Open University.

As idealistic as it sounds, many argue that a desire for conquest can become a mission to improve the welfare of humankind. This program explores that notion, especially how it has played out in Africa, despite the myopia of an unquestioned belief that Britain could and should rule the world. In Central Africa, viewers travel in the footsteps of David Livingstone, who, though a failure as a missionary, became a legendary figure-the patron saint of...

Belladonna, curare, snake venom-all are lethal, yet all may be used therapeutically. This program explores the fine line between harming and healing with an overview of poisons that are part of medical treatment. Beginning with Victorian-era experiments in painless surgery and the Arsenic Act of 1851, which made it harder for Londoners to murder each other but also paved the way for licensing of pharmacists, through to current poison derivatives that...

On January 22, 1992, a real estate agent named Stephanie Slater was subdued, gagged at knifepoint, and held captive for eight days. This program explores her ordeal as a case study in memory-aided investigation; it also juxtaposes Slater's case with an extended psychology experiment in which ten volunteers have taken part to assess the value of eyewitness testimony. Illustrating the phenomenon known as contextual reinstatement and its central role...

With its images of violence, war, and radically foreign cultures, the stark realities presented by the new medium of television made an impression on those who studied the mind and behavior, causing them to reexamine the very essence of what it means to be human. This program features archival footage of the 20th century's most influential social scientists as they strive to define human nature: Carl Jung discusses individuation, Stanley Milgram explains...

Likening the beauty and complexity of DNA to an epic poem, this program revolves around the idea that we all carry the story of life on Earth in our genes, and that the similarities between species may play a more significant role in that story than previously thought. A visit to Iceland's hot springs reveals heat-, acid-, and salt-resistant organisms called Archaea-primordial versions of which may have set the stage for multi-cellular life. Moving...

This six-part series presented by Diarmaid Maculloch reveal the true origins of Christianity and delve into what it means to be a Christian. The first Christianity: Professor MacCullough goes in search of Christianity's forgotten origins. Catholicism: How did a small Jewish sect from the backwoods of Palestine, which preached humility and the virtue of poverty, become the established religion of Western Europe? Orthodoxy: Professor MacCullough discusses...

The Story of Wales is packed with heroes and triumphs, grand dreams, and great endeavors. From a land of storytellers, this is the little-known story of the land itself and the people who shaped it. This six-part series examines issues of power, war and industry in Wales from prehistoric times, to the rich culture of medieval Wales, to the ermergence of a modern nation. Welshman Huw Edwards presents a tale that has been 30,000 years in the making...

Among the stars in the night sky wander the eight-plus worlds of the solar system, each home to truly awe-inspiring sights. Volcanoes three times higher than Everest, geysers erupting with icy plumes, cyclones larger than Earth lasting hundreds of years. Each of our celestial neighbors has a distinct personality and a unique story. In this five-part series, NOVA will explore the awesome beauty including Saturn's 175,000-mile-wide rings, Mars's ancient...

A compelling and comprehensive series that charts the birth and growth of the Scottish nation. Each of the ten thought-provoking episodes brings a fresh perspective to Scotland's past and challenges many of the perceived notions of Scottish history. With stunning, award-winning cinematography and mesmerizing narrative, the series tells of battles and allegiances, political intrigue, and religious conflict. Includes a booklet.