vergil, Aeneid
21 Pericles, Oration; Lincoln,
Gettysburg Address
22 Remarque, All Quiet on the Western Front
23 Confucius, The Analects
24 Machiavelli, The Prince
25 Plato, Republic
26 John Stuart Mill, On Liberty
27 Sir Thomas Malory, Morte dArthur

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28 Napoleon and the Mantle of Caesar


29 Arminius and German Mythology
30 Teuton versus Roman
31 Davy Crockett and the
Myth of the Frontier
32 The Alamo
33 Jesse James and the
Myth of the Outlaw
34 General CusterHero or Villain?
35 Reagan, Hollywood, and
American Ideals
36 Mythology as a Path to Wisdom

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63

MODERN HISTORY

Witness the Dramatic Rise and Fall of One


of Modern Historys Greatest Empires
The Rise and Fall of the British Empire
Professor of American History Patrick N. Allitt | Emory University

In the 36 lectures of The Rise and Fall of the British


Empire, Professor Patrick N. Allitt leads you through four
centuries of British power, innovation, and diminishment.
The 400 years covered in this course are those that literally
remade the world and bequeathed a global legacy that con-

tinues to shape life today. Offering fresh insights into a wide


range of political, economic, social, and technological areas,
this masterful series will give you a refreshing new understanding of what made the British Empire such a defining
force in modern Western history.

9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16

25 Ireland Divided
26 Cricket and the British Empire
27 British India between the World Wars
28 World War IIEngland Alone
29 World War IIThe Pyrrhic Victory
30 Twilight of the Raj
31 Israel, Egypt, and the Suez Canal
32 The Decolonization of Africa

Lecture Titles
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

The Sun Never Set


The Challenge to Spain in the New World
African Slavery and the West Indies
Imperial Beginnings in India
Clive and the Conquest of India
Wolfe and the Conquest of Canada
The Loss of the American Colonies
Exploring the Planet

FREE GUIDEBOOK!
144-page course
outline

Napoleon Challenges the Empire


The Other Side of the World
Abolition of the Slave Trade and Slavery
Early African Colonies
China and the Opium Wars
BritainThe Imperial Center
IrelandThe Tragic Relationship
India and the Great Game

17 Rebellion and Mutiny in India


18 How Canada Became a Nation
19 The Exploration and Settlement of Africa
20 Gold, Greed, and Geopolitics in Africa
21 The Empire in Literature
22 Economics and Theories of Empire
23 The British Empire Fights Imperial Germany
24 Versailles and Disillusionment

The Rise and Fall of the British Empire

Sale Ends 06/25/15!

Course No. 8480, 36 LECTURES (30 MINUTES/LECTURE)

SHOULD I BUY AUDIO OR VIDEO?

This course is designed to work well in both


audio and video formats.

Suggested readings
Questions to
consider
Timeline
Glossary
Biographical notes
Bibliography

33 The White Dominions


34 Britain after the Empire
35 Colonial and Postcolonial Literature
36 Epitaph and Legacy

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Why Will the 21st Century Be the Chinese Century?


The Fall and Rise of China
Professor of Political Science Richard Baum | University of California, Los Angeles

How did modern China become one of the most important global powers of the 21st century? Join China expert
and Professor Richard Baum as he brings to life the human
struggles, political upheavals, and spectacular speed of this
nations rebirth in The Fall and Rise of China. Offering

multilevel insights into one of the most astounding real-life


dramas of modern history, his 48 lectures weave together the
diverse developments and sociopolitical currents that created
the China of todays headlines.

10 Chiang, Mao, and the Civil War, 19261934


11 The Republican Experiment, 19271937
12 Resist Japan! 19371945
13 Chiangs Last Stand, 19451949
14 The Chinese People Have Stood Up!
15 Korea, Taiwan, and the Cold War, 19501954
16 Socialist Transformation, 19531957
17 Cracks in the Monolith, 19571958
18 The Great Leap Forward, 19581960
19 Demise of the Great Leap
Forward, 19591962

31 Deng Takes Command, 19781979


32 The Historic Third Plenum, 1978
33 The Normalization of U.S.-China Relations
34 Deng Consolidates His Power, 19791980
35 Socialist Democracy and the Rule of Law
36 Burying Mao, 19811983
37 To Get Rich Is Glorious, 19821986
38 The Fault Lines of Reform, 19841987
39 The Road to Tiananmen, 19871989
40 The Empire Strikes Back, 1989
41 After the Deluge, 19891992

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

The Splendor That Was China, 6001700


Malthus and Manchu Hubris, 17301800
Barbarians at the Gate, 18001860
Rural Misery and Rebellion, 18421860
The Self-Strengthening
Movement, 18601890
Hundred Days of Reform and
the Boxer Uprising
The End of Empire, 19001911
The Failed Republic, 19121919
The Birth of Chinese Communism, 19171925

FREE GUIDEBOOK!
238-page course
synopsis
Photos & illustrations
Maps
Suggested readings
Questions to consider
Timeline & glossary
Biographical notes
Bibliography

64

20 Never Forget Class Struggle! 19621965


21 Long Live Chairman Mao! 19641965
22 Maos Last Revolution Begins, 19651966
23 The Childrens Crusade, 19661967
24 The Storm Subsides, 19681969
25 The Sino-Soviet War of Nerves, 19641969
26 Nixon, Kissinger, and China, 19691972
27 Maos Deterioration and Death, 19711976
28 The Legacy of Mao ZedongAn Appraisal
29 The Post-Mao Interregnum, 19761977
30 Hua Guofeng and the Four Modernizations

42 The Roaring Nineties, 19921999


43 The Rise of Chinese Nationalism, 19932001
44 Chinas Lost TerritoriesTaiwan, Hong Kong
45 China in the New Millennium, 20002008
46 Chinas Information Revolution
47 One World, One Dream
The 2008 Olympics
48 Chinas RiseThe Sleeping Giant Stirs

The Fall and Rise of China


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Guildhall Art Gallery, City of London/Bridgeman Images; REUTERS/China Daily.

