Great Courses Audio

Humans are social animals, and the impressions we make on others can critically impact the quality of our lives. Consequently, we spend much of our lives, both consciously and unconsciously, working to shape other people's ideas about who we are. In this eye-opening, 12-lecture series with Professor Leary, explore the "self-presentational underpinnings of human behavior" as well as the what, how, and why of impression management. People form impressions of us-who we are and what we're like-very quickly and, right or wrong, those impressions determine significant aspects of our outcomes in life, both in the present as well as the future. In just a few short minutes, others assess our personality, interests, attitudes, and moods, taking into account everything from the content of our words to the style of our clothing, and much more. Sometimes their assessments are accurate, other times less so, but the impressions other people form of us significantly impacts how they treat us. Social interactions and the impressions that drive them are vitally important aspects of human behavior. In this compelling course, learn about how we shape the impressions other people form of us-at work, at home, in our social lives, and in the world at large.

There is one thing that every human wants and we spend our entire lives searching for it: happiness. In our journey to seek it, we have concocted ideas and theories to explain the concept, but very few of them are based on science. What scientists are now learning is that happiness is intertwined with your health. Now, you can uncover the essential secrets to a healthy mind and body with our 24-lesson course The Scientific Guide for Health and Happiness. Taught by Dr. Robin Miller, an integrative medicine specialist and popular TV and radio host, this course is backed by the latest research and scientific studies about health and happiness and cases from Dr. Miller's practice over decades. You will take a deep dive into the major systems of the body and how keeping them in good shape supports your happiness and satisfaction of life. You will also learn about diet and weight management, lifestyle habits such as sleep and sex, and ways to powerfully impact your internal health by using external methods like music, dance, meditation, and cutting-edge technologies. It may feel like there are so many pieces to the health and happiness puzzle that you don't know where to begin. Dr. Miller not only boils each aspect down to its nitty-gritty details using scientific examples, but she also weaves it all together to show you how they relate to one other. As you go through the course, you will begin to see that every little step you take to improve your lifestyle can build up and have a domino effect. Using this roadmap to find your best self, you will be empowered to take charge of your health. Before you know it, your efforts to improve your health, diet, and lifestyle will come together to create a symphony of great health and happiness.

There was a time, not too long ago, when talking openly about race was considered in poor taste. Even now, many people feel the topic of race is better left alone. What if we say something that's misunderstood? What if we're labeled a racist? Professor Anita Foeman understands those worries. In How to Talk about Race, she gives common-sense guidance and step-by-step instructions you can employ to develop safe and productive dialogue about race.

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? These 24 insightful lectures address that penetrating question and many others. Professor Stoler offers you a fresh view of America's shift from the periphery of international politics to its very center as he explores the key components of American diplomatic history, including the origins of American beliefs about our "mission" and proper place in the world; the expansion of the original United States across the North American continent through war and treaty; the achievement of victory in two world wars; and the 45-year cold war with the Soviet Union. You'll also learn the origins and evolution of famous or significant pronouncements and policies, including Washington's Farewell Address, the idea of "Manifest Destiny", the Monroe Doctrine, the Open Door policy, isolationism, the Marshall Plan, and the "containment" of Communism. Presenting history's events as only a single part of a much broader whole, Professor Stoler adds the "how" and "why" to the "what" of American diplomatic history. The result is an entertaining series of lectures that will not only deepen your outlook on American history but will prove to you that not all history is made on the battlefield.

This series of 24 lectures examines a crucial period in the history of the ancient world, the age ushered in by the extraordinary conquests of Alexander the Great. In all the annals of the ancient world, few stories are more gripping than those from this era. In the opening lectures, you'll explore the enigma of Alexander, son of a brilliant father, yet always at odds with the man whom he succeeded. You'll trace his early campaigns against the Persians and follow him to Egypt, where he was acclaimed as the son of god. You'll then look at his career after this and find in him a blend of greatness and madness as he strove to replace the Persian empire of the Achaemenid dynasty with a new, mixed ruling class of Macedonians and Persians. From there, you'll delve into the catastrophic period after Alexander's death in 323 B.C., which ushered in a period of catastrophic change as ambitious warlords carved up Alexander's realm into their own separate empires. You'll learn about each of the three kingdoms that resulted: Ptolemaic Egypt, Seleucid Syria, and the Attalid Empire in Asia Minor. Just as important to these lectures are the in-depth discussions of the bounties of Hellenistic culture, which contributed landmark ideas in everything from philosophy (which became more academic), art and architecture (with its excessive, naked emotions), and religion (especially the growing popularity of cult movements). Taken all together, these lectures are an engrossing and riveting journey into ancient history-and the life and times of the man who left an indelible mark on everything that would come after.

Who can imagine life without novels? They have served not merely as diversions but as companions for so much of our lives, offering hours of pleasure and, at their best, insights few of us can ever quantify. But the simple joy of reading novels sometimes obscures our awareness of the deeper roles they play in our lives: honing our intellect, quenching our emotional thirsts, and shaping our sense of ourselves and of the world we live in. And this may be especially obvious in the case of the English novel, as you'll see in this engaging series of 24 lectures from an award-winning teacher. Under Professor Spurgin's guidance, you'll learn how the period that gave rise to the novel in England corresponded with a convulsive social transformation - one that produced the world's first modern, capitalist economy. Along the way, traditional social values often appeared to be outdated, as did traditional narrative forms. You'll see how the great English novelists were eager to create something new and different, breaking from traditions in which stories were usually centered on aristocrats and nobles to focus instead on the thoughts and feelings of ordinary people and taking pains to capture the rhythms of everyday life. At the same time, they also reacted to a number of larger developments: industrialization and urbanization, democratization and globalization. By placing more than two centuries of great English novelists in the context of British history and showing how their lives intersected with the creation of their art, these lectures offer a fascinating look at a form of enduring popularity and importance whose influence has been felt everywhere novels are read.

Even from the perspective of time, it is nearly impossible to grasp the full contribution made to music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in his brief and glorious life. He composed his first symphony at the age of 8 and reached full artistic maturity by the time he was only 20. And when he died at the age of 35, he left a legacy of more than 600 works of brilliance - symphonies, chamber music, operas, and more - most composed during an incredibly productive 20-year period. But even though it can well take a lifetime to fully grasp the achievement of the man described by Rossini as "the only composer who had as much knowledge as genius and as much genius as knowledge", every step of that journey toward understanding will be a joy - one you can begin with this fascinating eight-lecture series, which can serve as both a stand-alone introduction to this extraordinary composer or as the gateway to a lifetime of appreciation and pleasure. Beginning with an examination of the many myths that surround Mozart to this day, Professor Greenberg offers not only an understanding of his music, but also a realistic view of Mozart the boy and man, from his emergence as youthful prodigy to his posthumous deification. You'll learn about his difficult and ultimately doomed relationship with his father, his troubled marriage, his relationships with luminaries like Haydn, Emperor Joseph II, and his operatic librettist, Lorenzo da Ponte, and the triumphs and disappointments that marked his career - including the astonishing and inexplicable creative recovery that enabled him to create his great Masonic opera, The Magic Flute, only months before his death.

