From the French Revolution of 1789 to the Arab Spring in 2011, this course will introduce you to the most important revolutions in human history. This course explains the introduction of new ideologies, such as Liberalism, Marxism and Political Islam, through the histories of the Revolution in China, the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia, the Meiji Restoration in Japan, and the 1978 Revolution in Iran. Course Content The American Revolution 1775 – 1783 Ideology behind the Revolution: L... [More]

For intending tourists and armchair travellers, this course provides an overview of the places, history, art, and architecture of Sicily – a spectacular island where one of the most dramatic and complicated cultures of the Mediterranean has been shaped by invaders and settlers, who include the ancient Greeks, the Arabs, and the Normans. We take illustrated tours of the main towns and tourist sites with in depth, interactive discussion of history and culture, including the ancient Gr... [More]

The conflict in the Middle East can be traced back into ancient history to the Egyptians, the Jews, the followers of Baal, the Zoroastrians and the pagans of Greece and Rome. The arrival of the Christians brought another competing religion, and later the Muslims completed the picture. This course will look at all these religions and how people have fought under their different banners for control and ownership of not only Palestine but the whole area from Turkey to Persia. Course Co... [More]

The coming of the British memsahibs to India under the East India Company and later under direct British rule significantly affected the dynamics of British society in the subcontinent. This course looks at when and why they first came out east and how their roles changed with events such as the 1857 Indian Mutiny and the establishment of the Indian Empire by Queen Victoria’s government. It is a story of tragedy and triumph, but above all of extraordinary women who carved a new life... [More]

This course is an introduction to the history, government, economy, people, religion and culture of Saudi Arabia. It will take you on a colourful journey through this enigmatic and closed Islamic society. The complications of the oil diplomacy, rentier economy, and the US-Saudi axis will be discussed in relation to the domestic politics of Saudi Arabia and the wider context of the Arab Spring. Course Content Arabia and its pre-Islamic history The birth of Islam The Mamluks, the Otto... [More]

This course explores the American preoccupation with the enemy from within, real and imagined. Fear of communism, especially from within, was endemic throughout the Cold War and names like McCarthy and Nixon quickly come to mind as successful exploiters of this fear. We will look at the historical background of this bizarre American pre-occupation and see how it has been carried forward to the present by the Tea Party movement. Course Outline From entertainers to scientists The fear... [More]

The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America. Also known as the American War of Independence, this period lasted from 1775 to 1783 and brought about major changes to the European sphere of influence around the world. Join us on a 1700km journey through the heart of the American Revolution, v... [More]

What has happened to make the English language of a thousand or more years ago largely unintelligible to English speakers today? Why is our grammar so different from that of some otherwise closely related European languages? Why is our vocabulary so large? We will trace the influences that were at work over time to alter the language, spoken and written, and that have brought about such huge changes from Old English to the language of Chaucer; from then to the Early Modern English o... [More]

The names of Gandhi, Nehru and Jinnah have world renown disproportionate to their role in the independence movement in India. This course aims to offer an in-depth look at the true roles each played in the lead up to 1947 and will assess the accuracy of their portrayal by film, historians and by many Indians themselves. Course Content Overview of the beginnings of the Indian independence movement Gandhi emerges on the India stage – his background and philosophy Jinnah emerges – his ... [More]

Renaissance Italy was a vibrant and bustling place, with highly-developed and expanding commercial systems, large urban populations, access to a staggering range of classical works, and a need and appreciation for art – as decoration, as a spiritual offering, and for enjoyment. In this study day, we investigate the origins and development of this productive time and its fascinating artistic and cultural impact, which continue to affect how we understand and view Western art today. T... [More]