Lecture Titles

MODERN HISTORY

Step into the Shoes of French Citizens and Discover


the Drama and Terror of the French Revolution
ORDER TODAY

Living the French Revolution and the Age of Napoleon

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Professor of History Suzanne M. Desan | University of WisconsinMadison

$390

Examine a crucial turning point for humanitythe


French Revolution and its aftermathin which
ordinary people began to throw off the shackles of
economic and political oppression and set down the
path to freedom.

he 25 years between the onset


of the French Revolution in
1789 and the Bourbon Restoration after Napoleon in 1814 is an
astonishing period in world history.
This era shook the foundations of
the old world and marked a permanent shift for politics, religion, and
societynot just for France, but for
all of Europe.
Living the French Revolution and
the Age of Napoleon is your opportunity to learn the full story of this
captivating period. Taught by Dr.
Suzanne M. Desan, a distinguished
professor of history at the

Sale Ends June 25

University of WisconsinMadison,
these 48 exciting lectures give you
a broad and comprehensive survey
of one of the most important eras
in modern history. When you complete this course, youll have a new
appreciation for this history, and
youll understand how profoundly it
changed the rest of Europe.
The next time you open any newspaper, youll see headlines that echo
the struggles of France between 1789
and 1814. Freedom, equality, revolution, political factionalismthe
hopes and questions of this gripping The Battle of Pont dArcole, November 15-17, 1796, gave Napoleon victory over
Austria, which was part of a coalition of European nations that aimed to reinstall the
story have profound implications for French monarchy.
us today.

Lecture Titles
1 Introduction and the Old Regime Monarchy
2 PrivilegeOld Regime Society
3 The Enlightenment
4 France, Global Commerce, and Colonization
5 American Revolution and the Economic Crisis
6 The Political Awakening of 1789
7 July 14thStorming the Bastille
8 Peasant Revolt and the Abolition of Feudalism
9 The Declaration of the Rights of Man
10 Paris Commands Its King
11 Political Apprenticeship in Democracy
12 Religion and the Early Revolution

FREE GUIDEBOOK!
384-page course
synopsis
Photos & illustrations

Photo Christies Images/The Bridgeman Art Library.

Suggested readings
Questions to
consider
Timeline
Bibliography

13 The Revolution and the Colonies


14 Womens Rights in the Early Revolution
15 The Kings Flight
16 Foreign ReactionsA Divided Europe
17 The Path to War with Europe
18 Overthrowing the Monarchy
19 The Kings Trial
20 The Republic at War
21 Revolutionary Culture and Festivals
22 Family and Marriage
23 Slave Revolt and the Abolition of Slavery
24 Counterrevolution and the Vende

25 The Pressure Cooker of Politics


26 Revolution in CrisisSummer 1793
27 Terror Is the Order of the Day
28 The Revolution Devours Her Children
29 The Overthrow of Robespierre
30 The Thermidorian Reaction
31 The DirectoryAn Experimental Republic
32 Young Napoleon
33 The Italian Campaign and the Sister Republics
34 Sister Republics? France and America
35 Bonaparte in Egypt
36 Bonaparte Seizes Power

37 Building PowerGeneral and First Consul


38 Napoleon Becomes Emperor
39 Napoleons Ambitions in the New World
40 Taking on the Great Powers
41 Expanding the Empire
42 France during the Empire
43 Living under the Empire
44 The Russian Campaign
45 Napoleons Fall and the Hundred Days
46 Waterloo and Beyond
47 Emerging Political Models
48 Revolutionary Legacies

Living the French Revolution and the Age of Napoleon

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This course is designed to work well in


both audio and video formats. The video
versions feature more than 1,000 visual
elements, including maps, portraits, and
illustrations designed to enhance your
learning experience.

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65

MODERN HISTORY

Delve Deeply into One of the Most


Important Periods in History

Smithsonian

The Industrial Revolution


Professor of American History Patrick N. Allitt | Emory University

Discover the inventors, business leaders, and ordinary


workers who created our modern industrial world.

e owe so much of our


world to the Industrial
Revolution. The lights
that illuminate our homes, the cars
that carry us to work, the machines
that help drive our economy, and the
appliances that make our lives easierthese technologies exist thanks
to a remarkable group of scientists
and entrepreneurs who, over the past
250 years, have transformed virtually
every aspect of our lives and fueled
one of the greatest periods of innovation in history.
Taught by longtime Great
Courses favorite professor Patrick
N. Allitt of Emory University, The
Industrial Revolution is a fascinating examination of one of the
most pivotal eras in history. Over
the course of 36 thought-provoking
lectures, youll explore the extraordi-

nary events of this period; meet the


inventors, businessmen, and workers
responsible for new technologies and
processes; and uncover the farreaching impact of this revolution.
We recognize the benefits of the
Industrial Revolution in hindsight,
but we should not forget that it
created hardships along the way. Its
method of creative destruction shattered the livelihoods of rank-and-file
workers; the new economy increased
inequality and often exploited workers; and it was environmentally
harmful. While Professor Allitt presents all sides of the story, he shows
how the ultimate effect of industrial
ingenuity has been overwhelmingly
beneficialand how the fruits of
this revolution liberated people from
many of the difficulties and restrictions of preindustrial life.

The Industrial Revolution is the story of how we learned to make and distribute ever
more complex devices, whose collective effect has been to make life longer, richer,
safer, and more varied for us than for nearly all our predecessors on the planet.

Lecture Titles
Industrialization Is Good for You
Why Was Britain First?
The Agricultural Revolution
Cities and Manufacturing Traditions
The Royal Shipyards
The Textile Industry
Coal MiningPowering the Revolution
IronCoking and Puddling
Wedgwood and the Pottery Business

FREE GUIDEBOOK!
274-page course
synopsis
Photos & illustrations
Suggested readings

Topic
History

Subtopic
Modern History

The Industrial
Revolution
Dr. Patrick N. Allitt

Bibliography

Smithsonian

19 American PioneersWhitney and Lowell


20 Steamboats and Factories in America
21 Why Europe Started Late
22 Bismarck, De Lesseps, and Eiffel
23 John D. Rockefeller and Standard Oil
24 Andrew Carnegie and American Steel
25 American Industrial Labor
26 Anglo-American Contrasts
27 Electric Shocks and Surprises

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66

28 Mass-Producing Bicycles and Cars


29 Taking FlightThe Dream Becomes Reality
30 Industrial Warfare, 19141918
31 Expansion and the Great Depression
32 Mass Production Wins World War II
33 The Information Revolution
34 Asian TigersThe New Industrialized Nations
35 Environmental Paradoxes
36 The Benign Transformation

The Industrial Revolution


This course is designed to work well in both
audio and video formats.

