Month: August 2022

I have been busy learning through Coursera… since my last “round-up” I have completed the following…

Magic in the Middle Ages
“In this course we will introduce you to the Middle Ages through a wide conception of magic. Students will have an approach to medieval culture, beliefs and practices from the perspective of History and History of Science. Popular magic, as well as learned magic (alchemy, geomancy and necromancy and astrology) will be addressed. Moreover, we will also deal with how eastern practices and texts influenced western culture.Magic in the Middle Ages offers a captivating overview of medieval society and promotes reflection about certain stereotypes associated with this period,” (Coursera).

Modern World Part 1 1760-1910
“This is a survey of modern history from a global perspective. Part One begins with the political and economic revolutions of the late 1700s and tracks the transformation of the world during the 1800s.  Part One concludes as these bewildering changes seem to be running beyond the capacity of older institutions to handle them.  Throughout the course we try to grasp what is happening and ask:  Why?  And the answers often turn on very human choices,” (Coursera).

Modern World Part 2 Global History Since 1910
“This is a survey of modern history from a global perspective.  Part Two begins early in the twentieth century, as older ways of doing things and habits of thought give way.  What follows is an era of cataclysmic struggles over what ideas and institutions will take their place.  The course concludes in the present day, as communities everywhere are transitioning into a new era of world history.  Again we work hard to grasp what is happening and ask:  Why?  Again we are drawn to pivotal choices made at key moments by individuals and communities,” (Coursera).

Intro to Ancient Egypt & its Civilization
“Colossal pyramids, imposing temples, golden treasures, enigmatic hieroglyphs, powerful pharaohs, strange gods, and mysterious mummies are features of Ancient Egyptian culture that have fascinated people over the millennia.  The Bible refers to its gods, rulers, and pyramids. Neighboring cultures in the ancient Near East and Mediterranean wrote about its god-like kings and its seemingly endless supply of gold.  The Greeks and Romans describe aspects of Egypt’s culture and history. Join Dr. David Silverman, Professor of Egyptology at Penn, Curator in Charge of the Egyptian Section of the Penn Museum, and curator of the Tutankhamun exhibitions  on a guided tour of the mysteries and wonders of this ancient land,” (Coursera).

Greek & Roman Mythology
“Myths are traditional stories that have endured over a long time. Some of them have to do with events of great importance. Others tell the stories of great heroes and heroines and their exploits and courage in the face of adversity. Still others are simple tales about otherwise unremarkable people who get into trouble or do some great deed. This course will focus on the myths of ancient Greece and Rome, as a way of exploring the nature of myth and the function it plays for individuals, societies, and nations. We will also pay some attention to the way the Greeks and Romans themselves understood their own myths. This course will investigate these questions regarding myth through a variety of topics, including the creation of the universe, the relationship between gods and mortals, human nature, religion, the family, sex, love, madness, and death,” (Coursera).

Cultural Competence
“This course explores some of the key themes and capabilities of cultural competence by exploring Aboriginal experiences and narratives of Sydney; from when it was ‘claimed’ for the British Crown in 1770, by Captain James Cook, and the invasion which began in earnest when the First Fleet of British arrived in 1788 and established a penal colony in Sydney. As a consequence Sydney is a city rich in diverse pre-colonial, colonial and contemporary sites of significance to Aboriginal peoples. Too often though our perceptions about Aboriginal peoples consign them to an ancient past or perpetuates stereotypical imaginations that Aboriginal peoples live in remote communities,” (Coursera).

Russian History: From Lenin to Putin
“In this course, Peter Kenez, Professor Emeritus at UC Santa Cruz, explains the events of modern Russian history and introduces its most significant actors—from Vladimir Lenin to Vladimir Putin,” (Coursera).

Aboriginal Worldviews & History
“Intended for both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal learners, this course will explore indigenous ways of knowing and how they can benefit all students. Topics include historical, social, and political issues in Aboriginal education; terminology; cultural, spiritual and philosophical themes in Aboriginal worldviews; and how Aboriginal worldviews can inform professional programs and practices, including but not limited to the field of education,” (Coursera).

Paradoxes of War
“The Paradoxes of War teaches us to understand that war is not only a normal part of human existence, but is arguably one of the most important factors in making us who we are. Through this course, you will come to appreciate that war is both a natural expression of common human emotions and interactions and a constitutive part of how we cohere as groups. That is, war is paradoxically an expression of our basest animal nature and the exemplar of our most vaunted and valued civilized virtues. You will learn some basic military history and sociology in this course as a lens for the more important purpose of seeing the broader social themes and issues related to war,” (Coursera).

I also took the Four Seasons of Reconciliation course from the First Nations University of Canada although it isn’t a Coursera course; it is a “must take!”