Ancient world civilisations
states, chiefdoms and empires, the ten lessons will examine relationships and influences between settled and nomadic peoples.
This course has now started
Course Code: HWH157
Duration: 10 sessions (over 11 weeks)
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Center for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
This online course is about the emergence of social complexity in all its various manifestations. It includes examples
from the five continents to expand common perceptions of what is civilisation comparing different forms of social
organisation.
What will we cover?
We will cover cultural changes from the Neolithic to the era of explorations. We will look at African, American, and
Pacific civilisations alongside cultures from the ancient Near East, East Asia and the Mediterranean world.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- identify civilisations from various world regions,
- understand and apply theories on the emergence of culture on the basis of examples discussed in the course,
- place world civilisations in their historical context.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
No previous experience with archaeology, anthropology or global histoyr is required, nor is there a course prerequisite. You will be encouraged to participate by asking questions, expressing your opinions and generally contributing your experience and knowledge.As with all of our courses curiosity, an open mind, and willingness to engage is more important than any particular skills.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
The course will be taught using Power Point presentations, class discussion, small group
work, and questions and answers. Weekly readings will prepare you to the next week’s topics to engage in
conversation.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
There are no other costs, but you may wish to bring pen and paper for note taking.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
HWH132 Homo sapiens: a journey through the ice age
HWH145 Humanity and agriculture - the Neolithic revolution
Please also explore our sections on Global and Imperial history for other courses that may interest you.
In addition to teaching for City Lit, anthropologist Max Carocci is Associate Professor of Art History and Visual Culture at Richmond, the American University in London. After twelve years teaching and coordinating the join programme World Arts and Artefacts for Birkbeck and the British Museum, Max continued to teach in universities (University of East Anglia, Chelsea College of Art, and Goldsmiths College). Max is research active, and promotes anthropology through public talks, documentary making, consultancies, collaborations with learned institutions, museums and galleries, as well as the publishing world. He curated exhibitions for the British Museum, the Royal Anthropological Institute (London), the Weltkulturen Museum (Frankfurt), and the Venice Biennale, and currently continues his involvement with indigenous artists from the Americas on multiple projects. His forthcoming co-edited book Art, Observation, and an Anthropology of Illustration (Bloomsbury, 2022) will complement a co-authored book he is writing with Native American art historian Stephanie Pratt on mutual representations of Europeans and indigenous Americans in the visual arts.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
