About this course: Journey of the Universe weaves together the discoveries of the evolutionary sciences together with humanities such as history, philosophy, art, and religion. This course draws on the Journey of the Universe Conversations, a series of 20 interviews with scientists and environmentalists. The first 10 interviews are with scientists and historians who deepen our understanding of the evolutionary process of universe, Earth, and humans. The second 10 interviews are with environmentalists, teachers, and artists who explore the connections between the universe story and the practices for a flourishing Earth community. Upcoming sessions May 8, 2017 - June 26, 2017 June 5, 2017 - July 24, 2017 July 3, 2017 - August 21, 2017 July 31, 2017 - September 18, 2017 August 28, 2017 - October 16, 2017 September 25, 2017 - November 13, 2017

Who is this class for: This course is introductory and aimed at an educated public, ranging from those with college education to those without. No prerequisite knowledge is needed - just an openness to learn about the complex development of the universe, Earth, and life. Within this epic story we will explore the role of humans given our present social and ecological challenges.

Created by: Yale University

Taught by: Mary Evelyn Tucker , Senior Lecturer and Senior Research Scholar
Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies
Taught by: John Grim, Senior Lecturer and Senior Research Scholar
Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies

Basic Info	Course 2 of 4 in the Journey of the Universe: A Story for Our Times Specialization.
Commitment	2 hours of viewing lectures/week and 2 hours of reading books and articles/week
Language	English
How To Pass	Pass all graded assignments to complete the course.
User Ratings	4.8 stars Average User Rating 4.8See what learners said

Syllabus

WEEK 1

Welcome to Journey Conversations: Weaving Knowledge and Action!

Learn what this course is about, who's teaching it, and other ways you can explore this topic. Meet and greet your peers as well!

1 video, 4 readings

Introduction – Journey of the Universe Conversations

The universe’s evolutionary development forces it to leave eras and to start new eras, which is taking place in our own moment in time. We’re in one such moment. We are being pushed out of the industrial era into a new era of Earth’s history”

4 videos, 3 readings, 1 practice quiz

Graded: Introduction – Journey of the Universe Conversations

WEEK 2

Beginning of the Universe: Galaxies, Stars, and the Solar System

A star is required for the production of carbon and oxygen and a galaxy is required for the production of stars. So the Milky Way galaxy as a whole is required for our hands. Understanding our cosmological nature is the first step into a new era.

5 videos, 9 readings, 4 practice quizzes

Graded: Beginning of the Universe: Galaxies, Stars, and the Solar System

WEEK 3

Emergence of Life, Learning, and Humans

We discuss the oxygen crisis two billion years ago and the endosymbiosis that dealt with it creatively. We too will deal with the enveloping crises of our time, first of all by tending to them, by taking responsibility for them.

5 videos, 9 readings, 4 practice quizzes

Graded: Emergence of Life, Learning, and Humans

WEEK 4

Becoming a Planetary Presence: Communities, Cities, and Economics

The story of the isolated neutron’s quick decay and the neutron+proton’s long term stability as an illustration of the synergistic effects that will take place in Eco-cities. In ways we can only guess at, these new mutually enhancing relationships will lead to...

6 videos, 7 readings, 5 practice quizzes

Graded: Becoming a Planetary Presence: Communities, Cities, and Economics

WEEK 5

Embodied Knowing: Food, Energy, and Health

Understand the universe as self-organizing. Consider galaxies. It is the spiral structure of a galaxy that enables it to construct stars. Elliptical galaxies have lost this structure and have lost the capacity to construct stars. With planets it’s similar. The...

5 videos, 3 readings, 4 practice quizzes

Graded: Embodied Knowing: Food, Energy, and Health

WEEK 6

Emerging Earth Community: Teaching and the Creative Arts

Humans need to live for something greater than themselves if they are ever to achieve happiness and fulfillment. One way to achieve this goal is to teach children the full nature of our universe. Not just our technologies and our sciences and our arts and ente...

6 videos, 7 readings, 4 practice quizzes

Graded: Emerging Earth Community: Teaching and the Creative Arts

FAQs

How It Works

Coursework

Each course is like an interactive textbook, featuring pre-recorded videos, quizzes and projects.

Help from Your Peers

Connect with thousands of other learners and debate ideas, discuss course material, and get help mastering concepts.

Certificates

Earn official recognition for your work, and share your success with friends, colleagues, and employers.

Creators

Yale University

For more than 300 years, Yale University has inspired the minds that inspire the world. Based in New Haven, Connecticut, Yale brings people and ideas together for positive impact around the globe. A research university that focuses on students and encourages learning as an essential way of life, Yale is a place for connection, creativity, and innovation among cultures and across disciplines.

Pricing

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Access to course materials	Available	Available
Access to graded materials	Not available	Available
Receive a final grade	Not available	Available
Earn a shareable Course Certificate	Not available	Available

Ratings and Reviews

Rated 4.8 out of 5 of 24 ratings

Amazing! Hope-Full! and Life Affirming! The New Universe Story is a collective call to action to learn about our deep cosmic past and our interconnected and interdependent role in the web of life. We are being asked to rise to the occasion of this new knowledge and use it to guide our ways as a species. I am humbled and uplifted to join this movement and share its gems to help make the world a better a place!

Excellent interviews with people who are integrating the universe story in their works in a very creative way.

very good

A wonderful course providing deep insights into deep time and history. Well constructed lessons presented in a format that encourages participation and learning.

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