Current Shows
A Virtual Tour of Iran and The Caucasus
Tuesdays 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon - Online Class from January 14 to February 18, 2025 - Simon Fraser University
Join us on an extraordinary journey, where we’ll explore both Iran and the diversity of the Caucasus region, discussing geography, history and cultural heritage. The Caucasus lies on the border of Europe and Asia, between the Black and the Caspian seas. It has been an arena for political, military, religious and cultural rivalries for centuries. The Caucasus includes the first nation to adopt Christianity as state religion—Armenia—and has been ruled by Ottomans, Mongols and Persians. Unified under Soviet rule, the region separated again in 1991, as Georgia, Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia became independent nations. Territorial disputes have continued to present day.
CONTENTS
Weeks 1 and 2: Iran
There are many the UNESCO World Heritage sites located in Iran. We will explore archaeological sites of ancient Persia and Mesopotamia, enjoy the beauty of Persian gardens, explore cities steeped in ancient traditions and visit the Armenian monastic ensembles, located in northern Iran. We will admire masterpieces of Islamic architecture in Ardabil, Tabriz, Yazd, Esfahan and Kashan, and look at modern Tehran. Discover the real Iran, home of a warm and fascinating people living within an ancient and sophisticated culture.
Week 3: An overview of the Caucasus
We explore the geography and lengthy history of the independent sovereign states, located along the southern Caucasus, a region at the border of Europe and Asia between the Black and the Caspian seas, and home to the Caucasus Mountains.
Week 4: Georgia
During the classical era, several independent kingdoms were established in what is now Georgia. The kingdoms of Colchis and Iberia adopted Christianity in the early 4th century. We discover Georgia’s historic capital Tbilisi, the wine-growing countryside of Kakheti, the Vardzia cave-monastery and the Bagrati cathedral. We visit Gori, Stalin’s birthplace and the UNESCO World Heritage sites of the historical monuments of Mtskheta, Gelati Monastery and Upper Svaneti, the highest inhabited area in the Caucasus.
Weeks 5 & 6: Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia
Discover Azerbaijan, a country in the Transcaucasian region, situated at the crossroads of southwest Asia and southeastern Europe. We’ll see the walled city of Baku, with the Shirvanshah's Palace and Maiden Tower; the city of Sheki; as well as the Gobustan rock art cultural landscape. We also explore Nagorno-Karabakh, a region inhabited by ethnic Armenians that recently is back in Azeri hands.
Armenia is a country featuring an ancient cultural heritage. It became the first state in the world to adopt Christianity as its official religion. We start at the foot of Mt. Ararat, see Yerevan, the monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin, Lake Sevan, the cathedral and churches of Echmiatsin, ancient Zvartnots and the monastery of Geghard, and the Upper Azat Valley. We then head East to see the world’s oldest winery and the wonderful monasteries of Norovank and Tatev.
What You Will Learn
By the end of the course, you should be able to:
- Identify several UNESCO World Heritage sites in Iran, Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan
- Appreciate the great diversity of historical, cultural and natural attractions of the region
- Gain useful insights for travellers to these places
How You Will Learn
- Participation in Zoom seminars
- Participation in written discussions with other students
- Supplementary resources accessed through Canvas
- Reflective essay (applicable only to certificate students)
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A Virtual Tour of Cultural Mexico
Thursdays 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon - Online Class from January 16 to February 20, 2025 - Simon Fraser University
We will explore Mexico from a historic and cultural point of view —in a voyage of discovery. Along the way, you will learn about the ways of life in Mexico, its art and architecture, the long history and the magnificent cultural heritage inherited from past generations. The country features the largest number of World Heritage Sites of any country in the Americas.
Each week we will view a number of multi-image presentations that evoke the natural and cultural diversity of Mexico’s unique regions and learn about the geography, the history and the syncretic nature of religion in the areas once occupied by various Pre-Columbian civilizations. You will gain a deeper understanding of Mexico’s subtleties, especially valuable if you’re a potential traveller interested in history and culture.
CONTENTS
Weeks 1: Mexico City
Discover one of the oldest cities in the Americas. Mexico City boasts 4 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and well over 650 museums that appeal to all interests and tastes; from the renowned Museum of Anthropology to the various buildings proudly displaying the extraordinary murals by Diego Rivera, José Clemente Orozco and David Alfaro Siqueiros. We also explore the canals and floating gardens of Xochimilco, as well as one of the most powerful cultural centres in Mesoamerica, the Pre-Hispanic City of Teotihuacan.
Weeks 2: Central Mexico and Veracruz
We explore the 16th Century monasteries on the slopes of Popocatepetl, Cuernavaca, the ruins of Xochicalco, the magnificent Spanish colonial architecture of Puebla and Cholula and Tlaxcala. We then discover the state of Veracruz, which played an important part in the Spanish conquest of the Aztec empire by Hernán Cortés. Here we explore the historical port city of Veracruz, Xalapa, Papantla and the magnificent Totonac ruins of El Tajin.
Week 3: Treasures of the Sierra Madre
A visit to the colonial cities of México will transport you to a world where traditions endure and romance thrives. We explore Querétaro, the 18th century Franciscan missions of Sierra Gorda, the city of Morelia, artistic town of San Miquel de Allende, lively Guadalajara, the agave landscapes of Tequila, the silver mining towns of Guanajuato and Zacatecas and the ghost town of Real de Catorce in San Luis Potosí.
Week 4: Oaxaca
Oaxaca is the most diverse state in Mexico. We will explore the Historic Centre of Oaxaca; the pre-hispanic archaeological sites of Monte Albán, Mitla and Yagul, the artisan villages of Ocotlan, San Bartolo Coyotepec, San Martin de Tilcajete, Santa Maria Atzompa, Santa Maria del Tule, Santo Tomas Jalitzea, Tlacochahuaya and Tlacolula. On the Pacific Coast we will discover the beaches of Huatulco, Puerto Escondido and Zipolite, along with Mazuynte, the centre of giant sea turtles.
Week 5 Lands of the Maya
The Maya are probably the best-known of the classical civilizations of Mesoamerica. We will explore the ancient Mayan cities of Chichén Itzá, Uxmal, Cobá, Tulum, Edzná and Calakmul on the Yucatán Peninsula and the fascinating ruins of Toniná, Palenque, Yaxchilán and Bonampak in the jungles of Chiapas. See the Maya people of today and how their traditional beliefs have intermixed with Christianity to provide one of the world's most unique samples of living syncretism in San Cristóbal de las Casas, San Juan de Chamula and Zinacantán in the highlands of Chiapas.
Weeks 6: The Day of the Dead
We conclude our course with a session discovering the Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a holiday celebrated in many parts of the world, typically on November 1, All Saint’s Day and November 2, All Soul’s Day. In Mexico, where the holiday has perhaps its highest prominence, the holiday has ancient Mesoamerican roots and is a national holiday. The emphasis is on celebrating and honouring the lives of the deceased and celebrating the continuation of life; the belief is not that death is the end, but rather the beginning of a new stage in life.
What You Will Learn
By the end of the course, you should be able to:
- Describe and tell the difference among several Cultural and Natural UNESCO World Heritage sites throughout Mexico.
- Appreciate the universal value to mankind of these cities.
- Get insights useful to travellers to Mexico.
How You Will Learn
- Participation in Zoom seminars
- Participation in written discussions with other students
- Supplementary resources accessed through Canvas
- Reflective essay (applicable only to certificate students)