It likely comes as no surprise that, as adults, we learn differently than we did when we were children. Our brains are full of experiences and information we have acquired over time, and these resources are exactly what we apply to any new learning event, whether it's a new job or hobby, or simply a novel experience or conversation we need to navigate. And the nature of how we learn shapes the way we communicate-both how we give and how we receive information in our everyday lives. The field of neuroandragogy is the study of how adults learn and what role the brain plays in that process. By digging into this unique field and its discoveries, you can better understand how your own mind works and develop strategies based on this knowledge to communicate successfully in various situations and environments. As you will see, communicating with others is not just about clarity. Useful and rewarding communication is also about understanding how to grab someone's attention and how to ensure that the information that you share can be retained and used. Knowing how the adult mind works can help you to optimize your approach in getting the results you want from your communications. In The Brain-Based Guide to Communicating Better, Professor Allison Friederichs will walk you through six lessons that can help you better know your own mind, and thus understand and transform your own methods of communication. You will learn how your brain acquires, processes, and retains information. You can then take that knowledge and apply it whenever you need to convey something to others, with the best possible results. While you may not have any control over how other people communicate, developing your own methods of connection and conversation can have a positive impact on both your personal and professional life. Along the way, Professor Friederichs encourages you to keep a communication journal that can help you learn and process the invaluable information she shares. Keeping a journal allows you to have a continual resource for both her lessons and your own observations.

While Hannibal Barca may be famous for crossing the Italian Alps and almost conquering Rome, questions about his life and legacy remain unanswered and under-explored. Where, for example, did he and his family come from? What caused the Punic Wars to break out between Rome and Carthage, and to what extent did the conflict shape Hannibal's early life and beliefs? What did Romans think of Hannibal's invasion, the defection of allies, and grave human losses across Italy? How did the Carthaginian army manage to control the Italian peninsula in the Second Punic War, in the first place? And perhaps most important, why did Hannibal and his army ultimately fail in their long and impressive fight against Rome? Answer these questions and more in Hannibal: The Military Genius Who Almost Conquered Rome, a 15-lecture course on the legendary Carthaginian general who devastated the Italian peninsula in the Second Punic War. With Eve MacDonald, Senior Lecturer in Ancient History at Cardiff University, as your expert guide, learn about Hannibal's family background and upbringing. Follow the young commander as he and an impressive cadre of calvary men, foot soldiers, and even elephants crossed the treacherous Alps. Reconstruct key battles in the Italian, Iberian, and North African theaters. See the conflict through Roman eyes, understanding strategy and state of mind from the other side. And investigate what became of both Hannibal and Carthage after the dust of combat and conquest had settled.

Though it ended five centuries ago, the medieval era continues to permeate our world in far-reaching ways. Whether we pay attention to them or not, the influences and imprints of the Middle Ages are all around us, sometimes evident and sometimes less so. In these 36 revealing lectures, you'll learn how to recognize the medieval impacts on the modern world, and to grasp their significance and implications. Professor Symes's challenging and incisive perspectives provides a historical inquiry of extraordinary relevance and meaning: • Representative Government and Organized Labor. Find the origins of the forms of representative government that we now take for granted and learn how medieval trade guilds evolved, prefiguring our own labor unions. • Romance and Chivalry. Delve into the powerful and enduring culture of chivalry, the moral ideals and codes of valor of which still resonate strongly today. See how these ideals took shape in medieval epics and chivalric romance literature. • The Scientific Method. Study the work of the great medieval scientists, from al-Haytham and Avicenna to Ockham and Copernicus, and their integral contributions to the inductive-deductive method and the experimental science that gave us the modern world. • Race Thinking and Racism. Trace how the notion of race arose in the 14th and 15th centuries. Observe the factors of religious ideology, travel literature, and the racialization of the slave industry in conceptions of "white" European superiority. • The Phenomenon of Medievalism. Examine the ways in which the medieval past-or ideas about it-have been claimed and appropriated in more recent times; in 19th century British movements in art; in European and American architecture; in 19th century nationalist movements, and in our own era in literature, film, and popular culture. The Medieval Legacy offers you a deep look at a stunning millennium of change and innovation which continues to inform our contemporary world.

Daunted by the "great big books" of the Western canon? Looking for the same pleasures, satisfactions, and insights from books that are shorter, more accessible, and less dependent on classical references and difficult language than tomes such as Moby-Dick and Ulysses? The truth is that there are so many works that are just as engaging, just as enjoyable, and - most important - just as insightful about great human themes and ideas as anything you'd encounter on a college-level reading list. These 12 highly rewarding lectures offer you an introduction to 12 works that redefine what great literature is and how it can reveal startling truths about life-all without being such a chore to read. Here you'll discover alternatives to the traditional "great books" - Dead Souls as an alternative to War and Peace, and The Master and Margarita as an alternative to Faust. You'll also encounter books from genres that traditionally fall outside the purview of the Western canon. For example, you'll learn how John le Carré's The Spy Who Came In from the Cold transforms the spy novel into serious literature, and how Watchmen by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons injects the comic-book format with a startling level of realism. Professor Voth excels at both unpacking the significance of a literary work and instilling excitement for it, be it a novella, a collection of short stories, or a play. If you're new to these works, he will have you running to your nearest bookstore or library to discover what you've been missing. And if you've already encountered some of these books, you'll be eager to revisit them and explore what you may have missed on your first reading.

Globalization continues to be a force in our economic climate. And the origins of this globalized economy, its effects on important contemporary concerns, and its future trends are just a few of the intriguing issues you explore in these 36 lectures. Go beyond the economy of the United States and examine the recent history of economies in other countries and regions. As you journey with Professor Taylor through the last 50 years of world economic history, you'll explore international perspectives on the new global economy and develop a richer understanding of our increasingly interconnected world. To get a comprehensive picture of the new global economy, you consider the individual economies of countries including China (which may be the world's largest economy through much of the 21st century), India (the accelerated growth of which is based in service industries), and the Middle East (where most economies are surprisingly quite small). You'll also focus on a range of economic issues that have important ramifications for everyone, such as labor laws, population growth, and international economic agencies such as the World Bank and the World Trade Organization. Taken together, these lectures are a comprehensive look at economic globalization you can't get from reading the business section of a newspaper. They're your opportunity to grasp the economic histories, issues, and trends that affect us. With the knowledge gained from these lectures, you're able to understand the latest developments in our global economy and better prepare for a future in which all our economies will be linked.

