From the science of happiness to the principles of comic book design and what your dog is thinking: We present 15 incredibly fascinating courses you can take right at home.
The Science of Happiness – On most people’s list of life goals, happiness sits right at the top. Led by two celebrated teachers from the Greater Good Science Center, and one of the top 10 courses featured on the edX platform, the provocative, self-paced The Science of Happiness online course focuses on helping students significantly increase their happiness levels while decreasing both stress and loneliness in their lives. It also offers practical strategies to nurture and foster overall well-being. Just the thing we need in these tough times of isolation and anxiety.
Street-Fighting Mathematics – Are rules for fools? Professor Sanjoy Mahajan might say so. In his Street-Fighting Math course – which isn’t so much about fighting as it is about problem-solving – you’ll learn to take justified logical leaps in order to quickly solve many common problems. Because the truth is, for most everyday conundrums, you just need a reasonably accurate solution or enough info to make an educated guess. This course will teach you to do just that, using just six skills. Life is too short to sit around making unnecessary calculations, don’t you think?
Antiquities Trafficking and Art Crime – Smuggling, theft, fakes and fraud are all part of the art crime scene. In this course on Antiquities Trafficking and Art Crime, you get to delve into the seediest, most obscure aspects of the art industry, and learn from the people trying to save the world’s dearest artefacts. Among other things, learn about illicit markets, organised crime, looting and smuggling, art theft and forgery, vandalism and art value. Who knew art could be so wickedly exciting?
Power and Responsibility: Doing Philosophy with Superheroes – For many of us, philosophy seems an unreachable, out-of-touch subject; the Power and Responsibility: Doing Philosophy with Superheroes online course turns that notion on its head. Led by Professor Christopher Robichaud of the Harvard Kennedy School, this introductory course blends superhero narratives with the core areas of philosophy, offering a thrilling approach to an otherwise aloof subject area. Join Superman, Wonder Woman and many more on your exploits in search of knowledge and beyond!
Death – Ok, so we’re all going to die. Scary thought, right? Well, there’s a lot to make of this undeniable fact. This course led by Shelly Kagan, Clark Professor of Philosophy at Yale, examines a number of questions and issues related to our mortality: Is death the end? What does it mean to die? Is immortality something we should strive towards? What about suicide, is it morally permissible or rational? It’s dark, yes, but also fascinating and very human.
Star Trek: Inspiring Culture and Technology – Boldly go where no man has gone before: This Star Trek: Inspiring Culture and Technology course delves into the world of one the most successful franchises in history. Explore how Star Trek has influenced pop culture and modern technology, see how it has affected audiences around the world, learn about how it draws from history and culture, and how it has tackled topics like race, gender, sexuality and ethics. Let this course inspire you to ask the hard questions – we guarantee you’ll have lots of fun while doing so.
Imagining Other Earths – Ever wondered if we’re alone in the universe? This course, hosted by Princeton University, just might provide some answers. It introduces basic concepts that will allow you to speculate and explore such a hard-to-tackle question from a scientific POV. Give it a shot – a galaxy of knowledge awaits you.
Dog Emotion and Cognition – Honestly, who hasn’t ever wanted to know what (wo)man’s best friend is thinking? Get even closer to your four-legged family members with this entertaining Dog Emotion and Cognition course. Learn about dog psychology, cognitive and evolutionary theory, and use your newfound knowledge to boost your relationship with your favourite pal.
The Ethics of Memory – It’s puzzling how memory can be both beautiful and painful all at once. If you can take it, why not delve a little deeper into this idea? Take this course to explore the conflicts, questions and issues related to memory, and use it to gain a better understanding of those pesky personal remembrances you can’t let go of.
The Rise of Superheroes and Their Impact on Pop Culture – Does the name Stan Lee ring a bell? Join award-winning producer Michael Uslan, the Smithsonian and the late Stan Lee in this pre-recorded online course to learn about your favourite superheroes from the greatest creator of them all, and find out how they came to be such a dominant feature in our culture and media. If you wish, you can pursue a Verified Certificate by creating your own superhero or doing an in-depth analysis of existing characters.
Greatest Unsolved Mysteries of the Universe – This is the course for all those curious cats out there: Greatest Unsolved Mysteries Of The Universe attempts to shed some light on the many unknowns and paradoxes of our universe. The course will guide you through nine of the most prominent unsolved enigmas of modern astrophysics, and attempt to offer a deeper understanding of them based on the most up-to-date research. Why not try answering the unanswerable?
The Science of Beer – Fancy a pint? We do! And if you’re interested in more than just the taste of your brew, we’ve found the course for you. The Science of Beer will teach you how your favorite ale is made, what’s in it and the effect it has on your body and health. Discover the steps involved in beer brewing, cultivation practices and production; learn about its history, marketing and consumer behaviour – and even the design production processes for different types of beer! Now you get to call yourself a brewer. Well, sorta.
How to Make a Comic Book – Strictly theoretical courses not really your style? Looking for something a tad more dynamic? How To Make A Comic Book is the project-centred course that’s here to save the day! And the best thing is you don’t really need much experience or prior knowledge. Designed for learners of all ages, this course will guide you while you devise your own original mini-comic, and test your skills at comic design and storytelling. Sounds like fun, right?
The Science of Well-Being – Social distancing has us in a rut, and it’s about time we changed that. Take this Yale Online course, based on a series of challenges and exercises for students to increase their happiness levels and create more productive everyday habits, and incorporate your learnings into your life. Talk about happiness made easy.
A History of Royal Fashion – Bit of a royal enthusiast? A fashion fanatic? Both? Tour the wardrobes of British kings and queens across five royal dynasties with the University of Glasgow’s A History of Royal Fashion. Among other things, learn how royals have used fashion as a means to entertain, control, wow and project power throughout history, and also how their fashion picks have evolved with the times.
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