Harvard Faculty of Arts & Sciences

Learn the fascinating history of Igor Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring, one of the most challenging and rewarding ballets ever written.

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.

Study Baroque and Classical opera through Handel’s Giulio Cesare and Mozart’s Don Giovanni

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.

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.

Increase your quantitative reasoning skills through a deeper understanding of probability and statistics, with the engaging “Fat Chance” approach that’s made this course a favorite among learners worldwide.

Learn about the Qin and Han dynasties, and how Buddhism and ideas of self-realization influenced the medieval period.

Explore the ways in which CRISPR is disrupting sectors across the economy with Harvard VPAL.

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

Designed for individuals and teams, this Harvard Online course taught by preeminent Harvard Professor Mahzarin Banaji teaches the science of hidden bias and strategies to counter its impact in the workplace.

Prepare your student for college-level writing now.

Learn about Claudio Monteverdi’s L’Orfeo, one of the first operas ever written.

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

Explore the birth of modern China with a focus on the time between the fall of the Qing and the end of World War II.

Explore the archaeology, history, art, and hieroglyphs surrounding the famous Egyptian Pyramids at Giza. Learn about Old Kingdom pharaohs and elites, tombs, temples, the Sphinx, and how new technology is unlocking their secrets.

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

Taught by Harvard Professor Michael Sandel with insights from actor Michael B. Jordan

Led by Harvard Instructors and historians, you will discover China’s return to power through political, social, and economic growth in relation to other countries.

Think critically about social questions such as education policy, upward income mobility, and racial disparities, and understand how big data can answer these questions as well as impact policies that lead to improved outcomes around the world.

Learn how electricity makes the neurons in your brain tick.

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

Explore Higher Education Teaching and its practices offered by Harvard’s Derek Bok Center for Teaching and Learning. Learn to create a collaborative, engaging learning environment.

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

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.

Develop skills in digital research and visualization techniques across subjects and fields within the humanities.

The culmination of the MicroBachelors® program.

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

Learn about the rich diversity of Hindu sacred texts – hymns, narratives, philosophical thought – and their interpretations.

Learn about the key beliefs and practices of Judaism through an examination of its sacred texts and their interpretation.

Learn about China’s origins, its integral early thinkers, and competing states and schools of thought.