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Federico von Borstel

This is a course on the Inca Empire and the Andean Civilizations. We begin as far back as possible, searching for the earliest inhabitants of this region. And then follow the developments of this isolated, unique and pristine culture. The Andean civilization was one of five civilizations in the world deemed by scholars to be "pristine", that is indigenous and not derivative from other civilizations. Welcome to this journey of discovery into this mysterious civilization of which relatively little is still known.

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This is a course on the Inca Empire and the Andean Civilizations. We begin as far back as possible, searching for the earliest inhabitants of this region. And then follow the developments of this isolated, unique and pristine culture. The Andean civilization was one of five civilizations in the world deemed by scholars to be "pristine", that is indigenous and not derivative from other civilizations. Welcome to this journey of discovery into this mysterious civilization of which relatively little is still known.

I teach lecture courses and studios as I wish they would have been taught to me. Much of the graphic material in my lectures is taken or generated first hand directly by me on site. I teach to learn. I teach subjects as I wish they were taught to me. The Mission Statement. Education is a tool for the improvement of successive generations. I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand. Confucius

This course is designed under the premise that humans should be taught in a way that is modeled after the educational patterns of evolution.

The design, development and application of educational systems based on the educational principles of evolution generates a philosophy and methodology of education in synchrony with the evolutionary education system that is firmly and deeply rooted in each of us.

Education for evolution is an educational system designed to help propel humans forward in the natural course of evolution. The purpose of education for evolution is to enhance and strengthen the natural evolutionary process of humans through the mechanism of education. The means to achieve this objective is the design of a curricula based on the same educational techniques and strategies used by natural evolution, enhanced and guided by the application of conscious educational decisions.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Students will learn about the inca empire and the andean civilizations.
  • The course enhances human development.
  • The course promotes self-learning.
  • The course seeks to enrich your life experience.

Syllabus

Introduction
Inca 2
Inca 3
Inca 4
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Explores the developments of an isolated, unique, and pristine culture, offering a deep dive into a civilization with relatively little known information
Examines the Inca Empire and Andean civilizations, which may add color to other topics and subjects related to world history and anthropology
Follows the developments of this isolated, unique and pristine culture, which is one of five civilizations deemed to be indigenous and not derivative
Seeks to enrich your life experience, which may be useful for personal growth and development for students interested in history and culture

