"It doesn't take an Einstein to understand modern physics," says Professor Wolfson at the outset of these twenty-four lectures on what may be the most important subjects in the universe: relativity and quantum physics. Both have reputations for complexity. But the basic ideas behind them are, in fact, simple and comprehensible by anyone. These dynamic and illuminating lectures begin with a brief overview of theories of physical reality starting with Aristotle and culminating in Newtonian or "classical" physics. After that, you'll follow along as Professor Wolfson outlines the logic that led to Einstein's profound theory of special relativity and the simple yet far-reaching insight on which it rests. With that insight in mind, you'll move on to consider Einstein's theory of general relativity and its interpretation of gravitation in terms of the curvature of space and time. From there, you'll embark on a dazzling exploration of how inquiry into matter at the atomic and subatomic scales led to quandaries that are resolved-or at least clarified-by quantum mechanics, a vision of physical reality so profound and so at odds with our experience that it nearly defies language. By bringing relativity and quantum mechanics into the same picture, you'll chart the development of fascinating hypotheses about the origin, development, and possible futures of the entire universe, as well as the possibility that physics can produce a "theory of everything" to account for all aspects of the physical world. But the goal throughout these lectures remains the same: to present the key ideas of modern physics in a way that makes them clear to the interested layperson.

Einstein's Relativity and the Quantum Revolution: Modern Physics for Non-scientists (The Great Courses by the Teaching Company)

Science & Math

Richard Wolfson

Physics

teaching company the great courses

Medical Myths, Lies, and Half-Truths: What We Think We Know May Be Hurting Us

True or false: Eight glasses of water a day are mandatory for staying hydrated. Vitamin C protects you from catching a cold. Natural foods are always better for you. What do these nuggets of so-called medical wisdom have in common? They're not true. They're myths, half-truths, and misconceptions - pieces of information so familiar we take them for granted without truly considering the scientific truth behind them. In today's information age, such medical myths are all around us. And using them to make decisions about your own health can be harmful. Even deadly. That's why it's critical to understand the accuracy of medical information and discover the truth about everyday health and well-being. That's the core of this important series of 24 eye-opening lectures from an acclaimed neurologist, educator, and science broadcaster. Dr. Novella will give you evidence-based guidelines for good health, enhance your ability to be better informed about common medical myths, and strengthen your skills at assessing medical information and advice. An essential aid for any home, the lecture series is divided into three sections that focus on specific aspects of health. "You Are What You Eat and Drink": Get pointed looks at proper hydration, the routine use of multivitamins, natural foods and probiotics, antioxidants, and more. "Fighting Diseases": Sort out truth from fiction regarding vaccines, the supposed link between vaccination and autism, chronic diseases, and other subjects. "Exploring the Alternatives": Investigate the claims behind herbal medicines, homeopathy, acupuncture, and other alternatives that aren't as worthwhile as they claim to be.

24 Lectures 1Religion-Its Meaning and Importance 2Facets of Religion-Divinity and Devotion 3Hinduism-Foundational Texts and Teachings 4Hindu Gods and Devotional Practices 5Gita to Gandhi-Yogas and Modern Hinduism 6Waking Up-The Buddha and His Teachings 7Vehicles to Nirvana-The Schools of Buddhism 8Chinese Religion and Cosmology 9Confucianism-Rituals and Relationships 10Daoism-Harmony, Nature, and the Way 11Kami and Spirits-Shinto and Shamanism 12East Asian Buddhism-Zen and Pure Land 13Judaism-God, Torah, and Covenant 14Varieties of Jewish Thought and Practice 15Living a Jewish Life 16The Life and Commemoration of Jesus 17Catholic and Orthodox Christianity 18Protestantism and Christianity Today 19Muhammad, Qur'an, and Islamic Civilization 20Unity in Islam-The Five Pillars 21Forms of Islam-Diversity among Muslims 22Jains, Sikhs, and Baha'is 23Religion and Law in America 24Religion Today-Trends, Challenges, and Hope

Cultural Literacy for Religion: Everything the Well-Educated Person Should Know

Mark Berkson

Eating is an indispensable human activity. As a result, whether we realize it or not, the drive to obtain food has been a major catalyst across all of history, from prehistoric times to the present. Epicure Jean-Anthelme Brillat-Savarin said it best: "Gastronomy governs the whole life of man." In fact, civilization itself began in the quest for food. Humanity's transition to agriculture was not only the greatest social revolution in history, but it directly produced the structures and institutions we call "civilization." In 36 fascinating lectures, award-winning Professor Albala puts this extraordinary subject on the table, taking you on an enthralling journey into the human relationship to food. With this innovative course, you'll travel the world discovering fascinating food lore and culture of all regions and eras - as an eye-opening lesson in history as well as a unique window on what we eat today

Food: A Cultural Culinary History

Professor Ken Albala

Despite our best efforts, we're all vulnerable to believing things without using logic or having proper evidence-and it doesn't matter how educated or well read we are. But there is a method for avoiding such pitfalls of human nature, and it's called skepticism. By using rational inquiry and seeing subjects from a scientific perspective, we can approach even the most sensitive claims with clear eyes to ultimately arrive at the truth. During 18 lectures that will surprise, challenge, and entertain you, you will learn how to think, not just what to think-and you'll come to understand why extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. You'll discover how skepticism can help differentiate between real science and pseudoscience, as well as between "scientific" history and pseudohistory-distinctions that have serious educational and political implications. Fascinating case studies illustrate how you can apply the methods of skepticism to detect specious claims and faulty logic in any scenario you encounter such as: The methodology employed by Holocaust deniers Arguments made by proponents of creationism The biology of near-death experiences and the sensed-presence effect Psychic abilities and other "paranormal" phenomena. As you learn how our brains work to form beliefs, you'll examine the classic fallacies of thought that lead us to experience mistakes in thinking and to form bad arguments in favor of our beliefs. Is there a God? Is there life after death? Is there a basis for morality without God? Skepticism 101 doesn't shy away from controversial questions, nor does it give final answers. What it offers are methods and hard evidence for rationally evaluating various claims and positions, and an opportunity to understand why you believe what you believe.

