Online and Remote Learning

What enabled Greek city-states to defeat the more powerful Persian Empire? What explains their subsequent descent into civil war? How was Rome able to build an empire of unprecedented size? Why did this empire ultimately collapse? Join instructor Emanuele Sica in this survey of the conduct of warfare and diplomacy in the era of Classical Greece and Rome. We’ll begin with an examination of the emergence of powerful city states in Greece before considering their conduct of the Greco-Persian Wars and investigating the causes, conduct and consequences of the Second Peloponnesian War, as well as the subsequent rise of Philip and Alexander of Macedon. We’ll turn then to focus on Rome, beginning with its foundations, followed by an examination of the Punic Wars, and moving on to explore the expansion and collapse of the Roman Empire. In addition to acquainting learners with the character of warfare and diplomacy in the classical period, this course will encourage the critical evaluation of the sources from which we derive our understanding of this period. By the end of this course, you'll be able to: Understand the conduct of warfare in the Classical period.  Understand the limitations of source materials pertaining to this period. Improve critical reading skills. Take part in scholarly debate surrounding warfare in the Classical period

The 20th century has been described as an “Age of Extremes,” when Europe became a “Dark Continent” in which the rival forces of liberal democracy, fascism and communism fought for domination. While fascism was ultimately defeated in 1945, and European communism fell in 1989-91, the victory of democracy was not inevitable: the “totalitarian temptation” was often present and may still lurk in various parts of the world today. This course explores Europe’s 20th century by focusing on the major events that spawned Italian Fascism, German National Socialism, Bolshevism, and Stalinism, and the political, social, economic and cultural consequences of these new ideologies. Provide a comparative approach to three models of totalitarian regimes, underlining their similarities and their differences Address the concept of “totalitarianism,” and questions whether it is a useful and accurate means of explaining and understanding the horrors inflicted by authoritarian regimes in the 20th century, or whether it is an outdated product of the Cold War.

How do military experiences shape national identity? Who decides which stories are remembered, and how? This inquiry-based course, developed through a partnership between the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies and Canada Company, invites learners to explore the history, legacy, and commemoration of Canadian military service. Across five modules, learners examine Canada’s evolving role in global conflict, the foundations and functions of the Canadian Armed Forces, and the narratives that shape national identity, including the enduring myth of Canada as a peacekeeper. Through case studies, personal histories, and community-based examples of commemoration, learners consider how military experiences are represented and how remembrance practices reflect broader social values, tensions, and debates. Using the tools of historical inquiry, learners will develop practical skills in research, source evaluation, critical analysis, and interpretation.   They will explore questions of positionality, bias, and perspective while learning how historians and researchers construct and assess evidence-based narratives. The course culminates in a digital storytelling project in which learners present a focused, research-informed interpretation of a topic connected to Canadian military history or commemoration. Guided through the process, from topic selection to final presentation, learners gain valuable experience communicating complex historical ideas to a broad audience. By the end of this course, learning will have a deeper understanding of how military service has been experienced, remembered, and commemorated, and how acts of remembrance continue to shape Canadian society today. Within 4-6 weeks of successfully completing this course, you will receive your micro-credential indicating achievement of the outlined learning outcomes and competencies/skills. Micro-credentials are tamper proof, verifiable, blockchain-based and 100% digital. They can be shared on social media, including LinkedIn and Facebook, embedded in websites or downloaded as PDFs. By the end of this course, you'll be able to: Analyze how Canadian military service, conflict, and identity are represented through historical narratives, case studies, and commemorative practices. Examine the structure, roles, and evolving functions of the Canadian Armed Forces within national and global contexts. Evaluate a range of primary and secondary sources to support informed inquiry into Canadian military history and commemoration. Assess how narratives such as peacekeeping, service, and sacrifice are constructed, challenged, and reshaped through lived experiences and public discourse. Reflect on positionality, bias, and perspective when interpreting military history, commemoration, and acts of remembrance. Create a research-informed digital story that communicates a clear and focused interpretation of a topic related to Canadian military history or commemoration. Competencies/Skills developed in this micro-credential include: Research and Source Evaluation Historical Thinking and Inquiry Empathy and Cultural Awareness Civic Literacy and Informed Citizenship