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Reviews summary

Deep dive into andean civilizations

According to learners, this course offers a rich and detailed exploration of the Inca Empire and Andean civilizations, taking students on a journey through ancient history from the earliest inhabitants. Many highlight the instructor's passion and extensive knowledge as a major strength, appreciating the first-hand visual materials gathered from site visits. While the historical content is widely praised for its depth, some students note the course has an unusual structure or includes philosophical tangents not directly related to the history itself, which can be slightly confusing. Overall, the course is seen as a highly valuable resource for those interested in this specific topic, offering a perspective rarely found elsewhere.
Some parts unrelated to history, structure unique.
"The parts about education and evolution in the description and some lectures were confusing and felt unrelated to the Inca history."
"The course structure felt a bit unconventional, moving between topics in ways I didn't always expect."
"I skipped over the philosophical sections as they didn't seem relevant to the historical content."
"Some tangents were a little distracting, but the core history was excellent."
"The 'education for evolution' theme wasn't what I expected and wasn't clearly tied to the main subject for me."
Covers Andean civilizations in great detail.
"This course provided a surprisingly deep dive into a civilization I knew little about. Very comprehensive."
"I learned so much about the pre-Inca and Inca periods. It's packed with information."
"The historical information presented is thorough and covers a vast timeline."
"Excellent overview of the Inca Empire and pre-Inca cultures. Lots of fascinating details."
"The content is rich and provides a solid foundation on the subject."
Excellent visuals from site visits enhance learning.
"The photos and videos from the instructor's travels really brought the subject to life. It's not just dry facts."
"Seeing the actual sites and artifacts through the instructor's own lens was incredibly valuable."
"I loved the visual content derived from the instructor's personal visits to the locations mentioned."
"The visual aids were fantastic, especially the on-site footage."
"The extensive use of images and videos from the region was a major plus."
Instructor's enthusiasm makes learning engaging.
"The instructor is very passionate about the topic, which makes the lectures engaging and easy to follow."
"His knowledge is immense, and he shares it in a very accessible way. Truly inspiring."
"I appreciated the instructor's depth of knowledge and obvious passion for the subject matter. It came through in every lecture."
"The instructor's personal experience visiting the sites adds so much to the material."
"The teacher was passionate and well-versed in the subject..."
Pace can be fast, dense with information.
"The lectures sometimes move very quickly, and there's a lot of information to absorb."
"Found it a bit overwhelming at times due to the sheer volume of details provided."
"Pace is good if you have some prior knowledge, but might be fast for a complete beginner."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in The Inca Empire and the Andean Civilizations with these activities:
Review '1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus'
Provide a broader context for understanding the Inca Empire and its place within the larger history of the Americas.
View True West on Amazon
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of '1491'.
  • Read the sections pertaining to Andean civilizations.
  • Take notes on key arguments and evidence presented.
  • Reflect on how this information changes your understanding of the Inca Empire.
Review World History Concepts
Refresh your understanding of world history concepts to better contextualize the Inca Empire within a global historical framework.
Browse courses on Imperialism
Show steps
  • Review notes from previous world history courses.
  • Read articles on the rise and fall of empires.
  • Watch documentaries on ancient civilizations.
Create a Timeline of Andean Civilizations
Solidify your understanding of the chronology of Andean civilizations by creating a visual timeline.
Show steps
  • Research the major Andean civilizations.
  • Identify key events and dates for each civilization.
  • Create a visual timeline using online tools or software.
  • Add images and descriptions to the timeline.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Research and Present on an Inca Innovation
Deepen your knowledge of Inca ingenuity by researching and presenting on a specific innovation.
Show steps
  • Choose an Inca innovation to research.
  • Gather information from various sources.
  • Prepare a presentation on the innovation.
  • Present your findings to the class or a study group.
Compile a Glossary of Quechua Terms
Enhance your understanding of Inca culture by compiling a glossary of common Quechua terms.
Show steps
  • Identify common Quechua terms used in the course.
  • Research the meaning and pronunciation of each term.
  • Compile a glossary with definitions and examples.
Review 'The Incas'
Gain a deep and nuanced understanding of the Inca Empire, supplementing the material covered in the course.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'The Incas'.
  • Read the book, focusing on areas of interest.
  • Take notes on key concepts and arguments.
  • Reflect on how this information enhances your understanding of the Inca Empire.
Design a Museum Exhibit on the Inca Empire
Apply your knowledge of the Inca Empire by designing a virtual museum exhibit.
Show steps
  • Research different aspects of Inca culture.
  • Plan the layout and content of the exhibit.
  • Create virtual displays and descriptions.
  • Present your exhibit design to others.

