Gresham College Courses

Why Do We Grieve? - The Science and Evolution of Human Grief

1 rating

Explore the evolutionary puzzle of grief through neuroscience, examining why humans and animals mourn, how loss affects the brain and body, and whether grief can or should be treated.

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

From Tyranny to Athenian Democracy

1 rating

Explore the origins of Athenian democracy through Kleisthenes' revolutionary reforms in 508 BCE, examining the transition from tyranny to democratic governance and its lasting impact.

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

Mithras - Master of Mystery

1 rating

Uncover the secrets of Mithras, the Roman Empire's most famous mystery religion, exploring its origins, rituals, shrines, and influence across ancient Britain and beyond.

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

The Economics of Work and Technology

1 rating

Explore how technology transforms labor markets through substitution and complementarity forces, debunking automation anxiety with historical evidence and economic analysis of AI's impact on work.

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

Pictures from Afghanistan - Are We Making the Same Mistakes?

Explore legal lessons from Afghanistan through a human rights lawyer's perspective, challenging Western narratives and advocating for engagement over sanctions to support the liberal majority.

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

Do Not Resuscitate Forms - Who'd Have One?

Explore DNACPR forms, advance care planning, and end-of-life decisions with palliative care expert Mark Taubert, covering CPR realities, legal cases, and ethical considerations.

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

Photobiography - A Career in Documentary Photography

Explore Martin Parr's five-decade photography career, from satirical documentary work to global exhibitions, revealing his unique anthropological lens on modern life and social class.

• YouTube
• 1 hour 7 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Evoking Empathy through Animal Portraiture

Discover how renowned photographer Tim Flach uses portraiture techniques to evoke empathy for endangered animals, exploring the intersection of art, science, and conservation storytelling.

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

Hitler, Jesus and How to Win a Culture War

Explore how Western moral values shifted from Christianity to WWII memory, why this consensus is failing, and discover hopeful paths beyond today's culture wars.

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

Life, Death and Judgement in the Art and Times of Hieronymus Bosch (d. 1516)

Explore Hieronymus Bosch's surreal masterpieces within their historical context, examining how his visions of death, sin, and hell reflected medieval religious attitudes and moral teachings.

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

From Mars with Love - Postcards from 50 Years of Exploring the Red Planet

Explore 50 years of Mars exploration through NASA missions, from Viking's first landing to Perseverance's search for ancient life, revealing how the Red Planet transformed from desert to water world.

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

Constable's "The Cornfield" - A Bicentenary Harvesting

Explore Constable's iconic "The Cornfield" on its bicentenary, examining how this masterpiece shaped English national identity and speaks to modern environmental anxieties.

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

An Ocean of Air - Understanding Atmospheric Science and Climate Change

Explore atmospheric science and greenhouse gases with Helen Czerski, examining how humanity affects our planet's air and what this means for our environmental future.

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

The Shape of Shells

Discover how mathematical principles govern seashell formation, from logarithmic spirals to fractal patterns, revealing the elegant geometry behind nature's intricate mollusk architectures.

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

The Shape of Shells - She Sells Self-Similar Spiral Seashells on the Seashore

Discover how mathematical principles govern seashell formation, exploring the geometry behind mollusc architecture and the biological origins of wrinkles, spines, and spiral patterns.

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