Here are ten of those courses that I am going to give at least some attention the coming months.
American Studies 101AC: Examining U.S. Cultures in Time (audio feed) (video feed)This one is new for me and I have not yet managed to listen in. I did see there is a problem with the first lectures though. Attempts are being made to repair.
East Asian Languages and Cultures (audio feed)
Dynamics of Romantic core values in East Asian premodern literature. I do not know what to expect yet. Going to try.
Environmental Economics and Policy (audio feed)
I am looking forward to this one. I have not tried it yet, but I have been giving a lot of attention on the blog lately to issues around Climate Change. I think the upcoming Blog Action Day, may also have this subject. I'd like to get some academic input.
History 162A: Europe and the World: Wars, Empires, Nations 1648-1914 (audio feed)
David Wetzel turns out to be a lecturer I will have to get used to. After hearing the first lecture I can give you the good news and the bad news. The good news is that the course will be very insightful - no doubt. The bad news is that Wetzel has this strange way of speaking and resorts to continuous repetitions to make his point, up to simply repeating words one after the other. "The first point to make; one, one, one..." This is quirky and hopefully not too bothersome.
I have always liked the history courses at Berkeley, so I am going to sit this one through no matter what.
Philosophy 135: Theory of Meaning (audio feed) (video feed)
Philosophy has so far been the most challenging subject on podcast lecture series. But I am not giving in. Besides: why is there video for this course? Enhancing visuals? Need to find out.
Philosophy 138: Philosophy of Society (feed)
More philosophy. I want to find out what we get here? Plato's Republic? The various theories about the state, constitution and political liberties? The strand Machiavelli, Hobbes, Mill, Rousseau? Or will it be more sociological and are Marx, Weber and such added? Or else?
Introductory Topics in Religious Studies (audio feed)
You can always catch my attention with an academic approach to religion. Yet, I have no idea what to expect here.
Political Science 179 (feed)
I have done this one before. It is a very accessible and at times entertaining introduction to political science.
Foundations of American Cyber-Culture ( audio feed) (video feed)
I have picked up several of the lectures in this course in the past when it was taught by another professor. It sure escapes me why this is under the rubric 'Practice of Art', but it certainly did give some insight in the current life in cyberspace - which is relevant to bloggers, podcasters and their followers by all means.
And the one you must not miss:
Letters and Science also known as Physics For Future Presidents (audio feed) (video feed)
This is one of Berkeley's classics and a recommendation for literally everybody. Richard Muller teaches you everything you ever needed to know about physics, but where afraid to ask because of the math. No math is needed. Yes there are numbers, but these are few and important numbers. Hardly any equations or formulas. Yet, you will come out of this course understanding a lot more about physics. It will allow you to have an informed opinion about important politics and feel comfortable about the technological and scientific stuff involved. Below is an interview with Professor Muller.
7 comments:
Thanks! After a break for some months, I just completed History 5 (Spring 2008) and was about to check out the current Berkeley podcasts for more interesting lectures. So this review comes right in time :)
Frank
You are more than welcome, Frank.
Speaking of History 5; that one featured every semester at Berkeley and has been missing since 2009. So we will have to make do with the other history course. Or take Physics for a change?
Anne
You have listened to each year's History 5 course? Wow ;)
While I also have interest for Math, Physics, Economics and Biology, I don't find lecture podcasts that useful for those subjects, as they depend heavily on formulas, graphs and other graphical representations. Most of the time I just listen to the audio, and not watch video/slides while doing so.
Anne,
I love your informative blog, one of the best out there. BUT, I must disagree strongly with your comments on David Wetzel. He may very well have a distinctive style, but his lectures are mesmerizing! Anyone interested in this period of European history would do well to listen. A google search of Wetzel will show that he is truly a self made historian, and certainly of the first rank!
Thanks
Howard Siegal
Thanks Howard,
I'd love to hear from other listeners how they experience Wetzel's lecturing style. I am sure it is different when you are physically present, or watch the video. For me on audio, his style is still (third lecture) quite demanding on me.
I am sure he is a great historian and I am taken in by his excitement, but the repetitious speech is tough on me.
I am very happy with your disagreement. It is one of the main reasons I do not 'rank' podcasts - we can disagree on certain evaluations and still it is very good to have them reviewed and pointed out they are valuable.
Anne
I hated Wetzel's speaking style after one lecture, but it grew on me. (I think it may be some kind of speech impediment, an unconventional stutter, since while sometimes his repetitions are motivated by a desire to emphasize an important point, sometimes they are completely random.)
Wetzel knows his stuff, and loves his subject. His speaking style may be offputting, but stick with him a little while and see what happens.
I just found the 2012 version History 162A: Europe and the World: Wars, Empires, Nations 1648-1914.
It´s here:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/itunes-u/history-162a-001-spring-2012/id496141591
I listened to two random episodes for five minutes each and I´m already annoyed by the amount of repetition in Wetzel´s delivery. I´m also not a fan of the nasal shouting. Well, I´ll give it a try anyway but for now all I can seem to focus on is his voice...
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