Emory University

Questions to
consider

10 Building Britains Canals


11 Steam Technology and the First Railways
12 The Railway Revolution
13 Isambard Kingdom BrunelMaster Engineer
14 The Machine-Tool Makers
15 The Workers-Eye View
16 Poets, Novelists, and Factories
17 How Industry Changed Politics
18 Dismal ScienceThe Economists

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1
2
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4
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6
7
8
9

MODERN HISTORY

The Story of the United States of America as Only


the Smithsonian Can Tell It
Smithsonian
Experiencing America: A Smithsonian
Tour through American History

Dr. Richard Kurin, Under Secretary for History, Art, and Culture | Smithsonian

Dive into a rich, visual history of the United States of


America, as told using the Smithsonians one-of-a-kind
collection of iconic and symbolic American artifacts.

he Smithsonian is a repository of Americas history,


achievements, aspirations,
and identity. It holds the artifacts
of great leaders. It houses scientific
specimens and technological wonders. It is home to art, music, films,
writingsa vast treasure trove of
objects of extraordinary beauty and
outstanding design. With a collection of some 137 million items in
more than two dozen museums,
libraries, and research centers, the
Smithsonian brings our national
story to life as nothing else can.
That worthy goal is also the purpose of The Great Courses, and
it has inspired a unique partnership: The Great Courses and the
Smithsonian are collaborating to
bring the Smithsonian museums
to you. In a rare move, curators

have taken objects out of their cases


to give you special access to treasures that collectively represent the
American experience.
Experiencing America: A
Smithsonian Tour through
American History showcases almost
100 artifacts and exhibits. Together,
these evocative items tell the story of
America, its people, and its diverse
cultures in 24 lavishly illustrated
half-hour lectures.
In addition to historic objects,
Experiencing America includes
The Star-Spangled Banner tells the story of how we have defined, loved, almost
maps, portraits, recordings, videos,
destroyed, and saved a national treasure. Since its creation, it has been a symbol of
and demonstration models. The
result is an American history course protest, a call to do better and to realize the highest ideals of our national purpose.
like no other.
History, Art, and Culture. In this
several of its research and outreach
ABOUT YOUR PROFESSOR
position, he oversees most of the
programs.
Dr. Richard Kurin is the
Smithsonians national museums,
Smithsonians Under Secretary for
libraries, and archives, as well as

Star-Spangled Banner, Mary Pickersgill, 1814, Baltimore Maryland, United States, Wool (overall material), National Museum
of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center, Smithsonian Institution, Cat. No. 13649, Accession: 54876.

Lecture Titles
1 The Star-Spangled Banner
Inspiring the Anthem
2 Presidents and GeneralsImages of Leadership
3 Conscience and ConflictReligious History
4 The Growth and Spread of Slavery
5 Emancipation and the Civil War
6 Gold, Guns, and GrandeurThe West

FREE GUIDEBOOK!
272-page course
synopsis
Portraits & illustrations
List of featured
objects
Suggested readings
Bibliography

7 The First AmericansThen and Now


8 Planes, Trains, Automobiles and Wagons
9 CommunicationsFrom Telegraph to Television
10 Immigrant Dreams and Immigrant Struggles
11 User FriendlyDemocratizing Technology
12 Extinction and Conservation

13 Kitty Hawk to TranquilityInnovation and Flight


14 Cold WarRed Badges, Bombs,
and the Berlin Wall
15 National TragedyMaine, Pearl Harbor, 9/11
16 For the Greater GoodPublic Health
17 Women Making History
18 The Power of Portraits

19 Two Centuries of American Style


20 HollywoodThe American Myth Machine
21 The Hope DiamondAmericas Crown Jewel
22 Sing Out for JusticeAmerican Music
23 Exploring the Land, Exploring the Universe
24 All Men Are Created EqualCivil Rights

Experiencing America: A Smithsonian Tour through American History


AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY ON VIDEO

Course No. 8576, 24 LECTURES (30 MINUTES/LECTURE)

Because of the highly visual nature of the


subject matter, this course is available
exclusively on video.

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67

MODERN HISTORY

Fascinating Tales of English Royalty


A History of England from the Tudors to the Stuarts

These courses provide outstanding detail which enhances my knowledge


of and appreciation for my particular areas of interest.

Professor of History Robert Bucholz | Loyola University Chicago

Francis Barden, Arlington, WA

Learn how England transformed itself from a medieval


backwater into the first modern state in this sweeping
48-lecture course on one of the most interesting periods
in all of history.

uring the 229-year period


from 1485 to 1714, England
transformed itself from a
minor feudal state into what has been
called the first modern society and
emerged as the wealthiest and most
powerful nation in the world.
Those years hold a huge story.
The English survived repeated epidemics and famines, one failed invasion and two successful ones, two
civil wars, a series of violent religious
reformations and counter-reformations, and confrontations with two
of the most powerful monarchs
on earth, Louis XIV of France and
Philip II of Spain.
But they did much more than survive. They produced a great culture,
giving the world the ideas of John
Locke, the plays of Shakespeare, the
wit of Swift, the poetry of Milton,
the buildings of Christopher Wren,

the science of Isaac Newton, and the


King James Bible, to name a very
few.
And, despite the wrongs they
visited upon so many, they also left
behind something else: the political
principles and ideals for which we
and so many of themwould work
and die, and on which we would
build our nation.
As you watch Englands changing social, economic, religious, and
political structures unfold while the
Tudors and then the Stuarts establish their monarchies, you will hear
the real facts behind such interesting
and enduring stories as these:
Henry VIIIs wives and his fear
that a woman would rule
The reigns of Henrys three children: the popular Elizabeth I,
Bloody Mary, and Edward VI

Hampton Court Palace was one of the residences of Henry VIII.