The piano is the most popular solo concert instrument in Western music. One of the key reasons is the fact that it has inspired many of the greatest masterpieces in the concert repertoire. To study these masterworks and to understand their genius and lasting appeal is to know one of the greatest accomplishments of Western culture, works that give great pleasure even as they deepen your insight into the meaning of music. The 23 works you'll study are carefully chosen to highlight the most important compositional and pianistic achievements in the solo piano tradition. These 24 enthralling lectures by Professor Greenberg take you through more than 200 years of piano music. Beginning with the monumental figure of Bach, followed by Mozart and Beethoven, you experience the piano music of such 19th-century masters as Chopin, Schumann, and Liszt, before moving forward to visionary modernists including Scriabin, Debussy, and Prokofiev. Each lecture presents a single work in a fresh, accessible encounter with its musical substance, welcoming listeners new to concert music as well as experienced concert music lovers. In addition to your study of the music, the lectures treat you to a rich panorama of music history. You dig deeply into the artistic and cultural environments that the compositions reflect, shedding light on what inspired these great works and how they were written. As a third layer of the course, you delve into the fascinating history of the piano itself, uncovering the ways in which the evolution of the instrument directly influenced the music that composers wrote for it.

Professor Robert Greenberg offers a spirited introduction to the mysterious realm of music theory-the complex syntax of structural and instrumental resources that composers draw on. Sidestepping the necessity to read music, these lectures represent a rare opportunity for learning music theory-for understanding the processes of composition. The course will reward you many times over as you find yourself enjoying much deeper connections with the language of music.

Greek tragedy was a dramatic form that flourished for less than a full century. And yet it remains vibrant, alive, and productive today. And the form's masterpieces help us - as perhaps they helped their original audiences - grasp a fuller sense of the terror and wonder of life. Professor Vandiver has designed these 24 rich and rewarding lectures to give you a full overview of Greek tragedy, both in its original setting and as a lasting contribution to the artistic exploration of the human condition. You'll learn to see Greek tragedy as a genre in its cultural context. What is tragedy's deeper historical background? Did it grow out of rituals honoring the god Dionysus, as is so often said? How did Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides each make unique contributions to tragedy's expressive power? You'll also uncover what scholarship can reveal about the actual performance of Greek tragedy, including its physical and ritual settings, actors and acting methods, conventions of staging and stagecraft, and even how productions were financed. And with this solid background in place, you'll explore a broad group of tragedies in close detail. In particular, you'll see how individual tragedies used traditional myths (often tales from the Trojan War), and what Aeschylus, Sophocles, or Euripides intended to accomplish by changing or adding to the basic story. You'll examine what certain tragedies imply about the world of 5th-century Athens and the importance, in turn, of the cultural background for explaining those tragedies.

The amazing era of the Middle Ages was a time of major historical shifts and transformations, reverberating with discoveries, innovations, events, and historical processes that are integral to the world we know today. In the 24 enthralling lectures of The Middle Ages around the World, Professor Emerita Joyce E. Salisbury leads you on a sumptuous tour of this incredible historical epoch, making clear that the remarkable historical currents and advances of the Middle Ages unfolded not only in the West, but across the globe. As you take in a breathtaking panorama of world history, you'll learn about the advances in technology and agriculture that drove medieval civilizations from Europe to China. You'll map the great trading networks that connected medieval civilizations. You'll witness the dramatic events of the Age of Faith. You'll explore the masterpieces of medieval architecture and literature. You'll travel Asia and the Far East in the company of legendary travelers, Marco Polo, Ibn Battuta, and Lady Nijo. And you'll study the economies, religions, and monumental architecture of the New World's majestic cultures.

Creation stories, found within many ancient cultures, are traditional accounts of the origins of the universe, the earth, and humanity. Often embodied as epic poetry, and told through the acts of divine beings, creation stories illuminate the values, beliefs, and creeds of the earliest civilizations. As such, these stories show us how early cultures made sense of the human condition, in theological, philosophical, and political terms. These 12 dynamic and thought-provoking lectures offer you a penetrating look at the origin stories of the great civilizations of the Mediterranean. With the richly layered commentary of Professor Lam, you'll delve into the creation accounts of civilizations ranging from Mesopotamia across the breadth of the ancient Near East to Greece in the West, and encompassing traditions from Egypt, Syria, Anatolia, and ancient Israel. Within the course's richly detailed inquiry, you'll explore origin stories in traditions such as: · Creation Accounts of Ancient Mesopotamia-Take the measure of the Babylonian Creation Epic, Enuma Elish, which portrays the genesis of the world and humanity through a nucleus of deities. · The Egyptian Creation Traditions-Encounter the pantheon of Egyptian gods related to creation and explore the processes by which creation was said to be accomplished. · The Hurro-Hittite Kumarbi Cycle-In this important text, witness how universal cosmic order is established through the struggle of two entangled lineages of deities; · The Theogony of Hesiod-Delve into this great work of Greek epic poetry, portraying the development of the cosmos through generations of divine conflict; and · The Judeo-Christian Genesis-Chart the contours of the seven days of creation in the biblical Genesis 1 and grasp the contrast between this account and the portrayal of creation in the Garden of Eden story. In Creation Stories of the Ancient World, you'll look deeply into an elemental feature of early civilizations.

Who were our long-ago ancestors? Where and how did they live and die? And how are we even able to learn about these humans, some of whom became extinct millions of years ago? In 20 captivating lectures, Professor Suzanne Pilaar Birch shares her expertise and passion for discovery as she peels back the years to expose the emergence and lives of early humans.

Many of literature's greatest works, from ancient myths to the works of Nobel laureates, rely on fantasy. Even when there has been a dominant preference for realism, generation after generation of readers have been drawn to stories of the fantastic - not only for what they help us learn about ourselves as individuals or as members of society, but also for what they show about our social values. And now one of the world's foremost authorities on the literature of the fantastic and science fiction has created a series of 24 lectures that take you on a journey through some of the most remarkable feats of imagination in all of literature. You'll study strange tales of talking frogs and cannibal witches, from Mary Shelley's Frankenstein to Arthur C. Clarke's astonishing 2001: A Space Odyssey and beyond. Ranging from the early 1800s to contemporary times, Professor Rabkin casts a wide net for fantastic works and delves deeply into some of the most astonishing. You'll learn about the works and times of Edgar Allan Poe, the Brothers Grimm, Virginia Woolf, Lewis Carroll, Franz Kafka, Jules Verne, H.G. Wells, J.R.R. Tolkien, Ray Bradbury, Robert A. Heinlein, Isaac Asimov, and many others. And you'll see how artists you might not have even considered in this context - such as writers like Nathaniel Hawthorne, or composers like Offenbach and Tchaikovsky - owe a creative debt to this remarkably vibrant genre.

