Courses

Explore the impact of the conquest dynasties and the world of the Ming.

Learn about Christianity through a study of its sacred scriptures. We will explore how diverse Christians have interpreted these writings and practiced their teachings over a 2000 year, global history.

This course examines the Sikh scripture from a doctrinal and historical perspective by providing an overview of Sikh teachings as well as the historical context within which the scripture evolved and became canonized.

Learn about Hector Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique, an iconic Romantic symphony that ushered in an era of narrative “program music.”

Explore acts of storytelling in Shakespeare’s Othello alongside world-class artists who interpret Othello’s story in new forms and contexts today.

This introduction to biochemistry explores the molecules of life, starting at simple building blocks and culminating in complex metabolism.

Join Harvard faculty in this online course to discover the physical history of the Jewish bible.

Gain critical communication skills in writing and public speaking with this introduction to American political rhetoric.

Learn about the Quran, the central sacred text of Islam, through an exploration of the rich diversity of roles and interpretations in Muslim societies.

Learn about the rich and diverse beliefs and practices of Buddhists across time and place. Experience Buddhism through its scriptures, both relationally as well as academically.

An exploration of the haunting figure at the heart of one of William Shakespeare’s most famous plays.

Explore China’s imperial period, with a focus on the Song dynasty and the role of the exam system in government.

Learn about the Earth, life, and how we can search for life elsewhere in the universe.

An overview of divination systems, ranging from ancient Chinese bone burning to modern astrology.

Learn how electricity makes the neurons in your brain tick.

Discover what makes your brain tick in this third course in our introductory series in neuroscience.

Why should we care about Confucius? Explore ancient Chinese philosophy, ethics, and political theory to challenge your assumptions of what it means to be happy, live a meaningful life, and change the world.

Explore the ethical controversies of financial markets.

Discover Handel’s Messiah in this installment of First Nights, which will explore five masterpieces of western music.

Combine literary research with data science to find answers in unexpected ways. Learn basic coding tools to help save time and draw insights from thousands of digital documents at once.

Explore what makes cities energizing, amazing, challenging, and perhaps humanity’s greatest invention.

Learn about Beethoven’s monumental 9th Symphony and forms of orchestral music.

Explore the Maoist period of China, from the Communist Party to the death of Mao and the reopening of China.