The execution of Charles I, who


dressed in his best clothes to
walk to his beheading
You will also learn how the
English people were born, worked,
played, worshiped, fell in love, and
died. You will discover answers to

such intriguing questions as, Why


have all of Britains glory days been
under women monarchs? Why
do rebellion and war continue in
Ireland and Scotland?

24 Order and Disorder


25 Towns, Trade, and Colonization
26 London
27 The Elizabethan and Jacobean Age
28 Establishing the Stuart Dynasty160325
29 The Ascendancy of Buckingham161428
30 Religion and Local Control162837
31 Crisis of Three Kingdoms163742
32 The Civil Wars164249
33 The Search for a Settlement164953
34 Cromwellian England165360
35 The Restoration Settlement166070
36 The Failure of the Restoration167078

37 The Popish Plot and Exclusion167885


38 A Catholic Restoration? 168588
39 The Glorious Revolution168889
40 King Williams War168992
41 King Williams War16921702
42 Queen Anne and the Rage of Party1702
43 Queen Annes War170210
44 Queen Annes Peace171014
45 Hanoverian Epilogue171430
46 The Land and Its People in 1714, Part I
47 The Land and Its People in 1714, Part II
48 The Meaning of English History14851714

Lecture Titles

FREE GUIDEBOOK!
278-page course
synopsis
Photos & illustrations
Suggested readings
Questions to consider
Timeline & glossary
Biographical notes
Bibliography

68

Topic
History

Subtopic
Renaissance
& Early Modern

A History of England from


the Tudors to the Stuarts
Professor Robert Bucholz
Loyola University Chicago

12 A Tudor Revolution153647
13 The Last Years of Henry VIII154047
14 Edward VI154753
15 Mary I155358
16 Young Elizabeth1558
17 The Elizabethan Settlement155868
18 Set in a Dangerous World156888
19 Heart and Stomach of a
Queen15881603
20 The Land and Its People in 1603
21 Private LifeThe Elite
22 Private LifeThe Commoners
23 The Ties that Bound

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Corel Stock Photo Library.

1 England 14851714, the


First Modern Country
2 The Land and Its People in 1485, Part I
3 The Land and Its People in 1485, Part II
4 The Land and Its People in 1485, Part III
5 Medieval Prelude13771455
6 Medieval Prelude145585
7 Establishing the Tudor Dynasty148597
8 Establishing the Tudor
Dynasty14971509
9 Young King Hal150927
10 The Kings Great Matter152730
11 The Break from Rome152936

MODERN HISTORY

Vikings: Historys Raiders and Traders


The Vikings
Professor of Classical and Byzantine History Kenneth W. Harl | Tulane University

Discover the tremendous impact Vikings had on


the history and culture of Western civilization,
from England and France to Russia to the gates of
Constantinople.

s raiders and explorers, the


Vikings played a decisive role
in the formation of Latin
Christendom, and particularly of
western Europe. In this course, you
will study the Vikings not only as
warriors, but also in other roles for
which they were equally extraordinary: merchants, artists, kings,
raiders, seafarers, shipbuilders, and
creators of a remarkable literature of
myths and sagas.
Professor Kenneth Harl synthesizes insights from an astonishing array of sources: The Russian
Primary Chronicle (a Slavic text
from medieval Kiev), 13 -century
Icelandic poems and sagas, Byzantine
accounts, Arab geographies, annals of
Irish monks who faced Viking raids,
Roman reports, and scores of other
firsthand contemporary documents.
Among the topics you'll explore are
the profound influence of the Norse
gods and heroes on Viking culture
and the Vikings extraordinary accomth

I have wanted to take college-level courses in subjects that interest me,


but have always been too busy. The Great Courses allows me to do this
without the hassle of registering and going to classes, in my own home or
car at my own pace.
David Alkek, Dallas, TX

plishments as explorers and settlers


in Iceland, Greenland, and Vinland.
With the help of archaeological findings, you'll learn to analyze Viking
ship burials, runestones and runic
inscriptions, Viking wood carving,
jewelry, sculpture, and metalwork.
The Vikings were a people whose
history stretched from the Vinland
settlements in Newfoundland to
Baghdad. Accordingly, the telling of
their story requires a historian of Dr.
Harls considerable powers.
The course begins with a virtual
tour of the unique Scandinavian
terrain, and it course explores Viking
skills in shipbuilding, navigation,
and warfare, as well as their cultural and artistic achievements and
themes.
Who were the Vikings? Raiders,
seafarers, kings, and writers, a people who truly defined the history of
Europe, and whose brave, adventurous, and creative spirit still survives
today.

Lecture Titles
1 The Vikings in Medieval History
2 Land and People of Medieval Scandinavia
3 Scandinavian Society in the Bronze Age
4 Scandinavia in the Celtic and Roman Ages
5 The Age of Migrations
6 The Norse Gods
7 Runes, Poetry, and Visual Arts
8 Legendary Kings and Heroes
9 A Revolution in Shipbuilding

Radius Images/Corbis.

FREE GUIDEBOOK!
288-page course
synopsis
Photos & illustrations
Maps
Suggested readings
Questions to consider
Timeline & glossary
Biographical notes
Bibliography

10 Warfare and Society in the Viking Age


11 Merchants and Commerce
in the Viking Age
12 Christendom on the Eve of the Viking Age
13 Viking Raids on the Carolingian Empire
14 The Duchy of Normandy
15 Viking Assault on England
16 The Danelaw
17 Viking Assault on Ireland
18 Norse Kings of Dublin and Ireland

19 The Settlement of Iceland


20 IcelandA Frontier Republic
21 Skaldic Poetry and Sagas
22 Western Voyages to Greenland and Vinland
23 Swedes in the Baltic Sea and Russia
24 The Road to Byzantium
25 From Varangians into Russians
26 Transformation of Scandinavian Society
27 St. Anskar and the First Christian Missions

28 Formation of the Kingdom of Denmark


29 Cnut the Great
30 Collapse of Cnuts Empire
31 Jarls and Sea Kings of Norway
32 St. Olaf of Norway
33 Kings of the Swedes and Goths
34 Christianization and Economic Change
35 From Vikings to Crusaders
36 The Viking Legacy

The Vikings
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69

MODERN HISTORY

Investigate the Making of Modern Europe


Europe and Western Civilization in the Modern Age
Professor of History Thomas Childers | University of Pennsylvania

Modern European history began with two seismic tremorscapitalism and democracy. In the decades after 1750,
the Industrial Revolution in England thrust aside the old
economic order and introduced modern industrial capitalism. The French Revolution of 17891799 swept away the

ancien rgime in France and threatened entrenched elites


everywhere in Europe. You study from the ancien rgime to
the revolution and the reaction to Napoleon to the Second
World War and its long-term effects on Europe.

