10 Incredible Classes to Stream from the Best Universities in the Country
While self-isolation is certainly tough, it can also be a great opportunity to broaden your mind and learn a new skill. Thankfully, in the digital age, many of the top universities in the country are offering streaming classes online – and many of them are actually free. We’ve rounded up a selection of amazing courses you can stream below, covering everything from the history of Hollywood, how to negotiate better, the future of AI, and – our personal favorite – the secret to happiness.
The Science of Well-Being
University: Yale University | Platform: Coursera
We could all use a little happiness right now, and this class might be the best possible way to get some. Also known as the “Happiness Class,” it is by far the most popular course Yale offers. No surprise considering it promises to “increase your own happiness and build more productive habits.”
The Global Financial Crisis
University: Yale University | Platform: Coursera
Though this class is focused on the 2008 crisis, its central topic is more relevant than ever given the state of the world right now. Add to that the fact that it is co-taught by the former U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Timothy F. Geithner along with Business School Professor Andrew Metrick.
Introduction to Negotiation: A Strategic Playbook for Becoming a Principled and Persuasive Negotiator
University: Yale University | Platform: Coursera
Learn the ins and outs of getting what you want. This class gives you the opportunity to negotiate with other students (yes, even online) and teaches you – among other topics – “preparing for a negotiation, making ultimatums, avoiding regret, expanding the pie, and dealing with someone who has a very different perspective on the world.”
Understanding the Brain: The Neurobiology of Everyday Life
University: The University of Chicago | Platform: Coursera
If you ever wondered why we see, act, feel and behave the way we do, this class is the one for you. But be warned; though this class is incredibly popular, the hundreds of four- and five-star reviews do point out that it isn’t easy, so be prepared to work.
Hollywood: History, Industry, Art
University: University of Pennsylvania | Platform: edX
Don’t just watch Netflix – learn how Netflix came to be. This class delves into the history of modern entertainment, examining everything from the way technology has evolved to how the industry has handled modern crises.
Dog Emotion and Cognition
University: Duke University | Platform: Coursera
You’ve probably never spent as much quality time with your four-legged friend as you have during quarantine. If you’re wondering what’s happening behind those adorable eyes, this class will teach you not only what your dogs are thinking about, but also how to strengthen your relationship with them.
Sports and Society
University: Duke University | Platform: Coursera
Leave it to one of the biggest basketball schools in the country to teach this class, which examines the larger context of sports around the world. This course studies the big, money-making games – like basketball, football, and soccer – as well as smaller, less obvious sports like mountain-climbing and fishing.
Imagining Other Earths
University: Princeton University | Platform: Coursera
Ever wonder if there’s life beyond Earth? While this class can’t (definitively) answer that question for you, it does teach you the latest research and concepts in the field. You’ll never look at the stars the same way ever again.
Masterpieces of World Literature
University: Harvard University | Platform: edX
If you’re getting tired of watching television, consider diving into (quite a lot of) books. True to its name, this course examines literature from around the world, and discusses the impact these masterworks had on the society they came from.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
University: Columbia University | Platform: edX
AI might be the future of everything, so now is as good a time as any to learn how it works. This course teaches you the fundamentals of AI and how it’s being used in the real world.
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