A Survey of Ancient History
“Where do we come from?” “What are we?” “Where are we going?”
These questions are inscribed in the upper left corner of Paul Gaugin’s 1897 masterpiece. More than a century later, with civilization facing mounting challenges, it is more pressing than ever to explore these fundamental questions. One vital way to do so is to go back to beginnings, to learn what we can about the earliest humans, the advent of agriculture, and the origins, challenges, failures, and achievements of early civilizations. Looking back to these origins will certainly show us where we come from, and it will provide clues about what it means to be human, and thus about some of the forces that are driving us towards an uncertain future.
This course is designed for inquisitive and motivated middle and high school students. Our survey of ancient history will include the Paleolithic Age, the Neolithic Revolution, and the early civilizations of Mesopotamia, Egypt, Israel, Greece, India, and China. Throughout the course, we will focus on major themes of power, wealth, belief, technology, and the environment. We will explore economic, social, and political developments, as well as achievements in art, architecture, literature, religion, and philosophy.
Course Details:
- Dates: Beginning January 16, 2024
- Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. via ZOOM
Pricing:
- $400 for 28 sessions.
- Guests of enrolled students eligible for a reduced rate.
Enrollment:
- Minimum Enrollment: 5 Students
- Maximum Enrollment: 12 Students