How can we utilize ideas that date back centuries to rediscover what it means to be human today? Enter Ancient Wisdom for the Modern World, a 10-episode series of interviews with a range of experts from sociologists to spiritual leaders. Examine the healthiest places in the world-known as "blue zones"-to figure out why their inhabitants live such long, healthy, and fulfilled lives. Discover the health benefits of walking and social connection. Simplify your diet so you can eat better and feel better overall. Experience flow states, forest bathing, tantra meditation, grateful thinking, and so much more.

American history is often presented as a tale of dynamic movers and shakers who subdued an untamed wilderness on the way to forging a great nation, all the while leaving philosophy for their European counterparts. But this history neglects the philosophical underpinnings of America. As these 36 lectures demonstrate, America has borne the imprint of influential thinkers from its earliest days, from the Reformation theology of John Calvin to the Enlightenment philosophy of John Locke. Throughout this epic historical journey, you'll explore the many ways this nation has answered the question: • What is an American? Professor Kobylka traces the many answers that have been offered showing how the idea of "We the People" has changed and expanded far beyond the Founding Fathers' original conception. • You'll navigate America's ever-shifting political landscape and see how the great political trends in American history can be understood as variations on a single theme: the philosophy of liberalism, this conception that government is the source of some of our most deeply valued political notions. • You'll also meet the great men and women who, throughout American history, have molded political thought and policy. This is your opportunity to gain a deep understanding both of the nation's past and how this rich political history continues to influence the current day. Even if you've studied American history before, you'll encounter something new: a unique synthesis of viewpoints, ideas, and events that's enlightening and compelling.

The world has been fundamentally changed by the shock and devastation of a 21st century pandemic. COVID-19 has claimed six million lives; we process a daily deluge of often conflicting and/or overwhelming information; and humanity has no way of knowing when this collective trauma will finally end. Will our lives ever be the same again? It seems not. Now, try to imagine the plague that devastated Europe in the Middle Ages and beyond: more than 25 million dead. Almost 400 years of outbreaks caused by a bacterium that would not be identified until the 19th century. The mortality rate was close to 85%, with as much as 70% of the population wiped out in some locations. Superstition was pervasive, and medical practices were frequently ineffective and harmful. What caused this tragedy, and what could have been done about it? For years, we thought we knew ... but we often had it wrong. In The Black Death: New Lessons from Recent Research, celebrated medievalist Dorsey Armstrong shares the fascinating new story of this old pandemic-revealed by dedicated researchers working with 21st-century technologies and a knowledge of language and history that now provide input from all geographic areas of the Medieval world. In seven engaging lectures, Professor Armstrong corrects explanations of the pandemic that are now known to be inaccurate and offers a more robust description of plague biology than has ever been known. COVID-19 isn't likely to be humanity's last experience with a zoonotic disease, so what can we learn now from these two pandemics that could help us in the future?

Do you make your own choices or have circumstances beyond your control already decided your destiny? For thousands of years, this question has intrigued and perplexed philosophers, scientists, and everyone who thinks deliberately about how they choose to live and act. For if free will makes us accountable for our choices, does the opposite hold true, that determinism absolves us of responsibility? The implications of how we resolve this great question can affect everything from the small choices we make every day to our perspective on criminal justice and capital punishment. Now you can begin - or continue - your own exploration of this fundamental issue in a series of thought-provoking lectures from an award-winning scholar acclaimed as one of the most innovative thinkers now working at the intersection of philosophy and psychology. Beginning with an explanation of the fundamental approaches to this debate, Professor Nichols prepares you for an in-depth study of the complexities of free will and determinism. You learn what great thinkers through the ages have believed about the choices we make and understand how we might deal with their implications. Professor Nichols looks at each side of every argument, creating a balanced perspective that invites you to come to your own conclusions about whether or not we control our lives. All Lectures: 1. Free Will and Determinism - The Basic Debate 2. Fate and Karma 3. Divine Predestination and Foreknowledge 4. Causal Determinism 5. Ancient and Medieval Indeterminism 6. Agent Causation 7. Ancient and Classical Compatibilism 8. Contemporary Compatibilism 9. Hard Determinism 10. Free Will Impossibilism 11. The Belief in Free Will 12. Physics and Free Will 13. Neuroscience and Determinism 14. Neuroscience of Conscious Choice 15. Psychology and Free Will 16. Deontological Ethics and Free Will 17. Utilitarianism and Free Will 18. Responsibility and the Emotions 19. Pessimism and Illusionism 20. Optimism and Skepticism 21. The Ethics of Punishment 22. The Power of Punishment 23. Moral Responsibility and Psychopathy 24. The Future of Responsibility

Best-selling books have played a critical role in influencing the tastes and purchasing habits of American readers for more than 100 years. But there is more to America's great best-selling books than the sales figures they rake in. American bestsellers also offer us ways to appreciate and understand particular periods of American culture. In this series of 24 lectures you'll enjoy a pointed look at key best-selling works and their places within the greater fabric of American cultural history. Guided by an award-winning teacher, you'll explore representative bestsellers at various stages of American history, from the first book published in the English-speaking New World to the blockbuster authors who dominate the 21st-century publishing industry. The result is an expert look at the evolution of American culture - its tastes, its hopes, its dreams - through the unique lens of the books that have captivated its readers at various points in American history. Each of the 22 works discussed - from literary masterpieces (The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn) to enduring self-help books (How to Win Friends and Influence People) - has had a crucial and unique impact on American society. Studying these representative works will give you a deeper understanding of how American literature can both mirror the events of its time and, in many instances, have a pronounced impact on them. These lectures are your opportunity to see our nation's best-selling books as more than just popular forms of entertainment that have managed to make their authors lots of money, but as stunning microcosms of American cultural history. All Lectures: 1. Why Do Bestsellers Matter? 2. The Bay Psalm Book 3. Common Sense 4. The Last of the Mohicans 5. Uncle Tom's Cabin 6. Ragged Dick 7. Little Women 8. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn 9. The Virginian 10. The House of Mirth 11. The Jungle 12. Main Street 13. The Maltese Falcon 14. The Good Earth 15. Gone with the Wind 16. How to Win Friends and Influence People 17. The Grapes of Wrath 18. Native Son 19. The Catcher in the Rye 20. To Kill a Mockingbird 21. Catch-22 22. The Woman Warrior 23. John Adams 24. Recent Bestsellers

