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History and Culture

  • Explores Varying Interpretations of Historic Events
  • Identifies Patterns and Trends
  • Provides Lively Discussion and Debate

To understand the present, we first must know the past. These courses focus on the origins of civilization, explore the causes and effects of world events, and debate conflicting interpretations of past events. From the world stage to New York City’s five boroughs, examine how history impacts our lives today.

This semester, study in-person or from anywhere in the world from the safety and comfort of your home through online or remote instruction.

The Evolution of American Free Speech

Explore the key free speech debates that have demarcated the boundaries of what can—and cannot—be said in the United States.

2024 Summer
1 section

London's Royal Parks

Explore the rich history of London’s famous royal parks.

2024 Summer
1 section

Exuberant Splendors: The Baroque Palaces and Mansions of 17th-century Europe

Explore magnificent palaces and mansions in England, France, Italy, Holland, and Sweden, to reveal the architecture, interiors, and decorative...

2024 Spring
1 section

The History of Controversial Supreme Court Cases

Explore the history of controversial Supreme Court cases and the country’s reaction to them.

2024 Spring
1 section

Politics and Leadership in a Changing Middle East

Register for this course on the new NYU SPS Academy of Lifelong Learning website. This course will look at the historical and ideological...

2024 Spring
1 section

Espionage: Fact vs. Fiction

Taught by a veteran intelligence professional, this course separates myth from reality in the field of espionage.

2024 Spring
1 section

England's Coronations: Five Centuries of Splendor and Pageantry

As the world celebrates King Charles III’s coronation, explore centuries of coronation history, traditions, treasures, and scandals in England.

England¿s Medieval Queens: The Three Eleanors

Learn about the fascinating lives and historical importance of three English queens.

Holocaust Memory in America

Explore how the Holocaust has been commemorated, memorialized, and taught in the United States.

JFK: From Foreign Policy to His View of America's Role in the World

Explore John F. Kennedy’s accomplishments and his vision for the United States that still reverberates today.

US Foreign Relations: 1960s to the Present

Explore the history of US foreign relations from the first decades of the Cold War and Vietnam to the “present Cold War.”

Cultural History of New York City From the Jazz Age To Post-War Modernism

Explore New York City’s cultural history from the 1910’s to the 1970’s through art, literature, and architecture.

Wine Online: Become a Wine Connoisseur

This course will give you a foundation for a lifetime of wine appreciation.

Global Hotspots Through Foreign Film

Watch powerful foreign films that serve as catalysts for post-screening discussions about present-day issues in the associated geopolitical regions.