Tomorrow, I begin two new term length courses.
In the morning at 11am I am talking about Environment and History
In the afternoon at 2pm I am talking about The History of Berlin
Environment and History I shall begin with a general introduction, before moving to environmental change and the appearance of the first humans. I shall look at The Last Ice Age and its impact on Neanderthals, and the rise of Homo Sapiens. I shall ask what Age we are environmentally living in today, as well as what The Medieval Little Ice Age was all about (before looking for the first time at this topic in detail next week), What have academic hoods got to do with anything? Why did Neanderthals 'fashion sense' spell doom for them? There will also be a few funny stories along the way.
The History of Berlin I shall begin at the beginning in a village world of swamp and fish. I shall look at the unimportance of Berlin during the medieval period, as well as anti-semitism. Our story will take us to the Royal House of Hohenzollern who established Berlin as their capital for a period of 500 years. Why does Berlin have a Bear as its symbol? Why was a Jewish eye doctor spared death in a anti-Jewish Pogrom? What has the village of Colln got to do with our story? Ending our story today with the death of Frederick I in 1713, we shall note that Berlin, for all its royal connexions, was not in the same league as London or Paris. Its best/worst years lie ahead.
If you intend to join in tomorrow, or at a later date, go to JW3 website for details of booking. All welcome.
Looking forward to 'seeing' old friends and new.
PS You will all be blissfully muted whilst I am speaking! Adult Education was never like this!
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