In The Children's Guide to Folklore and Wonder Tales, Dr. Hannah Blevins Harvey unpacks more than 60 of our most beloved stories, fables, fairy tales, and songs from around the world - providing you with a fascinating, in-depth view into the history, context, and deeper meaning of the tales we know and love. As you travel through the catalogs of Grimm, Aesop, Hans Christian Anderson, Charles Perrault, Oscar Wilde, and so many more, you'll gain profound insights into how and why these stories came to be. Supplementing the stories and insights provided by Dr. Harvey, child psychiatrist Dr. Zheala Qayyum, from Yale University's Medical School and Department of Psychiatry, weighs in on the importance of stories, folktales, and imagination-building exercise in the healthy development of children, no matter where they live. Throughout this unique course, Dr. Harvey presents not only the exploration of themes, questions, and evolutions but, as a nationally-known professional storyteller and an internationally-commended performer, she also treats you to dynamic, theatrical, and engaging tellings of cherished tales from around the world, both beloved classics and lesser-known treasures. Join us to discover a collection of stories that will lift your heart, haunt your dreams, and challenge your expectations. All Lectures: 1. "Sleeping Beauty": Once Upon a Time 2. "Beauty and the Beast" I: The Sleeping Prince 3. "Beauty and the Beast" II: Being Brave 4. "The Sorcerer's Apprentice": Transformations 5. "Cinderella" I: If the Shoe Fits 6. "Cinderella" II: Baba Yaga and Goddessesa 7. "Cinderella" III: The Mooing Godmother 8. "The Brave Little Tailor": Giants! 9. "Jack and the Beanstalk": Archetypes 10. "Hansel and Gretel": Ogres 11. "Rumpelstiltskin": Naming Our Fears 12. Tom Thumb and Thumbelina: Little Heroes 13. "Emperor's New Clothes": Looks Can Deceive 14. "Town Musicians of Bremen": Unwanted Animals 15. "Puss in Boots" and "The Frog Prince": Fitting In 16. "Three Little Pigs": Third Time's a Charm 17. "The Little Red Hen": Formula Tales 18. "How the Camel Got His Hump": Pourquoi Tales 19. Lions and Tigers and Bears: Fables 20. "Snow White": Beauty and Handsomeness 21. "Rapunzel": Maiden/Mother/Crone 22. King Arthur and Winnie the Pooh: Heroic Quests 23. American Tall Tales and Folk Songs 24. Happily Ever After: How Our Stories End

Locked inside the DNA of every species that ever lived are endless stories-about origins, ancestors, fate, and much more. Until recently, these secrets were completely inaccessible. But with the help of new technologies, scientists are now reading the hidden history of DNA, making remarkable discoveries about ourselves and our fellow species. Your gateway to this treasure trove of information is Unlocking the Hidden History of DNA, 12 informative and accessible lectures delivered by New York Times best-selling author Sam Kean. Assuming the viewer has no prior background in science, these detailed but delightful half-hour lectures cover the fundamental properties of DNA, the techniques that have unraveled its mysteries, the exciting revelations that have come to light, and the very human stories of the scientists involved-many of whom won Nobel Prizes and sparked fierce controversies along the way. You start with Austrian monk Gregor Mendel, who pioneered the science of genetics in the mid-19th century. Proceeding briskly through the decades, you learn about the discovery of DNA, the race to determine its structure, and the Human Genome Project, which mapped all three billion base pairs of our DNA. Then you dig deeply into our genome to mine its secrets, including our surprising relationship to Neanderthals, when we first started wearing clothes, genetic influences on language, and our kinship with viruses, among other findings.

We are surrounded by real-life stories of white collar crime, with pharmaceutical executives going to jail for their roles in the opioid crisis, titans of Wall Street prosecuted for insider trading and securities fraud, and senior government officials charged with fraud and corruption. But although it's widespread, a fascinating aspect of white collar crime is just how blurry its boundaries are. In 24 lessons, consider the characteristics of white collar crime that set it apart from other areas of criminal law. Early lessons offer you a foundational understanding of the nature and tools of federal white collar prosecutions, including the role of federal prosecutors, federal grand juries, subpoenas and search warrants, and the federal criminal justice system. At the heart of this series: in-depth looks at the most common white collar offenses, including mail and wire fraud, conspiracy, obstruction of justice, money laundering, insider trading, and extortion. Professor Eliason's legal expertise in the area of white collar criminal law, combined with his background as an Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Columbia, transforms what would be, in lesser hands, dry legal lectures into eye-opening investigations into some of the greatest crimes in US history, involving infamous figures such as financial fraudster Bernie Madoff and former Enron CEO Jeffrey Skilling.

Born to the ranks of the lower English gentry in 1775, Jane Austen led what some have mistakenly described as an ordinary and unremarkable life-a life that ended all too soon at the age of 41. But from this life, Austen drew inspiration for six novels that all rank as literary masterpieces, including the widely beloved Pride and Prejudice. So, what do we really know about Austen's life and influences? With Professor Devoney Looser of Arizona State University, you will get invaluable insight into Austen's everyday reality in the elegant and tumultuous Regency period and a more thorough understanding of her influence and lasting legacy. Over the course of the 24 lessons of The Life and Works of Jane Austen, you will explore her six completed works, as well as her raucous teenage writings and unfinished novels. You will also get a guided tour of Austen's world-the politics, social dynamics, major events, cultural markers, and class structures that defined the late 18th and early 19th centuries in Great Britain-and how these elements shaped her life and inspired her work. While there may always be a certain amount of mystery about Austen's life, this course offers a fuller understanding of her world and how she brilliantly captured it on the page. Jane Austen's work was shaped profoundly by the world she lived in, and The Life and Works of Jane Austen offers you the chance to explore this world and to see how the novels Austen published over two centuries ago continue to engage and entertain readers and influence popular culture through countless adaptations on page and screen. Whether you are a fan, a casual reader-or even someone who has always been a little confused by "Austenmania"-this course will illuminate the worlds, both real and imagined, of Austen's fiction and her astonishing contributions to literature.

In many ways, insects are just like us. Elaborate mating rituals, a variety of parenting styles, and a plethora of careers-from architects and engineers, to farmers and ranchers. Like us, they're able to share complex information essential for survival, significantly impact their environment, and recycle. But insects outdo us in so many respects. They are terrestrial, but some can live underwater. Their six legs are great for walking or running, but some can glide through the rainforest canopy, and many can fly. And some can create a material many times stronger than steel. The truth is, our planet belongs to the insects. Taken all together, they out-number us, out-weigh us, and could quite possibly out-last us. They are by far the most diverse group of organisms on Earth, with more than 1,000,000 species identified, as of now-2,000 times more species than the mammals. In fact, beetles alone account for 23% of all plants, animals, bacteria, and fungi combined. In 24 captivating lectures beautifully illustrated with graphics, photos, and video footage, Professor Scott Solomon shares his passion for these extraordinary creatures. Why Insects Matter: Earth's Most Essential Species will open your eyes to evolutionary accomplishments you had never even imagined. As many biologists have pointed out, if Homo sapiens simply disappeared one day, the loss would not be terribly disruptive to the rest of life on Earth. But if the insects disappeared, life on this planet would descend into chaos. Insects are Earth's most essential species. Having established themselves on Earth 480 million years before any of our genus arose in Africa, insects have survived three mass extinctions; while 75% of all living species were extinguished, these animals endured. Just imagine all we could learn from them.

