Three manmade marvels, ancient to modern, that showcase the incredible breadth of human imagination and man’s mastery of engineering.

From its pre-Roman origins to its 21st-century status as a truly global city, Barcelona has given birth to an array of beautiful landmarks. This program gives students an information-rich tour of the Catalonian capital. With visually dynamic footage devoted to the buildings of Antoni Gaudi, the program introduces viewers to Casa Mila, Sagrada Familia, Parq Guell, and other works. Explorations of the Eixample grid pattern, the 1929 International Exhibition...

With the abyss of the Cultural Revolution far behind it, cinema in the People's Republic of China is as vital and complex as any in the world. This program examines the so-called Fifth and Sixth generations of Chinese filmmakers, exploring their thematic and stylistic differences and their varying approaches to domestic and international markets. It also looks at underground auteurs who use "movie cafes" to reach viewers and evade censors. China on...

Whether it's because we're time-poor or just disinterested in cooking, statistics show that the demand for convenience foods continues to grow. This program examines the evolution of the convenience food industry, from basic cake mixes to complete heat-and-eat meals. It looks at the impact microwave technology has on the types of food products being made and examines the correct way to use microwave ovens to reheat and cook food. The difference between...

In this documentary, David Attenborough examines descendants of the first mammals to develop during the dinosaur age. By eating insects, they were able to extend their territory and adapt to water and flight habitats. Shrews closely resemble their ancestors, and imitate their foraging hunting techniques. Moles have moved underground, and elephant shrews evade predators by sprinting through a well maintained trail network. Insect hunters that grew...

Our country house turns into a haunted house. We take ten fear junkies and see if we can really make them scared on our fright night. We meet the Reverend Peter, who has a soft spot for evil, and Zoe, who bonds with her dad over horror—but there's one scare that even she can't stomach... Fear is one of our most basic human emotions. In the past, it kept us from being eaten by a wild animal. But today that isn't so much of a threat, and yet we live...

A newly qualified doctor of law, Goethe views his invitation to the Weimar court in 1775 as a chance to leave the past behind-a past that has already seen two literary triumphs. This documentary traces Goethe's early years, looking at his education, legal training, love affairs, and formative experiences. Using diary accounts, original manuscripts, location footage, period paintings, and readings from his works, the program highlights the writing...

In this Fred Friendly Seminar, Harvard Law School's Charles Ogletree stimulates a vigorous exchange on the tension between artistic expression, freedom of speech, and social responsibility. Presented with scenarios involving antisocial and sometimes violent messages in mass media, Richard Dreyfuss, Def Jam Recordings' David Harleston, the ACLU's Nadine Strossen, Congressman Barney Frank (D-MA), and other distinguished panelists examine the impact...

Throughout history, musicians and musical works have reflected the fashion, culture, and social attitudes of their times. Music today is more diversified than ever, from the megahits of teen pop stars to the depth and emotionality of gospel choirs to the tones and textures produced by large-scale orchestras. Add to this the unstoppable forces of MySpace, YouTube, the iPod, and a rapidly expanding community of independent labels and producers, and...

Did the Soviet Union collapse under external pressure or its own weight? What enabled free market forces to assert themselves in China? Is socialism dead, or has it simply evolved? This program addresses these and other questions, focusing on the political, cultural, and economic factors behind the fall of the iron curtain regimes. Outlining the Cultural Revolution and its consequences, the emergence of the Reagan and Thatcher administrations, and...