Skepticism 101: How to Think like a Scientist

Professor Michael Shermer

As the birthplace of Judaism and Christianity, the Holy Land (the area in and around modern-day Israel) is one of the most important regions in the world. With a rich history stretching back over 3,000 years, this area is a sacred land for three major faiths and the setting for defining events in religious history, including the life, ministry, and death of Jesus; the construction and destruction of the First and Second Jewish Temples; the composition of the Old and New Testaments, and parts of the Dead Sea Scrolls; the dramatic siege of Masada; and the journey of the prophet Muhammad to Jerusalem. The Holy Land Revealed is packed with detailed analyses of architectural wonders that provide a physical context for stories from this region. It's a three-dimensional impression that recreates this long-lost world, adding richer layers to stories and events you may be familiar with and providing powerful introductions to those that might be new to you.

The Great Courses: The Holy Land Revealed

Writing and Civilization: From Ancient Worlds to Modernity

At just over 5,000 years old, writing is actually a relatively recent invention. It has become so central to the way we communicate and live, however, that it often seems as if writing has always existed. But the question remains: Who invented writing, and why? In these 24 fascinating lectures, you'll trace the remarkable saga of the invention and evolution of "visible speech," from its earliest origins to its future in the digital age. Your guide is an accomplished professor and epigrapher who whisks you around the globe to explore how an array of sophisticated writing systems developed, then were adopted and adapted by surrounding cultures. Along the way, you'll visit the great early civilizations of Egypt, Mesopotamia, China, Japan, and the Americas, and you'll see how deciphering ancient scripts is a little like cracking secret codes - only far more difficult. You'll be spellbound as you hear accounts of the breathtaking moments when the decipherment of ancient scripts broke centuries of silence. And you'll marvel at fascinating objects once shrouded in mystery, including the iconic Rosetta stone. Writing and Civilization offers the chance to not only discover the history of ancient writing systems, but also the rare opportunity to actually hear those scripts read aloud and to learn the meaning of their messages hidden in plain sight.

Professor Marc Zender

Great Courses - Teaching Company Course No. 1920 Audio CDs Mind - Body Medicine: The New Science of Optimal Health

Mind-Body Medicine: The New Science of Optimal Health

Jason M. Satterfield

The World of Biblical Israel

24 Lectures 1Biblical Israel-The Story of a People 2By the Rivers of Babylon-Exile 3Ancestor Narratives in Genesis 4Moses-The Torah's Central Hero 5Becoming the Nation of Israel 6Kinship and Economics in Highland Villages 7Three Weddings and a Funeral 8Political Power Bases in Early Israel 9Kingdoms and King Making 10Politics and Economy of a Centralized Cult 11Worshipping Locally 12Lives of the Rich, Lives of the Poor 13Assyrian Incursion into Israel and Judah 14Life under Siege 15Religious Debates and Preserved Text 16Ezekiel-Exilic Informant 17Life in Exile, Life in Judah 18Literacy and Education 19Religious Developments of the Exile 20The New Israel-Resettling the Land 21Food and the Family Meal-Boundaries 22National Identity-Intermarriage 23National Identity-Twins and Enemies 24Loss and Restoration-Two Biblical Stories

Professor Cynthia R. Chapman

Foundations of Eastern Civilization

48 Lectures 1Journey to the East 2Yin and Yang-The Geography of China 3Early China and the Mysterious Xia 4The Coming of the Shang 5The Shang and Writing for the Gods 6The Zhou and the Mandate of Heaven 7Great Ideas of the Zhou-Confucianism 8Great Ideas of the Zhou-Later Confucianism 9Great Ideas of the Zhou-Daoism 10Great Ideas of the Zhou-Legalism 11The Qin and the First Emperor of China 12Contact with the West-The Early Han 13Triumph and Tragedy-The Later Han 14Silk Roads-In the Footsteps of Nomads 15Silk Roads-The Envoy Zhang Qian 16Silk Roads-Perils of Camels and Caravans 17Silk Roads-Rome and Roads from the West 18Silk Roads-The Lost Kushan Empire 19Origins of Buddhism 20The Age of Disunity 21The Great Taizong and the Rise of the Tang 22Changan and the Glittering Tang 23Korea-Mysterious Beginnings 24Korea-The Land of Morning Calm 25Korea-The Unified Silla 26Korea-The Koryo 27Japan-Geography and Early Cultures 28Japan-Treasures of the Tomb Period 29Japan-Nara and the Great Eastern Temple 30Japan-The World of the Heian 31Southeast Asia-Vietnam 32Southeast Asia-Indian and Islamic Influences 33The Industrial Revolution of the Song 34Intellectual and Cultural Life of the Song 35The Mongols Conquer the World 36Shaking the Foundation-Mongols in the East 37The Rise of the Ming 38Great Treasure Fleets of the Ming 39The Qing-Nomads Return from the North 40The Qing-The Last Emperor of China 41Korea Choson-Rise of the Yangban 42Korea Choson-The Last Dynasty 43Medieval Japan-Samurai and Shoguns 44Tokugawa and Meiji Japan 45The People's Republic of China 46Isolation and Cold War Conflicts 47The Rise of the East Asian Tigers 48The Enduring Ideas of Eastern Civilization

Professor Craig G. Benjamin

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