The world of espionage is shrouded in mystery-even to those in it-but so much of what we think we know about spy craft is rooted in pop culture. Even though the true nature of espionage is quite different, that doesn't mean history's real spies are any less heroic, or less fascinating. In these nine episodes, go behind the shadows with a distinguished panel of historians-including a former intelligence case officer-in search of the secret meeting places, complex codes, stealth observations, and cutting-edge technologies spies have used throughout history. You'll discover how spies gather different sources of intelligence information; how spies exploit the social expectations of their times (including gender) to avoid scrutiny and suspicion; how spies use 21st-century tech tools to gather and analyze granular information; and even how spies, unlike many of their fictional counterparts, learn to be "forgettable" while on the job. You'll also encounter men and women who, unlike James Bond, are very much real: Sir Francis Walsingham, Peggy Shippen, Antoine Rossignol, William Stefanson, Kim Philby, Aldridge Ames-their stories of daring (including close calls and even double-crosses) are enough to pack this series with plenty of adventure and intrigue. This series will change the way you think about how intelligence agencies, from MI6 to the CIA, operate both in the shadows and sometimes even in plain sight. Think of it as history seen through the eyes of spies.

The remarkable Medici family, through a prodigious exercise of wealth, political ingenuity, and dynastic power, ruled the city-state of Florence for three centuries. Hugely controversial, their positioning within Florentine society and politics led them to play a key role in the world-changing phenomenon of the Renaissance. In these 12 engrossing lessons, you'll study the extraordinary trajectory of the Medici from the late 14th century to 1737. You'll learn how the Medici came to dominate Florence and how they influenced politics, religion, and culture. See how they remained in power, and you'll study the political upheavals, treachery, assassinations, intrigue, and military actions that characterized the Medici's dramatic history. In charting the arc of the Medici dynasty and its far-reaching impact, you'll investigate subject matter such as: • The Rise of the Medici: Trace the founding of the Medici family bank by Giovanni di Bicci de' Medici; observe how Cosimo de' Medici built on Giovanni's foundations to amass vast wealth and power. • The Medici, the Humanities, and Art: Learn how the Medici played core roles in the preserving of classical texts and the commissioning of iconic works of art and architecture. • Towering Personalities: Take the measure of many of the Medici family's outstanding members, from Lorenzo the Magnificent, a political genius of the highest order, to Catherine de' Medici, cultural influencer and queen of France. • The Trials and Triumphs of Medici Rule: Follow the reversals through which the Medici were exiled from Florence and returned to power numerous times, ultimately becoming hereditary rulers. William's multifaceted knowledge of the era and wide-ranging insights into the Medici bring the story alive in compelling detail. In How the Medici Shaped the Renaissance, you'll explore a richly intriguing historical saga that reveals a pivotal moment in Western civilization.

Editing your own work is difficult, but it's a crucial skill to master if you want to be a successful writer. In Effective Editing: How to Take Your Writing to the Next Level, book coach and editor Molly McCowan takes you through the self-editing process in 13 detailed lessons, using a step-by-step method designed to reduce overwhelm and to structure the revision process in the most productive way possible. Working from the big to the little picture of your work, Molly shows you how to strengthen character development, find and fix plot holes, build stronger scenes, focus on smooth pacing and point-of-view issues, elevate your language, and much more. The focus of this course is for you to improve your narrative writing skills, including fiction and nonfiction, such as memoir, autobiography, biography, and personal essays. Molly's tips and tools throughout the course can help any writer edit their own work with skill and confidence. Truly effective editing happens in levels, so a solid grasp of these levels-their focus and what they accomplish for your work-is a necessary first step. Starting at the broadest perspective (plot, structure, etc.) and gradually becoming more granular, the four levels are: developmental editing, line editing, copy editing, and proofreading. By understanding these levels and approaching them one at a time, in the right sequence, you can maintain a sense of order and keep yourself on task throughout the revision process.

Thought experiments have been used throughout history by great thinkers to expand our knowledge of ourselves and the world. In this course, you'll explore fascinating thought experiments on subjects like personal identity and selfhood, special relativity and quantum mechanics;,free will and moral responsibility, and what makes a life truly worth living. Join history's great thinkers in The Power of Thought Experiments for an extraordinary journey into your own mind.

African Americans became disillusioned with their prospects in the United States following the Civil War. Instead of providing for formerly enslaved people across the South, the government abandoned them to Jim Crow laws segregating buses, schools, stores, and even ticket windows by race. And in northern cities, white Americans responded to the influx of Black migrants not with compassion but with extreme violence and discrimination. The period between slavery and lunch counter sit-ins was regressive and dangerous for African Americans in the United States. But nevertheless, they found ways to resist-through political movements, but also through art, sports, consumer boycotts, and more. African American History: From Emancipation through Jim Crow explores an overlooked but pivotal period of African American history. In just 12 courses, delve into Black history in the United States from the Emancipation Proclamation to Jackie Robsinson's first Major League baseball game. With Associate Professor Hasan Kwame Jeffries as your expert guide, examine how white supremacy affected all aspects of American society from courtrooms to schools. Study the extreme injustices that defined the period, from lynchings to bogus convictions. Explore the number of ways African Americans cultivated culture and preserved a degree of autonomy through song, poetry, religions, and social clubs. And discover how Black men and women fought back against the scourge of white supremacy through marches, concerted legal efforts, and even excellence in sports.

This content is intended to convey general health, fitness, and nutritional information and is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of health conditions. Please consult your physician or other health-care professional before beginning or changing any fitness or nutrition program to make sure that it is appropriate for your needs. If you have any concerns or questions about your health, you should always consult a physician or other health-care professional. Do not disregard, avoid, or delay obtaining medical or health-related advice from your health-care professional because of something you may have seen or heard in this content. Current health and fitness research may exist that could affect the educational information provided in this content, and advice found herein may not be based on the most recent findings or developments. Therefore, the use of any information provided in this content is solely at your own risk. By continuing with the programs, exercises, advice, information, and/or diets discussed in this content, you recognize that there are risks of injury or illness that can occur because of your use of the aforementioned information, and you expressly assume such risks and waive, relinquish, and release any claim that you may have against The Teaching Company as a result of any future physical injury or illness incurred in connection with, or as a result of, use or misuse of the programs, exercises, advice, information, and/or diets discussed in this content. The opinions and positions provided in this content reflect the opinions and positions of the relevant presenter and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or positions of The Teaching Company or its affiliates. The Teaching Company expressly DISCLAIMS LIABILITY for any DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR LOST PROFITS that result directly or indirectly from the use of this content. In states that do not allow some or all of the above limitations of liability, liability shall be limited to the greatest extent allowed by law.

