National Geographic Polar Explorations

Course Overview

There’s no need for jackets, dog sleds, and woolen socks in this adventure into the polar regions of our planet. (And yes, there will be penguins.)

Course No. 3502

In this unique collaboration between The Great Courses and National Geographic, you’ll journey beyond the Arctic and Antarctic circles with handpicked experts. This comprehensive course explores:

• Why explorers and scientists are drawn to the poles
• The geology and climate that shape these regions
• Unique astronomical phenomena like auroras
• The delicate ecosystems and remarkable wildlife
• The challenges and techniques of polar photography

Key Topics Covered:

• Polar geology and climate systems
• Indigenous Arctic cultures
• Iconic wildlife: penguins, polar bears, whales
• Historic polar expeditions
• Modern scientific research
• Environmental challenges

Video Lectures

01: Passion for the Poles (32 min)

Explore what draws people to these extreme environments through Ernest Shackleton’s Antarctic struggles and journalist Fen Montaigne’s firsthand experiences.

02: Seasons at the Poles (29 min)

Understand the unique solar patterns that create six months of continuous daylight/nighttime and how seasons function at extreme latitudes.

03: Connections between the Poles (33 min)

Compare the geology of the Arctic and Antarctic, examining their shared influences on Earth’s climate systems.

04: The Saga of Arctic Exploration (31 min)

Follow explorers like Henry Hudson and Roald Amundsen through treacherous Northwest Passage attempts.

05: The Icy Heart of Polar Seas (28 min)

Discover how marine ecosystems from phytoplankton to whales depend on sea ice for survival.

06: Geology of the Arctic Circle (32 min)

Tour the Arctic’s unique geological features and how they’ve evolved over time.

07: Science and Spirits of the Arctic Sky (29 min)

Learn how Inuit cultures used constellations for survival and what causes the aurora borealis.

08: Indigenous Peoples of the Arctic (31 min)

Meet the Nenets, Inuit, and other communities adapting traditional lifestyles to modern changes.

09: Greenland and Arctic Islands (31 min)

Explore Iceland’s volcanoes, Greenland’s ice sheets, and Svalbard’s Global Seed Vault.

10: Terrestrial Mammals in the Changing Arctic (31 min)

Examine how climate change affects polar bears, Arctic foxes, and other land animals.

11: Seabirds of the Arctic and Antarctic (30 min)

From albatross to Arctic terns (with their 50,000-mile migrations), discover polar aviators.

12: Marine Mammals, from Whales to Walruses (29 min)

Study belugas, orcas, leopard seals, and walruses in their icy habitats.

13: The Race for the South Pole (31 min)

Relive Amundsen and Scott’s deadly 1911 competition to reach Antarctica’s heart.

14: Geological Features of Antarctica (28 min)

Uncover Antarctica’s hidden landscapes beneath miles of ancient ice.

15: Antarctica’s Window on the Universe (31 min)

Learn why the South Pole offers astronomers unparalleled research conditions.

16: Diving under Polar Ice (26 min)

With Sylvia Earle, explore technologies for studying marine life beneath the ice.

17: Resource Development in Polar Seas (25 min)

Consider the impacts of krill harvesting, fossil fuels, and ocean acidification.

18: South Georgia and Macquarie (29 min)

Track the recovery of seal, whale, and penguin populations on these sub-Antarctic islands.

19: Living among the Penguins (29 min)

Understand Adelie, emperor, and chinstrap penguins’ evolution and life cycles.

20: Antarctica – A Continent for Science (34 min)

See how polar research advanced oceanography, climatology, and glaciology.

21: Basics of Polar Photography (31 min)

National Geographic’s Ralph Lee Hopkins teaches techniques for shooting in extreme conditions.

22: Photographing Polar Landscapes (39 min)

Master composition, lighting, and perspective for breathtaking polar imagery.