655F Fall 2026 Resilient Civilizations

In this TED Talk-style course, we will explore great societies and civilizations, past and present. Using examples from classic founding civilizations such as the Roman and Mayan empires (as well as lesser-known groups such as the Minoans), students will learn to identify factors that contribute to the success and collapse of a society. At the end of each session, students are invited to discuss their views and questions on the topics covered. Sessions covered will be: 1) The Resilience Framework; 2) Case Studies in Resilient Civilizations; and 3) Civilization Resilience Index for Modern Civilizations (post-1945). Upon completing the course, students will be able to identify resilient past and current civilizations, enumerate reasons for their success and failure, and compare and contrast current and past civilizations using the Civilization Resilience Index.

Alex McLellan has a Master’s degree in Systems Engineering. He was the resilience practice lead at the Homeland Security Institute (an FFRDC for DHS). Mr. McLellan is a principal at a Washington, D.C. based High Reliability think tank. He has decades of experience in emergency management.

Jeroen van Ek has an MS in Information Management. Mr. van Ek is a principal at a Washington, D.C. based High Reliability think tank and has a strong background in strategic consulting across multiple industries. A lifelong learner himself, he is an avid beekeeper, K-12 teacher, and student of pugilistic arts.