Long before the advent of either the novel coronavirus or the 1918 flu, the plague was one of the world's most prevalent and transformative diseases. In the 14th century, it ravaged populations in the East and West, infecting any man, woman, or child in its path. In Europe, it killed roughly half the population. All Europeans were touched by its lasting effects. A young Geoffrey Chaucer lived, worked, and wrote in the shadow of a pandemic. Without ever mentioning by name the affliction gripping Europe, the brilliant medieval writer captured a continent defined by disease and social upheaval, but also by human resilience. He and other great creative artists of the time bore witness to a period of turbulence and transformation, folding the complex world he occupied into his stories. How did the Black Death transform Europe? How can we make sense of the religious, social, political, and economic changes that followed the advent of disease? And what can our inquiry into the Middle Ages and its most significant outbreak reveal about the human spirit? With expert Simon Doubleday, professor of history at Hofstra University, in After the Plague, dig into the true impact of the Black Death across Europe. In just 24 lectures, understand how medieval men and women confronted the traumas of disease, social upheaval, and violent rebellion. Uncover the contradictions and paradoxes of an extraordinary age: innovations and setbacks, vibrancy and darkness, and reform and repression. Understand how human resilience, a remarkable quality that continues to transcend time and place, functions in the face of tumult and trauma.

Synthetic Biology: Life's Extraordinary New Worlds is an introduction to synthetic biology for non-scientists, covering the exciting field that is transforming healthcare, agriculture, environmental science, and many other areas. Using the molecules of li

No democracy is precisely the same. There are direct democracies, constitutional democracies, even illiberal democracies. Some, like the United States, have powerful presidents who are directly elected, while others have prime ministers determined by parl

Have you ever been in love? Falling in love is the easiest thing in the world. The difficult part comes later, when you are trying to stay in love. Half of all marriages in the United States end in divorce. As it turns out, failing in love is just as easy as falling in love. Enter our experts, Professor James Pawelski, cofounder of the world's first degree program in positive psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, and his wife, Suzann Pileggi Pawelski, writer, consultant, and positive psychology expert. Together, this husband-and-wife team will share vital insights and practical steps for developing long and harmonious relationships in an inspiring 12-lesson course, Building Love That Lasts. Using scientifically-based research from positive psychology coupled with ancient wisdom from ancient Greek philosophy, our experts take us on a series of visits to what they call the Relationship Gym™. Just like building a healthy body at a fitness gym, you will need effort, consistency, a willingness to try new things, and expert guidance to get the full benefits from this Relationship Gym™. Here, you will learn about what James and Suzie call "Aristotelian love" and how it differs from the more common concept of soulmates. All of this will help you discover how to use positive psychology to enrich your relationships. Our experts focus on four research areas to guide you in your quest for lasting love: passion, positive emotions, savoring, and character. Whether you are looking to start a relationship off on the right foot, weather difficult times, reignite the passion, or transform a good duo into a great one, Building Love That Lasts will offer you a healthy view of human connection and give you science-based tools to create the enduring, loving relationship you want.

Most Americans these days consider entrepreneurship to be a good career. More than half of all American adults will start at least one business during their working life. Due to the shutdowns of the COVID-19 pandemic, working from home became a common practice that many Americans would like to see as a permanent work option. This means that if you're like most Americans, you've either already started your own business or you're seriously considering it. If so, you've definitely come to the right place. In How to Turn Your Passion into Profit, business expert Tara McMullin will guide you through the process of creating your own business, turning some commonly held ideas completely upside down in the process. For example, you might think your first task would be to identify what you want to sell. Not so fast, Tara says. You think your goal should be to make as much money as possible, as quickly as possible? Think again. Instead of rushing headlong into selling a product, Tara suggests you take a step back to ask what you want to get out of this business. Yes, you certainly want to make money. But as Tara explains in five modules, there are some more important basic questions to ask yourself. For example, what are the guiding principles you live by and how can they be incorporated into your new business? Do you become animated with excitement when talking to groups of people or do you prefer one-on-one communication? Do you want to develop a business that can be supported by your local community face to face or would you be more excited by international sales? With Tara's guidance, your answers to these and other questions will lead you to the appropriate business model and development of a successful, long-term endeavor you will enjoy.

Delve into the global history of Christian sainthood in The Surprising Lives of Christian Saints. Over the course of 24 in-depth lectures, Professor Emily Graham of Oklahoma State University, takes you on an enlightening journey through time, revealing the profound lives of individuals who have left an indelible mark on our world.

See that the mystic and obscure are threaded through our ordinary lives in more ways than you may realize. This revealing course is taught by Richard B. Spence, a Professor Emeritus at the University of Idaho, and covers a wide array of subjects and experiences that fall under the umbrella of the occult and stretch from the ancient world to the 21st century.

As you read this sentence, your brain has just processed about 20 million bits of information. And yet, that astonishing number just isn't enough to get you through your day. Consequently, your brain takes some shortcuts, including cognitive biases-when t

In the 12 fascinating lectures of Gut Health Explained, Dr. Gabrielle Fundaro shares the latest scientific knowledge about the trillions of organisms and thousands of species that live in your gut. You'll learn how to navigate the evolving landscape of gut microbiome science while gaining a deep understanding of the intricate interplay between you and your microbiome.

Assessing America's National Security Threats digs into the history, scope, and scale of America's most pressing national security threats. In 12 lectures, you will work with former US National Security Advisor H. R. McMaster to understand the threats facing the United States today. You will dive into history to better understand the motivations, goals, and world views of our adversaries; investigate American foreign policy, both past and present; and see how to reframe strategy and construct sound policy in light of specific challenges like climate change and Russian misinformation.

Shedding light on what creative people do, and how they do it, neuroscientists are mapping the regions of the brain that come into play during creative work, showing that creativity is a skill and something that all of us can cultivate. In these 24 compelling lectures, Professor Viskontas takes you on a deep dive into the human creative faculty, exploring core themes, such as: • How Creative Work Activates the Brain: Study the regions of the brain that shape creativity, as well as the synchronized activity across brain regions that characterizes creative thinking. • Stages and Types of Creativity: Study two practical models of the creative process, one which breaks down recognizable steps or stages in creative work, and one which defines different kinds of creativity, involving two types of mental work. • Myths about Creative People: Examine notions linking mental illness with creative people; regarding creative people and depression, investigate whether depression drives creativity, or the reverse. • Core Features of the Creative Process: Study the phenomenon of creative insight (the "Aha moment"), and how to increase the likelihood of insight; take account of how imagination can be stimulated; and consider the flow state (being "in the zone"), and what occurs in the brain during flow. • Mastering Creative Skills, Thinking, and Improvisation: Grasp the process of mastering a skill, whether in sports, the arts, or any setting; study the steps of design thinking, as a practical aid to creativity; and learn the rules of creative improvisation. • The Creative Context: Note how an open exchange of ideas and a collaborative dynamic fosters a culture of creativity and observe how interaction between human cultures and social ecosystems makes creativity and innovation blossom. Through the many areas of knowledge within the course, Creativity and Your Brain offers empowering and inspiring guidelines for developing your own creativity.

