Additional courses introduced throughout 2022 in Aotearoa New Zealand history, so stay tuned for details!
This series of 8 talks, from our new Introductory History series, explores what Rudyard Kipling used to describe New Zealand: “Last, Loneliest, Loveliest.” Aotearoa New Zealand, one of the most isolated countries in the world, has a unique and intriguing history, waiting to be told and retold to curious minds. Over the following eight weeks we will explore the geographical, social, economic and political characteristics of this small nation, which has already punched above its weight locally and internationally.
OFFERED: 2022 Term 1 (beginning Tuesday 15 Feb 2022)
• HIS108: “From Plague to Protest: A Social History of Disease” with Adam Nachowitz (Junior Lecturer Series)
This course offers an accessible overview of disease from both biological and social perspectives. We will begin with discovering how the body defends itself against invaders, and then pivot to examining the invaders themselves. Armed with this knowledge, we will be able to explore how diseases have played out in society, from the Middle Ages through to the present day. Along the way, we will examine some fascinating case studies and the individuals who have played pivotal roles in either furthering our understanding in the battle of organisms or in stymying public health efforts.
NEXT OFFERED: This course will be offered again 2022. Stay tuned!
• HIS203: “Understanding the Classical World and its Impact on Modern Life” with Peter Dornauf
This series of 4 evening talks, from our new Introductory World History series, explores and reveals the primal influences of classical Greece & Rome, and explains how these influences manifest today and get played out in the modern world. Knowing these things helps not only with our sense of indentity, but also provides us with a point of reference against which to measure our values and make critical judgments.
NEXT OFFERED: 2022 Term 3
• HIS208: “From a Cradle of Wet Rice – A Brief History of Vietnam” with Junior Lecturer Michael Burton-Smith
This series of one-hour evening talks over the course of an eight-week Term in our ur new Junior Lecturer series, features Michael-Burton Smith. For the West, Vietnam has become synonymous with a long and bloody war, where the Goliath American army was defeated by guerrilla rebels. This course will go beyond that memory, travelling from Vietnam’s earliest humans and the first settlements in the Red River Valley, through millennia of conquest and defeat, to the arrival of the French, the fostering of communism, and the dawning of a new, post-war Vietnam.
NEW COURSE! OFFERED: 2022 Term 2
• HIS209: “Incas, Spaniards and Dictators: A Brief History of Argentina from Empire to Nationhood” with Junior Lecturer Grace Aislabie
Though often forgotten, the history of Latin America is rich and full of intrigue. Argentina is no exception. This course will trace Argentina’s history, beginning with the Incas, their origins, rise to power and then eventual fall at the hands of the Spanish. Then on to independence, which was not what it was cracked up to be, before looking at the beginning of what we know as the nation of Argentina today, with a sampling of military dictatorships, political turmoil, and economic woes. We end on a positive note with the rise of the feminist movement.
NEW COURSE! OFFERED: 2022 Term 1
This series of 8 talks, from our Selected Topics in History series, explores, historically, the abilities of a selection of past New Zealand Prime Ministers, focusing on their characters, skills and achievements.
NEW COURSE! OFFERED: 2022 Term 2
• HIS310: “Dead Sea Scrolls” with Dr Dennis Green, PhD
Ever since their discovery in the 1940s the Dead Sea Scrolls have generated massive amounts of scholarly controversy. Even those outside the field of Biblical Studies tend to be vaguely aware of academic scandals, religiously motivated cover-ups and conspiracy theories. So what is it about the “most significant archaeological discovery of the 20th century” that has created so much controversy?
NEXT OFFERED: 2022 Term 2
• HIS320: “The Historical Jesus” with Dr Dennis Green, PhD
Typically one tends to get an understanding of Jesus presented from the standpoint of the Christian religious tradition. Within this particular framework he is understood as the founder of Christianity. What then will happen when he is approached by an expert in Jewish history rather than Christian history?
This course contextualises Jesus within the historical, cultural, religious and political framework of the late Second Temple period, e.g. from the standpoint of Jewish history. Thus we are attempting to understand an historical figure within a particular historical context using an historical, rather than a theological, methodology.
The late Second Temple period was an era of rapid religious change and uncertainty, massive cultural clashes as well as unending political turmoil. But, as a result, it was also an era of religious creativity and diversity. It is within this context that Jesus will be evaluated.
NEW COURSE! OFFERED: This 5 week course begins on Wednesday 27 April 2022, 7:00-9:00pm
• HIS303: “A Cultural History of Death” with Peter Dornauf
This series of 8 talks, from our Selected Topics in History series, explores, historically, the subject of death from the perspective of several different disciplines: religion (both traditional and contemporary), philosophy, art, literature, music and film.
NEXT OFFERED: 2022 Term 3
For more detailed information on each series or course, when offered, class times and locations, and course fees and registration) click on the appropriate links above.
If the course you are interested in is not currently being taught, rest assured that it will be again in the future as we continuously rotate the courses on offer. We also plan to add additional courses and locations in the future. Please contact us if you are interested in having us teach in your area or through your local group, association or organisation.
SOME NOTES ON OUR HISTORY COURSE OFFERINGS:
2022 TERM DATES & CLASS LOCATIONS:
LOCATION: All in-person classes are held at the EarthDiverse offices and classrooms temporarily located at 401 Grey Street, Hamilton East, Hamilton. Please enter via the Cook Street entrance (see map below). Those looking for parking for our evening classes can park just in front on the main entrance in any of the available car parks via the Cook Street entrance. On-street daytime parking can be found on Cook Street, Grey Street or around Steele Park. There is a single Disability car park located a few steps from the front door. Plenty of space for bicycles too!
TERM COST PER COURSE:
HAMILTON & DISTANCE-LEARNING COURSES (8-week Terms):
DISTANCE-LEARNING:
In addition to our regular in-person classes offered in Hamilton, we offer ‘Distance Learning’ options for all of our courses. These on-line live-streaming distance-learning options are offered via free Zoom software. Distance-learning options have been added for those living outside the Waikato or for those unable to attend our in-person classes in Hamilton. If you are a Distance-Learner you have the option of joining our regular live classroom sessions via Zoom at the regularly scheduled class time, or you can watch a video-recording of the Zoom classroom session at your leisure and study at your own pace.
Your instructor will send you instructions once you have registered for your course.
TO REGISTER:
Select the appropriate course link above, which will take you to the page for that particular course. Read the details for that course, and if you’d like to register, click on the blue “Register” button which will take you to Registration and Payment pages where you can securely enter in your payment details. A receipt will automatically be generated for you.
