Gresham College Courses

Unwritten Laws? Legacies from Antigone and Lycurgus

Explore the concept of unwritten laws in ancient Greece through Sophocles' Antigone and Spartan traditions, examining how memory and oral customs shaped ethical formation and challenged written authority.

• YouTube
• 47 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

The Modern Goddess: Evolution of Divine Feminine Imagery in Western Europe

Explore the evolution of the divine feminine in Western European thought since 1800, examining its impact on literature, archaeology, and feminist movements through historical and cultural perspectives.

• YouTube
• 47 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Morals and Markets: Economics, Philosophy and the Evolution of Free Markets - Episode 1

Explore the intricate relationship between economics and morality through historical perspectives, examining how Adam Smith, David Hume, and Friedrich Hayek's theories shape our understanding of markets and society.

• YouTube
• 1 hour 9 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Exploring the Sun: From Core Physics to Solar Phenomena

Explore the Sun's mysteries through cutting-edge NASA and ESA missions, understanding its magnetic fields, plasma composition, and dramatic effects on Earth, featuring insights from the Parker Solar Probe.

• YouTube
• 53 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Breaking the Fourth Wall of Sound - The Paradox of Screen Music in Film and Media

Explore how sound and music in films blur the boundary between fictional and audience worlds, examining iconic examples from Blazing Saddles to Birdman while understanding their narrative and emotional impact.

• YouTube
• 55 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

The Connected Brain: Network and Communication in Neuroscience

Explore how the brain functions as an interconnected network, from basic neural wiring to complex network theories, examining different species' brain structures and the future of network neuroscience.

• YouTube
• 56 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Green Immunity - How Do Plants Fight Infection?

Explore the fascinating world of plant immunity, from molecular defense mechanisms to communication networks, and discover how plants fight infections without white blood cells—with implications for food security and human health.

• YouTube
• 46 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

The Value of Public Space: Design, Development and Social Impact

Explore how public spaces shape urban life through design, usage patterns, and social dynamics, examining real cases from London and North America while considering challenges and opportunities in modern city planning.

• YouTube
• 37 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Growth Unleashed: Reigniting the UK's Appetite for Positive Risk

Explore Lord Mayor Alastair King's vision for "Growth Unleashed" as he discusses reforming the UK's risk culture, unlocking investment potential, and maintaining London's position as the world's leading financial center despite regulatory challenges.

• YouTube
• 57 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

A New Sky - JWST and the Early Universe

Explore JWST's revolutionary discoveries revealing unexpected galactic activity in the early universe and how this powerful telescope is reshaping our cosmic understanding.

• YouTube
• 44 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Taking the Constitution into the Classroom

Explore how schools can foster constitutional thinking by empowering students to debate rights, duties, and governance structures while challenging authoritarian systems.

• YouTube
• 37 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

From Machiavelli to Nietzsche - How Modern Thinkers Saw Ancient Lawgivers

Explore how Machiavelli, Rousseau, and Nietzsche viewed ancient lawgivers as founders of civic identity, examining their roles in shaping political philosophy and cultural values.

• YouTube
• 44 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

From Thin Air - Minimalist and Process Music from Africa to Arvo Pärt

Explore how minimalist music creates profound effects from simple materials, examining African rhythms, Steve Reich's algorithms, and Arvo Pärt's elegant compositions.

• YouTube
• 52 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

The Moral Case for Stealing Data

Explore the ethical complexities of data theft, whistleblowing, and hacktivism from medieval times to modern digital espionage cases like Snowden and Manning.

• YouTube
• 52 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Blind Spots and Bad Decisions - Why We Fall for Financial Traps

Uncover why smart people make poor financial choices through psychological biases like overconfidence, anchoring, and confirmation bias that cloud judgment and lead to costly mistakes.

• YouTube
• 1 hour 8 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video