"The piano—with its rich tonal resources, orchestral textures, and ability to convey both melody and harmony—has attracted great composers throughout its history. The result is a repertoire of keyboard works of astonishing size and scope, going far beyond that of any other musical instrument. This phenomenal repertoire, which spans more than 300 years of Western music, includes many of classical music's most beloved masterpieces. Treasures of this tradition include: • The Baroque-era genius of Johann Sebastian Bach, whose preludes and fugues, toccatas, and suites set the standard for keyboard writing. • Sonatas, variations, and related piano works by Classical giants Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Joseph Haydn, Ludwig van Beethoven, and the transitional figure of Franz Schubert. • Romantic masterworks ranging from Frederic Chopin's mazurkas, nocturnes, and ballades and Robert Schumann's multi-form piano works to Johannes Brahms's variations and glorious small-scale pieces, and Franz Liszt's virtuosic Hungarian Rhapsodies. • At the turn of the 20th century, the mystical piano works of Aleksandr Scriabin, and the impressionistic textures of Claude Debussy's and Maurice Ravel's keyboard writing. • A dazzling spectrum of 20th- and 21st-century piano music, pioneering new forms and new tonalities, from Arnold Schoenberg, Sergei Prokofiev, and Charles Ives to George Crumb, Florence Price, and George Walker, all of whom extended the expressive voice of the piano. These works and many more form the piano literature that continues to move and enchant us; it comprises one of the most powerful legacies in Western art. In Great Piano Works Explained, you'll dig deeply into this magnificent tradition, in a far-reaching exploration of the art of listening, seen from the bench of a pianist. In these 24 musically rich lectures, taught with passion and deep insight by Professor Catherine Kautsky of Lawrence University, you'll encounter the composers named above and more, finding your way to the heart of their extraordinary music for the piano. Experience the Sublime Richness of the Piano Repertoire In this illuminating course, Professor Kautsky coaches you in hearing and understanding the great works for the piano, with a special feature: In addition to her esteemed teaching, she is a celebrated pianist, and she demonstrates the works under discussion in real-time, at the keyboard, illustrating both excerpts and entire works through her own expressive and thoughtful playing. With her inspired guidance, you'll highlight key works of each composer, and unpack their structure, the musical materials that drive them, and the specific features that affect listeners so strongly, giving you a clear grounding in how to approach and hear this great music. Within the Baroque and Classical periods, you'll look in depth at works such as: • Bach's Well Tempered Clavier and French Suite No. 5—Discover the radiant beauty of Bach's keyboard creations in the brilliant counterpoint of two fugues from the ""WTC,"" and in the emotional range of this vibrant dance suite. • Mozart's Sonata in C Minor, K. 457—Hear the influence of opera in this intense and tempestuous sonata, where Mozart uses dialogue between opposing themes and magical key changes to transport the listener from joy to sorrow, and back again, in an ever-changing kaleidoscope of emotions. • Beethoven's Sonata Opus 110—In this monumental late sonata, witness how Beethoven constructs the work as an unforgettable musical journey; study the majestic first movement, the dramatic Allegro molto, and the Arioso and great fugue that ends the sonata in triumphant affirmation. • Schubert's Sonata in Bb, D. 960—This large-scale sonata, written in the last year of Schubert's life, features unforgettable themes and an intriguing dichotomy between keys. Tour the first movement: You'll love the melodies, and you'll see how one small trill gives rise to the harmonic plan of the entire work.

The stories we tell ourselves are central to how we engage with the world around us. Stories help us make sense of the world, tell us who we are and why we're here, and define our purpose for existence. Stories empower us to learn from the experiences, successes, and failures of others, and can guide us as we make difficult choices in our own lives. They can entertain us; instruct us; and, above all, connect us-to the world, to people in other times and places, to each other, and to our innermost selves. Stories remind us of the remarkable constancy in human nature and the human experience, while simultaneously helping us to learn and grow. We are perpetually interested in questions related to the human condition: What does it mean to be human? Why are we here? What is the best way to live? These stories comprise "The Great Conversation"-the iterative dialogue between thoughtful people across time and place about questions of origin, purpose, and destiny. Studying stories from The Great Conversation across media, across history, and across culture allows us insight into how people have answered these questions for themselves. Doing so helps us become better able to understand who we are and how we can live life richly and, well, in the here and now. To examine the connection between the storytelling impulse and our implicit desire to understand our lives and our place in the world, you will go on a globe-spanning, time-travelling, media-traversing tour in the 12 lectures of Storytelling and the Human Condition. Your guide is award-winning journalist, author, and storyteller Alexandra Hudson, founder of Civic Renaissance, a community of lifelong learners, which she invites you to join at Civic-Renaissance.com. In this course, she will illuminate the many ways stories shape our lives throughout history and across cultures. In the Beginning ... We're storytelling-and story-listening-creatures from day one. According to narrative paradigm theory, conceptualized by communication scholar Walter Fisher, all meaningful human communication occurs through storytelling. This theory argues that, whether we realize it or not, each of us are storytellers, or listeners of stories, at different times in our lives. This isn't just true for our own moment-but for people in all times and places. Every civilization and culture have stories they use to explore the big questions of the human condition, beginning from their earliest, pre-literate days. From the art on the walls of caves to oral storytelling traditions to the (much later) impact of writing and literacy, stories are always central to living lives of meaning in our world. As you examine ancient and influential stories like the Enuma Elish of Babylon, the creation story of Genesis, or the histories of Hesiod, you will gain a better understanding of how these earliest of stories share many of the same questions people have pondered across the history of our species. The stories that Alexandra presents explore the breadth of the human experience: beginning with origin stories and progressing through themes such as suffering, humor, love and sex, pride, death, freedom, and much more. In each lecture, she crosscuts culture, era, and medium to show how stories from different disciplines, people, and places are in conversation with each other across generations and continents. All great art tells a story, as Alexandra shows. Whether you are examining ancient creation stories, analyzing the plays of Shakespeare, diving into modern poetry, or considering the lyrics of a song from the 20th century, you are invited to see how the drive to understand our world and ourselves in story is universal. The Plot Thickens The human condition, said 17th-century French polymath Blaise Pascal, is defined by the greatness and wretchedness of man. As there is duality to our nature as human beings, there is duality to our stories. Great stories lay bare a cu