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In the turbulent history of the nineteenth century the three capital cities of Berlin, London and Paris played key roles in the development of their respective states and in the huge changes experienced in the hundred years between 1800 and 1900.London was the world’s greatest trading centre, thriving on a vast network of overseas commerce and driven by the British Industrial Revolution and a growing Empire. Paris became the centre of a new Napoleonic European Empire, developed a reputation for political violence and became the leading example of urban planning and centre of fine art and design in Europe. Berlin started the century as a small capital of a medium-sized German state and experienced substantial economic and population growth, ending the century as the capital of continental Europe’s most powerful industrial nation.During this course we will examine the fascinating history of these three dynamic cities.

The purpose of this introductory course is to give you an overview of Medieval art and architecture and to build your confidence when analysing Medieval works of art for yourself.Each week we will look at a different aspect of art, architecture or urbanism from the Middle Ages. We will ask, how was it made? What is the historical context? How did the original audience understand and respond to it? Crucially, we will also consider current scholarly approaches to the Middle Ages, seeking to leave behind the old fashioned view that this period was a ‘dark age’ sandwiched between the classical and the Renaissance eras. Instead we will look at the Middle Ages as a ‘bright age’ of innovation, complexity and sophistication.

Nowadays, we are taking computers almost for granted, but how was the 'idea' of a computer even conceived at first, and by whom? This course will provide a detailed introduction to the groundbreaking work of one of the most brilliant individuals in our history, Alan Turing, and how his idea of a machine that can perform a large number of operations relies on simple basic mathematical concepts and procedures.All the mathematical knowledge required will be covered and practised during the course, which will also provide an overview of the historical development of the idea of 'computers' and 'computability'. We will then discover the idea of computational 'complexity' and how this has a positive effect on our lives (e.g. cryptography). Finally, we will introduce some mathematical formalism to appreciate how symbolic calculus is incomplete and draw connections with computability and logic.

How did ancient technologies develop? Who invented the wheel, the loom and the chariot, when did this happen and why? This course will identify key machines, industries, and inventions that were developed either in or around Egypt, which were then absorbed by the general Egyptian population, often with impressive and unusual results.Egypt is sometimes characterised as a highly conservative nation, in terms of its political and social systems, art and its technology. So was this indeed the case? This course is designed to introduce the technological development of Egypt, with an invention each week, complimented by practical demonstrations where appropriate. The course considers a wide variety of different technologies including stone working, writing and surveying, monumental construction, pottery, faience making, glass production, blacksmithing, military technology, textiles, and agriculture.Examining technological developments in ancient Egypt using written and artefactual evidence, we will consider the various tools, machines, and methods that ancient Egyptian craft workers and artisans employed, and how technological development contributed to wider cultural, economic and political change.

South Asia includes the countries of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bhutan; stretching between the mighty Himalayas in the north to the waters of the Indian Ocean in the south, this huge landmass is home to an ancient and diverse group of cultures.With very different landscapes, cultures, languages, scripts, musical traditions, dance forms, and distinctive artistic heritages, this region presents an incredible complexity that has attracted people’s interest from time immemorial. During the third millennium B.C., spacious cities, displaying advanced town planning, were built along the plains of the Indus River. The great cities of the Indus Valley flourished for more than a thousand years. Between 1800 and 1200 B.C. Indo-European people known as the Aryans settled in the region and formed the basis of the Vedic civilisations which eventually formed the basis of what Hinduism is today. This is also the birthplace of another major world religion that arose during the sixth and fifth centuries B.C. Propounded by Prince Siddhartha, Buddhism was a path of moderation that was open to all.This course has been designed to incorporate all these important periods of South Asia to develop historical consciousness about the ancient Indian civilization in the minds of the students and to impart knowledge about the region’s complex historical traditions.

As pandemics sweep across the globe, as climate change threatens our vision of the future, and as population growth accelerates amidst diminishing natural resources and rapidly emerging technologies, it seems clear that most of the global challenges and opportunities we face are fundamentally human in nature. While the pervasive influence and consequences of culture, identity and power are woven vividly into the fabric of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, our world is becoming increasingly complex, contested and unpredictable.In this course we will explore the unique and vital contribution of applied anthropology in helping to examine and address some of the major global challenges of our time. Drawing from real-world case studies we will investigate a range of critical issues, from sustainable development and population displacement to public health and natural disasters. We will learn how an integrated understanding of underlying social and cultural dynamics can dramatically influence the success or failure of interventions and outcomes, tipping a delicate balance between preservation or loss, prosperity or poverty, peace or conflict, life or death.

This course is an introduction to one of the fascinating languages of the Bible, Hebrew. It intends to offer some solid reading and grammar skills, along with historical and cultural perspectives. It will provide the students with a foundation for careful and informed reading, exegesis, and analysis of the biblical text. The course is designed as a thorough introduction to Biblical Hebrew with an emphasis on grammar and vocabulary, which will also help students identify and develop reading tools and exegetical methods for biblical and theological study.

This is a practical course for those interested in gaining knowledge and understanding of classical harmony.An understanding of the fundamentals of classical harmony is essential for a full appreciation of the music of that period. It also develops skills and understanding that provide a firm foundation for more creative work in music.The course will cover the basics of harmony by taking the students through a series of straightforward, structured exercises. These exercises are designed to emphasise the craftsmanship of harmony and to relate to actual classical practice.The course follows on from: 'Exploring Basic Music Theory' but it is not necessary to have taken that course to participate fully in this one!The course is designed to welcome beginners, although basic musical literacy is necessary for full participation. Previous experience in playing an instrument or singing is an advantage but is not an essential requirement.

The module explores the Old and New Testament together with the major elements contained in their narratives, and their main theological themes. It will proceed by focusing on the background of the Bible, by overviewing its books and describing their cultural, literary and religious contexts. Then, the course will evaluate the theological interpretations of these texts against this cultural background.It will begin with an exploration of the Old Testament by focusing on the structure of the Hebrew Bible with its several forms of literature. The module will follow with a second part dedicated to the New Testament. After an introductory session, the major sections will be presented, considering main characters, theological themes, critical-historical issues, biblical-theological views, etc. The course will analyse the theological issues of the Bible and their relevance in moulding Christianity.

Is there only one way to prove a mathematical statement? Do we always follow a deductive method when trying to reach a new conclusion? The quick answer is: no. Mathematics has developed a variety of techniques over the centuries in the continuous pursuit of finding the clearest or most elegant proof for a problem. All these methods show a highly creative thinking process that exploits experience, intuition, and even a sense of adventure. By relating the presentation of different types of proofs to historical examples and anecdotes from the lives of famous Mathematicians, from Euclid to Andrew Wiles, the students will embark on a rich investigative journey that will show them why mathematicians can be considered to be part detectives and part artists, thus developing their analytical skills and a broader overview of what a proof is.