World History   

Using more than 90 images, Professor Didier will explain the history, harvesting, processing, and health benefits gained by indulging in three of life's little pleasures. Learn about the early discovery, the complex processing and the health benefits of the tea leaves, the coffee cherries, and the cocoa pods.

Despite have no standing Army or Navy, the Colonies had to face the largest, experienced Army and Fleet on earth. The odds of successfully rebelling and gaining independence from under the yoke of the British Crown were not good. What was not needed were acts of treason, by traitors to the independence movement. Yet, three men in positions of trust and authority secretly plotted against the rebels. Who were they and why did they do it?

Captain Kenneth Puckett, retired Panama Canal Pilot, will cover the United States construction of the Panama Canal with a lecture and videos.

On December 31, 1999 the United States turned over control of the Panama Canal to the Republic of Panama. In this presentation, Captain Puckett will cover the history of the Panama Canal treaties. He will review the reasons the United States relinquished control of Panama Canal to Panama, and outline the Republic of Panama plans to construct a new set of Canal Locks.

Have you ever dreamt of spending the night in a 15th century castle? For more than 12 years, Professor Lisa Didier toured the French countryside and stayed at many of the privately owned chateaux and castles, which offer accommodations with all the mod cons.

This proram offers not only virtual tours of some of these fantastic, ancient castles, but also the history, the amazing antiques and even anecdotes about the ghosts from centuries past that still make their presence known.

In this course, we will take a stroll down to the Agora of Athens, the Forum in Rome and the Hippodrome in Constantinople to find out what it was like to live, work, eat and be entertained in the cities of the Greco-Roman world.  We will admire some of the architectural marvels and soak up some of the culture that would have been a part of daily life to inhabitants and visitors to these cities.  From high class dinners to streetside graffiti, we will be sampling some of what made ancient city life such an important part of classical culture and how it has influenced our lives today.

This PowerPoint program details the very beginning of Gold on the planet to the variety of techniques used to mine it around the world. The earliest Gold rushes in America; to the manners used to collect it; how some people found it and then lost it; what the major commercial uses are; how it is extravagantly displayed; colors, karats and chemistry and history and trickery in currency transactions. This colorful program tells it all!

A brief look at the major developments leading up to and through the catastrophe that was World War II. Obviously this is intended to be the briefest overview of some of the major political and military activities in the major theaters: Asia, Europe, North Africa, the Eastern Front and the Western Front. We'll focus on how these events impacted the conflict. For example, among the topics to be reviewed are the Japanese invasion of Manchuria; the Munich Agreement; September 1, 1939; December 7, 1941; battles at El Alamein; Midway; Stalingrad; Kursk; Saipan; and Normandy.

From the Conquistador Cortez to the present day, the history of the Baja revolves around three themes: gold, God, and glory. Learn why Cortez left the conquered city of the Aztecs to search for Califia, the queen of the Amazons. Did he find her? How did Spain profit by what he found? Also included is the history of the indigenous tribes that once lived in the Baja.

Malta, island country located in the central Mediterranean Sea. A strategically important group of islands. The archipelago has through its long and turbulent history played a vital role in the struggles of a succession of powers. Learn about this jewel from a Maltese citizen who will go into the history, culture, travel opportunities and many other facets of the island.

Two almost unknown heores who saved the Revolution before it had really beghun. One gave Washington his first major victory, without firing a shot. The second saved the Army from cetain destruction and gave Washington his first battelfield victory. Plus some "revolutionary" women. Who were they and what did they do? Come find out.

In November, there is a day reserved for Go To An Art Museum Day. In recognition of that day, participants are invited to hear this presentation that discusses the main aspects of medical history as it has been displayed in some of the greatest works of art. Medicine, art, and history are combined to discuss the history of medicine. From ancient art to the old masters, the impressionists and modernism, art and medicine have always been linked. This beautifully illustrated lecture covers, among others, the works of Leonardo da Vinci, Albrecht Dürer, Rembrandt, El Greco, Claude Monet, Vincent Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, and Norman Rockwell. You will feel like you are visiting the world’s most important museums while reviewing the history of the medical profession.

This course surveys the influence that the culture and institutions of the Roman world have had in the creation of the United States of America. From law to food to sports, the influence that the ancient Roman cultures have had on the U.S.A. is immense and fascinating. This course is intended for all levels of knowledge in the fields of history and archaeology, as it should have some fun and surprising facts for everyone who has an interest in the ancient world and modern civilization.

In the future, wars will not just be fought by soldiers, ships and planes. They will also be fought with the click of a mouse a half a world away that unleashes carefully weaponized computer programs that disrupt or destroy critical industries like utilities, transportation, communications, and energy. Such attacks could also disable military networks that control the movement of troops, the path of fighter planes, and the command and control of warships. Our entire way of life, from communication to commerce to conflict, fundamentally depends on the internet, and the resultant cybersecurity issues affect everyone. There is perhaps no issue so important as cybersecurity that is so poorly understood. This presentation will help you better understand the issue.

The Caribbean islands have a history that includes heroes, villains, and gold. Attend this class to hear about these islands, what role Christopher Columbus played with this history, if there really was gold found on these islands, and about the culture and history of the native tribes.

This PowerPoint program traces the evolution of encryption by the Egyptians, Persians, Greeks, British and Scotch royalty; unique use by Native Americans; Revolutionary and Civil War Leaders and Spies; how it brought America into WWI; the role it played prior to and during WWII; Navajo Code Talking, and including today's encipherment techniques used by the CIA and other Foreign Intelligence Services and their spies worldwide.