Some of the world’s most respected universities have free online courses in everything from art history and classical music through to sound production and modern poetry.
First emerging in 2012, Massive Online Open Courses (MOOCs) have unlimited participation and open access. Anyone with web access can do the courses, which are often taught through videos, audio downloads and interactive quizzes. There are no entry requirements or fees, and they can be a great way to ‘test’ a subject before committing for further formal study.
Most MOOCs run for four to six weeks, and require three or four hours a week of commitment. Some of the courses issue a certificate (for a small fee) at the end, but they don’t provide academic credit for use in other courses. The top MOOC providers –Coursera, edX, Open2Study and FutureLearn, - work with universities to make their course materials available online.
We’ve rounded up six courses on a range of topics to pique your interest.
INTRODUCTION TO ITALIAN OPERA
Dartmouth University
Running over six weeks, this course is an introduction to Italian opera, focusing on giving you the tools and experiences to become better students of opera. The course is taught (fittingly) in two Acts: Act I will give you a toolbox of skills to listen for specific moments and gestures in opera. Act II will focus applying these skills to listening activities with your favourite Italian composers.
IDEAS FROM THE HISTORY OF GRAPHIC DESIGN
California Institute of the Arts
This course is for emerging designers or students interested in learning more about visual culture. It covers the four major periods from the history of design: early mass marketing; Bauhaus; American Modernism; and graphic design radicalism. The course includes quizzes and assignments, and runs for four weeks.
ART & ACTIVITY: INTERACTIVE STRATEGIES FOR ENGAGING WITH ART
The Museum of Modern Art
Run by the MOMA in New York, this course is aimed at primary and secondary teachers across all disciplines. It focusses on how to engage and inspire students with art, using a inquiry-based approach. A review said, ‘This course will be really useful for practicing school teachers, university professors, even parents or persons interested in exploring more than just 'date and medium' about art.’
THEATRE AND GLOBALISATION
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich
Explore the relationship between theatre and globalisation over the past century, across six modules over six weeks. The content covers the Cold War, ‘festivalisation’ and global players.
ANTIQUITIES TRAFFICKING AND ART CRIME
University of Glasgow
Taught by researchers from the Trafficking Culture international research consortium and hosted by the University of Glasgow, this three week course delves deep into “the criminal networks that engage in antiquities trafficking and art crime; the harmful effects that these phenomena have on communities and society as a whole; and what scholars, police, and lawmakers are doing to protect our heritage.”
EXPLORE FILMMAKING: FROM SCRIPT TO SCREEN
National Film and Television School
One for either the budding filmmaker or the movie fan! The course description reads ‘Over six weeks, our team of award-winning filmmakers will take you through their approach to telling stories, as well as demystifying their own filmmaking specialisms - from writing and directing to cinematography, editing and composing.’