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The Big History of Civilizations

By: Craig G. Benjamin, The Great Courses
Narrated by: Craig G. Benjamin
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Summary

The history of human civilization is an astonishing story of migration, innovation, and social development. Now, the exciting new field of "big history" allows us to explore human civilizations in ways unavailable to historians of previous generations. Big history scholars take a multidisciplinary approach to study great spans of time, unlocking important themes, trends, and developments across time and space.

Unlike a traditional survey of history - with its focus on dates and events, kings and battles - The Big History of Civilizations is your chance to apply this cutting-edge historical approach to the epic story of humanity around the world. Taught by acclaimed Professor Craig G. Benjamin of Grand Valley State University, these 36 sweeping lectures trace the story of human civilizations from our emergence as a species, through the agricultural and industrial revolutions, and into the future.

It only takes a few minutes of one lecture for you to discover that Big History is an amazing approach to history. Its grand vision will give you powerful new insights into human civilization, and it offers a profound analysis of some of our biggest questions: What makes us human? Where did we come from? And where are we going? There may be no easy answers, but Professor Benjamin takes you on a powerful journey to the limits of our understanding.

What differentiates big history from any other field is the way it combines divergent fields, from archaeology and anthropology to ecology and philosophy, and ties them together, allowing you to see patterns of our past, present - and even future. From the just-right "Goldilocks factors" that allow civilizations to emerge to different ways civilizations have emerged across time and around the word, this riveting approach to history offers a multidisciplinary toolkit to tell the story about what makes us human.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2016 The Great Courses (P)2016 The Teaching Company, LLC
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Excellent

Excellent, the best great course I have so far listened to. Great subject matter, diverse histories, narrated well and a fabulous end. Highly recommend

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very interesting listen

a very informative set of lectures but will probably need to get updated in a decade or two as new discoveries and understanding occurs

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A fascinating context to history

Provides a framework for understanding the forces amd constraints that have led to the way history has turned out.

An enjoyable listen.

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Enthralling

A wonderful journey through time. Informative and ultimately thought provoking. A must listen for all, especially our children.

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Fantastic

Great series of lectures, covered a massive amount of history very well given the constraint of 36 x 30 min lectures. Superb.

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