Lecture Titles
1 IntroductionEurope in the Modern Age
2 Social and Political Life under the Ancien Regime
3 Intellectual and Cultural LifeThe
Challenge of the Enlightenment
4 The Origins of the French Revolution
5 The Outbreak of the Revolution and
the Monarchist Response
6 The Terror and Its Aftermath
7 The Rise of NapoleonHeir of the
Revolution or New Form of Tyranny?
8 Napoleonic EuropeAn Epoch of War
9 The Restoration and Reactionary Conservatism
10 The Challenge of Liberal Nationalism
11 Liberal Capitalism and the Industrial
RevolutionThe English Experience

FREE GUIDEBOOK!
216-page course
outline

12 The Social Impact of the Industrial Revolution


13 The Revolution in France
14 Revolution in Central Europe
15 The Political Implications of the Revolution
16 The Unification of Germany
17 The Unification of Italy
18 The New Imperialism
19 Race, Religion, and GreedExplaining
European Expansion
20 Marx and the Challenge of Socialism
21 The Social Problem and the Crisis of Liberalism
22 A New ConservatismAnti-Modernism
and the Origins of Fascism
23 European Cultural and Intellectual Life
24 Social Norms, Social Strains in the Belle Epoque

38 The Third ReichIdeology and Domestic Policy


39 Ideology and Hitlers Foreign Policy
40 The Twenty-Year CrisisThe
International System, 19191939
41 The Coming of War, 1939
42 The Blitzkrieg, 19401941
43 The Holocaust
44 The World at War
45 The Origins of the Cold War
46 The Division of Europe
47 The Collapse of Communism
48 ConclusionEurope on the Eve of the 21st Century

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Europe and Western Civilization in the Modern Age


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Suggested readings
Questions to consider
Timeline & glossary
Bibliography

25 The International System, 187190


26 The Breakdown of the International
System and the Slide Toward War
27 Nationalism and Ethnic Conflict in the Multinational Empires of Central and Eastern Europe
28 The July Crisis and the Outbreak of War
29 The War to End All WarsThe Experience of the Trenches
30 The Treaty of Versailles and the Failed Peace
31 The Bolshevik Revolution
32 Civil War and the Establishment of the Soviet State
33 The Soviet System Under Stalin
34 Mussolini and the Emergence of Italian Fascism
35 The Democracies in Crisis
36 Hitler and the Rise of Nazism in Germany
37 TotalitarianismThe Third Reich

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Survey the Story of Americas Beginnings


Origins and Ideologies of the American Revolution
Professor of History Peter C. Mancall | University of Southern California

In 17601800, American colonists broke away from their


mother country and fashioned a republic capable of sustaining itself. How this happened is the subject of Origins
and Ideologies of the American Revolution. In Professor
Peter C. Mancalls 48 lectures you learn how our emerging
nation astonished the world leaders of the day, broke away

from its mother country, and fashioned a republic capable


of sustaining itself generation after generation. It is a story
of immense importance and rich discoveries. Dr. Peter C.
Mancall brings to life the colonists who were caught up in
debates over rights and power, liberties and empire.

1 Self-Evident Truths
2 Ideas and Ide ologies
3 Europeans of Colonial America
4 Natives and Slaves of Colonial America
5 The Colonies in the Atlantic World, c. 1750
6 The Seven Years War
7 The British Constitution
8 George III and the Politics of Empire
9 Politics in British America before 1760
10 James Otis and the Writs of Assistance Case
11 The Search for Order and Revenue
12 The Stamp Act and Rebellion in the Streets

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216-page course
outline
Maps and battle
plans
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Questions to consider
Timeline & glossary
Biographical notes
Bibliography

70

13 Parliament Digs in Its Heels, 17661767


14 The Crisis of Representation
15 The Logic of Loyalty and Resistance
16 Franklin and the Search for Reconciliation
17 The Boston Massacre
18 The British Empire and the Tea Act
19 The Boston Tea Party and the Coercive Acts
20 The First Continental Congress
21 Lexington and Concord
22 Second Continental Congress and Bunker Hill
23 Thomas Paine and Common Sense
24 The British Seizure of New York

25 The Declaration of Independence


26 The War for New York and New Jersey
27 Saratoga, Philadelphia, and Valley Forge
28 The Creation of State Constitutions
29 Jeffersons Statute for Religious Freedom
30 Franklin, Paris, and the French Alliance
31 The Articles of Confederation
32 Yorktown and the End of the War
33 The Treaty of Paris of 1783
34 The Crises of the 1780s
35 African Americans and the Revolution
36 The Constitutional Convention

37 The United States Constitution


38 The Antifederalist Critique
39 The Federalists Response
40 The Bill of Rights
41 Politics in the 1790s
42 The Alien and Sedition Acts
43 The Election of 1800
44 Women and the American Revolution
45 The Revolution and Native Americans
46 The American Revolution as Social Movement
47 Reflections by the Revolutionary Generation
48 The Meaning of the Revolution

Origins and Ideologies of the American Revolution


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LOC, LC-DIG-ppmsca-05936; www.saint-tropez-photo.com /Getty Images.

Lecture Titles

MODERN HISTORY

Experience the Turmoil and Tragedy of the 20th Centurys


First Epic War
World War I: The Great War
Professor of History Vejas Gabriel Liulevicius | University of Tennessee, Knoxville

From August 1914 to November 1918, an unprecedented


catastrophe gripped the world that continues to reverberate
into our own time. World War I was touched off by a terrorist act in Bosnia and all too quickly expanded far beyond
the expectations of those involved to become the first total

war. It was the first conflict in which entire societies mobilized to wage unrestrained war, investing all their wealth,
industries, institutions, and the lives of their citizens to win
victory at any price.

