OSHER 697 - SAPIENS--A Brief History of Humankind

This course traces the narrative of Yuval Harari's seminal book, "Sapiens". Few books in recent memory have offered a more original and fascinating account of how Homo Sapiens evolved through time: from nomadic bands of hunters and gatherers, through the Agricultural Revolution, the creation of money and trade, the emergence of organized religions, and eventually the Scientific and Industrial Revolutions. This class will explore these ideas through illustrated lectures, readings, and a book club style of open dialogue.