"A Brief History of the World" Prof. Peter N. Stearns (36 Lectures / 30 Minutes Per Lecture / 6x DVD - The Great Courses)
In this course, Professor Peter N. Stearns of George Mason University presents a comprehensive 36-lecture survey of human development and civilization across the globe. Moving beyond a narrow Western focus, the series examines how the histories of China, Japan, Russia, India, and the territories of Sub-Saharan Africa and South America integrate into the broader narrative of human history. You will trace the "big picture" from the invention of agriculture in the Neolithic era to the technologically sophisticated world of the 21st century, focusing on how different societies have interacted, traded, and influenced one another throughout time.
 
Throughout the lectures, Professor Stearns provides insights that often challenge common historical assumptions. The course highlights how pivotal shifts, like the move to agriculture, sparked new social inequalities and health challenges. You will track the global spread of religions, technological breakthroughs, and the deepening roots of globalization. By analyzing the unique cultural and institutional paths of various societies, these lectures offer a profound look at the human experience across every continent and era.