Career center

Learners who complete The Inca Empire and the Andean Civilizations will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Archaeologist
An archaeologist studies past peoples and cultures by excavating and analyzing material remains. This course on the Inca Empire and Andean civilizations provides a strong background for any archaeologist interested in the region. The course's emphasis on the unique and pristine nature of this civilization helps build a foundation for understanding the cultural context of the area. The course also explores the very earliest inhabitants of the region, which is useful for any archaeologist. The material presented in the course is generated by firsthand experience at sites of interest, which is very relevant to the field.
Anthropologist
An anthropologist studies human societies and cultures, often focusing on specific geographic regions like the Andes. This course provides a deep dive into the history of the Inca Empire and its surrounding Andean civilizations. An anthropologist should understand the cultural and historical context of the people they study, which this course helps provide. The course specifically focuses on the unique and isolated culture of this region. The presenter's firsthand experience with the sites of interest adds a rich layer of understanding to the material, which a budding anthropologist can appreciate.
Museum curator
A museum curator is responsible for managing and developing collections, and often specializes in a particular area or culture, such as the Inca Empire. This course helps the aspiring museum curator gain a deep understanding of the historical and cultural context of the Andean people, from the earliest inhabitants to the Inca Empire. The course creator's firsthand experience researching and teaching this material provides unique insights and the type of detailed knowledge one would need to be a curator. This course may be of interest because it explores a lesser-known civilization.
Historian
A historian researches, analyzes, and interprets the past, often specializing in particular regions or historical periods. This course on the Inca Empire and Andean civilizations may be helpful for any historian who has an interest in this region. This course explores the unique, pristine nature of this civilization which is vital for anyone who wishes to become a historian. Additionally, the course goes back as far as possible into the history of the region, which helps anyone who wishes to pursue history as a career.
Cultural Heritage Manager
A cultural heritage manager is responsible for the preservation and management of cultural sites and artifacts. This often includes managing resources related to historical sites, like those related to the Inca Empire. This course helps a cultural heritage manager gain the historical and cultural context to manage these important historical sites. This course is particularly useful as it emphasizes the unique nature of the Andes region. The instructor's firsthand experience with the sites allows for detailed knowledge that helps build a basis for this career.
Content Creator
Content creators develop content for a variety of media, often specializing in specific topics. This course on the Inca Empire and the Andean civilizations may be useful for content creators who focus on history, travel, or cultural topics. The course provides a deep dive into a region, and its unique nature can be compelling in content creation. The instructor's firsthand experience at these historical sites may add a unique perspective for content creators who wish to focus on a cultural or historical topic, like the Inca.
Travel Writer
A travel writer researches and writes about destinations, often focusing on specific cultural or historical aspects of a region. This course on the Inca Empire and the Andean civilizations can be especially helpful for those looking to write about this area. The course explores a unique civilization, and the instructor brings firsthand experience and knowledge which a travel writer might wish to capture in their writing. A travel writer may also present the material in a unique and engaging way thanks to the course's approach that aims at self-learning.
Documentary Filmmaker
Documentary filmmakers create films that explore real-world topics, often focusing on history, culture or science. This course on the Inca Empire and Andean civilization may be helpful for any filmmaker interested in this region. The course explores a civilization deemed by scholars to be "pristine", that is indigenous and not derivative from other civilizations, which is a fascinating topic for documentary filmmakers. The instructor's firsthand experience on those sites can provide a unique lens to explore the topic.
University Lecturer
University lecturers teach a wide variety of academic topics and often specialize in a particular area, such as the Inca Empire. This course on the Inca Empire and the Andean Civilizations may be useful for becoming an instructor in the topic. The course is designed to be taught as the course creator wished it would have been taught to him, which might help those who wish to lecture. The course also includes firsthand experience from the instructor at the sites of interest which might be beneficial to those who wish to teach about the region.
Educational Consultant
An educational consultant helps organizations develop and improve educational programs. This course's educational philosophy and methodology may be useful to educational consultants. The course's educational practices are based on the principles of evolution, which may be useful for an education consultant working on a unique program. Additionally, the instructor has developed the course based on how they wished they were taught, which may provide valuable insight to an educational consultant.
Research Assistant
A research assistant aids researchers in a variety of tasks including gathering data, conducting experiments and analyzing results. This course on the Inca Empire and Andean civilizations may be helpful for any research assistant who must assist with projects on the region. The course seeks to enrich one's life experience through self-learning, which may prove useful for a research assistant. The course's design principles provide a broad overview of the region, which is useful for any research assistant working in this field.
Tour Guide
A tour guide leads groups of people to various locations and provides them with historical, cultural, or interesting information. This course may help a tour guide who specializes in the Andes area. The course creator researches firsthand, in person, their material for the course. This may help a tour guide gain a deeper understanding of the region. The specific focus on this isolated, unique, and pristine culture will help engage potential tourists.
Grant Writer
A grant writer researches and writes proposals to secure funding for various projects. This course on the Inca Empire and Andean civilizations may be helpful for a grant writer seeking to secure funding for projects in that area. The course focuses on the unique and isolated nature of this pristine civilization, which might catch the attention of grant providers. Additionally the course is based on the premise of improving successive generations which may be compelling to grant providers.
Librarian
A librarian manages library resources and assists patrons in locating information. This course may help a librarian who specializes in historical or cultural studies. The course offers a detailed introduction to the Inca Empire and its surrounding civilization, which is useful background knowledge for a librarian providing reference services on this subject. The course is built on the idea of being a tool for improvement, which may be useful in a library context.
Policy Analyst
A policy analyst researches and analyzes policy issues and makes recommendations to stakeholders. This course may be helpful for a policy analyst who works in the field of cultural preservation. The course emphasizes the unique nature of the Andean civilizations, and this understanding may inform policy decisions. The course also emphasizes the importance of education for evolution, which might be useful for a policy analyst seeking ways to improve education.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in The Inca Empire and the Andean Civilizations.
Comprehensive and scholarly overview of the Inca Empire, covering its history, society, economy, and culture. It is widely regarded as a definitive work on the subject and is often used as a textbook in university courses. Reading this book will provide a deep and nuanced understanding of the Inca Empire, supplementing the material covered in the course. It is highly recommended as a reference text for further study.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the Americas before European contact, challenging many long-held assumptions about the indigenous populations. It offers a detailed look at the complex societies and advanced civilizations that existed, including those in the Andes. Reading this book will provide a broader context for understanding the Inca Empire and its place within the larger history of the Americas. It is highly recommended as additional reading to deepen your understanding of the course material.

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