A collection of free, online courses from some of the world's great universities on critical thought, reason, science and related matters.

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Politics, Strategy, and Game Theory

UCLA
Kathleen Bawn

"COURSE DESCRIPTION This course is an introduction to study of strategic interaction in political applications. Use of game theory and other formal modeling strategies to understand politics are also studied in order to gain a better understanding of politics at large."

Link: http://academicearth.org/courses/politics-strategy-and-game-theory

Fundamentals of Physics

Yale
Ramamurti Shankar

 "COURSE DESCRIPTION This course provides a thorough introduction to the principles and methods of physics for students who have good preparation in physics and mathematics. Emphasis is placed on problem solving and quantitative reasoning. This course covers Newtonian mechanics, special relativity, gravitation, thermodynamics, and waves."

Link: http://academicearth.org/courses/fundamentals-of-physics

The Future of Human Health

Stanford
Jennifer Raymond

"COURSE DESCRIPTION Learn about the frontiers of human health from seven of Stanford's most innovative faculty members. Inspired by a format used at the TED Conference (http://www.ted.com), each speaker delivers a highly engaging talk in just 10-20 minutes about his or her research. Learn about Stanford's newest and most exciting discoveries in neuroscience, bioengineering, brain imaging, psychology, and more."

Link: http://academicearth.org/courses/the-future-of-human-health

Darwin's Legacy

Stanford University
William Durham

"COURSE DESCRIPTION "Light will be thrown..." With these modest words, Charles Darwin launched a sweeping new theory of life in his epic book, On the Origin of Species (1859). The theory opened eyes and minds around the world to a radical new understanding of the flora and fauna of the planet. Here, Darwin showed for the first time that no supernatural processes are necessary to explain the profusion of living beings on earth, that all organisms past and present are related in a historical branching pattern of descent, and that human beings fall into place quite naturally in the web of all life. Now, 150 years later and 200 years after Darwins birth, we celebrate the amazingly productive vision and reach of his theory. In this Fall Quarter course, we will meet weekly with leading Darwin scholars from around the country to learn about Darwins far-reaching legacy in fields as diverse as anthropology, religion, medicine, psychology, philosophy, literature, and biology."

Link: http://academicearth.org/courses/darwins-legacy

Nonviolence: From Gandhi to Martin Luther King

Berkeley
Michael Nagler

 "COURSE DESCRIPTION An introduction to the science of nonviolence, mainly as seen through the life and work of Mahatma Gandhi. Historical overview of nonviolence East and the West up to the American Civil Rights movement and Martin Luther King, Jr., with emphasis on the ideal of principled nonviolence and the reality of mixed or strategic nonviolence in practice, especially as applied to problems of social justice and defense."

Link: http://academicearth.org/courses/nonviolence-from-gandhi-to-martin-luther-king

Science, Magic and Religion

UCLA
Courtenay Raia


COURSE DESCRIPTION
"Professor Courtenay Raia lectures on science and religion as historical phenomena that have evolved over time. She examines the earlier mind-set before 1700 when into science fitted elements that came eventually to be seen as magical. The course also question how Western cosmologies became "disenchanted." Magical tradition transformed into modern mysticisms is also examined as well as the political implications of these movements. Includes discussion concerning science in totalitarian settings as well as "big science" during the Cold War."

Link: http://academicearth.org/courses/science-magic-and-religion

Climate Change: Law and Policy

Berkeley
William Collins

"COURSE DESCRIPTION Climate change will be a core concern that will influence policy and economic activity for years to come. It raises classic issues of distributional justice, law and science, risk, uncertainty and precaution, federalism, technology policy, and international relations. Students will leave this course with an understanding of the sources and impacts of climate change, the key state, national and international policies, and the role of law."

Link:http://academicearth.org/courses/climate-change-law-and-policy