History Courses
Explore the stories, events, and ideas that have shaped our world.
History courses at WEA Sydney explore key events, cultures, and ideas from ancient civilisations to modern Australia and global history. These courses encourage curiosity, critical thinking, and a deeper understanding of how the past continues to influence the present.
Find the right course for you
Egypt in the Old Kingdom
Available Classes
Egypt in the Old Kingdom
<p>Continue your exploration of Ancient Egypt with the Old Kingdom (c. 2700–2200 BCE), the era that gave rise to the great pyramids and laid the foundations of Egyptian civilisation. This course
...Egypt in the Old Kingdom
<p>Continue your exploration of Ancient Egypt with the Old Kingdom (c. 2700–2200 BCE), the era that gave rise to the great pyramids and laid the foundations of Egyptian civilisation. This course
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Poets and Revolution: Anna Akhmatova and Vladimir Mayakovsky
Available Classes
Poets and Revolution: Anna Akhmatova and Vladimir Mayakovsky
<p>The Russian Revolution inspired hope, upheaval and profound personal tragedy. This course compares two of Russia's greatest twentieth-century poets—Vladimir Mayakovsky, who embraced the Revolution,
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A Celebration of 400 Years of Women Artists
Available Classes
A Celebration of 400 Years of Women Artists
<p>In every century there have been outstanding women artists who have achieved a reputation that has tested time and sat well-earned, alongside their male colleagues. Often their life stories are
...Approximately 5 hours
From French Royalty to Empire - Art and decorative elegance from Louis XIV's Versailles to Napoleon
Available Classes
From French Royalty to Empire - Art and decorative elegance from Louis XIV's Versailles to Napoleon
<p>French monarchs managed their images as carefully as any self-branded celebrity today. How did Louis XIV use the artisans and artists of the day through his patronage to enhance and dazzle his
...Approximately 4 hours
Portraits of Russia: Rublëv, Pushkin, Turgenev, Borodin, Rimsky-Korsakov and Tchaikovsky
Available Classes
Portraits of Russia: Rublëv, Pushkin, Turgenev, Borodin, Rimsky-Korsakov and Tchaikovsky
<p>This course, focussed on the life and work of some of Russia’s most outstanding personalities, will begin with the work of Andrey Rublëv, Russia’s most famous icon painter, and his circle, and the
...Approximately 6 hours
Portraits of Scandinavia: Norway and Denmark
Available Classes
Portraits of Scandinavia: Norway and Denmark
<p>The cold lands of the far north have in fact produced inspiring examples of music, drama, art and philosophy to match the best of the more famous cultures of France and Italy. Explore the genius of
...Approximately 6 hours
Kirribilli - Water, Stone and Tree
Available Classes
Kirribilli - Water, Stone and Tree
<p>Just north of the major settlement of colonial Sydney Town, a small community developed slowly around significant land purchases by Robert Campbell and later James Milson. In time some grand marine
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The Japanese Midget Submarine Attack on Sydney Harbour
Available Classes
The Japanese Midget Submarine Attack on Sydney Harbour
<p>On the night of 31 May 1942, three Japanese midget submarines entered Sydney Harbour on a daring mission to attack Allied warships. Their raid sparked one of the most dramatic wartime events ever
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Inside the Maritime Collection Tour
Available Classes
Inside the Maritime Collection Tour
<p><strong>Explore more than 160,000 objects that are not on public display in this exclusive up-close tour of the National Maritime Collection.</strong></p>
<p>Enjoy guided access to the Museum’s
...Inside the Maritime Collection Tour
<p><strong>Explore more than 160,000 objects that are not on public display in this exclusive up-close tour of the National Maritime Collection.</strong></p>
<p>Enjoy guided access to the Museum’s
...Inside the Maritime Collection Tour
<p><strong>Explore more than 160,000 objects that are not on public display in this exclusive up-close tour of the National Maritime Collection.</strong></p>
<p>Enjoy guided access to the Museum’s
...Inside the Maritime Collection Tour
<p><strong>Explore more than 160,000 objects that are not on public display in this exclusive up-close tour of the National Maritime Collection.</strong></p>
<p>Enjoy guided access to the Museum’s
...Inside the Maritime Collection Tour
<p><strong>Explore more than 160,000 objects that are not on public display in this exclusive up-close tour of the National Maritime Collection.</strong></p>
<p>Enjoy guided access to the Museum’s
...
The Trans-Australia Railway
Available Classes
The Trans-Australia Railway
<p>The Australian Trans-Continental Railway was more than an engineering achievement—it was a nation-building project that helped fulfil the promise of Federation. This course traces the political
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