All Courses
English Literature

This course provides readers of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales with a broader context of Chaucer’s life and times as well as the kind of literature that was being written in the Medieval period that may have inspired Chaucer when it came...
5 lectures
0:29:08
Dr Carolyne Larrington
Oxford University
Classics & Ancient History

In this course, Dr Andrew Sillett (University of Oxford) explores Cicero’s Second Philippic. We begin by outlining the historical background to the speech, starting with the assassination of Caesar on 15 March and ending with the dramatic date of ...
7 lectures
0:41:41
Dr Andrew Sillett
Oxford University
English Literature

In this course, we explore the Wife of Bath’s Tale and Prologue in Chaucer’s in Canterbury Tales. In the first module, we consider the presentation of the Wife of Bath in the General Prologue, thinking about the extent to which...
5 lectures
1:26:45
Dr Anna Caughey
Oxford University
English Literature
History

This course provides key historical context for John Milton's 'Paradise Lost', looking in particular at the figure of Charles I. The course is divided into nine parts. The first seven look at Charles' early years (1600-25), his early reign...
9 lectures
0:54:54
Prof. Diane Purkiss
Oxford University
Government & Politics

In this module, Dr Shelley Budgeon (University of Birmingham) explores feminism and some of the core ideas that constitute feminist thought. In the first module, we introduce some of the key concepts that are important in contemporary feminist ...
6 lectures
1:08:09
Dr Shelley Budgeon
Birmingham University
Classics & Ancient History

In this course, Professor Paul Cartledge (University of Cambridge) explores the Greco-Persian Wars of 490-79 BC. We begin by exploring the concept of Greekness before turning in the second module to think about the extent to which the Greeks...
5 lectures
0:47:58
Prof. Paul Cartledge
Cambridge University
Classics & Ancient History

In this course, Professor Esther Eidinow (University of Bristol) talks about Greek religion, focusing in particular on the institution of the oracle. In the first module, we provide an introduction to what oracles actually were, where they were...
6 lectures
0:49:40
Prof. Esther Eidinow
Bristol University
History

In this course, Dr David Smith (University of Cambridge) explores the reign of James I of England (also James VI of Scotland). The course begins by thinking about James’ reputation among modern historians, before considering his reign in four...
5 lectures
0:44:09
Dr David Smith
Cambridge University
English Literature

In this course, Dr Ross Wilson (University of Cambridge) explores the poetry of the great Romantic poet, Percy Bysshe Shelley. We begin in the first module by providing a brief overview of Shelley's short life and career with an emphasis on ...
6 lectures
1:08:11
Dr Ross Wilson
Cambridge University
English Literature

In this course, Professor Max Saunders (King’s College, London) explores the literary movement of modernism in the context of the broader concept of modernity. We begin by introducing the terms ‘modernism’ and ‘modernity’ and think about the...
5 lectures
0:46:30
Prof. Max Saunders
King's College London
History

In this course, we explore the reigns of three kings of England, and one queen: Charles II, James II, and William and Mary. Beginning with the Restoration of Charles II in 1660, we begin by exploring in some detail Charles’...
5 lectures
0:42:50
Dr David Smith
Cambridge University
Classics & Ancient History

In this course, Professor Paul Cartledge (University of Cambridge) gives a detailed account of the Peloponnesian War, 431-404 BC. We begin by clarifying some of the terminology used to discuss the war, including the question of what we should ...
9 lectures
1:30:21
Prof. Paul Cartledge
Cambridge University
Classics & Ancient History

In this course, Dr Andrew Sillett (University of Oxford) provides an introduction to Cicero's life and times through six legal and political speeches, from his first speech (Pro Roscio Amerino), delivered when he was just 26, through the speeches...
6 lectures
1:58:39
Dr Andrew Sillett
Oxford University
History

In this course, Dr Nicholas Morton (Nottingham Trent University) explores the foundation of the Crusader states in the decades following the First Crusade. In the first module, we think about some of the impacts of the First Crusade – the...
4 lectures
0:39:09
Dr Nicholas Morton
Nottingham Trent University