No one is an island. The community where you live, the food you eat, and the people you know are all part of a global chain of connections. Over the past 10,000 years, humans have transformed the planet - yet the planet has also influenced human life in myriad ways. In these 24 eye-opening lectures, take an interdisciplinary voyage across time and around the world to consider the dual nature of our relationship with "place".
With insights drawn from ecology, anthropology, economics, geopolitics, and more, Professor Robbins reveals the underlying structures that explain why the world is the way it is. Understanding global trends and connections - from environmental changes such as deforestation to the way money and labor slosh around the globe - will give you new insights into the story of human civilization and current events.
One key theme of this course is that "place" is a construct. People make (and constantly re-make) places in response to myriad circumstances, ranging from economic conditions to changes in the ecology around them. Indeed, humans have taken over the Earth so completely that some geologists now refer to our era as the Anthropocene - the "human era".
While it is tempting to despair over humanity's takeover of the planet, you see how the picture is surprisingly complex, and that there is reason for optimism. Much of the human impact on the Earth, from deforestation to rapid urbanization, is not an inexorable march of destruction without any means of revitalization.
In addition to the study of the environment, Professor Robbins examines the wide-ranging implications of a world economy. You'll explore the wellspring of culture and delve into the thorny issues of geography, ethnicity, and statehood. When you complete this course, you'll have all the tools you need to look beyond the headlines and analyze world events in a whole new way.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.
©2014 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2014 The Great Courses
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This is a great series of lectures. I'm only about lecture eight (of 24) but I look forward to my commute just so I can listen-in. The topics are engaging, the delivery is flawless and I really enjoy it so far.
This guy really knows his stuff. He has completed on-the-ground research in India and has great ways of relating the concepts to actually situations.
Perceptive, and thought-provoking. Time well spent, but I wish there was a pdf to follow along with this lecture.
"Glued to my headphones"
Prof. Paul Robbins is a great narrator and makes me want to reverse time and change my choice of learning. Have recommended and re-recommended this lecture many times over. A great and fascinating lecture.
a very broad and fascinating perspective, to view the world through this lens. I have learned a lot. Wished Paul Robbins performance as a speaker had been stronger. . But I got used to it, after a while.
"Outstanding comprehensive course!"
I recommend this course to anyone who would like to understand human history and the impact forces have had on developing our world. This course draws on a multitude of disciplines to bring together a very comprehensive study of geography! I will be listening to it for a second time because it was so enthralling, intriguing, and informative!
the narrator was amazing. his text was word perfect but he delivered it as fresh thoughts extempore. with passion and authority. what a man
"Got a few tidbits"
I learned a few things but most of it was like I was listening to Charlie Brown's teacher, "Whawhawhawhawha". I just could not get into it. I was expecting so much more. Quite disappointed.
Fantastic overview of HuG with current real-world application and examples. Very interesting content & well-read.
"A good survey of global issues"
Solid analysis of the background as it relates to global issues. Nicely prescriptive as it is descriptive.
"Biased world view with little fact"
Hoping for an intellectual discussion of culture and environment, I instead was subjected to a highly biased world view. The tired and inaccurate view of an environmental extremist - mankind is evil and destroying the world led by greedy capitalists. Cherry picked data and facts to support his distorted view of reality. Listening to this course will decrease your knowledge of the world.
"Understand the world in a weekend."
Know the world - Professor Paul Robbins is an immensely well-informed geographer and a skilled narrator.
His touring the different aspects of cultural and human geography leaves you with the sense of knowing your world to a much more satisfactory degree.
The world would be a better and more well-functioning place if everybody had the same insight into our common society and the planet we inhabit, as does Professor Robbins. You won't live without this knowledge.
Covers a wide range of issues in a very clear and easy to understand manner. Lectures flow seamlessly.
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