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Current Events Impact Learning Trends at The Great Courses Plus
[July 19, 2016]

Current Events Impact Learning Trends at The Great Courses Plus


Perhaps in response to the monumental events on the global stage during the past month, the June "What America is Learning" chart of most-popular lectures from The Great Courses Plus shows subscribers want top professors to teach them more about the Middle East and South Asia. Computer programming also is popular this month.

"World events and the global economy appear to be influencing course selections," said Ed Leon, Chief Brand Officer of The Great Courses. "Our members specifically looked East this month with many lifelong learners educating themselves on the history of the Indian subcontinent and the Muslim religion. The South Asian subcontinent contains 20 percent of the world's population and is a thriving center for global business, so it is becoming vitally important to understand the history of this region."

A recent survey conducted by the Pew (News - Alert) Research Center found that 73 percent of adults consider themselves lifelong learners. Of those polled, 63 percent said the direction of their study has been connected to career advancement, thus it is no surprise that this month saw classes on computer programming occupying two of the top 10 spots.





 

The 10 chart-topping lectures from June:

 
1.  

Earliest History of the Indian Subcontinent (from A History of India)

 

A look into the role geography has played on the culture and development of the region, as taught by Professor Michael H. Fisher.

 

2.

What Is Programming? Why Python? (from How to Program: Computer Science Concepts and Python Exercises)

 

An explanation and tutorial exercises for what is considered to be an ideal language for beginning programmers, as taught by Professor John Keyser.

 
3.

An Introduction to Drawing (from the course How to Draw)

 

The history and impact drawing has had on culture; how analytic and abstract thought enhance artistic ability; and a basic drawing exercise focusing on our ancestors' art, as taught by Professor David Brody.

 
4.

Introduction to the Spanish Language (from the course Learning Spanish)

 

The basics of how to approach, study and speak Spanish, as well as an introduction to the basics of conversation, as taught by Professor Bill Worden, Ph. D.

 
5.

Migration and the Adivasi (from A History of India)

 

A history and analysis of the aboriginal forest dwellers known as the Adivasi who once dominated the entirety of the region and an update on their status in India today, as taught by Professor Michael H. Fisher.

 
6.

Drawing Materials for Line (from the course How to Draw)

 

A closer look at the tools to be used throughout the course and suggestions for maximizing your workspace, as taught by Professor David Brody.

 
7.

Muslim Empires: Land, Language, Religion (from Turning Points in Middle Eastern History)

 

A synopsis of the conquests, political alliances, invasions and the rise of Islam in the Middle East, as taught by Professor Eamonn Gearon, M.A.

 
8.

Variables: Operations and Input/Output (from How to Program: Computer Science Concepts and Python Exercises)

 

Beginning with an explanation of the memory hierarchy and moving on to an introduction of arithmetic operation and input/output commands, as taught by Professor John Keyser.

 
9.

Europe on the Brink of the Black Death (from The Black Death: The World's Most Devastating Plague)

 

A guide to the religious, economic, and political structures of mid-14th-century Europe just prior to the onset of the Black Plague, as taught by Professor Dorsey Armstrong.

 
10.

The Origins of Modern Archaeology (from Archaeology: An Introduction to the World's Greatest Sites)

 

An overview of the evolution of archaeology and the popular misconceptions associated with it, as taught by Professor Eric H. Clin.

 

Contact The Great Courses with questions or visit us on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest or YouTube. #LifelongLearning #WhatAmericaIsLearning #TheGreatCourses #history #SouthAsia #MiddleEast #Spanish #drawing #computerprogramming #python

About The Great Courses Plus

Unlike streaming services that merely aggregate content, The Great Courses Plus content is all originally produced, and there are no plans to remove lecture series as long as they remain relevant. Members of The Great Courses Plus get unlimited access to more than 7,000 lectures online via connected television or mobile devices for a monthly subscription fee. New members can sample the service without risk for 30 days with a one-month free trial. Learn more at www.thegreatcoursesplus.com.

About The Great Courses

The Great Courses is the nation's leading developer and marketer of premium-quality media for lifelong learning and personal enrichment. Delivered in engaging, expertly produced video and audio (in convenient online, digital, video on demand and disc formats), these carefully crafted courses provide access to a world of knowledge from the most accomplished professors and experts. The content-rich, proprietary library spans more than 550 series with more than 14,000 lectures designed to expand horizons, deepen understanding, and foster epiphanies in the arts, science, literature, self-improvement, history, music, philosophy, theology, economics, mathematics, business, professional advancement, and personal development. Creating unique learning experiences since 1990, The Great Courses is the premier brand of The Teaching Company Sales, LLC of Chantilly, Virginia, which is owned by Los Angeles-based Brentwood Associates. More information can be found at www.thegreatcourses.com.


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