Herodotus' work has come down to us as the first composition of Greek history and presents us with an incredibly expansive and detailed amalgam of theology, science, theater, and philosophy.
Mythology served as the underpinning for many aspects of ancient Egyptian culture. Mummies, pyramids, the afterlife, pharaohs - all of these are rooted in myths that developed and evolved over 4,000 years.
In this course, we'll look at the cultural factors that led to the Harlem Renaissance, an artistic movement that arose in Manhattan in the 1920s and included artists, writers, and intellectuals, including the legendary Langston Hughes. We'll dip into blues and jazz, examine some of the visual art, and then read selections from Hughes, W.E.B.
Heading into the 2020 election year, the United States is experiencing what sometimes feels like unprecedented political strife and polarization. This is not, however, the first time that this country has experienced extreme crisis, conflict, and polarization.
Henry Ford was an American icon, innovator, industrialist, and also an ardent antisemite. Ford used his fame and fortune to disseminate his vitriol - blaming Jews for all the ills in America. This class will examine the dark side of the self-made billionaire whose prejudice still resonates today.
In this course, we will study the remarkable breakthroughs across the arts and sciences in the first several decades of the twentieth century.