Lecture Titles
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

The Centurys Initial Catastrophe


Europe in 1914
Toward Crisis in Politics and Culture
Causes of the War and the July Crisis, 1914
The August Madness
The Failed GamblesWar Plans Break Down
The Western Front Experience
Life and Death in the Trenches
The Great Battles of Attrition

FREE GUIDEBOOK!
240-page course
outline
Maps
Suggested readings
Questions to consider
Timeline & glossary
Biographical notes
Bibliography

19 The War State


20 Propaganda War
21 Endurance and Stress on the Home Front
22 Dissent and Its Limits
23 Remobilization in 19161917
24 Armenian MassacresTipping into Genocide
25 Strains of WarSocialists and Nationalists
26 Russian Revolutions
27 Americas Entry into the War

10 The Eastern Front Experience


11 The Southern Fronts
12 War Aims and Occupations
13 Soldiers as Victims
14 Storm Troopers and Future Dictators
15 The Total War of Technology
16 Air War
17 War at Sea
18 The Global Reach of the War

28 America at WarOver There and Over Here


29 1918The German Empires Last Gamble
30 The Wars EndEmotions of the Armistice
31 Toppled ThronesThe Collapse of Empires
32 The Versailles Treaty and Paris Settlement
33 AftershocksReds, Whites, and Nationalists
34 Monuments, Memory, and Myths
35 The Rise of the Mass Dictatorships
36 Legacies of the Great War

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Gain Fresh Insights into World War II


World War II: A Military and Social History
Professor of History Thomas Childers | University of Pennsylvania

This course examines one of the greatest conflicts in human


history, World War II. Between 1937 and 1945, 55 million
people perished. It was a series of interrelated conflicts; no
continent was left untouched, no ocean or sea unaffected.

World War II taught lessons that none of us can ever study


enough. Professor Thomas Childers uses the dual perspective of military and social history to explain both the epic
course and epoch-making effects of the last good war.

Lecture Titles
1 The Origins of the Second World War
2 Hitlers Challenge to the
International System, 19331936
3 The Failure of the International System
4 The Coming of War
5 Blitzkrieg
6 The German Offensive in the West
7 Their Finest HourBritain Alone
8 The Battle of Britain

Paul Thompson/Corbis; Digital Stock.

FREE GUIDEBOOK!
128-page course
synopsis
Photos & illustrations
Suggested readings
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Timeline & glossary
Biographical notes
Bibliography

9 Hitler Moves East


10 The Germans Before Moscow
11 The War in Asia
12 The Japanese Gamble
13 The Height of Japanese Power
14 Turning the Tide in the Pacific
Midway and Guadalcanal
15 The War in North Africa
16 War in the MediterraneanThe Inva
sions of Sicily and Italy

17 StalingradThe Turning Point on the Eastern Front


18 Eisenhower and Operation Overlord
19 D-Day to Paris
20 Operation Market Garden and the Battle of the Bulge
21 Advance Across the Pacific
22 Turning Point in the Southwest Pacific
Leyte Gulf and the Philippines
23 The Final Drive for JapanIwo Jima,
Okinawa, and the Fire-Bombing of Tokyo
24 War in the Air

25 Hitlers New Order in Europe


26 This Mans Army
27 Daily Life, Culture, and Society in Wartime
28 The Race for Berlin
29 Truman, the Bomb, and the End
of the War in the Pacific
30 The Costs of War

World War II: A Military and Social History


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71

MODERN HISTORY

Examine Our Nations Most Dramatic Conflict


The American Civil War

Nothing short of the classroom can replace the depth of understanding


one can acquire on subjects of interest through these courses. I am a big
fan.

Professor in the History of the American Civil War


Gary W. Gallagher | University of Virginia

Allen D. Bearden, Douglasville, GA

Discover the real reasons behind the Civil War and


get a blow-by-blow description of what happened in
each major battle with this engrossing course by one of
Americas top Civil War experts.

n these 48 lectures, Civil War


historian Professor Gary W. Gallagher richly details the effect of
the war on all Americans.
You learn how armies were recruited, equipped, and trained. You learn
about the hard lot of prisoners. You
hear how soldiers on both sides dealt
with the rigors of camp life, campaigns, and the terror of combat. You
understand how slaves and their falling masters responded to the advancing war. And you see the desperate
price paid by the families left behind.
Gettysburg. Antietam. Bull Run.
Shiloh. Between 1861 and 1865,
the clash of the greatest armies
the Western Hemisphere had ever
seen turned these small towns, lit-

tle-known streams, and obscure


corners of American countryside into
names we will always remember.
After you absorb the lectures of
The American Civil War, the hallowed names of Civil War battles
will be more than merely evocative.
You will have a solid understanding
of what happened, and why it happened. Although this is not simply
a course on Civil War battles and
generals, about half of the lectures are
devoted to the strategic and tactical
dimensions of military campaigns.
We must never forget: The cost in
human life was greater than for all
other American wars combined,
from colonial times through the wars
against terrorism.

Lecture Titles

FREE GUIDEBOOK!
256-page course
synopsis
Photos & illustrations
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Timeline & glossary
Biographical notes
Bibliography

13 The Seven Days Battles


14 The Kentucky Campaign of 1862
15 Antietam
16 The Background to Emancipation
17 Emancipation Completed
18 Filling the Ranks
19 Sinews of WarFinance and Supply
20 The War in the West, Winter 186263
21 The War in Virginia, Winter and Spring 186263
22 Gettysburg
23 Vicksburg, Port Hudson, and Tullahoma
24 A Season of Uncertainty, Summer and Fall 1863

37 Cold Harbor to Petersburg


38 The Confederate Home Front, I
39 The Confederate Home Front, II
40 The Northern Home Front, I
41 The Northern Home Front, II
42 Prisoners of War
43 Mobile Bay and Atlanta
44 Petersburg, the Crater, and the Valley
45 The Final Campaigns
46 Petersburg to Appomattox
47 Closing Scenes and Reckonings
48 Remembering the War

