BERKELEY, Calif., Sept. 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A clue to the evolution of modern human culture, an ancient battle that led to the rise of Germany and an examination of media coverage of the war in Iraq are just a few of the topics in this fall's "Enduring Value of Humanities" Lecture Series, offered by UC Berkeley Extension.
This free series of four evening lectures by distinguished academics who share a passionate interest in their fields of expertise offers new insights from the past across a range of subjects. From human evolution and ancient Roman history to the changing face of journalism and the future of California, these lectures offer new perspectives on the economic, political, and cultural challenges the world faces today.
Rome and Teutoburger Wald, AD 9: How a Battle 2,000 Years Ago Changed Your Life
In AD 9 the Germans destroyed three Roman legions in the Teutoburger Forest, halting Roman expansion into Northern Europe. That event permanently divided Europe into a Roman south and a German north. This talk will explain how a disastrous event so long ago could have repercussions in our daily life now. You'll also hear why this event holds enduring fascination for scholars and armchair historians alike.
GAIUS STERN, Ph.D., studied Greek/Roman History at UC Berkeley. His writings include studies of the Ara Pacis Augustae, Roman coins, Sparta, and the Augustan age.
September 22, Tuesday, 6:30-8 pm.
The Role of Adverse Times in Modern Human Origins
Anatomically modern humans are now known from East African sediments dating to approximately 160-200,000 years ago. It is only in the face of a rapidly deteriorating climate that both significantly reduces population size and results in an exodus from Africa, that we see the evolution of modern human culture. In this talk, you'll gain an understanding of anthropological work on these early human ancestors and some of the issues we face in understanding this critical phase in the rise of humankind.
GARY RICHARDS, Ph.D., named Honored Instructor in 2009, is actively involved with research efforts in the field of biological anthropology around the world.
September 29, Tuesday, 6:30-8 pm.
Journalism and Storytelling: The Moral and Ethical Hazards Of Combat Reporting
From the start of the Iraq war in 2003, the U.S. military allowed reporters to "embed" with troops fighting Saddam Hussein's army and, later, insurgents defying the occupation. The program gave journalists virtually unlimited access to tell the stories of Americans at war. It also forced reporters to confront the question: how close is too close? This talk will explore the complexities of journalism in Iraq and subtle new forms of censorship.
STEVE FAINARU is the winner of the 2008 Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting.
October 6, Tuesday, 6:30-8 pm.
Humanities, Cultural History, and the Future of California
Major changes in the environment, population, and infrastructure of California raise important questions about the state's direction. In this talk, you'll hear historical perspectives on California's so-called golden period in the 1950s-60s, reflect on boom-and-bust as well as its present sense of self. Finally, you'll explore what cultural studies might tell us about the state's future.
JOSEF CHYTRY, D.Phil., named Honored Instructor in 2009, (Oxford), is managing editor of the Oxford journal Industrial and Corporate Change
October 13, Tuesday, 6:30-8 pm.
For more information or to sign up for these free events, please visit
http://extension.berkeley.edu/cat/course2107.html
Founded in 1891, UC Berkeley Extension is the continuing education branch of the University of California Berkeley. Today, Extension offers more than 1,500 courses each year, including online courses, along with more than 30 certificate and professional programs. Free and low-cost public programs are also frequently offered as a community service.
