The Great Courses (Firm)

Logic is intellectual self-defense against such assaults on reason and also a method of quality control for checking the validity of your own views. But beyond these very practical benefits, informal logic—the kind we apply in daily life—is the gateway to an elegant and fascinating branch of philosophy known as formal logic, which is philosophy’s equivalent to calculus. Formal logic is a breathtakingly versatile tool. Much like a Swiss army...

In the last few decades, a wide array of practices have gained greater acceptance as forms of treatment and healing. If you've ever considered herbal supplements, meditation, acupuncture, yoga, or a change of diet to promote better health, then you're already familiar with integrative medicine...Integrative medicine describes the addition of natural or holistic practices into the health-care paradigm to complement conventional Western medicine and...

Kick off your adventure into science fiction by clearly defining what science fiction is, and more importantly, what science fiction is not. Learn how science fiction is distinguished from—yet often confused with—other literary genres such as fantasy and horror. Take a look at the concept of the “monster” through horror, fantasy, and science fiction to help define the differences in the genres. Explore what is often considered the first science...

A memoir is often confused with a personal essay, but Professor Cognard-Black shows you the difference, once again using examples from her own students’ work. She then provides numerous tips to help you recreate your memories and turn them into fascinating pieces of writing. Learn techniques that allow you to get as detailed as possible in your descriptions while still maintaining a central focus and writing concisely.

In conclusion, reflect on how the economic, social, and political worlds of Europe reinvented themselves to accommodate the deep changes brought about by the plague. Finally, through examples ranging from medieval smallpox to the recent occurrence of Ebola, consider how diseases and pandemics have shaped human societies and individual behavior throughout history and continue to do so today.

Inscribed over the entrance of Plato’s Academy were the words, "Let no one ignorant of geometry enter my doors."To ancient scholars, geometry was the gateway to knowledge. Its core skills of logic and reasoning are essential to success in school, work, and many other aspects of life. Yet sometimes students, even if they have done well in other math courses, can find geometry a challenge. Now, in the 36 innovative lectures of Geometry: An Interactive...

The concept of alternate histories enables vast possibilities. Discover how many science fiction stories tackle massive timescales, taking us from the very beginning to the very end of the universe, and any time and place in between. Examine the ideas science fiction writers proposed about evolution, anthropology, physics, religion, mythology, and more, and see how these concepts influence their view of both modern times and the far future..

Professor Sartore shows you how to effectively wield the small lights that come with basic cameras. What happens when you take the flash off your camera? Diffuse it with a tissue? Play around with shutter speeds? As you’ll discover, you can get big photographic results from these little lights..

Survey the three most important sources of renewable energy: hydropower, wind power, and solar power. Look at the inner workings of hydroelectric dams, wind turbines, solar-thermal power stations, and photovoltaic arrays to see how each takes a renewable energy source and converts it into electricity..

[Genesis 1–11] Travel back to biblical accounts of the dawn of time in Genesis and start to think critically about how its stories work as a narrative. By unpacking familiar tales from the book’s first 11 chapters, you’ll gain a fresh perspective on how God creates, destroys, confuses, and renews..Travel back to biblical accounts of the dawn of time in Genesis and start to think critically about how its stories work as a narrative. By unpacking...