Seven wonders of the ancient world
archaeology we'll explore possible answers.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
- Course Code: RC674
- Dates: 04/10/24 - 18/10/24
- Time: 11:00 - 13:00
- Taught: Fri, Daytime
- Duration: 3 sessions (over 3 weeks)
- Location: Online
- Tutor: William Sterling
Course Code: RC674
Duration: 3 sessions (over 3 weeks)
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
The famous seven wonders of the ancient world: the Pyramids, the Alexandrian Lighthouse, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the temple of Artemis at Ephesus, the statue of Zeus at Olympia, the Colossus of Rhodes and the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus.
This is a live online course. You will need:
- Internet connection. The classes work best with Chrome.
- A computer with microphone and camera is best (e.g. a PC/laptop/iMac/MacBook), or a tablet/iPad/smart phone/iPhone if you don't have a computer.
- Earphones/headphones/speakers.
We will contact you with joining instructions before your course starts.
What will we cover?
The origin of the list and the changes to it over the centuries. The history of each of the original wonders and where possible, who created them, for what purpose, when and how long did they survive, what was their fate, what remains of them today, how archaeologists uncovered some of the surviving fragments and how the quest continues to find other remains.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Recognise and recall the seven wonders
- Understand why they were considered wonders at the time and by later generations
- Appreciate the skill of those who created them and those who have studied them since.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This is an introductory course and does not assume any previous study or reading although you will need a good grasp of English to keep up with the course. As with most of our history and current affairs courses, an open mind and a willingness to listen to and think about views with which you do not always agree are more important than specific levels of skills.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Illustrated lectures, discussions, questions, reading and analysis of original texts (in translation).
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Pen and paper .
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Another Classics history or art history class. See website for details.
After a BA in History & Geography at Keele with Music, Education and Greek Studies as subsidiaries, William Sterling taught History full-time before becoming a Civil Servant working for the Departments of Transport and Education. This allowed him to study part-time for his MA from Birkbeck and PhD from King’s College, London. From 1992, he lectured in Adult Education at a number of colleges before joining the City Lit in 2008. Since 1994 he has been an official Gallery Guide at the British Museum, covering the whole museum but specialising in the Ancient Greeks, Romans and Etruscans, the Medieval & Modern European and Enlightenment Galleries. As a lecturer, he specialises in those same areas as well as Royal History (especially British Monarchs from 1603 to 1910), Composers’ Lives and other Cultural, especially interdisciplinary, topics. He also lectures on Cruise Ships on subjects ranging from Vikings to Shakespeare. He runs a website offering free resources on the subjects he teaches.
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.