The American Civil War


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72

25 Grant at Chattanooga
26 The Diplomatic Front
27 African Americans in Wartime, I
28 African Americans in Wartime, II
29 Wartime Reconstruction
30 The Naval War
31 The River War and Confederate
Commerce Raiders
32 Women at War, I
33 Women at War, II
34 Stalemate in 1864
35 Sherman versus Johnston in Georgia
36 The Wilderness to Spotsylvania

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1 Prelude to War
2 The Election of 1860
3 The Lower South Secedes
4 The Crisis at Fort Sumter
5 The Opposing Sides, I
6 The Opposing Sides, II
7 The Common Soldier
8 First Manassas or Bull Run
9 Contending for the Border States
10 Early Union Triumphs in the West
11 Shiloh and Corinth
12 The Peninsula Campaign

MODERN HISTORY

Discover A Complete Guide to Our


Nations Past in This Sweeping Survey
The History of the United States, 2nd Edition
Various Professors

Comprehend the entire history of the United States


of America in this sweeping, all-encompassing, and
engrossing course taught by three brilliant professors.

his 84-lecture series features


three top professors sharing
insights into this nations past,
from European settlement and the
Revolutionary War through the Civil
War, 19th-century industrialization,
world wars, and today.
This course provides a lucid picture into factors that enabled the
United States to become the largest,
wealthiest, most powerful democratic
republic in history. Here are just a
few of these factors:

Sense of confidence and national


destiny
Abundance of natural resources
and entrepreneurial talent
Ability to accept a diverse array
of immigrants
Success in making democracy
work as reality, not just theory
This sweeping series reveals vital
and often overlooked aspects of U.S.
history as well as new insights into
well-known people, ideas, inventions, and occurrences.

Lecture Titles
1 Living Bravely
2 Spain, France, and the Netherlands
3 Gentlemen in the Wilderness
4 Radicals in the Wilderness
5 Traders in the Wilderness
6 An Economy of Slaves
7 Printers, Painters, and Preachers
8 The Great Awakening
9 The Great War for Empire
10 The Rejection of Empire
11 The American Revolution
Politics and People
12 The American Revolution
Howes War
13 The American Revolution
Washingtons War
14 Creating the Constitution
15 Hamiltons Republic
16 Republicans and Federalists
17 Adams and Liberty

FREE GUIDEBOOK!

Elena Yakusheva/Shutterstock.

424-page course
synopsis
Photos & illustrations
Maps
Suggested readings
Questions to consider
Timeline & glossary
Biographical notes
Bibliography

18 The Jeffersonian Reaction


19 Territory and Treason
20 The Agrarian Republic
21 The Disastrous War of 1812
22 The American System
23 A Nation Announcing Itself
24 National Republican Follies
25 The Second Great Awakening
26 Dark Satanic Mills
27 The Military Chieftain
28 The Politics of Distrust
29 The Monster Bank
30 Whigs and Democrats
31 American Romanticism
32 The Age of Reform
33 Southern Society and the
Defense of Slavery
34 Whose Manifest Destiny?
35 The Mexican War
36 The Great Compromise

37 Sectional Tensions Escalate


38 Drifting Toward Disaster
39 The Coming of War
40 The First Year of Fighting
41 Shifting Tides of Battle
42 Diplomatic Clashes and
Sustaining the War
43 Behind the Lines
Politicsand Economies
44 African Americans in Wartime
45 The Union Drive to Victory
46 Presidential Reconstruction
47 Congress Takes Command
48 Reconstruction Ends
49 Industrialization
50 Transcontinental Railroads
51 The Last Indian Wars
52 Farming the Great Plains
53 African Americans after
Reconstruction

54 Men and Women


55 Religion in Victorian America
56 The Populists
57 The New Immigration
58 City Life
59 Labor and Capital
60 Theodore Roosevelt
and Progressivism
61 Mass Production
62 World War IThe Road
to Intervention
63 World War IVersailles
and Wilsons Gambit
64 The 1920s
65 The Wall Street Crash and
the Great Depression
66 The New Deal
67 World War IIThe Road
to Pearl Harbor
68 World War IIThe European Theater

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69 World War IIThe Pacific Theater


70 The Cold War
71 The Korean War and McCarthyism
72 The Affluent Society
73 The Civil Rights Movement
74 The New Frontier and
the Great Society
75 The Rise of Mass Media
76 The Vietnam War
77 The Womens Movement
78 Nixon and Watergate
79 Environmentalism
80 Religion in TwentiethCentury America
81 Carter and the Reagan Revolution
82 The New World Order
83 Clintons America and the Millennium
84 Reflections

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73

MODERN HISTORY

Which Inventions Were Truly Revolutionary?


Understanding the Inventions That Changed the World
Professor in the Department of Engineering and Society W. Bernard Carlson
University of Virginia

The professors chosen by The Great Courses are first rate and keep you
engaged. Courses offered are outstanding and diverse. If you want to
learn anything look no further. The Great Courses has it covered.
Steve Cooper, Bristol, TN

Enjoy a brilliant course that will transform the way you


think about science, technology, and the entire course
of human history.

ere surrounded by
inventions. Consider the
clocks and transportation
that coordinate our days. Or the
televisions, cell phones, and social
media that connect us to each other.
And the shopping malls, department
stores, and catalogs that define the
modern retailing experience. Where
did all these inventions come from?
How do they work? And how do
they reflecteven definethe values of our culture? From prehistoric
times to the 21st century, inventions
have changed the world, enabling
humans to produce more food and
energy and to establish social order
and cultural meaning. In fact, great
inventions have marked a number
of key turning points in human history, transforming society and our
daily lives. For instance:
The invention of clocks redefined our conceptions of time
and labor.

Telescopes led to the scientific


method of observation.
Methods to purify water have
perhaps saved more lives than
any other technology in history.
Now, you can learn the remarkable stories surrounding such
monumental inventionsand how
consequential these inventions
were to historyin Understanding
the Inventions That Changed the
World. Taught by Professor W.
Bernard Carlson, who is an expert
on the role of innovation in history, these 36 enlightening lectures
give you a broad survey of material
history, from the ancient pottery
wheel to the Internet and social
media. Youll see how each invention is a result of social and cultural
conditions as well as the inventors
efforts.
Although the steam engine was originally invented by Thomas Newcomen, Scottish
instrument maker James Watt made improvements to this device that proved so
revolutionary and useful that his name became permanently attached to the machine.

