Print this page The Heart of the Antarctic: Shackleton's Nimrod Expedition

Sir Ernest Shackleton (1874-1922) is one of history’s most famous explorers, best known for the story of the Endurance Expedition of 1914-1917. However, arguably his greatest achievement was the Nimrod Expedition, when he and his party traversed unknown lands to get within 100 miles of the South Pole. In this course we examine the achievements of the Nimrod Expedition, and the nail-biting journey of Shackleton and his three comrades to the heart of the Antarctic.

DELIVERY MODE

• Face to face

COURSE OUTLINE

• Shackleton’s early career as a Merchant Seamen, his original trip to Antarctica with Scott on the Discovery expedition, his falling out with Scott, his ambition and restlessness.
• The concept of the Nimrod expedition, obtaining funding
• The Australian contribution, Mawson’s first trip to Antarctica
• Winter in the Antarctic
• Shackleton’s party sets out for the Geographic
• Edgworth-Davids party (including Douglas Mawson) sets out to find the Magnetic Pole
• Return journeys – surviving against the odds
• Celebration in England, Shackleton is knighted, the influence on later expeditions

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

1. Have an understanding of the goals of Antarctic exploration in the early 20th century in terms of national status and scientific progress
2. Understand the nature of the Antarctic Continent and the challenges in crossing it
3. Appreciate the achievements of explorers in progressing exploration in the Antarctic
4. Recognise the achievements of this expedition in furthering exploration