CHANTILLY, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Great Courses — the nation’s leading developer and marketer of premium-quality media for lifelong learning and personal enrichment — has released three new courses: “Heroes and Legends: The Most Influential Characters of Literature,” “Scientific Secrets for Raising Kids Who Thrive” and “Sacred Texts of the World.”
“Our library of unmatched quality content continues to expand with these new courses in world literature, parenting and comparative religion,” said Ed Leon, chief brand officer and head of product development for The Great Courses. “It’s an extremely competitive process to be selected to teach one of our courses, and our customers benefit by learning from the best instructors in the world, combined with top-quality production values to create a premium learning experience.”
The company, which creates engaging lectures that capture a curious audience that includes Bill Gates and David Gregory, host of “Meet the Press,” has attracted hundreds of the nation’s top academics, as well as educational institutions interested in developing co-branded content. The latest partners include The Culinary Institute of America (cooking courses) and National Geographic (photography courses). All titles are available in audio and video formats, including digital streaming, downloads, DVDs and CDs.
The Great Courses launches three to five courses each month, with 48 total planned in 2014 equaling almost 600 hours and 1,200 lectures from some of the world’s greatest teachers and experts.
Descriptions of New Courses:
Heroes
and Legends: The Most Influential Characters of Literature
Professor
Thomas A. Shippey
Saint Louis University; Ph.D.,
University of Cambridge
Heroes hold a special place in our imagination. What do they have in common? What impact have they had on our culture? Broaden your understanding of the hero archetype in this fascinating 24 lecture course, which examines these characters in the context of world history and culture. Gain a new perspective on your favorite heroes and meet new and unexpected friends.
Scientific
Secrets for Raising Kids Who Thrive
Professor Peter M.
Vishton
The College of William & Mary; Ph.D., Cornell
University
Raising children is one of the most rewarding and important, yet challenging, endeavors a person can undertake. Learn scientifically-proven techniques for raising healthy, happy and intelligent children in this informative and comprehensive 24 lecture course taught by a world-renowned child development expert and father.
Sacred
Texts of the World
Professor Grant Hardy
University
of North Carolina at Asheville; Ph.D., Yale University
The sacred texts of the major religions are a vast and extraordinary canon rich with wisdom for any who seek it. Delve into sacred writings such as the Upanishads and Sutras of India, the Bible, The Qur’an, the Daodejing and more in this exceptional and rewarding course that explores how these texts have shaped the identities, philosophies and actions of billions of people throughout history.
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 (digital streaming, downloads, DVDs and CDs), these carefully crafted courses provide access to a world of knowledge from the most accomplished professors and experts. The content-rich, proprietary library spans nearly 500 courses with close to 7,000 hours and 12,000 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, personal growth and high school curriculum. Creating unique learning experiences since 1990, The Great Courses is the premier brand of The Teaching Company based in Chantilly, Va. More information can be found at www.thegreatcourses.com.
