Humanities Courses

Learn how early American politics informed the U.S. Constitution and why its promise of liberty and equality has yet to be fully realized.

An overview of modern Chinese history, including the fall of the Qing and the end of imperial China.

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

Learn how the Manchus conquered the Qing and established the last of the imperial dynasties.

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.

Learn how American women created, confronted, and embraced change in the 20th century while exploring ten objects from Radcliffe’s Schlesinger Library.

Learn how businesses thrive and grow while simultaneously solving some of the world's biggest challenges in this course from Harvard Business School (HBS) Online.

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

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

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

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

Embark on a global journey to explore the past, present, and future of world literature.

Lead with stories that clarify, align, and inspire action.

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.

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

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

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

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

Learn how to better understand the rich and complex ways that religions function in historic and contemporary contexts.

Explore the underlying structures of everyday arguments and develop the tools to communicate effectively.

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

Reimagine global health problems with some of the leading global health thinkers and actors through a case-based biosocial framework.

Build a foundational understanding of AI concepts with this course from Harvard Business School (HBS) Online.

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