1
2
3
4
5
6

Great Inventions in Everyday Life


The Potters Wheel and Metallurgy
Beer, Wine, and Distilled Spirits
The Galley, Coins, and the Alphabet
Crossbows East and West
Roman ArchesAqueducts
and the Colosseum
7 Waterwheels and Clocks
8 Pagodas and Cathedrals
9 Paper and Printing

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synopsis
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& diagrams
Suggested readings
Questions to
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Bibliography

10 Gunpowder, Cannons, and Guns


11 Telescopes and Microscopes
12 The Caravel and Celestial Navigation
13 Unlocking the Power of Coal and Iron
14 Steam Engines and Pin Making
15 Canals and Railroads
16 Food Preservation
17 Water and Sewer Systems
18 Batteries and Electric Generators

19 Cameras, Telephones,
and Phonographs
20 Electric Light and Power
21 Department Stores and
Modern Retailing
22 Motion Pictures
23 Surgery and the Operating Room
24 Steel, Glass, and Plastics
25 The Model T
26 AviationThe Wright Time for Flight

27 Radio and Television


28 Nuclear Power
29 Household Appliances
30 Electronics and the Chip
31 Satellites and Cell Phones
32 Personal Computing
33 Genetic Engineering
34 The Internet
35 Social Media and Democracy
36 Inventions and History

Understanding the Inventions That Changed the World


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Available exclusively on video, this highly


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CNAM, Conservatoire National des Arts et Metiers, Paris/Giraudon/The Bridgeman Art Library.

Lecture Titles

MODERN HISTORY

Survey 13.7 Billion Years of Thrilling History


Big History: The Big Bang, Life on Earth,
and the Rise of Humanity

Your courses provide real knowledge and not just information. Not just a
dogmatic shaping of the mind, but an opening of the mind.

Professor of History David Christian


Macquarie University

Merrilee Abastillas, Sterling Heights, MI

Explore the monumental story of everything with this


brilliant and exciting course that weaves cosmology,
geology, anthropology, biology, history, and more into
one grand narrative beginning with the big bang and
ending with a look into our future.

ig History: The Big Bang,


Life on Earth, and the Rise
of Humanity offers a unique
opportunity to view human history
in the context of the many histories
that surround it. Over the course
of 48 thought-provoking lectures,
you traverse the sweeping expanse of
cosmic history13.7 billion years
of itstarting with the big bang and
traveling through time and space to
the present moment.

history is seen as part of the history


of our Earth and biosphere, and the
Earths history, in turn, is seen as
part of the history of the universe.
Like traditional creation stories
told by the worlds great religions
and mythologies, Big History provides a map of our place in space
and time. But it does so using the
insights and knowledge of modern science, as synthesized by a
renowned historian.
This is a story that scholars have
A GRAND SYNTHESIS
How is it possible for the disciplines been able to tell only since the midof cosmology, geology, anthropology, dle of the last centurya view of the
past not possible before the develbiology, and history to fit together?
opment of new dating techniques
Big History answers that quesin the mid-1900s. As Professor
tion by weaving a single story from
Christian explains, this story will
accounts of the past developed by a
continue to grow and change as
variety of scholarly disciplines. The
scientists and historians accumulate
result is a story stretching from the
new knowledge about our shared
origins of the universe to the present
past.
day and beyond, in which human

The surface of the Earth first solidified 3.7 billion years ago; by 3.5 billion years ago,
life had established itself on our planet.

GETTING THE BIG PICTURE


While you may have heard parts of
this story before in courses on geology, history, anthropology, biology,
cosmology, and other scholarly disciplines, Big History provides more
than just a recap of those disciplines.
This course will expand the scope

of your perspective on the past and


alter the way you think about history
and the world around you.
Prepare yourself for a journey
through time and across space, from
the first moments of existence to the
distant reaches of the far future.

Lecture Titles
1 What Is Big History?
2 Moving across Multiple Scales
3 Simplicity and Complexity
4 Evidence and the Nature of Science
5 Threshold 1Origins of Big Bang Cosmology
6 How Did Everything Begin?
7 Threshold 2The First Stars and Galaxies
8 Threshold 3Making Chemical Elements
9 Threshold 4The Earth and the Solar System
10 The Early EarthA Short History
11 Plate Tectonics and the Earths Geography
12 Threshold 5Life

FREE GUIDEBOOK!

Arvind Balaraman/Shutterstock.

296-page course
synopsis
Photos &
illustrations

13 Darwin and Natural Selection


14 The Evidence for Natural Selection
15 The Origins of Life
16 Life on EarthSingle-celled Organisms
17 Life on EarthMulti-celled Organisms
18 Hominines
19 Evidence on Hominine Evolution
20 Threshold 6What Makes Humans Different?
21 Homo sapiensThe First Humans
22 Paleolithic Lifeways
23 Change in the Paleolithic Era
24 Threshold 7Agriculture

25 The Origins of Agriculture


26 The First Agrarian Societies
27 Power and Its Origins
28 Early Power Structures
29 From Villages to Cities
30 SumerThe First Agrarian Civilization
31 Agrarian Civilizations in Other Regions
32 The World That Agrarian Civilizations Made
33 Long TrendsExpansion and State Power
34 Long TrendsRates of Innovation
35 Long TrendsDisease and Malthusian Cycles
36 Comparing the World Zones

37 The Americas in the Later Agrarian Era


38 Threshold 8The Modern Revolution
39 The Medieval Malthusian Cycle, 5001350
40 The Early Modern Cycle, 13501700
41 BreakthroughThe Industrial Revolution
42 Spread of the Industrial Revolution to 1900
43 The 20th Century
44 The World That the Modern Revolution Made
45 Human History and the Biosphere
46 The Next 100 Years
47 The Next Millennium and the Remote Future
48 Big HistoryHumans in the Cosmos

Big History: The Big Bang, Life on Earth, and the Rise of Humanity
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Course No. 8050, 48 LECTURES (30 MINUTES/LECTURE)

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Suggested readings
Questions to
consider

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75

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